The Istanbul Criminal Court has ordered the arrest of the citys mayor, Ekrem ?mamo?lu, following allegations of aiding a terrorist organization. According to Azernews, the court approved the prosecutors request for ?mamo?lus detention. The Istanbul General Prosecutor's Office had previously issued a detention order against seven suspects, including ?mamo?lu, Deputy Secretary General of the Istanbul Municipality Mahir Polat, and ?i?li Mayor Resul Emrah ?ahan. The charges relate to alleged support for the PKK/KCK terrorist organization. The prosecution states that a so-called "city consensus" initiative was formed ahead of the March 31 municipal elections to strengthen the PKK/KCKs influence in major cities, particularly Istanbul. According to the investigation, PKK/KCK leaders Cemil Bay?k and Mustafa Karasu allegedly issued directives through media affiliated with the organization, guiding their supporters in electoral strategies. The prosecution claims that ?mamo?lu allied with the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK), which is described as an umbrella organization for the terrorist group, as part of this "city consensus." Law enforcement has since conducted simultaneous operations against HDK members across multiple cities, including Istanbul, leading to ongoing detentions. The investigation further revealed that certain individuals elected to municipal councils under the Republican People's Party (CHP) and several appointed mayors have alleged connections to the terrorist group. Among those implicated are Mehmet Ali Cal??kan, head of the Reforms Institute, and individuals identified as having facilitated recruitment for the organization in previous years. The legal proceedings continue as authorities further investigate the alleged connections between the suspects and the PKK/KCK. Just days before he turned 29, doctors reportedly told Aussie dad Dylan Watts he would be lucky to make it to his next milestone birthday. A bacterium in his lungs had created 72 holes that would likely never repair, his sister Caitlyn told Yahoo News Australia. Despite his concerning diagnosis and weakening frame, the trained chef pushed forward with his antibiotic treatment and was this year looking forward to possibly beginning a new course of drugs that would improve his quality of life a little bit. He never gave up and he wasnt scared, Caitlyn said, explaining that Dylans loved ones didnt know a lot about his condition, as he kept it rather private. Hed only really opened up to mum about how severe it was recently. Aussie dad dies just days before his 30th birthday Despite his strength and persistence, the doctors grim prediction tragically came true earlier this month when the dad suddenly died three days before his 30th birthday just hours after he gathered with family in Canberra to celebrate. ADVERTISEMENT He wanted to make carbonara for dinner, and mum and I could see that he wasnt sort of feeling great, so she and I cooked. So we got to make him his last dinner, which has some sentiment, Caitlyn told Yahoo. Doctors told Dylan a bacteria had created 72 holes in his lungs that likely wouldn't repair. Source: Supplied After they watched TV and headed to bed, she said her mum stirred when she could hear Dylan coughing up phlegm, which was sadly wasnt super unusual. Then we have heard this loud bang. So she got straight up and walked to our bathroom andshe just knew she that he had passed straight away. The family are still unsure what exactly caused the young dads death. An autopsy and a meeting with his physicians have been scheduled. Caitlyn said paramedics pondered if it was cardiac-related because he was so weak. I lifted his hand once he passed and normally people talk about dead weight, [but] it felt like he was still there. His organs must have been under so much duress trying to keep him going, Caitlyn said. ADVERTISEMENT As they wait for answers, family and friends have created a GoFundMe to raise funds for a celebration of life in Dylans honour. We want a big celebration on the beach with all of his friends. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Spokesperson statement on the temporary opening of the Margara-Alican border crossing European External Action Service (EEAS) 22.03.2025 EEAS Press Team The EU welcomes the temporary opening of the Margara-Alican border crossing between Armenia and Turkiye. This gesture of goodwill not only helps those in need in Syria but also shows the added value of the bilateral dialogue and builds onto efforts towards the full normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkiye. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Report: Syrian regime's militants kill 72 people in one day Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 March 2025 7:31 AM The Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham-led (HTS) militants of the ruling regime in Syria have killed 72 people across the conflict-ridden country in the past 24 hours, a UK-based war monitor says. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that 58 out of 72 were killed by "armed groups" affiliated with the HTS-aligned General Security and military factions in the provinces of Tartus and Latakia. The remaining murders took place in the Aleppo, Dara'a, Dayr al-Zawr, Damascus, and Homs provinces, it added. On December 8, 2024, foreign-backed HTS militants announced the fall of the government of President Bashar al-Assad following a rapid two-week onslaught. Earlier this month, the HTS militants and armed opposition groups engaged in gruesome massacres in the country's northwestern coastal region. SOHR said this week that more than 4,711 civilians, including 345 women and 194 children, were massacred in the 100 days since the ouster of the Assad government. It also noted that that 1,805 of the murders were the result of field executions and killings based on "sectarian identity and affiliation" with the former administration. Most of the killings occurred in March and the majority of the victims were from the Alawite religious minority. Experts say sectarian-driven killings of civilians displayed the ruling regime's tacit support and lack of control over the militants nominally under its command. They also blame the dismissal of all officers and security officials of the Assad government for the current wave of violence gripping Syria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan's National Security Bureau delegation concludes Guatemala visit ROC Central News Agency 03/22/2025 07:43 PM Guatemala City, March 21 (CNA) A delegation from Taiwan's National Security Bureau (NSB) wrapped up an exchange training program in Guatemala on Friday, marking the first collaboration between the special security forces responsible for protecting the heads of state of both countries. At a ceremony marking the program's conclusion, Lee Ching-jan (), who led the Taiwanese delegation, was awarded the "Iximche" by the Guatemalan government for his efforts in pushing for the collaboration. Lee currently serves as the deputy head of the NSB's Special Service Command Center, which is tasked with the security of former and incumbent Taiwanese presidents, vice presidents and their families, as well as presidential candidates. The Iximche is a medal conferred by the Guatemalan government upon foreign nationals who have contributed to cooperation between their home countries and the Central American nation. According to the NSB, this was the first time a delegation from the Special Service Command Center participated in such exchange training with their counterparts from Guatemala. Friday's ceremony was attended by several top Guatemalan officials, including Defense Minister Henry David Saenz Ramos, Secretary General of the Presidential Office Juan Gerardo Guerrero Garnica, and Ivan Carpio Alfaro, head of the Secretariat of Administrative Affairs and Security (SAAS). The Special Service Center said the exchange was an opportunity for its officers and their counterparts from Guatemala to conduct joint exercises on security and counterterrorism operations, enhancing their intelligence assessment and operational skills. The NSB, meanwhile, noted that such a collaboration not only benefited the special security forces of both sides but also contributed to the deepening of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Guatemala. Guatemala is one of 12 states to maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China. The two nations established ties in 1933. (By Lee Teng-wen and Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan's foreign minister meets with new Somaliland envoy ROC Central News Agency 03/22/2025 01:54 PM Taipei, March 22 (CNA) Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung () met with Somaliland's new representative to Taipei, Mahmoud Adam Jama Galaal, on Friday, with both expressing hope for increased bilateral ties in the future, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). MOFA said in a press release that the envoy from the East African region submitted a letter of appointment signed by Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam Bakal during his meeting with Lin, completing the official procedures for assuming office. Galaal, appointed by the new government of Somaliland after President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi was sworn into office on Dec. 12, 2024, arrived in Taipei at the end of January. In his remarks, Lin welcomed Galaal to Taiwan and said Taipei looked forward to continuing to promote bilateral collaboration in multiple fields, including education, healthcare, agriculture, information and communications, security and energy resources. Describing Somaliland as a partner, Lin said his government was ready to assist the African territory in its development by sharing Taiwan's best practices in promoting innovative solutions, according to the release. The release cited Galaal voicing a similar view as he pointed out Somaliland's eagerness to collaborate with Taiwan on maritime security, energy resources, technology and trade. The envoy also thanked Taiwan for funding various projects in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, including the expansion of the main road connecting Egal International Airport to the city center and the construction of a medical center at the Hargeisa Group Hospital. In 2024, Taiwan committed US$1.85 million for the road project and US$22 million for the medical center. According to MOFA, Galaal has extensive experience working in Somaliland's government. He has headed the ministries of health, planning and national development, and served as Somaliland's ambassador to Ethiopia, MOFA said. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has functioned as a de facto sovereign state ever since, but is not officially recognized as a nation by any country. Ties between Taiwan and Somaliland have warmed since the two sides set up representative offices in each other's capitals in 2020. (By Teng Pei-ju and Joseph Yeh) Enditem/cs NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan orders 2 more pro-'unification by force' Chinese influencers to leave ROC Central News Agency 03/22/2025 01:43 PM Taipei, March 22 (CNA) Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA) has revoked the residence permits of two more Taiwan-based Chinese influencers after concluding they had openly advocating for China's unification of Taiwan by force. In a statement on Friday, the NIA said Xiao Wei () and En Qi () are required by law to leave Taiwan shortly, but did not specify the deadline for the two to go. The NIA said the decision to revoke their family-based long-term residence permits came after the agency consulted with the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), which supervises cross-strait exchanges. Last week, the NIA had revoked the residence permit of another Chinese national, identified by her surname Liu (), who openly advocated in her social media account -- Ya Ya in Taiwan () -- for China's unification of Taiwan by force. The NIA has requested that Liu leave Taiwan by March 25. In her case, she was asked to leave 10 days after receiving a deportation order. The Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area states that a Chinese national "may be deported, or ordered to depart within 10 days" under circumstances including "being considered (a) threat [sic] to the national or social stability based on sufficient facts." The three Chinese influencers are the spouses of their Taiwanese husbands. Local news media reported Liu and Xiao Wei have three kids each. It was not clear whether En Qi has any kid. According to the NIA, Xiao Wei posted several video clips on her social media page, promoting China's unification of Taiwan by force, using messages such as "five-star red national flag of China are seen all over the streets in Taiwan." As for En Qi, the NIA said, the Chinese spouse posted video clips on her online account, saying: "the People's Liberation Army demonstrates its strong military strength and adamantly maintains China's sovereignty," and that "Taiwan is an inseparable part of China." The NIA said the agency had intensified investigations into the two Chinese influencers to verify the facts while summoning them to express their opinions during the probes. After consulting with the MAC and other related government agencies, the NIA said it has decided to revoke the two's residence permits and bar them from reapplying for family-based and long-term residence permits for the next five years. The NIA said the decision to order the two Chinese spouses to leave Taiwan completely abides by the law and shows Taiwan's determination to protect national security and stabilize its society. (By Liu Chien-pang and Frances Huang) Enditem/cs 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 2025/03/22 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date 6 a.m. Mar. 21 (Fri.) to 6 a.m. Mar. 22 (Sat.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities 47 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN ships and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 41 out of 47 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, 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. 1140322_PLA activities 1140322_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey witnesses more protests over the arrest of Istanbul mayor on multiple charges IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 22, 2025 Protesters in Turkey have once again flooded the streets of Istanbul in opposition to the arrest of the city's mayor over terror and graft-related charges. Ozgur Ozil, the leader of the Republican People's Party of Turkey, announced the presence of thousands of protesters on Saturday night. "We are 300,000 people; the streets and bridges have been closed to prevent gathering in a single place, so the demonstrators have gathered in several different places," he said while addressing a crowd in front of the Istanbul Municipality building. Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu detained just days before he was expected to declare his candidacy for the next presidential election. On Saturday, he appeared before police for questioning on terror-related charges, a day after being interrogated over corruption allegations. Imamoglu, a key opposition figure and potential challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 2028 presidential election, has strongly denied all charges, with the opposition Republican People's Party of Turkey calling his arrest a political move. The mayor's arrest this week has sparked widespread protests across Turkey, with demonstrators rallying in multiple cities to voice their opposition. While the government has dismissed the opposition-led protests as a show of force and a distraction from domestic problems, the opposition leaders have urged their supporters to continue the protests, accusing President Erdogan of being afraid of public unrest. The protests have continued despite the government's efforts to crack down on them, with protesters vowing not to rest until Imamoglu is released. 4399**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey arrests 343 as mass protests follow detention of Erdogan's main rival Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 March 2025 4:55 PM Turkish authorities have arrested 343 protesters during overnight protests in more than a dozen cities against the detention of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the Interior Ministry said. The protests across major cities began on Thursday and continued on Saturday. Tens of thousands of demonstrators defied a ban on protests to take to the streets against Imamoglu's detention. Demonstrations have taken place across Turkey, especially its largest cities, including Istanbul, the capital, Ankara, Adana, Antalya, Izmir, Konya and several others. "There will be no tolerance for those who seek to violate societal order, threaten the people's peace and security, and pursue chaos and provocation," Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya posted on social media. Turkish authorities detained Imamoglu, a member of the Republican People's Party (CHP), the main opposition to Erdogan's Justice and Development Party, on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist group, calling him a "criminal organization leader suspect." Pro-government media outlets have reported that Imamoglu has been accused of extortion and fraud, and aiding the terrorist organization of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). On the day of his detention, Imamoglu said online that "the will of the people cannot be silenced," that he will "stand resolute" for the people of Turkey "and all who uphold democracy and justice worldwide." The arrest prompted protests and outcry from across the country by opposition, and government critics who called his arrest "a coup against our next president." The detention of Imamoglu, the two-term mayor of Istanbul, comes at the end of a months-long legal suppression of opposition figures across the country. The critics argue that the crackdown on the opposition is a political move to decrease their prospects in the next presidential election. Last year, Imamoglu won a second term as Istanbul's mayor, when his CHP party won the local elections there and in Ankara. It was the first time since Erdogan came to power that his party was defeated across the country at an election. Erdogan, who has been in power for 22 years, and his party have denied the allegation of a coup and insisted Turkey's judiciary system is independent. Turkey's next presidential elections are scheduled for 2028. Erdogan cannot currently run for office again, as he is in his second term and previously served as the prime minister. The only way Erdogan could participate in another election would be to change the constitution or call an early election before his term ends. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Protests Intensify As Detained Istanbul Mayor, Erdogan Rival Faces Police Questioning By RFE/RL March 22, 2025 Thousands of supporters of detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 22 protested in front of the city's courthouse where the key rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was undergoing questioning over allegations of corruption and links to terror groups. Imamoglu, 54, was detained by Turkish authorities days before he was expected to be nominated as the opposition candidate running in the scheduled 2028 presidential election, a move the European Union called "deeply concerning." The Istanbul mayor was questioned for some five hours on March 22 into allegations of having links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), according to a report by the Cumhuriyet newspaper. On March 21, he was questioned for four hours over the allegations of corruption. According to documents seen by Reuters, Imamoglu answered at least 70 questions during his interrogation, denying all the charges. "I see today during my interrogation that I and my colleagues are faced with unimaginable accusations and slanders," Imamoglu said, one document showed. Turkey's 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. His arrest intensified political tensions and sparked protests across Turkey, with demonstrators rallying in several cities to express support for Imamoglu. Police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse protesters as the crowd in Istanbul tossed firecrackers and other objects at security personnel. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote on social media that more than 340 people had been detained in protests in major cities. "There will be no tolerance for those who seek to violate societal order, threaten the people's peace and security, and pursue chaos and provocation," he said, naming the cities that included Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Antalya, Canakkale, Eskisehir, Konya, and Edirne. 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." Many critics have said the arrest is politically motivated and an attempt to remove a popular opposition figure and challenger to Erdogan in the next presidential race. The government rejects the accusations that legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated, insisting that the country's courts are independent entities. Imamoglu tops Erdogan in some opinion polls and was set to be named the CHP's official presidential candidate in the coming days. The next election is technically scheduled for 2028. However, Erdogan has reached his two-term limit as president after having earlier served as the country's prime minister. If he seeks to run again, as expected, he must either call an early election or change the constitution. With reporting by AP and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/turkey-erdogan-istanbul- imamoglu-protest-chp/33356093.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 "We will continue to live in brotherhood on these lands" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 22.03.2025 Speaking after AK Party Istanbul Branch's iftar dinner, President Erdogan said: "We will not tolerate plots that target Turkiye, surgical operations on it, or the erection of walls of discord among our 85 million citizens through social engineering. As Alevis, Sunnis, Kurds, Turks, Laz, and Circassians, we will continue to live in brotherhood and solidarity on these lands, as we have done for a thousand years." President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech after AK Party Istanbul Branch's iftar dinner. "WE WILL NOT TOLERATE THE ERECTION OF WALLS OF DISCORD AMONG OUR 85 MILLION CITIZENS" "No one in Turkiye is outside the scope of law. No minority in Turkiye has a license to commit crimes, nor will there be any. Those seeking solutions outside the boundaries of democracy, judiciary and legitimacy have always failed in their efforts, and they will fall short of their aspirations in the future as well. We will not allow the CHP and its supporters to disrupt the public order and unsettle our nation through provocations. We will not tolerate plots that target Turkiye, surgical operations on it, or the erection of walls of discord among our 85 million citizens through social engineering. As Alevis, Sunnis, Kurds, Turks, Laz, and Circassians, we will continue to live in brotherhood and solidarity on these lands, as we have done for a thousand years," President Erdogan said. "WESTERN ADMINISTRATIONS REMAIN SILENT SPECTATORS TO THE ONGOING ATROCITIES IN GAZA" Noting that the Zionist Netanyahu government relaunched its genocidal attacks on Gaza last week in violation of the ceasefire agreement, President Erdogan stressed that over 700 Palestinians were killed in the attacks the Israeli administration, which doesn't recognize any sacred values, conducted overnight in the holy month of Ramadan. Stating that many countries in the world, particularly western administrations, remain silent spectators to the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, President Erdogan said: "Gaza and Palestine are the most bitter testament to how those always talking about rights and justice discriminate people based on their color and religion. When the oppressed is Palestinian and the oppressor is Israeli, notice how the language used changes immediately. When the murdered journalists are Gazan, international media outlets change their stance all of a sudden. All those who keep lecturing the world on human rights and freedoms have yet to react to the vile killing of babies in their cradles in Gaza. Even the white-shrouded bodies of children lined up on the cold concrete do not suffice to stir the consciences that are locked." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Young Aussies and school leavers will be warned of the dangers of drinking alcohol overseas and taught how to protect themselves from drink spiking following the tragic death of two 19-year-old best friends in Laos. The alcohol safety campaign follows increased safety fears of bootleg alcohol after the death Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles in Vang Vieng last November. The girls were among six people who died as a result of the mass-poisoning event in the popular tourist town. Amid continued scrutiny into the Laotian governments investigation into the deaths, the Albanese government will roll out a nationwide awareness campaign warning of the risks of methanol-tainted alcohol. The large-scale awareness campaign was sparked by the deaths of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, who died of methanol poisoning in Laos. Picture: 60 Minutes The content will target social media platforms, and specific destinations such as Southeast Asia. ADVERTISEMENT Travellers will also receive advice and alerts through social media, text messages and airport campaigns warning of the dangers of drink spiking and alcohol safety. The programs will focus on the signs of methanol poisoning, and safety precautions to protect young Aussies and their friends from having their drinks spiked. Smartraveller will also establish a safety hub hosting resources for parents, school and travellers set to go live by June 2025, and organisations like Red Frogs and the Nicole Fitzsimmons Foundation will also be engaged by the government to run presentations at schools. The safety initiative follows a renewed commitment from the Australian government to press Laotian authorities for updates on the investigation into the deaths of Ms Jones and Ms Bowles. Previously Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she had informed Laotian authorities she expected a full, thorough, transparent investigation, and for the people responsible for the poisonings to be held to account. ADVERTISEMENT This comes as the families of the teenage girls told 60 Minutes in February that theyve yet to receive any updates into the investigation. The Laotian government has also rejected offers of assistance from the Australian Federal Police. Foreign Minister Penny Wong vowed to continue to press the Laotian government for updates into the investigation. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Announcing the awareness campaign, Senator Wong paid tribute to the families of Ms Jones and Ms Bowles. The families of Holly and Bianca are foremost in my mind today, and also the many families of other Australians who have lost loved ones, she said. We want our children to be curious and explore the world but above all else, we want them to be safe. These efforts will help young Australians travelling overseas to protect themselves from methanol poisoning, drinking spiking and other alcohol harms. Assistant Foreign Affair Minister Tim Watts said he hoped the campaign would teach young Australians of the additional and different risks involved with consuming alcohol overseas. The Australian governments increased messaging and targeted advice to young travellers, including school leavers and their parents through social media will help raise awareness of the serious and varied risks from alcohol consumption overseas, he said. Germany unlocks 3bn for Ukraine as EU aid plan flounders Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 March 2025 7:11 AM Germany's budget committee has cleared the way for another 3 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine even as an EU plan to mobilize as much as 40 billion euros for the country was left in shambles. The release of the aid package late Friday followed the passage of reforms to the constitution, pushed by the chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz to ramp up investment in military. It was timed to coincide with the summit of EU leaders in Brussels where aid for Ukraine and bolstering Europe's defenses was on the agenda. But as EU leaders wound up their gathering, the plan lay in tatters, with one EU diplomat saying that the process had been "botched up". The failure is rooted in the reality of a European Union where interest in making sacrifices for Kiev varies dramatically from country to country. Southern nations are less eager than those in the east or the north. But in the end, even France, the bloc's biggest military power, balked at giving a thumbs-up to the aid package. The 27-member bloc, minus Hungary, sought to put on a brave face by approving a joint statement which promised to "continue to provide Ukraine with regular and predictable financial support". Germany's military aid is allocated for the purchase of weaponry including drones, munitions and units of Iris-T air-defense systems that have yet to be built and will be delivered over the next two years. Germany also plans to authorize commitments of 8.252 billion euros for military aid to Ukraine for the years 2026 to 2029, bringing the total to more than 11 billion euros. The flurry of European activity comes amid lingering concern about the US commitment to the war and the bloc's struggle to shore up Ukraine's position on the battlefield and strengthen its hand in upcoming talks with Russia. Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia's Vladimir Putin both held talks with their US counterpart Donald Trump this week, and have indicated they are prepared to halt attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days. Putin, however, has made an end to further Western military support for Ukraine a red line for Russia agreeing to a long-term truce. In a further sign of division, Trump who has spooked European and NATO allies by his overtures to Putin and lukewarm commitment to European security suggested that the United States could take over and run Ukraine's power plants. Zelensky has said that will make Ukraine vulnerable to further attack and warned against making concessions that would embolden Moscow. Trump suspended Washington's continued military aid to Kiev and is making efforts to end the Ukraine war as soon as possible. Late Friday, the Ukrainian leader thanked Germany for the new military aid, saying it would provide Kiev with "exactly what Ukraine needs most ... contracts with the German defense industry." Berlin has been the biggest supplier of military aid to Kiev after the United States. Till now, Germany has contributed some 28 billion euros to Kiev since the war started over three years ago. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian-Occupied Ukrainian Regions Key To Ending War, Says US Envoy Steve Witkoff By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and RFE/RL's Russian Service March 22, 2025 US envoy Steve Witkoff said the resolving the status of the Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russia is key to ending the war in Ukraine as he appeared to move away from Washington's long-standing position rejecting Moscow's annexation of the regions. In a wide-ranging interview with U.S. conservative media personality Tucker Carlson, Witkoff said negotiations over the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, Kherson, and Crimea regions of Ukraine would likely determine how the conflict is settled. Russia has said part of the reason it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was to "protect" Russian speakers in the eastern regions. Many experts disagree with that assessment, saying Russian imperial ambitions underpin the conflict. "That's the elephant in the room," he said. "When that gets settled, we're having a very, very positive conversation." Seven months after the start of the invasion, the Kremlin declared the four eastern Ukrainian regions annexed and a part of Russia after a referendum vote that the Kremlin professed was an expression of voters' true will. The vote came even though the regions are only partially occupied by Russian forces, governed by Russian-installed proxy administrators, and the fact that several million potential voters from the region were displaced and unable to cast ballots. Shortly after the vote, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly condemned Russia's proclaimed annexation of the regions, while then-U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken repeated Washington's position that the United States would never recognize the "sham" referendums. Trump and his team have repeatedly said that Ukraine will have to make concessions on land to secure a peace deal to end the more than three-year-old war. Russia currently controls about 20 percent of Ukraine, including large chunks of the four regions. Witkoff appeared to move away from the position of the Biden administration and the international community at large, telling Carlson that "there have been referendums [organized by Moscow] where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule." "The question is, will the world acknowledge that those are Russian territories?" Kyiv has consistently rejected Russian claims to have annexed the Ukrainian territories as well as the referendums. "There are constitutional issues within Ukraine as to what they can concede to with regard to giving up territory," Witkoff added. "Can [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy survive politically if he acknowledges this?" Many in Ukraine reacted angrily to the suggestion that the Moscow-run votes in occupied territories could be considered legitimate. Kostyantyn Reutskiy, journalist, human rights activist, and former executive director of the East SOS Ukrainian charitable organization, said, "We, the residents of the Ukrainian east and Crimea, saw with our own eyes how this [the Moscow-controlled vote] happened." "It had nothing to do with the expression of the people's will," he added. "A tiny part of the local population took part in these so-called referendums, and in fact it was a performance to legalize Russia's decisions on annexation, occupation, and gaining control over part of the territory of a sovereign state." Kostyantyn Batozskiy, who now heads the Azov Development Agency and in 2014 observed the beginning of Russian aggression in Donetsk, said, "I saw with my own eyes how staged, implausible, and orchestrated [the vote was] on the part of Russia." "In Donetsk -- which has a population of millions - there were not enough so-called 'polling stations' and those that were there -- anyone could come, take as many ballots as they wanted, and go from one polling station to another," Batozskiy added. Dainiel Fried, a longtime US diplomat and former ambassador to Poland, wrote on X that Witkoff's "credulous acceptance of Putin's good will & Kremlin claims about Ukraine damage the US position going into the next talks with Russia. Blindness = weakness. " "Mike Waltz & Marco Rubio won't say anything publicly, but probably get this," he added, referring to the US national-security adviser and secretary of state. In recent months, Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine may be unable to regain all its Russian-occupied territories by force, but he has stressed that Kyiv will not recognize any part of Ukraine as Russian.' Witkoff, who has been actively involved in diplomatic efforts concerning the conflict in Ukraine, said that he remains hopeful after the recent round of high-level contacts, including US President Donald Trump's telephone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy. "I am very, very optimistic that we're going to be able to bring the two sides together," he said. Witkoff has been actively involved in diplomatic efforts concerning the conflict in Ukraine, traveling to Russia last week to meet with Putin. The two spoke for a few hours. Witkoff said his message to Putin was that he and Trump "were going to be two great leaders figuring out this conflict." Separately, Witkoff said it was important to end Putin's political isolation to halt the conflict. Western leaders had cut off contact with the Russian president shortly after the start of the war in February 2022. "How would we settle a conflict with someone who is the head of a major nuclear power unless we establish trust and good feelings with one another," Witkoff said. He said that, at their meeting, Putin handed him a portrait of Trump he had made by a top artist. He also said Putin told him he went to pray for Trump after he was almost killed by an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July 2024 while campaigning for the presidency. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-steve- witkoff-peace-ceasefire/33355962.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 Drone Strikes Kill Family, Hit Multiple Regions Across Ukraine, Including Kyiv By RFE/RL March 22, 2025 A wave of at least 179 Shahed-type attack drones from Russia struck four regions in Ukraine overnight on March 21-22, killing a family of three in Zaporizhzhya, and wounding at least 12 people. The wounded included an infant and victims suffered burns, shrapnel injuries and contusions, according to Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration. A 14-year-old girl was killed with her father in their home, authorities said. Her mother later died at a hospital. Ukrainian military sources said they shot down 100 of the incoming drones but enough got through to cause deaths and severe injuries and damage civilian premises in Zaporizhzhya, the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Kyiv districts. "As of 08.30, the downing of 100 Shahed-type attack UAVs and other types of drones in the south, north and center of the country was confirmed," a report from the Ukrainian authorities said. Around Kyiv, 52 Russian drones were detected, of which air defense forces said they destroyed 36. The attacks continued into the early morning hours of March 23, with officials in the capital saying a drone hit an apartment building. Details were scarce shortly after the strike, but officials said emergency services were at the site. The latest wave of attacks is part of a sharp escalation by both Russia and Ukraine, in drone strikes that have followed cease-fire negotiations between Ukraine, the United States and Russia. The Russian attacks have employed drones, missiles and glide bombs, and followed a pledge made by President Vladimir Putin in a March 18 phone call with the White House to halt strikes on energy infrastructure. Hours after that two-hour talk with US President Donald Trump, Russian drones hit Ukrainian energy and water supply facilities, along with schools and hospitals. The Ukrainian authorities and international organizations have called these strikes war crimes. Ukraine, meanwhile, has struck Russian oil facilities and a strategic bomber base in Engels, triggering a massive fire. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russian-drone- wave-zaporizhzhya-family-killed/33356032.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 Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on Ukraine's continued strikes on Russian energy facilities 22 March 2025 14:03 451-22-03-2025 Despite the agreement initiated by the United States to refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure - an agreement Kiev ostensibly supported - the Nazi regime's treacherous attacks on Russian territory continue. On March 19, a fuel depot in Kuban came under attack, followed by a strike on the Sudzha gas metering station in the Kursk Region on March 21. In addition, there have been further barbaric incidents of Ukrainian drones deliberately targeting residential buildings and social facilities. These reckless actions once again highlight Kiev's complete disregard for agreements and its lack of commitment to achieving peace. Just as in 2022, provocations are being used to derail the negotiation process. We issue a clear warning: if the Kiev regime persists in its destructive course, Russia reserves the right to respond, including with symmetrical measures. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Situation at the Front and Preparations for the Meeting with the American Team: The President Held a Meeting of the Military Cabinet President of Ukraine 22 March 2025 - 19:39 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Military Cabinet in Kharkiv. The Head of State received reports from Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andrii Hnatov. The meeting was also attended by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and Deputy Head of the Office Pavlo Palisa. The parties discussed the situation at the front and the developments in the key directions: Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Sumy, as well as the course of the operation in the Kursk region. Special emphasis was placed on preparations for the meeting with the American delegation, which will take place tomorrow, March 23, in Saudi Arabia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Visited the Command Posts of the Operational Tactical Group Kharkiv and the 13th Khartiia Operational Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine President of Ukraine 22 March 2025 - 19:20 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the command post of the Operational Tactical Group Kharkiv in the Kharkiv region and received a report from the Commander. According to Viktor Solimchuk, the Russian occupiers have not stopped their attempts to expand their footholds in the northern part of the Kharkiv region. He reported on the enemy's maneuvers, assault actions, the number of troops and equipment, as well as the results of the Operational Tactical Group Kharkiv in recent months, the losses inflicted, and the upcoming tasks to liberate Ukrainian cities and villages. They also discussed tactics for combating various types of Russian drones, the use of electronic warfare and interceptor drones. The Commander also reported on efforts to protect civilians in Kharkiv and the region from UAVs. The President thanked the warriors for their service in the name of Ukraine and awarded them the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, II and III classes. "Deepest respect to your brothers-in-arms who, unfortunately, are no longer with us, but they will always be part of our country's history. I bow to their families and friends with great respect and gratitude. I wish your families health, strength, resilience, and a just peace. I wish Ukraine victory," the Head of State said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also visited the command post of the 13th Khartiia Operational Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, which is carrying out the task of liberating the Kharkiv region. The President received a report from Brigade Commander Ihor Obolenskyi on the current situation in his unit's area of responsibility. Volodymyr Zelenskyy was briefed on the digitalized analysis and management system developed by the brigade. The Head of State spoke with the servicemembers and thanked them for defending Ukraine and all our people. The President honored the warriors with state awards, including the Orders "For Courage," II and III classes, and medals. "I want to thank you for truly bringing Ukraine closer to a lasting and just peace, to victory. We all deeply want this, and every step is important. Khartiia's results are high. I am thankful for this outcome. I am grateful that the enemy loses many times more than we do. I think this is a great advantage that we have - intelligence and such an attitude towards our people. Thank you for that," the President said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Visited the 59th Unmanned Systems Brigade, Received the Situation Report, and Presented State Awards to the Warriors President of Ukraine 22 March 2025 - 12:41 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi visited the command post of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade of Unmanned Systems named after Yakiv Handziuk. The Commander of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade Bohdan Shevchuk reported on the situation within the brigade's area of responsibility and its engagement with neighboring units. Additionally, the Head of State received a report on the use of unmanned systems, electronic warfare equipment, and robotic complexes. The brigade has its own production of these systems and is actively adopting innovative technologies. Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, II and III classes, to the warriors present and passed the awards to other servicemembers of the brigade. "Thank you for this opportunity to award you personally, to thank you on behalf of Ukraine, on behalf of all Ukrainians. Thank you for defending our state - for standing firm and strong. We wish health to your families and loved ones - this is very important - to all of you. We wish you victory. Thank you for your service," the President said. The Head of State also spoke with the unit commanders. In particular, they discussed the recruitment and training of new pilots, as well as the military's perspective on the security guarantees Ukraine requires. The commanders expressed the need for specific types of weapons and equipment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy Visited the Defenders of Pokrovsk and Spoke with the Commanders of the Drone Line President of Ukraine 22 March 2025 - 12:12 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi visited the command post of the Tactical Group Pokrovsk, where he received reports and awarded the warriors. Acting Commander Yurii Madiar reported on the defense of the Pokrovsk direction, including the operational situation, how the brigades within the group are carrying out their missions, the Russian occupiers' intentions, and their forces and means. The Head of State awarded the warriors with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, II and III classes. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also met with Madyar, Achilles, Hasan, Veres and Zemlyak, the Commanders of the Drone Line, which brought together the finest unmanned systems units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The President was briefed on the first results of the project's work during the operation in the Kursk region, as well as in the Donetsk direction and other key areas. They discussed further development and expansion of the project, funding, and deregulation to ensure greater autonomy for the units. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Weighs US Presence At Nuclear Plants By Rostyslav Khotin March 23, 2025 The US could have boots on the ground in Ukraine -- though not in the way many might expect. During a recent phone call between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where Ukraine agreed to pause attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure for 30 days, the idea emerged of establishing a US presence at Ukrainian nuclear power plants. Zelenskyy said that in the conversation with Trump, he discussed the possibility of US assistance in restoring Zaporizhzhya, Europe's largest nuclear power station, which has been under Russian occupation since March 2022. "I said that just de-occupying [Zaporizhzhya] is not enough, because there must be infrastructure there: water supply, technical personnel, and many more steps so that [in the future] the station starts bringing money and electricity to people," Zelenskyy said about the phone call. According to a White House readout of the March 19 call, Trump told Zelenskyy that US ownership of Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants "would be the best protection for that infrastructure." Plan For US Nuclear Staff In Ukraine Experts who spoke to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service cautiously welcomed the proposal, saying it would be a strong security guarantee and a step in the right direction for Ukraine's nuclear power to shift from Russia to the West. "I believe that if Mr. Trump made such a proposal, Ukraine should not refuse, but should agree to it, with certain conditions," said Volodymyr Omelchenko, energy program director at the Razumkov Center, a Kyiv-based think tank. Those conditions, he suggested, would include guaranteeing complete Ukrainian control and ensuring Enerhoatom, the state-owned nuclear power enterprise, remains the sole operator. "No one else knows the specifics of the [Zaporizhzhya power plant], except for Ukrainian specialists, since each nuclear unit has its own individual specifics," Omelchenko said. Ukraine has 15 operable reactors across four nuclear plants -- one of which, the Zaporizhzhya plant, is occupied by Russia. Two reactors are officially under construction but no active work has been reported in more than 30 years, according to the 2024 World Nuclear Industry Status Report. Of the 15 nuclear reactors, 12 are Soviet-era reactors connected to the grid before Ukraine gained independence in 1991. The country's Soviet-era nuclear fleet provides over half of the country's energy. Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plants Under Fire The situation in Ukraine is unprecedented. Active war has never been fought in a nation with multiple nuclear power plants. In addition to the occupation of Zaporizhzhya, Russian drones have buzzed uncomfortably close to the Khmelnytskiy nuclear plant in western Ukraine. Missiles and drones have flown close to the Rivne plant in western Ukraine. And, in February, a Russian drone struck the shelter covering the ruins of Chernobyl's destroyed reactor. "The presence of American business, American interests there, will be a kind of security guarantee," said political expert Igor Reuterovich. While Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian infrastructure, the presence of American personnel on the ground would be seen as a potential red line that Moscow would be hesitant to cross. In recent years, Ukraine has been trying to reduce its dependency on Russian nuclear technology. An agreement between global nuclear giant Westinghouse and Enerhoatom was signed in June 2022, guaranteeing that the company would provide all the nuclear fuel for Ukraine's reactors, breaking the monopoly Russia once held. There are also plans under way to build new reactors using US technology at the Khmelnytskiy nuclear power plant. "It is clear that there is a guarantee of safety here, but also an interest in important investments, cooperation with Westinghouse and other American companies, [and the] supply of equipment.... There are many positives in involving Americans," Omelchenko said. Concerns About US Presence In Ukraine The devil, of course, is in the details. In a March 20 CNN article, Western experts poured cold water on the idea of the US running Ukrainian nuclear plants. Of concern was maintaining a stable power supply and sufficient water for cooling amid ongoing attacks on infrastructure. And in practical terms, the experts said, Western nuclear technicians lacked experience working with the Soviet-designed VVER reactors used in Ukraine. There has also been a discrepancy regarding what exactly was discussed between Trump and Zelenskyy in their March 19 phone call. According to the Ukrainian president, the two leaders' discussion focused exclusively on the Zaporizhzhya plant. The White House statement, however, mentions "plants" in the plural --not just Zaporizhzhya. While Zelenskyy is eager for US help, he is committed to preserving Ukraine's sovereignty, especially in a sector so closely tied to national security. In the phone call with Trump, he stated clearly that "all nuclear power plants in Ukraine are owned by the Ukrainian people." One possible compromise that experts have suggested would be putting Americans on the supervisory boards of nuclear plants or even Enerhoatom itself -- a move that would provide influence and security without transferring ownership. For others, US involvement would not be enough to remedy the situation. "There can only be one way to return Zaporizhzhya [to Ukraine]" said political expert Vadym Denysenko, and that's "if Russian troops leave [the nearby city of] Enerhodar...and this territory in general. I don't see any other options." Chernobyl, the site of the infamous nuclear catastrophe in 1986, shows the limitations of an international presence. Even with significant international funding and a high global profile, the nonoperational Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant still became a target during the conflict. That occurred on the night of February 14, when a Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead hit the vast shelter that stops radiation from escaping from the destroyed fourth reactor. "If American specialists...come to Ukrainian energy facilities and stay there, then of course there will be less chance that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin will shoot at these facilities," Serhiy Taran, a Ukrainian political scientist, told RFE/RL. "They should hire security personnel," though, added Taran, "and it would be desirable that this security personnel be armed with air defense systems." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-nuclear-plants- russia-americans/33355266.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 NEW YORK, March 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) between February 3, 2022 and February 3, 2025, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important April 14, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Merck securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Merck class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34975 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 14, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants provided investors with material information concerning Mercks expected revenue of $11 billion from sales of Gardasil by 2030. Defendants statements included, among other things, confidence in Mercks purported ability to utilize successful consumer activation and education efforts on the benefits of Gardasil in order to drive demand and capitalize on eligible populations for vaccination, resulting in confidently optimistic reports and forecasts of Gardasils growth in China. Defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Gardasils demand in China; notably, that Merck lacked visibility into demand for Gardasil in China among eligible and otherwise targeted populations, resulting in the inflated inventory of its distributor, Zhifei. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Merck class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34975 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. 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 RADNOR, Pa., March 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (Elf) (NYSE: ELF) on behalf of those who purchased or otherwise acquired Elf securities between November 1, 2023, and November 19, 2024, inclusive (the Class Period). The lead plaintiff deadline is May 5, 2025. CONTACT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP: If you suffered Elf losses, you may CLICK HERE or copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/elf-beauty-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=elf&mktm=r You can also contact attorney Jonathan Naji, Esq. by calling (484) 270-1453 or by email at info@ktmc.com. DEFENDANTS ALLEGED MISCONDUCT: The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material facts about the companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Elf was experiencing rising inventory levels as a consequence of flagging sales; (2) Elf falsely attributed the rising inventory levels to, among other things, changes in its sourcing practices; (3) to maintain investor confidence, Elf reported inflated revenue, profits, and inventory over several quarters; (4) accordingly, Elfs business and/or financial prospects were overstated; (5) all of the foregoing, once revealed, would likely have a material negative impact on Elf; and (6) as a result, Defendants statements about the companys business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: Elf investors may, no later than May 5, 2025, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Elf investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASE OR GO TO: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/elf-beauty-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=elf&mktm=r ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com. CONTACT: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP Jonathan Naji, Esq. (484) 270-1453 280 King of Prussia Road Radnor, PA 19087 info@ktmc.com May be considered attorney advertising in certain jurisdictions. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. TALLINN, Estonia, March 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Renowned crypto trader DonAlt, celebrated for accurately predicting Bitcoins bottom at $84,211.32 in November 2022, has officially turned bullish on XRP. In his recent trading session, DonAlt revealed he's entered a significantly long position on XRP around the $0.60 price mark, confidently targeting a remarkable 4x return on investment. This bullish stance is further boosting XRP market sentiment, highlighting XRP as a high-potential altcoin in the current crypto climate. XRP Positioned for Massive Upside, According to DonAlt DonAlts positive outlook on XRP comes from strong technical indicators that suggest XRP is building momentum against Bitcoin (BTC) and other major cryptocurrencies. During his analysis, DonAlt highlighted XRPs resilience and stability in the recent market cycle, emphasizing that XRP is set to benefit significantly from a broader capital rotation into quality altcoins. XRP has shown considerable strength recently. It has significantly outperformed several other altcoins, which clearly indicates solid buying support. If the market sentiment remains positive, XRP is well-positioned to deliver substantial returns, stated DonAlt. While DonAlts ambitious target for XRP would potentially push its market cap above Ethereums, placing it as the second-largest cryptocurrency, he remains cautiously optimistic. He also emphasized that XRPs future trajectory is closely tied to Bitcoins price action, and investors should pay close attention to BTCs performance for clues on XRP's next moves. Investors Shift Focus to XRPTurbos Explosive Potential As XRP strengthens its market position, investors are actively hunting for new high-growth opportunities within the XRP ecosystem. XRPTurbo ($XRT) , a rapidly rising project built on the XRP Ledger, is emerging as the standout candidate. XRPTurbos ongoing presale has already secured over 140,000 XRPreaching nearly 50% of its ambitious hard capwith less than one week remaining, signaling intense market interest and significant investor confidence. Join Xrpturbo XRPTurbo introduces an innovative DeFi ecosystem with powerful tools that could dramatically increase the XRP Ledgers value: Token Minting Engine: Easily create and mint XRP-native tokens and NFTs at substantially lower costs and greater speed than traditional methods. Liquid Staking Portal: A groundbreaking Ce-DeFi platform where XRP and XRT holders can securely stake their assets while maintaining liquidity, earning attractive APYs exceeding 25%. AI & Real-World Asset (RWA) Launchpad: XRPTurbos launchpad is specifically designed to support cutting-edge AI-driven startups and RWA initiatives, connecting innovative projects directly with the vibrant XRP community. Why Investors are Rushing to Buy $XRT Tokens At the heart of XRPTurbo is its versatile utility token, XRT, which powers the platforms ecosystem. The XRT token offers multiple utilities including discounted fees on token minting, access to exclusive launchpad projects, and lucrative staking opportunities on XRPTurbos upcoming liquid staking portal. Uniquely, XRPTurbos presale does not have a fixed price. Instead, the final price of XRT tokens will be determined based on the total XRP raised. Investors joining the presale stand to secure the lowest entry price available, as XRT will subsequently be listed on two exchanges at a valuation 25% higher than the final presale price, guaranteeing immediate returns for early backers. How to Join the XRPTurbo Presale Now Time is quickly running out with less than 7 days remaining until the presale closes. Investors looking to capitalize on this unique opportunity must act immediately. Follow these easy steps to join the presale: Purchase XRP from any trusted exchange and send it to your XRP-compatible wallet (recommended: Xaman Wallet). Visit the XRPTurbo presale page at xrpturbo.com/presale and copy the provided presale address. Send your XRP contribution directly to the presale wallet address. Receive your XRT tokens automatically distributed to your wallet shortly after presale completion. Buy XRT Tokens For a complete walkthrough, see the detailed XRPTurbo presale buying guide . A Historic Opportunity on XRP LedgerDont Miss Out! Industry experts believe XRPTurbo could trigger the next major bull run for XRP-based DeFi and AI innovations. With the highly anticipated demo release of XRPTurbos platform just around the corner, excitement within the crypto community is soaring. Smart investors recognize the unparalleled opportunity XRPTurbo represents for substantial returns in the XRP ecosystem. Dont miss your chance to become an early backer of XRP Ledgers most promising DeFi project. Secure your spot in the presale today and prepare for XRPs most significant wave of growth yet! Stay in touch with XRPTurbo: Official Website: xrpturbo.com Join Presale: xrpturbo.com/presale Telegram: t.me/xrpturbocom X (Twitter): x.com/xrpturbocom Media Contact: John Rodi contact@xrpturbo.com Disclaimer: This press release is provided by XRPTurbo. 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. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. 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. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. 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 sectorincluding cryptocurrency, NFTs, and miningcomplete 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. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. 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 assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. 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/c3c36be4-f41a-40eb-946b-bac4478b2600 No quick fix for fundamental Haas car flaw Haas' 2025 car is fundamentally flawed, team boss Ayao Komatsu admits. Oliver Bearman, Chinese GP 2025 Haas At the end of 2023, team owner Gene Haas was so unhappy with the small American outfit's dire performance that he sacked Gunther Steiner and replaced him with senior engineer Komatsu. Haas took a big step forward last year - but have crashed back down to earth so far in 2025. It was a big surprise, Komatsu admitted to reporters in Shanghai. In Bahrain for testing the car wasn't perfect, but we didn't expect anything anywhere near as bad as we saw in Melbourne, said the Japanese. Honestly, in the first practice when the car came out, I thought either something is broken or something is completely wrong. When we determined that nothing was broken, we thought 'Ok, we have a big problem'. The good news is that Komatsu claims team engineers clearly understand the deficit. It's a combination of aerodynamic oscillation and our rear downforce characteristics, he said. If you only had one, you could live with it. But when you combine them, the car becomes very difficult to drive. As for the bad news, We have to figure out what part of the car we need to change to solve this performance problem, said the team boss. Some of it may be relatively short-term solutions, but some of it will be an iterative process both in CFD and wind tunnel, he added. You will not see a solution in the upcoming races. So yes, it is quite serious. One early suspicion is a flaw with Ferrari's simulator, which Haas uses as well. Reports after Melbourne suggested Ferrari's early problems in 2025 were also caused by faulty sim data. We put more performance on the car over the winter, Komatsu insists. "You drive in the simulator, you do simulations, and it's all fine. "But when we got to turn 10 in Melbourne, it all came crashing down. At least we found out early. Imagine if we had been mediocre for five, six, seven races before we found out we have a serious fundamental problem. "Everyone was shocked. For some, it took a day to accept that we have a serious problem. Now everyone is working diligently to solve it. No one is asking questions about whether we have a problem or not. We do, the Japanese admits. Komatsu insists Haas cannot simply write off 2025 to focus on the all-new 2026 regulations, either. If you just leave it and move on, who can guarantee that similar things won't happen in the future, he said. (GMM) Team bosses doubt V10s to return in 2028 Top team bosses are not confident Formula 1 cars will be screaming with old-school V10 power any time soon. McLaren F1 team, Australian GP 2025 McLaren Discussions are clearly taking place behind the scenes about whether the sport should realise the mistake of the radical 2026 engine rules and delay the introduction of the even more electrically-augmented 'power units'. Then, the FIA could simply install regulations for simple, affordable, light and 100 percent sustainable-fuel V10 engines for 2028, restoring the old and highly popular scream of high-revving, normally-aspirated power. The romantic in you is hugely attracted to the idea of a screaming V10, so long as it's done responsibly and with fully-sustainable fuels, said Red Bull's Christian Horner. But some are warning that a move as dramatic as that could even lead to Formula 1 being sued by Audi and Honda - who were lured onto the 2026 grid on the promise of forward rather than backward-looking engines. Horner admits: It's sort of ten past midnight and Cinderella's left the building. It would be a massive departure obviously to move away from what is currently being worked on very hard for 2026. On this particular topic, Horner and McLaren CEO Zak Brown are finding rare common-ground. I don't really see how you can unwind what's in place, because of all the different power unit changes that are happening right now, he said. Audi's coming in, Alpine's going to Mercedes for an engine. Logistically, I'm not sure how you put the genie back in the bottle. Alpine boss Oliver Oakes agrees: "I think it's quite a romantic idea, but obviously the train has left the station now for 2026. I think it's probably something beyond that that will be looked at because it does sound quite good for Formula 1 to go that way a little bit, he said. (GMM) Next article: You must get local approval before mining chiefs and DCEs to have final say on licences, says Lands Minister Previous article: Ghana has lost 44% of forest reserves due to illegal mining and logging activities Lands Minister Attorney General to brief media on ORAL corruption cases and recovery efforts on Monday Mohammed Ali Mar - 23 - 2025 , 08:58 1 minute read The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, will brief the media on Monday, March 24 2025, on ongoing investigations and efforts to retrieve public funds under the governments anti-corruption initiative, Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL). Minister for Government Communication Felix Kwakye Ofosu announced this in a Facebook post on 22nd March. Dr Ayine has in recent weeks authorised a series of actions targeting individuals linked to high-profile corruption cases. One of the cases involves Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) and the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), who was detained by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) on 23rd February over his alleged approval of a $2 million payment under GIIF. Dr Ayine has also instructed law enforcement agencies to question other individuals named in the investigations. Findings from the ORAL report point to 36 cases involving an estimated $20.49 billion in potentially recoverable public funds. State security officials on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, searched the residence of former Bank of Ghana Governor Dr Ernest Addison. Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai stated that the operation was conducted with a valid court warrant and in line with legal procedures. Mondays briefing is expected to provide updates on the investigations and outline steps being taken to recover misappropriated public funds. Next article: Lions Day with the UN Honours Ghanas Peace Poster winners, calls for rethink on peacebuilding Previous article: Finland is the worlds happiest country yet again; Ghana less happy than previous year Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan appointed Commissioner of Customs Kweku Zurek Mar - 23 - 2025 , 18:05 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan as the new Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The appointment, which was announced on Sunday, March 23, 2025, is expected to bring new leadership to the Customs Division, with Brig. Gen. Annan tasked with resetting the division and supporting the GRA in meeting its targets. A well-respected, dedicated, and principled officer of the Ghana Army, Brig. Gen. Annan previously served as the Presidential Security Coordinator before his new appointment. In a statement signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Spokesperson to the President and Minister of Government Communications, the President expressed confidence in Brig. Gen. Annans ability to steer the division towards efficiency as the government works to fix the economy. The President also thanked the outgoing Commissioner, Brigadier General Ziblim Ayorogo, for his service to the Customs Division and Ghana. Brig. Gen. Annans appointment comes at a crucial time as the government seeks to enhance revenue mobilisation and streamline operations at the Customs Division to boost Ghanas economic recovery efforts. Background On Monday, March 17, 2025, it was announced that the one-star General had been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and that appointment was to take effect on Monday, March 24, 2025. However on Sunday, March 23, 2025, another announcement from the Presidency said Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan had been appointed as Commissioner of Customs. Photo Credit: CBS Sports Something very, very weird kept happening to the CBS scorebug during the Wisconsin-BYU game Saturday night. Fans loved it. Wisconsins John Blackwell hit a 3-pointer with just under five minutes remaining in the first half and the Badgers trailing 38-24. That shot made the score 38-27, and the scorebug recorded that. Then it kept going, quickly chalking up 30 for the Badgers, then 33, 36, 39, 45, 48 and 51, rolling up numbers like a Vegas slot machine paying off. Wisconsins score then went really crazy, hitting 111, 147, 186 and several other triple-digit scores. Finally, after the scorebug gave the Badgers 225 points, it disappeared for more than a minute before finally returning with the correct score. The CBS scorebug did not know what to do when Wisconsin made a three-pointer vs BYU. Get ready for a wild ride (followed by the disappearance of the scorebug for more than a minute). #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/2JWLBGknl8 Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 23, 2025 The problem seemed to be under control, but early in the second half, it struck again, and once again, it happened after a Wisconsin three-pointer, this time by John Tonje. This time, the Wisconsin score ticked all the way up to 346 before the bug disappeared. Maybe someone kept spilling a drink on the scorebug input. Or maybe CBS is experimenting with an AI scorebug that isnt sure how much a three-point shot is worth. Either way, fans found the incidents hilarious. Wisconsin is really running up the score on BYU! pic.twitter.com/aXmIXA84Oo Swoozy (@Swoozy724) March 23, 2025 Never seen a 100 point basket like what kind of sorcery was that (watch the Wisconsin score below) pic.twitter.com/ZRuadeN3iD Countesses of UNC (@CountessesofUNC) March 23, 2025 When the madness hits you all at once pic.twitter.com/YaP9WDCwEo Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) March 23, 2025 Wisconsin paid the refs and the score keeper pic.twitter.com/cmv5PqietH Juiced Bets (@juiced_bets) March 23, 2025 If anyone saw what just happened to the score bug in Wisconsin BYU, I hope you laughed as much as I did Jake Sirkus (@JakeSirkus) March 23, 2025 Fans love to talk about scorebugs, guessing and speculating about redesigns as if they were state secrets, then criticizing those new designs. And sometimes, they just get silly, as in all the buzz recently about the infamous NBCS Philadelphia POOP scorebug when the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates play. But if scorebugs could talk, the CBS scorebug would have a funny story to share with its fellow bugs. Next article: Attorney General to brief media on ORAL corruption cases and recovery efforts on Monday Ghana has lost 44% of forest reserves due to illegal mining and logging activities Lands Minister Mohammed Ali Mar - 23 - 2025 , 09:02 2 minutes read Ghana has lost nearly half of its forest reserves, a situation Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah describes as a national crisis requiring urgent attention. Speaking on JoyNews Newsfile on Saturday, March 22, 2025, Mr Buah revealed that recent data presented to Parliament shows that 44 per cent of Ghanas 288 forest reserves have already been destroyed largely due to illegal mining and logging activities. I stood in Parliament and said, We are in a crisis. Its not a political point, its a national alarm, Mr Buah said. Out of 288 forest reserves, 44% have already been destroyed. He disclosed that nine of the reserves have been classified as red zones because of the level of damage they have suffered. The Minister said the government, through the Forestry Commission and the Ghana Armed Forces, is stepping up operations to reclaim affected areas. He also mentioned the Tree for Life campaign as part of efforts to restore degraded lands. According to Mr Buah, the intensified response has started yielding results. Seven of the nine red zone forests have now been downgraded to yellow, indicating reduced illegal activity and gradual recovery. Even so, he warned that without consistent national support, particularly from communities living near forest reserves, further losses could occur. He stressed that Ghanas forests are not just about timber or conservation, they are directly linked to water security, weather patterns, and livelihoods. This is not just about trees. Its about the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the future of this country, Mr Buah said. He urged Ghanaians especially the youth to get involved in reforestation efforts and called for tougher legal action against those who destroy forest lands, including foreign nationals engaged in illegal mining and logging. Previous article: You must get local approval before mining chiefs and DCEs to have final say on licences, says Lands Minister Government to pay trainee allowances through Controller and Accountant Generals Department GraphicOnline Mar - 23 - 2025 , 08:02 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has announced that teacher and nursing trainees allowances will now be paid through the Controller and Accountant Generals Department (CAGD) to ensure timely and regular disbursement. Speaking at a durbar at the Jubilee Park in Tamale on Saturday as part of his Thank You Tour of the Northern Region, President Mahama assured students that this new payment method would eliminate the frequent delays in receiving their stipends. By this, the allowances would be paid regularly to the students just like how the CAGD pays salaries to government workers, he stated. Policy commitments and infrastructure development Highlighting key policies in the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, President Mahama revealed that the government had allocated resources to provide free sanitary pads for girls in schools. The initiative aims to support young girls during their menstrual periods and reduce absenteeism in schools. He also reaffirmed his commitment to completing the Eastern Corridor Road, describing it as a crucial project to enhance transportation across the country. Gratitude and security concerns President Mahama expressed deep appreciation to the people of the Northern Region for their overwhelming support during the December Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, which secured victory for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Meanwhile, Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, appealed to the President to consider establishing a military barracks in Yendi. He explained that such a facility would help address recurring conflicts along the Eastern Corridor and bolster security in the region. Next article: Ghana has lost 44% of forest reserves due to illegal mining and logging activities Lands Minister Kumasi: Firefighters extinguish Adum blaze after 48-hour battle GraphicOnline Mar - 23 - 2025 , 09:10 2 minutes read Firefighters in Kumasi have successfully extinguished the devastating fire that engulfed parts of the Adum area in Kumasi, following a relentless 48-hour battle against the inferno. The Ashanti Regional Fire Command led efforts to contain the blaze, which destroyed shops and businesses, leaving many traders counting their losses. Despite the intense heat and structural challenges, the firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the situation under control. Well done Ashanti Regional Fire Command. You have done what Napoleon couldnt do, a statement from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) read, commending the dedication of the team. Challenges and public criticism The firefighting efforts were not without obstacles. At one point, operations were temporarily halted to allow excavators to create access routes for a more effective response. However, comments made by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, at the scene sparked controversy. A viral video captured the Minister instructing firefighters to move their engines if they insisted on having a standby tanker supply water. In response, Ashanti Regional Fire Commander ACFO II Peter Tetteh described the Ministers remarks as unfair and unfortunate, noting that they had demoralized the firefighters, who had been battling the flames without rest. We should be commended; we have done so well and should be motivated to keep working. This incident is overwhelming, we have been fighting this fire for 24 hours without sleep. We should be applauded and encouraged, ACFO II Tetteh asserted. Fire Chief condemns attacks on firefighters Meanwhile, Acting Chief Fire Officer Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong strongly condemned attacks on firefighters at the scene. She assured that investigations were underway to identify those responsible for obstructing emergency responders. Understanding the challenges firefighters face will foster greater public support for fire safety efforts and help prevent future incidents, she emphasised. She also assured full medical support for two injured firefighters and a civilian who sustained injuries during the incident. Call for safety measures Authorities have advised the public to stay away from compromised structures in the affected area, warning that the structural integrity of some buildings remains uncertain. ACFO II Tetteh urged city authorities to swiftly implement recommendations from the upcoming fire incident report to prevent similar disasters in the future. Next article: River Guards are not soldiers , they are first responders from galamsey-hit communities Lands Minister Previous article: Lions Day with the UN Honours Ghanas Peace Poster winners, calls for rethink on peacebuilding Kwahu Professionals Network assures public of a safe and exciting Easter celebration GraphicOnline Mar - 23 - 2025 , 10:03 2 minutes read The Kwahu Professionals Network (KPN) has assured Ghanaians and international visitors of a safe and well-organised 2025 Kwahu Easter Festival, urging the public to disregard any misinformation regarding potential disturbances. In a statement released on March 20, 2025, KPN reaffirmed that the annual festival, which has become a hallmark of unity, culture, and tourism, will continue in a safe and controlled environment with full support from law enforcement agencies, local authorities, and the Ghana Tourism Authority. Kwahu Easter has, for decades, been a hallmark of unity, cultural celebration, pride, and tourism, attracting thousands of visitors from across Ghana and beyond. This years festivities will continue in that tradition, with all necessary safety measures in place, the statement read. The network assured revellers that this years celebrations will feature vibrant music, cultural displays, paragliding, local cuisine, and breathtaking mountainous scenery, making it a truly unforgettable experience. KPN encouraged all well-meaning Ghanaians and visitors to partake in the festivities with confidence, reiterating its commitment to preserving the integrity and reputation of Kwahu as a welcoming and peaceful destination. Furthermore, KPN called on stakeholders, including the media, to share only accurate and responsible information regarding the festival to avoid unnecessary panic or misinformation. The 2025 Kwahu Easter Festival is expected to once again serve as a platform for cultural celebration, tourism promotion, and economic activity, further cementing its place as one of Ghanas most anticipated annual events. Lions Day with the UN Honours Ghanas Peace Poster winners, calls for rethink on peacebuilding Mohammed Ali Mar - 23 - 2025 , 15:46 5 minutes read Lions International District 418-Ghana, in collaboration with the United Nations Office in Ghana, has marked this years Lions Day with the United Nations with a special ceremony in Accra, celebrating young artists and showcasing creative strategies for advancing peacebuilding. Held on March 21, 2025, at the Ghana National Childrens Library, the event featured the presentation of awards for the Peace Poster Contest and discussions on the theme The Future of Service. Strengthening Global and Local Partnerships for Peace District Governor of Lions District 418-Ghana, Dr Helena Asamoah-Hassan, described the occasion as a testament to the long-standing relationship between Lions Clubs and the United Nations, which spans nearly eight decades. This event celebrates our shared dedication to service and positive change. Lions Clubs have a long-standing relationship with the UN, and together were working to build fair and lasting communities, she stated. She further stressed the importance of making the event a regular feature in Ghana, allowing more young people to contribute to national and global conversations on development. Delivering remarks on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, H.E. Charles Paul Iheanacho Abani, Madam Gifty Tetteh, Head of Partnerships and Development Finance at the office of the UN Resident Coordinators Office, commended the Lions Club for its commitment to peace through initiatives like the International Peace Poster Contest. This years theme, Peace Without Limits, resonates deeply with the United Nations vision of a world where peace is not just an ideal but a lived reality for all, she said. Madam Gifty Tetteh She drew attention to ongoing global challenges, including geopolitical tensions, instability in the Sahel region, climate change, and inequality, calling for collective action to sustain peace. She also outlined the UNs Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (20232025), which prioritises inclusive economic growth, quality social services, and lasting peace in Ghana. Ghanas first global peace poster recognition A major highlight of the event was Ghanas first-ever global recognition in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Thirteen-year-old Albert Nii S. Quarcoopome, a student of Tema Parents Association School, was honoured as the only Ghanaian among 23 global merit winners in the 37th edition of the competition. His artwork was selected from nearly 600,000 submissions worldwide, with his participation sponsored by the Tema Gentlewomen Lions Club. Other high-performing schools, including Lekma 4 Primary (sponsored by the Accra Premier Lions Club) and Nela SDA Basic School (sponsored by the Tema Industrial Lions Club), were also recognised for their creative interpretation of the theme Peace Without Limits. Role of children in peacebuilding Peace Poster Chairperson, Mr Kobina Dabi Appiah, underscored the importance of involving children in peacebuilding initiatives, celebrating Ghanas breakthrough in the competition after years of participation. For the past 10 years, weve been trying to get this far. This is the first time Ghana has reached this level, he said. He explained that engaging children through art encourages deeper reflection on peace, stating: When they are asked to draw peace, they begin to think deeply. Some even ask, Why are we fighting? That curiosity can spark important conversations at home and in school. He disclosed plans to extend the contest to conflict-prone areas such as Bawku, where peace education through art could have a significant impact. When children in those areas begin to draw their version of peace, it could reshape how they view conflict and community, he added. He also noted that while the international contest includes a category for visually impaired children, Ghana has yet to participate due to limited resources for producing and evaluating braille-based artwork. Broader conversations on peace and development Speaking on behalf of the Chief Director of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ms Victoria Emefa said the Ministry was revising Ghanas National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and considering ways to include childrens perspectives in peacebuilding efforts. We know children are some of the most affected during conflict, and it is important to reflect their concerns and voices. Lions Internationals work ties in with our own agenda, she said. District Marketing and Communications Chairperson, Mr Oscar Onai, called for a redefinition of peace, urging Lions Clubs to support initiatives that address poverty, inequality, and access to justice, food, shelter, education, and healthcare. Peace isnt just about war. Its about access to justice, food, shelter, education, and healthcare. If we want peace, we have to tackle poverty and inequality too, he said. Mr Kwame Ahinkorah, Co-Founder of the Cambridge Centre of Excellence, advised Lions Clubs to adopt structured, long-term service initiatives rather than one-off activities. We must shift from one-time activities to building systems that are adaptable and lasting. The future belongs to those who use data, technology, and proper planning to improve lives, he stated. He encouraged Lions Clubs to lead by example, testing innovative service models that could later be adopted by government and other development organisations. Call for sustainable peacebuilding efforts The 2025 Lions Day with the UN successfully underscored the role of service, youth empowerment, and creative expression in fostering a sustainable culture of peace. With Ghanas first global recognition in the Peace Poster Contest, stakeholders believe that expanding such programmes to reach more communities will further strengthen the countrys commitment to lasting peace and development. River Guards are not soldiers , they are first responders from galamsey-hit communities Lands Minister Mohammed Ali Mar - 23 - 2025 , 09:17 2 minutes read The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has explained that the newly introduced River Guard initiative is not a military operation, but a locally-driven strategy to protect Ghanas rivers from illegal mining. Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews on Saturday, March 22 2025, Mr Buah said the guards, though trained by the Ghana Navy, are not armed personnel. Rather, they are young people from riverine communities who have been trained to detect and report galamsey activities. They dont have that power in their training. We told them they are not soldiers, Mr Buah said. They are more like security officers, they are first responders. They come from the community. Every morning, they are dealing with young people who are engaging in the wrong thing. The minister said the initiative is designed to support the Navy and other enforcement bodies by using local intelligence and presence. The guards are expected to serve as early responders and information gatherers, not law enforcers. So far, over 400 recruits are undergoing training, with funding secured for 1,000 in total. The government plans to scale up the number to 2,000, with deployments prioritised in areas heavily impacted by galamsey including parts of the Ashanti, Eastern, Western, and Northern regions. Mr Buah said the guards are being trained at specialised riverine bases being established by the Navy across the country. The Navy is expected to operate from 12 locations to improve monitoring and support rapid intervention. He said the River Guard programme also aims to involve the youth more meaningfully in environmental protection. This psychological idea that our friends are protecting the river bodies, and they have the capacity to make sure the Navy is here in two minutes when things happen, is critical, he stated. Mr Buah also linked the initiative to other national efforts such as the Green Ghana project, saying it was part of a broader drive to rebuild environmental consciousness among young people. We are launching this in the spirit of the young pioneers, he said. The training involves conscientisation. Our young people must see this as an opportunity of a lifetime to lead an effort that is more than yourself. The River Guard initiative forms part of the governments latest approach to tackling the ongoing destruction of forests and water bodies caused by illegal mining. It is also expected to complement the work of the military and the Forestry Commission in safeguarding environmentally sensitive areas. Mr Buah stressed that while security operations remain important, lasting change will only come if the people themselves are involved and take responsibility for protecting natural resources. Previous article: River Guards are not soldiers , they are first responders from galamsey-hit communities Lands Minister Veep Prof Naana Jane hails Namibias first female president as symbol of African womens resilience Mohammed Ali Mar - 23 - 2025 , 09:11 1 minute read Ghanas Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has described the inauguration of Namibias first female president, H.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, as a powerful reflection of the resilience and determination of African women. In a message shared on her official Facebook page on Saturday, March 22 2025, Prof Opoku-Agyemang said she was honoured to witness what she called a historic moment for the continent. Her leadership is a testament to the strength, resilience, and determination of African women, she wrote. May she continue to inspire men and women across the continent and prove that with courage and commitment, no dream is beyond reach. Prof Opoku-Agyemang was in Namibia as part of Ghanas delegation to the swearing-in ceremony of President Nandi-Ndaitwah. The event, held on March 21 2025, also marked Namibias 35th Independence Day. President Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, a long-standing member of Namibias ruling SWAPO party, assumes office following decades of public service. Her inauguration was attended by several African leaders, international dignitaries, and representatives of regional institutions. In her first address as president, she touched on issues of governance, regional cooperation, economic diversification, youth unemployment, and climate change. President Mahama pledges economic transformation for Northern Region Gertrude Ankah Politics Mar - 23 - 2025 , 07:47 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to economic transformation in the Northern Region, pledging investment in agriculture, infrastructure, and energy to unlock the regions full potential. Speaking at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi as part of his thank-you tour, President Mahama described the Northern Region as crucial to Ghanas economic revival, recalling that former Head of State General Kutu Acheampong once referred to it as the "Granary of Ghana." The Northern Region is blessed with fertile lands and hardworking people. With the right investment in irrigation and modern farming techniques, we can turn this region into Ghanas agricultural hub, he said. Agriculture and economic growth Mahama outlined his administrations plans to revitalise the agricultural sector, stressing the need for irrigation projects to mitigate the effects of climate change. He pledged to prioritise agribusiness, mechanisation, and modern farming techniques to boost food production and create employment opportunities, particularly for young people. Infrastructure development The President also announced a series of major infrastructure projects aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in the region. Key among them is the completion of the long-abandoned Yendi Hospital and the modernisation of health facilities in Tamale to improve healthcare delivery. To tackle acute water shortages, Mahama unveiled an ambitious water supply initiative, drawing water from Yapei to serve Yendi, Tamale, and surrounding communities. On energy, he disclosed plans for a new power supply point along the Eastern Corridor to stabilise electricity in Yendi, Bimbilla, and other parts of the region. Additionally, critical road projects, including the construction of the Saboba-Wapuli bridge and the Yendi-Kpalba-Saboba road, were highlighted as key priorities for his administration. Governance and national development President Mahama acknowledged Ghanas economic difficulties, describing governance as the most challenging phase after elections. However, he expressed confidence in his administrations ability to implement policies that would alleviate economic hardship. We have assembled a team of young, talented individuals capable of steering the affairs of this country towards success, he assured. The President also reaffirmed his commitment to reducing the cost of the Hajj pilgrimage and introducing an additional public holiday for Eid celebrations, fulfilling key campaign promises. As part of his broader vision for equitable national development, Mahama assured residents that Yendi and the Northern Region would receive their fair share of Ghanas progress, underscoring his administrations focus on bridging regional disparities. Next article: President Mahama visits Northern Region to thank supporters and engage citizens Yaa Naa urges President Mahama to prioritise Northern Regions development Gertrude Ankah Politics Mar - 23 - 2025 , 07:39 2 minutes read The Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abukari II, has called on President John Mahama to prioritise development in the Northern Region while ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. Speaking during President Mahamas thank-you tour on Saturday, 22 March, Yaa Naa commended him on his electoral victory and urged him to remain committed to good governance. Welcoming the President to his palace, Yaa Naa expressed appreciation for the appointment of individuals from the region to key government positions, pledging his support to ensure they serve diligently. However, he stressed the need for an administration free from corruption and arrogance, cautioning against any misconduct among government officials. Development priorities for the Northern Region The Dagbon ruler highlighted key challenges facing the region, including inadequate access to potable water, poor healthcare infrastructure, and the need for agricultural reforms. He emphasised the importance of completing the Yendi and Tamale water projects to address persistent water shortages. On agriculture, he urged the government to rehabilitate irrigation dams such as the Bontanga Dam and invest in new projects to support farming communities struggling with erratic rainfall patterns. Touching on healthcare, Yaa Naa Abukari II lamented the poor state of medical facilities and the absence of modern diagnostic equipment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, calling for immediate interventions to improve healthcare delivery. He also appealed for the swift completion of the third phase of the Tamale International Airport and proposed renaming it "Gbewaa International Airport" to honour the cultural heritage of the region. Education and economic development In the area of education, he urged the government to complete the ongoing e-block school projects to expand access to secondary education. Additionally, he called for the revival of the Sheini iron ore project, noting that its successful implementation would create much-needed employment for the youth. He also proposed the establishment of a regulatory body for the shea butter industry to boost production and enhance its competitiveness on the global market. Call for responsible leadership Yaa Naa Abukari II commended President Mahama for his swift policy actions and expressed optimism that his administration would address the concerns of the Northern Region. He wished him wisdom and divine guidance in his leadership, urging him to work towards improving the lives of all Ghanaians. Syndication: Desert Sun IndyCar fans were dealt an unfortunate situation on Sunday afternoon. Viewers watching The Thermal Club IndyCar Grand Prix on Fox experienced a prolonged outage that began in lap 28 of 65. At about 4:15 p.m. ET, Foxs coverage of the race froze for about 20 seconds on-air before the network went to commercial. Coming out of commercial break a few minutes later, NASCAR play-by-play announcer Mike Joy welcomed the Fox audience to the FS1 coverage of the Straight Talk Wireless 400 from Homestead-Miami Speedway. Fox experiences technical difficulties during its IndyCar broadcast and has now switched to the ongoing NASCAR race in Miami.pic.twitter.com/bkqVMux779 Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 23, 2025 About 10 minutes after the delay began, the IndyCar on Fox social media account revealed that the network was experiencing an electrical issue with its production truck that took the broadcast off air. Our INDYCAR production truck has an electrical issue. We are working to get it fixed as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we have NASCAR bonus coverage on FOX and FS1 until the INDYCAR truck is back online. INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) March 23, 2025 Then, around 4:35 p.m. ET, IndyCar coverage abruptly returned on Fox, with play-by-play announcer Will Buxton thanking viewers for sticking around despite the outage. Foxs IndyCar coverage has returned after a power outage in its production truck took the broadcast off air for about 15 minutes.pic.twitter.com/dcymjhFrsu Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 23, 2025 Technical difficulties happen. And a power outage is among the worst technical issues possible. Sure, one could argue that Foxs production setup should involve enough redundancies where the network can guarantee power restoration within a few minutes of an outage. But without knowing the exact details of the outage, its tough to judge Fox too harshly. In all, fans missed 12 laps of the action. Fox is currently in its first season as IndyCars exclusive broadcast partner. The network is airing all 17 IndyCar races on its over-the-air broadcast channel under the new agreement. The network is clearly high on IndyCars potential as a motorsports property, making moments like this even more unfortunate. For IndyCar fans, hopefully Sundays technical difficulties are just a slight hiccup in an otherwise successful presentation of the circuit from Fox. The government of Guam is locked out of a computer system used to manage local disaster response because a vendor for the system hasnt been paid in three years, the Guam Homeland Security and Office of Civil Defense confirmed. The Disaster Local Area Network, commonly called the DLAN, is the central platform that GHS/OCD uses to coordinate GovGuam information and resources during a disaster or emergency. In the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the system was used to process thousands of tickets, requests from government agencies to access funds or resources for disaster response. After Mawar in 2023, the DLAN was used to process everything from electrical and sewer line assessments for schools without power or plumbing, to labor and equipment for typhoon debris removal, and chainsaws for village mayors. The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense have recently confirmed that the vendor associated with the DLAN system has not received payment for the past three years, GHS-OCD spokesperson Jenna Blas told the Pacific Daily News. GHS/OCD is actively looking into this matter, she said. As of Saturday, it remained unclear how the system went unpaid for three years. At this time, GHS-OCD does not have access and will track manually, Blas said in a Saturday statement. We want to assure the community that GHS-OCD is treating this matter with the utmost urgency and priority. While we work diligently to resolve this issue, we want to emphasize that our normal operations continue uninterrupted. Blas said GHS/OCD would continue normal operations, uninterrupted while they work diligently to resolve this issue. Adelup spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin deferred to GHS/OCD, when asked about the disconnection of the system on Friday. We remain fully prepared to respond to any emergency events, with the unwavering support of the Office of the Governor. Your safety and security are our top priorities, and we are committed to addressing this matter promptly, Blas told the PDN. Vice Speaker Tony Ada, at a legislative briefing on Friday, said he received a message that the DLAN system was disconnected for nonpayment. The vice speaker asked Department of Administration Director Ed Birn, also present at the briefing, whether Birn had any information about the potential nonpayment. Im sure when I get back to the office, therell be a message, Birn said in response. This is the emergency management system that we rely on for asset distribution during emergencies, Ada said Friday. This is really a concern. I mean, should a disaster happen and we dont have this system up, I can imagine whatI wouldnt want to imagine. Emergency response oversight chairman Sen. Shawn Gumataotao, reached by phone on Friday afternoon, said he had not heard anything about the DLAN system being cutoff. Gumataotao said he would have to inquire about the matter. GHS/OCD in the past year has been flagged in audits from the Office of Public Accountability for $34 million worth of questioned federal spending, and about $8.4 million that was frozen by auditors. About $2.8 million worth of overtime payments, some reportedly without signatures or prior authorization from the Bureau of Budget and Management Research, were also flagged in OPA audits. Leadership at the offices told lawmakers in a January oversight hearing that they were working to update practices, reconcile spending and account for the overtime. The office has pointed to high staff turnover as the cause for issues at GHS/OCD. Attorney General Douglas Moylan in February confirmed his offices government corruption division was probing GHS/OCD. Recently retired University of Guam music professor Randall Johnson received an international music publisher nod for his original composition, Ragnarok (Destiny of the Gods), according to the Guam Philharmonic Foundation Inc. Johnson, now music instructor at Guam Community College, received the Editor's Choice award from Santa Barbara Music Publishing Inc. "This recognition will result in significant promotion when the score is officially released on March 23rd," Santa Barbara Music Publishing's David Harlow said in a letter to Johnson. Johnson, who has been publishing original compositions for decades, said he's extremely delighted to receive this recognition. Ragnarok (Destiny of the Gods) was commissioned by the American Choral Directors Association, ACDA, National Conference in Dallas, Texas last week. "The request was for a premier work for their national grades 7-10 Boys Honor Choir. This year, it happens to have 322 boys from all 50 states and a few international. I have written maybe a half dozen pieces to be premiered by participating choirs but this is the first time for the National Honor Choir," Johnson said in a statement. Johnson said he received this request in large part because the director this year of this particular choir is Randy Stenson. "I am the biggest contributor to his choral series," Johnson said. Stenson and wife Rachel both participated in the 2025 Tumon Bay Music Festival. Stenson was one of the festivals adjudicating faculty, made visits to schools, gave workshops, and also led Concordia, the festival massed choir which performed for the finale concert on March 8 at Micronesia Mall. The Stensons are one of the worlds leading choral music educators duo and are sought after worldwide, according to the Guam Philharmonic Foundation. The independence movement on Guam is feeling the heat from the second Trump administration. Whether you like Trump or you hate Trump, he definitely brings up all these issues about making our connection to the U.S. feel unstable, Independent Guahan co-chair Michael Lujan Bevacqua, PhD, told the Pacific Daily News. Bevacqua shared concerns over the recent actions of the Trump administration, especially the declaration of English as the official language of the U.S. and federal immigration checks on the island. The United States is moving in a direction which is kind of like back in time, like its trying to erase non-white groups from its presentHes doing all these things to attack groups which are the majority of the people on Guam, Bevacqua said. For Guam, decolonization and independence are the answers, said Bevacqua. Independence is the natural choiceYou may have to make some difficult choices along the way, but your successes are your own, as opposed to being stuck in a dependent colonial relationship, he added. Homeland Security Investigations have done immigration sweeps on Guam and the CNMI in recent weeks, as part of the Trump White Houses nationwide worksite crackdown. Among the latest expansion of the crackdown on immigration is Trumps revocation of the temporary legal status of 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans in the U.S., according to a Federal Register notice on March 21. Its been tough The Independence Task Force has been re-engaging with the community after the lingering effects of the pandemic on the self-determination movement. Bevacqua said the task force is returning to its pre-pandemic activities. Its been tough reconnecting and re-engaging, but weve been slowly working at it, said Bevacqua. The task force has held in-person events and concerts since 2023, including listening sessions with artists and community members, according to Bevacqua. Another concert is in the works for July 2025, he added. The Independent Task Force has been around since the formation of the Commission on Decolonization in 1997. According to Bevacqua, the commission was dormant during Gov. Eddie Calvos administration. That was when the Independence Task Force contacted current co-chairs Bevacqua and Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero. Around 2011, according to Bevacqua, no funding was available to the task forces. It was not until 2016 when U.S. federal funding and local appropriations from the local government made political status education a funded effort. Talk to people, listen to people Bevacqua said the organization took on a broad community coalition approach in their educational efforts. Before the pandemic, the Independent Task Force hosted monthly assemblies, consisting of presentations, analysis of other countries, and honoring local individuals who contributed to the rights of CHamoru people. Other efforts under the task force included art-focused projects, such as murals and their Songs of Freedom concerts. One of our goals was really just to educate about independencenot to fight with people but to talk to people, to listen to people as well, said Bevacqua. Another part of their education efforts included deconstructing inaccurate notions about independence. There (were) a lot of misconceptions or fears around it. If you said independence, people thought you meant isolation, Bevacqua added. What we needed to do was just try to demystify these ideas and normalize decolonization. Meanwhile, Sen. William Parkinson, through a resolution, has started a push for Guam to become the 51st U.S. state, stating that statehood is the best option for Guam, with the possibility of a U.S.-China confrontation on the horizon. If we do not claim our place in the Union, we risk becoming a vassal of China. Our way of life will be over, Parkinson had said. Statehood is not a privilege. It is the only path to survival. There is no neutral ground. There is no waiting. A manager of TGI Fridays has been accused in the sexual assault of two women at the Tumon restaurant, according to a magistrates complaint filed in Superior Court. Ralph Thomas Wolford, 37, was charged Saturday with third-degree criminal sexual conduct as a second-degree felony and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct as a misdemeanor. Wolford, who has no criminal record on Guam, denied the allegations, according to court documents. On March 14, a 21-year-old woman told police she was at TGI Fridays at 10:30 p.m. and became ill from drinking alcohol. She vomited, and her friends helped her clean up the vomit, according to the complaint. Wolford approached the woman and asked if she was OK. Then she felt his fingers being inserted into her vagina...approximately three times, according to the complaint. The woman was then helped to her vehicle and asked her friend to take her to the hospital because she had just been sexually assaulted. On Thursday, a different 21-year-old woman told police Wolford sexually assaulted her at the establishment. She said she was in the restaurant on Feb. 17 when Wolford slid his hand under her uniform shirt, and squeezed her breast, according to the complaint. The woman said she moved Wolfords hand away, and he laughed. About an hour later, he approached the woman again and tried to kiss her twice, the complaint stated, and she moved away. Wolford then moved her shirt to expose her nipple, according to the complaint. Police did not apprehend Wolford until Friday, the complaint stated. Wolford was ordered held on $3,000 cash bail. If found guilty of the charges, he could face four years in prison. Tributes poured in quickly after news broke that former seven-term senator who also served twice as speaker, Mark Forbes, passed away on Sunday morning. He was 70. Speaker Forbes will long be remembered for his work on government reorganization and reform, said incumbent Speaker Frank Blas Jr., the first one to issue an official statement. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, who immediately ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Forbes life and legacy, said Forbes championed legislation to strengthen government accountability creating the elected Office of Public Accountability. He led the charge to rethink and reimagine the size and role of the legislature, and his financial foresight provided the resources for the restoration of the Guam Congress Building, Leon Guerrero said. Besides creating the OPA, Forbes authored the legislation that changed the Legislature from a 21-member body to 15, and made the attorney general of Guam an elected position. An honorable political icon, Blas said in paying tribute to Forbes and in extending the 38th Guam Legislatures condolences to Forbes wife Cina, son Sean and his other family members. Forbes served as speaker in the 28th and 29th Guam Legislature. He was first elected as Republican senator in the 23rd Guam Legislature. Speaker Forbes served his island and its people with honor and passion, Blas added. The governor said Forbes served Guam with profound intelligence, conviction, and a deep commitment to public service. When Speaker Forbes spoke, the island listened, Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio said in a statement. He brought change to the halls of the Legislature and was known for his sharp mind, charisma, and ingenuity. From Sanctuary to Legislature Born on Oct. 27, 1954, Forbes attended St. Francis School, Father Duenas Memorial High School, and the University of Guam. After working with families and youth while at Sanctuary Inc. for 10 years, he served as the deputy chief of staff and director for policy and communications under the Ada-Blas administration, Blas said. He went on to get elected as senator, and served seven terms, including serving twice as speaker. Sen. Jesse Lujan, who had the privilege of serving alongside Forbes in the 27th, 28th and 29th Legislatures, said Forbes led with strength, vision and an unwavering commitment to the people of Guam and championed the reduction of the Legislature from 21 to 15 members that voters overwhelmingly approved in 1996. Lujan said Forbes role in the establishment of Guams elected attorney general and public auditor are reforms that continue to shape our government today. Beyond his role in public office, Speaker Forbes was a mentor, a statesman, and a man who believed in the power of service, Lujan said. His legacy will endure through the work he has done and the countless lives he has impacted. Eloquence and vision Speaker Forbes was a man of extraordinary intellect, eloquence, and vision a leader whose words carried both wisdom and conviction. I have always deeply respected and admired him, not only for his leadership but for the way he inspired and uplifted those around him, Sen. Sabrina Salas Matanane said in a statement. Years ago, while Forbes was still in office, according to Salas Matanane, he was the very first person to encourage me to run for senator. That moment, his belief in me, has stayed with me ever since, the freshman senator said. Today, I join the people of Guam in mourning his passing while also honoring his enduring legacy. The Republican Party of Guam said Forbes led a movement that personified the current effort of common-sense governance with an eye on protecting the great culture of our island society in Micronesia. A brilliant political strategist and communicator, the work of Speaker Forbes left an indelible mark at every level of the Government of Guam, the Republican Party said. Also, Speaker Forbes had actively assisted with many elections over the past four decades-his home was ground zero for the Sinajana District efforts to elect Republicans up and down the ballot. The Democratic Party of Guam, through chairman and Inalahan Mayor Anthony Tony Chargualaf Jr., said Forbes served with integrity, innovation, and intelligence. We have always respected and appreciated former Speaker Mark Forbes for his willingness to work across the aisle, Democratic Party vice chair Rikki Orsini said. He was known as a statesman who would set aside differences to work for the common good of the people of Guam. This type of leadership has set the standard for those in office today and for those to come. Sen. Vince Borja said Forbes was a distinguished leader and dedicated public servant who contributed immensely to the governance and welfare of Guam. His passing is a significant loss to our island and to all who had the privilege of working alongside him, Borja said. His legacy of leadership and passion for public service will continue to inspire future generations. We are grateful for his years of service and commitment to making Guam a better place. Sen. Shelly Calvo, in a statement Sunday night, said Forbes will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the pursuit of CHamoru self-determination, his ability to navigate difficult conversations with wisdom, and his quick wit that made even the most serious debates more human. Speaker Forbes knew that the fight for CHamoru self-determination was not just about policyit was about our people reclaiming their voice in the world, Calvo said. Haiti - FLASH : JetBlue and Spirit Airlines consider resuming flights to Cap-Haitien Following a meeting between Fritz Alphonse Jean, President pro temoore of the Transitional Council, and Haiti's National Civil Aviation Office (OFNAC) and National Airports Authority (AAN) regarding the reopening of Port-au-Prince's Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP), which has been closed since November 2024, Jean announced that JetBlue Airways (B6) and Spirit Airlines (NK) were "considering" resuming flights to Cap-Haitien's Hugo Chavez International Airport (CAP), a cautious attempt to restore air connectivity with Haiti. However, neither airline has yet publicly confirmed any dates for the potential resumption of flights. While Cap-Haitien International Airport remains operational, commercial flight options are currently limited, with Sunrise Airways (S6) being the only airline providing direct service to the United States. The return of Spirit and JetBlue to Cap-Haitien could offer several advantages, pending the reopening of Port-au-Prince's airport, including lower airfares thanks to competition. Sunrise Airways currently charges between $530 and $730 one-way as a sole operator. Furthermore, the Haitian government recently expanded the Les Cayes Antoine-Simon airport to create a potential third international hub. However, no airline has scheduled international flights there so far, making this option uncertain for the time being. SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... PNH : North Department bilan 5 firearms, $120,260 USD, 18 kg of marijuana seized, and 701 suspects arrested. Report on police operations conducted in the North Department from February to mid-March 2025. Accelerated Defense procurement The Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) announces the creation of a Special National Public Procurement Commission to expedite procurement applications related to national security and defense issues. This Commission is coordinated by the Prime Minister's Office and includes representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the General Directorate of the Haitian National Police (PNH), the Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disputes (CSC/CA), and the National Public Procurement Commission (CNMP). The Commission will enable the State to expedite procedures for acquiring equipment needed to combat insecurity and improve working conditions for law enforcement. Digicel : Services restored On Saturday afternoon, more than 48 hours after the outage on the underground fiber optic connection connecting the data centers between Turgeau and National Road 1, affecting half of the customers and internet services https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44533-haiti-news-zapping.html , Philippe Brun, CEO of Digicel Haiti, announced that all of the company's services were now restored. FNE : New Digital Platform for students The National Education Fund's (FNE) new digital platform, FNEConnect, has registered more than 2,000 Haitian students in just one week. This digital tool allows students to submit their financial aid applications online and track the progress of their files in real time. According to Sterline Civil, Director of the FNE, this platform automates document verification, thus reducing errors and speeding up application processing. This innovation ensures more rigorous and transparent management of educational grants. Funeral of Dr. Laurent Beauge On Friday, March 21, 2025, the funeral of former Secretary of State for Population Dr. Laurent Beauge, who was cowardly shot dead in Delmas 31 on March 11, 2025, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44463-haiti-news-zapping.html, was held at the Notre-Dame de Lourdes Church in Chansolme, the deceased's hometown. At the same time, a symbolic funeral ceremony in his honor was also held at the Notre-Dame du Perpetuel Secours church in Delmas 75. France : "Paris Noir" Exhibition Haitian artists such as Luce Turnier and Roland Dorcely are participating in the "Paris Noir" exhibition at the Centre Pompidou until June 30, 2025. Exploring the presence and influence of Black artists in France in the second half of the 20th century, "Paris Noir" highlights 150 artists from Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean, whose works have rarely been exhibited in France. Luce Turnier and Roland Dorcely are among the first generations of artists to have attended the Art Center in Haiti. HL/ HaitiLibre The EU Commission is clearly critical of a new Hungarian law that bans Pride events and allows the police to use biometric facial recognition systems to identify participants in such parades of the LGBTIQ community in order to enforce the ban. The executive body will not hesitate to take measures to uphold EU law and protect fundamental freedoms, Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told the online magazine Euractiv. Anzeige The highly controversial amendments were passed by the Hungarian parliament in Budapest on Tuesday as part of a child protection law at the request of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party. Opponents see this as a clear violation of the fundamental right to peaceful assembly, the EU's AI Regulation and applicable data protection regulations. Laura Caroli, who helped negotiate the AI Act for the EU Parliament on behalf of rapporteur Brando Benifei of the Socialists and Democrats, told Euractiv that the use of automated facial recognition for such operations by law enforcement is no longer permitted. Article 5 of the AI Regulation prohibits Member States from misusing facial recognition in real time. Data protection requirements are generally applicable Even if Hungary wanted to invoke reasons of national security or present a Pride parade as a terrorist threat, the approach would still violate the AI Act, argues Caroli. MEP Daniel Freund (Greens) also deplored the adopted amendment. The EU should not allow Orban to get away with "abolishing the right of assembly and enforcing this measure with facial recognition software which is reminiscent of Russia or China in an EU member state". According to Regnier, whether the new law actually violates the AI Act depends on whether automated facial recognition methods are used in real time or only after the fact. If the surveillance takes place live, a violation of the law can be assumed. Irrespective of this, the following applies: "Whether in real time or retrospectively the data protection provisions remain applicable." Freedom of assembly is also generally a fundamental right that must be defended throughout the EU. During the negotiations on the AI Regulation, the ban on biometric mass surveillance demanded by the EU Parliament was a sticking point to the end. The compromise that was ultimately agreed opens wide back doors for the use of such technologies by the police. The EU Council also removed the actually agreed list of criminal offenses and the judicial reservation. Anzeige (nen) 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 action targets the following companies and their corporate structures: The strike will cover shifts starting between 00.00 on 7 April and 23.59 on 11 April 2025. Afry Group Finland Oy Dekra Finland Oy Dekra Industrial Oy Elomatic Oy Elomatic Consulting and Engineering Oy Eurofins Environmental Testing Finland Oy Exact AIP-Mittaus Oy Fimpec Engineering Oy Granlund Oy Rejlers Finland Oy Technology Design and Engineering ENGND Oy The strike applies to employees covered by the sector-specific collective agreement. It includes all work locations of the named companies. Kaisa Ylitalo, sector representative at Pro, criticised the employers refusal to include general increases in their offer. The employers association has still not proposed any general pay increase that would apply to all. We have requested a solution in line with agreements already made in industrial sectors. We cannot understand their unwillingness to agree to increases that would ensure a raise for each employee in the coming years, Ylitalo said. The sectors collective bargaining negotiations have been ongoing for more than six months. Anssi Vuorio, director at Pro, said general increases were the only way to guarantee fair wage progression. General pay rises are the only way to ensure that all employees see a salary increase. Pros objective is a pay deal weighted towards general increases. We will not accept any other form of agreement, Vuorio said. Vuorio added that Pro remains open to fast-track negotiations. Pro is ready to seek a negotiated solution on a tight schedule, he said. The strike warning follows earlier industrial action in Finlands industrial and public sectors over pay disputes and contract terms. HT Photo Credit: Parker Kligerman on YouTube Fans of any sport have always claimed they can do what they are watching at home better than professional athletes participating in their respective sport. But recently, NASCAR Truck Series driver and NASCAR on The CW broadcaster Parker Kligerman put that to the test. Kligerman, who became a part-time driver after finishing tenth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series last season, took to social media to share the first episode of his new YouTube series. In it, he challenges fans with zero experience to various challenges for cash prizes. Do you think you could be a race car driver? So many of you on the internet often tell me you can be. So I wondered if there was a way we could try and prove it. I put $5000 of my own money on the line, if people can beat me Link below pic.twitter.com/58tObRbAkV Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) March 21, 2025 The challenges included three different tasks to test the fans skill level, with $500, $750, and $1,000 in prizes for each challenge as they increase cumulatively in difficulty for the top competitor. The twist here is that if the top challenger can also beat Kligerman, they will receive double whatever the prize is for each challenge. First, the challengers needed to accelerate quickly and stop in a designated box. The second challenge tasked the drivers with taking a turn as fast as possible, with the fastest time being the winner. The third challenge further tested drivers, tasking them with making a right turn and then a left turn as fast as possible. Among the competitors included in this video are Tara Dega, Rick, Austin, and Kligermans brother, Bard. On paper, none of the challengers should have had much of a chance against Kligerman. But hilariously, Bard, who appears to have no experience as a high-level driver and currently works as the CEO of a real estate investment and management company in Connecticut, was able to have quite a bit of success compared to his younger brother in the challenges. Bard won every challenge against his fellow competitors. In the first two, he also beat Parker Kligerman, albeit the format limited Parker to only one attempt compared to the competitors two attempts. All in all, Bard walked away with $3,500 of his brothers money. While these challenges obviously dont test how a fan would actually drive in the heat of battle against fellow drivers in a race-style format, Kligermans concept is certainly fascinating. He revealed in a post on X that he took inspiration from the show Win Ben Steins Money, formerly on Comedy Central. So funny. Literally was one of the inspirations that I thought of for it Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) March 22, 2025 It appears this will be a recurring video series from Kligerman, who included a link to enter as a contestant in future videos in the description of his YouTube video. Kligerman joked that perhaps the prizes would be reduced if he continued to struggle as much as he did against his brother. If you think you can be on this and be faster than me, definitely go in the description, there is a link there. Best comments might get invited to be on the show. We may not be playing for as much money, well find out, said Kligerman. Tietoevry has announced the sale of its Tech Services business to funds advised by Agilitas Private Equity LLP for EUR 300 million. The transaction includes EUR 70 million in conditional earn-out payments and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025. The deal follows a strategic review initiated in November 2022 and marks a shift in Tietoevrys focus towards its software and digital engineering segments. The company will concentrate on software businesses in the banking, healthcare, and industrial sectors, alongside its digital engineering unit, Tietoevry Create. The sale will reduce group revenue by approximately EUR 920 million based on 2024 financials. Tietoevry reported total Tech Services revenue of EUR 1,000.7 million in 2024. The division employed 7,230 people globally and served Nordic enterprise and public sector clients in cloud, data, application, and infrastructure services. From the first quarter of 2025, the Tech Services business will be reported as discontinued operations and classified as held for sale in Tietoevrys financial statements. CEO Kimmo Alkio described the sale as a milestone in the companys transformation. This is a significant step in our strategy to become a leading international software and digital engineering company, Alkio said in the companys official release. Proceeds from the transaction will primarily be used to reduce outstanding debt. The move is expected to strengthen the companys financial position and support growth in its core software areas. Agilitas Private Equity LLP, based in London, focuses on mid-market investments across Europe. The acquisition will provide the Tech Services business with an independent platform for growth. The Tech Services division has operated across the Nordic region, with a focus on large-scale enterprise and public sector clients. Its services included IT infrastructure modernisation, cloud transformation, and digital service management. According to the companys disclosures, no immediate changes are expected to client relationships or operational continuity. Employees and management within the Tech Services unit will continue under the new ownership structure once the transaction closes. The strategic realignment will leave Tietoevry with four main business areas: Tietoevry Banking, Tietoevry Care, Tietoevry Industry, and Tietoevry Create. These units focus on platform-based software products and digital engineering services delivered internationally. In January 2025, Tietoevry renewed a multi-year strategic IT partnership with UPM, indicating continued commitment to data-driven services and AI solutions within its remaining business units. Regulatory approvals remain pending. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and review by relevant competition authorities. Completion is anticipated in the second half of 2025. HT The Finnish Ministry of the Interior and Migri attribute the decline to a combination of border control measures, policy tightening, and regional security decisions. The number of new asylum applications in Finland is declining. The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) estimates that between 2,000 and 3,000 first-time asylum claims will be filed in 2024. This represents a significant decrease from the 2,948 applications submitted in 2023 and the 5,372 filed in 2022. Johannes Hirvela, Development Director at Migri, said two main factors have influenced the trend. The first is that the eastern border has remained closed for an extended period. No asylum seekers are coming through that route, he said. Since 15 December 2023, all land border crossing points between Finland and Russia have been closed by government order. The decision followed a sharp increase in irregular migration along the eastern border in late 2023. On 25 November 2023, 55 asylum seekers crossed into Finland through the Raja-Jooseppi border station in Lapland. According to Finnish authorities, many of those arriving via Russia were from third countries, including Syria, Somalia, and Afghanistan. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said the closures were necessary to ensure national security. The direction is right, she told Helsingin Sanomat earlier this week. Under the current restrictions, applications for international protection can only be submitted at designated external border crossings open for air and sea traffic. These include Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and the Port of Helsinki. In parallel to the fall in asylum claims, applications for residence permits on other grounds have increased. Migri reported that family reunification was the most common basis for a first residence permit in 2023. The agency received 16,486 applications for family reunification, a rise from 14,688 the year before. The number of international students moving to Finland has also grown. Migri issued 10,029 residence permits to students in 2023, compared to 8,543 in 2022. The majority came from Bangladesh, India, China, and Russia. Work-based immigration remains steady. Migri expects the number of work permit applications to decline slightly in 2024 before increasing again in 2025. In 2023, a total of 20,935 applications were submitted for employment-based residence permits. Sectors with the highest demand included construction, logistics, agriculture, and cleaning services. Despite the general decrease in asylum claims, the Finnish government continues to maintain internal border checks within the Schengen area. These were reintroduced in 2022 and have since been extended multiple times. The Ministry of the Interior has said the checks help control secondary movements of migrants arriving in other EU countries before reaching Finland. Policy changes have also contributed to the overall trend. In recent years, Finnish authorities have tightened criteria for granting asylum and subsidiary protection. The processing times for asylum decisions have shortened, and the appeal process has been streamlined. According to Migris annual report, the overall approval rate for asylum applications in 2023 was 31 percent. In most cases, applicants were granted subsidiary protection rather than full refugee status. The largest groups of applicants by nationality in 2023 were from Russia, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Iran. Return procedures have been stepped up for those whose applications are rejected. In cooperation with the Finnish Border Guard and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Ministry of the Interior has expanded voluntary return programmes. In 2023, a total of 1,807 people returned to their countries of origin through voluntary return schemes, compared to 1,561 in 2022. Most returnees were from Iraq, Russia, and Nigeria. The Finnish government continues to develop its immigration strategy with an emphasis on labour migration and controlled humanitarian intake. In 2023, Finland fulfilled its annual refugee quota of 1,050 resettled refugees through the UNHCR. The largest contingents came from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Syria. Meanwhile, the governments decision to close the eastern border remains in force. A review is scheduled for late March, but no changes have been announced. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has stated that border closures will remain as long as necessary to prevent instrumentalised migration flows from Russia. Russian authorities have denied involvement in facilitating crossings. Finland shares a 1,340-kilometre land border with Russia. It is the European Unions longest external land border with the Russian Federation. The Finnish Border Guard continues to monitor the area and reports no significant border crossings since the closures took effect. The drop in asylum applications marks a significant shift in Finlands migration patterns. While humanitarian migration is declining, arrivals through study, work, and family ties are rising. Migri says it expects these trends to continue in the coming year, barring significant policy or geopolitical changes. HT The latest edition, released on 20 March, assessed 143 countries based on gross domestic product, life expectancy, social support, generosity, freedom to make life choices, and perceptions of corruption. Finland has been named the worlds happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report. The United States dropped to 24th place, its lowest position since the report began. The findings were drawn from Gallup World Poll data and compiled by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and the Netherlands followed Finland in the top five. Costa Rica, Norway, Israel, Luxembourg and Mexico completed the top ten. The United Kingdom placed ahead of the US, along with Ireland, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. France, Spain, Italy and Brazil ranked lower. Finlands continued position at the top is attributed by residents to specific cultural habits and lifestyle practices. According to interviews and commentary published in the New York Post, many Finns point to four main contributors to their national wellbeing. The first is seasonal exposure to sunlight. Although Finland experiences extended periods of darkness during the winter, summers bring near-constant daylight, particularly in the north. This natural cycle is linked to mental health benefits through the increased production of serotonin and vitamin D, both of which influence mood and cognitive function. The New York Post notes that Finns take full advantage of this seasonal change, engaging in outdoor activity and daylight exposure during the summer months. This rhythm, while challenging, contributes to a mental health balance over the year. A second factor is the widespread use of saunas. Finland, with a population of 5.5 million, has more than 3 million saunas, according to estimates cited in the New York Post. Sauna sessions often involve exposure to temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius, followed by cold immersion either in lakes, snow, or showers. The article reports that this traditional practice is linked to cardiovascular health, improved circulation, stress relief and better sleep. A 2024 study mentioned by the New York Post also found that regular sauna use may help women avoid weight gain during menopause. Nature is the third element frequently mentioned by Finns. According to the New York Post, residents often say their proximity to forests, lakes and other natural landscapes contributes directly to their happiness. When you are unplugging, your brain is in alpha wave mode, i.e., in active problem-solving mode and figuring out innovative solutions, Emma Seppala, a happiness expert, told Business Finland, as cited in the New York Post. She added that this period of relaxation supports creativity and mental clarity. Both forests and saunas were described as integral to this antistress lifestyle. The fourth component is sisu, a Finnish term describing determination and perseverance through adversity. Emilia Lahti, a researcher at Aalto University in Helsinki, told the BBC that sisu represents energy and resolve in the face of challenges. The New York Post reported that this cultural concept helps Finns maintain a proactive approach to difficulties throughout the year. It is a special thing that is reserved for especially challenging moments, Lahti said. When we feel that we came to the end point of our preconceived capacities. These cultural habits exist alongside public policies that support wellbeing, including universal healthcare, low levels of income inequality and access to subsidised higher education. According to the New York Post, the US drop in the rankings is linked to factors including lower social trust, increased political polarisation, and mental health concerns. The report found a significant decline in life satisfaction among younger Americans, particularly those under 30. In this age group, the US no longer ranks in the top 20. Finland, by contrast, maintains high rankings across most age groups. The report also found that people aged 60 and older report higher life satisfaction than those under 30 in most countries, a trend that has widened in recent years. The 2025 report lists Afghanistan as the least happy country, followed by Lebanon, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. Countries facing conflict or internal displacement remain at the bottom of the index. Respondents to the Gallup World Poll were asked to rate their lives on a scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the best possible life. The reports data was compiled over a three-year period. The World Happiness Report was first published in 2012. It is released annually on 20 March to mark the International Day of Happiness, established by the United Nations General Assembly. The New York Post article, authored by Carly Stern and Diana Bruk, was published on 20 March 2025. HT The ARVE mounts Patrias 155GH52 155 mm towed gun-howitzer onto a Sisu E13TP 88 all-terrain truck. The system is aimed at meeting potential requirements from the Finnish Navy as it prepares to replace ageing fixed artillery positions along the coast with a mobile solution. Patria has presented a new self-propelled artillery system built for mobile coastal defence, unveiling the ARVE prototype during its Arctic Event in Lapland this week. Finlands coastal artillery arm previously relied on towed Soviet 152 mm howitzers and later 130 mm M-46 field guns. These systems were retired when the mobile coastal artillery arm was disbanded in the mid-2000s. Fixed 130 mm installations remain, but the Navy has signalled interest in replacing them with mobile systems using NATO-standard ammunition. The ARVE uses a 52-calibre barrel and achieves a maximum range of 40 km with standard rounds. It fires three rounds in the first 15 seconds, has a maximum rate of eight rounds per minute, and a sustained rate of two rounds per minute. The elevation angle spans from -3 to +60, and the firing arc in indirect mode ranges from -90 to +50. The gun is operated manually, including reloading and laying. The system carries 24 rounds of complete ammunition. Rounds are stored in external boxes mounted along the truck. A spade is lowered at the rear before firing to absorb recoil. From halt, it takes around 90 seconds to fire the first round. After completing a fire mission, the vehicle departs in 45 seconds. The ARVE is powered by a 500 hp engine and has a top road speed of over 100 km/h. Its maximum combat mass is under 28 tonnes. The 11.5-metre-long truck carries 400 litres of fuel and has a range of over 600 km. It can ford water obstacles up to one metre deep and climb gradients of 30. The platform and gun already existed separately before being integrated over the past year. Patria engineers designed the necessary interface, laying system, recoil spade, and ammunition storage. Jukka Holkeri, Executive Vice President of Patrias Global Division, said, This concept has been around for quite some time, we never publicised it, but it was there, both the truck and the gun were there. Patria developed the ARVE prototype independently. No formal request for such a system has been issued by the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF), but Patria expects interest. The company noted that artillerys importance has grown in modern warfare and that vulnerability to drones and other precision-guided threats requires faster shoot-and-scoot capabilities. Holkeri confirmed the companys readiness to meet potential demands, either by adapting existing guns or producing new ones. Both solutions are feasible, he said. Patria last produced new guns over 20 years ago. Despite this, a company representative said, Weve got all the needed capabilities. While we havent produced new guns for a while, we have been producing spare parts worth millions of euros during the last decade. And this includes all critical components. That includes gun barrels, among the most technically demanding parts. Patria maintains capacity to produce these components, which would allow it to build ARVE units without needing to divert existing Army systems. Patria also plans enhancements to the prototype. Future iterations could include servo-controlled gun laying, an improved fire-control system, and semi-automatic or automatic loading. These upgrades would be particularly relevant in coastal defence scenarios where targets are in motion. While ARVE currently relies on manual operations, Patria is investigating an automatic laying system connected to a weapon terminal and ballistic calculator. An automatic loader is also under consideration. The ARVE system is intended to be robust and affordable. Past Finnish acquisitions have prioritised these factors, especially for reservist-heavy forces. In comparison to potential alternatives such as the BAE Archer, Elbit Atmos, KNDS CAESAR, and ZUZANA 2, the ARVEs performance is more modest but aligns with traditional Finnish procurement approaches. Patria currently supplies all towed 155 mm guns used by the Finnish Defence Forces except the newer South Korean K9 Moukari self-propelled tracked systems. Patria believes this legacy positions it strongly for future contracts. The prototype has completed initial integration. Next steps include mobility testing and first live-fire trials, all of which will be conducted at the industry level. HT Activists from Greenpeace Norden held up banners and played bird sounds through speakers to interrupt proceedings multiple times. They called on the company to adopt a clear and comprehensive policy ensuring that no wood from old-growth or natural forests is used in its products. Greenpeace activists interrupted the general meeting of Metsa Board at Finlandia Hall on Wednesday. Protesters entered the stage during the CEOs address and demanded the company commit to excluding wood from natural forests in its production. One activist handed a petition to Mika Joukio, CEO of Metsa Board. The petition included 400 pages of signatures calling for greater corporate responsibility in forest sourcing. Im here to demand that Metsa Board and the entire Metsa Group leave old and natural forests alone, said Ida Korhonen, an activist from Greenpeace Norden. The Orpo governments forest criteria fail to protect them. The forest industry is the main cause of biodiversity loss in Finland. Metsa Board must take responsibility and guarantee that no natural forest wood ends up in its products. The activists also made verbal interventions during the meeting, demanding a credible and public commitment from Metsa Group to protect natural forests. Outside the venue, additional Greenpeace members demonstrated before the meeting began. On the same day, the Finnish government led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo confirmed new forest criteria. The criteria have been widely criticised by researchers for excluding many older forests in need of protection. Critics say the policy puts increased responsibility on buyers of wood, including forest industry companies, to ensure sustainable sourcing. The forest companies talk a lot, but what the forests need are actions, said Matti Liimatainen, Greenpeace forest specialist. With logging pressure high, it is more urgent than ever to ensure that ecologically valuable forests are saved. The Orpo governments criteria wont achieve that, so the responsibility falls to large forest companies and their procurement practices. Metsa Group, the parent company of Metsa Board, has stated it does not source wood from old-growth, natural, or ecologically valuable forests. Greenpeace says this claim is contradicted by documented logging plans in areas such as Salla. The group said the companys sourcing criteria and their implementation need urgent revision. Greenpeace also staged demonstrations outside the Stora Enso general meeting in Katajanokka, Helsinki, on the same day. HT Roughly 1,000 workers from Hartwall in Lahti, Olvi in Iisalmi, and Sinebrychoff in Kerava are taking part. The strike also covers Hartwalls warehouse in Tattariharju, Helsinki, and Sinebrychoffs equipment services in Kerava. A nationwide strike involving brewery and soft drink plant workers began on Sunday evening. The strike affects three of Finlands largest breweries and is expected to continue until Friday. The breweries involved produce some of Finlands best-known alcoholic and soft drink brands, including Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Jaffa, Fanta, long drinks, and Olvi, Sandels, Karhu, and Koff beers. The strike follows a similar walkout by bakery workers earlier in March. Both actions stem from unresolved disputes in the food industry between the Finnish Food Workers Union SEL and the Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation ETL. Negotiations between the two sides have been ongoing since early February. The main point of contention concerns working hours and wages for bakery employees. Although ETL accepted a settlement proposal on Friday that maintained a 100 percent night work bonus, SEL rejected the offer. The union argued the proposal still significantly weakened current working time arrangements. As a result, SEL confirmed the strike would go ahead across all shifts starting 23 March at 21:00 and ending 28 March at 21:00. Ministerial authorities have delayed a separate strike targeting the meat and staple food sectors, which was originally set to begin on 25 March. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment moved the action to 8 April following a recommendation from the National Conciliator, citing its potential impact on essential societal functions. Breweries have said consumers will not face immediate shortages. Hartwall, Olvi, and Sinebrychoff stated they had increased production and stockpiled goods in advance once the strike appeared likely. These are not fresh products, said Titta Jaakkola, Head of Content and Communications at Hartwall. Some Hartwall drinks may be temporarily unavailable in shops or restaurants if the strike extends beyond Friday. Olvi reported strong availability of its products throughout the strike week. Sinebrychoff said production and distribution at its Kerava site would halt entirely, and stock replenishment during the strike was not possible. The company had, however, shipped additional volumes to retailers and restaurants in preparation. If theres a particular flavour you want, its best to pick it up early for the weekend, Timo Mikkola, Sinebrychoffs Head of Communications told Helsingin Sanomat. Retailers have confirmed that inventories have been bolstered, but limits remain. The stores have been stocked extensively, said Sampo Paallysaho, Head of Grocery Trade at SOK. Still, if the strike lasts several days, shortages in some items could occur. Petri Miettinen, manager of K-Supermarket Tripla in Helsinki, said beverage products are space-consuming and not easy to stock for an entire week. We usually receive deliveries from the major breweries three times a week. One load is meant to cover only a few days, he said. He predicted that multi-packs and the most popular items, such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi, would be the first to run out. Shoppers might need to switch to less common soft drinks or buy individual cans instead of packs. What runs out depends on the shop. In some places, it might be water. In others, beer, Miettinen said. HT Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed the initiative during a government meeting on 21 March. He said the coalition would significantly strengthen Ukraines capacity to build and upgrade civil defence shelters. The agreement follows a visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky to Finland earlier in the week. Ukraine and Finland have agreed to form a civil defence shelter coalition, aiming to support Ukraines efforts to construct modern protective shelters across its territory. The coalition is intended to coordinate international support for shelter construction in Ukraine. A joint letter of intent was signed by Herman Smetanin, Ukraines Minister of Strategic Industries, and Mari Rantanen, Finlands Minister of the Interior. The agreement outlines shared objectives, including the development of technical standards, exchange of best practices, and resource coordination. The shelter coalition agreement stems from discussions held between President Zelensky and President Alexander Stubb of Finland. Talks took place on 19 March during the official visit, with the agreement formalised through the ministries two days later. President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb and King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark visit the Merihaka civil defence shelter in Helsinki, Finland on March 4, 2025. A press release from Ukraines Ministry of Strategic Industries stated that the shelter coalition would align with Ukraines national security goals. The programme aims to provide reliable civilian protection from a wide range of threats, including missile strikes and aerial attacks. The goal is to begin building the most modern civil defence shelter system today, the joint statement read. The Finnish government has previously expressed support for Ukraines shelter reform efforts. In 2024, Finland committed to assisting Ukraine in upgrading its emergency infrastructure, including shelter networks, evacuation systems, and alert mechanisms. The government meeting in Kyiv also focused on humanitarian demining. Prime Minister Shmyhal said Ukraine is giving priority to clearing agricultural land to prepare for the spring planting season. According to the World Bank, full demining of Ukraine would cost around $30 billion. Shmyhal said over 80 certified demining operators are currently active in Ukraine, supported by more than 200 demining vehicles. He stated that technical surveys are planned for 31,000 square kilometres this year. Shmyhal also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in demining efforts, including donor funding and joint training. During his visit to Finland, President Zelensky met with senior Finnish officials, including President Stubb, Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-Aho, political leaders, and heads of key committees. He also held meetings with executives from Finnish defence, mining, telecommunications, and energy companies. Zelensky thanked Finnish firms for their support during Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine and noted Finlands experience in defence manufacturing. The discussions included plans to strengthen bilateral industrial ties. Topics included establishing production facilities in Ukraine and expanding partnerships in critical sectors. Earlier, Ukraines Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin had also met with Finlands Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen to explore potential joint ventures. Talks covered Finnish involvement in Ukraines domestic defence production and the possibility of opening manufacturing sites in Ukraine. HT She met with Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen and Chair of the Finnish Parliaments Defence Committee Jukka Kopra , discussing Finlands total defence approach and its relevance to Central and Eastern European countries. Lithuanias Minister of National Defence Dovile Sakaliene said Finland is preparing for full-scale conflict with extensive measures, following her official visit to Helsinki this week. Finlands total defence model involves cooperation across all sectors of society. It includes mandatory military service, a broad reserve force, and regular crisis training exercises. Sakaliene said Finlands strategy offered valuable lessons for countries facing growing security threats. Happy to see dear colleague Finlands MoD @anttihakkanen. Around 80% of Finns are willing to militarily defend their country. 91% believe Finland should defend their allies. 900k people in reserve + constant training = almost invincible strategy of total defence, Sakaliene posted on X. She said Finlands readiness allows its citizens to remain calm despite heightened geopolitical risks. She also confirmed Lithuanias intention to cooperate on ammunition production with Nammo, a Nordic defence manufacturer. Sakaliene added that both countries would push for increased NATO defence spending ahead of the July summit in The Hague. She called for stronger European capabilities and emphasised the role of a continued US military presence in the region. She said the meeting also covered support for Ukraine, including training and equipping a brigade-sized unit from Nordic-Baltic countries, and cooperation in defence industries. Today, my guest was the Minister of Defense of Lithuania, Dovile Sakaliene. Excellent discussions on current security issues, Hakkanen posted on X. We are deepening defence cooperation between our countries. Finland and Lithuania share views on supporting Ukraine, strengthening the EUs defence capabilities, and security issues in the Baltic Sea. We also discussed mines and the Ottawa Treaty. During the visit, Sakaliene met with Dag Schjerven, vice chair of Nammo AS, which specialises in precision ammunition. She also visited the Jaeger Brigade, an elite Finnish military unit based in Lapland. Lithuania is seeking stronger bilateral cooperation with Finland in military engineering and total defence policy. Areas of interest include reserve organisation, national mobilisation systems, and the strategic use of mines. In Finland, most men aged 18 to 60 serve in the military, reserves, or auxiliary reserves. The Finnish Defence Forces train around 22,000 conscripts annually, including about 1,000 women. The total number of trained reservists is about 900,000. HT His formal indictment followed a 96-hour detention period under Article 100 of the Turkish Penal Code. Ekrem Imamoglu , the mayor of Istanbul and leading opposition figure, was formally charged with multiple offences on Sunday, four days after his arrest. Turkish prosecutors accuse him of corruption, extortion, bribery, money laundering, and aiding a terrorist organisation. Prosecutors presented the charges to Istanbuls 24th High Criminal Court, which ruled to continue his detention pending trial. If convicted on all charges, Imamoglu faces up to 35 years in prison. The arrest took place on the morning of 19 March in a dawn raid at his home in Beylikduzu. Plainclothes officers from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors Office, accompanied by counter-terrorism units, detained the mayor and seized multiple electronic devices and documents from his residence and office. According to the indictment, Imamoglu is alleged to have facilitated municipal contracts to companies linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is designated as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. Authorities also claim he laundered public funds through shell companies during his tenure as mayor. Imamoglu has denied all allegations. His legal team described the charges as fabricated and legally unsound. During interrogation, the mayor reportedly refused to answer questions related to political affiliations, citing constitutional protections. The formal charges were confirmed on Sunday morning. Just hours earlier, the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) had been expected to confirm Imamoglu as its sole candidate in an internal presidential nomination vote. The party postponed the meeting indefinitely. CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel called the charges a judicial coup against democratic will in a statement to reporters outside party headquarters in Ankara. This is not only about one man, but the right of every citizen to choose their leaders, he said. Protests have continued across major Turkish cities for a fifth consecutive night. In Istanbul, demonstrators gathered in Taksim Square despite a police ban on public assemblies. Authorities closed key metro stations and blocked access to social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Protesters clash with Turkish anti riot police using tear gas and water cannons during a demonstration following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, in Ankara on March 22, 2025. Imamoglu, who is the chief rival of Turkey's President, was arrested on March 19, 2025, days before he was to be formally named the main opposition CHP's candidate for the 2028 presidential race. Riot police have since then clashed repeatedly with the protesters, deploying tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon against them in Istanbul, the capital Ankara and the western coastal city of Izmir. LEHTIKUVA / AFP Since Thursday, police have detained more than 670 people during demonstrations, according to the Ministry of Interior. The Human Rights Association of Turkey reported the use of excessive force in at least 14 separate incidents. Amnesty International issued a statement urging Turkish authorities to allow peaceful protest and due process. In Ankara, water cannons were deployed outside Kizilay metro station as hundreds attempted to march towards the Grand National Assembly. In Izmir, riot police dispersed a sit-in protest using pepper spray. Smaller rallies were reported in Diyarbakir, Bursa, Antalya, and Gaziantep. The Istanbul Governors Office has extended a city-wide ban on public demonstrations until 25 March. Police checkpoints have been set up near municipal buildings, and several roads remain closed. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the situation during a speech in Sakarya on Saturday. Those who try to bring chaos to our streets will face the full force of the law, he said. The opposition is trying to divide this nation and discredit its institutions. He did not comment directly on the charges against Imamoglu, but defended the independence of the judiciary. The courts decide, not the politicians, he said. The Ministry of Justice also released a statement rejecting claims of political interference. All judicial procedures are carried out in accordance with constitutional and legal norms, it read. The arrest of Imamoglu has drawn international criticism. The European Commission said it was closely monitoring the legal proceedings. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller urged Ankara to respect legal transparency and political freedoms. Germanys Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the case raises serious questions about the impartiality of Turkish institutions. United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, said on Sunday that her office would request access to court documents and trial proceedings. We are concerned about the timing, process, and scope of the charges, she said. The case also threatens to deepen tensions within Turkeys opposition. Leaders of the Nation Alliance, a coalition of six opposition parties, held an emergency meeting on Saturday to discuss a response. A joint statement is expected in the coming days. According to Article 101 of the Turkish Constitution, presidential candidates must be Turkish citizens over the age of 40 and hold a university degree. On 18 March, one day before his arrest, Istanbul University announced it had annulled Imamoglus degree, citing alleged irregularities in student records. His legal team has filed an appeal. If the annulment is upheld, Imamoglu would be constitutionally ineligible to run for president. The Supreme Electoral Council (YSK) has not commented on the matter. The CHP won control of Istanbul in 2019, ending 25 years of dominance by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its allies. Imamoglus victory was seen as a major political setback for Erdogan. In the 2019 mayoral rerun election, Imamoglu secured over 54 percent of the vote. Since then, he has emerged as the most popular opposition figure in national polls. A November 2024 survey by Istanbul-based Metropoll found that Imamoglu had a 52 percent approval rating, compared to Erdogan's 42 percent. In 2022, Imamoglu was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison for allegedly insulting electoral officials. That sentence is currently under appeal and has not yet been enforced. The next general election is scheduled for June 2028. Under current law, Erdogan, who has been in power since 2003, cannot seek another term unless parliament calls early elections or passes constitutional amendments. The Turkish Parliament is not scheduled to sit until 1 April. No formal proposal for constitutional reform has yet been submitted. Legal experts say the trial process could take months. A preliminary hearing is expected in April. Defense lawyers have requested that Imamoglu be released pending trial, but no decision has yet been issued. As of Sunday evening, Imamoglu remains in custody at Silivri Prison, west of Istanbul. His legal team has submitted two appeals, one challenging the arrest order and another seeking to dismiss the charges. The CHP has called for a national day of protest on Monday. Police in Istanbul have warned that all unauthorised gatherings will be dispersed. HT In Finland, a new advisory warns that if a travellers gender marker in their passport does not match the gender confirmed at birth, U.S. authorities may deny entry. The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises travellers to confirm all entry conditions with the U.S. authorities in advance. Finland and Denmark have issued updated travel guidance for transgender citizens planning to visit the United States, reflecting recent changes to U.S. immigration and identification policy under the administration of Donald Trump . The Finnish guidance also notes that Finland does not issue passports with an X gender designation. Dual citizens with such documents are advised to check eligibility with the U.S. before travelling. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has added a new section to its U.S. visa guidance. It advises applicants that U.S. authorities only accept two gender categories on visa applications: male or female. If a travellers passport includes an X gender marker or their legal gender differs from their birth sex, the ministry recommends contacting the U.S. embassy before travelling. The update followed a request by advocacy group LGBT+ Denmark, according to Danish broadcaster Radio4. Susanne Branner Jespersen, head of secretariat at LGBT+ Denmark, told Radio4: We are worried that people will be stopped at the airport and denied entry, or that they will be exposed to something that is transgressive and unpleasant at the airport. She added that the organisation would seek a very clear answer to what to expect if you as a transgender person want to apply for entry to the United States by contacting the U.S. embassy directly. The changes follow a series of executive orders signed by Donald Trump since returning to the White House. On 20 January, Trump signed an order declaring that the U.S. federal government would recognise only two sexes: male and female. That order was followed by an executive action banning transgender individuals from military service. A Pentagon memo in February instructed military branches to identify and begin the discharge of transgender service members within 30 days. In response to the directive, Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, issued a memo stating that transgender people would no longer be allowed to enlist. The memo added that current service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria would be treated with dignity and respect. The military policy has since been challenged in court. Ana Reyes, a federal judge, issued a temporary block on the executive order concerning military service, pending further legal proceedings. Several European governments have responded by updating their own travel advice for the United States. Germany revised its advisory after at least three German nationals were detained upon entry, including one permanent resident. The German Foreign Office said it was taking the detentions seriously. A spokesperson told ARDs Tagesschau: We have clarified and now clearly emphasize that an ESTA approval or a U.S. visa does not, in every case, authorize entry into the United States. Two of the detained German nationals have since returned home. One remains in the United States pending legal proceedings. The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also updated its guidance. It warns that travellers may face arrest or detention if they fail to comply with U.S. immigration rules. The change follows reports that a British national was detained at the U.S. border earlier in March. The British government confirmed it is providing consular support to the individual, according to Reuters. Finlands advisory, issued on Friday, also urges citizens to avoid large public gatherings in U.S. cities due to the risk of politically motivated violence. The ministry noted ongoing demonstrations across several urban areas, citing the possibility of confrontations during protests related to immigration, Middle East policy, or education issues. The Finnish broadcaster Yle reported that the change reflects evolving U.S. immigration policy under President Donald Trumps new term. Several demonstrations have taken place in major U.S. cities since January. On 11 March, New York Police Department officers arrested protesters during a rally in Manhattan opposing Trumps foreign and immigration policies. HT YIN YIYUAN/FOR CHINA DAILY Global Times-Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong on Wednesday published an article in the Times of India, headlined "India-China Can Achieve A Dragon-Elephant Tango." In the piece, Xu said that China welcomes more Indian high-quality products and will be more than happy to share its development dividends with India. Indian companies can enhance "Make in India" by "investing in China." Manufacturing stands as one of the earliest sectors in China to open up to foreign investors. The country has fully lifted foreign investment restrictions within this sector. China is equipped with a comprehensive industrial system, an expansive market and a high-quality talent pool. These attributes not only draw foreign enterprises but also pave the way for China-India economic cooperation, as well as opportunities for investing in China. In recent years, propelled by continuous advancements in technological innovation, China has made significant strides in the production and trade of intermediate goods, including critical components, electronic parts and basic materials. According to media reports in 2024, China has been the world's leading exporter of intermediate goods for several consecutive years, demonstrating that it has established an industrial chain and ecosystem capable of supporting the rapid development of intermediate goods production. China is gradually becoming a crucial hub for global intermediate goods production and trade, creating new opportunities for trade and investment between China and India. In recent years, India's manufacturing sector has likewise experienced rapid growth, particularly in the output of finished products. This development has, to some extent, intensified the competitive dynamics with Chinese manufacturing. However, concurrently, the expansion of India's finished-product manufacturing has generated a significant demand for intermediate goods, presenting opportunities for China-India collaboration in the production of these goods. A strategy worth considering is investing in the production of intermediate goods in China, taking advantage of China's mature industrial ecosystem and its accumulated capabilities and strengths in producing these goods. By investing in China, Indian enterprises could capitalize on the established advantages there to supply the Indian manufacturing sector with a continuous stream of high-quality, low-cost intermediate products, thereby propelling the development of manufacturing in India. Additionally, this approach can enhance upstream industries - specifically, the export of raw materials for intermediate goods production from India to China. This strategy not only fosters mutual growth between the two countries but also contributes to more integrated and cooperative regional industrial and supply chains. Intermediate goods, among various factors, underscore the complementarity between the Chinese and Indian economies. In the long run, actively enhancing the industrial complementarity between the two countries, and ensuring that complementarity prevails over competition, is an effective way to advance China-India economic development. Throughout this process, economic cooperation is beneficial in fostering mutual trust, and an increase in mutual trust, in turn, facilitates further collaboration. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that as the two largest developing countries, China and India have a shared task to achieve respective development and revitalization, and they should understand and support each other, and help each other succeed. "A cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant is the only right choice for both sides," said the spokesperson. In 2025, the international economic landscape has become increasingly complex, with a rise in trade protectionism and uncertainty, which is expected to weigh on global trade and the recovery of the world economy. This scenario also presents challenges to the Asian supply chain. For India's manufacturing sector, the external environment is challenging, yet if it can capitalize on the opportunities arising from China's development and high-level openness, investing in China to drive the development of India's manufacturing industry could bolster the Indian economy. The situation has sparked ridicule online, with critics mocking the US for what they called door-to-door begging in Europe. The request follows earlier outreach to Finland, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. Finland has refused, and Lithuania has not responded formally. The United States has approached Lithuania to explore potential egg exports amid a worsening domestic shortage caused by avian influenza. A severe outbreak of bird flu has devastated egg production in the US. More than 30 million hens have been culled since January 2025. Total bird losses, including wild and domestic species, have reached over 166 million since early 2022. Egg prices in the US have risen by 159 percent in one year. Several retailers have begun rationing sales. Some states report shortages of eggs for both commercial and household use. The shortage has led the US to request egg imports from European countries. According to Danish agriculture publication AgriWatch, the US contacted officials in Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Only Finlands response has been confirmed, declining the request. A report by Lithuanian broadcaster LRT confirmed the US has also contacted Lithuania. The US embassy in Warsaw held talks with Lithuanian industry officials. Gytis Kauzonas, head of the Lithuanian Poultry Association, confirmed the contact. We have provided the requested information, but we have not yet received a reply, Kauzonas told Lithuanian business daily Verslo Zinios. The US embassy has not issued a public statement regarding the talks. In Poland, similar discussions have occurred. Katarzyna Gawronska, director of the National Chamber of Poultry and Feed Producers, told local media that the American embassy in Warsaw had also reached out about possible egg exports. The US has historically limited egg imports from the European Union due to disease and quality regulations. Those restrictions remain a key obstacle. European suppliers also face their own shortages and contractual obligations. Multiple EU states are experiencing tight egg supplies due to similar outbreaks of avian flu and increased domestic demand. Exporting to the US would require compliance with strict sanitary and trade standards, including inspections and certifications from the US Department of Agriculture. The US has not imported large volumes of eggs from Europe in recent decades. Shipments from Canada and Mexico have been more common during past disruptions. In response to the crisis, the Trump administration has pledged $1 billion to address supply disruptions. Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture, outlined a plan in early March including $500 million for biosecurity upgrades, $400 million in farmer support and $100 million for vaccine research. This wont solve the issue overnight, Rollins said at a press conference. We are working with producers, regulators and international partners. We expect conditions to improve within three to six months. The plan also includes easing of regulations to facilitate egg imports on a temporary basis. Emergency authorisations are under review. Social media users in Europe reacted quickly to news of the US approaching Lithuania. A Reddit thread titled US goes begging for eggs in Lithuania received over 9,000 comments. Literally going door to door begging, one user wrote. Did they ask politely, while wearing a suit? another asked, referencing Donald Trumps 2019 meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine. If they had actual brains instead of using AI slop strategies they would buy egg-laying hens and import them, not eggs, another user posted. Mockery also referenced past diplomatic tensions, including Trump's trade disputes with the EU. Tariff threats on European goods and dismissive remarks about NATO allies are recurring themes in comments. Some users blamed US economic policies under the Trump administration, referring to high food prices as Trumpeconomics. While the US Department of Agriculture continues to monitor domestic supply chains, no final agreement has been reached with any European nation on large-scale egg exports. Negotiations with private suppliers are ongoing. The US Food and Drug Administration and customs officials are also involved in evaluating import logistics. No timeline has been given for potential shipments from Europe, including from Lithuania or Poland. HT JAMES Farnhams novel, Bayeux, will take readers back to the Henley area in the Sixties. The author, who has spent most of his career working in and around the Thames Valley, now lives in Milton Abbot, Dorset, but says he was born and bred in the Thames Valley . I grew up in Cookham, and I lived in Marlow and Bisham and then I spent a lot of time in Henley with a sister who lives there. That was all for the first 15 years of my life, I guess, he says. I used to go to Henley very frequently, two or three times a month for quite a few years. I rowed there a few times because that used to be a sport of mine. The 58-year-old, who is divorced with two grown-up children, says he has been coy about mentioning specific places out of respect. He says: I grew up in the Thames Valley near Henley in the Sixties and saw some things a child should never see at some of the outrageous parties that raged in that era. It was a fast-living, highly intoxicated time populated by some exotic characters people in television, sport and members of the establishment. They were mostly in their forties or fifties at the time and may still be alive, so out of respect it seems only fair not to point to any precise locations in the area best to present the story as fiction, which of course it is. Its not very specific, so for example in one of the scenes theres a journey from the little branch line that goes on to the main line into Paddington. That could just as easily be Henley as Marlow but very much in terms of the Chalk Hills sitting above the Thames Valley and trips into town, its definitely along that stretch and I think anyone knowing the area would recognise this: the little branch line that joined the main line into Paddington had been spared in the Beeching cuts. There will be many local people who will remember what it was like living in and around Henley during the Sixties. Bayeux will bring back memories of what it was like to enjoy the bustling of the town by its famous stretch of river, the commuting in and out of London and the endless parties many people held in their homes. Reading the novel will enable people to reminisce about how different everything was then, in a world without internet and mobile phones and when every restaurant and railway carriage was full of cigarette smoke and people rarely swore in public. However, says James, the novel contains light and shade. Bayeux is not merely a rose-tinted view of the past, because it deals with family joys and tensions that are universal and timeless, such as the complex power play within families between mothers and teenage daughters, and how parents choose to navigate their domestic responsibilities who looks after the children, who earns the money, who runs the house. The story also has added complexities such as the impact of child adoption on family dynamics and the unsettling effects of toxic patriarchal influence. The action focuses primarily on Elizabeth, who has spent nearly 20 years trying to forget the trauma she experienced in Bayeux after the D-Day landings when she was forced to give up her child for adoption. When we get to the main story in 1967, Elizabeths comfortable family life with her daughter Helena is disrupted by being hurtled back into the buried past she has tried to conceal from everyone. It is only through her own resilience and Helenas precocious ingenuity that they both find happiness in the end. The Swinging Sixties became famous for ushering in dramatic changes between the generations. It was a very interesting time in that you still had the throwback to the post-war rationing days. I think a lot of readers will remember that cusp between the old world and the new and it really was, in terms of doing the right thing, a very stuffy time in some quarters. Obviously, with the arrival of 67, things were starting to be turned on their head. So, Elizabeth, the main protagonist, is hanging on to some of the old values but is actually ahead of the time in bringing up her own child, Helena. She is recognising that times are changing and doesnt want to stifle her daughters development by being too much rooted in the old world. So, thats very much the backdrop to the family drama itself, navigating the wider world but at the same time there is the minutiae of daily life in the family and the little conflicts that happen at breakfast. Readers can augment their experience by visiting the website, which has links to music which is referenced in the book, as the character of Helena is a cello player. James says that the book is available in physical format only, in support of local bookshops. He adds: Im not naturally contrary but I do tend to zig when the rest of the world is zagging. There are people who are keeping that tradition alive, so I thought it would be nice. Ive been into the Bell Bookshop in Henley a couple of times and theyre great in there. They are a key local stockist and they are able to order more copies at a days notice from their wholesaler. l Bayeux, by James Farnham, is available from the Bell Bookshop in Henley now, priced 9.99. For more information, visit bayeux.blog 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. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code CNN 2025 3 8 https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/08/china/china-two-sessions-xi-jinping-trump-trade-war-intl-hnk/index.html 3 8 CNN 20% 3 4 2025 CNN 2DeepSeek DeepSeek CNN 5% 2.0 Costfoto/NurPhoto/Getty Images 2025 6G 60% CNN / China has a message for Trump: the US wont stop its rise Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrives at a plenary session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 8. Beijing, ChinaCNN As US President Donald Trump ratcheted up economic pressure on China over the past week, Beijing sent back its own message: Its rise wont be interrupted. A major political meeting taking place in the capital was the ideal backdrop for Beijing to respond. The two sessions gathering of Chinas rubber-stamp legislature and its top political advisory body is where the government reveals its plans and sets the tone for the year ahead. The top item on its priority list? Boosting consumer demand to ensure China doesnt need to rely on exports to power its vast but slowing economy. And the next: driving forward leader Xi Jinpings bid to transform the country into a technological superpower, by ramping up investment and enlisting the private sector. Beijing is making these moves as it prepares for what could be a protracted economic showdown with the United States. Trump doubled additional tariffs on all Chinese imports to 20% on Tuesday and has threatened more to come as well as tighter controls on American investment in China. We can prevail over any difficulty in pursuing development, Chinas No. 2 official Li Qiang told thousands of delegates seated in Beijings Great Hall of the People at the opening meeting of the National Peoples Congress Wednesday. The giant ship of Chinas economy will sail steadily toward the future, he said. A foreign ministry spokesperson was more direct when asked about trade frictions on Tuesday: If the US insists on waging a tariff war, trade war, or any other kind of war, China will fight till the end, he told reporters. Members of China's political advisory body, known as the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attend a meeting on March 4. And while Beijings priorities and rhetoric may echo those of years past, this time they are coming from a country that is starting to regain its swagger after being battered by its own Covid restrictions, a property sector crisis and by a tech war with the US. Confidence has been an unofficial buzzword of the weeklong event, which ends Tuesday. It was used nearly a dozen times during a press conference held by Chinas economic tsars on Thursday, splashed across state media coverage and included in a pointed reminder that confidence builds strength during the closing lines of Lis nationally broadcast speech. That optimism might be more aspiration than reality. Many in China are looking to the future with uncertainty. Theyre more willing to save than spend, while young people are struggling to find jobs and feeling unsure whether their lives will be better than those of their parents. But unlike last year, the country is entering 2025 buoyed by the market-moving successes of Chinese firms and technology. And while Trumps return has Beijing concerned about economic risks, its also eyeing opportunity for its own rise. By the end of Trumps second term, Americas global standing and credibility image will have gone down, Peoples Liberation Army Sen. Col. (ret) Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at Tsinghua Universitys Center for International Security and Strategy in Beijing, told CNN. And as American strength declines, China, of course, will look more important. An electric vehicle by Chinese manufacturer BYD is loaded on a ship in the southeastern Chinese port city of Guangzhou last month. Confidence boost This mood isnt just percolating in the halls of power. On the streets of the capital, gleaming homegrown electric vehicles weave through traffic, including those from carmaker BYD, which now goes toe-to-toe with Elon Musks Tesla for global sales a reminder of Chinas successful push to become a leader in green tech. Then theres the box office record-smashing animation Ne Zha 2 and the breakout success of privately owned Chinese AI firm DeepSeek. Its large language model shocked Silicon Valley and upended Western assumptions about the costs associated with AI. In Beijing this week, you can ask DeepSeek has been a playful and proud punchline in casual conversation. Last year, people may have been impacted by the US narrative that China is declining, that China has peaked, said Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University in Beijing. We still have many difficulties. We still have many problems, of course, but its not that weve reached peak China. Even Trumps focus on economic rivalry with Beijing as he rolls out tariffs on US trade partners appears to some as a mark of how far China has come. On a recent weekday afternoon in downtown Beijing, some passersby interviewed by CNN pointed to competition with the US as a sign of their countrys growing strength. China is developing quickly now and thats attracted international attention, especially from the United States, but that may not be a bad thing, said a medical graduate student surnamed Xia. Trumps increase on tariffs is competition (and) if theres no competition maybe Chinas independent development is not sustainable. Security personnel stand outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing as China's "Two Sessions" gets underway. High stakes rivalry But even as Chinese officials seek to project confidence, international observers say the economic stimulus measures announced this week show Beijing is girding itself for major challenges to come. Premier Li alluded to that in his opening address. The external environment is becoming more complex and severe, which may have a greater impact on the countrys trade, science and technology and other fields, he said. China doesnt want to deal with that volatility while also grappling with a weak economy at home. Thats one reason why its trying to boost consumption and spur growth, setting an ambitious expansion target of around 5% this year. Beijing is also aware that trade frictions mean the economy needs to rely less on exports. It is likely that Beijing has thought through the scenarios of Trade War 2.0, but whatever happens, it is clear that Chinas growth will have to rely more on domestic demand, said Bert Hofman, a professor at the East Asian Institute at the National University Singapore and former World Bank country director for China, in a note. Still, some analysts say Beijings initiatives are short on details and much less aggressive than needed to rev up the economy and boost consumer confidence. It adds up to a sense by the leadership that they want to refocus on growth and development, but still a desire to do only as much as necessary in terms of stimulus to get there, said Michael Hirson, a fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institutes Center for China Analysis. Xi may also be balancing this goal with another concern: a need to save some firepower to support the economy if China faces a nasty four years dealing with Donald Trump, he said. A humanoid robot entertains the crowd at a robotics exhibition in eastern China's Nanjing last month. Costfoto/NurPhoto/Getty Images Beijing also wants to direct resources toward the high-tech transformation of its economy and industries. Thats another key part of the governments 2025 agenda and a long-term objective of Xi, who unlike US presidents is not subject to term limits on his leadership. Beijing is pushing for innovations in AI, robotics, 6G and quantum computing, announcing a state-backed fund to support tech innovation and even welcoming foreign enterprises in a significant tone shift for Xi to play a role. China is still smarting from the first Trump administrations campaign to keep its tech champion Huawei out of global mobile networks and from the Biden administrations efforts to convince allies to join it in cutting Chinese access to advanced semiconductors. Last month, Washington said it was considering expanding restrictions on US investment in sensitive technologies in China. But Beijing this week has also touted its confidence in advancing no matter the barriers. Be it space science or chip making, unjustified external suppression has never stopped, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters Friday. But where there is blockade, there is breakthrough; where there is suppression, there is innovation. We are witnessing an ever-expanding horizon for China to become a science and technology powerhouse, he said. US President Donald Trump, pictured here in the White House's oval office, has made tariffs a cornerstone of his economic policy. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images The Trump threat? How much Trumps policies will challenge China remains an open and urgent question for Beijing. The US president has refrained so far from slapping Chinese imports with the blanket 60% or more tariffs that he had threatened on the campaign trail. Hes been focused elsewhere, including on unleashing sweeping changes to US global leadership by decimating US foreign assistance, threatening to take control of other countries sovereign territory, and upending US alliances in Europe, while pulling closer to Russia at the expense of Ukraine. There are potential risks for Beijing in that shake-up. For example, if a Washington-Moscow rapprochement pulls Xi away from Russian President Vladimir Putin, his closest ally, or if an American dial-down of security in Europe allows it to ramp up attention on Asia. But Chinese diplomats have also been taking advantage of the changes to play up their country as a responsible and stable global leader, despite criticisms of Beijings own aggressive behavior in Asia. A big country should honor its international obligations and fulfill its due responsibilities. It should not put selfish interests before principles, still less should it wield the power to bully the weak, Wang, the foreign minister, said on Friday in response to a question from CNN on Trumps America First policy. China resolutely opposes power politics and hegemony, he added. When it comes to tariffs, observers say Beijing is trying to moderate its response, holding out for a potential meeting between Xi and Trump or perhaps even a deal that could avert an escalating trade war. A tanker carrying liquefied natural gas sails into a port eastern China's Shandong province last month. FeatureChina/AP While China immediately retaliated against two sets of US tariffs this year, including with levies on US energy and key agricultural goods, it has remained measured in its reprisals. The countrys deficit with the US means it will have less room to hit back if a trade war escalates, but Beijing is expected to be calculating other measures like export controls that it could use for leverage. And the view from some parts is that even if tariffs cause the Chinese economy short-term pain, it will be the US which loses in the long run. China is still an indispensable part of global supply chains. Its also better prepared to weather this trade war than the last one, because its sending goods to more markets globally now, data show. If you play (imposing tariffs) with a peer competitor, it actually would not work that well compared to if youre doing this with small countries or medium powers, said Zhou in Beijing, who is also the author of the forthcoming book Should the World Fear China?. China, he said, wants cooperation not friction. But since the US is still the stronger side in this relationship, (it will) decide which kind of relationship this is so China has to say OK if this has to be to be one of competition, then we must dare to fight, he said. Press Release March 22, 2025 TOL: The story of Cavitenos is the story of all Filipinos Trece Martires, Cavite - Caviteno Reelectionist Senator Francis 'TOL' Tolentino on Friday gave a fitting tribute to the country's fisherfolk, farmers, and workers. In his speech at the Alyansa grand rally held at the capitol grounds of the new Cavite provincial capitol building, Tolentino acknowledged the valuable contributions of these sectors to national development. "Cavite is a mirror of the country. The story of Cavitenos is the story of all Filipinos," said Tolentino, who hails from Tagaytay City, and whose niece, Athena Tolentino, is the current Governor of Cavite. He noted that the sacrifices of Cavite's fisherfolk, farmers, and workers, as well as their dreams for their family, are no different from the struggles and hopes of millions of Filipinos from across the country. "I'm saying this because Congress needs to support fisheries and agriculture... same with the workers in our industrial zones," he stressed. Tolentino said that workers seek better pay and lower prices of electricity - which is the reason why he is pushing for the removal of the 12 percent value added tax (VAT) from electricity services. To protect Filipino fisherfolk, Tolentino said that he fought for the passage of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (RA 12064). He also gave assistance to fisherfolk groups affected by last year's oil spill, and those displaced by the ongoing conflict in Zambales, West Philippine Sea. The senator said that he likewise pushed for the approval of the measure that would give students a substantial discount in their purchase of internet load to help them in their studies. Like in his previous rally speeches, Tolentino acknowledged three personalities from the crowd. They included: Rommel Guegera, 33, a motorcycle rider from Trece Martires; Romnel Mincay, 45, a fisherman from Ternate; and student Anette Gwen Balbin, 23, from Ternate Integrated National High School. "The continuing fight of Cavitenos for a better life is also the fight of all Filipinos. We all share the same history, and look forward to a common bright future. May we continue to show our unity," Tolentino concluded his speech. Of the many questions swirling around the case of Daniel D.J. Granville, the Erie County Sheriffs Office chief of narcotics, there are questions about how officials in other government offices and departments could have been unaware of red flags surrounding a high-ranking officer who crashed his county pickup truck into seven vehicles last April. On the county end, legislators have pointed out that aside from the Sheriffs Office, the county attorneys Law Department and the Comptrollers Office would have a hand in paying out $60,000 in settlements to the owners of the damaged vehicles. Lingering questions also exist regarding what was known by Sheriffs Office administrators and why information related to the incident wasnt released to news media when it was requested. So far, no one is stepping forward to say they should have caught something but didnt. County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick and County Attorney Jeremy Toth said that based on the information they received about the incident, nothing alerted them of any issues meriting further scrutiny. There is no way in hell anyone would have caught this, being on our end of this, Hardwick said, referring to documents that gave his office no clue as to the nature of the incident resulting in the claim payouts. Buffalo police officers responded to a nighttime accident scene on April 11 after Granville crashed a Sheriffs Office pickup truck he was driving into seven parked vehicles on Buffalos Lower West Side. But it appears the only legal consequence he faced was for driving the wrong way on a one-way street, which was later reduced to a jaywalking charge. Granvilles sister-in-law was the supervising officer on the scene and signed off on paperwork related to the crashes. Sheriff John Garcia said last week that he was unaware of allegations of impropriety in the Granville case until news reports came out about it a week ago. Granville appears to have taken four weeks of sick time after the April 11 car crash, based on payroll records. His current employment status appears unchanged. The Buffalo Police Departments Internal Affairs division is conducting its own investigation into what transpired, since it was Buffalo Police officers, not sheriffs deputies, who responded to the incident. The internal investigation is expected to be completed within the next few weeks. Where accountability lies Though the Comptrollers Office is meant to be the fiscal watchdog for the county, Hardwick and his staff said that of the claims submitted by the owners of the damaged cars, two have been paid and each claim was given to a different staffer to process five weeks apart. The only information for the settlement provided to the Comptrollers Office is a numerical code and a reference to a one-time settlement to the claim recipient, according to material reviewed by The Buffalo News. These types of one-time settlements, often for smaller amounts of money, are common for Erie County in routine property damage claims, such as when a county plow truck knocks over a mailbox or other county vehicles cause incidental property damage. Its not like any bells would have gone off, Hardwick said. Toth similarly said that a routine internal review at the time of the incident did not turn up anything that would have resulted in Erie County Law Department not issuing payment settlements or otherwise raising further concerns about the matter. Both he and the Law Department attorney who handles county property damage claim cases said they inquired with the Sheriffs Office about whether Granville was working at the time of the incident, and both were told that he was on duty. In a separate statement to news media, Toth said, The County is obligated to cover damages caused by our employees when they are acting within the scope of their employment. Virtually every claim filed against the County is attributable to some alleged negligent conduct by an employee or employees. This includes all manner of personal injury and property damage claims. In this particular case, we conducted our usual internal review after receiving the claims, determined that the Deputy was on duty, acting within the scope of his employment and there was no criminal conduct or otherwise intentional behavior that would have provided a good faith defense to the County for paying the claims. This is not the first time we have paid a property damage claim based on an employees motor vehicle accident. Media reports spark scrutiny Hardwick sent Toth a letter the day after Investigative Post and WGRZ first reported on the matter on March 11, asking whether it makes a difference to the countys $60,000 settlement whether Granville was on duty or not. He followed up with a phone call, he said. Toth responded that it did make a difference, after which the Comptrollers Office produced time card information indicating that Granville was not on duty at the time of the accident. The Sheriffs Office does not require its employees to swipe in and out of work, unlike other county employees, so its unclear whether the countys official timesheet records are accurate. Garcia said the issue of whether Granville was on duty that night is under internal review. If Granville was not on duty or using his vehicle for work purposes, then the county could investigate recouping its settlement payout from other sources, including from Granvilles personal auto insurance. A double standard The last time a member of the Sheriffs Office is known to have crashed a county vehicle was in October 2020, when then-deputy Aaron M. Naegely crashed his county-owned vehicle in the Town of Aurora while off duty. Aurora town police were the first to respond to the scene, but the investigation was taken over by the Sheriffs Office. At the time, Sheriff Timothy Howard said the investigation was handled by his office because it involved a county vehicle. The same standard was not applied in the Granville case. Off-duty sheriff's deputy pleads guilty in DUI crash An off-duty Erie County sheriff's deputy who crashed a department-issued take home vehicle pleaded guilty. Naegely was suspended, then moved to a desk assignment. He is now a sergeant whose job duties include administration of the sheriffs vehicle fleet. He pleaded guilty to a violation of driving while impaired in October 2021. Naegely was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay a $500 fine and surcharges. In addition, his drivers license was revoked for 90 days. City police reports in the Granville case do not indicate whether he was given any type of sobriety field testing by Buffalo police on the scene. The Buffalo News asked Hardwick whether it was reasonable for the Comptrollers Office to receive such limited information regarding county settlement payouts, given that the current information provided appears to offer no insights into the routine payout of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Like anytime something like this happens, Hardwick said, we will be going back afterward, obviously, and looking at what happened and trying to figure out if theres a better way to do business. He also said his office is conducting an audit of the countys Fleet Services Bureau, which oversees the purchasing, use, maintenance, inventory and sale of all the countys vehicles. Thats the current priority, he said. When a nervous and shell-shocked Rubens Mukunzi arrived in the United States 13 years ago, the last thing he wanted was any kind of trouble with the law. Mukunzi grew up in the African nation of Rwanda. As a teenager during the 1990s, he watched family members and close friends die during a genocide that took an estimated 800,000 to 1 million lives. The rebels who took power, if you were not with them, they would literally come into your village and kill you with machetes, recalled Mukunzi, now 45. Mukunzi fled the country in 2012 after having a run-in with a government official that made him fear for his life. He got a visa that allowed him to travel to New York City, where he immediately applied for political asylum. He was one of the lucky Rwandans who were granted asylum and then citizenship by the United States government. An American citizen since 2023, Mukunzi now lives in Cheektowaga, where he runs a small commercial cleaning company. A friend from Buffalo helped him settle here in 2014. He remembers vividly how scared and nervous he was between 2012 and 2016, when he was granted asylum and finally began to feel some security as a legal U.S. resident. During those four years when I was trying to get asylum, you never knew what was going to happen next. My biggest fear was getting into any kind of trouble, Mukunzi recalled. I knew that if I was ever arrested even if the arrest was a mistake, or I was innocent I would be sent back to Rwanda. Back to a terrible situation. Like many who came here as noncitizens after leaving dangerous or poverty-stricken homelands, he cannot understand why President Trump and many of his followers seem convinced that many refugees and asylum-seekers come here with criminal intent, determined to destroy America. My husband and I came here looking for peace, and a safe place to live, said Fatuma Musa, 42, a native of Somalia who now lives in Buffalo as an American citizen. Almost every refugee I have met in Buffalo feels that way. They come here to work and start a new life. Not to start trouble. I really dont know why the president keeps saying this. It makes me sad. Since 2012, Catharine Grainge has worked with thousands of refugees and asylum-seekers noncitizens in her job as advocacy director at the Jericho Road Community Health Center, a nonprofit refugee resettlement agency. She estimates that no more than 1% of those individuals have been arrested or encountered problems with law enforcement. To say immigrants never get into trouble is not true, Grainge said. But by and large, these people are hard workers who do everything they can to avoid trouble. If theyre arrested, they have a lot more to lose than the average citizen. They stand a good chance of getting sent back to the places they left. Many statistical studies including some conducted by conservative-leaning organizations back Grainges view on migrants and crime, and not the presidents. Shocking crimes stir fear Trumps claim that a migrant crime wave is destroying America has been one of the pillars of his three presidential campaigns. The claim was an especially effective campaign issue in the most recent election, which left Trump as only the second president in American history to win two nonconsecutive terms. Trump has called undocumented aliens animals and accused former President Joe Biden and other Democrats of advocating open border policies that unleashed large numbers of criminals, killers, traffickers and child predators to prey on Americans. Trumps claims have been echoed by his top aides on immigration issues, including border czar Thomas Homan and Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem, who promised to rid the nation of millions of noncitizens. Trump has repeatedly alleged that South American nations are intentionally taking people out of the jails and mental institutions and sending them to America as immigrants. He called it the worst invasion in our countrys history. Hardened, hardened criminals are pouring into our country the most violent criminals youll ever see, Trump warned last August. And during a debate with former Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump accused immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, of stealing pet dogs and cats and eating them, a claim that was refuted by Springfield officials. The president has repeatedly referred to some shocking examples of crimes committed by noncitizens, including the murder of Laken Riley, 22, in Augusta, Ga. Police said Riley, a nursing student, was jogging in February 2024 when she was attacked and killed by Jose Antonio Ibarra. Ibarra is a noncitizen from Venezuela who was arrested for illegally entering Texas in 2022. He had been released from custody while pursuing his asylum case in immigration court. Jocelyn Nungaray, 12, of Houston, was sexually assaulted and murdered by two illegal aliens from Venezuela. Both men had been arrested for illegal entry and were released from jail while awaiting the outcome of immigration cases. Nungarays murder has been repeatedly cited by Trump as an example of rampant crime involving aliens. Almost every day, U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement issues a new news release about an undocumented alien who has committed rape, murder, gang violence or some other serious crime. There are also local examples. In 2023, many people in Western New York were outraged when two noncitizens one from Venezuela and one from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were arrested on felony sex crime charges, following attacks in Cheektowaga hotels. The two suspects were part of a group of hundreds of noncitizens sent to Cheektowaga from New York City, where they were hoping to gain asylum. Last August, a noncitizen from Venezuela living on Buffalos West Side was arrested by Buffalo Police, accused of murdering his wife with an ax. Trend not supported by evidence Despite those incidents and others throughout the country, experts on immigration and crime say arrest and incarceration statistics do not bear out Trumps assertions about a migrant crime wave. In fact, many studies in recent years have concluded that immigrants including undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans. All of those studies are based on the federal governments own statistics, said Brianna Seid, a former criminal prosecutor who now serves as an attorney and researcher with the Brennan Justice Center at New York University. Absolutely, there have been some very serious incidents of crime committed by immigrants. What happened to Laken Riley is a horrifying example, Seid told The Buffalo News. But the narrative that immigrants or illegal aliens are committing huge numbers of crimes and making America unsafe is simply not true, based on the governments own statistics. Seid was part of a team that examined more than 40 studies on immigrant crime statistics before publishing a report last May entitled Debunking the Myth of the Migrant Crime Wave. Data does not support claims that the United States is experiencing a surge in crime caused by immigrants, Seid wrote with two other researchers. The research does not support the view that immigrants commit crime or are incarcerated at higher rates than native-born Americans Numerous studies show that undocumented immigration does not increase violent crime. The Brennan Center and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center are two of many research organizations that have reached similar conclusions in recent years. Among the studies that have been conducted: A 2020 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research looked at 150 years of crime statistics in America. The bureau said immigrants consistently had lower incarceration rates than U.S.-born Americans, especially since the 1960s. The Libertarian CATO Institute studied crime statistics in 2017 and concluded that immigrants were 44% less likely than natives to be incarcerated. Even illegal immigrants were less likely than native-born Americans to become incarcerated, CATO researchers concluded. More statistics contradict the political narrative of dangerous gangs of immigrants: Texas public safety data showed that Texans born in America were twice as likely as immigrants to be charged with violent crimes, 2.5 times as likely to be charged with drug crimes and four times as likely to be charged with property crimes, according to a 2020 study by the National Academy of Sciences. The American Immigration Council compared national crime data to demographic data from 1980 to 2022, finding that as the immigrant share of the population grew, the crime rate declined. In 1980, immigrants made up 6.2% of the U.S. population, and the total crime rate was 5,900 crimes per 100,000 people. By 2022, the share of immigrants had more than doubled, to 13.9%, while the total crime rate had dropped by 60.4%, to 2,335 crimes per 100,000 people. When a News reporter asked the Department of Homeland Security if it could provide any studies showing an abnormally high crime rate among illegal aliens, a spokesperson emailed, We are unable to answer questions regarding crime committed by natural-born Americans vs. crime committed by illegal aliens. The narrative that were no longer safe in this country because of an invasion of immigrants is simply not true, based on the governments own data, Seid said. But it became a really powerful campaign issue. People were given a scapegoat for Americas problems, and they ran with it. Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-Pendleton, is one of many Republican lawmakers who say they agree with Trumps statements about migrant crime. Langworthys office was unable to provide The News with any studies or statistics showing high numbers of crime committed by migrants, but Langworthy said he considers the problem a serious one. One murder or rape is too many, and thanks to New Yorks status as a sanctuary state, there are examples every week of criminal illegals in our own backyard, including a Peruvian gang member wanted for 23 murders, Langworthy told The News. Langworthy referred to the arrest of an accused gang leader from Peru near Binghamton last summer. Musa, the native of Somalia who now lives in Buffalo, has not examined statistical studies on crime by refugees and other noncitizens. She only knows what she has experienced dealing with thousands of immigrants as an interpreter and as a house manager at the VIVE refugee shelter run by the Jericho Road Community Health Center. Musa, who speaks five languages, said the anti-immigration rhetoric from Trump and others has made local refugees fearful that they could be picked up and arrested at any time. I look into their faces and I see the fear. I remember how I felt when I first came to this country, she said. Its never been worse than it is this year. People tell me, America doesnt like us, they dont want us. I tell them thats really not true, many people do not feel that way but they are afraid. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe is actively negotiating with seven potential sponsors, including individual countries, multilateral financial institutions, and private financiers, to secure the necessary funding, guarantees, and technical support to clear its external arrears. The arrears clearance is a key component of the government's broader strategy to resolve its outstanding external debt obligations.The process is expected to begin after the completion of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff-Monitored Programme (SMP), which is slated to be signed off by the end of March 2025. This nine-month programme is a critical phase in Zimbabwe's debt resolution strategy, designed to establish a track record of sound economic governance that will be essential for unlocking affordable external financial assistance.Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube confirmed in an interview with The Sunday Mail that discussions with potential sponsors are ongoing. He noted that the clearance of the country's arrears, estimated at approximately US$7.5 billion, will only commence after the successful completion of the SMP."The negotiation of the SMP with the IMF is well underway," said Prof Ncube. "Once we finalize that process, we will proceed with the arrears clearance after the nine-month programme is completed. The SMP is a prerequisite for this process."The SMP, which is an agreement between a country and the IMF, ensures that the country adheres to economic policies and reforms that demonstrate fiscal discipline, paving the way for future financial assistance.While Zimbabwe works towards the finalisation of the SMP, it is also engaging with potential sponsors to provide short-term financing to help clear the arrears. These "bridge loans" will allow Zimbabwe to settle its outstanding debts and unlock future funding. According to Prof Ncube, the government has already approached three of the seven targeted sponsors and is in discussions about providing the necessary bridge loans."A financial sponsor is typically a country that can extend a bridging loan to enable the country to clear its arrears. We are currently in talks with several potential sponsors, and I have already met with three finance ministers from different countries," he added. "However, we can only disclose the names of the sponsors once they have agreed to the arrangements."Zimbabwe's debt resolution strategy involves securing sponsor-backed financing, which may come from bilateral loans or other financial mechanisms, to fulfill the country's obligations to international creditors. In exchange, Zimbabwe will implement specific reforms or policy changes as part of the agreement.The government's debt resolution efforts are part of the Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution Programme launched in 2022, which seeks to address Zimbabwe's long-standing external debt challenges. The primary goal is to clear arrears owed to multilateral and bilateral creditors, including the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Paris Club, and restore normal financial relations with international financial institutions.As part of this program, Zimbabwe has committed to implementing a three-pronged strategy: economic reforms to ensure fiscal discipline and macroeconomic stability; governance reforms to improve transparency and public sector efficiency; and resolving legacy issues, such as compensating white former commercial farmers whose land was expropriated during the Land Reform Programme.To date, over 500 former farm owners have begun receiving compensation, marking a significant step in addressing these legacy disputes. The government has approved payments to 57 former farmers who owned farms protected under Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPAs), and 444 farms have been cleared for compensation under the Global Compensation Deed (GCD).Zimbabwe has also allocated significant funds for the compensation process, with US$331.7 million set aside for the 444 farms under the GCD. The compensation process will be carried out over a period of up to 10 years, ensuring it aligns with the country's fiscal capacities.In a bid to support the country's debt resolution efforts, former Mozambican President Joachim Chissano and AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina have been appointed lead facilitators of the Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution Programme. Last week, they met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House in Harare to review progress and discuss next steps. Dr. Adesina reassured President Mnangagwa that the AfDB remains committed to supporting Zimbabwe's efforts."We have a clear timeline in place," Dr. Adesina said. "We have engaged global financial and legal advisory firms to support Zimbabwe, and we are working towards securing the bridge financing framework to clear Zimbabwe's arrears."Former President Chissano expressed optimism about the progress being made, noting that Zimbabwe was on track to see tangible results soon.As of September 2024, Zimbabwe's external debt stock stood at US$12.4 billion, with US$6.3 billion owed to bilateral creditors and US$3.2 billion owed to multilateral institutions. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe liabilities assumed by Treasury in 2023 amounted to US$2.9 billion.Countries such as Greece, Zambia, and Sri Lanka have successfully utilized sponsor-backed financial agreements in the past to manage their debt crises. Zimbabwe's efforts reflect a growing commitment to fiscal reforms and a renewed focus on restoring financial stability and access to global markets.As discussions with potential sponsors continue, Zimbabwe is determined to move forward with its debt resolution strategy, clearing its arrears and strengthening its economic governance to unlock the much-needed external financial assistance. News / National by Staff reporter Veteran journalist Geoffrey Nyarota, renowned for his pioneering investigative journalism and his role in exposing the Willowgate scandal in 1989, passed away on Saturday at the age of 74 after a prolonged battle with colon cancer. Nyarota's death marks the loss of one of Zimbabwe's most consequential and respected figures in the media industry.Nyarota's career spanned decades, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of journalism. His investigative reporting and fearless approach to uncovering corruption were central to his reputation. As editor of The Chronicle, Nyarota made national headlines for exposing the Willowgate scandal, where senior government officials were found to have profited from reselling cars obtained at a subsidized rate. The investigation led to the resignation of five government ministers, though it also cost Nyarota his job."Geoff was a pioneering investigative journalist who will be missed by family and friends. He battled cancer valiantly for a long time," said Trevor Ncube, publisher of Alpha Media Holdings, in a tribute to Nyarota.Information secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana also paid his respects, writing on social media: "Saddened by the loss of Zimbabwean media giant Geoff Nyarota. As a pioneering editor, he left an indelible mark on the country's journalism landscape. His contributions to investigative journalism and robust public discourse will be remembered."Brezhnev Malaba, former editor of The Chronicle, described Nyarota's work as a source of inspiration. "Some criminals he exposed in the 1980s are still masquerading as political leaders - and this impunity explains why Zimbabwe has been destroyed by catastrophic corruption," Malaba said.Born in 1951 in Harare, Nyarota began his career in journalism in 1978, starting as a trainee at The Rhodesian Herald. His journey saw him rise through the ranks, eventually becoming the editor of The Chronicle in 1983. During this time, Zimbabwe was in the throes of a military crackdown on dissidents in the Matabeleland region, later known as Gukurahundi. Nyarota's paper, however, came under scrutiny for not reporting the atrocities committed during this period.Despite the controversies surrounding his early years in journalism, it was the Willowgate scandal in 1989 that truly established Nyarota as one of Zimbabwe's leading investigative journalists. His relentless pursuit of the truth about the scandal ultimately led to significant political fallout, although it also marked the beginning of his strained relationship with the government.In 1999, Nyarota founded The Daily News, which quickly became Zimbabwe's largest circulation daily. The paper was known for its bold and fearless reporting on government corruption, and Nyarota's leadership in its early years earned him recognition from international bodies. In 2001, he was awarded the Committee to Protect Journalists' International Press Freedom Award and, in 2002, the World Association of Newspapers' Golden Pen of Freedom Award.However, Nyarota's tenure at The Daily News was not without hardship. In 2000, the paper's offices were bombed, an act Nyarota attributed to the Mugabe regime. A year later, its printing press was destroyed in another bombing. Despite these attacks, Nyarota continued to lead the newspaper until December 2002, when he resigned as editor following a dispute with the new executive chairman. The government shut down The Daily News in September 2003.After moving to the United States, Nyarota received a fellowship at Harvard University, where he wrote his first book, Against the Grain: Memoirs of a Zimbabwean Newsman. He also briefly ran an online newspaper, The Zimbabwe Times, and remained active in Zimbabwean media issues. In 2013, he led a commission of inquiry into the state of media in the country.In his later years, Nyarota continued to write and publish books. In 2018, he released The Graceless Fall of Robert Mugabe: The End of a Dictator's Reign, followed by The Honourable Minister: An Anatomy of Endemic Corruption in 2022. His works reflect his lifelong commitment to uncovering the truth and challenging corruption in Zimbabwean society.Nyarota's health deteriorated due to cancer in his final years, and in December 2024, friends launched an initiative to raise funds for his ongoing treatment. He is survived by his wife, Ursula, and their three children.The Zimbabwean media landscape has lost one of its giants. Geoffrey Nyarota's legacy as a journalist, editor, and trailblazer in investigative reporting will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of journalists in Zimbabwe and beyond. News / National by Staff reporter Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has expressed mounting frustration over the bureaucratic hurdles that are stalling the long-awaited Glassblock Dam project, a critical initiative aimed at ensuring a stable water supply for the city.The proposed dam, which will be built on the Umzingwane River, is designed to hold 130 million cubic metres of water. It has been identified as a medium-term solution to Bulawayo's persistent water shortages and is expected to support rural industrialisation through irrigation.Speaking to Southern Eye on Sunday, Coltart warned that without swift intervention from the central government, the project could face indefinite delays. He pointed out that although the city had made significant strides in identifying contractors and had secured US$93 million in indications of support at the African Investment Forum in Morocco last December, progress had slowed due to bureaucratic bottlenecks at the national level."We have made significant progress in identifying contractors and even secured indications of support worth US$93 million at the African Investment Forum in Morocco last December," Coltart explained. "But we now seem to be bogged down by bureaucracy in Harare, with agreements that need to be signed still pending, and necessary approvals not yet granted."The Glassblock Dam, which is expected to cost an estimated US$100 million, is being developed under a build, operate, and transfer model over 25 years, with the government issuing the concession. Construction firm J R Goddard Contracting has been awarded the engineering, procurement, and construction contract.Once completed, the dam is expected to increase water inflows to Bulawayo by 70%. However, this will also require the construction of a 32-kilometre pipeline to pump water from the dam to the Ncema Reservoir, which itself requires rehabilitation to ensure an efficient pumping system.Coltart also highlighted that while the Glassblock Dam is a priority for the city council, the broader investment climate in Zimbabwe remains a significant obstacle to Bulawayo's development. "Fundamentally, the major problem is that we are located in Zimbabwe, where the investment climate is generally unfavourable," he said. "We are trying to make Bulawayo more attractive, but we have hurdles - ensuring a secure source of water, cleaning up our sewage plants, and restoring order in the city."Additionally, Coltart lamented the deteriorating state of roads and traffic congestion in Bulawayo, calling for urgent attention to these ongoing challenges. "Unless we get those fundamentals right, the city will remain an unattractive destination irrespective of the national climate," he added.The Glassblock Dam project is part of a broader strategy to address Bulawayo's water crisis, which has been exacerbated by delayed infrastructure projects such as the Gwayi-Shangani Dam. Initially proposed in 1912, the Gwayi-Shangani Dam has faced significant delays in its completion, further adding to the urgency of alternative solutions like Glassblock.At a meeting with the then Local Government Minister Winston Chitando on March 7, 2024, Bulawayo city council indicated that it plans to complete construction of the Glassblock Dam by 2027, provided the necessary approvals are granted in time.Coltart also cited delays at the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe as a major hindrance to the city's development. He noted that basic expenditure approvals were taking more than six months, making it difficult for the council to operate efficiently. "These delays affect our ability to function efficiently. We can have revenues coming in, but if we can't spend them due to bureaucratic bottlenecks, progress stalls," he said.As the Glassblock Dam project continues to face delays, Bulawayo residents and businesses are left anxiously awaiting a solution to the city's water challenges, hoping that the government will act quickly to remove the bureaucratic obstacles standing in the way of progress. News / National by Staff reporter Villagers from Mkhonyeni Village in Matabeleland North's Tsholotsho district are demanding national recognition for the atrocities committed by the Fifth Brigade during the Gukurahundi era, and have proposed turning their village into a museum to preserve the painful history of the massacres.The villagers are also pushing for March 16 to be declared a national public holiday in honor of the women who were victims of the violence during that dark period in Zimbabwe's history. This date holds particular significance for Mkhonyeni, as it marks the day in 1983 when 21 women and a young man were killed by the Fifth Brigade under the leadership of Chief Siphoso.Each year, survivors and the families of the victims gather to remember those lost, but this year, their calls for greater recognition have intensified. The community has decided to write to Parliament, urging lawmakers to formally declare March 16 as a national Women's Day, dedicated to acknowledging the struggles and resilience of women, particularly the victims of Gukurahundi.In support of the cause, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) and other partners have contributed to the effort by donating fencing wire and a gate to enclose the burial site of the victims. This act of solidarity underscores the community's desire to preserve the memory of the tragic events for future generations."This is a sacred place, it must be protected so that even long after we are gone, future generations will know what happened here," one villager said during a Gukurahundi memorial service held on March 16.Women from the community have been at the forefront of the campaign, sharing their harrowing experiences and demanding national recognition of the atrocities. Gogo MaNxumalo, a survivor of the massacre, spoke poignantly about the pain she still carries from that time."I am in great pain because of what happened here," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "When I speak, I feel like crying because I have lost so much... They took them away, escorting them like cattle. When they arrived at Langeni, we would hear gunshots - those were our relatives."MaNxumalo's husband's younger brother was among those killed in the massacre, along with his wife and many others. She recalled how, during that time, she was left with a newborn and witnessed the horror of the killings.Patricia Dlamini, another survivor, expressed frustration with the government's handling of the Gukurahundi issue and reiterated the community's call for a public holiday to honor the victims, particularly the women."We are not happy about how this case is being handled by the government," Dlamini said. "Why were women killed in such a painful manner? On top of that, it was during Women's Month, which is why we are requesting a public holiday."Dlamini also highlighted the immense personal loss she endured. "Right now, this is my home we are talking about - where I lost everything. We were left with only the clothes we were wearing. Our property was destroyed, leaving us in poverty until today. I am homeless, struggling to survive."The survivors have requested that a museum be built to preserve the history of the massacre, along with a public holiday to recognize their pain. They also called for proper shelter and support for the survivors, many of whom are still grappling with the lasting effects of the violence.Ibhetshu likaZulu secretary-general Mbuso Fuzwayo, a long-time advocate for historical justice, also emphasized the importance of recognizing the women who suffered throughout Zimbabwe's history."March is already dedicated to women, yet there is no public holiday in Zimbabwe to recognize their struggles," Fuzwayo said. "The people of Mkhonyeni believe March 16 should be set aside to honor women, especially those who have suffered violence and oppression."President Emmerson Mnangagwa has tasked chiefs to lead public hearings into the mass killings that took place in the 1980s, a dark chapter in Zimbabwe's history that remains unaddressed for many. Under the leadership of his predecessor Robert Mugabe, the Fifth Brigade, a North Korean-trained military unit, was deployed to Matabeleland and the Midlands to track alleged dissidents. This operation led to the massacre of thousands of defenceless citizens, with estimates indicating over 20,000 people were killed.The community of Mkhonyeni continues to fight for justice, recognition, and remembrance, ensuring that the painful history of Gukurahundi is never forgotten. News / National by Staff reporter The news that Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi has proposed selling mineral rights to the United States in exchange for military support has left many in disbelief as the situation continues to evolve. As of March 22, 2025, the proposal remains in its exploratory phase, with no finalized agreement in place.The DRC, renowned for its vast mineral wealth - including cobalt, lithium, gold, copper, tin, and tantalum - has long been a key player in the global supply of critical minerals essential for technology and defense industries. However, the country is grappling with escalating violence from the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the eastern regions, prompting President Tshisekedi to seek U.S. support to stabilize the country and combat the insurgents.Tshisekedi's proposal centers on granting U.S. companies access to the DRC's mineral resources, including extraction and export rights, in exchange for military support. The proposed deal aims to secure military training, equipment, and potentially even direct military involvement to assist the Congolese government in its efforts to quell the M23 rebels. This initiative aligns with the United States' "America First" policy, which seeks to secure critical mineral resources and reduce reliance on China, which currently dominates the DRC's mining sector.As of March 22, 2025, negotiations are ongoing, with meetings taking place in Washington, D.C. These discussions are part of Tshisekedis broader strategy to diversify the DRC's international partnerships and reduce its dependence on China. China currently controls half of the largest cobalt mining regions in the country. In addition to the proposed partnership with the U.S., the DRC has been pursuing deals with the European Union and India to secure support against the ongoing violence in the east, where rebel groups like M23 control key mineral-rich areas.The eastern DRC has been plagued by conflict for years, with M23 forces gaining control over strategic areas such as Goma and Bukavu. The region is vital to the DRCs mining industry, which accounts for over 70% of global cobalt production. Since the beginning of 2025, the violence has resulted in the deaths of over 7,000 people, and thousands more have been displaced. The M23 rebels have continued to exploit the regions mineral wealth, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.Tshisekedis proposal is partly driven by the need to secure foreign assistance, as the Congolese government struggles to handle the growing security threats. The DRC government has long been seeking to leverage its vast mineral resources for both economic and security benefits, and the proposed deal reflects this transactional approach. The DRCs resources, estimated at $24 trillion in untapped value, present a significant bargaining chip in the countrys ongoing search for security and stability.The proposal has drawn comparisons to the U.S.-Ukraine minerals-for-security deal, with key aspects including granting U.S. companies exclusive rights to extract and export critical minerals from the DRC. In return, the U.S. would provide military training, equipment, and possibly direct military assistance to the Congolese armed forces. A proposed joint mineral stockpile shared by the DRC and the U.S. would further strengthen the bilateral relationship, while access to a deep-water port for mineral exports could enhance the U.S.'s strategic interests in the region.The U.S. has expressed interest in the proposal, with a State Department spokesperson noting that the DRCs mineral wealth aligns with U.S. goals to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains. Analysts suggest that the U.S. is more likely to provide military equipment rather than deploy troops, but the full details of the agreement remain unclear.The deal faces significant challenges, including the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where M23 forces continue to control key cities and exploit the region's mineral wealth. Additionally, there are allegations of Rwandas involvement in smuggling DRCs minerals, which adds a layer of regional tension to the negotiations.Tshisekedis government is under increasing pressure to address the ongoing violence and the humanitarian crisis it has caused. While the proposed deal with the U.S. offers potential benefits, it has also raised concerns about the sovereignty of the DRC and the future of its mineral industry. Critics argue that the proposal could lead to increased foreign control over the countrys valuable resources, while supporters see it as a necessary step to secure international support against the ongoing insurgency.As of March 22, 2025, the negotiations are still in the early stages, with no final agreement signed. Tshisekedis government continues to pursue international partnerships, and officials have been in regular discussions with U.S. representatives. The situation remains fluid, and further talks are expected in the coming weeks.The world is closely watching these developments, as the outcome of these negotiations could have far-reaching implications for the DRCs future stability and its role in the global mining sector. A special exhibition featuring ancient Chinese zithers, or Guqins, kicked off Friday evening at the Museum of Ethnography in Budapest. Titled "The Voice of Nature and the Human Soul from China - An Exhibition of Guqins from the China Three Gorges Museum" in China's southwest city of Chongqing, the display offers a rare glimpse into the artistry, spirituality, and philosophy embedded in this traditional Chinese string instrument, often referred to as the "instrument of the sages." In his welcome address, Lajos Kemecsi, director-general of the Museum of Ethnography, said "The exhibition opening today marks a significant milestone in the complex cooperation between the Museum of Ethnography and its Chinese partner institutions. China's musical culture has a long and distinguished history, characterized by remarkable richness." Kemecsi added that visitors can experience the unique charm and depth of Chinese instrumental culture through the carefully selected items on display. Sun Jie, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Hungary, emphasized the symbolic value of holding such an event in Hungary, a country with deep musical traditions. It is a great honor to present the ancient art of the Guqin in a nation that cherishes music. This exhibition reflects the long-standing friendship between China and Hungary and will further deepen mutual understanding, he said. According to him, the 10 Guqins on display date back hundreds of years and are valued not just as musical instruments but as cultural artifacts combining lacquer art, calligraphy, and the Eastern philosophy of harmony between man and nature. Gabor Csaba, deputy state secretary at Hungary's Ministry of Culture and Innovation, underlined the broader importance of such cultural exchange. "Cultural cooperation like this lays the foundation for harmonious development," he stated. He also noted that Hungary and China celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations last year, reflecting the growing depth of bilateral cultural ties. The opening ceremony is accompanied by live performances, including Guqin music, traditional Hanfu dance, and curator-guided tours. The exhibition is open to the public until June 30. Obama Foundation Head to Speak at Williams Commencement Nobel Laureate Esther Duflo of MIT will give the baccalaureate address on Saturday, June 7. WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Valerie Jarrett, CEO and a member of the board of directors of The Obama Foundation, will be the principal speaker at Williams College's 236th commencement exercise on Sunday, June 8. The day before, Esther Duflo, the Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Nobel laureate, will deliver the college's baccalaureate lecture. Commencement weekend begins Saturday with the annual Ivy Exercises at 1:10 in the Quad ('62 Center in case of rain); the baccalaureate service is a ticketed event in Chapin Hall at 5 p.m. On Sunday, a Mass will be held at Thompson Memorial Chapel at 7:30 a.m. and the Quad will open for visitors at 8 a.m. with the procession at 9:30. Commencement starts at 10 and will also be livestreamed here . The President's Reception follows on the Chapin Hall Lawn. Should the exercises be forced indoors, tickets will be required to enter Lansing Chapman Ice Rink. In her role at the Obama Foundation, Jarrett is overseeing the creation of a new world-class cultural and civic institution on Chicago's south side, and programs that rare designed to inspire, empower and connect people to change their world. She is also a senior distinguished fellow at the University of Chicago Law School, and the author of The New York Times bestselling book "Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward," published in April 2019. Jarrett is board chair of Civic Nation and serves on the boards of Walgreens Boot Alliance Inc., Ralph Lauren Corp., Sweetgreen Inc., Ariel Investments, the University of Chicago, and the Sesame Street Workshop. She also serves on the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women Advisory Board, the Bank of America Enterprise Executive Development Council, and the Microsoft Advisory Council. As the senior adviser to President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017, she became the longest-serving senior adviser to a president in history. She oversaw the Offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and chaired the White House Council on Women and Girls. Jarrett's background is in both the public and private sectors. She was CEO of the Habitat Co., the largest multifamily housing developer and manager in Chicago during her tenure. Prior to joining Habitat, Jarrett was the commissioner of planning and development for the city of Chicago, and deputy chief of staff for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. She practiced law for 10 years in the private and public sector. She also has served as the director of numerous corporate and not-for-profit boards, including leadership roles as chairman of the board of the Chicago Stock Exchange, chairman of the University of Chicago Medical Center Board of Trustees, vice chairman of the University of Chicago Board of Trustees, chair of Chicago Transit Board, and director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Jarrett has received numerous awards and honorary degrees, including TIME's 100 Most Influential People Award and Forbes 50 Over 50. She received her bachelor's degree from Stanford University in 1978 and her juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School in 1981. Duflo is co-founder and co-director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and chaire of pauvrete et politiques publiques at the College de France. In her research, she seeks to understand the economic lives of people living in poverty, with the aim to help design and evaluate social policies. She has worked on health, education, financial inclusion, environment and governance. Her first degrees were in history and economics from Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris. She subsequently received a doctorate in economics from MIT in 1999. Duflo has received numerous academic honors and prizes including the 2019 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (with co-Laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Michael Kremer), the Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences (2015), the A.SK Social Science Award (2015), Infosys Prize (2014), the David N. Kershaw Award (2011), a John Bates Clark Medal (2010), and a MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellowship (2009). With Banerjee, she wrote "Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty," which won the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award in 2011 and has been translated into more than 17 languages, and Good Economics for Hard Times. Duflo is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a corresponding fellow of the British Academy. In 2010, she was awarded the John Bates Clark Medal, and in 2019, the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economics in memory of Alfred Nobel. Reina Mercado-Antunez, family engagement manager at Berkshire County Head Start, is widely regarded by her peers as the glue that holds a community together. Mercado-Antunez participates in a presentation of Taino culture with fellow tribe members in Boston. PreviousNext Community Hero: Reina Mercado-Antunez Reina Mercado-Antunez speaks about Taino history and culture to her daughter's class in this provided photo. PITTSFIELD, Mass. Reina Mercado-Antunez is widely regarded by her peers as the glue that holds a community together. It is this spirit she brings to every role she assumes that has earned her the title of March's Community Hero of the Month. The Community Hero of the Month is a 12-month series that honors individuals and organizations that have significantly impacted their community. This year's sponsor is Window World of Western Massachusetts. Nominate a hero here Mercado-Antunez is the family engagement manager at Berkshire County Head Start and an active member of the Taino tribe. Upon finding out about Mercado-Antunez's selection for community hero, dozens of her peers expressed their desire to speak about her guiding and supportive spirit. In her role at Head Start, she supports more than 200 families and oversees family advocates as they work with families to improve access to essential resources within the program and in the community through local partnerships. The support Mercado-Antunez received when she was a teen mom as part of a teen parent program is what sent her down this career path. She dropped out of high school in ninth grade and joined a teen parent program, which provided her access to vital support and resources. She earned her General Educational Development (GED) diploma and obtained an associate degree in human services from Berkshire Community College. She then pursued a bachelor's degree in social work from College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee and, last May, graduated with a master's degree in social work from Westfield State University. The teen parent program demonstrated that having a caring individual within the system who connects with you and is willing to provide guidance can help one move forward, Mercado-Antunez said. "I strongly feel that one's life experiences make a huge difference in how they're able to do work, wherever they might go. For me, I feel like in the ways that I grew up, I definitely grew up in poverty," she said. "So having all of those services, having those supports, really showed me that people can make it given the right opportunities and supports and resources." Mercado-Antunez emphasized the importance of providing families with the same support she received during her own journey and acknowledges that each family has unique needs and that empathy and individualized support are crucial. She is dedicated to empowering and advocating for families every day. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure families have what they need to become self-sufficient, said Brett Random, Head Start executive director "A community hero is really someone who has our community's best interest at heart. So building resilience with children and families really is a great way to do that, which is why we're all in this work," she said. Mercado-Antunez's multicultural background helps her to connect deeply with the diverse families they serve and enhances her ability to educate others on effectively engaging with families and meeting their needs within the program, Random said. Her work extends far beyond Head Start, especially in her efforts within the Taino community. "What does a hero do? They show up," and that is exactly what Mercado-Antunez does, said Gypsie Running Cloud, regional kasike, or chief, for the Higuayagua Taino in New York State. She supports everyone from individuals in the Taino community through her social work and beyond, Kasike Running Cloud said. "On our cultural practices and spiritual practices. Many people are familiar with the four directions: north, south, east, and west. Our tribal community focuses on seven," the kasike said. Those directions are the four cardinal directions if north, south, east and west and the heavens, the earth, and Atinakan or the Inner-World. "Atinakan is the most important direction because that's your inner world focus. That inner world also connects us to the macro as above so below. It connects us to Karieburuku, the universe, and then through Karieburuku, we have our pathway back home. And that pathway back home brings us through a hummingbird path, through the Milky Way," Kasike Running Cloud said. "All of that is about finding one's heart, finding one's breath, and putting into action through your breath, your Ahubo. Making sure that every step forward is focused on the well-being of the people. That is Reina's focus. She's focusing on communities, plural. With these kind of values and practices she is living the embodiment of her spirituality, and that's to be commended, and that's to be honored." Mercado-Antunez is the co-founder of the Higuayagua Book Club, runs the Ohketeau Women's Circle, and volunteers for events and presentations to educate others about Taino history, culture, and traditions. In addition to the book club, there is a conversation series. At the surface level, the book club may not seem like much to some, but for the Taino community, it is a vital part of decolonization, reindigenization, and preserving Taino identity, Kasike Running Cloud said. "There's a greater nuance at work, and there's something that's incredibly important because that's also our university. We are gathering to teach our people, and we are doing so because we are indigenous people. We are sovereign people," he said "And the manner in which Reina carries herself as a Matunhero, as an adviser to her kasike, as a Ehibu'no, which are guides. A Ehibu'no are the people who care, take responsibilities in our community to help guide all of our people. And that's something that she does." Mercado-Antunez is helping facilitate unlearning, which is "a nuanced layer of decolonization, along with reindigenization, and it is incredibly, incredibly important to the future of our people to be able to examine because there are only seven first-person accounts pertaining to our people during the course of the invasion," said Kasike Running Cloud. "We are the first people to deal with invasion in our hemisphere, when the Spanish invaded with Columbus in 1492 and what we're doing now, the work that we're doing, it's exemplified by people like Reina. Reina reaches out to community, but she reaches out across the spectrum from the littlest one to the eldest, and she cares about everyone. She cares about everyone's well-being." For hundreds of years, the Taino community was forced to hide their ancestral culture that colonizers attempted to wash away. However, it persisted through its integration into other cultures' practices, languages, and traditions, Mercado-Antunez explained. For generations, people were taught that the Taino people were extinct, but that is not realistic. There are reported accounts of Taino people surviving, whether it was by escaping to the mountains, intermarriage, or conversion, she explained. "It's silly," Mercado-Antunez said and quoted something that her head chief says: "I think Taino is the only culture where people go to where they are and suddenly they become extinct." Mercado-Antunez didn't know she was Taino until her late 20s when she met her current partner who is part of the Nipmuc tribe. She recollected attending a powwow with him, where he pointed out some Taino people. This surprised her because she had been taught they were extinct. She connected with some of the Taino women and discovered similarities between their traditions and those of her own family. After conducting some research into her genealogy, she was able to trace her Taino roots. This is an ongoing effort for her due to the limited number of available records. Mercado-Antunez explained that academics were the ones who were emphasizing that Tainos were extinct until the discovery of a 1,000-year-old tooth that had genetic matches between living people and pre-Columbian indigenous populations. "They did DNA on the tooth, and they found that 60 percent of Puerto Ricans have Taino ancestry, Cubans as well, Dominicans, so it's different percentages for each of the different islands, but 60 percent of people who are Puerto Rican have Taino blood and ancestry, some as much as 50 percent so that's not extinct," she said. There is a lot of healing of trauma that happens during this programming, including the women's circle. They are relearning history and working to dismantle misconceptions and inaccuracies, which will have a lasting impact beyond the Taino community, which can then be passed down to her children and future generations. 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 Justin Baldoni is suing his former publicist, Stephanie Jones, accusing her of leaking the private text messages that sparked a huge legal battle with his It Ends With Usco-star, Blake Lively. Baldoni is currently embroiled in a firestorm with Lively, who sued the actor and director along with crisis PR manager Melissa Nathan, producer Jamey Heath, Wayfarer co-founder Steve Sarowitz and others in December 2024 over allegations of sexual harassment and a coordinated campaign to damage her reputation. The lawsuit landed amid rumours of a feud that had begun while the pair were shooting the adaptation of Colleen Hoovers novel, and fuelled as they appeared to avoid each other during the promotional tour. Shortly after, Jones filed a suit against Baldoni for breach of contract, linking her dismissal to the alleged smear campaign against Lively. The publicist claimed that she fired her former employee Jennifer Abel last summer after learning she was stealing company documents in an attempt to start her own business. When Abel returned her company phone to Jones, Jones claimed that she discovered text messages and emails related to Abels work with Baldoni and his studio Wayfarer, at which point she apparently realised Abel had been involved in a retaliation campaign against Lively. Baldoni and Abel are now suing Jones, accusing her of violating client confidentiality by sharing private communications that later became central evidence in Livelys lawsuit. open image in gallery Former co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively have been locked in a legal battle for months ( Getty ) It is undeniable that Stephanie Jones initiated this catastrophic sequence of events by violating the most basic of privacy rights, as well as any remaining trust her clients held, Baldonis lawyer Bryan Freedman said in a statement to People. No stranger to stirring up crisis scenarios for departing clients, Ms Jones maliciously turned over communications from the phone she wrongfully took from her own partner to her cohort [Livelys personal publicist] Leslie Sloane, immediately after Jones was terminated for cause by Wayfarer due to her own wrongful behaviour. 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. Joness lawyer said in a statement to the publication: Ms Joness lawsuit is based entirely on facts and concrete evidence. That suit clearly shows that Jen Abel conspired with Melissa Nathan and others to steal reams of confidential documents, clients and staff and eventually attempt to destroy the business that Ms Jones spent decades building. Abel, Nathan, Baldoni and their co-defendants attempted to achieve these outcomes through bullying, distortion and outright disparagement. These facts are backed up by dozens of messages provided in the suit we filed months ago and cannot be credibly disputed. Having no facts or evidence, we see a familiar playbook smear our client, culminating in the work of fiction masquerading as the counterclaims that were filed yesterday. The latest lawsuit is the sixth tied to the production of It Ends With Us, which was released in August last year to dismal reviews. open image in gallery Baldoni and Lively in the film, released in August to dreadful reviews ( CTMG ) Baldoni sued the New York Times for $250m in January over its reporting of Livelys allegations against him, accusing the publication of libel and false-light invasion of privacy. The newspaper defended its reporting and said it plans to vigorously defend against the lawsuit. The former Jane the Virgin star then counter-sued Lively and her husband, actor and producer Ryan Reynolds, for $400m, accusing them of attempting to destroy his reputation and career. Reynoldss lawyers filed a motion to dismiss Baldonis lawsuit against him this week, saying he cannot sue over hurt feelings. In January, a New York federal judge told both parties to prepare for a trial in March 2026. 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 Margot Robbie has been spotted wearing a dramatic wedding gown while filming Emerald Fennell's controversial adaptation of Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights. The Australian Barbie actor, 36, will star as Catherine Earnshaw opposite Saltburn star Jacob Elordi as her brooding love interest, Heathcliff. In photos captured on Friday (21 March), Robbie looked serene while standing in the misty countryside wearing a white silk wedding dress, which has a bustier top half with puff sleeves and a full princess-style skirt. A large, flowing veil was draped across her head as she held a bouquet of roses, and in other pictures obtained by the Daily Mail, the veil was removed and flowing in the wind behind her. Filming began in January, with a February 2026 release date scheduled. Robbies company LuckyChap is producing the film. LuckyChap also produced Fennels Saltburn and Promising Young Woman. Bronte's classic gothic novel Wuthering Heights, published in 1850, follows the relationship between the Earnshaw and Linton families in rural Yorkshire around 1770 and the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphan who is fostered by her father. At this stage, it is not known how closely Fennells version will follow the book. However, when the casting of Robbie and Elordi was announced last, Bronte fans decried it as the wrong choice. open image in gallery Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi will star as Cathy and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights ( Getty ) The Independents film critic Clarisse Loughrey asked: Did anyone actually read the book before deciding this? In response to the first pictures of Robbie in the role captured on Friday, one fan wrote online: I love Margot so much shes such a beautiful talented actress but Wuthering Heights called for such a different vibe. 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. Why is she wearing an Eighties wedding dress? one person asked, as another said: I love her but she's not the right choice to play Cathy and the visual is not fitting the book. She looks beautiful but she's not Cathy, said another. The casting of Elordi as Heathcliff was criticised in particular since the character is described in the book as having dark hair, dark eyes, and dark skin. While history shows that the miscasting of Heathcliff in film or TV adaptations is nothing new the character has been played by the likes of Laurence Olivier, Richard Burton, Ralph Fiennes, Tom Hardy and even Cliff Richard Elordis casting has raised eyebrows. open image in gallery Jacob Elordi will star as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights ( Getty Images ) One X/Twitter wrote of Elordis casting: Heathcliff is described as a dark-skinned brown man in the book and a major plot point is that he was subjected to racist abuse by his adopted family but yeah sure Jacob Elordi is perfect! Another contentious criticised by Bronte readers is that Elordi and Robbie are the wrong ages for their characters, as their characters are teenagers for much of the books plot. However, the character Mr Lockwood also meets Heathcliff 20 years later, when he is around 40. One critic wrote: White Heathcliff and 34-year-old Cathy, and they both look like they belong on Instagram While the lead actors havent acted together before, Robbie previously praised Elordi in a recent interview with Harpers Bazaar, calling him wonderful. I worked with him on Saltburn in a producer-actor capacity. So I havent shared the screen with him before, but I know I've seen him on set, I've been around him on set, and he's just hes got an incredible presence, she said. He's a movie star he's got that charisma. He holds a frame. He's also really lovely and from the same state that I'm from in Australia. We're about an hour away from each other, but he's from Brisbane, and I'm from the Gold Coast. 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 Graydon Carter, the former Vanity Fair editor who launched the magazines famous Oscars party, has revealed that just one guest received a lifetime ban from the annual event. Carter, 75, took over the monthly Conde Nast title in July 1992 back when he was known for founding the satirical magazine Spy with Kurt Andersen. He is now poised to release a new memoir, When the Going Was Good, about his time at Vanity Fair, including what he describes as the poisonous atmosphere of his first few years. Just one person was banned for life from the famous Oscars gala, he wrote: Harvey Weinstein. Page Six reports that Carter divulged how the now-disgraced film producer and convicted rapist would regularly show up with more guests than his invitation indicated and would bully the staff. He got banned from everything because he was rude to the staff and I didnt like that, Carter told the publication, adding that the ban was temporarily lifted, then reinstated again. He said this behaviour was not from drink it was just within him. The Independent has contacted Weinsteins representative for comment. open image in gallery Harvey Weinstein reportedly received a lifetime ban from the Vanity Fair Oscars party ( Getty Images ) Carter came up with the idea to host a new Oscars party following the death of famed Hollywood agent Swifty Lazar, who represented legends such as Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Cary Grant, Noel Coward and Truman Capote. Until then, Lazar was known for his Oscar Night galas thrown in Beverly Hills, an invite to which was deemed as important as making an appearance at the Governors Ball. I dont know why I thought [Vanity Fair could fill the gap], Carter said. I had not thrown any big parties up to that point. But I do believe that, if you think there is a possibility of failure, dont have too many eyes on it. open image in gallery Madonna with her brother arriving at the Vanity Fair Oscars party on 23 March 1998 ( Getty Images ) The Vanity Fair party grew to the point that editor Sara Marks, who handled the guest list, became the object of bribery, threats and even abuse, but Carter was firm in his stance of getting as many movie stars with Oscar statues in one room as humanly possible. 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. Carter stepped down as editor of Vanity Fair in 2017, announcing that he wanted to leave while the magazine is on top. I want to leave while its in vibrant shape, both in the digital realm and the print realm, he told The New York Times. And I wanted to have a third act and I thought, time is precious. When the Going Was Good: An Editors Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines, is scheduled for release by Penguin Press on Tuesday 25 March. Five years ago today, Britain woke up to a world few had ever experienced. People were ordered to stay at home, permitted to leave for essential purposes only, such as buying food or for medical reasons. Laws were passed that prevented them from travelling outside their local areas and all non-essential high street businesses were closed. By May 2020, people were permitted to leave home for outdoor recreation (beyond exercise) and a month later, they were permitted to meet outside in groups of up to six. The world was in the grip of a global pandemic which would take the lives of nearly two million people by the end of that first year. And it was under these circumstances in early 2020 that I became notorious for raising the possibility of a laboratory origin of Covid-19. But five years on, the origin of the Sars-CoV-2 virus which was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan, and went on to infect the populations of 229 countries and territories, taking over seven million lives, is still fiercely disputed. At the time, I was a little-known early-career scientist (a postdoc) at the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard. The backlash I experienced for raising this was disproportionate and personally targeted. I was called everything from a race traitor to a conspiracy theorist. It was as if the slightest sign of deviation from the official scientific consensus that the virus had come from sick animals in a wet market had to be slammed down and made an example of. Collaborators of the Wuhan scientists accused me of seeking attention by riding the waves of wild conspiracy theories. But it didnt make sense for me to do that. No sane scientist would have sought the type of attention I received. I was simply stating the fact that a laboratory origin was plausible, no matter how likely or unlikely. As I looked into the available evidence relevant to the origin of the virus, I continued to point out instances where Chinese scientists had not been honest or forthcoming. The harassment by fellow scientists grew. Some reached out to my employer to get me fired or disciplined terminating a postdoc was an easy thing to do. Thankfully, I kept my job. In 2021, I accepted science writer Matt Ridleys invitation to write a book together laying out the clear arguments and evidence for both a natural and laboratory origin of Covid. At the time, I was terrified of what might happen if we wrote such a controversial book. It would provoke the Chinese government that had successfully squashed a childrens book in Germany just for linking the pandemic to China and threatened publishers with filing criminal charges. I knew that it would also offend many scientific leaders and influencers. For months, I had been a lightning rod for the lab leak hypothesis. My family members and friends feared for my safety and advised me to change my name if I ever wanted to travel back to Asia. But, ultimately, I felt that someone had to tell the story of how the pandemic might have started and highlight the contributions of the few heroic scientists, journalists and sleuths who had dared to push back against the prevailing narrative. I believed it was important for me as a scientist to step up, despite the risks. open image in gallery Patients infected by Covid wait to be transferred from Wuhan No 5 Hospital in 2020 ( AFP/Getty ) Our book, VIRAL: The Search for the Origin of Covid-19, was published at the end of 2021 and updated in 2022. I felt immense pride for having completed the book in under a year. We had worked on it literally day and night since Matt Ridley and I lived in different time zones, and I wrote obsessively into the early mornings knowing that angry virologists would descend on us once the book was published (and they did). Our argument for the lab leak hypothesis is as follows: the scientists in Wuhan were doing exactly what they said they were doing. To study viruses that might pose a threat to humans, they collected tens of thousands of samples from bats, wild animals, and even sick villagers or wildlife traders. In 2013, they discovered a novel lineage of Sars-like viruses from a mine in Yunnan province where workers had sickened and died from a mysterious respiratory infection. The scientists grew novel coronaviruses in the lab, experimenting with and genetically engineering them in ways that sometimes enhanced their ability to infect human cells and jump across species. Their work with live viruses was conducted at low biosafety, shocking even their close collaborators. The year before the pandemic, the Wuhan scientists and their US partners planned to insert a unique feature called a furin cleavage site into novel Sars-like viruses. Of hundreds of Sars-like viruses known today, only Sars-CoV-2 possesses this special feature, which is what makes it a pandemic pathogen. Despite the efforts of numerous research groups to find evidence for the origin of the virus in the wildlife trade, there have been no signs of an infected animal source or any evidence that such viruses circulate in Wuhan markets or its supply chain. open image in gallery Security guards outside the Wuhan Institute of Virology ( AFP/Getty ) In 2019, a virus matching the 2018 experiments by Wuhan-US scientists, well adapted for spreading in humans and other animals, appeared abruptly in Wuhan and none of the other thousands of large population centres in the region not even two years after they concocted this plan, leaving no trace along its thousand-mile journey from the bat caves where Wuhan scientists frequently collected such viruses. Influential scientists were advocates for risky research where viruses are enhanced in laboratories. Years before Covid-19, they said such gain-of-function research was a risk worth taking. When the virus spilled out of Wuhan, home to the largest novel Sars-like virus laboratory in the world, many of these leading scientists privately speculated that the Wuhan lab had conducted dangerous experiments at low biosafety. Yet, instead of coming out to the public with: Yes, the novel coronavirus might have escaped from a laboratory by accident. As responsible scientists, we will investigate and hold our colleagues accountable. And, even if the virus did emerge naturally, the fact that it could have come from a lab means we must implement measures to prevent catastrophic research accidents, they did the opposite. These leading names organised and co-signed prominent letters for public consumption, ruling out and condemning suggestions of a laboratory origin as conspiracy theories. open image in gallery A medical worker takes a swab sample from a patient being tested for Covid ( AFP/Getty ) Our book was meticulously fact-checked and has more than 300 references so that readers can look into the evidence surrounding the origin of the pandemic. I received a great deal of fan mail, including from several virologists at top institutions who could not speak out publicly about the origin of the virus out of fear of retaliation and ostracisation by their peers. VIRAL had broken past the blockade at scientific journals and popular media, which continued to push the idea that Covid had come from the Wuhan market and that the case was closed. Since VIRAL was published, the case for a laboratory origin of Covid-19 has only become stronger. Last year, I worked with The New York Times to visually present the case for a lab leak hypothesis. The opinion piece was fact-checked and reviewed for accuracy by experts on this topic. It was published on the day that the US Congress questioned Dr Anthony Fauci, who had been the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022, on whether his institute had supported risky virus experiments at the Wuhan laboratory suspected of causing the pandemic. Five years since the pandemic began, biosafety standards are not stronger, clearer, or enforceable even within the US, not to mention globally I had half-expected my article for The New York Times to be ignored. I thought that people were by then bored of talking and hearing about the pandemic. I was completely taken by surprise by the overwhelming response to the piece, which racked up 1,597 comments in a day, occupied the cover of the Sunday Opinion print, and was praised by many respected journalists and scientists. Sean Spicer, a former White House press secretary, tweeted, Someone at [The New York Times] is probably getting fired for publishing this. As far as I know, no one at The New York Times has been fired for publishing the piece. In fact, a growing number of experts now publicly favour the lab leak hypothesis. In January, the CIA released the assessment they had made under the Biden administration favouring a laboratory origin of the virus, albeit with low confidence. They join the US Department of Energy and FBI, who also assessed a laboratory origin with low and moderate confidence, respectively. These are arguably the three US intelligence agencies with the strongest scientific expertise. More recently, news broke that the German foreign intelligence service, the BND, has long held that Covid likely originated in a laboratory. Its latest assessment based on public and non-public information was made with a certainty of 80-95 per cent. The recent head of Germanys Robert Koch Institute, a federal agency tasked with disease control and prevention, also believes a laboratory origin to be more likely. There are rumours that the UK government will also adjust its position on the issue to back the lab leak hypothesis. open image in gallery A patient is disinfected after leaving a hospital located in Hubei, Wuhan ( AFP/Getty ) A common question I get is how it feels to be vindicated. I am relieved that efforts to cast the lab leak hypothesis as a conspiracy theory have ultimately failed (although the personal attacks from virologists continue). And I am deeply grateful to the wonderful and brave scientists, journalists, advocates, and sleuths with whom I crossed paths during the search for the origin of Covid-19. There were many points in this journey where I felt close to breaking down and it was only through their support that I managed to stay positive. However, I am also depressed that many scientific leaders continue to insist that there is no evidence for the lab leak hypothesis and therefore no need for a significant reform of oversight over pathogen research with the power to upend civilisation. The outcome of their refusal to acknowledge a plausible laboratory origin of Covid has meant that zero new measures have been put in place to prevent future catastrophic lab leaks. Five years since the pandemic began, biosafety standards are not stronger, clearer, or enforceable even within the US, not to mention globally. This month, two prominent virologists sounded the alarm that their Wuhan counterparts continue to work with potentially dangerous pathogens at inadequate biosafety. open image in gallery ( Fourth Estate ) The prestigious scientific journal that published the experiments said it was up to each research institute to set their own rules and so they did not violate journal policy. Still, no independent entity, even within the US, has been tasked with tracking, regulating, and investigating research with the potential to cause pandemics. There is no systematic tracking of the pathogens discovered, created, and enhanced in laboratories. The legal consequences for the creation of pandemic pathogens and their accidental or deliberate release remain unclear. Contrast this with the response from atomic scientists who founded the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in 1945 to inform the public about the consequences of nuclear weapons, and the creation of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission by Congress in 1974. After publishing VIRAL, I approached the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists at the end of 2021 to suggest the convening of an international, cross-disciplinary taskforce to generate new recommendations for research with pandemic risk. I offered to bow out before the taskforce was even assembled, worried that my reputation would cast a shadow on this important work. However, the Bulletin insisted that I stay and be part of the project. The taskforce was half constituted of virologists and infectious diseases experts from around the world. And some of my favourite people were virologists! Our recommendations were published last year, emphasising common-sense, bare-minimum measures that should have been enacted by any rational, functioning government and yet still have not. Leading members of the scientific community were advocates and funders of risky pathogen research for many years. Asking them to acknowledge that Covid likely resulted from a laboratory accident in Wuhan is tantamount to demanding a confession that they were wrong and that the cost of being wrong was millions of human lives and global disruption. One well-known virologist said in February 2020, If it turned out to be true [that the pandemic virus was a lab construct], that would bother the hell out of me, not just because of people dying and so forth, but its kind of an indictment of the field, right? 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 Indias federal investigative agency has officially concluded its probe into the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, determining that no external influence led to his suicide. The closure report, submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after an extensive probe, clears all individuals implicated in the case, including the late actors former partner, Rhea Chakraborty, and her family. Rajput, 34, was found dead at his residence in Mumbais Bandra district on 14 June 2020. His death sparked nationwide debate, speculation and media frenzy, with various theories emerging regarding potential foul play. His father, KK Singh, lodged a complaint with Bihar Police, accusing Ms Chakraborty of abetment to suicide, financial misconduct, and emotional distress. Ms Chakraborty denied the allegations, later filing a counter-complaint against Rajputs family. Initially handled as an accidental death by Mumbai Police, the case was transferred to the CBI in August 2020 following a Supreme Court directive. The agency conducted an exhaustive inquiry, incorporating forensic assessments, electronic evidence analysis, and multiple witness testimonies before concluding there was no criminal element in the case. CBI officials confirmed that their investigation did not uncover any coercion or external pressure leading to Rajputs death. The forensic examination carried out by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) corroborated the conclusion of suicide, effectively dismissing murder theories that had gained traction in media discussions. The report exonerated Ms Chakraborty, her brother Showik Chakraborty, and her parents, who had been accused in the case. The CBIs findings validate that the allegations against Rhea were unfounded, said her lawyer, Satish Maneshinde. She endured significant hardship, including a month in jail, due to baseless accusations. open image in gallery Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput performs during IIFA award of the 18th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Festival on 15 July 2017 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Rajputs death triggered a media storm, with television networks and social media platforms amplifying unverified conspiracy theories. His demise reignited discussions in India about mental health, the pressures of celebrity life, and the impact of media trials on public perception. The case took a dramatic turn when Ms Chakraborty and her brother were arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on allegations of procuring drugs for the late actor. However, the Bombay High Court later ruled that there was no substantial evidence of her financing or facilitating drug consumption, granting her bail. Her lawyer criticised the medias role in sensationalising the case. During the pandemic, a captive audience was fed misinformation, leading to the persecution of innocent individuals, Advocate Maneshinde remarked. Hopefully, this case serves as a lesson against media trials. open image in gallery Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty (C) struggles with media representatives gathering as she arrives at the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) office for enquiry regarding Sushant Singh Rajput case, in Mumbai on 6 September 2020 ( AFP via Getty Images ) With the closure report now submitted, the Bandra magistrate court is set to review it on 8 April. If accepted, the case will be formally closed. In a related decision, the Supreme Court had previously upheld the Bombay High Courts move to revoke a lookout notice issued against Ms Chakraborty and her family. The apex court criticised the CBIs petition against this cancellation, labelling it as unwarranted given the high-profile nature of the case. Showik Chakraborty, responding to the CBIs conclusions, shared a social media post saying, Satyamev Jayate (Truth Prevails), expressing relief over the agencys final decision. Rajput, known for his dynamic performances, made his Bollywood debut with Kai Po Che! in 2013 and gained widespread recognition for his roles in MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, Kedarnath, and Chhichhore. His final film, Dil Bechara, released posthumously, was embraced by fans mourning his loss. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. It was 2011 and Elon Musk was laughing. In a televised interview with Bloomberg, the Tesla boss had been tickled by a question suggesting that the Chinese automaker BYD was a rival. Why are you laughing? the interviewer asked, to which Musk replied: Have you seen their car? I dont think they have a great product. At the time, Tesla had just gone public with a multibillion-dollar valuation, and was about to launch the Model S, which would go on to become the worlds best-selling electric car. Meanwhile, BYD was struggling with declining sales in China and making headlines abroad for ripping off the designs of other cars. But one advantage BYD did have was its experience in battery development. Founded in 1995 as a battery manufacturer, the Shenzhen-based company turned its focus to cars in 2003 the same year Tesla was founded with the intention of transforming the auto industry with battery-powered cars that could compete with fuel-powered vehicles. This month, BYD achieved what some industry experts claim is the holy grail for electric vehicles : a battery that can fully charge in the same time it takes to fill up a petrol tank. The Super E-Platform offers a range of up to 400 kilometres (249 miles) from just five minutes of charging thanks to 1,000 kilowatt charge speeds. Most Tesla Supercharger stations have an output of 250kW or less. The new charging performance blows the competition out the water, Ryan Fisher, head of charging infrastructure research at BloombergNEF (BNEF), told The Independent. Its three to four times the charging power Tesla's can consume, and the vehicles will be similarly priced in China as the Model Y. BYD said mass production of the new technology would completely solve users range anxiety when travelling, with plans to introduce the flash-charge battery in its Han L and Tang L models in China as early as next month. The news comes during a period of unprecedented decline for Tesla. The companys valuation has dropped by more than half since December, and it is about to record its ninth consecutive week of falling share prices. BYD has played a considerable part in this downfall, having overtaken Tesla last year as the worlds leading electric vehicle manufacturer a position Musks company held since 2019. The Chinese firms latest charging announcement saw Teslas stock drop a further 10 per cent, with market analysts quick to point out that BYD would be delivering the technology to customers within months, rather than the years it typically takes Tesla to follow through on Musks hubris. (Its been nearly eight years since he announced the new Tesla Roadster, and it is yet to even enter production ). BYDs massive market share in China has also infringed on Teslas, with the US company seeing its Chinese shipments fall by 49 per cent year-on-year in February despite demand for electric vehicles sky rocketing. Tesla sales are plummeting in Europe, too, both as a result of increased competition and the actions of its CEO. Musks allegiance to US President Donald Trump, as well as his support for far right politicians in Europe, has seen Teslas brand suffer significantly. When he delivered what appeared to be a fascist salute during Trumps inauguration celebrations in January, Tesla cars were quickly dubbed Swasticars across social media, while the Cybertruck earned the nickname W*nkpanzer in reference to Nazi-built tanks. There have been protests at Tesla showrooms and charging stations across the UK, Europe and US, as well as acts of arson and vandalism taking direct aim at Musk. Previously-loyal customers have buckled to calls for a boycott and switched to other automakers, with sales across Europe in freefall. Figures from market researcher Dataforce show that Tesla registrations dropped 44 per cent in February, following a decline of 45 per cent in January. But while Tesla suffers from an increasingly toxic brand, BYDs main issue in foreign markets has been brand recognition. Despite the vast number of vehicles that BYD makes, the majority of them are still sold in China. Passenger vehicles are not even available for purchase in the US, which is unlikely to change given Trumps loyalty to Musk and love of tariffs . There are BYD buses in the US, as there are in most of the world if youve been on a London bus in the last decade, theres a chance that it was built by BYD but the company is yet to repeat the success it has reached in its domestic market when it comes to cars. An electric bus, operated by Transport for London (TfL) and made by BYD, in London on 15 March, 2016 ( AFP via Getty Images ) BYD may also face similar issues to other Chinese tech giants like Huawei and ZTE when breaking into foreign markets, with more than a dozen countries around the world restricting or banning their products over national security concerns. But if such fears arise surrounding internet-connected electric cars, then Tesla may find itself caught up alongside BYD due to Musks control of the company. BYD is yet to announce when its new ultra-fast changing system will be available outside of China, though industry experts say that their arrival could happen quickly. In the UK Tesla has been building its supercharger network for years. But BYD's new chargers will incorporate battery storage which means they will require less grid connection to achieve such high power charging, said BNEFs charging infrastructure researcher Fisher. This could also enable the infrastructure to be rolled-out quicker if they do bring the car to the UK." BYD is already seeing a surge in sales in Europe new car registrations were up by nearly 700 per cent in the UK last year which could see the company take advantage of its industry-leading batteries with a push into markets previously led by Tesla. Elon Musks company is now not only losing the brand battle, but also its technological dominance. And the scale of the battery breakthrough means BYD is not just taking on Tesla, but the decades-long dominance of combustion engine vehicles. This actually fits with Musks original aim for Tesla, which he said in 2013 was to accelerate the advent of sustainable transport. So while he may no longer be laughing, he might at least afford himself a smile. 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 The phrase Give me liberty or give me death! has become commonplace in politics and life. Its part of Americana and helps define its people. Now, the quote is celebrating a major milestone as it marks its 250th anniversary. The phrase was reportedly first used 250 years ago Sunday by lawyer and legislator Patrick Henry to persuade Virginia colonists to prepare for war against an increasingly punitive Great Britain, just weeks before the American Revolution. Tensions were coming to a boil, particularly in Massachusetts, where the British replaced elected officials, occupied Boston and shuttered the harbor. The entire episode was about helping our brethren in Massachusetts, said historian John Ragosta, who wrote a book on Henry. Its about the community. Its about the nation. Its not about, What do I get out of this personally? The printed version of Henrys galvanizing speech in a crowded church was about 1,200 words. And yet those seven words have survived the centuries like a line from a Shakespeare play. Its a very malleable phrase, said Patrick Henry Jolly, a fifth great grandson of Henry. Its something that can be applied to many different circumstances. But I think its important that people understand the original context. Jolly is set to reenact Henrys speech Sunday in the same church where his ancestor delivered it. The presentation, which will be streamed online, is part of Virginia's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the nation's birth. Here's more information on Henry and his speech: open image in gallery The famous quote Give me liberty or give me death reportedly said by Patrick Henry turns 250 years old today ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Who was Patrick Henry? Born to an influential Virginia family in 1736, Henry became a successful trial lawyer in his 20s. According to the Library of Congress, he once astonished a courtroom with an argument that man is born with certain inalienable rights, an idea echoed in the Declaration of Independence. In 1765, Henry won a seat in Virginia's colonial legislature. He was instrumental in opposing Great Britain's Stamp Act, which levied a direct tax on the American colonies to raise money for Britain. As tensions increased, many Americans felt like second-class citizens with no representation in parliament, Ragosta said. By the time of Henry's speech, many were thinking: "The king wont listen to us. Theyve invaded Boston. What should we in Virginia do about that?" Did he really say it? In his 2004 book, Founding Myths, historian Ray Raphael wrote it is highly unlikely Henry said, Give me liberty or give me death! Henry did not write down the speech and the version we know today was published 42 years later in an 1817 biography of him. The biographer, attorney William Wirt, pieced together Henry's words from the decades-old recollections of people who were there. The printed version, Raphael wrote, reflects the agendas of 19th century nationalists who were fond of romanticizing war. But other historians said there is ample evidence Henry uttered those words. We have multiple people, years later, saying, I remember like it was yesterday,'" Ragosta said, adding that Thomas Jefferson was one of them. They recalled Henry lifting a letter opener that looked like a dagger and plunging it under his arm as if into his chest before saying the famous phrase. open image in gallery Henry did not write down the speech and the version we know today was published 42 years later in an 1817 biography of him. But, historians say they is ample evidence that he gave the famous quote Thats 18th century oratory," Ragosta said. Its very impassioned." Jon Kukla, another historian who wrote a book on Henry, cited other evidence. Men in Virginia's militias soon embroidered their heavy canvas shirts with liberty or death. The popular 1712 play Cato about a Roman senator also contains the line, It is not now a time to talk of aught, but chains or conquest, liberty or death." It would have been part of the literate culture of the age, Kukla said. What happened next? The most immediate impact of Henry's speech was more support for independence and the expansion of Virginia's militias. In the months afterward, Henry and others also were driven by fears that the British would free enslaved people, Raphael suggests in Founding Myths." Virginias royal governor, Lord Dunmore, offered freedom to enslaved people who fought for the British. But Ragosta said that was not a primary motivation for Henry, who enslaved dozens of people. That does move a lot of people off the fence into the patriot column, undoubtedly, Ragosta said. But thats not really whats going on with the Jeffersons, the Washingtons, the Henrys. They had already been very committed to the patriot movement. open image in gallery The most immediate impact of Henry's speech was more support for independence and the expansion of Virginia's militia Following independence, Henry served as Virginia's governor five times. He also became known as an anti-federalist, opposing ratification of the U.S. Constitution and a strong central government. But Henry later spoke in support of the founding document at George Washington's urging in 1799, the year Henry died. He says, Look, I voted against the Constitution, but we the people voted for it. And so we have to abide by it, Ragosta said. Liberty versus license Jolly, Henry's descendant, said most people react positively to his ancestor's famous words and acknowledge their historical significance. And there are some people that react thinking that it's a rallying cry for them today to defend their rights on both sides of the aisle, Jolly said. Yet Henry and his contemporaries were careful to distinguish liberty from license, said Kukla, the historian. Liberty, as they understood it, was not the freedom to do anything you damn well pleased," Kukla said. 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 family of a British couple, in their 70s, last seen chained to a group of Taliban prisoners say they fear for their health after their trial is delayed. Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were arrested as they travelled to their home in Bamyan province, in central Afghanistan, in February. On Saturday the couple were presented in chains to hear their charges before their trial was cancelled at the last minute when their judge was changed. Supporters describe the conditions in a Kabul maximum-security prison they are being held in as brutal and likened to what I imagine hell is like. The couple, who married in Afghanistan in 1970, are hoping to get a fair court appearance early next week. open image in gallery ( Rebuild Consultants ) Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, said they had been kept away from each other by their prison guards. Mums health is rapidly deteriorating, and she is collapsing due to malnutrition. She and the other women are provided only one meal a day, while the men receive three, Ms Entwistle told The Guardian. open image in gallery The couple are due to appear in court in Kabul again next week ( Alamy/PA ) Dads health is also still declining, and hes experiencing tremors in his head and left arm. Their daughter added the couple spent four hours sitting on the floor, chained to other prisoners, before being returned to the prison. At the last minute, they were informed that they would not be seen by the judge. The guards indicated that a different judge would now be handling the case, and we continue to hope they will receive a fair hearing in the coming week. open image in gallery There are fears over Peter Reynolds health ( Family handouts/ The Independent ) Mrs Reynolds needed help to climb the four staircases required to sit in front of the judge, she added. There are still no charges against them, and no evidence of any crime has been submitted. We are, of course, devastated by this delay. It makes little sense, especially given that the Taliban have repeatedly stated that this situation is due to misunderstandings, and that they will be released soon. It came after they were taken to court in chains on Thursday where Mrs Reynolds looked frail and found it hard to stand. They were all cuffed by their hands and feet and whilst they could finally see each other they were not allowed to talk. Supporters said their interrogator strongly attacked them in court, but has since proved to be an honourable man, who reported that there was no evidence of any crime committed. This prompted hopes they could be quickly released. open image in gallery Peter Reynolds and his wife Barbie married in Afghanistan in 1970 ( Supplied ) The couple have lived in Afghanistan for over 18 years, and became Afghan citizens, calling the country home. When the Taliban took over in 2021 they refused to leave, saying they couldnt leave the country and the people they love, in their darkest hour. The couple was arrested last month along with an American friend, Faye Hall, who had rented a plane to travel with them, their organisation Rebuilds employees said. An Afghan translator, Juya, working with them was also arrested. They were moved to a maximum security prison after being separated. Mr Reynolds is in immense pain after he was beaten and shackled by the Taliban, according to his family. His health has significantly deteriorated. We hear he now has a chest infection; a double eye infection, and serious digestive issues due to poor nutrition. Without immediate access to necessary medication, his life is in serious danger, his daughter said. Again, we ask the Taliban to release Dad, Mum, Faye, and the interpreter as a gesture of goodwill during this season of Ramadan, their daughter said in an previous appeal to the Taliban. 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 Vulnerable pensioners and disabled people fear they could be left at risk as the UK phases out the landlines they rely on. Telecom companies BT, Sky and Virgin Media are in the process of switching their customers over to a new digital internet-based systems. For people like Heather, who has severe osteoarthritis, her landline is a lifeline if she were to become stuck in the lift that helps her move around her Suffolk home. I live on my own and Im very concerned about all this, she told The Independent. If I get stuck in the lift or if I become ill for any reason, I need my landline to be able to contact people for help. The 71-year-old has struggled with pain in her legs for years and had a knee replacement in 2015, but continues to suffer with discomfort as a result of her condition. open image in gallery The government hopes to phase out landlines by January 2027 in favour of broadband ( Rui Vieira/PA ) Her house was designed to accommodate her needs in 2018, as she is unable to climb stairs easily. Not only does her landline connect her to the outside world, she also uses it as a safety precaution. On a few occasions, her lift has broken down and she once became trapped inside. Thankfully builders working on her property were able to free her but without someone on hand to help, her landline would be her only way to raise the alarm. The government should be holding fire on this, as a society were not ready, she said. Im reasonably OK on IT and I have an iPhone but I dont carry it around, and in a lot of places near me there is very little signal. I have friends who are still not aware that the landline is going to go in a couple of years. There are hundreds and thousands of people with no IT experience who depend on their landlines. The majority of UK customers are expected to switch over to digital by the end of January 2027 as the analogue landline network is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain and repair. Rather than using copper wires, phone services will rely on broadband. However, that has raised concerns among the older generation and those who rely on personal alarms, which are synced to their landlines. One of the biggest challenges facing telecom companies is that not everyone in the UK has access to high-speed internet, while also ensuring that the new system will continue to operate during power cuts. In 2023, telecom companies temporarily halted non-voluntary switchovers after several personal alarms failed during emergencies. These devices are designed to automatically call emergency services if a vulnerable person falls ill, and are used by around two million people. In January, Openreach announced another 163 locations across the UK where copper-based cable networks will cease to work, affecting around 960,000 people. Campaigner Dennis Reed said that his organisation, Silver Voices, which advocates for the older generation, were very concerned about the rollout, and described the governments decision to push ahead with the plans as reckless. Its not just people with personal alarms, its all the other people in their 70s, 80s and 90s who are at risk of having a stroke or a heart attack they need more help than others, he said. When they can assure me that it is perfectly safe, Ill be happy, but theres still a lot of questions to be answered. Its a recipe for disaster asking older people to switch over to digital if they dont even understand it. A Department of Science, Innovation and Technology spokesperson said: Migrating unreliable landlines to a digital system is vital because the ageing network is increasingly unsafe and putting vulnerable people at risk. So far over half of landlines have been upgraded to the new system. While this switchover is industry-led, providers have agreed to government demands for a strict checklist of safeguards before migrating vulnerable users These include multiple communications to those affected, an engineer visit, minimum battery back-up requirements, and proactively identifying telecare users. Anyone who has a personal alarm should contact their phone company during the upgrade. 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 Keir Starmer hailed his good relationship with Donald Trump just hours before the US Presidents special envoy slammed the PMs Ukraine peace plan as "a posture and a pose". Steve Witkoff said the Labour leaders idea of a peacekeeping force made up of the coalition of the willing was based on a "simplistic" notion of thinking "we have all got to be like Winston Churchill". In an interview with the pro-Trump personality Tucker Carlson, Mr Witkoff also praised Vladimir Putin, saying that he "liked" the Russian president. "I don't regard Putin as a bad guy. He's super smart," he said. Mr Witkoff is leading the US ceasefire negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. Asked about the plans to create a "coalition of the willing" to provide military security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, Mr Witkoff said: "I think it's a combination of a posture and a pose and a combination of also being simplistic. There is this sort of notion that we have all got to be like Winston Churchill. (And thinking that) Russians are going to march across Europe. That is preposterous by the way. We have something called Nato that we did not have in World War Two." Sir Keir said: On a person-to-person basis, I think we have a good relationship. ( Reuters ) In an interview with the New York Times published hours later, Sir Keir said of Mr Trump: On a person-to-person basis, I think we have a good relationship. He added: I like and respect him. I understand what hes trying to achieve. He also revealed that on the day of the disastrous meeting between the President Trump and President Zelensky in the Oval Office, which saw the Ukrainian leader berated by his American hosts, that the UK was under pressure to come out very critically with, you know, flowery adjectives to describe how others felt. Sir Keir added: I took the view that it was better to pick up the phone and talk to both sides to try and get them back on the same page. Earlier, the chancellor Rachel Reeves said she has confidence the UK can avoid Mr Trumps potentially devastating economic tariffs due to be imposed within days. She did not rule out changing or ditching a tax on tech companies in a bid to duck the extra charges on goods entering the US, which experts have warned could shrink the already faltering UK economy. And she said the President was right to be concerned about countries that had a large trade deficit with the US, but insisted that the UK was not in that position. 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 hopes to kickstart the economy and save Labours plan to build 1.5m new homes by training up to 60,000 bricklayers, electricians, engineers and carpenters over the next four years. The 600m move is designed to help fill 35,000 job vacancies in construction after warnings revealed by The Independent that the governments flagship scheme is unachievable due to a shortage of workers. It comes as the chancellor tries to head off criticism of her stewardship of the economy as she unveils what are expected to be the deepest cuts to government departments since austerity in her spring statement on Wednesday. open image in gallery Chancellor Rachel Reeves hopes to kickstart the economy and save Labours plan to build 1.5m new homes ( PA Wire ) On Saturday, Ms Reeves warned Labour could not tax and spend our way to higher living standards and better public services in an interview with the BBC. She is facing a 20bn hole in the public finances as she scrambles to meet her own fiscal rules following higher-than-expected borrowing and disappointing economic growth. The government has already slashed spending on overseas aid in half to boost the defence budget and controversially announced plans for sweeping cuts to welfare totalling more than 5bn but the chancellor is expected to need to find billions more on Wednesday. Only health, schools and defence are set to be protected from further pressure on their budgets. Announcing her plans for the construction sector, Ms Reeves said they were designed to get Britain building again but none of this is possible without the engineers, brickies, sparkies, and chippies to actually get the work done, which we are facing a massive shortage of. open image in gallery Ms Reeves warned Labour could not tax and spend our way to higher living standards and better public services on Saturday ( PA Wire ) "Weve overhauled the planning system that is holding this country back, now we are gripping the lack of skilled construction workers, she added. Under the plans, around 100m will go to the 10 new technical excellence colleges, while 165m will help other colleges deliver more construction courses. Employers, many of whom are angry at Ms Reeves over the hike in national insurance they will have to pay for every employee from next month, will share a pot worth 80m to deliver training. Skills bootcamps will receive 100m to expand their services for new entrants to the industry, returners or those looking to improve their skills. A new construction skills mission board will be co-chaired by the government and Mark Reynolds, the executive chair of construction consultancy Mace. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: Skills are crucial to this governments mission to grow the economy under our Plan for Change, and nowhere is that clearer than in the construction industry. We are being held back by the large-scale skills shortages in the construction sector which is a major barrier to the delivery of the growth mission. These measures will break down barriers to opportunity for thousands of young people, helping them to thrive in and build their local communities. 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 is preparing to cut 10,000 civil service jobs as part of a sweeping 2bn Whitehall savings drive, ahead of a spring statement she has warned will involve hard choices. The Labour chancellor has ordered mandarins to slash 15 per cent from departmental administrative budgets by 202930 saving an estimated 2.2bn a year and pledged the money will be redirected to frontline services. But the plans triggered an immediate backlash from unions, who said public services would suffer after years of underfunding. People want to know were getting value for money, Ms Reeves said. open image in gallery Chancellor Rachel Reeves appearing on the BBC 1 current affairs programme Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg ( PA Media ) Unions warned of chaos, with the general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, Fran Heathcote, accusing ministers of setting an arbitrary figure for cuts plucked out of the air. She predicted a backlash from the public who will be affected by cuts in the services they receive. She added: After 15 years of underfunding, any cuts will have an impact on frontline services. Weve heard this before under Gordon Brown when cuts were made to backroom staff and the consequence of that was chaos. Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect union, warned ministers against an arbitrary civil service headcount reduction and said there must be a realistic assessment of what the civil service doesnt do in future as a result of these cuts. A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: Of course we want to see a more efficient civil service but saying it wont make it happen. We now need to see concrete proposals on how they will achieve this. This also isnt going to help the government grow the economy we need a proper plan for growth including scrapping the jobs tax and fixing our trading relationship with the EU. The job cuts come amid signs Ms Reeves will need billions more in savings to meet her own fiscal rules, as sluggish economic growth and higher-than-expected borrowing limit her options. She has ruled out tax rises this week, meaning spending cuts are the only route to balance the books. open image in gallery Ms Reeves is preparing to cut 10,000 civil service jobs as part of a sweeping 2bn Whitehall savings drive ( PA Wire ) In an interview with the BBC, Ms Reeves rejected suggestions that Labour would tax and spend our way to higher living standards and better public services. She said: Thats not available in the world we live in today. She also hinted Labour could scrap the 1bn-a-year digital services tax which targets large US tech firms in a bid to head off the threat of punitive trade tariffs from Donald Trump. But she was forced to deny Labours policies were to blame for the UKs stagnating growth, and insisted that upcoming tax rises on employers, introduced last year, were necessary. She said: Imagine if Id have swept the problems under the carpet (last year) and said everything was fine, then today, when we face the aggression from Russia, we wouldnt have the additional money to spend on defence. We would be in a situation where NHS waiting lists would continue. Pressed on warnings from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation that living standards will fall before the next election, she rejected the idea the average family would be 1,400 worse off by 2030. Ms Reeves insisted her cuts would not amount to austerity and defended her decision to take 5bn from welfare payments, despite criticism from within Labour, saying the bill was going through the roof. She added: I do not believe that one in eight young people are incapable of working. open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer meeting Ms Reeves at Downing Street ( PA Wire ) She told Sky News she was dissatisfied with the economic outlook: We do need to do more. Growth is the number one mission of this government. Were turning things around, but it takes hard work and there are no shortcuts to get there. Britains first female chancellor has insisted the current path is the only responsible one but faced accusations from her opponents of lacking ambition. Former Tory cabinet minister Sir Robert Buckland accused Ms Reeves of an absence of a plan and called for bold action. In a bid to show the government is focused on public priorities, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer will unveil a 5bn fund for road maintenance and motorway upgrades, with extra pressure on councils to fix potholes or lose funding. Councils will be required to publish data on how many potholes they repair or risk having their budgets reallocated to better-performing local authorities. Figures from the RAC show drivers in England and Wales encounter an average of six potholes per mile, with damage costing an average of 600 per vehicle to repair. Sir Keir said: Broken roads are costing working families, drivers and businesses hundreds, if not thousands of pounds, in avoidable vehicle repairs. British people are bored of seeing their politicians aimlessly pointing at potholes with no real plan to fix them. That ends with us. Weve done our part by handing councils the cash and certainty they need now its up to them to get on with the job, put that money to use and prove theyre delivering for their communities. 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 Ghost Adventurers star Aaron Goodwin is suing his estranged wife Victoria Goodwin for assault, false imprisonment, negligence, and other claims after she was accused of hiring a hitman to kill him. According to the amended court records obtained by Us Weekly, the 48-year-old actor added this complaint to his original March 12 divorce filing in Clark County, Nevada. [Victorias] conduct was extreme or outrageous with either the intention of or reckless disregard for, causing emotional distress to [Aaron], the updated filing stated. [He] suffered severe or extreme emotional distress as the actual or proximate result of [her] conduct. Aaron is requesting more than $10,000 in punitive and exemplary damages, claiming Victoria was negligent in her marital actions. Aaron Goodwin is now sueing his wife, Victoria, in new update to his March 12 divorce filing. She was arrested in connection to a murder-for-hire plot ( Getty Images ) In the filing, Aaron also claimed Victoria made him feel apprehension of harmful or offensive behavior and that she wanted to confine [him] within boundaries imposed by her. [Victorias] act directly or resulted in such a confinement. [Aaron] was conscious of the confinement or was harmed by it, the court documents read, according to Us Weekly. Additionally, Aaron asked the court to grant him a divorce because of Victorias concert of actions including with another to commit a tort while acting in concert or pursuant to a common design. Victoria was arrested on March 6 on charges of solicitation to commit murder and conspiracy to commit murder after she devised a plan to have her husband killed, cops said. The murder plot was allegedly formed in October 2024. Authorities reportedly discovered the plan only after they seized a Florida inmates contraband phone that had text conversation between the inmate and Victoria on it, according to police. In an arrest report obtained by TMZ, a text message between Victoria and the inmate, Grant Amato, is cited. Am I bad a person? Because I chose to end his existence. Not divorce, Victoria allegedly wrote. Amato is a convicted murderer who killed his father, mother and brother over five years ago. Police officials said Victoria gave information about her husbands location to Amato in a text, according to TMZ. Aaron was in California filming for Ghost Adventures at the time. Victoria allegedly texted the inmate: He's asleep right now in the hotel room ... I need to know what's going on. Can I get an update. Was it done? Police also said Victoria was going to pay Amato an upfront payment of $2,500, and $11,515 in total. Victoria denied wanting to have her husband killed, according to TMZs report. 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 Canadas new prime minister Mark Carney has called a snap election for 28 April, as he seeks to capitalise on a surge of support galvanised by threats from Donald Trump. The former Bank of England governor, who assumed the premiership a fortnight ago from his Liberal ally Justin Trudeau, now has five weeks to persuade the country to continue backing his party after 10 years in power. Although the next election was not due until 20 October, the previously under-fire Liberal Party has seen a remarkable resurgence in the polls since January, when Mr Trump began threatening Canadas economy and sovereignty, and Mr Trudeau announced his resignation. open image in gallery Mark Carney has announced a snap election in just over a months time ( AP ) Announcing the snap poll, Mr Carney said on Sunday: We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trumps unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty. There is so much more to do to secure Canada. To invest in Canada, to build Canada, to unite Canada. Thats why Im asking for a strong positive mandate from my fellow Canadians. In addition to sparking a trade war with Washingtons northerly ally just days after taking office, Mr Trump has repeatedly insisted that Canada should become the 51st state of America, and on Friday even acknowledged that he had totally changed the political dynamic in Canada with his threats. Polls now suggest the Liberals, who had badly trailed the Conservatives at the start of the year, are now slightly ahead of their rivals who have sought to portray Mr Carney as an elitist who plans to continue the Trudeau-era policy of high government spending. Having led the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis and then the Bank of England during Brexit, Mr Carney is a relatively well-known public figure but has no previous frontline political or election experience. In contrast, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is a seasoned politician who has fought seven elections. Having served for years as his partys go-to attack dog, the 45-year-old has carved a niche as a firebrand populist who says he will put Canada first, vowing to defund the countrys public broadcaster and refusing to allow media onboard his campaign buses and planes. open image in gallery Donald Trumps threats to make Canada the 51st state of America have bolstered the Liberal Partys fortunes after Justin Trudeau stepped down as prime minister ( AP ) With a strong performance in predominantly French-speaking Quebec key to any victory, Mr Poilievre speaks flawless French, while Mr Carney recently stumbled at a press conference when asked to respond in French, misunderstanding the question before responding in English. Mr Poilievres party also raised questions about how Mr Carney transferred his personal financial assets into a blind trust, and will have been encouraged last week by the prime ministers bristly response to a reporter who asked about the trust and who Mr Carney accused of engaging in conflict and ill will. But while the Conservatives had sought to make the election about Mr Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged, Mr Carney is now hopeful that his combative approach to dealing with the White House will help him ride the wave of Canadian nationalism which has surged in response to Mr Trumps annexation threats. He said on Sunday: Our response must be to build a strong economy and a more secure Canada. President Trump claims that Canada isnt a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen. Conversely, Mr Poilievre has recently been endorsed by Mr Trumps ally Elon Musk, while his own conservative ally, Alberta premier Danielle Smith, told far-right outlet Breitbart earlier this month that Mr Poilievre would be very much in sync with the new direction in America. open image in gallery Pierre Poilievre is a populist who has vowed to put Canada first and defund the countrys public broadcaster ( AP ) Launching his campaign on Sunday, Mr Poilievre said he would be respectful but firm with Mr Trump and would insist the president recognises the independence and sovereignty of Canada, adding: I will insist he stops tariffing our nation. Insisting that he does not respect the treatment that he has meted out to our country, Mr Poilievre continued: I know a lot of people are worried, angry and anxious. And with good reason as a result of the president's unacceptable threats against our country. You are worried about your job and the sovereignty of our nation. And you are angry at the feeling of betrayal that these unacceptable words and tariffs have made us all experience. I share your anger and I share the worry about our future. As evidenced by the focus of the two leading candidates remarks on Sunday, Laura Stephenson, a politics professor at Canadas Western University, said Mr Carneys political inexperience may be of less consequence in the campaign as a result of the Trump factor. Theres a different kind of comparison thats being made right between the leaders and what are they going to be able to do, said Professor Stephenson. I have a feeling were going to see a little more grace extended than is usually given to politicians during this campaign. An online Angus Reid poll of 4,009 people released on Monday put the Liberals on 42 per cent and the Conservatives on 37. An online Leger poll of 1,568 people for the National Post released the same day had the Liberals on 42 per cent with the Conservatives on 39. The election campaign for 343 seats or districts in Canadas House of Commons will last 37 days. While other parties are running, the Liberals and the Conservatives are the only two that have a chance to form a government. The party that commands a majority in parliament, either alone or with the support of another party, will form the next government and its leader will be the prime minister. 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 constipated New Jersey man flying home from Mexico claims the cabin crew became upset that he was monopolising the planes lavatory, prompting an enraged pilot to break down the bathroom door, yank the pantsless traveler off the toilet, and dress him down in a shocking antisemitic tirade while nearby passengers gawked. Upon landing, Yisroel Liebb, an Orthodox Jew clad in religious garb, was pulled off the United Airlines 737-800 and arrested by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents who allegedly told him, You have no rights here, according to a federal lawsuit obtained by The Independent. Liebb, 20, contends he was subjected to physical injuries, extreme emotional distress, and anxiety, and says in his complaint that he feels sexually violated and embarrassed after having been publicly exposed in the nude. In an email on Thursday, a United spokesperson said, We dont have anything to share. CBP acknowledged The Independents request for comment but did not follow up by the time of publication. open image in gallery After 20 minutes on the toilet, Yisroel Liebb became the target of furious crew members, according to a newly filed federal lawsuit ( Getty ) The flight in question took off from the Riviera Maya resort town of Tulum at 430pm on 28 January and was headed for Houston, Texas, where Liebb was scheduled to catch a connecting flight to New York, according to his complaint. About half an hour into the journey, it says Liebb got up from his seat and headed to the toilet in the rear of the aircraft. Roughly 20 minutes later, when he hadnt returned, a flight attendant woke up Liebbs neighbor, identified in the complaint as Jacob Sebbag, and asked him to make sure Liebb was alright. When Sebbag, 21, knocked on the restroom door, Liebb replied that everything was fine, but that he was experiencing constipation, and said he would be out shortly. Sebbag relayed this to the stewardess and returned to his seat, the complaint states. Around 10 minutes after that, the pilot approached Sebbag and requested that he accompany him to the restroom to once again try and get Liebb out, the complaint goes on. Once there, the pilot began yelling loudly at Liebb, demanding he leave the bathroom immediately, then turned to Sebbag and began loudly demanding he force Liebb out of the bathroom, according to the complaint. It says Liebb responded immediately, telling the pilot through the door that he was okay, that he was finishing up, and that he would be out momentarily. open image in gallery The flight in question was headed from Tulum, Mexico to Houston, Texas, where Yisroel Liebb was planning to catch a connecting flight home to New York ( AFP via Getty ) At this point, according to the complaint, The pilot became visibly enraged, broke the lock on the door and forced the door to the bathroom open, pulling Liebb out of the bathroom with his pants still around his ankles, exposing his genitalia to Sebbag, several flight attendants, and the nearby passengers on the plane. Liebb quickly pulled his pants back to his waist after being allowed to set his feet, the complaint states, which says he injured his head and legs when they smacked into the restrooms door frame. With Sebbag leading Liebb, the pilot proceeded to repeatedly push the [two] back to their seats while making threats of getting [them] arrested and making scathing remarks about their Judaism, and how Jews act, according to the complaint. Upon arrival in Houston, five to seven CBP officers boarded the plane and instructed all passengers to remain seated, the complaint says. They then approached Liebb and Sebbag, handcuffed them, and took them to a detention facility inside the terminal, the complaint alleges. While being escorted from the plane, Liebb stated that the [two of them] have a legal right to know why they are being detained, according to the complaint. The CBP agents responded that this isnt county or state, we are Homeland [Security], you have no rights here. open image in gallery Upon landing, Yisroel Liebb claims he and an acquaintance were wrongfully detained by US Customs and Border Protection ( AFP via Getty ) Apparently annoyed with Liebbs questions, one of the CBP officers tightened his cuffs to the point that he verbally spoke out against the pain, the complaint states. It says Liebb pleaded with the officer, pointing out that he was cooperating fully and insisting he was not a threat. But, the complaint alleges, Liebb and Sebbag were instead thrown into separate cells and handcuffed to tables, while they, and their luggage, were subjected to intrusive, unconsented, unwarranted and unreasonable searches. Liebb and Sebbag were released without charges, but missed their connecting flight home, which took off for New York while they were still detained, the complaint states. They were rebooked, for free, on a flight leaving the next day, according to the complaint. However, it says, the pair had to incur additional charges for hotel and food during the delay, essentially negating the price of the complimentary flight. Liebb and Sebbag both claim the too-tight handcuffs caused severe wrist pain, which they say persisted for days afterward. The entire situation, the complaint alleges, was further worsened by [the United pilots] antisemitic rhetoric, and says he only escalated the encounter with Liebb because he is Jewish. Liebb and Sebbag are demanding damages in an amount to be determined at trial, plus attorneys fees. 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 soon 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 overreliance 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 CIA 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 partymates 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 goes public. 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 Jessica Aber, a career federal prosecutor, was found dead at her home in Alexandria, Virginia, Saturday morning but the circumstances of her death remain unclear. Aber, 43, rose to prominence as a top U.S. attorney in Virginia, overseeing important legal cases for the Justice Department, including those securing convictions for an MS-13 gang leader, the former governor of Virginia and more. She also helped in investigations against Russians accused of conspiracy and fraud. Aber also oversaw the prosecution of man who helped Israeli citizens enter the U.S. without proper visas. She was appointed to oversee the Virginia district by then-president Joe Biden. Aber resigned from her position as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia as President Donald Trump took office. open image in gallery Jessica Aber, 43, was found dead at her home in Virginia on Saturday morning. Police have yet to say how she died ( Getty Images ) Two months later, police were called to Abers home shortly after 9 a.m. where authorities found her deceased. Her death is under investigation and will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia, the Alexandria Police Department said. Heres are details about Abers life and some of the top cases she oversaw: Who was Jessica Aber? Aber spent most of her life in Virginia and obtained her bachelor's from the University of Richmond and her law degree from the William & Mary Law School. She began her career in the Eastern District of Virginia in 2009, serving as an assistant U.S. attorney before becoming counsel to the assistant attorney general for the criminal division in 2015. One year later, she became deputy chief of the criminal division for the district court. In 2021, Aber became the third woman to be confirmed to lead the Eastern District of Virginias office after being nominated by Biden. Colleagues described Aber as an unmatched leader who was deeply committed to seeking justice. Some told the Washington Post she was detail-oriented and often sat in the courtroom gallery for major trials or hearings. Aber was dedicated to restoring public trust in law enforcement, so much so that she logged more than 50,000 miles driving her Hyundai across Virginia to speak with people in communities we were disgruntled with law enforcement, she told the Washington Post. What cases did Jessica Aber work on? Having spent much of her career working in an area of the U.S. home to some of the most important federal agencies, Aber handled cases prosecuting violent crimes, child exploitation cases, financial fraud, cyber crimes and more. Many of Abers cases involved foreign entities, whether it be individuals, companies or organizations. In October, Aber and her staff secured a criminal conviction against a former MS-13 gang member for his role in the gangs criminal enterprise that resulted in the killing of six people. open image in gallery Aber was an appointee of Joe Biden and resigned before Donald Trump too office ( U.S. Attorneys Office ) At the time of the conviction, Aber said the gangs deadly activities including flooding the streets with narcotics and committing brutal murders will not go unchecked and promised to give her full attention and resources to address the crimes. In coordination with the Department of State and Treasury, Aber and her office brought an indictment against a Russian national for his alleged involvement in multiple money laundering schemes. Last year, Aber helped secure a guilty plea in a corporate espionage case involving Siemens Energy Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of the German conglomerate Siemens Energy AG. Aber and her office also obtained a guilty plea from an Israeli national for his alleged role in facilitating the illegal entry, harboring and transportation of a noncitizen to the U.S. What have people said about Jessica Aber? Attorney General Pam Bondi released a public statement acknowledging Abers death on Saturday, calling it deeply tragic. The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time, Bondi said. U.S. Attorney Erik Seibert, who currently heads the Eastern District of Virginia, said in a statement that he was heartbroken beyond words to learn of Abers passing, She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being. We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world. Her professionalism, grace, and legal acumen set the standard, Seibert said. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck, who Aber clerked for, said Aber was brilliant and a gold soul. Jess was brilliant, but far more important was her sense for justice, her humanity and her ability to change the world in a positive way even during her brief time with us, Lauck said. My clerk family has lost its rock, and I have lost a friend. She was a gold soul and I am proud to have known her. Close Fox Business mocks Peter Navarros reciprocal trade-girl math, urges Trump to sideline him 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 Stock markets in Asia fell at the opening on Wednesday, continuing the drop seen earlier on Wall Street, amid fears over Donald Trumps 104% tariff on imports from China. In Tokyo, the Nikkei fell 3.5% on the opening, and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong was down 4%. Speaking in Washington on Tuesday night, the president claimed the massive import taxes he is imposing on Americans will help usher in victory for his Republican Party in next years midterm elections. During 90 minutes of meandering remarks before GOP lawmakers and deep-pocketed donors at the National Republican Congressional Committees annual fundraising gala, Trump said the stage is now set for a monumental victory for the Republicans in the midterms, which most mainstream economists and business experts say will supercharge inflation and threaten Americas status as the worlds leading economy with a grievous self-inflicted wound. I know what the hell I'm doing. I know what I'm doing, and you know what I'm doing too, he said. The president also warned of impending tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals in an effort to bully companies into moving production to 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 A river that runs between the U.S. and Canada has now run itself right into the middle of the fight between the two allies. President Donald Trumps administration has now stopped negotiations to re-up a decades-old U.S.-Canada treaty that controls the flow of the Columbia River between British Columbia after claiming it could play a role in solving California water shortages. Last year, Bidens administration reached a tentative three-year agreement with Canadian officials to renew the Columbia River Treaty, which governs flood control and hydropower sharing between the two countries. It was up to Trumps administration to finalize the agreement, which could now be in jeopardy but either nation must give ten years notice before abandoning the agreement`, The Guardian reported. The pause comes as Trump wages a trade war against Canada, levying high tariffs against the country as Canadian officials respond in kind. Under the original 1964 treaty, Canadian officials agreed to build storage dams that hold back the water to reduce the threat of flooding. This followed a 1948 flood that devastated Vanport, Oregon. In return, American officials granted British Columbia a share of the value of hydroelectric power generated downstream. The river is responsible for more than 40 percent of hydroelectric power in the U.S., Le Monde reports, and the treaty provides some $200 million to Canada each year. That could soon all be in jeopardy. open image in gallery President Donald Trump has ended negotiations on the Columbia River Treaty with Canada after claiming that the rivers water could be diverted to California ( Getty Images ) Trumps decision to pause treaty negotiations comes after he once called the river a very large faucet that he said could provide much-needed water to California if diverted indicating he may be interested in ending the treaty to access more water from the river, Le Monde reports. You have millions of gallons of water pouring down from the north with the snow caps and Canada, and all pouring down and they have essentially a very large faucet, Trump said in September 2024. You turn the faucet and it takes one day to turn it, and its massive, its as big as the wall of that building right there behind you. You turn that, and all of that water aimlessly goes into the Pacific, and if they turned it back, all of that water would come right down here and right into Los Angeles, he added. open image in gallery Under the original 1964 treaty, Canadian officials agreed to build storage dams that hold back the water to reduce the threat of flooding. This followed a 1948 flood that devastated Vanport, Oregon. In return, American officials granted British Columbia a share of the value of hydroelectric power generated downstream ( U.S. Forest Service ) University of Oregon environmental law professor Adell Amos told Le Monde the pause in negotiations is "a threat to our collective ability to manage these resources, in light of climate change. Tricia Stadnyk, an expert in hydrological modeling at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, is concerned the treaty has become a tool for negotiating broader issues. If everyone acts in their own interests, ecosystems will lose out, Stadnyk told Le Monde. As with the ongoing trade war, nothing good will come of a water war. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment about ending negotiations. Trump takes swipe at California governor Gavin Newsom over devastating wildfires Trump has long fixated on Californias water supply. Earlier this year, DOGE staffers attempted to pressure the acting head of the Bureau of Reclamation to open a water pump system they believed would send the water to Los Angeles amid the devastating wildfires in January. But the system wouldnt have allowed water to reach the scorched city. Soon afterward, Trump ordered the US Army Corps to open up two Southern California dams at the end of January. This release sent water rushing toward farmland in the San Joaquin Valley, the Los Angeles Times reported, prompting concern from farmers. Trump ordered the release after claiming that water access issues caused the wildfires that killed nearly 30 people. Trump falsely claimed the LA fires were a result of the states water policies. This is going to hurt farmers, water consultant Dan Vink told the Times. This takes water out of their summer irrigation portfolio. Senator Bernie Sanders nearly walked out of an interview when asked if New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez should run for the Senate. The Vermont Independent was speaking to ABCs This Week Sunday when he abruptly got out of his chair and walked off camera. He accused Jonathan Karl of doing nonsense after he asked, Would you like to see her joining the Senate? The interview comes as Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have gone on a speaking tour and targeted the nations oligarchy. Ocasio-Cortez has been floated for Senate as some Democrats were angered by current New York Senator Chuck Schumers decision to not block a Republican spending bill. Pope Francis made his first public appearance in five weeks before being discharged from hospital after twice contracting pneumonia, on Sunday, March 23. The 88-year-old pontiff waved and gave a thumbs up as he said "Thank you, everyone," to those who gathered below his window. Large crowds watching on big screens outside St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City cheered and chanted Francisco! on seeing the Pope again. Using a wheelchair, as he has for several years, the Pope smiled and waved at the well-wishers. He gave a weak sign of the cross before being wheeled back inside. Thomas Schafer is Volkswagen brand CEO and head of the brand's core group (including Skoda, Seat and Cupra). He joins The Independent in Volkswagen's latest new car, the VW Tayron, to discuss everything from the Chinese challenge to the restructure of the Volkswagen business and the role of plug-in hybrids in the transition to electrification. And his passion for a certain British rock band... Watch more from Drive Smart on Independent TV. 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 2022 Web Summit In Lisbon...LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 04: Co-founder and CEO of Web Summit Paddy Cosgrave bids farewell to attendees in Centre Stage, Altice Arena, at the end of the event on the last day of 2022 Web Summit on November 04, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. The annual conference brings together founders and CEOs of technology companies, as well as policymakers, to discuss the future of the Web. The event has reached this year full capacity at 71,033 attendees from 160 countries, plus 2,296 startups and 342 partners from 94 countries are present to interact with 1,050 speakers and more than 2,000 members of the media. Web Summits exhibition space was sold out six weeks ahead of the event, with floor space increasing to its maximum capacity of 8,478 square meters for partners and startups a 57-percent growth over 2019. For startups, the most represented industries are SaaS, fintech, AI, ecommerce and advertising. Top partners include Figma, Stripe, AWS, Google and Binance. (Photo by Horacio Villalobos#Corbis/Getty Images)...I The RTE show returns with the feel-good factor as we follow tempestuous teens transformed by a stint in the sticks Teagan with the Morrissey family on their farm in east Cork for RTE's Raised by the Village Is Raised by the Village the best thing on television? It is so sophisticated but it doesnt patronise. It is reality television but the viewer doesnt feel manipulated. Its about urban working-class children going to the country but it doesnt resort to stereotypes. Its an original idea. There are no bad guys, and yet you believe it. Of course, there are questions. Is the countryside really so full of lovely people? Is the mobile phone really to blame for all our modern ills? Do none of the kids get drunk, take drugs or run away? Is it even fair to transplant kids like this? Above all, does there really have to be a teen psychotherapist? That is, a psychotherapist who specialises in treating teenagers. Not a teenager who has trained as a psychotherapist, although that would be interesting. But while youre watching it, Raised by the Village is an unalloyed pleasure. It never drags. An awful lot happens in Raised by the Village. Four families, four houses, tempestuous teens. I had taken copious notes and then saw that Id been watching for just 12 and a half minutes. Prime Time please copy. This week, in the first programme of a new series, Noah and Teagan were heading for the sticks. They were both bright and very cranky. Their parents were at the end of their respective ropes; both Noah and Teagan were 14, and there are some of us who know what that means. Dear God, why does Irish television not believe we can cope with English people? He needs a complete cultural reset, said Noahs sister, Skye. She should be running the country. Teagan was obsessed with her false eyelashes, wouldnt get out of bed and shoved her mother, Anne Marie. The swearing and the roaring and shouting at you, as Anne Marie put it. Teagans father described what they were going through as an absolute nightmare". Noahs parents, Tony and Adrienne, were hoping that Noah would return from his visit to the countryside as a different child. So it wasnt pretty. You have to love the young people here. They packed their very large bags Teagan took four hair brushes, as well as her lashes, obviously and off they went into the great unknown. Noah is from Dublins north inner city very near the Ilac Centre, he said. Teagan is from what was described as a suburb of Bettystown. Poor Noah arrived in west Cork on a day when it was covered in mist. Are we in the clouds? he asked, reasonably. But in fact he was on a berry farm run by the Collins family. Both Steve and Claire Collins had Irish parents, the voiceover told us, presumably in an effort to protect us from the fact that they were English. Dear God, why does Irish television not believe we can cope with English people? Meanwhile, Teagan was being ferried to a dairy farm in east Cork. In the car, Teagan was saying: I dont like the smell of farms, full stop. I just dont know how Im going to deal with it. Teagan doesnt like beaches either. She was taken to one as part of a group of local volunteers to do a clean-up. Or, as the voice over put it, to experience the transformative power of collective environmental action. Please. Or, as Teagan would say: Whatever. She was very rude to a lovely smiling volunteer and Im secretly glad to say that she remained decidedly untransformed by the whole experience. Teagan, who lives near a beach, hates beaches. She doesnt understand why people want to spend time on them. She looked around at the happy people on the lovely beach and said: But thats Cork people for you. Too true, Teagan. She was only starting: I hate sand. Sand is horrible. It shouldnt be a thing. It should just be concrete on beaches. Soft concrete. Also she was blinded by her eyelashes, what with the wind and, yes, the sand. Teagan with the Morrissey family on their farm in east Cork for RTE's Raised by the Village Meanwhile, the Collins parents had discovered that when Noah had dutifully handed over his phone at the start of his visit, as all the refugees from the city have to do on this programme, he had a second phone with him. What a moment. Noah hated picking blueberries, despite the best efforts of the Collins children. (Are all children who grow up on farms perfect? And if so, why?) Noah refused to clean up a stable: Im not picking up shitesee yiz and things only improved for him when he was introduced to mechanics, hurling and working on a charter boat. The men who taught Noah these new skills seemed like top guys. As Brian ORourke, the owner of Bantry Bay Charters, put it: I have no fear of Noah. Brian had been a dyslexic boy, in his time, as Noah is. School makes me very angry, Noah said an absolute nul points for our vaunted educational system, which has an intelligent boy humiliated by something as common as dyslexia. With the mechanic and the GAA club and the boats Noah thrived under easy-going, masculine care. Teagan had been introduced to the milking parlour Im never drinking milk again but did better at Midleton Meals On Wheels. She was in tears as the car drove her away from the Morrisseys east Cork farm. And she has returned since, with her parents. Noahs father is going to take him fishing, and now Noahs a leader in his local youth group. This is perfect Sunday night television. Lets just be grateful. Des Richardson a close ally of Bertie Ahern has been described as a true patriot following his death. Mr Richardson died at home on Saturday evening after a lengthy illness. A former fundraiser for Fianna Fail, Mr Richardson was a close associate of Mr Ahern and became known as part of the so-called Drumcondra Mafia the north Dublin suburb where the former taoiseach held counsel politically and socially. Former Libertas party leader Declan Ganley wrote online: Very sorry to read the news of Des Richardsons death. He was a patriot, discreet and loyal. He was a decent man and did a lot for Ireland and for peace, at a pivotal time in ways that may forever remain unsung and out of the public eye. Eternal rest grant unto him Lord Mr Richardson ran Fianna Fails fundraising when Mr Ahern was selected as party leader. He also organised a popular Galway Races fundraising event, which became synonymous with the partys culture during Mr Aherns tenure. It was attended by members of the construction industry and was part of a successful policy in creating construction and property investment opportunities. However, Mr Richardson was not free from controversy during his political life. He was questioned regarding Mr Aherns finances during the Mahon Tribunal, though he went on to win a legal challenge on two of the findings featured in the tribunal report. Three judges at the Court of Appeal agreed Mr Richardson had been deprived of fair procedures regarding how the tribunal reached two disputed findings. He had never been asked during the hearings by counsel to account for the origins of funds in an account known as the Roevin account. Mr Richardson had claimed not to have any knowledge of the source of 39,000 punts. He stated the findings were made despite not being asked about this. The error was also repeated in another section of the report. Mr Richardson also helped buy St Lukes, a red-brick house in Drumcondra which was a base for Mr Ahern and associates, in 1987. The house, put up for sale for 595,000 in 2015, was not a base for Fianna Fail. But it symbolised the loyalty Mr Aherns friends had to him. In 2013, Mr Richardson, from Ballsbridge, south Dublin, appeared on the tax defaulters list. The former fundraiser made a settlement at that time with Revenue for almost 109,000. James and Carol Johnston to meet Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and HSE chief Bernard Gloster on Thursday The family of Aoife Johnston are to meet the Health Minster on Thursday to press for a statutory inquiry into the teenagers death after waiting hours for treatment at University Hospital Limerick. Sixteen-year-old Aoife, from Shannon, Co Clare, died after waiting 13 hours for vital treatment for sepsis in an emergency department overrun with patients. Her death has led to two inquiries and disciplinary proceedings against six senior staff over the circumstances of her final hours. Her family believe only a full statutory inquiry will provide them with answers. The meeting with Jennifer Carroll MacNeill was at the request of the Johnston family, who wrote to her through their solicitor last month. They will separately meet the chief executive of HSE, Bernard Gloster, on the same day, the first time they have taken up his offer to sit down with the family. The family have been pushing for a statutory inquiry as they believe previous inquiries have failed to provide accountability, and conflicts of evidence over measures that could have mitigated overcrowding on the night she died remain unresolved. The solicitor for the family, Damien Tansey, said that they will be urging the minister to hold a meaningful inquiry into Aoifes death. Inquiries to date have been lamentable in terms of accountability and identifying the problems that arose in the emergency department, he said. We asked the minister for a meeting to discuss a statutory inquiry. This meeting is in response to that request. We also wrote to Bernard Gloster, also seeking an inquiry of a kind that will be meaningful and provide answers, he added Aoifes parents, James and Carol, told their daughters inquest that she died a horrible death at UHL on December 19, 2022. She was sick with a continually raised temperature and was screaming in pain. Her parents, and other patients, pleaded with nurses to help her. Nurses tried to get doctors to see her, but they were busy with other patients. By the time she was finally medically reviewed, the infection was too far advanced. She was transferred to ICU, but her parents were told there was nothing that could be done to save her. The Limerick coroner declared Aoifes death a medical misadventure following her inquest in April. Aoife Johnston Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 23rd An internal HSE review of Aoifes death found that sepsis protocol was not followed, the emergency department was grossly overcrowded and understaffed, and an escalation protocol that would have eased the pressure that night was not implemented. An external independent review by Frank Clarke commissioned by Bernard Gloster found that Aoifes death was almost certainly avoidable. However, he was precluded from making findings of facts, and conflicts of evidence between staff about the failure to implement the escalation protocol to ease overcrowding that night were never resolved Bernard Gloster, who has repeatedly apologised to the Johnston family for Aoifes death, has previously defended Mr Clarkes inquiry. He confirmed last year that on foot of Mr Clarkes report, six members of staff were facing disciplinary proceedings, with four on administrative leave. Had Mr Clarke been able to make adverse findings, he suggested, his report could have been available for a very long time, and could have been challenged in the courts. Brother in feud that ripped apart one of the best-known families in the Dublin pub trade leaves nearly 17m in his will Geoffrey Coman was involved in one of most dramatic family rows the country has ever seen. This article about his estate worth over 16m, was one of Marchs most read news stories Mary and Patrick Coman outside the High Court in 2004. Photo: Courtpix Niamh Horan Sun 23 Mar 2025 at 03:30 One of five brothers who was involved in one of the most bitter family feuds in the country has left over 16m in his will. Businessman appears in court over 10.6m cocaine seizure Investigators believe the drugs were loaded in Spain and transported to Ireland on behalf of several organised crime groupsMurphy, whose address cannot be reported, is the transport manager of Herriot Haulage Limited, registered in Waterford Micheal Murphy appeared before a special sitting of Gorey District Court this evening (Pic: Collins Courts) Cillian Sherlock Sun 23 Mar 2025 at 22:30 A 61-year-old man has appeared in court charged with possession of 10.6m worth of cocaine. Former RTE chair and film producer Siun Ni Raghallaigh and two Galway Film Fleadh co-founders have formed a group aiming to reopen Galways Palas cinema for the citys international film festival. The group plans to meet Galway City Council senior management early next week. Ms Ni Raghallaigh, who lives in Connemara and is a self-employed media consultant, was appointed chairperson of the RTE board in November 2022, only seven months before the RTE payment scandal broke. In February 2024, she resigned from her position at RTE after then media minister, Catherine Martin, refused to express confidence in her during a Prime Time interview as the scandal over secret payments and how she had kept Martin abreast of developments in RTE erupted. The new group includes Ms Ni Raghallaigh, Galway Film Fleadh co-founders Miriam Allen and Lelia Doolan, former Galway Film Fleadh programmer William Fitzgerald, and Palas bar and events manager Mikey Whelan. Ms Doolan said that Ms Ni Raghallaighs financial experience in projects like Ardmore Studios which she had turned around and made a success of was absolutely invaluable for the group, all of whom are giving their time voluntarily. The development comes amid conflicting views among artists and local politicians on the future of the building, which the Light House Cinema group has pulled out of running due to losses and rising costs. Announcing its closure at the end of February, the group said it had incurred operating losses of over 1.8m, and was incurring losses of roughly 250,000 per annum to keep the doors open. Rising costs, the impact of Covid and the oversaturation of commercial cinemas in the Galway area have all contributed to the situation, it said. Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe at the Light House Cinema in Smithfield. Photo: Patrick O'Leary The cinema group says it invested 1.5m in Palas Cinema in 2018, and has brought 3,000 independent films to Galway audiences along with hosting other events. Building owner Galway City Council said it expected the return of the lease by the end of this month, and would then publish an expression of interest which will be followed by an assessment of all proposals received. The city council confirmed the Light House Cinema Group/Element Pictures paid just 1 annually in nominal rent since it took over in late 2016. Andrew Lowe and Ed Guiney of Element Pictures and operators of the Light House Cinema in Dublin had galloped in as white knights in late 2016 when their company took over the 9.5m project, originally estimated at 5.2m to build. Fianna Fail city councillor Alan Cheevers has called for the building to be demolished and replaced with affordable housing, while actor and Macnas co-founder Paraic Breathnach says the arthouse cinema was a bad idea from day one. Mr Breathnach has called on the citys arts sector to re-engage with reality and admit that cultural developments such as Galway 2020 and the Palas Cinema were, in fact, disasters and an embarrassment to the city. Ms Doolan, who spearheaded the project before it ran into financial difficulties, said Mr Breathnach was entitled to his opinion, while questioning how many houses Councillor Cheevers thinks he will be able to build on the site. Pioneered by Ms Doolan and Solas-Galway Picture Palace Teo from 2004, the project was hit with delays and cost overruns, including receivership and liquidation of the initial contractor. It required a further injection of state funds, and lack of oversight at an early stage was highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General, while the Charities Regulator was also critical of how it was handled. Palas Cinema in Galway city A report on its financial struggles commissioned by Galway City Council says attendance at the cinema had remained consistently low, with some 78pc of films attracting fewer than 100 viewers. Apart from the average annual losses, the building requires a capital injection of at least 350,000, Galway City Council chief executive Leonard Cleary told city councillors earlier this month. The report suggests three options, including a partial repurposing where one cinema was retained; a repositioning of it as a cultural tourism attraction; or a mixed-use redevelopment combining commercial rental space with community functions. Labour city councillors Niall McNelis and Helen Ogbu told the Sunday Independent they believed it should be retained as a cultural venue, supported by the State, with McNelis pointing out that the Galway Film Fleadh brings millions of euro to the city. Siun Ni Raghallaigh, left, and a crowd protesting over the closure of Galway's Palas cinema Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 23rd Independent councillor Declan McDonnell proposed that its management could be merged with the neighbouring Galway City Museum. Alan Cheevers, who favours demolition and replacement with multi-storey housing, said the council has no budget for it. We do need a performance space, but thats the wrong site on a flood plain, Cllr Cheevers said. Independent councillor Mike Cubbard said it should be kept as a scaled down version of the Light House Cinema, with space also available for arts groups. Ms Doolans group said its heartening that, in these awful destructive times around the world, there are so many young and old people in Galway who see the Palas as a vital public place in the west of Ireland. Its a place where films from around the world can be shown, giving us a window into the stories and experiences of others. So were working to get the cinema reopened for Irelands flagship Galway Film Fleadh in July and to keep it open and flourishing from then on, it said. Tadhg O Cuirrin of the arts union Praxis and spokesman for a separate grouping, the Save Palas Campaign, said that no arts organisation is commercially viable without state support. This article was amended on 24/03/2025 to clarify that William Fitzgerald is a former programmer for Galway Film Fleadh HR giant hired plumbers to search toilets for phone after fears alleged corporate spy in Dublin flushed it away Irish payroll expert now left out in the cold as billion-dollar companies go to war in remarkable espionage dispute Payroll software firms Rippling and Deel are each worth more than 10bn. Inset right, Dubliner Keith OBrien Maeve Sheehan Sun 23 Mar 2025 at 03:30 On a podcast called Its About Payroll, Dubliner Keith OBrien riffed on his specialist subject of global payroll transformation. I knocked on the door, she invited me in artist who tracked down Annie Murphy tells of their time together American woman had a secret relationship with Bishop Eamonn CaseyPaul MacCormaic lost contact with Murphy when she moved to New York and has been trying to reconnect so she can see his finished painting Artist Paul MacCormaic with his painting of Annie Murphy at the RHA in Dublin. Photo: Arthur Carron Niamh Horan Sun 23 Mar 2025 at 03:30 An artist who painted the accidental feminist Annie Murphy who infamously had a secret relationship with Bishop Eamonn Casey has described their poignant meeting when he tracked her down to her home in Los Angeles after she spent years living in anonymity. Its like I went to sleep and woke up in 1940 rape survivor Hazel Behan on seeing Donald Trump with his arms around Conor McGregor Hazel Behan says the fact the fighter thinks he can run for the Aras shows how lax attitudes to sexual crimes are Hazel Behan at her home in Mullingar, Co Westmeath. Photo: Steve Humphreys Ali Bracken Sun 23 Mar 2025 at 03:30 Rape survivor and activist Hazel Behan does not believe former MMA fighter Conor McGregor stands a chance of becoming the next Irish president. The Government proposal is expected to be voted on in the Dail on Tuesday Opposition leaders after the Dail was adjourned over speaking rights row. Photo: Reuters Opposition leaders have written to Taoiseach Micheal Martin seeking an urgent meeting with him and Tanaiste Simon Harris to address the standing orders row. In the joint letter, the leaders of Sinn Fein, Labour, the Social Democrats, Independent Ireland and People Before Profit Solidarity said the amendments the Government is trying to force through, will turn democracy on its head. Mary Lou McDonald, Ivana Bacik, Cian OCallaghan, Michael Collins and Richard Boyd Barrett urged the Taoiseach to stand by the commitment he made, that an agreed solution to the speaking rights saga would be found. Your commitment placed on the record of the Dail on January 23 must be honoured, they said. Your commitment that any change to Standing Orders would be done in agreement with the opposition was accepted in good faith. It is disappointing and unacceptable that you have moved away from this agreed position, the leaders added. A vote on the Government amendments to standing orders is set to take place in the Dail on Tuesday, which would see other members recognised for speaking time. This would include government backbenchers and Independent TDs who have said they would support the Government. Opposition leaders after the Dail was adjourned over speaking rights row. Photo: Reuters Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 23rd Opposition TDs have strongly criticised the decision to hold a vote on the government changes to standing orders without a debate or discussion. They have maintained their argument that TDs who support the Government, should be considered government TDs and speaking time should be allocated to them from the Governments time. The row has been ongoing since the beginning of the new Dail term and centres on whether Independent TDs who have said they will support the Government, but were not given a ministerial position, should be considered members in opposition or government TDs. The four TDs, Michael Lowry, Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole and Danny Healy-Rae, all participated in government formation talks and negotiations on the programme for government. Last month, the Dail Reform Committee met to discuss amendments to resolve the controversy but resulted in the Government Chief Whip Mary Butler calling a vote on the Governments amendments. This resulted in the Governments amendments being accepted which are now set to be voted on in the Dail this week. In their letter, the opposition accused the Government's representatives on the committee of collapsing the process of finding a solution. You are now attempting to force through a motion bringing unprecedented changes to Standing Orders, which will turn democracy on its head, they said. On Friday, the opposition put forward a joint proposal to amend the Government's changes to Standing Orders. This included a proposal for a "government-aligned technical group" to be recognised in the Dail. In their letter to Mr Martin, the opposition party leaders said their proposals would facilitate appropriate speaking opportunities for government TDs, including the Michael Lowry Group. Our proposal is a fair and reasonable compromise which crucially preserves the normal democratic processes of the Dail, they said. The leaders concluded the letter by reaffirming their view that you cannot be in government and opposition at the same time and that these democratic distinctions must be recognised. Speaking on Friday, Mary Lou McDonald vowed to face the Government down on the issue and that she expected to meet with fellow opposition leaders on Monday. We'll meet early next week, I imagine on Monday, just to finally decide a joint approach to this, she added. Black smoke is pouring from the building. Residents in Lucan, Dublin have been urged to close their windows and doors as Dublin Fire Brigade battles a massive blaze at an industrial unit. Black smoke is flooding from the unit and Dublin Fire Brigade is attending the scene. Firefighters have asked members of the public nearby to avoid the smoke. 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 A statement on Dublin Fire Brigades X page reads: Firefighters are currently attending an industrial fire in Lucan. Smoke is drifting across the area and we're advising local residents to close all windows and doors as a precaution. It comes after firefighters were called to a large gorse wildfire in the Dublin Mountains, near Glencullen, on Thursday night, which then spread as far as Lucan. The Irish writer adores her three rescued cats, a feline and two brothers, but they were joined by some unexpected visitors last year I grew up with cats but they werent allowed in the house. We had them because my mother had a phobia about mice and rats, so the cats stayed outside to keep intruders away. Except, of course, when my mother was out; then we always brought the cats inside! I have three of my own now. Charlie, a ginger, is the only female, and shell be five this June. The other two tabbies are brothers George and Paddy and theyre two years younger. I got my boys from a cat sanctuary, while, as a kitten, Charlie was found by my neighbours and I took her in. Just as my old cat Fred whos gone now wasnt impressed by Charlies arrival, Charlie didnt exactly welcome George and Paddy when they took up residence. Totally aloof for about six weeks, she eventually got used to them, but still keeps her distance. Its hilarious, though, because Paddy absolutely adores Charlie. You can see the adoration in his eyes but Charlie just doesnt want to know. Poor Paddy! The boys themselves have totally different personalities. George is very placid and easygoing but Paddy is timid and easily startled even a sudden movement in the room would make him jump. I am very attached to the three of them. I love cats for their independence; everything is on their terms and as an owner you just have to respect that. I love it, though, when one of them chooses to sit on my lap they do show affection in their own way. When it comes to how important I am, though, I am well aware of my limitations! Last summer I ended up with 10 cats. It started when a ginger stray just appeared one day last June. I thought it was a male and off I went to the vet to get him checked out, only to discover that he was a she, and that she was heavily pregnant. I set up a big box in the greenhouse for the arrival of the kittens but the mother went off and had them somewhere else. Then, when the litter was about three weeks old, back she came with them, one by one, and straight into my greenhouse. So, as well as my own three, plus another stray at the time, now I also had a mother cat and five babies 10 mouths to feed! In the end, I managed to home them all, so it was back again to just me, Charlie, George and Paddy. I live right beside a busy road and George got hit by a car last year and was left a bit battered. Hes all healed up now, but I worry about that road. My solution or so I thought was to get a catio built. Its like an outdoor cat patio that they can access via the cat flap; so theyre outside but also safe. It cost a fortune and they hate it! I was only thinking of their welfare, but so much for that. Not to mention the 750 dent in my bank account! l Moving On by Roisin Meaney is published by Hachette and out now Novelist Roisin Meaney with her cat Charlie. Photo: Eamon Ward Paralympic champion Ellen Keane and her two dogs Rafa and Denny Old-school charm meets urban chic in Albanian capital Albania? Why would you want to go there? That was the reaction from most friends when I told them I was heading to Tirana last October. Fair enough question considering its rather grim history, but Albania holds its hands up to the horrors of its past. I was there for four days, staying in a small hotel just a short stroll from Skanderbeg Square, the large pedestrianised plaza at the heart of the city thats home to the opera house, the Historical Museum (closed when I visited) and to five or six very chic cafe bars, all with an air about them that wouldnt be out of place in, say, Barcelona. Eoin OMalley: Conor McGregor has no chance, but Heather Humphreys could be a real contender in fight for Aras Discounting the chance of the MMA fighter even getting on the ballot, we name six likely candidates and one possible winner Heather Humphreys. Photo: Gerry Mooney Eoin O'Malley Sun 23 Mar 2025 at 03:30 Its St Patricks Day 2026 and the US president Donald Trump, in a break with tradition, welcomes President Conor McGregor of Ireland to the shamrock ceremony in the White House. The two men discuss It was in 1776, with the Declaration of Independence, that the 13 original American colonies broke away from Britain. Now, the 47th president of the United States is reported to be seriously considering an offer that the land of the free become an associate member of the King Charles-led Commonwealth of Nations. Its a clever move by UK prime minister Keir Starmer to exploit Donald Trumps love of royal pageantry. Few US leaders have ever been so desperate to be regal. If only Ireland had similar baubles to bestow that might soothe Trumps savage breast. We can flatter and woo him, as the Taoiseach did in the White House in what now seems like an age ago but alas, we have nothing to offer such an openly transactional president except... well, everything. Our countrys economic miracle in recent decades was founded on providing a warm welcome to US tech and pharma multinationals. It always caused some resentment in Europe, but aside from the odd grumble, from France in particular, nothing was done to stop it. Trump is less inclined to turn a blind eye. He resents rather than respects other countries that hustle for their own citizens interests, despite this being the basis of his America First platform. Right now the White House is said to be drawing up a list of the dirty 15 countries who are accused of taking advantage of American generosity the most to build up large trade surpluses. Given the pattern of negative jibes from Trump, it would be remarkable if Ireland was not on that list, either as part of the EU, or the worst-case scenario singled out for special mention. The litany of threats emanating from the White House has become tiresome The fear that it may be the latter was heightened again on Friday by US commerce secretary Howard Lutnicks assertion that what he called Irelands tax scam has gotta end. Scam is quite the fighting talk. One might even call it outrageous, having, as the word does, the stamp of dishonesty, even fraud. There is nothing underhand about what Ireland has achieved. If the US chose to offer better terms to tempt home firms which have relocated to Ireland, that would not be a scam either. There is, however, little point arguing the toss with Trump about this, or indeed anything. For someone who makes such a deal of being the victim of fake news, he is wretchedly at ease with weaponising misinformation against his allies. It is alarming to be in the crosshairs of people with the power to inflict huge damage on our hard-won economic success, on the basis of figures drawn up on the back of an envelope. The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) warned last week that US tariffs at the highest level could reduce Irish GDP by 3.7pc in the next five to seven years. That it would likely harm the American economy in turn is no guarantee that their president will not do it anyway. US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick. Photo: Bloomberg Either way, the big date for the diary is April 2. Thats when the White House is set to reveal the next phase of its economic masterplan. Whatever happens, it may be a relief to finally end the phoney war and find out exactly what we are up against. The litany of threats emanating from the White House has become tiresome. Does Donald Trump actually have an economic plan at all, or is US policy based wholly on how he feels each morning on getting out of bed? He may thrive on chaos. What we need is certainty. Formulating a response to these shifting threats should not be a matter of guesswork. The case was heard in Dundalk Court. A family dispute over land was in the background of an incident where a gun was fired in a house, a court in Louth has heard. Eoin Lennon (42), Rathbrist, Tallanstown, pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm and to causing criminal damage to a kitchen wall by gunshot at Rathbrist, Tallanstown, on January 1 last. The DPP directed summary disposal of the matter in the district court and Judge Nicola Andrews accepted jurisdiction. Evidence was given that the defendant, who has been in custody since the incident, was alone in the house at the time. Sgt Letitia McConnell said that Mr Lennon was intoxicated in a private dwelling attached to Lennons Bar and Lounge. He was in possession of a shotgun which he discharged in the kitchen. Gardai arrested him at the scene. There were two previous convictions, one for Section 2 criminal damage and the other for a road traffic offence. Barrister Stephen Faulkner said that Mr Lennon, a father of two, had mental health difficulties. He struggled to deal with an internal family dispute over land following the passing of his father. The gun, the property of his late father and left to him, was seized by gardai and remained in their possession. The defendant was drinking excessively at the time but was much better since going into custody. He was focussed on making amends with himself and the family. The case was heard in Dundalk Court. Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 23rd Mr Faulkner submitted that Probation Service intervention was warranted. Bail had been fixed but Mr Lennon was not in a position take it up. To remain in custody and deal with the matter were his instructions. He had been living in that house and was no longer welcome there. Judge Andrews granted leave for appeal to vary the bail conditions. The case was put back to April 2 for a probation report and community service assessment and to find out what the living arrangements were going to be. The judge remarked she did not want Mr Lennon near Lennons Bar. The staff of St Senans primary school were delighted to have a new set of bikes and scooters funded for their students by the Enniscorthy Credit Union. Member Engagement and Marketing Manager Aine Doyle said that the branch prides itself on their close relationship with schools in the area. "Last year I spoke with the Principal Fiona Wickham, at the time they were having works done on the school, St. Senans School has a fantastic AS Unit, but they needed new outdoor equipment for the AS Unit. The Principal sent a request in to the Board of Directors of Enniscorthy Credit Union last year and they agreed to fund the equipment on behalf of our members. The equipment is now in place and is being used by the pupils, she explained. Fiona Wickham, Principal of St Senan's, said they were grateful for the assistance from the credit union as the equipment is essential for the development of motor skills. "We spent the money on new scooters and bikes for the children in our Autism Support Classes as a way of enhancing their movement breaks. The new equipment allows the children to develop their gross motor skills. It also allows for sensory input and gives the children the opportunity to regulate themselves in a fun, social and age-appropriate way, she said. "We are extremely grateful to the credit union for their support. Community support like this is invaluable to us, she added. Kealan Swinburne and Emer Doyle took home the Judges Pick award from the Sport Ireland National Indoor Training Centre in Dublin. Nine talented CoderDojo students from north Wexford travelled to the Coolest Project competition in Dublin recently and took home two major prizes. Kealan Swinburne and Emer Doyle won the Judges Pick Award at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Training Centre in Dublin at the beginning of March. Eoghan Webster, Gary Doyle, Robyn Hall, Stephen Scully, Noah O'Neill, Scott Cullen and Tiernan Finn also attended the event and displayed their Scratch projects. Speaking after the competition, founder Susie Clince said: The children bounced into class the following Saturday and were so proud of the win. They were also given bags of stuff from the computer companies that sponsor it. They all enjoyed showing off their work and our students have been to the competition before weve never taken home a prize so it was great. Back in September, 2024, the students began working on their projects using Scratch, a free online programming language where you can create your own interactive stories, games, and animations. Susie started CoderDojo in Gorey 11 years ago alongside her husband, after hearing an advertisement about it on the radio. Her daughter Molly soon became keenly interested in it and started taking the classes. What started off as a small group has now grown into a group of 60 students with 12 mentors, who turn up at Gorey Community School every Saturday morning. Nowadays, Molly who has outgrown the classes is one of the mentors for the younger kids. "Its for kids that arent into playing sport on a Saturday morning. Its a group of like-minded kids that get together and it gives quirky kids a chance to be around others who are just like them, said Susie. Susie says the classes which are run 100 per cent voluntarily, aim to be a friendly, safe space for children between the ages of 8 to 17 years old. The wheels are in motion to install two solar-powered duck feed dispensers at Arklows Riverwalk and duck pond that will create a new, community-managed activity that can be enjoyed by all members of the town. Supplied by The Feed Ducks Initiative, the contactless feeders are provided to local authorities at no cost, with community groups taking responsibility for refilling and maintaining them in exchange for 10 per cent of the takings. Born out of founder Matthew Knights trips to feed the ducks with his son during the pandemic, the feeders which are made from recycled plastics equivalent to 20,000 plastic bottles are a feature at public parks and waterways across Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands. Detailing the plans for Arklow at the March MD meeting, Cllr Peir Leonard said that the feeders would be hugely beneficial to the town and that they already received the support of several community groups, and hopes they could be included in the Arklow Autism Friendly Town initiative. I was contacted by a lady named Amy Synnott about a duck feeding station for the duck pond in Arklow, like the one they have in Wicklow, she said. Ive liaised with the company and they are developing a newer model, and Id be proposing that we have one at the duck pond over at Seaview Avenue and one on the River Walk. I have also talked with two community groups that want to take on the role, and the feeders will hopefully be incorporated into the Arklow Autism Friendly Town initiative, whose members are very keen on it because of the activity it will provide, with funds raised from it going to the community group. The Vault could host the seed for the one on the Riverwalk and refill it, and perhaps the Deck Cafe could do the same for the duck pond. Concluding the discussion, district manager Leonora Earls said that the group or individual have to be committed to maintaining the feeder, adding that she has six 15kg bags of bird feed delivered to her house for one in Wicklow town every few weeks, and she goes down to the feeder with a ladder to refill it. In the fast-paced world of business, maintaining a strong online presence is crucial for success. Tethered is a powerful tool that offers unlimited uptime monitoring to ensure that your website and other online services are always up and running smoothly. With Tethered, you can stay ahead of potential issues and keep your business running smoothly. Features Website Monitoring Tethereds top-notch monitoring service acts like a digital canary in the coal mine, alerting you to any website issues before they impact your profits. Stay one step ahead with Tethereds Uptime Monitoring feature. Tethereds top-notch monitoring service acts like a digital canary in the coal mine, alerting you to any website issues before they impact your profits. Stay one step ahead with Tethereds Uptime Monitoring feature. Port Monitoring Dont let important services like email or databases throw a silent temper tantrum. Tethereds Port Monitoring feature keeps a watchful eye on your server and alerts you to any shenanigans before they become a problem. Dont let important services like email or databases throw a silent temper tantrum. Tethereds Port Monitoring feature keeps a watchful eye on your server and alerts you to any shenanigans before they become a problem. Keyword Monitoring Keep track of your favorite buzzwords across the web with Tethereds Keyword Monitoring feature. Stay alert and be the first to know when your keywords make an appearance or disappear online. Keep track of your favorite buzzwords across the web with Tethereds Keyword Monitoring feature. Stay alert and be the first to know when your keywords make an appearance or disappear online. Notifications on Multiple Platforms Tethered offers notifications on a variety of platforms including email, Slack, Discord, Zapier, and more. Get notified within minutes of any service outage and take immediate action to minimize downtime. Tethered offers notifications on a variety of platforms including email, Slack, Discord, Zapier, and more. Get notified within minutes of any service outage and take immediate action to minimize downtime. Integrations Connect Tethered to many different platforms to suit your business requirements. Receive notifications via email, Slack, Pushbullet, and more to ensure you are always informed of any issues. Connect Tethered to many different platforms to suit your business requirements. Receive notifications via email, Slack, Pushbullet, and more to ensure you are always informed of any issues. Status Pages and Operational Reports Customize your status page with Tethereds easy-to-use design options. Create status groups, view operational reports, and pin notes for quick updates on key events such as downtime, resolved issues, and scheduled maintenance. In conclusion, Tethered offers a comprehensive uptime monitoring solution for businesses looking to stay ahead of potential issues and maintain a strong online presence. With features like website monitoring, port monitoring, keyword monitoring, notifications on multiple platforms, and customizable status pages, Tethered is a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes. Consider incorporating Tethered into your business strategy to minimize downtime and maximize uptime for optimal performance. Pricing Tethered offers a free forever account with features like unlimited monitors, integrations, keyword monitoring, and customizable status pages. They emphasize the importance of immediate notification in case of downtime, providing a reliable uptime monitoring tool for online businesses of all sizes at no cost. Visit tethered.app for more. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter , Facebook and Instagram. Release of secret JFK assassination files inadvertently reveals how the CIA spied on Irelands military intelligence service The US also opened files on other friendly nations, such as Britain and Canada JFK beside Jackie in the motorcade, minutes before his assassination. Photo: Getty Abdullah Sabri Sun 23 Mar 2025 at 03:30 In dumping out thousands of pages of previously classified material about John F Kennedys assassination, Donald Trump has inadvertently confirmed for the first time that the CIA has been spying on Irish intelligence officials. Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community! Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region. Recently, actress Avneet Kaur talked about a very upsetting experience from her early years, recalling being verbally abused and inappropriately touched while working on a set. She disclosed that at a very young age, a director had verbally abused her, making her feel uneasy. She also described experiencing inappropriate touch during dance practice. Avneet Kaur recounts being inappropriately touched at 8 During an interview with Hautterfly, Avneet Kaur talked about a time as a child when she was uncomfortable because of inappropriate touching during a dance rehearsal. She said that she told her mother about it right away, and she went on to explain the distinction between good and bad touch. Her mother also gave her comfort and taught her how to spot and handle these kinds of situations. According to Avneet, this occurred when she was just eight years old, and ever since then, she has grown more conscious of and equipped to deal with such circumstances in the future. Avneet Kaur also revealed that a director gave her a tough talk with intricate terminology amid her times of struggle. She was nervous because she was just 11 or 12 years old at the time. After fumbling a few times, he berated her skills, saying she was not capable and would never be successful in the field. Since her parents weren't allowed on stage, Avneet also disclosed that he abused her, leaving her puzzled and shaky. Her confidence as an actor had already been damaged by the encounter but her parents helped her out later. Avneet Kaurs upcoming project Love in Vietnam, Avneet Kaur's next movie, was announced at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Alongside her are Shantanu Maheshwari and Kha Ngan, a Vietnamese actress. Rahhat Shah Kazmi is directing and Omung Kumar is producing. Based on the best-selling book Madonna in a Fur Coat, this movie is the first time India and Vietnam are collaborating on a film. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. 94th Shaheed Diwas 2025: The 94th Shaheed Diwas is observed today, on March 23, 2025, to remember the sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru. They were executed by the British on March 23, 1931, for fighting against colonial rule. This day is a tribute to their bravery and dedication to India's freedom struggle. Their sacrifice inspired many people to join the fight for independence. On this day, India honours them through memorial events, educational programmes, and patriotic activities, reminding everyone of their courage, love for the country, and fight for justice. Patriotic Bhagat Singh's quotes on the 94th Shaheed Diwas They may kill me, but they cannot kill my ideas. They can crush my body, but they will not be able to crush my spirit. Revolution is an inalienable right of mankind. Freedom is an imperishable birthright of all. Bombs and pistols do not make a revolution. The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting stone of ideas. I am such a lunatic that I am free even in jail. If the deaf have to hear, the sound has to be very loud. Merciless criticism and independent thinking are the two necessary traits of revolutionary thinking. Labour is the real sustainer of society. I am full of ambition and hope and charm in life. But I can renounce everything in time of need. Philosophy is the outcome of human weakness or limitation of knowledge. A rebellion is not a revolution. It may ultimately lead to that end. Bhagat Singh's slogans on the 94th Shaheed Diwas If I don't change my opinion, at least He will concede that this man was honest. A revolutionary is talking to another revolutionary. I did not take His name all my life. In fact, when I saw how the poor and the oppressed were being treated, I even rebuked Him. Now if I pray to Him when death stares me in the face, He will say that this man is a hypocrite and a coward. It matters little whether these exploiters are purely British or British in combination with some rich Indians. Bhagat Singh Movie Quotes to Tribute Martyred Heroes on Shaheed Diwas The enemy can kill people, not their ideals. And as long as our ideals live, the party lives. We shall nourish these ideas with our blood. Our goal is revolution. They can imprison our bodies, not our cause. Spilling blood is no big deal, sir, be it one's own or another's. But will that blood arouse future generations? That's my dream. Violence is when you use force to exploit people, to oppress them. The fight for one's life, for dignity, for rights is not violence. It is self-defence. Justice can never be done without knowing the motive behind the crime. The revolution we dream of can never be fulfilled unless the common people are with us. You will never earn your rights unless you rise up in protest or fight the oppressors. They may kill me but cannot kill my ideas. Do you realise what you have done? You have gone and abjectly appealed for mercy to that very court, the very government that we reject! Is this your law? Is this your justice? You are cowards, killers in the guise of judges! Never again shall we set foot in this dishonest and corrupt place! Bhagat Singh's iconic slogan, "Inquilab Zindabad!" (Long Live the Revolution), became a rallying cry for those fighting against British rule. It symbolised the spirit of resistance and the desire for freedom. Since their alleged "contract termination" from ADORa move the five members believe was justifiedthey have rebranded themselves as NJZ. However, on Friday, the Seoul Central District Court ruled against them, preventing the members from pursuing independent commercial activities and confirming that they must remain under ADORs management. In response, the girls announced their plans to appeal the ruling. Despite the ongoing legal dispute, NewJeans went ahead with their performance in Hong Kong, where they debuted an unreleased song that has sparked mixed reactions. At the end of their headline set at the pop culture festival ComplexCon, they informed fans that they would be stepping away from public performances "for a little while." Banger or copy of ADOR's style? As soon as NewJeans aka NJZ performed their unreleased song called "PIT STOP", fans quickly shared videos on X (formerly known as Twitter). While their fandom, Bunnies, praised the track, many other K-pop listeners felt it was no different from their previous releases under ADOR. Some even compared it to their old hit Super Shy. One fan gushed, "OH THIS SONG IS A HIT! NJZZZZ YOUVE DONE IT AGAINNN!" OH THIS SONG IS A HIT NJZZZZ YOUVE DONE IT AGAINNN https://t.co/GiqmeHhMIR pic.twitter.com/CAotSsjSny beware digital footprint :3 (@bewaredigital) March 23, 2025 Another questioned, "Every song sounds exactly the same do they not have different beats?" every song sound exactly the same do they not have different beats https://t.co/nenDuNa9Qk please (@harryrkive) March 23, 2025 Someone else wrote, "This is an absolute banger! Omg!" A different user remarked, "All that talk about wanting to release something different from their HYBE tracks, yet they ended up dropping the same song in a different fontjust with a bit of rap on the side." all that talk about wanting to release something different from their hybe tracks but they ended up releasing the same song in a different font AGAIN with a bit of rap on the side https://t.co/1qaZ3rBb6r i only got three big booms (@257osu) March 23, 2025 Another listener shared, "It's cute, and I'm happy to see them back but it still sounds very samey, which is disappointing. They look happy regardless, and I hope they thrive whenever they decide to release this." its cute and im happy to see them back but it also sounds very samey which is disappointing. they look happy regardless and i hope they thrive whenever they decide to release this https://t.co/sqm5jCuaBg vel/yufo- KNOW ABOUT ME (@dalsojoshi) March 23, 2025 NewJeans members announce a break Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein took turns addressing the audience after their performance. "It is very hard for us to say this, but this might be our last performance for a little while. Out of respect for the court's decisions, we've decided to pause all our activities for now, and it wasn't an easy decision," one of the members said on stage at AsiaWorld-Expo, as reported by the South China Morning Post. "But we believe this is something we need to do at this moment. This stage means a lot to us, and all of you who came here are a big help to us. But Im really sad that I have to tell you this," they added. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. This step was part of a broader effort by Greece and Turkey to improve ties after years of disputes, following a roadmap established during that time A Federal High Court sitting in Kogi State, has set aside an earlier ruling that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from receiving the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The court in its judgment delivered in Lokoja on Friday affirmed that the recall process is constitutionally valid and aligns with the civic rights of the constituents. The court urged constituents of Kogi Central to continue exercising their rights in an orderly and peaceful manner. Advertisement INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the development is coming, after the court on Thursday granted an interim injunction restraining INEC, its staff from receiving any petition containing signatures of members of Kogi Central Senatorial District. The court also stopped INEC from conducting any referendum upon such petition for the purpose of initiating a re-call process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria pending the determination of the Motion on Notice to the same effect. READ MORE: Natasha: Some Women Accuse Men Of Sexual Harassment For Personal Interest Activist The court granted the application following an Ex-parte application for interim supported by an Affidavit of Extreme urgency together with other court processes sworn to by Anebe Jacob Ogirima for himself and four others who are registered voters and constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State. Counsel to the applicant, Smart Nwachimere, argued that the recall petitions contained fictitious signatures from purported constituents. Senator Natasha was suspended by Nigeria Senate few weeks ago over what its described as gross misconduct amid sexual harassment allegation leveled against Senate President Godswil Akpabio. Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested two suspected cultists and armed robbers at the popular Club Street in Awka area of the State. It was gathered that the two individuals were apprehended following some complaints about phone thefts by robbers in the area. In a statement by the Commands Spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga on Saturday, disclosed that in response to these complaints, Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu took swift action to curb the incidents. Advertisement He added that the suspected criminals were tracked and arrested in an uncompleted building at Onwurah Street, Awka. Ikenga said: Innocent road users along Club Road, Awka, popularly known as Abakaliki Street, are regularly robbed of their phones. READ MORE: Anambra Police Arrest Robbery Suspect, Recover Weapon As a result, police operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cult Unit, Enugwu Ukwu, visited the area in the early hours of 18th March 2025 and arrested Chibuike Ozoekwem, male, 22 and Favour Patrick, female, 19. The operatives recovered one pump-action gun, 16 expended cartridges, a battle axe, and two suspected stolen phones. Subsequently, a victim identified one of the recovered phones and stated that she had been robbed at gunpoint by four armed men along Club Road on 13th March 2025. The police operatives have expanded their investigation to apprehend other gang members. Further details will be communicated in due course. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 23. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyans claims in an interview with the Brazilian newspaper Folha that little attention has been paid to the needs of the Global South and developing countries in previous COP meetings are unfounded, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports. "It seems that the Armenian Foreign Minister is completely unaware of the climate negotiations that have taken place within the framework of the COP. It is known that significant decisions have been made for the Global South in the field of combating climate change at all COPs so far. In this regard, the opinion expressed by the Armenian Foreign Minister are disrespectful not only to the host of COP29, but also to all previous COPs. As for COP29, the Baku COP, which is considered a turning point in global climate diplomacy, is considered one of the most successful COPs, both in terms of the level of organization and the results achieved as a result of the negotiations. According to the Baku Climate Finance Goal decision, the annual target of $100 billion previously earmarked by developed countries from public sources to finance climate-related activities in developing countries, was increased threefold to $300 billion in Baku. According to that decision, the amount to be obtained from all sources (both state and non-state) for the same purposes was set at 1.3 trillion US dollars. The Baku COP was also remembered for the decision to launch the carbon markets mechanism (Paris Agreement Credit Facility), which has been negotiated for nearly 10 years and has not been able to achieve results at previous COPs. In this context, it will be possible for the countries of the Global South to benefit widely from climate finance. COP29 was also significant in terms of the launch of the Loss and Damage Fund that is attached particular importance by the Global South. These successes, achieved as a result of the special efforts of the COP29 presidency, are only part of the accomplishments of the Baku COP. Currently, the main priority for the global climate community is the implementation of the outcomes of the Baku COP and the preparation for the next COP to be held in Belem. We hope that the Belem COP will also be another breakthrough in climate negotiations, said Azerbaijani MFA. Borno State Police Command has arrested a couple over alleged assault of young girl identified as Hauwa Goni, who plucked mangoes from their compound in Pompomari area of the state. It was gathered that Mr. Muhammad Shetima and Mrs. Aisha Abubabakar were apprehended following a viral video showing the physical abuse of the 11 year old girl. This was contained in a statement by Spokesperson for Borno State Police Command Nahum Daso on Saturday. Advertisement Daso noted that the victim is currently receiving treatment at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, while the two suspects are currently undergoing investigation at the states Police command. He said: On March 19 2025, an 11-year-old girl, Hauwa Goni, a Primary 5 pupil of Bolori Primary School, Federal Low Cost, entered the residence of one Mr. Muhammad Shetima 33yrs, in Pompomari to pluck mangoes. READ MORE: Borno Police Arrest Suspected Drug Dealer In response, Mr. Shetima and his wife, Mrs. Aishatu Abubakar 23yrs, accosted the child and subjected her to severe flogging. During the assault, Mrs. Aishatu Abubakar recorded the incident and shared the video on social media. Concerned citizens and civil society organizations, including a petition filed by Potential Attorneys, swiftly raised the alarm, leading to the couples arrest. They were apprehended with the assistance of concerned citizens and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Borno State Command. The victim has since been taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for medical attention and she is responding to treatment. The suspects are currently at the Gender Unit, State Criminal Investigation Department Maiduguri as investigations are ongoing before prosecution The Command assures the public that the case will be thoroughly investigated, and the suspects will be prosecuted under relevant sections of the Child Protection Law and the Borno State Penal Code Law. Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Kano State Governor and Chairman of the League of Northern Democrats, has expressed doubts about the opposition coalitions ability to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. According to Shekarau, the coalition lacks a solid political structure to take on the APC. Shekarau believes that the coalition is merely a gathering of presidential aspirants rather than a structured merger capable of challenging the APC. He argues that the coalition lacks a stable foundation, which is necessary to take on a well-established party like the APC. In a statement issued on Friday, Shekarau disclosed: The first political merger in Nigeria happened in 2013 when four registered parties merged to form the APC. So, technically, the APC is not a new party Advertisement What happened at the National Assembly on March 20, 2025, regarding the State of Emergency in Rivers State has exposed the so-called coalition. it is clear they have no control over opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly, Drawing from history, Shekarau pointed to the failure of a similar coalition attempt in 2019, which brought together ten political parties against the APC but eventually collapsed due to a lack of inclusiveness. The 2019 coalition was formally launched almost a year before the elections at the YarAdua Center, yet none of the then-elected PDP leaders was in attendance. No amount of noise-making or informal alliances by individual politicians in the name of opposition will have any impact in elections unless the full leadership structure of opposition parties at all levels is involved, The simplistic claim that the APC is poaching and destabilizing opposition parties is, to me, naive. Why are the so-called big names in the opposition unable to resist defection,why dont they unite to properly fund and build their parties while mobilizing grassroots support? Former president Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State, saying that the development will create negative image in Nigeria. Jonathan noted that the recent suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Nma and the entire members of the states House of Assembly by President Bola Tinubu is not good enough in a nation that practice democracy. The former president led this out on Saturday at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja. Advertisement He said: These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light. He said it was not the norm for former presidents to comment on issues, so as not to heat up the polity. READ MORE: Uzodimma Backs Tinubus Emergency Rule In Rivers, Says Security Threats By Militants Need Urgent Action However, Jonathan said that his comment became necessary after calls from many Nigerians, urging him to speak on the events in Rivers State. He added that the image of the country and how much investments a country attracts is dependent on the actions of the executive, legislature and judiciary of that country. Recall that President Tinubu on Tuesday, announced the declaration of State of Emergency, a development which has generated controversies across the country. Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast said that his decision is necessary, following many insecurity threats by militants, vowing to destroy oil pipelines in Rivers State. Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has expressed disappointment over poor drainage project awarded to a construction company, identified as Retercha Company Limited in Kargo, Dutse Local Government. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the controversial project was awarded to the private contractor with a sum of N10.8 billion to control erosion crisis in the area. Governor Umar, during a visit on Saturday, faulted the contractor for using substandard materials, warning that his administration would not tolerate poor workmanship. Advertisement The project, which is said to have been supported by the World Bank, aimed to combat erosion in affected communities, including Danmasara, Yalwawa, and Kargo, under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) initiative. Governor Umar ordered the contractor to correct the work immediately, adding that the company must ensure that the projects intended goals are met. The Governor said: We expect nothing but the best quality work that can stand the test of time. My administration would not tolerate substandard work, especially on projects aimed at improving the lives of citizens. He urged the contractor to take immediate action to rectify the issues and ensure the projects success. Kebbi State Government has called on residents to remain calm over the rising case of Meningitis disease in the state. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the development is coming, following a recent death of six students of Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, due to the deadly disease. Reacting to the outbreak in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris on Saturday, Kebbi Governor, Nasir Idris said that his administration is ready to ensure safety of other students and staffs of the school. Advertisement The statement noted that Kebbi government had alerted state commissioner of health to act on the matter. Ahmed said: The governor has given directive to the ministry of health to tackle the issue of meningitis in the school. It is under control, there is no cause for alarm. Also speaking over the crisis, Spokesman for Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Mustapha Angola, said that the Vice-Chancellor, Mr B. G. Danshehu, was deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident. He said: Upon detecting the initial signs of the outbreak, KSUSTA took immediate and decisive action to mitigate the spread of the disease. A specialised committee led by the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Balarabe Isah, was formed to conduct a thorough investigation. READ MORE: Kebbi Battles Meningitis Outbreak, Records 26 Deaths We promptly reported the outbreak to the Kebbi State Ministry of Health, and the Ministry for Higher Education. A stakeholders meeting was convened, bringing together key health sector experts, including representatives from the World Health Organisation United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund, Medecins Sans Frontieres and other medical professionals. The school management, in conjunction with the state government, has risen to the occasion and we are curtailing it successfully. No fewer than eight students of Ifo High School have been arrested by operatives of Ogun State Police Command for allegedly engaging in cult related activities. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the suspects, identified as; Bennett Bolawatife, Aluko Taiwo, Kehinde Aluko while Omolaso Waris, Akinola Ifeoluwa, Azeez Hassan, Kilani Babatunde aka Soldier and Fasedemi Samuel. This was contained in a statement by Spokesperson for Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola on Saturday. Advertisement Odutola noted that the arrest was made on Friday, following a recent alarm raised by the school management over an emerging gang of students cultist. She noted that the arrested individuals were accused by their colleagues of extortion and harassment. READ MORE: Ogun Police Arrest Farmworker For Alleged Murder Of Colleague The statement reads: On the 21st of March 2025, at about 1205hrs, the Vice Principal of Ifo High School, Mr. Alako Oluwole, alongside a teacher, Mr Akinseku Oloruntoba Julius reported that a group of students had been involved in cult-related activities, perpetuating disturbances and extorting valuables from fellow students. The arrested students have been identified as follows:Omolaso Waris (16 years)Bennett Bolawatife (15 years), Aluko Taiwo (15 years), Akinola Ifeoluwa (16 years), Azeez Hassan (16 years), Kilani Babatunde (aka Soldier) (16 years), Kehinde Aluko (15 years) and Fasedemi Samuel (16 years). The Police have commenced a thorough investigation to determine the extent of cult activities in the school and prevent further occurrences. The students will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department upon the conclusion of preliminary investigation. Former President Goodluck Jonathan has declined to comment on the recent state of emergency declaration in Rivers State. This comes after President Bola Tinubus nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, where he declared a state of emergency, citing the escalating political crisis in the state. The declaration led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all state House of Assembly members for six months. Jonathans decision not to comment on the matter suggests he may be avoiding getting entangled in the controversy surrounding the declaration. Advertisement The situation in Rivers State has been a subject of concern for many Nigerians, with some calling for urgent action to address the political crisis. However, Jonathans decision to remain silent on the issue may be seen as a strategic move to avoid exacerbating the situation. Speaking at a colloquium organised by Haske Satumari Foundation in Abuja on Saturday: As a leader from the Niger Delta, people have been reaching out to me for my comment on the political situation in Rivers State, he said. The former president, however, said that it was not the norm for former presidents to comment on policies and actions of their successors, to avoid heating up the polity. Jonathan, who refused to make any specific comment on the development, however, went proverbial. The situation in Rivers State is like an Indian proverb which says that if somebody is really sleeping, you can easily wake him up, but if the person is pretending to sleep, it will be difficult to wake such a person up, he said. He also advised them against compromising their offices and positions. Whatever happens in a country, the decisions taken by the executive arm of government, the parliament and the judiciary affect everybody. Whatever we do affects everybody, and if we must build a nation for our children and grandchildren, no matter how painful it is, we must try to do what is right, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has condemned the recent suspension of elected officers in Rivers State, saying that the action was against the spirit of federalism. Soyinka, during an interview with Africa Report on Saturday maintained that the 1999 constitution gives too much power to president. Recall that President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, announced the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Nma and the states House of Assembly for six months. Advertisement Tinubu in a nationwide broadcast noted that the decision was necessary, due to an ongoing political tension in the oil rich state. INFORMATION NIGERIA had reported that some individuals, said to be militants, threatened to destroy oil facilities if Speaker Martin Amaewhule-Led lawmakers impeach Governor Fubara. Few days later, two oil pipelines were destroyed, a development which prompted President Tinubu to declare State of Emergency in the state. Tinubu, Antoney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, blamed Fubara for keeping silent over the militants threats. Meanwhile, Soyinka in his reaction to the development, emphasized on the need to amend 1999 constitution, saying that it has given too much power for Nigeria president. READ MORE: Emergency Rule: Suspending Elected Officials In Rivers Capable Of Denting Nigerias Image Jonathan He said: If it is constitutionally right, then I think it is about time we sat down and amended the constitution to make sure that it operates as a genuine federal entity. The government is over-centralised. The debate will go on whether this (state of emergency) was, in the first place, a wise decision but in terms of fundamental principles, I believe that this is against the federal spirit of association. I find that the constitution has put too much power in the hands of the president. The system we are operating right now is not the best for a pluralistic society like ours. That is a fundamental principle I have always held. Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has mourned the death of six local security agents popularly known as Askarawa and four local vigilantes, who were killed by bandits in Anka Local Government Area of the state. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the operatives on Saturday, were returning from a successful joint operation led by the Nigerian Army, which resulted in the killing of several terrorists before they were ambushed. Meanwhile, Governor Lawal in a statement on Sunday, disclosed that three persons are still missing, including two members of the community Protection Guards and one local vigilante. Advertisement He said: I got information that gunmen ambushed some Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (CPG) in Anka Local Government. The incident occurred yesterday when security forces and the State Community Protection Guards (CPG) led by the Nigerian Army attacked the hideouts of the bandits and successful neutralized several bandits and recovered their weapons. READ MORE: Fire Destroys Properties Worth Millions Of Naira In Zamfara Market The information made available to me that on their way back that when the bandits ambushed them at Bagega and open fire on them killing six Zamfara Community Protection Guards (CPG) and four Yansakai which their burial was conducted Sundays morning. There are three people that are missing among them, which two are CPG members while one Yansakai. When I learned of the incident, I gave a directive that immediate medical assistance should be offered to the injured persons while the families of those who loss their lives be provided immediate relief materials. I prayed that accept the souls of those who paid the Supreme sacrifice in order to protect their communities. May God comfort their families. I prayed God to end the security challenge in Zamfara State, North and Nigeria as a whole. Rats are sighted less frequently in Philadelphia than in other Northeastern cities. Philadelphia logged fewer rat complaints per capita in 2024 than Baltimore, Boston, Washington, and New York. Read more When Ilya Schwartzburg and his wife moved to Philadelphia from New York City, they were looking forward to lower housing costs, closer proximity to friends, and a shift from renting to homeownership. But they expected that one of the more unpleasant aspects of urban life would remain constant. Advertisement I thought I would have to deal with rats as a homeowner, and I was steeling myself for that reality, Schwartzburg said. I always learned to be leery of basements in the city. Since moving into Bella Vista 3 years ago, the couple have been pleasantly surprised by the rarity of rat sightings and there havent been any in their basement. In New York I commuted to Midtown, and I would see them every day if not twice a day, Schwartzburg said. Sometimes waiting for the subway I would just zone out watching the rats. But Ive never seen a rat run across my way on the sidewalk in Philadelphia. What is going on? Schwartzburg isnt the only one surprised by Philadelphias seemingly low rat population. Despite well-known problems with litter and illegal dumping and historic lack of widespread street sweeping many experts and most of the dozen residents interviewed for this story agreed that the city does not seem to struggle with the vermin to the same extent as its urban counterparts on the I-95 corridor. Philadelphia logged fewer rat complaints per capita in 2024 than Baltimore; Boston; Washington, D.C.; and New York, according to data from the cities or from the annual RentHop rat report. Politicians here dont make rat control a policy focus, as New York Mayor Eric Adams did, and rats arent a part of local discourse in the way they are in Washington, D.C., or Baltimore. Micah Goldsberry, a Philly-area exterminator with nearly two decades experience, said he is still amazed by the relative rarity of rats. When people ask me what we deal with as far as rodents and when I tell them house mice are the winner, theyre shocked, said Goldsberry, an operations manager for Ehrlich Pest Control, a Rentokil Terminix company, who works in Philadelphia, Bucks, and Montgomery Counties. If we get 10 calls a day, one of them might be for rats. Philadelphias rat control program was nationally renowned in the 1970s and 1980s and is still held in high regard today despite decades of budget cuts. Other theories for Filthadelphias relative lack of the pests include fewer alleyways where trash accumulates, the prevalence of feral cat populations, and more containerized garbage than loose bags left on the sidewalk in some neighborhoods. But no one, including the citys Health Department, really knows why rats are less prevalent or at least less visible and problematic in the Philly region than in other major metropolitan areas. Thats something weve tried to ponder for many, many years, said Goldsberry, the exterminator. There is really no rhyme or reason. From rat bounties to poison pellets: Phillys war on rats Philadelphia has many of the conditions that usually breed a vibrant rat population, as is easily visible in South Philadelphias Capitolo Playground. Located on Ninth Street next to Genos and Pats Steaks and a row of other restaurants, the park is a culinary destination for humans and rats alike. On a recent March day, someone left a pile of bacon and another of cooked pasta on the parks sidewalk overnight. More people, more trash, more food, said Lawrence Credle, abatement crew chief with the citys vector control unit. Those are the things that would perpetuate the situation. Credle and his team visited Capitolo Playground because they got a call reporting holes in the parks soil that indicate rat warrens below. The men carefully poured edible rat poison pellets into the holes and then sealed them up again. If the rodents consume the toxic treat, theyre doomed. (Rats, Credle noted, cannot vomit.) But if people keep dumping food in the park at night, vector controls efforts may be in vain. Rigatoni tastes better than rodenticide. Credle attributes Philadelphias relative lack of rats to the efforts of his team, who are nonetheless kept busy by calls that send them to parks, dumpsters, and alleys across the city. Because this department is working really hard, said Credle, when asked why Philadelphia doesnt appear as rat-infested as its urban neighbors. We do good with our complaints, our problem sites. We try to stay on top of everything. Philadelphia government used to rely on citizen support to control rats. In the early 20th century, the city largely outsourced its efforts by offering a bounty of 2 cents for every dead vermin brought to a receiving center on Race Street. Following a profusion of federal funds for rat control during Lyndon Johnsons Great Society, the work became professionalized, and Philadelphias efforts were nationally recognized. In a 1987 Inquirer article, the head of vector control claimed the citys population had been reduced for good by the crusade of the 1970s. Reported rat sightings and bites plummeted between 1967 and 1987, even as federal funds were cut under President Ronald Reagan. Since then, data and rat control workers have grown scarcer: Rat bite complaints are no longer measured, and the citys vector control unit is down to 17 employees from 75. But still, the vermin dont scuttle into view as often. We dont have as much staff as we used to, said Credle, who has been with the department for 15 years. We love what we do. Were helping the community out. We have a passion [for the work] in our department, so I think that definitely adds to why the [rat] population is not there. The precise number of rats in Philadelphia is impossible to measure, as most data is based on complaints received by vector control or by private exterminators. Some academic experts have pointed to inconsistencies in the citys data collection as a possible reason the problem doesnt look as bad. From what data is available, Philadelphia measures up well. Last year, Philly recorded less than 4,000 complaints, about 25 complaints per 10,000 residents. Thats less than New Yorks 28 complaints per 10,000 residents, Baltimores 82, and D.C.s 200. Warmer world, more rats Vector control says theres no pattern to the rat control calls they receive. The vermin dont discriminate, and the team has been deployed all over the city. There are common themes though. Vacant lots attract illegal dumping and provide ample space for rats to burrow and nest undisturbed. Areas where street cleaning and trash collection are inconsistent have more issues. New construction can disrupt nests, flushing the vermin into view. Areas like Capitolo Playground, ringed by restaurants, attract diners who may leave behind leftovers. Small urban parks in general are popular attractions for rats. Burrows dug below bushes provide robust shelter, and litter offers a steady supply of food. Thats why Center City sees plenty of rats, even in tony areas like Rittenhouse. I remember walking with a friend of mine, and we just saw a swarm of them running across the path from one shrub to another, says Alex Beaton Oum, who used to live in Rittenhouse. At night, when I had to walk home, I would always go around the perimeter of Rittenhouse Square to avoid the rats. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 spawned ideal conditions for rat population growth. People spent more time at home and generated more garbage and food waste, while sanitation services struggled to keep up. You definitely got an influx of rats during COVID, Credle said. More people eating at home, more kids at home. In the summertime, its the same thing. Another global challenge may be making rat populations grow. A recent study linked a surge in urban rat populations to climate change. Recent years have borne that out in our region. In Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and parts of Maryland, Viking Pest Control saw a 287% increase in rodent activity from 2023 to 2024, said service director Craig Sansig. The last couple years weve had relatively mild winters, and that is one of the things that helped to drive the rodent population, he said. Sansig and his colleagues are predicting that the trend might reverse soon thanks to colder temperatures this winter when Philly saw its chilliest season in a decade. But that respite will be only temporary in a warming world. As a result, experts say that more proactive measures may be needed in future. Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers campaign to increase sanitation services could help, with twice weekly trash pickup spreading, a promised increase in street sweeping, and a crackdown on illegal dumpers. More resources for vector control could be required as well. The teams sterling reputation and the citys historic success at repressing rats could be put to the test if warming weather boosts populations. The cities really committed to dealing with the increasing rat numbers are going to be cities that are investing more money and more personnel resources, said Jonathan Richardson, of the University of Richmond in Virginia, who led the study on climate changes influence on rat reproduction. The hardworking teams of rodent control are a very, very small component of city health departments, Richardson said. I compare it to Sisyphus. Theyre pushing a boulder uphill, and climate warming is working against them. For now, given how relatively rare rat sightings seem to be, Philadelphias vector control is unlikely to grow. Out of sight, out of mind. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 23. Pope Francis expressed satisfaction with the fact that Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed on the draft text of the peace treaty, Trend reports. "I am pleased that Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on the final text of the peace agreement. I hope that it may be signed as soon as possible, and may thus contribute to establishing lasting peace in the South Caucasus," the statement of the Holy See reads. On March 13, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry announced the completion of negotiations on the text of the draft agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. When his school board raised the prospect of banning cell phones, Superintendent Dan Taormina sunk in his seat. I did not want to take on kids and parents and their phones, said Taormina, who leads the Montoursville Area School District in Lycoming County. The district had previously tried banning phones both by asking students to put them away, and hanging pouches with slots on classroom doors where kids could deposit them with limited success. Advertisement But this year, Pennsylvania offered schools money to buy pouches that lock phones away for the whole school day. Montoursville applied for a grant, and in January, started requiring students in grades 5-12 to lock their phones in pouches. It worked. Day one, we noticed changes from better student participation in class, to teachers not having to repeat instructions, Taormina said. They have their intended effect. As parents voice growing concern about kids attachment to cell phones and teachers express frustration about classroom distractions states have increasingly been moving to restrict phones in schools. In New York, for example, Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing to reduce phone use statewide. Pennsylvania has responded not by banning phones, but offering schools grant money to do so under a new pilot program. Yet Montoursville is an outlier. Of 779 public school entities that applied for $100 million in available funding through the School Safety and Mental Health grant program this year including 500 school districts, 176 charter schools, 29 intermediate units, and 74 career and technical schools only 18 requested to use the money for phone pouches, according to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. A PCCD spokesperson, Alison Gantz, said the agency could not list the schools that sought funding for the pouches, because it does not disclose information about school safety grants out of an abundance of caution. But she provided names of several schools that had said they were willing to publicly comment. Among them was a charter school in Philadelphia, where an administrator then declined to talk to a reporter, saying the pouches were somewhat controversial. READ MORE: Parents in Philly-area districts want to ban cell phones in schools. But administrators are hesitant. Many school leaders have been reluctant to fully ban phones, saying its unrealistic to expect them to enforce the use of lockable bags particularly in big schools, where monitoring student compliance could take extra time and staff. Others note parents desire to be able to reach their children, and more broadly, the idea that kids need to learn to manage technology, not avoid it. Some officials and students also note that students have been able to circumvent locked pouches by breaking them open or by putting an old phone in and continuing to use their current phone during the day. In the Ridley School District in Delaware County, school administrators are trying to curb cell phone use by asking students to place phones in hanging shoe-holders on classroom doors or leave them in their lockers. Being able to pouch every phone as it comes in the door it is not as easy as it might seem, said Ridleys superintendent, Lee Ann Wentzel. She noted that the districts high school has 1,900 students and its middle school, 1,300. Even with money offered by the state to buy the pouches, Wentzel said implementation was really not cost-effective. Wentzel said high school students are allowed to use their phones at lunch if they want, and that discipline referrals are down since the district adopted the no-phones-during-class rule this year. Shes satisfied with the results, and added that she doesnt know of any schools that have opted for the state money for pouches. State Sen. David Argall, a Republican who cosponsored the bill that created the pouch pilot program, said the program was intended as a middle ground, rather than a full ban on phones in schools. Lawmakers may try to pass a ban in the future, Argall said, but it will depend on the results of the school districts that are now moving ahead with the pilot program. In Montoursville, the district received a $42,000 grant that covered the purchase cost, plus stations to unlock the pouches and training from Yondr, the manufacturer. Taormina said if he had to make the choice again to buy pouches, he would. It hasnt been difficult to implement, he said; students in grades 5 through 12 are expected to put their phones in pouches when they walk into school, and are responsible for maintaining the pouches throughout the day. Is it 100% foolproof? Im sure not, Taormina said, noting there have been occasions where weve opened a pouch and found a calculator and not a phone. But its very noticeable now if a student has a phone, in violation of the policy: Theres no hiding. Students unlock their pouches at stations near school exits at the end of the day; theres also a station outside the building, in case someone forgets to unlock their pouch inside. While there have been some upset parents, for the most part, the new policy was well received, Taormina said. He acknowledged that his districts schools are smaller than many others, with about 620 kids at the high school, and 580 at the middle school. But with careful planning, he thinks bigger districts could implement the same program. After reading research and implementing this, theres no way wed go back, Taormina said. We have a responsibility to provide an environment without these distractions. Jennifer Baus outside the Hip Hop Shop, her dance studio in Swedesboro, N.J., on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Baus alleges nepotism and unfair practices by local officials. Read more In Swedesboro, two identical billboards greet motorists rolling into the small town of around 2,700 residents. Swedesboro Mayor & Council vote against local minority business woman, they read, along with the website JennsTRUTH.com and a QR code. Jenn is Jennifer Baus (pronounced Boss), a Black local business owner whose proposal to open a recreational cannabis dispensary in the town was denied. She paid $850 for the signs last month after suing Swedesboro officials as well as a rival dispensary group to which the town ultimately granted a license in September. Advertisement Her case will be heard in a nonjury trial without witnesses in New Jersey Superior Court on Tuesday in Woodbury. Baus also filed a complaint in federal court in Camden, which is pending. Baus effort to start a business has devolved into a struggle with Swedesboro officials, replete with charges of racism, nepotism, corruption, and ineptitude, underscored by a multigenerational family feud stoking resentments. Ive been shocked and crying, Baus said in an interview. Its been awful. Swedesboro swims against the tide regarding weed. Just around 37% of New Jerseys 564 municipalities have opted to allow cannabis businesses, said Todd Johnson, executive director of the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association. Currently, there are 215 cannabis dispensaries statewide, most of them recreational, according to the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Only five of them are purely medical marijuana distributors, said Ken Wolski, executive director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey. The majority of towns balk at weed sales for various reasons: Officials dont yet know how to control the business; they fear crime; theyre uneasy about communities becoming gathering spots for weed smokers. Why accept recreational cannabis dispensaries? Thats easy, Johnson said. The states cannabis business is worth a billion dollars. Swedesboro officials decided against weed in 2021 when New Jersey legalized recreational cannabis. But in 2023, Baus suggested a dispensary, an idea the boroughs leaders were receptive to until they werent. As a Black woman, I was sabotaged, said Baus, 44, a finance manager at Spirit Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, a Swedesboro auto dealership owned by her in-laws, where her husband, Michael, is the general manager. Baus also owns the Hip Hop Shop, a local dance studio. In court filings, attorney David Avedissian of Haddonfield, who represents Jersey Joint Dispensary Swedesboro (JJDS) the Las Vegas-based company that was ultimately awarded a cannabis sales license in town said Baus was alleging racism with no supporting facts, adding that she blames anyone and everyone for ... [her] own shortcomings. Neither Avedissian nor Baus attorney Micci Weiss from Holmdel nor Westmont attorney Michael Miles, who represents the borough, would discuss the case. Similarly, JJDS executives and individual Swedesboro officials didnt respond to requests from The Inquirer for comment. My own baby For Baus, operating a dispensary was a dream. Ive worked in the car business all my life, Baus said. This dispensary was going to be something that I built, my own baby. The place she planned was projected to take in $4 million to $6 million a year. Towns like Swedesboro would be eligible for as much as 2% of that in taxes, according to calculations by Alloy Silverstein, a Cherry Hill accounting firm. Unfamiliar with the cannabis business, Baus asked her friend Kris Wilson for help. Wilson owns Woolwich Wellness Company, a seed-to-sale cannabis operation. I had no money in Jenns business, Wilson said in an interview. Im a friend who loves the family. Spirit Dodge is a community cornerstone, sponsoring Little League, providing cars for parades. In October 2023, Wilson reached out to the township to discuss licensing a dispensary called Greenhouse. In court papers supporting Baus, Weiss wrote that Wilson is white, and that Swedesboro officials didnt know that a Black woman with whom they would ultimately engage in discriminatory conduct was Greenhouses founder. Wilson interacted with town officials in person and via email over a five-month period. When Swedesboro Mayor Thomas Fromm learned Baus was involved, he made a face and said, Oh, the Bauses, Wilson said in an interview. Aside from my being Black, theres bad blood between the mayor and my husbands family, Baus said. Petty, small-town stuff. Michael Baus said that around 15 years ago, his father, a Republican, ran against Fromm, a Democrat whos been mayor for 22 years. The elder Baus lost by 17 votes and the election sticks in Fromms craw, Michael said. Nevertheless, Swedesboro seemed open to her idea to fortify its tax base, Jennifer Baus said. Everything you need On May 21 of last year, court records show, Wilson emailed Jena Dolbow, the borough clerk/registrar, asking, How quickly could we submit our application for a cannabis retailer and get in front of the planning board/township committee? Is there an application ... we need to complete? Dolbow referred Wilson to planning board secretary Heather Samples, writing, She will explain to you everything that is needed. Samples sent Wilson a form. Is this everything we need to submit a cannabis retail application? Wilson asked her. Yes, everything is outlined in the application, Samples responded. The form would take Baus four months to complete. It required her to consult experts like engineers and architects, she said, costing her $50,000 to hire them. She and Wilson thought it all seemed excessive. Baus shared their misgivings with a Swedesboro council member, who told Baus to keep going and that she would get through it, court records show. Then, everything fell apart. On Aug. 19, Swedesboro issued a resolution supporting JJDS for a dispensary, records show. Baus said she was shocked, wondering how out-of-towners could fill out the form so quickly and leapfrog over her. Turns out, Wilson said, we were given the wrong form the complicated site plan form, not the cannabis retail form I asked for, which took 48 hours to complete and cost $10,000 to be processed, not $50,000. Weiss asserted in court filings that this was a calculated concealment, not an oversight or a mistake. Wilson said, I one hundred percent believe they purposely gave us the wrong application. Im so hurt for Jenn and cant do anything but sit back and watch. Avedissian tells a different tale in his court filings. Baus story that ... [she] was misled by the borough is a pretext to try to cover for ... [her] own error, he wrote. He hammered Baus and Wilson for relying blindly on the borough clerks advice to contact ... [Samples] for cannabis application information. The argument that Baus failure to apply for a license is the clerks fault is either untruthful, incompetent, or both. Writing in a court file for Swedesboro officials, Miles said that when Dolbow had read Wilsons email asking about two facets of applying for a dispensary how to get a cannabis retailer form, and how to go before the planning board Dolbow had only noticed his reference to the planning board. Thats why she told Wilson to consult Samples. And thats a big mistake, Baus said. Their job is to give us the right application. Avedissian also said that JJDS, led by Dustin Alvino, a Las Vegas commercial real estate broker and entrepreneur, represented a more robust financial position than Baus, and had experience running dispensaries. Borough officials also awarded JJDS higher scores in a vetting process, which Baus dismissed as biased. Avedissian concluded that Baus had ample opportunity during the process to submit a complete dispensary application but failed to do so. Baus said that shes tried contacting Fromm about the flawed process, but that hes unresponsive. I begged him to help me, she said. Why didnt someone ask me why my application was taking so long? Why did JJDS get the right application, and I didnt? Fromm didnt respond to interview requests. Bombshell Baus claims she got her answer in what she said was another bombshell: Delaware resident Tracy Valichka, described in court papers as a co-owner of JJDS, is the sister-in-law of the boroughs zoning officer Jennifer Valichka, according to plaintiff filings. It was never disclosed to plaintiffs until much later in the process, after Swedesboro had already decided that JJDS would get the dispensary license, Weiss wrote. The boroughs blatant favoritism, procedural misconduct, and undisclosed conflicts of interest ... tainted the licensing process, he charged. Jennifer Valichka didnt respond to a request for comment. Valichka never voted on any dispensary application, records show. Baus said shed long wondered how a Nevada company got wind of a Swedesboro dispensary when so few people knew it was being contemplated. Maybe someone on the inside told them, she said. It feels like they never wanted a Black woman to run such a high-profile business. As recompense, Weiss requests that the judge in the case intervene to invalidate the Boroughs improper actions, and direct Swedesboro to support Greenhouse for a dispensary. Baus is also asking to be reimbursed for application and attorneys fees amounting to more than $100,000. Avedissian said those demands are draconian and unsupported by any legal authority. He added that Baus never proved that she suffered racial discrimination, and that an innocent party (JJDS) shouldnt be punished for following rules Greenhouse didnt. Buzzing Since Baus erected her signs last month, people in town whod been unaware of the dispensary controversy have been buzzing. Some accused Baus of race-baiting to make her points. Others said theyd prefer a local resident like Baus to run a dispensary. Many said they dont want Swedesboro in the weed business at all. I went to a lot of borough meetings about the dispensary, said Wende Campanile, 58, who has owned two fitness businesses in town. People are quite upset about how this went down. Swedesboro did some manipulative, backdoor stuff. In the end, it looks like they went with nepotism, and with believing theyd make more money with a big corporation running things. What happens next is up to a judge, Baus said. Its trial on Zoom, she said. I dont think I could watch. Im so scared. As far as farewells to department stores go, the daylong musical tribute to Center City Macys truly was in another category, drawing by at least one estimate more than 10,000 people to hear the historic Wanamaker Grand Court Organ for the last time in who knows when. Applause was plentiful, as were tears. Advertisement Then came what left some attendees unsettled, if not slightly alarmed. After the last piece by organist Peter Richard Conte was played Saturday night and the applause died down just before 7 p.m., crowds made their way to the stores exits. But the first groups to reach the Market and Chestnut Streets doors discovered they were locked. Only then did a woman announce on the stores public address system that the Market and Chestnut exits were closed, and that visitors would have to leave via the Juniper Street doors. It was a hairy scene trying to leave, said one concertgoer who asked not to be identified. Noting the iconic 435,000-square-foot portion of the Wanamaker Building that contains the Macys store, which was closing for good Sunday, was in disarray with fixtures, furniture, rugs, sales racks, mannequins, and display cases scattered around, the concert attendee, who was with her husband who uses a cane, added: We had to shuffle along to get out. I remember feeling a little bit anxious. There were trip hazards. John Wallace, 33, who drove in from Trappe, Montgomery County, said the event was a real gift to the people of Philadelphia, but that leaving was a circus. I work in architecture, so I was a bit shocked at the way clearing the building was handled, he said. They had locked the north and south entrances, and had everyone exiting from the west entrance. This was announced by someone on the PA system who spoke with a very strong accent and I couldnt discern more than 30% of what they were saying. He said he decided to loiter inside on the Grand Court until the crowd dispersed. Another concert-goer, Sadie, 73, who did not want to give her last name for privacy reasons, said she, too, was surprised to see the doors on the stores Market and Chestnut Streets sides closed at the conclusion of Saturdays concert. I didnt expect it, Sadie said, but described exiting with hundreds through the Juniper Street doors as smooth sailing. Fire Department spokesperson Rachel Cunningham said Sunday she could not say if the shuttering of the stores primary entrances and exits while so many people were still inside had constituted a fire violation. The departments Fire Code Unit does want to look into any possible noncompliance, Cunningham said. What I can say is that if you do have a place where there are exits labeled, they should remain open while people are there because it could create a dangerous situation, Cunningham said. If they had these places marked as exits and then they were locked once people were in there, that could be a fire code violation. In response to a request for comment, a Macys spokesperson who did not identify themselves said in an email Sunday: At Macys, the safety of our customers and colleagues is always our top priority. The store was in compliance with regulation. If a violation is found to have occurred, it will be up to the citys Department of Licenses and Inspection to issue penalties and enforce any fine, Cunningham said. A spokesperson for L&I could not be reached Sunday. Cunningham used the opportunity to issue a safety reminder. We want to make sure that people know that if they are having an event, leave your exits open, because it would really ruin the event if people couldnt get out if there were an emergency, she said. Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal stands outside the Union League of Philadelphia in 2023. While past sheriffs have embarrassed themselves and the city, they also managed to perform the basic duties of the office, writes the Editorial Board. Read more The chorus of voices calling for the end of two of Philadelphias so-called row offices is growing, with the citys financial watchdog, the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA), the latest to reiterate the need to do away with these vestiges of colonial-era municipal governance. While the Register of Wills office continues to struggle with allegations of politically motivated firings and patronage hires, it is the ongoing incompetence at the Philadelphia Sheriffs Office that demands the most urgent attention. Advertisement Political leaders in Harrisburg and City Hall should pick up the baton and take action. On Tuesday, PICA voted unanimously to recommend eliminating both the sheriffs office and the Register of Wills as elected positions, with their functions absorbed into other city departments. The authoritys advice comes on the heels of Inquirer reporting that has produced a laundry list of failures under Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, and a renewed effort by the Committee of Seventy, a 120-year-old civic nonprofit organization, to make the case for abolishing the sheriffs office. The Inquirer Editorial Board has long supported eliminating these row offices, and there is no better time to act than now starting with the sheriffs office. READ MORE: History makes it clear: Abolish the sheriffs office | Editorial While past sheriffs have embarrassed themselves and the city by engaging in stealing public money, sexually harassing staff, and other forms of misconduct, they also managed to perform the basic duties of the office. Courtrooms were protected, auctions of tax-delinquent property occurred, deeds were processed, and prisoners were transported. Under Bilal, the office has struggled to function even as the questionable use of public funds has continued. The sheriffs office failed to collect weapons from people subject to protection-from-abuse orders nearly 90% of the time, putting domestic violence victims at risk. Under Bilals watch, domestic violence homicides shot up by 240%. Even when deputies manage to seize weapons, they often cant account for them. According to a 2023 city controller report, nearly 200 guns under sheriffs control were missing. That one of Bilals deputies was caught trafficking firearms, including the guns previously used in the Roxborough High School shooting, compounds the concern over any missing weapons. Even basic paperwork seems to be beyond the offices capabilities. Sheriffs auctions have ground to a halt. Deed recording, a process that should take weeks, is still outstanding months later. But it is the threat to the citys judges, courtroom staff, and everyday Philadelphians interacting with the courts that warrant the greatest concern. Chronic staffing shortages have left the sheriff unable to adequately protect city courtrooms, leading to a rise in assaults and other dangerous incidents, first reported in September by The Inquirers William Bender and Ryan W. Briggs. READ MORE: Urgent steps are needed after the latest example of incompetence in the sheriffs office | Editorial The Administrative Governing Board of the First Judicial District, a panel of judges that oversees Philadelphia court operations, wrote a letter demanding change, with Bilal threatened with contempt if she failed to comply within 90 days. The sheriff addressed the problem by withdrawing security from the citys probation offices. The judges then issued a second letter, giving her 30 days to recruit new deputies. Bilal, as is her pattern of avoiding accountability, turned around and blamed the judges a particularly galling move after her office spent funds meant to address staffing issues on pay raises for top executives. The courts have many options, according to legal observers contacted by The Inquirer. They could remove Bilal from office, hold hearings, or put the sheriffs office itself into receivership. These steps, while they may be necessary to secure short-term goals, do not adequately address the core issue, which is that Philadelphia no longer needs an independently elected sheriff. Thats why it is time for lawmakers to join in the effort. The office can be abolished by voters via referendum, but only if City Council is willing to ask them. So far, criticism of Bilal has been uncommon in that body, and no member has been willing to stand up for the public interest by supporting abolition. In Harrisburg, however, Northeast Philadelphia State Rep. Jared Solomon has emerged as a champion of reform. Last year, Solomon urged the courts to act and suggested impeachment. Solomon should work with his colleagues to step into the leadership void created by City Councils inertia and push to eliminate the office altogether. Bilal may not be the first sheriff who has poorly served the public trust, but for a better Philadelphia, she should be the last. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, in Beijing on Saturday, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on topics including the German carmaker's cooperation with China and the European Union (EU)'s anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). Wang pointed out that the unilateral and protectionist actions of certain countries have brought significant uncertainty to the global economy. He emphasized that China hopes to work with the European side to become a pillar of the multilateral trading system, injecting certainty and stability into the world. The Chinese market remains committed to opening-up, and China's policies are consistent, Wang said, noting that the Chinese government will advance high-level opening-up and optimize the business environment. Wang said that properly resolving the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs is of significant importance, as it will send a clear and positive signal to the world. China is committed to resolving differences through dialogue, he said, expressing hope that the German carmaker would continue to play an active role in promoting the European side to demonstrate political will and work with China to find mutually acceptable solutions at an early date. Zipse emphasized that Europe's green transformation cannot be achieved without cooperation with China. The company remains optimistic about China's economic prospects and is confident in its development in the market, he said. The company is committed to expanding its investment in China and accelerating the localization of production as well as research and development, Zipse added. He also noted that there are only losers and no winners in a tariff war. The company firmly opposes the EU imposing additional tariffs on Chinese EVs and hopes that both the EU and China can properly resolve their differences, he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 23. Azerbaijan exported non-oil products worth $150.8 million to Russia from January through February 2025. The data obtained by Trend from the country's State Customs Committee shows that this figure decreased by $3.6 million, or 2.3 percent compared to the same period in 2024. Export operations with Russia for this period accounted for 31.09 percent of Azerbaijan's total exports. Consequently, Russia has become Azerbaijan's largest trading partner. Besides, the volume of trade operations between Azerbaijan and Russia amounted to $997.9 million from January through February 2025, which is $406.7 million or 68.8 percent more compared to the same period in 2024. The trade turnover with Russia amounted to 11.21 percent of Azerbaijan's total trade during the reporting period. Russia ranked third among the countries with which Azerbaijan conducted most of its trade operations. Azerbaijan exported $150.9 million worth of goods to Russia from January through February of this year, which is $4.3 million or 2.7 percent less than in the same period of 2024. During the reporting period, export operations with Russia accounted for 3.17 percent of Azerbaijan's total exports. Additionally, in the first two months of 2025, import operations from Russia to Azerbaijan amounted to $847.1 million, marking an increase of $410.9 million or 94.2 percent year-on-year. The volume of foreign trade turnover of Azerbaijan for the reporting period amounted to $8.9 billion. This figure is $1.7 billion, or 23.2 percent more than in the same period last year. Of the trade turnover, exports accounted for $4.8 billion and imports for $4.1 billion, which is $13 million (0.3 percent) less and $1.7 billion (69.2 percent) more than a year ago. The foreign trade surplus amounted to $628 million, which is $1.7 billion, or 3.7 times less than a year ago. 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. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code Its title ensures that Ella Doves book is impossible to ignore and its content proves just as compelling. Learning how to roller-skate is just one of the items on Maya Brights list of things to do before she turns 13, but when she loses her leg in a traffic accident, it seems this ambition must be relegated to the status of impossible dream. How to Roller-Skate with One Leg By Ella Dove, illustrated by Jennifer Jamieson. Tasks such as walking unaided and returning to school are the new goals Maya must focus on, as she adapts to life with a prosthetic leg. Theres nothing glamorous about struggling upstairs to a second-floor classroom when jolting nerve pain runs like an electric shock from the bottom of her stump and up her thigh. Compounding the physical pain for Maya, an effervescent character who has always loved the limelight, is the agony of realising her prosthetic leg makes her the centre of attention for a different reason. The whispers and pitying stares of fellow pupils ensure she cannot avoid the awful embarrassment of feeling like I didnt fit in. She certainly does not appear to fit into the social circle of the class cool girls, of which her lifelong best friend Sophie has mysteriously become a member during Mayas absence from school since the accident. Fortunately for Maya, she can still rely on the friendship of teachers pet Vita and the individualist Miles, the rocks upon whom she leans when she discovers she is excluded from the social event of the year Sophies roller-skating 13th birthday party. Maya must summon all her mental and physical strength if she is to overcome this latest cruel blow, but using her pre-accident list as a motivational tool, she adds a new goal: to make Sophie realise what shes missing. Shes ticked off most of the items on her list, but is learning to roller-skate with one leg quite literally a step too far, even for someone as determined as Maya? This debut novel by journalist and amputee Ella Dove, who lost her own right leg below the knee after falling while jogging, is as much an exploration of the murky world of female friendships as of the power of positive thinking. A tribute to the importance of support from family and true friends with comic relief provided by a collection of pampered guinea pigs Mayas uplifting story is a lesson in living your best life, whatever challenges come your way. The Case of the Secret Signal By Brian Gallagher OBrien Press 9.99 It is 1911 and as chief prosecutor, Isobels father works at the seat of power in Ireland, Dublin Castle. The Case of the Secret Signal By Brian Gallagher A skilled speaker with absolute respect for the law, he may not give the opinions of his young daughter on matters such as womens voting rights a full hearing, but he has to admire her intelligence in debate. Isobels quick-wittedness becomes crucial to her very survival when, after several incidents where she feels certain she is being followed, she finds herself bundled into a van, drugged, and abducted. Held in a barn, she knows not where, Isobels terror is mixed with anger and a determination to free herself from her kidnappers, who plan to extort a high price from her father in exchange for her safe return. Using a candle to flash an SOS message in Morse code might have been a long shot even a century ago, but unknown to Isobel, on the other side of the valley and armed with a pair of powerful binoculars, are three children just waiting for a mystery to solve. Twins Tim and Deirdre Kavanagh and their friend Joe Martin, responsible for solving The Case of the Vanishing Painting in their first adventure, are visiting the twins aunt near Carlingford for a few short days but would love nothing better than to put their detective skills to use again. Thus, after attempting to alert the police that something may be amiss at the farmhouse in the distance, the three children decide to investigate the source of the Morse signal themselves. Events unfold rapidly, with Joe soon in as much danger as Isobel, and the twins discovering that any faith they had in the local policeman helping to uncover a crime was badly misplaced. Though the constable in question is no Mr Goon, theres a strong sense of the Five Find-Outers about this mystery, due not least to an Enid Blyton-esque presence of lashings of food references, and the convenient absence of parents, allowing the children complete freedom of adventure. Dublin author Brian Gallagher, a prolific writer of childrens historical fiction including Friend or Foe and Across the Divide, sets his latest work for ages nine-plus against the backdrop of the womens suffrage movement and through Isobel, articulates the argument for womens rights. She is no mere mouthpiece, however, but a strong, rounded character, courageous in the face of considerable danger. And it is this edge-of-seat threat of peril that ensures the novel, while historically informative, is first and foremost just what a childrens book should be a damn good adventure. Citi Cearc by Patricia Forde and Una Woods Futa Fata 10.95 Citi Cearc is clucking with egg-citement as she waits for her chicks to hatch. She has been carefully minding her four fine eggs, but one morning when she rises early to count them once more, she discovers one has disappeared. Gadai! Gadai! a bheic Citi. Ta gadai tar eis mubh a sciobadh. Citi Cearc By Patricia Forde and Una Woods What kind of thief would steal her precious egg? Could it be one with a stripy tail like that of Orla the cat, or a thick curly coat like Lusai lamb? Maybe the baddy has eight long legs like Nora the spider, Citi speculates, or a voice like Aine Asal. As her imagination runs wild, conjuring images of a fearsome multicoloured, multi-legged monster, braying like a donkey and snatching eggs at will, she is followed by her farmyard friends in a Henny-Penny-style procession in pursuit of the perpetrator. Released to mark Futa Fatas 20th year, this reworking of the publishers first original picture book is a cautionary tale about jumping to conclusions and makes a cracking Easter treat for toddlers and tuismitheoiri alike. Motorists are regularly clocking up to 130km/h as they drive past a busy creche in an East Cork village where the speed limit is 50km/h. The claim has been made by members of a community council, who have reported the speeding incidents to gardai, and who are fearful a child is going to be seriously injured or worse. A deputation from the Killeagh/Inch Community Council told a meeting of the East Cork Municipal District Council that the speed of vehicles coming into Killeagh on the Mogeely road is becoming worse daily. They are also concerned that a growing number of motorists are using the road as a rat run to avoid stop/go hold-ups on the N25 (main Cork-Waterford road) where EirGrid is carrying out ducting for the Celtic Interconnector cables. Noreen Ingamells, chairperson of the community council, said there was currently no safe place to cross in Killeagh. She said locals were very concerned for the safety of 48 children who attend the Tiny Totts creche, and the 24 who go there for its after-school services. We see those at significant risk. There's also three busloads of students mounting and dismounting buses there for secondary schools. A number of elderly residents also need a safe place to cross. We really need a zebra crossing, she said. Local resident Lorraine McCarthy lives in one of five estates in the area, with about 350 houses. I've seen near misses with children. There are cars doing 130km/h in a 50km/h zone. We can see this from the speed activation signs in the village. My youngest daughter, 12, is too afraid to go to the shop on her own as its too dangerous to cross the road. Its getting scary and intimidating for people to cross the road, Ms McCarthy said. Municipal district council chairwoman, Independent councillor Mary Linehan-Foley said she understood how serious the safety issue was as her daughter lives in the village. Speeding is a big problem. It has also become a rat run with people avoiding the Celtic Interconnector works hold-ups on the main road, she said. Fianna Fail councillor Ann Marie Ahern said: I recognise what you are looking for is very warranted. It is a straight and dangerous section of road. Fianna Fail councillor Patrick Mulcahy, who lives in Killeagh parish, maintained there should be two pedestrian crossings in the village. The deputations' call for improved safety measures was backed by all the councillors. Dave Clarke, the councils senior executive engineer for the region, admitted its a highly trafficked road, and said they had installed traffic counters to see the impact of the EirGrid works are having. He promised to ask the councils road safety officer to look at the village for traffic calming measures. Meanwhile, independent councillor John Buckley asked Mr Clarke to look at improving traffic calming measures in the village of Saleen. He said he was particularly worried about safety of the children attending the local national school and had discussed the concerns raised by its principal. There is a danger with cars overtaking oil tankers coming up from the Whitegate refinery up the hill towards the school, he said. Mr Clarke promised council staff would carry out a speed survey in the next couple of weeks in the area and would also contact gardai asking they carry out speed enforcement there. Second lady Usha Vance plans a trip to Greenland, the self-governing, mineral-rich territory of American ally Denmark that Donald Trump has suggested the United States should take control over. Ms Vance will leave on Thursday and return Saturday, according to her office. Ms Vance and one of her three children will be part of a US delegation set to visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race. The race features around 37 mushers and 444 dogs and offers what Ms Vances office described as a remarkable display of speed, skill, and teamwork. The statement said that Ms Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity. People take part in a march ending in front of the US consulate, under the slogan, Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people, in Nuuk, Greenland (Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) Media outlets in Greenland and Denmark reported that during her trip this week, Ms Vance would be accompanied by President Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz. The White House and the National Security Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Mr Trump had mused during his first term about buying the worlds largest island, even as Copenhagen, a Nato ally, insisted it was not for sale. Since returning to the White House, Mr Trump has repeatedly said that the US will come to control Greenland while insisting he supports the idea for strategic national security reasons not with an eye toward American expansionism. I think we will have it, Mr Trump said of Greenland shortly after beginning his second term on January 20. The US already has a military base on Greenland and the presidents son, Donald Trump Jr, visited it in January. During a recent Oval Office meeting with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, Mr Trump said Denmarks very far away from Greenland, and questioned whether that country still had a right to claim the worlds largest island as part of its kingdom. A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. And they say they have rights to it, Mr Trump said. I dont know if thats true. I dont think it is, actually. All five parties in Greenlands parliament issued a joint statement last week rejecting Mr Trumps remarks. Denmark has recognised Greenlands right to independence at a time of its choosing. Beyond his focus on Greenland, Mr Trump has refused to rule out military intervention in Panama to retake that countrys canal, said that Canada should be Americas 51st state and suggested that US interests could assume control of the war-torn Gaza Strip from Israel and redevelop it as a Riviera-like seaside resort. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 23. Azerbaijan exported 286,500 tons of crude oil and its derivatives extracted from bituminous rocks worth $164 million to Romania from January through February 2025. Data obtained by Trend from the State Customs Committee indicates that the export value grew by $71.7 million, or 1.8 times, and the volume - by 121,100 tons, or 1.7 times, compared to the same period in 2024. During the mentioned period, Romania ranked as the 5th largest destination for Azerbaijan's oil exports. Azerbaijan exported $2.7 billion worth of 4.8 million tons of crude oil and its derivatives extracted from bituminous rocks in the first two months of 2025, showing the export value's growth by $153.2 million, or 5.4 percent, and the volume's increase by 182,900 tons, or four percent, year on year. Meanwhile, trade between Azerbaijan and Romania reached $189.2 million during the first two months of 2025, which is $137.7 million, or 3.7 times, higher than in the same months of 2024. This trade volume accounted for 2.12 percent of Azerbaijans total foreign trade during this period, placing Romania ninth among Azerbaijans largest trading partners. Azerbaijan's exports to Romania during January and February of this year totaled $188.2 million, a significant rise of $137.8 million, or 3.7 times, compared to the same period in 2024. These exports made up 3.95 percent of Azerbaijans total exports. On the other hand, Azerbaijans imports from Romania during this period were valued at $966,000, reflecting a decrease of $29,000, or 2.9 percent, compared to the previous year. The volume of foreign trade turnover of Azerbaijan for the reporting period amounted to $8.9 billion. This figure is $1.7 billion, or 23.2 percent more than in the same period last year. Of the trade turnover, exports accounted for $4.8 billion and imports for $4.1 billion, which is $13 million (0.3 percent) less and $1.7 billion (69.2 percent) more than a year ago. The foreign trade surplus amounted to $628 million, which is $1.7 billion, or 3.7 times less than a year ago. Thirteen individuals, including ten police officers from France, sustained injuries and multiple vehicles were damaged after a driver ignored a police request to pull over in Paris, leading to a pursuit in the early hours of the morning through the southern part of the city, officials reported. The car chase, which covered several kilometers, concluded with the driver losing control of the vehicle, crashing into a traffic light, and three police cars colliding with his vehicle, according to prosecutors. During a police checkpoint around 5:45 AM (4:45 AM Irish time) in the 14th district of southern Paris, the driver disobeyed police orders to stop, stated the police prefecture. Three police cars initiated the chase. Three police vehicles then pursued the car for several kilometers, the public prosecutors office reported. Un enieme #refusdobtemperer qui a mis en danger la vie de nos collegues et celle de toutes les personnes croisees par ce chauffard. Une image glacante qui temoigne de la violence de laccident survenu a Paris. LUNSA Police se tient aux cotes de nos collegues et leur souhaite un pic.twitter.com/hudVVw9fye UNSA POLICE (@UNSAPOLICE) March 22, 2025 Prosecutors believe the driver may have been under the influence during the chase. The driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a traffic light, with three police cars subsequently colliding with his vehicle, as stated by the Paris prosecutors office. As a result of the incident in the 15th district, also located in the south of the French capital, ten police officers sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital, according to a statement from the prefecture. The driver and two passengers were arrested and transported to a hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening, the statement indicated. The Unsa-Police union shared a photo depicting the aftermath of the crash, showing one police vehicle on top of a severely damaged black car. A chilling image that illustrates the severity of the accident that occurred in Paris, the union remarked on X. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez expressed gratitude to all the police officers involved during this operation. The newly appointed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a snap election scheduled for 28 April, citing the necessity of a strong mandate to address the economic threats posed by US President Donald Trumps tariffs. Although the previous election was not expected until 20 October, Mr. Carney aims to leverage his Liberal Partys significant recovery in polling since January, a period marked by Mr. Trumps threats to Canada and the resignation of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. We are confronting one of the most critical crises of our era due to President Trumps unwarranted trade actions and threats to our sovereignty, Mr. Carney stated. There is still so much more to accomplish to secure Canada, invest in Canada, build Canada, and unite Canada. Thats why I am seeking a strong positive mandate from my fellow Canadians. Ive just requested that the Governor General dissolve Parliament and initiate an election for April 28th, and she has complied, Mr. Carney informed reporters after receiving approval from the Governor General, who represents Britains King Charles as Canadas head of state. Mr. Carney, a two-time central banker without prior political or election campaign experience, secured the Liberal leadership two weeks ago by convincing party members that he was the best candidate to confront Mr. Trump. Now, he has five weeks to earn the support of Canadians. Current polls indicate that the Liberals, who have been in power since 2015 and were trailing behind the official opposition Conservatives at the start of the year, are now marginally leading their competitors. We have transitioned from an election where voters desired change to one that centers more on leadership, noted Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. The Conservatives capacity to criticize the Liberals has diminished significantly, as voters are focused on immediate issues and the near future rather than reflections on the past decade, he explained via phone. The Conservatives have attempted to portray Mr. Carney as an elitist intent on maintaining the high-spending policies of the Trudeau administration. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is an experienced politician who has participated in seven elections. They have also questioned Mr. Carneys transparency regarding how he transitioned his personal financial assets into a blind trust. Last week, Mr. Carney reacted defensively when questioned about the trust, accusing the reporter of creating conflict and ill will. This contentious response could give the Conservatives hope that Mr. Carney may falter during his first campaign. A strong performance in the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec will be crucial for any chance of victory. Mr. Carney encountered difficulties at a press conference when requested to respond in French, initially misunderstanding the question and ultimately answering in English. In contrast, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre speaks flawless French and is a seasoned politician with experience from seven elections. Laura Stephenson, a politics professor at Western University in London, Canada, suggested that Mr. Carneys lack of experience might not be a significant drawback given the Trump factor. Theres a different kind of comparison being drawn between the leaders regarding their capabilities, she remarked. I believe we may observe a bit more leniency than usual towards politicians during this campaign, she added. An online Angus Reid poll of 4,009 participants released on Monday indicated that the Liberals have 42% public support, while the Conservatives stand at 37%. According to Angus Reid, the margin of error is approximately 1.5%, 19 times out of 20. A separate online Leger poll of 1,568 respondents conducted for the National Post on the same day showed Liberals at 42% and Conservatives at 39%. Leger reported a margin of error of about 2.5%, 19 times out of 20. Europe is initiating an extensive spending initiative comparable to the nearly trillion euro response to the Covid pandemic.A great deal of the rhetoric reflects the existential threat that the pandemic posed. This time, the looming danger comes from Russia. There is an intelligence assessment indicating that Russia will test EU defenses within three to five years, noted a senior EU official. There are apprehensions regarding Donald Trump potentially withdrawing the US from NATO. In 2020, the crisis was propelled by the rapid and brutal impact of a deadly virus; this time, it is the unholy alliance between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The EUs White Paper on Defence outlines three goals: to support Ukraine during its most challenging period, to transform it into a steel porcupine that will make Russia think twice about a re-invasion; to replenish Europes dwindling stockpiles to deter any Kremlin intentions toward Eastern Europe; and to prepare for a potential withdrawal of the US from Europe. If we invest sufficiently in defense, if we enhance our capabilities, it will also deter aggressors from attacking us. Conversely, if we do not take action, our weakness will invite aggression, stated Kaja Kallas, the EUs foreign policy chief, in remarks to reporters on Thursday. Free riding This represents a crucial turning point. Having faced relentless criticism (much of it misguided) from Donald Trump that Europe was free riding on post-war US security, a consensus is emerging that Europe is finally reversing decades of declining defense spending and dependence on the United States. The White Paper promises up to 800 billion in new expenditures over five years; concurrently, an Anglo-French coalition aims to establish a reassurance force on the ground in a post-ceasefire Ukraine. Germany has recently amended its debt ceiling to allow extensive borrowing for defense and infrastructure, while the Financial Times has reported plans from Europes key military powers to gradually assume the majority of NATOs commitments to dissuade President Trump from a unilateral withdrawal. However, many questions linger. After briefings with G7 national security advisors on Wednesday, EU officials surprisingly expressed optimism regarding the Trump-Putin phone call and its follow-up interaction with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky. Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen greet Volodymyr Zelensky at a European Council meeting. Of particular interest was the proposal to halt attacks on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea, both areas where Europe has heavily invested resources (restoring Ukraines maritime access is crucial for Kyiv to regain export markets in Asia). With the exchange of hundreds of prisoners, it was deemed a good day for Ukraine, according to one senior EU figure. Yet, skepticism remains regarding Russian President Vladimir Putins intentions. He offered only the slightest of concessions: abstaining from targeting energy infrastructure (just as spring arrives) while demanding Ukraines complete surrender. Mobilization of Ukrainian troops is prohibited (though there is nothing to stop Russia), and Russia retains control over regions it has illegally annexed, with no European peacekeepers in Ukraine, even under a NATO banner. Trump holds many cards Essentially, President Putin has embarrassed President Trump, who naturally portrayed the phone call in overly favorable terms. With President Trump ready to employ intimidation to pressure President Zelensky into striking a minerals deal and agreeing to a full ceasefire (which was quickly rejected by Russia), it is hard not to conclude that, in a pinch, President Trump may revert to coercing Ukraine instead of confronting Russia. Trump holds many cards, asserts Rafael Loss, policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). Recent weeks have shown he is willing to use them against Ukraine, but not to compel Russia to waver from its maximalist demands. He could increase military assistance or tighten sanctions. However, he seems more interested in normalizing relations with Russia. Ukraine appears to be an obstacle to that goal. Part of that normalization indicates President Trumps eagerness for business agreements. The sentiment in Moscow is reciprocal. Donald Trump is keen to negotiate a ceasefire deal to normalize relations with Russia. American companies lost over $300 billion by exiting the Russian market, declared Kirill Dmitriev, President Putins economic envoy, last week. Some American companies may return, but we foresee great opportunities in forming joint ventures with Russian firms. As a result, Europe has little incentive to reassess its re-armament program in case the situation improves favorably for Ukraine. The EU aims to fortify areas with significant deficiencies: integrated air defense, precision missiles for deep strikes, satellites, drones and anti-drone systems, artillery ammunition, and so on. Officials acknowledge that the financial requirements are considerable. The commission will introduce a so-called SAFE loans program for member states needing assistance (150 billion over five years) while also relaxing EU fiscal rules to allow capitals to invest more in defense (with a spending cap increased to 1.5% of GDP, which could theoretically amount to up to 650 billion, resulting in a total of 800 billion). EU leadersexcluding Hungarys Viktor Orbanare convinced that if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, it might attack an EU member state within five years. Russia is operating an irreversible war economy, diverting 9% of its GDP to defense and gaining substantial battlefield experience. Hybrid attacks One senior EU insider stated that the scale and variety of hybrid assaults against Europe by Russias military and foreign intelligence servicesspecifically the GRU and SVRhave become astonishing. These attacks have ranged from sabotaging transportation infrastructure to an assassination plot against Armin Papperger, the head of Germanys largest weapon manufacturer, Rheinmetall. We had already accustomed ourselves to cyberattacks, incursions by fighter jets in the Baltic, energy blackmail, and the weaponization of migrants at the Finnish and Lithuanian borders, the source recounted during a recent briefing. Now we face hybrid attacks on our physical infrastructure, such as undersea data cables. Officials indicate that a stark outcome for Ukraine must be communicated to citizens so they can contemplate the compromises that increased defense spending might involve. Finnish police seized the Eagle S during a criminal investigation into damage to undersea cables. They are acutely aware that both the 150 billion SAFE loans program and the relaxation of fiscal rules allowing member states to spend more would result in increased long-term debt and that European voters are not on board yet when it comes to tax hikes and spending reductions. Thus, the European Commission believes that discussions should begin now. However, despite the talk of a cohesive Europe rising to the challenge, familiar divisions surfaced at this weeks summit, driven partly by traditional disputes over finance and also by geographic proximity to Russia. Greece, France, Spain, and Italy are advocating for Eurobondsjoint EU borrowingarguing that the options in the White Paper would only add to their debt burden; conversely, the Dutch and Swedes, who would chiefly be responsible for repaying the loans, are staunchly opposed. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez emphasized security rather than defense, suggesting that security encompasses a wide array of vulnerabilities, including migration and climate change. Pedro Sanchez stated Spain is more susceptible to Russian cyber attacks. On March 13, he noted that unlike the Baltic countries, where deterrence is solely about defense, Spain faces different challenges. Our threat does not involve Russia deploying troops across the Pyrenees to the Iberian Peninsula, he stated, but centers around cyberattacks, terrorism, and civil protection. Some divisions have political roots. Prime Minister Sanchez has several far-left coalition members who have opposed military assistance for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, and the same is true for Italys Giorgia Meloni, who relies on the Russia-friendly Lega party. Both leaders have expressed concerns over the term ReArm Europe used to describe the increase in spending. The Kallas plan Kaja Kallas attempt to secure 40 billion in immediate military support is illustrative. President Trumps abrupt halt of military aid has left Ukraine severely vulnerable, but it is also the uneven nature of European support (Denmark has provided more military assistance than Italy, France, and Spain combined) that has prompted Ms. Kallas to encourage wealthier countries like France and Italy to contribute more, based on the EUs GNI redistribution key. The plan, however, failed to garner support. France perceived it as an ambush from the former Estonian prime minister, whose role as High Representative for Foreign Policy requires fostering consensus before initiating initiatives. Kaja Kallas is striving to gather funding to assist Ukraines defense. Ultimately, she proposed an initial 5 billion to supply Ukraine with two million rounds of high-caliber ammunition, but even that proposal did not gain traction. Ireland expressed support for the Kallas plan. Tanaiste Simon Harris communicated with her from the US last weekend and instructed Irish officials in Brussels to confirm Irelands commitment to provide non-lethal assistance, contingent on consensus at the summit. As the 40 billion target dropped to 20 billion over the weekend, Irelands contribution would have been 315 million, according to the redistribution key, accounting for approximately 100 million already approved by the Cabinet in early March. About 80 million of that will be allocated toward joint procurement partnerships. Essentially, Ireland plans to invest in Ukraines domestic arms industry, modeled on the collaboration developed between Ukraine and Denmark, aligning with other member states to deliver non-lethal support to Ukraine. A Ukrainian soldier holds a drone aloft during military training in Donetsk Oblast. Ukraines foreign minister Andrii Sybiha informed Mr. Harris at the Munich Security Conference that Kyiv required non-lethal elements of air-defense systems, such as radar, as per a briefing note. Ukraine has also requested jamming equipment, unarmed intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance drones, and armored personnel carriers from Ireland. Some of this non-lethal support may come from Ukraines own defense sector. The other 20 million of the 100 million allocation would be divided between training de-mining units and enhancing Ukraines cybersecurity defenses. Irish involvement At the summit on Thursday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin stated that Ireland was supportive of the commissions White Paper proposals, adding that these had only just been released. But could Ireland benefit from the promise of billions of euros in soft loans to meet our defense requirements, such as protecting undersea cables? The Defence Forces review in 2020 indicated that the Naval Service lacked anti-submarine, radar, or air-defense capabilities, making the States ability to deter Russian maritime intelligence gathering exceptionally limited. The 2022 Commission on the Defence Forces report concluded that to elevate its capabilities to a Level of Ambition 2, Ireland would need a minimum of nine modern ships equipped with enhanced air, surface, and sub-surface search capabilities, supplemented by a variety of other technologies. Micheal Martin stated that Ireland supports the EUs defense spending initiatives. In the same year, the coalition proposed a defense budget increase of 1.5 billion, the largest increase on record, aiming to reach Level of Ambition 2 by 2028. Government circles suggest that the required funding is available, despite annual Department of Finance evaluations, allowing progress toward that goal without resorting to EU loans. More delicately put, would the Government consider accruing more debt to fund defense instead of other public needs? Welcome to the European discussion, with Russia watching intently. The Department of Finance always adopts a cautious approach, commented one government source. Suppose public finances faced strain due to Trump, tariffs, and a downturn in exports, with the pharmaceutical sector requiring monitoring? Finance would caution against significant increases in defense spending amid more pressing political commitments, such as housing. Ireland faces pressure from other EU nations to increase military expenditures. Indeed, Sinn Fein swiftly criticized the EU defense spending plans and questioned their potential impact on Irish neutrality. Its disheartening that the EU has managed to locate such vast funds for rearmament while neglecting community funding and a fair transition to combat climate change, stated MEP Lynn Boylan. EU officials maintain that member states will be the end users of the loans scheme, which they can access if they choose. A principal aim is for member states with high defense expenditures to combine their procurement efforts to demonstrate to Europes defense sector that substantial orders will be guaranteed, enabling manufacturers to produce more efficiently and at lower costs without the usual fragmentation and interoperability issues. The Government remains skeptical that even this approach will be immediately beneficial for Ireland. Levels of ambition The gaps in maritime and air capabilities, such as sonar and primary radar, are outlined in the Level of Ambition 2 plans, and considering the delivery timelines, limited options exist for collaboration with other member states. [Sonar and primary radar] may be the maximum we can manage in the short term, remarked the source, largely due to the delays. You wont be purchasing equipment that is merely stored on shelves. There is no indication that any particular capabilities currently exist that could benefit from [joint procurement]. However, its not to say that as we delve further into the program, such opportunities wont arise. Ireland may not be able to collaborate with other EU member states to procure radar and sonar systems. Ireland has already been increasing its participation in PESCO, the EU-supported initiative encouraging member states to unite to develop new military assets where feasible. According to official statistics, in 2021, Ireland was merely an observer in one PESCO project and participated in another. By mid-2023, Ireland had engaged in four projects and observed another 19, many of which involve developing undersea security resources. Still, Ireland risks the perception of free-riding on European defense, often expressed through op-eds and think-tanks, even as the Government points to significant growth in defense spending. There has been some growth [in spending] in recent years, remarked Fenella McGerty, a senior fellow for defense economics at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). However, it remains relatively low. Given the sentiments across the EU, I suspect there will be increased pressure. Theres generally pressure on NATO members [to boost spending], but now as the focus shifts to the EU, we might witness a closer examination of what Ireland can contribute regarding undersea security, and the cybersecurity issue with Ireland being a significant technology hub in Europe. Vulnerabilities While recent Russian activities in Irish Atlantic waters and Irelands status as a tech hub have raised awareness of these new vulnerabilities, some experts warn of a deeper, more insidious Russian threat aimed at undermining European unity through extensive disinformation campaigns and bolstering far-right, pro-Russia factions. As Prime Minister Sanchez suggested when dismissing the notion of Russian troops invading the Pyrenees, perceptions of the threat vary based on geographic proximity to Russia. Nonetheless, in light of President Trumps potential disregard for Article 5, NATOs mutual defense clause, even a minor attack by Russia on, for example, one of the Baltic States could pose a serious risk, according to Nicu Popescu, senior policy fellow with the ECFR. He imagines a scenario wherein Russia remains entrenched in substantial parts of southern and eastern Ukraine by 2030, including access to resources such as personnel, grain reserves, nuclear plants, and military production capacities. If Russia were to carry out a probing strike against a Baltic State, and Article 5 had lapsed, Europe would have to rely on its mutual support clause (Article 4.27). About three-quarters of all subsea cables in the northern hemisphere pass through or near Irish waters. The hypothetical launch of any provocation by Russia against Europe demands a critical EU response, he wrote in a recent paper. Any hint of hesitation or failure to react decisively with complete unity to protect every inch of EU territory would have catastrophic repercussions far beyond the immediate military circumstances. The political fallout could unravel the entire European project. He further added, This scenario presents a threat to all EU members, but especially countries like Ireland, Portugal, or Spain. These nations may be geographically distanced from direct Russian military threats, yet could still find themselves vulnerable if the EU appears divided. The disintegration of the EU as a political entity would leave smaller and medium-sized nations on the continent at the mercy of global powers, fundamentally reshaping Europes geopolitical landscape. Is that far-fetched? Four years ago, few anticipated that Russia would mobilize 150,000 troops on its border with Ukraine and then initiate an unprovoked and full-scale assault. Nor did they foresee Donald Trumps potential return to the White House, threatening Greenland. In response to a rocket attack originating from Lebanon, Israel has initiated a new series of strikes, while militant group Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have authorized a second wave of strikes against numerous Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, as reported by the defence ministry, marking the most significant escalation since the ceasefire on 27 November. The ministry stated that the attacks were a response to rocket fire directed at Israel and a continuation of the initial series of strikes carried out earlier in the morning against southern Lebanon. Lebanons National News Agency reported that one girl was among five people killed due to an Israeli strike on the southern town of Touline. Bilal Kachmar, a spokesperson for the Tyre Disaster Management Unit, informed reporters that two individuals were killed and two others wounded when an Israeli strike targeted an apartment within a residential building in the Al-Raml neighbourhood of Tyre, a significant coastal city that was attacked for the first time since the ceasefire. A security source revealed to reporters that a Hezbollah official was the target of the strike in Tyre, though it remains unconfirmed whether he was killed. Hezbollahs Denial According to Israels military, six rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel, three of which were intercepted, triggering air raid sirens. Hezbollah has denied any participation in the rocket fire and dismissed Israels claims as pretexts for its ongoing attacks on Lebanon. Despite Hezbollahs long-standing influence over areas in Lebanon adjacent to Israel, other Lebanese and Palestinian factions have also conducted cross-border assaults. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam cautioned that renewed military actions along the southern border could risk dragging the country into a new war, according to his office. Damage inflicted on a building following an Israeli strike targeting a neighbourhood in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre. Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi urged for pressure on Israel to halt the aggression and escalation and to contain the precarious situation along the southern borders. Israeli military leaders asserted that they hold the Lebanese government accountable for any hostile fire originating from its territory, irrespective of the perpetrators. We cannot permit fire from Lebanon on Galilee communities, stated Israeli Defence Minister Katz regarding towns and villages in the north, many of which were evacuated after Hezbollah commenced firing at Israel in support of Hamas in October 2023. The Lebanese government is responsible for attacks from its territory. UN Alarmed The United Nations peacekeeping force stationed in southern Lebanon expressed being alarmed by the potential escalation of violence following yesterdays rocket fire. France, a mediator of the ceasefire, condemned the rocket launch and urged Israel to practice restraint, while Jordan called for immediate international measures to cease the Israeli aggression against Lebanon. Hezbollah has historically maintained strongholds in the southern and eastern regions of Lebanon, along with south Beirut, but the ongoing conflict with Israel has dealt the group significant setbacks, leading to a considerable decrease in its power. The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon expressed being alarmed by the potential escalation of violence. According to the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah is obliged to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River, approximately 30km from the Israeli border, and dismantle any residual military infrastructure in the south. Israel, on the other hand, is required to pull back its forces beyond the UN-designated Blue Line, which serves as the de facto border, but it has failed to meet two deadlines to do so while continuing to occupy five positions it deems strategic. Throughout the ceasefire, Israel has carried out multiple airstrikes, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah military installations that violate the terms of the agreement. The Lebanese army has reported dismantling three makeshift rocket batteries in an area north of the Litani. The Irish Department of Defence confirmed yesterday that Irish peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon are safe. In a statement, Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris expressed deep concern regarding the latest escalation in violence and tensions between Israel and Lebanon. The Tanaiste stressed that it is essential for all parties to exercise restraint at this time. Hamas Official Killed This surge of violence occurred shortly after Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza, interrupting a period of relative calm following the ceasefire on 19 January. Israel recommenced airstrikes on Gaza on Tuesday and has since redeployed troops into areas previously evacuated during the ceasefire. On Friday, Mr. Katz announced he had commanded the army to seize more territory in Gaza. For further updates on the conflict in the Middle East, click here. An Israeli airstrike on a tent encampment in southern Gaza resulted in the deaths of senior Hamas political official Salah al-Bardawil and his wife, according to a Hamas source. Israel maintains that its military actions are essential to compel Hamas to release the remaining hostages, whether they be dead or alive. Hamas has accused Israel of endangering the hostages amidst renewed bombardments, while many families of the captives have advocated for a new ceasefire, arguing that most of those released alive were freed during periods of truce. Israeli artillery and airstrikes targeted southern Lebanon this morning following Israels announcement of intercepting rockets fired from the region, jeopardizing a fragile truce that had concluded a year-long conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. This conflict represented the deadliest spillover from the Gaza war, which persisted for several months before culminating in an Israeli operation that resulted in the deaths of top Hezbollah commanders, numerous fighters, and significant destruction of its armory. The exchanges today marked the first hostilities since Israel seemingly abandoned a separate ceasefire in Gaza with Hamas, a Palestinian militant group allied with Hezbollah and both supported by Iran, Israels principal adversary. This morning, the Israeli military reported intercepting three rockets fired from a Lebanese area located approximately 6 km north of the border, marking the second cross-border launch since a US-brokered ceasefire in November concluded the conflict. In response to the rocket fire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed the military to respond decisively against numerous terror targets in Lebanon, Mr. Netanyahu remarked in a statement. In a separate announcement, the Israeli military confirmed it was conducting airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. Lebanons state news agency reported a series of Israeli airstrikes and artillery attacks in the war-torn southern regions, including border towns and elevations located about 8 km deep into Lebanese territory. According to the state news agency NNA, two individuals were killed, and eight others were injured by Israeli airstrikes near the southern border, as cited from Lebanons health ministry. An Israeli army Merkava main battle tank was deployed at a position in northern Israel along the southern Lebanon border on March 18. No casualties have been reported in Israel. Volatile Under the terms of the November ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah was to have no weaponry in southern Lebanon, Israeli ground forces were to retreat, and troops from the Lebanese army were to take control of the area. The deal mandates that Lebanons government must dismantle all military infrastructures in southern Lebanon and confiscate any unauthorized weaponry. Latest Middle East stories President Joseph Aoun directed the Lebanese army to secure against any violations that might threaten Lebanons stability. The army reported the discovery and dismantling of three primitive rocket launchers in the south. Mr. Netanyahu stated that Israel holds the Lebanese government accountable for everything occurring within its borders. He emphasized that Israel would not permit any threats to its citizens and sovereignty, pledging to do everything possible to ensure the safety of the Israeli populace and northern communities. UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, expressed alarm in a written statement on Saturday regarding the border violence. Any further escalation of this volatile situation could have serious repercussions for the region, it warned. Israeli artillery shelling targeted the area surrounding the southern Lebanese village of Yohmor. The Irish Department of Defence confirmed the safety of Irish peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon. In his statement, Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris expressed deep concern over the latest surge of violence and tensions between Israel and Lebanon. The Tanaiste asserted, It is absolutely crucial that all parties exercise restraint at this time. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam cautioned against a resurgence of military actions in the southern region. All security and military measures must be enforced to demonstrate that Lebanon is in control of decisions pertaining to war and peace, he stated. The ceasefire was intended to halt Israels extensive bombardment and ground incursions in Lebanon, alongside Hezbollahs daily rocket attacks on Israel. However, both sides have accused one another of failing to fully enact the agreement. Israel contends that Hezbollah maintains military capabilities in the south, while Lebanon and Hezbollah assert that Israel is illegally occupying Lebanese territory by continuing airstrikes and maintaining troops at five positions atop hills near the frontier. The Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, declared that he will not submit to pressure following a court ruling to imprison him pending trial in a corruption investigation. Together, we will eradicate this blow, this dark mark on our democracy I stand firm, I will not yield, Mr. Imamoglu stated in a post on X. A court has officially ordered his arrest in a corruption investigation, only four days after his detention triggered significant unrest in Turkey, the worst in over a decade. The mayor is one of 100 individuals facing investigation for corruption, and he is also under scrutiny in a separate case regarding terror-related charges, with the court expected to deliver a ruling on that matter shortly. Despite strong suspicions of aiding an armed terrorist organization, since the decision to arrest him for financial crimes has already been made, his arrest is not considered necessary at this moment, the court explained. Mr. Imamoglu has refuted the allegations, labeling them as unimaginable accusations and slanders. Ballot papers of Ekrem Imamoglu, the only candidate from the opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), during the presidential primaries vote at a polling station in Istanbul. Yesterday, thousands gathered outside the Istanbul municipal building and the principal courthouse. Hundreds of police officers, equipped with tear gas and pepper spray, were deployed to disperse the demonstrators, who retaliated by throwing firecrackers and other objects. Clashes also erupted in the western coastal province of Izmir and the capital city of Ankara for a third consecutive night, with police employing water cannons against the crowds. During the protests, Turkish authorities have detained 323 individuals, as reported by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. Any attempt to disrupt public order will be met with a firm response, the minister stated. At 54 years old, Mr. Imamoglu, who is leading in some opinion polls against the Turkish leader, was expected to be named the official presidential candidate of the CHP in a matter of days. The next elections are scheduled for 2028, although Mr. Erdogan has reached his term limit as president after previously serving as prime minister. If he wishes to seek another term, he must either call for an early election or pursue a constitutional amendment. Having governed Turkey for over 22 years, the president has accused the CHP of attempting to provoke the nation and stated that they would not tolerate any acts of vandalism. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 23. Azerbaijan supplied 11.6 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas to the European Union (EU) in 2024, with a total export value of 4.35 billion, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union told Trend. The monthly breakdown of volume and value is as follows: Month Volume (bcm) Value () January 0.989 369,333,936 February 0.943 306,966,321 March 1.002 302,352,995 April 0.936 291,707,911 May 1.007 328,522,529 June 0.980 345,622,652 July 0.995 374,137,343 August 0.748 266,037,440 September 0.899 375,570,498 October 1.044 431,324,372 November 1.010 452,134,548 December 1.051 504,713,528 Total 11.6 4.35 billion The peak of gas exports was recorded in December, with 1.051 bcm supplied and a revenue of 504.7 million. The lowest level of exports occurred in August, with 0.748 bcm and a revenue of 266 million. Europe imports gas from Azerbaijan via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the final leg of the Southern Gas Corridor. Its initial capacity is 10 billion cubic meters per year with the possibility of increasing to 20 billion cubic meters. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn The United States has announced the termination of the legal status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants, giving them just weeks to exit the country. President Donald Trump has vowed to execute the largest deportation campaign in US history and to restrict immigration, primarily from Latin American nations. This order impacts approximately 532,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans who arrived in the United States under a program initiated in October 2022 by Mr. Trumps predecessor, Joe Biden, which was later expanded in January of the following year. These individuals will lose their legal protections 30 days after the Department of Homeland Securitys order is published in the Federal Register, which is set to occur on Tuesday. Welcome.US, an organization that aids those seeking refuge in the United States, has urged those affected by this decision to immediately consult with an immigration attorney. The Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) program, introduced in January 2023, permitted entry into the United States for two years to up to 30,000 migrants per month from these four countries, all of which have troubling human rights records. Mr. Biden promoted this initiative as a safe and humane solution to alleviate the strain on the crowded US-Mexico border. However, the Department of Homeland Security reiterated yesterday that the program was temporary. Parole is inherently temporary, and relying solely on parole does not provide a foundation for obtaining any immigration status, nor does it equate to an admission into the United States, the order stated. Last week, Mr. Trump invoked rare wartime legislation to deport over 200 alleged members of a Venezuelan gang to El Salvador, which has offered to detain migrants and even US citizens at a reduced rate. Nicolette Glazer, an immigration attorney in California, remarked that the order would impact the vast majority of the half a million immigrants who arrived in the United States under the CHNV program. With only 75,000 affirmative asylum applications submitted, the vast majority of the CHNV parolees will find themselves without legal status, work permits, and at risk of removal, she shared on X. The chaos will be unimaginable. Karen Tumlin, director of the immigrant rights organization Justice Action Center, criticized the Trump administration for breaking a commitment the federal government made to the hundreds of thousands of immigrants and their sponsors in the United States. Suddenly revoking the lawful status of hundreds of thousands of CHNV humanitarian parole recipients is going to create unnecessary chaos and heartbreak for families and communities nationwide, she stated in a press release. Over the past decade, more than seven million Venezuelans have fled their homeland as the oil-rich nations economy deteriorates under the leadership of leftist leader Nicolas Maduro. By Kevin A. Young, UMass Amherst (The Conversation) Donald Trumps first term as president saw some of the largest mass protests seen in the U.S. in over 50 years, from the 2017 Womens March to the 2020 protests after George Floyds murder. Things feel different this time around. Critics seem quieter. Some point to fear of retribution. But theres also a sense that the protests of Trumps first term were ultimately futile. This has contributed to a widespread mood of despair. As The New York Times noted not long ago, Trump had not appeared to be swayed by protests, petitions, hashtag campaigns or other tools of mass dissent. Thats a common perspective these days. But what if its wrong? As a historian, I study how our narratives about the past shape our actions in the present. In this case, its particularly important to get the history right. In fact, popular resistance in Trumps first term accomplished more than many observers realize; its just that most wins happened outside the spotlight. In my view, the most visible tactics petitions, hashtags, occasional marches in Washington had less impact than the quieter work of organizing in communities and workplaces. Understanding when movements succeeded during Trumps first term is important for identifying how activists can effectively oppose Trump policy in his second administration. Quiet victories of the sanctuary movement Mass deportation has been a cornerstone of Trumps agenda for more than a decade. Yet despite his early pledge to create a deportation force that would expel millions, Trump deported only half as many people in his first term as Barack Obama did in his first term. Progressive activists were a key reason. By combining decentralized organizing and nationwide resource-sharing, they successfully pushed scores of state and local governments to adopt sanctuary laws that limited cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. When the sociologist Adam Safer examined thousands of cities and dozens of states, he found that a specific type of sanctuary law that activists supported barring local jails and prisons from active cooperation with ICE successfully reduced ICE arrests. A study by legal scholar David K. Hausman confirmed this finding. Notably, Hausman also found that sanctuary policies had no detectable effect on crime rates, contrary to what many politicians allege. Another important influence on state and local officials was employers resistance to mass deportation. The E-Verify system requiring employers to verify workers legal status went virtually unenforced, since businesses quietly objected to it. As this example suggests, popular resistance to Trumps agenda was most effective when it exploited tensions between the administration and capitalists. The rising tide against fossil fuels In his effort to prop up the fossil fuel industry, Trump in his first term withdrew from the Paris climate agreement, weakened or eliminated over 100 environmental protections and pushed other measures to obstruct the transition to green energy. Researchers projected that these policies would kill tens of thousands of people in just the United States by 2028, primarily from exposure to air pollutants. Other studies estimated that the increased carbon pollution would contribute to tens of millions of deaths, and untold other suffering, by centurys end. Thats not the whole story, though. Trumps first-term energy agenda was partly thwarted by a combination of environmental activism and market forces. His failure to resuscitate the U.S. coal industry was especially stark. Coal-fired plant capacity declined faster during Trumps first term than during any four-year period in any country, ever. Some of the same coal barons who celebrated Trumps victory in 2016 soon went bankrupt. Dissent, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3 / Clip2Comic, 2025 The most obvious reasons for coals decline were the U.S. natural gas boom and the falling cost of renewable energy. But its decline was hastened by the hundreds of local organizations that protested coal projects, filed lawsuits against regulators and pushed financial institutions to disinvest from the sector. The presence of strong local movements may help explain the regional variation in coals fortunes. Environmentalists also won some important battles against oil and gas pipelines, power plants and drilling projects. In a surprising number of cases, organizers defeated polluters through a combination of litigation, civil disobedience and other protests, and by pressuring banks, insurers and big investors. In 2018, one pipeline CEO lamented the rising tide of protests, litigation and vandalism facing his industry, saying the level of intensity has ramped up, with more opponents who are better organized. Green energy also expanded much faster than Trump and his allies would have liked, albeit not fast enough to avert ecological collapse. The U.S. wind energy sector grew more in Trumps first term than under any other president, while solar capacity more than doubled. Research shows that this progress was due in part to the environmental movements organizing, particularly at the state and local levels. As with immigration, Trumps energy agenda divided both political and business elites. Some investors became reluctant to keep their money in the sector, and some even subsidized environmental activism. Judges and regulators didnt always share Trumps commitment to propping up fossil fuels. These tensions between the White House and business leaders created openings that climate activists could exploit. Worker victories in unlikely places Despite Trump self-promoting as a man of the people, his policies hurt workers in numerous ways from his attack on workers rights to his regressive tax policies, which accelerated the upward redistribution of wealth. Nonetheless, workers direct action on the job won meaningful victories. For example, educators across the country organized dozens of major strikes for better pay, more school funding and even against ICE. Workers in hotels, supermarkets and other private-sector industries also walked out. Ultimately, more U.S. workers went on strike in 2018 than in any year since 1986. This happened not just in progressive strongholds but also in conservative states like West Virginia, Oklahoma and Kentucky. At least 35 of the educators strikes defied state laws denying workers the right to strike. In addition to winning gains for workers, the strike wave apparently also worked against Republicans at election time by increasing political awareness and voter mobilization. The indirect impact on elections is a common side effect of labor militancy and mass protest. Quiet acts of worker defiance also constrained Trump. The early months of the COVID-19 pandemic featured widespread resistance to policies that raised the risk of infection, particularly the lack of mask mandates. Safety-conscious workers frequently disobeyed their employers, in ways seldom reflected in official strike data. Many customers steered clear of businesses where people were unmasked. These disruptions, and fears they might escalate, led businesses to lobby government for mask mandates. This resistance surely saved many lives. With more coordination, it might have forced a decisive reorientation in how government and business responded to the virus. Labor momentum could continue into Trumps second term. Low unemployment, strong union finances and widespread support for unions offer opportunities for the labor movement. Beyond marches Progressive movements have no direct influence over Republicans in Washington. However, they have more potential influence over businesses, lower courts, regulators and state and local politicians. Of these targets, business ultimately has the most power. Business will usually be able to constrain the administration if its profits are threatened. Trump and Elon Musk may be able to dismantle much of the federal government and ignore court orders, but its much harder for them to ignore major economic disruption. While big marches can raise public consciousness and help activists connect, by themselves they will not block Trump and Musk. For that, the movement will need more disruptive forms of pressure. Building the capacity for that disruption will require sustained organizing in workplaces and communities. Kevin A. Young, Associate Professor of History, UMass Amherst This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. ( Middle East Monitor ) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday that, From now on, negotiations will be conducted under fire. His words were total nonsense, of course, because the previous negotiations for the ceasefire agreement were definitely conducted under fire. Netanyahus statement condemns to oblivion the previous long months of Israels genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza, as if the killing of tens of thousands of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure before our eyes never really happened. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also got in on the act, and issued his own threats against Palestinian civilians in Gaza. His rhetoric is an example of how Israel considers all Palestinians to be terrorists in its fake security and self-defence narrative, not just the legitimate resistance movement. Take the US presidents advice, Katz declared pompously. Return the hostages and remove Hamas, and other options will open for you, including leaving for other places in the world for those who want to. Palestinian civilians are not responsible for either the hostages or Hamas and undoubtedly wont be happy with his call for voluntary ethnic cleansing, for thats what it was. The minister ignores the fact that colonisers and their allies have no right to impose any such conditions on the colonised and occupied people. In case Katz forgot, Israels settler-colonialism and its military occupation are illegal under international law and so are all actions carried out in their name. Failure to heed Israels demands, he added, would be met with absolute destruction. This is yet another open statement of Israels genocidal intent. I hope that the International Court of Justice has taken note of this. International rhetoric has fared no better, and while words alone will not be enough to stop the genocide, Western leaders are always swift to take cues from Israeli statements. Speaking as if the genocide in Gaza was not a genocide and just in its initial stages, Western leaders availed themselves of the usual cliches about hostilities, the conflict and concern. As if Palestinians havent been massacred, displaced, buried under rubble and burnt alive already. As if the events leading to, during and since the 1948 Nakba never happened. While attention is focused on Gaza again, diplomacy is being utilised to avoid antagonising Netanyahu, even as the Israeli prime minister announced the possibility that a larger front could open up in the occupied West Bank. Not a single Palestinian, it seems, is safe from Israels genocide. Will world leaders confront Netanyahu about his inaccurate statements and misrepresentation of the genocide timeline, which are also part of the genocidal strategy? There is no obligation to act dumb under international law. An ongoing genocide carries tremendous culpability with it. World leaders have the power to make Israels colonial enterprise collapse, yet they have instead chosen to allow Israel to collapse Gaza, literally, and probably the West Bank too. Hypocritically, world leaders have approved a plan to rebuild Gaza, even though Netanyahu has never given any indication of at least having an intention to stop the genocide at some stage. Is the international community furthering its manipulation of humanitarian concern by making rebuilding a permanent part of its narrative, like it did with the two-state compromise? Both are enabling the international communitys shocking dereliction of its legal duty to stop an ongoing genocide. According to Netanyahu, resuming the genocide was a last resort response to Hamas not freeing the remaining hostages. Let us just focus on the rhetoric about this last resort for a moment. Given that Israel violated the ceasefire agreement over many weeks by killing Palestinians and blocking all humanitarian aid, this weeks deadly air strikes are not a resumption of its genocide, but simply and sickeningly more of the same. We must ask, therefore, if genocide once regarded as the ultimate crime in international law is now normalised and acceptable if all else fails. Well, is it? The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment. Middle East Monitor EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will visit Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories on Monday to urge an immediate resumption of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, her office said. "The mission will be an occasion to discuss the conflict in Gaza; recall the importance of unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza; and call for an immediate return to the full implementation of the ceasefire-hostage release agreement," it said. The top European diplomat will meet senior Israeli and Palestinian ministers. The United Nations said on Friday Gaza was facing a "nightmare" since Israel resumed aerial bombardment and ground operations this week after a six-week ceasefire. Aid workers warned of a desperate situation that had been made worse by Israel's decision earlier this month to cut off aid and electricity to Gaza over a deadlock in negotiations over phase two of the ceasefire. Kallas was due in Israel to meet President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and opposition leader Yair Lapid. She will not meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for whom the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant "for crimes against humanity and war crimes". In the occupied West Bank, Kallas will hold talks with Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustaf, her office said. Negotiations have stalled between Israelis and Palestinians over how to proceed with a ceasefire, whose first phase expired on March 1. Israel and the United States have sought to change the terms of the ceasefire deal. Hamas, which runs Gaza, has rejected this as a violation of the agreement all parties signed. The first phase of the truce had enabled the entry of vital food, shelter and medical assistance, and an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Since it ended, the Netanyahu government has again blocked aid entering the densely populated strip and renewed intense air strikes. The strikes have been condemned by the United Nations and countries around the world, while the families of Israeli hostages pleaded with Netanyahu to halt the violence. On October 7, 2023, fighters from Hamas launched a cross-border attack in Israel that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 people, most of them civilians, according to Israeli figures. Israel's ensuing bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza has killed at least 50,021 people in the territory, the Gaza health ministry said on Sunday. The United Nations considers its figures to be reliable. The European Union's top diplomat called Sunday for an end to the renewed fighting in Gaza during a stop in Egypt, before setting off for Israel and the Palestinian territories to press for resumption of a Gaza truce. Israel on Tuesday resumed intense air strikes in the Gaza Strip, followed by ground operations, after negotiations with Hamas militants stalled over the next stage in the ceasefire. "We strongly oppose Israel's resumption of hostilities, which caused appalling loss of life in Gaza. The killing must stop. In a new war, both sides lose," the EU's Kaja Kallas said in Cairo during a press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. "From the European side, it is very clear that Hamas must release all hostages and Israel must fully reinstate humanitarian aid into Gaza and negotiations must resume." Kallas' team later confirmed she had departed Egypt and arrived in Israel. During talks there and the Palestinian territories on Monday she is expected to "call for an immediate return to the full implementation of the ceasefire-hostage release agreement", her office said. Kallas will also refer to "the importance of unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza," it said. The United Nations said on Friday that Gaza was facing a "nightmare" since Israel resumed military operations after a six-week ceasefire. Aid workers warned of a desperate situation that had been made worse by Israel's decision earlier this month to cut off aid and electricity to Gaza over the deadlock in negotiations on the next phase of the ceasefire. Kallas was due to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and opposition leader Yair Lapid. She will not meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for whom the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant "for crimes against humanity and war crimes". In the occupied West Bank, Kallas will hold talks with Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas and prime minister Mohammad Mustafa, her office said. Israel and the United States have sought in recent weeks to change the terms of the ceasefire deal. Hamas, which runs Gaza, has rejected this as a violation of the agreement all parties signed. The first phase of the truce had enabled the entry of vital food, shelter and medical assistance, and an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinians held in Israeli jails. On October 7, 2023, fighters from Hamas launched a cross-border attack in Israel that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 people, most of them civilians, according to Israeli figures. Israel's ensuing bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza has killed at least 50,021 people in the territory, the Gaza health ministry said on Sunday. The United Nations considers its figures to be reliable. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 23. The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Istanbul called on citizens of the republic to avoid crowded places and not to take part in demonstrations and rallies in Turkiye, Trend reports. The statement of the embassy also draws attention to the "undesirability of disseminating information about demonstrations (rallies) and personal assessments, opinions regarding current events on social networks." The embassy recommended observing increased security measures, being vigilant and adhering to the recommendations of the Turkish authorities. To note, on March 19 the Istanbul Prosecutor General's Office 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. 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. Saturday, March 22, 2025 - The family of renowned BBC journalist, Sophie Ikenye, has launched an appeal for Sh5 million to help cover the cost of an urgent medical surgery. The distraught family revealed that Ikenye has been undergoing treatment for the past eight years across various medical facilities. They said they have exhausted all available funds and are calling on friends, family, fans, and well-wishers to support her treatment. As a family, we have done everything possible to support her medical care, but we have now exhausted all available funds, the appeal shared online read. They further urged the public to contribute towards the medical bill, emphasizing that prayers, kindness, and generous contributions would mean a lot during this difficult time. Sophie Ikenye is a Kenyan journalist and BBC news presenter, best known as one of the main hosts of Focus on Africa on BBC World News. Before joining the BBC, she had an extensive career in Kenyas media industry, working for KBC, Citizen TV, and NTV Kenya. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, March 23, 2025 - Mumias East MP, Peter Salasya, was attacked and forcibly removed from Nyayo Stadium during the Kenya vs Gabon match following a confrontation with a section of fans. The outspoken legislator, known for his criticism of ODM leader, Raila Odinga, and President William Ruto, was roughed up before being escorted out by police officers. Some of the attackers accused him of disrespecting Raila Odinga. Following the incident, Salasyas party, DAP-K, strongly condemned the attack, calling it an "unfortunate and ill-intentioned act by known party goons." "The attack on our legislator Peter Salasya by organized goons at Nyayo stadium is very unfortunate, backwardness and ill intentioned by known party goons. This will not stop the Must Go stance or salvage the king of handshakes from the wrath of Kenyans, the party posted on X. Watch the video below. The moment Mumias East MP, PETER SALYSA, was cornered by RAILA ODINGAs goons at Nyayo Stadium and beaten up, forcing him to flee pic.twitter.com/oSzwYlv9QM DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) March 23, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, March 23, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was reportedly gutted when President William Ruto failed to sack a truckload of Principal Secretaries from the Mt Kenya region. Gachagua had appeared for an interview days before Ruto made the recent appointments and claimed that he was planning to fire all the Permanent Secretaries from the Mount Kenya region and replace them with Raila Odingas allies. Upon seeing the list, Gachagua was convinced that his aides had mistakenly handed him a decoy and demanded the real one. If Ruto fired Pss from the Mount Kenya region, Gachagua had planned to host a media interview and roast the Kenya Kwanza regime. However, Ruto outsmarted him and bruised his ego. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, March 22, 2025 - The Supreme Court is on the spot after former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju wrote to Chief Justice Martha Koome, raising serious concerns about the conduct of five judges. In a statement dated March 21st, 2025, Tuju accused the judges of failing in their duty to uphold the rule of law and ensure fair trial proceedings. He revisited the 2022 presidential petition, criticizing the judges for using terms like "hot air" and "wild goose chase," which he claimed nearly pushed the country into chaos. The Supreme Court should have been more temperate in their language while executing their solemn duty, Tuju said, arguing that their remarks only heightened tensions in an already fragile political environment. Beyond their courtroom decisions, Tuju also accused some Supreme Court judges of unprofessional behavior, alleging that videos circulating on social media show them intoxicated in public. If you doubt it, I can send you the videos. These judges demand respect, yet their conduct is shameful, he asserted. Tuju further warned that Kenya is at risk of instability, pointing out that three of the worlds top ten failed states are in the East African Community. He cited ongoing security threats in Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Lamu, and Mandera as signs of the country's growing fragility. He also drew historical comparisons to the controversial 1857 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Dred Scott case, which upheld slavery, sparking civil unrest. Additionally, Tuju linked his concerns to his ongoing legal dispute with the East African Development Bank over a 27-acre Karen property, accusing the judges of bias and procedural violations. The former Rarieda MP called on CJ Martha Koome to address these issues to restore public confidence in the judiciary. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, March 22, 2025 There is temporary relief for the family of Margaret Nduta as Kenyan consular officials finally gain access to her at Ho Chi Minh Prison in Vietnam, confirming that she is alive and being treated humanely. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Singoei stated that the team, which had been based in Bangkok, secured travel visas and visited Nduta following weeks of diplomatic efforts. While deeply distressed, she is coping as legal and diplomatic interventions continue. Nduta was sentenced to death by lethal injection on March 6th after being convicted of smuggling over two kilos of cocaine. Arrested in July 2023 while allegedly transporting a suitcase for a man identified only as John, she unknowingly passed through security at three major airports, including JKIA, before being caught in Vietnam. Vietnam enforces some of the world's toughest drug laws, imposing the death penalty for trafficking over 600 grams of heroin or cocaine. The Kenyan Government has filed an appeal and is engaging Vietnamese authorities in efforts to secure a stay of execution. Ndutas case has magnified concerns over the vulnerability of Kenyans to international drug trafficking networks. Vietnam remains a key transit hub within the Golden Triangle, where strict anti-narcotics laws result in harsh sentences. The Kenyan Government continues to push for diplomatic intervention, with hopes that Ndutas case will be reconsidered in court. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, March 22, 2025 - Residents of Siaya were forced to pull resources together and repair Kodiaga- Siaya Road after the County Government neglected the key road that serves the community. The residents have made endless pleas to the county Governor James Orengo to tarmac the road but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Siaya Governor, James Orengo, is among the worst performing Governors, despite being a seasoned politician and among Kenyas liberators. Orengo, a key ally of ODM leader Raila Odinga, is also corrupt. See photos. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, March 23, 2025 - Principal Secretary Julius Bitok visited the home of ailing Mosop MP, Abraham Kirwa, in Dallas, Texas, during his official tour of the USA. Bitok shared photos spending time with the MP and his family and wished him a speedy recovery. While on my official tour of the USA, I visited Hon. Abraham Kirwa, MP for Mosop, at his home in Dallas, Texas. I was pleased to see his progress and wished him a speedy recovery and God's blessings, he wrote. The first-time MP has been out of the country seeking specialized treatment after falling ill. Luckily, he has a home in Dallas, making his stay in America cheap as he seeks treatment for an unknown illness. See photos. The Kenyan DAILY POST DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, March 23. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has planned around 20 projects in Tajikistan for the next four years, Trend reports via ADB. These projects will focus on various sectors, including agriculture, urban development, social services, finance, public sector management, transport, and energy, as stated during todays meeting. "Our work with the government and all our partners continues to yield good results across various sectors. We are committed to making sure our initiatives succeed," said Ko Sakamoto, ADB's country director for Tajikistan. He mentioned that the upcoming projects will keep the ball rolling in supporting the countrys development priorities and the governments quest to hit the ground running towards sustainable and inclusive economic growth for everyone. Currently, ADB's portfolio in Tajikistan includes 18 projects worth $930 million, all funded by grants, with a primary focus on transport, energy, and agriculture. So far, 75 percent of the ongoing ADB projects in the country, or 12 projects, are considered "on track," although some are facing challenges with contract awards and disbursements. Since joining ADB in 1998, Tajikistan has received over $2.7 billion in support for infrastructure, climate resilience, and social services. Established in 1966, ADB catalyzes sustainable development throughout Asia and the Pacific by leveraging cutting-edge financial instruments and strategic alliances. Saturday, March 22, 2025 - The media fraternity and Kenyans at large are mourning the sudden demise of promising KBC journalist Fredrik Parsayo. As investigations into his demise continue, his last social media post has sparked speculation about possible struggles before his tragic passing. Days before his death, Parsayo shared a cryptic message on Facebook alongside a well-dressed photo of himself. He wrote in Maa: "Ore teniiti ing'orisho amu keboree irkikuu enkoitoi!"loosely translated to "When you are there, always look around because there are thorns on the way." While it remains unclear whether this was a casual quote or a hint of personal battles, many now wonder if he was trying to pass some message. Reports indicate that the young journalist took his own life after battling depression, allegedly triggered by months of unpaid salaries. Financial struggles weighed heavily on him, leaving him unable to provide for their young child. He reportedly turned to alcohol to cope with his distress after his wife left. Parsayo joined KBC in 2021 after completing his Journalism and Media Studies degree at the University of Nairobi, specializing in Broadcast Media. His untimely death has reignited conversations about mental health and financial stability in the media industry. May his soul rest in peace The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, March 22, 2025 - Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is facing serious corruption allegations, with claims that he is colluding with his County Executive Committee Members to siphon county funds. Social media activist Maverick Aoko alleges that Sakaja and his team registered a garbage collection company, NCCG-GREEN NAIROBI LTD, through which they allegedly funneled Ksh 2.1 billion. Aoko claims that Sakaja pocketed Ksh 800 million, while others shared Ksh 200 million. Chief Environment Officer Mosiria has been leading public cleanup campaigns, but many areas, especially Eastlands, remain littered with garbage. Amid growing frustration, Kenyans are calling on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the scandal. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, March 22, 2025 - Kenyan university students are facing tough times due to delays in the disbursement of Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funds, meant for their upkeep and academic expenses. One affected student took to Facebook to share his struggles, posting a photo of himself asleep on his hostel desk, appearing exhausted and hungry. He revealed that he considered calling home for financial help but quickly banished the idea, knowing his family was in an even worse situation. This comes as President William Ruto continues to donate millions to churches. See the heartbreaking post below. The Kenyan DAILY POST GARDAI and firefighters rushed to the scene after a vehicle went on fire near Mountrath this evening. Emergency services were alerted when the blaze erupted in the southbound lane of the M7 motorway, at the toll bridge near Mountrath. Gardai issued a warning on social media before 6.30pm, while emergency services dealt with the incident. There were extensive traffic delays as firefighters worked to bring the vehicle fire under control, while gardai set up detours. Gardai said: We kindly ask for your patience and caution as emergency services work to resolve the situation safely. Thank you for your cooperation.' The damaged vehicle had to be removed from the motorway after the flames were extinguished. It is not yet known whether there were injuries as a result of the blaze. Eva Osborne Ireland's rich history is often commemorated and celebrated through events, art, and education, with some residual tensions still present to this day. From the Easter Rising to the Great Famine, there's a lot to cover if you're looking to brush up on your Irish history knowledge. So, why not take our quiz to see where you're at? Concerns of local forestry growers in the wake of Storm Eowyn were raised at last weeks IFA and Teagasc hosted meeting in the Newpark Hotel. Forestry experts were in attendance to give advice and listening to all the concerns raised on the night was Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Michael Healy Rae. The Regional Forestry Storm Damage information meeting included addresses from Minister Healy Rae as well as Padraig Stapleton (IFA National Forestry Chair), Enda Keane (Tree Metrics), Alex Kelly (Irish Wood Producers) and Michael Somers (Teagasc). Windblow Taskforce Minister Healy Rae recently reaffirmed his commitment to supporting forest owners in the wake of significant storm damage, as the Windblow Taskforce completed its third meeting. The Taskforce has now confirmed that estimates show nearly 24,000 hectares of forest have suffered windblow damage - more than twice the annual cut - prompting urgent discussions on increasing harvesting capacity and mobilising resources, including potential overseas support. Following that meeting, Minister Healy-Rae acknowledged the scale of the challenge, stating: We now have an approximation of the damage done, and the focus must be on ensuring the sector has the capacity to manage this crisis. Our discussions today centred on expanding the workforce needed to plan, harvest, transport, and market this timber. I commend all involved in the Taskforce for their proactive and constructive engagement, and we will continue working systematically to address the challenges faced by affected landowners. The Minister also reassured forest owners that those with the necessary licenses can proceed with clearance and replanting without fear of being disadvantaged in future assistance schemes. I know many forest owners want to move quickly to recover their losses. While discussions on additional support are ongoing, I can confirm that any work undertaken now will not affect eligibility for potential future assistance. Support Tools At the meeting, Minister Healy-Rae launched two enhanced decision-support tools - the Tree Volume and Carbon Calculator and the Felling Decision Tool - which will assist forest owners in making informed management decisions. These tools provide key financial insights, helping assess timber revenues over a forest cycle and weigh the risks of early felling versus potential further windblow damage. Speaking on their importance, the Minister said: A demonstration today highlighted the major difference in value between a 22-year-old and a 32-year-old crop. The Felling Decision Tool will be particularly useful for those with partially damaged forests, helping them determine the financial impact of clearing a site versus allowing trees to mature further. The Minister also encouraged affected landowners to engage with industry bodies such as The Irish Forest Owners, Teagasc, and SEEFA, which are actively providing guidance through events and one-on-one clinics. I strongly urge forest owners dealing with wind damage to attend these events and arm themselves with the best possible information. Three inspiring local women guided by special guest MC Chupi Sweetman, addressed a large turnout at St Canices Cathedral as Network Ireland Kilkenny celebrated International Womens Day. The event, entitled Celestial Women: Brave, Nurturing, and Inclusive Leadership, took place on Wednesday, March 12, beneath the awe-inspiring touring artwork Museum of the Moon by Luke Jerram. The evening featured a fireside-chat-style format. Chupi Sweetman is the founder of the Irish jewellery brand Chupi. Part of the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Alumni, Chupi is one of Ireland's leading female founders. Chupi was joined by three accomplished local entrepreneurs, Denise Walsh, CEO of CurlyCo and Rustiq Salon; Dr Toluwani Akaehomen, a leadership, learning, and people development consultant; and Ella Dunphy, IPAV council member and director of DNG Ella Dunphy. Cait Mackey Maher, of Yellow Deer Designs, Network Ireland Kilkenny President, said it was a very positive event. Under the glow of the full moon at St Canices Cathedral, the energy in the room was palpable, she said. The evening was a powerful reminder of the strength found in vulnerability, as our speakers shared honest stories of their light and dark moments. Their courage left us inspired and connected. As I reflect on the evening, I am grateful that Network Ireland Kilkenny continues to create spaces like this where women are supported to thrive, share their light, and push their roles in employment and businesses forward. Its not just about the work; its about finding harmony and showing up as we are. The power of this network lies in its ability to bring women together, to foster real connection and meaningful growth. I am so grateful to our incredible speakers for their honesty and to St Canices for providing such a magical setting. And a special thanks to LEO Kilkenny for their continued support proof that when women come together, magic happens. Network Ireland is a voluntary-led business networking group with branches across Ireland that supports women's professional and personal development. It hosts regular monthly events and offers networking, mentoring, and advice, plus a social outlet and access to a national award scheme. Network Ireland Kilkenny is accepting new members. For more information, visit www.networkireland.ie or follow @networkirelandkilkenny on Instagram. READ ALSO: Kilkenny women attend as PwC hosts lunch for International Womens Day BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 23. Iran's non-oil exports to Tajikistan increased by 16.4 percent in value and 50.5 percent in weight in the 11 months of the current Iranian year (from March 20, 2024, through February 18, 2025) compared to the same period last year (from March 21, 2023, through February 19, 2024). Data obtained by Trend from Iran's Customs Administration indicates that non-oil exports amounted to $268 million and 435,000 tons during the reporting period. This marks a notable rise from the previous year when exports stood at $230 million and around 289,000 tons. The statistics also show that Iran's exports to Tajikistan primarily consisted of petrochemical products, steel goods, agricultural and food products, among others. Moreover, the total trade turnover between Iran and Tajikistan during this period reached $350 million and 471,000 tons, marking an increase of 17.5 percent in value and 49.5 percent in weight from the same period last year. For the entire Iranian year, non-oil exports across all markets reached $53.4 billion, representing an increase of 19 percent in value and 12.6 percent in weight compared to the previous year. 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... Stuff reports: Public health doctors are worried the government is trying to suppress their expertise raising alarm about what theyre describing as overreach. This is nothing to do with so called expertise. This is to stop taxpayer funded lobbying, as we saw with Public Health officials trying to stop a McDonalds in Wanaka. On Tuesday, doctors spoke on condition of anonymity to raise their concerns after a meeting earlier that day with the National Public Health Service director, Dr Nick Chamberlain. He told those doctors that any advice they wanted to offer about issues in their regions needed sign off at a national level. Some public health officials think their job is to take their taxpayer funded salary and advocate for whatever policies they like. This is ending, thank God. Brown said he wanted medical officers of health to stop writing about issues such as fast food and leading advocacy campaigns on public health issues. Instead, he said their focus should be on technical advice and immunisation campaigns. Absolutely. If they want to be lobbyists, they should quit their jobs and form a lobby group and seek donations for it. Public health doctors have expertise in how social and environmental issues can impact the health of a population. They also offer expertise in how the policies of central and local government will improve or harm health. Lots of people have expertise in particular issues. Treasury has staff with expertise on how increasing the minimum wage can lead to higher unemployment. That doesnt mean Treasury staff are allowed to submit to every Council in NZ, advocating against living wage policies. Brown said he was fed up with seeing doctors giving advice on issues such as fast food restaurants. Referencing the Wanaka McDonalds issue, which saw a medical officer submit against the resource consent for another branch of the burger giant to be built, Brown said: Writing submissions opposing a fast-food restaurant in Wanaka, as Health NZ did last year, is not what New Zealanders expect from their health service. My expectation is that Health NZ should prioritise delivering healthcare services over engaging in broader advocacy efforts. This includes the National Public Health Service which should be focused on improving immunisation rates and tackling key health challenges, rather than weighing in on where fast-food outlets should be located, he said. Brown said medical officers of health had an important role in providing local technical advice, and that would continue. The health budget is already stretched. I am sure the vast majority of NZers want more money spent on GP access, elective surgery, EDs, medicines etc and less on lobbying councils and commissioners on resource consents. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High near 85F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch.. Tonight Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 23. Irans Bandar Imam Petrochemical Company (BIPC) has invested substantial funds in procuring supplies for its chlor-alkali plant, with a total expenditure reaching $100 million, Sepahdar Ansarinik, the companys executive director, told reporters, Trend reports. In his statement to local media, Ansarinik revealed that the construction of the plant is currently 47 percent complete. In addition to this, another batch of supplies is set to be imported into the country, he confirmed. Moreover, the company has also allocated 56 million euros for the establishment of its ethane reprocessing unit. Ansarini further disclosed that during a recent shareholders' meeting on March 18, the companys capital was increased by 380 percent, although the exact capital amount was not specified. Iran's Bandar Imam Petrochemical Company is located in an area of 270 ha in the southwestern province of Khuzestan. The facility has a significant production capacity, with an annual output of 1 million tons of ethane, 1.96 million tons of propane, 1.57 million tons of butane, 1.41 million tons of pentane plus, and 30,500 tons of raffinate C4. Additionally, the company is capable of producing 411,000 tons of ethylene, 118,000 tons of polypropylene (chemical grade), 64,000 tons of polypropylene (polymer grade), 26,000 tons of butadiene, 88,000 tons of C4 cut, 180,000 tons of vinyl chloride monomer, 440,000 tons of ethylene dichloride, 63,300 tons of hydrochloric acid, 6,600 tons of bleach, 150,000 tons of heavy polyethylene, 100,000 tons of light polyethylene, and 4,000 tons of synthetic rubber annually. 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. Protesters react to tear gas sprays as they clash with riot police during a demonstration following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, near the city hall of Istanbul, on March 21. Excess of words in Yoruba was the justification used by a member of a judging panel at Rio de Janeiros Carnaval to dock points from a samba school. The group Unidos de Padre Miguel had put together a parade that paid homage to the origins of Candomble, an Afro-Brazilian faith, complete with a song full of words with African roots. The evaluation ignited powerful debate, and even Culture Minister Margareth Menezes weighed in. It is disrespect to our ancestry, samba was born from resistance, she said. Nearly all samba schools celebrate Brazils African heritage in one way or another. Mangueira used its parade to praise Bantu culture, with many of its members wearing costumes honoring the African vocabulary that has long been integrated into Brazilian Portuguese. This is no minor contribution, but rather a 3,000-word lexicon inherited from the nearly five million Africans who, after being kidnapped and enslaved, arrived in Brazil between the 16th and late 19th centuries. The Mangueira samba school performs at the Sambadrome. Tita Barros (REUTERS) This linguistic diversity, despite all possible prohibitions and barriers, wound up molding the Portuguese that is spoken in Brazil today. Nor is its impact is limited to vocabulary; African heritage has left its mark on pronunciation, syntax and grammar. The primary languages that survive in Brazil are Yoruba, Fon, Kimbundu and Kikongo, the last two hailing from the Bantu linguistic group, which is has had the greatest influence on modern-day speech. They belong to different ethnic groups from sub-Saharan Africa, the inhabitants of the lands that today are known as Nigeria, Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. Once enslaved, their speakers were forced to abandon their mother tongues, and for good measure, slave owners would place members of different communities together in order to prevent them from communicating with each other. A word of Bantu origen, cuica, referring to a musical instrument, is honored during Mangueiras parade during Rios Carnaval. Marco Terranova (Riotur) Many words survived in private, and due to this, its no coincidence that the majority have to do with Candomble and other African faiths, as well as food. Acaraje, which refers to a spicy empanada that has become the gastronomic emblem of the state of Bahia, is a Yoruba world that literally means to eat a ball of fire. Culinary examples are numerous, as are those related to music and with the Orishas and rituals practiced in terreiros (ceremonial spaces). Nowadays, these hidden places, as well as quilombos, the communities formed by the descendants of those who came from Africa that are largely located in rural areas, are the last bastions in which the languages that came from the continent can be heard. Still, many words have made the leap from spaces of Black resistance and are now used in everyday Brazilian life, by members of all racial groups, who are often unaware of their origin. Going to the beach to take a dip in ones thong or sunga (mens swimming briefs) and sunbathing on a canga (sarong) requires the use of African words. So do samba and the chachaca (distilled spirit) used in the cocktail cairpirinha, as well as terms less easily translated, like cafune (an affectionate head caress). Many of these African words wound up taking the place of those that came from Portugal on the caravel sailing ships. To speak of the youngest member of the family, the Portuguese say benjamin; Brazilians, cacula. In Lisbon, during nap time, they dormitam, but in Rio, they take a cochilo. The list is long and has led the intellectual Lelia Gonzalaz, a leader in the Black Brazilian movement, to declare that Brazil doesnt speak Portuguese, but rather, Pretugues (from preto, a word for Black). Flag designed by the artist Rosana Paulio, based on a concept by Lelia Gonzalez. Beatriz Gimenes Many of the historical prejudices against the African influence on Brazilian Portuguese are related to a lack of written records and the difficulty that academia has had in addressing the complexity of oral cultures. One of the few documents that have proved helpful in codifying linguistic history has been a Kimbundu grammar book published in 1697 by the priest Pedro Dias. The booklet, which is less than 50 pages long, is titled Arte da Lingua de Angola, and was designed to be used by the Jesuits so that they could more easily preach to the enslaved individuals who had recently arrived from the western coast of Africa. For Federal University of Bahia African linguistics professor Wania Miranda Araujo da Silva, the lack of records is one of the greatest challenges to the social pedagogy that must be constructed in order to place proper value on the oral knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation, above all in traditional communities. Its the only way to be able to demonstrate that there has been a notable impact that goes beyond lexicon. Indeed, intonation, the way in which some phonemes are pronounced, the tendency to place vowels where there are none (as opposed to Portuguese in Portugal, which is highly consonantal) and the double negative (nao vou nao, literally I am not going no) are all vestiges of Africanness in the speech of Brazilians, she explains in a phone interview. Bantu words are displayed during the Mangueira parade in Rio de Janeiros Carnaval. Marco Terranova (Riotur) These are factors, says Araujo, that add tension to the ever-complicated relationship with language purists, especially in the homeland of Luis de Camoes. With Portugal there is tension, we have an orthographic agreement between the countries that speak Portuguese, but the linguistic emancipation between Brazil and Portugal took place long ago, on various levels, she says. There are more and more programs of study at Brazilian universities that, instead of looking to Portugal, prefer to delve into the similarities of Brazilian Portuguese with the Angola language of Mozambique, for example. But at the institutional level, there is still much to be done. Despite the fact that in Brazil, hundreds of languages are spoken (largely due to diverse Indigenous communities), it is still seen as a monolingual country, says Araujo. The closest the country has to a public policy to properly value African languages is a law passed in 2003 that requires public schools to teach Afro-Brazilian history and culture, though it is hardly ever enforced. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The drugs that have emerged since the late 1960s are, as a rule, closely related to the earlier ones. The 1950s and 1960s were the golden age of psychiatry. At that time, reliable options were being discovered that curbed the shadows of the mind and regulated emotional pain. Antipsychotics that blocked the reception of dopamine and antidepressants that acted on the reuptake of serotonin were chanced upon. It was a radical development that emerged from a vacuum and led to drugs that muted the voices of schizophrenia or threw a lifeline to sufferers of depression. With the commercialization of Valium (diazepam) in 1963, benzodiazepines which boosts the neurotransmitter GABA allowed risky barbiturates to be removed from anxiety treatment. Within the space of 15 years and after a lot of laboratory work and a couple of strokes of luck, psychiatrists had a small but solid arsenal of remedies to offer their patients. Little has changed since then, argues the controversial Imperial College professor David Nutt in a recent article published in The Lancet. The author of works such as Drugs Without the Hot Air, Nutt believes the last 50 years have been, with few exceptions, a slew of variations on the same theme. Science, he argues, has limited itself to increasing the tolerability and galvanizing the efficacy of three mechanisms of action. His review is relentless: half a century with hardly any new findings. We have failed many times, and yet we keep making the same mistakes, says Nutt via videoconference. According to Nutt, stumbling over the same stone is due to excessive regulatory zeal and methodological rigidity, two obstacles that stifle ingenuity and provoke timorous attitudes when investigating mental pathologies. Not everyone sees a five-decade wasteland when looking back. Eduard Vieta, head of psychiatry at the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, agrees that the drugs that have emerged since the late 1960s are, as a rule, closely related to the earlier ones, but he insists there has been a lot of finetuning regarding side effects. Things have improved tremendously. Before, you used to see terrible cases of dystonia [involuntary movements], catatonia and even death, he points out. Although he says that a boom like that of the post-war years is not on the cards, Vieta considers that we are living in a silver age of psychiatry. And he justifies his enthusiasm with two recently approved advances. These are muscarinic, which has enabled the development of Cobenfy a new antipsychotic, for now only available in the U.S. and glutamatergic, which enables esketamine to work in some patients suffering from resistant depression. With varying degrees of optimism, experts agree that there are intrinsic pitfalls in psychiatric research. The brain is the most complex organ and we are far from understanding it, says Leyre Uriguen, a neurobiologist and researcher at the University of the Basque Country. Not only are researchers dealing with the absence of precise biomarkers essential for the analysis of purely physical diseases, they also have the subjective component in diagnoses and evaluations to contend with. We question people who often do not understand themselves, says Juan Carlos Leza, who heads a molecular neuropsychopharmacology group at the Complutense University. We have to measure thoughts and emotions, and there is no totally objective way to do that, Vieta adds. The inherently human nature of psychiatric disorders also limits the use of animal experimentation. Leza explains: You cant ask a mouse if it is sad or if it has considered taking its own life. Utiguen adds: Its easy to replicate cancer in a rodent, but not depression. Utiguen, is, however, hopeful about the potential of research being carried out with organoids miniature recreations of human organs created from stem cells. Nutt is less optimistic. Organoids may be useful for investigating brain growth factors, but I dont think they will help us develop new medicines. Even if we can get them to have the subjective qualities of a depression, it would be unethical to go that way. If a brain organoid started thinking like a human, it would no longer be an organoid. Antipsychiatry and psychedelics From a social point of view, so-called anti-psychiatry a concept that emerged at the end of the 1960s has put another brake on the development of new drugs. There is a current of opinion that claims that mental illness does not exist, that everything would be solved by tackling the underlying social problems, Leza points out. According to Nutt, these ideas have permeated the circles of power and have marginalized the need to alleviate the suffering of the psyche. In the United Kingdom, public funds are allocated to the fight against cancer, but not schizophrenia, and that is a political decision, he says. Nutt proposes to turn research regarding mental illness on its head. He advocates giving up on the methodological zeal that places randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on a pedestal. There is an illusion that they are the only ones that provide scientific certainty, but experience tells us that, apart from being very expensive, in psychiatry they tend to be highly ineffective, he says. Nutt points out that, in 2007, Michael Rawlins, then head of the British drug regulatory body, said that RCTs were not the pinnacle of clinical trials, but just another tool. His words fell on deaf ears. Perhaps people are scared of change, says Nutt who advocates a return to the spirit of the 1950s and 1960s, when there was more focus on symptoms and researchers were more experimental and exposed to lucky breakthroughs. After decades of restrictions, Vieta is excited about the recent openness to test and, if necessary, introduce psychedelic substances into the arsenal available to psychiatrists. He himself is doing research with psilocybin a substance found in hallucinogenic mushrooms and dimethyltryptamine, which is found in various plants such as ayahuasca. They are very potent serotonergic agonists, with a mechanism of action that, we suspect, could reset the brain, perhaps correcting depression and anxiety. According to Vieta, they are currently producing impressive results in people with bipolar disorder and severe depression. Nutt is skeptical. Regulatory overreach is likely to destroy the hope placed in psychedelics, he says. He believes that their use on an extensive scale would mean turning iron-clad regulations and practices on their head. Taking these substances requires consultations with psychiatrists and/or psychologists who need to be around to ground the experience. Nutt fears that, because its not just a drug, but drug plus therapy, regulators will argue that they cant approve it. Moreover, with pharmaceutical companies out of the picture, there is no sizable profit to be made. It would mean changing the model that has been in place for 70 years: a company obtains a patent on a molecule and does business with it. Despite his mistrust, Nutt says change is possible. In Australia, regulators already allow Mind Medicine, a non-profit organization, to administer psilocybin and MDMA (ecstasy) in controlled settings. They have decided that there is sufficient evidence of therapeutic benefit and that it is time to move beyond the kind of innovation that only seeks financial gain, he says. Cautiously, Nutt allows his pessimistic vision to be punctured by a psychedelic ray of light that may well help overcome 50 years of stagnation. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 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. The bullet took mercy on him. They forced him to his knees, the gun against his head. The shots bang, bang, bang pierced the quiet of the early morning at Laguna Salada, deep in the vast, desolate desert that surrounds Mexicali. I didnt feel anything, just heat. When the bullet hit me, everything went blurry, and I fainted. The shot grazed his forehead, leaving a scar thats still visible more than 20 years later a wrinkled mark at the base of his scalp but it didnt lodge in his skull. He had mixed with people it was better to avoid. We let them down. And thats death. If you owe someone a kilo of heroin and you dont pay, theyll kill you, and if they cant find you, theyll kill your family. And I didnt want that. When he regained consciousness, he found two bodies lying beside him. I was talking to them, but they were dead. Blood trickled down his forehead, covering his eyes. He wiped it away as best he could, dragged himself through the sand, made his way to the highway, and hitchhiked to Mexicali. At the hospital, he overheard the doctor calling for a patrol car, so he fled. He went to a friends house, cleaned up, borrowed some money, and, trembling with fear, caught a bus to Ciudad Juarez that same day. The bullet showed more compassion than his dealers. Perhaps it was the only time Ismael Olvera was lucky. That night at the turn of the century wasnt the last time Olvera stared death in the face. He has turned 50 as a living defiance to medicine. Hes a survivor of the Mexican border, one of many in a population invisible to statistics, overlooked by the official numbers used on both sides of the Rio Grande in that illusion that Richard Nixon called the war on drugs and, years later, Donald Trump inherited, transforming it into a crusade against fentanyl, the opioid 50 times more potent than heroin. As Olvera recalls his encounters with death on a March afternoon, the fentanyl, leaves the syringe stuck in his right wrist, and makes its way through his bloodstream. 04:34 Latin America's first supervised drug consumption room (Spanish) A drug user collects new syringes at Verter, March 11. Video: GLADYS SERRANO Olvera blinks, taps the veins in his arm with his fingers, and sighs in relief. He wants to keep talking, but his eyes close, he forgets what he was saying, and he sinks into a synthetic delirium right there in Verter, the first facility on the continent where addicts can use drugs in a safe, professionally supervised environment. By now, everyone knows that the United States, the most drug-addicted country in the world, is hooked on fentanyl. The opioid has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in recent years. We know because the deaths are meticulously recorded in official statistics. But of addicts like Olvera, born just a few meters away on the wrong side of the border, almost nothing is known. He is one of the forgotten casualties of Trumps war on fentanyl, the weapon he wields daily to threaten Mexico and Canada with tariffs unless they crack down. During his presidency (20182024), Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador denied that fentanyl was produced or even consumed in Mexico, even though reality insisted otherwise. His successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, under pressure from Trump, has acknowledged its production but insists there is no consumption, which is limited to border cities. Not even naloxone, the life-saving opioid antidote, is legal in Mexico. Harm reduction organizations on the border smuggle it in from the U.S. According to Sheinbaum, fentanyl hasnt taken hold in Mexico because families are very close-knit. Amid these hollow narratives, the country lacks real data or public programs beyond prevention campaigns that, as Lourdes Angulo, director of Verter, puts it, are criminalizing addicts: Overdose deaths have risen in recent years. Theres the rhetoric, and then theres whats happening. Saying fentanyl kills is a half-truth. What really kills is not having access to naloxone, not having harm reduction services. For Lopez Obrador, for Sheinbaum, for Trump Olvera simply doesnt exist. Olvera followed the same path as dozens of other users who were interviewed for this story the one marked out for those who have never known anything but abuse and neglect. He started with marijuana at 12 or 13, smoking with neighborhood friends. In his family, drugs were commonplace, as were beatings and theft. Still a teenager, he made the switch to methamphetamine. From there, heroin was a natural, almost logical next step. By 15, it was part of his daily routine first smoked, then injected for a faster, more intense high. On those streets, the brown powder is easier to find than a job or a school diploma. A drug dose is prepared. Gladys Serrano The first time it makes you vomit, its not pleasant, but the second time you start to like it. You feel like peace inside, you see everything calmly, a pleasant tingling, the rush. The rush, the euphoria, doesnt last long. With habitual use, you need more and more. You spice it up with other substances. I threw coke in it, a speedball. He left home, joining the 500 others who sleep in the streets, parks, and ruins of Mexicali. Youd see me lying on any corner, in any abandoned house. I had to steal. I was already doing almost a gram a day. A downward spiral of jails, hospitals, beatings, hunger. Years blurred into decades, until that life brought him to his knees before a gun to his head and a merciful bullet. He fled to Ciudad Juarez, scraped out a living in informal camps, washed cars, collected garbage, and never gave up heroin. And when they thought I was dead, I made a call four years later. My mother answered, and she didnt believe it was me. He returned home, got clean, got married, had children. For a while, it worked. Then, things took a turn for the worse. He relapsed. By then, the brown powder was beginning to be cut with a new opioid cheaper, stronger, deadlier. Thats how he discovered fentanyl. Born hooked Verter is located in Mexicalis Chinatown, a neighborhood that for decades served as a backyard for American parties but has since become rundown. The border wall stands less than 200 meters away. Through the bars, you can see Calexico the other side of the coin neater, cleaner, with streets laid out in precise right angles and bevels, the quintessential American suburb. Mexican children cross daily to attend school there, workers commute back and forth, and Americans make the reverse journey to buy cheap, over-the-counter medications at Mexican pharmacies. Among them there are also addicts with U.S. passports who come to Verter because nothing like it exists on their side of the wall no one to exchange clean syringes, test their doses for free, or verify that their fentanyl is actually fentanyl and not adulterated with substances like xylazine, a pet sedative. Abandoned businesses near the border in Calexico, California. Gladys Serrano Take, for example, a couple who comes almost every week, books a hotel for a few days, gets high, and then returns to Calexico. One day, the man arrives at Verter with neatly combed hair, a leather jacket, and a medical mask. He drops off a handful of used syringes, picks up fresh ones, politely declines an interview, and disappears into the streets of Chinatown. The people who come to Verter often share similar backgrounds: a first encounter with opioids in adolescence that they never managed to escape, childhoods in neglected neighborhoods, and stories of loneliness and isolation. Verter serves a population of about 400 addicts. The majority, 80%, are men. However, more women die. Paulina Montserrat Leal was born in Guadalajara three decades ago. She came to Mexicali 15 years ago to visit a brother who had moved to Calexico. She liked the city and decided to stay, working in bars and restaurants downtown. She had a heroin-addicted boyfriend and wanted to see if the peace she saw in his eyes after shooting up could also quiet her own mind. Since then, she hasnt been able to stay clean for more than two weeks. Not even when she was pregnant with her second child, who was born with fentanyl already in his blood. He was born hooked, but he was born alive. Both of her children live in Guadalajara with her family. For years, she has only seen them through video calls. But they know who their mother is and everything. She just injected herself, fending off la malilla the withdrawal symptoms before they could take hold of her body. She lives in a tenement with a good man, she says, someone who has adopted her and treats her with respect. He asks her to stop using. She hopes to get clean someday. Heriberto Salazar on the streets of Mexicali, Baja California. Gladys Serrano Heriberto Salazar shares a passport with Trump. He was born 52 years ago in California. He was a teenager when heroin first took hold of him. He fled to Mexico to escape a prison sentence on the other side. Now, he unloads trucks just to scrape together a few pesos. I dont know how to live clean anymore. Its been so many years. And I swear Id like to quit, but I cant. Its a constant struggle. Mario Martinez, 55, took the opposite path. He grew up in Mexicali, crossed into California, and got hooked at 17 because of a failed love. After a couple of deportations, he stayed in Mexico. Right now, Im not planning to quit, but Id like to. I have an 11-year-old grandson. Jose Angel Garcia was attacked by dogs two years ago. They broke his arm, leaving a scar on his body. He could only manage in hospital if was under the effects of tranquilizers. The pain was so unbearable that he had to return to the streets to get a fix. The wound never healed his dislocated bone now juts out at an unnatural angle. Sometimes, he gets tired of the fact that his life is just the space between syringes. He dropped out of school at 16 when he first encountered crystal meth. Heroin followed soon after. Now, at 25, he reflects: I dont like being pessimistic, dude. I have nothing no TV, no radio, no cell phone. Just a suitcase with two changes of clothes, and thats it. But Im alive. I dont have a girlfriend, I have nothing. But I have drugs. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Flash Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, co-chairs the sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Tokyo, Japan, March 22, 2025. Officials from 15 government departments of both countries attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) Chinese Foreign Minister and member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Wang Yi and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on Saturday co-chaired the sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue in Tokyo, pledging efforts to deepen economic collaboration between the two nations. Both sides agreed to jointly implement an important consensus reached by their leaders, enrich the economic dimension of the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit, and work together to build a constructive and stable economic and trade relationship that meets the demands of a new era. The dialogue concluded with 20 key consensus points regarding cooperation in areas such as green development, environmental protection, elderly care services, service trade, food safety, supply chains and intellectual property protection, among others. The two sides agreed to support each other in hosting multiple events, and hold consultations and dialogues at various levels. The two countries also agreed to hold the seventh China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue in China at an appropriate time. Canada is in turmoil. Newly inaugurated Prime Minister Mark Carney is about to call snap elections for next month. And the campaign, which has not officially started, will be defined by the countrys most pressing matter. On April 2, Donald Trump has said he will set new tariffs on a wide selection of products from Canada and elsewhere, while also repeating over and again how nice it would be to make his northern neighbor the 51st state. Kenneth Frankel, president of the Canadian Council for the Americas, spoke with EL PAIS from New York via a video call to discuss the current temperature of Canadian politics, the tariff dispute which has morphed into an existential threat, and the future outlook for his country. Question. Prime Minister Carney has been dealt the tough hand of dealing with Trumps continuing aggression. How would you describe the situation hes facing? Answer. Its existential. This 51st state stuff is not viewed in Canada as a joke, but part of a plan to first cripple Canada economically and then make it easier for them to try and take it over one way or another. Mark Carney became prime minister last Sunday and as far as we understand, he still has not spoken to Trump. Traditionally, the first conversation or the first visit would be to Washington. He said hell speak to him when the conditions are appropriate. Instead, where did Mark Carney go at the beginning of this week? France and England. Whats he talking about? Economic ties, diversification, and everything related to further integration. Also, about security issues. Q. And internally the reports are hes going to call elections on Sunday, whats the situation like there? A. Donald Trump has had an effect on Canadian politics unlike anything anyone has seen before. If you look at the polling of the [governing] Liberal Party in December, its like 16%, and now theyve overtaken the opposition Conservative Party. Thats a 20 point difference in a few months. The elections are going to be called for April 28. So well see how that goes. Trudeau ended up leaving office with a much higher approval rating than he had enjoyed for many, many years because the country actually liked the way he was dealing with Trump. And Carney is a serious player. He knows world finance, he knows corporate office, and he knows public sector finance through his work in the Canadian Central Bank and then in England. Q. And the Conservatives? How are they talking about how they would deal hypothetically with Trump now that has become the central issue? A. This phenomenon has caught the Conservatives flat-footed, because the campaign up till now was based on the carbon tax: Ax the tax. They wanted an election on the unpopular carbon tax. But the major Liberal candidates, even during the campaign for the Liberal leadership, all said, day one, Im getting rid of the carbon tax. So now they see the Liberals gaining momentum with this battle about the existence of Canada. The question now is whos the best person to negotiate and protect Canadian interests? The Conservatives have more recently pivoted to say that they will be tough with Trump. Well see if Canadians believe that. Q. Was there a set-out plan beforehand to deal with Trump, his bullying, and his tariffs? Or is it impossible to plan for something like this? A. There was definitely planning on the economic front. Not publicly, of course, but even before the election, contingency planning. When you see Canada come with specifically targeted countermeasures, that didnt happen overnight. They went state by state, industry by industry. It didnt just come out of the air that they were going to do orange juice, which is going to affect Florida, right? There was a complete mapping of where these things were coming from. Having said that, I dont think many people fully understood the enormity of what was coming. Q. The claims that Canada is not doing enough to stop the flow of migrants or fentanyl into the U.S. is factually disputable how can Canada negotiate when the other side is making such claims? A. The facts are just the opposite of what he says. So once you get past that, you say, whats really going on here? No one could imagine the attacks on Canadian sovereignty, but for Canadians, there is no other explanation: every time he says I want their minerals, I want the 51st state, thats real, they believe him. Or he wants to create an empire. If you look at a map of the United States, Canada, and Greenland, it looks like a whole big mass that would set up nicely for an empire. And when hes launching misinformation bots about the trade war that Canada has started, you see all this coming together. Some people have called Trumps actions the Ukraineization of Canada. Canada plans on going strong against that. Q. How would that play out? A. For example, when the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, a conservative who just won reelection, threatened to cut off all the energy that flows from Ontario, that would have basically shut off three states in the U.S. Then, all of a sudden, he was invited down to the White House to have a conversation. So the feeling in Canada now is if youre going to go, maybe dont go incrementally, you go strong right up front. When you frame it as an existential fight, then the question is you do what you have to do. Q. Obviously, avoiding a full-blown trade war is the priority, but is there anyone seeing that this situation could force a diversification of trade and perhaps end up strengthening Canada? A. One of the main words in Canada right now is diversification. So there are efforts to look abroad to develop new channels where necessary. Having said that, 75 [percent] or whatever number you want to pick these days, depending on how you calculate it with intermediary goods, of Canadian exports go to the U.S. Its an economic relationship with all kinds of entanglements. So the answer is, yes, diversification, but I dont think anybody has the illusion that Canada can exist without serious commerce with the U.S. Certainly not in the short or medium, and one would say probably the long term as well. Another remedy thats talked about is to break down longstanding internal barriers for trade among Canadian provinces. Q. Does Canada have a strong hand to play then if they acknowledge they will still need trade with the U.S.? A. Canada, and this is something theyve done for a number of decades now, realizes that in order to have influence in what happens in Washington, its really important to have influence in the states all throughout the country. And so theres been concerted efforts over a period of years to develop very good personal, economic, political, relationships with the separate states. Canada has a famous map, that it revises every now and again, that shows what is the biggest trading partner for each state. I dont know the exact number lately, but it was like 35 out of the 50 states where the leading partner was Canada. So the conversations that have been going on even now are not just in Washington, but with governors. Q. Are there any voices looking to turn down the heat of the confrontation? A. Everybody understands that in the heat of battle, sometimes things can get hyperbolized a little bit. But in this case, this is coming from people who are very level-headed, including statesmen and diplomats. They are saying the relationship will never be the same again. And Canada has left itself vulnerable to these things, or more vulnerable than it could have been if it had not taken certain decisions on its integration with the U.S. market. Everybody understands that too. But its time to start growing up, becoming more independent, and spreading around some of the risk and vulnerability. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The king of tariffs, the Napoleon of protection, the pioneer of a truly global United States. As Donald Trump threatens to impose tariffs, attempts to broker peace in Ukraine and Gaza, and floats the idea of 21st century U.S. expansionism, these are the kinds of labels he might like to hear about himself. But they arent about Trump. They actually refer to another U.S. president who governed over a century ago and seems to serve as a model for Trump: William McKinley. America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world, Trump tellingly said in his second first speech as president before alluding to McKinley. We will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley [the United Statess highest peak, located in Alaska and known by its native name of Denali], where it should be and where it belongs. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent he was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal. Is Trumps portrayal of McKinley accurate? What is McKinleys true legacy? EL PAIS spoke with Robert Merry, a journalist with decades of experience in Washington who later became a historian, and author of a revised biography of McKinley, President McKinley: Architect of the American Century. In a video call from Montana, Merry sheds light on McKinley and his unexpected new connection to Donald Trump. The current president of the United States, Donald Trump, and former president William McKinley, both signing documents at a desk. EFE / Getty Question. Why, if its possible to know, does Donald Trump start referencing McKinley? Answer. In his first term, he had Andrew Jacksons painting on the wall of the Oval Office, not McKinley. He did of course project himself as a pro-tariff, pro-protectionist economic thinker. And so it is not surprising that he would ultimately move onto the man who is probably our greatest protectionist in terms of our presidents. But there was another factor, I believe. McKinley was the last great expansionist in America. He brought the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States and liberated Cuba. And Trump seems to be something of an expansionist, at least philosophically, himself, with his interest in Greenland, for example, the Panama Canal, and, I dont know whether this is serious, the idea of making Canada the 51st state. Q. In terms of tariffs, how did McKinleys relationship to them begin and develop over time? A. Rutherford B. Hayes was his commanding officer in the Civil War and his great mentor, and Hayes was elected to be president in the same year that McKinley was elected to the House of Representatives. And it was Hayes who basically said, find an issue, and I think you should embrace tariffs as your singular issue, and youre going to be more adept and more grounded in that issue than anyone else in Congress. And he did. He was not a visionary. He didnt have the vision of American greatness that you might think that Theodore Roosevelt, his successor, had. But he was a very adept, and he mastered the subject, and he became a leading person. He became chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, which had jurisdiction over tariffs. And so thats how he became the tariff man. Q. And how did his tariffs work? A. He wrote a bill, that was passed in 1890, that instated significantly high tariffs. It kind of got out of control because a lot of people, once you put a big bill before Congress, use it as a Christmas tree to put their own ornaments on. And that did happen. So there were more tariffs on more products than McKinley really wanted. And in many cases, they were higher tariffs than he really agreed with. But he still believed in the basic fundamental principle. Yet, it didnt do very well politically. Merchants and businesses raised their prices in anticipation of the tariffs going into effect and the result was that there was a tremendous amount of unpopularity that emerged. And McKinley actually lost his seat as a result in the 1890 elections. Out of Congress, the tariffs seemed to be the proximate cause of his defeat, but he refused to back off and said that we were still on the threshold of a major tariff regimen. He became governor of Ohio for two two-year terms, and then became president in 1896. From the White House, he pushed through a bill that restores much of the higher tariffs that had been scrapped under Democratic president Grover Cleveland. Q. Did he change his mind about them? A. Yes, he did. And it was quite a remarkable turnaround. He realized as president that America was an amazingly growing and vibrant enterprise nation and that we could produce more goods, agricultural as well as industrial, than any other country. And that as we did, we were going to run out of markets domestically, so we needed to develop overseas markets. And you cant have those without being a trading country. So he began to change and developed this concept, although it wasnt his idea, called reciprocity: essentially, well cut our tariffs if you cut yours. He was going about this very aggressively after his reelection in 1900, but less than a year into his second term, he was assassinated. Dos caricaturas de la epoca del presidente McKinley muestran las cambiantes actitudes frente a los aranceles en esos anos. Q. Back to the present, when Trump is applying tariffs, do you feel that hes actually learned from McKinleys experience? A. First of all, 2025 is not 1898 or 1900. Things are very, very different. There was no income tax in McKinleys day. So the tariffs were the primary source of federal revenue. Also, the government was much, much smaller than it is today. The other thing I would say is that Trump seems to want to use reciprocity in a much more expansive way. For example, the tariffs that he slapped on Mexico and Canada, wishing them to help more with our border control problems. That would never have been anything that anybody would have considered or even thought remotely appropriate in McKinleys day. Q. Moving to what you mentioned on expansionism, how might Trump see McKinley as a model for his own presidency? A. McKinley really accepted and even helped fashion the idea of what I call non-colonial imperialism. That is to say, developing a navy and a military and an economic force that is so unparalleled that you can have your way in the world, even without colonies. That was very, very important in the beginning of the 20th century and moved us into a new era, which was the Roosevelt era. Trump, as far as I can tell, doesnt really make that distinction. Q. But Trump seems to like to wield his will without necessarily having a colonial relationship A. It seems to me that what hes talking about with regard to Greenland is a colonial concept. Also, the Panama Canal. So its not absolutely clear exactly how Trump is going to ultimately fashion this foreign policy, but theres plenty of room for his idea of colonial expansionism. Q. Some people are also drawing parallels with regard to expanding executive power. A. McKinley sought to enhance his ability to move events by developing much closer relationships with the press, by communicating much more avidly and much more expansively, and indeed in more detail, with the American people than other presidents had done. He took the first steps towards enhancing the influence and the relative power of the executive branch, but only in ways that could not be construed as being attacks on the other branches. So, yes, McKinley did help move us into the 20th century with regard to presidential action, but not in any threatening way. Q. Would you say Trumps actions now can be seen as threatening? A. Hes pushing the envelope to a tremendous extent with regard to executive prerogative vis-a-vis the Congress. And well see how he deals with the courts, because hes going to win some and lose some in the Supreme Court. Q. Overall, do you think Trumps representation of McKinley is accurate? A. Trump doesnt recognize McKinleys remarkable turnaround with regard to his views on tariffs. He basically concluded that tariffs needed to be reduced in a whole host of areas and to a significant extent in order for us to sell the goods that we were producing in America. Trump doesnt talk that way and doesnt pay much attention to that remarkable turnaround. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Story by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for Talk of the Town, a weekly newsletter of local stories that dig deep, events, and more from north-central PA, at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown. HARRISBURG Removing barriers to getting public dollars into the hands of Pennsylvanias rural communities is a top priority of a new commission created to revive these areas. The Rural Population Revitalization Commission, established by lawmakers last year to brainstorm solutions to curb population decline, released a report last month laying out some of its ideas. The study includes feedback from stakeholders across the state who want more options for housing, health care, jobs, and transportation to make their communities more attractive to new residents and businesses. However, with limited staffing and a smaller taxpayer base to generate local revenue, many rural areas struggle to apply for and access state and federal grant money that could support development and revitalization projects. And even in places where officials secure these dollars, limited staffing can cause them to struggle to administer the influx of funding. In response to that feedback, the commission plans to evaluate the states criteria for awarding funding and to ensure smaller municipalities have the tools such as technical support to get this money. This might include assessing prohibitive grant requirements, such as communities having to match the amount of money they receive from grants. I think what we can do is look strategically and say, Where can we make investments that will benefit and revitalize those areas that have, quite frankly, been neglected? state Rep. Paul Takac (D-Centre), who serves on the commission, told Spotlight PA. The 15-member commission held its first hearing on growing local capacity last month in Blair County, and plans to have more meetings on the topic. Stakeholders have already proposed a tiered system for grant applications to ensure a more equitable distribution of state funds that also recognizes rural areas might not offer the same return on investment as urban ones. Additionally, rural leaders have proposed regional partnerships to consolidate resources. Frank Mazza, director of government relations for the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, suggested a merit-based or needs-based system to help level the playing field for rural areas. I think the mentality in many of our rural communities, not just in counties, is that were just going to lose out to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh every time, and that is a barrier to pursuing different opportunities, he said. Kyle Kopko, who chairs the commission, said this summer the body will dig into models and programs in other states and mull suggestions to address capacity challenges. Theres a strong consensus among the commission members that we dont want to reinvent the wheel, he told Spotlight PA. We really want to be deliberative about this and show that a recommendation isnt harmed by evidence. The commission is required to release proposals for legislative and regulatory changes every two years. But Kopko, who also directs the General Assemblys Center for Rural Pennsylvania, hopes those recommendations which could include legislation or procedural shifts within state agencies are ready sooner rather than later. The commission aims to release more reports with stakeholder feedback and possible solutions on a rolling basis. While the commission likely wont draft legislation directly, it will outline what a bill should include to address a specific issue, Kopko said. The hope is to have bipartisan support for anything requiring action from lawmakers and introduce identical proposals in both chambers. State Rep. Dan Moul (R., Adams), who sits on the Center for Rural Pennsylvanias board, said hes confident the commission will come up with proposals that can make it through the legislature and become law. But bill proposals and increased spending arent the only suggestions he hopes to see. He also wants the commission to target efforts to remove red tape within state agencies like the Department of Environmental Protection. If you make it too difficult for that entrepreneur to build his building, to start his business, to maybe hire half a dozen people, hes never going to make it, Moul told Spotlight PA. Its too expensive. It all has to work together. SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/donate/statecollege. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results. A speeding van driver didnt notice a garda car with lights flashing and sirens following him at 160kph in the overtaking lane of the M7 Motorway for over three kilometres. Frankie John Barr (26) of 58 Finn Eber Fort, Finglas, Dublin was accused of driving without reasonable consideration at M7 Ballymacken, Portlaoise on September 17, 2024. Garda Stephen OHanlon said the defendant was driving a black Peugeot Partner van on the date in question. I followed this vehicle for over three kilometres, he told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. He said the driver appeared oblivious even though he had lights and sirens on while pursuing the van. Judge Andrew Cody asked Garda OHanlon at what speed he was following the van. 160km per hour in lane two for three kilometres and I had the lights and sirens on, said Garda OHanlon. He said the defendant, who failed to see the patrol car following him informed him that he was listening to music and hadnt noticed. Judge Andrew Cody convicted the man and disqualified him from driving for six months. He also imposed a 500 fine and gave him six months to pay. Some of the 45 Laois men who flew to New York to represent the county in the USA's St Patrick's Day parade had never left Ireland before, or even Laois itself. Timahoe Male Choir gives a vital social connection for many rural men in the parish of Timahoe, Stradbally and Vicarstown, and lots of passports were taken out especially for their USA trip of a lifetime. The trip was a great success from start to finish, according to tired choir leader Damien Bowe, speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live after they returned home on March 19. It was an absolutely huge success. It nearly reminded me of Electric Picnic, everything was just brilliant. We got really good crowds at the gigs. Obviously we're not known but that's the power of social media. We talked to people from Laois who had been living there for up to 30 years, they came to the pubs because we were there, from Crettyard, Portarlington even south Kildare, it was gas. The main highlight was turning left onto 5th Avenue, it put the chills up the spine, it was incredible. There was a real sense of pride being from Laois. It was just fun too waving at the crowd, it was fantastic from start to finish, Damien said. The choir members who came aged from their mid 20s to mid 70s, including rural residents, and many had to get their first passports for the trip. Some hadn't even been out of the county before, Damien said. For the parade they were smartly and warmly dressed in matching red and black branded coats, peaked caps and scarves, with a raffle ahead of the trip to pay towards costs. Parish Priest Fr David Vard was among the singing group that has found a place in the hearts of many for their fun, energetic performances of crowd favourite songs. Fr David Vard in the New York St Patrick's Day parade. Photo: Paul Dargan The trip was an amazing experience and one that will never be forgotten. Frm the gigs, to marching in the parade but also just having the chats with my fellow choir members and getting to represent our community in the US. One that will never be repeated and never forgotten, Fr Vard said. The choir kept the home crowds up to date with videos and news on their Facebook page. Viewers at home tuned in to CNN to watch the parade live. See their videos and updates here. The choir had gigs lined up Phebe's Tavern and The Beer Authority, and also had a joyous impromptu gig in McSorley's Ale House, New York's oldest continually open saloon. They even sang with the Naked Cowboy, all wearing their Timahoe jocks. The choir also attended Mass in New York, with choir member Fr David Vard PP assisting at the Mass. They were honoured to give a special performance too at the American Irish Historical Society, singing the emotional Isle of Hope. The choir are selling a CD of five songs in aid of Cuisle Centre and Timahoe NS, including their upbeat version of Lovely Laois. Watch their video of Lovely Laois here and see where you can buy the CD. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close MORE than 350 people were at an IT summit held in Dell Technologies in Raheen Industrial Estate. The inaugural IT Summit saw a number of high-profile speakers including Samantha Kelly, who is known as the Tweeting Goddess. She was joined by Tom King, a blacksmith turned digital maven, and Mayor of Limerick John Moran. More than 30 local company owners showcased their businesses and sought to connect with each other and the wider attendees throughout the half-day event held earlier this month. Chief executive of Limerick Chamber, Michelle Gallagher, gave a state of the nation style speech on the potential of Limerick business opportunities. There were also three separate panel discussions on digitalising businesses. Event organiser Christopher Heaney of WebDev Builders said: This event has grown and grown but remains true to the original purpose, to offer an insightful, inspiring event in Limerick for Limerick business owners, to stimulate local connections and co operation by small to medium sized enterprises, and for small to medium sized enterprises. He thanked Dell Technologies for hosting the event at its vast campus. We are delighted that large companies such as Dell and others can also see the benefit of a strong indigenous small to medium size enterprise community and supported this event in such a way. They were an excellent host. He also paid tribute to the Limerick-Clare Education and Training Board, the Technological University of the Shannon, and University of Limerick, which provided support. As well as digitising business, the panels discussed advanced artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, with some of the most advanced professionals and academics in the sector. Among those taking part were John Savage, Treaty Software, Tim Crowe, Wrxflo, Dr Lubna Luxmi Dhirani, University of Limerick and Dr Liam Brown, Liam Cronin of the RDI Hub. READ MORE: Gardai 'reiterate' finance scam warning as woman in Limerick loses large sum Representatives of Talos Data Consulting and PAQ IT were also there. The main partner of the event was DSM, the Annacotty-based data storage and management company. Its chief executive Andrew Clohessy said: We at DSM have been excited to support this event, it was a true co-operative effort by so many on the committee and reflected the genuine nature of business in Limerick. We were delighted that so many came and took some key connections and business ideas away from it. It is anticipated the Limerick IT Summit will return in 2026 on a larger scale. AN ORGANIC farm in Limerick has won an environmental award for their zero-waste practices and high-quality sourced foods. Master Chefs organic Ellan Farm in Ballyneety, has been awarded the prestigious Environmental Award 2025 by the Irish Food Writers' Guild (IFWG) Food Awards. Master Chefs Ellan Farm was singled out for one of just eight awards presented this year for their organic farm, which blends sustainability and zero-waste practices to supply high-quality, locally grown food to Ireland's catering industry. The IFWG said that its farm-to-table-back-to-farm approach sets a new standard in ethical, community-focused food production. Now in their 32nd year, all eight winners of the 2025 IFWG Food Awards were chosen based solely on quality, integrity, and a commitment to genuine sustainable practices. READ ALSO: Groundbreaking discovery to revolutionise carbon fibre industry For more than three decades the IFWG has been spotlighting many of these outstanding producers, with sustainability a consistent thread linking our annual award winners, and this year is no different, said Paula McIntyre, chair of the IFWG. Truly sustainable Irish producers work tirelessly to uphold the highest ethical and environmental standards, often without the recognition or support they deserve. Master Chefs Ellan Farm is what happens when an Irish catering company looks to address some of the big issues we see in publicly procured food service operations. Set amidst 20 acres of the Ballyneety, the farm is the brainchild of Master Chefs CEO Pat OSullivan, who launched Master Chefs in 2000 and has been providing high-end catering throughout Ireland ever since. Una Fitzgibbon, director of marketing at Bord Bia, who support the IFWG and the annual awards, said: These awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of producers who uphold the highest standards in quality and sustainability. We commend this years eight recipients for their commitment to sustainable food production. Chennai: For P. Jayalakshmi, a native of V Kalathur village in Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu, life seemed like a disaster till about 15 months ago. Her husband, a tailor, did not earn enough to run the family. They were dependent on their extended family and that came at a cost. Her mother-in-law routinely ill-treated her and not a day went by without a fight. In her mid-30s, she had given up all hope of a better life. Early in 2024, Jayalakshmi got to know of a shoe factory coming up at Eraiyur, 10km away. The factory was looking for women workers. She applied, unsure if she could be recruitedJayalakshmi had studied till the 9th standard and had no work experience. But the shoe factory welcomed her, giving her a vocational pathway she hadnt known of. Today, Jayalakshmi handles raw material at JR One Kothari Footwear Pvt. Ltd, a contract manufacturer for the American footwear brand Crocs, earning 9,000 a month. My family is now financially independent; I get a lot of respect," she said, turning a tad emotional and recalling all the years of stress. Along with her financial fortunes, came a change in her mother-in-laws attitude. She adores me these days," she added. A. Jaya, also from V Kalathur, was shunned by her neighbours as she invariably ended up asking them for a loan every now and then. Being farm labourers, she and her husband barely managed to earn 5,000 a month, far less than the needs of her six-member family. She now works at JR One Kothari Footwears canteen and earns 10,000 a month. Her neighbours, she said, now make eye contact with her and speak with more respect. A few of them even ask her for money. The empowerment Jayalakshmi and Jaya feel is because of industrialization spreading to Tamil Nadus hinterlandwhile the state is a manufacturing powerhouse, not all its districts have benefited. Today, electronics, automobile and textiles manufacturing are mostly concentrated around Chennai and Coimbatore. Now, the state government has doubled down on its efforts to diversify its industrial landscape. Non-leather footwear manufacturing, or footwear that is made from synthetic materials, has emerged as an area of focus. While Tamil Nadu has made significant progress in attracting cutting-edge industries like advanced electronics and electric vehicles, some pockets still need industrialization and for that we need jobs that do not require a high degree of skills but are created in large numbers. The non-leather footwear is one such sector and that is why we are focusing on it in a big way," T.R.B. Rajaa, Tamil Nadus minister for industries, investment promotion and commerce, told Mint. View Full Image A file photo of T.R.B. Rajaa, minister for industries, investment promotion and commerce, government of Tamil Nadu. Foreign non-leather contract manufacturers are investing about 17,550 crore in the state; this has the potential to create 230,000 jobs. Non-leather footwear, thereby, is one sector where Indias China+1 strategy appears to be working. Tamil Nadu is now a key global player, supplying to leading brands such as Nike, Puma, Crocs, Adidas and many more," the minister added. Non-leather accounts for 86% of the footwear used globally today. But the path to becoming the non-leather footwear capital of India was not easy for Tamil Nadu. It was an uphill task to convince reticent foreign investors to invest. It was also a challenge to shift the focus of local entrepreneurs away from leather. Tamil Nadu, after all, accounts for 47% of Indias leather exports. It now faces an even bigger challenge as it works to build the ecosystem needed for non-leather footwear production. Boot up JR One Kotharis factory in Perambalur district commenced operation in November last year and currently employs 2,500 workers, 90% of them women. It has so far produced 2 million pairs of Crocs for the Indian and global markets. The facility is still expanding with the overall investment planned at 1,700 crore. When all the investment is deployed, the factory will employ 15,000 workers and produce 40 million pairs of Crocs every year," J. Rafiq Ahmed, executive chairman, Kothari Industrial Corp. Ltd (KICL), said. JR One Kothari Footwear is a joint venture between KICL and Shoe Town Group, a $5 billion Taiwan-based contract manufacturer. View Full Image Crocs footwear at the factory of JR One Kothari Footwear, at Eraiyur in Tamil Nadu. (N. Madhavan) KICL also inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government in February this year to invest 5,000 crore to make Adidas shoes in the state. This will also be a joint venture with Shoe Town Group and employment generated will be in excess of 50,000. The factories will come up near Karur town and at Eraiyur. Today, almost all major contract manufacturers of non-leather footwearbe it Pou Chan Group, Hong Fu Industrial Group and Dean Shoes Companyare in various stages of setting up their manufacturing facilities in the state. Feng Tay Enterprises, one of the largest contract manufacturers for Nike, which had entered Tamil Nadu in 2006 with a factory at Cheyyar (northern Tamil Nadu), has recently expanded its operations by setting up factories at Bargur in Krishnagiri district and at Tindivanam (northern Tamil Nadu). Feng Tay employs over 37,000 workers and is estimated to produce about 25 million pairs of footwear annually. What is largely unknown is that India could have attracted these manufacturers 25 years ago. But it did not. For want of a nail By the turn of the century, major global footwear brands, which had shifted the production of non-leather footwear to China in the 1980s taking advantage of low wage costs and the availability of abundant labour, were in a dilemma. The countrys labour costs were spiking. To keep their margins intact, manufacturers started scouting for other locationsa great opportunity presented itself for India. But India was not ready. Policymakers and entrepreneurs were still focused on leather, despite its fading aura. Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia benefitted as many brands expanded their operations in these countries. Feng Tay was the lone player to invest in India. However, the companys operations remained limited in scale. Buckle down A confluence of factors has presented India with a second chance now. With a limited working age population, wages in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia have begun to rise. Today, wage cost in the footwear sector in China is $3 per hour while it is $2 per hour in Vietnam and $1.5 in Indonesia. At 90 cents, India is more competitive. This wage differential is a big attraction," said KICLs Ahmed. Also, in the last eight years, there were multiple disruptions in supply chains. The US-China trade war in 2017, during President Donald Trumps first stint, exposed the overdependence on China. Then came the covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted global supply chains like never before. Meanwhile, Indias economy was on a steady growth path. Growing per capita income needled global brands to consider the country seriously. The use of non-leather footwear in India was far lower than similar sized economies and this offered huge headroom for growth. Among the Indian states, Tamil Nadu was the first to seize the second chance. The non-leather footwear sector has the potential to drive inclusion and foster distributed growth across the region, Darez Ahamed, managing director and chief executive officer of Guidance, Tamil Nadus nodal agency for investment promotion, pointed out. Investors wanted to set up factories in rural areas away from large cities and towns. Their only demand was easy access to a port. Tamil Nadu is evenly developed, with good infrastructure like roads and power. We could offer investors large parcels of land in rural areas with port connectivity in eight hours or less," said V. Arun Roy, Tamil Nadu s industry secretary. Labour, especially women workers that the investors preferred, is also readily available," he added. Big shoes to fill Despite compelling reasons, a willing government and good infrastructure, it was not easy to convince global players. Like electronics, almost all non-leather footwear is contract manufactured, and the industry is dominated by a handful of Taiwanese companies such as Shoe Town, Feng Tay, Pau Chen, Hung Fu and Dean Shoes. These family-owned firms had little experience of India. Worse, they had concerns about how well foreign companies will be accepted, the quality of workforce, bureaucratic red tapism and corruption. The Tamil Nadu government started wooing Taiwanese contract manufacturers in a big way since 2018 and the efforts intensified post-covid," said S. Krishnan, secretary, ministry of electronics and information technology, government of India. Earlier, he was the states industry secretary and kickstarted the non-leather footwear foray. View Full Image A file photo of S. Krishnan, secretary, ministry of electronics and information technology, government of India. State officials, he recalled, made multiple visits to Taiwan to meet with members of the Taiwan Footwear Manufacturers Association (Tafma). A delegation from Tafma was invited to Tamil Nadu; the states industrial prowess and investor success stories were showcased. The government has even stationed an official full-time in Taipei for the last three years to coordinate investments. A non-leather footwear policy was released in September 2022. Our policy offers capital, land and payroll subsidies tailor-made for each investor," industry minister Rajaa said. The state governments measures were supplemented by the efforts entrepreneurs like Rafiq Ahmed madehe reached out to Taiwanese manufacturers for investment. I promised Ron Chang, chairman of Shoe Town Group, that the factory of JR One Kothari Footwear will be up and running in one year. We produced the first shoe on the first anniversary of the MoU28 November 2023," Ahmed recalled. Successes like this eased the concerns Taiwanese manufacturers had about Indian bureaucracy. Shoe Town, which operates 31 factories across East Asia, is adopting a China Plus strategy with India being a top choice due to its lower labour costs and large workforce, the company stated in a press release during Changs visit to Chennai recently. We have created a huge value for future business growth in Tamil Nadu," he said in the release. The Tamil Nadu government has stationed an official full-time in Taipei for the last three years to co-ordinate investments into the state. What also helped was the success of other Taiwanese companies in Tamil Nadu like Feng Tay, Foxconn and Pegatronthe last two in the electronics manufacturing space. The state is now trying to direct new investments into its southern districts. We are looking at locating the new investments in Madurai, Cuddalore, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Theni, Thirunelveli and Thanjavur," Roy said. In the state budget announced last week, two non-leather footwear parks have been announced in Madurai and Cuddalore with infrastructure investments worth 250 crore. Front foot Having drawn in the contract manufacturers, the Tamil Nadu government is now looking to build the ecosystem. It has allocated space for component makers in the Ranipet and Eraiyur footwear parks. This will prove to be a bigger challenge as almost all inputs that go into making nonleather footwearbe it specialty chemicals, technical textile, buckles and even adhesivesare presently imported. The raw material needed to make these inputs are not available in India yet. Local production will come with scale. We have set a 25% localization target in five years," industry secretary Roy said. Unlike electric vehicle batteries, which are dependent on rare earth minerals such as lithium, the source raw material in non-leather footwear is petroleum, which is easily available, he added. Some progress has been made. Twenty-two component players have signed to locate their production facility at Eraiyur," KICLs Ahmed said. Building the ecosystem will happen faster if Chinese investments are allowed and visas are given to Chinese people. A thaw in the India-China relationship should hopefully help, he hoped. Back at JR One Kothari Footwears Eraiyur plant, multiple training sessions are regularly held to help workers reduce wastage and ensure quality. Initially, the wastage at the factory was at 80%. After four months of training, the wastage dropped substantially to the globally accepted levels of below 10%, according to Ahmed. One last fear of Taiwanese manufacturersthe efficacy of Indian labourhas been laid to rest. When Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams and her crewmates returned to Earth on 18 March, the reaction worldwide was of relief and admiration. Their mission was originally planned as an eight-day crew flight test (CFT) of Boeings Starliner spacecraft. It extended to a dramatic nine-month journey due to technical difficulties, which laid bare some of the challenges of the space sector and the private sectors role. In all, Williams, along with Butch Wilmore, spent 286 days consecutively at the International Space Station (ISS), the sixth-longest single stay by Nasa astronauts. Through their stay, they conducted vital science, technology demonstrations, and maintenance aboard the ISS," Nasa said. Since 1998, the ISS has served as a unique orbiting laboratory for long-term studies in microgravity, advancing our understanding of biology, physics, astronomy, and human health in spaceknowledge critical for future deep-space missions. It has hosted 273 visitors from 20 countries, predominantly the US, reflecting global cooperation and interest. While they were at the ISS, Sunita Williams and her crewmates logged over 900 hours of research, conducting more than 150 unique experiments, such as studying the effects of microgravity on biological systems and using engineered microbes to produce essential nutrients, among others. Meanwhile, on Earth, the extended stay triggered debates about Nasa, its use of private contractors and the future of the space sector in general. The US also saw Donald Trump coming back into power, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk as a key ally, which intensified the debates. Also Read: Mint Primer | Sunita Williams return: Is space travel so tricky? Boeing's struggles The technical issues that turned an eight-day mission into a nine-month journey were due to Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which was a part of Nasas Commercial Crew Program, along with SpaceX's Crew Dragon. The US space agency started the program for private businesses to build spacecraft to take astronauts to the ISS. It replaced Russia's Soyuz, which was retired in 2011. Boeing got $4.2 billion for the project, SpaceX $2.6 billion. While SpaceX's Crew Dragon was a success by many measures, Boeing struggled. Its launch was postponed several times, and technical problems persisted during the mission. In September, Nasa decided to use the SpaceX Crew Dragon to bring the astronauts back. Boeing has lost about $1.6 billion on the program due to these issues, beyond its original $4.2 billion Nasa contract. Its reputational loss has been bigger. These setbacks coincide with difficulties in Boeing's aviation division, including fatal crashes of its 737 MAX aircraft and production quality issues. Also read | Isro mission for Europe shows commercial progress, but much left to do: Experts Efficiency drive In contrast, SpaceX's Crew Dragon, working on a smaller budget, has had a good run. It conducted 14 flights (including 10 operational flights) and 12 successful dockings on ISS. The success reflects the progress SpaceX has achieved in other areas. In October, for example, SpaceX successfully executed a mid-air catch of the Super Heavy Booster using the launch tower's mechanical arms. In his first public speech after getting elected as the US President, Trump mentioned this as an achievement of Musk, one of his best-known and wealthiest political backers. When the astronauts were on the ISS, Trump and Musk amplified pressure on Nasa to bring them back sooner. They have also pushed the agency, with an annual budget of about $25 billion, to cut costs. By February 2025, Nasa had laid off about 10% of its workforce, around 1,750 employees, through buyouts and terminations of probationary staff. Also Read: Isro's caution shows why space docking is crucial for India's future missions Larger Ambitions Nasa is unlikely to face the same heat as other government departments under Trump. In 2023, Pew Research said that 69% of Americansacross groups, including Republicansfelt it was important for the US to be a leader in space exploration. (Similarly, as per a 2022 survey, most Americans saw Nasa favourably.) They also see a role for private players. More Americans think private companies are doing a good job in contributing to space exploration and opening up space travel than those who think they don't. In its press statement after the return of astronauts, Nasa said, "The goal of Nasas Commercial Crew Program is safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the space station and low Earth orbit. The program provides additional research timeincluding helping Nasa prepare for human exploration of the Moon and Mars." Finally, Nasa's strategy of engaging private players has paid off, even if Boeing Starlink's future is under question. www.howindialives.com is a database and search engine for public data In a scrappy office that is more startup than ivory tower, Yossapong Laoonual, honorary chairman of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand, strikes a bullish tone. Clinging to the internal-combustion engine is like doubling down on horse-drawn carriages long after motorised vehicles became the standard", he says. A stroll around Mr Yossapongs campus at King Mongkuts University of Technology Thonburi in Bangkok makes such optimism seem entirely natural. Three electric buses sit beside a charging point. Signs outline the engineering colleges carbon-neutrality plan. Governments around South-East Asia are betting that Mr Yossapong is right. Many in the region, particularly Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, want a share of global EV growth. By fostering investment relatively early, the thinking goes, they can become crucial production centres, with spillover benefits such as a reduction in deadly air pollution. But success is far from assured, and vast sums are being risked. Many schemes look a little foolhardy. Backseat drivers Thailand has been the most aggressive of the three countries, hoping that a burgeoning consumer market will lure production. Under its EV 3.0" scheme introduced in 2022, purchases are subsidised via tax cuts and direct payments of up to 150,000 baht ($4,500) per vehicle, meaning EVs cost no more than regular cars. From nearly nothing a few years ago, their share of auto sales has surged to around 15%. In Indonesia that share is 5%; the lower figure is in part explained by the fact the government is targeting producers rather than consumers. Indonesia has rolled out a medley of inducements, ranging from tax exemptions to investment perks. But the country is also trying to make the most of its dominance in the minerals required for EVs, using export bans to force firms into local production. For instance, in nickel, where Indonesia enjoys a near monopoly, a raw-ore export ban that took effect in 2020 has led to investment in smelters. Meanwhile, Vietnam is betting on VinFast, its national champion. The firm, an outgrowth of Vietnams leading conglomerate, which has links to the state, has dominated its home market since 2022, when it began to sell solely EVs. A push into America failedbasic functions dont work reliably", wrote one of the gentler reviewers of VinFasts VF8but fresh expansions into India and Indonesia are under way. At a new VinFast dealership in Jakarta, drivers are invited to adopt an unbound imagination". VinFast receives some financial support from the state, including a recent plan to subsidise electricity at 150,000 (largely VinFast-owned) charging stations. More significant is political support. As Marco Forster of Dezan Shira & Associates, a consultancy, notes, the company is a glory project" to which Vietnams leaders are deeply attached. Each approach has run into its own difficulties. Thailand is already South-East Asias biggest car producer, with Japanese auto firms relying on its car-parts suppliers. Yet EVs require fewer parts than regular cars. What is more, Chinese EV-makers in Thailand rely on parts made back home. Thailands policy therefore risks a net reduction in carmaking jobs. Ominously, the countrys parts-makers are already complaining of a sharp drop in orders. In response, a new EV 3.5" scheme tightens local requirements and trims subsidies. Ministers have also begun to ramp up support for hybrids, to which Thailands Japanese producers are better suited. Although Indonesias industrial strategy has appeared to lure in EV manufacturers, the reality is less encouraging. Between 2016 and 2024 Indonesia received $29bn in EV-related greenfield foreign direct investment, according to the Lowy Institute, a think-tank. However, much of this is by Chinese firms, which again assemble vehicles from imported kits. In principle, they are subject to local-content requirements that rise over time, but it is unclear how aggressively Indonesia will enforce these. Critics accuse the government of tax giveaways worth far more than the benefits accruing to Indonesians. And VinFast is struggling mightily. Despite rising deliveries and revenue, it has never turned a profit. The firm sells cars at a steep loss; its gross margin is -45% and prices are falling, with the latest reductions announced on March 2nd. VinFast has survived only thanks to the munificence of its owner. Pham Nhat Vuong, a billionaire who also runs the wider conglomerate, has pledged $2bn of his personal wealth to the firm. He has also used the conglomerates resources to prop up its subsidiary. In 2023 some 90% of VinFasts revenue came from sales to other businesses controlled by Mr Vuong, according to Hunterbrook, a hedge fund-cum-media outlet. All three places now face similar risks. One is thatat a time of global EV oversupply driven by Chinese outputresources are squandered. Another is that they find themselves stuck as assembly hubs, a low-value-added part of the process. Advantages that once underpinned traditional carmaking, such as good production networks, may matter less for EVs, where most value is added in software and electrical engineering, notes Pavida Pananond of Thammasat Business School. The underlying problem is that South-East Asia is full of technology-takersie, it is dependent on foreign, largely Chinese expertise. Local policymakers hope to combine handouts with technology-transfer requirements. Yet it is difficult to get foreign companies to accede to these demands owing to the small size of South-East Asian markets, as well as bosses ability to play countries off against one another, says Tu Le of Sino Auto Insights, another consultancy. Indonesia, the biggest market of the three, relies heavily on Chinese investment, hindering its ability to get tough with Chinese firms. Optimists expect that Chinas EV-makers will in time settle on a few regional hubs, which would give host governments more clout in localising production, as Thailands managed with Japanese carmakers in the 1970s. But the corollary is that, at best, only one of South-East Asias EV industrial-policy bets might pay off big. That would leave two costly failures. 2025, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com They are coming for our Facebook. And Instagram. And any other social media platform we might be on. In India, the new Income-Tax Bill 2025 proposes to empower the authorities to access social media accounts and personal emails if they suspect any income-tax evasion. Once they could break down doors and break into lockboxes. Now the law is handing them the key to a citizens virtual digital space". Meanwhile in the US, the Trump administration says it needs to check the social media accounts of people applying for a green card or asylum or US citizenship. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says social media surveillance is required to rigorously vet and screen those applying for immigration benefits. Both proposals have unsurprisingly sparked outrage and anger. Beatriz Lopez, executive director of the pro-immigration group Catalyze/Citizens, issued a statement calling it undemocratic surveillance" and accusing the Trump administration of turning online spaces into surveillance traps." She warned, Today its immigrants, tomorrow its US citizens who dissent with Trump and his administration." She might have a point. In 2019, during the first Trump administration, the state department demanded visa applicants disclose five years worth of social media history, a requirement that has since been challenged in court as violating the First Amendment. But that was about foreign nationals seeking an American visa from outside the country. This new requirement targets people who are already in the US and want to change their status. Also Read Good movies are meant to be seen on the big screen In India, the income-tax proposal put both the Congress party and former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai on the same page. The Congress put out a social media post saying, Warning: Your privacy is under attack", while Pai called it an assault on our rights!" The pushback comes along predictable linesprivacy, freedom of speech, the right to dissent, nosy Big Brother government. Many people have shared the writer James Baldwins famous quote, a line that now sounds almost fanciful nowI love America more than any country in the world, and exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticise her perpetually." But there is more irony at play here. The government wants to look at our social media because they think the truth lies out there. Yet these days Facebook is really Fakebook, where most of us are just putting on a public performance not of the lives we actually lead, but the lives we want others to think we lead. I returned from a vacation in Turkey in 10 days but my Instagram was still holidaying there after two weeks. I wasnt trying to dupe anyone. It was just more Insta-worthy than my humdrum life in Kolkata. Also Read Indian Americans and the weight of the model minority expectation A site like Facebook was once all about sharing. Its original mission statement read, To give the people power to share and make the world more open and connected." I might be connected to more people than I ever was. But I am not more open. I cannot gripe about an annoying party I went to because the host is probably on my friends list. Or their best friend is. So I bite my tongue. On the other hand, another friend discovered the highlight feature where she can make every Facebook post of hers announce itself to all her followers and friends. When friends gently suggested she skip highlighting each post, she took great umbrage and declared she would not be silenced. But I cant really blame her. For me too, social media, irrespective of the platform, has just become a megaphone, a marketing tool. I rarely use it to communicate my feelings. Instead I just share the latest article Ive written and move on. I am performing as writer" there. But I dont talk about writers block or writerly insecurities and anxieties. All of that is part of a writers life but carefully excised from my social media persona. On the other hand, there are writers who revel in playing the tormented angst-ridden writer on social media. Or the lit-fest hopping literary jet-setter. Also Read When contemporary art rubs shoulders with ancient artefacts All social media is a stage, and all the men and women are merely players. A writer friend posts not just reviews of their books but random reader comments from bookseller websites as if sharing excerpts from a New York Times review. Some use social media as a way to turn their offspring into savants. Every day comes with a new pithy bon mot from the wunderkind. Some of the wordplay sounds suspiciously sophisticated for a seven-year-old, but we all play along, liking the posts, posting smiling faces in the comments. No one wants to annoy someone with thousands of followers. Some want to be more woke than thou, others only want to review every trip to the Amex Gold Card hospitality lounge at the airport. Business-class selfies are mandatory. The most annoying might be the love bunnies, the ones who document their love affairs in nauseating detail. One friend would routinely copy-paste from previous posts about previous loves. He had deleted them at the end of each affair but we, the haters, remembered their look-at-me" smugness. Social media has spawned the anti-fan as well, the hate follower. All of us follow people who annoy us just so we can be triggered and share screenshots with our friends. Its a twisted kind of therapy. In fact our true social media selves are not displayed on our walls. They are in the screen captures we secretly forward our friends. Thats where our true feelings, bile unchecked, are in full bloom. Screen capture is probably the greatest social media invention known to humans though sometimes in our nasty haste, we mistakenly forward the screen capture to the very person we are dissing. Our social media personas are increasingly at odds with our real-life personalities. A firebrand X agent provocateur turned out to be meek and mild in real life. The X exhibitionist was painfully shy in person. So many peoples feeds are just focused on going viral. They dress outrageously, do attention-grabbing stunts, gush over every momo outlet as a hidden gem". None of it is real. Everything is a social media construct aiming for clicks. The truth is social media cannot ever reveal our true selves because we are really creatures of many parts. The Facebooks of the world struggle to grasp that. After all it was created by and for university students where everyone was swimming in the same hormonally heated pools obsessing about sex, grades, parties and jobs. The real world gets a lot more complicated. In the real world we can be Mommas boy and Employee of the Month and Whisky Drinker and SngleManLking4NSAFun and MurderMysteryFan. There is no utopia where all those identities can be flaunted with equal ease. In some ways we cannot fault the governments for wanting to poke around our social media worlds. They say you know the truth by ferreting through someones garbage. They are merely catching up to modernity", Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst and attorney at the think tank Migration Policy Institute, told the news portal The Verge. Now that we have fed the apps all our data, they can construct a profile for us. Until now that profile might have been used to sell us shoes and sauces. Now it can be used to deny us things as well, like a visa, or trigger an audit. It would be naive to not expect governments to want to use that power. Also Read The loss of sound in our noisy lives Already there have been so many reports about job offers being rescinded because a prospective employer stumbled on to too many drunken party pictures on someones website. Old tweets have come to haunt everyone from Oscar-nominated actors to Trump administration hires. Perhaps thats why so many of us now bare more in ephemeral stories on Instagram and vanishing messages on WhatsApp than in anything that can be preserved forever in digital amber. But one thing is clear. Social media was meant to bear witness to our daily lives. Now it might well become a witness for the prosecution. Cult Friction is a fortnightly column on issues we keep rubbing up against. Sandip Roy is a writer, journalist and radio host. He posts @sandipr. Also Read Why the lives of royalty continue to fascinate us Registering for GST as a freelancer or small business owner seems simple on paper. A quick look at the mandatory requirements on the official website shows that you need just two documentsyour picture and proof of the residence where you will conduct your business, like an electricity bill or a rent agreement. The next step is the online registration processuploading the documents and submitting the application and Aadhaar authentication through OTP. However, the process may not be as simple as it sounds. GST (goods and services tax) officers often ask for additional allied registrations, such as shops and establishment licences, MSME Udyam certificates and no-objection certificates (NOC), among other things, though these are not mandated by law. The process becomes tricky for sole proprietor businesses, such as freelancers or those running an inventory-free e-commerce platform, as they may not even qualify for some of these certificates or licences. The added difficulty is that the GST registration-related standard operating procedures (SOP) are not well defined, and the on-ground practices followed vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, says Ranjeet Mahtani, partner, Dhruva Advisors. Consequently, the documentation requirements vary depending on the GST officer handling the case." This means applicants can only find out what extra paperwork is needed once the officer raises an enquiry, causing unexpected delays. These practical challenges often lead to confusion, delays and additional compliance burdens," said Vijaykumar Puri, partner at VPRP & Co LLP, Chartered Accountants. Mint lists out some of the common additional compliance requirements asked across different states during GST registration. View Full Image Mint Also Read: When do you have to register for GST as a professional landlord? Residential or commercial address In most cases, the objections are related to the address where business is being conducted. The biggest challenge for proprietor businesses is working out of a residential address. In many cities, they are asked to get the shop & establishment licence even for a residential address even though it applies to commercial properties only. State laws vary in their interpretation of what constitutes a shop. For example, in Maharashtra, even businesses operating from home are often required to register under the Bombay Shops and Establishments Act. The law considers any commercial activity, even from a residence, as a "shop" and mandates registration," said Puri. As a result, GST officers frequently ask for this licence during registration, despite having no statutory authority to reject an application solely on this basis." In most states with shop and establishment licence requirements, only businesses with more than nine employees have to get one mandatorily. But if asked by a GST officer, a solopreneur also has to get one solely for the purpose of GST registration. However, the good part is that when you fall below the nine employees criteria, you only have to get shop & establishment intimation, which can be obtained through a quick online process and doesnt have to be renewed annually. The other commonly asked document is a notarized consent letter from the landlord if the business is operating out of a rented accommodation. In a rented place, if a formal lease agreement is not done, the law mandates submitting a consent letter from the landlord, but GST officers insist on getting it notarized as well even though its not required by law," said Sambhav Daga, founder, Zaptax Advisors. This also applies when someone is living in their parents house. In case of working out of a rented home, some GST officers may also request an NOC from the landlord or the housing society, which can be a time-consuming process. Similarly, businesses operating from co-working spaces, shared offices or virtual addresses are often asked to provide an NOC from the local authority or property owner, said Dainik Gohel, managing partner at DGNM & Associates LLP. Experts say the reason for all this added compliance is to cross-check the legitimacy of the business to combat fake registrations. Mahtani said GST authorities have faced bogus registrations and fake input tax credit (ITC) claims. To mitigate this, officers often demand additional documents to ensure that the applicant is genuinely conducting business at the registered location." In some cases, businesses are also asked to attach photographs of business premises including signage, workstations and entry points, to confirm that the business exists at the declared address, Mahtani added. These added requirements, while justified in some cases, can delay the registration for several months for genuine business owners. Also Read: Indian gig workers who offer mobility services deserve GST relief Key Takeaways Freelancers and small businesses often face demands for additional documents like Shops and Establishment Licenses, MSME Udyam Certificates, and NOCs Home-based businesses may be forced to obtain licenses meant for commercial properties, provide notarized consent letters, or secure NOCs Dropshipping businesses face rejections due to the lack of a physical warehouse, even though they operate inventory-free. Confusion over additional certificates The other two commonly asked certificates during GST registration are MSME Udyam certificate and professional tax (PT) registration, both of which often create confusion. An MSME Udyam certificate gives financial incentives to businesses, such as access to government schemes and trademark fee reductions. However, its completely optional, and many businesses choose not to opt for it, said Puri. Large corporations hesitate in working with small businesses with Udyam certificates as the former is bound by law to clear the latters payments within 45 days. So, business owners usually dont get it or surrender once they have availed the financial incentives. But, GST officers often inquire about this certificate during the registration process and businesses feel pressured to obtain it to avoid delays," he said. PT registration, on the other hand, is mandatory for all businesses, but the type of registration depends on whether the business has employees or not. Gohel said a business has to get employee-based PT registration when it hires its first employee on payroll. Employers are responsible for withholding professional tax from employees salaries and submitting it to the local municipal authority. However, for a business with no employees, they just get an enrolment certificate and submit the required annual amount," he explained. So, while each business has a PT registration, confusion arises when GST officers request an employee-based one from a proprietor's business. In some states like Maharashtra and Karnataka, GST officers have been known to request PT registration details as part of their due diligence. This creates confusion for businesses, especially those with turnover below the PT registration threshold," said Mahtani. In such cases, Puri advises submitting the enrolment certificate to the GST officer and providing clarification as to why you dont qualify for PT registration. Fake registrations are a menace, but these additional requirements create hurdles for genuine entrepreneurs, delaying their ability to start operations," he said. Also Read: Government steps up fight against fake GST registrations Dropshipping businesses face toughest road Dropshipping businesses face the most hurdles to getting GST registration. In dropshipping or inventory-free e-commerce businesses, goods are sold online without an inventory being held. Such businesses are essentially middlemen between the manufacturer and the customer. Businesses engaged solely in trading through a bill-to-ship model do not require a warehouse or godown since goods are shipped directly to customers. However, GST officers have been known to cancel registrations if no storage facility is declared, even when these businesses have an admin office to manage operations," said Gohel. Puri added: The department completely ignores such modern business models even though they are quite common. The application often gets rejected on the premise that goods cannot be sold from a residence." The only two solutions to this: Either rent a godown or get a virtual office through platforms like WeWork, Innov8, MyHQ etc. The first option may not be feasible for a small business. The second helps in GST registration, but comes at an annual cost of 20,000-25,000. Of course, businesses can cancel it post the registration and dont have to pay the fee year after year. Even though the business still doesnt have a godown, showing a commercial address is accepted," said Puri. Of late, in Gujarat, GST officers have been cancelling applications even with virtual office addresses, said Gohel. Fraudsters have started using virtual office/co-working space addresses to get the GST registration. The department has become strict regarding this in the last few months. Of course, it's a good move to combat fake registrations, but genuine dropshipping businesses are suffering," he said. Daga, who handles GST registration for businesses in Chhattisgarh, said GST officers often reject applications without providing specific reasons. "The department should introduce penal consequences for officers who dont approve registration without giving a specific reason." Puri believes these unwritten rules should be addressed through clear policy guidelines and better training for GST officers, which can significantly ease businesses' compliance burden. Can Europe re-arm without America ? This is a question that nobody was asking a few years ago, when Russias invasion of Ukraine prompted a 100 billion German splurge on US-made F-35 fighter jets and Boeing helicopters. Between 2020 and 2024, the US accounted for almost two-thirds of European arms imports; France, with its pride in home-made platforms like Dassault Aviations Rafale plane, has been a Gaullist outlier. US President Donald Trumps antics have since made French President Emmanuel Macrons approachwhich includes buying more Rafaleslook good. Trump has insulted Nato allies in Europe. He has imposed tariffs and threatened to tear up defence commitments while scrambling to seal a Ukraine deal. Several countries are now reviewing F-35 orders, both because of optics and deeper concerns about reliance on an unpredictable hegemon. The idea that Trump could de-activate allies weapons systems is no longer impossible, think-tank EUISS recently said, giving added urgency to EU plans to reduce excessive import dependencies. Even Brussels technocrats know the brutal reality is that going it alone is impossible today. Decades of outsourcing mean Europes defence industrial base is one-third the size of its US counterparts, while its research budget is one-tenth the Pentagons. European pending orders of US kit amount to 472 aircraft and 150 helicopters; meanwhile, Dassault delivered 21 Rafales last year and its next-generation jet project with Airbus isnt due until 2040. Peter Merz, head of the Swiss Air Force, says that cancelling F-35s today would amount to self-harmafter all, this is objectively a very good plane produced by a highly intertwined aerospace supply chain, as Canadas Bombardier warns. Yet, longer term, the goal of becoming more independent is absolutely the right oneespecially with 800 billion of future defence spending at stake. The controversy around the F-35 goes beyond the narrow debate over whether a kill switch exists that could be flicked at any moment by the White House. Former fighter pilot Philippe Steiningers 2020 book on air power describes the F-35 as modern feudalism writ large: Its pricey development partnerships with export customers and its real-time sharing of data serve as a geopolitical lock-in that trades autonomy for US protection. While Trumps 2019 ban on Turkeys ability to buy F-35s is one unsubtle example of what that means, there are otherssuch as access to proprietary data-sharing systems that are critical to hitting the right targets. Call it a switch or not, theres a lot of trust required that goes beyond the plane itself. The F-35 represents cooperation, and this gets to the heart of what cooperation means," says Richard Aboulafia, managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory. The US military might stay professional and apolitical, or it might not. We just dont know." If switching the US off isnt an optionand neither is the status quowhat can Europe do to Trump-proof its re-armament drive? One approach similar to Polands is to fill capability gaps domestically over time while accepting foreign suppliers in the immediate term. Europeanization of supply is less quixotic than it sounds: A recent survey by Defense News found that military satellite communications and unmanned intelligence and reconnaissance are areas where Europe is three years or fewer from having sufficient capability. Space-based alternatives to Elon Musks Starlink will take longer, though, perhaps a decade. At the same time, more partnerships will be needed to diversify supply and share knowledge. That should include closer ties with Ukraine, which has by necessity become a forerunner in drone warfare. It should also include the UK, which left the EU in 2020 but will be key when it comes to building a credible deterrent to Russia. And finally, the EUs ability to wield financial incentives should promote more orders for collaborative cross-border projects like the Eurofightera joint venture between Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardoaccording to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Francois Duflot. Macrons beloved Rafale may also do well beyond Europe in a world less reliant on the US, particularly given its current customer base in regions like West Asia. This all depends on whether Europe is truly willing to break with entrenched habits on budgets, procurement and politics. Germany is currently taking big steps to a landmark end to austerity, but it cant do everything alone. The European bloc is asking the right questions about defending itself on its own, but getting the US out of the pilots seat will be a hard task. Bloomberg KYIV, UkraineIt was a scorching summer day in 2014 when Artem Kravchenko and hundreds of other Ukrainian soldiers put their trust in a Russian promise not to open fire and retreated in a column from the surrounded city of Ilovaisk. By the end of the day, Kravchenko found himself lying in a ditch surrounded by dead comrades after Russian forces shot up the column. With three Russian bullets in his body, he had to drink his own urine to survive. They started shooting from the right, so we went to the left and met another ambush there," said Kravchenko, who was 23 years old at the time. They were just shooting up everything from all sides." Experiences like these during the dozens of cease-fires that have come and gone in Russias 11-year war against this country are why many Ukrainians have little faith in the latest efforts, spearheaded by President Trump, to halt fighting. The Russians gave us a clear signal that they cant be trusted," said Taras Samchuk, who also escaped Ilovaisk that day and is now a reserve medical officer. In the past, Russian President Vladimir Putin has used any pause as a pit stop on the way toward his ultimate goal: taking control of Ukraine. During earlier cease-fires, Moscow reinforced Russian paramilitaries, sought to extract political concessions from Ukraine and the West, or simply continued shooting and killing Ukrainians while Kyivs army was held back by Western calls for restraint. U.S. officials will meet separately in Saudi Arabia on Monday with Russian and Ukrainian teams to discuss the technical details of a partial cease-fire agreed in calls with Trump. Both sides said they were prepared to halt attacks on each others energy infrastructure. After the call between Trump and Putin on Tuesday, the Kremlin laid out sweeping conditions for a full cease-fire, including a halt to Western provision of weapons and intelligence to Kyiv and an end to Ukrainian mobilization. Ukraine immediately rejected the proposals as aimed at leaving it vulnerable to further attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that any cease-fire needs to be backed by security guarantees for Ukraine from its Western allies. Otherwise, Putin will come again with war," he said. For Russia, a cease-fire is a chance for a timeout," said Gen. Viktor Muzhenko, who was Ukraines top military commander from 2014 to 2019. Their conditions are for the weakening of the Ukrainian army, while the Russian side will mobilize and increase the production of weapons." A poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology published earlier this month showed that 66% of Ukrainians believe that Russias aim is to destroy the Ukrainian state, while 87% believe Russia doesnt want to stop in occupied areas and will try to grab more Ukrainian land. It was spring 2014 when Russia seized Crimea and then sent paramilitaries into eastern Ukraine. Ukraines army fought back, but by June European leaders pressed Ukraines then-president to declare a cease-fire and open talks with the militants. Russia used a break in fighting that month to strengthen the paramilitaries with more men and weapons to shore up their position, former Ukrainian officials recalled. Paramilitaries also launched a surprise assault using tanks and armored vehicles against a Ukrainian checkpoint near the occupied city of Slovyansk, killing four Ukrainian soldiers. A monitoring mission by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe was set up that logged repeated violations by Russia but couldnt do anything to stop them. Vladyslav Seleznev, a former military spokesman who is now a reserve officer, said none of the 25 cease-fires during the first phase of the war lasted more than a day. Thats why Im highly skeptical that this cease-fire can happen this time," he said. Fueling that skepticism are two notorious cases when Russia broke pledges to stop firing. In late summer 2014, Russia covertly deployed its army to Ukraines eastern city of Ilovaisk, where it surrounded hundreds of Ukrainian troops. Ukrainian and Russian military commanders negotiated a so-called green corridor" to allow the Ukrainians to pull out unharmed, and Putin put out a statement early in the morning on Aug. 29 saying he endorsed the move to avoid needless losses." After the columns started moving that morning the first line of Russian soldiers waved what Ukrainians said appeared to be a greeting. Samchuk saw a Ukrainian soldier point at his Kalashnikov assault rifle to ask if they could proceed without being fired upon, and a Russian soldier made a cross with his arms, seemingly to indicate they wouldnt shoot. Less than a mile down the road, the next line of Russians opened fire. Kravchenko still has flashbacks to the bus he was traveling in, with bullets whistling through the sides and windows and the dead body of the driver slumped on the steering wheel. Samchuk, then a combat medic, survived as he was in an armored vehicle that quickly slipped into a field of tall sunflowers when the shooting started and couldnt be seen by the Russians. In the end, 366 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 429 wounded, according to an official toll by Ukraines military prosecutor. Ukraine agreed to a full cease-fire that handed political concessions to separatist authorities in Ukraines east installed by Moscow. Russian paramilitary fighters stood on an armored vehicle in Ilovaisk in 2014. A Russian paramilitary soldier at an airport near Donetsk during fighting with the Ukrainian army in 2014. Despite the cease-fire, Russian forces went back on the offensive that winter, seizing more territory and closing in on the city of Debaltseve, a key transport hub in the region. At talks in February 2015 in Minsk in Belarus, Putin told Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and German and French leaders that Ukrainians in Debaltseve were surrounded, in what looked like an attempt to force his conditions for a cease-fire. Believing this wasnt the case, Poroshenko called Muzhenko, Ukraines top military commander at the time, to find a way to prove it. Muzhenko had an officer enter Debaltseve, take a photograph outside the main post office to prove he was in the city center and send it to Minsk. A cease-fire was eventually agreed, and artillery fell silent just after midnight on Feb. 15, recalled Lt. Col. Yuriy Brekharya, who was stationed on the edge of the city. Just after dawn the next morning, though, Russian artillery began firing again. Russian infantry advanced into the city, no longer impeded by Ukrainian big guns, which werent firing back, Brekharya recalled. Three days later, Ukraine retreated from the city. Every time its the same picture," said Brekharya, who is now fighting on the southern front. As soon as they announce a cease-fire, the one who observes it is the one who loses." Lt. Col. Yuriy Brekharya, pictured in 2015, recalled how Russian artillery began firing again shortly after a cease-fire was agreed. Ukrainians say Russia appeared to be using a similar playbook in Kursk province this month, when Putin claimed Kyivs forces were surrounded. Ukrainian officials and soldiers in the region say troops are withdrawing and there is no encirclement, but Trump has latched on to the idea. He publicly appealed to Putin to spare the lives of thousands of Ukrainians. Its pressure on our partners and an attempt to destabilize Ukrainian society," said Muzhenko, the former top military officer. You cant rely on the words of Russians. All facts show the opposite." Speaking about the Ilovaisk retreat, Kravchenko recalled his comrade-in-arms Yuriy Matushchak, a history teacher who was wary of Russian promises of a green corridor," and warned that Russias history of invasions of Ukraine showed that they couldnt be trusted. Matushchak was killed in the ambush. Six months ago, Kravchenkos brother was killed in action. Now 34 years old and working in agriculture, Kravchenko is watching warily as the front line moves closer to his town in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region. He believes the Russians want more than the land they currently hold, and even if a cease-fire is agreed would re-invade after two or three years. Im 100% sure that these pieces of Ukrainian land that the Russians took wont be enough for them," he said. Write to James Marson at james.marson@wsj.com TOKYO - The approval rating for Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet plunged to 27.6 percent, the lowest since he took office in October, following revelations that he handed out gift vouchers to rookie ruling party lawmakers, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday. The weekend telephone poll also found that 71.6 percent of respondents opposed Ishiba's distribution of cash-equivalent coupons worth 100,000 yen ($670) each to such lawmakers of his Liberal Democratic Party. Ishiba was viewed as a politician clean on money matters before the latest scandal came to light, while the LDP, which has been in power for most of the period since 1955, has long been associated with political funds scandals. Support for the Cabinet stood at 39.6 percent last month. In March, the disapproval rating for Ishiba's Cabinet jumped by 16.0 points to 57.8 percent, casting doubt on his leadership in steering an already faltering government. The two-day survey was carried out after Ishiba admitted that his office had provided gift certificates, but claimed the practice did not pose legal problems, prompting some LDP members to disclose that previous prime ministers had engaged in similar conduct. Last week, ruling party sources revealed that the office of former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Ishiba's predecessor, offered gift vouchers worth 100,000 yen each to parliamentary vice ministers during a 2022 meal gathering with the then premier. Fresh evidence has also emerged pointing to a long-standing controversial practice among Japanese prime ministers, with an LDP lawmaker saying he received cash-equivalent coupons after being elected in 2012. The general election that year paved the way for Shinzo Abe, who had served a one-year tenure in 2006-2007, to begin a second term that continued through 2020, making him postwar Japan's longest-serving prime minister. He was assassinated during an election campaign speech in 2022. Many people have been disappointed with LDP's failure to manage political funds responsibly, with the poll showing 78.5 percent felt problems related to "politics and money" will not be resolved under the LDP-led government. Throughout 2024, the LDP came under intense scrutiny amid allegations that some of its factions, including the largest one formerly led by Abe, failed to report portions of their income from fundraising parties and created slush funds. Mounting criticism of the ruling party eroded public trust in the LDP and triggered its crushing defeat in the House of Representatives election last October, forcing Ishiba to form a minority government just about a month after becoming prime minister. By political party, support for the LDP was 27.7 percent, with the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan at 11.1 percent and the Japan Innovation Party, which has recently pursued policy coordination with the ruling bloc, at 5.4 percent. Backing for the Democratic Party for the People, an opposition group the ruling camp is courting for its minority government, hit 12.9 percent, exceeding that of the CDPJ. Respondents with no affiliation to any particular party accounted for 23.0 percent. In the lower house election last year, the CDPJ increased its seats to 148 from 98, while the LDP and its junior coalition partner, the Komeito party, dropped sharply to a combined total of 215, losing their majority in the powerful chamber. The JIP gained 38 seats. The DPP quadrupled its seats by using social media to push what some critics label as populist policies -- such as tax cuts to boost disposable income for households -- but currently holds only 28 in the 465-member lower house. The survey, meanwhile, showed that 74.8 percent of respondents "do not want to go" to the World Exposition in Osaka, which is scheduled to run for six months from April 13, surpassing the 24.6 percent who said they do. So far, around 10 countries have decided to withdraw from the expo in Osaka, the commercial hub of western Japan, with concerns growing over ballooning construction costs, apparently fueling a negative public image of the event. The nationwide survey, conducted for two days through Sunday, called 496 randomly selected households with eligible voters and 3,454 mobile phone numbers. It yielded responses from 423 household members and 623 mobile phone users. Some areas in Ishikawa Prefecture in central Japan, struck by a powerful earthquake in January last year, were excluded. Related coverage: Japan PM faces backlash over gift vouchers to rookie party lawmakers Japan PM Ishiba pledges to avoid division amid Trump-Zelenskyy row Japan gov't OKs bill that allows state to advise firms over AI risks Out of the 50 most popular cars in the United States, the top four most expensive to insure are all Teslas, according to Insurify. Over 40 businesspeople attended the Celebrating Longfords Cosmopolitan Business Community event, which kicked off Longford Local Enterprise Week 2025. Organised by Longford Local Enterprise Office, the event was held in the Longford Arms Hotel. The guest speaker at the event was businessman, broadcaster and podcaster Connall O Morain, who shared some of his insights having worked with a great variety of different businesspeople over the years. He also shared practical advice for business growth both at home and internationally. Also read: SOLD: Twenty three Longford homes snapped up for 4 million by Cavan based company The positive contribution of international businesspeople, who have established their companies in Longford and have added greatly to local commerce, was also recognised. On the day, Connal interviewed four businesspeople for two upcoming episodes of his podcast, That Great Business Show. All four come from international backgrounds and have set up their business in Longford. The interviewees and their businesses are: Vilius Urbhnovious from roofing and cladding company Tolvita Ltd Uche Chieneka from roasted nut producer UC Nuts Michal Mai Xuan from fitness enterprise The Iron Kingdom Gym Jenna Farrell from software company Scopey At the sold-out event, business consultants and mentors were on hand to give free mentoring sessions to the attending businesspeople. Those in attendance run both new and long-established businesses across County Longford. A networking session brought the event to a close, with attendees sharing their experiences of setting up their businesses in County Longford. Also read: Longford County Enterprise Awards sees Granard firm scoop the top prize Opening the event, Longford County Council Head of Enterprise Michael Nevin recognised the value of people who have come to Longford to set up their business. It is great to see the success stories of people that have come to Longford and established their businesses here. Their enterprising nature has enhanced our local economy, boosted job creation and added greatly to our local business offerings. I encourage anyone looking to set up or expand their business in Longford to call into us and see what supports are available for you. PICTURES | Dedication and entrepreneurial spirit of Longford businesses recognised at awards ceremony Local Enterprise Week is a national initiative with hundreds of events organised by the countrywide network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices. It is supported by Enterprise Ireland and local authorities, including Longford County Council. 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. Construction is underway to deliver high-speed broadband to almost 300 homes, farms and businesses in the Rooskey and Carrigallen deployment areas in county Longford. Network build works are underway for 120 Longford premises in the Rooskey deployment area. This includes the rural townlands and surrounds of Drumlish, Newtownforbes and Barraghbeg. Meanwhile, build works have commenced for 175 premises in the Carrigallen deployment area, including the rural communities of Moyne and Legga. Also read: Congratulations: Longford student awarded Maynooth University Entrance Scholarship 9,000 premises in Co Longford are included in the States Intervention Area, which will see NBI ( National Broadband Ireland) deliver minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms, and schools. As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, Co Longford will receive 34m of Government investment under the National Broadband Plan. Having successfully completed the survey and design phase of the project, 120 Longford premises in the Rooskey deployment area are under construction to have high-speed fibre network, due to be connected by summer 2025, while 175 premises in the Carrigallen deployment area are on track to be connected by the end of the year. Works have already been completed in other parts of Longford, such as Ballymahon and Aughnacliffe. Also read: SOLD: Twenty three Longford homes snapped up for 4 million by Cavan based company There is a total of 9,000 premises that can now order or pre-order high-speed, reliable broadband across the county, with 2,822 premises already connected to the network. TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland Deployment said: "Our teams are working on the ground all over the country and considerable progress has been made on the developments in Longford. High-speed fibre broadband is now available to order for over 8,500 including: over 2,100 near Aughnacliffe, over 1,400 near Ballymahon, over 1,800 near Lismacaffrey, and over 3,300 surrounding Longford town. We are working hard on the ground to progress other areas of the county through engineering survey and design phases. We are encouraging Longford residents to visit the NBI website to check their Eircode and sign up for updates. Deputy Micheal Carrigy welcomed the latest update from NBI confirming that construction is now underway to deliver high-speed fibre broadband to almost 300 homes, farms, and businesses in the Rooskey and Carrigallen deployment areas of County Longford. He added, This is the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, and I will continue working to ensure that every home, business, and farm in Longford can access reliable broadband as soon as possible. Dr. Racha Alawieh was denied entry into the US at Boston Logan International Airport. (Shutterstock) On March 13, Dr. Racha Alawieh, an assistant professor of medicine at Brown University, was denied entry into the United States and ordered deported back to her native Lebanon. US immigration authorities blocked the 34-year-old nephrologist, who studied and worked in the United States for six years, from entering the United States on an H-1B visa due to her alleged support for Hezbollah, a foreign terrorist organization designated by the US Department of State since 1997. Attorneys representing US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cited the powerful discretion given to a border officer for permitting entry into the US, according to a summary of a legal brief by The Providence Journal, which quotes from the document: If a CBP officer determines that an alien who is arriving in the United States is inadmissible, their brief reads, quoting from an immigration statute, the officer shall order the alien removed from the United States without further hearing or review unless the alien indicates either an intention to apply for asylum or a fear of persecution. The case is now under judicial review and has broad implications. If courts uphold the decision of immigration authorities to deport Alawieh, the Trump administration will have a powerful instrument to disrupt Hezbollahs operations in the United States, which have relied on US-based supporters and sympathizers of Lebanese background for decades. In the past, the US largely relied on prosecutions and convictions to go after Hezbollahs agents and supporters, primarily those involved in illicit financial schemes. However, while jailing Hezbollah supporters rather than deporting them may appear to be a stronger tactic against the group, the record is mixed. Most cases led to light convictions for white-collar crimes. In one prominent case, that of Kassem Tajideen, US authorities released Tajideen halfway through his five-year sentence on humanitarian grounds. Short sentences havent significantly deterred various Hezbollah members from operating in the US. However, the risk of deportation could provide a deterrent, with the added benefit that removing agents of influence and facilitators would not only be disruptive to the terrorist group but also discourage others from risking comfortable lives in the US. Racha Alawiehs supporters, much like those of Mahmoud Khalil, the Algerian Columbia University student who was born in Syria to Palestinian parents, have sought to turn her case into a free speech issue. These supporters claim she is solely being punished for her political views. However, Racha comes from a prominent Hezbollah family. In addition, immigration agents stated they found sympathetic, pro-Hezbollah material on her phone that align with her familys political affiliation, which, had she disclosed it to authorities, could have jeopardized her visa application. Media coverage of Alawiehs case has so far focused on evidence CBP agents found on her phone. While in Lebanon, where she was waiting for her H1-B visa to be processed, Alawieh attended the funeral of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who died in an Israeli strike on September 28, 2024. Her phone reportedly also contained material sympathetic to Hezbollah and photos of Hezbollah martyrs. Alawieh reportedly explained to CPB agents that she followed Nasrallahs teachings from a religious perspective, not a political one. However, this argument is belied by Nasrallahs religious views being inextricably enmeshed with Hezbollahs ideological and political outlook. More importantly, Alawiehs political alignment with Hezbollah is plausible, given her family ties to the terror group. Her paternal uncle, Yasser Abbas Alawieh, the youngest brother to her father Mustapha, is the Tyre branch manager of Al Qard Al Hassan (AQAH), Hezbollahs main financial institution and, according to the US Department of Treasury, which sanctioned AQAH in 2007, a key conduit of Hezbollahs illicit financial activities. Tyre, a large city and a commercial hub in southern Lebanon, hosts a large Shia majority. Yasser Abbas Alawiehs position speaks to his prominence within Hezbollahs financial arm. According to AQAH banking records leaked into the public domain in December 2020, Yasser Alawieh holds 20 accounts with AQAH (Leaked AQAH records were accessed through the Know Your Client platform, 240 Analytics), a further indication of his significance within the financial institution, where bank managers have acted as conduits, through their personal accounts, for Hezbollahs illicit financial operations. Rachas uncle Yasser is not the only family member who banks at Hezbollahs AQAH. So do her two brothers, Hadi and Ali Alawieh, who hold two accounts (one dollar-denominated) at the AQAH branch in Haret Hreik, Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold. Social media accounts belonging to members of Rachas extended family also contain clues to the familys ideological bentincluding videos of Hezbollah martyrs bearing the Alawieh family name, and memorial messages and devotional images of Nasrallah. Racha Alawieh is not the only Lebanese national with ties to Hezbollah who has come to the United States. Between 2017 and 2019, US authorities indicted Samer El Debek, Ali Kourani, and Ali Hassan Saab, all Hezbollah agents from Lebanon who had become US citizens. Their case involved plotting terror attacks, but their indictments included immigration fraud among the chargesthey had all lied about their affiliation with a US-designated foreign terrorist organization when they sought legal entry into the country. Numerous other Lebanese nationals have been indicted and convicted over the years in white-collar crimes that usually served the purpose of financing Hezbollahs overseas activities. As Racha Alawiehs case undergoes judicial review, time will tell whether the evidence amassed by immigration authorities goes beyond mere sympathy for Hezbollah and participation in its late leaders funeral. However, lying to immigration authorities about family ties, political sympathies, and affiliations to a terror group is a distinct issue from free speech. If such ties and misrepresenting them are the basis for pulling Dr. Alawiehs H-1B visa, this legal justification can become a blueprint for the US government to go after the vast network of support Hezbollah has garnered in the United States over four decades of work among immigrant communities. In the past, prosecuting Hezbollah supporters and facilitators has taken years and significant public resources while often yielding light sentences. If the deportation of Racha Alawieh becomes precedent, the Trump administration may use it to significantly disrupt Hezbollahs influence and illicit finance operations in the United States. Dr. Emanuele Ottolenghi is an independent analyst focusing on Irans and Hezbollahs overseas illicit finance and influence networks. TOKYO - Japanese online shopping giant Rakuten Group Inc. is considering introducing autonomous mobile robots to deliver goods amid a severe labor shortage in the transportation sector, according to a senior official. The company plans to expand the technology to its flagship Rakuten Ichiba online shopping operations, having already launched a robot delivery service in Tokyo for groceries and other items bought from local stores, Fukutaro Yamashita, a senior manager in the company's unmanned solution department, said in a recent media briefing. "This is a business that is needed in an era of population decline," he said. The plan comes as e-commerce firms such as Rakuten are facing a severe shortage of delivery personnel at a time when the number of packages is increasing. Yamashita said autonomous robots will be especially useful for last-mile deliveries, the final stage when shipments reach their destinations. He did not specify when the company plans to introduce the robots for its e-commerce service or how many it aims to deploy. Rakuten's current service, which started in Tokyo's Harumi district and neighboring areas in November, employs robots made by U.S. start-ups to transport groceries ordered on a dedicated smartphone site from a local supermarket to designated pickup points for a fee of 100 yen. Rakuten has also teamed up with beef bowl restaurant chain Yoshinoya Co., U.S. coffee chain Starbucks and other businesses, and is planning to expand the number of partner stores and the area covered by the service. Japan's revised road traffic law in 2023 made it easier for unmanned delivery services to gain traction, with autonomous delivery robots now allowed to operate on public roads under certain conditions. The Japanese operator of the Uber Eats online food ordering platform is also offering robot delivery services in the country. Related coverage: Uber launches ride-hailing trial in Tokyo using car-share vehicles "Flying car" makes Tokyo debut at international tech event Uber Eats to start robot deliveries in central Tokyo from March 6 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. OITA, Japan - On a small island in southwestern Japan with a population of only around 1,700, Australian John Widmer, reputed as the island's only foreign resident, runs a cafe hoping it will serve as a new spot to draw visitors. Those traveling by ferry to Himeshima, an Oita Prefecture island with a 17-kilometer-long coastline, are immediately greeted by the sight of the vibrant green and yellow of the Ozi Cafe, complete with a hand-drawn caricature of the 64-year-old as its logo. Driven by his quest for good coffee and a desire to share a familiar taste of home, Widmer decided to open the cafe on the island in May last year, with coffee brewed from roasted beans imported directly from Australia becoming popular among visitors. "(Customers) were really surprised at how nice the coffee was. I give them a taste of the beans. Because if I'm ever buying coffee in bulk for home, I would always eat one of the beans. And if the bean tastes good, you're going to get a good coffee," Widmer said. Local businesses on the island have also benefited from the cafe's growing reputation, with foreign visitors coming to enjoy the coffee after Walk Japan Ltd., a company that organizes walking tours across Japan, started including Himeshima on its itinerary, according to Widmer. Originally from Sydney, Widmer was once a competitive swimmer and ran a swimming school in Australia for around 20 years. But with a longtime love for Japan, and his wife also from Oita Prefecture, he decided to relocate to Himeshima in May 2023. Despite the language barrier and cultural differences, the islanders welcomed Widmer warmly, allowing him to settle easily into the community. In addition to running his cafe, he also teaches swimming to local elementary school students and participates in a volleyball club. "We welcome new people bringing fresh ideas. I hope the island keeps getting livelier," said Shiori Matsubara, a 63-year-old employee of a nearby souvenir shop. Related coverage: Retro cafes bring sips of nostalgia to Japan's social media-driven youth Starbucks Japan to switch to green plant-based straws in January A series of works by world-renowned Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh will be displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston from the end of March through early September. Focused around on the Roulin Family Portraits, the MFA said in a news release that it marks the first exhibition devoted to the artists deep connection to the family and the making of their portraits. This is the MFAs first art exhibition centered around Van Gogh in a quarter century. The exhibition is organized in partnership with the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands, according to the MFA. It is the only U.S. venue co-organizing the art exhibition with the Dutch museum. From 1888 to 1889, Van Gogh stayed in Arles, France, and forged a cherished friendship there with a neighboring family, the Roulins father and postman Joseph Roulin, his wife Augustine, and children Armand, Camille and Marcelle, according to the MFA. During this pivotal time in his life, Van Gogh created 26 intimate portrayals of the working-class Roulin family, the MFA added. The new exhibition features 14 of these paintings and a total of 23 works by Van Gogh. Additionally, the exhibition will hold inspirations for Van Gogh, such as earlier Dutch art and Japanese woodblock prints. Works on display derive from the MFAs own collection, as well as over 20 loans from prominent international collections. Ten letters between Van Gogh and Joseph Roulin and between the artist and his siblings will also be shown in the exhibition, offering an intimate and tender look at their friendship, the MFA said. Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits exhibition will be on display to the public from March 30 through Sept. 7 in the Ann and Graham Gund Gallery. The exhibition gives visitors the opportunity to see the full flowering of Van Goghs artistic aspirations and the intensity of his focus a clarity that may have emerged, in part, because of his very deep bonds with the postman and his family, Matthew Teitelbaum, director of the gallery, said in a statement. Teitelbaum added that the exhibition tells a new and compelling story of Van Goghs emotional and artistic search to make a connection to a family who helped guide his last years. Guests to the MFA will need a time-entry ticket, which includes general admission to the museum, to visit the limited-time exhibition. Tickets are available on the MFAs website or on-site at the museum located at 465 Huntington Ave. in Boston. The MFA will also offer free admission to Massachusetts residents on Memorial Day (May 26) and on Juneteenth (June 19). After the exhibition concludes in Boston, it will travel to Amsterdams Van Gogh Museum for display from October 2025 through January 2026. Preview access is available to MFA members before the exhibition opens to the wider public from March 26 through March 29. The MFA Boston is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday and on Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The museum is closed on Tuesday. A person was injured in a drive-by shooting near a downtown Boston movie theater early Sunday morning, police said. At around 2:45 a.m. Sunday, Boston Police officers went to 175 Tremont St., the address of the AMC Boston Common movie theater, for a report of shots fired. Responding officers found ballistic evidence in the street outside the theater, said Sgt. Detective John Boyle, the departments chief spokesman. Witnesses told police they saw a person inside a vehicle shooting into another, Boyle said. A short time later, a person checked into a hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, Boyle said. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, he said. Dolly Parton said she couldnt stop crying after she saw her hit song I Will Always Love You performed by several country music stars in tribute to her late husband, Carl Dean. Parton, who was married to Dean for 58 years, took to Instagram Friday to express her feelings after she saw several music stars pay a tribute to Dean during "Opry 100: A Live Celebration" on March 19. Reba McEntire and Lady A led a choir of music stars who sang I Will Always Love You during the 100th Anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry show, according to tasteofcountry.com. I have not stopped crying over the beautiful tribute of I Will Always Love You on the 100th Anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry show, Parton wrote on Friday in an Instagram post. All those beautiful people with all their beautiful voices singing my song as a tribute to my husband Carl the emotion was beyond words. I have cried enough to wash a great deal of the pain away so thanks to all of you beautiful people that helped make that possible, she continued. I also will always love you. Parton announced the death of Dean on March 3 in a separate Instagram post. He was survived by his siblings, Sandra and Donnie. Parton met Dean at a laundromat in Nashville in 1964 on her first day in the city, according to People.com. Two years later they got married on May 30, 1966. Dean was known for being a very private person during his relationship with the country music star, according to the magazine. He also helped inspire Partons hit song Jolene after a woman had a crush on Dean, Parton told NPR. And he just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention, she told the news outlet in 2008. It was kinda like a running joke between us when I was saying, Hell, youre spending a lot of time at the bank. I dont believe weve got that kind of money. So its really an innocent song all around, but sounds like a dreadful one. A teen from Pennsylvania was arrested last week after authorities say he handed a note to another shopper at a Boston store that read I have a bomb dont say a (expletive) word. Lucas Lembck, 19, of Wayne, Penn., was arraigned in the Central Division of the Boston Municipal Court on a single count of bomb/hijack threat, according to the Suffolk District Attorneys Office. Lembck passed the note to a stranger while inside Urban Outfitters at the corner of Newbury Street and Massachusetts Avenue, authorities said. When speaking to police, Lembck said he was trying to be funny and thought the other person would know it was a prank, authorities said. Its difficult to fathom how in this day and age anyone would consider it a prank to hand a note to a perfect stranger in the middle of a major city indicating they were holding a bomb. As this case indicates, such a reckless action causes fear and comes with consequences, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a news release. Judge Richard Sinnott released the teen on personal recognizance and his next court date is on April 14 for a pre-trial hearing. The incident happened around 12:40 p.m. on March 18. Boston police met with the shopper who received the note and described what happened. A man walked up to him and said Its national Starburst day, I want you to have this, and passed him a note along with a yellow Starburst. When he read the note about the bomb, the teen had gone. A short time later, police found the teen across the street and asked him about the incident. Lembck said It was dumb and he confirmed that he had handed the other person a yellow Starburst. Police found paper inside Lembcks jacket pocket that matched the note given to the victim and several opened and unopened packages of Starbursts. Police arrested Lembck without incident. U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal (D-MA) marches with Ambassador of Ireland to the United States Geraldine Byrne Nason at the 2025 Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade on Sunday, Mar. 23, 2025. (Leon Photography) Leon Nguyen HOLYOKE As locals celebrated with Irish nationals at the 72nd St. Patricks Parade Sunday, questions about trade and tariffs loomed over bagpipe music, Irish dancing and toasts. Ireland and the United States have shared trade and tourism boosting both economies for years, said Geraldine Byrne Nason, ambassador of Ireland to the United States. But she said cooperation could be disrupted as President Donald Trump threatens to implement widespread tariffs. THE redevelopment of Roonagh Pier to cater for the prospect of wind farms off the Mayo coast will be a game changer for the region, according to one local councillor. Louisburgh-based Chris Maxwell has called on Mayo County Council to start exploring the prospect of redeveloping Roonagh Pier to cater for the development of wind and other renewable energy sectors that may be developed off the west coast. The Independent Ireland councillor raised the idea at a recent SPC Economic and Enterprise Development meeting, where he cited the example of an off-shore wind farm planned for off the Connemara coast. Roonagh, which is located close to Louisburgh, accommodates a daily ferry service to both Clare Island and Inishturk, with extra sailings to Clare Island during the summer months. Capitalise Speaking to The Mayo News following the meeting, Cllr Maxwell said that if Roonagh Pier were developed to cater for the renewable energy sector it could transform the communities around Clew Bay. We want Roonagh to be developed and hopefully it will happen down the line, but it is strategically placed in Co Mayo to capitalise on any wind energy which is developed off the Mayo coast. You could use our two islands of Inishturk and Clare Island as hubs for servicing the wind farms and it could be a saviour of the two islands. If Roonagh was developed right it could be the making of West Mayo. They would have to develop the road from Roonagh to Westport to facilitate this new industry and it would be a game changer for the west. Now is the time to develop Roonagh right, he said. Plans are in place to develop an offshore windfarm consisting of 30 turbines located between 5km and 11.5km off the Carna coast in Co Galway that could have the capacity to generate enough electricity to power 350,000 homes. If the project is given the green light it would cost a projected 1 billion to complete and would have a lifespan of 38 years. Cllr Maxwell explained that Rosavil harbour in Connemara has the capacity to deal with such a project but there was none in Mayo strategically located to cater for such a windfarm in Mayo. If a similar wind farm was developed off Mayo it would be a massive boost to the economy of west Mayo and now is the time to be forward-thinking for the good of west Mayo. Roonagh is strategically located to cater for wind farms and we need to be in a position to capitalise on the potential and ensure west Mayo is not left behind. JERUSALEM, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Cabinet voted on Sunday in favor of a no-confidence motion against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, a first step toward her dismissal, a government official confirmed to Xinhua. The official said ministers voted unanimously in favor of the motion. The move was the latest in a series of government actions, which opponents described as political retaliation against officials perceived as critical of the government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Baharav-Miara clashed on Friday over the government's attempt to replace Shin Bet security chief Ronen Bar. Baharav-Miara issued a directive prohibiting Netanyahu from taking any action to remove Bar after the High Court temporarily blocked the government's dismissal effort. During the vote, thousands of demonstrators rallied in Jerusalem, protesting against the government's efforts to remove Baharav-Miara and Bar. Bar's dismissal was approved by the Cabinet last week. Protesters through Jerusalem toward the government compound, calling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign. It was the sixth consecutive day of anti-Netanyahu protests, which began after Israel resumed its military assault on Gaza last Tuesday. Demonstrators have demanded an end to the war, the return of the remaining hostages held in Gaza, and the cancellation of the government's judicial overhaul. Baharav-Miara, Israel's top legal adviser, has the authority to decide whether to press charges against senior officials and to determine whether Netanyahu's ongoing corruption trial will proceed. She did not attend Sunday's Cabinet meeting but wrote a letter to ministers. The government "seeks to place itself above the law," said she in the letter, adding that the Attorney General's Office would continue to fulfill its duties "without fear." Netanyahu did not attend the meeting either as he is barred from involvement in judicial matters under the terms of a conflict-of-interest agreement he signed in 2020 in connection with his trial. Tuberculosis in children is a serious infectious disease that affects the lungs and can spread to other organs. Trusted Source Increase in tuberculosis among children and young adolescents, European Union/European Economic Area, 2015 to 2023 Go to source Trusted Source #Tuberculosis notification rates up (2 to 2.5 per 100k), but pediatric cases remain low. #WorldTBDay #publichealth #lung Analyzing Paediatric TB Trends Advertisement Increase in tuberculosis among children and young adolescents, European Union/European Economic Area, 2015 to 2023 - (https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.11.2500172) Since young children face a higher risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) within a year of infection, childhood TB serves as a key indicator of ongoing transmission in a community ().In 2023, 1,689 children and young adolescents below the age of 15 years were diagnosed with tuberculosis in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries. This particular age group usually represents a relatively small proportion among the overall reported TB cases in the region, with a range from 3.4% in 2021 for example to 6.4% in 2016.However, the data for children and young adolescents indicate a slight increase from 2022 to 2023 with a rise in the notification rate for pediatric TB from 2.0 per 100,000 population to 2.5 per 100,000 population.In their rapid communication published in Eurosurveillance ahead of World Tuberculosis Day on 24 March 2025, Cristea et al. analyzed the trends and characteristics among the reported paediatric TB cases in the EU/EEA between 2015 and 2023 to identify reasons for the recent uptick since 2021. The authors characterised each age group by comparing the proportion of paediatric TB among all reported TB cases for two periods: the mean proportion of notifications 2015 to 2020 versus yearly data for 2021 to 2023.Between 2015 and 2023, in total 16,414 paediatric TB cases were notified, with an average of 1,946 cases per year (range: 1,142 in 2021 to 3,126 in 2016). These paediatric cases are part of the overall 393,104 recorded TB cases across the EU/EEA during this time.Looking at the data for children and adolescents, the authors observed a fluctuating trend over this period: while there was a substantial decrease of 37% between 2019 to 2021, notifications gradually went up again from 2021 to 2023.While none of the countries that provided data on childhood TB for those years showed cases across all four age groups, 17 countries reported a 5% increase in proportion of paediatric TB notifications in at least one age group. Five countries (Estonia, Ireland, Italy, Malta and Slovenia) noted increases in one age group, seven saw a rise in two (Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Luxembourg, Portugal, Norway and Romania) and five countries reported increases in three age groups (Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania and Slovakia).Infants, i.e. children below one year of age, and young children diagnosed with TB in the 28 EU/EEA countries reporting data on childhood TB, were predominantly born in the country where they were diagnosed whereas young adolescents (1014 years of age) with TB were often born outside the reporting country. The data show that drug-resistant paediatric TB was rare and no extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis was diagnosed in children Cristea et al. note that during the same time Europe observed an increase in TB notifications among those aged >15 years, this was also described in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. All three countries reported significant increases in TB notifications among children and adolescents in 2022 and 2023.The authors theorise that e.g. improved diagnosis and reporting of paediatric TB, social risk factors among children born in the reporting country, and changes in population movements might have played a role in the EU/EEA rise, but our analysis of TB surveillance data could not single out a specific explanation for the increase.Even though Cristea et al. acknowledge that the numbers of notified paediatric cases remain relatively low across the EU/EEA, they argue that strengthened surveillance, prompt contact tracing and preventive measures are needed to limit the potential ongoing TB transmission.Source-Eurekalert World Tuberculosis Day 2025 raises awareness and accelerates efforts to eliminate TB globally. Trusted Source World Tuberculosis Day 2025: Funding cuts threaten global TB control efforts, says GlobalData Go to source Trusted Source #UN sets 2030 target to end #tuberculosis. The #UNHLM on #TB outlines crucial goals for global eradication. #worldTBday Drug-Resistant TB on the Rise Advertisement World Tuberculosis Day 2025: Funding cuts threaten global TB control efforts, says GlobalData - (https://www.globaldata.com/media/pharma/world-tuberculosis-day-2025-funding-cuts-threaten-global-tb-control-efforts-says-globaldata) On World Tuberculosis (TB) Day , global health experts are sounding the alarm over recent funding cuts that threaten to derail decades of progress in fighting the disease. The theme for this year, Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver, highlights the urgent need for sustained financial commitment to eliminate TB. However, reductions in international aid, particularly from the United States, have raised serious concerns about the future of TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention efforts, warns GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company ().TB remains the worlds deadliest infectious disease, responsible for an estimated 1.25 million deaths in 2023, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Historically, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been the largest bilateral donor for TB programs, providing approximately $250 million annually to support critical healthcare services, especially in high-burden regions such as Africa and South-East Asia. However, sharp reductions in aid are now disrupting essential TB programs worldwide.Abigail Harris, Infectious Disease Analyst at GlobalData, warns:"Funding cuts of this magnitude will directly impact access to TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, leaving millions vulnerable to disease progression and death. Without urgent intervention, we risk undoing decades of progress in TB elimination."One of the most alarming consequences of these funding cuts is the potential rise in drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). Financial constraints are already leading to incomplete treatment regimens, increasing the risk of resistance to standard TB medications. DR-TB cases are significantly more difficult and expensive to treat, requiring prolonged and intensive drug therapies.Harris further cautions:"If we allow funding gaps to persist, we risk facing an even deadlier TB crisis, where highly resistant strains become more prevalent. The global health community must act swiftly to ensure continued access to treatment and accelerate research into new, effective therapies."The WHO has called for immediate measures to close the TB funding gap and meet global eradication targets. Priorities include expanding diagnostic access, improving treatment regimens and accelerating vaccine development.While GlobalDatas pipeline products database highlights promising developmentsincluding 15 prophylactic TB vaccines currently in clinical trials these innovations require sustained investment to reach the market and make an impact.However, experts stress that these goals can only be achieved if governments, donors, and private-sector partners commit to long-term funding.Harris concludes:"TB is a global health emergency, and without sustained investment, the disease will continue to claim lives and pose an increasing threat to public health . The time to act is now."As World TB Day 2025 unfolds, advocates and healthcare organizations worldwide emphasize the critical need for financial support to sustain progress and bring the world closer to a TB-free future.Source-Medindia The U.S. has lifted bounties on three senior Taliban figures, including the interior minister who also heads a powerful network blamed for bloody attacks against Afghanistans former Western-backed government, officials in Kabul said Sunday. Sirajuddin Haqqani, who acknowledged planning a January 2008 attack on the Serena Hotel in Kabul, which killed six people, including U.S. citizen Thor David Hesla, no longer appears on the State Departments Rewards for Justice website. The FBI website on Sunday still featured a wanted poster for him. Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said the U.S. government had revoked the bounties placed on Haqqani, Abdul Aziz Haqqani, and Yahya Haqqani. These three individuals are two brothers and one paternal cousin, Qani told The Associated Press. The Haqqani network grew into one of the deadliest arms of the Taliban after the U.S.-led 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. The group employed roadside bombs, suicide bombings and other attacks, including on the Indian and U.S. embassies, the Afghan presidency, and other major targets. They also have been linked to extortion, kidnapping and other criminal activity. A Foreign Ministry official, Zakir Jalaly, said the Talibans release of U.S. prisoner George Glezmann on Friday and the removal of bounties showed both sides were moving beyond the effects of the wartime phase and taking constructive steps to pave the way for progress in bilateral relations. The recent developments in Afghanistan-U.S. relations are a good example of the pragmatic and realistic engagement between the two governments, said Jalaly. Taliban see the opening in breaking out of isolation Another official, Shafi Azam, hailed the development as the beginning of normalization, also citing the Talibans announcement they were in control of Afghanistans embassy in Norway. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, China has been the most prominent country to accept one of their diplomats. Other countries have accepted de facto Taliban representatives, like Qatar, which has been a key mediator between the U.S. and the Taliban. U.S. envoys have also met the Taliban. The Taliban rule, especially bans affecting women and girls, has triggered widespread condemnation and deepened their international isolation. Haqqani has previously spoken out against the Talibans decision-making process, authoritarianism and alienation of the Afghan population. He has been under U.N. sanctions since 2007, because of his involvement with the network founded by his father, Jalaluddin. But the global body has allowed him to travel in the past 12 months, including to the United Arab Emirates to meet the countrys leadership and to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. Those were his first trips abroad since the Taliban takeover. Ibraheem Bahiss, a senior analyst with International Crisis Groups Asia program, said the removal of the bounties was a win for Taliban officials wanting to do business with the international community. The U.S. was showing it could reward those who made compromises within their own remit, even if these compromises didnt translate to national policy, he said. The international community had made demands of the Taliban, specifically lifting restrictions on women and girls, but offered nothing in return, said Bahiss. Scrapping bounties was a sign that small diplomatic overtures were possible. While recognition as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan might not immediately be on the horizon, the Taliban viewed normalization as enough progress given their existing diplomatic inroads in the region, according to Bahiss. For the Taliban, the removal of sanctions is more important than (official) recognition. Sanctions bite. They inhibit your ability to do business, to travel. Thats why they would celebrate this as a victory. The transactional nature of this diplomacy suits both the Taliban and Trump. His partial rehabilitation on the international stage is in contrast to the status of the reclusive Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who could face arrest by the International Criminal Court for his persecution of women. The Padres announced this evening that theyve designated catcher Brett Sullivan for assignment. Sullivans departure from the 40-man roster makes room for the club to select the contract of shortstop Mason McCoy. Sullivan, 31, had a fairly unusual path to the big leagues. Selected by the Rays in the 17th round of the 2015 draft, Sullivan languished in Tampas minor league system for years before reaching minor league free agency prior to the 2022 season. At that point, he was signed to a major league deal by the Brewers to serve as catching depth for the club. His tenure in Milwaukee was short-lived, however, as he was included not long after in the trade that shipped Victor Caratini from the Padres to the Brewers. Now with the Padres, Sullivan remained on the clubs 40-man roster but was optioned to the minors for the entire 2022 season before he eventually made his big league debut in early 2023 as a fill-in option for Luis Campusano. Since then, Sullivan has appeared in 40 games at the big league level across two seasons. In 103 career trips to the plate, Sullivan hasnt exactly impressed with a slash line of just .206/.243/.299 (49 wRC+). Thats a far cry from his work at Triple-A, where hes a career .272/.344/.453 hitter, but he makes up for it somewhat with a reputation for solid skills behind the plate despite the metrics suggesting hes below average at both pitch framing and controlling the running game. Going forward, the Padres will have one week to trade Sullivan or attempt to pass him through waivers. If he clears waivers successfully, the Padres will have the opportunity to outright him to the minor leagues as non-roster depth. Replacing Sullivan on the 40-man roster is McCoy, who the Padres non-tendered over the winter before re-signing him to a minor league deal not long after. Just over a week from his 30th birthday, McCoy has just 25 games at the big league level under his belt between the Blue Jays and Padres over the past two seasons. The Majority of that work came in San Diego last year, where he hit a paltry .204/.278/.245 in 57 trips to the plate across 19 games. While thats a sample of just 19 games, McCoys modest .239/.318/.400 career numbers at Triple-A do little to suggest much offensive potential at the big league level, although he did manage to swipe 25 bases in the minor leagues last year. McCoys base stealing abilities and strong work with the glove at shortstop could make him a viable reserve infielder for the Padres this year, though he has fierce competition for that role in the form of non-roster veteran Jose Iglesias. Law enforcement arrive at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital in Troy, Mich., Thursday, March 20, 2025. Robert Paljusevic, a 21-year-old resident of Shelby Township, was charged with assault with intent to murder, felony firearm and carrying a concealed weapon, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald said in a statement. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) AP TROY, MI The suspect in last weeks shooting at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital was arraigned Sunday, March 23, in an Oakland County District Court, officials said. Robert Paljusevic, a 21-year-old resident of Shelby Township, was charged with assault with intent to murder, felony firearm and carrying a concealed weapon, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald said in a statement. Paljusevic allegedly shot a co-worker in the hospital parking garage. The victim suffered two gunshot wounds to the arm and was listed in stable condition, police officials said on Thursday. Police officials said the shooting was a targeted incident between two employees of the hospital. Following the shooting, the hospital was placed in a lockdown until the suspect was apprehended later in the day. We can be grateful the victim appears to be recovering from his injury, but no one should have to fear violence in the workplace, McDonald said. This incident sent the hospital into a lockdown, put local schools on alert, and terrified an entire community. Multiple law enforcement agencies mobilized to quickly and safely apprehend the defendant. Even in a situation where, thankfully, there were no fatalities, the real and emotional cost of gun violence is immeasurable and unacceptable. Paljusevic was arraigned Sunday by Magistrate Cody Ellwanger, McDonald said. Paljusevic is being held without bond in the Oakland County Jail. Assault with intent to murder is punishable by up to life in prison. Felony firearm is punishable by up to two years behind bars while carrying a concealed weapon is punishable by up to five years in prison. Postal workers rallied in Ann Arbor against proposed nationwide restructuring on Sunday. Nam Y. Huh | The Associated Press File ANN ARBOR, MI U.S. Postal Service workers hosted a rally here to oppose reported federal government plans to strip away the agencys independence. In February, President Donald Trump said he could put the U.S. Postal Service under the control of the Commerce Department in what would be an executive branch takeover of the agency, which has operated as an independent entity since 1970. Members of The National Association of Letter Carriers organized the hour-long outdoor rally at the site of a U.S. Postal Service office in Ann Arbor at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 23. About 130 people showed up at the gathering, said John Odegard, president of the letter-carrier unions Ann Arbor branch. I honestly thought it would be closer to 30 people, Odegard said. This was really a good turnout. It was great to see all the support. The rally included letter-carriers from several communities as well as citizens who joined the protest, he said. We were heard today, Odegard said of the rally. If you were driving by the rally, I would have hoped you would leave thinking, Dont privatize the postal service. Odegard and other opponents worry about the proposal to put the U.S. Postal Service under the Commerce Departments authority. They fear such a measure could endanger 640,000 postal jobs, reduce services to rural communities, and abolish regulatory oversight. It could also threaten the services ability to deliver mail for the same price, regardless of zip code. The National Association of Letter Carriers represents 295,000 active and retired letter carriers across the U.S. The Ann Arbor gathering was one of several rallies organized by the union across the nation on Sunday, including at sites in Florida, Indiana, Oregon, South Carolina and Texas. Trump made the remarks about the postal services potential future at the February swearing-in of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. He called the move a way to stop losses at the $78 billion-a-year agency, which has struggled to balance the books with the decline of first-class mail. The Post Office was created during the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1775, when Benjamin Franklin became the first postmaster general. In 1872, Congress named it an executive branch department. But that changed after an eight-day postal strike over wages and benefits in 1970, when President Richard Nixon signed the Postal Reorganization Act, which made it an independent, self-financing agency called the U.S. Postal Service. In recent years, as its sometimes struggled to stay afloat, the Postal Service has fought calls from Trump and others that it be privatized. The Associated Press contributed to this report. TEHRAN, March 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 21 people were injured on Saturday after a gas leak-triggered explosion caused the collapse of a three-story residential building. According to local authorities, search operations were ongoing to locate anyone trapped under the rubble. Angela Berent poses for a photo in her classroom at Grass Lake Middle School on March 13, 2025. (Photo provided by Angela Berent) Courtesy Photo | Angela Berent GRASS LAKE, MI Whether its for her students or someone using her self-guided writing journals, Angela Berent works every day to help others find their own voice. Berent, 52, teaches eighth grade English language arts at Grass Lake Middle School. Beyond her classroom doors, Berent has written and published several guided journals, including the fitness-centered Mark Your Miles and the Trace Your Travels: An Adventure Journal! Initially she pursued a career in business. Berent grew up in Saginaw and attended St. Charles Community High School. After graduating in 1994 with a degree in business administration from Saginaw Valley State University, Berent said she bounced around between roles in retail management, accounting and financial services before she returned to school. Berent taught for four years at Ocean View Junior High School in Oxnard, California, and then returned to Michigan. She did short teaching stints at Jackson College and Ypsilanti Community Schools, and has been with Grass Lake since 2005. Berent spoke with MLive/Jackson Citizen Patriot about her work helping people write the stories of their life. Jackson Citizen Patriot: Was there a specific moment or experience that inspired you to get into the field of education? Angela Berent: I think I always knew I wanted to be a teacher from when I was very young. Id have my younger brother and my cousins sit down and play school with me. As a young high school graduate, I wasnt sure what I wanted to do, so I got that business degree. Very shortly after working in the business world I realized I wanted to go back to school - to find something fulfilling, something important to do with myself. JCP: Why was teaching in the field youre in such a calling for you? Berent: Middle school English called to me especially. I think the middle years are very important. I enjoyed middle school myself, but I know it can be a hard time for so many kids. I wanted to put my energy there. I really feel like Ive stayed in middle school ELA because it matters a lot to me that (students) start high school with a good footing and they feel good about themselves. I enjoy writing a lot myself - I have self-published a couple of books. I enjoy bringing my love of writing to my students. JCP: Is there a specific moment from your career that you would consider to be the most rewarding? Berent: A colleague happened to recently run into a student of mine from a couple of years ago, and the student asked if I was still here working at Grass Lake. (My co-worker) said yes, and that student Good, because it always felt like home going into her room. That is probably the greatest compliment Ive ever received. JCP: In what ways have you changed or evolved as an educator between now and when you started? Berent: Ive participated in two different of our Michigan affiliates of the National Writing Project - the Eastern Michigan Writing Project and the Chippewa River Writing Project. The writing project philosophy is all about reading and writing with your students and helping them to become genuine readers and writers. That was a huge shift in my career - helping my students see themselves as readers and writers. Whether they love English, or if science is their thing or they love history or math - I wanted to help them be a reader and writer. I feel like the Writing Project experience helped in that regard. JCP: What is your favorite part of your job? Berent: I love that every single day is different. Every year we stop in June and we start completely fresh in August. Every class is different - every class has a different personality, and that absolutely keeps it fresh for me. Theres always a new beginning. If you know a K-12 educator in Jackson County who might make a good subject for the weekly Meet the Teacher series, send an email with their contact information to mkukulka@mlive.com. If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. KALAMAZOO, MI When Bells Executive Vice President Carrie Yunker decided it was time to step away from the brewery shed been at for nearly 22 years, she knew her last day would be March 24. I didnt want a sad slideshow in the back room that felt like a funeral, Yunker said. I wanted it to be a celebration. This place is about fun and its about community. So, there was pretty much no other day that was going to be my last day other than Oberon Day. Its truly my favorite day of the year. RELATED: Bells top leader stepping down from role with New Belgium Brewing Co. Yunker, 43, started her career at Bells as a part-time receptionist in 2003, while attending Western Michigan University. She worked her way up to benefits administrator, HR director and VP of human resources before being named executive vice president by founder Larry Bell in 2021. Following the sale of the company later that year to Lion and New Belgium, she became the face of the Bells brand. Innovation and growth Over the past four years on New Belgiums leadership team and as the Bells top executive, Yunker has overseen much innovation and growth. Shes helped implement the inspired giving program, which has donated roughly $500,000 annually to nonprofits, area causes and clean water grants, using $1 from every barrel sold. Shes helped usher Bells beer into the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii and Alaska, seeing to it that its now available in all 50 states. And now that the map is colored in, shes helped shift the focus back to Bells legacy as a Michigan brand. Bells Executive Vice President Carrie Yunker poses for a photo at Bells Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) Joel Bissell | MLive.com We still sell 60% of our beer in a state that touches a Great Lake, Yunker said. And Oberon, when its out, would be the largest craft brewery in Michigan, just that brand alone. RELATED: Bells to introduce Oberon Light; announces Midwest State Fair as Oberon Day theme Being in all 50 states has helped unlock opportunities at larger retailers nationwide, as well as with airlines. (The idea) that somebodys first Two Hearted might be on a flight anywhere in the United States, it feels pretty great, she said. Prioritizing local Bells has strategically shifted to a hyper focus on the Great Lakes Region. In the past year, the brewery opened a taproom at Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, as well as at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The brand also continues to serve as the beer sponsor at Electric Forest and is now available at Michigan States Spartan Stadium and Breslin Center. Festivalgoers grab a free Oberon or Two Hearted from Bells Brewery during the Good Life VIP Pool at the Back Forty Pool party for the unofficial start of Electric Forest festivalgoers on the grounds of the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Mich. on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Having such a strong share of the market here in Michigan is something weve built for a long time, over time, and something you have to tend to and care for, Yunker said. One of the biggest challenges since the sale has been dealing with the brewerys national growth while maintaining a strong, local relationship. Is it different? Yes. But it should be, Yunker said of the brewery, which is now a division of New Belgium. I think the expectation that it stays the same is actually the unrealistic part and I think thats the hardest thing Ive needed to deal with externally and internally. A piece of that change is evolving from a family-owned brewery with the direct leadership style of Larry Bell to becoming a more democratic-run brewery. Larry required you to follow, she said. That was how he led. And that is not a judgement piece. That is just who he is as a person and how he leads, and he gets a lot of things done that way. Were in a much more democratic (space) now. Yunker has intentionally ushered in that model, while making sure everyone who helped make Bells what it is were taken care of through the transition. Head Brewmaster Andy Farrell leads a tour of Bells Brewery in Comstock Township, Mich. on Friday, March 8, 2024. Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com It feels like that part of the mission is done, she said. This place is in a great spot and its time for me to go. Whats next for Bells leadership? There are no plans to hire a new executive vice president, Yunker said. Her duties will instead be shared among a dozen or so members of Bells current leadership team. What I care so much about is people and developing them and helping them grow, she said. By leaving, others will have opportunities to put their own stamps on Bells, she said, be it through innovative projects or continuing to evolve the product line. In the past four years, the Bells creative team has pushed boundaries by introducing shandies and expanding the Two Hearted and Oberon lines. Bell's Oberon Sunshine Shandy Packs are now available featuring tropical, lemonade and cherry limeade. Provided by Bell's Doing so has brought new customers into the Bells fold, she said. While Bells continues to evolve its brand, it did also recently cut ties with its sister brewery, Upper Hand, in the Upper Peninsula. RELATED: Bells sister brewery in Upper Peninsula being sold to California company That was really a Larry passion project, that wasnt necessarily rooted in the strategy of how we grow and develop our business, Yunker said. For the leadership team here to focus on how were growing our Bells brands and then be able to give the right kind of focus to really what is meant to be a small and independent brand, those two things were a little bit at odds. Upper Hand is excited about its independence and is already expanding its taproom and planning other next steps, Yunker said. Whats next for Yunker? Whats next for Yunker is not 100% clear yet, but the longtime Bells employee-turned-leader sees a future in either nonprofit leadership or possibly politics. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, center, shares a cheers with Bell's Brewery Executive Vice President Carrie Yunker, left, and Discover Kalamazoo President/CEO Jane Ghosh, right, at Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Courtesy photo | Executive Office of the Governor I think that theres a need for what I would say is a positive personality and some real business acumen in politics in our world these days, she said. I just feel really called to go be a leader and go help protect people. Thats been part of my calling here how do I go build a culture and make people feel safe? And I just have this nagging feeling to go do that in a different way. Yunker, who was born in Sturgis and raised in the small, Amish community of Centreville, said she never saw her story unfolding the way it has. Larry and Laura (Bell) had so much faith in me and my ability to lead the team and grow the business. It was important for me not to overstay my welcome. All the opportunities I was given, to be able to give that back is exactly how I want this story to end. Twenty-one years ago, I needed a part-time job. This has been a hell of a part-time job. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. PORTAGE, MI The stated mission of the Wednesday, March 19, march to U.S. Rep. Bill Huizengas Portage office was to demand the congressman oppose federal policies that could harm the Great Lakes. But protestors also rallied around another issue Huizengas engagement with constituents. Wheres Bill? read one sign, depicting Huizengas face in the read-and-white striped likeness of Waldo from the iconic childrens puzzle book. Jane and Jill Engles hold signs criticizing Huizenga. Audrey Whitaker Huizenga, R-Zeeland, represents the 4th District, which includes includes all of Allegan and Van Buren counties, and parts of Berrien, Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Ottawa counties. He has an office in Portage and Holland. RELATED: Meet Kalamazoos new congressman: A conservative able to find the yes button His office recently discontinued the ability to leave voicemails, replacing it with a phone tree. 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, said Huizengas spokesperson Brian Patrick. Huizenga, like many Michigan Republicans in Congress, has faced calls for an in-person town hall since Donald Trump became president. RELATED: Pressure mounts for Michigans congressional GOP to host in-person town halls Huizengas office hosted two virtual town halls instead. His team is considering more. Since taking office in January, the congressman has received an influx of calls, complaints and even threats, officials said, many of them from people outside of his district. Representatives across the country have seen a surge in calls since President Donald Trump took office, the Washington Post reports, jamming U.S. Capital phone lines with questions and concerns. Such calls are a tool commonly used by liberal organizers, per the Washington Post. The Michigan League of Conservation Voters, which helped organize Wednesdays event in Portage, provides people with contact information and templates they can use to call or email representatives. Now, Huizengas automated phone tree directs callers to Option 2: submitting their comments online. The online option prompts users to enter their ZIP code. If that code falls outside of the 4th district, they cant advance to the comment form. A first and last name, plus an address, email and phone number, are all required on the comment form. Critics argue the congressman isnt engaging with viewpoints that dont align with his own. When constituents call to voice a concern, they cant talk to a human being that works in the office, said Nick Dodge, spokesperson for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. Thats a fundamental breakdown in democracy, and its a failure of service from our members of Congress, Dodge said. But that change has allowed Huizengas office to more efficiently serve constituents who need help with a federal agency, such as the Social Security Administration, the VA or the IRS, Patrick said. Huizengas office has responded to more than 30,000 questions and comments from constituents since Trumps inauguration, he said. We are currently corresponding with thousands of Southwest Michigan residents every week, Patrick said. Republican members of Congress were advised not to hold in-person events after backlash to DOGE budget cuts and layoffs went viral, according to Politico. That is just such a weak excuse, Dodge said. Once a congressperson takes office, they represent their entire district, Dodge said, not just the party that elected them. Its important they have an open and pubic dialogue with the people they represent, he said. On Wednesday, many marched with letters in hand, hoping they would get to read them out in person. But no one emerged from Huizengas office to greet them. The office at 5228 Lovers Lane is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment only, per a sign posted outside the door. So Wednesdays protesters instead delivered their letters through the mail slot, as chants continued in the parking lot outside. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. MUSKEGON, MI Muskegon public safety officials said a 70-year-old man died during a house fire here in the morning hours of Sunday, March 23. Officials have not yet publicly identified the deceased man. Muskegon Police Captain Tim Bahorski said, as of 10:30 a.m. Sunday, investigators remained on the scene of the fire, trying to determine its cause. Muskegon Fire Department officials said, at 7:12 a.m., firefighters responded to the fire at 2228 Crozier Ave. Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy fire conditions at the front of the house, Jay Paulson, Muskegon fire department deputy director, said in a statement. A next-door neighbor informed the responding units that the homeowners truck was in the driveway, indicating that the homeowner may still be inside. The neighbor was single and lived alone, Paulson said. Firefighters entered the home and found the 70-year-old male homeowner on the hallway floor, Paulson said. Despite their efforts to revive him, they were unsuccessful. Rachel M. Esckelson (far right) stands beside defense attorney Alan A. Crawford during her March 18, 2025, preliminary examination. To the left stands Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Shellbe A. Sanborn. Cole Waterman SAGINAW, MI Here are a few headlines from Saginaw County last week that attracted reader interest. Michigan gun storage law tested in Saginaw County teens accidental shooting The teen boy entered the courtroom on crutches the day before his 14th birthday. He set them aside to walk with a pronounced limp to the witness stand to testify how he accidentally shot himself in the leg while scaring coyotes off his familys rural Buena Vista Township property. The teens 44-year-old mother, Rachel M. Esckelson, wasnt home when her son wounded himself in early February, but prosecutors contend she is criminally responsible under a state law passed in the wake of the Oxford High School shooting. Esckelsons defense attorney, though, maintains legislators did not have such a case in mind when they passed the statute. Read more here. Heres the story of the latest and maybe last addition to Saginaws historic sign park A reminder of a Saginaw business closed for two decades now will once again illuminate its old neighborhood. The sign that once graced The Hut Hamburgs was installed in the Old Saginaw City Historic Sign Park, about one block southwest from the former site of the now-closed restaurant. Tom Mudd, a preservationist and president of the Saginaw Valley Historic Preservation Society that manages the park, said The Hut Hamburgs sign likely represents the final installation there because of dwindling space capacity. Read more here. From rivals to classmates: Senior standouts climb Saginaw United Highs heights Yes, the stairs can be a problem. But Michael Baldwin and Torrion TJ Stevenson said they have otherwise navigated the challenges the physical ones as well as the academic sort of being part of the first class of seniors to roam the brand-new, five-floor-tall Saginaw United High School. This time last year, Baldwin was a junior at Arthur Hill High School. Stevenson was a junior at Saginaw High School. Saginaw Public Schools leaders dissolved both longstanding institutions considered crosstown rivals for generations and centralized high school studies at the districts new Saginaw United High building, which towers above the citys riverfront commercial district. Classes opened there last August, and the 17-year-old seniors became classmates for the first time, after crossing paths for years in the community. MLive/The Saginaw News sat down for a Q&A with the classmates to talk about their experiences during their first and, simultaneously, last years at Saginaw United High. Read more here. Michigan woman offering massages online accused, again, of setting up client for robbery Last autumn, a man went to a Saginaw hotel looking for a massage from a woman. He paid her $200 but didnt get the service, as a gunman emerged from a closet and told him to scram. Prosecutors charged the man and woman with criminal offenses but later dismissed them. A month later, the female suspect allegedly perpetrated another massage-turned-robbery with a different male cohort at a Genesee County hotel, for which she is now facing much more serious charges. Rachel M. Reed, 26, and Martwaz D. Williams, 32, are both charged in Genesee County Circuit Court with two counts of armed robbery, a life offense. Reed, also known by the surname Fox, is also charged with possessing narcotics or cocaine. Read more here. Illinois man gets life in Michigan prison for driving 300 miles to kill ex in Saginaw County 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. The conviction stemmed from the May 2024 fatal shooting of 50-year-old Kenya M. Collins. Read more here. Saginaw man pleads to shooting man three times from second-story window A Saginaw man accused of shooting another man multiple times from his homes second-story window has accepted a plea offer. Shavario T. Coleman, 23, on Tuesday, March 18, appeared before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson and pleaded no contest to one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm. The charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Read more here. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. BAY COUNTY, MI Commissioners in Bay City this week approved a resolution deeming the city as a welcoming community for all people regardless of their immigration status, a measure that aimed to focus local resources on local issues. That approval was flipped, however, when the citys mayor issued his first veto since taking office. Meanwhile, the city is experiencing an uptick in homicides, with four reported in the past 10 months. Those stories and many more are included below in this weeks roundup of Bay County headlines you may have missed. Bay City mayor vetoes welcoming community immigration resolution 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. As Mayor, I do not take the decision to veto a resolution lightly, Girard wrote in a statement Wednesday. This was an incredibly difficult choice, and I fully understand the strong emotions on all sides of the issue. However, after careful consideration, I had to weigh the real and immediate impacts on our city and community. Read the full story here. Bay City experiencing uptick in homicides with 4 in 10 months Police in Bay City are continuing to investigate the fatal shooting of a local father. Its the citys fourth homicide in 10 months, an alarming uptick for a community that has averaged fewer than one killing a year for more than a decade. Multiple people called 911 about 2 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, to report a shooting with a man down near the intersection of 18th and South Sherman streets in the citys South End. Officers arrived to find 28-year-old Kane E. Crockett unconscious and suffering from a gunshot wound to his abdomen. They and paramedics rendered aid and took Crockett to McLaren Bay Region hospital. Crockett, a father of at least one son, died shortly thereafter during emergency surgery. Read the full story here. Bay City house fire leaves man, 74, in critical condition St. Patricks Day in Bay City was marred by a house fire that left a senior citizen seriously injured. About 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 17, firefighters responded to the reported structure fire at 600 E. White St. on the citys West Side. A 74-year-old male resident was reported to be still inside the two-story home. Smoke billowed from the upper story as crews arrived. Firefighters entered the house and found the man near the front door. They removed him from the house and handed him over to MedStar ambulance personnel. Read the full story here. Bay Citys Independence Bridge will be closed during the day all next week The Independence Bridge will have daytime closures all next week, although neither the city nor the company leasing the bridges have said why. The bridge, which has been closed nearly every night for the past two months as crews performed what was described as maintenance and high-speed testing, will be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday, March 24, through Saturday, March 29. Independence Bridge is one of Bay Citys four drawbridges. It is also one of two bridges leased by Bay City Bridge Partners and charging tolls. Read the full story here. Downtown Bay City eatery MI Table listed for sale One of downtown Bay Citys more unique eateries is up for sale, but its owners are excited about what the future holds for both them and the space theyve occupied for the past five years. MI Table, a restaurant that features all things Michigan including its food and drinks ingredients, is for sale. Owner Amberlyn Hales said Monday, March 17, the business is being listed for $350,000, adding she hopes to move on to a new and improved farm-to-table experience. Were pretty excited for the next evolution of MI Table, Hales said. Weve been there five years, which is pretty amazing, and were ready now to put our feet down and take our next leap. Read the full story here. Ex-Auburn Public Works director charged with embezzling public funds The former director of Auburns Department of Public Works is facing a criminal charge for allegedly pilfering city funds. Prosecutors on March 14 charged 33-year-old Ashlie K. House with one count of embezzlement by agent or trustee between $1,000 and $20,0000. The felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $10,000 or three times the value of what was stolen, whichever is greater. The investigation that led to the charge began the afternoon of Aug. 30, 2023, when a Michigan State Police detective sergeant met with Auburn Administrator David J. Haag at city hall regarding possible embezzlement by DPW Director House. Haag had looked into records of a city-owned credit card issued to House and found multiple transactions for personal purchases, he told police, according to their reports contained in court files. Read the full story here. Bay Citys summer playlist features Taylor Swift, Queen and Beach Boys tributes The music of Queen, the Beach Boys and Taylor Swift will be featured this summer as part of Downtown Bay Citys 2025 Wednesdays in the Park summer concert series. The summer lineup for this years concert series was announced Sunday, March 16, and features a mix of tribute bands and other musical performances that will take place at Wenonah Park on Wednesdays from June 11 through Aug. 20. We are thrilled to be able to bring the community together for another fantastic summer of live music in Wenonah Park, Downtown Management Board Chair Jeff Hildebrant said in a statement. Country, pop, classic rock, theres something for everyone. Wednesdays in Wenonah Park is the place to be this summer. Read the full story here. Consumers Energy plant fire: Mineral oil spill impact minimal, officials say While the investigation into the cause of a fire at a Consumers Energy plant in Bay County continues, officials said the ramifications of a mineral oil spill that occurred during the blaze would not be significant. Authorities reviewing the mineral oil spill at Consumers Energys Dan E. Karn Generating Plant in Essexville determined the spillage did not reach or impact waterways. We are in the process of removing any localized soil impacted by the mineral oil/firefighting water mixture on plant property, and it is going well, said Tracy Wimmer, a spokesperson with Consumers Energy. Read the full story here. Indulge in homemade delights from this Essexville bakery Wondering where you can find holiday or seasonal themed homemade desserts? Petit 4 Pastry, 1600 Woodside Ave., has offered just that, plus a whole lot more since opening in 2005. Owners Rachel and Tyler Cathel took over the bakery about five years ago after Rachel Cathel had worked for the previous owner, she said. Read the full story here. Delta College student group to host Attorney General Dana Nessel for LGBTQ rights discussion Amid ongoing state and federal challenges to LGBTQ rights, Delta Colleges student-led organization Pioneers Rising is bringing together Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and a panel of activists to discuss potential threats and how to respond. The event, set for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 27, will take place on Delta Colleges main campus in Room N-007. It is open to the public. Read the full story here. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. LANSING, MI During a visit to Europe this week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state economic development officials will explore trade and tourism partnership opportunities with the United Kingdom and Ireland, state officials said. In a statement, the governors office called the trip a weeklong international investment mission with two of Europes key economies. Michigan has long enjoyed strong economic and cultural ties with the U.K. and Ireland, and this mission presents an opportunity to build on that foundation, Whitmer said in a statement. By fostering trade relationships and attracting new investment, we are creating opportunities for Michigan businesses and workers while enhancing our states economic resilience in a rapidly evolving global market. The trip comes during a U.S. trade war with several nations. President Donald Trump in recent weeks imposed a series of tariffs on Canada and Mexico, worrying economic experts about the impact on American businesses including in Michigan, which borders Canada. Whitmers trip abroad this week represents her second visit to Europe in less than four months. The governor visited Spain in November, seeking overseas investment in Michigans economy. This week, Whitmer will be joined by Michigan Economic Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Quentin L. Messer, Jr.; Michigan Department of Agriculture Director Tim Boring; and Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Scott Bowen. Officials with Whitmers office said the governor will engage in strategic meetings with business leaders, government officials, and industry stakeholders to promote investment opportunities in Michigan. This mission is an excellent chance to showcase why Michigan is the ideal destination for investment and continued historic partnerships, Messer said in a statement. Officials said the delegation plans to visit European companies with a presence in Michigan such as GlenDimplex Group as well as Perrigo, both based in Dublin; and Kilkenny, Ireland-based Glanbia. The Michigan group plans to host roundtables with businesses including Coventry, United Kingdom-based Midlands Aerospace Alliance, Dublin-based Enterprise Ireland, and the American Chamber of Commerce. The visit also will involve Whitmer and the Michigan delegation meeting with elected officials in both the United Kingdom and Ireland, officials said. This investment mission will provide a valuable chance to consult with international partners about natural resource management, sustainability and tourism, Bowen said in a statement. The trip will also give us a chance to learn about natural resource management in other parts of the world and discuss business connections that can benefit everyone. I want to make sure our international partners know that Michigans amazing outdoor recreation opportunities rival iconic destinations anywhere on the globe. CLEVELAND Tom Izzo let out the same sigh as the Michigan State fanbase when he was told the Spartans would get another late tip time on Sunday night. So even though Friday nights game and subsequent interviews didnt finish up until far past bed time, Izzo wanted to make sure his players got in a film session before their heads hit the pillow. Michigan State freshman Jeremey Fears says that led to one thing: They went to sleep dreaming about New Mexico. Fears talks about it here: No. 2 Michigan State (28-6) takes on No. 10 New Mexico (27-7) on Sunday (8:40 p.m., TNT) with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line. LATEST UPDATE AT 8:30 P.M. SUNDAY, MARCH 23: Sunday evening snow update: Changes continue to be more aggressive on snow totals A swath of steady snow should move across northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula bringing that area a March snowstorm. Southern Lower Michigan will also have some snow but not an amount we would consider a snowstorm. A winter storm warning is in effect now through Monday morning for part of the Upper Peninsula for five to 10 inches of snow. A winter weather advisory is in effect for northeast Lower Michigan tonight into Monday for three to five inches of snow. The rest of Lower Michigan doesnt have any winter weather warning or advisory. Winter storm warning in pink. Winter Weather Advisory in purple. NOAA Heres the radar forecast showing the storm system bringing a mixed bag of rain and snow to the southern half of Michigan tonight and changing to snow spurts Monday. Radar forecast from 5 p.m. today, March 23 to 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 25. NOAA For southern Lower Michigan we may start with heavy, wet snow this evening and then change to rain overnight and back to snow showers Monday. From about Traverse City and Alpena northward the precipitation should mostly stay snow, maybe just briefly mixing with rain. Monday will have off and on snow showers with air temperatures just above freezing. Even Mondays snow will have a hard time sticking to the grass in southern Michigan due to 35 degree temperatures. Heres the total snowfall through Tuesday morning when all of the snow should be over. Total snowfall forecast through Tuesday morning, March 25, 2025 NOAA For a strip of southern Lower Michigan from Saginaw to Grand Rapids and south to Flint look for maybe one to two inches of snow on the grass. In this region we may have the inch or two of snow this evening before the snow changes to rain. For far southern Lower Michigan expect only trace amounts on the grass in Ann Arbor, Detroit and Kalamazoo. Id call the real accumulation line from Big Rapids to Tawas City and northward. By the time Tuesday is here we can expect three inches to five inches all the way north to the Mackinac Bridge. Some of the higher elevations, which are also the lake-effect snowbelts, could have up to six inches. The Traverse City area should wind up with three to five inches of snow but melting could occur while the snow is trying to pile up. The Upper Peninsula will have areas of five to 10 inches of total snow. Regardless of how much snow you exactly get at your house, its late March and probably not a weather scene most of us desire. Expect it to be fairly cold for the first half of this coming week and then warmer air will return. BOAO, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 will be held from March 25 to 28 in Boao Town, Qionghai City, south China's Hainan Province. Using AI technology, we invite you on a "surreal" digital journey of local architecture, villages, and cuisine, exploring the cultural customs and development achievements showcased there. As the host town of the BFA, Boao has witnessed a series of changes, which are also a testimony to the process of Chinese modernization. In recent years, Boao has strengthened its international exchanges and cooperation. Join us on an AI-powered virtual journey through the iconic landmarks to experience the charm of a "blooming" Qionghai. The BFA International Conference Center The BFA International Conference Center, situated on Dongyu Island in Boao Town, serves as the permanent venue for the BFA. Beyond hosting high-profile conferences, it is also a tourist destination and stands as a flagship project of the Boao Near-Zero Carbon Demonstration Zone. China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea Situated in Tanmen Town in Qionghai, about 10 kilometers from the BFA International Conference Center, this museum showcases the maritime culture and history of the South China Sea. Its collections include marine archaeology, biodiversity, and more. Cai Family Residence Located in Liuke Village of Boao Town, the Cai Family Residence stands as a representation of Hainan's overseas Chinese residential architecture. This historic residence blends traditional local structural design with overseas-inspired decorative elements, vividly showcasing the profound cultural heritage of the overseas Chinese community in Qionghai. Lecheng Bridge A landmark infrastructure project in Qionghai and the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, this Hainan-first suspension bridge features innovative design and enhances transportation connectivity for the pilot zone. Boao Lighthouse A vital navigation aid on Hainan's eastern coast, this iconic landmark adds maritime charm to Boao. Jade Belt Beach This narrow sandy peninsula at the Wanquan River estuary faces the BFA International Conference Center across the sea. Tourists here can enjoy the gradient of seawater hues, from light green to dark blue. Boao Temple Nestled within the "Boao Oriental Culture Courtyard," the temple's traditional architecture harmonizes with lush greenery and rivers, drawing global visitors. The Sea Story bar The bar was converted from a fishing boat. It has witnessed Boao's development and become a signature dining spot, welcoming tourists from home and abroad. The video and GIFs are generated by AI. Journalist: Zhang Liyun Designers: Xie Ziyi, Du Xiaoyi Chinese technical support has been helping farmers in The Gambia achieve record-breaking rice yields, contributing to the country's efforts to reduce reliance on imports. #GLOBALink Hina Khan pens emotional note as she wins award for her latest show Grahlakshmi: I was going through a very hard time M Snehanjali 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 Gayatri Rani 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 M Snehanjali 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 You are here: World Flash The South Korean government declared a state of disaster on Saturday over wildfires that broke out in the country's southeastern areas including Ulsan city, North Gyeongsang province and South Gyeongsang province, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said. A mountain fire first broke out in Sancheong County in the province of South Gyeongsang on Friday afternoon before the fire continued to spread on Saturday. More massive mountain fires erupted on Saturday morning in other parts of the southeastern regions. Acting President Choi Sang-mok inspected the situation in the affected places, ordered relevant authorities to work together to mobilize all equipment available and bring the wildfires under complete control. At around 3:30 p.m. local time on the same day, the Korea Forest Service raised the national emergency alert level in the most affected areas to its highest, which is the "severe" stage. So far, four firefighters were reported dead and six were injured, local media reported. BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the opening ceremony of the China Development Forum 2025 on Sunday in Beijing, and delivered a keynote speech. The China Development Forum 2025 is scheduled from March 23 to 24. The theme of this year's forum is "Unleashing Development Momentum for Stable Growth of Global Economy." Moneycontrol Features 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 NewJeans barred from independent activities as court rules against the group in contract dispute with ADOR Palak Vij 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 Pooja Bhatt shows support to Rhea Chakraborty after CBI closes Sushant Singh Rajput's death case, says, "The truth has prevailed" Gayatri Rani 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 Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer says 'thankful' to CBI for closing Sushant Singh Rajput death case, says, "Rhea Chakraborty had to undergo untold miseries" Gayatri Rani 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 Salman Khan looks dapper as he greets paparazzi at the Sikandar trailer launch event, watch M Snehanjali 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 Veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha compares himself with Kartik Aaryan, says, "the film industry gets one outsider..." Gayatri Rani 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 Vijay Deverakonda leaves for Sri Lanka to shoot love songs for upcoming film, see pics M Snehanjali 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 ONGC to import ethane to make up for changed Qatar LNG composition 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 Aishwarya Dabhade 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 In southwest China's Yunnan Province, famous for its coffee production, a Sino-S. Korean couple has started their own coffee brand while supporting young talents in the local coffee industry. #GLOBALink 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 Firms with Rs 250-cr turnover rush to register on TReDS as March 31 deadline nears 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 Arishaa Izaj 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 Disha Salian Death Case News Live: No clean chit given, says Salian's advocate Advocate Nilesh C Ojha, representing the father of late Disha Salian, has refuted claims that a clean chit has been given in the case, asserting that a false narrative is being spread. Speaking on the matter, Ojha stated, "No clean chit has been given. People are running a false narrative. This closure report has no such value before the law." He stated that even after the submission of a closure report, the court retains the authority to take cognizance of the case, issue an arrest warrant, or order further investigation. "Just like it happened in the case of Aarushi Talwar, the court can still intervene," he added. MACAO, March 23 (Xinhua) -- With a verdant Loong (Chinese dragon) made of bamboo, a handmade armor performance from Japan, and an elephant hat dance from South Korea showing up in front of the Ruins of St. Paul's, the "2025 Macao International Parade" officially set off on Sunday. These were part of the 83 performing teams from various cultures across the world. Upholding the spirit of "Love, Peace and Cultural Integration" while promoting Macao's designation as a "Culture City of East Asia 2025," this year's parade featured local groups and participating groups worldwide, totaling an estimated 1,800 artists. The local team, "the Funny Old Tree Theater Ensemble," performed about the Earth, suggesting that different cultures share one home. Vong Weng Chon, a team member, said that as a Macao resident, he was pleased to make new friends from different backgrounds. "It's lively and exciting," he added. As another "Culture City of East Asia 2025," Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, brought the dance of bamboo leaf Loong. Zhu Zhengguo, a member of the performing team, told Xinhua that it was an honor to bring their traditional treasure to this event. He was also happy to see and communicate with other art groups. Italian artist Ilaria Fioretto was impressed by Macao's cultural atmosphere. "Here, we have the possibility to interact with different cultures ... It is a treasure to know different artists from different countries," she added. According to Macao's Cultural Affairs Bureau, the parade is a signature festive event of Macao. Since its first edition in 2011, it has entered its 11th edition and has become one of the events celebrating Macao's return to the motherland, drawing the participation of residents and tourists from around the world. The parade procession set off from the Ruins of St. Paul's and passed through old streets and alleys in the historic center of Macao. The final performance held at Sai Van Lake Square marked the opening of the "Culture City of East Asia" program, where various performing groups staged a vibrant and artistic celebration. "It's hard to put my feelings into words," said Ms. Tang, a tourist from central China's Hubei visiting Macao for the first time. She waited in the crowd to see the parade, describing the experience as a "surprise." Manjiri Patil 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 Preparations for 2027 Kumbh Mela in Nashik slow, but will overcome challenges, says Fadnavis 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 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. 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 Bengaluru woman slams police for not helping teen brother when cab driver harassed him: 'Shaking with rage' Ankita Sengupta 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 Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez to marry in Italy this year, wedding invites are out: Reports Ankita Sengupta 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 Japan's Astroscale partners with Digantara and Bellatrix to offer orbital services in Asia-Pacific Manjiri Patil 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 Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra gets 50% discount on Amazon: Check price, additional discounts and more 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 Shaurya Shubham 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 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 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 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 JERUSALEM, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Security Cabinet has approved the establishment of a controversial new directorate to coordinate the "voluntary relocation" of Palestinians from Gaza to third countries, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. The directorate, which will operate under the Defense Ministry, will oversee the "voluntary departure" of Gaza residents who "express interest" in relocating. The ministry did not name any third countries or confirm whether any have agreed to accept potential refugees. However, Israeli officials have been holding talks with several countries in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. According to the ministry, the directorate will prepare and facilitate the "safe and supervised" departure of Gaza residents. It said inspection points for pedestrian crossings would be established in designated areas of Gaza, along with infrastructure to support travel by land, sea, or air to destination countries. Defense Minister Israel Katz is expected to announce the head of the directorate in the coming days. "We are working through all available means to implement the vision of the U.S. president," Katz said. "Any Gaza resident who wishes to leave voluntarily for a third country will be allowed to do so." In February, U.S. President Donald Trump presented a plan to transfer Gaza's Palestinian population to neighboring countries, as part of a broader vision to rebuild the war-torn enclave as a "Riviera." He later backtracked on the plan following international condemnations. Critics argue that while the relocation program is described as voluntary, it aligns with Israeli efforts to depopulate Gaza amid the ongoing war and worsening humanitarian crisis. The decision by Israel's Security Cabinet comes as Israeli forces launch a renewed air and ground offensive across Gaza, effectively ending a two-month ceasefire. Thousands of Palestinians have been displaced again as bombardments intensify. The conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns, killing around 1,200 people. The war has since devastated Gaza, reducing large areas to rubble. Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday that the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has topped 50,000. Trump slams Judge Boasberg over conflict of interest after photo with Kamala Harris husband Aishwarya Dabhade 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 Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump may have spoken more than twice, Kremlin says 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 JERUSALEM, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces pushed deeper into the Gaza Strip on Sunday with the military saying it had encircled the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah in the south of the enclave. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops had "encircled" the area overnight, killing "several" militants and raiding what it described as a Hamas command and control center. "The operation aims to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and eliminate militants to expand the security zone in southern Gaza," the military said. IDF-released footage showed troops advancing through the area with dogs and armored personnel carriers, firing into damaged buildings before entering them. Videos circulating on social media showed women, children, and men fleeing Rafah. A military spokesperson said Israeli forces also launched operations in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, over the weekend. "Fighter jets struck several Hamas targets and terrorist infrastructure sites," the spokesperson said. At least 41 bodies and 61 wounded were brought to hospitals across Gaza in the past 24 hours, Gaza-based health authorities said on Sunday, bringing the death toll from the ongoing conflict to 50,021. The renewed Israeli offensive has effectively ended a two-month ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the military campaign aims to destroy Hamas and secure the release of remaining hostages. Matua Council for Native Chamorro Advancement President Liana S. Hofschneider, second right, with her husband Richard Hofschneider, right, Herman Tudela, left, and volunteer, Raymond "Bo" Quitugua, display an artists rendition of a "respectable, more dignified" reburial facility for the remains of their Chamorro ancestors at the back of the unfinished Imperial Pacific International building in Garapan. Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano TOKYO, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, on Sunday met with secretary general of Japan's National Security Secretariat Masataka Okano. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on jointly implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and on comprehensively promoting the healthy and stable development of the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit. They agreed to continue communication through the China-Japan high-level political dialogue mechanism. LOS ANGELES (AP) As a wounded Democratic Party struggles to regroup, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is holding mostly chummy conversations with prominent conservatives on a new podcast hes touting as a way for the party to grapple with the MAGA movements popularity. In doing so, he appears intent on showing he is more than a progressive warrior. But he has stunned some members of his own party by agreeing with his guests on issues such as restricting transgender women and girls in sports. Newsom called dismantling police departments lunacy and remained silent when Steve Bannon, an architect of President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign, falsely said Trump won the 2020 presidential election. The programs provide a fresh lens on a liberal governor and potential 2028 presidential candidate who not long ago was enlisted as a chief surrogate for President Joe Bidens campaign. Ahead of the 2022 midterms, he chastised national Democrats for being too passive in defending abortion rights and same-sex marriage, an issue he championed two decades ago as mayor of San Francisco. Newsom said his choice of podcast guests reflects his interest in knowing more about how Republicans organized in the last election, when Trump swept every battleground state and Republicans locked up majorities in the House and Senate. I think we all agreed after the last election that its important for Democrats to explore new and unique ways of talking to people, he added in an email to supporters. Newsoms party criticizes his guests After spotlighting Bannon, conservative radio personality Michael Savage and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, Newsom will quickly diversify his lineup: His next guest is Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, last years Democratic vice presidential nominee. But some Democrats say the governor, who is widely viewed as having presidential ambitions, is selling out Democratic values in favor of his own political aspirations. Aimee Allison, the founder and president of She the People, a national organizing hub for electing women of color, said Newsom is betraying California and showing his weakness and naked ambition. Allison was among Democrats who helped Newsom defeat a 2021 recall attempt. We need a governor that will defend Californias values, support vulnerable children, LGBTQ+ people, Black people, women, and everyone else whos in the line (of) fire of the Trump administration. Instead he is making the worst moves possible in a time of rising fascism. Hes trying to remake himself to be acceptable to MAGA, Allison wrote in an email, referring to supporters of Trumps Make America Great Again movement. California Assembly member Chris Ward and state Sen. Carolina Menjivar, who lead the states LGBTQ+ legislative caucus, said they were profoundly sickened by Newsoms statement on transgender athletes. And Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, another potential 2028 candidate, said of Bannon, I dont think we should give him oxygen on any platform ever, anywhere. Finding a new audience Podcasts have become an increasingly important venue in politics, and as Newsom considers a national campaign he has been praised by some for venturing into unfamiliar territory. Democratic consultant Bill Burton, who was national press secretary for former President Barack Obamas 2008 campaign, credited Newsom with trying to reach voters who might not engage with traditional media. I think there are going to be a lot of people this alienates in the short term, Burton said. But, he added, Democrats have to take a lot of big swings. The governor who called Trump a threat to American democracy throughout last years campaign has been trying to navigate a tenuous relationship with the White House as the state recovers from the devastating Los Angeles wildfires in January. Hes requested $40 billion in federal aid. Newsom, while progressive, has never been locked into one ideological position: Hes broken at times with more liberal factions in the Legislature. His shift this time may be to head off the kind of criticism Republicans have aimed at former Vice President Kamala Harris, also of California, or edge toward positions more closely in line with public opinion. According to AP VoteCast, 55% of voters nationwide in the 2024 election said support for transgender rights in government and society has gone too far. During the podcast episodes released so far, Newsom has been mostly affable and agreeable, though hes challenged his guests at times. This is not the tart-tongued Newsom who appeared in a 2023 televised debate with Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whom he described as weak and pathetic, or who called the state legislature into special session last year to attempt to safeguard the states progressive policies under a Trump administration. In an age of rigid partisanship, talking with the other side is so rarely a part of public discourse it seems like either bravery or lunacy, said Thad Kousser, a political science professor at the University of California, San Diego. While there are clear risks, he is trying to align his national reputation in a slightly unpredictable middle. By MICHAEL R. BLOOD AP Political Writer 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 Ruby Marichalar didnt have the money to pay for her sons funeral after he was stabbed to death in September 2012. Like thousands of Californians every year, she turned for help to a state agency that was created to support survivors of crime. The California Victim Compensation Board collects restitution and provides financial aid for crime recovery expenses such as funeral costs, income loss and mental health services to eligible survivors and their families. It twice denied Marichalars application without ever meeting with her. They didnt lift a damn finger to help me, she said. I didnt get a hearing. I didnt get anything. Under California law, the compensation board is required to offer in-person evidentiary hearings for people like Marichalar, who contest a denied application. But for over a decade, a recent court order says the agency relied on an invalid regulation that allowed it to limit hearings to a written record. Now, the compensation board is scrambling to bring itself in line with the law as it works through thousands of appeals. In a recent request to the Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom, the agency asked to spend an additional $4.4 million in order to comply with the order and more quickly process its appeals. California established the first-of-its-kind victim compensation program 60 years ago. Today, its overseen by three members: State Controller Malia Cohen; Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton; and a representative from Newsoms cabinet, Government Operations Secretary Amy Tong. The agency receives the majority of its funding through restitution fines, federal grants and the general fund. In the last state budget year, the compensation board approved 31,214 applications. It denied 9,326 applications roughly a quarter of all applicants. The agency refused to answer how many approved applications first went through an appeal. CalMatters filed a public records act request to obtain the information. Survivors and advocates have long voiced concern over the compensation boards stringent criteria and discretion, which they say has locked out and revictimized people who have been harmed by violence. A 2022 report by the nonprofit organization Prosecutors Alliance California found that roughly 70% of the 700 crime survivors surveyed did not know why they had been denied compensation. It really is sort of an insurance agency model, said Gena Castro Rodriguez, an assistant professor at University of California San Francisco who authored the study. They use the statutes and regulations as reasons why they exclude or limit who they give money to. The number of appeals has increased by nearly 200% since 2019 from roughly 1,200 to 3,500 per year. On average, appeals take 325 days to complete which far exceeds the six month processing time thats required by law. Thats according to the agencys recent budget request, which would allow the compensation board to hire 17 employees to its appeals unit. Without additional staffing, (the compensation board) will remain unable to meet its legal obligations, leaving victims of crime waiting in limbo for a decision on whether they will receive services that they desperately need, the compensation board wrote in the January request. In a statement to CalMatters, the compensation board said it does not comment on the proposed budget but want(s) to make clear that victims of crime are our focus every day. The statement continued, (The compensation board) is committed to providing financial assistance to victims of crime to help them restore their lives. Compensation board relied on written record Delaney Green, clinical supervisor with the Policy Advocacy Clinic at UC Berkeley Law, said its unclear whether an increase in staffing is going to help survivors more readily access better resources. By and large, accessing victim compensation is very, very difficult, she said. Im hoping this is starting to signal some changes that are reprioritizing the needs of survivors. Jonathan Raven of the California District Attorneys Association said its troubling to hear that survivors have had a challenging time working with the compensation board. The agency is going to have to comply and thats whats important to comply with the law to best serve our victims, he said. Previously, the compensation board had been leaning on a regulation that allowed for resolution of the majority of appeals on the written record, according to the request. But that all changed in August 2024, when Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch found that the regulation was contrary to the statute and thus invalid. The decision concluded a roughly three-year court battle. In 2021, Mothers Against Murder, a nonprofit organization that advocates for crime victims and their families, sued the compensation board, alleging it had resisted and doubled down on continuing to deny hundreds of applicants their right to due process and to the in-person hearing, wrote executive director Margaret Petros in her original petition. They are using this regulation to make it easier on themselves, she said in an interview with CalMatters. It is such a blunt abuse of power. Theyre missing the whole story According to court filings in the Mothers Against Murder case, Marichalar was one of the first people to have been denied an in-person hearing. On Sept. 30, 2012, her son, Junior Marichalar, and a friend arrived at a bar in San Jose. Shortly after, according to court filings, two men provoked Marichalar and challenged him to a fight. With a background in mixed martial arts fighting, Marichalar was disciplined and trained to walk away from a challenge to fight, according to court filings. In an attempt to avoid the men, he exited the bar through a back door, but court documents stated he was again confronted in the parking lot, where he was fatally stabbed. In February 2013, the compensation board wrote that it was denying Ruby Marichalar assistance because (her) son knowingly and willingly exited a bar with the intent to fight with the suspect which resulted in (her) sons death. Its decision was based on a recommendation by the Silicon Valley Conference for Community and Justice, a nonprofit organization that was contracted by the compensation board, according to court filings. My son did not contribute to his murder, Marichalar wrote in appealing the recommendation. How could any reasonable person know his life will be violently taken away. A criminal stabbed him to death. The compensation board yet again denied her request for compensation without offering her an in-person hearing. Without the funds to pay for her sons funeral, Marichalar borrowed money from family and friends, and was forced to sell his motorcycle one of the last remaining possessions that she had of him. It broke my heart even more, she said. After his death at age 28, Marichalar said she received phone calls from people Junior had met while riding his motorcycle all over the country. She described him as a big character and a stand-up guy. Sweet as pie, she said. The compensation board eventually reversed its denial, but only after a Santa Clara County prosecutor stepped in and objected to its decision, according to court filings. The agency later reimbursed Marichalar with $5,000 only a third of what she spent on the funeral. Looking back on her two-year correspondence with the board, Marichalar said the opportunity to appear at an in-person hearing would have allowed the agency to see what she was going through, rather than simply reviewing paperwork. Theyre missing the whole story without taking the time to listen to the victims, she said. ___ This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. By CAYLA MIHALOVICH/CalMatters CalMatters ADEN, Yemen, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group announced Sunday it had conducted military operations against Ben Gurion Airport in Israel and several U.S. naval vessels including an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea. In a televised statement broadcast on the group's Al-Masirah channel, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said the group's missile forces targeted Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv with a "Palestine II" hypersonic ballistic missile. "The operation successfully achieved its goal, leading to the suspension of air traffic at the airport for more than half an hour," Sarea claimed. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said a ballistic missile fired at Israel by the Houthis in Yemen on Sunday morning was successfully intercepted by air defenses. There were no reports of injuries or damage from the attack, which triggered sirens across central Israel, said the IDF, confirming the missile was shot down before it crossed the country's borders. The Houthi spokesman also claimed that militant forces engaged the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and other American warships in the Red Sea with "a number of missiles and drones," with clashes reportedly lasting several hours. According to Sarea, the military actions were taken "in response to the American aggression, which has launched dozens of raids on Yemen in the past hours." The announcement follows intensified U.S. military operations against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. American fighter jets conducted multiple strikes targeting Hodeidah Airport with at least six raids, as well as the port of Salif in Hodeidah during the past hours. Additional U.S. strikes reportedly hit sites in Saada province, the group's northern main stronghold, and the Majzar district in oil-rich Marib province, east of the country's capital Sanaa. These military exchanges are part of an ongoing air campaign launched by U.S. forces in mid-March against Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen. The Houthi group has vowed to continue targeting Israeli sites in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and to respond to what they describe as "American aggression." "Our forces continue to confront this criminal aggression and bravely meet escalation with escalation," Sarea stated. Marondera A daring armed robbery at Alpha Omega Farm in Marondera, the home of businessman Wicknell Chivayos in-laws, has taken a dramatic turn with the arrest of three suspects from Hopley in Harare, and the flight of a police constable allegedly linked to the crime. The incident, which saw a gang of 20 armed men make off with US$74,100 in cash and other valuables, occurred just days after Chivayo paid a significant bride price for his wife, Lucy Lulu Muteke. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the details of the robbery, which occurred in the early hours of March 18th. According to national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, a group of 20 unidentified suspects, armed with rifles, pistols, bolt-cutters, machetes, and iron bars, attacked the farms security personnel at approximately 1am. Commissioner Nyathi stated, 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. 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. One guard from DM Security 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. A big white truck was seen parked near the property. Adding another layer of intrigue to the case, a Constable Mukuva from Kopje police station has allegedly gone on the run after being linked to the armed raid. Law enforcement sources revealed that the constable is suspected of involvement in the robbery, which targeted the US$75,000 that was reportedly part of the cash Chivayo paid as lobola for his wife Lulu Muteke. The three suspects from Hopley in Harare were apprehended on Thursday by detectives from CID Stores and Business, and are expected to make their first court appearance on Saturday. 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 remaining perpetrators and the recovery of the stolen money. Chivayo expressed his outrage on social media, stating: 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, said Chivayo. 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. Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched a manhunt for armed robbery suspect Luke Zinyengere, 29, who escaped from custody at the Harare Magistrates Court on Friday after allegedly smuggling in a firearm and engaging in a shootout with prison officers before hijacking a vehicle. Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident in a statement, appealing to the public for information on Zinyengeres whereabouts. The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that investigations are being conducted in connection with the escape from lawful custody and alleged armed robbery incident of a Mazda Demio vehicle at Harare Magistrate Court on March 21, 2025, Nyathi said. The police assure the public that comprehensive investigations are underway to establish what actually happened in this incident. Another suspect, Tafadzwa Marondera, who also attempted to flee, was quickly apprehended after jumping over the palisade fence surrounding the court. Authorities have not yet disclosed how Zinyengere managed to obtain the weapon while in custody. The incident has raised serious concerns about security protocols at the courts and the handling of high-risk suspects. Police have urged members of the public to report any information that may lead to Zinyengeres arrest. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares Harare In a move signalling heightened tensions and anticipation of potential unrest, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has indefinitely cancelled all leave and off days for its members and recalled those currently on vacation. This drastic measure comes in response to calls for mass protests on March 31st, spearheaded by expelled Zanu-PF central committee member, Blessed Geza, also known as Bombshell. The directive, confirmed by sources within the ZRP, mandates that all police officers suspend applications for leave and return to duty immediately, ensuring adequate manpower to bolster security measures and maintain law and order across the country. The planned protests, led by Geza, a staunch disciple of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, follow a previously foiled demonstration by various civil groupings, backed by the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, which was scheduled for last Thursday. These protests aim to pressure President Emmerson Mnangagwas government to address the countrys persistent economic hardships, widespread corruption, and lack of accountability. War veterans had formally notified the police of their intention to stage a peaceful demonstration, citing the dire economic situation, government corruption, and a general lack of transparency and accountability. The decision to cancel leave and recall officers underscores the gravity of the situation, with police officers expressing concerns about potential instability in the lead-up to March 31st. I was recalled from leave yesterday and told to report for duty immediately, said a junior officer based in Harare, speaking on condition of anonymity. We have been instructed to be on high alert and to prepare for any eventuality. Another police officer echoed these sentiments, stating, Our superiors have made it clear that maintaining law and order is our top priority, and we must do everything necessary to prevent any unrest or violence. We are expecting a potentially unstable situation, ahead of March 31 and we need all hands on deck to ensure public safety. National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi declined to comment on the matter, citing travel commitments. Meanwhile, Zanu-PF deputy youth secretary John Paradza has pledged his constituencys readiness to thwart any protests targeted at President Mnangagwa. During the launch of a presidential youth fund last week, Paradza assured Mnangagwa that no protest would take place under his watch. The calls for Mnangagwas resignation have been fuelled by a push from his loyalists to extend his rule beyond 2028 when his second and final term comes to an end. Information, Broadcasting and Publicity Minister Jenfan Muswere has vehemently criticised war veteran Blessed Geza for what he described as alleged grandstanding, vowing to quash the planned protests. Geza, a previously little-known Zanu-PF politician, gained prominence after launching a fierce campaign against President Mnangagwas alleged bid to extend his term of office beyond 2028. After disappearing for nearly a month, Geza resurfaced on social media this week, urging citizens to take to the streets on March 31st to demand Mnangagwas exit. In a half-hour-long State of the Nation Address posted on YouTube and X (Twitter), Geza, clad in military gear, described the planned demonstration as not even a protest but an uprising. He argued that Zimbabweans should feel aggrieved by Mnangagwas corrupt leadership and should heed his call for demonstrations. However, Minister Muswere dismissed Gezas calls as divisive and urged citizens to ignore his rumblings. Law enforcement agents are on high alert, ready to deal with anyone attempting to cause despondency within the countrys borders, and no iota of imagination will create disunity within the leadership, both in government and in the ruling party Zanu PF, Muswere stated. He further accused Geza of being a fugitive from justice and falsely claiming to speak on behalf of veterans of the liberation struggle. Zimbabweans are encouraged to ignore Gezas delusional ramblings. His polemic and reactionary grandstanding are a clear misdirection of ambition, Muswere added. Geza is believed to be in exile in South Africa. As factional tensions continue to simmer within Zanu-PF, the partys youth wing has pledged its unwavering support for President Mnangagwa, vowing to counteract any attempts to undermine his leadership. This move comes against a backdrop of an ongoing power struggle with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and growing public discontent over the countrys worsening economic situation. The declaration of support was made at the launch of Mnangagwas Youth Fund in Harare, where Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs John Paradza asserted that the partys youth would do everything in their power to prevent the planned demonstrations. There are things being said on social media that there will be demonstrations. What I can assure you is that as long as I still deputise Machakaire in this wing there will not be any demonstration, Paradza declared to a cheering crowd at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC). We do not lose sleep over utterances on social media, we want you to be at peace. Our duty as the youth league is to defend the President and the party. The planned protests, spearheaded by war veterans led by Blessed Geza, are slated for March 31st. Geza, whose current location is unknown, has been a vocal critic of Mnangagwa, accusing him and his allies of corruption and economic mismanagement. He has also been advocating for Chiwenga as the rightful leader to address Zimbabwes current challenges. In response to Gezas criticism, Minister Muswere dismissed him as delusional, and Zanu-PF has moved swiftly to expel him from the party. The current situation echoes a similar scenario in 2017 when Zanu-PF youths publicly backed then-President Robert Mugabe in factional battles, only to later apologise after his ouster. The chants of 2030 ndeya ED (2030 belongs to ED) by thousands of youths at the launch, in support of calls for Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030, have drawn parallels to the events leading up to the 2017 coup. The infighting within Zanu-PF has intensified as the party approaches its elective congress in 2027, pitting Mnangagwa and Chiwenga against each other. Despite playing a key role in Mnangagwas rise to power, Chiwenga appears to have been sidelined. The internal conflicts have spilled out into the open, with party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa even recorded criticising Chiwenga, describing him as unelectable, cruel, and unlearned. After going into hiding for about a month, Blessed Geza resurfaced this week, calling for unity during the planned protests on March 31st. In a video posted to social media, Geza declared that he was not worried about the charges he was facing. Instead, he called on President Mnangagwa to step down for failing to address the countrys economic woes and for promoting corruption and nepotism. Zimbabwean family, its yours truly Blessed Geza, Bombshell. I am alive, Geza said, adding that he was safe and healthy. Addressing rumours about his whereabouts, Geza stated, [President] Mnangagwa knows where I am. He is just a coward to approach me, but he knows exactly where I am. I am in the middle of people, being protected by people because I stand for peoples wishes. While Geza did not disclose his location, his attire, which included military fatigues, reignited speculation that he was in a military barracks. However, reports suggest that he was assisted by members of the security cluster to cross the border into South Africa. Gezas recent statements against Mnangagwa have placed him in the political spotlight, leading to his expulsion from Zanu-PF for alleged gross indiscipline and treasonous conduct. Promise Mkwananzi, the spokesperson for the Citizens Coalition for Change, cautiously welcomed Gezas contribution to the struggle, stating, Whilst his contribution is welcome, it must be remembered that this has been an ongoing struggle and Geza and company are only joining the struggle that has always been there, in which we say: Mr. Mnangagwa was, is always illegitimate. Geza has also expressed his preference for Constantino Chiwenga to succeed Mnangagwa, citing Chiwengas role in the 2017 coup that led to Robert Mugabes resignation. While the opposition joined hands with the ruling Zanu-PF to protest against Mugabe at the time, Harare-based political analyst Elton Ziki believes that the current situation has not yet reached those levels. Its too early to put together the dynamics for a possible scenario of 2017, Ziki told DW. We have no ingredient or entitlement that speaks to that. As a result, lack of an existing opposition. We have no leader. After protesting and then what? Who is leading the protest? What is the direction that Zimbabwe will then take? Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares In a February White House meeting between US President Donald Trump and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump doubled down on the trade route proposed by his predecessor, the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), calling it the greatest trade routes in all of history. Its a route that has mostly floundered since Biden led a group announcing it at the 2023 G20 meeting. Nevertheless, looking beyond the US support for the eschatological ambitions of Israel, IMEC highlights the US geopolitical goals in its and Israels current rampage in West Asia. Those are US and client state control over logistics corridors or at least preventing the creation of ones connecting unfriendly states and cementing Israels central role as a bridge between Europe, the Gulf, and India. As Guy Larson, a senior lecturer at the international relations department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, writes at The Hill: [Trump] understands that, in the 21st century, power hinges on controlling trade corridors. For decades, international relations scholars dismissed geography as obsolete, assuming globalization had flattened the world. Yet mountains, deserts and seas create chokepoints where states and non-state actors can disrupt trade and affect the global economy. I would argue its not just Trump, but his focus is representative of the consensus in the US blob-think tank-oligarchy nexus. Regardless, the US is pushing forward with IMEC despite the considerable obstacles. According to the the White House, leaders of involved countries will convene in the coming months to announce new initiatives on the project. So lets take a dive into IMEC, its goals, significant hurdles, as well as the corridors the US is simultaneously trying to prevent. What Is IMEC? The IMEC is a network of railroads, ship-to-rail, road transport routes, energy pipelines and high-speed data cables connecting South Asia, the Gulf and Europe. The east corridor connects India to the Gulf, and the northern corridor connects the Gulf to Europe. Countries involved are India, Saudi Arabia, the EU, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy, and the US In Trump speak: we agreed to work together to help build one of the greatest trade routes in all of history. It will run from India to Israel to Italy and onward to the United States, connecting our partners by ports, railways, and undersea cables many, many undersea cables. Its a big development. Its a lot of money going to be spent, and weve already spent some, but were going to be spending a lot more in order to stay advanced and stay the leader. [1] There are arguments that Hamas October 7 attack was part of an attempt by the Axis of Resistance to throw a wrench in the IMEEC plans. But then one must also consider the explanation that the attack was at least allowed to happen over the most heavily guarded border in the world in order to allow the US-Israel to remake the region. IMEC is a key component of that vision. Why? There is already the Suez Canal route between India and Europe. The key about IMEC is that it is a geopolitical project more than a geoeconomic one. Indeed, as well see later, the economics of the route hardly make sense. So what do its backers envision? Normalization of ties between Israel and the Gulf states, but October 7 and the Israeli genocidal response threw the entire project into question. Make India the low-wage manufacturer for the West, replacing China and China-friendly supply chains. Establish a new East-West trade route that does not include China, Iran or Russia while simultaneously pulling India away from the China-Russia economic bloc toward the West. At the same time, strangle competing logistics networks. We see this at work constantly with efforts to sabotage Chinas BRI and the International North-South Transport Corridor, which only had new life breathed into it because US efforts to isolate Russia and the genocide in Gaza causing countries to look for alternatives to Red Sea transit. Others, such as one that was to run from Iran through Iraq to Syrias Latakia Port (where Russia has a presence), are all but dead due to the American-Zionist-Al Qaeda destruction of Syria. Trumps maximum pressure on Iran is working to derail the others. Consider Irans Chabahar Port, which the Trump administration sanctioned in February. What does that mean? From The Diplomat: [The sanctions] primarily affect the geoeconomic interests of India, which has been modernizing Chabahar for many years and has spent tens of thousands of dollars on the project. The port plays a critical role in New Delhis transport strategy, providing access to the markets of Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia while bypassing its main opponent in the region, Pakistan. At the same time, Chabahar is a key link in the supply chain between India and Russia, organized under the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The port of Chabahar has direct access to the Indian Ocean, making it a valuable asset for many countries in continental Asia. The facility is involved in the operation of international trade routes connecting Central Asia with the Middle East. The earliest of these was launched in 2016 on the basis of the Ashgabat Agreement. The Central Asia-Persian Gulf transport and transit corridor consists of two parts: one running on the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway, and the other via sea from the Iranian ports of Bandar Abbas or Chabahar to the Oman coast of the Persian Gulf. Uzbekistan, a landlocked country, has shown particular interest in the transit potential of Chabahar. Tashkent was granted the right to jointly use the Iranian port in the open ocean. The construction of a logistics center on the Shahid Beheshti terminal is planned, which is expected to boost Uzbekistans foreign trade, including with such an economic giant as India. In 2024, trade between Uzbekistan and India reached almost $1 billion. For greater efficiency the parties intend to create a new multimodal corridor, Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-India, using the Chabahar port. Other Central Asian countries, such as Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which depend on Uzbek transit for access to sea routes, may join this project in the future. While the targeting of Chabahar hurts India as well as Iran, the US and Israel have other offers for New Delhi, which is eager for the opportunity. Operation Beepers We Want it Here. In February, an Israeli business delegation to New Delhi included over 100 Israeli companies, in the areas of cybersecurity, digital health, AI, and big data. During the visit Indias Commerce & Industry Ministry, Piyush Goyal said the following: Israels capabilities in innovation and security are extraordinary, and the technology demonstrated in Operation Beepers [a reference to Israels clandestine operation on the Hezbollah terror group in September] is truly inspiring and unique we want it here too. There are immense opportunities for collaboration between Israel and India, which will lead to significant geopolitical and economic achievements in the region. IMEC is better viewed as an effort to forge geopolitical ties between participants and strengthen Israels position in the region often through the sharing of Israeli killing- and population-control technology. The Indians arent the only ones taking a keen interest in this type of Israeli tech. Dovi Frances, an Israeli-American founding partner of the Los Angeles-based venture capital firm Group 11, is a major Trump backer. Hes also helping set up an AI National Directorate in Israel under Netanyahu with involvement from Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever who after leaving the ChatGPT developer founded SST, a new AI company based in San Francisco and Tel Aviv. Heres Frances writing in The Jerusalem Post about the Trump-Israel pitch: Gulf investors have quietly begun to join Israeli-related tech companies cap tables, injecting capital into Israeli firms, often without public announcement. These activitiesboth sales and investmentshighlight the growing economic ties between Israel and the Gulf and the immense interest from both sides in fostering deeper technological collaboration. Under the Trump administration, with the expansion of agreements to include Saudi Arabia, Israeli AI companies could serve as platforms for entire industries in the Gulf, including education, banking, healthcare, and cybersecurity. The political instability in the Middle East, the AI revolution, and the US political landscape are not isolated from each otherthey are intertwined. Are they ever? Again, heres Guy Larson at The Hill: [Trump] does not seek disengagement from the Middle East. Rather, he wants to reassert American hegemony. He believes that to maintain global leadership, Washington must control the trade corridors of Eurasia. His approach focuses on neutralizing Iran through economic pressure and diplomatic negotiations, stabilizing Gaza by implementing the hostage deal and pressuring Saudi Arabia with outlandish statements to push it into a peace deal with Israel. Should Riyadh move toward normalization with Israel without demanding a diplomatic process for Palestinian statehood, Trump would abandon his Gaza displacement plan as swiftly as he dropped his 25 percent tariff threat against Canada and Mexico. For him, rhetoric is leverage his real goal is restoring American dominance over global trade routes. So what we see with the IMEC vision is the the next level of fusion between tech, finance and government and their sales pitch is a technological superiority invitation written in the blood of genocide. In the Gulf, its also known as the normalization of ties with Israel. As weve seen over the past few years, these states make gestures in opposition to the Palestinian genocide but in reality do not care about it aside from how it complicates their rule of the local population. IMEC is about finalizing this process. Problems There are many. One can start with the simple economics of it all. IMEC, it is frequently said could cut transport times by up to 40 per cent, but it involves moving cargo via ships from India to the UAE, putting them onto trains going through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel, and then back onto ships to go from Israel to Europe. Heres a helpful visualization: Uneconomical and seemingly pretty inefficient. And enters Europe via a Chinese operated port. https://t.co/befYuMQ9ox Evan A. Feigenbaum (@EvanFeigenbaum) September 11, 2023 Beijing is not keen on seeing India rise as a manufacturing powerhouse. Lets consider what China is doing. Kyle Chan has a lot at High Capacity on the incredible amount of work China is doing to secure access to markets: Chinese companies are racing to build factories around the world and forge new global supply chains, driven by a desire to circumvent tariffs and secure access to markets. Chinese companies have been building manufacturing plants directly in large target markets, such as the EU and Brazil. And theyve been building plants in connector countries like Mexico and Vietnam that provide access to developed markets through trade agreements. Morocco, for example, has emerged as a surprisingly popular destination for Chinese investment tied to EV and battery manufacturing due to its trade agreements with both the US and the EU. Just take a look at the map: Notably Chinas efforts are purposefully avoiding India: Beijing is doing the same for countries like the Philippines, which is currently cooperating with the US in its bid to contain China. And countries like Iran and Turkey, which is notably excluded from IMEC and is wholly opposed to it in its current form, have the capability to derail delicate logistics corridors the same way the US and its friends do. The sheer amount of heavy lifting the US needs to perform to get IMEC on track presents another series of issues. According to War on the Rocks: The most instrumental way in which the Trump administration can support the corridor, along with other potential East-West corridors, is by addressing Middle Eastern instability. That means stewarding the distinct ceasefire agreements brokered by the Biden administration between Israel and Hezbollah and Israel and Hamas and gradually turning them into more lasting political arrangements. It may sound far-fetched today, nevertheless there are scenarios where elements of the corridors development are used to support Gazas rehabilitation. We know what they have in mind for that rehabilitation: Trump calls it making Gaza beautiful again. Israel calls it Gaza 2035, which involves rebuilding Gaza from nothing into a soulless tech production center that is a hub of IMEC. As ArtReview points out: Before 8 October 2023, Gaza was already a modern, bustling city. It had a similar average density to London, a 97 percent literacy rate, 36 hospitals, 12 universities, parks, highrises, recreational beaches. If the goal is to rebuild from nothing, then it will be because Israel has razed the territorys cities, towns and villages. The question is, who will it be rebuilt for? throughout the three phases explained in the document, it becomes clear that the Palestinians permitted to live among the ruins of their homeland would provide cheap labour in this new regional trade and energy hub intended for Israeli business interests. Its a project the Palestinians will not go along with. Nonetheless, War on the Rocks continues with what Trump must do: A revitalized Gaza port under international supervision, for example, would be a boon for Palestinians. The port could also serve as a supporting spur to Haifa Port purchased by Indian-owned Adani Group in 2023 where many of the corridors plans currently hinge. In short, by drawing inspiration from the corridor, the Trump administration could incentivize the parties to reach a durable resolution to the war that would create a window of opportunity to revisit normalization efforts between Israel and Saudi Arabia and attract additional foreign investment to the region. A similar logic could be applied when dealing with new governments in Lebanon and Syria. If leveraged in the right way, participation in East-West corridors could be a major incentive for new political actors to respect U.S. interests, maintain their commitment to keeping the peace, and further reduce Iranian, Russia, and Chinese influence. In addition to these steps, the United States should devise a more effective mechanism for constraining Houthi aggression. The corridor is not a replacement for the Suez Canal, and therefore the secure passage of maritime traffic around the Horn of Africa and Red Sea should remain a top priority for America and its allies. Last but not least, the Trump administration will need to identify the correct formula for containing Iran and severing supply chains between Tehran and its proxies. Without some kind of arrangement between the United States and Iran, it is safe to suspect that the Islamic regime will try to undermine efforts to develop an East-West corridor that leaves it out in the cold. And so we see the Trump administration trying to make progress on this to-do list and finding limited success. And theres little chance of IMEC finding the considerable financing it needs or Haifa port being the lynchpin to a global trade route while Yemeni bombs are hitting it. We should also consider the possibility that the US, which isnt so much in the business of building or backing mega projects like IMEC, is perfectly fine with setting the region ablaze as it prevents real Eurasian integration efforts. Notes [1] It was Interesting that Trump said Italy. Greeces largest port in Piraeus has often been mentioned as the European entry point, but Chinas COSCO Shipping owns a majority stake there and operates the port, making it a key component of the Belt and Road Initiative, which IMEC is supposed to counter. France and Italy are both vying for the IMECs European entry point with the latter preparing Trieste while France preps Marseille. Germany pledges $326 million in humanitarian aid for Syria German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced an additional 300 million ($326 million) in humanitarian aid for Syria, to be channeled through the UN and NGOs. The aid will focus on food security, health services, emergency shelters and protection for vulnerable groups, including women and children, both within Syria and in neighboring countries. Syria is experiencing a wave of sectarian violence, with armed groups linked to Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) targeting Alawite and Christian minorities. Reports describe mass killings and burned homes and forests, particularly in the Latakia region, forcing thousands to flee to a Russian airbase for safety. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports that the death toll from the recent violence has reached 2,089, including 1,557 civilians, many executed for their sectarian affiliation. The Alawite community, historically aligned with the Syrian government, has been disproportionately targeted. Since March 6, SOHR has documented 58 massacres and individual killings across four provinces, with Latakia and Tartus being the most affected. The violence began after Alawite gunmen attacked security checkpoints, sparking clashes and a large-scale security campaign. Baerbock emphasized the EU's commitment to a peaceful and inclusive political process in Syria. The aid aims to address immediate humanitarian needs while remaining independent of Syria's transitional government. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced in a European Union (EU) press conference on March 17 that Germany will pledge an additional 300 million ($326 million) in humanitarian aid for Syria to address the ongoing crisis in the war-torn country. Syria has been gripped by a horrifying wave of sectarian violence, as armed groups linked to self-declared President Ahmed al-Sharaa's security forces affiliated with Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a militant group with ties to al-Qaeda have carried out mass killings targeting Alawite and Christian minorities. Reports indicate that thousands have been slaughtered, with entire communities hunted down, their homes and fields burned to smoke out those in hiding. The violence has been particularly brutal in the coastal region near Latakia, where Alawite families have been systematically targeted. Eyewitness accounts and independent reports describe armed militants, led by HTS commander Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, burning forests and fields to flush out civilians. Those who escape are reportedly hunted down and executed. Thousands of terrified survivors have fled to a Russian airbase on the coast, seeking refuge from the bloodshed. The funding will be channeled through the United Nations (UN) and selected non-government organizations (NGOs), with more than half of the aid directed toward supporting Syrians within the country. Baerbock emphasized that the assistance will be implemented independently of Syria's transitional government, ensuring that aid reaches those most in need. Moreover, the aid package will focus on critical areas such as food security, health services, emergency shelters and protective measures for vulnerable populations, including women and children. Syrian refugees and host communities in neighboring countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey, will also benefit from the support. (Related: Christian Democrat Union chancellor candidate urges unemployed Syrian refugees in Germany to return to their homeland.) "As Europeans, we stand together for the people of Syria, for a free and peaceful Syria," she declared, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful and inclusive political process to secure the future of Syria. SOHR: Death toll from Syria's security campaign has risen to 2,089 According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the death toll from the recent security campaign in Syria's coastal and mountainous regions has risen to 2,089. The fatalities include 273 members of the security forces and Syria's Ministry of Defense, 259 Alawite gunmen affiliated with the former regime and 1,557 civilians, the majority of whom were reportedly executed over their sectarian affiliation. The violence has disproportionately targeted the Alawite community, a religious minority that has historically been aligned with the Syrian government. In the latest escalation, SOHR activists documented two new massacres today in Latakia province, along with other individual incidents in Latakia and Tartus, resulting in 57 civilian deaths. The victims were primarily from the Alawite community. Since the outbreak of violence on March 6, SOHR has documented 58 massacres and other individual incidents of civilian killings across four provinces, 795 from Latakia, 487 from Tartus, 262 from Hama and 13 from Homs. The violence began when Alawite gunmen attacked checkpoints operated by security forces and the Ministry of Defense on the Syrian coastline. The attacks triggered fierce clashes and a large-scale security campaign that lasted for three days. The situation has since deteriorated dramatically, with food supplies and daily necessities suspended during the security operations, leading to widespread protests by residents. Watch the video below that talks about Islamic terrorists saying "We love Israel" after taking out Syria's tyrants, the Assads. This video is from the Paul Davis UnCancelled channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Germany's left-wing government pushes for mass migration and voting rights for non-citizens, sparking outrage. Germany's new migration policy: Dumping asylum seekers on Poland sparks controversy. Syrian migrant remains free in Germany, despite 245 car smashings, elderly assault, and weapons violations. Syrian migrant taken into custody for deadly stabbing at German festival. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announces reassessment of Syrian refugee protection status. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com Reuters.com Syriahr.com Brighteon.com Hillary Clinton calls for thought police (Article republished from Modernity.news) Here she is in Germany at the World Forum this week once again calling for her side, in whatever form that comes in, to have the authority to control how people think, ironically in order to, she asserts, stop autocrats from taking over society. Information determines how we think: At the World Forum in Berlin, an irate @HillaryClinton warns about technology being weaponized to enable the spread of unapproved information. Where there are no facts that are agreed upon, that happen right before your eyes, & you have pic.twitter.com/gudgeR97K6 Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 19, 2025 Hillary asserted 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. Information determines how we think, and how we think determines what we say, and what we say determines what we do, said Clinton Sounding like something straight out of Orwells 1984, Clinton further stated Where there are no facts that are agreed upon, that happen right before your eyes, and you have leaders telling you to ignore it, that Putin did not invade Ukraine, that Ukraine somehow brought it upon itself, where there are no facts, there cannot be truth, and where there is no truth, there cannot be trust, and where there is no trust, there cannot be democracy and peace. What facts would they be? The ones you decide are true? Clinton immediately turned to the need to control information which controls what we think. She insisted that there must be a protection for facts : a chilling message from one of the most outspoken champions for censorship and speech regulations. Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) March 18, 2025 Clinton is the perfect personification of the goal to crate A New World Order: Based on European Values. It is American values that are a bit more of a challenge for a leader who called on the EU to use the Digital Services Act to censor Americans. Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) March 18, 2025 Heres the full six minutes, which she probably got paid millions for. Hillary has long been on this crusade against freedom of speech, lamenting that if globalists lose control of the social narrative their entire house of cards comes crashing down. What genuinely sickens me is that the modern Left has repeatedly rejected and even scoffed at the idea of objective truth, introducing scare quotes for the very idea of "truth," and now they're furious that they can't simply require us to believe in their "truths." Southpaw Patrol (@SouthpawPatrol) March 19, 2025 What a repulsive thing for her to say. Un-American, in fact. Kelkat (@Tweetytweeter63) March 18, 2025 The Democrats would love to decide what information is approved and censor the rest of us. Ellie A (@EllieGAnders) March 19, 2025 Autocracy is only ok when they do it! There is an inverse relationship between the amount of time Hillary is on camera and is actually heard speaking and her popularity. I hope she continues to give speeches around the United States. It would be hard for the Republican Party to buy better advertising. Harmonicminer (@harmonicminer) March 18, 2025 What is the end game here? Information determines how we think: At the World Forum in Berlin, an irate @HillaryClinton warns about technology being weaponized to enable the spread of unapproved information. Where there are no facts that are agreed upon, that happen right before your eyes, & you have pic.twitter.com/gudgeR97K6 Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 19, 2025 Read more at: Modernity.news Mexico enshrines native corn as a national symbol, bans genetically modified seeds Corn, originating in Mexico 9,000 years ago, holds a sacred place in Mexican culture, deeply embedded in art, cuisine and identity. It is celebrated as a symbol of national heritage and resilience, with its significance likened to "man's invention of fire" by poet Octavio Paz. Mexican leaders have amended the Constitution to declare native corn "an element of national identity" and ban the planting of genetically modified (GM) seeds. This aims to protect Mexico's biodiversity, cultural heritage and sovereignty over its agricultural practices. The legislation seeks to safeguard Mexico's thousands of heirloom corn varieties from contamination and extinction caused by GM crops, particularly those sold by American companies. While GM corn imports are not outright banned, planting GM seeds is prohibited. The decision follows a years-long dispute over GM corn, with Mexico previously banning GM corn for human consumption and animal feed. A USMCA trade panel ruled the ban violated trade rules, escalating tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, which imports $5 billion worth of GM corn annually. The move has garnered widespread support from agricultural, environmental and public health groups, as well as the Mexican public. President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of protecting corn as a cultural and historical link to Mexico's Indigenous origins. Mexican leaders have voted to amend the Constitution to declare native corn "an element of national identity" and ban the planting of genetically modified (GM) seeds. Corn originated in Mexico approximately 9,000 years ago, when Mesoamerican farmers began domesticating the wild grass called teosinte. Since then, it has been held a sacred place in their culture. Sculptors carved depictions of Centeotl, the Aztec god of corn, into pre-Hispanic temples, while renowned artists like Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo prominently showcased corn husks, cornfields and corn-based dishes in their works. (Related: The billion-dollar blunder: How overplanting GMO corn is costing farmers and fueling pest resistance.) Poet Octavio Paz was among the many people who celebrated the significance of corn, declaring, "The invention of corn by Mexicans is only comparable to man's invention of fire." Today, corn remains a cornerstone of Mexican cuisine. It is ground into masa and transformed into tortillas, tamales and tlacoyos. Its kernels are soaked to create fragrant pozole or brewed into a comforting breakfast drink called atole. Corn continues to nourish and inspire, deeply woven into the fabric of Mexican life. "It's at the root of our culture, giving us strength and identity," said Maria Elena Alvarez-Buylla, a researcher in molecular genetics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. "It's our staple. Losing sovereignty over a fundamental aspect of our life and health is very risky." In line with this rich cultural background, the Mexican leaders passed legislation that would protect their heritage. The measure, which received final approval from Congress on March 12, seeks to protect Mexico's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage from the encroachment of engineered crops, particularly those sold by American companies. "Corn is Mexico," Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said, describing the reform as a way to secure the sovereignty of their country. "We have to protect it for biodiversity but also culturally because corn is what intrinsically links us to our origins, to the resistance of Indigenous peoples." The new measure does not ban GM corn imports outright, but it prohibits the planting of GM seeds to safeguard Mexico's thousands of heirloom corn varieties from contamination and extinction. Mexico faces rising trade tensions against the U.S. The decision follows a years-long battle over genetically modified crops in Mexico. In 2023, then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador issued a decree banning GM corn for human consumption, including in tortillas and dough, as well as for animal feed and industrial use. Obrador's stance has garnered widespread support from a diverse coalition of agricultural, consumer, environmental, public health and labor advocacy groups, making it a highly popular policy among the Mexican public. However, a trade dispute panel under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ruled that the ban violated trade rules, forcing Mexico to scale back its restrictions. And now that there is a rising tension again with the U.S. and Mexico over trade and agricultural policies, a constitutional reform happened. Mexico imports about $5 billion worth of genetically modified corn from the U.S. annually, most of which is used to feed livestock. The latest news about the dangers of GMOs can be found at GMO.news. Watch this video about eating GMO corns. This video is from the PureTrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: GMO corn driving up use of dangerous pesticides. Mexico "still hasn't seen science" from U.S. proving safety of GMO corn. U.S. to wage economic WAR on Mexico for refusing to grow, import any more GMO corn. Mexico poised to ban imports of toxic GMO corn; U.S. farmers who grow it are panicking. GMO cornfield treated with neonicotinoids kills 37 million honeybees. Sources include: Yahoo.news TheDefender.org Brighteon.com U.S. spy planes mysterious flight to UFO hotspot sparks questions A Boeing E-3B Sentry, a high-tech U.S. surveillance aircraft, flew a 1,300-mile mission from Oklahoma to Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, on March 13, circling the area twice before returning, sparking speculation about its purpose. Pamlico Sound is known for decades of UFO sightings, including glowing orbs, pulsating lights, and alleged extraterrestrial encounters. Recent incidents include a 2019 video of 14 glowing orbs and a 2020 report of a pulsating white light. The region's proximity to military installations, such as Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, has led to theories that the sightings could involve classified operations or experimental technology. The E-3B Sentry, equipped with a 30-foot-wide rotating radar dome, is designed for airborne surveillance, command and control, capable of tracking enemy and friendly forces over vast distances, though the purpose of this mission remains undisclosed. The E-3 Sentry has been a key U.S. military asset since the 1970s, with 30 planes currently in operation, highlighting its role in global surveillance and the enduring intrigue surrounding UFOs and unexplained phenomena. A U.S. military aircraft equipped with advanced radar technology made a curious 1,300-mile journey on Thursday, March 13, to a stretch of North Carolina's coast long associated with UFO sightings. The Boeing E-3B Sentry, a high-tech surveillance plane often referred to as "America's ultimate spy plane," departed Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma at 7 a.m. ET and flew to Pamlico Sound, a body of water off North Carolina's eastern shore. After circling the area twice, the plane returned to its base by 2 p.m. ET, leaving many to wonder about the purpose of its mission. The flight has reignited interest in Pamlico Sound, a region known for decades of bizarre phenomena, including glowing orbs, pulsating lights and even alleged encounters with extraterrestrial beings. While the U.S. Air Force has not disclosed the reason for the Sentry's trip, the area's history of unexplained sightings and its proximity to military installations have fueled speculation about what the plane might have been investigating. Pamlico Sound has long been a hotspot for UFO activity. In September 2019, William Guy, a worker repairing hurricane damage on Ocracoke Island, captured a video of 14 glowing orbs hovering above the water while aboard a ferry. "Anybody tell me what that is?" Guy can be heard saying in the 31-second clip. "We're in the middle of the ocean, on a ferry, nothing around. Look. Nothing around. No land, no nothing." Other passengers on the ferry were equally baffled. "A lot of people I have talked to here on the island said it was flares, but they also said they have never seen anything like what I captured," Guy wrote in the video's caption. A year later, a tugboat operator reported seeing a pulsating white light over Pamlico Sound that emitted a smaller light moving at high speed before vanishing. The operator shared the experience with the National UFO Reporting Center, describing the light as stationary but pulsating, with a brief shift to green before it disappeared. In 2023, Sev Tok, a resident of Oriental, a town along the Sound, claimed to have encountered an extraterrestrial being. "They're what we call The Greys, the small ones with the big eyes," Tok told Greenville's WNCT. "I was paralyzed on this bed and I was lying on my side and I could feel there was something behind me. When I moved my head and turned around, there was a Grey standing behind me doing something to my back." The eastern coast of North Carolina is also home to several military installations, including Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. These facilities have led some to speculate that the strange sightings could be linked to classified military operations or experimental technology. A legacy of surveillance The Boeing E-3B Sentry, with its 30-foot-wide rotating radar dome, is designed for airborne surveillance, command and control of air operations. It can detect, identify and track targets across vast distances, making it a critical asset for the U.S. Air Force. However, the purpose of Thursday's mission remains unclear. (Related: US spy plane conducts strategic operations along border as drug cartels look for war.) The Sentry's capabilities are extensive. According to the Air Force, the plane's radar and computer systems can gather detailed battlefield information, including the position and tracking of enemy aircraft and ships and the location and status of friendly forces. In times of crisis, this data can be relayed to command centers or even directly to the president and secretary of defense. The E-3 Sentry has been a cornerstone of U.S. military operations since its introduction in the 1970s. Engineering and testing began in October 1975, and the first planes were delivered to the 552nd Airborne Warning and Control Wing (now the 552nd Air Control Wing) in March 1977. Today, the U.S. Air Force operates 30 Sentry planes, with 26 stationed at Tinker Air Force Base. NATO, the UK, France and Saudi Arabia also operate fleets of the aircraft. The Sentry's flight to Pamlico Sound underscores the enduring fascination with UFOs and the unknown. While the U.S. military has not explained the mission, the region's history of strange phenomena and its proximity to military installations suggest that there may be more to the story. Watch the video below that talks about the FBI being behind surveillance aircraft operations a few years ago. This video is from the Stalag 357 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: CIA deploys drones over Mexico to spy on drug cartels, upping stakes in narcotics war. Mysterious drones spotted over 17 U.S. military bases, raising alarms of Chinese espionage. U.S. Pentagon rendered helpless as foreign drones freely conduct surveillance on sensitive military sites. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk MSN.com Brighteon.com U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his interest in acquiring Greenland, the world's largest island, even hinting at using force. Xinhua reaches out to residents in the capital, Nuuk, to hear what they have to say. #GLOBALink Three child deaths within 24 hours after routine vaccines: Japanese study calls for urgent reevaluation of vaccine safety A Japanese study published in Discover Medicine highlights three tragic cases of children who died within 24 hours of receiving routine childhood vaccines, raising urgent concerns about vaccine safety and the need for reevaluation of vaccination schedules. Despite detailed investigations, including autopsies, no definitive causal link was established between the vaccines and the deaths, leading to criticism over insufficient transparency and accountability. The study notes a significant increase in excess deaths in Japan following the introduction of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, alongside a rise in adverse events such as shingles, monkeypox and severe infections, often linked to post-vaccination immunosuppression. The study criticizes the accelerated approval of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly self-amplifying mRNA vaccines, which lack long-term safety data and may pose risks of immune dysfunction due to uncontrolled antigen production. The authors urge for greater transparency, pre-vaccination medical checks and a critical review of vaccination practices, emphasizing the need to prioritize safety and address vaccine hesitancy with evidence-based approaches. In a groundbreaking study published in Discover Medicine, Japanese researchers have sounded the alarm over the safety of routine childhood vaccines, citing the deaths of three children within 24 hours of immunization. The study, led by Dr. Kenji Yamamoto, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Okamura Memorial Hospital, calls for a critical reevaluation of the risks and benefits of approved vaccines and the childhood vaccination schedule. The findings come amid growing concerns about post-vaccination adverse events, particularly following the widespread rollout of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The study also highlights an alarming increase in excess deaths in Japan since the introduction of these vaccines, raising urgent questions about their long-term safety. Three tragic cases: A call for transparency The study details three cases of child deaths reported by Japans Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW): A healthy 2-month-old boy who became ill 30 minutes after receiving the Hib, rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines. He died 59 minutes after vaccination. A 6-month-old girl with mild cold symptoms who was found dead in her bedroom one day after receiving the hepatitis B, Hib, pneumococcal and four-in-one (pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio) vaccines. A 3-year-old boy with a history of asthmatic bronchitis and febrile convulsions who appeared lethargic and developed a fever 8 hours after receiving the Japanese encephalitis vaccine. He experienced cardiopulmonary arrest 10 hours post-vaccination. Despite detailed investigations, including autopsies, experts were unable to establish a causal link between the vaccines and the deaths. The cases were classified as evaluation not possible, a conclusion that has drawn criticism for its lack of transparency. The time following vaccination is one of the foundations for determining causation when adverse events occur, said Karl Jablonowski, Ph.D., senior research scientist for Childrens Health Defense. These cases raise serious concerns about the safety of the current vaccination schedule. A growing body of evidence The study also references a 2023 peer-reviewed paper published in Cureus, which found a positive correlation between the number of vaccine doses infants receive and infant mortality rates. This finding echoes a 2011 study that first identified this troubling trend. In Japan, children receive vaccines for nearly 14 different diseases by adulthood, with many doses administered simultaneously. The study warns that the simultaneous administration of newly developed vaccines, whose safety profiles may not be fully understood, could obscure causal links to adverse events. The aggressive promotion of vaccines through biased messaging has created an atmosphere where questioning vaccination is considered taboo, the authors wrote. This conformity may explain the lack of progress in critically reviewing vaccination practices. Excess deaths and mRNA vaccines: A troubling link The study also addresses the rise in adverse events and excess deaths following the introduction of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Japan has recorded over 600,000 excess deaths since the start of the vaccination campaign, a figure that cannot be explained solely by COVID-19-related deaths or an aging population. There has been a rise in cases of shingles, monkeypox, syphilis, severe streptococcal infections, measles, sepsis and post-operative infections in countries administering multiple vaccine doses, the study noted. These adverse events often occur within the first two weeks after vaccination, coinciding with immunosuppression and reduced lymphocyte counts. Despite these concerns, Japan continues to promote mRNA COVID-19 boosters, particularly for the elderly. The study highlights the case of a 26-year-old healthcare worker who died of a brain hemorrhage four days after receiving a single dose of the mRNA vaccine. Although her death was linked to vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia, Japans vaccination campaign continued unabated. The Japanese public as unwitting test subjects The study criticizes the rapid development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines, which bypassed the typical 7-10 years of testing. Japan has gone further than other nations by approving a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine, which has not been sufficiently tested for safety. A big problem with self-amplifying mRNA vaccines is that theres no off switch, Jablonowski said. Once its injected, no one can control for how long or how much antigen your cells will be tricked into producing, potentially leading to immune dysfunction. The authors call for pre-vaccination medical checks, including blood tests and a review of a patients mRNA vaccination history, to better assess individual risks. A global wake-up call The studys publication in a prominent journal like Discover Medicine underscores the growing concern over vaccine safety. Daniel OConnor, founder of TrialSite News, noted, A mainstream peer-reviewed journal is facilitating a critical examination of recent events, including the tragic deaths of three young children. Such incidents should not be happening, and a thorough investigation is necessary. As Japan grapples with these findings, the study serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency, rigorous safety evaluations and a willingness to question established practices. The Japanese public is now being inadvertently involved in clinical trials to gather data on vaccine safety and risks, the authors wrote. This must change. In a world where vaccine hesitancy is often dismissed as anti-science, this study challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths and prioritize the health and safety of all individuals, especially our children. This article was written as a call to action for greater transparency and accountability in vaccine safety. If you value independent journalism, please consider supporting efforts to uncover the truth. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.gov Link.Springer.com Asahi.com Trump administration pulls the plug on federal EV chargers, orders sale of electric cars The Trump administration has ordered the shutdown of around 8,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at federal buildings and plans to offload newly purchased EVs, marking a significant shift from the Biden administration's push for electrification. The General Services Administration (GSA) has been instructed to disconnect and deactivate all non-mission-critical EV chargers, affecting federal employees who relied on these chargers and leading to confusion and dismay. This decision is part of a broader effort to reverse Biden-era climate policies, including halting new EV orders and pausing the installation of additional charging infrastructure, citing concerns over cost and practicality. Critics argue that the move undermines climate change efforts and could slow EV adoption nationwide, while supporters praise the administration for prioritizing fiscal responsibility and practicality, citing the high costs and limitations of EVs. The decision raises questions about the future of the federal fleet and could slow the growth of the EV market, which has relied on government support. The administration's selective endorsement of Tesla, despite halting broader EV adoption, has also sparked controversy. In a dramatic policy reversal from the previous regime, the second Trump administration has ordered the shutdown of approximately 8,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at federal government buildings across the nation. The General Services Administration (GSA), the agency responsible for managing federal buildings and a massive fleet of 650,000 vehicles, has been instructed to disconnect and deactivate all EV chargers deemed "not mission critical." While the term "mission critical" remains undefined, the directive has already led to the shutdown of chargers at major federal facilities, including the Denver Federal Center. Aside from the shutdown of EV chargers, the GSA has also been instructed to offload newly purchased EVs from the federal fleet. The moves mark a stark departure from the Biden administrations aggressive push toward electrification. Federal employees who relied on these chargers for their personal or government-owned EVs are left scrambling, with some reportedly "dismayed and shocked" by the sudden policy shift. (Related: Bidens EV mandates: A tyrannical overreach on American freedom.) Under former President Joe Biden, the federal government had set ambitious goals to transition its fleet to zero-emission vehicles, aiming for 100 percent electrification by 2035. The GSA had begun installing over 25,000 charging ports and ordered more than 58,000 EVs to meet these targets. However, the second Trump administration has now halted all new EV orders and paused the installation of additional charging infrastructure, citing concerns over cost and practicality. Decision to shut down federal EV chargers garners mixed reactions Critics argue that this decision undermines efforts to combat "climate change" and could slow the adoption of EVs nationwide. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., and the federal fleet, with its 670,000 vehicles, plays a significant role in that equation. Supporters of the move, however, applaud the administration for prioritizing fiscal responsibility and practicality. They argue that EVs remain prohibitively expensive, with limited range and charging infrastructure, making them ill-suited for many federal operations. The administration has long criticized EV mandates as burdensome and unrealistic, with President Donald Trump himself calling Biden's policies "insane" and economically destructive. The decision to shut down EV chargers and offload federal EVs raises questions about the future of the government's fleet. Will the GSA replace these vehicles with gas-powered models, or will it simply reallocate older vehicles from retirement? This policy shift also has broader implications for the EV industry. The Trump administration has already paused billions in federal funding for public EV charging infrastructure, including the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. Combined with the shutdown of federal chargers, these actions could slow the growth of the EV market, which has relied heavily on government support to expand. As the debate over electric cars continues, one thing is clear: the Trump administration is doubling down on its shift away from unreliable EVs. Visit FlyingCars.news for more similar stories. Watch President Donald Trump arguing that people should be allowed to buy EVs of their own volition in this clip. This video is from the NZ Will Remember channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Electric vehicles performed WORSE in EPA estimates than gas-powered cars: The EV push is a RIGGED SCAM. Electric vehicles are unreliable and not cost-efficient especially in cold weather. Electric vehicles have more quality issues than combustion engine cars, new study finds. Sources include: ClimateDepot.com CarScoops.com NPR.org Brighteon.com Trump signs executive order to ramp up U.S. critical mineral production, secure global supply chains President Trump signed an executive order to boost domestic production of critical minerals like uranium and rare earths, aiming to enhance U.S. energy independence. The order fast-tracks mining projects, streamlines permitting, and prioritizes federal lands for mineral production to reduce reliance on foreign imports. A pending deal with Ukraine grants the U.S. access to $500 billion worth of rare earth deposits in exchange for military support. The order explores innovative solutions, such as extracting rare earth elements from coal ash, potentially unlocking $8.4 billion in resources. The initiative seeks to strengthen national security, create jobs, and position the U.S. as a global leader in critical mineral production and energy independence. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 20 aimed at dramatically increasing domestic production of critical minerals, including uranium, copper, and rare earth elements, in a bold move to bolster Americas energy independence. The order, part of Trumps America First energy dominance agenda, seeks to fast-track mining projects, streamline federal permitting, and secure global supply chains for minerals essential to modern technologies ranging from smartphones to wind turbines. The executive order directs federal agencies to identify and prioritize mineral production projects, expedite permitting processes, and provide financial incentives to spur domestic mining. It also paves the way for international agreements, including a pending deal with Ukraine to access its $500 billion worth of rare earth mineral deposits. Its a big thing in this country, Trump said during a signing ceremony at the White House. Were also signing agreements in various locations to unlock rare earths and minerals and lots of other things all over the world. Reducing dependence on foreign powers The United States has long relied on imports of critical minerals, particularly from China, which dominates the global rare earth market. These minerals are vital for advanced technologies, including electric vehicles, medical equipment, and defense systems. The executive order highlights the national security risks posed by this dependence, stating that overbearing federal regulation has eroded the nations mineral production. To address this, the order empowers agencies to fast-track mining projects, prioritize federal lands for mineral production, and develop financing mechanisms to support domestic mining efforts. It also explores innovative solutions, such as extracting rare earth elements from coal ash, a byproduct of coal combustion that has been largely overlooked as a resource. This really exemplifies the trash to treasure mantra, said Bridget Scanlon, a research professor at the University of Texas at Austin, whose team discovered $8.4 billion worth of rare earth elements in U.S. coal ash deposits. Global agreements and strategic partnerships In addition to domestic efforts, the Trump administration is pursuing international agreements to secure access to critical minerals. A deal with Ukraine, which holds significant rare earth deposits, is expected to be finalized soon. The agreement would grant the U.S. access to Ukraines mineral wealth in exchange for continued military support. Were doing very well with regard to Ukraine and Russia, Trump said. One of the things we are doing is signing a deal very shortly with respect to rare earths with Ukraine. They have tremendous value in rare earth. The administration is also in talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo, a nation rich in cobalt and other critical minerals, to establish mining partnerships. These efforts aim to diversify Americas mineral supply chains and reduce reliance on China. The executive order represents a significant step toward achieving energy dominance and ensuring the U.S. remains competitive in the global economy. By unlocking domestic mineral resources and securing international partnerships, the administration aims to create jobs, strengthen national security, and reduce vulnerabilities in critical supply chains. As the U.S. moves forward with these initiatives, the focus on innovationsuch as extracting rare earths from coal ashdemonstrates a commitment to turning challenges into opportunities. With the global demand for critical minerals expected to rise, the Trump administrations efforts could position America as a leader in the race for energy independence. Sources for this article include: JustTheNews.com TheEpochTimes.com WhiteHouse.gov ClimateDepot.com Watch: The Daily Show celebrates destructive, violent anti-Musk protests as audience cheers Its hardly surprising to see one of the rotating hosts of Comedy Centrals The Daily Show taking cheap shots at the Trump administration or conservatives in general. (Article by Russell Bartlett republished from WLTReport.com) But even by its already low standards, one recent segment has been criticized as dangerously divisive. Not only did Jordan Klepper attempt to make a case for often violent protests that have led to the destruction of Teslas, charging stations, and dealerships in recent weeks, but the live studio audience was clearly eating it up, as evidence by their raucous applause. As Breitbart reported: Comedy Centrals The Daily Show host Jordan Klepper laughed while his audience repeatedly cheered at fiery footage of Tesla dealerships, Teslas, and charging stations being bombed and vandalized by left-wing radicals lashing out in response to Elon Musks mission to root our fraud and waste in government under President Donald Trump. I dont think people are mad at you because of the Teslas, Elon, Klepper said before listing a series of purported moves made by Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). If I were to hazard a guess about why theyd be mad it might be because in the last several weeks you fired tens of thousands of federal workers, you made cuts to veterans care, lifesaving foreign aid, and food banks, you cancelled important medical research Yeah, people might get a little upset if you stop their medical trial halfway through them. Klepper said some people have left helpful messages, before cutting to vandalized Tesla and dealerships with swastikas and Nazi scum spray painted on them. Maybe people are mad at you because you dont seem to know what the [expletive] youre doing! he said. Of course, for the many Americans impacted from Tesla owners to stockholders to law enforcement by the ongoing riots, its definitely not a laughing matter: Over the next few days youre going to see an organized progressional protest effort at Tesla stores put together by a group called Indivisible. George Soros foundation has given Indivisible nearly $8 million dollars for their "activism". Theyre calling these "Tesla takedown" pic.twitter.com/ayGTE6Y6yW Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) March 20, 2025 Heres a transcript of the post above: Over the next few days youre going to see an organized progressional protest effort at Tesla stores put together by a group called Indivisible. George Soros foundation has given Indivisible nearly $8 million dollars for their activism. Theyre calling these Tesla takedown events and theyre doing it in the midst of a domestic terror spree targeting Tesla and Tesla owners. They have these planned across the entire country. These images are just six examples. How can this not be seen as encouraging more violence and terrorism? I personally think that any violence occurring near locations theyve chosen should result in Soros, his foundation, Indivisible and their founders being held criminally accountable as co-conspirators. The indivisible founders are Ezra Levin and his wife Leah Greenberg. They became resistance figures during Trumps first term and their work is celebrated by elected Democrats. So yeah, its clear to me that the Democrats and their typical thugs are organizing this insanity. Theres reportedly even a form protest leaders can fill out to receive reimbursement payments for their protests. Here is the screenshot of the post Paula Oakes, the organizer of the @Tesla Takedown protest in Boston posted on The pro-Democracy Project Facebook page she is the admin of. Also, here are 2 videos from the protest. Protest is protected speech. Incitement of violence is not. pic.twitter.com/HZdYWyDsJy Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) March 19, 2025 Wouldn't all these Tesla cars being burned and vandalized mean that Tesla will make more money because of insurance? How stupid are these people doing this? Speak your mind and protest peaceful but violence is never the answer. pic.twitter.com/uhKtbVhbib Doge Norway (@DogecoinNorway) March 20, 2025 Attorney General Pam Bondi had some tough talk for the suspected ringleaders of such demonstrations, per Fox News: The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended, Bondi said Thursday. Let this be a warning: if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars. All three face charges carrying a minimum penalty of five years and up to 20 years in prison, the department said. Adam Matthew Lansky, 41, on Jan. 20, threw approximately eight Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership located in Salem, Oregon, federal prosecutors said. One vehicle was completely destroyed, and several others were damaged. Lansky also threw a large heavy object through the dealership window, they said. At the time of the attack, he was armed with a suppressed AR-15 rifle. Lucy Grace Nelson, also known as Justin Thomas Nelson, 42, was arrested in Loveland, Colorado on Jan. 29 after attempting to light Teslas on fire with Molotov cocktails, prosecutors said. Nelson was later found in possession of materials used to produce additional incendiary weapons, including a container of gasoline, bottles, and wick materials, on Feb. 24, prosecutors said. In Charleston, South Carolina, Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, allegedly wrote profane messages against President Donald Trump and advocated for Ukraine around Tesla charging stations before lighting three of the charging stations on fire with Molotov cocktails on March 7. Heres a clip from the recent episode of The Daily Show: "Wow, you guys like domestic terror" The Daily Show's audience applauds the domestic terror incidents against Tesla, disturbing even the liberal host pic.twitter.com/WAyFPS0ZrK End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 20, 2025 Read more at: WLTReport.com Rational epidemiologists were censored and there was NO scientific precedent for lockdowns: SARS-CoV-2 had already circulated globally for months Dr. John W. Ayers, a leading computational epidemiologist, conducted a seroprevalence study in early 2020 revealing COVID-19 had infected far more people than reported, debunking exaggerated fatality rates. Scientists like John Ioannidis and others faced death threats, censorship, and career destruction for challenging the mainstream pandemic narrative. Lockdowns, mask mandates, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were implemented without scientific consensus, violating civil liberties and failing to curb the virus. The origins of SARS-CoV-2 remain shrouded in secrecy, with growing evidence pointing to a lab leak in Wuhan, China. The politicization of science during the pandemic silenced credible experts, leaving unqualified individuals to dictate public health policy. In March 2025, five years after the world was plunged into unprecedented lockdowns and authoritarian measures, the legacy of COVID-19 policies, coverups, and censorship continues to haunt humanity. What began as a response to a novel coronavirus quickly devolved into a global experiment in bioterror, with governments weaponizing fear to justify draconian measures that violated civil liberties and silenced scientific dissent. At the heart of this crisis lies a chilling truth: the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that sparked the pandemic, remain shrouded in secrecy, while the policies enacted to combat it were based on flawed science and political agendas rather than evidence. The silencing of science: death threats and censorship Dr. John W. Ayers, one of the most cited and influential epidemiologists of our time, conducted a seroprevalence study in early 2020 that revealed a startling truth: COVID-19 had already infected far more people than previously thought, rendering the case fatality rates wildly exaggerated. Instead of being celebrated for his groundbreaking work, Ayers faced death threats and professional ostracization. "I was threatened with being fired for writing in 2022 that kids shouldn't be forced to mask and should be allowed to go to school," Ayers revealed. This pattern of intimidation extended to other scientists, including Dr. John Ioannidis, a Stanford University professor and one of the world's most cited epidemiologists. Ioannidis, who questioned the proportionality and effectiveness of lockdowns, faced relentless attacks. "Death threats were very commonplace," Ioannidis stated. "Both myself and every single member of my family were attacked in ways that I could never have imagined." The toxic environment forced many credible scientists to self-silence, leaving the field of epidemiology to be dominated by individuals with little to no expertise. "Most of the people who dictated the narratives had no clue about epidemiology," Ioannidis lamented. The failure of non-pharmaceutical interventions The so-called non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)lockdowns, mask mandates, and school closureswere implemented without scientific consensus and against the recommendations of existing pandemic plans. These measures, which represented a significant encroachment on civil liberties, failed to achieve their stated goals. Ioannidis, in a March 2025 interview, reflected on the futility of these policies. "We not only shed light on the questions of how dangerous SARS-CoV-2 really was or how it could happen that the social debate space was so poisoned," he said. "We also talk about the effectiveness of mod-RNA injections and the significance of leaked RKI-minutes, which revealed the strong influence of politics on science." The leaked minutes from Germany's Robert Koch Institute (RKI) exposed the extent to which political agendas influenced public health decisions, further eroding trust in institutions. The lab leak and the politicization of science The origins of SARS-CoV-2 remain a contentious issue, with growing evidence pointing to a lab leak in Wuhan, China. Ioannidis expressed concern over the lack of transparency in research. "Regarding the origin of the virus, I have always believed that we need transparency in research," he said. "In the absence of such, the debate moves out of science and becomes an issue for the secret services, which is a pity for science." The politicization of the lab leak hypothesis has been used to justify the draconian measures enacted during the pandemic. "I do worry that a narrative 'secret services say it was a lab leak' can be linked easily with a narrative 'so, it must have been a horrible virus and therefore all the horrible measures we took were justified,'" Ioannidis warned. The suppression of scientific dissent during the COVID-19 pandemic echoes the persecution of Galileo Galilei, who was forced to recant his heliocentric theory under threat of death. Just as Galileo's truth was eventually vindicated, the scientists who dared to challenge the COVID-19 narrative may one day be proven right. As Ioannidis poignantly observed, "It would be shameful for me to just say I'm not going to work on this once I started working and doing my first studies in the field. It was something that could make a difference if we made the right choices or the wrong choices." In the end, the COVID-19 pandemic was not just a public health crisis but a crisis of truth. Will humanity learn from this dark chapter, or will the suppression of science and the erosion of civil liberties become the new normal? Sources include: X.com Blog.bastion.de Enoch, Brighteon.ai Toronto cuts financial incentives for Tesla vehicles used as taxis, ride shares amid U.S. trade tensions Toronto has discontinued financial incentives for Tesla vehicles used as taxis or ride-sharing vehicles, effective March 1, 2024, due to escalating trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. Other EV brands will continue to receive incentives until 2029. The exclusion of Tesla is linked to broader trade disputes, particularly involving Tesla CEO Elon Musk's alignment with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has imposed tariffs on Canadian products and made controversial statements about Canada. Mayor Olivia Chow framed the decision as a symbolic response to Musk's ties to Trump and U.S. policies, emphasizing that Tesla buyers can still purchase vehicles but without taxpayer-funded subsidies. Other Canadian leaders, such as Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, have vowed to take retaliatory actions against U.S. policies, including potential export charges on electricity and challenges to tariffs on Canadian oil and gas. The ongoing trade tensions and retaliatory measures highlight the strain on the historically strong Canada-U.S. relationship, with Canadian leaders urging U.S. lawmakers and voters to oppose Trump's policies and hold the U.S. administration accountable. Toronto will no longer provide financial incentives for Tesla vehicles purchased as taxis or ride-sharing vehicles due to ongoing and escalating trade tensions with the United States. The city has been offering reduced licensing and renewal fees for electric vehicles (EVs) used as vehicles for hire, such as taxis and ride-shares, as part of its efforts to reduce emissions and promote sustainable transportation. These incentives are set to remain in place until the end of 2029 for other EV brands. However, Tesla vehicles will no longer qualify for the program. "The vehicles for hire, like taxis, will have to find a different kind of car," Mayor Olivia Chow said in a news conference on March 17, confirming that Tesla no longer qualified for the program since March 1. "There are other electric cars they could purchase." (Related: Trump to purchase a new Tesla Model S in support of Musk following a 15% stock price drop.) Chow also confirmed that the exclusion of Tesla vehicles is tied to broader trade disputes between Canada and the U.S., particularly involving Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is a top adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has previously called for Canada's annexation and imposed tariffs on Canadian products, which has strained relations between the two nations. "We have certainly said that if you want to buy a Tesla, go ahead, but don't count on taxpayer money to subsidize it," Chow said. She emphasized that the decision was a symbolic gesture to respond to Musk's alignment with Trump and the U.S. administration's policies. Canadian premiers vow to take retaliatory actions against the United States Some Canadian premiers also vowed to take retaliatory actions against the United States. For instance, earlier in March, Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to impose an export charge on electricity sold to the U.S., a move that could disrupt energy supplies to more than a million American households. Ford declared his readiness to "fight like never before" and suggested additional countermeasures, including the possibility of cutting off power exports altogether. He stressed the need to use every available tool to push back against what he views as the erosion of the historically strong Canada-U.S. relationship under the Trump administration. Ford also called on U.S. lawmakers, particularly Republicans, to oppose Trump's policies and urged American voters to hold the president accountable in the upcoming midterm elections. Similarly, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith voiced deep disappointment and concern over the decision of Trump to impose tariffs on Canadian oil and gas, labeling it a betrayal and an illegal action that her province plans to challenge. She warned that even a 10 percent tariff would inevitably drive up oil and gas prices for American consumers, despite Trump's claims to the contrary. Smith highlighted the critical role Alberta's heavy crude plays in supplying U.S. Midwest refineries, which cannot produce enough of this resource domestically to meet demand. As Canada is the largest foreign supplier of oil to the U.S., she argued that American consumers will ultimately bear the brunt of these tariffs through higher prices at the pump. Visit RoboCars.news for more news on electric vehicles. Watch this video from John Williams discussing the massive troubles affecting Tesla amid the collapse of America's auto industry. This video is from the channel ThisIsJohnWilliams on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Transgender suspect faces felony charges after targeting Tesla dealership in anti-Musk protest. Tesla recalls over 2,400 Cybertrucks due to faulty parts that could increase risk of crashing. Tesla recalls over 27,000 Cybertrucks due to safety issue involving rearview cameras. Tesla recalls more than 1.8 MILLION units over car software's inability to detect an unlatched hood. Tesla shareholders vote to reinstate Elon Musk's $56 billion pay package despite earlier court order to rescind it. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com CBC.ca Brighteon.com Treasury secretary declares war on politically driven financial regulation: Is this the end of ESG overreach? U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is steering the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) away from "politically driven" oversight, such as environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, toward prioritizing material financial risks and economic growth. This marks a departure from the previous administrations emphasis on reputational and ESG-related risks. Bessents approach aims to reduce regulatory burdens, empower the private sector and enhance bank lending, particularly to small and regional banks. While conservatives applaud the move as a correction to bureaucratic overreach, critics warn it could undermine financial stability and efforts to address climate change and social justice. The administration is cutting federal bureaucracy, exemplified by the Small Business Administrations (SBA) plan to reduce its workforce by 43%. Supporters argue this refocuses agencies on core missions, but critics fear it could weaken support for small businesses, especially during economic crises. Bessent acknowledges a potential economic slowdown during a "detox period" as the economy shifts from government dependency to private-sector-driven growth. He remains confident that deregulation will ultimately spur private-sector lending, job creation and innovation. The administrations deregulatory agenda has reignited debates over the role of government in financial regulation, with conservatives viewing it as necessary for growth and critics seeing it as a risky gamble. The success of this approach hinges on balancing economic growth with financial stability and addressing long-term challenges like climate change and social equity. In a bold move that has reignited the debate over the role of government in financial regulation, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has shifted the focus of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) away from what he calls "politically driven" oversight and toward promoting economic growth. While conservatives hail this as a long-overdue correction to years of bureaucratic overreach, critics warn that the administrations deregulatory agenda risks undermining financial stability and enabling government waste. A new vision for financial oversight At a recent FSOC meeting held in executive session, Bessent outlined his vision for a streamlined regulatory framework that prioritizes material financial risks over what he describes as excessive focus on social and environmental concerns. We need to unshackle the regulated banking system and refocus financial oversight on material risks rather than politically-driven agendas, Bessent declared, echoing themes from his earlier speeches and interviews. This shift marks a stark departure from the previous administrations emphasis on reputational risk and environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. Critics of the prior approach argue that it stifled innovation and burdened businesses with unnecessary compliance costs. Bessents agenda, however, seeks to empower the private sector by reducing regulatory hurdles and enhancing bank lending to small and regional banks. We need our financial regulators singing in unison from the same song sheet, Bessent said during a speech at the Economic Club of New York. To be clear, this does not mean consolidation of agencies, but coordination via Treasury, such that our regulators work in parallel with each other and industry. The battle over ESG and DEI The Trump administrations push to refocus financial oversight has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and progressive groups, who argue that the move undermines efforts to address climate change, social justice and corporate accountability. For years, Democrats have sought to use financial regulation to advance ESG and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals, often through non-legislative channels. Bessents approach, however, signals a clear rejection of these priorities. The administrations efforts to bolster Treasury market resilience and enhance coordination on cybersecurity risks reflect its focus on safeguarding the core financial infrastructure without stifling economic activity, one observer noted. This ideological clash is not new. The debate over the role of government in regulating private enterprise dates back to the New Deal era, when Franklin D. Roosevelts administration expanded federal oversight to stabilize the economy after the Great Depression. In recent decades, however, conservatives have argued that such oversight has become overly burdensome, stifling innovation and economic growth. Streamlining government: A double-edged sword? The administrations deregulatory agenda extends beyond financial oversight. The Small Business Administration (SBA), for example, recently announced plans to reduce its workforce by 43%, cutting approximately 2,700 positions. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler framed the move as a necessary step to refocus the agency on its core missions of small business promotion, loan guarantees and disaster assistance. Just like the small business owners we support, we must do more with less, Loeffler said in a press release. The SBA was created to be a launchpad for Americas small businesses by offering access to capital, which in turn drives job creation, innovation and a thriving Main Street. But in the last four years, the agency has veered off trackdoubling in size and turning into a sprawling leviathan plagued by mission creep, financial mismanagement and waste. While conservatives applaud these efforts to shrink the federal bureaucracy, critics warn that such cuts could undermine the governments ability to support small businesses, particularly in times of economic crisis. The SBAs pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), for instance, was widely credited with helping millions of businesses stay afloat during the COVID-19 lockdowns. A detox period for the economy? Bessents vision for a private-sector-driven economy has also raised questions about the potential short-term costs of transitioning away from government dependency. In a recent CNBC interview, Bessent acknowledged that the economy may slow during this detox period as it shifts from public to private spending. The market and the economy have just become hooked, and weve become addicted to this government spending, Bessent said. Theres going to be a detox period. Despite these concerns, Bessent expressed confidence that the administrations deregulatory policies would ultimately unleash private-sector growth. We are going to have safe and sound regulation to get our banking system going again, he said. So the banks should be generating loans to private companies. Employment should be from private companies, not from government, and Im confident, if we have the right policies, itll be a very smooth transition. A golden age or a risky gamble? As the Trump administration continues to reshape financial regulation and streamline government agencies, the question remains: Will this new approach usher in a golden age of economic growth, or will it leave the financial system vulnerable to instability and waste? Either way, the path we were on was unsustainable, so change was inevitable. For conservatives, Bessents agenda represents a much-needed correction to years of bureaucratic overreach and politically motivated oversight. For critics, however, it is a risky gamble that prioritizes short-term gains over long-term stability. One thing is certain: The battle over the role of government in financial regulation is far from over. As Bessent and his allies push forward with their deregulatory agenda, they will face fierce opposition from those who believe that government oversight is essential to safeguarding the economy and promoting social justice. In the end, the success or failure of this new approach will depend on whether it can deliver on its promise of growth without sacrificing stabilitya challenge that will shape the future of American prosperity for years to come. Sources include: Breitbart.com Pymnts.com Reuters.com San Diego Border Patrol chief: Trumps troop deployments have transformed BORDER SECURITY The deployment of U.S. military troops including Army, Navy and Marines to the southern border has significantly improved border security by acting as a "force multiplier," enabling Border Patrol agents to focus on critical law enforcement tasks. Military personnel have supported surveillance, detection and infrastructure efforts, such as fortifying barriers with razor wire, freeing up agents to respond more swiftly to illegal crossings. U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks reported a 94 percent drop in illegal crossings, with daily apprehensions falling from 4,800 in 2023 to 285 in 2024. He attributed this decline to military support and stricter enforcement policies. The Trump administration's policies including summary deportations and closing asylum loopholes have deterred illegal entry attempts, with migrants now directed to ports of entry or embassies to make asylum claims. The collaboration between the military, Texas National Guard and Border Patrol has strengthened physical barriers, sent a deterrent message and delivered tangible results, showcasing the effectiveness of a robust, multi-agency approach to border security. A senior official of the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) has remarked that President Donald Trump's deployment of military troops to support border security efforts has proven to be a game-changer. Jeffrey Stalnaker, acting chief patrol agent of the USBP's San Diego Sector, pointed out that the presence of military personnel at the border has enabled USBP agents to focus on critical law enforcement tasks. According to the chief patrol agent, the presence of the Army, Navy and Marines along the southern border has acted as a "force multiplier." The military's role in surveillance, detection and infrastructure support has freed up agents to respond more swiftly to illegal crossings. State forces, in the form of Texas National Guard (TNG) soldiers deputized as immigration officers, are also helping ease the USBP's load. (Related: Texas Military Department ramps up recruitment to support border security efforts.) Task Force Sapper, a unit of nearly 500 Marines, has been instrumental in fortifying border barriers with razor wire and other protective measures. Aside from barrier construction, the Marines are also engaged in surveillance and detection along stretches of the border. Meanwhile, Army engineers and military police from Fort Campbell in Kentucky have bolstered observational capabilities by backing up their counterparts from the Marines. The numbers don't lie The results of this collaboration are striking, as evidenced by numbers shared by USBP Chief Mike Banks to CBS News last month. He reported a 94 percent drop in illegal crossings compared to the same period last year According to Banks, USBP agents are now apprehending an average of 285 migrants per day, down from 4,800 daily apprehensions in 2023. He cited the deployment of troops and TNG soldiers being deputized as immigration officers for this dramatic decline in apprehensions. "The greater the punishment, the larger the deterrent," Banks said, underscoring the administration's strict enforcement policies. He also pointed out that since Trump took office, only two migrants have been released from Border Patrol custody after crossing unlawfully, and those releases were tied to criminal prosecutions. "Anyone that has crossed the border between the ports of entry since this administration has taken office has not been released," the USBP chief stated. The military's involvement has not only strengthened physical barriers, but also sent a clear message to potential migrants. By closing loopholes in the asylum system and implementing summary deportations, the administration has effectively discouraged illegal entry attempts. Banks noted that migrants are now being directed to ports of entry or embassies in their home countries to make asylum claims, rather than attempting to cross illegally. The success of these measures is reflected in the numbers. In February, border apprehensions dropped to 30,000, a stark contrast to the over 130,000 encounters recorded in the same month in 2023 and 2024. This decline builds on a trend that began in mid-2024, when the Biden administration imposed tighter asylum restrictions. However, the Trump administration's policies and military support have accelerated the reduction in illegal crossings. As Stalnaker and Banks have made clear, the deployment of military troops has been a critical factor in bolstering border security. Their efforts have not only enhanced the operational capacity of USBP agents but also delivered tangible results, proving that a robust, multi-agency approach is key to safeguarding the nation's borders. Watch this clip of border towns being cleared of migrants amid troop deployments to the southern border. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: President Trump has a constitutional MANDATE to use the military to protect our southern border Richard Sacks. US spy plane conducts strategic operations along border as drug cartels look for war. Trump's bold plan: Military deployment and mass deportations to secure the border. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com JustTheNews.com CBSNews.com Brighteon.com University of Southern California scraps DEI initiatives, signaling a return to merit-based excellence The University of Southern California (USC) announced it will eliminate its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) office and review all DEI-related online content, citing compliance with federal executive orders and agency guidance. USC's decision aligns with a broader trend in higher education and corporate America to reevaluate DEI programs, which have faced criticism for prioritizing identity politics over merit-based standards and fostering division. The move is linked to President Trump's executive order banning DEI programs in federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funding. Similar actions, such as the University of Florida's elimination of DEI positions, reflect growing skepticism toward these initiatives. USCs decision signals a potential end to divisive identity politics in education and the workplace, emphasizing a return to principles of fairness, equality and individual merit as foundational to American success. In a surprising yet telling move, the University of Southern California (USC) has announced that it will dismantle its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) office and review all online content containing DEI-related language. This decision was reportedly framed as compliance with federal executive orders (EOs) and agency guidance. The EO in question is widely believed to be the one signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year, which abolished DEI programs within the federal government and barred organizations implementing such initiatives from receiving federal contracts or funding. USC's decision aligns with a growing trend among universities and corporations to reevaluate the role of DEI in their operations. DEI programs, which aim to promote representation and fairness for historically marginalized groups, have faced increasing scrutiny for their emphasis on identity politics often at the expense of merit-based standards. Critics argue that these initiatives have fostered division rather than unity, creating an environment where individuals are judged not by their abilities but by their race, gender or other identity markers. Pushback against DEI rejects flawed ideology and affirms meritocracy USC's announcement follows a similar decision by the University of Florida, which recently eliminated all DEI positions and reallocated $50 million previously earmarked for such programs. These moves reflect a growing recognition that DEI initiatives, while well-intentioned, have often strayed from their original goals, becoming bloated bureaucracies that prioritize ideology over education. (Related: Education Department places 55 employees on paid leave as part of Trump administration's efforts to dismantle DEI initiatives.) The dismantling of DEI programs at USC and other institutions marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over the role of identity politics in education and the workplace. For too long, DEI initiatives have been used as a cudgel to enforce conformity and silence dissenting voices, often at the expense of free speech and academic freedom. By scrapping these programs, institutions like USC are taking a stand for merit-based excellence and reaffirming their commitment to fostering an environment where individuals are judged by their character and accomplishments, not their identity. California, often seen as a bastion of progressive ideology, is now at the forefront of this cultural shift. The decision by USC, one of the Golden State's most prestigious institutions, sends a powerful message: The era of divisive identity politics may finally be coming to an end. As the nation watches this unfolding story, one thing is clear: The pushback against DEI is not just a rejection of a flawed ideology but a call to return to the principles of fairness, equality, and individual merit that have long been the foundation of American success. Watch Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declaring that DEI is done at the University of Virginia in this Fox News interview. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Federal judges lift injunction on Trump's orders, allowing crackdown on DEI programs. DEI programs backfire: Studies show they increase hostility, fueling Trumps push for meritocracy. The DEI SCAM: How Americas universities and corporations were duped by the biggest con of the century. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com OffThePress.com Brighteon.com Silencing America: How USAID and global engagement center colluded with foreign governments and media to censor free speech America First Legal (AFL) uncovered a coordinated effort involving U.S. agencies (USAID, GEC), foreign governments (U.K.) and private media firms (NewsGuard, Poynter) to suppress free speech under the guise of combating "misinformation," "disinformation," and "malinformation." This alliance represents a significant threat to First Amendment rights. The Global Engagement Center (GEC), initially tasked with countering foreign disinformation, was found targeting American citizens with state-sponsored propaganda and censorship. USAID, despite its humanitarian mission, diverted resources to censor COVID-19-related information and meddle in foreign elections, raising concerns about misuse of taxpayer funds. Companies like NewsGuard and Poynter collaborated with government agencies to develop tools and strategies for identifying and suppressing "misinformation." NewsGuard's AI tool and Poynter's fact-checking network were integrated into government efforts, blurring the lines between public and private censorship. U.S. agencies shared alleged "malinformation" with the British government, highlighting the global scale of the censorship operation. This collaboration with foreign entities undermines American sovereignty and raises questions about the integrity of domestic free speech protections. AFL's findings underscore the urgent need for transparency and accountability to protect constitutional rights. Lawmakers and citizens must act to prevent further erosion of free speech and ensure that government agencies are not abusing their power to suppress dissent. In a shocking revelation that underscores the depths of government overreach and corruption, America First Legal (AFL) has exposed a sprawling censorship scheme involving the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the now-defunct Global Engagement Center (GEC), the British government and private media firms. This alliance, which operated under the guise of combating misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, represents a chilling assault on the First Amendment and the fundamental principles of free speech. The documents obtained by AFL through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and ongoing litigation reveal a disturbing pattern of government agencies collaborating with foreign entities and private corporations to manipulate public discourse, suppress dissent and control the flow of information. This is not just a scandalit is a wake-up call for all Americans who value their constitutional rights. The GEC and USAID: A censorship powerhouse The Global Engagement Center, ostensibly created to combat foreign disinformation abroad, was shuttered in December 2024 after mounting evidence of its domestic overreach. AFLs investigation reveals that the GEC, far from limiting its activities to foreign adversaries, engaged in state-sponsored propaganda and censorship targeting American citizens. One of the most damning revelations is the GECs coordination with USAID, an agency whose mission is to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. Instead of focusing on its humanitarian mandate, USAID diverted resources to censor so-called COVID-19 misinformation and counter COVID-19 propaganda. In a widely distributed email, the GECs Liaison Planner to USAID stated that the agency sought to sustain dialogue and connectivity during these unprecedented times to combat misinformation. This collaboration extended across multiple branches of USAID, including TF 2020-COVID 19, Digital Development, and Conflict Prevention and Stabilization (CPS) Policy. The documents also reveal that the GEC and USAID worked on counter-propaganda efforts, including monitoring disinformation narratives surrounding the 2020 Presidential Elections in Moldova. This raises serious questions about why U.S. taxpayer dollars were being used to meddle in foreign elections while simultaneously suppressing domestic speech. The censorship industrial complex: NewsGuard and Poynter The AFL investigation exposes the role of private media censorship firms like NewsGuard and Poynter in this government-backed operation. Two days after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, NewsGuard Technologies General Manager, Matt Skibinski, pitched the companys services to government officials, including representatives from the Department of State, the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Defense. NewsGuards Misinformation Fingerprints AI tool, designed to identify and rate websites based on their perceived misinformation, was showcased to these officials. Shockingly, the House Small Business Committee found that there was no firewall in place to ensure that Federal resources were not being used to develop and promote technologies that would have domestic impacts. Poynter, another key player in this censorship scheme, was revealed to be part of a global network of fact-checkers funded by both Poynter and the GEC. An email from February 4, 2021, shows GECs Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) expert offering to walk [Poynter] through GECs new M&E workbook, highlighting the close collaboration between these entities. This coordination between government agencies and private media firms represents the emergence of a Censorship Industrial Complex, where taxpayer dollars are used to silence dissenting voices under the guise of combating misinformation. Foreign collusion: Sharing information with the U.K. government Perhaps the most alarming aspect of this scandal is the involvement of foreign governments in censoring American speech. An email from January 8, 2021, shows U.S. Department of State officials sharing alleged malinformation with the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This revelation underscores the global nature of this censorship operation and raises serious concerns about the sovereignty of American discourse. The British governments involvement in this scheme is particularly troubling given its history of aggressive censorship policies. By collaborating with foreign entities to suppress speech, the U.S. government has effectively outsourced its censorship efforts, undermining the First Amendment and betraying the trust of the American people. A call to action: Defending free speech The AFLs findings are a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked government power and the erosion of constitutional rights. As Andrew Block, America First Legal Senior Counsel, aptly stated: The partnership between USAID and the Global Engagement Center is bad news for the American people. Add in the fact that they were coordinating with internet censorship enforcers at NewsGuard and Poynter, and you can start to see just how dangerous this unholy alliance is for free speech and free expression. This scandal is not just about government waste or bureaucratic overreachit is about the fundamental right of every American to speak freely without fear of censorship or retribution. Lawmakers must take immediate action to ensure that federal agencies are held accountable and that such abuses of power are never repeated. The First Amendment is the cornerstone of our democracy, and it is under attack. It is up to us, as citizens, to demand transparency, accountability and a return to the principles that made this nation great. The time to act is nowbefore its too late. Sources include: AmericaFirstLegal.com ZeroHedge.com LegalNewsLine.com JERUSALEM, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Salah al-Bardawil, a senior Hamas leader and member of the group's political bureau, was killed in an Israeli airstrike overnight in the southern Gaza Strip, Israel's military and the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency said in a joint statement on Sunday. According to the statement, al-Bardawil was a key figure in Hamas' strategic and military operations. "This elimination further degrades Hamas' military and governance capabilities," the statement said. Hamas confirmed al-Bardawil's death, saying he was killed alongside his wife while sheltering in a tent at a displacement camp in the al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis. Since the resumption of airstrikes, Israel has killed several senior Hamas officials, including Issam al-Daalis, a member of Hamas' political bureau and head of the Government Follow-up Committee in Gaza. Israel resumed strikes in Gaza on March 18 after a ceasefire with Hamas that began on Jan. 19 unraveled. Israeli forces subsequently launched ground operations across southern, northern, and central Gaza. Since the resumption of Israeli airstrikes, at least 673 people have been killed and 1,233 wounded, the Gaza-based health authorities said on Sunday. 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. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with U.S. Senator Steve Daines and some American business people, who are here to attend the China Development Forum 2025 in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday met with U.S. Senator Steve Daines and some American business people, who are here to attend the China Development Forum 2025. Noting that the development of China-U.S. relations has reached a new important juncture, Li said that history has proven that both China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Both sides should choose dialogue rather than confrontation, and choose win-win cooperation instead of a zero-sum game. It is hoped that the United States will work with China to engage in candid communication, and build trust and clear up misgivings in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. They should deepen pragmatic cooperation, and work together to promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of relations, he said. Li pointed out that economic and trade cooperation is an important foundation of China-U.S. relations. Over the past few decades, the fruitful economic and trade cooperation achieved between China and the United States is the result of joint efforts of both sides and should be cherished. The more difficulties bilateral relations face, the more important it is to safeguard and develop China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, said the premier. Li said that nobody has to gain from a trade war, and no country can achieve development and prosperity through imposing tariffs. He called on the two countries to solve problems, such as trade imbalance, by making the pie of cooperation bigger. "China always welcomes companies from all over the world, including the United States, to share development opportunities in China, and will actively address their legitimate demands, treat domestic and foreign companies as equals, and continue to foster a sound business environment," Li said. People from the American side said that great changes have taken place in China in recent decades. U.S. companies actively participate in and support China's development, and are willing to continue investing in China, strengthen dialogue and cooperation to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and strive to promote the sustainable development of bilateral relations. Ten years ago, nobody knew that Asgard archaea even existed. In 2015, however, researchers examining deep-sea sediments discovered gene fragments that indicated a new and previously undiscovered form of microbes. With computer assistance, the researchers assembled these fragments like puzzle pieces to compile the entire genome. It was only then that they realised they were dealing with a previously unknown group of archaea. Like bacteria, archaea are single-celled organisms. Genetically, however, there are significant differences between the two domains, especially regarding their cell envelopes and metabolic processes. After a further search, microbiologists identified the corresponding organisms, described them and classified them as a separate archaeal sub-group: Asgard archaea. Their name, taken from the heavenly realm in Norse mythology, references their initial discovery close to Loki's Castle a black smoker on the mid-Atlantic ridge between Norway and Svalbard. In fact, Asgard archaea appeared almost heaven-sent for research: they turned out to be a missing link between archaea and eukaryotes that is, between archaea and organisms whose cells contain a nucleus, such as plants and animals. Tree of life with one branch fewer In recent years, researchers have found growing indications of close links between Asgard archaea and eukaryotes, and that the latter may have evolved from the former. The division of all living organisms into the three domains of bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes did not hold up to this surprising discovery. Some researchers have since proposed regarding eukaryotes as a group within Asgard archaea. This would reduce the number of domains of life from three to two: archaea, including eukaryotes, and bacteria. At ETH Zurich, Professor Martin Pilhofer and his team are fascinated by Asgard archaea and have examined the mysterious microbes for several years. In an article published in Nature two years ago, the ETH researchers explored details of the cellular structure and architecture of Lokiarchaeum ossiferum. Originating in the sediments of a brackish water channel in Slovenia, this Asgard archaeon was isolated by researchers in Christa Schleper's laboratory at the University of Vienna. In that study, Pilhofer and his postdoctoral researchers Jingwei Xu and Florian Wollweber demonstrated that Lokiarchaeum ossiferum possesses certain structures also typical of eukaryotes. "We found an actin protein in that species that appears very similar to the protein found in eukaryotes and occurs in almost all Asgard archaea discovered to date," says Pilhofer. In the first study, the researchers combined different microscopy techniques to demonstrate that this protein called Lokiactin forms filamentous structures, especially in the microbes' numerous tentacle-like protrusions. "They appear to form the skeleton for the complex cell architecture of Asgard archaea," adds Florian Wollweber. In addition to actin filaments, eukaryotes also possess microtubules. These tube-shaped structures are the second key component of the cytoskeleton and are comprised of numerous tubulin proteins. These tiny tubes are important for transport processes within a cell and the segregation of chromosomes during cell division The origin of these microtubules has been unclear until now. In a newly published article in Cell , the ETH researchers discovered related structures in Asgard archaea and describe their structure. These experiments show that Asgard tubulins form very similar microtubules, albeit smaller than those in their eukaryotic relatives. However, only a few Lokiarchaeum cells form these microtubules. And, unlike actin, these tubulin proteins only appear in very few species of Asgard archaea. Scientists do not yet understand why tubulins appear so rarely in Lokiarchaea, or why they are needed by cells. In eukaryotes, microtubuless are responsible for transport processes within the cell. In some cases, motor proteins "walk along" these tubes. The ETH researchers have not yet observed such motor proteins in Asgard archaea. "We have shown, however, that the tubes formed from these tubulins grow at one end. We therefore suspect that they perform similar transport functions as the microtubules in eukaryotes," says Jingwei Xu, the co-first author of the Cell study. He produced the tubulins in a cell culture with insect cells and examined their structure. Researchers from the fields of microbiology, biochemistry, cell biology and structural biology collaborated closely on the study. "We would never have progressed so far without this interdisciplinary approach," emphasizes Pilhofer with a degree of pride. Was the cytoskeleton essential for the development of complex life? While some questions remain unanswered, the researchers are confident that the cytoskeleton was an important step in the evolution of eukaryotes. This step could have occurred aeons ago, when an Asgard archaeon entwined a bacterium with its appendages. In the course of evolution, this bacterium developed into a mitochondrion, which serves as the powerhouse of modern cells. Over time, the nucleus and other compartments evolved and the eukaryotic cell was born. This remarkable cytoskeleton was probably at the beginning of this development. It could have enabled Asgard archaea to form appendages, thereby allowing them to interact with, and then seize and engulf a bacterium." Professor Martin Pilhofer, ETH Zurich Fishing for Asgard archaea Pilhofer and his colleagues now plan to turn their attention to the function of actin filaments and archaeal tubulin along with the resulting microtubules. They also aim to identify the proteins that researchers have discovered on the surface of these microbes. Pilhofer hopes his team will be able to develop antibodies precisely tailored to these proteins. This would enable researchers to "fish" specifically for Asgard archaea in mixed microbe cultures. "We still have a lot of unanswered questions about Asgard archaea, especially regarding their relation to eukaryotes and their unusual cell biology," says Pilhofer. "Tracking down the secrets of these microbes is fascinating." Like people, bacteria get invaded by viruses. In bacteria, the viral invaders are called bacteriophages, derived from the Greek word for bacteria-eaters, or in shortened form, "phages." Scientists have sought to learn how the single-cell organisms survive phage infection in a bid to further understand human immunity and develop ways to combat diseases. Now, Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say they have shed new light on how bacteria protect themselves from certain phage invaders - by seizing genetic material from weakened, dormant phages and using it to "vaccinate" themselves to elicit an immune response. In their experiments, the scientists say Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria (which cause strep throat) take advantage of a class of phages known as temperate phages, which can either kill cells or become dormant. The bacteria steal genetic material from temperate phages during this dormant period and form a biological "memory" of the invader that their offspring inherit as the bacteria multiply. Equipped with these memories, the new population can recognize these viruses and fight them off. A report on the experiments, supported in part by the National Institutes of Health, was published March 12 in the journal Cell Host & Microbe. The findings help scientists better understand how bacterial cells that cause serious diseases, including Staph and E. coli infections and cholera, become toxic to humans - a process that involves toxic genes expressed by otherwise dormant phages that reside within the bacterial cell, says corresponding author Joshua Modell, Ph.D., associate professor of molecular biology and genetics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. We essentially wanted to answer the question: If bacterial cells don't have any memory, or survival skills, to combat a new temperate phage that shows up, how do they buy themselves enough time to establish a new memory, before they succumb to that initial infection?" Joshua Modell, Ph.D., associate professor of molecular biology and genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine The Johns Hopkins investigators say bacteria have long been known to use CRISPR-Cas systems to chop up phage DNA, break it down and get rid of it. Crucially, CRISPR systems can only destroy DNA that matches a "memory" captured from a prior infection and stored within the bacteria's own genome, say the researchers. In this way, the CRISPR system acts as a recording device that documents the long list of foreign invaders encountered by a particular bacterial strain. To conduct their research, the scientists say they infected populations of bacteria with naturally occurring phages that go dormant or genetically engineered non-dormant phages in separate flasks that contained millions of bacterial cells. "Our results indicate that the bacteria's CRISPR system was more effective at using the naturally dormant phage to pull parts of the viral genetic code into their genome," says Modell. "When we tested phages that could not go dormant, the CRISPR system did not work nearly as well." After isolating the bacteria that survived, and letting the survivors repopulate the flask, the scientists used genome sequencing to catalog hundreds of thousands of new DNA memories that the CRISPR Cas9 system had created from the test phages, honing in on those that contribute to cell immunity. The scientists also determined that bacteria created those memories during the temperate phage's dormancy period, when it did not pose a threat to the population. "This is conceptually similar to a vaccine with an attenuated virus," says Nicholas Keith, a graduate student and first author of the paper. "We believe this is the reason why the CRISPR Cas9 system has a unique relationship with this specific class of temperate phage." "We can use these types of experiments to find what elements of the phage, the bacterial host and its CRISPR system are important for all stages of bacterial immunity," Keith says. In future experiments, the scientists aim to learn more about how CRISPR systems protect bacteria cells from viruses that don't go dormant, Modell says. "We know CRISPR systems are one of the first lines of defense against the transfer of hazardous genes from phages that turn bacterial cells toxic," says Modell. "Furthermore, our studies will inform the design of 'phage therapies' which could be used in clinical cases where a bacterial infection is resistant to all available antibiotics." In addition to Keith and Modell, study contributors are Rhett Snyder from Johns Hopkins and Chad Euler from Hunter College. The research was funded by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R35GM142731), the Rita Allen Foundation and the National Science Foundation. In a new case study, researchers from North Carolina State University found Bartonella henselae, Babesia odocoilei and Babesia divergens-like MO-1 DNA in brain tissue samples from a young child with seizures and suspected Rasmussen's encephalitis. The findings further support the idea that these pathogens can be a cofactor in complex neurological illnesses. Bartonella are a group of vector-borne bacteria transmitted primarily via arthropods like fleas, lice and potentially ticks, but also by the animals that harbor them. Of the (at least) 45 currently known Bartonella species, 18 have been found to infect humans. The most commonly known species is Bartonella henselae, which causes cat scratch disease in humans. Improved methods for detecting Bartonella infection in animals and humans have led to the diagnosis of bartonelloses in patients with a host of chronic illnesses, as well as in some patients with psychiatric symptoms. Babesia is a malaria-like protozoa that infects red blood cells. In the U.S., the main Babesia species that infect humans are B. microti, B. duncani and B. divergens-like. Transmission occurs mainly by tick bite, but there are reports of transmission by transfusion of contaminated blood, organ transplantation and transplacental transmission. Babesia and Bartonella are often suspected as co-infections with Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The child in the case study had suffered facial scratches from a feral cat at the age of two, then developed seizures two years later after suffering an insect bite and subsequent rash. In 2022, six years after the facial cat scratch, the NC State team was asked to test blood samples and subsequently, brain biopsy samples from the patient. In January 2022, the NC State team attempted to amplify Bartonella and Borrelia DNA from patient blood samples via qPCR and digital droplet PCR testing, but results were negative. In June 2022, the team tested samples from the patient's brain biopsy for Bartonella, as well as for Babesia, due to the insect bite and rash. They also tested blood samples for Babesia. Using molecular methods, they were able to detect DNA of Bartonella henselae and two species of Babesia B. odocoilei and B. divergens-like MO-1 in the brain tissue samples. The two Babesia species were also present in the patient's previously submitted blood samples. The interesting lesson we learned from this particular case was that Bartonella DNA was not detected in the initially tested blood samples, despite detection of the organisms' DNA in the brain tissue culture samples. " Edward Breitschwerdt, Melanie S. Steele Distinguished Professor of Internal Medicine at NC State's College of Veterinary Medicine and corresponding author of the paper "The brain is usually considered an 'immune privileged site,' meaning that it is difficult for an infection to cross that barrier," Breitschwerdt says. "But given that pathophysiological changes were observed on the same side of the patient's brain where the facial scratches were received, and that neurological issues are sometimes associated with chronic Bartonella infection, this case emphasizes the potential for chronic bloodborne or central nervous system infection following a cat scratch. "The other unexpected piece to this puzzle is the potential effect of the Babesia infection," Breitschwerdt adds. "Unfortunately, there is minimal information on acute babesiosis with these two novel human pathogens and neurological disease and essentially none on the role of chronic Babesia infection and neurological symptoms. So, we need to ask ourselves going forward what we may be missing in cases like this child." The work appears in the Journal of Central Nervous System Disease and was supported by the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. NC State researchers Ricardo Maggi and Emily Kingston also contributed to the work. Patients hoping for a kidney transplant must first undergo a battery of medical tests to determine whether they are suitable candidates for the procedure and healthy enough to take post-transplant immunosuppressant drugs to prevent organ rejection. In most transplant centers, the burden falls on the patient to arrange tests like cardiac catheterization, CT scans, mammograms or colonoscopies, which can year or more to complete, meaning some people never complete the process, while others get sicker or die. But a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine led by a University of New Mexico Health Sciences researcher demonstrates that a "concierge" approach called the Kidney Transplant Fast Track (KTFT), in which the testing is coordinated and often performed onsite by the transplant center, enables more people to receive transplants and erases troubling racial and ethnic disparities. Larissa Myaskovsky, PhD, a professor in the UNM Department of Internal Medicine and director of the Center for Healthcare Equity in Kidney Disease, led a nonrandomized clinical trial by researchers from UNM and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) that compared the two screening methods. Myaskovsky, who was at UPMC before joining the UNM faculty in 2017, said the study originated in research she was conducting on UPMC kidney transplant patients in the early 2000s. She also worked at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, where all kidney transplants are coordinated by the center. Underlying a lot of my thinking when I planned this intervention is, 'Why are we putting the burden on the ill patients and their family members to change their behavior?' Can we do something as an organization to change our behavior and address the needs of the patient?" Larissa Myaskovsky, PhD, Professor, UNM Department of Internal Medicine Myaskovsky met with clinicians, surgical leadership and hospital administration to discuss the Kidney Transplant Fast Track. Her plan was to randomly assign some patients to the usual regimen of testing and others to the KTFT and then compare their outcomes. "Apparently, I was so convincing to hospital administration about the fast-track intervention that they decided, 'No, we're just going to change evaluation in that way,'" she said. Her new research strategy entailed comparing a control group of 1,152 UPMC patients who were evaluated for transplants prior to 2013, when the new KTFT procedure was implemented, with 1,118 participants who were screened from that point forward. The study found that the KTFT patients were more likely to be placed on the active waitlist for kidney transplant over a seven-year follow-up period than those in the historical control group. And among patients on the active waitlist, those in the KTFT group were more likely to receive a kidney transplant than those in the historical control group. The study also found that a previous disparity between African American and White patients in the historical control group disappeared when the KTFT system was implemented. "There was not that difference between African American and Whites in the fast-track group," Myaskovsky said. While it might seem like a no-brainer to have a transplant center supervise and consolidate testing at one location, it requires an investment of personnel to make that happen, she said. The payoff is that the new approach resulted in greater revenue for the transplant center. "Not only are you coordinating the care and getting tests done, but now it's all done in-house," Myaskovsky said. "So instead of relying on third parties, and those third parties getting that insurance coverage, it would all now come to UPMC. Of course, the finance and administrative leadership was thrilled for that, because that gave them a value for investing the FTEs and coordinating the care." In addition to getting more patients in the pipeline to receive a transplant, the fast-track approach also provides greater clarity for patients who might be ineligible for the surgery. "Frankly, the ambiguity of not knowing their clinical state may actually be more psychologically more difficult for patients than what might come from being rejected for transplant," she said. "Because then at least they can proceed with adjusting to that new reality of having to stay on dialysis, and they're not left waiting and wondering what their results are and whether they're waitlisted or not." Most of the patients at UPMC had insurance, Myaskovsky noted. She and her UNM colleagues are running a federally funded study to see whether similar benefits might accrue by implementing a new screening protocol at New Mexico's only public safety-net hospital, which serves many uninsured patients. In this new study, one group of patients is randomly assigned to the KTFT process, while the others interact with "peer navigators," people who have themselves undergone kidney transplants and are familiar with the process. "They serve as counselors or peer mentors," she said. "We recruited former transplant recipients who got their transplant as UNM. They got all the Institutional Review Board-required training needed to be part of the research team. We're comparing not only the intervention which approach works best but also which approach works best for which kind of patients." Myaskovsky and her colleagues are sharing the protocol for implementing the KTFT approach in hopes that it will be adopted by other kidney transplant centers. "As a researcher, my focus might be on the specific variables, but I'm thinking about how we change the health care system to meet the needs of our patients." A research team led by Mount Sinai has uncovered mechanisms of abnormal immune cell function that may lead to Crohn's disease, according to findings published in Science Immunology on March 21. The researchers said their discovery provides better understanding of disease development and could inform the development and design of new therapies to prevent inflammation before it starts in the chronic disorder. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, and fatigue. Inflammation is the body's natural response to infection or injury, but prolonged and untreated inflammation may cause damage to healthy cells, tissues, and organs. White blood cells in the GI tract known as intraepithelial lymphocytes express the gamma delta T cell receptor (gamma delta IELs), which prevent infection and provide surveillance for the intestinal barrier. These gamma delta IELs are often reduced in patients with active Crohn's disease. The researchers said their study is the first to show that gamma delta IELs are critical to maintain a balance between pro-inflammatory and regulatory immune responses, and these cells are impaired during the onset and progression of long-term inflammation in the lower small intestine. Previous studies assessing patient biopsies revealed a decrease in gamma delta IELs in those with active IBD. However, it was unknown whether the loss of these cells was a cause or consequence of disease. Our findings now show that gamma delta IELs are substantially decreased weeks before clinical or histological evidence of disease in a mouse model of Crohn's disease-like ileitis. Furthermore, we were able to generate a timeline of events leading to the dysregulation of gamma delta IELs that mirrored findings from prior studies in patients with IBD." Karen Edelblum, PhD, Corresponding Author, Associate Professor of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai The researchers used a mice model of Crohn's disease-like inflammation in the lower small intestine to analyze human disease. Before tissue damage began, they found that pro-inflammatory proteins impaired the communication between gamma delta IELs and neighboring intestinal epithelial cells. As a result, the majority of these gamma delta IELs failed to survive, and barrier surveillance was significantly compromised. The research team also identified that gamma delta IELs lost their ability to suppress other pro-inflammatory IELs responsible for tissue damage, indicating that the early loss of regulatory gamma delta IELs may contribute to the activation of inflammation in Crohn's disease. The researchers said loss of gamma delta IELs could be used as a predictive biomarker for disease relapse or patient responsiveness to treatment. Additionally, development of future therapies that boost the function of gamma delta IELs may provide a new way to maintain remission in IBD patients or prevent disease development in susceptible individuals. Researchers from Rutgers University, Case Western Reserve University, and Children's Hospital of Los Angeles contributed to this study. The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, A*STAR, and the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research. As they studied two years of prison-inmate data, Laura Dague and a team of fellow health researchers noticed that one particular scenario kept cropping up. That scenario involved the days when an inmate is released and returns to their community. A significant number were released with chronic health issues and promptly signed up for government-subsidized healthcare - only to stop taking their medications. Why would they stop taking free (or nearly free) medication? And do former prisoners have proper access to care upon returning to their communities? These questions are raised by a new study co-authored by Dague, a Ph.D. and professor with The Bush School of Government and Public Service. People taking their medications is important, for themselves and for their communities." Laura Dague, Ph.D., Professor, The Bush School of Government and Public Service The study was published in "JAMA Network Open," one of the top medical journals. Dague and her colleagues identified several trends. The most striking is the tendency of former inmates to forsake medication for a chronic condition even with costs covered by Medicaid, the federal-state insurance program for low-income people. The researchers found this trend particularly striking because other studies have shown that Medicaid increases access to healthcare for people who were previously incarcerated. The new study suggests insurance alone may not be enough. Dague and her colleagues do not suggest policy changes to address their findings. She did say, however, that the results suggest new Medicaid policies to guide former inmates as they rejoin their communities, including policies already encouraged under the federal Support Act, "could be really impactful." Two sources combined for a bigger picture Dague and her colleagues focused their study on Wisconsin. They chose the state in part because it does an unusually thorough job of tracking inmate health data and makes that data available to researchers in partnership with the University of Wisconsin's Institute for Research on Poverty. (Dague also maintains an affiliation with the institute, where she is a colleague of her co-lead author, Marguerite Burns, Ph.D.) Dague, Burns and their colleagues combined Wisconsin Department of Corrections information with Medicaid data, allowing them to track the inmates' medical history from prison back into their communities. The research team tracked all adults released from any of the state's correctional facilities from April 2015 to June 2017. That was 12,960 people, a population 90% male but racially diverse, with an age range from teenagers to senior citizens. The researchers took particular interest in the 4,302 people who had been taking a medication prescribed for chronic illness within three months of their release and enrolled in Medicaid immediately after release. People who needed to keep taking medication and theoretically had easy access to it, in other words. Only half of them appear to have kept taking their meds. The researchers reached this conclusion through Medicaid data showing that only 51.7% filled their prescriptions, even though they all left prison with a prescription in hand. The researchers also tracked how many former prisoners visited a doctor within six months of release. Access to a health care provider and/or willingness to visit one was a key predictor of former inmates' health. Those who saw a doctor were far more likely - 40 percentage points more likely - to fill their prescriptions. And, presumably, keep taking medications that help them stay healthy. "These are people with heart conditions, diabetes, anxiety, severe mental illness," Dague said. She and her fellow researchers identified 25 total medication classes for chronic conditions, and those taking them "don't just stop needing medication because they left prison." The study does not address why they stopped taking their medication. Nor does it presume that the picture in Wisconsin precisely mirrors that elsewhere in the country. But the results do suggest that similar issues could exist elsewhere and should be addressed, Dague said. Recently incarcerated people tend to have little income, if any, as they rarely have a job upon release. So when a former inmate cannot afford their care and suffers a catastrophic health problem, such as an emergency room visit, the cost is often socialized: spread among people who use the health care system or the taxpaying public. Many studies have shown that simple preventive steps - such as taking prescribed medications - can reduce such systemwide costs. "We know that inmate health, and their health after their discharge, is generally worse than it is among demographically similar people" who have not been imprisoned, Dague said. "This has consequences for the individuals themselves, obviously, but also for their communities: more emergency responses, ambulance rides, emergency-room visits and other costs." 5-Day Work Week For Banks, More Recruitments: Bank Unions Call For Nationwide Strike On March 24-25 Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Mohammad Haris Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 22:31 IST The United Forum of Bank Unions declares nationwide strike on March 24 and 25 demanding a five-day work week for the banking sector, enhanced recruitment across all cadres, and regularisation of temporary employees. UFBU, a coalition of nine bank unions, announced the decision on March 13 after negotiations with the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) failed to yield a resolution on key concerns. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has declared a nationwide strike on March 24 and 25, demanding a five-day work week for the banking sector, enhanced recruitment across all cadres, and regularisation of temporary employees. UFBU, a coalition of nine bank unions, announced the decision on March 13 after negotiations with the Indian Banks Association (IBA) failed to yield a resolution on key concerns. Recommended Stories Key Demands Behind the Strike L Chandrasekhar, General Secretary of the National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE), outlined several pressing issues that remain unaddressed despite multiple discussions with the IBA: Staff Shortages: Urgent recruitment across all cadres to manage workload efficiently. Board Representation: Appointment of workmen and officer directors in public sector banks. Job Security Concerns: Rollback of performance reviews and incentive policies introduced by the Ministry of Finances Department of Financial Services (DFS), which unions argue threaten employment stability. Bank Autonomy: Opposition to what unions describe as micro-management" by the DFS, asserting that excessive intervention weakens bank boards independence. Gratuity Act Amendments: Proposal to increase the gratuity ceiling to 25 lakh, bringing it in line with government employees benefits, along with a demand for tax exemption on gratuity payments. UFBUs Stance on Government Policies The unions have strongly opposed recent DFS directives on performance-linked incentives and reviews, arguing that they create job uncertainty and should be repealed. Who Forms the UFBU? The UFBU represents nine prominent bank employee unions, including: All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC) National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE) All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA) Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) Indian National Bank Employees Congress (INBEC) Indian National Bank Officers Congress (INBOC) National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW) National Organisation of Bank Officers (NOBO) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all With discussions failing to resolve these disputes, UFBU has confirmed that the strike will proceed as planned, potentially affecting banking operations nationwide. (With Inputs from Agencies) About the Author Business Desk A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More First Published: March 17, 2025, 17:32 IST 'Zerodha Wins...': Techie Shares How Nithin Kamath Replied On His Account Closure Email Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 09:21 IST A Bengaluru-based techie had to delete his Zerodha account due to a mandate from his wife's new employer, an investment bank, which deemed Zerodha not a "trusted broker" because it lacked a physical bank presence, unlike Kotak or ICICI. Although the techie eventually closed his account, he mentioned that Zerodha had earned his "trust for life" after Nithin Kamath's reply. Bengaluru-based tech professional Sachin Jha recently shared an interesting experience on LinkedIn. Jha had to delete his Zerodha account due to a mandate from his wifes new employer, an investment bank, which deemed Zerodha not a trusted broker" because it lacked a physical bank presence, unlike Kotak or ICICI. Despite his fondness for Zerodhas user interface, Jha decided to take a chance and emailed Zerodhas CEO Nithin Kamath, not expecting a response. To his surprise, Kamath replied within just 10 minutes. The quick and thoughtful response provided Jha with valuable insights into Zerodhas commitment to customer feedback. Recommended Stories Kamaths team: Immediately acknowledged the issue and assured they were working on it with banks. Requested details of Jhas workplace to partner directly with compliance. Shared their strategy to build trust with institutions. Although Jha eventually closed his account, he mentioned that Zerodha had earned his trust for life". Jha highlighted three key lessons from this experience: 1. Users provide valuable growth insights through their feedback Quick responses can turn skeptics into loyal users Adapting to user needs is crucial for success. Zerodha wins by treating feedback like gold," Jha wrote. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He concluded by encouraging others to share stories where a founders response had surprised them, and added a personal note, continuing to cheer for Nithin Kamath. This story underscores the importance of customer feedback and swift action in building long-term trust and loyalty. About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More First Published: March 23, 2025, 09:05 IST Bihar Board 12th Result 2025: BSEB Inter Result To Be Declared This Week, Check Latest Update Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 15:32 IST Along with the Bihar Board Inter Result of each student, the total pass percentage will also be declared. Last year, 87.21% students passed the class 12th exam To pass the Bihar Board class 12th exam, it is mandatory to score at least 33% marks (Representative/File Photo) Like the last few years, this time also Bihar Board 12th examination was conducted first among state and central boards. The Bihar Board Intermediate examination was held between February 1 to 15, 2025. About 13 lakh students appeared for the Bihar Board 12th examination. Students can check the latest update related to Bihar Board Intermediate Result 2025 on the official websites, biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in or results.biharboardonline.com. Along with this, students will also get a chance to download the marksheet from DigiLocker. The results will be declared on Thursday, March 27, at 10 am. Recommended Stories Bihar Board 12th Result 2025: Passing Marks, Toppers List To pass the Bihar Board class 12th exam, it is mandatory to score at least 33% marks in each theory paper and 40% marks in the practical exam. Before the release of Bihar Board Inter Result, toppers are called for interview. During copy checking, only those students who score the highest marks are called for interview. Bihar School Examination Board will also release the Class 12 topper list 2025 along with the result. Bihar Board topper list will come in PDF format. This topper list will include the names of only those students who have been called to the Patna Board Office for topper verification. The state government honours the Bihar Board Inter topper. As per last year, the Bihar Board 12th topper can get the following things: First topper: Rs 2 lakh, a laptop, certificate, and medal. Second topper: Rs 1.5 lakh, earlier Rs 75,000 was given. Third topper: Rs 1 lakh. Fourth to 10th position: Rs 30,000. Along with the Bihar Board Inter Result of each student, the total pass percentage will also be declared. Last year, 87.21% of students passed the class 12th exam. How To Check Bihar Board Intermediate Result? To check the Bihar Board 12th Result 2025, you can follow the steps given below: Step 1- To check Bihar Board 12th Result, one has to visit the official website of BSEB at biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in or results.biharboardonline.com. Step 2- Click on the link of Bihar Board Result 2025 appearing on the homepage of the website. It will be activated only after the result is released. Step 3- Enter your roll number, roll code, and other details as required. Step 4- After this, click on submit. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Step 5- The Bihar Board 12th result will be displayed on your screen. Step 6- Download the result after checking your marks, percentage, name, parents name, school name, etc. Take a printout of it for future reference. 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 23, 2025, 12:10 IST Wondering What To Do After 12th Board Exam? CBSE Launches Career Guidebook For Students Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 10:55 IST CBSE Guide: Along with the students, their parents will also be busy analysing their career options after class 12th. To help students with their decision, CBSE has released a career guidebook. CBSE 12th exam will end on April 4, 2025 (Representative image/File) Most of the board exams are about to end. Some board exams including Bihar, UP have already ended. CBSE 12th exam will end on April 4, 2025. After this, students will have to start thinking about their careers more seriously. Along with the students, their parents will also be busy analysing their career options after class 12th. To help students with their decision, CBSE has released a career guidebook. In the present times, students have no dearth of career options. It is not easy to choose the best career option from this crowd of options. Many students take the help of career counselors to choose the right option. But this is not possible for everyone. That is why CBSE has prepared a guidebook with the help of career counsellor Mohit Mangal. Additionally, the board has provided the Entrance Exams 2025 Guide and 21 Higher Education Vertical Books for reference. Recommended Stories A Career guidance plays a pivotal role in empowering students to make informed decisions about their future. In todays ever evolving and dynamic job market, collaboration among schools, parents, and stakeholders is essential to equip students with the right tools and insights for meaningful career choices," reads the official notice by the board. To support this endeavor, CBSE is sharing the Parents Handbook on Careers after School in India" by Shri Mohit Mangal. This comprehensive guide provides valuable insights and practical advice to assist schools, parents and guardians in helping their children explore career options effectively," it added. CBSE Career Guidebook Details This guidebook of CBSE is for parents. It contains many things which can help them in making the right decision for their children. Know what you will get in the Career Guidebook: 1- Information about various career options 2- Which career is right for which student? 3- What things should be kept in mind while selecting a college and course? 4- Employment opportunities in the government and private sector (before taking admission in any course after the 12th, one must look at its prospects). 5- Information about scholarships and education loans top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all CBSE Career Guide Book 2025 Notification 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 23, 2025, 10:50 IST GAZA, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Salah al-Bardawil, a senior Hamas leader and member of its political bureau, was killed Sunday along with his wife in an Israeli airstrike that targeted his tent inside a camp for displaced persons west of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. Hamas sources said the bombing targeted a gathering of displaced people, resulting in a number of casualties. The sources considered the targeting of al-Bardawil a new escalation in Israeli attacks on the movement's leaders as well as civilians in the Gaza Strip. Hamas mourned al-Bardawil, saying that he was a prominent political figure who had served as a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council for the Change and Reform Bloc and as one of the movement's official spokespersons. The Israeli army has not commented on this incident yet. The killing comes amid growing international calls to de-escalate the situation and protect civilians from the repercussions of the conflict. How Farmers Protest This Time Is Different From The Big One In 2020-2021 | Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 12:51 IST In 2020-21, most of the farmers from Punjab, Haryana, UP, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan were protesting under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha. The protest in 2025 was held by KMM and SKM (non-political) at Shambhu border Bharatiya Kisan Union members burn an effigy during a protest against the recent police action on protesting farmers at Punjab borders, in Meerut, on March 21, 2025. (PTI Photo) Farmers under the non-political Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) held a sit-in protest for 400 days from February 13, 2024 to March 20, 2025 at Shambu border between Punjab and Haryana. But the Punjab police cleared up the demonstration. It should be noted that the protests in 2020-2021 could be said a watershed development in Indias history, given that it made the Central government repeal three agriculture laws. Recommended Stories How Kisan Andolan 1.0 Was Different From Kisan Andolan 2.0? Kisan Aandolan 1 (November 26, 2020 to December 9, 2021): It took place at Singhu, Tikri and Kundli borders of Haryana-Delhi for nearly 380 days. The main demand was repealing of three farm laws. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to announce the revocation of the three farm laws on November 19, 2021. But the protest was lifted on December 9, 2021, when the government agreed to the main demand of a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP, or the rate at which the government buys certain crops). Nearly 750 farmers died during the protest. Most of the protesting farmers were from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a flagship organisation of over 500 farmer unions across the country, with the support of trade unions. But the famers protest in 2025 was held by KMM and SKM (non-political) at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders on NH-44 and NH-52 between Punjab and Haryana. The main demand was seeking MSP as a legal guarantee, along with 11 other demands. The SKM was not part of this protest, though they extended support. Nearly 45 farmers died during this 400-day protest at both locations. The SKM is a non-political offshoot of SKM led by Jagjit Singh Dallewal while KMM is largely led by Punjab-based organisation Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC). KMSC was not part of SKM even in Kisan Aandolan-1, though they had organised a dharna at Kundli border in 2020-21. What Are The Farmers Demands? The protesting farmers burnt effigies of the Punjab CM and sought release of detained farmers besides compensation for vandalised" tractor-trailers. Strict action should be taken against the culprits who stole trolleys and goods. The SKM-NP and the KMM said in a joint statement that the Punjab government, led by Bhagwant Singh Mann, had stabbed farmers in the back by arresting farmer leaders who were invited for a meeting. This is a clear example of the governments betrayal of the farmers trust," the statement said, appealing to the people of Punjab to support the movement and join farmers in their struggle for justice. The farmer leaders announced that a meeting of KMM and SKM (non-political) would be held soon and a struggle would be announced against the Punjab government until farmers demands are met. Key Demands In 2024: The farmers are demanding a farm loan waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in the electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and justice" for the victims of 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2023 and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21. They want an allocation of 10% plots and 64.7% increased compensation under the old acquisition law, that is four times the market rate compensation, and 20% plots on the land acquired after January 1, 2014. They also want children of landless farmers to be provided with employment and rehabilitation benefits and proper settlement of the populated areas. In February, Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal along with other ministers met famers groups, who had rejected the Centres proposal to buy pulse, maize and cotton at the MSP government agencies for five years. No Public Support This Time? Farmer unions this time have not been receiving the public support compared to the 2020-21 protests. Most people in the cities were objecting to the closure of highways and the industry was angry with the AAP government for taking no action to lift the dharna. In the previous protest, AAP leaders had supported the protests. But this time, an agitation against the Centre was hurting Punjabs economy, and also damaging the state government. Several rounds of talks between the government and the farmers had failed. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This time, farmers had followed an aggressive mode of protest, which led to the use of tear gas shelling on them by Haryana security forces, injuring over 450 farmers in February last year in which one died and six lost their eyesight, as per a report by The Hindu. In December last year as well, more than 100 were injured in tear gas shelling by Haryana security forces when attempts were made to march ahead. 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 23, 2025, 12:47 IST Why Is Trump Ending A Programme That Provides Protection To Migrants | CHNV Initiative Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 10:53 IST The Trump government blames the programme for increasing access to Federal benefits to the migrants, disrupting normal border patrol functioning, and increasing immigration backlogs Migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela with no legal basis to remain in the US would be required to leave the country before their parole termination date. (Reuters Image). The Trump administration is ending a Biden programme that allowed hundreds of migrants from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and Haiti to enter the United States lawfully because of economic, security, political and health troubles in their countries. Known as CHNV programme, an abbreviation of the countries covered by it, more than 500,000 migrants had entered the US through the initiative by the end of 2024. Recommended Stories What Is The CHNV Programme? The initiative offered applicants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela the opportunity to enter the US and secure work authorisation, provided they passed security checks and had a financial sponsor. They were allowed to stay for up to two years, which could be renewed. The programme was first introduced in 2022 only for Venezuelans, and was later expanded to nationals of the other three countries. The work permits and protection from deportation conferred under the programmes authority called parole will end on April 24. This mean, all parolees under this initiative now face the imminent threat of deportation. A notice from Homeland Security, scheduled to be published in the federal register on Tuesday, said the termination of the programme would take effect 30 days later, according to The New York Times. These programs do not serve a significant public benefit, are not necessary to reduce levels of illegal immigration, did not sufficiently mitigate the domestic effects of illegal immigration, are not serving their intended purposes, and are inconsistent with the Administrations foreign policy goals," said the notice. The notice blamed the programmes for increasing access to Federal benefits to the migrants, disrupting normal border patrol functioning, and increasing immigration backlogs. What Does It Mean For Parolees? Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the word parole officially grants a person permission to enter and temporarily stay in the US under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) supervision. The act gives DHS secretary the discretionary authority to parole into the United States temporarily under such conditions as he may prescribe only on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit any alien applying for admission to the United States." A parolee is allowed to remain in the US only for the duration specified in the parole grant, and may be granted work authorisation. A 2020 Congressional Research Service (CRS) report says that a range of parole programmes were created in response to different situations, and allowed entry to different groups of foreign nationals who were ineligible for refugee status. Migrants with no legal basis to remain in the US would be required to leave the country before their parole termination date, as per the notice on CHNV. If they do not leave, they could be targeted for deportation by immigration authorities. The end of the CHNV programme comes as the Trump administration has expanded its plan to crack down on immigrants. What The US Government Intends To Do? President Trump aims for mass deportations of people who entered the country without legal authorisation. He is specifically targeting members of Venezuelan crime gang Tren de Aragua, which he labelled a foreign terrorist organisation. Trump signed an executive order on his first day of taking office to secure the borders, including by terminating the programme for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans (CHNV). Upon review, DHS concludes that this deterrent and incentive approach did not result in a sufficient and sustained improvement in border security, and has exacerbated challenges associated with interior enforcement of the immigration laws," Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said, as quoted by USA Today. In addition, the CHNV parole programs have at best traded an unmanageable population of unlawful migration along the southwest border for the additional complication of a substantial population of aliens in the interior of the United States without a clear path to a durable status," Noem said. How Biden Govt Allowed CHNV Former President Joe Biden introduced a parole entry programme for Venezuelans in 2022, expanding it to Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans in 2023. The US does not have diplomatic relations with the four countries. This led to record levels of illegal crossings across the US-Mexico border at 1.5 million in 2022, according to a 2023 report by The New York Times. The report said these parole programmes would have a two-year expiry date unless they were renewed. Before the programme was introduced, asylum-seekers from the CHNV countries would be stuck in overcrowded shelters in New York and other cities. They were barred from working for at least six months after an asylum case was opened. The humanitarian parole programme, popularly known as the CHNV, instead required immigrants to have a US-based sponsor who would take financial responsibility for settling them and helping them secure a work permit if authorised. This was welcomed by employers with labour shortages, as per the NYT. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The programme seemed to be successful, reducing run-ins by CHNV migrants with the Border Patrol to a two-year low since the programme was introduced in January 2023. The successful use of these parole processes and the significant decrease in illegal crossing attempts demonstrate clearly that noncitizens prefer to utilise a safe, lawful and orderly pathway to the United States if one is available, rather than putting their lives and livelihoods in the hands of ruthless smugglers," the DHS then said in a statement. 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 23, 2025, 09:34 IST Bangladesh Request For Muhammad Yunus-PM Modi Meeting Under Consideration: EAM Jaishankar Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 16:51 IST At this years first meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for External Affairs on Saturday, several MPs raised concerns on attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. PM Modi and Mohd Yunus. (File) Bangladeshs request for a meeting between its interim governments Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit is under consideration, External Affairs minister S Jaishankar is learnt to have told a Parliamentary panel meeting here. At this years first meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for External Affairs on Saturday, several MPs raised concerns on attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, asking what steps was India taking in this regard, sources said. Recommended Stories They said Jaishankar informed the members that the interim government in Dhaka has claimed that the attacks on Hindus were "politically motivated" and not "minority targeted". Jaishankar briefed the MPs on ties with Bangladesh, the Maldives, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. He said he would speak about Pakistan and China separately at a later date. Jaishankar was also learnt to have told the meeting that SAARC was inactive because of Pakistans approach and thus India is trying to strengthen BIMSTEC (The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). He indicated that Prime Minister Modi may attend the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok from April 2 to 4 in Thailand, but did not confirm the visit at the meeting, the sources said. He also informed the meeting that Prime Minister Modi would visit Sri Lanka next month. Asked whether Modi is expected to meet Yunus and hold bilaterals with him on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit, Jaishankar remained non-committal saying it is under consideration, the sources said. Several MPs including K C Venugopal, Manish Tewari (both Congress), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena-UBT) and Mukul Wasnik (Congress) raised the issue of targeted killings of Hindus and what the government was doing to stop them. Jaishankar said the government was engaged with the interim dispensation in Bangladesh at various levels and the issue has been raised. The government would continue to do so, he said. Bangladesh remained the main topic of discussion with almost all the MPs engaging on the issue. Some MPs including those from the South raised the issue of fishermens livelihood and their problems with Sri Lanka. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A section of the members also raised the issue of drugs and arms being smuggled into the country from both Pakistan and Myanmar, with the minister saying the government is seized of the matter and has been raising the issue with the concerned. Earlier, Foreign Secretary Vikram Mistry gave a detailed presentation on Indias relations with Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Maldives and Sri Lanka. First Published: March 23, 2025, 16:51 IST Girl Injured During Encounter In J&K's Kathua After Security Forces Intercept Terrorists Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 22:21 IST The encounter started when security forces launched a search operation in Sanyal village near the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector. Officials said that reinforcements have been rushed to the spot (Representative image) A minor girl was injured during an encounter between the security forces and a group of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district on Sunday evening. She was taken to hospital where her condition was said to be stable. The girl, identified as seven-year-old Anchal Kumar, suffered injuries and was shifted to a local hospital. However, the exact cause of her injuries is not yet known, the officials said. Recommended Stories According to Indian Armys Rising Star Corps, a joint search operation was launched by Jammu-Kashmir Police and Rising Star Corps in the nursery in Sanyal village, one-and-a-half kilometres from the border in Hiranagar sector, after security forces intercepted a group of terrorists who had infiltrated and taken shelter in the dense nursery. #IndianArmyOP SANIYAL Based on Intelligence Input regarding presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation has been launched by @JmuKmrPolice & troops of #RisingStar Corps on 23 Mar 25 in general area Saniyal #Hiranagar. Operations in Progress. @TimesNow pic.twitter.com/u8x0yzsHbx Rising Star Corps_IA (@RisingStarCorps) March 23, 2025 The officials said that the hiding terrorists opened heavy fire on the police party, which retaliated. There was no report of any casualty in the initial exchange of fire, which went on for nearly half an hour. Reinforcements from police, Army and paramilitary forces were rushed to the area, the officials said. The cordon around the nursery has been strengthened and efforts are on to neutralise the terrorists, they said, reported news agency PTI. Some village women, who had gone to collect firewood from the nursery, spotted the terrorists, said to be five in number, the news agency added It is believed that they infiltrated from across the border last night and had taken shelter in the sprawling area, according to the officials. Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat is at the spot and supervising the anti-terrorist operation, they said. District Development Councillor Karan Kumar said heavy gunfire rocked the entire area after security forces launched the operation to track down the terrorists who were found hiding in the nursery. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier on March 17, an encounter took place between terrorists and security forces in Kupwara district. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Krumhoora village of Zachaldara following information about the presence of terrorists in the area. The search operation had turned into an encounter after the terrorists opened fire at the security forces. 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 : Kathua, India, India First Published: March 23, 2025, 19:45 IST 'Good Wishes To Poor Man Annamalai': DK Shivakumar Welcomes BJPs Black Flags In Chennai Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 08:54 IST Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar referred to BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai as a 'poor man', and said that he had served Karnataka during his stint as an IPS officer. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar (Photo: PTI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said he welcomed the black flags shown to him by the BJP when he reached Chennai on Saturday. Shivakumar was in Chennai on an invitation by DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin to participate in a meeting to discuss the fallout of delimitation. Recommended Stories Some state governments, especially the southern states, have expressed their apprehensions that they would lose their hold if the delimitation happened based on the population. Calling the BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai a "poor man", Shivakumar said he had served Karnataka during his stint as an IPS officer. "I welcome all these BJP black flags. I was never afraid when they sent me to Tihar Jail (in New Delhi)," Shivakumar told reporters responding to a query in Chennai. Shivakumar was booked and jailed along with others for alleged offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Supreme Court later quashed the money laundering case against him. "This officer (Annamalai), poor man, is from my state. He has served us. He knows our strength. Let him do his job. I wish him all the best," the Deputy CM told reporters. In reply, Annamalai thanked Shivakumar for wishing "this poor man". "Yes, I diligently served Karnatakas people as a Police Officer. Thanks for the noteworthy mention Thiru @DKShivakumar avare," the BJP TN chief said in a social media post on X. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all "Also, thank you for wishing this poor man & my best wishes to you in your undying efforts in the pursuit of becoming the CM of Karnataka by toppling Thiru Siddaramaiah from his chair!" he added. The BJP has opposed the meeting convened by Stalin. Location : Karnataka, India, India First Published: March 23, 2025, 08:12 IST Hyderabad Cab Drivers To Start 'No AC Campaign' From March 24. Heres Why Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 09:11 IST The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union wants cab aggregators like Ola, Uber, and Rapido to adopt a uniform fare structure, similar to the prepaid taxi fares set by the government. Hyderabad Cab Drivers To Start 'No AC Campaign' From March 24. Heres Why? Amid the ongoing protest against unfair pricing by ride-hailing giants Ola, Uber, and Rapido, Hyderabad cab drivers are escalating their actions. After boycotting airport rides, they will launch the No AC Campaign" on March 24, refusing to provide air-conditioned rides to passengers. In a post on X, the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) said, Cab drivers in Hyderabad to begin No AC Campaign from March 24. Recommended Stories The TGPWU wants cab aggregators like Ola, Uber, and Rapido to adopt a uniform fare structure, similar to the prepaid taxi fares set by the government. This structure would take into account fuel costs, maintenance expenses, and fair compensation for drivers services. Earlier in April 2024, the union had organised a no AC campaign arguing that drivers would earn Rs 10-12 per km, while the cost of running a cab with the air conditioner on was Rs 16-18 per km. Shaik Salahuddin, president of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), has announced that the union will protest against unfair pricing by cab aggregators like Ola, Uber, and Rapido through various means, including a no AC campaign, as quoted by Telangana Today. Salahuddin also noted that theres a significant disparity in fares charged by cab aggregators and pre-paid taxis, with a difference of approximately Rs 300-400. This gap, combined with the long waiting hours at airports typically 3-4 hours for a return trip and the hefty 30 per cent commission paid to the aggregators, results in low earnings for cab drivers. As summer heat intensifies customers will have to deal with cab drivers refusing to turn on the air conditioner, as it increases the amount of fuel used, and translates to losses for the drivers. The TGPWU is requesting customers to be understanding of the financial struggles faced by cab drivers and consider showing appreciation by tipping them if they do provide AC services top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to Telangana Today, several cab drivers have also planned to surrender their vehicles to the Road Transport Authority (RTA) following the no AC campaign. The TGPWU has requested the government to intervene and provide relief for cab drivers by regulating pricing policies for cab aggregators and enforcing uniform and fair charges. First Published: March 23, 2025, 09:11 IST Kerala Lottery Results: Akshaya AK-694 Winners For March 23, 2025; Full List Here! Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 15:03 IST Kerala Lottery Result Guessing Numbers: Check the Live Updates and full list of winning numbers for Akshaya AK-694 lucky draw for Sunday, March 23, 2025 here from 3 pm. Kerala Lottery Akshaya AK-694 Results: The first prize winner of Akshaya AK-694 will get Rs 70 lakh. (Image: Shutterstock) KERALA LOTTERY AKSHAYA AK-694 RESULT ON SUNDAY, 23.3.2025, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department announced the results of the Akshaya AK-694 lottery for Sunday, March 23. The participant with ticket number AR 707158 won the first prize of Rs 70 lakh. Shamil Raj R (Agency No.: T 5567), an agent based in Neyyatinkara, sold the grand prize-winning ticket. The second prize, worth Rs 5 lakh, went to ticket number AX 405500, sold in Kottayam by K Ramakrishnan (Agency No.: K 4917). The full list of winning numbers is available below. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Results: Win Win W-814 Winners For March 24, 2025 Announced; Heres Full List! Recommended Stories AKSHAYA AK-694 LOTTERY: WINNING NUMBERS WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKH IS: AR 707158 (NEYYATTINKARA) Agent Name: SHAMIL RAJ R Agency No.: T 5567 WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKH IS: AX 405500 (KOTTAYAM) Agent Name: K RAMAKRISHNAN Agency No.: K 4917 WINNING NUMBER FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 LAKH ARE AN 439740 (KOZHIKKODE) AO 120794 (PATTAMBI) AP 237484 (PALAKKAD) AR 248282 (ALAPPUZHA) AS 601700 (MALAPPURAM) AT 273555 (NEYYATTINKARA) AU 489557 (ADOOR) AV 204427 (ERNAKULAM) AW 269758 (GURUVAYOOR) AX 506510 (PATTAMBI) AY 124950 (THAMARASSERY) AZ 925507 (CHITTUR) WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE 0151 2116 2253 2516 2940 2942 3089 3341 3347 3422 3949 5321 7061 7674 7764 8755 8815 9103 WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE 0216 1022 1150 2604 3093 6346 9756 WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE 0336 0538 0750 0822 0830 1031 1078 1238 1283 1712 1954 2430 2448 2671 3488 6772 7038 7658 8407 8661 8805 8850 9220 9311 9490 9881 WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE 0125 0176 0335 0405 0412 1301 1365 1603 1662 1804 1869 2373 2534 2600 2617 2678 2733 2971 3012 3059 3261 3346 3379 3408 3485 3795 4232 4371 4381 4455 4546 4555 4703 4708 4719 4913 4927 5127 5245 5264 5449 5482 5618 5679 5718 5771 6023 6265 6558 6587 6889 7024 7194 7307 7375 7439 7443 7460 7850 8025 8099 8305 8390 8391 8560 8956 9130 9148 9173 9639 9731 9804 WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE 0005 0046 0163 0283 0368 0389 0584 0697 0732 1007 1024 1166 1187 1218 1249 1284 1308 1335 1377 1447 1574 1684 1699 1731 1961 2091 2093 2100 2107 2173 2248 2464 2557 2587 2764 2848 2878 2943 2970 3249 3314 3328 3374 3554 3563 3565 3671 3767 3865 3931 3947 4204 4245 4274 4553 4644 4667 4819 5175 5192 5243 5279 5327 5331 5358 5377 5406 5515 5589 5664 5716 5787 5822 5838 5894 6137 6343 6366 6383 6406 6457 6655 6714 6817 6818 6829 6879 6908 6938 7100 7119 7125 7213 7258 7290 7337 7400 7450 7524 7554 7577 7578 7645 7732 7808 7928 8060 8106 8237 8974 9081 9132 9136 9138 9139 9320 9328 9583 9589 9595 9899 9939 9955 WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE AN 707158 AO 707158 AP 707158 AS 707158 AT 707158 AU 707158 AV 707158 AW 707158 AX 707158 AY 707158 AZ 707158 HOW TO CHECK KERALA AKSHAYA AK-694 LOTTERY RESULTS? Visit the official Kerala Lottery website to view the Akshaya AK-694 results. Visit the Kerala Government Gazette office to confirm the winning numbers. For precise and official information, get in touch with the Kerala Lottery Department. How to Claim the Prize Money? Verify the lottery results in the official Kerala Government Gazette using your ticket number. You can be eligible for a reward if your ticket is on the official list. Within 30 days of the results being announced, winners must come to the Kerala Lottery Office in Thiruvananthapuram to pick up their prize. The original lottery ticket and a legitimate ID must be shown for verification before the winnings may be collected. Documents Required to Claim Prize Money Present a signed photocopy of the winning lottery tickets front and back. Submit current passport-sized pictures that have been verified by a Gazette officer. For identification, affix a copy of your PAN card that has been self-attested. Complete the official online prize claim form, include a revenue stamp, and send it in. For authentication, show a legitimate government-issued ID, such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, or ration card. HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS? Visit the official Kerala Lottery Department website at keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net. Click the link after navigating to the AKSHAYA AK-694 results area. The entire list of winning numbers will be shown on the page. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Check the website for the download option. To view and save the results in PDF format, click the link. 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 23, 2025, 09:00 IST Madhya Pradesh Collector Accused Of Driving Private Vehicle Into Tiger Reserve Core Area; Probe Ordered Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 17:46 IST In his complaint to the forest department, the wildlife activist claimed that the collector, accompanied by friends, visits the reserve in Sidhi district every week and ventures into tiger habitats with his private Gypsy. Activist Ajay Dube has alleged that the collector, Swarochish Somavanshi, has been flouting the Wildlife Act and guidelines of the NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority). The Madhya Pradesh government has launched a probe after the collector of Sidhi district was accused of repeatedly driving his private vehicle into the core area of Sanjay Tiger Reserve, an official said on Sunday. Activist Ajay Dube has alleged that the collector, Swarochish Somavanshi, has been flouting the Wildlife Act and guidelines of the NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority). Recommended Stories In his complaint to the forest department, the wildlife activist claimed that the collector, accompanied by friends, visits the reserve in Sidhi district every week and ventures into tiger habitats with his private Gypsy. He also alleged that Somavanshi pressures forest officials and even goes on a safari on Wednesday afternoons when the facility is closed to regular visitors. The collectors vehicle remains in the restricted core area till late at night, and he gets extremely close to the big cats, he claimed. Sanjay Tiger Reserves field director Amit Kumar told PTI that he had received a letter from the Forest Department concerning Dubes allegations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Majholi Sub Divisional Officer Narendra Ravi has been appointed as the investigating officer for this matter. He will investigate the matter soon and submit a report," said Kumar. Collector Somavanshi did not respond to repeated phone calls and messages. Location : Sidhi, India, India First Published: March 23, 2025, 17:46 IST Meerut Murder Case: Muskaan Changed Husband's Medical Prescription To Drug Him Before Murder, Say Officials Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 23:25 IST 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. Police take away Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput's wife Muskan and her lover Sahil Shukla after they were arrested in connection with his murder in Meerut. (PTI photo) Meerut Murder Case: In a shocking revelation, the officials said that Muskaan Rastogi, the woman who brutally killed her Merchant Navy officer husband, fraudulently acquired the sleeping pills used in the murder by tampering the latters prescription to purchase the drugs, reported NDTV. Read More: Hands Cut Off, Legs Bent Back, Stabbed In Heart Thrice: Autopsy Shows How Muskan Killed Husband Saurabh Recommended Stories 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. The officials said that Muskaan had purchased the pills from Usha Medical Store, which was raided on Sunday as part of the probe. Meerut drug inspector Piyush Sharma told the news outlet that they were investigating how she got the medicine. He said they are verifying the records of all sales over the past two years. He said antidepressants are sold based on prescriptions, and medical stores have to maintain a record of such sales. The owner of the store told the news outlet that Muskan had shown the prescription to them on her mobile phone. He said the medicine was sold to her after following rules and regulations. What Post-Mortem Revealed? The post-mortem report of former merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput has revealed gory details of how brutally he was killed and how his body was chopped into pieces. Read More: Meerut Murder Case: Muskan, Sahil Struggling With Drug Withdrawal Symptoms In Jail, Demand Injections Both accused had allegedly repeatedly stabbed Saurabh until life was drained from him on March 4, the police said The 29-year-old officers head was severed from his body, both hands were cut off from the wrist. His legs also bent backwards, suggesting that the duo had made an attempt to compress the body in the drum, according to the autopsy report. Shock and excessive bleeding have been said as the cause of the death in the report. The doctors who carried out the post-mortem said that the officer was stabbed in the heart with extreme force thrice. The blows from the sharp long knife pierced deep inside the heart," one of the doctors said. Saurabh Rajputs Brutal Murder 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. He also distanced his family for her. In In 2019, 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. Read More: Merchant Navy Officers Wife Went On Manali Trip To Hide His Murder, But Insta Posts Rang Alarm Bells Saurabhs daughter turned six on February 28 for which her father returned home from London. 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. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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. After the complaint, Muskaan and Sahil were taken into custody where they confessed to the murder. 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 : Meerut, India, India First Published: March 23, 2025, 23:25 IST Meerut Murder Case: Muskan, Sahil Struggling With Drug Withdrawal Symptoms In Jail, Demand Injections Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 22, 2025, 22:54 IST Meerut Murder Case: Muskan has been "demanding injections" and Sahil is "restless for marijuana doses", the official said. Merchant Navy officer from UP's Meerut was murdered by his wife and her lover (PTI Image) Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla- jailed at the Meerut District Jail are grappling with severe withdrawal symptoms from their drug addictions and are being closely monitored to prevent escalation", a jail official said. Both have been incarcerated for the murder of Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput. Both Muskan and Sahil requested to stay in close proximity but that has been denied, a jail official told The Times of India. Muskan has been demanding injections" and Sahil is restless for marijuana doses", the official said. Recommended Stories The official said, They have been confined in barrack 12 (usually for women undertrials) and barrack 18 of the prisons reception centre. A medical team is administering anti-addiction medicines. It will take them around 10 days to get used to the new environment." Read more: Hands Cut Off, Legs Bent Back, Stabbed In Heart Thrice: Autopsy Shows How Muskan Killed Husband Saurabh Investigation into the case has revealed that Sahil and Muskan were taking drugs. Police also found tantric symbols and graffiti indicating an obsession with black magic" in Sahils room, they said. Saurabh Rajput was brutally killed by Muskan and Sahil after which they dismembered his body and placed in a cement-filled drum for a fortnight. Saurabh Rajputs Autopsy Report top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Shock and excessive bleeding were the cause of Saurabh Rajputs death as per the autopsy report. The doctors said that the officer was stabbed in the heart with extreme force thrice, adding, The blows from the sharp long knife pierced deep inside the heart." Superintendent of Police (City) Ayush Vikram Singh confirmed the findings of the report and said, Muskaan brutally stabbed Saurabh in his heart, puncturing it. His neck was severed and both palms were cut off. The body was cut up into four pieces to fit it in the drum". Location : Meerut, India, India First Published: March 22, 2025, 22:54 IST BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- For many adults, it is not uncommon to find themselves wide awake late at night, even when they know they should be fast asleep. Some are buried in work, while others toss and turn, overwhelmed by racing thoughts that keep them from drifting off. They can't help but long for the carefree days of childhood when sleep came effortlessly. However, in China, sleep loss is no longer just an adult issue. Insufficient rest, caused by late bedtimes, difficulty falling asleep, and other sleep-related problems, has become a growing public health concern that also affects children. According to Chinese health guidelines, students aged 6 to 18 should get between 8 and 10 hours of sleep per night. Primary school students need 10 hours, junior high students require nine, and senior high students should aim for eight. Yet, research shows widespread sleep loss among this group. A 2023 study co-initiated by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) found that their average nightly sleep duration was just 7.74 hours. Feng Xia, a sleep medicine specialist at the Second People's Hospital of Guizhou Province, emphasized the crucial role of sleep in cognitive function. Chronic sleep deprivation, she warned, can impair memory, attention, reaction time and reasoning, ultimately lowering learning efficiency. It also increases the risk of depression, anxiety and emotional difficulties, negatively impacting students' overall well-being and development. Medical professionals further emphasized that sleep loss among young students can lead to developmental delays, weakened immunity, and a higher likelihood of obesity, metabolic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. WHY ARE CHILDREN LOSING SLEEP? A recent survey conducted by Xinhua journalists, which gathered 1,426 responses from parents nationwide, found that nearly half identified excessive homework as the primary reason for their children's insufficient sleep. Despite calls from education authorities to limit assignments after school, some schools still overload students with tasks, adding to their academic burden, parents say. Li An (pseudonym), a parent from Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, shared that her child has resorted to drinking coffee at noon just to keep up. "With essays, test corrections, previews, summaries, and other assignments piling up, there's no way to get to bed before 11 p.m.," said the mother of a first-year junior high school student. These sleep-deprived children are raising concerns among healthcare providers too. Last year, Wang Le (pseudonym), a high school student, sought treatment at the sleep disorder clinic at Southwest Hospital of Army Medical University in Chongqing after struggling with chronic insomnia. A comprehensive evaluation confirmed he had a sleep disorder. Wang recounted that his sleep troubles began in junior high school when academic pressure intensified, leaving him anxious and restless. "After entering high school, my insomnia worsened, and sometimes I would experience sudden panic or overwhelming pessimism," he said. Huang Xiaohan, a physician at the hospital, noted that cases like Wang's are becoming increasingly common. More adolescents -- and even primary school students -- are showing signs of sleep disorders related to stress. Lu Jin, a doctor at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, identified another key factor: excessive screen time combined with reduced outdoor activity. These habits disrupt the brain's chemical balance, exacerbating sleep difficulties. "Strictly limiting screen time is essential," Lu emphasized. "Parents should ensure their children spend time outdoors daily -- whether running, swimming, or playing ball games." These have become some of her most frequent medical recommendations. SOLUTIONS FOR BETTER SLEEP In a broader effort to address sleep and mental health concerns for all age groups, China has announced plans to establish sleep and mental health clinics in every prefecture-level city by the end of 2025, improving access to professional help for those struggling with psychological and sleep-related anxiety. To alleviate homework pressure for children, the country has introduced various measures, including optimizing school schedules, reducing written assignments, and encouraging reasonable bedtimes, to foster collaboration between schools and families. In 2018, authorities issued a 30-point document setting clear limits on written homework, ensuring adequate sleep, and regulating exam frequency. The 2021 "double reduction" policy aimed to further ease the burden of excessive homework and off-campus tutoring. Building on these efforts, local governments have implemented tailored policies to safeguard children's sleep. Since late 2024, education authorities in Longyan, Fujian Province, have allowed primary school students to stop doing homework and go to bed by 9:30 p.m., with the option to explain unfinished assignments to teachers the next day. However, ensuring adequate rest requires more than just reducing the workload. Zhang Yan, an associate researcher at CASS, emphasized the need for education authorities and schools to shift away from an overemphasis on test scores and university admissions, calling for the full implementation of the "double reduction" policy. China has also made physical activity a key priority in its strategy to improve sleep quality. "Exercise stimulates dopamine production, which not only strengthens the body but also reduces anxiety and depression, ultimately improving sleep quality," noted Wang Jianquan, a physician at Peking University Third Hospital. In 2021, Chinese authorities mandated that students engage in two hours of daily exercise -- one during school hours and one off-campus. Local governments have introduced policies to ensure regular physical activity. For example, Shenzhen implemented a "one physical education class per day" policy for compulsory education in 2024. Moreover, healthy napping initiatives are gaining traction across the country. In Shenzhen, over 200 schools of compulsory education have introduced specially designed desks and chairs that allow students to nap comfortably during lunch breaks -- a program that has already benefited nearly 300,000 students. Physician Huang Xiaohan stressed the importance of parental influence in fostering healthy lifestyles. "Parents should lead by example and cut back on late-night habits," she said, citing research that found children in households where parents stay up late scrolling on their phones are 2.7 times more likely to go to bed late. Meerut Murder: Jail Denies Muskans Plea To Stay Close To Sahil Amid Drugs Cravings As She Seeks Defence Counsel Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 14:28 IST Muskan also told jail officials to help her with a defence counsel as her family is upset with her. Muskan and her lover Sahil Shukla were arrested and remanded to 14-day judicial custody. (IMAGE: PTI) Muskan Rastogi and her lover, Sahil Shukla, both accused of murdering former merchant navy officer and Muskans husband Saurabh Rajput, have requested Meerut Jail authorities to let them remain close to each other. Meerut Jail authorities, as per a report by the Times Of India, has denied the request citing rules and regulations. Their request to stay in close proximity has been turned down. Also, none of their immediate family members have come to see them so far," the official was quoted as saying by the newspaper. Recommended Stories A separate report by the Hindustan Times said Rastogi has requested for a government defense counsel and said that her family is upset with her and will not fight for her. Saurabh Rajput was stabbed to death on March 4 by the lovers and then his body was chopped into pieces and hidden in a drum and then filled with cement. Muskan wanted to meet me, so I called her. She said that her family is upset and wont fight her case (and urged that) she be provided (with) a government defence counsel. We are sending a plea to the court because it is the right of the inmate," senior jail superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma told news agency ANI Jail officials said that Muskan and Sahil have been kept in different barracks. Muskan (is) barrack 12, meant for women undertrials, and Sahil in barrack 18 at the prisons reception centre. A medical team is giving them anti-addiction medicines, and it will take about 10 days for them to adjust to the new environment," another jail official told ToI. Muskans parents told news agencies that their daughter possibly killed her husband because she was afraid he would put an end to her drug sessions with Sahil. When Saurabh Rajput flew back from London to Meerut on February 24, he intended to surprise his wife, Muskan, on her birthday. But he was unaware that he was walking into a meticulously planned death trap. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On March 4, Saurabh was brutally murdered inside his rented house in Meeruts Brahmpuri area. His body was undiscovered for nearly two weeks. Muskan and her accomplice, Sahil, appeared unfazed for the following weeks. A video later surfaced showing them celebrating Holilaughing, their faces smeared with colour. Another clip captured Muskan cutting her birthday cake at a hotel, feeding Sahil a slice, pretending as if the brutal killing had never happened. The duo also went on a vacation to Himachal Pradesh. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Meerut, India, India First Published: March 23, 2025, 14:18 IST Religion-Based Reservation Not Acceptable, Was Never Part of Constitution: RSS's Hosabale Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 15:04 IST Aurangzeb, delimitation, Waqf to Hindutva and Ram Temple: RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale spoke on a variety of issues while addressing the media on the final day of the organisations three-day Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Bengaluru RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat with RSS sarakaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale during the annual meeting of Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), in Bengaluru, on Friday. (PTI) With reservation once again becoming the focus of political discourse and electoral narratives, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale made the RSSs stand unequivocally clear the organisation would not accept any provision on religion-based reservation". The RSS general secretary spoke on a variety of issues while addressing the media on the final day of the organisations three-day Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), the most crucial meeting in the RSS structure. Recommended Stories The meeting was held in Bengaluru and attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, along with all significant and senior RSS office-bearers and the heads of its affiliate organisations. Religion-based reservation is not acceptable. It was never a part of our Constitution. Reservation for economically backward classes, based on social and educational criteria, is both welcome and necessary for social justice," he said. The Constitution makers, including Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, were very clear reservation was meant for socially and educationally backward classes, not for religious groups," he said. That principle continues to remain relevant today, and it is essential for ensuring social justice, he said. He further emphasised that any diversion from this principle creates imbalance and division in society. We must focus on uplifting those who are backward by virtue of historical social disadvantages, irrespective of religion. That is the essence of our constitutional intent and our national ethos," he said. AURANGZEB, THE TYRANT INVADER Dattatreya Hosabale also addressed issues of historical distortion and misplaced glorification of invaders, reminding the audience that the countrys ethos has always rejected such figures as these historical figures tried to destroy culture and civilisational values. If someone today tries to draw inspiration from a tyrant invader (like Aurangzeb) who once destroyed the culture and society of Bharat, then that person, too, is no different from an invader in thought and intent," said Hosabale. He said, Bharat has faced centuries of invasions not just of armies, but of our minds and our cultural confidence. There was a deliberate attempt to erase our traditions, distort our history, and break our spirit. Unfortunately, these distortions continue to influence thinking even today." He pointed to glaring examples: In Delhi, Aurangzeb Marg was renamed after Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam a reflection of Bharats true values. But I ask, why was Dara Shikoh, who symbolised wisdom, inclusiveness, and spiritual depth, never made an icon? Why were invaders and oppressors glorified, while the noble and enlightened voices within our own tradition were sidelined?" DECOLONISATION OF MIND He stressed that this battle is not just about names or symbols, but about reclaiming our mental space. Mental decolonisation is a continuous process. We must free our minds, our institutions, and our discourse from colonial and distorted narratives. We must reconnect with our civilisational identity one that is rooted in knowledge, harmony, strength, and unity." Our great leaders from Bankim Chandra and Rabindranath Tagore to Madan Mohan Malviya and Mahatma Gandhi all drew from this wellspring of national ethos. They never looked to foreign ideals to define Bharat. They drew strength from Bharat itself. Gandhi coined Ram Rajya. Why? Today, it is our responsibility to do the same." DELIMITATION AND WAQF ISSUES On the Waqf issue, he pointed to growing awareness and public pushback. We will watch government policy. But society has also come forward. In Karnataka, when Windsor Manor Hotel was declared Waqf property, farmers stood up and protested. This shows the awakening," he said. About the debate over the proposed delimitation, he said, We often see that people in politics make statements every day, many of which are part of the political discourse. On important matters such as delimitation, the Union Home Minister himself has spoken on record, and we trust that constitutional processes will guide these decisions in the interest of the nation." RAM TEMPLE & HINDUTVA Speaking of the Indian ethos, he said that it was important to understand that the Sangh had never set any rigid parameter or definition for it. The spirit of Bharat is inclusive, evolving, and deeply rooted in its cultural and spiritual heritage. The construction of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya is not the achievement of the RSS alone; it is the collective accomplishment of the larger Hindu society, reflecting centuries of faith, patience, and perseverance by millions of devotees," he said. Speaking about the evolving confidence in Hindu society, he said, Hindu is not a religious expression; it is a cultural identity. Organising Hindu society is an uphill task due to diversity, but a reawakening is happening." For a long time, pseudo-secularism and distortions made Hindus feel defeated. Now, they are confident. But corrections are needed. Untouchability must be abolished. Women must be respected and empowered. Thousands of intercaste marriages are happening, even among swayamsevaks," he added. RSSS CENTENARY YEAR Elaborating on the centenary year, he said it was not a celebration, but a call for introspection and dedication. The RSS has never celebrated silver or golden jubilees. We are a component of society itself not apart from it. The centenary year is an opportunity to introspect, expand, and rededicate ourselves more meticulously and qualitatively to the cause of the nation and society," he said. The Sangh has declared the current period a preparatory year for expansion and consolidation. Over the next few months November, December, and January a massive outreach drive will reach crores of households and lakhs of villages, distributing literature to inspire and educate. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We want to reach every mandal and every Basti. Samaj (Intelligentsia) Sammelan and Hindu Sammelan will be organised, where prominent personalities will spread the message of harmony and social responsibility," he added. Additionally, Sadbhav Baithaks (goodwill meetings) will aim to foster social cohesion and unity. There are different groups in society, but as a nation, we must stay united," he said. The RSS has planned intellectual conclaves across districts and in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will address audiences. Discussions will centre around one nation, one culture, and how the Hindutva philosophy is a cultural, not religious, expression. About the Author Madhuparna Das Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa... Read More Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa... Read More First Published: March 23, 2025, 15:00 IST RSS To Commemorate Rani Abbakka: The Karnataka Queen Who Fought The Portuguese 6 Times | Sunday Special Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 12:01 IST "Maharani Abbakkas life serves as a profound inspiration for the entire nation. On the occasion of the her 500th anniversary, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh pays tributes to this exemplary personality and calls upon the entire society to draw inspiration from her glorious life," said Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale Rani Abbakka; RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. (X/PTI) As flaming arrows rained down on Portuguese ships, Rani Abbakka Chowtas defiant war cry pierced the air. With unyielding courage and an indomitable spirit, she led her soldiers into battle against the European invaders. We must save our motherland! Fight our enemies on land, sea, streets, or beachespush them back into the waters!" she thundered, as her warriors unleashed a storm of agnivanasfire-tipped arrowson the enemy. As a tribute to this fearless warrior queen of Tulunadu as part of their centenary celebrations, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) plans to honour Rani Abbakka, a freedom fighter who repeatedly confronted, fought, and defeated the Portuguese. Recommended Stories This year marks 500 years since her valiant fight and death against the European invaders. The ongoing Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) in Bengaluru also released a special statement to commemorate the 500 years of the valiant warrior queen from Karnataka Rani Abbakka and her unparalleled contributions to the country, said RSS chief spokesperson Sunil Ambekar. Maharani Abbakkas life serves as a profound inspiration for the entire nation. On the occasion of the her 500th anniversary, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh pays tributes to this exemplary personality and calls upon the entire society to draw inspiration from her glorious life and contribute actively to the ongoing mission of nation-building," said Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, in a statement. Statement by Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale on the 500th Birth Anniversary of Maharani Abbakka: https://t.co/b84JW2LqGM RSS (@RSSorg) March 23, 2025 Capt Brijesh Chowta, Lok Sabha member of parliament (MP) from Dakshina Kannada, told News18 that she was a force who redefined Nari Shakti". It is time to revive her in spirit and legend, and as a MP from the Dakshina Kannada region she belonged to, who also shares a second name with her, I look forward to a year-long celebration across the constituency to commemorate her life, legend and legacy," he said. Abbakka stood out not just because she fought many wars against the Portuguese as they attacked her kingdom, but because she thought of them as invaders of her country. She did not just ask them to leave Ullal or Karavali; she said she must drive them out of India and safeguard the country. This reflected how she was a great patriot. That makes her a gem," said Prof. Thukaram Poojary, a museologist and historian who, inspired by this valiant 16th-century warrior queen, has recorded her life in a museum in Karnatakas Bantwal. Belonging to the Chowta dynasty, which ruled coastal Karnataka between the 12th and 18th centuries, this young warrior queen, known for her steely resolve, was often compared to Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Rani Chennamma of Kittur. She was a princess of the Chowta kingdom, which ruled over coastal Karnataka between the 12th and 18th centuries. Yet, very little has been written about her. Though Rani Abbakkas name is not as widely known as those of other warrior queens, her heroic deeds, administrative brilliance, and battle strategies live on in the folk traditions of Dakshina Kannada. Her legacy is preserved through the ancient art forms of Bhoota Kola and Yakshagana, which continue to celebrate her fearless defiance against colonial oppression. Heres her story: THE PORTUGESE IN INDIA India had been a flourishing centre of maritime trade since the 7th century, dealing in textiles, horses, artillery, and spices. The Portuguese, who arrived in Kerala with Vasco da Gama in 1498, soon began dominating trade routes and annexing southern territories. In 1526, they captured the Mangalore port and then set their sights on Ullal, a thriving, self-sufficient coastal town. Their expansionist ambitions led them to construct forts and annex Goa, Kochi, and parts of South India. Ullal was the capital of the Chowta kingdom, ruled by King Tirumala Raya III. The Chowtas, originally from Gujarat, had migrated south in the early 12th century and followed a matrilineal system in which women became heirs. WHO IS ABBAKKA? The Chowta kingdom, a Jain dynasty, was a powerful force in the region. Abbakka was trained by her uncle, Tirumala Raya, to be a warrior princess. She mastered sword fighting, horse riding, and administration and was known for being a just, kind, yet firm ruler. Her valiant fight eventually ended Portuguese dominance in the region. Her fort in Ullal, Mangalore, stands as a historical reminder of her bravery, with paintings depicting her launching cannon fire on the Portuguese along the coastline. Fiercely independent and highly skilled in warfare, military strategy, diplomacy, and administration, she emerged as a strong leader just as her kingdom faced the looming Portuguese threat. Eager to gain control of Ullals flourishing trade, which thrived under Abbakkas leadership, the Portuguese repeatedly tried to impose tributes and taxes on her. Frustrated by their relentless and unjust demands, she refused to comply, standing firm as they relentlessly sought to conquer her kingdom. FOUGHT OFF 6 PORTUGESE ATTACKS Rani Abbakka bravely fought off six Portuguese attacks on her kingdom. The first major battle took place in 1525 when the Portuguese destroyed the Mangalore port. However, Abbakkas informants alerted her to weaknesses in the enemys army, allowing her to regroup her troops with only her most trusted men to prepare for battle. Three years later, taken aback by her defensive tactics, the Portuguese intensified their efforts. In 1555, they sent Admiral Dom Alvaro da Silveira to subdue her, demanding she pay tribute and accept their rule. Rani Abbakka refused to bow down. Rani Abbakkas masterful battle tactics and diplomatic strategy, where she collaborated with Arab Moors and the Zamorin of Kozhikode, pushed the Portuguese forces back once again. Alarmed by her growing reputation and the inspiration she provided to other rulers, the Portuguese resorted to treachery when direct attacks failed. They issued a series of edicts making any alliance with her illegal, aiming to isolate her diplomatically. Targeting her husband, Bangaraj of Mangalore, he was also threatened with the destruction of his capital if he assisted Ullal or supported Rani Abbakka. Determined to break her resistance, the Portuguese launched another attack on Mangalore port in 1557, destroying it beyond use. In 1558, they struck again with heavy artillery, massacring civilians, burning homes and temples, and setting fishing boats ablaze. Facing a woman warrior whose sheer strategic brilliance had repeatedly outmanoeuvred their powerful army, the Portuguese changed their approach in 1567. They launched a large-scale attack, marching straight into Ullal. Rani Abbakka and her army, supported by local chieftains, fiercely resisted and once again drove them out. In 1568, the Portuguese sent their top commander, Viceroy Antonio Noronha, to finally subjugate Ullal. He deployed General Joao Peixoto, known for his ruthless battle tactics, to capture Rani Abbakka and annex the Chowta kingdom. As Peixotos forces stormed Ullal and occupied the royal court, Abbakka, forewarned by her spies, was swiftly moved to safety by her confidantes. Known for her religious tolerance and administrative prowess, she found refuge in a nearby mosque while she regrouped her forces. At midnight, she launched a surprise counterattack. With 250 soldiersboth on foot and horsebackshe descended upon the Portuguese while they slept. In the fierce battle that followed, she killed 70 Portuguese soldiers, including General Peixoto himself. Many more were either slain or captured as prisoners. In a bold move, Abbakka and her chief general stormed the quarters where Admiral Mascarenhas was resting and killed him. Leaderless and demoralised, the Portuguese retreated, leaving Mangalore back in the hands of the Chowta queen. BETRAYED BY HER HUSBAND In 1569, with Kundapur and Mangalore under their control, the Portuguesenow backed by her estranged husbandset their sights on Ullal once again. A 3,000-strong Portuguese army, supported by an armada of battleships, launched a surprise pre-dawn attack on Ullal. Despite her relentless resistance, the tide turned against her. Betrayed by her husband, Rani Abbakka was wounded in battle and captured by the enemy with the help of a few bribed chieftains. Even in prison, she refused to surrender. She led a rebellion from within its walls, continuing to defy her captors until the very end. Fighting till her last breath, she ultimately died a warriors death. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all She is a role model for today. The Portuguese were so taken aback by how a queen of such a small province was able to make them so terror-stricken," said Poojary. Her courage, clarity, and conviction, Chowta said, should be emulated by all. He lamented that the colonial hangover and leftist distortion of history meant her tale remained untold for the rest of the country. 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 23, 2025, 11:53 IST Sambhal Violence: Shahi Jama Masjid Chief Zafar Ali Arrested, Sent To 2-Day Judicial Custody Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 22:25 IST The Mughal-era mosque here has been at the centre of a major row after a petition claimed that it was the site of an ancient Hindu temple. The Special Investigation Team of the local police held Zafar Ali. (IANS) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday arrested Shahi Jama Masjids president, Zafar Ali, in connection with the last years violence against a court-ordered survey that claimed four lives and left several others injured. Ali, who was presented in Chandausi Court following his arrest, has been sent to two-day judicial custody. Recommended Stories According to the police, Ali was the first person to receive information about the survey. On November 19, he was allegedly informed in advance about the survey, after which a crowd gathered, leading to disruptions. Similarly, on November 24, he was again among the first to be notified, and a large mob was mobilised, ultimately resulting in violence. Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh: Police have arrested Shahid Jama Masjid President Zafar Ali Advocate. Security has been heightened to ensure law and order pic.twitter.com/EK5Gff8P6a IANS (@ians_india) March 23, 2025 Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar Bishnoi said that Shahi Jama Masjid chief has been arrested in connection with the case. Ali was later brought to Chandausi for a medical examination amid heavy security. A violence took place here on November 24, 2024in that connection today Zafar Ali has been arrested after questioning himHe was questioned yesterday, also He has been arrested under several sections of BNS and has been sent to jailHe has also been produced before the court, and whatever the court will direct will be followedHe has been arrested under criminal conspiracy" he said. #WATCH | Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh | SP KK Bishnoi says, A violence took place here on November 24, 2024in that connection today Zafar Ali has been arrested after questioning himHe was questioned yesterday, also He has been arrested under several sections of BNS and has https://t.co/QFBLmlV8PH pic.twitter.com/DgttlTBepR ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2025 A case has been registered against Ali under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 191(2) and 191(3) (rioting), 190 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc), 230 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence) and 231 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment). He has also been booked under provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. Reacting to the allegations, Jama Masjid Sadar Chief said that he was not involved in the violence. I did not incite any violence" he said as quoted by news agency ANI. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Jama Masjid Sadar Chief & Shahi Mosque Committee Chief, Zafar Ali, says, I did not incite any violence"He was taken into custody by police in connection with the November 24 Sambhal violence. pic.twitter.com/kk4lXkkJxN ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2025 Earlier today, officials said the mosque committee chief was taken into custody by the SIT for questioning. Alis brother, Advocate Mohammad Tahir, alleged that it was done to prevent him from submitting his testimony before a three-member judicial commission on Monday. Around 11:15 am, an inspector and the investigating officer (of the case) came to our house, saying that CO (circle officer) Kuldeep Singh wanted to talk. He had spoken with us last night as well. Zafar was supposed to testify before the commission tomorrow and that is why they are deliberately sending him to jail," he said. The panel has been appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government to investigate the communal violence that left four people killed and several injured. Meanwhile, his supporters protested his detention. #WATCH | Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh | Supporters of Jama Masjid Sadar Chief & Shahi Mosque Committee Chief, Zafar Ali, protested as he was taken into custody in connection with the November 24 Sambhal violence, by the Sambhal police https://t.co/C1OQcQXdtz pic.twitter.com/7BGEiCBb0z ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2025 Following the arrest, SP Bishnoi visited Sambhal and conducted a flag march. Accompanied by ADM Pradeep Verma, CO Anuj Chaudhary, and SDM Vandana Mishra, he inspected CCTV cameras in key areas and markets of the city. Additionally, the administration has heightened in the region to ensure law and order. The Mughal-era mosque here has been at the centre of a major row after a petition claimed that it was the site of an ancient Hindu temple. Sambhal MP A Key Accused His arrest is part of the same case in which Sambhal MP Zia Ur Rahman Barq has also been named as an accused. As per the FIR launched in November 2024, Barq allegedly provoked the mob to disrupt communal harmony for political gains. Nearly 24 hours after the violence erupted over a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era mosque, seven FIRs were filed by the police, naming Barq and SP MLA Iqbal Mehmoods son Sohail Iqbal as accused. What Is The Dispute Over Sambhal Jama Masjid? The dispute arose on claims that the citys Shahi Jama Masjid was constructed after the demolition of the historic Harihar Temple, which many believe was located at the same site. A court-ordered survey of the mosque was done on November 24 last year. Sambhal has been tense since violence broke out on November 24 last year during protests against the court-ordered survey. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Four people were killed while several others were injured in the clashes between the police and the protesters who shouted slogans, and threw stones at the cops while the survey was underway. The protesters set vehicles on fire, after which the police used tear gas to disperse the mob. The survey team arrived at the spot early in the morning and started its work, when locals gathered outside, leading to violence in the area. 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 : Sambhal, India, India First Published: March 23, 2025, 15:55 IST Two Security Personnel Injured As Naxals Target Vehicles Of STF Jawans In Chhattisgarh's Bijapur Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 21:23 IST The attack on the security personnel vehicle took place when they were returning from an operation. IED attack on security personnel in Chhattisgarh (ANI Image) Two STF jawans suffered injuries in Chhattisgarhs Bijapur as Maoists triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) to blow up a vehicle they were travelling in on Sunday, officials said. The incident took place around 5.45 pm near the Gorla rivulet in the limits of Madded police station while the Special Task Force (STF), a unit of state police, was returning from an anti-Naxalite operation. The injured ones were evacuated for medical attention. Recommended Stories #WATCH | Chhattisgarh | Two jawans of STF were injured in an IED blast that took place in the limits of Madded police station today. Naxal targeted the vehicles ferrying security personnel: Bijapur SP Jitendra Yadav(Visuals from the spot) pic.twitter.com/rvAFdKLnM9 ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2025 According to an official, the Naxalites triggered the blast in an attempt to target the vehicle, however, the explosion took place some distance away, sending shockwaves to the personnel. There was no serious damage to any vehicle or personnel due to the explosion. Two STF personnel suffered minor injuries due to the shockwaves from the IED blast," the official said. The injured personnel received first aid at the primary health center in Madded before being moved to the Bijapur District Hospital for better treatment. They are now out of danger, he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The official added that a search operation is ongoing in the area to track down the Maoists. (With PTI inputs) About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Location : Bijapur, India, India First Published: March 23, 2025, 21:13 IST Tech Mahindra Responds To Employee's Detention In Qatar, Says 'In Contact With Family' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 16:08 IST Amit Gupta, an employee of IT firm Tech Mahindra, was detained in Qatar on January 1 this year under an ongoing investigation, his mother said. Tech Mahindra reacts to employee's detention in Qatar (Photo/X:@BenefitNews24) IT firm Tech Mahindra on Sunday said that it was in close contact" with the family of its employee, Amit Gupta, who has been detained by the Qatari authorities as part of an ongoing investigation. Gupta, a Gujarat-based engineer at the firm, was apprehended in Doha on January 1, his family in Vadodara alleged. The Indian Embassy in the country is also involved in the situation, maintaining contact with the family and Qatari officials. Recommended Stories A spokesperson of Tech Mahindra said that the company remains in close contact" with the family, providing support. We are also actively coordinating with authorities in both countries and adhering to the due process. Ensuring the well-being of our colleague is our top priority," the spokesperson told NDTV. Gupta has been accused of stealing data a charge that his family has denied and said that he is innocent. The employees mother, Pushpa Gupta, said, Amit Gupta was detained on January 1 and held for 48 hours without food or water. After that, he was locked in a room, and it has now been three months that he has been held in Doha. The reason for his detention is still unknown". Somebody in the company may have done something wrong and since he is the country manager, he has been detained," she added. The mother said that she had gone to Doha and met him for half an hour. She also called on Vadodara MP Hemang Joshi who assured her that he would take up the matter with the government. Guptas father said that the employee was detained by Qatars state security. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Our embassy continues to provide all possible assistance in the matter and is closely following the case," an official said. This is not the first time an Indian citizen has been held in Qatar since 2022. Two years ago, eight former Indian Navy officers, some of whom had won top awards, were arrested and later given the death penalty in 2023. A Qatari court reduced their sentences, and they were finally released in February 2024 after an order from Qatars Emir. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More First Published: March 23, 2025, 15:57 IST When Is the Right Time to Get a Hair Transplant? Experts Weigh In Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 10:52 IST With careful planning, a hair transplant can restore not just hair, but also confidence, self-esteem, and a renewed sense of self. Consulting with a qualified transplant surgeon is crucial to assessing your unique hair loss pattern and determining the best time for the procedure Hair loss can be a distressing experience, impacting self-confidence, social interactions, and even career opportunities. With advances in hair restoration techniques, hair transplants have become an effective and lasting solution for those experiencing permanent hair loss. However, one of the most frequently asked questions is: When is the right time to undergo a hair transplant?" While many assume age is the determining factor, experts emphasize that the stage of hair loss, donor hair availability, and individual circumstances are far more crucial. We spoke with Dr. Ajara Sayyad, MBBS, MD, DDV Dermatology, Consultant Dermatologist & Hair Transplant Surgeon, The Eterne Clinic, and Dr. Viral Desai, Board-Certified Cosmetic Plastic & Hair Transplant Surgeon and Medical Director, DHI India, to break down the key considerations. Recommended Stories Age vs. Stage of Hair Loss: What Really Matters? According to Dr Sayyad, hair transplants are not strictly age-dependent. The ideal time for a transplant is when hair loss has stabilized, and there is sufficient donor hair available," she explains. While most transplants are performed between ages 30 to 50, younger patients with extensive baldness may require surgery sooner due to the emotional and social impact of hair loss. Conversely, older individuals can undergo a transplant as long as they are medically fit. Dr Desai agrees, adding that the unpredictability of hair loss in younger adults (under 22) can make early transplants tricky. Hair loss is often progressive in late teens and early twenties. If a transplant is done too soon, further hair loss can lead to unnatural results, requiring additional surgeries later," he explains. That said, those aged 22-50 are generally considered ideal candidates because by this time, hair loss patterns are more predictable, and donor hair in the back and sides of the scalp remains viable for transplantation. For those over 50, a successful transplant depends on the availability of strong donor hair and overall health conditions that may affect healing and transplant success. The Emotional and Social Impact of Hair Loss Hair loss can have significant psychological effects, particularly for younger individuals. Dr Sayyad highlights that baldness can lead to bullying in school or work environments, lower self-esteem, and even career challenges in industries where appearance matters, such as media or corporate roles. For older adults, she explains that the primary concern is not age but medical fitness. Even individuals with diabetes or hypertension can safely undergo a transplant, provided their health is stable," she says. Hair Transplants and Wedding Pressure: A Time-Sensitive Concern Many individuals seek hair transplants before their wedding to ensure a fuller head of hair in photographs and special moments. However, Dr Sayyad cautions that traditional hair transplants take 9-12 months for noticeable results, making it crucial to plan ahead. For those with limited time, she suggests Long Hair FUE, a technique she has trained in both Delhi and Istanbul. This method allows for transplantation without shaving the donor or recipient area, offering immediate coverage. Once the bandage is removed after three days, the results are discreet and natural," she explains. Does Season Matter for a Hair Transplant? There is a common belief that winter is the best time for a hair transplant due to holiday schedules. However, Dr Sayyad clarifies that season has no impact on transplant success. Healing, graft retention, and overall results remain consistent throughout the year," she states. Other Factors That Influence the Right Time for a Hair Transplant 1. Donor Hair Availability & Quality According to Dr. Desai, the quantity and health of donor hair play a critical role in transplant success. Individuals with dense donor hair in the back and sides of the scalp are the best candidates. However, for those with limited scalp donor hair, body hair from the beard, chest, or back can be used to enhance density," he explains. 2. Psychological Readiness A successful hair transplant requires not just physical readiness but mental preparedness as well. Dr. Desai stresses that patients should have realistic expectations about the outcome and be emotionally prepared for the gradual growth process post-surgery. When Should You Get a Hair Transplant? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The right time for a hair transplant is not solely based on age but on the stage of hair loss, donor hair availability, and personal circumstances. With newer techniques like Long Hair FUE, individuals now have more flexibility in achieving discreet and natural results. Consulting with a qualified transplant surgeon is crucial to assessing your unique hair loss pattern and determining the best time for the procedure. With careful planning, a hair transplant can restore not just hair, but also confidence, self-esteem, and a renewed sense of self. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl... Read More Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl... Read More fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: March 23, 2025, 10:52 IST Natasa Stankovic's Purple Swimsuit And White Pants Look Is Perfect For A Chill Day By The Pool Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 14:12 IST Natasa Stankovic is currently enjoying her quiet getaway. In her recent video, she was seen sporting a purple swimsuit that she had paired with striped pants. Natasa Stankovic's look is something that you can replicate on your next beachside holiday. Natasa Stankovic is currently having the time of her life at her luxurious getaway. While the actor and model has not disclosed where she is right now, her holiday includes a lot of sun, swimming, and solace. Recently, she took to her social media to share a video of herself dancing to Daddy Cool by Boney M. She used the opportunity to show off her OOTD. Natasas outfit is a perfect pick for a sunny day by the pool. Taking to her Instagram, Natasa Stankovic shared a video of herself giving a fit check to her fans. She wrote, You call it coffee. I call it my emotional support beverage." She was seen sporting a bright purple swimsuit that she had layered with a pair of cotton pants. Natasas outfit makes for a perfect choice for a fun day by the pool as summers are just round the corner. Recommended Stories Lets decode Natasas outfit of the day here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @natasastankovic__ top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all For her look, Natasa opted for a bright purple swimsuit. The swimsuit came with a plunging V-neckline and cutout details on the side that were accentuated with tie-up straps. She paired this monokini with a pair of white cotton striped pants. The pants came with a flared silhouette and a drawstring detail on the waist. She elevated her look with an oversized straw hat, an oversized jute beach bag, white flats, and dainty gold accessories on her wrists and neck. You can also pair your monokini with a skirt or linen pants as you chill by the pool. This makes for a great cover-up and also helps you easily change into swimwear for a quick dip in the pool. For the makeup, Natasa kept it fresh and dewy. She went with a fresh base and added just a swipe of blush on her cheeks for that flush of colour. She added a soft brown shade on her lips and left her curly hair open to finish her look. fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 23, 2025, 14:12 IST Shaheed Diwas 2025: History, Significance, 10 Quotes By Bhagat Singh, And 7 Movies On Life Of The Freedom Fighter Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 07:00 IST Shaheed Diwas 2025: On March 23, 1931, Bhagat Singh and his associates Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar were hanged to death. Shaheed Diwas 2025: March 23 remains a dark day in Indian history, but it holds profound significance as a tribute to Indias brave freedom fighters. (Image: Shutterstock) Shaheed Diwas 2025: Shaheed Diwas, or Martyrs Day, is observed in India on March 23 every year. This day is commemorated in remembrance of the three brave warriors of the nation: Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar. On this day, people remember and pay tribute to the martyrs who fought to protect our country and sacrificed their lives during the Indian freedom struggle. Martyred in the prime of youth, at the age of 23, Bhagat Singh remains one of the bravest, most influential revolutionary figures in Indian history. Recommended Stories To make this occasion more memorable, heres the history, significance and some of the best inspirational quotes by Bhagat Singh. Also, check out some movies based on the life of the legend that evoke patriotism and remember courageous souls. Shaheed Diwas 2025: History In 1928, the Simon Commission came to India to decide on the governance of India with no presence of Indian members. This led to a protest against them by Indian freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai on October 30, 1928, in Lahore. To stop the protest, police Superintendent James A. Scott ordered a baton charge on the protesters and severely assaulted Lajpat Rai. The freedom fighter succumbed to his injuries on November 17, 1928. This assault was witnessed by Bhagat Singh, and he, along with Shivaram Rajguru, decided to kill Scott in revenge. However, he mistakenly shot Assistant Superintendent of Police John Saunders. At the time, Chandra Sekhar Azad was with them, and he shot police constable Chanan Singh to help them flee from the site. Later, on April 8, 1929, Bhagat Singh exploded two bombs inside Delhis Central Legislative Assembly to protest against the Public Safety Bill and the Trade Dispute Act. They didnt intend to kill anyone, but some assembly members were injured. He was then handed a life sentence. However, soon after, his involvement in the Saunders murder was discovered. It was on March 23, 1931, when freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and his associates Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar were hanged to death by the British. Shaheed Diwas 2025: Significance March 23 remains a dark day in Indian history, but it holds profound significance as a tribute to Indias brave freedom fighters, soldiers and citizens who sacrificed their lives for independence. The day acknowledges the countless lives lost in the pursuit of freedom and inspires us to value freedom and its unsung heroes. Shaheed Diwas 2025: Inspirational quotes by Bhagat Singh Bombs and pistols do not make a revolution. The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting stone of ideas." They may kill me, but they cannot kill my ideas. They can crush my body, but they will not be able to crush my spirit." Lovers, Lunatics and poets are made of the same stuff." Merciless criticism and independent thinking are the two necessary traits of revolutionary thinking." Philosophy is the outcome of human weakness or limitation of knowledge." Zindagi to apne Damm par hi jiyi Jati HaiDusro ke kandhe par toh sirf janaje uthaye jate Hai. (Life is lived on ones own strength Others help is needed in funerals only." It is beyond the power of any man to make a revolution. Neither can it be brought about on any appointed date. It is brought about by special environments, social and economic. The function of an organised party is to utilise any such opportunity offered by these circumstances." Mans duty is to try and endeavour, success depends upon chance and environments." Revolution did not necessarily involve sanguinary strife. It was not a cult of bomb and pistol. They may sometimes be mere means for its achievement." Love always elevates the character of man. It never lowers him, provided love be love." Shaheed Diwas 2025: 7 Movies On The Life Of Bhagat Singh top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Shaheed-e-Azad Bhagat Singh (1954): After 23 years of his hanging, this was the first film made on the life of the freedom fighter. Directed by Jagdish Gautam, the film features Prem Abeed, Ashita Mazumdar, Jairaj, and Smriti Biswas in lead roles. What was even more soul-stirring about this film was the classic patriotic song Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab humare dil main hain by Mohammed Rafi. This song became an iconic hit cherished even to this day and is played on national holidays. Shaheed Bhagat Singh (1963): The second film to be made on the life of revolutionary Bhagat Singh was released in 1963. In this film, legendary actor Shammi Kapoor played the protagonist. KN Bansals directorial also starred Premnath, Shakeela, and Achla Sachdev. Shaheed (1965): The film on the life of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev portrayed how the freedom fighters went to the gallows at a young age. It is regarded as one of the classics of Indian cinema even today, thanks to its evergreen classics by Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh, Mohammed Rafi, and Manna De. This film had the entire nation humming to its patriotic compositions, like Aye Watan Aye Watan, Humko Sarfaroshi ki Tamanna, Mera Rang De Basanti Chola and Pagadi Sambhaal Jattaa. S Ram Sharmas directorial won the 13th National Awards along with awards for Best Feature Film in Hindi, the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration and Best Story. Shaheed-E-Azam (2002): Among the many films released on the life of Bhagat Singh in 2002, Shaheed-E-Azam saw Sonu Sood playing the titular role of Bhagat Singh. Directed by Sukumar Nair, the roles of Chandrashekar Azad and Rajguru were played by Raj Zutshi and Dev Gill, respectively. Shaheed (2002): Unfolding events from the legends life, Guddu Dhanaos directorial depicted the significant contributions of Bhagat Singh and his companions Rajguru and Sukhdev and the moment of his capital punishment on March 23, 1931. The role of Bhagat Singh was essayed by Bobby Deol, while his brother Sunny Deol essayed the role of Chandrashekhar Azad. The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002): This Rajkumar Santoshi directorial has to be on the list. The Legend Of Bhagat Singh chronicles the life of Bhagat Singh and his priceless contributions to win back Indias independence from the British Raj. Headlined by Ajay Devgn, the film also sheds light on Bhagat Singhs revolutionary ideas and his unwavering commitment to the cause, right from witnessing the death of Lala Lajpat Rai to the reopening of the Saunders murder case. How can we not forget the compelling music by AR Rahman that brings tears to everyones eyes after hearing the song? It is worth noting that this film bagged two National Awards. One was for the Best Feature Film in Hindi, and the other was won by Ajay Devgn under the Best Actor category. Rang De Basanti (2006): This cult classic by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra boasts an ensemble cast including Aamir Khan, Siddharth Narayan, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni and British actor Alice Patten in lead roles. The film released on Republic Day revisits the story of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, and Chandrashekhar Azad. Reigniting the patriotism in the youth, this movie follows a group of young college students who, while acting in a documentary about Indias freedom fighters, align with the ideologies of the revolutionaries. Which one is your favourite? fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: March 23, 2025, 07:00 IST Pooja Bhatt Reacts To Rhea Chakrabortys Clean Chit, Shares Akshay Kumars Old Post: Truth Has Prevailed Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 24, 2025, 10:41 IST After the CBI officially closed the Sushant Singh Rajput case, clearing Rhea Chakraborty of all charges, actress Pooja Bhatt revisited Akshay Kumars 2020 post and declared, Truth has prevailed. Pooja Bhatt reacts to Rhea Chakrabortys clean chit in Sushant Singh Rajputs case by sharing Akshay Kumars old post. Following the official closure of the Sushant Singh Rajput death case by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), actress Rhea Chakraborty has been given a clean chit. Reacting to the development, actress Pooja Bhatt revisited an old post by Akshay Kumar, adding her own note: Truth has prevailed." On Sunday morning, Pooja took to her X (formerly Twitter) account and reshared Akshay Kumars post from August 19, 2020, where he had written, SC directs CBI to investigate Sushant Singh Rajputs death. May the truth always prevail." Adding her own reflection in light of the recent report, Pooja commented, The CBIs March 22, 2025, closure report confirms Sushant Singh Rajputs death as suicide with no foul play, clearing #RheaChakraborty and others. The truth has prevailed. #PrayersAnswered." Recommended Stories The CBIs March 22, 2025, closure report confirms Sushant Singh Rajputs death as suicide with no foul play, clearing #RheaChakraborty and others. The truth has prevailed #Prayers answered. https://t.co/WrpZw2COi6 Pooja Bhatt (@PoojaB1972) March 23, 2025 The post sparked reactions online, with some netizens interpreting it as a subtle dig at Akshays earlier statement, while others encouraged the Sky Force actor to now publicly acknowledge the outcome and Rheas acquittal. In its final report submitted on March 22, 2025, the CBI confirmed there was no foul play in Sushant Singh Rajputs death, ruling it a suicide. The actor was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020. Also Read: Sushant Singh Rajput Case: Dia Mirza Asks For Written Apology For Rhea Chakraborty As CBI Rules Out Foul Play Rhea Chakraborty, who was dating Sushant at the time, faced serious allegations from his family, including accusations of financial fraud, mental harassment, and illegal confinement. Additionally, she was implicated in a drug-related case, spending nearly a month in custody following an investigation by the Narcotics Control Bureau. Though Rhea has yet to issue a statement following the CBIs closure report, her brother Showik Chakraborty took to Instagram shortly after the news broke. Sharing a candid photo with Rhea, he simply captioned it, Satyameva Jayate," marking an end to years of scrutiny and speculation surrounding the case. About the Author Yatamanyu Narain Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he's breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, hes always on the hun... Read More Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he's breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, hes always on the hun... Read More First Published: March 23, 2025, 19:37 IST RAMALLAH, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Sunday condemned Israel's approval of a new directorate tasked with coordinating the "voluntary relocation" of Palestinians from Gaza, asserting its rejection of the plan. "We view with concern the Israeli security cabinet's approval of the new directorate," the ministry said in a press statement. The statement argued that the Israeli government's continued "crimes and aggression against the Palestinian people, their land, and their rights" necessitate a reassessment by international actors of their positions and influence on Israel, and its adherence to international resolutions. The ministry called for the imposition of "deterrent sanctions" to compel Israel to cease its policies of "displacement and annexation," and to align with the international pursuit of peace. Israel's Security Cabinet approved the establishment of the directorate, intended to coordinate the "voluntary relocation" of Palestinians from Gaza to third countries, the Defense Ministry said in a statement earlier on Sunday. 'Grateful': Rhea Chakrabortys Lawyer After CBI Files Closure Report In Sushant Singh Rajput Death Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 22, 2025, 23:44 IST The closure report, which came nearly five years after Rajput's death, suggested that the actor died by suicide and there was no foul play involved Rhea Chakraborty, the late actors girlfriend, was accused of abetment to suicide by Sushant Singh Rajput's parents. (Photo via Instagram) The lawyer of Rhea Chakraborty on Saturday expressed gratitude to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for filing a closure report in the death case of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, thanking the agency for thoroughly investigating all aspects of the case. The closure report, which came nearly five years after Rajputs death, suggested that the actor died by suicide and there was no foul play involved, putting an end to widespread speculation about potential murder. Recommended Stories Chakrabortys lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, who represented the actress during her legal battles, issued a statement praising the CBI for their detailed investigation. We are grateful to the CBI for having thoroughly investigated every aspect of the case from all angles and closed the case," he said in a statement. Maneshinde also strongly criticised the way media handled the case. He said, The amount of false narrative in the social media and electronic media was totally uncalled for. Due to the pandemic, everyone was glued to the TV and social media, and in the absence of any major developments, innocent people were hounded and paraded before the media and investigative authorities." In his statement, her lawyer highlighted the untold miseries" Chakraborty and her family endured during this period and lauded their patience and silence in the face of inhumane treatment. I salute her and her family for having kept silent and yet suffered the inhuman treatment they were meted," her lawyer added. Maneshinde also thanked the media for supporting their cause and pointed out that both Chakrabortys family and his legal team had been subjected to threats during the investigation. He concluded, This country is still very safe, and every citizen crying for justice has hope due to our vibrant judiciary." Rajput was found dead in his Mumbai apartment on June 14, 2020. He was found hanging from the ceiling fan, however, no suicide note was recovered. The case quickly became a national sensation, sparking a debate over whether it was suicide or murder. Rajputs family members and many fans believed his death was a murder. The investigation took several twists, with Chakraborty, the late actors girlfriend, being accused of abetment to suicide by Rajputs parents. Chakraborty was later arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in September 2020 in connection with a drug-related case that surfaced during the investigation into Rajputs death. She spent 27 days in jail before being granted bail by Justice Sarang V Kotwal of the Bombay High Court. 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 22, 2025, 23:40 IST Dharma Files | From Ram Mandir to Kumbh, Political Hinduism Making Big Strides Forward Written By : Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 19:55 IST One can safely predict that these developments, taken together, are bound to produce some major consequences in the future within a decade, although it is difficult to foresee what shape it might take The figures of attendance at the Kumbh Mela are staggering. According to the latest figure, about 660 million people are supposed to have taken part in it. (Image: PTI/File) It seems to me that some developments have taken place in India over the past few years, which are going to have long-term consequences, especially for political Hinduism. I list four of them here. I might have expressed my views on some of them earlier, but the time might be ripe to make a consolidated assessment. The first of these is the inauguration of the Ram Temple on January 22, 2024. It made the news cycle in a big way at the time. However, when the BJP failed to win a key parliamentary seat in that area during the national elections of 2024, it began to be thought that the impact of the Ram Temple might have been exaggerated. Subsequent developments, however, seem to confirm its long-lasting influence. The electoral victory of the BJP, in a subsequent polls, however, might be a more solid indication of its impact. Moreover, if it is true that now more people are visiting the Ram Temple than the Taj Mahal, then this fact tells its own story. Recommended Stories The second is the developments in Bangladesh. It is true that the developments in Bangladesh are an internal matter for that country but the persistent accounts of the persecution of the Hindus in Bangladesh ever since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, are bound to have transnational impact. The divergent trajectories of the minority populations of Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh, where it has been diminishing over the years, and that of the Muslim minority in India, where it has been increasing, cannot remain unnoticed for long. The chief explanation of the decline of the Hindu minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh is most probably conversion, and that of the rise of Muslim minority in India is demographic growth. These distinctions, however, are likely to be lost in the face of the obvious contrast in the destinies of the minorities in these countries. The third factor to consider is the blockbuster success of such movies as The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Files. The display of Hindu suffering at the hands of the Muslims must have made some impression on the huge audiences which have viewed them. The recent success of the film Chhaava, which depicts in gruesome detail the torture of Sambhaji, son of Shivaji, at the hands of Aurangzeb, belongs to the same category. The reader might wish to recall that the political success of the DMK in Tamil Nadu is known to have been preceded by the cinematiaation of its ideology. Finally, the figures of attendance at the Kumbh Mela are staggering. According to the latest figure, about 660 million people are supposed to have participated in it. This means that one out of every two Hindus in India has been there. Lest this figure appear too sensational, let us recall that Indias current population is estimated to be around 1.4 billion out of which 200 million are Muslims. The Hindu population of India is estimated to be about 1.2 billion, half of which comes to 600 million. It might be helpful to recall that Mahatma Gandhi is supposed to have influenced one Indian in two hundred. All these developments are in some measure directly or indirectly related to Hindu identity and to its strengthening. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all One can safely predict that these developments, taken together, are bound to produce some major consequences in the future within a decade, although it is difficult to foresee what shape it might take. The collective impact of these developments would be inescapable for good or ill. (The author, formerly in the IAS, is the Birks Professor of Comparative Religion at McGill University in Montreal Canada, where he has taught for over 30 years. He has also taught in Australia and the US and at Nalanda University. He has published extensively in the fields of Indian and world religions. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views) First Published: March 23, 2025, 19:55 IST Dont Dig Up History Selectively: Akhilesh Yadav Defends SP MP's 'Rana Sanga' Remark; BJP Reacts Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 17:42 IST Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on March 21, Suman called Rana Sanga a traitor and said that Hindus are his descendants. SP President Akhilesh Yadav Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday defended his partys Rajya Sabha MP Ramjilal Suman over his controversial remarks in Parliament on Mewar ruler Rana Sanga, saying that if BJP leaders can revisit history to discuss Aurangzeb then he has also just mentioned a page from history. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on March 21, Suman called Rana Sanga a "traitor" and said that Hindus are his descendants. Recommended Stories The BJP slammed Yadav for supporting Sumans remarks, saying it was an insult to the entire Hindu community. The ruling party accused Yadav of indulging in appeasement and said his remarks reflect the "anti-Hindu" mindset of the Samajwadi Party (SP). During his speech in Parliament, Suman had said, Indian Muslims do not consider Babur as their idol. They follow Prophet Muhammad and the Sufi tradition. But I want to ask, who brought Babur here? It was Rana Sanga who invited Babur to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. "So, if Muslims are called the descendants of Babur, then Hindus must be the descendants of traitor Rana Sanga. We criticise Babur, but why dont we criticise Rana Sanga?" Rana Sanga from the Sisodia clan of Suryavanshi Rajputs was the ruler of Mewar from 1508 to 1528. Everyone is flipping through the pages of history. Ask BJP leaders which pages they are turning. What are they debating? They want to talk about Aurangzeb," Yadav told reporters while replying to queries on the uproar over Sumans remarks. If Ramjilal Suman ji has referred to a page in history that contains certain facts, then whats the issue? We didnt write history 200 years ago," the SP chief said. The remarks come in the backdrop of protests by BJP leaders and Hindu outfits against what they called attempts to glorify Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, alleging that he had unleashed atrocities on Hindus. Yadav lashed out at the BJP, urging the party not to dig up historical events selectively. If BJP continues to flip through history, people will also remember that during Chhatrapati Shivajis coronation, no one anointed him by hand. It is said that he was anointed using the toe of a left foot. Will the BJP condemn this today?" he said. #WATCH | Lucknow, UP: On Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Sumans statement, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav says, Ramji Lal Suman said what he said because everyone is turning the pages of history The leaders of BJP want to debate about Aurangzeb. So, Ramji Lal Suman also turned a page pic.twitter.com/rY9i3SQkGB ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2025 Yadav was interacting with reporters after paying tribute to socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. Drawing an analogy, Yadav referred to Galileos persecution for his claim that the Earth revolves around the Sun. Galileo was punished for his scientific assertion, and centuries later, the Church apologised for its mistake. If the BJP respects Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, will they apologise for the fact that he was anointed with a left foot toe?" he said. Hitting back, BJP leader Amit Malviya said Yadav, "who indulges in appeasement, is supporting his MP Ramji Lal for calling the great warrior Rana Sanga a traitor. This is an insult not only to the Rajput community but to the entire Hindu community". "The distorted comments being made on the Maha Kumbh were also no exception but are an indication of the petty anti-Hindu mentality of the SP, due to which the people of Uttar Pradesh have pushed the SP to the lowest rung of the states politics," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On Sunday, the Vishva Hindu Parishad termed Sumans remark on Rajput warrior Rana Sanga as "shameful" and demanded an apology from him. Earlier, Union minister and BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat condemned Sumans remark, saying only people with "trivial intellect" and "small heart" make such statements. First Published: March 23, 2025, 17:42 IST Rajeev Chandrasekhar Likely To Take Over As Next Kerala BJP Chief: Why Party Top Brass Backed Him Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 18:01 IST Rajeev Chandrasekhar is set to become the next BJP Kerala chief, with strong backing from the party's central leadership. He is expected to file his nomination soon and face no opposition. Entrepreneur-turned-politician and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. (Photo: PTI) Entrepreneur-turned-politician and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is poised to take over as the next Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala chief as the partys central leadership reportedly backed his nomination for the role. Chandrasekhar, who attended the partys core committee meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, filed his nomination for the presidents post at the BJPs state headquarters at Mararji Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. Recommended Stories He is unlikely to face any opposition, and BJP leaders appeared confident that Chandrasekhars election to the post will be unanimous. Chandrasekhars name is set to be officially announced at the party conclave on Monday, which will be held at the Uday Palace Convention Centre in Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram. Union Minister and senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi, responsible for the partys organisational elections in Kerala, is expected to make the announcement during the meeting. Why BJP Top Brass Backed Him Chandrasekhar, who narrowly lost last years Lok Sabha election from Thiruvananthapuram to Congress Shashi Tharoor by just 16,000 votes, impressed party leaders with his strong performance despite joining the race late and having only two months to campaign. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A Nair by caste, Chandrasekhar is expected to solidify upper-caste Hindu votes in the state in the upcoming local body elections and next years assembly election, His close ties with prominent Ezhava community leader Vellappally Natesan and his family could further strengthen the BJPs alliance with the Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS). With the growing divide between the Christian and Muslim communities in the state both of which hold significant social, economic, and political influence the BJP seems to be looking for a leader who can appeal to the Christian community. A segment of the Christian population, which makes up 19% of the states population and is traditionally loyal to Congress, has reportedly grown disillusioned with both the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) due to their neglect of Christian concerns and the increasing political influence of the Muslim community. 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 23, 2025, 16:43 IST Worse Than British': Kejriwal Attacks BJP After Delhi Loss, Invokes Bhagat Singh And Ambedkar Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 19:34 IST He was speaking at the AAPs Ek Shaam Shaheedon Ke Naam event to pay tributes to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev to commemorate Shaheedi Diwas. AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal. (ANI) Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday lashed out at the current BJP-led Delhi government and accused it of disregarding the legacy of Bhagat Singh Bhimrao Ambedkar after coming to power in the national capital. While addressing the partys Ek Shaam Shaheedon Ke Naam event to pay tributes to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev to commemorate Shaheedi Diwas in New Delhi, Kejriwal recalled an incident when he was in jail and had wrote a letter to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to allow Atishi to hoist the national flag on his behalf. Recommended Stories However, he claimed that his letter never reached the LG and, instead got a show-cause notice for writing the letter. The letters that Bhagat Singh had written from jail had a lot against the British, yet the British used to send them to his comrades. When I was in jail, I wrote a letter to LG that I was in jail, so Atishi should be allowed to hoist the flag. There was nothing wrong with this. I gave a letter to the jail superintendent, but the letter did not reach LG, and I got a show cause notice that how dare I write such a letter. Bhagat Singh had the freedom to write any letter, but I could not write a letter of two lines. You (BJP) are worse than the British" he said as quoted by news agency ANI. #WATCH | Delhi | Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal says, Whatever dreams the freedom fighters had in their minds, not even a single dream of theirs is being fulfilled today The letters that Bhagat Singh had written from jail had a lot against the British, yet pic.twitter.com/njQ4xJciIh ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2025 Our role models are Babasaheb Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh. Bhagat Singh used to say that merely removing the British was not enough, the structure of society had to change. Otherwise, brown rulers would replace the British. This is exactly what has happened," Kejriwal added. In his first notable public appearance since his partys debacle in the Delhi assembly polls last month, Kejriwal further claimed that within 48 hours of assuming power in Delhi, the BJP removed portraits of Bhagat Singh and Ambedkar from government offices. In my house you will see photos of Bhagat Singh and Babasaheb, even in offices of Delhi government. But the first thing the BJP government did was to remove these pictures. It seemed like this was the first thing they wanted to do," he said. When we put up the pictures of these two, Congress protested that Gandhijis picture was not put up. However, when the BJP removed the photos of these two, Congress did not say anything. There is a collusion between these two," he added. The AAP chief emphasised that the party entered politics to fulfil the dreams of Bhagat Singh and Ambedkar, and not for power. Kejriwal also criticised the BJP government for allegedly restricting the free bus ride scheme for women in Delhi. Bus conductors are now denying free pink tickets to women unless they download an app, the former chief minister claimed. Why are they doing this? Instead of improving facilities, they are withdrawing the existing ones. should have started giving Rs 2,500 to women but they have not," he said, accusing the BJP of failing to fulfil its poll promises. Were The Photos Removed From Govt Offices? The BJP had refuted the claims of replacing the photos of Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh with those of Mahatma Gandhi, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, from the Chief Ministers office. The partys Delhi unit had shared a photo of Delhi CMO on its X handle showing the portraits of both the freedom fighters in the office. However, they have been placed at a different space. The chambers of the Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs @gupta_rekha and all the ministers are adorned with the pictures of revered Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, His Excellency the President and the Prime Minister," it said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The BJP returned to power in Delhi after 26 years, ending the AAP governments decade-long rule. It ousted AAP from power winning 48 of the 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly, in the polls held last month. (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 First Published: March 23, 2025, 19:34 IST Canada's New PM Mark Carney Calls Snap Polls For April 28 Amid Trump's 'Unjustified' Tariffs Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 22:29 IST Canadian PM Mark Carney met the Canadian Governor General at noon Sunday and held a press conference where he announced early elections on April 28. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney takes part in a press conference after meeting with provincial and territorial leaders at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Canadas newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday announced early elections for April 28 as he seeks a strong mandate to navigate the economic challenges posed by US President Donald Trumps tariff policies. He met the Governor General Canadas official representative of King Charles and asked her to dissolve the Parliament, formally setting the election process in motion. He later announced his decision while speaking to reporters after the meeting. Recommended Stories Soon after taking office Donald Trump referred to Canada as the US 51st state and has not ruled out economic and even military coercion to achieve that objective and has referred to Carneys predecessor Justin Trudeau as governor". While the general elections were initially scheduled for October 20, Carney is looking to capitalise on a surprising comeback by his Liberal party in opinion polls. The partys fortunes have improved significantly since January when Trumps trade threats intensified and since Trudeau announced his resignation. Carney, a former central banker with no prior political experience, secured the Liberal leadership on March 9 by convincing party members that he was best equipped to handle Canadas growing tensions with Trumps administration. According to Reuters, members of the Liberal party had earlier hinted that Carney was planning an early election. Reports had earlier suggested that voting would take place on April 28, giving him a five-week window to rally public support. Polls indicate that the Liberals, who have governed since 2015 and were initially trailing behind the opposition Conservatives, have now edged slightly ahead in popularity. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Carney has yet to hold direct talks with Trump but has maintained a measured tone, stating that he respects the US Presidents approach to trade policies. Meanwhile, the opposition Conservatives have sought to paint Carney as an elite figure planning to continue the high-spending policies of the Trudeau administration. They have also questioned the transparency of how he managed his personal financial assets while taking office. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Ottawa, Canada First Published: March 23, 2025, 19:16 IST Cant Rule Out: Kremlin Hints Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump May Have Spoken More Than Twice Published By : Reuters Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 18:40 IST So far there have been two publicly announced telephone calls over recent months held between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump - on Feb. 12 and on March 18. Daily newspapers with covers, dedicated to the recent phone call of Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, are laid out at a newsstand in a street in Moscow, Russia. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump may have had more contacts than the two publicly announced telephone calls over recent months, the Kremlin said in video footage published by state television on Sunday. Trump, who says he wants to be remembered as a peacemaker, has repeatedly said that he wants the three-year conflict in Ukraine to end and has warned of the risks of it escalating into a world war between the United States and Russia. Recommended Stories There have so far been two announced phone calls between Putin and Trump this year on Feb. 12 and on March 18 though there has been speculation about much more frequent contact, and also reports that they spoke before Trump was elected last year. When asked by the most prominent Kremlin correspondent for state television about remarks by Trump that indicated there may have been more than two calls, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said information had been released about those calls he knew of. Listen, we inform you about the conversations that we are aware of. But we cant rule out everything else," Peskov said with a smile. State televisions Pavel Zarubin then asked: So all sorts of nuances are possible as they say?" to which Peskov replied: Well, that is how I would answer your question." The contacts between Trump and Putin have spooked European leaders who fear the United States could be turning its back on Europe in the hope of striking a peace deal with Russia as part of some broader grand bargain encompassing oil prices, the Middle East and competition with China. Before the contacts with Trump, Putin last spoke to a sitting US president in February 2022, when he and Joe Biden spoke shortly before the Russian leader ordered tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine. Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward in his 2024 book War" reported that Trump had direct conversations as many as seven times with Putin after he left the White House in 2021. Asked if that were true in an interview to Bloomberg last year, Trump said: If I did, its a smart thing." The Kremlin denied Woodwards report. Reuters, The Washington Post and Axios reported separately that Trump and Putin spoke in early November. The Kremlin also denied those reports. ENERGY ATTACKS Putin and Trump may have another phone call if Ukraine continues strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, Peskov said. Putin agreed to the suspension of such attacks in a phone call with Trump last week. Kyiv, which has said it would be willing to take part in such a partial ceasefire if a document setting out its terms is agreed, has accused Russia of not abiding by Putins order, something Moscow denies. While the Russian side has been sticking to its word for several days now, the word that the president gave, and to the presidents command, which immediately came into force and was immediately implemented, and is still being implemented, the same cannot be said of the Kyiv regime", Peskov said. Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Friday of blowing up a Russian gas pumping station in a border area where Ukrainian troops have been retreating. Russia said on Saturday that it reserves the right to a symmetrical response" to Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Asked if Ukraines violation of the agreement may become a reason for another Putin-Trump call, Peskov said: Absolutely. The presidents confirmed their intention to continue contacts as necessary." In another clip released on Zarubins Telegram channel earlier on Sunday, Peskov said the latest phone call between Putin and Trump was a step towards a face-to-face meeting", adding that Russia-US talks in Riyadh scheduled for Monday would also be such a step, Interfax news agency reported. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: March 23, 2025, 18:29 IST Gujarat Engineer Detained In Qatar For Over 3 Months; India Extends Support Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 10:46 IST Guptas family has sought the intervention of the Prime Ministers office insisting that he is innocent and has been falsely accused of data theft. They are also demanding his urgent release. Gujarat Engineer Detained In Qatar For Over 3 Months; India Extends Support. (Photo/X:@BenefitNews24) Amit Gupta, a Gujarat-based engineer, has been detained by Qatari authorities as part of an ongoing investigation. The Indian Embassy in Qatar is actively involved in the situation, providing assistance and maintaining regular contact with Guptas family, lawyer, and Qatari officials. Gupta, a senior employee of the IT firm Tech Mahindra, was detained by Qatari authorities on January 1, his mother Pushpa Gupta told the media in Vadodara. His father said he was detained by Qatars state security. Recommended Stories However, the exact charges against Amit remain undisclosed. The Indian embassy in Qatar is well aware of Amit Guptas detention by Qatari authorities, linked to an ongoing investigation, the people said on condition of anonymity. Guptas family has sought the intervention of the Prime Ministers office insisting that he is innocent and has been falsely accused of data theft. They are also demanding his urgent release. Our embassy continues to provide all possible assistance in the matter and is closely following the case," one of the people said, without giving details of the case or the charges against Gupta. Amit Guptas mother travelled to Qatar, where she met with the Indian ambassador. According to her, the ambassador expressed concern that, so far, there has been no positive progress in Guptas case. BJP MP Hemang Joshi told the media that Gupta had been working for Tech Mahindra in Qatar for the past 10 years. He was detained by Qatari security personnel and taken into custody. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all His parents had gone to Qatar for a month and tried to meet him but they did not succeed," the BJP MP added. This isnt the first time an Indian national has been detained in Qatar since 2022. Just two years ago, eight former Indian Navy personnel, including some highly decorated officers, were detained and later sentenced to death in 2023. Fortunately, their sentences were commuted by a Qatari court, and they were eventually freed in February 2024 on the orders of the Qatari Emir. Location : Doha, Qatar First Published: March 23, 2025, 08:08 IST I Feel He Wants Peace: Trump Envoy On Putin Ahead Of Fresh Ukraine Truce Talks In Saudi Published By : AFP Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 20:44 IST Witkoff said that there will be real progress in Saudi Arabia when US envoys meet Ukrainian and Russian counterparts. Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall for a meeting with his Tajik counterpart at the Kremlin in Moscow. (IMAGE: AFP) US President Donald Trumps envoy said Sunday he expects progress in Ukraine-Russia talks Monday and that he trusts Russian leader Vladimir Putin does not want to expand his invasion of the pro-Western country. I think youre going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that, youll naturally gravitate to a full-on shooting ceasefire," Steve Witkoff told Fox News. Recommended Stories I feel he wants peace," Witkoff said of Putin, whose forces have been occupying swaths of Ukraine since 2014 and launched a full-scale invasion in 2022. Lots of progress got made last week." The US has made a stunning about-face on Russia since Trump took power. Under former president Joe Biden, Washington treated Moscow as the aggressor and led a Western coalition to put pressure on the Kremlin. Witkoff said the main US role now was to understand both sides and mediate. Ive never ever seen a situation where there isnt two sides to a story. Its just never as black and white as people want to portray. So, there are grievances on both sides but our job is to narrow the issues, bring the parties together and stop the killing," he said. Asked about whether he thinks Russia would seek to occupy more of Ukraine or even go beyond into other parts of Europe, Witkoff said that was academic." I just dont see that he wants to take all of Europe," Witkoff told Fox News. I take him at his word in this sense, so, and I think the Europeans are beginning to come to that belief, too. But it sort of doesnt matter. Thats an academic issue. The agenda is, stop the killing, stop the carnage. Lets end this thing." In another sign of how far Washington has drifted from its previous condemnations of the Russian occupation in Ukraine, Trumps envoy said theres a view within the country of Russia that these are Russian territories." He cited a series of referendums conducted by Russia in occupied territories that purported to show support for Moscows rule, but were condemned as illegitimate by Ukraine and much of the international community. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In the view of Moscow, those votes justify" their actions, he said. This is not me taking sides. Im just identifying what the issues are," he said. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: March 23, 2025, 20:44 IST Indian-Origin Man, Daughter Shot Dead In US Store Shooting; One Arrested Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 11:24 IST The deceased man has been identified as Pradipkumar Patel. He, along with his daughter, was working at the store on Lankford Highway in Accomack County when the shooting took place. US Shooting victims (Courtesy: X/@AcharyaJay22_17) US Shooting: A 56-year-old man and his 2-year-old daughter were killed at a convenience store in the US state of Virginia following a shooting at the store. The incident took place on March 20 (local time), when Pradipkumar Patel and his daughter were working at the store on Lankford Highway in Accomack County. The officials have arrested one suspect, in the case, as per media reports. Identified as George Frazier Devon Wharton, 44, of Onancock, he is currently held in Accomack Jail without bond, according to Sheriff W Todd Wessells. Recommended Stories He faced charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and two counts of using a firearm during the commission of a felony. According to the Accomack County Sheriffs office cited by Shore Daily News, the deputies were called to the scene shortly after 5:30 am on March 20 on reports of a shooting victim, Shore Daily News reported. When they arrived, deputies discovered an unresponsive man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, it said. While searching the building, deputies found a woman suffering from apparent gunshot wounds as well. The man was declared dead at the spot, while the woman, who was not identified, was rushed to the Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries, the report said. The shootings motive remained unclear at the time. Paresh Patel, who identified himself as the owner of the store, shared with WAVY-TV, a Virginia-based television station, that the two victims were his family members. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all My cousins wife and her dad were working this morning, and some guy came here and just shot," Paresh was quoted as saying. I dont know what to do." The incident deeply impacted the Indian community in the United States after the news was shared on Facebook, according to the report. (With inputs from AP) Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: March 23, 2025, 10:10 IST NEW DELHI, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Four members of a family died and one was critically injured in a blast inside a house in India's northern state of Haryana on Saturday, confirmed a local police officer over the phone. The dead included two children, the police said, adding that the blast took place in an air conditioner unit of a bedroom in the house. An investigation was ordered to find the reason for the blast. The whole house has been affected by the impact of the blast. Four people have died on the spot, and one person is critical and undergoing treatment at a hospital, said the police. Indian-Origin Woman Slits Throat Of 11-Year-Old Son After Disneyland Trip, Attempts Suicide Later Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 10:21 IST According to a statement from the office of the district attorney, in Orange County, California, said that Ramaraju faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life if convicted on all charges. Saritha Ramaraju, 48, has been charged with one felony count of murder for slitting her son's throat. (Photo/X: @SantaAnaPD) A 48-year-old woman of Indian origin has been charged with allegedly killing her 11-year-old son by slitting his throat, following a family trip to Disneyland. The suspect, identified as Saritha Ramaraju has been charged with one count of felony murder and a felony enhancement for using a deadly weapon, specifically a knife, according to a report by the news agency PTI. Recommended Stories According to a statement from the office of the district attorney, in Orange County, California, said that Ramaraju faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life if convicted on all charges. In 2018, Saritha divorced her husband and moved out of California. She was in Santa Ana with her son for a custody visit, when the unfortunate incident took place. As part of their trip to Santa Ana, Saritha bought three-day Disneyland passes for herself and her son. After this, Saritha was scheduled to check out of the motel on March 19 and return her son to the father. However, on March 19, Saritha called 911 at approximately 9:12 am local time, reporting that she had killed her son and had consumed some pills to take her own life as well. Upon receiving the information, the Santa Ana police arrived at the spot and found the 11-year-old boys dead body on the bed in a room filled with Disney souvenirs. According to the DAs statement, it had appeared that the boy had been dead for several hours before Saritha called the cops. Authorities found the murder weapon, a large kitchen knife, in the motel room. Investigation revealed that Saritha had purchased the knife the day before the incident. Since she had consumed some unknown substance after killing her son, she was admitted to the hospital. Saritha was released from the hospital on Thursday and arrested on suspicion of her involvement in the boys death. Orange County DA Todd Spitzer said, The life of a child should not hang in the balance between two parents whose anger for each other outweighs their love for their child." Anger makes you forget who you love and what you are responsible for doing. The safest place for a child should be in their parents arms. Instead of wrapping her arms around their son in love, she slit his throat and in the cruelest twist of fate removed him from the very world she brought him into," he added. Saritha had been engaged in a custody battle with her husband, Prakash Raju, since last year. The fight came as a result of Ramarajus allegations that he was making medical and school decisions by himself, without consulting her input. Additionally, she had accused him of struggling with substance abuse. As per the courts records, after the couple got divorced in 2018, Raju was granted custody of his son while Saritha was given visitation rights. Saritha was living in Virginias Fairfax and wanted her 11-year-old child to live with her. She had accused Raju of a history of substance abuse issues", adding that he gets very aggressive under the influence of alcohol, drugs and smoke" She also accused Raju of having severe control issues", saying that their son is very scared to talk to mother as he will get into trouble with dad". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, Raju accused his former wife of citing completely false and untrue abuse and substance abuse issues". Suicide Prevention. News 18. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) Location : California, USA First Published: March 23, 2025, 10:21 IST Israel Asks Palestinians To Flee Rafah, Kills Top Hamas Commander Published By : AFP Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 16:12 IST Israeli troops are again deploying themselves in parts of Gaza and have asked Palestinians in Rafah to evacuate a district for an imminent offensive strike. Palestinian children react as they inspect the rubble and debris at the site of Israeli strikes the night before at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. (IMAGE: AFP) Israels military pressed ground operations across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, urging Palestinians to flee an offensive in Rafah city nearly a week into a renewed assault on the Hamas-ruled territory. The latest evacuation warning follows a deadly flare-up in Lebanon and missiles fired from Yemen, as Israeli troops again deploy to parts of Gaza despite calls to revive a January truce. Recommended Stories In a statement on X, military spokesman Avichay Adraee said the army launched an offensive to strike the terrorist organisations" in a district of the southern city of Rafah, already the target of a major Israeli offensive about a year ago. In a message that AFP correspondent said also appeared on leaflets dropped over the area by drone, Adraee called on Palestinians there to leave the dangerous combat zone" in Tal al-Sultan district and move further north. At a charity kitchen in Khan Yunis, southern Gazas main city just north of Rafah, 19-year-old Iman al-Bardawil said many displaced Palestinians like her struggle to afford food and drink". We are in the month of Ramadan, which is a blessed month, and people find themselves obliged to come here," Bardawil told AFP, lamenting the suffering" she saw around her. Im here to get rice for the children, but its gone," said Saed Abu al-Jidyan, who like Bardawil has fled his home in northern Gaza. The crossings are closed, and my salary has been suspended since the beginning of the war there is no food in Gaza." Top Hamas official killed Before its renewed assault, Israel in early March blocked the entry of humanitarian aid into war-ravaged Gaza and cut electricity supply, in a bid to force Hamas to accept the Israeli terms for an extension of the ceasefire and release the 58 hostages still held by Palestinian militants since the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war. The electricity supplied by Israel had fed Gazas main water desalination plant, and the decision to cut power has aggravated already dire conditions for Gazas 2.4 million people. Part of its renewed operations, the Israeli military said troops began operating in the area of Beit Hanun in northern Gaza", targeting Hamas militants and seeking to expand the security zone in northern Gaza". On Friday, Defence Minister Israel Katz said he had ordered the army to seize more territory in Gaza", warning Israel could annex it if Hamas failed to heed Israels demands for the next steps in the Gaza ceasefire. Hamas has accused Israel of sacrificing the hostages with the resumed bombardments, while many of the families of the captives have called for a renewed ceasefire, noting that most of those released alive did so during truce periods. In northern Gaza, a military statement on Sunday said that adding to ground opeartions, fighter jets struck several Hamas targets and terror infrastructure sites". An Israeli air strike Saturday on a displacement camp in the Khan Yunis area killed senior Hamas political official Salah al-Bardawil and his wife, the group said. At 1:30 or 2:00 am, we heard a very loud explosion," said Murad al-Najjar, a resident of the area. Our tents were destroyed And we saw that a man and his wife were martyred." Bardawil is the third member of Hamass political bureau killed in Israeli strikes since last week. No more bloodshed The escalation in Gaza coincided with a wave of Israeli air strikes on Lebanon on Saturday in response to rocket fire, which militant group Hezbollah an ally of Hamas denied responsibility for. In the most intense escalation since a November ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war, the Lebanese health ministry said seven people were killed on Saturday, including in an attack on Tyre which a security source told AFP targeted a Hezbollah official. Saturdays strike on Tyre, a major coastal city, left cars and buildings badly damaged, with holes blown into the facade of a building. On Sunday Lebanons official National News Agency said an Israeli drone targeted a car in a southern town, reporting an unspecified number of casualties. Since intense fighting resumed in Gaza on Tuesday, Hamas has fired rockets and Yemens Huthi rebels have launched several missile at Israel. Early Sunday Israel said it intercepted a missile from Yemen, part of an escalation with the Iran-backed Huthis who say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians. In Israel, crowds took to the streets on Saturday to protest moves by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government and call for an end to the war. Signs read No more bloodshed" and Stop the war, Now!" to ensure the return of the hostages still in Gaza. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Hamass 2023 attack on Israel resulted in 1,218 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures. Nearly 50,000 people in Gaza have been killed in the war, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Jerusalem, Undefined First Published: March 23, 2025, 16:12 IST Israel Kills Top Hamas Political Leader In Southern Gaza: Report Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 07:34 IST Pro-Hamas media said the airstrike killed Bardaweel, who is a member of the group's political office, and also killed his wife. Israeli officials had no immediate comment. Palestinians attend the funeral of senior Hamas deputy military commander Marwan Issa. (File Photo/Reuters) An Israeli airstrike in southern Gazas Khan Younis killed Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardaweel on Sunday, Hamas officials said, as residents reported an escalation in the Israeli military campaign that began on Tuesday. Pro-Hamas media said the airstrike killed Bardaweel, who is a member of the groups political office, and also killed his wife. Israeli officials had no immediate comment. Recommended Stories Taher Al-Nono, the media advisor of the Hamas leadership, mourned Bardaweels death in a post on his Facebook page. After two months of relative calm, Gazans were again fleeing for their lives after Israel effectively abandoned a ceasefire, launching a new all-out air and ground campaign on Tuesday against Gazas dominant Palestinian militant group Hamas. Explosions echoed throughout the north, central, and southern Gaza Strip in the early hours of Sunday, as Israeli planes hit several targets in those areas in what witnesses said was an escalation of the attack that began on Tuesday. In a statement, Hamas accused Israel of assassinating Bardaweel, whom it said was praying along with his wife, when an Israeli missile struck their tent shelter in Khan Younis. His blood, that of his wife and martyrs, will remain fueling the battle of liberation and independence. The criminal enemy will not break our determination and will," said the group. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said the main aim of the war is to destroy Hamas as a military and governing entity. He has said the aim of the new campaign is to force the group to give up the remaining hostages. Hamas de facto government head Essam Addalees and internal security chief Mahmoud Abu Watfa were among those killed by Israeli strikes on Tuesday, in addition to several other officials. Palestinian health officials said at least 400 people, more than half of them women and children, were killed on Tuesday. Palestinian medics said an Israeli plane bombed a house in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, wounding several people. Hamas has accused Israel of breaking the terms of the January ceasefire agreement by refusing to begin negotiations for a final end to the war and a withdrawal of its troops from Gaza. But Hamas has said it is still willing to negotiate and was studying Witkoffs bridging" proposals. The return to the air strikes and ground operations that have devastated Gaza has drawn calls for a ceasefire from Arab and European countries. Britain, France and Germany issued a joint statement calling on Israel to restore access to humanitarian aid. Israel has blocked the entry of goods into Gaza, and Falk accused Hamas of taking aid for its own use, a charge Hamas has previously denied. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after a devastating Hamas attack on Israeli communities around the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, that killed some 1,200 people, according to an Israeli tally, and saw 251 abducted as hostages. The Israeli campaign has killed more than 49,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities, and devastated much of the coastal enclave, leaving hundreds of thousands of people in tents and makeshift shelters. Location : Palestine First Published: March 23, 2025, 07:34 IST Pakistan Charges Activist Mahrang Baloch With Terrorism, Sedition After Protests Turn Deadly Published By : AFP Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 20:07 IST Baloch rights advocate Mahrang Baloch has been detained and accused of terrorism following a police raid on a protest in Quetta that left three dead. Pakistan's ethnic minority activist Mahrang Baloch (C) addresses the media at Karachi Press Club in Karachi. (IMAGE: AFP) Pakistan on Sunday charged a Baloch rights activist with terrorism, sedition and murder after she led a demonstration which ended in the death of three protesters, according to police documents. Mahrang Baloch, one of Pakistans most prominent human rights advocates, has long campaigned for the Baloch ethnic group, which claims it has been targeted by Islamabad with harassment and extrajudicial killings. Recommended Stories Pakistan has been battling a separatist insurgency in Balochistan for decades, where militants target state forces and foreign nationals in the mineral-rich southwestern province bordering Afghanistan and Iran. On Friday, she and other activists took part in a sit-in protest outside the University of Balochistan in the provincial capital of Quetta. They demanded the release of members of their support group, whom they allege had been detained by security agencies. Police launched a pre-dawn raid on Saturday, arresting Baloch and other activists, during which at least three protestors died. Both sides blamed each other for the deaths. Mary Lawlor, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights defenders, said she was very concerned" at Balochs arrest. Baloch and other protesters have been charged with terrorism, sedition and murder, according to the police charge sheet seen by AFP. Hamza Shafqaat, a senior administrative official in Quetta, said that Baloch and other activists were held under public order laws. Her lawyer, Imran Baloch, confirmed she was detained in a jail in Quetta. Baloch was barred from travelling to the United States last year to attend a TIME magazine awards gala of rising leaders". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Protests among the Baloch are often led by women. Baloch, now in her 30s, began her activist career aged 16 when her father went missing in what his supporters said was an alleged enforced disappearance". His body was found two years later. Earlier in March, the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) which accuses outsiders of plundering the provinces natural resources launched a dramatic train siege that officials said ended in around 60 deaths, half of whom were separatists behind the assault. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Quetta, Pakistan First Published: March 23, 2025, 20:07 IST Pope Francis Makes First Public Appearance In 5 Weeks As He Leaves Hospital Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 17:08 IST Francis, 88, went to hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that became the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy. Pope Francis gestures during his first public appearance in five weeks, on the day he is set to be discharged from Gemelli Hospital, in Rome (Reuters) Pope Francis made his first public appearance in more than five weeks on Sunday, waving from a balcony at Romes Gemelli hospital before leaving the facility. Francis, 88, went to hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that became the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy. Recommended Stories The popes doctors said on Saturday it would still take "a lot of time" for his aging body to fully heal, and said they had prescribed the pontiff a further two months of rest at the Vatican. Francis appeared on a balcony at the hospital shortly after noon on Sunday. Using a wheelchair, as he has for several years, the pope smiled and waved at a group of well-wishers gathered outside below. The pope, whose face looked swollen, appeared only for a few moments. He spoke briefly, with a feeble voice, to thank one of the members of the crowd below, who had brought yellow flowers. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Francis had only been seen by the public once before during his hospital stay, in a photo the Vatican released last week, showing the pontiff at prayer in a hospital chapel. In the moments before the pontiffs appearance on Sunday, the crowd of hundreds of well-wishers called out for the pope, chanting "Francis, Francis, Francis". Location : Vatican City, Vatican City First Published: March 23, 2025, 17:08 IST Russian Overnight Drone Attack On Kyiv Injured 7, Sparked Fires, Say Ukrainian Officials Published By : Reuters Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 10:40 IST Russia's drone attack on Kyiv injured at least seven people and caused fires in high-rise buildings. Emergency services responded to multiple districts. A Ukrainian serviceman passes by a residential building damaged by Russian military strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the frontline town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, Ukraine. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Russias overnight attack on Kyiv injured at least seven people and sparked fires in high-rise apartment buildings and throughout the city, Ukrainian officials said early on Sunday. A massive enemy drone attack on Kyiv," Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. So far, seven residents of the capital have been injured. One of them has been hospitalised." Recommended Stories Emergency services were dispatched to several districts of the city where fires were reported, Klitschko added. Falling debris from a destroyed drone sparked fires in high-rise apartment buildings in the historic Podil district and the Dniprovskyi district across the Dnipro River, Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyivs military administration, said on Telegram. The scale of the attack was not immediately clear. Reuters witnesses heard several blasts in what sounded like air defence systems in operation. Another two people were injured and several houses damaged in the region surrounding the capital, regional governor Mykola Kalashnik said on Telegram. There was no immediate comment from Russia. Both sides deny targeting civilians in the three-year-long war that Russia started with its full-scale invasion on Ukraine. The United States is pushing for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, and hoping to agree on a partial ceasefire that would halt strikes on energy infrastructure. But both sides have been reporting continued strikes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Kyiv, its surrounding region and the eastern half of Ukraine were under air raid alerts for more than five hours, starting late on Saturday, according to Ukraines Air Force maps. Location : Kyiv, Ukraine First Published: March 23, 2025, 10:40 IST Trumps Surprise Gift For Taliban As US Lifts Bounties On Sirajuddin Haqqani And Two Others Published By : Associated Press Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 16:52 IST Sirajuddin Haqqani planned the January 2008 attack on the Serena Hotel in Kabul and also carried out bombings against the Indian embassy in Afghanistan. Acting interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, speaks during the funeral prayers of Khalil Haqqani, the minister for refugees and repatriation, during his funeral procession in eastern Paktia province, Afghanistan. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO) The US has lifted bounties on three senior Taliban figures, including the interior minister who also heads a powerful network blamed for bloody attacks against Afghanistans former Western-backed government, officials in Kabul said Sunday. Sirajuddin Haqqani, who acknowledged planning a January 2008 attack on the Serena Hotel in Kabul, which killed six people, including US citizen Thor David Hesla, no longer appears on the State Departments Rewards for Justice website. Recommended Stories The FBI website on Sunday still featured a wanted poster for him. Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said the US government had revoked the bounties placed on Haqqani, Abdul Aziz Haqqani, and Yahya Haqqani. These three individuals are two brothers and one paternal cousin," Qani told The Associated Press. The Haqqani network grew into one of the deadliest arms of the Taliban after the US-led 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. The group employed roadside bombs, suicide bombings and other attacks, including on the Indian and US embassies, the Afghan presidency, and other major targets. They also have been linked to extortion, kidnapping and other criminal activity. A Foreign Ministry official, Zakir Jalaly, said the Talibans release of US prisoner George Glezmann on Friday and the removal of bounties showed both sides were moving beyond the effects of the wartime phase and taking constructive steps to pave the way for progress" in bilateral relations. The recent developments in Afghanistan-US relations are a good example of the pragmatic and realistic engagement between the two governments," said Jalaly. Taliban see the opening in breaking out of isolation. Another official, Shafi Azam, hailed the development as the beginning of normalization, also citing the Talibans announcement they were in control of Afghanistans embassy in Norway. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, China has been the most prominent country to accept one of their diplomats. Other countries have accepted de facto Taliban representatives, like Qatar, which has been a key mediator between the US and the Taliban. US envoys have also met the Taliban. The Taliban rule, especially bans affecting women and girls, has triggered widespread condemnation and deepened their international isolation. Haqqani has previously spoken out against the Talibans decision-making process, authoritarianism and alienation of the Afghan population. He has been under UN sanctions since 2007, because of his involvement with the network founded by his father, Jalaluddin. But the global body has allowed him to travel in the past 12 months, including to the United Arab Emirates to meet the countrys leadership and to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. Those were his first trips abroad since the Taliban takeover. Ibraheem Bahiss, a senior analyst with International Crisis Groups Asia program, said the removal of the bounties was a win for Taliban officials wanting to do business with the international community. The US was showing it could reward those who made compromises within their own remit, even if these compromises didnt translate to national policy, he said. The international community had made demands of the Taliban, specifically lifting restrictions on women and girls, but offered nothing in return, said Bahiss. Scrapping bounties was a sign that small diplomatic overtures were possible. While recognition as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan might not immediately be on the horizon, the Taliban viewed normalization as enough progress given their existing diplomatic inroads in the region, according to Bahiss. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all For the Taliban, the removal of sanctions is more important than (official) recognition. Sanctions bite. They inhibit your ability to do business, to travel. Thats why they would celebrate this as a victory. The transactional nature of this diplomacy suits both the Taliban and Trump." His partial rehabilitation on the international stage is in contrast to the status of the reclusive Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who could face arrest by the International Criminal Court for his persecution of women. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: March 23, 2025, 16:52 IST Ukraine, US Begin Talks In Saudi Arabia To Discuss 'Protecting Energy Facilities Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 23, 2025, 22:13 IST The latest round of talks in Saudi Arabia build on efforts led by US President Donald Trump to secure a speedy end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, now grinding through its fourth year. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov in a post on X said that the diplomatic talks commenced in Riyadh.(Photo: AFP) Senior Ukrainian diplomats are meeting their American counterparts to discuss a possible partial ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, holding discussions on various topics like protecting energy facilities and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabias Riyadh on Sunday. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov in a post on X said that the diplomatic talks commenced in Riyadh. He said that Kyiv would implement President Zelenskyys directive to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security. As per the minister, the Ukrainian delegation includes energy experts as well as military representatives from the naval and air components. Recommended Stories Weve started the meeting with the American team in Riyadh. We are implementing the President of Ukraines directive to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security. The agenda includes proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure. Today, were working through a number of complex technical issues our delegation includes energy experts as well as military representatives from the naval and air components," he said on X. Weve started the meeting with the American team in Riyadh. We are implementing the President of Ukraines directive to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security. The agenda includes proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure. Today, were Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) March 23, 2025 The latest round of talks in Saudi Arabia build on efforts led by US President Donald Trump to secure a speedy end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, now grinding through its fourth year. In a telephonic conversation with Trump last week, Zelenskyy had said that he had 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. Despite both sides proposing different plans for temporary ceasefires, attacks have continued unabated. A Russian strike on the Ukrainian capital killed three civilians overnight while Ukrainian drones killed two in Russia, officials said Sunday. Originally scheduled to take place simultaneously to enable shuttle diplomacy with the US going back and forth between the delegations the talks on a partial truce are now taking place one after the other. Ahead of the meeting, Donald Trumps envoy said that he expects progress in Ukraine-Russia talks and that he trusts Russian leader Vladimir Putin does not want to expand his invasion of the pro-Western country. I think youre going to see in Saudi Arabia some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that, youll naturally gravitate to a full-on shooting ceasefire," Steve Witkoff told Fox News. Subsequently, Russian officials would also hold talks with the United States in Saudi Arabia on Monday. Putins aide Yuri Ushakov said earlier that Moscow would be represented by Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Senates committee on international affairs, and Sergei Beseda, an advisor to the head of the FSB security service. Ushakov said he had confirmed this after talks with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. Both agreed to send expert groups" for the talks, he added. Earlier on March 11, US and Ukraine diplomats met in Saudi Arabia and held discussions on various topics like mineral deal and resumption of US military aid to Ukraine. The US resumed the aid following the talks in Riyadh. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Following the argument between Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart in the White House earlier this month, Washington had suspended military aid to Ukraine as well as intelligence sharing and access to satellite imagery in a bid to force it to the negotiating table. (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 : Riyadh, Saudi Arabia First Published: March 23, 2025, 22:13 IST A researcher of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, conducts an experiment at a laboratory in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2025. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) A researcher of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, collects wastewater for experiment at a sewage treatment plant in Dayi County of Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2025. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Tan Zhouliang (L), head of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, collects water samples at a farming pond in Pengshan District of Meishan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 13, 2022. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Tan Zhouliang (L), head of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, talks with an aquaculture farmer in Pengshan District of Meishan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 13, 2022. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Researchers of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, discuss an experimental plan at a laboratory in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 6, 2021. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Tan Zhouliang, head of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, arranges experimental materials at a laboratory in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 6, 2021. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Researchers of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, check the condition of algae at a laboratory in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 6, 2021. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Researchers of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, collect experimental samples at a sewage treatment plant in Dayi County of Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2025. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Tan Zhouliang (L), head of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, guides a student in conducting experiments at a sewage treatment company in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 23, 2022. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) A researcher of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, examines the effects of microalgae fertilizer on wheat germination at a laboratory in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2025. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Tan Zhouliang, head of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, checks the condition of algae at a laboratory in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 6, 2021. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) A researcher of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, uses algal solution to fertilize vegetables at a laboratory in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2025. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Researchers of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, discuss an experimental plan at a laboratory in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2025. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Researchers of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, pose for a group photo at a laboratory in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2025. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Tan Zhouliang, head of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, checks the condition of algae at a laboratory in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 6, 2021. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Tan Zhouliang (L), head of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, consults a local aquaculture farmer about the feed distribution in Pengshan District of Meishan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 13, 2022. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Researchers of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, check the condition of algae at a laboratory in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2025. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Tan Zhouliang (L), head of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, inquires with an employee of a sewage treatment company about the application of a microbial cell activity detection equipment developed by his team in wastewater treatment in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 23, 2022. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) This photo taken on March 20, 2025 shows the root of vegetables cultivated in algal solution (R) growing better than the root in clean water. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) A researcher of an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, uses algal solution to fertilize vegetables at a laboratory in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2025. In recent years, an innovation team specializing in synthetic microbiomes and wastewater resource utilization of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted a series of studies on pollutant conversion and wastewater resource utilization. The research results indicate that after treatment with microalgae, wastewater from sources such as domestic sewage, aquaculture effluent, livestock wastewater, and black and odorous water bodies not only meets discharge standards but can also be converted into feed and fertilizers. "Microalgae refer to tiny algae that can only be distinguished under a microscope. We have selected and cultivated microalgae that 'feed' on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus present in wastewater. By using them to convert pollutants into forage and fertilizers, we can achieve utilization of pollutants and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions," said Tan Zhouliang, head of the innovation team. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) | Sunrise Eclipse? If You Can Get Up Early, It's Imminent 'Rare' partial eclipse at the break of dawn in eastern US is happening next Saturday The videos roll through TikTok in 30-second flashes. Migrants trek in camouflage through desert terrain. Dune buggies roar up to the US-Mexico border barrier. Families with young children pass through gaps in the wall. Laced with emojis, the videos posted by smugglers offer a simple promise: If you don't have a visa in the US, trust uswe'll get you over safely. "With God's help, we're going to continue working to fulfill the dreams of foreigners," wrote one enterprising smuggler. High-tech outreach: As legal pathways to the US have been slashed and criminal groups are raking in money from migrant smuggling, social media apps like TikTok have become an essential tool for both smugglers and migrants. The videos offer a rare look inside an elusive industry and the narratives used by trafficking networks to fuel migration north, per the AP. Smugglers say new technologies allow networks to be more agile and expand their reach to new customers as President Trump ramps up a crackdown at the border. Researchers have long wondered how iguanas got to Fiji, a collection of remote islands in the South Pacific. They thought maybe they'd scurried there through Asia or Australia before volcanic activity pushed Fiji far away. But new research published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that millions of years ago, iguanas pulled off a 5,000-mile odyssey on a raft of floating vegetationmasses of uprooted trees and small plants. That journey is thought to be a record, further than any other land-dwelling vertebrate has ever traveled on the ocean, per the AP . Scientists think that's how iguanas got to the Galapagos Islands off of Ecuador and between islands in the Caribbean. Initially the researchers thought Fiji might be a bit too far for such a trip, but in a new study, they inspected the genes of 14 iguana species spanning the Americas, the Caribbean, and Fiji. They discovered that Fijian iguanas were most closely related to desert iguanas from North America, and that the two groups split off around 31 million years ago. The researchers created a statistical model using that information and other tidbits about where iguanas live today and how they may spread. It suggested that the iguanas most likely floated to Fiji from North America. "Given what we know now, their result is by far the most strongly supported," said Kevin de Queiroz, an evolutionary biologist at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History who wasn't involved with the new study. The journey from North America to Fiji could have taken a few months, but these desert iguanas would've been ideal passengers because they were adept at resisting dehydration and could have snacked on the plants underfoot. "If you had to pick a vertebrate to survive a long trip on a raft across an ocean, iguanas would be the one," said study author Simon Scarpetta from the University of San Francisco. Many Fijian iguana species are endangered, and an invasive green iguana roams the islands today, said study author Robert Fisher of the United States Geological Survey. Figuring out where these creatures came from can equip scientists with the tools to better protect them in the future. A gust of wind sweeps over bare soil, kicking up enough dirt and dust to cut visibility to nearly zero, and for drivers, the dust storm seems to come out of nowhere. As the AP reports, such conditions resulted in a pileup on Interstate 70 last week in western Kansas involving dozens of cars and trucks that left eight people dead. Blinding dust on Tuesday also prompted New Mexico's Transportation Department to close a 130-mile stretch of highway. Hazy or dust-darkened skies have recalled the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, when millions of tons of blowing soil buried farms and coated towns across the Great Plains. Some scientists worry that many motorists don't take them seriously enough. "We have a very low level of public awareness of a dust storm and what damage it can cause," said Daniel Tong, a professor of atmospheric chemistry at George Mason University who's among the authors of a 2023 paper on dust storm deaths. The fatalities Friday near Goodland, Kansas, were the first in the area in a dust storm since 2014, said Jeremy Martin, the National Weather Service meteorologist there. But they came less than a month after an 11-car pileup on I-10 left three people dead, with heavy dust cited as a factor. Tong and four co-authors concluded in their 2023 paper that there were 232 deaths from "windblown dust events" from 2007 through 2017, far higher than the number recorded by NOAA data. In January, he and four colleagues concluded that the economic damage caused by wind erosion and dust is four times higher than previously calculated, adding up to more than $154 billion a year. Martin said a cold front moved through the area of the pileup after it had been warm and dry for six hours. Winds that reached 70mph kicked up dust that then became trapped in the cold front. story continues below "It was hard to even keep your eyes open outside because there was so much dust in the air," said Martin. Weather service forecasters also said some of the advice for motorists in a dust storm is counterintuitive. Michael Anand, a NWS meteorologist in Albuquerque, said motorists should pull off the road as safely as possible, turn off all lights, and never use their high beams. A weak and frail Pope Francis left the hospital Sunday after surviving a five-week, life-threatening bout of pneumonia, giving a thumbs up to an adoring crowd before returning home to the Vatican, per the AP . During the trip home from the Gemelli hospital, the 88-year-old Francis took a slight detour to bring him to the St. Mary Major basilica, where his favorite icon of the Madonna is located and where he always goes to pray after a foreign visit. But it wasn't clear if he got out of the car. Before leaving the hospital, Francis acknowledged the crowd after he was wheeled out onto the balcony overlooking the main entry. Hundreds of people had gathered on a brilliant Sunday morning to say goodbye. "I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava!" a tired-looking Francis said. He gave a weak sign of the cross before being wheeled back inside. Chants of "Viva il papa!" and "Papa Francesco" erupted from the crowd, which included patients who had been wheeled outside to catch his brief appearance. Doctors said that he should refrain from meeting with big groups of people or exerting himself, but that eventually he should be able to resume all his normal activities. The Argentine pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli on Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened. Doctors later diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral, and fungal respiratory tract infection and soon thereafter, pneumonia in both lungs. Sen. Jon Ossoff came home to Atlanta Saturday to rally core Democrats desperate for effective action now against President Trump's administration, per the AP . "Georgia will bow to no king!" Ossoff proclaimed at the end of a 20-minute speech that labeled Trump as corrupt, out of touch with the problems of regular people, and "trying to poison our democracy with fear and intimidation." Atlanta, "this is not a drill," said Ossoff, who could be the Republicans' No. 1 Democratic target in the 2026 elections. "As citizens, this is the test of our lifetime. So tell me, Atlanta, are you ready to fight?" Ossoff's campaign tried to play down the idea that Saturday's event was the launch of his 2026 reelection campaign, and he never specifically asked the 2,000 Democrats gathered in a music hall on Atlanta's gentrified east side for their votes. But others, including fellow Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, made that explicit, and Ossoff's campaign handed out yard signs to people as they left. Many Republicans would like to see Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp enter the race. But the second-term governor has been holding back a decision and could opt instead to run for president in 2028 or to retire from politics. If Kemp declines to run, Republicans including US Reps. Buddy Carter, Rich McCormick, and Mike Collins could seek the nomination, as well as state Insurance Commissioner John King. US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has also mused about a possible run for Georgia governor or Senate in 2026. Any race in Georgia is likely to be closely contested and fantastically expensive. The twin Senate races in 2020, when Ossoff and Warnock narrowly won and flipped control of the Senate to Democrats, cost more than $900 million combined. Warnock's 2022 reelection over Republican Herschel Walker cost more than $470 million. story continues below Ossoff, keeping his focus off 2026, tried to speak to the alarm that Democratic voters say they are feeling, and promising he was doing everything he could to fight back. "Maybe right now you feel surrounded by darkness. You might be a little numb. You might be wondering if there's a way out," Ossoff said. "But Atlanta, we don't have the luxury of despair." Ossoff tried to carve out a lane as a traditional senator who could do bipartisan work in his first four years. With Democrats restive and in the minority, he may be looking to shift his tone to something more antagonistic towards Trump. The South African ambassador who was expelled from the US and declared persona non grata by the Trump administration was given a hero's welcome on his return home Sunday, when hundreds of supporters gathered at an airport and sang songs praising him. The crowds at Cape Town International Airport surrounded Ebrahim Rasool and his wife, Rosieda, as they emerged in the terminal, and they needed a police escort through the building. "A declaration of persona non grata is meant to humiliate you," Rasool told the supporters through a megaphone, the AP reports. "But when you return to crowds like this, and with warmth ... like this, then I will wear my persona non grata as a badge of dignity." Rasool said it was important for South Africa to fix its relationship with the US after President Trump punished the country and accused it of taking an anti-American stance even before the decision to expel Rasool. Trump issued an executive order last month cutting all funding to South Africa, alleging its government is supporting Hamas and Iran while pursuing anti-white policies at home. "We don't come here to say we are anti-American," Rasool said to the crowd. "We are not here to call on you to throw away our interests with the United States." The public comments were the ex-ambassador's first since Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared him persona non grata over a week ago, saying Rasool hates the US and Trump. It is highly unusual for the US to expel a foreign ambassador, per the AP. "It was not our choice to come home," Rasool told the crowd, "but we come home with no regrets." JERUSALEM, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military said Sunday it has intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it entered Israeli territory. The missile triggered sirens in the Tel Aviv area, the coastal plain south of Tel Aviv, the Sharon region in central Israel, and some settlements in the occupied West Bank, sending millions to shelters and safe rooms during the morning rush hour. "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the Air Force prior to crossing into Israeli territory," the Israeli military said in a statement. Landings and departures were temporarily halted at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv, Israel's Ynet news website reported. Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said in a statement that there were no injuries. Houthi forces in Yemen renewed their attacks on Israel after Israel ended a two-month ceasefire in Gaza with deadly airstrikes. A court formally arrested the mayor of Istanbul, a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Sunday and ordered him jailed pending the outcome of a trial on corruption charges. Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was detained after a raid on his residence last week, sparking the largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade. It also deepened concerns over democracy and rule of law in Turkey, the AP reports. His jailing is widely regarded as a political move to remove a major contender from the next presidential race, currently scheduled for 2028. Government officials reject the accusations and insist that Turkey's courts operate independently. The prosecutor's office said the court decided to jail Imamoglu on suspicion of running a criminal organization, accepting bribes, extortion, illegally recording personal data and bid-rigging. A request to hold him on terror-related charges was rejected, though he still faces prosecution. Following the ruling, Imamoglu was transferred to Silivri prison, west of Istanbul. The Interior Ministry later announced that Imamoglu had been suspended from duty as a "temporary measure." Alongside Imamoglu, 47 other people were also jailed pending trial, including a key aide and two district mayors from Istanbul. A further 44 suspects were released under judicial control. The government said Sunday that 323 people were detained the previous evening over disturbances at protests; hundreds of thousands have come out in support of Imamoglu in largely peaceful demonstrations. But police deployed water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray and fired plastic pellets at protesters in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, some of whom hurled stones, fireworks, and other missiles at riot police. The formal arrest came as more than 1.5 million members of the opposition Republican People's Party began holding a primary presidential election to endorse Imamoglu, the sole candidate. The party set up symbolic ballot boxes nationwide to allow people who are not party members to express support, and large crowds gathered Sunday to cast a "solidarity ballot." At a polling station in Bodrum, western Turkey, engineer Mehmet Dayanc, 38, said he feared that "in the end we'll be like Russia, a country without an opposition, where only a single man participates in elections." Against the backdrop of a trade war with the US and President Trump's talk of a takeover, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday called a snap election. Carney, who was elected by the Liberal Party earlier this month, wants the election to be held on April 28 instead of the original Oct. 20, NBC News reports. He argued that he needs a quick mandate to deal with those pressing issues. "We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty," Carney said in a news briefing. The earlier date could help the Liberals take advantage of their resurgence since Trump took office, per the Washington Post. Carney said that he had asked Mary Simon, the governor general, to dissolve Parliament and call for an election and that she agreed. That allows for a 37-day election campaign, the legal minimum, which Carney and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre began Sunday, per the AP. The election result could depend on the candidates' ability to convince voters that they're best suited to resist Trump's plans. Although Poilievre said he will stand up to Trump, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, an ally, said in an interview that the Conservative leader would be "very much in sync" with the "new direction in America." "The content of this interview is very bad news for the Conservatives because it reinforces the Liberals' narrative about Pierre Poilievre and his perceived ideological proximity with Donald Trump," said Daniel Beland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. The opposition party wants to focus on the record of Justin Trudeau, whom Carney replaced. Lori Turnbull of Dalhousie University suggested the Conservatives have to adjust to Trump's moves, per the Post. "They need to pivot big time because the question isn't Trudeau anymore," Turnbull said. In a demonstration of environmental commitment and diplomatic collaboration, H.E. Eng. Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, participated in a tree-planting event at the U.S. Embassy in Manama. The initiative was organized by the embassy and attended by H.E. Mr. Steven Craig Bondy, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The event highlighted shared environmental goals and strengthened bilateral ties between Bahrain and the United States. Minister Al Mubarak commended the U.S. Embassys efforts in promoting afforestation, emphasizing that such initiatives reinforce community engagement and sustainable development. He reaffirmed the ministrys commitment to fostering partnerships across all sectors to advance the National Afforestation Plan, which aims to double the number of trees in Bahrain by 2035. This initiative aligns with Bahrains broader commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Ambassador Bondy lauded Bahrains afforestation efforts and expressed gratitude for the collaboration. He noted that planting a tree is symbolic of nurturing strong diplomatic relations, stating, A tree requires nurturing and care to thrive, much like a strong diplomatic relationship. The act of planting it together symbolizes a joint effort in sustaining and strengthening the close ties between our governments and people. The Ambassador reaffirmed the U.S. Embassys dedication to continued partnership with Bahrain and extended well wishes for the Kingdoms success and prosperity. The tree-planting event was attended by senior officials, including Engineer Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary for Municipal Affairs, and Engineer Asim Abdul Latif, Undersecretary for Agriculture and Animal Resources, along with representatives from the Ministry and the U.S. Embassy. This initiative underscores Bahrains ongoing efforts to promote environmental sustainability while reinforcing the strong diplomatic ties between the two nations. His Highness Lieutenant General Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, Commander of the National Guard, participated in the official Pakistan Day celebrations held at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad. The annual event, observed on March 23, commemorates the historic Lahore Resolution of 1940, which paved the way for the creation of Pakistan. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior leaders of the Pakistani military, dignitaries from friendly nations, and accredited diplomatic and military representatives. On the sidelines of the event, Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa met with President Zardari and Prime Minister Sharif, conveying the greetings and best wishes of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and Prime Minister of Bahrain. He extended Bahrains warm congratulations to Pakistan on this significant national occasion, wishing the country and its people continued progress, prosperity, security, and stability. In his remarks, Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the Pakistani government, armed forces, and people on the occasion of Pakistan Day. He reaffirmed Bahrains deep-rooted ties with Pakistan and wished the nation further advancement and prosperity. His Highness is currently in Islamabad to take part in the celebrations, underscoring the strong bilateral relations between Bahrain and Pakistan. TOKYO, March 23 (Xinhua) -- A large bus crashed into a windbreak forest alongside a national route in Mihama Town of Japan's Mie Prefecture on Saturday night, leaving the driver dead and 21 passengers injured, national broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday. The incident occurred at around 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday when the bus crossed the center line and struck the protective trees lining the road, according to NHK. According to the police, the bus driver was taken to a hospital but later pronounced dead. Altogether 21 passengers sustained injuries and were transported to hospitals for treatment. Footage captured by NHK at the scene showed the bus's left front violently colliding with a tree, causing significant damage to part of the vehicle, including shattered front windshield glass. The bus was operated by Seibu Kanko Bus, headquartered in Saitama, and departed from Nachikatsuura Town in Wakayama Prefecture about an hour before the accident while en route to Saitama City. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. The US Air Force has selected companies and funded the purchase of new combat superdrones and the Boeing F47 next generation stealth fighter. X-prototype versions of the Boeing F47 stealth fighter have been flying for several years and the new drones are also flying. General Atomics and Anduril phase 1 high performance drones in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program are designated YFQ-42A (general atomics) and YFQ-44A (anduril). Air Force is looking to buy at least between 100 and 150 Increment 1 CCAs for each phase of the program. Each phase of the CCA drone program is about 3-6 years but they are overlapping phases. Increment one of the CCA program is focused on selecting an initial drone design that will hopefully be put into production by around 2028. In 2025, the phase 2 program is already starting. Increment two will be a second tranche of drones. Phase 2 will be the first time the CCA program will possibly include participation by foreign allies and partners. The Air Force expects to kick off a competition for Increment 2 sometime in Fiscal Year 2025, which began on Oct. 1. The US Air Force will buy extra CCA superdrones for the Experimental Operations Unit [EOU]. The EOU will createnew tactics, techniques, and procedures for using CCAs and integrating them into the Air Forces overall force structure. YFQ-44A (Anduril Industries) Fury was developed by Blue Force Technologies to simulate high-end threats. Anduril bought Blue Force in 2023 and adapted it for the CCA program. Fury is a fighter-like UCAV that is about half the size of an F-16 Fighting Falcon (F-16 length: ~49 ft / 15 meters; Fury estimated ~24-25 ft / 7-8 meters). Fury Performance and Specifications Maximum altitude: Up to 50,000 feet (15,240 m). Speed: Mach 0.95 (approximately 717 mph / 1,154 kph at sea level, though altitude-specific performance varies). Maneuverability: Capable of pulling up to 9g maximum and sustaining 4.5g at 20,000 feet (6,100 m). Propulsion: Single turbofan engine (probably a Williams FJ44 or Pratt & Whitney PW500). Armament: External weapons mounting confirmed, with renderings suggesting air-to-air missiles (possibly AIM-120 AMRAAMs) CCA cost estimates range from $25M-$30M per unit Range: Not publicly stated, estimated 500-1,000 miles (800-1,600 km) based on a similar XQ-58A Valkyrie. YFQ-42A (General Atomics) Performance and Specifications General Atomics built the MQ-9 Reaper combat drones. Cost: Likely $25M-$30M range per unit and a cost-per-pound target of ~$1,200/lb (compared to $4,000-$6,000/lb for crewed fighters). Range: Maybe over 1,000 miles (1,600 km), though optimized for combat rather than loitering. Boeing Next Gen F47 Fighter Will Work With 3-5 CCA SuperDrones Manus, developed by the Chinese startup Monica, is the worlds first fully autonomous AI agent. It launched on March 6, 2025. It can independently execute complex, real-world tasks. Manus AI can: Analyze stocks by conducting deep research, creating checklists, and generating reports with investment recommendations. Research AI tools by ranking the top 50 business AI tools based on a custom scoring system. Create interactive courses from a simple text prompt, turning them into websites with interactive elements. Analyze business data by processing sales data, generating insights, and creating visuals for reports. Find B2B leads by identifying potential customers and organizing them into a dashboard. Conduct SEO audits by running detailed website analysis and generating actionable reports. Mistral AIs Agents and Microsofts Magma are competing AI agent systems. Manus is great at multi-step digital taskslike web browsing, data analysis, and codingusing a multi-agent architecture where specialized sub-agents tackle different aspects of a workflow. Mistrals Agents has similar capabilities with a focus on autonomous task execution in digital environments. Microsoft Magma extends its reach into the physical domain by managing robotic systems alongside software tasks. This broader scope suggests a different kind of capability rather than a direct overlap with Manuss strengths. Magma could theoretically instruct a robot to assemble hardware or navigate a physical space. Most Impressive Capabilities of Manus End-to-End Task Autonomy Manus can take a vague user promptlike find me an apartment or analyze Tesla stockand independently break it down into actionable steps, execute them, and deliver a complete result. For example, it can research real estate listings, evaluate factors like crime rates and commute times, and present a tailored report, all without further human input. This bridges the gap between idea conception and execution, setting it apart from traditional AI models that merely generate responses. Multi-Agent Architecture Unlike single-model systems like ChatGPT, Manus operates as a multi-agent system, deploying specialized sub-agents to handle different aspects of a task (e.g., data collection, analysis, visualization). This allows it to manage complex workflows seamlessly, such as screening resumes, cross-referencing job market trends, and producing hiring reports, or even building and deploying a website from scratch. Tool Integration and Web Automation Manus integrates with external tools like web browsers, APIs, and code editors. It can autonomously browse the internet, scrape data, write and execute scripts, and interact with web applications. For instance, it has been demonstrated creating interactive websites with stock analysis visualizations and deploying them live, resolving hosting issues on its own. Asynchronous Cloud Operation Running in the cloud, Manus works asynchronously, meaning users can assign a task, close their device, and return to a completed result. This is particularly useful for time-intensive tasks like research or data processing, enhancing its practicality as a hands-off assistant. Versatility Across Domains Manus exhibits general-purpose capabilities, excelling in diverse areas such as financial analysis (e.g., stock correlation studies), travel planning (e.g., personalized itineraries factoring in weather and safety), recruitment (e.g., resume evaluation), and software development (e.g., coding websites). This broad applicability marks it as a step toward artificial general intelligence (AGI). Performance on GAIA Benchmark Manus reportedly outperforms OpenAIs Deep Research system on the GAIA benchmark, which tests AI agents on real-world problem-solving across varying difficulty levels. It achieved scores of 86.5% (basic), 70.1% (intermediate), and 57.7% (complex tasks), compared to OpenAIs 74.3%, 69.1%, and 47.6%, respectively, highlighting its superior autonomy and reasoning. Known Manus Problems Crashes and Instability Early testers have reported frequent system crashes, particularly during tasks like ordering food or booking flights. For example, attempts to order a sandwich or secure a flight from NYC to Japan resulted in failures or incomplete processes, indicating reliability issues in its current beta phase. There needs to be resource allocation to ensure that coding tasks have results stored in areas with enough memory. Factual Inaccuracies and Hallucinations Manus sometimes generates incorrect or fabricated data. In one test, it produced a report on public sentiment about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with fake sources, including a defunct blog and invented social media users, undermining its credibility for critical applications. Infinite Loops and Execution Errors Users have noted instances where Manus gets stuck in endless feedback loops or fails to execute tasks correctly, such as producing clunky website designs or misinterpreting instructions. This suggests limitations in its ability to self-correct consistently. Limited Server Capacity Due to its invite-only status and high demand, Manus suffers from server overload, leading to access delays and performance bottlenecks. This scalability issue hampers its usability for a broader audience. If there were an opensource version, then people could install their agent AI on servers that are sized for the tasks they want to perform. Ethical and Security Risks Its autonomy raises concerns about accountability (e.g., whos liable for a costly mistake?), data privacy (e.g., where is user data stored?), and potential misuse (e.g., autonomous misinformation campaigns). Running in a sandboxed environment, it still risks vulnerabilities if misconfigured or exploited. Dependence on Existing Models Manus relies on fine-tuned versions of existing models like Anthropics Claude and Alibabas Qwen, rather than a fully proprietary system. This has led some to question its originality and whether its capabilities stem from innovative architecture or clever integration. Known Mitigations to Problems Sandboxed Environment To address security risks, Manus operates in a sandbox, isolating its execution environment to prevent unauthorized system access or harmful actions. Developers have emphasized this as a critical safeguard, though proper configuration is essential to avoid breaches. Beta Testing and User Feedback The current invite-only phase is explicitly designed to stress-test the system and identify bugs. The Manus team is actively collecting user insights to refine stability and performance, with plans to scale server capacity as issues are resolved. Self-Correction Mechanisms Manus has shown some ability to recognize errors and improvise solutions, such as adjusting its approach when hitting obstacles during task execution. Enhancing this feature could mitigate loops and inaccuracies, though its not yet consistent across all scenarios. Transparency Features The Manuss Computer interface allows users to monitor and intervene in its processes, offering a degree of oversight. Replayable and shareable sessions also help users understand and correct its actions, addressing transparency and control concerns. Iterative Development The team acknowledges Manus is in its infancy and aims to improve its reliability and autonomy over time. For instance, addressing factual inaccuracies might involve better validation of sources or tighter integration with authoritative data APIs. Weather Alert Take action to protect yourself and others extreme heat can affect everyones health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day. Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water. Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or your emergency health provider if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body. Drink water often and before you feel thirsty to replace fluids. Close blinds, or shades and open windows if outside is cooler than inside. Turn on air conditioning, use a fan, or move to a cooler area of your living space. If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park. Follow the advice of your regions public health authority. Plan and schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day. Limit direct exposure to the sun and heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Never leave people, especially children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Check the vehicle before locking to make sure no one is left behind. Humidex values reaching 40 are expected. A heat event is expected this weekend. What: Daytime highs of 31 to 33 degrees Celsius and a humidex of 40. Overnight lows of 21 to 25 degrees Celsius, providing little relief from the heat. When: Today to Sunday, coming to an end Sunday night. Additional information: Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high risk category. ### For more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/how-protect-yourself.html https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/who-is-at-risk.html Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #ONStorm. ALGIERS, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune reaffirmed on Saturday Algeria's commitment to energy security and regional cooperation, emphasizing plans to boost gas production, support African economies and meet Europe's energy needs. During a meeting with media representatives, he highlighted the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP), a 4,000-km project connecting Nigeria's gas reserves to Europe via Algeria, set to transport 20-30 billion cubic meters annually. "This project will reinforce pan-Africanism and help Niger and Mali benefit from the gas pipeline, allowing them to capitalize on their own hydrocarbon production. This will serve our economies as Africans while also helping meet Europe's increasing energy demands," Tebboune said. He also said that Algeria plans to export hydrogen energy to Germany and Italy via the existing pipeline infrastructure linking Algeria to Italy. Meanwhile, Tebboune stressed Algeria's shift from crude oil reliance to natural gas, hydrogen, and renewables for a sustainable energy future. "Our focus is not just on oil barrels but on a balanced and sustainable energy strategy," he said. (Photo courtesy of the N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection) Scenes from the California Branch Wildfire in the Wharton State Forest, in Camden County, N.J. The New Jersey State Forest Fire Service started battling the on the evening of March 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection) Firefighters continued Sunday to battle the California Branch Wildfire in Wharton State Forest, which has spread to 2,300 acres. The fire, which has spread across two counties, is 80% contained, according to a 6 p.m. statement by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The previous update at 4 p.m. reported the fire has burned 1,750 acres. The wildfire crossed the Mullica River on Saturday night, spreading into Shamong Township in Burlington County from Waterford Township in Camden County. By Sunday morning, firefighters had managed to contain 50% of the wildfire, according to the Forest Fire Services social media report. The Goshen Pond Campground and the Atsion Family Campground were evacuated, fire officials report. Forest Fire also reported making significant progress in containing the wildfire near Raritan Avenue and Old Atsion Road. Fire officials reported that 18 structures are located near the fire, but the blaze is moving away from the homes. No evacuations have been ordered. The following roads in Wharton State Forest have been affected by the wildfire: Raritan Avenue Old Atsion Road 5 Mile Crossing Goshen Bridge Road The Forest Fire Service remains on the scene with fire engines, bulldozers, and ground crews. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Another update on the containment of the fire is planned for 6 p.m. Sunday by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Scenes from the California Branch Wildfire in the Wharton State Forest, in Camden County, N.J. The New Jersey State Forest Fire Service started battling the on the evening of March 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection) Scenes from the California Branch Wildfire in the Wharton State Forest, in Camden County, N.J. The New Jersey State Forest Fire Service started battling the on the evening of March 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection) 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. Officials are investigating the death of a 63-year-old inmate at the Hudson County Correctional Facility, according to a statement. The Hudson County Prosecutors Office is probing the death of Derrick Ellis, of Jersey City, who was found unresponsive in his cell in the medical unit around 12:15 p.m. on Friday, the statement said. Ellis was taken to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later. The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General was notified, according to officials. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. The room was filled with young faces. Most were barely 16, but their small frames made them look more like 7th-graders. The local sheriff in Jackson, Mississippi, wanted me to see them. He housed them in a special room because he knew that although they had committed violent crimes, they were not capable of fighting off grown men in the general population. The baby-faced prisoners, facing felony adult charges, were accused of everything from aggravated assault to murder to rape. It was a tough day, looking into the faces of boys who had forfeited their right to live in a free society. That memory instantly came back when I read about the kid accused of gunning down a police detective in Newark. His situation is different. Hell likely walk the streets as a free man. At 14, he should have been focused on school. Maybe he was - no way for me to know. What I do know is that he is accused of firing a weapon, a decision that will change everything about his young life. For the police detective struck by the gunfire, may he rest in peace. It was a murderous act that cannot be undone. Unless the streets start talking, as they often do, there is a chance we wont learn much about the teen who gunned down the detective before he could exit his car. In New Jersey, juvenile laws protect kids who commit crimes until age 15, when they can be tried as adults. The kid in this tragedy is also accused of shooting another officer, who has been hospitalized but is expected to live. But what will that life look like? It is difficult to let go of feelings of shock, anger, and disgust when such violence occurs. That it was a teenager who police say callously pulled the trigger adds to the trauma. Its not fair to the city of Newark, which has worked hard to reduce violent crime and has steadily declining numbers to prove it. But the absolute worst of it rests with the family of Detective Joseph Azcona, who was just doing his job, a tough job that came with risks. At 26, he was just a few years into a career he loved. He had so much life in front of him. Officials say Detective Azcona was part of an intelligence unit in search of a suspect believed to be armed. He knew the danger, but he also proudly took an oath to protect and serve the citys citizens. And what of his mother and father, who have been forced to endure the painful loss of a child? His mother told New Jersey Advanced Media that being an officer brought his family great pride. But on a recent Friday, as thousands gathered at his funeral service, it was time to honor Detective Azcona, grieve for him, and ultimately say goodbye to a son, a friend, a hero. I was moved by a message from the mayor and city officials. It emotionally addressed the officers death while expressing thoughts on societal issues that allegedly led a child to kill him. We grapple with the astonishing reality that a 14-year-old child was involved in this act of violence and who, himself, has lost the life he dreamed of, led down a senseless path born of systemic injustice and generational trauma, they said in a statement. We mourn the shattered childhood of his friends and classmates and agonize with his family, which will never be the same. Bashir Muhammad Ptah Akinyele, of the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition, works in the community to prevent such tragedies through actively working for change. One of the organizations founders was Mayor Ras Baraka, whom Akinyele credits with reducing crime in Newark and working tirelessly with several community organizations to keep the streets safe. The work is hard, Akinyele said, and is never done. But there are victories. Seeing the drastic reduction in the number of violent crimes is proof that the groups' efforts are making an impact. Still, he has seen too much death. He estimates that he has lost 50 or more students during his long career as an educator. Now, he said, Ive lost count. The first reaction to a confrontation is violence, said Akinyele, a high school history and African Studies teacher in Newark. Im gonna get my gun.' This is what young people say. So yes, 14-year-olds, 12-year-olds, 13-year-olds, little kids, right, growing up in a violent culture where theyve been indoctrinated to the point where they have become violent as well. He said community leaders, organizers, activists, clergy and elected officials must work together to steer young people and the community away from senseless violence. (The kids) live in communities that are oppressed, depressed, broken, Akinyele said. The village is broken. It has been broken for decades, Akinyele said. You know whats going to happen to this child, especially if hes black or brown, poor. He doesnt have adequate legal representation. This kid can be in the system for a while. A lot of these guys go in, and theyre destroyed. In the destruction, there is anger. When a 14-year-old commits murder, should juvenile courts shield him from the justice he would have faced if a year older? The alleged shooter remains hospitalized but will face arraignment in juvenile court when he is released. His case file will be sealed. After a stint in a juvenile facility, he will likely be released and able to begin his life - a clean slate with nothing to alert anyone of his past. Detective Azcona wont have that chance. Where is the justice in that? This editorial was written by Ronnie Agnew, general manager of NJ Advance Media. He and other staff senior editors will regularly author editorials for The Star-Ledger and NJ.com. You may reach him at ragnew@njadvancemedia.com. By Jeanette Hoffman Last Sunday morning, as I dropped my two young children off at Hebrew school, I thought about the Bibas family in Israel, whose childrens bodies were recently returned from Gaza in tiny coffins after being kidnapped on October 7. Beautiful, red-headed Ariel, age 4, and baby Kfir, age 9 months, who were ripped away from their mother Shiris arms and brutally strangled with the bare hands of their captors, simply because they were Jewish. Yet, Hamas and some of the people of Gaza paraded their coffins around in a victorious celebration with loud music to a crowd of thousands -- as if these innocent babies were somehow deserving of their murders. Gazas sick, dead baby parade is a reminder of the evil and horrors that Hamas committed on that 2023 fall day, as well as the callous and pervasive antisemitism that festers. Sadly, there are many agitators in America who openly celebrate the actions of Hamasthe kidnapping of children, the raping of teenage girls and women, and the murder of innocent Jews. They want my own children dead simply because theyre Jewish. Look at the anti-Jew hellscape thats become Columbia University and Barnard College. For close to 18 months now, Jewish students have been targeted with threats, intimidation, and physical violence from pro-Hamas, anti-Israel agitators. Theyve been subjected to social media videos with fellow students saying, Zionists dont deserve to live. Just a few weeks ago, a mob took over the Barnard College library and distributed pamphlets by the Hamas media office, with photos of former Hezbollah terror chief Hassan Nasrallah. They inscribed Death to America in the librarys guest book. As a parent, I cant imagine paying over $82,000 a year for my child to go to an Ivy League school where radical, anti-American activists set up illegal encampments, violently take over campus buildings, and routinely threaten the safety of students. The Trump administration has rightfully declared this antisemitic, anti-American discrimination and violence will no longer be tolerated at Columbia or any other school. The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil Recently, theres been much controversy over the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, the ringleader of Columbias pro-terror, anti-Israel activities. Khalil, a Syrian native on a green card, was detained by ICE and targeted for deportation because the administration charges hes a national security threat and allegedly involved in activities tied to Hamas. Make no mistake, its well-documented that the group that Khalil represents, Columbia United Apartheid Divest (CUAD), aligns itself with terror organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah and calls for the end of Western civilization. They openly endorse violence, saying in an Instagram post, We support liberation by any means necessary, including armed resistance. On the one-year anniversary of October 7, CUAD celebrated the barbaric murders of Jews, calling it a moral, military, and political victory. If you quickly scan the headlines, you might think Mahmoud Khalils arrest could be a free speech issue. Its not. Khalil is not a peaceful, anti-war protestor. Khalil is a foreign agitator who, as a guest of this country, is being accused with threatening our national security and aligning with Hamas. Dont let Khalil and his legal team gaslight you. Hes no victim. He violated the terms of his green card by supporting a terrorist organization. He will get due process in front of a federal immigration judge, where the government will present its evidence. The real civil rights issue on college campuses Lets be clear. Since October 7, thousands of Jewish students across the country had their lives upended by threats, intimidation, and physical violence by pro-Hamas, anti-Israel agitators, like Khalil. Jewish students continually fear for their safety on campus, and discrimination is rampant. Antisemitic vandalism is everywhere on campus buildings, including human feces recently being smeared on the door of a Jewish fraternity. Yet, many politicians turned a blind eye to this blatant discrimination and violence against Jews. Frankly, if this were any other ethnic or racial group targeted, the previous administration wouldve stepped in long ago to protect their civil rights. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is correct in saying, No one has a right to a student visa. No one has a right to a green card. No one from a foreign country has the right to tear down our universities, threaten American students, and come to our country and align themselves with terrorist organizations that wish to destroy us. The First Amendment is a cornerstone of our American democracy, and college campuses should be open forums for vigorous debate. But threatening the lives and civil rights of others, while engaging in pro-terrorist activities, is not protected free speech. Its finally time for a reckoning on our college campuses. Jeanette Hoffman is president of New Jersey-based Marathon Public Affairs. A former executive director of the New Jersey Republican State Committee, Hoffman appears regularly as a political strategist and pundit for such outlets as BBC News, NewsNation, Fox 5 New York, News 12 New Jersey among others. 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. Nowruz festival in Central Asian countries marks the arrival of spring, the revival of nature, and the beginning of a new year. In Almaty, Kazakhstan, people celebrate Nowruz with spectacular songs and dances. Join us to discover the beauty of spring in Nowruz! Produced by Xinhua Global Service Baby Dont is Sarah Quintanas Louisiana record. For a long time, Ive been put in the New Orleans music category without that being my intention, Quintana says. "I grew up here. My family's Cajun, and I sing in French and English," but she didn't consider her songwriting to fit in with what others may think when they hear the term "New Orleans music." Over the years, Quintana has played guitar or been a vocalist with a number of people playing Louisiana-rooted genres, like Cajun fiddler Michael Doucet and the traditional jazz band, the New Orleans Moonshiners. Her solo albums, though, have cast a wider genre net and incorporated her love for folk, jazz and pop. But with Baby Dont, Quintana decided to add her touch to the local sounds she grew up with. Traveling abroad and touring, Ive kind of come to understand how I fit into things, Quintana says. It really is a different moment for me in my career, where instead of resisting that category, Im being curious about it. What if I wrote a record that sounded like Louisiana music? What if I made a Mardi Gras song or a New Orleans ragtime? Baby Dont, Quintanas third full-length and her first leading a full band, is out Friday, March 28, and she and her band will play an album release show at 9 p.m. that night at BJs Lounge. The Tin Men and Sofia Mock also will perform. My intention originally was to make a New Orleans feel-good album, something inspired by classic New Orleans rhythm and blues of the 50s and 60s, but I also wanted it to be more broadly a Louisiana record, so that I had permission to throw in a little Cajun French, play with some fiddle and cello parts, Quintana says. The nine-track Baby Dont features Quintana on vocals and guitar, and here shes leading a band with reeds player Rex Gregory with whom Quintana has often collaborated over the years tuba player Jason Jurzak, drummer Rose Cangelosi and cellist Chris Beroes-Haigis. There also are guest appearances by Leyla McCalla on vocals and banjo, Louis Michot on fiddle, trumpeter Emily Mikesell and accordion player Corey Ledet. Quintana and her band recorded in the room together at Dockside Studios outside of Lafayette, at Marigny Studios and other locations. Most of the tracks are originals, but the album opens with a modern spin on Shirley and Lees R&B classic Let the Good Times Roll. Quintana sings in French adapting the title to Laisse le bon temps rouler and adds a swamp pop feel to the track. Quintana also puts some gas into an electric cover of Michael Doucet and BeauSoleils Rouler et Tourner itself an arrangement in Louisiana French of the blues standard Rollin and Tumblin. I saw Michael in the band covering music but making it Cajun and making it their own to the point where it was different and said so much about the culture, Quintana says. Im trying to do that on Laisse le bon temps rouler. Its a cover, but its a new arrangement. It feels like someone should have sang the song in French a long time ago. The title track, Baby, Dont (Change My Radio), is a classic-sounding rhythm and blues track, and other songs on the record swing into blues, pop and more genres you might hear around South Louisiana. The albums closer, Bump in the Road, is a sweet, timely tune about togetherness and recovery after Hurricane Katrina. I didnt mean to put that last I didnt really know when this record was going to come out, Quintana says. My musical journey started with Katrina. I was a student at Loyola studying French and planning on moving to France to be an English teacher. And then Katrina happened, and I ended up street performing and living in France. I didnt necessarily set out to be a musician, she adds, I just had this feeling of being homesick and needing to play. Then one thing led to another, and by 2008, I was playing Voodoo Fest, in 2009 playing my first Jazz Fest. The new album also comes when Quintana, who grew up in Gentilly and graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School and attended NOCCA, is closing in on 20 years as a musician. Shortly before the pandemic, she was working with Doucet and had a great tour as part of his trio. They were gearing up for another run along the East Coast and West Coast when the pandemic pulled the plug. After that experience and during the pandemic, I think my point of view shifted from work, work, work to play, play, play, says Quintana, who also is a speech pathologist specializing in voice at LSU Health. I only wanted to do this record if it was at my favorite studio, with my favorite musicians and friends, with my favorite songs. The intention from the get-go was, OK, we spent 20 years trying really hard. What if we just do something that feels good? Just giving myself permission to have fun was kind of a missing piece for me. Find Baby Dont and more at sarahquintana.com. Editor's Note: This article has been updated to correct the title of the album. When chef Emeril Lagasse opened his restaurant Emerils in the Warehouse District 35 years ago this week, restaurant critic Gene Bourg wrote, The thrills never seem to end in this, the most exciting restaurant to appear on the local scene in memory. Lagasse, then just 30 years old and a native of Fall River, Massachusetts, had made a name for himself during a seven-year stint as executive chef at Commanders Palace, long known as a training ground for outstanding chefs. So expectations were high when he went out on his own. Emeril Lagasse has forged a stunningly original menu that fuses New American creativity with every bit of the vigor and richness that Creole cookery has always stood for, Bourg wrote in his initial Times-Picayune review of the restaurant in August 1990. The range of dishes is as awesome as their quality is high. But this list is more than a menu. It amounts to a manifesto, aimed at radically altering the way we think of Creole cooking. Bourg was hardly the only one to take notice of Lagasses talents. Before long, Emerils was called Restaurant of the Year by Esquire and Lagasse named Best Chef: South at the James Beard Awards. Within a few years, he also had his own show on the Food Network, the first of many TV appearances which earned him international attention. His culinary empire would expand to more than 20 restaurants across the country. In 2021, Emerils son E.J. who like his father graduated from Johnson & Wales University joined Emerils restaurant, leading the day-to-day operations. The restaurant underwent a major renovation in 2023. On Wednesday, March 26, it will celebrate its 35th anniversary with a special dinner and tasting menu showcasing some throwback dishes. AMMAN, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Royal Jordanian Airlines, the flag carrier of Jordan, on Sunday operated a trial flight to Aleppo International Airport in preparation for resuming flights to the strategic Syrian city after a 14-year suspension. The state-run Al Mamlaka TV reported that the test flight came after Aleppo International Airport was rehabilitated and reopened last week. On Sunday, Samer Majali, CEO of the airliner, said that Royal Jordanian is the first international airline to land at Aleppo International Airport. Majali said the trial flight carried a delegation from Royal Jordanian, the Jordanian Civil Aviation Authority, and other relevant officials to assess the airport's readiness. He added that official flights to Aleppo will start next month if preparations are completed. Royal Jordanian resumed flights to Damascus International Airport last month and currently operates 11 weekly flights to the Syrian capital. Enditem. The new 1-million-square-foot Amazon distribution center, the largest building ever constructed in Northwest Indiana, is expected to lure more logistics operations to Merrillville and Interstate 65. Several cold storage warehouses and business parks are under construction along the highway from Hobart down to Lowell. Amazon now has warehouses on either side of I-65 in Merrillville, one delivering packages locally in AmeriPlex at the Crossroads and a new one in the Silos at Sanders Farms delivering products from largely small- and medium-sized sellers to warehouses from coast to coast. "Amazon put us on the map in Chicagoland," Merrillville Economic Development Director Angie Chilcott said. Amazon has a reputation for being the gold standard in logistics with an intricate nationwide network that can deliver an order to someone's doorstep in 48 hours. Its presence sends a signal to the market that the I-65 corridor in Lake County is an ideal spot, Northwest Indiana Forum President and CEO Heather Ennis said. "Not that we need a proof of concept because we know that I-65 and Interstate 94 are the crossroads of America, it continues to attract more and more investment," she said. "These other facilities are filling up quickly. We're having conversations where the next investments might go and what those might look like." The Seattle-based ecommerce giant known for its one-click shopping employs more than 500 workers and is still hiring at the new Amazon PPO4 at 9850 Mississippi St. They ship products from independent sellers to warehouses from California to New Jersey. Amazon is known for doing its homework before it puts such a key distribution center somewhere, Ennis said. "The due diligence that a company that Amazon does before locating in a community includes looking around and making sure the infrastructure is solid, the community is willing to work with them and the workforce is in place," she said. "It's a gold standard, a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval that the community is willing to move forward and the opportunities are there." Amazon opening a second facility right across the highway is an especially strong statement of validation for the Northwest Indiana market, Ennis said. "The need is continuing to grow and the opportunity is right here in Northwest Indiana, which is a day's drive from 80% of the country's population," she said. "It creates great opportunity to service this entire Chicagoland metropolitan area." Merrillville Town Council President Rick Bella said such a large company coming to town was a vote of confidence. "This is the largest building in Lake County," he said. "To have a building of this size occupied by one company is unusual. But when you look at Amazon and their volume it makes sense that they're here." Merrillville has been seeing a boom in such investment at AmeriPlex at the Crossroads, Silos at Sanders Farm and a new business park Crow Holdings is planning. "It shows we're welcoming, we have a new business coming to Merrillville," Bella said. "We're welcoming if it's in the right location. This warehouse would not be welcome next to a neighborhood or other businesses." The new Amazon distribution center is likely to attract support businesses and other commercial developments, such as restaurants that might spring up to cater to the lunch crowd. "It's not just economic development for the one company, it's for the others that come to support them," he said. "So really it's the domino effect that keeps going with the smart economic development." GARISSA, Kenya, March 23 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and four others injured early Sunday after al-Shabab militants raided a security camp in Garissa County in northeastern Kenya along the border with Somalia, the police said. Police spokesman Michael Muchiri confirmed the attack, which occurred at about 5:30 a.m. local time at a national police reserve camp in Biyamadhow. He added that security has been reinforced, with more police and security teams dispatched to the region to pursue the militants. The Kenya Police Reserve is an auxiliary force to assist the regular Kenya police in maintaining law and order, particularly in rural areas, by combating issues like cattle theft and armed banditry. The police said the attackers overran the camp, shot and stabbed victims, and ransacked the camp before escaping. "Multi-agency security operatives are piecing this incident together with the anti-terrorism police unit at the lead. Progress to follow," the police said in a report. The attack took place near the porous Kenya-Somalia border, an area frequently breached by al-Shabab militants. Since Kenyan soldiers crossed into Somalia in 2011 to forestall the threats posed by al-Shabab, several security officers and scores of civilians have been killed in northeastern Kenya, with many maimed and property worth millions destroyed. However, Kenyan authorities said the deployment of the troops in the southern regions of Somalia has so far helped curb the movement of explosives, counterfeit electronics and contraband sugar across the border. Jerry Davich Metro columnist Follow Jerry Davich 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. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today For more than a year, a devout believer in Jesus Christ has urged me to follow his direct path of faith. This is nothing new as Ive navigated my journey in my own way, prompting people to want to either save me, convert me or condemn me. Many of them feel divinely compelled to do so, which Ive always appreciated if the gesture is done without didactic condescension. What makes this believers insistent efforts different than others before him is that he devoutly worships President Donald Trump and Elon Musk as if they are messianic figures. In fact, he praises them more than Jesus and God while overlooking many of Christianitys principal tenets such as love, mercy, forgiveness and redemption. His social media posts are intense sermons filled with equal measures of political rants and religious zealotry. Hes abrasive and judgmental, openly mocking anyone who doesnt share his political views. You know, just as Jesus would do. This continual contradiction has been weighing on my mind, so I brought it up during a meeting with a local church pastor who I very much admire and respect. He has been discreetly guiding me on a path of faith, beyond Sunday sermons, church socials and some parishioners who can be curiously hypocritical. The pastor, who Ive known for several years, intentionally avoids sermonizing about national politics so as not to alienate or agitate any of his congregants. This, however, doesnt mean he has no personal opinions about Christians who align themselves morally with Trump, Musk and others like them. Have you ever mentioned this contradiction to that man? the pastor asked me. No, I replied. If I did, it would undoubtedly offend him. He would react defensively about his political posts and his alignment with political leaders who he holds in such high regard. He routinely cites Jesus, God and the Bible with our current presidential administration, as if theyre all divinely intertwined. It would sabotage our relationship, I told the pastor. I respect that you dont want to damage your relationship, he replied. However, I think the only thing that would change the mindset of someone like that is the idea of a lost soul. Such as me, he meant. What would happen if you told him that he is pushing you away from Jesus, not closer to Him, by his alignment with Trump, the pastor said. I asked him if he noticed such contradictory beliefs from parishioners in his church. He didnt hesitate to reply. Definitely, he said. I see Trump supporters who get associated with church and it pushes people away. He described this situation as red meat, attracting a crowd that theyre already a part of. Some people are jostled by the idea that other Christians are actually undermining the message of Jesus by voicing these political views," he said. I asked what would happen if I broached this issue with people such as the man who is repeatedly trying to get me to follow his path of faith. They may not respond positively in the moment. But in time it may jostle them into understanding how theyre presenting themself, and presenting Jesus, the pastor said. This is true even if such believers are convinced that Trump and Musk are righteous political leaders sent by God to address the sins, corruption and moral degradation of our country. Even then, are these Christians representing Jesus in the way they should? the pastor asked rhetorically. Or are they serving the purposes of politics? I asked him why believers of any religion, or any faith, would choose the limited and narrow-minded scope of national politics over the eternal and limitless promises of a heavenly afterlife. I struggle to understand how they reconcile these two realities and polarities in their mind. The pastor knowingly smiled. He sees this contradiction every week in his church. Its a little misunderstanding of Christianity and a little misunderstanding of Trump, he said. Too many people jam them together and present them as the message of Jesus. As for the pastor's background, he grew up in a conservative, Republican-heavy church. I didnt even know Democrats existed, he joked. Like many Americans, he was raised on the belief system of Christian nationalism the historical ideology that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation. Believers of this ideology currently feel under attack by outside forces, which may explain why theyre aligning themselves with political leaders who promise to restore it in America. Even if these leaders are proven liars and obvious scoundrels who do not reflect the holy teachings of Jesus Christ. Like you, I dont understand their enthusiasm for these political leaders, the pastor said. But its easier to believe youre on the moral high ground when youre part of a large group of like-minded people. Its called group think, a social-psychological phenomenon that occurs when a group prioritizes consensus and cohesion over critical analysis and sound judgment. This has led to the evangelical idolatry of political leaders who weaponize culture wars in the name of God, and cherry-pick scripture when it confirms their ideology. I asked the pastor how I should respond to my acquaintance who preaches divisive politics and Christian faith in the same breath. Tell him hes pushing you away from Jesus, he replied. A retired farmer who works voluntarily for the Embrace Farm safety organisation was fined 300 after Tullamore District Court heard how he was driving an untaxed tractor when he was stopped on his way to a repair centre to get seven tyres on a trailer replaced. A RETIRED farmer was on his way to get tyres replaced on a trailer when he was stopped by a garda on the Tullamore-Portlaoise road. Daniel Lynam (72), Dromore, Castletown-Geoghegan, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, was summonsed for being the user of a tyre with a lump, bulge, tear or partial failure on the N80 at Cloncon, Co Offaly on September 4 last year. Garda Stephen O'Hanlon, Portlaoise Garda Station, told Tullamore District Court that at 10.39am on that date he saw a red and black 2006 registered Case tractor being driven on the N80 with its tax out for over 2,000 days. The tyres on its trailer appeared to be in very poor condition and the driver said he was going to a tyre repair centre when he was stopped. Garda O'Hanlon said the distance to the tyre repair centre would be 20km door to door. The garda added that while a fixed charge penalty notice for the road tax offence had been paid, another for the offence involving the tyre had not. Garda O'Hanlon also said he refused a request for a cancellation of the tyre offence. A photograph of a tyre, which was completely disintegrated was handed in to Judge Andrew Cody. Mr Lynam told the court he had previously been in a farm accident and he was not able to change the wheels on the trailer himself, hence his journey to Hinch's for the repair. He knew he needed seven new tyres and he got them put on. He also said he made an effort to pay the fixed charge penalty notice but the system was down in Streamstown post office. He said he had been only one or two miles away from Hinch's when he was stopped. Mr Lynam further explained that he was a retired dairy farmer who now worked on his son's farm. He also did a lot of voluntary work talking to students in colleges about farm safety for the Embrace Farm organisation. It may be contradictory, added Mr Lynam. Judge Cody responded: There's a slight contradiction when you look at that tyre. The judge fined the man 300 and gave him three months to pay it. Leaving the world as she arrived into it, a Christening robe over 109 years old was placed on the coffin of Ruby Druce. The funeral Mass of the inspirational 109-year-old at St Marys Church took place in Castlefin on Sunday afternoon. Trees still bare, showing just the early signs of bloom, swayed in the breeze as Ruby, who was Irelands oldest person before her death on Friday, was laid to rest. READ MORE: Irish influencer Chloe Koyce shares terrifying ordeal after man followed her into hotel Eight members of An Garda Siochana formed a guard of honour and respectfully saluted as Rubys remains were taken to and from the Church. Born on New Years Eve in 1915, at Sandy Row, Castlefin she was 109 years and 80 days old when she slipped to her eternal rest. She lived for an incredible 39,894 days before the call came at around 2am on Friday and was Irelands oldest person before her death. Castlefin fiddler Matt McGranaghan played The Lark In The Clear Air as the funeral cortege made its way to the Church and the sound of Liam Harkins clarinet filled the air as Ruby was taken to her place of rest in the adjoining cemetery - in the shadows of the old Church where she was baptised over 109 years ago. The Christening gown holds a weight of history and her great-grandniece, Ruby Shields, was among the gift-bearers having also been baptised in the same robe. Fr Ciaran Harkin, the parish priest of the Aughaninshin parish in Letterkenny, where Ruby spent 10 years while living with her niece Margo Butler, who sadly passed away last summer, celebrated the funeral Mass. She was blessed with an extraordinarily long life, Fr Harkin said. She enriched the lives of so many different people in so many ways. I did my best to turn her into a Letterkenny woman, but she was Castlefin through and through. Martin Harran, the husband of Rubys niece Carmel, with whom Ruby spent the final eight months of her life, told the congregation how he last stood at the pulpit in St Marys Church on the occasion of Rubys 100th birthday. The entire village turned out to celebrate with her and what was supposed to be a quiet cup of tea turned into a major logistical exercise, he recalled. We never imagined that day that we would enjoy Ruby for another nine years. When the media talk about Rubys life, they talk about the things that she lived through, but it struck me that Rubys real history was Ruby herself and the people she touched from her days as a teenager in the shirt factory to her position as Irelands oldest person. There was a large spectrum of people who loved Ruby, from young children who adored her to people who shared so many great memories of Ruby. Ruby Druce with family members at her 109th birthday. (North West Newspix) Mr Harran said Ruby was very lucky in having the extended family to care for her and it was Ruby herself who created that. She was someone who was very easy to like and to love. I genuinely cannot exaggerate how much of a privilege it was for Carmel and me to have Ruby in our home for the last eight months. Mr Harran thanked the large number of people who aided Ruby, including the team of home helpers, nurses and priests. A number of items reflecting Rubys remarkable life were brought forward at the beginning of the Mass: A photograph from the day of her wedding to her childhood sweetheart Jim Druce in 1956; a cover of the local history clubs annual which showed several images from Rubys life; her ninth centenarian medal sent by President Michael D Higgins for her 109th birthday in December; a symbol of her love of boiled sweets; a copy of the Messenger magazine which she used to deliver in the locality; her Rosary beads; and her Christening robe. A pioneer and a non-smoker all her life, she survived two global pandemics - the Spanish Flu in 1918 and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. She was vaccinated against Covid-19 in February 2021 at the age of 105. Born before daylight saving time was widely implemented and four months before the Easter Rising of 1916, Rugby also lived through the two World Wars. Fr Harkin told the large attendance that Ruby had waited patiently for the call from God. It was very much a prayerful waiting, Friday Harkin said. It seemed to me that Ruby was in a state of continual prayer. Fr Harkin remembered a woman whose kindness, caring nature and interesting sense of humour touched the lives of many. She had a great zest for life and took an interest in the lives of other people. She left a deep impression on so many. Ruby Druce fought the good fight to the end, she ran the race and she certainly kept the faith. Members of An Garda Siochana salute as the remains of 109-year-old Ruby Druce are taken from St Mary's Church. Photos: Joe Boland (North West Newspix) She worked for 48 years in Porters Shirt Factory and often credited walking, hard work and a daily cod liver oil capsule for her incredible life. Ruby was a massive fan of Donegal country star Daniel ODonnell. Last year, when she was visited by Daniel and his wife Majella, she joined Daniel in a rendition of The Homes of Donegal. I had the privilege of meeting her last year, Daniel said in a tribute. What a fantastic woman she was. Sympathies to all her family. May she rest in peace. Up until 2024, Ruby watched Mass every morning on YouTube and was a much loved citizen in her hometown, where she switched on the Christmas lights in 2022. Castlefin-based Sinn Fein Councillor Gary Doherty said: She was known to all, both young and old, and was an inspiration to many with her attitude to life and willingness to live life to its fullest. We didn't need any election in Castlefin for the title of King or Queen. There was only one winner, and she is now at her eternal peaceRest In Peace Ruby Druce, the 'Queen of Castlefin. Help Our Community Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You! Take The Survey The Nix of the Mill-Pond (Image by quinet) Details DMCA To break sharply with the past is to court the madness that may follow the shock of sudden blows or mutilations. As the sanity of the individual lies in the continuity of his memories, so the sanity of a group lies in the continuity of its traditions; in either case a break in the chain invites a neurotic reaction, as in the Paris massacres of September, I792. -- Will Durant, The Lessons of History Or the Capitol riot in 2020. When people saw that it took a week to count the votes and that anomalies surfaced left and right, the reaction was swift and bitter. And it is only the first assault, not the last. Rambunctious President Trump is bent on his own revolution, and if successful, it will leave American public unable to recognize itself anymore. A "neurotic reaction" is sure to follow. What is causing this break in the chain of continuity? First, there is Trump himself, shambling and glowering like a pro-wrestling heel. His official portrait -- the one that hangs in American embassies -- says it all: a self-pitying bully, or bull who intends to stomp the china shop into dust. Previous portraits embodied the nation's self-image: friendly, orderly, neighborly. Even the conniving Nixon smiled for his portrait. But here is a president who makes no bones about his viciousness, and equates his grievances with America's: everyone is taking advantage of me/us; everyone is cheating me/us; everyone is robbing me/us -- but only because other administrations have made it easy for them, and I/we will make them pay for that. This victim's way of looking at the world is Trump's contribution to American politics. It always finds a welcome reception -- from Hitler justifying German militarism to Nigel Farage promoting Brexit -- because the blame for the country's ills has specific culprits: immigrants, the mendacious "allies", the (Democratic) elite, the "Deep State", the Justice Department -- to name just a few of Trump's favorites. His message contrasts deeply with the previous narrative of a strong America that led a more-or-less willing group of nations that needed to be wary of enemies. Trump's solution is not the usual "vigilance" and "resolve", but revenge. Hence the first cultural shock for Americans: with obvious anomalies like Osama bin Laden and 9-11, they have no experience with policies of revenge. Or the policy of conquest. Trump, who knows how to campaign but really has little understanding of Americans, expects his compatriots to burst with pride when his troops clobber angry locals at the Panama Canal -- expects them to beat their chests and do the gorilla chant: "U.S.A.! U.S.A." But the reaction is likely to be stunned silence: did we really need to spill blood for that? 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). BAGHDAD, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Interior Ministry said on Sunday that the country's security forces have dismantled a drug trafficking network and seized 183 kg of drugs in the capital Baghdad. According to the ministry, the General Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Affairs carried out an operation, arresting 21 individuals and seizing 183 kg of marijuana and other narcotic substances brought from outside the country. Last year, over 6 tonnes of drugs were seized and 14,438 suspects involved in drug crimes were arrested in 2024, the ministry said in late December. The chaos and conflicts in Iraq since the U.S. invasion in 2003 have impeded successive Iraqi governments from effectively addressing the threat of drugs. In May 2023, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani underlined the importance of waging "a war on drugs," saying that drug dealing remains a major source of funding for terrorism and that the circulation of drugs flourishes in the shadow of terrorism. This photo provided by the U.S. Attorneys for Utah shows fentanyl-laced fake oxycodone pills collected during an investigation. Fentanyl is the key contributor to overdose deaths in Clatsop County, officials say. AP Just a few months into the year, Clatsop County is facing an unprecedented number of overdose deaths. In the first six weeks of 2025, the county recorded 11 suspected overdose fatalities. If the trend continues, with roughly two fatalities a week, it could result in about 100 overdose deaths this year an increase of more than 300% from the preliminary number reported by the county last year. Although that number may be staggering, it doesnt necessarily encompass the full picture. Those are just the people who arent making it back from the overdoses, said Trista Boudon, recovery services program assistant manager with Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare. That 11 in the first six weeks are just the people who have passed away. That does not account for the massive amounts of people who are continuing to overdose every day and get brought back from the naloxone that is being handed out. Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare is the countys mental health and substance abuse treatment provider. Increasingly, Boudon said theyre seeing people use naloxone on their friends and family, rather than calling emergency services to get the lifesaving medication. Those cases are never getting to the county level or being reported. A troubling trend Across Oregon, fatal overdoses have skyrocketed over the past five years, nearly tripling from 2019 to 2023, according to the Oregon Health Authority. For Boudon, theres no question of whats causing that trend. In Clatsop County, she said, fentanyl is the key contributor to overdose deaths. Were seeing fentanyl. Were seeing carfentanyl. Were seeing xylazine mixed in with the substances, she said. Were seeing people whose main drug of choice is not an opiate, using stimulants, that are overdosing from opioids because they dont know that the fentanyl is in their substances. Its in everything. Elizabeth DeVisser, the countys chief medicolegal death investigator, said the rise of fentanyl mixed with other illicit drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine has played a direct role in the increase in overdose deaths in Clatsop County. The drug is relatively easy to synthesize, and a small amount can be fatal. The Medical Examiner Division at the Sheriffs Office investigates all deaths resulting from both acute drug intoxication and from chronic drug use and communicates those deaths to the Oregon State Medical Examiners Office. However, DeVisser said long turnaround times on toxicology results at the state level can leave families waiting for up to six months on definitive results. She hopes a new technology could help change that. This month, the sheriffs office medical examiner division began using a Randox Multistat Analyzer a benchtop toxicology screening machine that can detect up to 29 drugs from a single sample and deliver on-site, quantitative results within about 30 minutes. The machine costs around $50,000, and DeVisser said Clatsop County is the first county in Oregon to use the technology. Our hope is that the Multistat Analyzer will change the landscape of drug detection in county deaths related to acute intoxication, DeVisser said in a statement to The Astorian. With rapid results, law enforcement agencies and Public Health can have access to real-time trends in the proliferation of specific drugs and their effect on populations. Rapid results will allow the county to monitor deaths and react quickly to help families, communities and prosecute dealers. Prevention and response For Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, overdose prevention involves touching base with anyone who walks through the door who reports using a street substance, educating them and making sure they have access to naloxone. The nonprofit is also a partner with the countys deflection program, which aims to redirect people found with small amounts of illicit drugs out of the criminal justice system and into treatment. A bilingual Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare Prime Plus Peer also attends weekly harm reduction events with Clatsop County Public Health and provides feedback on services. One of Public Healths goal is to reduce the stigma around overdoses, said Lisa Schuyler, the departments health promotions supervisor. The harm reduction program offers a syringe exchange, hepatitis C screenings, resources and education and free naloxone kits, as well as trainings at community events, businesses and organizations, supported by funding from Save Lives Oregon, Columbia Pacific CCO and Measure 110. The departments health promotion program also collaborates with school districts and other community partners to focus on substance use and overdose prevention. In January, it partnered with the Seaside School District to host a panel and screening of New Drug Talk, a film that helps give parents resources on how to talk to their children about fentanyl. Looking ahead, Boudon said she would love to see a more direct partnership with emergency responders, allowing Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare to more immediately provide resources once an overdose is reported. I would love to have an overdose response team that goes out on the back end of things after the emergency services are done, in order to connect them with the things that they need, and not find out about it three, four, five days a week, two weeks, three weeks later that this happened, and that person was kind of already back in their cycle of things, Boudon said. People can learn more about overdose prevention on Clatsop Countys harm reduction webpage, or through organizations like Save Lives Oregon. They can also access naloxone at their local pharmacy, or for free at Clatsop Behavioral Healthcares Bond Street Clinic in Astoria. You dont have to agree with someones lifestyle to be able to save their life in a moment of crisis, Boudon said. Washington County Sheriffs Office deputies arrested a 26-year-old woman suspected of breaking into a mans apartment and stabbing him multiple times Saturday morning, the sheriffs office said. Rosalia Martinez-Hernandez was arrested and booked into Washington County Jail on allegations of second-degree attempted murder, assault and burglary, officials said. Deputies responded to reports of an attack near the 18400 block of Northwest Chemeketa Lane in unincorporated Washington County at 7:40 a.m. They arrived to find a man, whom officials did not identify, inside his apartment with multiple stab wounds, the sheriffs office said. The man told deputies that Martinez-Hernandez broke into his apartment and stabbed him before fleeing the scene. He was taken to a hospital and is currently listed in serious but stable condition, the sheriffs office said. Deputies swept the area and found Martinez Hernandez near Northwest Springville Road and 178th Avenue. She was arrested at 8:25 a.m., the sheriffs office said. Austin De Dios covers Multnomah County politics, programs and more. Reach him at 503-319-9744, adedios@oregonian.com or @AustinDeDios. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. An Iced Bumble, espresso with orange juice, is on the menu at the Shroom Coffee & Bar, which opened on East Burnside Street in 2025. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Theres a new shroom business booming in Portland and before you ask, no, its not serving those kinds of mushrooms. Shroom Coffee & Bar, a new coffee shop in Southeast Portland, is adding healthy doses of mushrooms and other plants to its diverse menu of beverages with an emphasis on healthy. Our main goal is to make coffee with health benefits, co-owner Daniel Musa said. Its healthy coffee. A scoop of the shops own adaptogenic blend, which includes the Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha, as well as lions mane, turkey tail, reishi and cordyceps mushrooms, can be added to any drink for $1 extra. The menu also features the shops popular ashwagandha latte, chaga mushroom tea and honey sea buckthorn tea, all of which offer a variety of health benefits, according to holistic health practitioners. Ashwagandha, for example, has been used traditionally for stress management, hormonal balance, stamina, cognitive functioning, immune system health, to help with inflammation and to support restful sleep. Scientific studies dont back up all of those claims, though there have been few rigorous trials either way, according to the National Institutes of Health. Xenia Ruchka, the other owner of Shroom Coffee, said she first tried an Ashwagandha latte in India, where the herb has been used for generations by traditional medicine practitioners, and was inspired to bring it to Portland. Its one of many international drinks on the menu of the new coffee shop. Ruchka, who was born in Kazakhstan, and Musa, who is from Ukraine, are making it a point to bring a slice of European and Asian coffee to the Pacific Northwest. One of their biggest sellers is the Raf coffee, a Russian drink made by adding cream and vanilla sugar to a shot of espresso, then foaming it all together. We wanted to bring this European style to the U.S., Ruchka said. To show people how it works in our countries. Patrons fill up the seating at the new Shroom Coffee & Bar. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Slices of a Fruits & Nuts Loaf Cake is one of many European-style treats in the case. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian Xenia Ruchka and Daniel Musa are the owners of Shroom Coffee & Bar. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian But theyre also adding Northwest twists to their European drinks. Shroom Coffee serves an espresso tonic (very big in Northern Europe right now, they said), but adds local marionberry syrup. Ruchka said she similarly tweaked a nitro cold brew recipe she got from a Russian blogger by adding cherry. The coffee shop always seems to be playing with new recipes, rolling out seasonal specials and maintaining a small secret menu of other drinks. Thats on top of the regular menu that includes signature drinks like their iced bumble (espresso and orange juice) as well as matcha, hot chocolate, tea and good, old-fashioned drip coffee. While theyre passionate about the mushrooms and other medicinal plants that go into drinks, the couple behind Shroom Coffee is also aware that sometimes people just want something simple. We didnt want to force people to drink the mushroom blend, so we made it optional, Musa explained. If that all werent enough, the coffee shop also serves a wide array of food, including locally made pastries, house made cottage cheese pancakes (which sell out quickly) and croissant sandwiches. There are also sweeter options, such as their Snickers mousse cake and a Dubai chocolate bar. Their approach seems to be working. Musa said Shroom Coffee, now less than 2 months old, has seen so much business that they have already had to hire additional help. Part of that has been thanks to social media influencers who showed up when the coffee shop first opened, he said, giving it an early buzz that has kept them afloat in what is an otherwise uncertain time for a new business. At its heart, Shroom Coffee stems from the simple idea that sprang into Musa and Ruchkas minds one day: We really like mushrooms and also we really love coffee, Musa said. What if we combined those two things together? --Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077, jhale@oregonian.com or @HaleJamesB. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. The public defense commission should lift caseload limits for attorneys and judges should be able to appoint defense attorneys and ensure fair compensation, the district attorneys for Multnomah and Washington counties write. LC- The Oregonian This is one of two op-eds published today on Oregons public defense crisis. To read the opinion authored by the heads of three public defense nonprofit firms, click here. Kevin Barton and Nathan Vasquez For The Oregonian/OregonLive Barton is the district attorney for Washington County. Vasquez is the district attorney for Multnomah County. Oregons public defense system is in crisis, but not for the reasons many may assume. While there has been much talk about a lack of funding, insufficient attorneys and overwhelming caseloads, the truth is that the state has more than enough resources. Yet the emergency persists. This is a crisis of mismanagement, failed accountability and inaction. For the last three years, Oregons public defense system has failed to fulfill its most essential duty: ensuring criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney receive lawyers to represent them. The consequences are staggering. Over 30,000 defendants have gone without attorneys for weeks or months, leading to dismissed cases, stalled prosecutions and defendants released from jail. Some now face new charges for crimes including robbery, attempted rape and even murder allegedly committed while waiting for legal representation. Why is Oregon incapable of providing this essential service when other states, and Oregon itself until recently, manage to do so? The answer is neither a lack of money nor a surge in case filings. Oregon already spends more than $300 million per year almost four times the national average per capita. Hourly rates for public defenders here are among the highest in the nation. And according to the Oregon Judicial Department, the total number of felony and misdemeanor cases filed statewide is about 15% lower today 11,499 fewer cases than five years ago. Paradoxically, as spending has increased and case filings have decreased, the problem has only deepened. The heart of the crisis lies with the Oregon Public Defense Commission, the agency responsible for overseeing public defense. The commission has mismanaged the system, prioritizing ideological goals over practical solutions. In its recently released Six-Year Plan, the agency advocates for further reducing the number of cases a defender may handle, decriminalizing crimes such as drug possession and repealing Measure 11 mandatory minimums for offenses like rape and attempted murder. This approach is not only misguided but it is dangerous. The Oregon Judicial Department has warned that implementing the commissions plan would significantly increase the magnitude and duration of the unrepresented crisis. Severe mismanagement prolongs the crisis and wastes taxpayer dollars. Under the commissions oversight, cases that arent active due to defendants repeated failure to show up for court are counted toward the caseload targets that attorneys are paid to handle. We have observed some cases being included twice or even three times in that count, leading to an inflated number. And many public defense nonprofit law firms are allowed to operate far below full capacity while receiving full pay. These failures are not just administrative blunders that waste tax dollars, they are direct threats to public safety, and they must not continue. This is not unsolvable. As district attorneys for Oregons two most populous counties, we are committed to reaching a fair solution that restores integrity to our public defense system. With collaboration from judges, defense attorneys and prosecutors, we have given legislators a commonsense proposal that provides immediate relief and long-term structural reform. First, the public defense commission should lift impractical, one-size-fits-all caseload limits. Many defense attorneys are ready, willing and able to take more cases, yet bureaucratic restrictions prevent them from doing so. These limits are not required by law; rather they are imposed by the commission and should be removed. If this simple change were implemented today, the crisis would improve tomorrow. Second, judges must be given clear legal authority to appoint attorneys to cases and ensure fair compensation. While it is the judge who officially appoints an attorney to represent a defendant, in practice it is the commission that controls whether an appointment can occur. Through contracts and compensation, the commission decides which attorneys are available, what they should be paid and which cases are prioritized for representation. Judges across the state have been forced to wait sometimes for over a year to appoint an attorney. This delay is unacceptable. Third, the Legislature should repeal recent legislation that calls for ending the longstanding practice of hiring defense attorneys at private law firms to help provide public defense. These law firms, collectively referred to as consortia, contract with the state to handle defense cases and have been instrumental in keeping the criminal justice system operating these past few years. In fact, in Clackamas County and other jurisdictions that largely depend on consortia rather than nonprofit defense firms, there is almost no backlog of defendants waiting for representation. Finally, long-term reforms must prioritize transparency, oversight and accountability. Oregon is paying hundreds of millions of dollars annually for a service it is not receiving. The commission should be required to enforce the terms of its contracts with firms and to make attorney caseload data publicly available. Our proposal lays out a clear framework to put the public defense system back on track now. Every day we delay, justice is denied to defendants, victims and communities alike. We are hopeful that the Legislature will address this issue in the current session, and we stand ready to assist. Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: To grow and keep our public defense workforce, the state must support fair pay for defenders and should empower judges to make fair sentencing agreements with individuals facing charges, write the leaders of three nonprofit public defense firms. Dave Killen / The Oregonian This is one of two op-eds published today on Oregons public defense crisis. To read the opinion authored by two district attorneys, click here. Stacey Lowe, Joel Wirtz and Clint Oborn For The Oregonian/OregonLive Lowe is executive director of Southwestern Oregon Public Defender Services. Wirtz is executive director of Deschutes Defenders. Oborn is executive director of Southern Oregon Public Defender Inc. All three serve on the executive committee of Public Defenders of Oregon. Every day in Oregon, people are arrested, jailed and face charges that could cost them their freedom, home or even custody of their children. For thousands of our neighbors, they are doing so without a lawyer due to a shortage of public defenders. Public defenders are the only shield against government power. Without us, the risk of wrongful convictions skyrockets, harsh punishments go unchallenged and constitutional rights exist only on paper. But demand in Oregon far outstrips supply nearly 90% of people facing charges cannot afford a lawyer on their own. As a result, public safety suffers harming not just people accused of crimes, but also people who have been harmed awaiting resolution and taxpayers footing the bill for inefficiency. This problem has persisted for years, affecting thousands of Oregonians who have faced charges without attorneys. Half-measures havent solved this crisis. Research shows that this failure hits communities of color especially hard. Decades of underfunding mean rebuilding will take time and real commitment, especially as case filings are projected to increase. Oregon funds public defense primarily at the state level, covering costs many other states either do not pay for or pay for at the county level. That includes representation of parents and children in juvenile cases and even the cost for district attorneys to hand over evidence to the defense. However, to put this in perspective, nationally, we spend 19 times more on police and almost 13 times more on corrections than on public defense. But solutions are within reach. First, to grow and keep our public defense workforce, we must support fair pay for defenders. Nonprofit defenders handle about 35,000 cases each year and train nearly all new defenders. Yet, they earn significantly less annually than prosecutors and state trial attorneys up to 39% less in the Portland metro area, based on our analysis. This pay gap pushes lawyers out of nonprofits: many leave public defense altogether. Others move to the state trial division, which offers the highest salaries and the lightest caseloads. Lawmakers must end this pay disparity so experienced defenders can stay and the next generation can learn from them. Meanwhile, some are pushing proposals to simply let experienced attorneys take on more and more cases. But that risks bringing us back to a pay-per-case system that rewards volume but jeopardizes quality the broken model Oregon moved away from. For-profit attorneys those who work for a consortium of private law firms that contract with the state to take on some public defense cases remain essential in many counties, but the state must also provide oversight to ensure financial incentives dont undermine the quality of representation. Second, all players jails, courts, prosecutors and defenders must work together to implement real solutions. A significant percentage of criminal cases get dismissed, often after weeks or months of public defender work. Better screening at the start and a robust review weeks prior to trial would save everyone time and preserve community safety resources. In some counties, prosecutors often deliver key evidence just days before trial and, in some cases, not at all, forcing last-minute delays and dismissals. Delivering evidence so late wastes taxpayer dollars on unnecessary hearings and longer jail stays, without improving community safety. Certain jails also limit visiting hours, making it hard for defenders to meet clients, which in turn causes case delays. Clear deadlines for sharing evidence and better jail access would prevent these bottlenecks. Third, judges need authority to move cases forward and resolve them appropriately. In Oregon, prosecutors can block the option of drug or mental health courts for individuals facing charges, limiting judges ability to use the most cost-effective evidence-based approaches to community safety. Also, many cases in Oregon drag on for months, tying up resources. Judges should be able to make fair sentencing agreements themselves on behalf of the public with the individual, and dismiss cases when appropriate, as they do in Michigan, California and other states. The path forward is clear. Oregon needs more public defenders, fair pay and ethical caseloads to grow and keep trained defenders, efficient court and prosecutor processes, and judges with more authority to make decisions. Last week, Public Defenders of Oregon released an action plan detailing these and other practical steps that courts, DAs, lawmakers, jails, and public defenders can act on now. Oregon can create a system that upholds the constitutional right to a defense, treats people fairly and uses tax dollars wisely. That means viewing quality legal help as a basic necessity, not an empty promise. We urge legislators to close the pay gap, maintain ethical caseload limits, set real deadlines for sharing evidence and empower judges to cut through backlogs. We encourage everyone committed to fairness to review our detailed action plan on our website, https://www.publicdefendersoregon.org/, and join us in building a system that works for all. Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: Lawmakers are considering two bills that would devastate small businesses, increase illicit tobacco sales and slash critical tax revenue. House Bill 2528 grants the Oregon Health Authority unchecked power to regulate, tax, and even ban tobacco products at will without legislative oversight, transparency or accountability. Senate Bill 702 bans the sale of flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches alternatives that many adult smokers use to transition away from cigarettes. Many independent retailers, convenience stores and distributors depend on flavored tobacco products to stay financially stable. Without them, businesses will be forced to cut jobs or close. Nationally, the youth smoking rate is at an all-time low and, in Oregon, e-cigarette use by 11th graders has dropped 54% since 2019. These reductions happened under existing regulations, proving enforcement and education are the most effective strategies for reducing youth tobacco use. Data shows 7.8% of high school students nationally use e-cigarettes and that the majority of these products are not authorized by the Food and Drug Administration. Yet rather than doubling down on enforcement against illegal vapes and online sales to minors, lawmakers are targeting licensed, responsible retailers who comply with regulations and ID checks. As recently reported in The Oregonian/OregonLive, a 2023 analysis by the Legislative Revenue Office said a similar bill could possibly amount to a loss of about $90 million in tax revenue a year from the sale of flavored tobacco. Banning these products will move tobacco tax revenues that fund essential public services, like education and health care, across state lines or to illicit sellers. Instead of pursuing ineffective bans and granting excessive regulatory power to unelected agencies, lawmakers should enforce existing laws, crack down on illicit sales and expand education programs. Cody Payne Payne is the owner of Bright Side Distributing, a Clackamas -based distributor To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. Japanese Americans are all too familiar with the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The law permits the president to target immigrants without a hearing and based only on their country of birth or citizenship. Although the law was enacted to prevent foreign espionage and sabotage in wartime, it can and has been wielded against immigrants. Within days of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese Americans were targeted and community leaders were arrested and sent to Department of Justice camps in places like Crystal City, Texas and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Although military intelligence found no evidence of sabotage by Japanese Americans, this was kept hidden from the American public and not disclosed until the 1980s. This resulted in over 125,000 people of Japanese ancestry being forcibly removed from the west coast and incarcerated in isolated places like Manzanar, Heart Mountain and Minidoka. If theres anything our community learned from the horrors of our World War II experience, its that we cant remain silent when we witness injustice inflicted upon our neighbors. Another group is now being targeted and vilified. The Trump Administration is using this obscure act as justification for arresting and incarcerating non-citizen immigrants across the country. Now is the time to remember our history. Now is the time to show compassion. Now is the time to stand up for what is just. Never again is now! Marleen Wallingford, Portland To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. I am dismayed that Oregon plans to continue with California emissions rules, (Oregon will continue climate action despite EPA rollbacks, governor says, March 13). There are public safety implications that are not being considered. The Advanced Clean Truck rules create tougher emission standards than the federal governments, including requirements for zero emission vehicles. These rules exempt some emergency equipment, such as fire trucks. But they dont exempt others, such as tow trucks, even though they also save lives on our roadways, assisting in crashes and helping remove people and obstacles from high-speed danger zones. Right now, I know of no manufacturer selling electric tow trucks in the U.S. When my towing business needed to purchase a new truck in January, I was required to buy an older model, even though it has identical emissions to the current combustion model. I know of only one available public electric truck charger. Even if one could buy an electric tow truck, would members of the public be stranded in dangerous situations waiting for a tow truck to charge? Would traffic jams increase because help isnt on the way? The towing industry wrote to Gov. Tina Kotek and nine other governors who are pushing forward with these broken rules, even though New York and Massachusetts have modified them. California itself is experiencing a major decline in the availability of chassis used to create heavy vehicles like tow trucks. We need changes to the rules to keep modern, lower emission roadway safety equipment on Oregon roads. Oregons rules should protect jobs in our state and protect the safety of our roads and residents. Clint Smith, Roseburg Smith is the owner of Roseburg Towing LLC To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. The Oregonian/OregonLives article on the Koski vs. Gruber and OHSU trial (High-ranking OHSU doctor sexually assaulted woman in elevator, jury finds in $1M verdict, Feb. 26) presents Dr. Andras Gruber in an unfairly negative light. The jurys 9-3 decision is the narrowest acceptable margin for finding liability and the story neglects the inherent complexities of the case. For instance, Dr. Gruber was never seen as a public safety threat. The report completely omitted the gray areas and intricacies that were presented to the jury to consider before reaching a decision on liability. And it failed to highlight the concept of the preponderance of evidence, the standard by which most civil lawsuits are proved. The plaintiff only needs to prove that a fact is more likely than not a 50%-plus-one burden of evidence. Consequently, it could be inferred that even the jurors who voted in favor of Ms. Koski may not have been entirely certain of the veracity of her claims and may have had reservations about their decision, which took an entire day of deliberations. Alissa Wilkinson of the New York Times has discussed "the fine membrane between truth and fiction." We can become easily deluded by others and ourselves. Taking her perspective into account might help journalists avoid portraying the world in absolutes, as if consisting solely of pure-hearted innocents and malevolent villains. Such reporting perpetuates public polarization and contributes to creating a harsh, unforgiving or even delusional world. Anna Szemere, Portland Szemere is married to Gruber. To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. Theyll join mail carriers across the country in decrying sweeping cuts to the agency. Tim Brown, The Oregonain/OregonLive Portlands postal workers will join mail carriers nationwide Sunday to protest the Trump administrations efforts to bring heavy cuts to the U.S. Postal Service. Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers are gathering to protest federal efforts to severely slash the postal services workforce and restructure the agency. Portlands letter carriers will take to Pioneer Courthouse Square at 1 p.m., according to the associations website. The 295,000 active and retired members of the National Association of Letter Carriers have a message to deliver: Hands off the Postal Service, the national association wrote in a flyer. This comes as Postmaster General Louis DeJoy plans to cut 10,000 workers and billions of dollars from the postal service work thats being carried out with guidance from Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, as reported by the Associated Press. President Donald Trump said last month that hes considering moving oversight of the postal service, which is an independent entity, to the Department of Commerce. Critics say the move would lead to higher prices and reduced services across America. In a letter to Congress dated March 17, DeJoy told legislators that the agency has struggled with mismanagement of its retirement assets, compensation programs and other regulatory requirements impacting mail delivery. The postal service has a rocky fiscal past, reporting regular financial losses in recent years. The postal service employs 640,000 workers across the United States and wields a budget of $78 billion a year. Oregon employees with the letter carriers association will also gather in Eugene, Keizer and Medford, according to the associations website. Portlands letter carrier branch, NALC 82, did not return a phone call Saturday. Austin De Dios covers Multnomah County politics, programs and more. Reach him at 503-319-9744, adedios@oregonian.com or @AustinDeDios. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. MOGADISHU, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Somalia's aviation authority has confirmed that five people were killed when a cargo aircraft crashed on Saturday evening in the southwest of the country. The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) said the DHC-5D Buffalo, with registration number 5Y-RBA, went down at around 5:43 p.m. local time (1443 GMT), about 24 km southwest of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. "There were five persons on board, all of whom have tragically lost their lives," the SCAA said in a statement issued in Mogadishu. It said the aircraft, operated by Kenya-based Trident Aviation Ltd., had departed from Dhobley, a strategic border town in southwestern Somalia, en route to Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu. The aviation authority did not provide details on the cause of the crash but said that the government agencies, along with partners, are on-site for search and rescue purposes. "Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available," the SCAA said. A Southwest airlines passenger jet taxies at the Orlando International Airport last month. TNS ORLANDO, Fla. A Southwest Airlines flight almost took off from a taxiway rather than a runway at a central Florida airport on Thursday before an air traffic controller stopped the plane, officials said. Taxiways are routes used by planes to move on the ground between gates, hangars and runways. Runways are the long, usually paved, areas of airports specifically meant for takeoffs and landings. The flight was canceled after it almost took off from the taxiway at the Orlando International Airport. An air traffic controller canceled the takeoff clearance for Southwest Airlines Flight 3278, according to a report from the Federal Aviation Administration. Around 9:30 a.m., the plane began its takeoff roll on the taxiway, which runs parallel to the runway. The flight was headed to Albany International Airport in New York. No injuries were reported, and passengers were accommodated on another aircraft heading to their destination, the airline said in a statement. The aircraft was switched to help facilitate an investigation. Southwest Flight 3278 had initiated a takeoff roll on a taxiway after the crew mistook the surface for the nearby runway, officials said. But air traffic controllers canceled the clearance before the plane could take off. Southwest is working with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees, the airline said in a statement. The incident is among several recent airline safety problems in North America, although in this case no one was harmed. A Delta jet flipped over upon landing. A commercial jetliner and an Army helicopter collided near the nations capital on Jan. 29, killing 67 people. A medical transportation plane crashed in Philadelphia on Jan. 31, killing the six people on board and another person on the ground and 10 were killed in a plane crash in Alaska. --The Associated Press and Tribune News Service contributed We spent much of Saturday out on the ocean, traveling from Port Allen, in Eleele on the south coast of Kauai, around to the end of the famous and spectacular Na Pali cliffs on the northwest side of the island, and back again. The weather was perfect. (Sunnier than in the image above.) We cruised among scores and scores of spinner dolphins and past a honu, a sea turtle. Snorkeling not far from Port Allen itself, we saw lots of fish several beautiful, bright Yellow Tang, for example over the coral reef, as well as a monk seal and a honu. While watching three hikers cautiously easing their way down the aptly-named Crawlers Ledge at Na Pali, we also saw two or three feral goats, who seemed quite a bit more sure-footed than the humans did. After the cruise (which we did through Capt. Andys, which I can highly recommend), we drove up along Waimea Canyon for a very different view from the summit of Na Pali. I dont apologize for posting a blog entry that some will dismiss as a mere exercise inGee whiz! It is through wonder [thaumazein], said Aristotle, that men now begin and originally began to philosophize (Aristotle, Metaphysics , 982b11-12). And Plato represents Socrates as saying that wonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder (Plato, Theatatus, 155d). On the flight over to Hawaii the other day, I read Taking Leave of Darwin: A Longtime Agnostic Discovers the Case for Design, by Neil Thomas. Professor Thomas is impressed by a physician and writer named James Le Fanu, and, in turn, I was impressed by what he wrote in response: Every day, writes Le Fanu, we are the unwitting beneficiaries of an incalculable number of invisible natural wonders, such as the purifying function of the liver (which is able to perform more functions than the largest chemical refinery), or the autonomous functioning of the heart, whose diminutive size belies its enormous pumping power (artificial heart machines, being the size of a chest of drawers, have to be hauled around on trolley wheels and can only be used for a number of hours as a stop-gap before transplant), or our physiological capacity for bodily self-repair: think (I might add) of a bicycle puncture mending itself automatically or the implication of the April Fools ad put out by BMW some decades ago to the effect that the special paints applied to the companys cars were self-cleaning. What seems amusingly preposterous in the case of human manufacture is perfectly practicable in human physiology via the cleansing function of the liver. We might also usefully ponder the fact that there exists a diminutive universe in each of our individual cells which went all unsuspected for millennia before mid-twentieth century advances in electron microscope technology. Or what about that bodily system we all refer to glibly (but uncomprehendingly) as the immune system how many people know how that works? No, I didnt either. This is what Linda Hamlin says about its well-nigh preternatural complexity, and keep in mind that the excerpt below only scratches the surface of the immune systems complexity: Faced with the onslaught of microbes, how does the normal human body defend itself and stay healthy? To begin with, it keeps out as many potential pathogens as possible with barriers such as the skin and other non-specific defenses. The skin, which is waterproof, is impenetrable to most invaders, and it provides fatty acids that many microorganisms find toxic. Areas not covered by the skin, such as the eyes, mouth, lungs, and digestive tract, are more vulnerable, but they have alternative defenses. Tears, saliva, urine and other body secretions contain lysozyme, an enzyme that can kill certain types of bacteria by splitting the molecules found in their cell walls. Mucus in the nose and airwaves engulfs bacteria and stops them penetrating the membranes. Cilia tiny beating hairs then push the mucus out of the airways into the throat, where it is swallowed. In the stomach, acid kills most of the microorganisms in food, as well as starting the process of digestion. Needless to say, our bodily organs are quite beyond the ability of human bio-engineers to reproduce. To give a prime example, experiments in the United States to introduce artificial hearts to patients had to be withdrawn some decades ago when the fatalities topped 200 with no realistic hope of medical experts being able to improve their technology. Forty years of research and development and forty billion dollars went down the drain. If such gargantuan efforts and expense could not fashion a functioning heart-substitute, it becomes all the more difficult to imagine a heart being constructed by the serendipity of random mutations and natural selection. (111-113) Continuing, Thomas writes: We should . . . be more appreciative of natures ingenuity and the sheer ease with which we see, hear, talk , eat, drink, make love and reproduce our kind. Such should be the central core of school biology lessons, promoting a sense of wonder in the young mind at the very fact of existence. The reason that it does not form that core is that scientists and the educational establishment subscribe to the materialistic-mechanistic model of human functioning , and therefore tend not to do wonder. As a footnote to Le Fanus argument, I would add that we also betray collectively some element of false entitlement about our innumerable boons: we feel hungry, eat, and by some magical alchemy of which we know little and couldnt care less about our bodies transform the food into the very substance of our physical frames. We take it for granted that we are born with hinged bones to provide low-friction articulations, eye-protectors (eyelids), tears secreted by the lachrymal glands to lubricate the eyes so that they dont feel scratchy, and an optic nerve to transmit electrical impulses to the brain to decode visual cues so that we can know where we are. We shrug off as unremarkable the fact that broken bones will, unlike broken vases, mend, or the fact that minor wounds will heal by the process to which medical people refer with a complacent lack of affect as bodily regeneration. As far as external nature is concerned, we are the beneficiaries of plants photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy and produce oxygen, yet we give little thought to this bedrock of our existence. (Nobody, by the way, has the first idea about how photosynthesis might have evolved.) The same goes for the suns warming rays and all those cosmological constants described above. As for that huge symbiosis by which all life is connected productively in a web of interrelated functions (rainwater for crops, grazing animals fertilizing the soil with dung, worms aerating the soil so that crops can grow, and on and on), this is just another part of what we see as our entitlement, assuming we even bother to think about such things at all. The list could be extended practically without limit. (113-114) A new Gospel Topics essay appeared from the Church a couple of days ago on Race and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Race-related issues have troubled more than a few members of the Church for a long time, so I hope that this essay will be helpful to them and to others who might be concerned with the subject. Before I close, though, I want to share with you some gruesome gleanings from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File. Theism is a global blight, and theres a segment of my readership that desperately wants and needs to be kept informed about its latest horrors. I dont want to let them down: Latter-day Saints Around the World: March 2025: Emergency aid reaches Ghanas rural communities, while interfaith unity flourishes among young adults in the Philippines: Newsroom features stories from its dozens of websites worldwide to show what members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are doing to serve their communities. Today, we feature news from Bolivia, Ghana, Guatemala, Mexico, the Philippines, Tonga, Uruguay and Vanuatu. Posted from Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii Going on three years ago, in an interview on June 20, 2022, Pope Francis in an interview made the statement that I believe it is time to rethink the concept of a just war. And some time afterwards I came across this and was mystified at what he could possibly mean. A lengthy explainer in The Pillar seems to claim, based on statements shortly before then, in March (thus, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine) that the Pope is really saying that a nation which has been attacked should respond by seeking mediation by the international community, that is the United Nations. And honestly however good The Pillar is, generally speaking, this explainer isnt very explainer-y, or maybe its just giving the Pope too much of the benefit of the doubt on the whole idea. After all, the notion that the international community would somehow come to the rescue of an invaded country through non-martial means is surely absurd. Did he believe that a proper combination of stern rebukes, sanctions, and superior moral authority would suffice to get an invading country to back down? Does he believe that a police action by UN troops doesnt constitute war? Not according to the June interview: The pope also said that the situation in Europe today shows that the United Nations has no power to stop a war. After World War II, trust was placed in the United Nations. It is not my intention to offend anybody, I know there are very good people working there, but at this point, the UN has no power to assert, he said. Heres another quote from the June interview: Resolving conflicts through war is saying no to verbal reasoning, to being constructive. War is essentially a lack of dialogue. This is a head-scratcher. Does he believe that Ukraine should have dialogued better with Russia and it was their failure to speak persuasively enough that caused the country to be invaded? Surely he recognizes that Russia has invaded Ukraine to seize territory! And finally, consider this quote: Pope Francis described how he cried during visits to war cemeteries in Europe, including the Redipuglia World War I memorial and Anzio World War II cemetery in Italy. And when the anniversary of the landing in Normandy was commemorated, I thought of the 30,000 boys who were left dead on the beach. They opened the boats and said, get off, get off, they were ordered while the Nazis waited for them. Is that justified? Visiting military cemeteries in Europe helps one realize this, he said. To the extent that he wants to counsel a nation considering a military invasion, sure, yes, its leaders should reflect on the human cost of an attack. And the Redipuglia World War I memorial is sited on a battlefield in which the Italian army attacked Austro-Hungarian territory in a war of conquest (unlike the Eastern and Western Fronts in World War I, where the Central Powers were attacking the Allies, here the Italians were on the offensive). But the Anzio World War II cemetery? The dead buried there were casualties of the Battle of Anzio, a part of the campaign by the allies to retake Europe from the Axis. And the Popes comments about Normandy are more concerning still. To suggest that the deaths of the Allied soldiers on D-Day were not justified in the campaign to retake France and all of Europe from the Nazi invaders? Does he think he is a better military strategist and that there were better ways to retake Europe with less loss of life? Or does he believe that the United States and Britain should have sat out and let Germany stay in power? Concerningly, he doesnt even have his numbers right the count is 4,415 Allied soldiers dead and a similar number wounded on that first day. The American cemetery at Normandy contains 9,388 graves, because it includes soldiers who were killed after D-Day itself, hence, not left dead on the beach. Honestly, when I read Steven Ambroses D-Day, I was rather surprised at the narrative, in which the chaos on Omaha Beach was actually not the case at the other beaches, where the British and Canadians suffered much less loss of life (not because they were better armies but because of the geography). But all that being said: we are now reaching a point in the war in Ukraine where there are actual just war considerations, not from the perspective of Russia, since its a given that their attack was unjust, but from the perspective of Ukraine, or from the US (considering the question of continued support), where the question is this: In the event that Ukraine can be assured that a cease-fire would not result in being overrun by Russia, should the country continue to fight to regain lost territory, or should it accept its loss of territory? And a couple weeks ago in my womens church group, we read a portion of the catechism which included the Just War principles, and the one that stuck out to me was this: There must be serious prospects of success. If the Ukranians continual conscription and battles have as their likely consequence continued loss of life for a fruitless military objective, this would not be a just war according to the traditional definition. On the other hand, perhaps success must be defined as stalemate because the alternative is being overrun by Russians, which meets the criteria of the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain since Russia would, in that case, wipe Ukraine off the face of the map, that is, eliminate it as a geographic entity, as a culture, as a language. So, as is often the case, its a muddle and I dont have any answers, just a few things I am thinking about. Image: Arlington National Cemetery, public domain (all federal government images are in the public domain.) KISS performs in concert at the PPL Center, on Feb. 4, 2020, during their End of the Road World Tour. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com KISS wrapped up its farewell tour two years ago. Turns out, it wasnt a farewell at all, though, because the legendary rock band is returning to the stage in 2025. The news comes just days after frontman Gene Simmons announced without explanation that most of his solo 2025 tour was being postponed to 2026. Loudwire.com reported that the performance is set to be an unmasked live show to take place as part of the three-day KISS Army Storms Vegas event which is slated to take place Nov. 14-16 at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. The site said that KISS final show on its farewell tour came on Dec. 2, 2023. That said, it also noted that Simmons told Rolling Stone just prior to that show that it would only be the final KISS-in-makeup appearance, which left the door open for an appearance such as this. Now that spring is here, many people might be thinking ahead to Easter. If youre one such person, heres when the holiday arrives this year. Easter falls on Sunday, April 20, this year. But its not always the same date, as many observers might have noticed. The Old Farmers Almanac explains how the date on which Easter falls on is determined by the lunar cycles of the Jewish calendar: The holiday always occurs on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon (the one that happens on or after the spring equinox). According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Easter is a holiday where Christian practitioners celebrate Jesuss resurrection. The Bible states that Jesus was crucified for humanitys sins, and was entombed for three days before he arose from the dead. The English word Easter, which parallels the German word Ostern, is of uncertain origin, the encyclopedia explains. One view, expounded by the Venerable Bede in the 8th century, was that it derived from Eostre, or Eostrae, an Anglo-Saxon goddess possibly associated with spring and fertility. (In the modern era the connection between Eostre and spring has been disputed; she may have been a local protective deity rather than a fertility figure). This view presumes as does the view associating the origin of Christmas on December 25 with pagan celebrations of the winter solstice that Christians appropriate pagan names and holidays for their highest festivals. Easter also marks the end of Lent, the 40-day period during which Christians are meant to give something up, such as sweets or alcohol. The Jonas Brothers will bring their 2025 tour to Citizens Bank Park, Hersheypark Stadium and PPG Paints Arena. Photo by Christina Merrill | MLive The Jonas Brothers have revealed tour details for their JONAS20: Living the Dream tour a full-circle celebration of their 20-year journey from performing in malls to headlining the biggest stadiums in the world. The brothers, who just released their new single Love Me To Heaven, exclusively shared the tour news Friday on Good Morning America, which you can watch HERE. Kicking off at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Aug. 10, this 43-date tour promises a one-of-a-kind experience for fans. The third and fourth stops on the four-month tour will be Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Thursday, Aug. 14, and Hersheypark Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 17. Their next-to-last stop is planned for PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Marshmello will join the tour for the 10 iconic stadium shows, including in Philly and Hershey, bringing his chart-topping hits including his iconic collabs with the brothers to life in a high-energy set that keeps the party going all night. The All-American Rejects will join the fun and support the Hershey and Pittsburgh stops. Fans can sign up for the Artist Presale through Wednesday, March 26, at 10 a.m. EDT at livemu.sc/jonasbrothers. The Artist Presale will run Thursday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. General on-sale begins at 10 a.m. Friday, March 28. The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include premium tickets, invitations to the pre-show VIP Lounge, a specially designed 20th anniversary Jonas Brothers VIP gift item, and more. Protestors gather during a demonstration at the headquarters of the Department of Education, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) By Deborah Gordon Klehr The administrations unlawful effort to destroy the U.S. Department of Education was already well underway before today, with mass layoffs of staff, withholding of congressionally approved funds, and an explicit refusal to address the departments legal obligations to ensure equity and inclusion in our schools. The Pittsburgh Steelers' plans in the first round will likely slant toward a defensive lineman such as Kenneth Grant or Derrick Harmon. However, those plans could always change if a top talent ends up facing to them in the first round. Even with DK Metcalf and George Pickens, wide receiver remains a huge future need for the Steelers. And a top talent might be falling down draft boards. Arizonas Tetairoa McMillan has slowly creeped down mock draft boards, He was once thought to be a top five pick, but that has gone out of the window now. Daniel Jeremiahs latest mock draft had McMillan falling to 22nd overall to the Los Angeles Chargers, the pick just after the Steelers. Jeremiah even noted he expects Texas' Matthew Golden to be the next wide receiver off the board after Travis Hunter. McMillan would be a stunning drop, but the Steelers never expected Troy Fautanu to be there for them at 20th overall a year ago, either. If he did end up falling to 21st overall, the Steelers would have to think about drafting him, Currently, most mock drafts have McMillan falling to around the 18th overall selection, according to Grinding the Mocks, and that is close enough to the Steelers that this is no longer a crazy thought. Much of it stems from just an average 40-yard dash at his pro day, which was said to be in the mid 4.5s, a concern that scouts had on McMillan from his tape. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Apple CEO Tim Cook in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to open up at a higher level, and welcomes multinational companies to expand investment in China to deepen mutual benefit and win-win results, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said on Sunday. He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a meeting in Beijing with business executives of leading global multinational companies, as they exchanged views on the global and Chinese economic situation, China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, and expanding investment in China. Noting that China's economy has strong resilience, vast potential and ample vitality, He said China is committed to promoting high-quality development, expanding high-standard opening up, and continuously improving the business environment, while welcoming increased investment by multinational companies in China to share in the country's development opportunities. Business executives from multinational companies present at this meeting said they attached importance to the Chinese market and were optimistic about China's economic prospects, and also expressed their willingness to commit to long-term cooperation with China. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO of Pfizer, in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Bruce Flatt, chair and CEO of Brookfield Asset Management, in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Geoff Martha, chairman and CEO of Medtronic, in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Michael Miebach, CEO of Mastercard, in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with David A. Ricks, chair and CEO of Eli Lilly, in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Brian Sikes, president and CEO of Cargill, in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Wendell P. Weeks, chairman and CEO of Corning Incorporated, in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) After six starting flights, hundreds of eliminations, and a plethora of bad beat stories, the inaugural 888poker Live Glasgow Main Event is nearing its conclusion as the final table was reached on Day 2. Daniel Johnson is the man to catch tomorrow as the Scottish local bagged up 3,455,000 and the chip lead, more than 1,000,000 ahead of his closest challenger. Johnson went on a flurry of eliminations at the close of the day to seize control of the tournament. He climbed above 1,000,000 when he picked up kings to bust Andrew Mackenzie in 20th. He then eliminated Glen Gaines and Gavan Ryan before shoving all in against Shan Jiang. Jiang called for 800,000 with two tens, but Johnson showed down two jacks to win the massive pot as he eclipsed the 3,000,000-chip mark. Eight competitors will try to catch him and get their hands on the trophy tomorrow. Harry Cattanach ended up in second place with 2,320,000 after a late charge up the leaderboard. Cattanach doubled up with a rivered flush off Martin Byrne, then picked up pocket nines to bust Kevin Steward. Cattanach brought the night to a close when he woke up with ace-king in the big blind and sent Bryan Taylor out in 10th on the final table bubble. Final Table chip counts Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Daniel Johnson United Kingdom 3,455,000 86 2 Harry Cattanach United Kingdom 2,320,000 58 3 Martin Byrne United Kingdom 1,615,000 40 4 Dean Lyall United Kingdom 1,195,000 30 5 Michael Broadhurst United Kingdom 950,000 24 6 Zbigniew Wieczorek Poland 785,000 20 7 GK United Kingdom 735,000 18 8 William Haughey United Kingdom 710,000 18 9 Jack Moore United Kingdom 485,000 12 Byrne (1,615,000) rounds out the top three, helped along by waking up with aces against Maogen Fus queens to earn a double up in what was at that point the biggest pot of the tournament. Dean Lyall (1,195,000) is the most accomplished pro remaining. The Glasgow native has more than $1.6 million in live earnings, including a third-place finish in the $25,000 High Roller at the 2024 WSOP. He also was runner-up in a WSOP event in 2018. Dean Lyall Michael Broadhurst (950,000), Zbigniew Wieczorek (785,000), "GK" (735,000), William Haughey (710,000), and Jack Moore (485,000) complete the nine players who return tomorrow at 1 p.m. on the main feature stage trying to make history as the first-ever 888poker Glasgow champion. Theyve all locked up 5,780 by making it this far, while the champion walks away with 58,130. The action resumes with 30 minutes left in Level 26 with blinds of 20,000-40,000 and a 40,000 big blind ante. The day began with 84 survivors from the six starting flights being joined by nine new arrivals to create a total field of 407. Only the top 50 would finish in the money, and among those who left with nothing were Thomas Hall, David Algarra, Jack Hardcastle, Lucia Navarro, Manuel Ledesma, and David Docherty. 888poker Ambassador and Madrid champion Ian Simpson began the day in second place on the leaderboard but busted short of the money when he ran sevens into Jamie Whytes jacks, while Josh Manley busted two spots off the money. The money bubble burst on the first hand of hand-for-hand play when Iason Filippidis shoved with two queens, but Fu woke up with aces to score the knockout. Robbie Bull (49th), start-of-day chip leader Francisco Salvador (41st), and Matthew Davenport (33rd) were among those to head for the payout desk, while Vivian Saliba had her run end in 25th place. Iason Filippidis 888poker Live Manchester champion Stephen Barnes had his kings cracked to finish in 22nd, while UFC veteran Terence Etim was eliminated in 18th place. Just nine remain from what was once a packed field inside the Grosvenor Casino Merchant City. The history-making title is within sight, and PokerNews will be following all the action from the final table tomorrow until a winner is crowned. Its already been an action-packed week as the 888poker Live crew descended on Glasgow for the first time. Now its time to crown a champion when the final table of the inaugural 888poker Live Glasgow Main Event begins at 1 p.m. local time. Daniel Johnson built up a massive chip lead late yesterday and begins the final table with 3,455,000. Hes followed by Harry Cattanach (2,320,000) and Martin Byrne (1,615,000). Final Table seat draw Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Zbigniew Wieczorek Poland 785,000 20 2 Michael Broadhurst United Kingdom 950,000 24 3 Dean Lyall United Kingdom 1,195,000 30 4 "GK" United Kingdom 735,000 18 5 Jack Moore United Kingdom 485,000 12 6 William Haughey United Kingdom 710,000 18 7 Daniel Johnson United Kingdom 3,455,000 86 8 Martin Byrne United Kingdom 1,615,000 40 9 Harry Cattanach United Kingdom 2,320,000 58 Right behind them is a player with experience at big final tables. Dean Lyall has two WSOP final tables on his resume and more than $1.6 million in live earnings. Hell be looking to add a trophy and 58,130 to that record today as he begins as the fourth member of the million-chip club with 1,195,000. Michael Broadhurst (950,000), Zbigniew Wieczorek (785,000), and "GK" (735,000) are in the middle of the pack, while Scottish businessman and lord William Haughey (710,000), who already owns a WSOP Main Event bracelet courtesy of Peter Eastgate, is in eighth place. Jack Moore (485,000) rounds out the final table as the short stack. The action picks up with 30 minutes remaining in Level 26 with blinds of 20,000-40,000 and a 40,000 big blind ante. Levels will be 60 minutes for the duration of the tournament. The final nine have already locked up 5,780 for making it this far out of a field of 407. The final table will be streamed on a 30-minute delay on 888pokers official YouTube and Twitch channels. By the end of the night, one player will leave the Grosvenor Casino Merchant City as the first-ever 888poker Live Glasgow champion. Stay tuned as PokerNews follows all the action until a champion is crowned. 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 ISLAMABAD, March 23 (Xinhua) -- At least four policemen were killed on Saturday evening in an attack on a police mobile in Nushki district of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, police said. According to the local police, some unknown terrorists ambushed the police patrol van near Ghareebabad area of Nushki. Police, security forces and rescue teams swiftly arrived at the site and shifted the bodies to Mir Gul Khan Naseer Hospital. The security forces immediately responded to the incident and launched a search operation in the area to track down the attackers. In response to the attack, authorities had intensified counterterrorism efforts to prevent further incidents and ensure the protection of the region, said police. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. Chief Minister of the province Sarfraz Bugti condemned the heinous attack, reiterating his government's commitment to eliminating terrorist elements. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Tropical storm conditions possible. Overcast with showers. Becoming windy for the afternoon. High 84F. Winds NE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Tropical storm conditions possible. Rain early...then remaining cloudy with thundershowers developing overnight. Low 74F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. CARACAS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela announced Saturday that it had reached an agreement with the U.S. government to resume repatriation flights for its citizens, with the next flight scheduled for Sunday. Venezuela struck the deal to guarantee the "return of our compatriots to their nation with the safeguard of their human rights," said Jorge Rodriguez, president of the National Assembly and chief negotiator with the United States. The resumption comes amid heightened tensions over U.S. President Donald Trump's deportation policies. Venezuela has criticized recent mass deportations and called for the release of over 200 Venezuelan migrants being held in El Salvador without due process. "Migration is not a crime," said Rodriguez. "We won't rest until everyone who wants to return is back and we rescue our kidnapped brothers in El Salvador." The repatriation flights had been suspended since March 8, following Trump's decision to revoke energy giant Chevron's operating license in Venezuela. PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-23 13:24:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 463 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 23, 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 Ventures 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 Ventures five natural gas liquefication and export projects depends on customer contracts, defendants failure to account for and address these issues caused statements in Ventures 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=138010&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, LLP Joseph E. Levi, Esq. Ed Korsinsky, Esq. 33 Whitehall Street, 17th Floor New York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.comTel: (212) 363-7500 Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-23 23:01:27 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 433 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 As Australian businesses plan to prioritise growth, Liberty has lending solutions to help them take advantage of new opportunities.MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESS Newswire / March 23, 2025 / Australian small to medium enterprises are navigating 2025 with cautious optimism, balancing growth plans in the context of the broader economic and political landscape.According to a recent survey from market research firm, Fifth Quadrant, 39% of businesses are reported to be prioritising growth over the next 12 months - the highest level since February 2024. Encouragingly, only 13% of SMEs plan to exit or downsize, reflecting greater business confidence.Having worked with business owners for more than two decades, leading lender Liberty understands how securing suitable business loans can help businesses embrace new opportunities and put plans into action.Communications Manager, Bernadine Pantarotto says SMEs account for most of Australian businesses and are vital to the country's economy."Whether SMEs plan to streamline operations, bolster cybersecurity efforts or increase AI adoption, a free-thinking business loan could help with accelerating growth plans." Recognising that unique businesses need unique lending solutions, Liberty supports business owners to explore tailored loan options."No two businesses are the same, which is why lending solutions need to be able to adapt to different goals and circumstances," Ms Pantarotto said."Low doc business loans are a great example of this, allowing self-employed free thinkers to provide alternative income verification through bank statements, BAS statements and more." The non-bank lender offers flexible loans to suit a variety of business needs, including low doc business loans and business lines of credit.Understanding that businesses need support to take advantage of opportunities, Liberty offers access to personalised support."Growth looks different for every business, and a flexible non-bank lender like Liberty looks at a borrower's finances holistically and takes a tailored approach," Ms Pantarotto said.Beyond business loans, Liberty also offers free-thinking home, car, personal, commercial, and SMSF loans.About Liberty As one of Australia's leading non-bank lenders, Liberty offers innovative solutions to support customers with greater choice. Over more than 27 years, this free-thinking approach to loan solutions has seen more than 900,000 customers across a wide range of home, car, business and personal loans, as well as SMSF lending and insurance. Liberty remains the only non-bank lender with an investment-grade credit rating offering custom and prime solutions to help more people get financial.Approved applicants only. Lending criteria apply. Fees and charges are payable. Liberty Financial Pty Ltd ACN 077 248 983 and Secure Funding Pty Ltd ABN 25 081 982 872 Australian Credit Licence 388133, together trading as Liberty Financial.Contact Information: Laura Orchard Media Coordinator +61 3 8635 8166 mediaenquiries@ liberty.com.au SOURCE: Liberty Hannatu Musawa, minister of art, culture, tourism, and creative economy, says work is at the final stage in reviewing Nigerias National Policy on Culture. In a statement released on a Friday in Abuja, the minister emphasised the significance of this review, which comes 37 years after the last one. She said the exercise was in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), a think tank that provides a platform for public-private dialogue on economic development, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a specialised agency of the United Nations that promotes international collaboration in education, science, and culture. The document was last reviewed in 1988 and has remained in draft form for over 37 years despite its significance in shaping Nigerias cultural and creative industries. A Cultural Policy Drafting Committee was inaugurated in July 2024, comprising over 100 members, divided into sub-groups to research, develop, and refine the policy framework. The committee completed the virtual drafting process in December 2024, leading to the need for a physical drafting exercise to consolidate and refine the document, she said. She explained that the final stage was to prepare the policy for the Stakeholder Engagement and Validation exercise before submission to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval. 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 recognition of the urgency of the reforms, the ministry initiated the comprehensive review process, ensuring that Nigerias cultural framework aligns with global best practices and reflects the evolving creative economy. This initiative reflects President Bola Tinubus commitment to cultural development under the Renewed Hope Agenda, she said. According to her, national policy on culture serves as a legal framework guiding the preservation, promotion, and development of Nigerias cultural heritage. She noted that the review will ensure that the policy reflects contemporary trends, particularly the shift from a creative industry to an innovative economy. Memorandum of Understanding The minister also said that the ministrys partnership with NESG and UNESCO had been instrumental in ensuring a well-structured and inclusive review process. Through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024, NESG has provided research, technical support, and stakeholder engagement strategies to ensure the final policy meets national and international standards. Additionally, UNESCOs technical assistance has played a key role in training Ministry staff and NESG representatives to align the revised policy with global best practices. The organisation has facilitated workshops and provided expert guidance to ensure that Nigerias policy supports the growth of the creative economy while preserving cultural heritage, she said. Also speaking, NESG facilitator Ikenna Nwosu, who participated in the policy drafting process, said: For 37 years, this policy remained unchanged despite the rapid transformation of the cultural and creative sectors. He said: Ideally, such policies should be reviewed every five to 10 years. What we are witnessing today is a long-overdue intervention. The industry has moved far ahead of governance, and this exercise is an essential step in ensuring that policies catch up with the sectors economic potential. The ministers leadership in driving this review is commendable, as it will reposition our cultural sector as a key contributor to Nigerias GDP. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Cast: Kate Henshaw, Juliet Ibrahim, Rosemary Zimu, Chris Attoh, Damien Smith, Chasity Saunders, Fred Amugi, Adjetey Anang, Sika Osei, and Gideon Boakye. Director: Chris Attoh Streaming platform: Prime Video Running time: 1 hour 33 minutes Do we fight darkness with knowledge, faith, or sheer force? Nine isnt just a supernatural thrillerits a reflection of unseen battles where power, fate, and vengeance collide. The film feels eerily relevant in a world like Africa, where people rampantly seek protection in spirituality and justice in the unknown. The African setting is not just a backdrop but a crucial element that influences the characters, their beliefs, and the unfolding of the story. Directed by Chris Attoh, the Ghanaian movie follows a forensic expert and a US detective who investigate ritualistic murders in the country. They uncover an ancient prophecy and a secret group of assassins led by a fierce mother, Assassin. They must confront forces beyond their control as the spiritual and physical worlds clash. 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 With a diverse cast from Ghana, Nigeria, America and South Africa, Nine blends African folklore, action, and mysticism. It stars Kate Henshaw, Juliet Ibrahim, Rosemary Zimu, Chris, Damien Smith, and Chasity Saunders. Plot For three years, Ghana has been terrorised by a string of gruesome ritualistic murders, each victim found under a full moon with strange symbols carved into their bodies. Fears of supernatural involvement rise, prompting forensic consultant Vivian Hadebe (Rosemary Zimu) to notice eerie similarities to an unsolved case in Chicago. Desperate for answers, she enlists US homicide detective John Kerston (Damien Smith), who is still grieving his daughters tragic death under similar circumstances. As they investigate, they uncover a chilling truththe murders are part of an ancient prophecy linked to a powerful witchcraft sect, setting them on a collision course with forces far beyond their understanding. Their search leads them to the Nine Assassins, a secretive group of warrior women led by the formidable Mother Assassin (Kate Henshaw). These warriors have spent years preparing for a prophesied battle against an emerging dark force. The mastermind behind the killings is Professor Russel Taylor (Chris Attoh), a man driven by desperation to restore his wife Elliss (Juliet Ibrahim) lost youth. Cursed by King Ade (Adjetey Anang), Russels father, Ellis, is rapidly ageing, and to reverse the curse, Russel must sacrifice 30 innocent lives before the next Blue Moon. As time passes, Russel, who had been disguising under his professorship title, grows more powerful spiritually, bringing him dangerously close to achieving immortality. In a final battle, the assassins storm Russels hidden sanctuary, with Vivian and Kerston joining the fight. Mother Assassin faces off against Ellis, while King Ade confronts his son in a dramatic clash of strength and dark sorcery. Just as Russel nears the final sacrifice, a critical strike from the Nine Assasins disrupts the ritual, sealing his fate. The assassins ensure that Russel and Ellis can never claim immortality, seemingly ending the prophecys threat. But as Ghana begins to heal, a lingering message on an ancient relic hints that the darkness may not be gone for good. With an eerie full moon watching over them, Nine leaves the audience questioning whether the battle is truly over. Critical Review Nine isnt your typical African thrillerits a bold mix of crime, mysticism, and supernatural warfare wrapped in an eerie, high-stakes narrative. From the first scene, the film hooks you with its suspense, mystery, and a sense of impending doom. Nine is a visual treat and stunning experience, blending haunting cinematography, rich world-building, and intense action. Pascal Akas fight choreography shines, especially with the Nine Warriors, while the ritual scenes use powerful symbolism to deepen the storys mysticism. Though the effects arent groundbreaking, they enhance the supernatural feel without excess. The eerie score and strategic silence amplify tension, making Nine an immersive and lingering experience. Rosemary commands the screen with a performance that is both intense and layered, while Chris balances his dual role as an actor and director with ease. Though only in a few scenes, Kate brings the kind of presence that leaves a lasting impact. Another commendable aspect is that you could hardly detect the cultural roots of the actors, which could have posed a barrier, especially to the synergy of the detective and the forensic expert. However, where Nine slightly flops is its black magic effectsit feels unreal. Also, while significant to the plot, the American detectives role doesnt feel as crucial to the showdown as it should it feels somewhat just there. Verdict Despite its flaws, Nine is a bold step for African cinema, proving that supernatural thrillers can be culturally rich and action-packed. It doesnt dilute its African mysticism for Western appeal, instead embracing folklore, detective intrigue, and intense combat to create a thrilling, visually striking experience. While some storytelling gaps exist, the film delivers strong performances and unpredictable rides that engage viewers. With its mix of mystery, mighty female warriors, and eerie supernatural elements, Nine carves out a unique space in the fantasy-thriller genre. The ending teases more to come, leaving one question: will there be a sequel? If so, Id be here for it. Chris Attohs Nine is rated 7/10. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A UK High Court of Justice has raised concern about the danger of anonymous surrogacy after a Nigerian couple struggled to secure legal parental status for their child due to the lack of identifiable records on the surrogate mother. Anonymous surrogacy arrangements allow for the intended parents and the surrogate to not know each others identities or to have limited direct contact. These arrangements are often facilitated by surrogacy agencies or legal representatives who act as intermediaries. In the case of the couple identified as Mr and Mrs Houldsworth, Lifelink Fertility Clinic, a medical centre in Lagos, Nigeria, facilitated the arrangement. However, in a ruling delivered last month, the President of the Family Division of the High Court of Justice, Andrew McFarlane, said complications could arise when intended parents opt for surrogacy agreements where the identity of the surrogate remains undisclosed. Mr McFarlane said anonymous surrogacy arrangements prevent the court from ascertaining that the mother knows and consents to the application. The UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 makes unconditional and informed consent mandatory. 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 judge said the couples action raises the suspicion that the arrangement may have been otherwise than it is said to be. Whilst Mr and Mrs H have explained their motivation for opting for an anonymous surrogacy, their decision has caused them a great deal of difficulty in presenting the present application. A complicated surrogacy journey The couple, Mr and Mrs Houldsworth, who reside in the UK, had experienced legal complications trying to secure the legal parental status of their child. Their struggle lasted about two years before the judge gave his verdict last month. According to the court document obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, the couple opted for surrogacy in 2022 after trying other medical options without success. They entered into an arrangement with Lifelink Fertility Clinic in Nigeria, under the guidance of its medical director and opted for anonymous surrogacy, which is allowed in Nigeria. The court document stated that the couple completed the required documentation with the Nigerian court while the surrogates identity remained undisclosed throughout the process. The Houldsworths made this choice because they wished to avoid the crisis often associated with surrogacy between a surrogate mother and the legal parents. An embryo transplant occurred in mid-2022, and a baby girl was born in 2023. The couple was present during childbirth. Mrs Houldsworth also took a maternity leave and remained in Nigeria for eight months following the birth. However, trouble began when the new parents began to seek legal status in the UK following their return to the country. The fertilisation law Under the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, the surrogate mother must provide her unconditional and informed consent before a parental order can be issued for the intended parents. In the case of Mr and Mrs Houldsworth, the surrogate mother remained anonymous, marking the beginning of a complicated surrogacy journey for the couple that lasted two years. In 2023, the couple formally applied for legal parent status by filing a parental order application supported by a statutory declaration, but they did not receive immediate approval. While giving his ruling, which granted a parental order in favour of the couple, the court said the struggle of the parents should serve as a cautionary tale for parents considering anonymous surrogacy, particularly in international settings like Nigeria. The judge highlighted that while the anonymity was intended to provide peace of mind and avoid future obligations, it ultimately created legal obstacles that could complicate parental recognition. This case comes at a time when the UK remains vigilant regarding international surrogacy and adoption, with special restrictions already in place for adoptions from Nigeria due to concerns over unreliable documentation and potential corruption, the judge said. The judge, Mr McFarlane, said those who follow in their footsteps in the future would be well advised to avoid engaging with an anonymous surrogate. The judge said, Having now received pieces of information and evidence from Mr and Mrs H, bit by bit, over a series of hearings, and, particularly, having now, at last, had sight of the purported surrogacy agreement, the court is in a position to determine the application. He explained that while the act mandates the provision, it provides an exception for cases where a surrogate cannot be found. He said after reviewing extensive evidence, including bank statements, WhatsApp messages and multiple documents related to the surrogacy, it can be ascertained that the couples effort to reach the surrogates yielded no success. This comes at a time of vigilance regarding international surrogacy, and adoption has heightened. The judge stated that restrictions are already in place for adoptions from Nigeria due to concerns over unreliable documentation and potential corruption. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The suspension of Kogi Central senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has raised legal debates within Nigerias political space. With past judicial rulings against prolonged suspensions, her case raises important questions about the limits of the Senates disciplinary powers, the protection of lawmakers rights, and the broader implications for democratic governance. Context and grounds for suspension On 6 March, the Senate voted to suspend Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months based on the recommendations of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. The committee cited her refusal to adhere to the Senates sitting arrangement and alleged misconduct during a plenary session on 20 February as the primary reasons for her suspension. The Senate, however, left room for an early recall if she tenders a written apology. Apart from suspending Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, the upper chamber also withdrew her security aides, locked her Senate office, suspended her salary and allowances, and banned her from entering the National Assembly premises. 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 Critics questioned whether her punishment was merely a disciplinary action or a politically motivated attempt to silence her. Pattern of suspension of senators in Nigeria The Senate has a history of disciplining members, often under contentious circumstances Femi Okurounmu, then Ogun Central senator, was suspended in 1999 for alleging that some senators were plotting to impeach then-President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was later reinstated after an apology. Joseph Waku, a senator from Benue State, was suspended in 2000 after suggesting that a military coup might be preferable to the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency. The statement was deemed anti-democratic and inciting. Arthur Nzeribe, a senator from Imo State, was suspended in 2002 after being accused of a 22 million fraud. Isah Mohammed, then a Niger South senator, was suspended in 2004 for two weeks after physically assaulting a fellow senator, Iyabo Anisulowo, in a dispute reportedly over committee funds. Borno South Senator Ali Ndume was suspended for six months in 2017 after calling for an investigation into allegations involving then-Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye. Ovie Omo-Agege was suspended in 2018 over the amendment of the Electoral Act, but he challenged the suspension in court. Mr Omo-Agege, the then Delta Central senator, later rose to the position of deputy senate president in the 9th Assembly. Bauchi Central Senator Abdul Ningi was suspended for three months in 2024 after alleging that the 2024 federal budget was padded by over 3 trillion. The pattern shows that suspensions in the Senate are often politically motivated, affecting senators who annoy the leadership of the upper legislative chamber or the executive arm of government. Legal precedents and court rulings on legislative suspensions The Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right of elected representatives to participate in legislative duties without undue hindrance. Past judicial decisions have consistently ruled against prolonged suspensions, based on the principle that legislative discipline must not override constitutional rights. In 2017, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the six-month suspension of Mr Ndume was illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional. The court thereafter, ordered the Senate to pay all outstanding salaries and allowances. Similarly, in 2018, the Federal High Court in Abuja also ruled that the Senate lacked the power to suspend Mr Omo-Agege beyond 14 days on the grounds that suspension must be proportionate and not disenfranchise constituents. In 2018, the Federal High Court in Abuja also nullified the suspension of a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, on the basis that it was an abuse of democracy. These rulings indicate that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan has strong legal grounds to challenge her suspension, especially since it exceeds the 14-day limit suggested by past rulings. However, she may not rely on a Senate order to argue her case because it does not set a time limit for a senators suspension. Order 66 (8) states that If a Senator be suspended under the provisions of this rule, he shall be directed by the President of the Senate to withdraw. His suspension shall last until determined by the Senate. She may, however, rely on Section 21(2) of the Legislative Houses, which prescribes a maximum of 14 and a minimum of one legislative day for suspension of members. Analysing Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans suspension constitutionally Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans suspension, if not lifted by the Senate or quashed by the court, will effectively deny the people of Kogi Central representation in the Senate for six months. This is against multiple court rulings that suspensions should not punish the electorate. The additional penalties, such as withdrawal of security aides and closure of office are unprecedented and arguably unconstitutional. Similar past suspensions did not involve such extreme measures. Her suspension comes amid conflict with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. Although the ethics committee dismissed her petition of alleged sexual harassment against Mr Akpabio, the suspension raises questions of political retaliation. Potential legal and political outcomes If Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan challenges her suspension in court, it is likely to be overturned based on legal precedents. The courts may rule that the Senate exceeded its disciplinary authority and that the suspension violates constitutional rights. If the court rules in her favour, this would further define the limits of disciplinary actions within the Senate. Alternatively, the Senate has left the option for her to submit a written apology. If she chooses this route, she may regain her seat before the six-month period elapses. However, this could set a dangerous precedent, where senators are pressured into submission rather than standing by their principles. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends the opening ceremony of the China Development Forum 2025 and delivers a keynote speech, in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday pledged to unswervingly advance opening up and cooperation amid rising global instability and uncertainty. Li made the remarks in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the China Development Forum 2025 in Beijing. China will continue to welcome enterprises from around the world with open arms, further expand market access, actively address the concerns of businesses, and facilitate the deeper integration of foreign-funded enterprises into the Chinese market, he said. The increasing global economic fragmentation, coupled with rising instability and uncertainty in today's world, underscores the growing need for countries to open their markets and for enterprises to share resources, in order to address challenges and pursue common prosperity, the premier said. He said China will safeguard free trade, and contribute to the smooth and stable operation of global industrial and supply chains. China has set its full-year growth target at around 5 percent for 2025. Li said the decision reflects both China's profound understanding of its fundamental economic conditions and strong confidence in its governance capacity and future development potential, and pledged efforts to strengthen policy support while stimulating market forces in order to achieve the target. The country will implement more proactive and impactful macro policies, further strengthen counter-cyclical adjustments, and introduce new incremental policies when necessary to provide strong support for the sustained improvement and stable operation of the economy, Li said. The country will continue to advance the building of a unified national market and unclog bottlenecks in economic circulation to create a better development environment for various business entities, he added. Li pointed out that around this year's Spring Festival, the Chinese economy has seen a surge of phenomenal highlights, with new growth drivers gaining strength across various sectors, which will inject sustained and robust momentum into the economy. The China Development Forum 2025 is scheduled from March 23 to 24. The theme of this year's forum is "Unleashing Development Momentum for Stable Growth of Global Economy." Around 720 people, including entrepreneurs, government officials, experts and representatives from international organizations from home and abroad attended the opening ceremony of the forum, hosted by the Development Research Center of the State Council. Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends the opening ceremony of the China Development Forum 2025 and delivers a keynote speech, in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) The Osun State Government has announced a 24-hour curfew on three communities in the state due to the violence there. The violence between residents of Ifon and Ilobu communities has spread to Erin-Osun community, the states information commissioner, Kolapo Alimi, wrote in a statement. A 24-hour curfew has now been imposed on the three communities and Governor Ademola Adeleke has charged security agencies in the state to implement the curfew. In a separate statement by the governors spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Mr Adeleke threatened to depose any traditional ruler not committed to restoring peace in the communities. Read the two statements from the Osun officials below. 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 Following the escalation of the crisis between the warring communities of Ilobu and Ifon, Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke has approved that the curfew be extended to Erin-Osun town. The curfew time is now 24 hours daily. The governor also directed all security agencies, such as the military, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp NSCDC, Immigration, NDLEA, and AMOTEKUN to extend their security surveillance to the community. All the security agencies are to ensure strict compliance with the curfew, which is now 24 hours daily until peace is restored. The imposed curfew was necessary to forestall escalation of the crisis and breakdown of law and order due to the communal clashes in the communities. According to the statement by Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, where Governor Adeleke was quoted as expressing dissatisfaction over the resurgence of the crisis in the warring communities, the curfew on Ifon-Ilobu Communities has now been extended to the Erin-Osun community until further notice. His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke is saddened at the escalation of the communal clashes between Ilobu and Ifon communities. To ensure that the crisis is curbed in the environment, the governor has approved that the curfew be extended to Erin-Osun community and the curfew time is now 24 hours daily, effective immediately (today March 22, 2025) until further notice. Governor Adeleke has further directed that the joint security team comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NDLEA and AMOTEKUN among others to continue to maintain their usual 24-hour surveillance and forestall breakdown of law and order. The governor expresses his sympathy on lives and property lost in the escalated communal crisis and assures that perpetrators will face the wrath of law. Osun State is a place of peace and harmony, and the government will not allow it to be truncated. This communal clash has to stop now, and we will ensure that it happens. I urge everyone to imbibe the ethos of Omoluabi and shun communal crisis, embrace peaceful co-existence as brothers and sisters, the statement concludes. Kolapo Alimi, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment. Ifon/Ilobu/Erin Osun: Governor Adeleke, Security Chiefs Adopt Tough Measures OSOGBO 22/03/2025 Osunstate.gov.ng Governor Ademola Adeleke and service commanders of the various security agencies in Osun have adopted stringent measures and operational plans to restore peace in Ifon-Ilobu-Erin Osun communities and permanently stop the recurrence of the communal feud. The meeting witnessed a separate closed door meeting with traditional rulers and chiefs from the affected communities with stern warnings to embrace peace or face the full wrath of the law. Various service commanders at the meeting discussed the presentations by the state governor and adopted several peace measures which are already being implemented. Mr Adeleke had earlier called for decisive action to permanently resolve the conflict and proceeded to issue directives to the commanders for immediate action. Part of the directives include immediate deployment of the joint task force with all necessary logistics for operational results, summoning of key ring leaders in the affected towns for interrogation and signing of peace undertaking, arrests and immediate prosecution of perpetrators of the violence, invoking of cyber crime act to nab those spreading old videos to cause more violence. The governor further threatened to suspend the traditional rulers of the affected towns if violence should resurface while those who sign peace undertakings will face the law if communal confrontation reoccur. He also used the opportunity to alert the security agencies of what he termed other security threats in the state arising from opposition destabilisation plots namely, plans to ignite conflicts across motor parks in the state; sponsoring of fake local government workers group; and hoodlum protest in the guise of teachers applicants protest among others. While commending the security agencies for their patriotic service to the state, Mr Adeleke urged them to act on all the resolutions reached as he pledges the administrations support for all peace moves by the service commanders. The service commanders at the meeting pledged to implement the security measures agreed to at the meeting and assured the government and the people of the affected communities of imminent restoration and sustenance of peace in the areas. In attendance were service commanders from the Nigerian Army, the police, the State Security Service, the Civil Defence Corps, the Immigration service, the Amotekun Security Service among others. Signed Olawale Rasheed, Spokesperson to the State Governor. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu over the unlawful suspension of democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and Members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State while exercising his constitutional powers to proclaim a State of Emergency in the state. The suit is brought by Yirabari Israel Nulog; Nengim Ikpoemugh Royal; and Gracious EyohSifumbukho, who are members of SERAP Volunteers Lawyers Network (SVLN) in Rivers State. The plaintiffs are registered voters and voted in the 2023 general elections. Joined in the suit as Defendants are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd). In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/558/2025 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the plaintiffs are seeking: an order setting aside the suspension of the democratically elected officials in Rivers State by President Tinubu while proclaiming a state of emergency in the state. The plaintiffs are seeking: an order setting aside the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. The plaintiffs are also seeking: a declaration that by virtue of section 1(2) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of the 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 In the suit, the plaintiffs are arguing that: The rule of law would be a mere figure of speech if the peoples right to participation can be arbitrarily suspended or violated. The suit filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by their lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, read in part: Democracy is an inherent element of the rule of law. Nigerias democracy ought to have as its foundation respect for human rights and the rule of law. The suspension is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the countrys obligations under article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, and articles 2, 3 and 4 of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. The combined provisions of sections 1(2), 14(1)(c), 176(1) (2) and 305(1) of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution create a delicate balance of rights and responsibilities, balancing the exercise of the Presidents power against the peoples right to participation in their own government, and the notion of respect for the rule of law. Together, these Constitutional provisions presume that Presidential Powers under section 305 are to be exercised fairly and the duty of fairness requires that the peoples right to participation and democracy should be upheld even in the context of a declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State. The combined effect of the provisions of sections 1(2), 14(1)(c), 176(1) (2) and 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution is that the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers state is unlawful and unconstitutional. Democracy works best when everyone participates. The right to participation is the bedrock of any democratic society. The suspension of the democratically elected officials in Rivers state has seriously undermined the ability of the Plaintiffs to participate more effectively in their own government, and the credibility and integrity of the countrys electoral process, as well as the notion of the rule of law. The rule of law ought to be protected to ensure that persons and institutions operate within the defined ambit of constitutional and statutory limitations. Where agencies of government are allowed to operate at large and at their whims and caprices in the guise of performing their statutory or constitutional duties, the end result will be anarchy and authoritarianism, leading to the loss of constitutionally guaranteed freedom and liberty. Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution is neither absolute nor superior to other provisions of the Constitution. Rather, it is expressly made subject to other constitutional provisions. The phrase Subject to as a legislative device is used in a Constitutional provision or statutory enactment to make the provision of the section inferior, dependent on, or limited and restricted in application to the Section to which they are made subject to. The plaintiffs are also seeking the following reliefs: 1. A DECLARATION that there is no provision in the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) that empowers the 1st Defendant to suspend the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and Members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State while exercising his powers to proclaim a State of Emergency in the State under section 305 of the Constitution. 2. A DECLARATION that by virtue of section 1(2) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. 3. A DECLARATION that by a purposeful construction and interpretation of the combined provisions of sections 1(2) 180, 176(1)(2), and 305 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 as (amended), the 1st Defendant cannot lawfully suspend the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and Members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State while exercising his powers to proclaim a State of Emergency in Rivers State. 4. A DECLARATION that the suspension of the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and Members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State by the 1st Defendant on 18th March 2025 while proclaiming a state of emergency in the State is unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void. 5. A DECLARATION that the appointment by the 1st Defendant of the 3rd Defendant as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State consequent upon the suspension of the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and Members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State by the 1st Defendant on 18th March 2025 derogates from the provision of section 1(2) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and therefore is unlawful unconstitutional, null, and void. 6. AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT setting aside the suspension of the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and Members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State by the 1st Defendant on 18th March 2025 while proclaiming a state of emergency in the State. 7. AN ORDER setting aside the appointment of the 3rd Defendant by the 1st Defendant as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. 8. AN ORDER of injunction restraining the 3rd Defendant from acting or continuing to act as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State in pursuance of his appointment as such by the 1st Defendant on 18th March 2025. 9. AN ORDER of injunction restraining the Defendants, including their agents, representatives or such other persons acting on their behalf from treating or continuing to treat the Governor, Deputy Governor, and Members of the House of Assembly of Rivers as having been suspended. 10. AND FOR SUCH FURTHER ORDER(S) that the Honorable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance of this suit. No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A 40-year-old Nigerian, Bishir Dauda, plans a 50-day advocacy and solidarity journey across West African countries to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS. Mr Dauda announced his initiative in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during a visit to the agencys headquarters in Abuja. Mr Dauda is a pro-democracy activist, human rights defender, Pan-Africanist, and Executive Director of Citizens Participation Against Corruption Initiatives, a non-governmental organisation. He described the journey as his unique way of honouring ECOWAS golden jubilee. The Pan-Africanist highlighted ECOWAS remarkable achievements over the past five decades, emphasising the organisations resilience and unity in spite of significant challenges. According to him, any institution that has endured for 50 years while positively impacting nearly 400 million people deserves recognition. 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 Over the past 50 years, ECOWAS has transformed from a mere international organisation into a dynamic community with strong institutions and tangible achievements that continue to benefit the region. One major milestone worth celebrating is the removal of visa restrictions, which has facilitated free movement across member states. This has boosted trade, education, tourism, and other activities. As a citizen of the ECOWAS community, I see this advocacy journey as an opportunity to express my appreciation for the organizations contributions over the past five decades, he said. Mr Dauda, who hails from Nigerias North-West state of Katsina, and a graduate of History from the Umaru YarAdua University, disclosed that he would begin the journey on 1 April, from Lagos State, Nigeria. The activist said that during his journey, he would engage with ordinary citizens in the countries he visits, gathering their thoughts on ECOWAS and its achievements. I will also use this opportunity to debunk the false narrative being spread by some that ECOWAS is merely a puppet of Western powers, he said. Mr Dauda added that he would visit key ECOWAS projects, including the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) in Lome, and the West African Power Pool (WAPP) in Cotonou. He hopes to also visit the Abidjan-Lagos Highway project, and the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abidjan. As a committed Pan-Africanist, Mr Dauda noted that he would also urge fellow West Africans to appeal to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to reconsider their recent withdrawal from ECOWAS. I will use this advocacy journey to call on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to rethink and reverse their decision to leave ECOWAS. Anyone who is truly passionate about African unity and integration will hope to see these countries return to the bloc. Part of my mission is to send a message to their military governments, urging them to reconsider because regional integration is crucial for our collective progress, he said. Mr Dauda also revealed that the journey was entirely self-funded, with no financial support from any individual or organisation. According to him, he plans to document his experiences and insights from the trip in a book, aiming to contribute to the advancement of Pan-Africanism. NAN recalls that ECOWAS, founded on May 28, 1975, to promote economic integration and political unity in the subregion, has lined up various activities ahead of its 50th-anniversary celebrations in May. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, said the federal government would clear 500 hectares of land in Benue to promote ranching and dairy production. Mr Maiha disclosed this on Saturday during his visit to the Benue Livestock Investigation and Breeding Centre, Raav, Gwer East Local Government Area of the state. He said the 2,400 hectares allocated to the centre was sufficient for ranching and dairy, adding that the FG would begin with clearing 500 hectares. He regretted that the centre, with over 2,400 hectares, currently has only 37 animals, and all its facilities are dilapidated and need full rehabilitation. We will form a small committee to suggest ways of moving this place forward. We aim to establish two enterprises here: one for dairy, the other for ranching. 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 2,400 hectares is sufficient, so we will initially clear 500 hectares to receive pasture before the rains this year, he assured. The minister said the committee would propose facilities such as pens, isolation centres, maternity pens, dips and other support structures including housing and chalets. He explained the centre would collaborate with Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, for research purposes. Speaking during the visit, the Director-General of the Benue Bureau for Livestock Development, Aondoakaa Asambe, said this aligns with the state governments vision for the bureaus creation. Mr Asambe noted the state government believes ranches will address security challenges and allow farmers to return to their ancestral lands. He said the state government took a pragmatic step to build a reliable livestock industry that would benefit the people economically. He commended Gov. Hyacinth Alia for supporting the bureau in achieving its livestock development mandate. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister earlier visited the Benue Swine and Crop Improvement Project, Yadev, Gboko LGA, and the International Cattle Market, Makurdi. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In December 2024, Nigerias food and drugs regulatory agency shut down 150 shops in Aba, south-east Nigeria, and destroyed counterfeit products reportedly worth N5 billion. Most goods destroyed during the operation were beverages and expensive alcoholic drinks. However, concerns remain about many counterfeit products that may have passed through regulatory authorities undetected. Less than three months after the Aba raid, NAFDAC destroyed about N4.5 billion worth of fake products seized from marketers in Port Harcourt. The series of raids highlight Nigerias ongoing struggle with counterfeit goods. The situation has become so severe that NAFDAC had to shut down an entire segment of a popular market in Onitsha, Anambra State, after discovering that syndicates were concealing drugs inside plumbing materials. However, the decision to shut down markets has become highly political. A major opposition leader, Peter Obi, criticised NAFDAC for closing markets in its fight against counterfeit drugs. Nigerias battle with counterfeit drinks, medicines, and food has been ongoing for decades. In 1993, the countrys government established the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to tackle the menace of fake drugs. Over the years, the agency has introduced several innovative measures to combat the problemfrom the NAFDAC registration number to using special SMS codes to verify product authenticity. 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 Recently, NAFDAC spent $2.4 million to procure hand-held devices for on-the-spot detection of counterfeit medicines. However, many of these innovations and measures have failed to stem the flow of fake products into markets and shelves. Often, counterfeit syndicates create sophisticated systems, including printing fake labels and brands. NAFDAC numbers are easily removed from packs and replaced. The situation has become so alarming that federal legislators have called for stiffer punishments, such as life imprisonment, to deter counterfeiters. A few weeks ago, the House of Representatives called for life imprisonment for peddlers of fake drugs. However, experts believe more investment is needed in preventive measures that help regulators and consumers verify products easily. Ghanas success with QR Codes: A Model for Nigeria? Ghanas success in implementing a universal Quick Response (QR) code system presents an opportunity for Nigeria to address its counterfeit problem. Ghana is leading other African countries in adopting QR codes and using the technology for voter verification, payment systems, VAT management, and more. A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that stores information, which can be scanned using a smartphone. When scanned, the user is directed to a page containing digitally stored information. Across Ghana, it is common to see a bottle of water with a QR code. A quick scan using a smartphone takes the consumer to the Ghana Revenue Authoritys website to verify the products VAT status. Similarly, a voter does not need to carry a voters card to the polling unit. The voter register contains QR codes that can be scanned using the Biometric Verification Device, which then displays the voters details for biometric authentication before voting. In 2020, Ghanas former Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, launched Ghanas Universal QR Code Scheme (GhQR) for digital payments. The system allows consumers to pay merchants by scanning a QR code displayed at the shop. The merchant receives the payment instantly, just as if it were cash. GhQR is interoperable, meaning that a single QR code displayed in a shop allows a merchant to receive payments from customers with bank accounts, mobile wallets, or card accounts from different banks and payment service providers across the country. Can Nigeria adopt QR Codes to fight counterfeits? Experts argue that Nigeria has sufficient internet penetration and high smartphone usage to adopt QR codes to combat counterfeit products. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as of January 2024, Nigeria had 154.9 million active internet subscribers, representing over half of the total population. In addition, smartphone penetration is projected to exceed 140 million devices by 2025, accounting for 66 per cent of the population. Francis Adegbe, a software engineer, believes NAFDAC and other regulatory bodies must explore multiple technologies to prevent counterfeits by building a national product database. He noted that QR code technology is a cost-effective solution to the problem. He explained that all the Nigerian government needs to do is create a national database for all verified products, allowing consumers to scan a QR code for instant verification. It will require a database to store all verified products. Once you scan the QR code, it displays the correct information, confirming whether the product is genuine and providing other relevant details. Writing the code is the easiest partits about designing the logic behind the system. Setting up the database isnt difficult either. The government could use an Amazon S3 pocket database to store product information. The data doesnt even need to be in one place; it can be distributed across the cloud but pulled into a central platform for real-time verification, he explained. Can criminals circumvent QR Code technology? When asked whether criminals could manipulate the system, Mr Adegbe noted that it would not be easy. According to him, the key security measure is to use a government-approved domain that counterfeiters cannot replicate. The government must establish a strict .gov.ng domain name, which counterfeiters cannot access. That would serve as the first security check. Mr Adegbe added that public sensitisation about the official domain would empower citizens to identify fake or expired products. We need to use a secure, government-approved domain (.gov.ng). Counterfeiters wont be able to obtain it. That will be the first level of security. We can educate the public that any verification process not linked to this domain is counterfeit. Although QR codes can be copied, there are security details that counterfeiters cannot replicate. The real challenge is securing the official domain name. Public awareness must focus on this. Any QR code that does not direct consumers to the official domain is fake, he said. When asked about potential challenges with the technology, Mr Adegbe said the most significant obstacle is political will among regulators. The main challenge is the political will to implement the solution. We once proposed a similar system for a government agency, but the person delaying the project was benefiting from the very problem we were trying to solve. Bureaucrats often have vested interests in maintaining the status quo, he said. NAFDACs current use of technology Christiana Obiazikwor, the spokesperson for NAFDAC, told PREMIUM TIMES that the agency is integrating technology into its fight against counterfeit products. She cited using TruScan, a handheld device for on-the-spot drug testing. She described the technology as expensive but efficient. We have TruScan. It is a handheld device used to test drugs on the spot. If the drug is genuine, you get the result immediately. It is a very expensive device. When you walk into a pharmacy, you can test a drug right there, she said during a phone interview in February. However, the TruScan device is limited to drug testing and cannot be used for other products like drinks and food, despite NAFDACs mandate extending beyond pharmaceuticals. This limitation raises concerns about interoperabilitythe ability of different systems to exchange, interpret, and use data seamlessly. Additionally, TruScan does not empower the public to participate in the fight against counterfeits, as only NAFDAC officials with the device can conduct tests. NAFDAC also has a text message verification system where drugs have scratch codes pasted on their packs. Users can scratch the codes after buying the product and text the numbers via SMS to confirm if the drug is authentic. However, many Nigerians do not use the confirmation codes, the food regulator said. Many people believe that the text message verification system and TruScan are insufficient. READ ALSO: NAFDAC destroys fake drugs worth N100trn Kayode Onifade, a resident of Abuja, noted that the text message verification method is inconvenient, leading to low adoption. One reason the text message option isnt effective is that you have to buy the product before scratching to verify it. Imagine if you could just scan the product on the shelf before purchasing, Mr Onifade said. For now, NAFDAC seems to rely more on physical inspections and market shutdowns, highlighting the underdevelopment of digital public infrastructure in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. This report is produced under the DPI Africa Journalism Fellowship Programme of the Media Foundation for West Africa and Co-Develop. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has announced a $15 million grant to support 3,000 budding entrepreneurs from 52 African countries. TEF Founder Tony Elumelu made this known on Sunday in Abuja during the unveiling of the 2025 cohort of the foundations Entrepreneurship Programme. He stated that each beneficiary would receive a $5,000 seed grant to kick-start their businesses. Mr Elumelu, who is also the chairman of Heirs Holdings, Transcorp, and United Bank for Africa (UBA), reaffirmed his commitment to empowering African entrepreneurs and transforming the continents economic landscape. According to Mr Elumelu, the foundation aims to democratise opportunity across the continent, fostering economic growth and providing young Africans with access to funding and mentorship. We had a vision that started in 2010; one that envisions a self-sustaining Africa, driven by the energy, vision, and resilience of young entrepreneurs. 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 understand the challenges they face in contributing to Africas economic transformation. If empowered and encouraged, these young Africans can drive meaningful change, he said. He noted that capital alone was not enough, highlighting the importance of business education, mentorship, and training in building successful entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurship programme, which began in 2015, originally set out to economically empower 10,000 young Africans over 10 years, each receiving $5,000 in seed capital. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the foundation, and we have made a considerable impact across all 54 African countries. In the 21st century, Africa does not need aid; what it needs is investment in its youth, Mr Elumelu said. TEF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Somachi Chris-Asoluka noted that since the programmes launch in 2015, the foundation had disbursed over $100 million to more than 21,000 young entrepreneurs across Africa. According to Ms Chris-Asoluka, these businesses have collectively created 1.5 million enterprises and generated $4.5 billion in revenue. Our entrepreneurs have demonstrated that ideas are the lifeblood of the African continent. For the 2025 cohort, we received over 200,000 applications, and from this pool, 3,000 entrepreneurs from 52 African countries will receive $15 million in funding. Each entrepreneur will receive a $5,000 non-refundable seed grant; this is neither a loan nor equity, she stated. She further assured that the foundation had a monitoring and evaluation platform in place to track progress after disbursement, ensuring that beneficiaries adhered to their approved business plans. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Tension is brewing in Kano following the announcement of plans by the two rival emirs, Aminu Ado Bayero and Lamido Sanusi, for Sallah durbar processions a ritual marking the end of Ramadan fasting. The two men have claimed the emirship position since the state government removed Mr Bayero last May and reinstated his deposed predecessor, Mr Sanusi, under a new emirates law. Aside from Mr Sanusi, the governor also appointed the Emir of Karaye, Muhammad Maharaz; the Emir of Rano, Muhammad Umaru; and the Emir of Gaya, Aliyu Abdulkadir. Mr Ado Bayero is challenging his removal in court. The two claimants to the Kano stool have since been installed in two different palaces. Mr Sanusi is holding court at the main Kano emirs palace, while Mr Ado Bayero is at the mini palace at the Nassarawa GRA, both in Kano city. 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 On Tuesday, Governor Abba Yusuf directed the states emirate councils to commence preparations for the Sallah durbar procession. The governors directive is contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, after a Ramadan iftar held at the Government House with the emirs he appointed. Governor Yusuf stated that his administration will not relent and will not allow any adversaries to deprive citizens of this cherished right (durbar procession). He assured the public that all security agencies in the state will be engaged to provide adequate protection for the people during the celebration, the statement stated. Following the governors directive, Mr Ado Bayero, in a letter signed by his private secretary, Abdullahi Kwaru, informed the security agencies of his intention to conduct a durbar. The letter said Mr Ado Bayero will also celebrate his fifth anniversary as the Emir of Kano. The purpose of this letter is to formally notify the security agencies in Kano State particularly the Police Force that years Sallah events co-incided with fifth anniversary of his Highness on the throne of his forefathers with assurance that all activities will be conducted peacefully, Mr Ado Bayero stated. The durbar procession The durbar usually draws thousands of spectators to the city. However, there is a fear of clashes between the supporters of the two rival emirs. The Sallah Durbar procession is usually held twice a year. It is a symbol of the cultural heritage of Kano and some ancient towns in Northern Nigeria. The Durbar features four days of grandeur, horsemanship and equestrian parades. Beginning with Hawan Sallah, it moves to Hawan Daushe, Hawan Nassarawa, and ends with Hawan Doriya and Fanisau. Each day of the procession has its unique cultural meaning. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Combined security operatives have rescued a Catholic priest, Stephen Echezona, in Anambra State, Nigerias South-east. The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, announced this in a statement on Sunday. Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the Catholic priest was abducted at a petrol station in Ichida, a community in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state. He did not, however, indicate when the victim was abducted. How the cleric was abducted Mr Ikenga said the joint security team engaged the abductors in a shootout before the cleric was rescued on Sunday morning. He said the hoodlums were operating in a Lexus SUV when they were intercepted by the security team comprising operatives of the Nigerian police, the Nigeria military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Anambra Vigilante Group. 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 assailants abandoned the white Lexus SUV and, in a bid to flee the scene due to the superior firepower of the joint security team, fled the scene and held the Rev. father (Catholic priest) hostage. The police spokesperson said there was a coordinated hot chase as the joint team alerted different security checkpoints and other security agencies in the state. He said the coordinated chase forced the hoodlums to abandon the abducted cleric before they escaped through a nearby bush. ALSO READ: Police rescue Catholic priests allegedly kidnapped by church member The operatives recovered the white Lexus vehicle. The priest was returned unharmed, the spokesperson said. The joint security team has taken over the scene in Ihiala for possible arrest of the armed criminals and recovery of the Toyota Highlander belonging to the Rev. Father (cleric), he said. Abduction for ransom Like other states in the South-east, cases of abduction-for-ransom in Anambra State have increased in recent times. Civil servants, business owners, politicians, and even students have become easy targets for such attacks in the state lately. A separatist group, the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been blamed for the frequent attacks in the region, although they have repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks. IPOB is seeking the secession ofthe South-east and some parts ofthe South-south from Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A document exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES has confirmed reports that businesswoman Aisha Achimugu is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The document has also countered intense media campaigns by Ms Achimugus camp, which promoted a false narrative that the EFCC is not probing her. This newspaper earlier reported how Ms Achimugu fled Nigeria after failing to honour an invitation by the EFCC. However, after the report ran, Ms Achimugus aide intensified media campaigns denying her ongoing probe by the EFCC. Several reports in digital and social media quoted unnamed sources as denying her ongoing probe and invitation by the anti-graft agency. EFCC insiders told our reporter that Ms Achimugu was summoned to meet investigations on 5 March over alleged money laundering and a high-profile investment scam. 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 A letter of investigation obtained by this newspaper has now confirmed that disclosure. The letter, dated 4 March and signed by Adebayo Adeniyi, EFCCs acting zonal director in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was sent to Ms Achimugus residential address in Abuja. This commission is currently investigating a case in which the need to obtain certain clarification from you becomes imperative, the letter reads. In view of the above, you are kindly requested to attend an interview with the undersigned through the Head of Investigation on Wednesday, 5th March 2025, by 10:00 hours prompt, it added. EFCC obtains arrest warrant However, rather than reporting to the EFCC as requested by the agency, Mrs Achimugu travelled out of Nigeria, a trip investigators believe was hurriedly arranged to evade interrogation and arrest. Investigators said Ms Achimugu, an associate of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, left Nigeria on Thursday, March 6, or Friday, March 7. Following her discreet departure from the country, a top EFCC official told PREMIUM TIMES the agency obtained an arrest warrant preparatory to declaring her wanted. A week ago, one David Abakpa, who identified himself as Ms Achimugus aide, launched a media campaign to confuse the public about the EFCC probe of the socialite. In a widely circulated statement, Mr Abakpa claimed he was responding to speculations that Ms Achimugu was arrested or being investigated by the EFCC. The statement confirmed that Ms Achimugu left Nigeria but blamed unscrupulous elements for reports revealing the businesswomans ongoing probe by the EFCC. That false narrative is still being pushed across legacy and social media by associates of Ms Achimugu even as the EFCC investigation of the allegations against her continues. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, on Sunday, received a special prayer in his first public appearance since his suspension from office. Mr Fubara received the special prayer when he attended a Sunday church service at Salvation Ministries Headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. This is contained in a statement by the governors spokesperson, Nelson Chukwudi, on Sunday. The suspension PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday. Mr Tinubu also suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all the House of Assembly members for an initial six months. The president consequently appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator 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 He cited the disturbing incidents in the state, including explosions and vandalisation of petroleum pipelines linked to the political crises in the state, as the basis for the emergency rule. The disturbing incidents also included the political crises in the South-southern state triggered by a rift between Mr Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the minister of the FCT. First public appearance Mr Fubara, according to the statement, was at the service to express gratitude to God for His love, mercy and unwavering support amid the festering political challenges. The governor was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, a former Senate President Pro-Tempore and the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, John Azuta Mbata. Sam Jaja, a former deputy national chairperson of the PDP, also accompanied the governor. The church service, a testament to his deep faith and belief in God as the ultimate dispenser of justice, was an extraordinary session of worship, prayers, and thanksgiving, to appreciate the Lord and acknowledge His never-failing gifts to humanity, Mr Chukwudi said in the statement. The service, led by the Presiding Pastor of the church, David Ibiyeomie, who took his sermon on: Living A Blessed Life from Genesis 1:28, featured soul-lifting songs, scriptural exhortations, and prayers for continued peace, progress, and prosperity in Rivers State. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print NEW YORK, March 23 (Xinhua) -- A critical U.S. pilot messaging system operated by the Federal Aviation Administration on Saturday experienced a second outage this year. The outage of the "Notice to Airmen" system lasted more than three hours due to a hardware issue before the system restored operation, said the agency. In early February, the system known as NOTAM also underwent a temporary outage. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Friday that the administration of Donald Trump will unveil "a state-of-the-art, brand-new air traffic control system" next week. Duffy said Trump will get the "first sneak peek" before the system is presented to Congress as part of a funding request. Concerns over air travel safety following multiple accidents this year have discouraged the public from flying in the United States. Many U.S. airline companies have revised their business outlook downward for the first quarter of 2025. If patriotism is love of fatherland (nativeland), then it goes without saying that a patriot would always seek to advance the common good. Similarly, a democrat would accept the will of the people and know when to yield the governance stage to the next elected representative of the people. Patriot and democrat would test the selflessness of his actions by asking who will benefit or suffer from his stance. For, ultimately, institutions are only as strong and effective as the people who run them. The proclamation by President Bola Tinubu of a state of emergency in Rivers State, in a last-ditch effort to end the protracted political crisis that had finally begun to threaten the peace and purse of the entire nation has, predictably, drawn widespread condemnation. And truth be told, President Tinubu laid both of his flanks wide open to the arrows of condemnation by being one of the most unsparing critics of former President Goodluck Jonathans more restrained use of the same weapon to deal with a more palpable threat. The unbiased critics of Tinubus proclamation recognise the need for drastic action, the legitimacy of the nuclear option of a state of emergency, but pillory him for the extraordinary step of suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, and the state legislature. There is little doubt that under a strict construction of the constitution, never mind the strictures of democracy, the president would be hard-pressed to name the source of his power to do so. The Nigerian Bar Association lays out the case succinctly and clearly: Suspension or otherwise summary removal of a democratically elected governor and other elected officials is unconstitutional. Rights activist and rule of law advocate, Femi Falana (SAN), buttresses the case with a slew of judicial pronouncements, including the case of Attorney General of the Federation v. Attorney General of Abia State filed, ironically, by Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi and decided by the Supreme Court just last year, declaring that the removal of elected local government chairmen and councillors and the appointment of sole administrators or caretaker committees in their stead is unconstitutional. Certainly, the Attorney-General cannot deny that the principle of his earlier victory would apply even more sternly to the suspension of elected governors and legislators. So, what advice did he give to the president on the question of suspending the executive and parliament of Rivers State? As this matter is sure to be litigated, we will know soon enough. Amidst the uproar trailing the presidents proclamation, my aim here is to try to direct attention to the constitution itself as perhaps not the panacea to the problem, after all, and, also, to our nations sore lack of democrats and patriots. Regarding the 1999 constitution, not, this time, by dismissing it as the dubious document it is, imposed on the people by a military dictatorship in retreat. Rather, my claim is that Section 305 of the constitution did not anticipate the peculiar problem at hand. And that as a result, it presents any president who must clear the rot in Rivers with a Hobsons choice, an abject scenario in which strict adherence to its provisions would produce an undesirable result, even skirting absurdity. 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 Section 305(3) specifies the conditions under which a state of emergency may be declared as follows: war or external aggression against Nigeria imminent danger of invasion or war breakdown of public order and safety to such an extent that ordinary legal measures are insufficient clear danger to Nigerias existence occurrence of any disaster or natural calamity affecting a state or a part of it and such other public danger that constitutes a threat to the Federation. Governor Fubara tried to no avail to obey the Supreme Court and re-present the states appropriation bill before all 31 members of the House of Assembly, the 27 members who had left the party under which they were elected and openly defected to another party having been reinstated, whether or not that was a valid question for determination before the apex court. Dizzy with victory, they chose not to sit for the re-presentation of the appropriation bill and instead served notice of impeachment of the governor. It is safe to say that the constitution never contemplated the threats, calamity or danger being the very persons whose oath of office charges with the security, good governance and well-being of the nation or any part of it. Rather, the constitution envisages a state governor, for instance, as the beleaguered statesman and woman who would even invite the president to declare a state of emergency in their own province, as enjoined in subsection (5): The President shall not issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in any case to which the provisions of subsection (4) of this section apply unless the Governor of the State fails within a reasonable time to make a request to the President to issue such Proclamation (emphasis mine). While trying to resolve the crisis resulting from the shameful failure of patriotism and statesmanship by the principal belligerents, President Tinubu summoned them to a meeting in Abuja. Terms of peace were drawn up and, it was reported, accepted by the parties. Perhaps the terms will be published someday soon, so we might know who reneged on his commitment and sabotaged the peace we all crave. As it happened, however, the intervention of the Supreme Court by way of its judgement of 28 February, which purported to restate the conditions for peace, only threw one side into a rapturous celebration of victory and empowered it to gun for total victory. Governor Fubara tried to no avail to obey the Supreme Court and re-present the states appropriation bill before all 31 members of the House of Assembly, the 27 members who had left the party under which they were elected and openly defected to another party having been reinstated, whether or not that was a valid question for determination before the apex court. Dizzy with victory, they chose not to sit for the re-presentation of the appropriation bill and instead served notice of impeachment of the governor. They did so against the rising threat of a serious breakdown of the peace and stability of the state, which was already at boiling point. Impeaching the governor for complete control and total victory beyond even the Supreme Courts gift became the only task to be done. After all, the heavens would not fall, as hubris announced. The critics, in the main, are right but it is the hard lot of a president to act despite the inadequacies of laws and the intransigence of warring citizens. In this matter of the rot in Rivers State, both sides Governor Fubara, on the one hand, and the reinstated state legislators, on the other were the very fons et origo, the source and origin, of the whole trouble. This fact alone makes the Rivers situation different or distinguishable from the previous declarations of emergency by former presidents Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari. What would it have meant to preserve the status quo? We dont need a soothsayer to tell us: Fubara would have been impeached at the speed of light, annihilated by the 27 reinstated legislators carrying out the publicly stated wishes and intention of their powerful godfather, the preceding governor and serving Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. And Tinubu would have been guillotined for handing over the head of Fubara to a man who, though from the main opposition party, is widely believed to have worked for him during the presidential election. And as oil pipelines exploded, and the streets were stirred, and the Niger Delta became ungovernable again, exacting cruel punishment on the nations strained purse, Tinubu would be accused of sacrificing the state on the altar of his 2027 calculations. What if, somehow, the impeachment failed? Then Tinubu would be charged with propping up a governor who demolished the state House of Assembly and abolished a co-equal arm of government. In the light of the Supreme Courts annulment of the local government elections conducted without fulfilling the condition precedent of publishing the voters register, he would also be accused of enabling the intolerable situation of a one-man dictatorship in Rivers State. I wouldnt be surprised, therefore, if the Attorney-Generals only defence of President Tinubus suspension of the governor, his deputy, and the state assembly is necessity. One of the many notes for the future constitution truly made and enacted by We the people must be to cover this gaping hole. The constitutional or orderly transfer of power and preservation of the peace in all circumstances, must anticipate the complexity of human affairs and the naked will to power of political actors It may be argued that either scenario would have been avoided by invoking the powers of the National Assembly to assume the functions of the Rivers Assembly under section 11 (4) of the Constitution, but the effect would be the same, given that the State Assembly would, by implication, be suspended during the period of the emergency. Yet, it should be noted that this is a power conferred on the National Assembly, where a State Assembly is unable to discharge its legislative duties for reasons other than ousting the governor to placate a godfather. Even a casual observer could not have failed to see that events were fast spiraling out of control, with Fubaras inevitable impeachment lighting the fuse. It seems to me that the constitution, not having anticipated a situation in which the elected custodians of the peace would also be a clear and present danger to the realm, leaves a worrisome lacuna. The necessity to act in a way that best safeguards the peace required that neither feuding camp be allowed to beat its chest and the war drums, nor be placed in a pivotal position of securing a scorched earth victory during the emergency period of restoring normalcy. I wouldnt be surprised, therefore, if the Attorney-Generals only defence of President Tinubus suspension of the governor, his deputy, and the state assembly is necessity. One of the many notes for the future constitution truly made and enacted by We the people must be to cover this gaping hole. The constitutional or orderly transfer of power and preservation of the peace in all circumstances, must anticipate the complexity of human affairs and the naked will to power of political actors, more so in our country where we seem doomed to practice democracy without democrats, and patriotism, love of fatherland above the self, is an alien concept. Which, really, is my main argument. On 3 March, nearly two weeks before the proclamation, I made this same point on AITs Kakaaki morning programme, where the topic was the Lagos State House of Assemblys speakership battle and the crisis between the Rivers State governor and former governor Wike, who controlled the House of Assembly. Midway into the programme, a technical glitch took us off air but so important was the topic to AIT that it was repeated the next morning, at which time I was able to elaborate on my claim that our problem is that Nigeria seems to be uniquely bereft of patriots and democrats in government. If patriotism is love of fatherland (nativeland), then it goes without saying that a patriot would always seek to advance the common good. Similarly, a democrat would accept the will of the people and know when to yield the governance stage to the next elected representative of the people. Patriot and democrat would test the selflessness of his actions by asking who will benefit or suffer from his stance. For, ultimately, institutions are only as strong and effective as the people who run them. In the epoch of Donald Trump, who would not only flatly refuse to accept that he lost an election but also mobilise a mob to violently ransack parliament and prevent it from certifying the transfer of power, the fragility of even the most hallowed institutions in the absence of devoted patriots and democrats is all too obvious. To come back home, in Lagos State, the patriotic spirit led to compromise and a peaceful resolution. In Rivers, sadly, self-interest and hubris made it impossible for reason to prevail and led inexorably to the state going under political receivership. Ogaga Ifowodo, a lawyer, poet and writer may be reached at [email protected]. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In his oxymoronic authoritarian-democrat posture, Tinubu is gradually morphing into the Banda model. He is the law. He is the legislature. He is the Fuhrer. So when Lateef Fagbemi, his attorney general, came out to read an address which reified Tinubus earlier rough stomp on the Nigerian constitution, all seems set on this road to Tinubus personal rule. Banda also had executioners who helped him dig the grave of Malawian democracy. Everything is my business. Everything. Anything I say is lawliterally law. Barbara Geddes, et al in their How dictatorship works (2018) quoted Malawian dictator, Hastings Kamuzu Banda, as having once said the above. In Nigeria of a little more than a week ago, they all came in quick successions: A National Assembly where the libido ran riot; a son who said his father is Nigerias best president; a corps member who condemned that same father as terrible and that the president, when he wakes up and looks at the mirror, like Banda, sees himself as the law. In the hands of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria appears to have become one complex, complicated web of mess and intrigues. When a people suffer such a plague of multiple, endless afflictions, my people deploy a phrasal description to denote it. So, they compare such a situation to an egbinrin ote, which defies solution. It scorns the biblical exhortation that affliction would not rise a second time. Under Tinubus egbinrin ote, Nigerias afflictions come in multiple folds. Literally, egbinrin ote refers to the leaves of conspiracy. In usage, however, it is a scary, endless tale of repetitive sorrow. The affliction is sustained by a coldblooded-ness or bloodlessness. When you cut a leaf off the branch of this tree, another sprouts immediately. In manifestation, you can compare an egbinrin ote situation to the biblical cursed fig tree, which is doomed to bring out a sap of sorrow. The 1957 Nobel Prize in Literature winner, French philosopher and journalist, Albert Camus 1942-published book, The Myth of Sisyphus, explains egbinrin ote better. Using the Greek mythology of the gods punishment of Sisyphus, we see a man condemned to repetitive labour. In Tinubus Nigeria, like Sisyphus, citizens seem to have been condemned to a ceaseless and eternal task of rolling a boulder up hill, only for it to roll backwards down hill. In Fela Anikulapos word, everyday na the same thing. Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigerias president, was in Adamawa State last week. As he spoke to youths, arrogance dripped out of him like foul-smelling bead of sweats. Except for the bombastic claim that his father is the greatest president in the history of Nigeria, which empirical facts do not support, every other claim in that address lacks collocation, context or even logic. Who are the they who keep coming for your father and for me? Whose father is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Did Seyi mean that fatherhood in the sense of Tinubu being the Nigerian president? Fatherhood requires responsibility. It is not just by an accident of seminal fluid. Not every person who occupies Aso Rock is the father of Nigerians. Children must see themselves in their father and vice versa. Nigerians will indeed desire that Tinubu fatherlises them, in which case, he will act like a father in all material particulars. To the millions of Nigerians who go to bed hungry every night, and the democratic tenets that Tinubu stomps upon like a matador, he is better described as the dictator next door. If you attempt to overstretch blood ties but fail in family responsibility, my people will stop you in your strides. They then will tell you that, when issues get to the brass-tack, a mother-of-all can identify her biological children (Iya egbe mo iye omo e). If Seyi needs to hear the truth, what Nigerians see in Tinubu isnt a father. That is why his other claim that the Tinubu economy has benefited all must have rankled suffering Nigerians. When he now said his father was the only president that is not trying to enrich his own pocket, many Nigerians must have fainted. 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 Nigeria of close to two years now under Tinubu, we are faced with what, in grammar, is called irregular comparative and superlative adjectives. They are adjectives that dont follow methods. When you conclude that the thinking coming out of Aso Rock is bad, wait for the next minute, another worse one will follow. When you begin to lament the worse situation, then the worst happens. And this trajectory occurs endlessly, like Sisyphus. As Seyi was waxing illogical in his mis-canonisation of his father in Adamawa State as one who gave the youth the wing to fly, another egbinrin ote was billowing. Ushie Rita Ugamaye, a serving corps member, was literally told that in Tinubus Nigeria, the youth can only fly if they grovel by the presidents feet. In Bob Mugabes Zimbabwe, I was told that even while locked up in the sacristy of your closet, you could only criticise old Bob in whispers, lest the wall transmits your criticism to the Fuhrer. In a social media post, Ugamaye lamented the excruciating existence that Nigerians live under Seyis fathers government. Speaking directly to him, she said: I dont know if there is any other president that is as terrible as you you are such a terrible president. Thereafter, the NYSC authorities subjected her to threats and eventually got her to apologise for her views on the gruelling economic life of Nigerians today. Ugamayes tortuous week in the hands of Tinubus hirelings is a mirror of the kind of life citizens live under repressive governments. Another example of this kind of rule was under the Malawian president, Banda. The people lived in palpable fear of their president. Not only was dissent criminalised, condemnation of the Fuhrer was treasonable. Their despotism began with negligible cases like Ugamayes and gradually, they harvested a captive citizenry from whom they wrung cult-like devotion under an atmosphere of fear. In Malawi, national grovelling and beatification of Banda were the norm. It was so bad that in June, 1967, Banda was awarded a honourary doctorate by a university, which called him a paediatrician to his infant nation! Then, another billow of a smouldering egbinrin ote oozed out. On 18 March, Tinubu wielded the big stick. He imposed a state of emergency on Rivers State, suspending the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and the House of Assembly, for six months. In my last weeks instalment, I referred to Tinubu as a partial judge. With the proclamation of emergency rule, he earned another infamous medallion. In his nationwide address, which read like a coup speech, without any remorse or pretence, Tinubu unapologetically removed the veil of his partiality. A few hours after, allegedly under the heavy disbursement of graft, the two chambers of the national parliament gave his coup against democracy legislative imprimatur. I do not want to bore you with condemnations that followed Tinubus dismantling of democratic structures in Rivers State, which I share. The most disingenuous corroboration of that declaration of martial law that shouldnt escape my comment came from Magnus Abe. On national television last week, he said Tinubu had the latitude to read S. 305 of the constitution, which gives a president power to impose a state of emergency, in his own way, as different from Goodluck Jonathans reading of the same. Not only did this nauseating drivel make one want to puke, it tells you the length that people can travel in manufacturing inanity in defence of their tenuous political locations. That section of the constitution is not ambiguous. No president is allowed to collapse democratic structures. Abe must mean that Tinubu is the law that lawyers and Nigerians in general must read. I think, judging by his almost two years in office, there is an urgent need for us to begin to assess the psychology that underpins Tinubus actions in power. We can do this by conducting a post-mortem on his words and actions in private. This will enable us know how tortuous the road with Tinubu as Nigerian leader would be in the years to come. In a bid to forewarn that the character in a duel is a principality of humongous evil, Juju maestro, King Sunny Ade, once warned, using the Ijesa dialect as a kicker, that, We meni o ko, Paddy I think, in Tinubu, Nigerians do not realise what principality in power they are entangled with. He carouses power like a tobacco addict fiddles with his pipe. So, it brought me to critical questions about Tinubus persona. The first is, when Gods creation Bola Ahmed Tinubu wakes up every morning, does he think there is God? Or, put differently, doesnt he think he is God? Or, more explicitly, that he is the Nigerian God? Simulating the craft of anthropologists who gather information through fieldwork and participant observation, I have spoken with those who sat around Tinubu before he became president. They believe he has a God mentality. For instance, they cited him telling fawners who gathered round him in his Lagos Bourdillon court in the wee hours, when he was ready to go to bed, that, Eko fe lo sun Lagos wants to go and sleep. Forget the arrogance in those words, it explains the God that Tinubu thinks he is. Again, those who witnessed the Nigerian presidents youth in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, told me he went through a challenging time. He had to cobble together bric-a-brac for existence and learnt the rough tackle tactics of the street. He emerged therefrom a street folk to the hilt, with unorthodox survival methods. Decades after, the man who would be Nigerias president had gained mastery of the colour of roughness and the language of manipulation. These have proven to be handy and essential tools in the Nigerian gangbanger political underworld. The streets have taught Tinubu to become so versatile in persona code-switching. It is such that, at one time, he is at home in the rough world of the MC Oluomos and musician Wasiu Ayindes and at another, he blends perfectly with the varnished world of international leaders. He has faced life tribulations that drowned Goliaths, walked through landmines that made mincemeat of the brave and emerged therefrom unscathed. These experiences can get a man to do either of two things: become the staunchest atheist who is persuaded of his own ability and scoffs at the God factor in human affair. Or, become the most supine God worshipper. I think these harsh life experiences and his conquest of battles through street shenanigans must have scarred the presidents soul irreparably. The scar must have made fellow human beings appear as tiny as gnats in his estimation. Tinubu is one of the boldest leaders in the history of Nigeria. A few days ago, news filtered in that he had just awarded a $700 million contract for the renovation of the Tin Can and Apapa ports in Lagos to ITB Nigeria, a construction firm his son, Seyi, is said to be a director in, and which is owned by his close ally, Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire, Gilbert Chagoury. Earlier, he had awarded another multi-trillion naira contract to a Chagoury-owned company, Hitech Construction. The same company handles many of Nigerians federal roads. Chagoury is already constructing the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. Nigerians ranted at the opacity and compromise behind the awards but to Tinubu, the people could go jump inside the lagoon. Bishop Godfrey Onah of the Catholic Church of Nsukka recently told us that a nation is doomed when its leaders are no longer afraid of the reaction of the people. I seem to think Tinubu has swallowed the Devil. With his raw hand, he can pull a chestnut from a red-hot furnace. He is not afraid to bite any bullet. The whole world may be on the verge of being incinerated but the street folk look only at the end game. It is a trait you get on the street. Street people are Machiavellian. To them, the end justifies the means. Unlike him, virtually all Nigerian military rulers, who were equally bold, got theirs consummated in fiery military situations, especially the gruelling martial training. Tinubus was gained from the furnace of heartless streets. I recently cited General Ibrahim Babangidas interview in the 1990s with some newspaper editors. He had told them he coveted the ruthless military prowess of Shaka, the legendary Zulu war General. Shaka was notorious for mass killings and violence. These worsened to psychopathic level when, at the death of his mother, Nandi, in 1827, he suddenly thirsted after more blood. He killed thousands of Zulus, prohibited the planting of crops and drinking of milk for a year, while murdering pregnant women and their husbands. So, when you marvel at why IBB heartlessly and summarily executed Mamman Vatsa and why torrents of Nigerians blood flowed during his rule, we should remember that Zakas ruthlessness fascinated him. The proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State by Tinubu should tell Nigerians that what we have today is personal rule disguised as civil rule. In such rule, the people are forced to swallow dosages of authoritarianism. As consequence, gradually, national public politics wither. Tinubus palace politics makes the future of democratic government look bleak in Nigeria. Barbara Geddes, et al cited above also said that a major feature of personal rule is that the ruler conscripts the judiciary, castrates the political system and gets a pliant legislature. An icing on the cake of this infamy is a captive populace. Tinubu has all these in his palm. In the voice vote of the two parliaments last week, a sombre Nigeria should not just see a grim democratic future but a gradual incubation of a Kamuzu Banda in Nigeria in the shortest possible time. Villaswill Akpabio will give Tinubu life presidency if and when he wants it. In his oxymoronic authoritarian-democrat posture, Tinubu is gradually morphing into the Banda model. He is the law. He is the legislature. He is the Fuhrer. So when Lateef Fagbemi, his attorney general, came out to read an address which reified Tinubus earlier rough stomp on the Nigerian constitution, all seems set on this road to Tinubus personal rule. Banda also had executioners who helped him dig the grave of Malawian democracy. Fagbemi had threatened Nigerian states that the cudgel with which Tinubu lashed the buttocks of democratic government in Rivers State is on the rafters waiting for any other governor who fails to grovel before the president. Soon, this same legislature, with Fagbemis cavalier lending of self to autocracy, would land us in the Malawi of 1970. That year, a congress of Bandas political party, the MCP, declared him president for life. In 1971, Malawis Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abass as heads of the legislature did this. I guess a Fagbemi was there for Banda, too. For the next quarter of a century, it was criminal not to address Banda with his full title, His Excellency the Life President of the Republic of Malawi, Ngwazi Dr H Kamazu Banda. Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Critics claim the emergency rule in Rivers undermines democracy. Their position misrepresents reality. The intervention is temporary, surgical, and aimed at restoring not replacing democratic institutions. The suspension of political actors for six months is no power grab; it is not a permanent removal but a reset to disarm warring factions. Notably, the same critics who assailed the presidents action for suspending the political actors remain silent on Governor Fubaras refusal to collaborate with the legislature, exposing their partisan bias. Imagine a Rivers State where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hesitated to declare a state of emergency. The political standoff between the State Assembly and Governor Siminalayi Fubara could have continued and degenerated into violence. Impeachment threats might have spurred attacks on lawmakers by the governors supporters, while militants in the creeks primed to sabotage critical oil infrastructure could have plunged Nigerias oil production back to pre-2023 lows. Sensational reporting of the crisis by journalists and opportunistic litigation would have inflamed tensions further, paralysing governance and risking lives. Schools and hospitals would shutter; investors would flee. We can only imagine the human and economic toll. Thanks to the presidents intervention, Rivers State can breathe again today. Political tensions have eased, banal headlines have quietened, and stakeholders encouraged by the newly appointed administrator are charting a path to lasting peace. Critics who argue that the crisis did not yet warrant an emergency rule ignore a stark truth: waiting for the breakdown of law and order to escalate into anarchy before acting is like withholding firefighters until a house burns to ashes. A responsible leader like President Tinubu, who swore an oath to protect the constitution and corporate existence of the country, cannot fail to act when a constituent part of the federation is careering towards the precipice. The political crisis in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly who owe allegiance to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that blew open barely six months into the administration of the governor, had degenerated by 18 March. A chain of events, since the war of attrition started 14 months ago among the combatants, had indeed paralysed the government of Rivers State to the point where Fubara, copying from the bad book of former Governor Obaseki in Edo, emasculated an arm of government entirely. This reality informed the Supreme Courts damning verdict about the absence of government in the state, as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria, as amended. The court also excoriated Fubara for acting like a despot. Critics claim the emergency rule in Rivers undermines democracy. Their position misrepresents reality. The intervention is temporary, surgical, and aimed at restoring not replacing democratic institutions. The suspension of political actors for six months is no power grab; it is not a permanent removal but a reset to disarm warring factions. Rivers was in a grave situation, as the combatants refused to allow reason to prevail, even after the Supreme Court judgment, before President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on 18 March. The president took action in the best interest of the people of the state, who had become victims of the warring politicians; the people they elected to serve them. President Tinubu needed to act. He chose prevention over cure. Section 305 of Nigerias Constitution empowers the president to act when the nation faces a breakdown of law, order, and economic security precisely the case in Rivers, a bastion of Nigerias oil-dependent economy. Intelligence confirmed that militants, told by Fubara to await signals, were already targeting pipelines, risking a collapse in output and a Niger-Delta domino effect. Historical precedents, such as the past emergencies in Plateau and Borno and the doctrine of necessity, support the presidents proactive measures to avert disaster. The presidents oath demands that he must not fail in his sacred duty to safeguard national stability, not watch idly as partisan strife strangles our democracy and the material well-being of Nigerians, whose prosperity depends on the social and economic interdependence of every part of the country. Rivers State is a significant hydrocarbon economic artery in Nigeria, and any dislocation and politically motivated disruption of the States oil industry have ripple effects on the national economy. Answering the Critics 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 Critics claim the emergency rule in Rivers undermines democracy. Their position misrepresents reality. The intervention is temporary, surgical, and aimed at restoring not replacing democratic institutions. The suspension of political actors for six months is no power grab; it is not a permanent removal but a reset to disarm warring factions. Notably, the same critics who assailed the presidents action for suspending the political actors remain silent on Governor Fubaras refusal to collaborate with the legislature, exposing their partisan bias. Democracy cannot thrive amid lawlessness anarchy is its antithesis. President Tinubu chose courage over complacency. His action prioritised Nigerias interest over political expediency, averting a more profound crisis. To those who brand him a democrat turned tyrant, my response to them is simple: Which democracy prospers in chaos? Rivers newfound calm vindicates President Tinubus resolve. He deserves commendation, not condemnation, not calumny for his statesmanship. Rivers and Nigeria are safer for it. The appointed administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (rtd.), has already convened a meeting with traditional leaders, one of his first steps in forging lasting solutions. This intervention ensures Rivers people retain their democratic rights, while shielding the Nigerian and Rivers State economies from collapse. It is worth repeating that President Tinubu acted within the law and his executive powers under the constitution until the Supreme Court says otherwise. President Tinubu and the National Assembly remain committed to lifting the emergency once stability returns and ensuring elected officials resume their duties. The 18th-century English philosopher Edmund Burke once warned, The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. President Tinubu chose courage over complacency. His action prioritised Nigerias interest over political expediency, averting a more profound crisis. To those who brand him a democrat turned tyrant, my response to them is simple: Which democracy prospers in chaos? Rivers newfound calm vindicates President Tinubus resolve. He deserves commendation, not condemnation, not calumny for his statesmanship. Rivers and Nigeria are safer for it. Bayo Onanuga is the special adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda has lost his mother, aged 93. A statement by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State disclosed this on Sunday. The statement read: With profound sadness, the Government of Katsina State announces the passing of Hajiya Safarau Umaru Baribari, the beloved mother of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda. Hajiya Safarau departed this world last night at the blessed age of 93. She was a woman of remarkable strength and dignity with wisdom flowed from decades of lived experience. Beyond being the mother of Governor Radda, Hajiya Safarau nurtured generations of leaders and community pillars. Her children include the current Village Head of Radda, Alhaji Kabir Umar Radda, and Hajiya Hauwa Umar Radda, former wife of the late President Umaru Musa Yaradua. A true Fulani matriarch, Hajiya Safarau leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond her immediate family. Her values of integrity, perseverance, and community service continue to inspire all who knew her. Members of the public are thereby informed that the late matriarch will be laid to rest today by 4:00 PM in Radda Village, Katsina. 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 offer our deepest condolences and pray that Allah grants Hajiya Safarau eternal peace in Jannatul Firdaus. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged the Court of Appeal in Abuja to halt the hearing of Kogi Central senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghans suit that she filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge her suspension by the Senate. Mr Akpabio, on 20 March, submitted the request along with an application seeking the Court of Appeals permission to challenge an interlocutory decision of the Federal High Court delivered on 10 March. He wants the proceedings at the Federal High Court halted while the Court of Appeal sits on his appeal challenging the 10 March decision of the lower court to hear all pending applications in the suit instituted by Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan. The senate president filed a similar application of stay of proceedings before the Federal High Court on the same 20 March, seeking a suspension of the hearing of the suspended senators suit pending appeal. According to Mr Akpabios legal team led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who filed the application on behalf of the senate president, the decision of the lower court on 10 March to hear all pending applications together is contrary to established legal principles. One of the pending applications the Federal High Court decided to hear together with others was one filed by the Senate to challenge the courts 4 March order of interim injunction suspending the Senates disciplinary process against Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan. 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 They also include Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans applications for mandatory injunction and committal proceedings against Senate officials who played a role in her suspension in disobedience to the 4 March court order. There is a need for this honourable court to stay proceedings of the lower court pending the hearing and determination of the appellant/applicants appeal, to prevent the judgement of this honourable court nugatory, Mr Akpabios lawyer wrote in the application filed at the Court of Appeal on 20 March. Setback for Akpoti-Uduaghans legal challenge to her suspension Earlier on 19 March a day before Mr Akpabio filed his application at the Court of Appeal the Federal High Court granted the Senates request to reverse one of its 4 March orders, halting the Senates disciplinary processes against the suspended senator. The court reversed the order after agreeing with the Senates legal team that the particular order was vague. After overturning the order, the court again fixed Tuesday for hearing of all pending applications in the suit. Meanwhile, within 24 hours of the filing of Mr Akpabios application seeking an order for the stay of the Federal High Courts proceedings, the Court of Appeal swiftly fixed its hearing for the same Tuesday earlier picked by the Federal High Court to hear all applications pending before it. It implies that the Federal High Court, once becoming aware of the Court of Appeals scheduled hearing, may have to postpone its own proceedings in deference to the authority of the higher court. The development is a result of the legal technicality deployed by Mr Akpabios lawyers, potentially throwing a spanner in the works for Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans suit. It comes as a setback for her hope that the suit would be promptly decided in her favour to reverse the Senates disciplinary action against her and cut short the six months suspension imposed on her. Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan kickstarted the widening legal actions through the suit she filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja in the wake of her altercation with Mr Akpabio during the Senates 20 February proceedings over the seat allocated to her. Embattled senators legal journey She commenced the suit via an ex-parte motion seeking to stop the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, chaired by Neda Imasuen, from sanctioning her over allegations of misconduct against her. She sued the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, its President Mr Akpabio, and the committee chairman as the first to fourth defendants. On 4 March, the judge granted an interim injunction halting any disciplinary action against her and declared any decision taken against her while the case was pending as null and void. On 6 March, despite the restraining order, the Senate went ahead to suspend her for six months, citing misconduct involving altercation between her and the senate president over her seat allocation during the 20 February plenary. In response, on 7 March, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan filed for a mandatory injunction and instituted contempt proceedings against the relevant officials of the Senate, alleging that her suspension was a blatant disobedience to the courts 4 March order. On 10 March, when the matter came up for hearing, the court ruled that all pending applications would be heard togethera decision Mr Akpabios legal team argues contradicts established legal principles. On 17 March, the Senate through its lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, a SAN, filed an application to challenge the courts 4 March order, which he described as vague. He added that enforcing the order would interfere with the Senates constitutional duties, violating the doctrine of separation of powers. Subsequently the hearing date, initially set for 25 March (Tuesday), was brought forward to 19 March based on a letter by Mr Ojukwu. At the 10 March hearing, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans lawyer, Michael Numa, also a SAN, urged the court to dismiss the Senates application, insisting that the defendants had deliberately disobeyed a valid court order. Ruling on the matter, the judge, Obiora Egwuatu, vacated the contentious order No. 4 in the 4 March ruling, which agreed was vague and might overreach the Senates powers. The case was then again adjourned till 25 March for the hearing of all pending applications. Akpabios appeal court sojourn The senate president, in a motion filed on 20 March, is requesting an extension of time to seek leave to appeal against the 10 March ruling delivered by a judge, Obiora Egwuatu in the suit FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025. His legal team stated that their clients proposed appeal raises issues of both law and fact, necessitating prior approval from the Court of Appeal. In all, the lawyers contended that the Federal High Court erred in deciding to hear all pending applications together instead of addressing them sequentially. They argued that the balance of convenience favours him, as granting the appeal would best serve the interests of justice. In an affidavit filed on 20 March, Toyo Jimmy, a senior legislative aide to Mr Akpabio, stated that the senate president is contesting the 10 March decision of the lower court, which ordered all pending applications to be heard together on 25 March. The document stated that this decision prevented him from filing a timely appeal within the 14-day legal window. The senate presidents legal team stated that continuing with the case at the Federal High Court while an appeal is pending could render any future judgement by the appellate court ineffective. Mr Akpabio contended, through his lawyers, that the High Courts ruling was an improper exercise of judicial discretion and could prejudice his right to a fair hearing. Therefore, he requested a stay of proceedings at the Federal High Court pending the outcome of his appeal, arguing that continuing the trial could undermine the effectiveness of any ruling from the appellate court. The balance of convenience favours the appellant, who would suffer irreparable harm if this application is denied, the supporting affidavit read. Mr Akpabio pledged to diligently prosecute the appeal and has undertaken to indemnify the respondents should the appeal be deemed frivolous. The Court of Appeal has scheduled the application hearing for Tuesday, coinciding with the date previously set by the Federal High Court for its hearing on all pending applications regarding the foundational case. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Bandits have killed at least 10 members of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (CPG) during an ambush on Saturday in the Anka Local Government Area. Fourteen other security guards were injured in the attack. The states governor, Dauda Lawal, confirmed the attack in a Facebook post on Sunday. Mr Lawal said the attack followed a raid led by soldiers on the bandits hideout in Sunke forest. He said many of the bandits were killed in the attack and arms recovered. The governor said two members of the community protection guard and a vigilante member were still missing following the incident. READ ALSO: FG reviews National Culture Policy after 37 years Mr Lawal said he had ordered emergency assistance to the injured victims and the families of the deceased. 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 PREMIUM TIMES understands that seven of the slain security guards were from the Anka local council area, while three were from the Talata Mafara area. A funeral prayer was held for them in Anka on Sunday, with Governor Lawal promising continued support for the fight against banditry. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Former President Goodluck Jonathan has advised members of the three arms of government in Nigeria, the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary, to do the right thing while in office and avoid taking actions that could negatively impact the countrys image. The former president noted that a countrys international standing and the investments it could attract depended on its leaders positive actions in advancing democracy and good governance. Mr Jonathan stated this as part of his reaction to the Rivers crisis while speaking In Abuja on Saturday as the Chairman of the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium, which focused on promoting social change and empowerment through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Emergency rule in Rivers President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on Tuesday following the protracted political crisis in the state. The president also suspended the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly for six months. Mr Tinubu appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice admiral and former chief of naval staff, as the states sole administrator. 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 On Thursday, both chambers of the National Assembly approved the declaration of emergency rule by voice votes. The presidents actions, especially the suspension of the elected officials of the state, have, however, drawn criticism from some quarters. Some have said that he should have taken a cue from Mr Jonathan, who in 2013, while in power, declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, without suspending the political leadership of the states. The former president declared a state of emergency in the three states because of the security challenges occasioned by the activities of the Boko Haram terror group. Leaders pretending to be sleeping During Saturdays event, Mr Jonathan noted that, as a leader from the Niger Delta, people have been reaching out to him to comment on the political situation in Rivers State. He, however, stressed that it was not the norm for former presidents to comment on the policies and actions of their successors to avoid heating up the polity. Mr Jonathan, however, rendered his advice in the form of a proverb. He said: Of course, what is happening in Nigeria today regarding the situation in Rivers State is like an Indian proverb which says that if somebody is really sleeping, you can easily wake up that person but if someone is pretending to sleep, it will be difficult to wake the person up. He added that the key actors in Nigeria know the correct thing to do but they are refusing to do it, saying: They are pretending to sleep and waking up such a person is extremely difficult. He also stated that building a society where no one is oppressed is the hallmark of good leadership; one that leverages the transformative power of diversity, equity, and inclusion for social change. In charging the three arms of government not to compromise their offices and positions, Mr Jonathan further said: Whatever happens in a country, the decisions taken by the executive arm of government, the parliament and the judiciary affects everybody. Whatever we do affects everybody, and if we must build a nation for our children and grandchildren, no matter how painful it is, we must try to do what is right. Speaking further on the theme of the colloquium, the former president said: I believe that it is a mark of good leadership and governance to be able to leverage the transformative power of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for social change. As a leader, I have seen how these values can bring people together, foster a sense of belonging, and unlock the full potential of individuals and communities. READ ALSO:Reps speak on bribery over Rivers emergency rule However, I have also seen how the absence of these values can lead to division, inequality, and social unrest. It is, therefore, our responsibility, as leaders and change-makers, to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion, one that values and respects the dignity and worth of every human being and protects the interests of all. We must not forget that societies that embrace DEI are more innovative, resilient, and harmonious. I know this because I saw how policies that promoted gender equality, youth empowerment, and regional balance during my time as President, helped bridge divides and foster national unity. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print INNSBRUCK, Austria, March 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AV-Comparatives, a globally recognized independent authority in cybersecurity testing, is pleased to announce the certification of Kaspersky Next EDR Expert following its successful performance in the inaugural Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Detection Validation Test. The pilot report can be found here: https://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/EDR_Detection_Kaspersky_2025.pdf AV-Comparatives 2025 EDR Testing Workflow Significance of the EDR Detection Validation Test As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, organizations face the challenge of detecting and responding to advanced persistent threats (APTs) that can bypass traditional preventive measures. The EDR Detection Validation Test addresses this critical need by evaluating the detection capabilities of enterprise security solutions, including Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP), EDR, and Extended Detection and Response (XDR) systems. This test provides Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and industry analysts with unbiased, empirical data to assess the effectiveness of these solutions in real-world scenarios. Methodology Overview This test assesses real-world detection performance under APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) scenarios, with all products configured in monitoring mode only (prevention features disabled). Key aspects include: Simulating APT attacks using various Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs). Monitoring for detections via active alerts in the management console or locally. Applying threat hunting techniques to analyse telemetry data when immediate alerts are absent. Utilizing the Empire framework in the initial 2025 phase for execution and evaluation. This comprehensive approach ensures that the evaluation reflects the product's ability to detect complex attack vectors effectively. "As attackers continuously refine their techniques, organizations must ensure that their security solutions can detect even the most advanced threats. Our new EDR Detection Validation Test provides an objective benchmark for evaluating these capabilities. Kaspersky's participation in this first-of-its-kind assessment underscores its commitment to transparency and continuous improvement in cybersecurity," said Andreas Clementi, CEO and Founder of AV-Comparatives. "We value independent professional assessments of our enterprise security solutions, as they provide expert third-party insights into real-world capabilities and help us identify opportunities for further improvement. AV-Comparatives' new EDR Detection Validation Certification Test is one of such evaluations, and we were proud to be the first vendor to take on this challenge," said Alexander Liskin, Head of Threat Research at Kaspersky. He added, "Kaspersky Next EDR Expert successfully detected multiple attack techniques throughout the rigorous testing process, earning Certified status. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to delivering advanced, effective cybersecurity solutions that help organisations strengthen their defenses against evolving threats." Kaspersky Next EDR Expert's Performance Kaspersky's participation in this pilot test demonstrated its commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. The Next EDR Expert solution successfully detected multiple techniques employed in the simulated attack scenarios, achieving certification under AV-Comparatives' rigorous standards. This accomplishment underscores Kaspersky's dedication to providing robust detection capabilities against sophisticated threats. Call to Action for Cybersecurity Vendors AV-Comparatives invites all cybersecurity vendors to participate in the EDR Detection Validation Test. Engaging in this evaluation not only demonstrates a commitment to transparency but also provides valuable insights into product performance against advanced threats. Participation ensures that solutions meet the evolving security needs of organizations worldwide. Interested vendors are encouraged to contact AV-Comparatives to schedule their assessments. Jan Brilke [email protected], COO of AV-Comparatives, is happy to provide more information. About AV-Comparatives AV-Comparatives is an independent organization offering systematic testing to examine the efficacy of security software products and mobile security solutions. Utilizing one of the largest sample collections worldwide, it creates a real-world environment for truly accurate testing. Certification by AV-Comparatives is globally recognized as a seal of approval for software performance. For more information, please visit www.av-comparatives.org. Contact: Peter Stelzhammer [email protected] phone +43512287788 Infographic - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2647809/AV_Comparative_EDR_Infographic.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2608678/5229811/AV_Comparatives_Logo.jpg NEW YORK, March 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Mediplanet launches their Women in Research campaign, aimed at addressing gender disparities in the U.S. research workforce. Making up 30% of the research workforce, women continue to face systemic challenges, including gender bias, lack of mentorship, and unequal access to funding. This campaign seeks to advocate for policies that promote gender equality, ensuring women have the same opportunities to lead, innovate, and contribute to scientific advancements. Bridging the Gender Gap in Research View PDF Women in Research featuring Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green While women have made significant strides in research, persistent obstacles prevent them from advancing in their fields at the same rate as their male counterparts. The Women in Research campaign will work to: Advocate for Institutional Policies that promote equal opportunities for women in research. that promote equal opportunities for women in research. Expand Advocacy for Mentorship and Funding Opportunities to help women advance in their academic and professional journeys. to help women advance in their academic and professional journeys. Highlight the Contributions of Women in Science and Research to inspire future generations and drive systemic change. The print component of "Women in Research" is distributed in today's edition of LA Times. The digital component is distributed nationally, through a vast social media strategy, and across a network of top news sites and partner outlets. To explore the digital version of the campaign, visit: https://www.educationandcareernews.com/campaign/women-in-research/ This campaign was made possible with the support of UN Women, Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), Women in Research (WIRe), Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR), Association for Women in Science (AWIS), American Institutes for Research (AIR), American Association of University Women (AAUW), IEEE Women in Engineering, National Center for Women in IT (NCWIT) and Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green. Copies of the print component will be available at NCUR 2025 (April 7-9), IEEE Women in Engineering International Leadership Conference (May15-16) and ACRP 2025 (April 24th-27th). About Mediaplanet Mediaplanet specializes in the creation of content marketing campaigns covering a variety of industries. We tell meaningful stories that educate our audience and position our clients as solution providers. Our unique ability to pair the right leaders with the right readers, through the right platforms, has made Mediaplanet a global content marketing powerhouse. Our award-winning stories have won the hearts of countless readers while serving as a valuable platform for brands and their missions. Just call us storytellers with a purpose. Please visit www.mediaplanet.com/us for more on who we are and what we do. SOURCE Mediaplanet A man is pictured near the rubble after an Israeli attack in Tyre, Lebanon, March 23, 2025. An Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle in southern Lebanon on Sunday, killing one person, one day after Israeli warplanes renewed airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) BEIRUT, March 23 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle in southern Lebanon on Sunday, killing one person, one day after Israeli warplanes renewed airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in the southern village of Aita al-Shaab with a guided missile, resulting in casualties. The Lebanese citizen killed in the strike was identified as Hassan Naameh Al-Zein. The NNA also reported an earlier Israeli strike, stating that an Israeli artillery shell hit a cafe in the Al-Matal area of Aita al-Shaab shortly after midnight, causing significant damage. No injuries were reported in the cafe strike. Israeli warplanes were also spotted flying at medium altitude over the Baalbek region in eastern Lebanon, the agency added. Lebanon's Public Health Ministry said in a statement that Israeli airstrikes a day earlier had killed seven people and wounded 40 across multiple regions. Hezbollah confirmed the death of one of its members, Radwan Awada, in an Israeli airstrike on the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon. Tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have persisted despite a U.S.- and French-brokered ceasefire agreement in place since Nov. 27, which ended more than a year of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israel has not withdrawn from five key positions along the Lebanese border despite a Feb. 18 deadline set by the agreement. The Israeli military continues to conduct strikes in Lebanon, stating that they are aimed at countering "Hezbollah threats." This photo taken on March 23, 2025 shows a damaged building after an Israeli attack in Tyre, Lebanon. An Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle in southern Lebanon on Sunday, killing one person, one day after Israeli warplanes renewed airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 23, 2025 shows a damaged building after an Israeli attack in Tyre, Lebanon. An Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle in southern Lebanon on Sunday, killing one person, one day after Israeli warplanes renewed airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) A man is seen on the rubble after an Israeli attack in Tyre, Lebanon, March 23, 2025. An Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle in southern Lebanon on Sunday, killing one person, one day after Israeli warplanes renewed airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 23, 2025 shows a damaged building after an Israeli attack in Tyre, Lebanon. An Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle in southern Lebanon on Sunday, killing one person, one day after Israeli warplanes renewed airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) 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 Jaipur, March 23 : The Special Operation Group (SOG) have arrested a former Congress Councillor Naresh Dev alias N.D. Saran in connection with the 2020 Rajasthan Forest Guard recruitment examination leak case, officials said. Jaipur, March 23 (IANS) The Special Operation Group (SOG) have arrested a former Congress Councillor Naresh Dev alias N.D. Saran in connection with the 2020 Rajasthan Forest Guard recruitment examination leak case, officials said. His arrest follows the questioning of Kanwararam Jat, who was taken into custody on March 12 and revealed Saran's involvement. Since then, the SOG had been actively questioning him. SOG Additional Director General (ADG) V.K. Singh confirmed that Saran was apprehended from his residence in Barmer on Friday evening and formally arrested on Saturday. Congress leader Saran was previously the Student Union President of Government College Barmer. As of now, the SOG have arrested 27 individuals in connection with the paper leak case. During his questioning, Congress leader N.D. Saran confessed to striking a deal of Rs 6 lakh per candidate, collecting a total of Rs 42 lakh from seven candidates. The SOG is continuing its investigation based on the Congress leader's statements. SOG ADG Singh revealed that N.D. Saran sent all seven candidates from Barmer to Udaipur in an Innova car to study the leaked examination paper before the November 13, 2022, examination. In Udaipur, they were received by Kanwararam Jat and Jabararam Jat, who took them to the house of another accomplice, Sanwarmal Jat. There, the solved examination paper was printed and taught to the candidates. Police are currently on the lookout for Jabararam Jat. The 2020 Forest Guard Recruitment exam was conducted in two shifts on November 13, 2022. The mastermind, Harish, procured the leaked paper from Barmer. Before both shifts of the exam, candidates were trained to solve the paper at a house and a hotel. Each candidate reportedly paid Rs 8 lakh for the leaked examination paper. The scam was unearthed following the arrest of Praveen Malviya, a resident of Shastrinagar, Banswara, on June 28, 2024. During his questioning, Praveen revealed that Village Development Officer (VDO) Sakan Khadiya, Harish Saharan, and Junior Engineer Abhimanyu Singh had conspired to leak the examination paper. The first-shift paper was solved at Hotel Blue Moon in Banswara. The second-shift paper was solved at Praveen's house in Shastrinagar, Banswara. Harish and Abhimanyu guided the candidates in solving the leaked paper, while VDO Sakan Khadiya coordinated the entire operation. Due to the paper leak, five individuals, including Subhash Dindor, Sukhram Damor, and his wife Nirma Damor, secured government jobs. Each of them allegedly paid Rs 8 lakh for the leaked examination paper. The SOG continues its investigation and is questioning other suspects involved in the paper leak case, said officials. Gurugram, March 23 : A crime branch team of the Gurugram police has arrested a man for allegedly killing his wife in a quarrel over going home on the occasion of Holi, police said. The accused was identified as Ankit of Uttar Pradesh. According to the police, on March 7, information was received at the Kheri Daula police station that a room in Bhangarola village of Gurugram was locked and a foul smell was emerging out. On receiving the information about the incident, the police team reached the spot, where the landlord was also found present at the spot. In his presence the police team broke the room lock, and recovered the body of a woman which was lying on the ground. The police team got the spot inspected by the scene of crime, fingerprint, and the dog squad teams. The landlord told the police team through a written complaint that Deepak and Renu had been living in the rented house as husband and wife for the last seven to eight months. The complainant told the police that, on March 2, Deepak's maternal uncle's son, Ankit, had come to his room. When he saw that on March 3, the room was locked, he thought that they must have gone to their native home. Later, on March 7, when a foul smell started coming from the room, he informed the police. After which the police broke the lock and saw that Renu's body was lying inside the room. The complainant suspects that Deepak and Ankit have murdered Renu. Based on the complaint, a case was registered under the relevant sections in Kherki Daula police station, Gurugram. During the probe, the police team nabbed the accused husband, Ankit, from Uttar Pradesh on Friday. During questioning, it was found that the accused's real name is Ankit, but he introduced himself before the landlord as Deepak. "The accused disclosed that a quarrel took place between them about going home on Holi. After which the accused killed his wife by strangulating her with a scarf and then locked the room and ran away from the spot to avoid police action," Sandeep Kumar, Gurugram police spokesperson, said. Paris, March 23 : France has expressed deep concern over the renewed tensions in southern Lebanon, condemned the rocket fire into Israel from Lebanese territory, and called on Israel to exercise restraint following its retaliatory strikes. In a Foreign Ministry statement on Saturday, France urged all parties to uphold the commitments made under the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024, to avoid an escalation that could have serious consequences for the security of Lebanon, Israel, and the wider region, Xinhua news agency reported. The statement also urged to preserve the significant progress achieved in recent months to ensure the safety of both Israelis and Lebanese on either side of the Blue Line. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot conveyed these messages to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji. At least six people were killed and 28 others injured in fresh Israeli airstrikes targeting eastern and southern Lebanon on Saturday evening, according to Lebanon's health authorities. In southern Lebanon, the Israeli airstrikes targeted the city of Tyre, as well as several valleys and villages, killing six people and injuring 22, said Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, adding the attacks in eastern Lebanon injured six. Meanwhile, a Lebanese security source told Xinhua news agency that Israel has carried out 15 airstrikes so far on Saturday evening. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the Israeli Air Force launched a second wave of strikes against what it claimed Hezbollah command centres, infrastructure sites, militants, rocket launchers, and a weapons storage facility across Lebanon. It said it will "continue to strike as required to protect Israeli civilians". Shortly before, a statement from the Israeli Defence Minister's Office said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz had instructed the IDF to launch a second wave of strikes against dozens of "Hezbollah targets" in Lebanon in response to the rockets fired into northern Israel on Saturday morning. "The Lebanese government is responsible for everything that happens on its territory," the statement said. "Israel will not allow any harm to its citizens and sovereignty, and will act in every way to ensure the security of Israeli citizens and northern communities." Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli military said it intercepted rockets launched from Lebanon toward the northern Israeli town of Metula. No casualties were reported in Israel, according to the country's emergency services. The first wave of Israeli attacks came on Saturday noon, hitting areas near the villages of Touline, Kfar Melki, Mleeta, and the Wadi al-Hujeir valley in southern Lebanon, Lebanon's state-owned National News Agency (NNA) reported, adding that a residential building in Touline was destroyed, leaving one dead and three wounded. In a statement issued after the strikes, the Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah's infrastructure in Lebanon. As part of diplomatic efforts to curb the ongoing escalation, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji held talks with several regional Foreign Ministers and officials, according to the NNA. Rajji called for pressure on Israel to halt its offensive, de-escalate the situation, and contain the growing crisis along the southern border. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) voiced alarm over the violence. "We strongly urge all parties to refrain from actions that could jeopardise the fragile stability," UNIFIL's spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said, warning that further escalation could have "severe consequences". UNIFIL said peacekeepers were maintaining patrols to de-escalate tensions. The exchange occurred amid lingering friction over a US- and French-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which took effect on November 27, 2024, halting more than a year of hostilities linked to the Gaza conflict. The truce stipulated an Israeli withdrawal from disputed Lebanese territory, but Israeli forces continue to occupy five border posts well past a February 18 deadline, Lebanese officials said. Cairo, March 23 : Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has discussed the latest regional developments with his Lebanese and Iranian counterparts during two separate phone calls, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. During talks with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji on Saturday, Abdelatty emphasised Egypt's support for the Lebanese state, its national institutions, and its stability in the face of security challenges, reiterating his country's rejection of any actions that could undermine the security, safety, and stability of the Lebanese people. Underlining the need to uphold the ceasefire agreement in southern Lebanon, he called for the full and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli forces and for the Lebanese Army to be enabled to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, Xinhua news agency reported. He emphasised that the resolution "must be applied fully and simultaneously by all parties without selectivity". Meanwhile, Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi addressed the rapid developments in the region and the need to contain the escalation, whether in Gaza, Lebanon, or Yemen. The Egyptian Foreign Minister stressed the need for restraint during this critical phase in the region, and to refrain from taking any steps or actions that would further exacerbate the already tense situation. He also discussed security concerns in the Red Sea, highlighting the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the area. Abdelatty noted the severe economic impact on Egypt due to declining Suez Canal revenues caused by regional instability. He emphasised the importance of restoring calm to the region and preventing the region from sliding into a cycle of violence and escalation. Since the November 27 truce took effect, Israel has repeatedly breached the ceasefire by conducting airstrikes and maintaining control over five strategic sites in southern Lebanon. Although Israel was supposed to withdraw from Lebanese territory by February 18, following a missed January deadline, it has yet to do so, thereby continuing to violate the terms of the ceasefire. On Saturday, Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam warned that the renewed military operations along the southern border risk dragging Lebanon into a new war, threatening civilian lives and national stability. Moreover, on Thursday, Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple areas in southern and eastern Lebanon. Kyiv, March 23 : Russia launched an overnight drone attack against Kyiv, striking multiple residential buildings and injuring at least seven people, local authorities reported in the early hours on Sunday. At least seven people were injured in the attacks, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said as reported by the Kyiv Independent. One of the victims was hospitalised, while the others received medical treatment at the scene. Two residential buildings in the city's Dniprovskyi district came under fire, according to authorities. A fire broke out on the upper floors of one after drone debris struck the building, Klitschko reported. The 20th floor of a second apartment building in the same district was hit, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration. Prior to that, drone wreckage struck a catering facility in the area. Drone fragments also hit two high-rise apartments in the Podilskyi district, causing fires at each location, Tkachenko said. Emergency services have been dispatched to the attack sites. Information on the full extent of the casualties and damages is still being updated. In other districts of the city, wreckage from drones caused fires and property damage, Tkachenko reported. A fire broke out in an open area of the Desnianskyi district, while a car in the Shevchenkivsky district was damaged. Debris also fell in an industrial area of the Holosiivskyi district, Klitschko said. A series of explosions rocked the capital throughout the night, as air defence units remained active in the city, according to the Kyiv Independent report. The attack comes less the week into the partial 30-day "ceasefire" on attacks against energy infrastructure in Russia and Ukraine. The ceasefire, which the Kremlin announced on March 18 following a call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, has not interrupted Moscow's aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. "Today, the Russians are once again demonstrating their 'desire for peace'," Tkachenko said. New Delhi, March 23 : India is extending all possible assistance to Amit Gupta, an Indian citizen from Gujarat's Vadodara, who has been wrongfully detained in Qatar for allegedly stealing data for which there is an ongoing investigation, people familiar with the matter said. Gupta, a senior employee of the IT firm Tech Mahindra, was detained by Qatari authorities on January 1, his mother Pushpa Gupta told the media in Vadodara. Gupta's father said he was detained by Qatar's state security. The Indian embassy in Qatar is aware of the detention of Gupta by Qatari authorities in relation to an ongoing investigation, the people said on condition of anonymity. Guptaas family insists that he is innocent and has been falsely accused of data theft. They are demanding his urgent release and have sought the intervention of the Prime Ministeras Office. "Our embassy continues to provide all possible assistance in the matter and is closely following the case," one of the people said, without giving details of the case or the charges against Gupta. The Embassy has been in touch with Gupta's family, the lawyer representing him and Qatari authorities on a regular basis, the people said. Gupta's mother said she had gone to Qatar and met the Indian ambassador there. She quoted the envoy as saying that there had been no "positive response" so far in relation to Gupta's case. BJP MP Hemang Joshi told the media that Gupta, a resident of Vadodara, had been working for Tech Mahindra in Qatar for the past 10 years. He was detained by Qatari security personnel and taken into custody, Joshi said. "His parents had gone to Qatar for a month and tried to meet him but they did not succeed," the BJP MP added. This is the second instance since 2022 involving the detention of an Indian in Qatar. Eight former Indian Navy personnel, including highly decorated officers, were detained in 2022 and subsequently sentenced to death in 2023. Their sentences were commuted by a Qatari court and they were freed on the orders of the Qatari Emir in February 2024. DAR ES SALAAM, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania has launched the 2025 edition of the National Water Policy, aiming to enhance water availability and beef up the protection of water sources. The new policy, an update of the 2002 edition, was launched by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in the port city of Dar es Salaam on Saturday as part of celebrations to mark World Water Day. Hassan said the updated national water policy enhances private sector engagement in financing water projects and strengthens the protection of water infrastructure to bolster water availability. The head of state emphasized that the protection of water sources is not the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Water, but of all Tanzanians. She called for creating a national water grid to oversee the usage of water resources across the country, while also encouraging her fellow citizens to cultivate a habit of harvesting rainwater for use when the resource is scarce. Nathan Belete, World Bank Country Director for Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, praised Tanzania on the launch of its 2025 National Water Policy, saying the new edition aims to ensure optimal, reliable, sustainable, and equitable development and use of water resources for the benefit of all in the most cost-effective way. "It focuses on addressing challenges in water resource management and development, water quality in both rural and urban areas, and water supply and sanitation services, all critical to achieving socio-economic development and water security in Tanzania in line with national and international goals," said Belete. He said water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services are vital for poverty reduction and economic growth. "Universal WASH access directly supports Tanzania's goals for improved education and health outcomes, economic prosperity, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability, among others," said Belete. Kyiv, March 23 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday held a meeting of the military cabinet in Kharkiv, media reported. The situation on the frontlines and preparations for a meeting with the US in Saudi Arabia were discussed, The Kyiv Independent reported. Zelensky noted that during the meeting, he received briefings from Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Andrii Hnatov. Additionally, the Head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, and his deputy, Pavlo Palisa, attended the meeting. The following topics were discussed: "We discussed the situation at the front and the developments in main directions a" Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Sumy a" as well as the course of the operation in the Kursk region. We also prepared for the meeting between the Ukrainian and American delegations, which will take place tomorrow in Saudi Arabia," the Ukrainian President said on Sunday. Ukrainian and US officials are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia on March 24 for continued peace talks, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a post to social media on Wednesday. Following a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18, a partial ceasefire on energy infrastructure strikes was agreed upon. Zelensky and Trump held a subsequent call on March 19 to discuss the US President's conversation with Putin the day prior, with Zelensky ultimately agreeing to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Zelensky's announcement comes as US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on March 19 on X that talks between Russian and American delegations to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine will also take place on March 24 in Riyadh. "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," Zelensky said following the call. Zelensky voiced that the US and Ukrainian delegations will continue to work out "technical issues" regarding the partial ceasefire. During a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki earlier on March 20, Zelensky said that Kyiv will compile a list of energy, infrastructure, and civilian sites that Russia must cease attacking and present the document to international partners. "In further meetings, the teams can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security guarantees," he said. Ukrainian and US delegations last met in Saudi Arabia on March 11, where Ukraine agreed to a US proposal for a complete ceasefire. Russia did not agree to a complete ceasefire. Prior to the March 11 meeting, Ukrainian and US relations were at a low point following a heated argument in the White House between Zelensky and Trump on February 28. US military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine were paused for several days until the two sides met in Saudi Arabia on March 11. Included in the Ukrainian delegation are Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's Chief of Staff, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa. New Delhi, March 23 : Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in a Rs 13,500-crore bank loan fraud, was previously believed to be residing in Antigua and Barbuda before reportedly travelling and residing in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after obtaining a residency card, according to a media report. New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in a Rs 13,500-crore bank loan fraud, was previously believed to be residing in Antigua and Barbuda before reportedly travelling and residing in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after obtaining a residency card, according to a media report. Indian authorities have since urged Belgium to initiate his extradition to India, as per the Associated Times, a Caribbean-focused outlet. However, Indian authorities have not yet confirmed the report. Mehul Choksi's wife, Preeti, is a Belgian citizen. Mehul Choksi is currently residing in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after securing an 'F Residency Card' in the country, as reported by a media outlet. According to the report, Choksi allegedly used fabricated and misleading documentation to obtain Belgian residency in an effort to avoid extradition to India. Sources cited in the report claim that Choksi submitted "false declarations" and "forged documents" to Belgian authorities, while concealing his Indian and Antiguan citizenship during the application process. The report also suggests that Choksi is planning to move to Switzerland for medical treatment at a renowned cancer hospital. Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are accused of siphoning off Rs 13,500 crore from the state-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) using fraudulent letters of undertaking. Nirav Modi, currently incarcerated in a London jail, is contesting his extradition to India after facing repeated bail denials in court. Choksi went missing from Antigua in May 2021 but was later traced and returned to the country. In December 2024, a special court in Mumbai authorised the monetisation of properties valued at Rs 2,565.9 crore, which were seized by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) since 2018 as part of its money laundering investigation against fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi in the alleged Punjab National Bank fraud case. The court's ruling followed an application by the victim banks, Punjab National Bank and ICICI Bank, supported by the ED. As a result, the transfer of assets has commenced, with properties worth over Rs 125 crore -- including flats in Mumbai and two factories in SEEPZ, Andheri -- being handed over to the liquidator of Choksi's Gitanjali Gems Ltd. Charges against Choksi include criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating and dishonesty including delivery of property, corruption, and money laundering. In December 2024, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Parliament that properties worth more than Rs 22,000 crore had been restored or sold off to pay back debts of wanted individuals like Choksi. Vatican City, March 23 : Pope Francis will be discharged on Sunday from the hospital where he has spent more than a month being treated for double pneumonia, said Sergio Alfieri, the head of the team taking care of the pontiff, media reported. "Today we are happy to say that tomorrow he will be at home," he said, as per CNN report. "The Holy Father will be discharged from tomorrow (Sunday) in stable clinical condition with a prescription to partially continue drug therapy and a convalescence and rest period of at least two months," Alfieri told reporters at a news conference at Gemelli on Saturday. Pope Francis has been in hospital since February 14. The pontiff is also expected to make his first public appearance on Sunday at the hospital's balcony before making his way back to the Casa Santa Marta, his residence since the 2013 conclave, according to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni. The 88-year-old pontiff will offer a blessing and greeting to well-wishers at the end of Sunday's Angelus prayer, the Vatican press office said earlier on Saturday. Pope Francis usually leads the prayer and offers a reflection each week, but has not done so for the past five Sundays. The pope's hospitalisation has been his longest stay in Gemelli since his election 12 years ago. While he has not been seen in weeks, his presence has been felt with the Vatican releasing a short audio message from the pope as well as a photo last weekend showing him praying at that hospital's chapel, per CNN. News of his discharge comes after the Vatican said this week that the Pope's condition appeared to be improving, adding that his pneumonia is considered under control, as per CNN. Last week, the pope approved a new three-year reform process for the Catholic Church, sending a strong signal he intends to remain in the post despite his lengthy stint in hospital. Reforms on the table include how to give greater roles to women in the Catholic Church, including ordaining them as deacons, and the greater inclusion of non-clergy members in governance and decision making. Ayodhya, March 23 : All idols of Ram Darbar will reach Ayodhya on April 30 and thereafter the date of the ceremony will be finalised, said the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The completion of the first floor of Ram Mandir will mark the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Darbar in Ayodhya. After the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Mandir, the Ram Darbar will be the most sacred place in the Ram Mandir complex. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will make elaborate arrangements for the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Darbar. The Darbar will feature four and half foot tall marble idols of Mata Sita, Lord Hanuman, Lord Ram and his brothers Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughan. The idols, carved from white Makrana marble in Rajasthan, are expected to arrive in Ayodhya by the end of next month, said Anil Mishra, a member of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. To maintain the site's sanctity, only a limited number of devotees will be allowed access to the temple's first floor. The second floor of the temple will feature a display of the Ramayana in multiple languages, including its oldest known version. In August last year, the Trust also received Ram Darbar made of Titanium from Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI). It will be placed in the sanctum sanctorum on the first floor of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. MIDHANI is an enterprise of the Union Defence Ministry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ram Mandir on January 22 last year. Along with the The 51-inch tall black stone idol of the five-year-old Ram, Karnatakaas renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj made also a Ram Darbar to be installed in the temple which created a row as the statue of Laxman with folded arms does not bear any scriptural relevance as stated in Ramayana or Ram Charitmanas. However, the public sentiments that this development ignited among Hindus set in motion a turn of events that laid the foundation of a prolonged legal battle that culminated into the Supreme Courtas verdict on November 9, 2019, declaring that this was the birthplace of Lord Ram. Miami, March 23 : Playing in his 100th ATP Masters 1000 match, Frances Tiafoe earned his 50th win at the prestigious level with a 7-5, 7-6(5) win against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The 27-year-old earned his first Top 40 win since beating Daniil Medvedev at Laver Cup last September by improving to 3-1 in his Lexus ATP Head-to-Head series with Davidovich Fokina, avenging a defeat to the Spaniard last month in Acapulco, ATP reports. Wins like that are big for me," said Tiafoe, who saved all four break points he faced after dropping serve in the opening game. "Any win right now is big for me, but especially the way I played. I was super aggressive, so I'm really happy with it." Tiafoe will next meet 17th seed Arthur Fils, who led lucky loser Gabriel Diallo 6-4, 2-3 before the Canadian retired with an ankle injury. Andrey Rublev, on the other hand, became the latest upset victim with Belgium's Zizou Bergs knocking him out 7-5, 6-4. The 25-year-old Bergs earned his first Top 20 win by beating the No. 9 in the ATP Rankings to advance to his first ATP Masters 1000 third round. Bergs will seek to score another upset against Matteo Berrettini in the third round, after the Italian opened his Miami campaign with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win against Hugo Gaston. In a rematch of the 2024 Kitzbuhel final, the 29th-seeded Berrettini beat lucky loser Gaston with a dominant serving performance. Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca became the youngest player to reach round three at ATP Masters 1000 since Carlos Alcaraz in Paris in 2021. Fonseca delivered a five-star display to defeat 19th seed Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-3 and reach the third round at an ATP Masters 1000 for the first time in his fledgling career. Due to a last-minute schedule change, Fonseca and Humbert's second-round clash was relocated from Grandstand to Stadium. Fonseca has enjoyed a rapid rise at the start of the 2025 season. He claimed his maiden tour-level title in Buenos Aires in February and is now up to a new career-high No. 58 in the ATP Live Rankings. New Delhi/New York, March 23 : An Indian-origin woman has been arrested on the charges of killing her 11-year-old son after a three-day vacation at Disney land in California. The accused identified as Saritha Ramaraju, 48, killed the boy by slitting his throat, the Santa Ana Police Department said in a statement. "On Wednesday, we received a call from a woman who reported that she had stabbed and killed her son in a room at the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Santa Ana and ingested an unknown substance," Santa Ana Police said in a statement. Police officers rushed to the spot and found the 11-year-old boy dead in a hotel room surrounded by Disneyland souvenirs. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene while Ramaraju was treated at a hospital. She was discharged from the medical facility on Thursday and arrested. She has been booked for murder, child endangerment, torture, and aggravated mayhem. She could face 26 years of prison if found guilty. However, Ramaraju did not enter a plea during her indictment. The boy was killed several hours before Ramaraju called and informed the Santa Ana Police, authorities said. A large kitchen knife used for the crime has been seized. Ramaraju, who divorced her husband in 2018, killed her son on March 19, the day she had to give him back to his father, the Los Angeles Times reported. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said: "The safest place for a child should be in their parents' arms. Instead of wrapping her arms around her son in love, she slit his throat and in the cruelest twist of fate removed him from the very world she brought him into." "The life of a child should not hang in the balance between two parents whose anger for each other outweighs their love for their child," Spitzer said. Mumbai, March 23 : Neetu Kapoor's grandaughter and Ranbir Kapoor's niece Samara Sahani turned 14 today on March 23, 2025. Wishing Samara on her special day, Neetu wrote on her Insta stories, "Happy birthday our bundle of joy....loveeeee you", along with a love-eyed emoji. In another post, Neetu treated the fans with an adorable video of little Samara singing her own rendition of uncle Ranbir's 'Balam Pichkari' song from the movie, 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani'. We also see her crooning the 'Dilli Wali Girlfriend' track from Ayan Mukerji's directorial. Sitting on the dining table in her nightwear, little Samara looked cute as a button during her performance. Sharing the clip on her IG, Neetu penned, "Throwback of our cuteness". Recently, Neetu revealed that she was dating her late husband Rishi Kapoor during the shoot of his iconic film 'Karz'. The entire team of 'Karz' including Subhash Ghai, Simi Garewal, and Tina Munim (now Tina Ambani) attended The Red Lorry Film Festival where the film was screened as part of the tribute to the filmmaker. Talking at the event, Neetu revealed that she was dating Rishi during the shoot of 'Karz' and they were already married by the time the movie reached the theatre in June. Reacting to this, Ghai said, "If you're dating during my film, you'll get married." Talking about Samara, some time back, a video of her from Aadar Jain and Alekha Advani's wedding went viral on social media. The clip showed Ranbir's niece allegedly 'pushing' her grandmother Neetu as they posed for the paparazzi. The video triggered speculations about a 'tiff' between Neetu and Samara. However, clearing the air, Riddhima Kapoor revealed that her daughter's gesture was 'blown out of proportion'. She shared that Samara was very excited, and was trying to pose when her mother Neetu joined them. Riddhima said, "The poor child was only trying to pose". New Delhi, March 23 : India's aviation sector reflects a stable outlook with domestic air passenger traffic recording a double-digit growth of 11.04 per cent in February this year compared to the same month of the previous year, official data showed. New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) Indiaas aviation sector reflects a stable outlook with domestic air passenger traffic recording a double-digit growth of 11.04 per cent in February this year compared to the same month of the previous year, official data showed. According to an ICRA report, domestic air traffic for the 11 months of the current financial year was around 1,551 lakh passengers, which is 7.7 per cent higher than the same period of the previous year and 12.9 per cent higher than the pre-Covid level of 1,338 lakh in 11MFY20. Besides, in the first 10 months of the current financial year (April-Jan), the international passenger traffic for Indian carriers stood at 280.9 lakh, a year-on-year growth of 14.8 per cent, higher than the pre-Covid level of around 198.8 lakh by 41.3 per cent. The ICRA report states that the outlook for the Indian aviation industry remains stable, driven by expectations of moderate growth in domestic air passenger traffic and a relatively stable cost environment in FY25 and FY26. According to data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Indiaas scheduled domestic flight operators ferried around 1.40 crore passengers during February this year, up from 1.26 crore in the same month of the previous year. DGCAas monthly passenger traffic report shows that IndiGo continues to be the countryas largest airline with a 63.7 per cent market share. The low-cost carrier flew 89.40 lakh passengers in February 2025. IndiGo was followed by Air India Group, including Air India Express, which carried 38.30 lakh passengers, which gives the Tata Group airline a 27.3 per cent market share. Newly launched airline Akasa Air carried 6.59 lakh to get a 4.7 per cent share of the market pie while Ajay Singh-led budget airline SpiceJet flew 4.54 lakh passengers which gives it a market share of 3.2 per cent, Among the smaller airlines Alliance Air carried 0.86 lakh passengers in February to get a market share of 0.6 per cent, followed by Star Air, which flew0.60 lakh passengers, accounting for a 0.4 per cent market share. Meanwhile. ICRA maintains a astablea outlook for the aviation industry, citing improved pricing power and moderate traffic growth projections. Domestic air traffic is expected to grow at 7-10 per cent in FY2025 and FY2026, while international passenger traffic for Indian carriers is anticipated to expand by 15-20 per cent. Interestingly, IndiGo Airlines has emerged as the worldas second fastest-growing airline in terms of seat capacity, which increased by 10.1 per cent year-on-year to over 134.9 million seats in 2024. Indiaas largest airline has been ranked next only to Qatar Airways, which clocked a 10.4 per cent growth in seat capacity over the previous year, according to the latest data from the Official Airline Guide (OAG). IndiGo has also been ranked as the fastest-growing airline in the world in terms of flight frequency growth at 9.7 per cent year-on-year in 2024. The airline recorded a flight frequency of 7,49,156 for the year, the figures show. OAG has also recorded that IndiGo holds one of the worldas largest aircraft orders, with over 900 aircraft on order and was the largest recipient of 58 new Airbus aircraft in 2024. However, it also states that the airline does have a large proportion (approx. 80 aircraft) inactive with MRO-related supply chain issues. New Delhi, March 23 : India's traditional Goli Soda has made strong inroads in global markets under the new Goli Pop Soda brand after successful trial shipments to the US, the UK, Europe, and Gulf countries, according to a statement issued by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) on Sunday. A strategic partnership with Fair Exports India has also ensured steady deliveries to Lulu Hypermarket, one of the largest retail chains in the Gulf region. Thousands of bottles have been stocked across Lulu outlets, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response, the statement said. "In the UK, Goli Pop Soda has swiftly evolved into a cultural phenomenon, appealing to consumers who embrace the fusion of traditional Indian flavors with a modern twist. This development represents a significant step in showcasing India's rich beverage heritage on the global stage," APEDA said, To commemorate this milestone, APEDA supported the flag-off ceremony organized by ABNN on 4th February 2025, marking the official global launch of Goli Pop Soda. The event reaffirmed India's commitment to promoting authentic, high-quality products and reinforcing its presence in the international beverage market. The revival of Goli Soda, which had nearly disappeared due to the dominance of multinational beverage companies, marks a significant milestone in India's efforts to promote and export authentic, homegrown food and beverage products. By blending nostalgia with modern packaging, Goli Pop Soda has successfully reintroduced the essence of this drink to contemporary consumers worldwide, APEDA said. Goli Pop Soda stands apart with its innovative packaging, featuring a unique pop opener that recreates the nostalgic fizzy burst Indian consumers fondly remember. This thoughtful rebranding has positioned the drink as an exciting and trendy product. Additionally, APEDA facilitated and featured Goli Pop Soda at the International Food and Drink Event (IFE) London 2025, held from 17th-19th March 2025. The event provided Indian entrepreneurs and exporters a valuable platform to connect with international buyers, explore new business collaborations, and promote India's diverse agricultural and processed food products globally, the statement said. The product's growing success in global markets proves that homegrown Indian flavors can compete with international giants, opening new avenues for Indian exports and further solidifying India's leadership in the global food and beverage sector, the statement added. New Delhi, March 23 : Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) national spokesperson Vinod Bansal on Sunday slammed SP MP Ramji Lal Meena for his traitor remark on Rajput king Rana Sanga, saying that his comment will be the last nail in his party's coffin. The VHP leader's remarks came amid a row over Suman calling the 16th-century Rajput King Rana Sanga a "traitor" during a debate in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. Talking to IANS, Bansal said SP leaders have taken the "supari" (contract) to "insult" the country's heroes, religious scriptures and saints, and reward the traitors. He expressed hope that the Rajya Sabha chairman will remove Suman from the House. Asserting that the country will not tolerate this, he said the VHP has decided to stage a demonstration in Rajasthan on Sunday against SP's insult to the Rajputs and heroes of the country. SP should tender a written apology to the Rajya Sabha and the country, and the people will decide whether they will forgive the party or not, he said. In a post on social media platform X, Bansal said that by calling Rana Sanga, the great pride of the country, "traitor", the SP has insulted the Hindu society. Suman's name starts with 'Ramji' but he has 'Aurangji' on his lips, Bansal said, asserting that the party is neck-deep in "Jihadi appeasement". He also called for eradicating the "Baburvadi and Aurngvadi" mentality. "Samajwadi Party which claims to be a socialist party is a Namazwadi," he said. Stepping up the attack against Suman, he said when these "advocates" of Jihadis and invaders will realise that Rana Sanga was a brave warrior who did not have one hand and an eye but still his enemies were afraid of him. Contesting Suman's claims that Rana Sanga brought Babur to India, Bansal said: "One of his mistakes was that just like Prithviraj Chauhan, he left Babur alive after defeating him. "Can these Hindu traitors tell us that if Rana Sanga had invited Babar then why did a fierce war take place between them?" he asked, adding, "Babur whose army defeated Ibrahim Lodhi had to face a crushing defeat at the hands of the Rajput army in Bayana in eastern Rajasthan." ISLAMABAD, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reaffirmed his government's commitment to preserving glaciers, safeguarding water resources, and ensuring a water-secure future for the country, the region, and the planet, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. In his message on World Water Day 2025, observed under the theme "Glacier Preservation," Sharif emphasized the crucial role glaciers play in sustaining freshwater supplies and the significant challenges Pakistan faces in protecting this vital resource. "Water is the cornerstone of life, essential to our economies, food systems, and environment. Yet, this life-sustaining resource is under unprecedented stress," he said. Sharif highlighted Pakistan's growing water challenges, noting that the country relies heavily on glaciers, rivers, and aquifers that are increasingly affected by climate change and population pressures. "The catastrophic floods of 2022 continue to cast a long shadow, having caused enormous damage to irrigation systems and disrupting millions of lives and livelihoods," he said. He also warned of severe drought conditions, stating that nearly 80 percent of Pakistan's land is categorized as arid or semi-arid, with 30 percent of the population directly affected by drought-like conditions. As one of the 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change, Pakistan's average temperatures are projected to rise faster than the global average, exacerbating water-related challenges, the prime minister noted. Sharif underscored the importance of water cooperation and called for the effective implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty to ensure Pakistan's water security. The prime minister highlighted the government's "Recharge Pakistan" initiative, aimed at mitigating climate-induced flood risks and reducing drought impacts through ecosystem-based adaptation. He also pointed to the "Living Indus program," which is implementing 25 priority interventions, including nature-based agriculture, restoration of the Indus Delta, curbing industrial pollution, and investing in green infrastructure. On this occasion, Sharif urged collective action to preserve glaciers and protect water resources, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to a sustainable, water-secure future. Jerusalem, March 23 : Israel's military said on Sunday that it has intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it entered Israeli territory. The missile triggered sirens in the Tel Aviv area, the coastal plain south of Tel Aviv, the Sharon region in central Israel, and some settlements in the occupied West Bank sending millions to shelters and safe rooms during the morning rush hour. "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the Air Force prior to crossing into Israeli territory," the Israeli military said in a statement. Landings and departures were temporarily halted at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv, Israel's Ynet news website reported. Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said in a statement that there were no injuries, Xinhua news agency reported. Houthi forces in Yemen renewed their attacks on Israel after Israel ended a two-month ceasefire in Gaza with deadly airstrikes. Earlier on Friday, the IDF said that it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it could enter Israeli territory. Israel's emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA), reported that there were no casualties or damage. The missile launch triggered air defence sirens across central Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, prompting millions to seek shelter. The Houthis had 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 Houthis' fresh attacks came under a pledge to expand their range of targets in Israel in retaliation for renewed Israeli strikes in Gaza that had killed hundreds after weeks of relative calm. The Houthis were part of what had been dubbed 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. Aizawl, March 23 : The Border Security Force (BSF) and Mizoram Police in a joint operation seized a large cache of ammunition, explosives and various other items from the state's Lunglei district, which shares unfenced borders with both Bangladesh and Myanmar, officials said on Sunday. Aizawl, March 23 (IANS) The Border Security Force (BSF) and Mizoram Police in a joint operation seized a large cache of ammunition, explosives and various other items from the stateas Lunglei district, which shares unfenced borders with both Bangladesh and Myanmar, officials said on Sunday. Three smugglers, including a woman, were also arrested in connection with the seizure of ammunition and explosives. A BSF spokesman said that acting on specific intelligence inputs, troops of 92 battalion border guarding force under Mizoram and Cachar Frontiers, in a joint operation with Mizoram Police seized a huge cache of ammunition of various sophisticated arms, explosives and diverse other items from the stateas Lunglei district. The seized ammunition includes 6,200 rounds of 7.62 mm AK series rifle, 1800 metre cordex, 600 detonators, 20-metre safety fuse and various other equipment from a house in the bordering Lunglei district on Saturday night. A Mizoram Police official said that senior officials are now interrogating the detainees to know the details of the seizure. Police suspect that the huge ammunition would be smuggled to the militants either in Myanmar or Bangladesh. Saturday nightas seizure occurred within around 40 days of the seizure of a large cache of sophisticated arms, ammunition and other items from the same Lunglei district. On February 12, Mizoram Police intercepted a car at Lunglei Bazar in southern Mizoram and recovered two AK-47 rifles, five US-made M4 carbines, 20 magazines, 504 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and 4,675 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition. Three persons -- two residents of Mizoram, and one inhabitant of neighbouring Tripura, who were carrying the arms and ammunition in the car -- were also arrested. They belong to the Chakma community. The police personnel also recovered Rs 49,550 in cash, some documents, SIM cards, ATM cards and five mobile phones from the detainees. The arms-laden car was coming from Thenzawl in central Mizoramas Serchhip district, which shares a border with Champhai district, a hotspot for smuggling of drugs, arms, ammunition and other contraband from Myanmar. Mumbai, March 23 : Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who is known for films such as 'Karz', 'Hero', 'Taal', 'Ram Lakhan' and others, has shared a picture of actress Neetu Kapoor receiving he the trophy on behalf of her late husband Rishi Kapoor as the film 'Karz' is set to complete 45 years. On Sunday, the filmmaker-producer took to his Instagram, and shared a picture from the ongoing Red Lorry Film Festival in Mumbai. The picture shows Neetu holding the trophy. He also penned a long note in the caption, as he wrote, "When Neetu Rishi Kapoor paid her tribute to her husband Rishi Kapoor looking up to God. While receiving the 'Karz' trophy in celebration of its 45 years of glory at the Red Lorry Film Festival. It was really an emotional moment for all of us n we remembered n paid our sincere tribute to rishi kapoor as an actor star and person". 'Karz' is an iconic film which tells the story of a reincarnation of a man, who was murdered by his wife in his last birth. The film was remade in Hindi in 2008 with Himesh Reshammiya playing the lead. Earlier, the filmmaker had shared the reason behind the title of his memoir, 'Karma's Child: The Story of Indian Cinema'. The filmmaker took to his Instagram, and shared a throwback picture featuring veteran writer Gulzar and himself. He also penned a long note in the caption sharing what Gulzar once told him. He wrote, "Why did they name your book as karma 's child ? Gulzar saab told me the reasons coz it only instinctive talent of child like you cud make such time less classics. It just happens". He further mentioned, "It's your own karma n courage to go ahead n shine as a film maker for 40 years. I felt overwhelmed by his deeper affection n love for me while he launched my book in mumbai film festival. Thank u gulzar sahab. I am still a student (sic)". 'Karma's Child: The Story of Indian Cinema's Ultimate Showman' was launched at the 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Amaravati, March 23 : The aroma of world-famous Araku Coffee is set to waft through Parliament premises as two stalls will be opened from Monday. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has permitted the setting up of two stalls. Following his permission, Kulmohan Singh Arora, director, Lok Sabha Bhavan, issued orders allowing Andhra Pradesh Girijan Cooperative Corporation Ltd to open the outlets. Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC) officials have already reached New Delhi to prepare for the opening of Araku Coffee stalls. Minister for Tribal Welfare G. Sandhya Rani will be leaving for the national capital on Sunday evening for the opening of the outlets. GCC officials have curated special Araku Coffee gift packs for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers and other dignitaries as part of the effort to promote tribal-origin coffee. Officials of GCC said the opening of stalls in Parliament premises would give a big boost to Araku Coffee, renowned for its rich aroma. Last week, two Araku Coffee outlets were inaugurated in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. Assembly Speaker C. Ayyanna Patrudu inaugurated a stall on the Assembly premises, while Legislative Council Chairman Koyye Moshen Raju inaugurated another outlet on the Council's premises. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently said that he aspires to see Araku coffee reach the status of a global brand like Starbucks in the future. At a programme to mark International Women's Day, CM Naidu noted that Araku coffee, grown by tribal farmers, has already gained international recognition. In June last year, CM Naidu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for endorsing Arakau Coffee during 'Mann Ki Baat'. PM Modi noted that Araku Coffee is grown on a large scale in Andhra Pradesh's Allu Sitarama Raju district. It is known for its rich flavour and aroma. Around 1.5 lakh tribal families are associated with Araku Coffee cultivation. In July, CM Naidu also expressed his delight over Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra's announcement that a second cafe, serving Araku Coffee, will be opening shortly in Paris. "Naandi Foundationas Arakunomics and the Girijan Cooperative Corporation turned a vision into a reality, transforming the lives of our tribal sisters and brothers. I look forward to more such success stories emerging from Andhra Pradesh in the future," the Chief Minister said. Meerut, March 23 : Muskaan Rastogi, one of the prime accused in the brutal murder of her husband, Saurabh Rajput, has requested a government-appointed lawyer after her family refused to support her legal battle. Currently lodged in Meerut District Jail, Muskaan made the request to the Jail Superintendent on Saturday, seeking legal representation from the state. Meanwhile, her lover and co-accused, Sahil Shukla, has yet to decide whether he needs a government lawyer. Speaking to IANS, Jail Superintendent Veeresh Raj Sharma said, "For security reasons, new prisoners are initially kept separate in the new prisoners' barrack. Yesterday, Muskaan requested a meeting with me. When I met her, she said her family was upset and would not fight her case. Hence, she has asked for a government lawyer." "As per prison reform laws, every inmate has the right to legal aid. If a prisoner cannot afford a private lawyer, we are obliged to provide one. Her request is being forwarded to the honourable court. Sahil was also asked about legal representation, but he has not decided yet. He said he may opt for a government lawyer if his family does not arrange one," he added. Additionally, both Muskaan and Sahil are reportedly struggling with severe drug withdrawal symptoms. Jail officials have noted that they are "demanding injections" and experiencing intense cravings for marijuana. "Many prisoners enter jail with drug addiction. We have a de-addiction centre under my and the doctor's supervision, where we conduct counselling, meditation, yoga, and physical activities. Medical treatment is also provided to manage withdrawal symptoms," said Jail Superintendent Sharma. "When the accused were examined, symptoms of drug addiction were found. Medicines are being administered, and efforts are underway to rehabilitate them within 10 to 15 days through counselling and therapy," he added. On March 4, Muskaan and Sahil stabbed Saurabh Rajput to death, dismembered his body, and sealed the remains inside a cement-filled drum in Meerut. Following the crime, the couple went on a vacation to Himachal Pradesh while misleading Saurabh's family by sending messages from his phone. The case was exposed on March 18 when Muskaan confessed to her mother, who then alerted the police. Srinagar, March 23 : Dozens of migrant Kashmiri Pandits gathered on Sunday at the Nadimarg village of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district to remember 24 members of the community brutally killed by the terrorists on this day in 2003. Srinagar, March 23 (IANS) Dozens of migrant Kashmiri Pandits gathered on Sunday at the Nadimarg village of Jammu and Kashmiras Pulwama district to remember 24 members of the community brutally killed by the terrorists on this day in 2003. The scars of that tragedy and the brutal murder of 24 unarmed, civilians are etched deep in the mud houses that still stand as deserted reminders of the unforgettable tragedy that befell this village in 2003. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists swooned in this sleepy village on March 23, 2003, where local Muslims and Pandits had lived in harmony for hundreds of years. Kashmiri Pandits, men, women and children were dragged out of their homes around 11 p.m. They were made to stand in a line and shot in cold blood. Twenty-one years have since passed, but whenever a local Muslim recalls that tragedy, tears roll out of his/her eyes as if the tragedy is happening right now. For the first time since 2003, Kashmiri Pandits have decided to come to the village and pay tribute to the martyrs of the village on ground zero. Till this year, memorial services were held in Jammu by the migrant Pandits to remember their brothers and sisters. This year, migrant Pandits decided to hold the memorial service in Nadimarg village. Prayers were held for the innocent victims. Local Muslims hugged, wept and mourned the tragedy as the presence of Kashmiri Pandits In Nadimarg revived the gruesome memories of that day. The tribute paid to the victims of Nadimarg by both Kashmiri Pandits and the local Muslims has proved one thing beyond doubt, a terrorist has no religion. Speaking to IANS, Bhushan Lal Bhat, a native of the village who has since 2003 migrated to Jammu, said, "We used to pay our tributes in Jammu, but this time we have decided to honour the martyrs here. All that happened on this day, 23 years back, the Kashmiri Hindus, who were living here despite migration, were dragged out of their homes and killed in this very place at 11 p.m." "The place where we were born, grew up, and called home, including the temple, is where everything was. Naturally, we miss this place. The empty and burnt homes tell the story we do not need to mention.," he added. Another Kashmiri Pandit shared his horrifying experience with IANS and said, "I was about 15-16 years old at that time. We stayed here even after the genocide. However, another dark and terrible night came for us on March 23, when Kashmiri pandits were dragged out of their homes and killed mercilessly here." "The terrorists took 26 people and brutally killed them here. Those 26 individuals included a 2-year-old child and an 80-year-old woman; all were killed," he added. A local Muslim expressed his condolences towards the killed Kashmiri Pandits. Speaking to IANS, he said, "They were like family to us; truly kind people. We were saddened by what happened. We are very happy that they came here today." "We used to live together in harmony -- all Hindus and Muslims. However, on the night of March 23, everything changed," he added. The victims had no connection with militancy or anti-militancy operations. While the majority of Kashmiri Pandits had migrated out of the Valley in the early 1990s, the Pandits of Nadimarg had decided to stay in the Valley. The worst shock of that tragedy has been suffered by the Muslim neighbours of the victims. Muslims had encouraged and supported Nadimarg Pandits not to abandon their homes. Local Muslims and Pandits of this village lived as brothers. Religion was no bar to their brotherhood and amity. In one rattle of the terroristsa guns on March 23, 2003, Nadimarg lost its innocence. The birth of a terrorist spells disaster for his so-called co-religionists more than for those of any other religion. Bhopal, March 23 : In a somewhat strange case, a veterinary doctor named Dr Pawan Singhal, a locally popular veterinarian and committed yoga enthusiast from Madhya Pradesh's Ashoknagar district, tragically passed away on Sunday morning, possibly due to a heart attack. The incident occurred while he was driving to Tulsi Sarovar Park to conduct his daily yoga class. His car unexpectedly came to a halt near the park, where he was found unconscious by his followers, who were waiting for him to lead the session. Despite their swift efforts to transport him to the district hospital, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Dr Singhal earned widespread recognition for his dedication to fitness and yoga over the past six years. His friend and neighbour, Hitendra Budhauliya, told IANS that Dr Singhal was a man of extraordinary physical endurance. He had completed a remarkable 100-kilometre run from Ashoknagar to Guna and back within 11 hours -- a feat that was admired by local people. Additionally, newspaper clippings posted on his Facebook account indicate that he completed the same distance in 11 hours on February 6, 2023. Reports also suggest that a year earlier, he successfully covered 70 kilometres in seven hours, inspiring his followers to attempt distances ranging from three km to as much as 90 km during the same event. He had also performed 5100 times Surya Namaskar - an energy-consuming exercise in Yoga. On the morning of his passing, Dr Singhal arrived at the park around 4.45 a.m., adhering to his daily ritual of running two km before driving to the Yoga class. His followers and students, initially waited for him to step out of his car but grew concerned when he did not emerge. Upon opening the car door, they discovered him unconscious. He was rushed to the district hospital, where an ECG confirmed his death. The station in-charge from the Kotwali area police station told IANS that it was a natural death, therefore no post-mortem was required. Dr Singhal was a cherished figure in Ashoknagar, widely regarded as a "yoga Guru" for his decade-long efforts in promoting health and wellness through Yoga and spiritual rituals. His disciplined lifestyle, emphasis on healthy eating and consistent routines earned him admiration from the local community. A police official familiar with Dr Singhal described him as a true advocate for health and vitality. Just a day before his passing, he had shared updates on yoga and yajna (yajna or yagna also known as Hawan in Hinduism) sessions planned for Navdurga (Hindu Goddess Durga) on Facebook, underscoring his unwavering commitment to holistic well-being. Reacting to the medical situation, Dr D.K. Bhargava, civil surgeon of District Hospital, Ashoknagar told IANS, "Many people suffer from silent heart attack. It means they have no noticeable symptoms like chest pain, etc., also sudden cardiac spasms may be one of the reasons. It can happen to even an apparently healthy and fit person appearance-wise. It is an example of such even as he (the vet) had no known history of cardiac issues to my knowledge." Gandhinagar, March 23 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has officially nominated its former Gujarat unit chief, Gopal Italia, as the party's candidate for the upcoming Visavdar Assembly by-election. Gandhinagar, March 23 (IANS) The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has officially nominated its former Gujarat unit chief, Gopal Italia, as the partyas candidate for the upcoming Visavdar Assembly by-election. The announcement was made by AAPas national general secretary (Organisation) Sandeep Pathak, setting the stage for a crucial electoral battle in the Saurashtra region. The Visavdar seat fell vacant after the resignation of the sitting AAP MLA, who later joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While by-elections are typically held within six months of a seat becoming vacant, the poll process was delayed due to an ongoing court case. With the legal hurdle now withdrawn, the by-election is expected to take place in the coming months. It remains unclear whether the Congress, the main opposition party, will field a candidate or allow AAP to take on the BJP one-on-one. Since the by-election has not yet been formally declared, the BJP has not announced its candidate. However, Italia now has a head start in campaigning, having already been active in Visavdar ahead of his official nomination. Italia, a former police constable turned politician, first made headlines when he hurled a shoe at then Gujarat Minister of State for Home in a dramatic protest in Gandhinagar. A vocal and often polarizing leader, he later rose to prominence within AAP and was appointed the partyas Gujarat unit president. However, his tenure was marred by controversies, including viral videos in which he made remarks about Hindu religious beliefs and Prime Minister Narendra Modias mother, sparking political uproar. Ahead of the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections, Italia was seen as a key strategist for AAP, but the partyas underwhelming performance led to his removal as state chief. He has also faced multiple arrests over various protests and allegations. As a Patidar (Patel) leader, he is expected to play the community card in his bid for the Visavdar seat, which has a significant Patidar population. Located in the lion belt of Junagadh district in Saurashtra, Visavdar is primarily an agricultural constituency with a large Patidar voter base. Historically, it has been a battleground for opposition parties. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel had chosen Visavdar as his stronghold, but his son Bharat Patel later lost a by-election here. In recent years, Visavdar has consistently elected non-BJP candidates. First, the Congress won the seat, followed by AAP in the 2022 Assembly elections, when the party secured five seats in the state. However, the BJP dominated the Visavdar municipality elections earlier this year, winning all seats. With rural voters playing a crucial role in the Assembly elections, the bypoll is expected to be fiercely contested. Mumbai, March 23 : With Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma in the midst of a controversy after the alleged discovery of burnt currency at his residence, leading to him being kept away from his judicial duties and the Supreme Court forming a three-judge inquiry panel by the Supreme Court, Shiv Sena-UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi has pitched for judicial reforms, criticising the mishandling of the case and calling for transparency and accountability within the judiciary. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Chaturvedi expressed her concerns about how the case was initially covered up. "Look at how they tried to hush up the whole case, to sweep it under the rug. The only reason this issue came to light is because of immense public pressure. After a report appeared in the media, the Supreme Court was forced to take action," the Shiv Sena-UBT leader said, emphasising that without a public outcry, the matter might have been buried, leaving the questions of judicial integrity unresolved. Chaturvedi further pointed out the troubling implications of this case for the future of judicial independence in India. "This case raises serious concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the fairness of its processes. We've turned a blind eye to recent verdicts that have compromised the Constitution, particularly with regard to state government formations and controversial judgments. This situation should serve as a catalyst for urgent judicial reforms," she said, in a reference to the verdicts on the Shiv Sena split and the formation of the MahaYuti government. The Shiv Sena leader also made a strong case for holding judges to the highest standards of accountability. "If such a large sum of cash were found in the house of a common citizen or a politician, they would be investigated by the CBI, the ED, and IT authorities. But when it comes to judges, the situation is different. With all due respect to honourable judges, when they deliver judgments, they must remember that they are responsible for upholding the Constitution and the principles of democracy. Their actions must be above reproach," Chaturvedi asserted. Chaturvedi also reacted to the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) closure report on the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The report, which was filed five years after Rajput's tragic passing, has failed to make significant revelations and has drawn criticism for the lack of new findings. "The closure report comes after five years and doesn't offer any substantial new information," she said. She also highlighted the criticism about the Mumbai Police investigation, suggesting that attempts had been made to suppress crucial details. "The Mumbai police were accused of covering up the truth. When the Bihar Police came in, they tried to investigate from a different angle, and then the Enforcement Directorate (ED) fuelled rumours for TRPs, spreading lies on television. The media outlets turned into bloodthirsty machines, adding sensationalism and drama, forgetting that their role is to report facts," she alleged. Chaturvedi also expressed strong criticism of the media's role in vilifying Rhea Chakraborty, who was wrongfully imprisoned amid the public frenzy surrounding Rajput's death. "Rhea was not given a moment to grieve the loss of her partner, yet the media crucified her. The channels that spread lies and played a role in ruining her career must be held accountable," Chaturvedi said. Chaturvedi further called on Chakraborty to take action against these outlets, stating, "Instead of forgiving them, Rhea should work to end this filth and shut down these channels that engage in blackmail and character assassination in the name of journalism." She also criticised political parties that used the Sushant Singh Rajput case to settle scores and malign their opponents, arguing that they too should be held responsible for the damage caused. Despite the delayed investigation, Chaturvedi maintained that the Mumbai police's initial work had been correct and that their efforts had been unjustly questioned. Mumbai, March 23 : Actress Madhuri Dixit took to social media to reveal how she combats boredom while on set. Known for her striking presence on social media, the 'Devdas' actress shared a hilarious reel on the trending dialogue, "Everyone take it in. Mental picture. Here we go. In case you wanted to see it with sunglasses, here's your shot. Hello. Okay. Thank you so much." Sharing her reel, Madhuri wrote in the caption, "This was supposed to be my shotI think? #HiTeam." In the clip, Dixit, accompanied by her team, is seen lip-syncing to the trending dialogue while wearing her sunglasses. The video ends with all her team members posing together. The 'Dhak Dhak' girl looked beautiful in a red saree, paired with a statement necklace and earrings. She styled her hair in a ponytail, and her makeup was on point. Previously, the 'Dil To Pagal Hai' actress dropped her glamorous video in a black coat and pants. She also added Karan Aujla and Neha Kakkar's song "Aaye Haaye" to the clip. For the caption, Madhuri wrote, "Confidence tailored to perfection. #throwbackthursday #thursday #powersuit #reelsinstagram #reelitfeelit." She also posted a video of her with husband Dr. Shriram Nene from their appearance at the star-studded IIFA awards 2025. She captioned it, "I had such an amazing time at the 25th IIFA Awards! I'm truly honoured to have been a part of such a special event. Being surrounded by amazing friends and creating memories that will last forever was something I'll always cherish. Feeling grateful for all these beautiful experiences. #IIFA25 #amazingfriends #memories." On the work front, Madhuri Dixit was last seen in Anees Bazmee's horror-comedy "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3," which also starred Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, and Tripti Dimri. She will next be seen in the upcoming web show, "Mrs. Deshpande." The psychological thriller series will feature Madhuri in the role of a serial killer. The show, which is a remake of a French series, is directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. YANGON, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's authorities have seized over 1.5 million stimulant tablets in the central region of Myanmar, the state-owned daily The Mirror reported on Sunday. Acting on a tip-off, the anti-narcotic police searched two vehicles in Pyigyidagun township of Mandalay on March 14 and seized 1.01 million stimulant tablets. Authorities seized an additional 500,000 stimulant tablets in the same township a day later, the report said. The seized drugs had an estimated street value of over 2.2 billion kyats (about 1.05 million U.S. dollars), it added. Investigations revealed that the drugs would be carried to Sagaing region from Shan state, it said. The suspects involved in the cases were charged under the country's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, it added. Imphal, March 23 : Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday urged people of all communities to contribute sincerely and unitedly for a peaceful and prosperous Manipur. The state has been devastated by the Meitei-Kuki-Zo community ethnic violence for over 22 months. Addressing a function here to mark the 12th-anniversary of the Manipur High Court, the Union Law Minister said that the peace process is going on in Manipur and it should be speeded up further. "With the early restoration of peace and normalcy in Manipur, the state would further progress and play a significant role in the Viksit Bharat," Meghwal said. "Not only myself, everyone is hopeful that peace and normalcy will be restored soon in Manipur," Meghwal said, urging people of all communities to contribute their sincere and united role for a prosperous Manipur. Highly appreciating the Manipur High Court's performance and achievement in various projects, the Union Minister said the Union government earlier sanctioned Rs 7,210 crore for various court-related projects including e-court. He said, "Remarkable achievement was done by the Manipur High Court in virtual hearing of cases and implementations of e-court projects. Over 90 per cent of works have been completed in the Manipur High Court." He suggested that various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSS) schemes of different Corporate organisations must be implemented in the court and judiciary sectors. "Representatives of four pillars of democracy -- Legislature, Executive, Judiciary and the Media -- along with students, youths, and common people are present in the High Court function. This is very unique," the Union Minister pointed out. He said that it is a very good gesture that five Supreme Court judges at a time visit Manipur. Supreme Court judge, Justice B. R. Gavai led a five-member team of apex court judges, visiting the violence-hit state since Saturday. Justice Gavai accompanied by fellow apex court judges, Vikram Nath, M.M. Sundresh, K.V. Vishwanathan, and N. Kotiswar Singh and the Manipur High Court's Chief Justice D.Krishnakumar and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshilu, on Saturday also virtually inaugurated legal services camps, medical camps and legal aid clinics in various districts of the state from the Mini Secretariat in the tribal-inhabited Churachandpur district. While visiting Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts on Saturday, the apex court judges met displaced men, women and children sheltering in the relief camps in the two districts. Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Supreme Court judges, and Manipur High Court Chief Justice were also addressed in the High Court event. The High Courts of Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya were established on March 23, 2013, following the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Act, 2012, which provided for separate High Courts for these states. Mumbai, March 23 : Telugu star Vijay Deverakonda, who was last seen in a cameo appearance in 'Kalki 2898 AD', has jetted off to Sri Lanka for the shoot of his new film 'Kingdom'. On Sunday, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared an array of pictures of himself waiting for take-off at the airport lounge. The actor shared that he will be shooting for a song sequence in Sri Lanka. He wrote in the caption, "Off again to the #Kingdom of Lanka Shooting love songs. Wearing the madcool #RWDY Summer flannels :) Will be available to you all soon for shopping". Earlier in January, Vijay extended a warm welcome to the British rock band Coldplay. The actor earlier took to the Stories section of his Instagram, and shared a video. The text on the video read, "Chris Martin says he is from Telangana". The actor wrote on the video, "Chris Martin welcome. Someone needs to make a Podusthunna poddumeeda X Coldplay mashup". Prior to this, the actor gave a field day to the netizens with the poster release of actress Rashmika Mandanna's upcoming Telugu movie 'The Girlfriend'. The poster read, "Vijay Deverakonda will introduce 'The Girlfriend'". Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, who are two of the leading stars in India, are rumoured to be dating, and the Internet users brought that up in the comments. One user wrote, "Vijay Devarakonda will introduce HIS GIRLFRIEND". Another wrote, "So THE BOYFRIEND will introduce THE GIRLFRIEND?". A third user wrote, "Why it's totally relating to Their Personal life?". Meanwhile, on the work front, the actor will be soon in his upcoming movie 'Kingdom'. The film was tentatively titled 'VD 12'. Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor wrapped up the recording session for the film last month. The anticipation for the film is sky-high, with fans eagerly waiting to see Vijay in this powerful avatar once again. A source from the industry has revealed that Ranbir has provided the voiceover for the teaser of 'Kingdom'. New Delhi, March 23 : Amid suspicion of evidence tampering bid in the 'cash at home' of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma, senior judges and investigators probing the March 14 incident have asked the former to secure his phone and call records. Apart from conducting forensic tests on the burnt currency notes allegedly recovered from an outhouse on the premises of Justice Varma's official bungalow, investigators are also expected to inspect call records of all phones which were present at 30 Tughlak Road, Near Lok Kalyan Marg Metro, on March 14 night when the fire broke out. Call records of phone numbers, which were contacted by people present on the premises and calls received by them immediately after the fire broke out, will also be scanned as part of a technical investigation, said Delhi Police sources. In his defence, Justice Varma has denied any wrongdoing and alleged a conspiracy to malign him, outrightly rejecting the insinuation that he removed currency from the storeroom. He is also reported to have challenged visuals of burnt wads of Rs-500 notes shown in a video given by Delhi Police to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna. The video was purportedly shot around the time of firefighting at the outhouse on the premises of Justice Varma's official residence. Investigators suspect that an attempt to tamper with evidence may have been made during or immediately after firefighters doused the blaze in 'stationery and domestic articles in a storeroom' before leaving at 1.56 a.m. on March 15. Witness accounts of Delhi Police Control Room personnel present at the fire scene, along with firefighters, and the subsequent video recording of the fire scene have lent credence to the theory about the presence of burnt Rs-500 notes at the site. However, Justice Varma has told the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court D.K. Upadhyaya, "I was totally shocked to see the contents of the video since that depicted something which was not found on site as I had seen it." He added: "It is a room which is completely disassociated from my living areas and a boundary wall demarcates my living area from that outhouse. I only wish that the media had conducted some enquiry before I came to be indicted and defamed in the press." "I unequivocally state that neither I nor any of my family members had stored or kept any cash or currency in that storeroom at any point of time," he said. "During the exercise to douse the fire, all staff and the members of his household were asked to move away from the scene of the incident in view of safety concerns," said the judge, adding that after the fire was doused, they (all staff and family members) saw no cash or currency on site, said Justice Varma. On Friday, CJI Sanjiv Khanna constituted a three-member committee to conduct an inquiry against Justice Varma. "The Chief Justice of India has constituted a three-member Committee consisting of Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana; Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh; and Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka, for conducting an inquiry into the allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting Judge of the High Court of Delhi," said a press statement released by the Supreme Court. The Committee has not been given a time frame to complete its probe, and only after it submits its report will a decision be taken by the CJI if the findings warrant The statement added that the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court for the time being has been asked not to assign any judicial work to Justice Yashwant Varma. Chennai, March 23 : Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma. Subramanian said on Sunday that both anti-rabies (ARV) and anti-snake venom (ASV) vaccines have been made available at PHCs and sub-centres in the state. During a surprise visit to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Samayapuram in Tiruchi district, the minister enquired about a young boy who had sustained a dog bite and was administered an anti-rabies vaccine (ARV). On questioning the nurse, the Minister was informed that the boy would receive four doses of ARVon days 0, 3, 7, and 28 following the bite. "Since June 2023, both anti-rabies (ARV) and anti-snake venom (ASV) vaccines have been made available at PHCs and sub-centres. Previously, patients were required to visit District Headquarters Government Hospitals for such vaccines," the minister said during the surprise visit. During the inspection, he interacted with doctors, staff, and patients to assess the quality of healthcare services being provided. The Minister also interacted with patients about the treatment facilities and general functioning of the PHC. The minister's visit is part of a series of surprise inspections by Ma. Subramanian aims to enhance accountability in the state's healthcare system. A few months ago, during a surprise inspection at the Paramakudi Government Hospital, the Minister found the facility poorly maintained, particularly noting the unhygienic condition of the CT scan room, which he warned could lead to infections. As a result, he ordered the immediate transfer of the Chief Medical Officer for negligence and directed the Director of Health Services to seek an explanation from the Deputy Director of Health Services of Ramanathapuram district. In another such instance, during an inspection at the Aanavasal Government Hospital in Pudukottai, the Minister suspended the Joint Director of Medical and Rural Health Services and transferred the Chief Medical Officer after discovering unhygienic conditions at a care home for the mentally ill located on the hospital campus. Since taking charge, Ma. Subramanian has carried out several surprise inspections at hospitals and PHCs across Tamil Nadu, taking prompt action against officials found negligent, with the aim of improving the public healthcare infrastructure in the state. New Delhi, March 23 : The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Monday a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the issuance of pan-India safety guidelines, reforms, and measures for the protection of women. As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N.K. Singh will resume hearing the PIL on March 24. On December 16, 2024, the Justice Surya Kant-led bench agreed to examine the plea and sought the response of the Union government in the matter. "We will have to examine where we are lacking to achieve the goal of punitive and penal law. There is not something wrong with the quantity of punishment, but something else," the apex court had remarked. Senior advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani, appearing for the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association, said that the Parliament has enacted stringent laws but due to "unwillingness, corruption, and laxity in the police and administrative stakeholders", the timely and effective implementation of these laws doesn't take place and hence, there is no fear among the criminals. The PIL urged the apex court to take judicial notice and frame strict guidelines with a sharper focus on its time-bound implementation to prevent incidents of sexual violence against women. Further, it beseeched the court to invoke the doctrine of aparens patriaea to safeguard the fundamental rights of women, children, and the third gender in the country, including their right to safety, a secure workplace, adequate sanitation, personal dignity, bodily integrity, and a safe environment. The plea highlighted the macabre surge of crimes against women, girls and infants, reported across the country specifically in Kolkata, Delhi, Bihar, Karnataka, Assam, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Odisha, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and other parts, at the hands of carnal delinquents, paedophiles, sex maniacs, and sexual offenders. It referred to the heart-wrenching incident of gangrape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor in Kolkata of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in the early hours of August 9, 2024, which has shaken the collective conscience of the country to the core and is a ghastly reminder to show that nothing has improved since 2012. "The recent Kolkata gangrape of young lady trainee doctor is only one amongst the many which have highlighted the deep-rooted ineptness, red-tapism, bureaucratic cowardice by the law enforcement agencies, political hooliganism, and the brutal, nefarious and grisly state of affairs concerning the safety of women in India. From Nirbhaya Rape Case to Abhaya, the brutality has only manifested into an animalistic expression against women," the petition said. It added that instead of politicising sensitive issues, the government must pay more attention to the safety of vulnerable citizens and should increase the funds allocated for the security of women, children, and third gender. "The harsh reality is that India awakes when there is a media trial which happens only in a few horrifying rape cases which jolt and traumatise the public," the petition said. The PIL sought directions to schools to have gender sensitivity classes along with sex education and regular workshops by qualified child psychologists and counsellors where boys and girls are taught about biological changes in the body during their teenage years and how to handle these in a healthy manner. It said that in view of the alarming rise in adolescent-related issues relating to lack of correct knowledge about gender equity, life skills, sexual harassment and abuse, legal ages for marriage, juvenile delinquency, etc., the governments should be directed to make efforts for the development and implementation of nationwide adolescent programmes. In an order passed in January this year, the Justice Surya Kant-led Bench asked the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association to interact with the women lawyers practising in different parts of the country and invite their suggestions on the challenges/issues being faced by the women in their respective regions. "All such suggestions may then be collated and placed on record," added the SC as it posted the PIL for hearing on March 24. Mumbai, March 23 : The Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) closure report in the high-profile Sushant Singh Rajput case has sparked renewed debate over the circumstances surrounding the actor's death, and Nilotpal Mrinal, the man behind the "Justice For SSR" campaign on X, has questioned the agency's decision to give clean chit to actor Rhea Chakraborty and emphasised that it must present concrete evidence to confirm suicide. In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Mrinal expressed his dissatisfaction with the CBI's findings. "The CBI has given a clean chit to Rhea Chakraborty, but if they are stating that Sushant committed suicide, they must provide evidence to substantiate this. We have been repeatedly told that Sushant committed suicide, but no one has presented solid proof that he took his own life. If such evidence exists, it should be made public," Mrinal said. Mrinal, who hails from Bihar like the late actor, rejected the notion that Rajput could have committed suicide. "No one from Bihar gives up so easily. Sushant was a fighter, and there was no reason for him to take such a drastic step. The CBIas report only raises more questions about the investigation process," he added. He also pointed out the strange situation surrounding the crime scene, noting that the flat where Sushant was found dead had been cleaned multiple times before the CBI arrived. "The room was cleaned repeatedly before the CBI even arrived. What can the agency investigate when the scene has been tampered with? If the CBI insists that the case is closed, they should provide hard evidence showing that it was indeed a suicide," Mrinal said. He criticised the authorities for not offering a clear explanation about why Rajput would have committed suicide. "Sushant was not a failure. He didn't lose his job or fail exams. There must be a valid reason, but so far, no one has explained why he took such a step," Mrinal added. BJP leader R.P. Singh also reacted on the matter, supporting the investigation but calling for further scrutiny. "The CBI has filed its closure report after a thorough investigation, but the Disha Salian case, which is linked to Sushant's death, needs to be investigated further. We hope the authorities will look into it so that the truth about all the parties involved can be revealed," Singh said. He referred to allegations in a 500-page complaint filed by Salianas father, claiming involvement of prominent figures such as Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray in the case. The CBI has officially filed closure reports in two high-profile cases related to the death of Bollywood actor Rajput, as per officials. One case was filed by the actoras father, K.K. Singh, accusing Chakraborty of abetment to suicide and financial misconduct whereas a second case was registered by Chakraborty against Rajputas sisters on alleged medical malpractice. The CBI has submitted its final report on Singhas complaint before a special court in Patna and a separate closure report on Chakrabortyas case was submitted to Mumbai court. The court will decide whether to accept the findings or to order further investigation. Bengaluru, March 23 : Responding to the Congress-led Karnataka government's decision to provide 4 per cent reservation to Muslims in government tenders, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said on Sunday that anyone advocating Muslim reservation is going against the wishes of the founding fathers of the Constitution. "The Constitution of Bharat does not provide any scope for religion-based reservation. Other states have attempted it but both the high courts and the Supreme Court have set them aside. It was implemented when Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were one state. It was also introduced when Sushilkumar Shinde was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. These announcements were made before elections, but the Supreme Court struck them down," said RSS Sahakaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale during a press conference which was held to brief on the Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) meeting in Bengaluru. Hosabale added that the religion-based reservation is not possible, adding that the reservation for backward classes within a religion exists in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and many other states. "However, the religion-based reservation itself is not accepted by the Constitution authored by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Anyone who supports this idea is going against the vision of the founding fathers of the Constitution," he claimed. On delimitation, Hosabale said that there has been no census and no draft has been released yet, adding that when nothing concrete has been announced, the Sangh cannot comment on it. "Politicians can make statements about these matters every day. However, the Sangh cannot provide an opinion on something that has neither a draft nor an official announcement. The Union Home Minister has already clarified that no such process is underway. If a draft is released and a response is necessary, the Sangh will react accordingly," he said. Addressing a question on the caste census, he said that the Supreme Court has repeatedly sought data regarding the implementation of welfare schemes. "We do not know when the census will take place. Once it is conducted, these issues can be taken up," he said. Responding to allegations that the RSS is appointing its workers as personal assistants (PAs) to ministers and BJP leaders, he claimed that the Sangh has never directed anyone to appoint RSS workers as personal assistants to ministers. "RSS volunteers are citizens of this country. If they are competent and eligible, they get appointed based on merit. When there was no BJP government in any state, Sangh volunteers were still appointed to various positions because of their competence. There is a proper selection process, and not all those appointed are 100 per cent RSS volunteers. Being an RSS volunteer does not automatically guarantee an appointment," he said. Hosabale added that Sangh Swayamsevaks are not barred from holding positions, adding that they have every right, as citizens, to be appointed. "If there is any illegality, appropriate action can be taken. However, no such irregularities exist. If they are citizens, why should they not be appointed?" Dattatreya Hosabale said. Los Angeles, March 23 : Hollywood actress Amanda Seyfried has agreed that her 2009 film 'Jennifer's Body' deserved better marketing. Amanda Seyfried, who starred as Needy Lesnicki in Karyn Kusama's 2009 cult horror film opposite Megan Fox, looked back on the role, reports 'Variety'. She spoke in a recent interview with GQ, and said, "I can't critique this movie, to me it's perfect. It's got balls. (Screenwriter) Diablo Cody was outspoken and beautiful and smart and funny". She further mentioned, "We were expressing a certain angst in a very specific, comedic way in a very specific genre. The special effects were so incredible, there were stunts, there was everything you could want". As per 'Variety', the 'Jennifer's Body' has since found an audience as a subversive feminist cult classic. However, the film flopped on initial release, which Seyfried chalks up to poor marketing. "If the critics criticize anything, it would be the marketing," she said. "The marketing sucked, it just did. And we all agree". "The marketing team cheapened it like it was just a gory romp. I think they ruined it, and I think Karyn and Diablo were a really good team. I love Needy. It was the first time I got to play really nerdy, wearing the glasses. Megan got to turn into a demon, it was awesome. We all just had a lot of fun, so I wanna celebrate it by doing a sequel". Though Needy narrowly escapes the events of 'Jennifer's Body' and ends the film in a mental hospital, Fox's titular teen dies at the climax, making a potential sequel somewhat sticky. Nevertheless, Amanda Seyfried has hope there's a way for Jennifer Check to return. Bengaluru, March 23 : The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said on Sunday that the Union government has taken several administrative steps to bring normalcy in Manipur, which has raised hopes for restoring peace in the region. "We are happy that the government has addressed the situation, and people are now experiencing some relief. Let's hope for more such actions from the government and that different sections of society in Manipur will live harmoniously. We have not demanded any specific action to be taken. That is for the government to decide based on its assessment," said Dattatreya Hosabale during a press conference which was held to brief the Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) meeting in Bengaluru. He added that the government has imposed the President's Rule, suspended the state government and has taken several administrative measures such as disarming people and reopening highways. "We have the right to demand certain actions, and the Sangh has emphasised the need to address the situation in Manipur. However, we have not specified what particular actions should be taken. We have only suggested that the issues in Manipur should be resolved immediately. The government makes decisions based on its own assessment," he added. On the Malegaon blast case developments, Hosabale said that the matter is sub judice and it would be appropriate to comment on the issue. Earlier, an accused's lawyer informed the court that the officer of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Muijibur Rahman, had stated in writing that he was instructed by a senior officer in 2008 to arrest RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat in connection with the case. On the BJP presidential election, Hosabale said that the RSS runs 35 organisations, yet the media has never questioned them. "We treat all of them equally as they are working for the nation. These are independent organisations, and while our volunteers may be involved, they manage their affairs autonomously. We do not expect them (BJP) to come to us for approval. It is their responsibility to conduct their activities according to their timetable. We do not interfere, and it is not our role to do so. Our pracharaks provide service in many places, but their numbers are limited. These organisations are independent, well-trained, and capable of handling their own matters. It does not work in a way where they submit a list to us for approval," he claimed. Patna, March 23 : Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera on Sunday criticised the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar, stating that the state is going through "significant turmoil" and that people are now looking towards Congress with hope. Talking to IANS, Khera pointed to recent incidents of crime, including the killing of a police officer and attacks on civilians, as evidence of Bihar's worsening situation. "Bihar is experiencing significant turmoil, and naturally, when such unrest occurs, people seek change. Today, I heard about a hospital director being murdered, and earlier, a police officer was attacked and killed during a raid. The law and order situation is collapsing," Khera said. His remarks follow the killing of ASI Rajiv Ranjan Mal during a clash with criminals and villagers in Araria, along with several other violent incidents that have fueled concerns about governance in the state. Amid Bihar's governance crisis, Congress has launched the 'Naukri Do, Palayan Roko' (Give Jobs, Stop Migration) Padyatra, highlighting unemployment and migration issues in the state. The yatra reached Samastipur on Tuesday, receiving a warm response from the public. Khera emphasised that migration remains a major issue for Bihar. "Our 'Naukri Do, Palayan Roko' Yatra focuses on this, as migration deeply hurts Bihar's pride. People are forced to leave their homes, culture, and families in search of jobs and opportunities. But Bihar has enough resources and the potential not only to provide jobs to its people but also to attract outsiders," he added. He added that Bihar has enough resources and potential to generate jobs, but instead, people are forced to leave their homes, culture, and families in search of employment. "Our yatra aims to highlight this issue and push for solutions. Congress is focused on real, fundamental issues. With a new leadership team and renewed enthusiasm, our party is ready to fight on these critical matters. Elections should be based on real concerns, and that's where the political discourse should be centred," Khera said. Congress has been questioning Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's ability to govern, citing concerns over his physical and mental health. "The Chief Minister's health is a matter of concern. We wish him well, but the current state of Bihar raises serious questions. How safe is Bihar under the leadership of an unwell Chief Minister?" Khera questioned. A farmer works in a field benefited from the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. A farmer gets water from a canal of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. A cow grazes beside a canal of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. Farmers divert water into fields in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. Farmers divert water into fields in Siaya County, western Kenya on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. A farmer works in a field benefited from the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 20, 2025 shows the canal of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. A drone photo taken on July 18, 2023 shows a view of the pre-reclamation plains along Lake Victoria in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese-built irrigation project transforming Kenyan farmers' livelihoods" (STECOL/Handout via Xinhua) An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 17, 2020 shows a view of the construction site of a flood control project in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese-built irrigation project transforming Kenyan farmers' livelihoods" (STECOL/Handout via Xinhua) Workers are seen at the construction site of the second phase of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya on March 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese-built irrigation project transforming Kenyan farmers' livelihoods" (STECOL/Handout via Xinhua) This photo taken on March 20, 2025 shows a construction site of the second phase of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese-built irrigation project transforming Kenyan farmers' livelihoods" (STECOL/Handout via Xinhua) A drone photo taken on July 18, 2023 shows a view of the pre-reclamation plains along Lake Victoria in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese-built irrigation project transforming Kenyan farmers' livelihoods" (STECOL/Handout via Xinhua) A farmer carries a basket filled with water in a field benefited from the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. An aerial drone photo taken on July 23, 2020 shows a construction site of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese-built irrigation project transforming Kenyan farmers' livelihoods" (STECOL/Handout via Xinhua) A drone photo taken on April 24, 2019 shows a view of the construction site of the water intake of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese-built irrigation project transforming Kenyan farmers' livelihoods" (STECOL/Handout via Xinhua) A farmer works in a field benefited by the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. This photo taken on Feb. 20, 2025 shows the water intake structure of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. A farmer works in a field benefited from the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project in Siaya County, western Kenya, on Feb. 20, 2025. Built by China's Sino Hydro Company Limited, the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project is a national project domiciled in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Its implementation started in June 2018, with the goal of mitigating floods and increasing the acreage of land under irrigation in western Kenya. One of the major tributaries that drain into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake, the Nzoia River, which has a length of 257 kilometers, is a source of livelihood for millions of people in western Kenya. The project's first phase will be completed in May 2025, putting 10,000 acres under irrigation on the river's left bank and targeting 12,600 farmers as beneficiaries, according to the National Irrigation Authority, a state agency. The second phase will bring an additional 10,000 acres under irrigation on the right side of the river, with beneficiaries expected to put 5,000 acres under high-value cash crops and 5,000 acres under rice and other food crops, generating an estimated 4.8 billion shillings (37 million U.S. dollars) in annual revenue, according to the agency. Rome, March 23 : After over five weeks in a Rome hospital undergoing treatment for respiratory ailments and pneumonia, Pope Francis was discharged on Sunday but will need at least two months of rest and time before his voice becomes normal. Minutes before his discharge, the 88-year-old Pope appeared at a window at the Gemelli hospital to give a blessing to the assembled faithful - in his first public appearance since he was admitted on February 14, media reports said. Doctors say he will need at least two months of rest at the Vatican. During the past five weeks, he presented "two very critical episodes" where his "life was in danger", Dr Sergio Alfieri, the head of the Gemelli Hospital medical team that has been treating the Pope for an acute respiratory tract infection and bilateral pneumonia, said, as per the Vatican News. However, he said that the pontiff was never intubated and always remained alert and oriented. According to the doctors, the Pope is not fully healed, but no longer has pneumonia and is now stable. Dr Alfieri said that patients with double pneumonia lose their voice a little and "especially in the elderly, it will take time for your voice to return to normal", the BBC reported. Addressing journalists on Saturday evening, Doctor Alfieri, flanked by the Pope's personal physician, Doctor Sergio Carbone, had announced the Pope's scheduled discharge, following "steady and rapid medical improvements in his clinical condition and the lifting of the prognosis", the Vatican News reported. "The good news the world and everyone is waiting for is that tomorrow the Holy Father will be discharged. Tomorrow he will return to Santa Marta," he said, adding that the past week has seen significant improvements. Dr Alfieri said that when the Pope was admitted to the hospital on February 14, he was suffering an acute respiratory insufficiency due to a polymicrobial infection that resulted in bilateral pneumonia and this necessitated a combined pharmacological treatment. He said that the bilateral pneumonia has been successfully treated, but time is needed for a complete recovery. Thus, the Pope has been prescribed at least two months of convalescence, during which he will be receiving medical care and will be taking an adequate period of rest. Alfieri noted that the Pope's health is improving steadily, and the hope is he will soon be able to resume a work schedule. This, however, he clarified, does not mean he will immediately be able to start meeting with people and groups as he did before. The doctor also reiterated, as medical bulletins informed during the Pope's entire period of hospitalisation, that Pope Francis has proved to be a "good" and collaborative patient, always heeding the indications of the medical team. Asked what the life of the Pope will be like when he gets home, Alfieri said that with the continuing rehabilitation therapy, hopefully, he will soon be able to resume his normal activities. Pointing out that throughout his time in the hospital, the doctor said Pope Francis has always stayed in touch with current events, both church-related and political, and continued to dedicate himself to work activities. The pontiff is happy to be discharged, Dr Alfieri reiterated, and as all doctors agree, "the best way to recover is to do so at home". Bhubaneswar, March 23 : Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal held a detailed review meeting here on Sunday with senior Odisha government officials on the development of the state's power sector. Bhubaneswar, March 23 (IANS) Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal held a detailed review meeting here on Sunday with senior Odisha government officials on the development of the stateas power sector. The discussions covered key issues including fly ash utilisation, capacity addition, transmission infrastructure, and power allocation. Manohar Lal assured the state that a joint meeting with the ministries of Coal, Environment, and Railways will be convened to comprehensively address the issue of fly ash disposal. This would include the provision of adequate rail rakes for long-distance transportation of the fly ash. Highlighting the need to meet growing power demands, the state government informed that Odisha currently has 20 GW of operational coal-based thermal power capacity, with an additional 10 GW in the pipeline, expected to be commissioned over the next five to six years. The Union Minister encouraged the development of more pit-head thermal power plants in Odisha, including through joint ventures with GENCOs of other states. On the transmission front, Odisha shared its intra-state planning strategy and recent progress in strengthening supply to cities like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The Minister was also apprised of the steps taken by the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) to resolve Right of Way (RoW) issues. He informed that the proposal for establishing a Green Energy Corridor within the intrastate transmission network of Odisha will be taken up by MNRE after March 31, 2025, upon completion of the compilation process. Regarding the inclusion of Odisha in the subsequent phase of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the Union Minister assured that the matter would be taken up appropriately. On power allocation, he stated that Odisha will receive adequate power from Phase II of NLCILas Talabira Thermal Power Project in line with Ministry of Power guidelines. He assured the state that the Centre was working to strengthen Odishaas power infrastructure and facilitate sustainable growth in the energy sector. Chandigarh, March 23 : A charge sheet was filed in a Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court here against four terror operatives of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist organisation in the 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack case, an official said on Sunday. Pakistan-based Designated Individual Terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, and US-based Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, who are among the four charge sheeted, have been accused of providing logistical support, terror funds, weapons, and ammunition to attackers on the ground. All four accused persons have been charged under multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, and other related provisions, for their roles in planning and supporting the attack. The charge sheet said that Rinda and Passia were the primary handlers and conspirators behind the attack. The September 2024 attack was intended to target a retired officer of the Punjab Police, who the assailants believed to be the occupant of the house. Investigations revealed that Rinda, along with Happy Passia, had orchestrated the conspiracy to strike terror among law enforcement officials and the general public through the grenade attack, as part of the broader aim to promote BKIas terrorist agenda. They recruited local operatives, namely Rohan Masih and Vishal Masih, who were tasked with carrying out the attack under their direct instructions. Rinda and Happy directed the other accused, Rohan Masih and Vishal Masih, to conduct reconnaissance on the target twice before hurling the grenade, investigations revealed. The NIA said that investigations in the case are continuing and efforts were on to track down other members of the BKI terror group and dismantle its network in India. Earlier on March 11, the NIA Special Court in Mohali (Punjab) sentenced nine accused to imprisonment in a case of drone dropping of explosives and arms linked with designated individual terrorists Gurmeet Singh @Bagga and Ranjeet Singh@ Neeta. The court found the accused guilty under various sections of IPC, UAPA, Arms Act and Explosives Substances Act in the case, linked with the proscribed terrorist organisation Khalistan Zindabad Force. New Delhi, March 23 : The recent controversial remarks made by Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman, who called 16th-century Rajput king Rana Sanga a "traitor," have drawn strong rebukes from the BJP and VHP. They have demanded clarification from the SP leader and questioned his apparent admiration for the Mughals, suggesting he should embrace Islam if that is the case. Speaking to IANS, Surendra Gupta, the VHP State President, expressed his dismay at Sumanas comments, saying, "Ramji Lal Suman claims to be a descendant of Rana Sanga, yet his words suggest otherwise. It's baffling that he chooses to align himself with Babur, a Mughal invader, and makes disrespectful remarks about his own ancestors. This type of political rhetoric, aimed at distorting history, is unacceptable." BJP leader Ajay Alok also condemned Sumanas statement, calling it "highly condemnable." He emphasised the valour of Rana Sanga, a great warrior who fought fiercely against the Mughals and sustained 70 injuries in the process. "Rana Sanga was a patriot who sacrificed his life defending the country. For anyone, especially a leader of a political party, to insult such a historical figure is shameful. If they truly admire the Mughals, they should consider joining Islam," Alok added. The controversy erupted after Ramji Lal Suman defended his statement about Rana Sanga during a debate in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. He said that his statement was based on historical facts documented in Baburnama, the memoir of Mughal emperor Babur. He also pointed out that Muslims of India do not consider Babur as their leader. His remarks, made during a debate in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, have sparked sharp criticism from multiple political quarters. Suman made the controversial statement while addressing the BJP's frequent comments about the historical lineage of Indian Muslims. Participating in a discussion on the functioning of the Home Ministry on Friday, he referred to Rana Sanga's role in inviting Babur to India, which he claimed led to the establishment of Mughal rule and called the Rajput ruler a "traitor." Suman stood by his statement, stating, "It is a historical fact. Nowadays, it has become common to claim that Indian Muslims have the DNA of Babur. But the truth is that the Muslims of India do not consider Babur as their leader. Babur did not come with religion; he came with a sword. The ideals of Indian Muslims are rooted in the tradition of Sufi saints." Bhubaneswar, March 23 : A war of words on Sunday ensued between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over the Mahanadi water-sharing dispute following the meeting of chief ministers of Odisha and Chhattisgarh here on Saturday. The principal opposition party on Sunday took a dig at the BJP saying that Chhattisgarh should first stop the ongoing construction work of barrages on the river for a fruitful deliberation on the issue. Speaking on the discussions held during the meeting of CMs of both states, senior BJD leader Prasanna Acharya said: "We welcome the discussions on the issue by CMs of both states. If both governments want a fruitful discussion and mutual solution to the issue without hampering the interests of Odisha, then the Chhattisgarh government should immediately stop the ongoing construction of work on various projects and hold discussions." He also noted that the ruling BJP, without making any complaints or blaming others, should now work to resolve the Mahanadi water-sharing dispute as there is a triple-engine government in Odisha, the Centre, and Chhattisgarh. He also raised questions on the efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue between the chief ministers as the matter is currently in the tribunal. "The Union government convened a meeting of the representatives of the two states in 2016 to resolve the issue. The center held three meetings on the issue. The then CM of Odisha went to the first meeting while skipped the rest two meetings. The previous BJD-led Odisha government moved to a tribunal only to serve its own political interests," said Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan. Harichandan said that the ruling BJP, which was in opposition then, had warned the BJD led government against approaching the tribunal due to its lengthy process. He also stated that BJD should stop doing politics on the Mahanadi water dispute issue as the government will take all the necessary steps to resolve the issue at the earliest keeping in view the interests of Odisha. Notably, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the Lok Seva Bhavan during his visit to Odisha on Saturday. The meeting, held in a cordial atmosphere, included discussions on several issues, with a key focus on resolving the Mahanadi water dispute amicably. Both leaders agreed to prioritise the issue and explore peaceful and constructive pathways to resolve the dispute, ensuring the welfare of the citizens in both states. It is pertinent here to mention that sharing of Mahanadi river water has been a bone of contention between the states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Odisha has asserted that the Chhattisgarh government is constructing dams and weirs (small dams) upstream the Mahanadi river which affect the flow of the river downstream and affect drinking water supply. Dar Es Salaam, March 23 : Tanzania has launched the 2025 edition of the National Water Policy, aiming to enhance water availability and beef up the protection of water sources. The new policy, an update of the 2002 edition, was launched by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in the port city of Dar es Salaam on Saturday as part of celebrations to mark the World Water Day. Hassan said the updated national water policy enhances private sector engagement in financing water projects and strengthens the protection of water infrastructure to bolster water availability. The head of state emphasised that the protection of water sources is not the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Water, but of all Tanzanians. She called for creating a national water grid to oversee the usage of water resources across the country, while also encouraging her fellow citizens to cultivate a habit of harvesting rainwater for use when the resource is scarce, Xinhua news agency reported. Nathan Belete, World Bank Country Director for Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, praised Tanzania on the launch of its 2025 National Water Policy, saying the new edition aims to ensure optimal, reliable, sustainable, and equitable development and use of water resources for the benefit of all in the most cost-effective way. "It focuses on addressing challenges in water resource management and development, water quality in both rural and urban areas, and water supply and sanitation services, all critical to achieving socio-economic development and water security in Tanzania in line with national and international goals," said Belete. He said water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services are vital for poverty reduction and economic growth. "Universal WASH access directly supports Tanzania's goals for improved education and health outcomes, economic prosperity, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability, among others," said Belete. New Delhi, March 23 : IndusInd Bank on Sunday denied media reports suggesting that its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sumant Kathpalia may be replaced in the next six months. The bank issued a statement calling such claims factually incorrect and misleading. Earlier reports suggested that IndusInd Bank's board would need to finalise a new CEO by October and submit potential names to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for approval. However, the bank has dismissed these claims, stating that the information circulating in the media does not reflect the true situation. "We would like to clarify that the recent media reports regarding the tenure of the Bankas CEO and Deputy CEO are factually incorrect," the bank said. The report also mentioned that the RBI was awaiting the completion of an accountability exercise before taking any action on the matter. This comes amid concerns over discrepancies in the bankas derivatives portfolio. Last week, IndusInd Bank disclosed that it had identified accounting issues in its derivatives transactions, which could impact around 2.35 per cent of its net worth as of December 2024. Following this, the bank appointed an independent professional firm to conduct a detailed investigation to assess the correctness of the accounting treatment. This firm will look into the reasons behind the discrepancies, assess the accuracy of the accounting treatment of the derivative contracts, and determine if any lapses occurred. The RBI is waiting for this investigation to be completed before taking further action. If any serious accounting errors are found, the regulator will hold those responsible accountable. However, the RBI has assured depositors of IndusInd Bankas financial stability. The central bankas reassurance aims to address speculation about the bankas financial health following reports of accounting discrepancies. The bank continues to focus on resolving the derivative discrepancies while maintaining transparency with regulators and stakeholders. The share price of the private lender was at Rs 689 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday. Shanghai, March 23 : Lewis Hamilton has been disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix after the rear skid block on his Ferrari was found to be under the minimum thickness required in the technical regulations, meaning that both of the team's drivers have lost their results given that Charles Leclerc has also been disqualified for a car weight breach. After his victory in the Sprint on Saturday, Hamilton faced a more challenging day at the Shanghai International Circuit on Sunday, the seven-time World Champion having made contact with Leclerc on Lap 1 before struggling to keep the pace of his rivals en route to a final position of P6. However, after the race a Technical Delegate's report stated that, when the skid wear of Hamilton's car was checked following the Grand Prix, the rearmost skid was found to be below the minimum 9mm thickness required, meaning that the matter was referred to the stewards. Hamilton and a team representative were subsequently required to report to the stewards and, after the hearing took place, it was announced that the Briton had been disqualified from the results of Sunday's race. A document released following the hearing reads: "The plank assembly of Car 44 was measured and found to be 8.6mm (LHS), 8.6mm (car centerline) and 8.5mm (RHS). This is below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations. "During the hearing, the team representative confirmed that the measurement was correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly. The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team," he said. "The Stewards determine that Article 3.5.9 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations has been breached and therefore the standard penalty of a disqualification needs to be applied for such an infringement." It marks a nightmare end to the day for Ferrari, with Leclerc having also received a post-race disqualification from P5 after his car was found to be below the minimum weight required by the technical regulations. Like Hamilton, Leclerc and a team representative were summoned to the stewards following a Technical Delegate's report on the matter which noted that Leclerc's SF-25 was 1kg below the minimum weight and it was later announced that the Monegasque had been disqualified. Alpine's Pierre Gasly was also hit with a disqualification for the same breach as Leclerc, with the Enstone outfit remaining as the only team yet to score a point so far in 2025. The double disqualification for Ferrari means that Esteban Ocon, Kimi Antonelli, Alex Albon, and Ollie Bearman who had finished in seventh through to 10th respectively are now promoted by two positions, while Lance Stroll and Carlos Sainz also take home points by moving into the top 10, given that Gasly has also been disqualified from P11. Jerusalem, March 23 : Israeli forces pushed deeper into the Gaza Strip on Sunday with the military saying it had encircled the Tel al-Sultan neighbourhood in Rafah in the south of the enclave. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops had "encircled" the area overnight, killing "several" militants and raiding what it described as a Hamas command and control centre. "The operation aims to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and eliminate militants to expand the security zone in southern Gaza," the military said. IDF-released footage showed troops advancing through the area with dogs and armoured personnel carriers, firing into damaged buildings before entering them. Videos circulating on social media showed women, children, and men fleeing Rafah, Xinhua news agency reported. A military spokesperson said Israeli forces also launched operations in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, over the weekend. "Fighter jets struck several Hamas targets and terrorist infrastructure sites," the spokesperson said. At least 41 bodies and 61 wounded were brought to hospitals across Gaza in the past 24 hours, Gaza-based health authorities said on Sunday, bringing the death toll from the ongoing conflict to 50,021. The renewed Israeli offensive has effectively ended a two-month ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the military campaign aims to destroy Hamas and secure the release of remaining hostages. Meanwhile, the Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has topped 50,000, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday. In the past 24 hours, 41 bodies and 61 wounded people were brought to hospitals across Gaza, bringing the total death toll to 50,021, with 113,274 injured since fighting erupted in early October 2023, the statement said. Since a new wave of Israeli airstrikes began on March 18, at least 673 people have been killed and 1,233 wounded, according to the statement. Sonbhadra/New Delhi, March 23 : Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri handed over the Surya Nutan stove, an ambitious solar cooking top initiative under the Modi government for enhancing green energy and curtailing harmful emissions, to about 309 women in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district on Sunday and also interacted with a couple of beneficiaries. The Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas said that the Surya Nutan stove initiative is an outcome of the willpower of the Modi government and comes as yet another step towards bringing energy revolution in the country. Taking to X, he also shared pictures from the event and wrote, "In Sonbhadra, I got the opportunity to provide Surya Nutan stove to about 309 sisters and interact with the beneficiaries. "The call for innovation in solar stoves was given by PM Modi in 2017 and New India has come up with a remarkable solution in 2023," he added. Elaborating on the eco-friendly nature of the equipment, he said, "This stove collects the energy received from the sun in a specially designed thermal storage material and the collected energy is used inside the kitchen for cooking food." Experts also concur with the idea that it has the potential to bring transformative change, much like Ujjwala yojana, the movement that made firewood and kerosene disappear from crores of India's kitchens, saving the lungs of crores of women from chronic infections due to harmful emissions. The solar cooking stove is bringing revolutionary changes in the kitchens and also giving new dimensions to green and clean cooking. This solar cooking stove is capable of cooking day and night and in all weather conditions. It can be charged and discharged simultaneously while cooking in the kitchen. It is stationary, rechargeable and used for indoor solar cooking. It also reduces India's CO2 emissions drastically. The Surya Nutan project has the potential to transform the country's energy security situation and also insulate it from the vagaries of oil price fluctuation, as India currently relies on 50 per cent imports for its LPG requirements. KABUL, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The trade volume of Afghanistan reached nearly 13 billion U.S. dollars in the year of 1403 (in the Persian calender, which ended on March 20, 2025) and the major portion of the transaction is composed of imported goods, spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Sunday. "Afghanistan's export in 1403 reached 1.785 billion U.S. dollars; while its import was counted at 11.164 billion U.S. dollars," the state-run news agency Bakhtar cited Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesman for the ministry, as saying. Afghanistan's major export items include cotton, fig, raisin, carpet, precious and semi-precious stones, and the export destinations were largely Pakistan, Iran, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Iraq, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates. The import items include petrol, diesel, flour, liquid gas, medicine, cooking oil, rice, machinery and their spare parts, and are mostly imported from China, Turkmenistan, Russia, India, Malaysia and other countries. Chandigarh, March 23 : The Doaba region of Punjab on Sunday got its third medical college within 36 months as Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann laid the foundation stone of a government medical college in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar to come up at a cost of around Rs 300 crore. The Chief Minister had earlier laid the foundation stones of Medical Colleges at Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala. Out of four districts of the Doaba region, three, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, will now have government medical colleges. The new Government Medical College will be attached to the Civil Hospital and this institution, named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh, is a tribute to his legacy and commitment to the people of Punjab, officials said. The college will offer 50 MBBS seats, bringing medical education closer to students from the region. The District Civil Hospital at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar currently provides secondary-level care but lacks specialised medical facilities. With the establishment of the medical college, specialist and super-specialist doctors will be available around the clock. The hospital will be transformed into a state-of-the-art teaching hospital, benefiting both patients and medical students. Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar is a remote district with limited access to tertiary healthcare facilities but successive governments largely ignored this region, forcing patients to travel to Ludhiana, Jalandhar, or Chandigarh for treatment. However, this medical college will reduce the patient burden on referral hospitals by offering advanced care locally and training future doctors in a rural setting, encouraging them to serve the local population. This project has been fast-tracked ensuring timely completion and operationalisation. Recruitment of faculty and staff will be prioritised to make this institution fully functional at the earliest. The government will ensure timely construction and infrastructure development, additional funding for expanding hospital services and further upgrades to make Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar a healthcare hub for north Punjab, officials said. Istanbul, March 23 : Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was officially arrested on Sunday over corruption charges, media reports said. The Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency reported that Imamoglu faced accusations of "bribery, corruption, qualified fraud, illegally obtaining personal data for profit and tampering with a tender. Imamoglu had been under interrogation in police custody at the Istanbul Police Headquarters since his detention on Wednesday, in connection with two investigations related to terrorism and corruption. Upon completing his interrogation at the police station, he was escorted to the main courthouse at around 7 p.m. local time (1600 GMT) on Saturday under heavy police presence for further legal proceedings. The mayor denied all the accusations against him. Imamoglu was released under judicial control in connection with the terrorism investigation, in which he is accused of aiding and assisting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the European Union and the US, Xinhua news agency reported. In February, Imamoglu applied to the Republican People's Party (CHP) to become a presidential candidate for the 2028 elections. The CHP is expected to officially declare Imamoglu as its presidential candidate following a vote by party members, which began at 8 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) and is set to end at 5 p.m. local time (1400 GMT) on Sunday. Imamoglu was re-elected for a second term as mayor of Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, after his decisive victory in the local elections held in 2024, over his rival Murat Kurum, a candidate from the ruling Justice and Development Party. President Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday accused the CHP's leadership of turning the party "into an apparatus to absolve a handful of municipal robbers who have become blinded by money." He also accused it of "doing everything to disturb the public peace and to polarise the nation." Opposition figures say the arrests are politically motivated. But the Ministry of Justice has criticised those who link Erdogan to the arrests and insisted on its judicial independence. Thousands have taken to the streets across Turkey in largely peaceful demonstrations. Authorities tried to stifle demonstrations with a four-day ban on all gatherings in Istanbul, which was extended to Ankara and Izmir as the protests spread. Dibrugarh, March 23 : While the state government has been promoting Dibrugarh as the second capital of Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that it was the administration's effort in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Vikas and Virasat. Reacting to the government's decision to build a Chief Minister Secretariat in Dibrugarh, Sarma said, "Some of you may ask why Dibrugarh? The reason lies in our guiding governance principles of strengthening our Virasat and Vikas. Dibrugarh, an important trading centre throughout history, was once the pillar of industrialisation in India. It was one of the earliest cities to get a train connection and its bustling port made it a major hub of tea, timber, oil and coal trade." The Chief Minister on Sunday concluded his three-day visit to Dibrugarh. Taking to X handle, he wrote, "I am returning from Dibrugarh after a fruitful three-day stay. This visit is part of our sustained efforts to bring the government and administration closer to Dibrugarh, and the people living in this region. To achieve this, we have already initiated several measures which include operationalising the Chief Minister's Secretariat, starting work on the Assam Assembly campus and taking steps towards establishing the city as the second capital of Assam." Taking an indirect jibe at the previous Congress governments, the CM mentioned that Dibrugarh had lost its glory over the last few decades. Sarama wrote on X, "Unfortunately, over decades the city lost its glory. That stops now. Our government is working on a comprehensive plan -- involving all stakeholders -- to reclaim Dibrugarh's glorious past and rebuild this beautiful city as a major economic and cultural hub of Eastern India." "During my visit, I met over 60 organisations, disposed of 29 e-files, answered 18 Assembly questions, approved 109 letters and held a thorough review of over 500 ongoing projects worth Rs 3500 crore in the Assembly constituencies of Dibrugarh, Dhemaji, Dhakuakhana and Demow," he said. "I wrote to the Hon'ble Prime Minister and Hon'ble Union Ministers bringing matters of urgent attention to their notice. The review meetings brought a whole-of-government approach to expedite constructions of roads, flyovers, highways, government buildings, embankments, power stations, hospitals, schools, sporting and cultural facilities in the region," the CM added. Sarma argued that the government has been working towards the betterment of ease of living in Assam. He posted, "Overall, we are making exceptional steps to enhance the Ease of Living for every household in these areas. The eventual outcome of these extensive meetings will ensure every family has access to good homes, roads, power, school and healthcare." The Chief Minister said, "Specifically, for Dibrugarh, I also chaired a comprehensive meeting to mitigate the problems of urban flooding. I am happy to share that we are making excellent progress on desilting existing drains, construction of new drains and procurement of dewatering pumps and mini super suckers." Sambhal, March 23 : Zafar Ali, president of the Shahi Mosque Committee, was on Sunday arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Uttar Pradesh Police for inciting a mob that turned violent in Sambhal on November 24 last year, killing four persons and leaving dozens injured. The mosque committee's president is accused of rioting and fabricating evidence with the intent to cause someone's conviction, among other offences, the police said. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrish Chandra said Ali's arrest followed the recording of his statement at Sambhal Kotwali in connection with the violence. The arrested mosque committee president is likely to be presented in court on Monday after he undergoes a medical check. The police said that Ali's questioning started last evening, after which he was allowed to go home to follow his prayer routine. "His questioning resumed on Sunday morning, after which he was arrested," said a police officer. Ali has been arrested under penal provisions dealing with rioting as the use of force or violence by an unlawful assembly, offence of obstructing a public servant in the discharge of their public functions, endangering life or personal safety of others, mischief or causing damage to property, Ali's arrest came in one of the 12 cases registered by the state police, against 159 accused, over the Sambal violence that allegedly involved the use of illegal foreign-made firearms by rioters. He has been arrested as one of the masterminds of the violence that was planned soon after he was informed about a proposed survey of the historical mosque by officials of the archeology department, said a police source. His role is also being examined in inciting locals against a survey that was forced to be cut short on November 19, 2024. The violence involved gun-shots, stone-pelting and arson in Nakhasa Tiraha, Kotgarvi and Hindupura Kheda areas during the archaeological survey. Soon after the violence last year, several families fled the area and their homes continue to remain locked. The police suspect that some of the property owners and their relatives were involved in the violence. The police are also probing allegations that some residents took to panic selling of their properties in the colonies near the mosque, fearing demolition. The rumours were used by residents with criminal backgrounds to take possession of several properties in the area. These properties, numbering around 300, continue to remain locked since November. Bhubaneswar, March 23 : The Commissionerate Police in Odisha has nabbed a foreign national from New Delhi on the charges of extorting money from a woman from Cuttack by using her obscene images and videos, DCP Cuttack Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo said on Sunday. He said that on February 26, the Cuttack Police received a report that the victim in the Daragha Bazar police station area of the city had committed suicide. "The victim had left a suicide note in which she mentioned some international and local WhatsApp numbers. In the suicide note, the victim had informed that some people were blackmailing her by cunningly obtaining her obscene photos. She was undergoing psychological trauma and also ended her life due to the social stigma," he said. DCP Cuttack added that the Cyber Cell of Cuttack Police later carried out a detailed technical analysis and managed to get login details of the WhatsApp numbers used by the accused from the WhatsApp company authorities. "The cops by further analysis ascertained the mobile number from which the internet was accessed," he said. DCP Cuttack added that the Cuttack Police also traced the movement of the accused in the Uttam Nagar and Palam area near Delhi. "A team of Cuttack police with the help of Delhi police arrested the accused on March 21. The accused was identified as Djedje Raymond alias Chijioke John Okoye (31), of Abidjan in Nigeria. He was currently staying in the Palam area of New Delhi," he said. The DCP also revealed that Immigration Authorities will be contacted to ascertain the actual identity of the accused who also possesses a passport of Ivory Coast. "The accused told investigating officials that he has been staying in Delhi since 2020. The accused first surveyed the online Facebook accounts of professionals like doctors, engineers, etc and later created fake profiles impersonating those professionals. He would send friend requests to the victims, especially women impersonating the high-profile professionals. The police have so far found around 3,000 screenshots of such fake profiles," he added. The DCP further informed that after developing the friendship, the accused used to lure the victim into sharing their mobile and WhatsApp numbers. "The accused also managed to collect private photographs and videos of the victims by sharing fake photos and videos of him. Then, he used those private photographs and videos of the victims to extort money from them by threatening to make those obscene photos and videos of victims viral," he added. DCP Cuttack said that the victim lady in Cuttack had also received a friend request from one of these fake profiles created by the accused a few months ago. "The accused subsequently managed to obtain some of her intimate photos and started blackmailing her forcing the gullible victim to end her life," he said. He further added that the police also came to know that the accused duped several other victims across India and outside through similar means. He said that the cops found a victim from outside the country who gave the accused 5,000 New Zealand dollars as well. The Cuttack Police is likely to bring him on remand for further probe into the matter. Rajkot, March 23 : Ashok Makwana, a farmer of Khambhala village in Paddhari taluka of the city, faced immense hardships in irrigating his fields due to erratic power supply, but a very welcome change has happened in his life, thanks to solar panels. Solar panels have brought a new twist in his life, helping him to irrigate the fields when he wants and also reducing dependence on untimely supply of electricity. Today, Ashok Makwana is a relieved person and is advising fellow farmers to benefit from the governmentas solar panel scheme. Sharing his experience with IANS, he said: "No matter whatever the weather is, be it monsoon or summer, the solar panel always works. I am able to irrigate the land anytime. Also, the electricity bill has become zero, which has given big relief in expenses. "The solar panel works very well, and there is no tension of electricity. It is very beneficial and cost-effective solution. The system works even on rainy days, however, its efficiency reduces a bit when it is cloudy, but it still keeps working all the time." Calling this scheme a boon for farmers, he appealed to others to avail the benefits by installing solar panels. He said that this would not only curtail power bills but also give strength to farming. Some months ago, as the power crisis became increasingly troubling, he decided to install solar panels under the Prime Minister's Kusum Yojana. This decision completely changed his lifestyle. He has about nine bighas of land, and now he is irrigating his fields through solar panels. With solar panels, he is able to spill water on the fields without any expense. Earlier, he had to wait for electricity. Also, filling water in the wells and borewells has become easy with the help of solar panels. "They are also helpful in drip irrigation system, a viable agricultural technique used for water conservation," he said. New Delhi, March 23 : The recent filing of closure reports by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the death cases of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput (SSR) has sparked fresh debates and controversies. Advocate Nilesh C Ojha, representing Disha Salian's father, has responded strongly to the CBI's move, asserting that a closure report does not automatically exonerate the accused and that further investigation can still be ordered. Speaking exclusively to IANS, Ojha emphasised that the closure report filed by the CBI in the cases related to Rajput does not mean that the accused are off the hook. "First of all, there has been no authentic statement from CBI on the closure report. Even after a closure report is submitted, it does not imply that the accused are freed. There is always the possibility that the court could reject the report if it finds it unsatisfactory or if further evidence emerges. The court could order further investigations, issue fresh charge sheets, or even issue arrest warrants against the accused, as seen in cases like the Aarushi Talwar murder case," he said. Ojha further clarified that he had not yet seen the closure report and that the CBI had not provided any official or authentic statement regarding its findings. He cited examples of previous high-profile cases, such as that of Justice Nirmal Yadav, where the courts had ordered further investigations after rejecting closure reports. "The court may not accept the closure report if it finds the investigation incomplete or unsatisfactory. In such cases, a fresh charge sheet may be filed, or even arrest warrants could be issued," he added. Addressing the ongoing political debates surrounding the case, Ojha firmly rejected the notion that political motivations were driving the case. "While politicians may have their own agenda, this case is about seeking justice for Disha Salian and Sushant Singh Rajput, not political gains. The legal process should remain independent and focused on finding the truth, not influenced by political dynamics," Ojha added. He also detailed the legal steps taken by Disha Salian's father in his fight for justice. According to Ojha, Disha's father had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in September 2023, prompting the Maharashtra government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) by December of the same year. Ojha further pointed out that despite the SIT's formation and Disha's father's statements in support of reopening the case, there was a significant delay in action from the authorities. "In January 2024, a formal complaint was filed by Dishaas father, which included evidence and sought to register a case of gang rape and murder against individuals such as Aditya Thackeray. However, the complaint was delayed for many months, and despite submitting substantial evidence, the case was not registered," Ojha added. The advocate highlighted key unanswered questions in the case, which he believes require urgent attention. "Disha Salian's father is demanding answers to four crucial questions: Was Aditya Thackeray's mobile tower location linked to the incident? Was he in the vicinity at the time? Why was a false post-mortem report created? And why were witnesses reportedly threatened?" he said. Ojha stressed that these unresolved issues point to serious manipulations in the investigation and the need for transparency and accountability. He also noted that the original claims made by the police, such as the narrative of Disha Salianas death by falling from the 14th floor without any visible injuries, raise doubts. "When the post-mortem report shows no fractures or blood loss, it raises serious questions about the authenticity of the investigation. The authorities must look into these discrepancies," Ojha concluded. Sushant (34), popularly known as SSR, was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020, sparking a major controversy. The investigation was later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation. His postmortem report, conducted at Mumbai's Cooper Hospital, stated the cause of death was asphyxia. New Delhi, March 23 : In his maiden public appearance after AAP's defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, the party's National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday attacked the BJP government for not paying Rs 2,500 to women by March 8 and criticised its alleged decision to remove photos of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Dr B.R. Ambedkar from offices. Addressing party workers on Martyrs' Day observed to pay tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, and Shaheed Sukhdev, former Delhi CM Kejriwal said tall claims were made on Rs 2,500 scheme but they have failed to start it. He also repeated his charge of the Congress being a "B-Team" of the BJP, alleging that when the BJP government removed photos of Bhagat Singh and Dr Ambedkar from its office, the Congress remained a silent spectator. "The same Congress had attacked our government when we prominently put up photos of Bhagat Singh and Dr Ambedkar in our office," said a combative AAP leader. He also hit out at the BJP government for asking women commuters in Delhi's public transport buses to use their smartphones to download e-pink tickets. "How many women will be able to do this?" he said, alleging that lakhs of women were being denied paper tickets. Accusing the BJP of keeping its promise of not stopping any ongoing welfare scheme in Delhi, Kejriwal said, "They are playing a fraud on people." He urged party workers to be prepared for sacrifices as the AAP was not formed to earn money and enjoy the benefits of power. He attacked the Tihar Jail authorities, which last year did not allow him to send a letter to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena to allow Atishi to hoist the national flag on the occasion of Independence Day while he himself was in jail. "The British were better than the current authorities as they allowed Bhagat Singh to send his letters to family and friends from jail freely, but my one letter was stopped," he said. Former Delhi law minister Somnath Bharti welcomed Kejriwal's attack on the Congress by calling it an ally of the BJP. "He has clarified that both the BJP and Congress are together in indulging in corruption and hating Bhagat Singh and Dr Ambedkar," he said. AAP convenor of Gujarat unit and former Delhi minister Gopal Rai said on Martyrs' Day, Kejriwal gave a message of strengthening party organisation across the country. Bhopal, March 23 : The Madhya Pradesh government on Sunday reshuffled as many as 15 senior Indian Administrative Service (IPS) officers, including those who were heading administrative and training departments. The government has appointed Yogesh Deshmukh, a 1995 batch IPS officer, as the new Director General in charge of the Special Police Establishment (SPE) Lokayukta of Madhya Pradesh Police. He has replaced Jaydeep Prashad, a 1995 batch IPS, who now has been appointed as Additional Director General (ADG) of the State Crime Record Bureau (SCRB). Adarsh Katiyar, a 1992 batch IPS, who was serving as Special Director General of Police (Telecommunication) state police headquarters, has been appointed as Special Director General (Administration). Additional Director General (ADG) Training, Sonali Mishra has been appointed as ADG (Selection and Recruitment) of state police. The 1992 batch IPS officer Sonali Mishra was serving as ADG (Training) and was additional in charge of Madhya Pradesh Police Academy (Bhounri). The list of IPS officers transferred was issued by the Home Department of the Madhya Pradesh government. It said that 2010 batch IPS officer Rakesh Singh will now be the new DIG of the Rewa range replacing the 2009 batch IPS officer Saket Prakash Pandey. The reshuffle came days after violence occurred in Mauganj district, under the Rewa division, wherein an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and a civilian were killed by a mob on March 15. Six other police officers were injured due to stone pelting during the incident. This is the first major reshuffle of senior IPS officers in Madhya Pradesh after August 2024 when 26 IPS officers were transferred. New Delhi, March 23 : Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh, responding to the controversy surrounding 16th-century Rajput king Rana Sanga, said on Sunday that the BJP is digging up history to divert people's attention from real issues. New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh, responding to the controversy surrounding 16th-century Rajput king Rana Sanga, said on Sunday that the BJP is digging up history to divert peopleas attention from real issues. In an interview with IANS, Virendra Singh spoke on a range of issues concerning Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Sumanas statement on the Rana Sanga and Sambhal mosque controversy. Excerpts: IANS: Your party MP Ramji Lal Suman has called Rana Sanga a traitor and an aide of Babur. What will you say? Virendra Singh: The BJP has nothing to say, so it is turning the pages of history backwards, in a planned way. They (BJP) are talking about those cruel rulers who tortured the people during their rule. In such a situation, we have told the government that instead of turning the pages of history, they should have told what they have done in the last 10 years since this country elected the BJP and Modi ji with great expectations. He had promised that Rs 15 lakh will be deposited in the accounts and black money will be brought back. They should discuss that. They (BJP) had said that two crore people will be given jobs every year. The country's economy is heading towards the abyss. We should discuss how people can be happy, money can go into the common man's pockets, and markets can run. And let's discuss about how to bring smiles to people's faces. They are turning the pages of history which neither they nor any political party has the power to change. IANS: What are your views about Rana Sanga? Virendra Singh: As far as I have heard about Rana Sanga, he was a brave warrior and he won all the battles he fought. Rajput society is proud of Rana Sanga but is not proud of Jaichand and as far as I have heard, our MP had also taken the name of Jaichand inside the House but the media did not highlight Jaichand and tried to heat up the atmosphere by talking about Rana Sanga which is not right. IANS: BJP is supporting Rana Sanga and attacking the Samajwadi Party. What will you say? Virendra Singh: When the pages of history are turned back, then those days will also have to be remembered when Chhatrapati Shivaji had to be anointed to make him a king, then people of which community applied tilak with the thumb of the left foot. They did not like to be touched by hands. This is also written in history, should this not be discussed? I am saying that we cannot change anything. Those pages of history are only for the study that which king was what kind, whether we glorify them or create an objectionable environment against them, this is not going to benefit the country. By raising these issues, the Bharatiya Janata Party only tries to spoil the atmosphere so that it can divert people's attention from the real issues. That is why it brings forward such things. IANS: Akhilesh Yadav has also supported Ramji Lal Suman. Will the Rajputs not be angry with your party? Virendra Singh: I had heard so much that our national president had told Ramji Lal Suman that there is no need to dig up the pages of history, he neither supported him nor opposed him. He (Akhilesh Yadav) advised him that we should avoid looking at the pages of history, and what events took place. IANS: Was Maharana Pratap also defeated by Akbar? Virendra Singh: Battles were fought for several hundred years. The Battle of Haldighati is one of the most famous fights. Maharana Pratap liked to eat roti made of grass and did not like to bow before any Muslim ruler. Rajput society is proud of this and nothing else can be said about Maharana Pratap except pride. IANS: Was Babar a kind ruler? Virendra Singh: Those who wrote the history of Babar have written good things about him on some pages but there are many pages in history in which he has been depicted as an invader. It should be left to the historians to decide how much honesty they show while writing history. This can be a matter of debate. It can be a subject of research but it cannot be a subject of discussion. IANS: The head of the mosque committee in Sambhal has been taken into custody by the police. What will you say about this? Virendra Singh: This is law and order. The Bharatiya Janata Party is in power in the state. For what crime did they find evidence, and for what reason did they arrest them, it will be known what is right and what is wrong when they are presented in the court. IANS: If your government comes to power, will the Muslims get their rights? Will their mosque and other properties in Sambhal be returned? Virendra Singh: Our government follows the Constitution, we are not guided by history, we run by the Constitution and our Constitution is everything, Gita is everything, so whenever our government is formed, we will follow the values of the Constitution. KABUL, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The spokesman for the Afghan interim government's Ministry of Interior Affairs Abdul Mateen Qani confirmed that Washington has lifted the reward for acting Minister of Interior Affairs Sirajuddin Haqqani. "The United States of America has lifted a 10 million U.S. dollar reward offer for information leading to the arrest of a major Taliban leader, Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting minister for interior affairs," Afghanistan's national Radio and Television quoted Qani as saying on Sunday. Years ago, Washington accused Sirajuddin Haqqani of organizing deadly attacks against U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan and the U.S.-backed Afghan administration during the 20-year presence of foreign troops in the country and announced a reward for information leading to his arrest. Qani added that the United States also lifted a 5 million dollar reward for Abdul Aziz Haqqani and the same amount of reward for Yahya Haqqani, but did not specify the portfolios of the two in the Afghan interim administration. The removal of the bounties has been announced after the visit of a U.S. delegation to Kabul, which led to the release of a U.S. citizen on Thursday. Vadodara, March 23 : In a crackdown on illegal liquor consumption, the Jarod Police in Gujarat raided an open area near Vadodara's rural belt and arrested seven individuals, including a GRD jawan, for drinking in public. An official said that the operation was carried out based on a tip-off, leading to a late-night raid where the accused were found intoxicated. "A patrolling team received information about a group of individuals consuming alcohol and creating a public disturbance near the Vadodara-Halol service road. Acting swiftly, the officers reached the location and found the group seated in a circle with bottles of alcohol, beer cans, and water bottles around them," he said. He added that the police, in the presence of witnesses, conducted a raid and detained all seven suspects. He said that the arrested individuals were identified as Dhanrajsinh Kanubhai Chauhan (GRD jawan) from Abrampura, Waghodia, along with Pankajkumar Bhikhubhai Parmar, Arpit Sureshbhai Solanki, Ravindrasinh Sureshsinh Padhiar, Kishansinh Dolatsinh Jadav, Karansinh Ajabsinh Parmar, and Vijaysinh Kalidas Rathodia from Vadodara and nearby areas. "During the operation, police seized mobile phones, vehicles, and cash, amounting to a total of Rs 4.06 lakh. The suspects were found to be heavily intoxicated and failed to produce any legal permit for alcohol consumption," the official said. The official said that during questioning, GRD jawan Dhanrajsinh Chauhan admitted that the liquor had been procured from Vijaysinh alias 'China' Kalidas Rathodia, a resident of Asoj. He added that further investigation revealed that the other accused individuals were involved in various professions, including photography, DJ sound system services, and private jobs. "A formal complaint has been registered against all seven individuals at Jarod Police Station, and further legal proceedings are underway," he said. He further added that the police have intensified efforts to track down the bootlegger responsible for supplying the liquor. New Delhi, March 23 : On the eve of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, which is observed every year on March 24, President Droupadi Murmu emphasised the importance of eliminating TB through a united and dedicated effort. In her message, President Murmu praised the National TB Elimination Programme, which is run under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, for raising awareness and involving the public in the fight against the disease. "On the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day, I commend the National Campaign being run by the National TB Elimination Programme under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to build awareness through public participation," President Murmu stated. This year's World TB Day theme, 'Yes, we can end TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver,' highlights the need for a global commitment to ending the infectious disease. President Murmu acknowledged that TB remains a major health challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide, both socially and economically. She noted that India's ongoing efforts under the National TB Elimination Programme have led to a significant decline in TB cases over the past decade. Appreciating this progress, she encouraged all stakeholders to continue working together to achieve the goal of making India TB-free. Just ahead of World Tuberculosis Day, the Health Ministry also emphasised that early diagnosis of TB is crucial for effective treatment. In a social media post, the Ministry urged people to recognise TB symptoms early and get tested if needed. Some common signs of pulmonary TB include a persistent cough for more than two weeks, night sweats, chest pain, shortness of breath, fever in the evening, fatigue, blood in sputum, and weight loss. According to the WHO Global TB Report 2024, India has made significant progress in reducing TB cases. Between 2015 and 2023, TB incidence in the country dropped by 17.7 per cent, which is more than double the global average decline of 8.3 per cent. The number of TB-related deaths has also decreased by 21.4 per cent, from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 22 per lakh in 2023. Surat, March 23 : The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti in collaboration with the Gujarat government launched the 'Jan Bhagidari Se Jal Sanchar' initiative in Mora village, Choryasi taluka in Surat district on Sunday. Under this campaign, 27,300 rainwater harvesting projects will be undertaken as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts of various industrial units and organizations. The e-foundation stone for these projects was laid by Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C.R. Paatil, in a virtual ceremony. The event saw the presence of Member of Parliament Mukesh Dalal, Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, and Minister of State for Forest and Environment Mukeshbhai Patel. Addressing the gathering, Union Minister C.R. Paatil emphasised the significance of rainwater harvesting and water conservation, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Catch the Rain' campaign as a transformative movement. He highlighted that Surat has emerged as a leading district in India in implementing water conservation initiatives through public participation. He further noted that people living in coastal areas are well aware of the critical need for water, and through the Jal Jeevan Mission, piped water is being provided to every household across the nation. The minister further emphasised that Prime Minister Modi's vision has significantly eased the burden of women, who previously had to travel long distances to fetch water. "Under the government's initiatives, women in over five lakh villages have been trained and provided with testing kits to check the quality of drinking water. This has played a vital role in reducing child mortality rates caused by contaminated water," he claimed. He said that as a result of various water conservation schemes, there has been a notable improvement in the health of families across the country. He further stated that earlier, families used to spend an estimated Rs 50,000 annually on medical expenses due to waterborne diseases. "With only 4 per cent of the world's freshwater resources, India must utilise its limited water supply effectively to meet the needs of its 18 per cent population and 18 per cent of the world's livestock," he said. The minister added that currently, 83 per cent of water is used for agriculture, 14 per cent for domestic purposes, and 2.5 per cent for industrial use. "By adopting efficient rainwater harvesting techniques, India is steadily progressing towards ensuring water availability for all," he claimed. Paatil also acknowledged the industrial growth in coastal villages, which was previously dependent on limited agricultural activities. He pointed out that Surat has pioneered rainwater harvesting initiatives, ensuring that water collected in villages and farmlands remains within their respective regions. "The Ministry of Jal Shakti has announced a reward of Rs 2 crore for the top 10 districts in India implementing the highest number of water recharge structures," the minister said. He also claimed that at least 8.55 lakh rainwater harvesting structures had been built across India. "This achievement has been made possible due to the collective efforts of social organisations, industrial units, and voluntary labour contributions. By May 31, 2025, the government aims to complete over 10 lakh rainwater harvesting structures nationwide," he further claimed. New Delhi, March 23 : A plea has been filed before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking direction to the Delhi Police to register an FIR and cause an effective and meaningful investigation into the allegations that a huge pile of burnt cash was discovered at the bungalow of Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court, claimed a Mumbai-based lawyer on Sunday. Questioning the non-registration of FIR on March 14 itself, the day this unaccounted cash was reportedly found after a fire brigade had gone to Justice Varma's residence to douse a fire, the petition said that the delay on the part of the authorities concerned to make available to the public the electronic records leads to the irresistible inference that what was going on was an attempt at a cover-up. "Why no arrests were made, why the money was not seized, why no mahazar prepared, why the criminal law was not put into motion. Why did it take over almost a week for the public to know about the scandal? Justice Varma in his explanation has stated that it is not his money, that he never kept any money, he is fully taken aback by it. Then why did he not report to the police and seek the registration of an FIR of an attempt to falsely implicate him," the petition further said. "The case at hand is an open and shut case. It is a case of holding black money accumulated by selling justice. Even attempting to believe Justice Varma's own version, the question still remains as to why he did not file an FIR. Filing an FIR even belatedly is absolutely necessary to enable the police to enable the police to investigate the conspiracy aspect," contended the plea by advocate Mathews J Nedumpara and others. It said: "In Justice Yashwant Varma's case no FIR has been filed to the knowledge of the petitioners. The public perception is that every effort will be made to cover up the issue, to the extent even the initial statements regarding recovery of money is now being refuted." Further, it sought the declaration that the three-member panel constituted by the SC Collegium has no jurisdiction to conduct an investigation into the incident is void ab initio since it constitutes various cognisable offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Saying that the corruption in the judiciary substantially and directly infringes the fundamental rights enshrined in Part III of the Constitution, the petitioners said that they, as citizens of the country, have every right, unquestionable locus standi, to directly petition the SC. The plea questioned the judgement of a five-judge Constitution Bench in K. Veeraswami v. Union of India case, where it was held that no criminal case should be registered against a judge of the High Court, Chief Justice of a High Court or judge of the Supreme Court unless the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is consulted in the matter. "The said observation of the Court is one rendered per incuriam, in ignorance of law and sub silentio, without noticing that the police is under a statutory duty to register an FIR when it receives information of a cognisable offence, and the said direction of the Court is nothing short of restraining the police from discharging their statutory duty," it said. The plea said that such a direction creates a special class of judges, immune from the penal laws of the land and has stood in the way of an FIR being registered even in an offence involving POCSO. On Friday, CJI Sanjiv Khanna constituted a three-member committee to conduct an inquiry against Justice Varma. "The Chief Justice of India has constituted a three-member Committee consisting of Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab & Haryana, Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, and Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka, for conducting an inquiry into the allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting Judge of the High Court of Delhi," said a press statement released by the SC. It added that the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court for the time being has been asked not to assign any judicial work to Justice Yashwant Varma. Imphal, March 23 : Four militants of the banned United National Liberation Front (P) (UNLF-Pambei) outfit and two members of the radical Meitei group "Arambai Tenggol" were arrested by the Manipur Police after a violent clash between the two groups in Manipur's Imphal East district, the police said on Sunday. Imphal, March 23 (IANS) Four militants of the banned United National Liberation Front (P) (UNLF-Pambei) outfit and two members of the radical Meitei group "Arambai Tenggol" were arrested by the Manipur Police after a violent clash between the two groups in Manipur's Imphal East district, the police said on Sunday. A police officer said that the security forces arrested two Arambai Tenggol (AT) members from Moirangkampu Sajed Awang Leikai areas in connection with the Saturday's clash between AT and UNLF (P) at Kongpal Khong in Imphal East district. The detainees were identified as Kshetrimayum Nikhil Singh (28) and Yumnam Pringanba Singh (23). Raids are ongoing to arrest other accused involved in the Saturday's violent clash in which four UNLF (P) cadres were injured and these four militants have been already apprehended on Saturday. The four injured UNLF (P) cadres are now undergoing medical treatment at a hospital. On Saturday, 15-20 members of AT barged into the residence of a UNLF (P) militant, identified as Irengbam Nandakumar Singh (56), in Kongpal Chingangbam Leikai and attacked insurgents of the Imphal Valley-based outfit leading to serious injury to four cadres of the outfit. Soon after the incident the, the security forces raided an office of AT in Khurai area in in Imphal East district and seized three cars, 15 gm of suspected heroin, eight bulletproof plates, three wireless handsets, an INSAS bayonet, two .303 bayonets, two swords and other incriminating documents. The controversial Meitei radical group Arambai Tenggol had been at the leading role in the ethnic violence between the Meitai and the Kuki-Zo-Hmar since May 2023. Responding to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's appeal for returning looted and illegally held arms, the Arambai Tenggol cadres have returned 246 sophisticated firearms and a huge cache of ammunition and other war-like materials last month in Imphal. Bhopal, March 23 : A horrifying crime of gang-rape shocked the Anuppur district in Madhya Pradesh that occurred in broad daylight when a college student was gang-raped while walking back home from Rajendragram College. The assault, carried out by four assailants, including one minor, has sparked outrage and highlighted a chilling disregard for law and order in the region. Anuppur is approximately 600 km from the state capital Bhopal eastward. "The incident occurred around 6 pm on March 22, as the young woman disembarked from an auto near Cheerband Gate and began walking home on foot on a kacha rasta towards a small settlement. All the rapists were hiding nearby and they suddenly attacked her, dragged her and gang-raped her," Rajendragram police station in-charge Virendra Kumar Barkade told IANS. "The moment this heinous crime came to our attention, we mobilised all resources to ensure justice. The accused were tracked down, medically examined, and brought before the court within a day," he said. The officer added that the minor will be sent to Rewa juvenile protection home as per court orders. "The victim said that she was ambushed near a culvert by Hemraj Singh, alias Koshu, and three accomplices. The attackers silenced her by gagging her with a cloth, dragged her to a secluded spot among roadside eucalyptus trees, and assaulted her. The perpetrators also issued death threats before fleeing the scene," he said. He further added that acting on her complaint the police launched an intensive manhunt and within hours, all four suspects were held. The apprehended individuals have been identified as Hemraj Singh (son of Bhola Singh Marco) 22, Nepal Singh (20), Jitendra Kumar, alias Jeetu (25), and a minor, all residents of Achalpur under the Rajendragram police jurisdiction. "Authorities wasted no time in processing the case. Following medical examinations, the three adult suspects were presented in court on Saturday and remanded to Anuppur district jail. The minor was ordered to be transferred to the Child Protection Home in Rewa. A case has been registered under Sections 87, 70(1), and 351(3) of the BNS," he said. Dylan Barbour / Instagram By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/23/2025 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. An alert has been sounded in the anti-Maoist operations theatre of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand following a "spike" in IED blasts and recoveries, including that of a device rigged with beer bottles and a small antenna for remote control explosion, officials said. IMAGE: Security personnel return from the encounter site after the gunbattle with Maoists in the forest area at Bijapur-Dantewada border, in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, March 20, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo The uptick in improvised explosive device recovery and blasts has been noticed as multiple security forces move into core Maoist areas to meet the Union government's deadline of wiping off Left Wing Extremism from the country by March 2026, the officials said. "To meet this target, the security forces are establishing new forward camps, especially in the remotest districts of Chhattisgarh's Bastar area. The Maoists are no more engaging in one-to-one encounters as they are low on arms and ammunition and hence IEDs are being used in more numbers to kill or maim troops," a senior officer in the security establishment told PTI. A recent analysis of IED incidents shows a "drastic" spike in numbers and hence the forces have been issued a "high alert" to guard against these attacks and their new technology in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand as the TCOC period is nearing, the officer said. The tactical counter-offensive campaign is undertaken by the Maoists in summer months to launch attacks against security forces as forests go dry and trees shed leaves allowing a long range of view to pick up movement of security forces. The analysis report states that during 2020-22, IEDs were being planted by Maoists in a 3-7 km radius of a security camp which are now being found (2023-24) at less than 3 km near CRPF or other forces camps to kill and injure them. There is also a 25 percent rise in these incidents during 2022-24 as compared to 2020-2021, the report said. "This is directly proportional to the establishment of the new forward operating bases in core Maoist areas," a paramilitary force officer said. The anti-Maoist operations grid is particularly "concerned" after the Central Reserve Police Force last week (CRPF) recovered a 5 kg pressure cooker IED from the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. This RCIED (remote controlled IED) was fitted with two empty beer bottles, to inflict grievous glass shard injuries on troops, along with a wire connected small antenna kept under a nearby tree and could be detonated from a distance, officials said. The IED was defused by the CRPF counter-IED team that detected it near the Palnar FOB, they said. The first such RCIED was recovered by the CRPF from under a bridge in Bijapur district in January. It was a 50 kg RCIED hidden under the earth. There are chances that usage of such smart IEDs may increase, officials said. RCIEDs are considered deadly as compared to a pressure-triggered (stepping on it) or command (by joining two wires) IED as it can be detonated from a distance by the Naxals. According to official data, there were a 78 major IED blasts and recoveries in Chhattisgarh leading to killing of eight security personnel in 2024. These figures of major IED incidents have crossed 100 by mid-March in the central Indian state underlining the increased threat as troops work against the deadline of March 2026, officials said. More than 70 FOBs have been opened by the forces in the two states over the last over an year, the maximum being erected by the CRPF as it remains the lead force for anti-Naxal operations. Eight personnel of Chhattisgarh Police DRG and Bastar fighters were killed in an IED blast in Bijapur district when Maoists blew their vehicle in January. A CRPF sub inspector was killed in a similar blast in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district on Saturday. In the same Jharkhand district, CRPF assistant commandant G J Sai and two other personnel were injured in an IED blast on March 5. JAKARTA, March 23 (Xinhua) -- At least six people in a remote area in the eastern province of Papua Highlands reportedly died on Friday in an ambush by armed insurgents, the Indonesian military told local media on Sunday. According to a preliminary report, the incident took place in the district of Aggruk in Yakuhimo region. The Papua Cendrawasih Military Command's spokesman Candra Kurniawan said that the victims were allegedly burned alive inside a school building. "Six teachers were killed in a barbaric and inhumane attack. In this attack, the rebels burned down a school as well as teachers' houses," Kurniawan said. Authorities, he said, have identified four of the victims. One of the identified victims worked as a medical worker in the region. A spokesperson of the National Liberation Army of West Papua (TPNBP) fighters has confirmed to several local media that the attack was carried out by the group, saying that all victims were part of an intelligence unit deployed by the Indonesian security authorities in Yakuhimo region. The Indonesian military and police have frequently been engaged in conflicts with the separatists in Papua, causing casualties from both sides. The TPNBP based in the province has been seeking an independent state through guerrilla wars since decades ago, targeting military and police personnel as well as civilians. In judicial custody for allegedly murdering former Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput, his wife and her lover are having a hard time adjusting to life in jail in Meerut, with prison officials claiming that the duo were experiencing drug withdrawal symptoms. IMAGE: Meerut murder accused Muskan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla being taken to a court in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Photograph: X Muskan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla have been lodged in Chaudhary Charan Singh district jail since March 19 after a court sent the duo to judicial custody for 14 days. The duo wanted to be lodged in the same barrack but they were told that as per rules, it was not possible, the officials said. Muskan has also asked for a government lawyer as her family is upset with her, they added. Jail sources said the duo have been showing signs of extreme distress. "Muskan and Sahil are not able to sleep properly. They are also refusing to eat and drink," a source said. While some speculate that this might be due to remorse, jail officials attribute it to drug withdrawal. Senior jail superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma said, "Both Sahil and Muskan have been taking drugs for a long time. Due to this, they are having problems of restlessness and are not even able to sleep at night." Doctors have prescribed medication to manage their symptoms, and a dedicated team is monitoring their condition, he said. Police investigations have revealed that the two accused consumed drugs and alcohol regularly. The two accused did not have any visitors since their incarceration, another source said. Senior Jail Superintendent Sharma said Muskan has demanded a government lawyer to fight her case. In her application, she has said that since the incident, "my parents are angry with me, no one will fight for me. Therefore, I want a government lawyer who can fight my case in the court". Talking to reporters, Sharma said that Muskan requested to meet him on Saturday. "When I called Muskan, she said that her family members will not fight for her as they are angry with her, and demanded a government lawyer to fight the case," the official said. "If a prisoner demands a government counsel, then it is our duty to provide him/her a lawyer. We have accepted her application and sending it to the court, so that she can be provided a government lawyer. However, Muskan's lover Sahil has not yet demanded a government lawyer," he said. The senior jail superintendent also said that the two accused had sought to stay together in the jail. "But we told them that it is not possible in jail," he said. On kind of work given to them in the jail, Sharma said that no work can be taken from the prisoners for 10 days. "After 10 days, if they want to do any work then we will take a decision." When asked how Muskan and Sahil are behaving inside the jail, the prison official said that everything is slowly getting back to normal. He said that since the duo started taking medicines, their condition has improved a lot, and now they have started thinking about their case as well. Former Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput was drugged and then stabbed to death allegedly by Muskan and Sahil on March 4, his body dismembered and sealed inside a drum with cement. The duo then went on a vacation to Himachal Pradesh, all the while misleading Saurabh's family by sending them messages from his phone. The matter was reported to police on March 18, following which they were arrested. Saurabh and Rajput got married in 2016 against his family's wishes, following a relationship and they had a six-year-old daughter, police said. The Punjab police on Sunday said they busted a narco-terror module with the arrest of four people including a father-son duo and recovered 4 kg of heroin from them. IMAGE: The heroin recovered from the accused in Amritsar, Punjab, March 23, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Director general of police Gaurav Yadav said that the arrested accused were in direct contact with Pakistan-based drug smugglers. An FIR has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at the State Special Operations Cell, Amritsar, he said. "In an intelligence-led operation, Counter Intelligence, Amritsar, busts a narco-terror module and apprehends four persons and recovers 4 kg of heroin from their possession," the DGP posted on X. Those arrested have been identified as Sukhwinder Singh and his son Navjot Singh, both residents of Tarn Taran road in Amritsar; Aniket, a resident of Chheharta in Amritsar; and Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, a resident of village Sheron in Tarn Taran. Meanwhile, a Punjab police statement said the police teams have also impounded a black-coloured auto-rickshaw and a motorcycle, which were being used by the accused for transporting drug consignments. According to the statement, DGP Yadav said that the CI, Amritsar had received reliable inputs that some individuals, who are in direct contact with the Pakistan-based drug smugglers, recently received a drug consignment from Attari area to further supply to local peddlers. Acting swiftly, police teams from CI, Amritsar conducted a raid near Government Hospital in Naraingarh in Amritsar and arrested the four accused and recovered 4kg heroin from their possession, he said. The DGP said preliminary investigations have revealed that the gang was being managed by a foreign-based individual identified as Bhullar. Probe also revealed that accused Sukhwinder and his son Navjot had received 4kg heroin consignment from an unknown person in Rajatal village in Amritsar, of which, they distributed 2kg to Aniket and Gurpreet Singh for further supply. According to the statement, Sukhwinder's another son identified as Harmanjit Singh alias Harry and Aniket's brother identified as Sagar were arrested in a drug-related case by Anti-Narcotic Task Force in SAS Nagar in January 2025 and are currently lodged in the Amritsar jail. Yadav said that their involvement in this smuggling network is also under investigation. The DGP asserted that the Punjab police remains resolute in its commitment to dismantle organised crime and ensure peace and harmony in the state. Further probe is on to uncover deeper connections within this network by establishing backward and forward linkages, he said, while adding that more recoveries and arrests are expected in the coming days. Amid the ongoing debate over the Karnataka government's decision to provide a four percent reservation for Muslims in government contracts, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Sunday asserted that the Constitution does not allow religion-based quota. IMAGE: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and RSS Sarkaryavah (general secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale (right) during the inauguration of Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, in Bengaluru, March 21, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo He also said such reservations go against the architect of our Constitution, BR Ambedkar. Addressing reporters in Bengaluru on the concluding day of Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the highest decision-making body of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Hosabale said, "Religion-based reservation is not accepted in the Constitution authored by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Anybody doing it is going against the wishes of the architect of our Constitution." He also pointed out that previous attempts by erstwhile Undivided Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to introduce religion-based reservations for Muslims were set aside by the high courts and Supreme Court. Hosabale emphasised that the courts have rejected provisions for such quota. Responding to a query about the controversy over 17th century Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's grave in Maharashtra, Hosabale remarked that Aurangzeb was made an icon and not his brother Dara Shikoh, who believed in social harmony. People who went against the ethos of India were made icons, he said. Hosabale lauded figures like Rajput king Maharana Pratap for resisting Mughal emperor Akbar and said those who resisted invaders were also "freedom fighters". The RSS leader claimed that people with an "invader mindset" pose a threat to India. "We should stand with those who are with the Indian ethos," he added. Asked if the RSS believed that it should convey its views to the Centre on certain matters, Hosabale said there is no necessity as everything was running smoothly. "Sangh does not tell the government on a day-to-day basis about things to be done but whenever people raise certain issues, RSS workers working in different fields in various organisations drawing inspiration from RSS convey it. We have a mechanism where such things are discussed," the RSS general secretary said. Noting that the present situation did not require an evaluation of the Centre's performance, the RSS leader said people have already assessed the government's work. To a question if the RSS considered the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya as its achievement, he said the shrine was not solely an achievement of the Sangh, but the Hindu society as a whole. He also emphasised that the RSS has maintained that identifying as 'Hindu' is not a matter of shame. Instead, it has become a source of pride for many. "Being a Hindu is not just a religious identity, but a nationalistic, spiritual and civilisational expression," Hosabale said. He acknowledged the challenges in organising and awakening the Hindu society, which the RSS has achieved. The RSS leader, however, admitted that the society requires many corrections. According to Hosabale, while a vibrant Hindu society is emerging, much remains to be done. He also stressed the need for internal reflection and continued efforts for improvement. "For example, issues of untouchability or the approach of a large section of men towards women folk, all these things are not up to the mark. All these things are yet to be achieved," Hosabale observed. On the issue of eradication of casteism, he opined that Sangh Shakhas are ideal platforms for addressing it and highlighted that many inter-caste marriages have taken place between Sangh cadets. To a query on the appointment of a new BJP national president, the RSS general secretary said the Sangh does not interfere in the party's internal matters. Commenting on the Sangh's idea of 'One Nation, One Culture', Hosabale said it draws inspiration from India's rich cultural heritage and ethos. "A person who tried to destroy this country and its cultural identity will remain an outsider. Anyone in India who tries to present a distorted narrative should be challenged," he said. He further said decolonisation of mind is a continuous struggle, that Sangh is committed to pursuing. Shahi Jama Masjid management committee president Zafar Ali was arrested on Sunday after being questioned in connection with the November 24 violence during a protest against a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era mosque. IMAGE: An aerial view of the devotees offering prayers (namaaz) on the occasion of second Jumma of Ramzan, at Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, March 15, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Superintendent of police Krishan Kumar Bishnoi told reporters, "Today, Jama Masjid's Zafar Ali has been arrested and sent to jail. He was also detained and questioned late last night before being released." "He was called again for questioning today. He was arrested after questioning," he added. A case has been registered against Ali under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 191(2) and 191(3) (rioting), 190 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc), 230 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence) and 231 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment). He has also been booked under provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. The district and the police administration are on high alert following Ali's arrest. Bishnoi, circle officer (Sambhal) Anuj Chaudhary and Subdivisional Magistrate Vandana Mishra led a foot march with a police contingent. Police personnel have been deployed in several areas, including the Shahi Jama Masjid, and surveillance is also being conducted through drones to maintain peace. Ali was earlier taken into custody by the local police's special investigation team (SIT) to record his statement in connection with the case. His brother, however, alleged that Ali was arrested to prevent him from submitting his testimony before a three-member judicial commission on Monday. The Uttar Pradesh government set up the panel to investigate the violence in which four people were killed and several injured during protests over the survey. The Mughal-era mosque has been at the centre of a major row after a petition claimed that it was the site of an ancient Hindu temple. Bishnoi earlier told PTI that Ali had been arrested in connection with the violence without elaborating further. Earlier in the day, when PTI reached out to Sambhal Kotwali in-charge Anuj Kumar Tomar to ask if Ali had been arrested, he said the mosque management committee president was taken into SIT custody to record his statement. He had confirmed that the detention was related to the November 24 violence. Ali's elder brother Tahir Ali alleged that the police "deliberately" sent his brother to jail before the judicial panel could record his testimony. "Around 11:15 am, an inspector and the investigating officer came to our house, saying Circle Officer (Asmoli) Kuldeep Singh wanted to talk. He had spoken with us last night as well. Zafar (Ali) was supposed to testify before the commission tomorrow (Monday) and that is why they are deliberately sending him to jail," Tahir Ali told reporters. "Zafar (Ali) has already given his statement in a press conference and he will not retract it. He had clearly said that the police fired shots, and those who died were killed by police bullets," he added. Asked what Ali had said before being taken away, Tahir Ali told the reporters, "He said, 'No problem, I am ready to go to jail. I will not back down from the truth!'." Questioned on allegations of funding being received from external sources for the violence, Tahir Ali said, "Not a single penny has been received. We will fight this case in court and emerge victorious." He also accused the Sambhal administration of deliberately inciting unrest. "The authorities do not want the tension to ease. We are trying to restore peace but all police officers and senior officials here are provoking further discord." Ali, mosque management committee secretary Masood Farooqui, and advocate and local resident Qasim were scheduled to submit their testimony before the judicial commission on Monday, Tahir Ali said. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam on Sunday claimed the involvement of individuals with links to Bangladesh in the recent violence in Nagpur. IMAGE: People look at the charred remains of vehicles after violence erupted in Nagpur on March 17, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Nirupam also claimed the violence was "pre-meditated" and was part of a larger conspiracy. The violence erupted in Maharashtra's Nagpur city on March 17, after rumours spread that a chadar with religious inscriptions had been burnt during protests led by the Vishva Hindu Parishad demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The clashes resulted in widespread stone-pelting and arson across several parts of the city, leaving 33 police personnel, including three Deputy Commissioner of Police-rank officers, injured. "The involvement of miscreants in the Nagpur violence can be traced to Bangladesh," Nirupam claimed. He also alleged that one of the individuals arrested in connection with the unrest was using social media to fund "Mujahideen activities". Criticising the opposition Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray for its perceived alignment with groups he deemed as instigators of the violence, Nirupam asked, "Is the Sena-UBT aligning itself with the Mujahideen? Are the Thackerays and (Sanjay) Raut supporting them?" This will not be accepted in Maharashtra, the leader of the ruling ally Shiv Sena asserted. Nirupam further expressed concerns about the broader implications of the stance of the Shiv Sena (UBT), suggesting the Uddhav Thackeray-led party has shifted to an "anti-Hindu" position. "Matoshree (Uddhav Thackeray's residence in Mumbai) will soon have a photo of Aurangzeb near the picture of (Shiv Sena founder) Balasaheb Thackeray and Shivaji Maharaj," he claimed, highlighting his disapproval of the opposition party's current leadership and its political strategies. Nirupam condemned actions of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and urged strong measures against those involved in similar activities (like violence in Nagpur). "No one in the state henceforth should indulge in such an activity," he added. On Saturday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said it was too early to comment on a foreign or Bangladeshi link to the Nagpur violence as the probe was underway. Fadnavis said 104 individuals have been identified so far, following an analysis of CCTV footage and video recordings. Action has been initiated against 92 persons, including 12 minors, as per the law. Curfew has been lifted in Nagpur as the situation in the city is completely peaceful, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday. IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis being welcomed by actor Aamir Khan and producer Kiran Rao as he arrives to attend the 'Satyamev Jayate Farmer Cup Award 2024' ceremony, in Pune, March 23, 2025 . Photograph: ANI Photo The CM was speaking to the media in the Pimpri Chinchwad area of Pune where he attended an event organised by the non-profit Paani Foundation. The situation in Nagpur is completely peaceful. There is no tension anywhere. People of all religions are living together peacefully. Hence, the curfew has been lifted," said Fadnavis, who is a legislator from the city. Officials said earlier in the day that curfew had been lifted from the remaining four areas of Nagpur, six days after violence rocked the city. Following the violence on March 17, curfew was imposed in Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shanti Nagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imambada, Yashodhara Nagar and Kapil Nagar police station areas. Mobs went on a rampage in central Nagpur on Monday night amid rumours that a 'chadar' with holy inscriptions was burnt during protests led by VHP and Bajrang Dal demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Curfew was lifted from localities within the jurisdictions of Nandanvan and Kapil Nagar police stations on March 20, and from Pachpaoli, Shanti Nagar, Lakadganj, Sakkardara and Imambada on March 22. Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal on Sunday ordered the lifting of curfew in the remaining Kotwali, Tehsil, Ganeshpeth and Yashodhara Nagar police station areas from 3 pm. Patrolling will continue in sensitive areas along with the deployment of local police, an official said. Large-scale stone pelting and arson were reported in several parts of Nagpur on March 17 after baseless rumours were spread mischievously claiming that a chadar' with holy inscriptions was burned during the VHP protests, according to the authorities. Thirty-three police personnel, including three Deputy Commissioner of Police-rank officers, were injured in the violence. The police have arrested more than 100 persons in connection with the violence. Fadnavis had said on Saturday that the government would recover the cost of property damaged during the Nagpur violence from rioters and roll bulldozer if necessary. He said if the perpetrators of violence failed to compensate, their properties would be seized and sold to recover the losses. The CM emphasised that strict action would be taken against those who attacked police officers during the unrest. After the director of a private hospital was shot dead inside her cabin a day ago, the father of the deceased demanded a high-level inquiry into the case, alleging a conspiracy in her death. IMAGE: Rajesh Sinha, father of Asia Hospital director Surbhi Raj who was shot dead, speaking to media persons in Patna, March 23, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Speaking to ANI, Rajesh Sinha, father of the slain Asia Hospital director, said, "I saw her only in the ICU. I do not know what has happened. I don't know if she has been shot. I came to know only later that she was shot. She had no dispute with anyone...I demand that the matter be investigated. There should be a high-level inquiry. There should be a CBI inquiry. There seems to be a conspiracy..." Director of the private Asia Hospital, Surbhi Raj was shot dead, informed SDPO Patna City, Atulesh Jha on Saturday. The victim was diagnosed with several gunshot injuries, after which she was referred to AIIMS, where she succumbed to her injuries. The police received information about the incident at around 3.30 pm on Saturday when some staff went to her room and found her in an unconscious state. An investigation has been initiated into the matter. "At 3:30 in the evening, we got information that Surbhi Raj, the director of Asia Hospital, had been shot. When the police team reached there, they were told that when some staff went to the director's room, they found her unconscious and covered in blood. She was shifted to the ICU, where she was diagnosed with multiple gunshot injuries, and from there, she was referred to AIIMS. Right now, the news of her death has come. The police team is collecting evidence from all angles. Investigation is underway", Atulesh Jha said to ANI on Saturday. Further details are awaited. BRATTLEBORO Feedback is pouring in for Select Board members looking for a path to get the town budget passed. People look on as a member of the local fire brigade spins a car during a safety demonstration in Warsaw, Poland, on March 22, 2025. This event is part of the "Road Safety Month" campaign recently launched by the Warsaw city government. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/Xinhua) People look on as a member of the local fire brigade spins a car during a safety demonstration in Warsaw, Poland, on March 22, 2025. This event is part of the "Road Safety Month" campaign recently launched by the Warsaw city government. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/Xinhua) For over three years, Syed Abdul Samad Muzoon, a middle-aged former Afghan security official, has lived with his wife and their teenage daughter in Pakistan to pursue immigration to the United States. During Washingtons nearly two-decade-long war in Afghanistan, he worked for the Afghan security forces in sensitive roles, he said, helping the US war effort. Yet, there is still no clarity on whether they will ever be able to make a fresh start in the United States because of new curbs on immigration. In January, hundreds of Afghans cleared for resettlement in the United States were prevented from traveling to the country after President Donald Trump immediately suspended Washingtons refugee program and foreign aid after assuming office on January 20. On February 18, Reuters reported that the State Department's program to manage Afghan resettlement in the United States will be shut down in April. Media reports suggest that the Trump administration could impose a new travel ban to bar the entry of people from Afghanistan and Pakistan, which would close all pathways for Afghans to move to the United States. The State Department, however, disputes this. There is no list, Tammy Bruce, its spokesperson, told journalists on March 17. Trump has been elected twice on an anti-immigration platform. In a Gallup poll from 2024, a majority of Americans (55 percent) said that they believed there should be less immigration to the United States. Since the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, Washington has helped some 200,000 Afghans resettle. But Muzoon and many more Afghans might never have a chance to begin a new life in the United States. Tens of thousands of them have been living in Pakistan, Qatar, Albania, and other countries for years as they wait for a final decision on their refugee and immigration cases. Fearing retribution by the Taliban, many are fearful of returning to Afghanistan. 'Extreme Predicament' Advocacy groups estimate that up to 200,000 more Afghans may be eligible for US immigration. Meanwhile, after reviewing government documents, CBS reported that more than 40,000 Afghans who have already been cleared to leave the country are now stranded. I and other Afghan refugees here are in an extreme predicament, Muzoon said. Since late 2023, Pakistan has expelled more than 800,000 Afghans, and in the capital, Islamabad, Afghans face constant harassment and police brutality. Muzoon and 20,000 more Afghans in Islamabad now fear repatriation to Afghanistan after the Pakistani government announced it would forcefully deport some 1.5 million documented and undocumented Afghans if they fail to leave by the end of this month. I am suffering from the uncertainty and the seemingly endless wait for our cases, he said. Muzoon said threats to his life and family prompted him to flee Afghanistan soon after the Taliban seized the Afghan capital, Kabul, on August 15, 2021, as it toppled the pro-western Afghan republic. He is among more than half a million Afghans, mostly educated professionals and officials who were integral to running the Afghan republic, who fled the Talibans takeover. Most feared being persecuted for working with the US-led international forces in Afghanistan. Others were senior officials in the Afghan government or worked in the civil society sector. Three years on, those still waiting for a decision on their US immigration are stuck. We are living in extreme despair, said Maiwand Alami Afghan. He leads an informal association of Afghan refugees in Islamabad. 'Hanging By A Thread' He said most families in Islamabad sold their properties and belongings in Afghanistan, but that money is now running out. Most of us are hanging by a thread, he said. Afghan said he had worked for US-funded development projects, which, he fears, makes it impossible for him to return to Afghanistan because the Taliban have persecuted some Afghans associated with the US presence in the country. We will still be refugees in our own country, because we dont have a house, job, or any prospects to earn a livelihood, he said. Washington, however, does not look like it will be welcoming any more migrants. During his election campaign, President Trump promised stricter controls on immigration. In his speech to Congress on March 4, Trump said his administration has launched the most sweeping border and immigration crackdown in American history. Steps taken by Trump after taking office have effectively blocked or suspended the two primary routes for Afghans to immigrate to the United States. Under the Special Immigration Visa (SIV), Afghans who worked directly for the US government, such as embassy staff or translators for its forces, qualify for relocation. Afghans granted visas under this program can still relocate to the US without financial assistance from Washington, according to Afghans seeking relocation under the program. Those who have assisted us and worked with us, thats been a policy and a dynamic that weve worked on from certainly even the previous administration, working to try to get that happening, said Bruce, the State Department spokesperson. The refugee program, which enabled former Afghan government officials, lawmakers, and civil society figures to immigrate to the US, is suspended for the next couple of months. However, the suspension of the State Department's Afghan resettlement program has rattled Americans involved in or supporting the initiative. Right now, there's a lot of uncertainty, said Shawn VanDiver, head of the Afghan Evacuation Association, a coalition of US veterans and advocacy groups that support Afghan resettlement. 'Nothing But Problems And Worries' VanDiver is now lobbying the US Congress to remove the complete stop Trumps executive orders have put on Afghan resettlement. He says that Congress had authorized Afghan resettlement through December 2027. President Trump needs to listen to the voices, he said, pointing to the bipartisan support in Congress, veterans and service members, who want the immigration of Afghans to continue. In a statement on March 18, the Afghan Evacuation Association said the ambiguity surrounding the immigration of Afghans is unnecessary and cruel. It called on Washington to provide clear and unequivocal answers to its wartime Afghan allies. In media statements and letters, scores of lawmakers have urged President Trump to fully restore humanitarian and refugee protections for our Afghan allies. Several courts across the United States are hearing cases regarding refugee and foreign aid suspensions. Some have issued injunctions against Trumps executive orders. A State Department spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, At this time, no decisions have been made about its Afghan relocation program. The spokesman said the department is considering the future of its Afghan relocation program, officially called Enduring Welcome and the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE). The spokesperson noted that it continues to provide life-sustaining support to Afghan allies and partners previously relocated to our overseas case-processing platforms. In Islamabad, Muzoon has little understanding of how his future will unfold amid the domestic US wrangling over the fate of Afghans seeking immigration to the country. He hopes to avoid being deported back to Afghanistan. He wants to move to the United States to send his daughter to school, treat his wifes depression, and seek some treatment for his heart ailment. I have nothing but problems and worries, he said. A Turkish court has ordered Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu jailed pending trial on graft charges, local media reported -- a move that is likely to intensify the largest wave of protests against President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government in over a decade. The move comes as Imamoglu was expected to be selected as the opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) 2028 presidential candidate in a ballot on March 23. The courts decision on March 23 to formally charge and incarcerate Imamoglu, widely seen as Erdogans main political rival, follows days of mounting criticism from Turkeys main opposition party, European leaders, and tens of thousands of protesters who say the actions against him are politically motivated and undemocratic. Imamoglu, 54, and at least 20 others were jailed as part of one of two corruption investigations launched against him last week, according to the court. In a separate terror-related case involving alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the court opted to release Imamoglu under judicial supervision, a decision which could prevent the government from appointing a trustee to oversee Istanbuls municipal leadership. The mayor -- who is a member of the CHP, the main opposition against Erdogan's ruling alliance -- has denied all the allegations against him, describing them as unimaginable accusations and slanders. The decision to jail Imamoglu on March 23 came a day after thousands of his supporters protested in front of the citys courthouse where he was undergoing hours of questioning over the allegations of corruption and links to terror groups. Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency says the Istanbul mayor is among nearly 100 people, including businessmen and journalists, for whom arrest warrants have been issued. The charges run the gamut from leading a criminal organization and extortion to bribery and illegally accessing personal data. The arrest of Imamoglu and others has further intensified political tensions and sparked protests across Turkey, with demonstrators rallying in several cities to express support for him. Police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse protesters on March 22 as the crowd in Istanbul tossed firecrackers and other objects at security personnel. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote on social media that more than 340 people had been detained in protests in major cities. There will be no tolerance for those who seek to violate societal order, threaten the peoples peace and security, and pursue chaos and provocation, he said, naming the cities, which included Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Antalya, Canakkale, Eskisehir, Konya, and Edirne. However, Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, who is also a member of the CHP, told reporters on March 23 that jailing his colleague was a disgrace for the judicial system. Ozgur Ozel, chairman of the CHP, slammed Imamoglu's detention as an "attempted coup against our next president." Several European countries have voiced concern over the developments in Istanbul, saying they feared the consequences for 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. Many critics have said the arrest is driven by political calculations and that it is an attempt to remove a popular opposition figure and challenger to Erdogan in the next presidential race. The government rejects the accusations that legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated, insisting that the country's courts are independent entities. Imamoglu tops Erdogan in some opinion polls. The next election is technically scheduled for 2028. However, Erdogan has reached his two-term limit as president after having earlier served as the country's prime minister. If he seeks to run again, as expected, he must either call an early election or change the constitution. With reporting by AP and Reuters The US could have boots on the ground in Ukraine -- though not in the way many might expect. During a recent phone call between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where Ukraine agreed to pause attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure for 30 days, the idea emerged of establishing a US presence at Ukrainian nuclear power plants. Zelenskyy said that in the conversation with Trump, he discussed the possibility of US assistance in restoring Zaporizhzhya, Europe's largest nuclear power station, which has been under Russian occupation since March 2022. "I said that just de-occupying [Zaporizhzhya] is not enough, because there must be infrastructure there: water supply, technical personnel, and many more steps so that [in the future] the station starts bringing money and electricity to people," Zelenskyy said about the phone call. According to a White House readout of the March 19 call, Trump told Zelenskyy that US ownership of Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants "would be the best protection for that infrastructure." Plan For US Nuclear Staff In Ukraine Experts who spoke to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service cautiously welcomed the proposal, saying it would be a strong security guarantee and a step in the right direction for Ukraine's nuclear power to shift from Russia to the West. "I believe that if Mr. Trump made such a proposal, Ukraine should not refuse, but should agree to it, with certain conditions," said Volodymyr Omelchenko, energy program director at the Razumkov Center, a Kyiv-based think tank. Those conditions, he suggested, would include guaranteeing complete Ukrainian control and ensuring Enerhoatom, the state-owned nuclear power enterprise, remains the sole operator. "No one else knows the specifics of the [Zaporizhzhya power plant], except for Ukrainian specialists, since each nuclear unit has its own individual specifics," Omelchenko said. Ukraine has 15 operable reactors across four nuclear plants -- one of which, the Zaporizhzhya plant, is occupied by Russia. Two reactors are officially under construction but no active work has been reported in more than 30 years, according to the 2024 World Nuclear Industry Status Report. Of the 15 nuclear reactors, 12 are Soviet-era reactors connected to the grid before Ukraine gained independence in 1991. The country's Soviet-era nuclear fleet provides over half of the country's energy. Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plants Under Fire The situation in Ukraine is unprecedented. Active war has never been fought in a nation with multiple nuclear power plants. In addition to the occupation of Zaporizhzhya, Russian drones have buzzed uncomfortably close to the Khmelnytskiy nuclear plant in western Ukraine. Missiles and drones have flown close to the Rivne plant in western Ukraine. And, in February, a Russian drone struck the shelter covering the ruins of Chernobyl's destroyed reactor. "The presence of American business, American interests there, will be a kind of security guarantee," said political expert Igor Reuterovich. While Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian infrastructure, the presence of American personnel on the ground would be seen as a potential red line that Moscow would be hesitant to cross. In recent years, Ukraine has been trying to reduce its dependency on Russian nuclear technology. An agreement between global nuclear giant Westinghouse and Enerhoatom was signed in June 2022, guaranteeing that the company would provide all the nuclear fuel for Ukraine's reactors, breaking the monopoly Russia once held. There are also plans under way to build new reactors using US technology at the Khmelnytskiy nuclear power plant. "It is clear that there is a guarantee of safety here, but also an interest in important investments, cooperation with Westinghouse and other American companies, [and the] supply of equipment.... There are many positives in involving Americans," Omelchenko said. Concerns About US Presence In Ukraine The devil, of course, is in the details. In a March 20 CNN article, Western experts poured cold water on the idea of the US running Ukrainian nuclear plants. Of concern was maintaining a stable power supply and sufficient water for cooling amid ongoing attacks on infrastructure. And in practical terms, the experts said, Western nuclear technicians lacked experience working with the Soviet-designed VVER reactors used in Ukraine. There has also been a discrepancy regarding what exactly was discussed between Trump and Zelenskyy in their March 19 phone call. According to the Ukrainian president, the two leaders' discussion focused exclusively on the Zaporizhzhya plant. The White House statement, however, mentions "plants" in the plural --not just Zaporizhzhya. While Zelenskyy is eager for US help, he is committed to preserving Ukraines sovereignty, especially in a sector so closely tied to national security. In the phone call with Trump, he stated clearly that "all nuclear power plants in Ukraine are owned by the Ukrainian people." One possible compromise that experts have suggested would be putting Americans on the supervisory boards of nuclear plants or even Enerhoatom itself -- a move that would provide influence and security without transferring ownership. For others, US involvement would not be enough to remedy the situation. "There can only be one way to return Zaporizhzhya [to Ukraine]" said political expert Vadym Denysenko, and that's "if Russian troops leave [the nearby city of] Enerhodar...and this territory in general. I don't see any other options." Chernobyl, the site of the infamous nuclear catastrophe in 1986, shows the limitations of an international presence. Even with significant international funding and a high global profile, the nonoperational Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant still became a target during the conflict. That occurred on the night of February 14, when a Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead hit the vast shelter that stops radiation from escaping from the destroyed fourth reactor. "If American specialists...come to Ukrainian energy facilities and stay there, then of course there will be less chance that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin will shoot at these facilities," Serhiy Taran, a Ukrainian political scientist, told RFE/RL. "They should hire security personnel," though, added Taran, "and it would be desirable that this security personnel be armed with air defense systems." Get new posts by email: Subscribe A County Roscommon priest who has been serving in the parish of Castlerea since he was ordained back in 2023 is to become the new administrator of St. Marys Cathedral Parish, Sligo. Fr. Chris Garretts appointment will take effect from May 1st. He was ordained to the priesthood by the Bishop of Elphin, Most Reverend Kevin Doran in Sligo Cathedral in May of 2023. He was ordained a deacon in Castlerea in September of 2022 and has been ministering alongside Fr. John McManus and Fr. Kevin Reynolds in the parish since. Fr. Garrett, the nephew of former Bishop of Elphin, the late Dr. Christy Jones, was a highly regarded oncologist before deciding to enter the priesthood. His decision to embark on the journey to the priesthood did not come as some bolt from the blue for the San Francisco native. Rather, it was a slow burner, he said previously in an interview with the Roscommon Herald. Although born and raised in the US, his links with Ireland and County Roscommon remained very strong throughout his life. He travelled to Ireland to attend boarding school at the age of 13 and thoroughly enjoyed his time there. He completed his secondary school studies at St Andrews College, Booterstown, and his university education at University College, Dublin where he studied medicine. In 1991, he left Ireland to train in oncology in the United States. After three years of Haematology and Oncology house officer training in Dublin, he completed his subspecialty training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He practiced academic medical oncology and clinical research for 28 years in the United States, and was as Professor of Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre (Houston, Texas). In 2012 he received a licentiate in bioethics from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum (Rome). While working in Houston, he was active in Church life there. In his homily at the ordination, Bishop Doran said that he was delighted Chris chose to offer himself for service in the diocese and thanked in particular his family who had supported him on his journey of faith. During his homily, the Bishop expressed concern on the falling number of vocations to the priesthood. He added: While the call to mission is part of the Sacrament of Confirmation, the discernment of a vocation to priesthood, as we can clearly see in the life of Chris, is not just for teenagers. Increasingly, it is men in their twenties and thirties who come to seminary, bringing with them a very diverse experience of life and of Church. You may receive a call at any time. You may even have a missed call from God. Call him back - or call me, if you wish - and I will try and connect you, said Bishop Doran. CBI Wraps Up Sushant Singh Rajput Death Case While the court weighs the closure report, many are hoping this will provide closure to the victims of the incident. CBI Wraps Up Sushant Singh Rajput Death Case: Rhea Chakraborty's Lawyer Expresses Gratitude to the Agency, latest news: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has finally wrapped up its investigation into the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, terming it a case of suicide and ruling out all suspicions of foul play. The report, filed before a special court in Mumbai, puts an end to speculation over the actor's death for years. Rhea Chakraborty, Rajput's ex-girlfriend, and her family members have been acquitted of all charges, including poisoning, strangulation, and financial impropriety. In a press release, her lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, thanked the CBI for investigating the case from all sides. He condemned the "false narrative" created by social and electronic media, which had brought untold suffering to his client and her family. Advertisement "Rhea Chakraborty was subjected to untold hardships and spent 27 days in jail before getting bail," Maneshinde said, pointing out the ordeal of the actress in the media trial. The case, which was initiated in June 2020 with a complaint lodged by Rajput's father, K.K. Singh, for abetment of suicide, became a complicated inquiry with the involvement of several agencies. Forensic experts at AIIMS gave the CBI a definitive medico-legal opinion, dismissing the charges of poisoning and strangulation. The CBI probe also probed charges of financial misappropriation, and in the end, found nothing to substantiate these allegations. The report of the closure has been filed in the special court, which will now determine whether to accept the results or ask for additional inquiry. For most, the end of this high-profile case represents the closing of a chapter full of controversy, rumors, and public controversy. Advertisement Rhea Chakraborty and her family members, who went through long legal and media harassment, are now proved right. Maneshinde called for some introspection among the media houses, underlining the importance of avoiding trial by media without justification in the future. The case, which gripped the country during the pandemic, is a sobering reminder of the dilemma of balancing investigative processes and public debate. While the court weighs the closure report, many are hoping this will provide closure to the victims of the incident. (For more news, apart from the news of CBI Wraps Up Sushant Singh Rajput Death Case: Rhea Chakraborty's Lawyer Expresses Gratitude to the Agency, stay tune to Rozana Spokesman) Farmer Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal Dallewal's hunger strike entered its 118th day on Sunday. Farmer Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal Secretly Shifted to Patiala Hospital after Detention, latest news: Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was detained by the police on March 19, has been confidentially shifted to a private hospital in Patiala. Earlier, after his detention, he was reportedly kept under tight security at the PWD rest house in Jalandhar Cantonment. Advertisement According to a report published in The Tribune, the government decided late on Saturday evening to shift Dallewal to a private hospital in Patiala. It is also reported that the administrative affairs of this hospital are managed by a former Punjab Police officer, who took charge after his retirement. Additionally, Dallewal's relocation to Patiala, which was the epicenter of the farmers' agitation, has come as a surprise. Dallewal's hunger strike entered its 118th day on Sunday, and his transfer to a private hospital has also surprised union members, who are now confident that they can reach their leader. Advertisement On Sunday, Dallewal's hunger strike reached its 118th day, and his relocation to a private hospital has taken union members by surprise, boosting their confidence that they will be able to access their leader. On March 19, 2025, Punjab Police detained Jagjit Singh Dallewal and other farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher, in Mohali. They were on their way to protest sites at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders after holding discussions with central officials in Chandigarh. Following their detention, Punjab Police cleared the Shambhu border, dismantling temporary structures set up by protesting farmers. This led to clashes between farmers and security forces. Advertisement Dallewal was reportedly initially taken to the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Jalandhar around 2 AM on March 20. Later, he was moved to another hospital under heavy security. A habeas corpus petition was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging Dallewal's alleged illegal detention. The court has since sought a response from the Punjab government regarding his custody. As of March 23, 2025, the Shambhu border remains open to traffic, following the removal of protest sites on March 19. This move has been welcomed by the industrial sector, which had been negatively impacted by the prolonged blockade. Advertisement However, tensions have escalated once again after the crackdown. Farmer unions have called for statewide protests on March 23 and 24, demanding the immediate release of detained farmers and compensation for damages caused during the clearance operation. Georgia Legislate Punjabi Language as House Resolution 430 Passed on March 22, 2025, the resolution speaks to Georgia's dedication to accepting its diverse citizenry and honoring cultural heritage. Georgia Legislate Punjabi Language as House Resolution 430 latest news today: In a first, the Georgia State Assembly has passed House Resolution 430 unanimously, officially declaring the recognition of the Punjabi language and paying tribute to the valuable contributions of the Sikh and Punjabi communities in the state. This is the first legislative recognition of Punjabi by any U.S. state, hailing the importance of the language on a cultural and international level. Passed on March 22, 2025, the resolution speaks to Georgia's dedication to accepting its diverse citizenry and honoring cultural heritage. Surinder Singh Lalli, a leading Atlanta businessman and president of the Sikh American Society of Georgia, called the recognition landmark. "This moment of pride is an indicator of the increasing power of our community," said Lalli, thanking the legislators and advocates who made it happen. Advertisement Punjabi, which is spoken by more than 600 million people worldwide, is the 9th most spoken language in the world. It originated from the Indian and Pakistani state of Punjab and is enhanced by its two-script tradition: Gurmukhi in India and Shahmukhi in Pakistan. With flourishing diaspora communities in Canada, the UK, Australia, and the U.S., Punjabi has increased in cultural importance, spread through music, literature, and religious traditions. Georgia's action follows the same recognitions across the globe, as Punjabi is one of the most widely spoken languages in Canada and the UK. The passage of House Resolution 430 is not just symbolicit is likely to enhance community visibility and encourage cultural preservation. Supporters hope this will result in Punjabi language courses in Georgia schools, which will lead to greater understanding of South Asian heritage among future generations. The Sikh and Punjabi communities have been a part of Georgia's economy and social fabric through their contributions to business, philanthropy, and cultural activities. Advertisement "This is a move towards inclusiveness," said a representative of the Sikh American Society of Georgia. "It serves to highlight that our language and culture are being valued." Georgia's decision may inspire other U.S. states to follow suit, enhancing Punjabis status on a national level. As the language continues to flourish globally, this recognition in Georgia marks a pivotal moment, bridging cultural gaps and celebrating the contributions of diaspora communities to the United States. For the time being, Punjabi-speaking citizens and friends in Georgia mark this milestone as a declaration of their persistent legacy and resilient presence in the state and around the world. Advertisement (For More News Apart Georgia Legislate Punjabi Language as House Resolution 430 stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) MOSCOW, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday that achieving a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains a complex challenge requiring substantial efforts, emphasizing that negotiations are still in their early stages. "I want to remind you that President (Vladimir) Putin certainly supports the idea of a ceasefire ... This is a very complex matter and a lot of work remains to be done. We are only at the beginning of this path," Peskov told local media. He underscored that Western nations are unlikely to swiftly lift sanctions against Russia, urging the country to pursue development under the current constraints. Despite geopolitical tensions, Peskov said that Moscow and Washington should not allow disagreements to derail mutually beneficial cooperation. "We can disagree on something, but it does not mean that we should let it obstruct pragmatic cooperation," he added. U.S. President Donald Trump has recently talked with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts respectively to negotiate a ceasefire. March 23, 2025 UPDATE 2 Click here for the latest news from RRI Newsflash Newsroom, 23.03.2025, 19:21 Price cap The emergency ordinance on the extension of the energy price cap scheme will enter the debate of the Romanian Senate on Monday, as the first chamber notified. The document drafted by the Government provides for the extension of the price cap for natural gas until March 31, 2026, and for electricity until the end of June this year. Also in the Senate, discussions will begin on the bill on the protection of people who buy apartments under construction, drafted to avoid cases of real estate fraud such as the one in which the former head of the Legal Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, Laura Vicol (PSD, in the governing coalition), was involved. On the other hand, on Tuesday, Parliament will meet in a joint plenary session to amend the statute of senators and deputies, so that unexcused absences of elected officials will be sanctioned with the withholding of 5% of the gross monthly allowance, currently the sanction being only 1%. The decision comes after representatives of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) and the Party of Young People (POT) (the nationalist opposition) went on a parliamentary strike, but nevertheless signed the attendance agreement to continue being paid. Visa The Romanian authorities insist that they have not received any official information from Washington regarding a possible postponement of the date on which Romania will effectively enter the Visa Waiver Program. Romania was included at the beginning of the year on the list of countries whose citizens will no longer need a visa to travel to the United States, starting with the end of this month. The Romanian Interior Minister, Catalin Predoiu, says that the Romanian authorities are technically prepared and that there is permanent communication with the American side. Radio Romanias correspondent in the United States notes that there would be objective conditions for a possible delay, given the restructuring and massive staff cuts decided by the Republican administration, led by President Donald Trump, within the federal government, including among employees of the Department of Homeland Security, which has the mission to apply Romanias accession to the program. Meeting Romanias interim president, Ilie Bolojan, will participate, next week, on Thursday, in the meeting of the heads of state and government of the countries that decided to take part in the so-called coalition of the willing on the security of neighboring Ukraine, invaded by the Russian troops, the presidential administration informed on Sunday. The meeting will take place in Paris, after, two weeks ago, the British Prime Minister Keir Sturmer convened an online discussion on the same subject. Ilie Bolojan then emphasized Romanias commitment to continuing to support Ukraine and to the efforts to ensure a lasting and fair peace. An unconditional ceasefire is a first step towards this goal, and Ukraine must agree to it, the interim president said in a post on the X platform. Baccalaureate About 123,000 Romanian students in their final year of high school will begin the simulation of the written baccalaureate exams with the Romanian language exam on Monday. The mandatory profile exam is scheduled for Tuesday, students having to choose between mathematics and history, and on Wednesday they will take the exam of their choice. On Thursday, only students who attended high school in a national minority language will take the language and literature exam in their mother tongue. The evaluation of the papers will be done digitally. The grades will be announced individually on April 8 and will not be recorded in the classbook. Election The first three positions on the ballots for the first round of the presidential election due on May 4 in Romania will be occupied, in order, by the leader of the opposition nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), George Simion, the former liberal leader Crin Antonescu, supported by the governing coalition (PSD-PNL-UDMR), and the leader of the opposition Save Romania Party (USR) Elena Lasconi. The order of registration was established by the Central Electoral Bureau, by drawing of lots. On positions 4 to 11 will be, in order, Cristian Terhes, Lavinia Sandru, the former Prime Minister Victor Ponta, Sebastian Constantin Popescu, Silviu Predoiu, John Ion Banu Muscel, the former minister Daniel Funeriu and the General Mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan. The election campaign will start on April 4. March 23, 2025 UPDATE 1 A news update Newsflash Newsroom, 23.03.2025, 17:25 Meeting Romanias interim president, Ilie Bolojan, will participate, next week, on Thursday, in the meeting of the heads of state and government of the countries that decided to take part in the so-called coalition of the willing on the security of neighboring Ukraine, invaded by Russian troops, the presidential administration informed on Sunday. The meeting will take place in Paris, after, two weeks ago, the British Prime Minister Keir Sturmer convened an online discussion on the same subject. Ilie Bolojan then emphasized Romanias commitment to continuing to support Ukraine and to the efforts to ensure a lasting and fair peace. An unconditional ceasefire is a first step towards this goal, and Ukraine must agree to it, the interim president said in a post on the X platform. Price cap The emergency ordinance on the extension of the energy price cap scheme will enter the debate of the Romanian Senate on Monday, as the first chamber notified. The document drafted by the Government provides for the extension of the price cap for natural gas until March 31, 2026, and for electricity until the end of June this year. Also in the Senate, discussions will begin on the bill on the protection of people who buy apartments under construction, drafted to avoid cases of real estate fraud such as the one in which the former head of the Legal Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, Laura Vicol (PSD, in the governing coalition), was involved. On the other hand, on Tuesday, Parliament will meet in a joint plenary session to amend the statute of senators and deputies, so that unexcused absences of elected officials will be sanctioned with the withholding of 5% of the gross monthly allowance, currently the sanction being only 1%. The decision comes after representatives of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) and the Party of Young People (POT) (the nationalist opposition) went on a parliamentary strike, but nevertheless signed the attendance agreement to continue being paid. Baccalaureate About 123,000 Romanian students in their final year of high school will begin the simulation of the written baccalaureate exams with the Romanian language exam on Monday. The mandatory profile exam is scheduled for Tuesday, students having to choose between mathematics and history, and on Wednesday they will take the exam of their choice. On Thursday, only students who attended high school in a national minority language will take the language and literature exam in their mother tongue. The evaluation of the papers will be done digitally. The grades will be announced individually on April 8 and will not be recorded in the classbook. Visa The Romanian authorities insist that they have not received any official information from Washington regarding a possible postponement of the date on which Romania will effectively enter the Visa Waiver Program. Romania was included at the beginning of the year on the list of countries whose citizens will no longer need a visa to travel to the United States, starting with the end of this month. The Romanian Interior Minister, Catalin Predoiu, says that the Romanian authorities are technically prepared and that there is permanent communication with the American side. Radio Romanias correspondent in the United States notes that there would be objective conditions for a possible delay, given the restructuring and massive staff cuts decided by the Republican administration, led by President Donald Trump, within the federal government, including among employees of the Department of Homeland Security, which has the mission to apply Romanias accession to the program. (LS) March 23 A new edition in our weekend series Weekend Edition (Credits: Harry Grout unsplash.com) Vlad Palcu, 23.03.2025, 14:00 In todays show: * a talk about green development opportunities for large urban centers such as Bucharest, with input from prestigious experts and academics from Denmark and Iceland, who attended the Nordic Festival in Bucharest in February. People walk on the Westminster Bridge in London, Britain, on Dec. 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ying) Additionally, Finnish authorities warned travelers to avoid large gatherings in major U.S. cities, citing the risk of politically motivated demonstrations turning violent. BERLIN, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Several European countries have updated their travel advisories for the United States this week following the detention of multiple European nationals, including German citizens, upon arrival. Germany's Foreign Office said it is taking the recent incidents involving German travelers seriously. "We have clarified and now clearly emphasize that an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval or a U.S. visa does not, in every case, authorize entry into the United States," a spokesperson told public broadcaster ARD's Tagesschau. The advisory update follows reports of three German nationals being detained at U.S. entry points, including one green card holder. Two of the individuals have since returned to Germany. In response to the incidents, Britain also revised its travel advice, warning of strict enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. "You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules," the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said on Thursday. Britain's foreign office confirmed earlier this month that it was providing support to a British national reportedly detained at the border in the United States, according to Reuters. Finland issued a similar update on Friday, cautioning that even valid travel documents might not guarantee entry under current U.S. policies. The Finnish Foreign Ministry also noted recent changes requiring visa or ESTA applicants to declare both their gender and gender at birth, which could result in denied entry if inconsistencies are found. New York Police Department (NYPD) officers arrest demonstrators during a protest against the Donald Trump administration's policies on the Middle East, campus protests and immigration in New York City, the United States, March 11, 2025. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua) Additionally, Finnish authorities warned travelers to avoid large gatherings in major U.S. cities, citing the risk of politically motivated demonstrations turning violent. According to Finnish broadcaster Yle, the tightened advisories reflect evolving U.S. immigration policy under President Donald Trump's new term. Over the past two decades, Haiti has endured the devastation of two catastrophic earthquakes -- first in 2010 and again in 2021. Each disaster left behind widespread destruction: buildings reduced to rubble, entire communities displaced and an overwhelming loss of life. A major factor in the severity of these tragedies was the widespread structural failure of poorly designed buildings, many of which were not constructed to withstand the powerful tremors. Marc-Ansy Laguerre, a postdoctoral associate in civil and environmental engineering at Rice University, is determined to change that. Having grown up in Haiti, Laguerre witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by these natural disasters. He says living through the 2010 earthquake, which claimed an estimated 300,000 lives, reinforced his commitment to helping build a safer future for his country. His academic path has been laser-focused on this mission. Before attending Rice as a graduate student and now a postdoc, Laguerre earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the State University of Haiti then attended the University of Pittsburgh as a Fulbright Scholar, earning a master's degree in civil engineering and a graduate certificate in Latin American studies. Laguerre said he hopes to work in earthquake mitigation and education to protect vulnerable communities from future disasters. At Rice, Laguerre has found a mentor in Reginald DesRoches, an internationally recognized structural engineer and earthquake resilience expert. Now the university's president, DesRoches previously served as the William and Stephanie Sick Dean of Engineering at the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, the role he held when Laguerre arrived at Rice. Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, DesRoches said he felt an immediate connection with Laguerre and recognized his potential early on. Even after assuming the presidency in 2022, he has remained actively involved as Laguerre's adviser. "Marc is deeply committed to building a more resilient Haiti, and his passion for earthquake mitigation is both inspiring and essential," DesRoches said. "His dedication to using engineering to protect communities from future disasters reflects the kind of leadership and innovation we need in this field. I have no doubt that his work will make a lasting impact." Haiti's seismic vulnerability Together with Mohammad Salehi of the engineering firm Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Laguerre and DesRoches conducted a comprehensive numerical analysis to assess the seismic vulnerability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures in Haiti. Their research, recently published in Earthquake Spectra, explores cost-effective retrofitting solutions that could help fortify buildings against future earthquakes. "The level of destruction from these earthquakes is a reminder of the urgent need for stronger, safer construction practices in Haiti," Laguerre said. "Unfortunately, many buildings, especially those constructed before 2010, were not built with seismic resilience in mind." The study focused on common structural weaknesses in Haitian RC buildings, which are prevalent in both residential and commercial construction. Many of these buildings suffer from insufficient column reinforcement, poor concrete quality and a lack of lateral load resistance -- design flaws that make them highly vulnerable to collapse. "Haitian buildings were largely constructed without seismic codes in place," Laguerre said. "Many of them rely on weak columns with minimal reinforcement, which means they cannot properly absorb earthquake forces. When the ground shakes, these structures collapse instead of flexing or redistributing energy." Engineering solutions To determine the most effective retrofitting methods, Laguerre, DesRoches and Salehi created detailed 3D computer models of four common Haitian building types ranging from single-story homes to multistory commercial structures. Using advanced engineering software, they simulated earthquake forces and tested five different retrofitting techniques: RC jacketing -- adding reinforced concrete around existing columns to strengthen them. RC shear walls -- thick concrete walls that provide additional lateral support. Steel braces -- rigid frames that help buildings absorb seismic forces. Buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) -- specially designed braces that flex without breaking. Prestressed high-strength steel cables -- tensioned cables that reinforce structures. The goal of these retrofits was to bring buildings to a Life Safety Code performance level, meaning that while structures could sustain damage during a major earthquake, they would remain intact and prevent catastrophic collapse. "To evaluate the effectiveness of each retrofit strategy under real seismic conditions, we applied 11 simulated ground motions -- one of which was recorded in Haiti -- representing the Earth's surface movement during an earthquake," Laguerre said. The team found that all five retrofitting techniques improved seismic performance, but their effectiveness varied depending on the building type. For residential buildings, the best results came from using steel braces combined with RC jacketing, which significantly reduced structural movement during an earthquake. "Steel braces are a practical and relatively low-cost way to strengthen homes," Laguerre said. "When combined with RC jacketing, which reinforces the existing columns, it creates a much stronger structure." For larger, nonresidential buildings, BRBs and shear walls proved to be the most effective solutions. These reinforcements helped distribute earthquake forces more evenly, reducing the risk of collapse. "For schools, hospitals and government buildings -- places where structural failure would be disastrous -- adding BRBs or shear walls should be a priority," Laguerre said. "These global retrofit techniques substantially reduced interstory drift demands, decreasing the risk of collapse." A roadmap for a safer Haiti The study's findings have significant implications for Haiti's disaster preparedness strategy. With limited resources, the country needs retrofitting solutions that are both effective and cost-conscious. "We can't prevent earthquakes, but we can prevent buildings from collapsing," Laguerre said. "This research provides a roadmap for making existing structures safer while keeping costs manageable." Beyond engineering solutions, the team stressed the importance of policy changes and education initiatives to promote safer construction practices. "These findings can inform building codes and guide engineering practices for safer construction," Laguerre said. "We want to create lasting changes so that when the next earthquake strikes, Haiti will be better prepared to withstand it." We have all avoided having conversations if the topic is controversial or may lead to an argument. Farmers, who are on the front lines of climate change, avoid talking about it with their neighbors, community members, elected officials and even their own families because of potential conflict and harm to their livelihood, new research from the University of Kansas has found. Researchers conducted interviews with more than 20 farmers in Kansas and Missouri to understand their communication about climate change. Results showed respondents had a range of views on climate change from being convinced of its effects and taking action in their farming operations to skepticism -- but all avoided discussing it to varying extents. "People were worried about a variety of reactions. Some said they couldn't even talk about it with their families because they would give them a weird look if they brought it up," said Hong Tien Vu, associate professor of journalism & mass communications at KU and lead author of the study. "That was a low-level worry, but others said they had heard people laughing at them or were concerned about their neighbors not working with them if they had different opinions." The study was born from research Vu and students started during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group received private donor funding to study local climate change effects. Students interviewed scientists on campus and farmers in surrounding communities about climate change, their views on it and how it affects them. Farmers were reluctant to discuss the topic on camera. "When we talk about climate change, we tend to look at broad effects like sea level rise. It can be difficult for people to find relevance in topics like that in their lives. We wanted to focus on factors that relate to people's lives here in Kansas," Vu said. "We wanted to interview farmers specifically because they are on the front lines of climate change impacts, both in terms of contributing to it through factors like emissions and feeling the effects of it." Given farmers' reluctance to discuss the topic on camera, researchers decided to conduct interviews in which they could guarantee anonymity for respondents. Farmers then discussed their opinions on the topic, how it affects their lives and work, and why they avoid discussing it. The researchers examined the topic through the lens of spiral of silence theory, which posits that when discussing controversial topics, people judge the prevailing opinion of others before deciding whether to speak. If they feel they are in the minority, people will often choose not to discuss a topic, which can have long-term ramifications, including silencing people and exacerbating problems that people choose not to address. The results confirmed the prevalence of a spiral of silence among Kansas and Missouri farmers. The respondents were both men and women, ranging in age from their 20s to 70s. When asked their thoughts on climate change, responses ranged from believing it is real, scientifically proven and having effects now, to being skeptical both of its prevalence and whether it is caused by humans. But across the board, respondents indicated they generally avoid discussing the topic. The farmers gave a range of reasons why they avoid it. Many simply did not want a conflict that could result in violence or an argument with neighbors or community members. Some feared it could damage their business, as neighbors might be less likely to work with them and share equipment or people might give them a negative online review and tell people not to buy their products at farmers' markets and other locales if they disagreed with their views. Farmers said they also tried to gauge a person's opinions based on interpersonal cues before deciding whether to discuss climate change. For example, the type of vehicle a person drives, whether a large pickup or hybrid car, can provide clues about their opinions on the matter. Spiral of silence theory holds that people traditionally used news media to gauge political opinion on a potentially controversial topic. However, respondents in the study indicated they felt news media only politicized the topic and therefore was not a trustworthy way of determining how people felt. Instead, many turned to social media where they could see if people posted on the topic or to find others to discuss it with, without fear of arguments or contentious conversations. "The algorithm can allow you to choose who to talk to or who to exclude," Vu said of social media. "People also often feel masked on social media. To me, that is a way of losing conversations and can give you a false sense of prevalence of opinions by eliminating cross examples." The study, co-written with Nhung Nguyen, lecturer; Nazra Izhar, doctoral candidate; and Vaibhav Diwanji, assistant professor of journalism and mass communications, all at KU, was published in the journal Environmental Communication. When asked how they deal with the effects of climate change, several farmers reported taking measures such as switching to organic methods, fallowing fields to counter overuse of land and seeking information on more sustainable practices. Several also reported feeling isolated in general and given that they felt they could not discuss climate change, took to journaling as a way to process their thoughts. Vu and colleagues, who have studied how climate change is viewed and reported globally, said understanding how the issue is viewed and discussed in more local settings is also important because people need to work together in day-to-day operations like farming as well as for policy solutions. If pressing issues are not discussed, it can negatively affect how they are dealt with on interpersonal levels and at local levels of government, they argue. As part of the larger research project, the group plans to use journalistic storytelling techniques to document how people are dealing with climate change locally and their opinions on the topic. They also plan to test the effects of different content elements such as psychological distance and modalities like text, video, podcast or virtual reality on public perceptions of and behaviors toward sustainability. "In our conversations with farmers, we found they often felt excluded from other conversations on climate change," Vu said. "It felt like they were picking their battles with everyone, because they are often blamed for things like emissions, while working on adjusting their farming practices for mitigation and adaptation purpose. We think not talking about climate change is a serious issue." A new study has discovered that birds in the Galapagos Islands are changing their behaviour due to traffic noise, with those frequently exposed to vehicles showing heightened levels of aggression. Published in the journal Animal Behaviour and led by experts from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and the Konrad Lorenz Research Centre at the University of Vienna, the research examined the impact of vehicle noise pollution on Galapagos yellow warblers (Setophaga petechia aureola), a songbird widespread on the archipelago. The Galapagos Islands, located over 500 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are considered a natural living laboratory due to the large number of unique, endemic species. The Galapagos yellow warbler is genetically distinct from other yellow warblers found in the Americas and is classified as a subspecies. A visit to the Galapagos Islands in 1835 helped inspire Charles Darwin to develop the theory of evolution by natural selection. However, recent decades have seen significant human population growth. Alongside a rise in tourism, the permanent population is increasing by over 6% per year, leading to more vehicles on the islands' roads. The new study involved researchers playing bird songs from a speaker, simulating an intruder, accompanied by recorded traffic noise at 38 locations populated by Galapagos yellow warblers on the islands of Floreana and Santa Cruz -- 20 sites were within 50 metres of the nearest road and 18 were over 100 metres away. The researchers then measured song, typically used to ward off intruders, and physical, aggressive behaviours such as approaching the speaker closely and making repeated flights across it. During trials with traffic noise, the researchers found that Galapagos yellow warblers living in roadside territories showed increased aggression, but those living away from the roads showed decreased aggression relative to trials without noise. Importantly, the effect of living on a roadside territory was present even on Floreana Island, with only about 10 vehicles present on the island, suggesting even minimal experience of traffic affects responses to noise. Additionally, Galapagos yellow warblers on the more populous island of Santa Cruz increased the duration of their song when confronted by traffic noise. These findings support the idea that long-term selection based on noise experience, or an individual bird's previous experience of noise, allows them to adapt and adjust the features of their songs. Finally, the birds increased the minimum frequencies of their songs during the noise experiments, regardless of their territory's proximity to the road, helping to reduce any overlap of their songs with the low-frequency traffic noise. Co-author Dr Caglar Akcay, Senior Lecturer in Behavioural Ecology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said: "Birds use song during territorial defence as an aggressive signal. However, if external noise such as traffic interferes with the signalling, effectively blocking this communication channel, increasing physical aggression would be an appropriate response. "Our results show that the change in aggressive responses in yellow warblers occurred mainly near roads. Birds occupying roadside territories on both islands, and therefore having regular experience of traffic noise, may have learned to increase physical aggression when the territorial intrusion was accompanied by traffic noise. "We also found some evidence of birds trying to cope with noise by adjusting their song, with yellow warblers in all habitats increasing the minimum frequency of their songs to help them be heard above the traffic noise. "Our study shows the importance of considering behavioural plasticity in conservation efforts and developing strategies to mitigate the effects of noise pollution on wildlife. It also highlights the significant impact of human activities on wildlife behaviour, even in relatively remote locations such as the Galapagos Islands." BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- In the two months since taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has been aggressively pursuing its foreign policy agenda under the belief that everything is subject to "deals," triggering wide backlash in international society. The essence of Trump's foreign policy is "purely transactional," said an article on the U.S. website The National Interest. "ALL I KNOW, IS... DEALS" "My whole life is deals. That's all I know, is deals," said Trump following his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron about a month ago. When it comes to the means to facilitate these deals, as Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, put it, "We could do that with carrots, and we can do that with sticks." On the issue of the Ukraine crisis, to facilitate negotiations between the parties, the Trump administration threatened that Russia would face U.S. sanctions if it refused to participate in talks, and that Ukraine would lose U.S. aid if it declined to negotiate. The United States has also coveted Ukraine's resources, initially demanding rare earth elements, followed by oil, natural gas and other mineral resources. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly opposed these demands at first. His fiery clash with Trump at the White House on Feb. 28 shocked the world, prompting the United States to suspend military aid to Ukraine and cut off intelligence-sharing. When they spoke by phone on Wednesday, Trump even suggested to Zelensky that the United States could help run, and possibly own, Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, according to a statement by the U.S. presidential administration. On the Palestinian question, Trump demanded that Hamas release detained Israeli hostages, threatening that "or it is OVER for you" on March 5 in a post on Truth Social. Trump also proposed to "clean out" Gaza in late January and used the suspension of aid as leverage to pressure Egypt and Jordan to accept Palestinians. To address the issues of illegal immigration and fentanyl within the United States, the Trump administration wielded the "tariff stick" against Mexico and Canada. According to the Trump administration's logic, these two major problems were caused by Canada and Mexico, and if they are not resolved, tariffs will be imposed. Trump also set his sights on Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. He said that the United States would take control of Greenland "one way or the other," refusing to rule out economic or military coercion. Trump said he would consider imposing tariffs on Denmark "at a very high level" if it resisted his offer to acquire the territory. Referring to Trump's book where he talks about his experiences as a hotel developer, Sina Toossi, a fellow at the U.S. think tank Center for International Policy, told AFP: "He approaches diplomacy the way he approached real estate in 'The Art of the Deal:' -- escalate tensions, maximize threats, push the situation to the brink of disaster and then, at the last minute, strike a deal." "TRANSACTIONAL FOREIGN POLICY" REACHES IMPASSE "My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier," Trump declared in his inaugural address on Jan. 20. But how effective is his "transactional foreign policy?" After Trump's phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, U.S. media believe that Russia has in effect rejected the U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire plan for Russia and Ukraine. The Washington Post reported that the call between the U.S. and Russian leaders highlighted differences more than agreement. Meanwhile, Ukraine is also dissatisfied with the proposal to halt attacks on each other's energy infrastructure within 30 days, hoping to extend the ceasefire to include other civilian infrastructure. Zelensky said that Ukraine has no intention of transferring the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which the Trump administration is interested in. As with Ukraine, Trump has pledged to bring "peace" to the Middle East, but his failure to facilitate "deals" through coercion and pressure has led to the rekindling of the flames of war in Gaza and Yemen. After "full coordination with the United States," the Israeli military resumed large-scale airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, signaling the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Additionally, the U.S. military began large-scale military operations against Yemen's Houthi group on March 15. In retaliation, the Houthis claimed to have attacked U.S. aircraft carriers multiple times. After the Trump administration launched its "tariff war," many countries implemented countermeasures. On March 12, the Canadian government announced a 25-percent retaliatory tariff on 29.8 billion Canadian dollars' (20.7 billion U.S. dollars') worth of U.S. goods. On the same day, the European Commission declared that the European Union (EU) would impose retaliatory tariffs on 26 billion euros' (28.3 billion U.S. dollars') worth of U.S. goods starting in April, targeting items such as beef, poultry, whiskey and motorcycles. Trump's tariffs "are an act of self-harm," The Economist said in a recent article. Trump's remarks about Greenland have also increased anti-American sentiment on the island. To protest Trump's remarks about acquiring the territory, an anti-American rally was held on March 15 in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, with thousands of demonstrators marching to the U.S. Consulate there. Danish and EU officials also voiced their support for Greenland. "I believe that Greenland will remain part of the Danish Commonwealth for quite some time," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said recently. "To all the people of Greenland and of Denmark as a whole, I want to be very clear that Europe will always stand for sovereignty and territorial integrity," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday. The Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun commented Thursday: "Another major offensive has begun in the Middle East, and Russia declined to endorse a full ceasefire in Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump's diplomacy based on deals has apparently stalled." A MORE DANGEROUS WORLD Analysts believe that the root cause of the impasse in "transactional foreign policy" lies in Trump's sole focus on U.S. interests. He disregards the demands and needs of others, especially those of conflicting parties, and makes no effort to address the underlying issues. "For Trump, foreign policy isn't about carefully negotiated peace deals. It's about performance, leverage and crafting a narrative that sells," Toossi said. Trump's ability to create bargaining chips out of thin air and force concessions through coercion and inducement rely on the United States' military and economic strength, analysts said. The essence of his "transactional foreign policy" is nothing more than coercion diplomacy rooted in power, serving the narrow self-interests of the United States. Rather than solving problems at their root, it ignores the concerns of relevant parties and pressures them to accept U.S. terms. "Team Trump claims that its dealmaking will bring peace and that, after 80 years of being taken for a ride, America will turn its superpower status into profit," said The Economist in an article. "Instead it will make the world more dangerous, and America weaker and poorer," it added. In the wake of a disheartening performance last week in Melbourne, the Haas F1 Team staged a stunning recovery at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. Team boss Ayao Komatsu could barely contain his pride as he praised his crew for their resilience and teamwork, turning a weekend of despair into one of triumph with a double top-10 finish. Esteban Ocon crossed the line in seventh, while Oliver Bearman, starting from a lowly 17th, clawed his way to 10th an achievement that spoke volumes about the US outfits grit and strategic ingenuity. However, both drivers' results were upgraded to 5th and 8th respectively following the post-race disqualifications of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. It was an amazing reaction from the whole team, Komatsu told F1 TV, reflecting on the swift turnaround. The contrast to Australia couldnt have been starker. Just a week prior, Haas had languished at the back of the pack, their VF-25 seemingly the slowest car on the grid, with drivers limping home in 13th and 14th after banking on others misfortunes. But in China, the team found redemption. From Shock to Synergy The Australian debacle had blindsided Haas. Pre-season testing in Bahrain had hinted at a competitive car, but Melbournes high-load corners exposed a critical aerodynamic flaw, triggering uncontrollable bouncing that crippled their performance. Australia was a shock to us, not something we were expecting based on Bahrain testing but, man, what a reaction, Komatsu said. What followed was a masterclass in collaboration. Everybody people in Italy, the UK, US, and trackside, working together within the space of several days Honestly I'm so happy with the way we've been working since that shock to get the result here, he added. Engineers, mechanics, and strategists rallied across continents, dissecting the VF-25s weaknesses and devising a plan to maximize its potential in Shanghai. The result? A car that, while still flawed, was wielded with precision to suit the circuits demands. Defining Resilience For Komatsu, the China result was more than just points on the boardit was a testament to character. Everyone has a failure, right? But failure shouldn't define you. What defines you is how you get up from that failure and I think as a whole team we showed that, he declared. Ocons race was a case study in execution: qualifying 11th, a mere 0.03 seconds shy of Q3, he surged past Alex Albon at the start and nursed a one-stop strategy to undercut Andrea Kimi Antonellis Mercedes. Bearman, meanwhile, turned a Q1 elimination into an opportunity, starting on hard tyres and balancing pace with endurance to climb seven places. Yet, Komatsu remains grounded. The VF-25s aerodynamic woes havent vanishedthey have merely been masked by Shanghais layout. I'm not kidding myself to say we solved the problem we haven't, he admitted. So certain circuits we go to, we're still gonna have a big problem but, when we can operate the car in the way we want, thanks to the circuit characteristics, this is what we can do. We delivered today. Read also: Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook Officials from Ukraine and the US are expected to sit down in Riyadh and talk about a possible partial ceasefire on Sunday. The meeting will be taking place sooner than expected and will precede another between delegations from the US and Russian on Monday. On Saturday, the American president said that efforts to stop an escalation in the war were "somewhat under control". For his part, Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that: "We are only at the beginning of this path". "We are working for a ceasefire and a lasting peace [...] We wont have the terms of discussions or timing be played out in the media." - The Sunday Telegraph The UK's foreign secretary quizzed HSBC's chairman over the lender's freezing of approximately 1bn of pension savings belonging to British nationals from Hong Kong. Those funds are owed to those people who fled Hong Kong in order to avoid a crackdown by Chinese authorities. Beijing has ordered the lender not hand over the funds. - The Financial Mail on Sunday The Cabinet Office is set to tell departments to slash their administrative budgets by 15%. The goal is to save 2.2bn per year by 2029-30. As a first step, they will be tasked with cutting budgets by a tenth by 2028-29. That smaller move is expected to result in savings of 1.5bn per year. Included among administrative budgets are Human Resources, policy advice and office management, as opposed to frontline services. - Guardian Rolls-Royce is preparing to hike production from its US plants to offset the impact of Donald Trump's trade war. As part of its emergency contingency plans, which are being drawn up, the engineer would take on more staff in the US and grow its North American footprint. It is also looking at how much of its production can be shifted to the US from geographies targeted by tariffs. It already employs 6,000 people in the US spread across 11 sites. - The Sunday Telegraph STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Dozens of participants both two-legged and four-legged alike partook in a polar plunge fundraiser in the waters off South Beach Sunday in the name of John Hudson Dilgen. Dilgen, a 22-year-old Tottenville resident, has been battling epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare, life-threatening genetic disorder that causes skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch, since infancy. The plunge raised thousands of dollars for the EB Research Partnership (EBRP), the largest non-profit organization dedicated to funding research aimed at treating, and ultimately curing, EB. Allison McGettigan, left, and Faye Dilgen, right, smile before the Plunge for John Hudson at South Beach on March 23, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney) Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney Were hopeful for the clinical trials that are in process. John has been in two different clinical trials already, and thats mostly due to the funding that comes through this foundation. So, [the] suns out, fire departments here; were very excited, Faye Dilgen, John Hudsons mom, told the Advance/SILive.com. He was named an honorary firefighter in 2019 by then-New York City Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro, who cited Dilgens bravery and the inspiration he has been to the department. John Hudson Dilgen was named an honorary firefighter by Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro. (Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson) Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson Staten Island Advance/Annalise Knudson We know John personally; hes a great individual, FDNY Lieutenant Joe LaPointe said. Its just an honor to be a part of it [the plunge]. Though Dilgen couldnt attend the event today, the young man was on FaceTime watching the festivities. One of the plungers was Dave Chechel, a Med Search assistant nurse manager at Staten Island University Hospitals South Campus. Chechel does in-home infusion visits one of which he did with Dilgen. It was the saddest thing I ever saw, Chechel said. And so, when I heard about this, I wanted to come down and support Its a great cause. Ryan and Dave Chechel Jr. pose from the water during the Plunge for John Hudson at South Beach on March 23, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney) Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney Chechel, a seasoned plunger who participates in the annual Coney Island polar plunge, was joined by his father, Chechel Sr., and friend Ryan. At the coaxing of the younger Chechel, Ryan raced into the water with Chechel Sr. recording from the shoreline. Dozens of participants, complete with butterfly wings, colorful floaties, and plenty of warm towels, dove into the water which was hovering at 43 degrees five degrees warmer than the air temperature. Nala, the diabetes service dog, races on the beach during the Plunge for John Hudson at South Beach on March 23, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney) Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney One of the plungers was Nala, a yellow Labrador Retriever and diabetes service dog. Her owner, Amy Smith, was all smiles watching the pup frolic in the water as children called Nalas name excitedly. John Tiralosi, Antonia Amato, Christina Cruz-Crispino, and Olivia Cruz were among those who braved the chilly water. Amato, Cruz-Crispino, and Cruz wore monarch butterfly wings during their plunge. Christina Cruz-Crispino, Olivia Cruz, and Antonia Amati smile after the Plunge for John Hudson at South Beach on March 23, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney) Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney We do this because we love John Hudson and we absolutely want research and a cure, Cruz-Crispino said. I live by the motto, if you can, you should. And if you can raise awareness, raise funds, do something, then you should, Amato added. The fundraiser for Dilgen has accumulated $15,116 at the time of writing. Since we began just over a decade ago, a fairly short amount of time, especially in the medical research field, weve raised over $70 million. We funded more than 160 of the most innovative and really promising EB research all around the world, EBRP Director of Programs Allison McGettigan said to the crowd. There were two [clinical trials] when we started, theres almost 50 today, but also to the first two FDA approved treatment. Weve really built some great momentum, and none of that would have been possible without people like you guys here today. But of course, theres still work to be done; and its really initiatives like this plunge, the awareness and the fundraising that this brings that are going to ultimately drive us to that cure. Faye Dilgen speaks to the crowd before the Plunge for John Hudson at South Beach on March 23, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney) Staten Island Advance/Jillian Delaney What people dont realize is it affects so much of the internal organs as well. Things that are lined with, you know, collagen behind the eyes, the intestines, the stomach, all of that is impacted by something like EB, McGettigan explained. The fundraiser for Dilgen is still active and is accepting donations which will be matched up to $25,000. For more information, click here. U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) is not happy about the latest federal spending cuts that will affect his constituents. Lawler slammed the decision to close the only Social Security hearing office in the Hudson Valley in a statement on Thursday. He said that concerns about mold in the office dont justify abandoning folks in the Lower Hudson Valley. The decision to close the only Social Security Hearing Office in the Hudson Valley is a slap in the face to thousands of my constituents who rely on these services, he said in a statement. This office handles over 2,000 backlogged cases and conducts hundreds of in- person hearings every year. Telling my constituents that they now have to travel hours to Lower Manhattan, New Haven, the Bronx, or Goshen is completely unacceptable, he added. New York lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have for months condemned the closure of the White Plains Social Security office. The decision to close the office comes as President Donald Trumps administration continues to slash government spending across federal agencies throughout the country. Many social media users criticized Lawler for speaking out against the closure of the office when he supports Trumps plan to gut the federal government. In response to the criticism, Lawler attempted to blame the Biden administration for the office closure. To resolve any confusion, this was an action initiated by the Biden admin, he said, noting that the decision to close the office was made in December 2024. However, it appears the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is touting the closure of the White Plains office on its websites Real Estate tracker. It shows that a lease termination notice for the Social Security Administration in White Plains, N.Y. was sent on Jan. 29, 2025. The lease will expire on May 31. The White Plains office is just one of dozens of Social Security offices that are set to close in 2025 due to DOGEs efforts to cut down on spending, according to an analysis from The Associated Press. The closures come despite a new policy that will require residents to visit Social Security offices to verify their identity instead of calling the agency. The office of the New York Attorney General also said in February that the Trump administration announced plans to close the office. Lawler said in a statement at the time that the decision should not be carried through. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins also criticized the Trump administrations decision to reject a plan to keep the office open in a statement on Thursday. According to Jenkins, Acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek told U.S. Rep. George Latimer (D-N.Y.) that constituents could instead travel to other locations if they need Social Security services. This is a disgraceful decision that prioritizes bureaucratic indifference over the well-being of Westchester residents. The Trump administration is effectively cutting off access to Social Security resources for those who need them most, Jenkins said in a statement. 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 Peter Dutton led in the polls a few months ago and it went to his head (March woe hints wheels are falling off for Dutton, March 22). It released the vanity in him. The idea to abolish public sector jobs, the idea of a referendum over a paltry issue and questions to be put in the citizenship test about antisemitism show he has lost the plot. He will need to develop some actual policies now. John Rome, Mt Lawley (WA) One-liner of the year? Dutton is fast becoming a legend in his own mind. Why not skip the deluge of anti-Dutton material? Just a daily reminder of your correspondents line. Harold Kerr, Millers Point James Massola refers to Peter Dutton as the man who destroyed the Voice referendum. Dutton was certainly vociferous in his opposition to the proposal but his was only one voice of many who were opposed. The AEC results show that 60.4 per cent of Australian voices were opposed. Alan Slade, Dover Heights Is this the start of a slippery slope? Credit: Bloomberg Fear is Peter Duttons button. Its the one he reaches for every day in his efforts to convince Australians that he is the only leader who can keep this country secure. He wants to wrest power from the judiciary to enable federal ministers to deport dual citizens found guilty of heinous crimes; he will protect us from foreign aggression simply by replacing a weak, limp-wristed prime minister with himself, a former police officer who knows a thing or two about being a tough guy who can stand up to bullies. The only person to support him openly this last week was Andrew Carswell, a former adviser to Scott Morrison. Think hard before you vote in May. Donna Wiemann, Balmain Much has been said about Peter Duttons proposal to hold a referendum to allow ministers to order the deportation of criminal dual nationals. In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, its seen as a distraction, just like the Voice referendum. But there is a more significant difference between Duttons proposal and the Voice referendum. It is the subject matter. The Constitution is seen as the pinnacle of legislation in Australia. Any changes to it should be equally fundamental. The Voice proposal, being about the descendants of our nations first inhabitants, met that requirement. By contrast, Duttons proposal is just a grubby political machination to show that his side is tougher on immigrant criminals than the other. Although Dutton denies it, this is what Trump is doing with his deportations. Any referendum to change the Constitution should be above the political fray. David Rush, Lawson Duttons thought bubbles, in lieu of actual policies, are often quickly walked back by those around him. His referendum to empower a minister to deport criminal dual nationals will probably go the way of his own Voice-lite referendum, which was abandoned days after he announced it. His Trump-lite adoption of Trump policies also shows a lack of imagination, vision and forward thinking. Im waiting for his announcement of a department to reduce government waste, perhaps called the department of desperate groundless imitation equivocation, or DODGIE. Alan Marel, North Curl Curl Advertisement With the Coalition matching government policy announcements, such those made over Medicare and the PBS, the latest statistic differentiates the main parties: the lack of pre-selection of women candidates for the election. Leopards dont change their spots. Michael Blissenden, Dural Any casual observer of the Herald Letters page could be led to believe that Anthony Albanese is a living saint and Peter Dutton is the devil incarnate. Why bother even speculating on an election result when surely it is a foregone conclusion that good will triumph over evil? Which planet, then, do bookmakers and betting agencies live on, as in contradiction to the combined wisdom of correspondents, they have Peter Dutton as favourite to be the next prime minister of Australia? Rob Sinclair, North Sydney Nuclear plan will be a debt Your budget article (Budget deficit an illusion, March 22) omitted a big elephant in the room: Peter Duttons proposal for a 100 per cent state-owned, taxpayer-funded nuclear power industry. It goes straight onto the national credit card. Even if we accept their indefensibly low costing of $331 billion (and thats only to 2051), that amount of money would build the NBN six times over, or fund an east-coast high-speed rail line three times over, or enable us to build and run 40 Sydney Olympics. And nuclear power would not be an asset but an ongoing liability. All cost blowouts would be funded by taxpayers. The costs of storing high-level nuclear waste for thousands of years would be funded by taxpayers. The costs of keeping coal plants open longer would be funded by taxpayers. And the government would have to sell nuclear electricity way below cost to compete with solar and wind, creating a growing operational debt funded by you guessed it the taxpayer. Brendan Jones, Annandale Every time a big-spending measure involving millions of dollars is announced by the government, the opposition immediately says it will match it, or wont stand in the way. When asked how this gels with their policy of reducing spending, they point to the public servants theyre intending to sack if they achieve government. Just how much are these 36-thousand government employees earning? Richard Mason, Newtown In the middle of our phony election campaign and seeing Donald Trump in action, perhaps our leaders should remember that in politics, as in medicine, the first principle should be do no harm. Viv Mackenzie, Port Hacking Climate change is a clear and present danger. Necessity abounds. We can rapidly reduce transport, home, building and energy generation emissions by electrification today. Integrating solar, EVs, community, utility and home batteries with smart grid technology creates the potential for a citizen-centric power sector. Place batteries at sub-stations as grid buffers and localise variability. Dont have solar? Your neighbour does, at a fair price. Flip off fossil fuels fast and take power into our hands. David Sargent, Seaton (SA) Advertisement Remember Howards way I have a slight disagreement with your correspondent (Letters, March 22). I dont think Duttons attitudes were entirely formed in the Queensland Police Force. I think they came from his studies of Conservative methodology under the guidance of John Howard. Their reaction was consistently not to discuss the enemys words but to denigrate the person who spoke them. And I use the word enemy advisedly, for the opposition had to be portrayed as enemies trying to destroy our society, not as people still trying to do their best for their country, just with a different perspective. Peter Bourke, Rockdale John Howard, the ghost of policies past Credit: The Age Your correspondent raises a good point about whether the home country of the serious criminal might refuse to accept their citizen. With America tightening its rules on who to allow into the country, and Trump being a convicted felon, perhaps he needs to think carefully whether his own laws would prevent his return. If he was rejected, heaven forbid where he might go. Not here. Bill Johnstone, Blackheath Patriarchy is still alive Gabrielle Applebys article (An insult to women as lawyers embrace disgraced judge, March 22) is a sad revelation that patriarchy is still alive in the upper echelons of our legal world. Cora Moore, Strathfield Entry-level transport solution Advertisement Lucy Hughes Turnbull brings to our attention the fact that Redfern-Waterloo now has more capacity for development because the Metro has been extended to Sydenham (Housing fix is hiding in plain sight, March 22). Looking a little more widely, the inner-south is well-endowed with stations. From Surry Hills to Mascot to Banksia to Lewisham, there are at least 15 railway stations. Many still have a centralised entrance from the era of station staff punching cardboard tickets. Entrances at the two ends and middle shorten the walking distance and expand the catchment area of a station capable of supporting higher density development. The cost of extra entrances is low, except for the Sydney Metro, whose stations are so deep. The opening of the Metro from Chatswood to Sydenham has yet to result in much of a dividend in the form of bus resource savings. Few routes have been changed to feed bus passengers to the very frequent Metro trains, and many bus routes needlessly cross the Harbour Bridge. Bus services crossing the Harbour could be reduced to just one the B1. Peter Egan, Mosman Are the Metros in the right places at the right times? Credit: Nick Moir Congratulations to Lucy Hughes Turnbull on her article about the need to adequately integrate public facilities when housing density is increased. She may, however, be disappointed to know that the regular direct bus route from Pyrmont to the local shopping centre in Broadway, which was requested in 2001, is still not available. Manuela Epstein, Pyrmont Lucy Hughes Turnbulls excellent article caused me to revisit the published details for the proposed redevelopment of Waterloo. Affordable housing is restricted to 20 per cent of homes, and social housing to 30 per cent. Given concerns relating to the inability of many young families to find accommodation, the NSW government must increase these quotas, reducing the number of apartments available for higher income families. In addition, it would be interesting to know how plans for necessary infrastructure are progressing. Waterloo has the potential to be an award-winning example of a successful mixed development suburb, with, of course, excellent public transport. Penelope Graham, St Peters Imagine if, rather than spending $5 billion on Rosehill racecourse, the money were spent on high-quality social, affordable and some private housing on public land around Redfern-Waterloo and Surry Hills. A 70:30 split (30 per cent private housing) could provide well-located housing for thousands of low-income households and ensure at least part of the city retains a social mix. Alan Morris, Eastlakes Unleash bird-dogs Angus Taylor says protesters are bad for democracy (Bird-dogging revival to disrupt campaigns, March 22). It may have escaped his attention that a citizens right to protest is the most basic form of democracy. Lynne Poleson, Kingsford Advertisement Supermarket check Your correspondent (Letters, March 22) who can shop in supermarkets more cheaply overseas than in Australia and believes Australia doesnt need to import any supermarket items should check the Made in or Produced in labels. Australia might once have produced fruit, vegetables, cereals etc here, but this is no longer the case. The number of Australian companies that are owned overseas is alarming. And do not get me started on the aisles stocking Made in China essentials. We are all being taken for dimwits. Glenda Ellis, Drummoyne Regarding the high cost of groceries, my question is: Why does an ordinary packet of supermarket-brand chocolate covered almonds that cost $2 a year or so ago now cost $4.15? How is this hike of more than 100 per cent explained, besides simply because the duopoly can, and theyre plain greedy? Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown It is hard to beat the service one can get by shopping locally. At my smaller, friendly supermarket, when it came to paying the bill, the cashier asked if I would like her to do up my shoelaces. It was an offer I couldnt refuse. Vicky Marquis, Glebe Show more for Lismore Pine Street community homes in Lismore. Credit: Louise Kennerley It may be an unpopular view, but I believe it is a disgrace that Labor Premier Chris Minns, is vowing to bulldoze homes in Pine Street, Lismore, at present housing formerly homeless people (Building better could lower premium costs, March 22). When you are homeless, any kind of housing is acceptable, and these people have taken advantage of the only option available. Judging by reports, they have made these buildings liveable and have established a sense of community that should be admired. The failure of flood relief promises simply highlights the case for the squatters. Instead of jumping in and vowing to bulldoze these homes and make the occupants homeless again, Minns should have indicated his government would find these tenants alternative homes. These squatters are far more comfortable and safe where they are than sleeping in their cars, in tents or under a sheet of corrugated iron. Show some commonsense, premier, and above all, with your so-called Labor credentials, some compassion for the homeless. Derrick Mason, Boorowa Advertisement A Sydney socialite spent the night in the police cells after allegedly smashing into several parked cars, including a Tesla, while horrified diners tried to pull the allegedly drunk woman out of her Range Rover in the citys east. Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, 54, was allegedly doing laps around Bellevue Hill with shredded tyres when she smashed into a parked Tesla at 7pm on Friday. The Herald came across the wreck as Jacobs Fennell was still behind the wheel of the badly damaged black SUV outside The Grumpy Baker on the corner of Riddell Street and Bellevue Road. Jacobs Fennell was waving away enraged diners who had rushed into the street to try to pull her out of the car. Investigations are under way into two motel fires in south-east Queensland early on Sunday one in Moorooka, the other in Toowoomba. Fire crews were called to a motel on Ipswich Road, Moorooka, at 8.13am on Sunday with reports of a blaze in a ground-floor unit. The Queensland Fire Department said the unit was well involved in fire when crews arrived about 8.20am. Emergency services were called shortly after 8am on Sunday to a fire in Brisbanes south. Credit: Police Media Paramedics treated a man in his 30s for life-threatening burns to his arms and upper back before taking him to the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital. Ten days after ex-tropical cyclone Alfred hit Brisbane, tearing down large trees across the city, workers had already dealt with more than 1000 tree jobs on public land, but their list of work was far from over. Brisbane Times can reveal that Carindale had the most jobs including cleaning up leaves, fronds, fallen branches and fallen trees in a snapshot of work provided by Brisbane City Council on Tuesday. Carindale, with 28 jobs, was followed by Bracken Ridge, the Gap, Carseldine and Zillmere. Each of the top five suburbs still had more than 20 jobs on their books more than a week after Alfred. Other pockets of the city also saw their streetscapes change dramatically. The death of a woman whose body was found along a busy Brisbane bike path is not being considered suspicious, police say. The woman was found on the Kedron Brook Bikeway in Lutwyche, in Brisbanes inner-north, by a member of the public as the sun came up just before 6am on Monday. Kedron Brook Bikeway was closed and emergency services were called to the scene. Initial investigations indicate that the womans death is non-suspicious, a police spokesperson said on Monday morning. The startup aims to use AI to solve inefficiencies in the logistics landscape. Its marquis product, which it calls Augie, is an AI-powered assistant that helps freight industry operators automate time-consuming, mundane tasks for greater efficiency and accuracy. As we become more productive and reduce the amount of time we work on routine tasks, that gives us time to develop tools that help us grow the business and move faster, he said. I love how were changing how we think and work without changing who we are. I can see us getting faster. Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart, gave a short sneak peek at the tool on the companys Q4 earnings call late last month, also noting that some internal employees are using AI tools to aid their coding efforts. McMillon said technology continues to be an important part of Walmarts way forward. Per Walmarts blog post, the company developed Wally itself, using a conglomeration of its own business data and company needs, with a focus on ultimately enabling it to act autonomously on the merchants behalf within configurable guardrails, executing tactical actions necessary to bring their strategy to life. The company said it expects that Wally can help merchants focus on strategic, creative and innovative activities that enhance customer experiences and meet evolving customer expectations, rather than using that time on repetitive, time-consuming tasks. Like many other AI assistant tools, Walmart notes that Wally does not require technical expertise. Wally is trained to answer employees natural language questions. The tool, called Wally, can help employees automate data entry, generate insights about a data set, figure out the reasons associated with a products performance and calculate necessary forecasts to help the merchant with decisioning. Walmart announced this week that it has deployed a generative AI -based assistant for its merchants. Byte-Sized AI is a bi-weekly column that covers all things artificial intelligence from startup funding, to newly inked partnerships, to just-launched, AI-powered capabilities from major retailers, software providers and supply chain players. Story Continues Augie can place and take calls, or send texts and emails, related to shipment location, issues with deliveries and other related issues. It can also partially automate workflows for truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL) and drayage shipments. It interacts with human operators via a dashboard and via employees own communication tools, like Slack. Harish Abbott, co-founder and CEO of Augment, said the fundraising round emphasizes investors belief in the transformative impact AI could have on the at-large logistics industry when deployed against meaningful use cases. We are applying AI to logistics, one of the largest and most complex industries, to drive transformative change, said Abbott. Augie is like an assistant to every operator in the freight industry, Augie performs the tedious and mundane tasks so the operators can focus on the important and urgent. Harish previously founded Deliverr, previously owned by Shopify and now owned by Flexport. The startup, which has offices in San Francisco, Chicago and Toronto, plans to use the funds to further build out its logistics-focused platform and to increase headcount on its engineering and customer success teams. Arrive Logistics, a brokerage, is one of Augments first customers. Matt Pyatt, founder and CEO of Arrive, said the technology will help his company continue to provide strong service to its own clients. We partnered with Augment to build a multi-functional AI assistant, giving our team another tool to spend more time on value-added parts of their jobs and delivering a better experience to our partners, Pyatt said in a statement. The Augment team has exceeded our expectations as a partner, shadowing our reps in house, learning the business and building solutions that make sense for our operation. Automation on the backend of logistics is becoming increasingly popular in the industry; Flexport recently shared further information about a slew of AI-based tools it plans to use to streamline operations for customers. Lilly Pulitzer parent selects Exotec as robotics partner for new DC Oxford Industries, which owns brands like Lilly Pulitzer, Tommy Bahama and Johnny Was, has selected AI-enabled warehousing robotics vendor Exotec to install automated systems in its new distribution center in Lyons, Ga. Oxford will integrate Exotecs Skypod system, which uses robots to pick and carry up to 66 pounds worth of goods around the warehouse and uses cameras to sense and respond to any obstacles on the distribution center floor. Exotecs systems use machine learning, deep learning and proprietary algorithms to effectively identify, move, sort, pick and otherwise handle items in a clients warehouse. Oxfords newest distribution center, slated to open in the latter half of the year, will use over 450 robots to sort, pack and ship items out of the facility, which boasts more than 560,000 square feet. According to Exotec, the partners also hope to use the robots to help with returns-based challenges by using the robots to significantly [cut] the amount of time and labor needed to inspect, sort and store returned items, streamlining the process of making it available for resale. Romain Moulin, CEO and co-founder of Exotec, said this project marks the companys largest deployment to date. It already works with clients like Uniqlo and Gap. The Oxford Industries project not only showcases the performance and scalability of our system, but also the sophistication or our integration capabilities, Moulin said in a statement. Having a client like Oxford Industries select Exotec as the integrator for a project of this complexity speaks volumes about the trust they put in our ability to deliver end-to-end warehouse automation that goes beyond our standard Skypod system. Lowes uses gen AI to answer home improvement questions Earlier this month, Lowes launched Mylow, a generative AI-powered chatbot that allows consumers to receive answers to home improvement-related questions. For instance, a consumer might ask Mylow, Which washer and dryer pair will save me the most on my utility bills? or How much mulch do I need for my flower beds? From there, Mylow answers the question, sharing advice and products a consumer might find useful for the project theyre working on. Mylow, which Lowes developed in tandem with OpenAI, can also provide localized recommendations if consumers provide their zip code. According to the company, the tool is already available to MyLowes Rewards members via desktop or mobile browser. Seemantini Godbole, chief digital and information officer at Lowes, said the tool will help the company better serve its customers. Home improvement is inherently complex and can feel overwhelming even for the most experienced DIYerthats why Lowes has invested in AI and emerging technologies to create solutions that truly help our customers, Godbole said in a statement. Were aiming to deliver the best customer service in retail and Mylow represents an industry-leading step forward in helping us do that. This solution will not only help our customers be more informed, but our associates too. Going forward, Lowes anticipates it will integrate the system into its appand add voice-activated capabilitieslater this year. Home Depot launched a similar tool, which it calls Magic Apron, earlier this month. Two months ago, Enrique Tarrio and other men and women convicted over their roles in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, were behind bars, serving lengthy sentences. Now the group, dubbed J6 hostages by US President Donald Trump, are free, and theyre suing the US government, claiming they were mistreated by federal agencies including the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Prisons. Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, released from prison over his role in the US Capitol riots, is suing federal agencies. Credit: 60 Minutes In an exclusive interview with 60 Minutes, Tarrio, leader of the far-right Proud Boys, says hes determined to seek retribution. The people that did this to us need to be investigated, he says. Were suing them for multiple reasons, and the main reason is violation of civil rights. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services have downgraded a bushfire warning for Woodvale, in Perths north, from leave now to watch and act but residents have been told to stay updated in case conditions change. DFES first issued the Leave Now emergency broadcast on Sunday at 1.37pm, saying Yellagonga Regional Park was closed and anyone still in the park needed to leave. The updated warning went out at 2.45pm. A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people in Yellagonga Regional Park in an area bounded by Ocean Reef Road, Trappers Drive, Castlegate Way, the western edge of Yellagonga Regional Park, Whitfords Avenue and Wanneroo Road in parts of Woodvale in the Cities of Wanneroo and Joondalup, DFES said. The alert level for this fire has been downgraded as the fire is now stationary. There is still a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and conditions are changing. Labor is vowing to help Australians work from home so they can save thousands of dollars on annual transport costs in major cities, opening a new front in a budget fight with the Coalition over financial help for households. The new flashpoint adds to a dispute over energy bills after Treasurer Jim Chalmers revealed subsidies worth $150 for millions of households, prompting the Coalition to accuse him of drawing on taxpayer funds to make up for a broken promise to cut power bills. Labor is seeking to make working from home a political issue. Credit: Peter Rae The government is trying to claw back ground in the opinion polls by using the federal budget on Tuesday night to list practical financial help for households, ahead of a formal decision to hold the federal election in the first weeks of May. But with the budget heading back into deficit after two years of surpluses, Labor has limited means to offer financial help without being blamed for fuelling inflation and delaying further cuts to official interest rates. In coming days perhaps as soon as next weekend Anthony Albanese will take the short drive from Parliament House to Yarralumla to advise the governor-general to dissolve the 47th Parliament and issue the writs for an election. It will be an election like no other because there are many more crossbench MPs standing for re-election than ever before. Teal appeal: Independent MPs Allegra Spender, Zali Steggall, Sophie Scamps, Zoe Daniel and Monique Ryan. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Despite a slight drift back to the government recently, opinion polls still predict that neither of the two main parties will secure a majority. Several factors make that look like the most plausible post-election scenario. Labors slender majority (three seats) is smaller than the number of seats that first-term governments typically lose at their second election. Because the crossbench overwhelmingly comprises seats won from the Liberal Party, the opposition goes into the election needing to gain 21 to form a majority. As Peter Dutton has often said, he has a mountain to climb. Height is a weapon for footballers, says ex-Bomber and Hawk Paul Salmon as long as you know how to use it. Thats why hes so impressed with Bulldogs young gun Sam Darcy, whose performance against Collingwood on Friday night had even his opponents in awe as he took six contested marks, kicked four goals and hit teammates with two superb, left-foot kicks to create scoring opportunities. Sam Darcy has drawn comparisons with Paul Salmon and the champion Bomber/Hawk is enjoying it. Credit: Getty / Archive His game won plaudits from Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury, who told SEN hes going to be something that I dont think this competition has ever seen before. Although Salmon, the competitions first 200-centimetre-plus leading goalkicker, is proof the game has seen something similar, the hall of famer said the 21-year-old Bulldog was at the start of a great journey and has the world at his feet. The Cronulla Sharks and the South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL clubs have opened investigations after South Sydney mascot Charlie Gallico, better known as Reggie The Rabbit, was accused of punching a nine-year-old in the face during the Rabbitohs loss at Sharks Stadium on Saturday. The investigation was launched after the mother of the child posted on social media claiming Gallico, 80, had assaulted her son, who she said was in shock after the incident. She has since been in contact with Sharks officials, who alerted the Rabbitohs and NRL of the allegation. Reggie the Rabbit has an altercation with a young Sharks fan. Credit: TikTok/Michael Brombal The mother said her son had been reprimanded by a nearby security guard following the incident, and she said he had done nothing that might provoke any sort of hostility from Gallico. When contacted by the Herald on Sunday evening, Sharks chief executive Dino Mezzatesta said he had been made aware of the situation, and was yet to be briefed on the details of the incident. Rob McGreevy, chief product officer at global industrial AI and automation powerhouse AVEVA. Data capture time across 200 wind turbines dropped from 10 minutes to just one second, enabling performance optimisation across the network. In addition to immediate efficiency gains, this approach is helping AGL connect insights across traditional and renewable power generation assets, ensuring reliable power to communities across the continent. Sharing insights within teams breaks down silos, but when information and insights can be shared beyond organisational boundaries, everyone stands to benefit. Rio Tinto, for example, brought together operational information and shared it with its partners, suppliers, and customers. Building digital ecosystems Data on its own is noise. Data, in context, is information, says Paul Rushton, manager of digital delivery at Rio Tinto. The mining giants ecosystem approach helped cut configuration time, reducing downtime and standardising control systems across all mine sites. Greater insight has also enabled more responsible mining practices, from cutting energy use to reducing materials waste. For decades, critical operations data remained trapped in silos. Valuable insights stayed locked within departments or individual plants. Todays cloud platforms and hybrid networks have evolved from storage solutions to true collaboration and insight hubs. Take AGL Energy, one of Australias leading integrated energy companies. Collaborative cloud platforms AGL faced massive growth challenges, expanding its generation capacity from 300 MW to over 10,000 MW between 2012 and 2021. By centralising time-series data from every generation site, AGL built a data-driven culture that transcends traditional operational boundaries. Carlos Urbano, vice president industry at Schneider Electric, says companies are increasingly thinking bigger. A global leader in industrial software, AVEVA is working with other industry leaders to lay the foundations of what it calls the digital ecosystem - an interdependent network of shared information and insights that spans not just a team or an organisation, but also encompasses partners, suppliers, and even competitors in one interconnected web, says Urbano. Carlos Urbano, vice president industry at Schneider Electric. Why are they doing this? Because the benefits of communality can unlock transformative ways of working, something we call radical collaboration, leading to radical results in industry. Urbano says this shift is redefining how businesses approach efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. Companies that embrace digital ecosystems can respond faster to market changes, optimise resources, and unlock new levels of productivity. Were seeing a move towards integrated, data-driven decision-making that allows companies to be more agile in the face of disruption, he says. Connecting insights across the value chain helps organisations uncover efficiencies that were previously hidden. This kind of intelligence sharing enables industries to break free from traditional limitations. Radical collaboration is what will drive the next era of industrial transformation, Urbano says. Its not just about technology its about changing the way entire industries operate. An example of a company using digital solutions to drive efficiency is Borg Manufacturing, Urbano says. However, many other well-known companies such as Arnotts, makers of the iconic Tim Tams and other national treasures, have seen significant gains by using AVEVAs digital solutions. AI is also proving to be a trusted advisor for organisations, surfacing actionable insights that help teams make smarter decisions. Industrial AI efficiency At Talison Lithium, near Perth, leaders are taking a collaborative approach to the energy transition. Facing complex processes across multiple plants, Talison needed to transform how it collected and used operational data. By sharing engineering and operational information in the cloud and enriching it with AI and machine learning drawn from the mines digital twin, Talison built an accessible, real-time database that everyone in the team can use. We can now accurately identify downtime and its causes in each of our plants, says Chris Milford, chief information officer at Talison Lithium. Maintainers and operators use this data to improve efficiency. The results speak volumes: analysis processing is now 50 per cent faster, and improved end-of-month reconciliation has boosted profitability at all sites. Australias geographic scale and distributed workforce make advanced collaboration platforms particularly valuable, says Milford. At their core, these platforms enable teams to simultaneously visualise, analyse, and interact with the same operational information and insights. Connected innovation Borg Manufacturing, Australias leading melamine maker, needed to improve product quality while meeting new decarbonisation operating targets. The team implemented a digital manufacturing execution system, known as an MES, to optimise their factory processes and measure energy use. As a result of this increased visibility, the factory achieved a 400 per cent boost in efficiency, raising production to 7500 items every day. When the team extended this digital twin-based system to their warehousing, they cut waste from 5 per cent to 2 per cent and boosted packaging line efficiency by 150 per cent. The team now collaborates seamlessly across the entire manufacturing process, sharing information, identifying new incremental gains, and continually reducing the carbon footprint of the goods produced and shipped to consumers across Australia. Urbano believes this kind of connectivity will be essential as industries face increasing regulatory pressure and sustainability challenges. Companies that embrace digital ecosystems and radical collaboration will be the ones leading the charge into the future, says Urbano. These technologies are no longer just about efficiency - theyre about survival and leadership in a rapidly changing world. To learn more, please visit Schneider Electric. However, the Jacobs report, titled Operational Risk: Ground Infrastructure Heathrow Airport, stated: Beyond the management of supply and grid services, which lie outside the airports control, the responsibility for managing electricity supply risk lies with the airport and businesses operating from the airport. While some services can be temporarily supported with generator or battery back-ups, the key weakness is the main transmission line connections to the airport. It warned: Outages could cause disruption to passengers, baggage and aircraft handling functions and could require closure of areas of affected terminals and potentially the entire airport. Even a brief interruption to electricity supplies could have a long-lasting impact as systems can take time to recover. The fire destroyed a vital transformer at the North Hyde substation and a back-up transformer, rendering the substation inoperable. The airport is also served by two other substations powering different areas. However, in order for these to run the entire airport, the power supply to all the terminals needs to be re-engineered. Loading While this is happening, Heathrow relies on its back-up supply, which is not sufficient to run the entire airport. Warnings were also raised in 2022 about demand outstripping supply at the substations supplying Heathrow. A London Assembly briefing paper, prepared by SSE Networks and seen by the London Telegraph, detailed how heavily the North Hyde substation was being used. An upgrade project was planned to add another 22 MVA of capacity to the substation, although no date was given. Heathrows operations began to return to normal following its reopening on Friday night. Credit: AP Kathryn Porter, an independent energy consultant, criticised Heathrows reliance on only one exterior source of power, saying: The risks associated with only having one grid connection have been known for more than a decade, but not mitigated effectively. Porter, who runs Watt-Logic consultants, also questioned why on-site generation was too low and criticised the time it took Heathrow to start up its back-up power supplies in response to the North Hyde substation failure. She told GB News: They dont have different sources of generation, they have substations. One substation failed and it took out a second substation on Heathrows site, but two substations remained and they needed to reconfigure to run the site. Its inadequate to not be able to maintain the site when one of your substations goes off. British Airways says it expects to run a near-full schedule from Heathrow on Sunday. Credit: AP They should have on-site generation. They should have diesel back-up that can power the airport in the way data centres do. A second report, written just four years ago, also warned that without major infrastructure investment following the loss of revenue to Heathrow from the global COVID-19 shutdown, the airport faced a threat to its resilience. Heathrows own revised business plan warned in June 2021 that underinvestment would result in unacceptable risks that could threaten major erosion to service and resilience and potentially even the safe operation of the airport. The report warned that without more flexible investment rules by the Civil Aviation Authority to allow additional private investment into the airport, the result would be materially worse consumer outcomes as key projects are deferred. It stated: After two years of underinvestment in assets in order to protect liquidity, we risk less reliable services and more major failures. Lord Toby Harris, head of the Preparedness Committee, said: Something so critical to the UK economy as Heathrow Airport should have had both contingency arrangements in terms of emergency power is it really so dependent on one single substation? Thats a failure in itself. Surinder Arora, chairman of the Arora Group and founding member of the Heathrow Reimagined campaign, said: This matter has been an embarrassment for the whole nation. A full investigation must be held at the earliest opportunity, and at the heart of that must be how Heathrow can be so reliant on any single site or source for power. The National Grid said in an incident update on Saturday morning, local time, that it was now implementing measures to help further improve the resilience levels of our network. Heathrows own revised business plan warned in June 2021 that underinvestment would result in unacceptable risks. Credit: AP Near-full schedule on Sunday British Airways says it expects to run a near-full schedule from Heathrow on Sunday, and passengers should go to the airport as normal, unless told otherwise. A statement from the airline said: Weve been able to deliver around 90 per cent of our Saturday flying schedule, which means the vast majority of our customers were able to get to where they needed to be despite the very challenging circumstances going into the start of the day. As things stand, were anticipating being able to run a near-full schedule on Sunday and would therefore ask customers to come to the airport as normal, unless we get in touch to tell them otherwise. Were really grateful to our customers for bearing with us over the past couple of days, even though many of them have had their travel plans unacceptably cancelled or disrupted. Wed also like to thank the thousands of colleagues who have worked so hard to support customers and help get our operation back on track. The Telegraph, London New York: In recent weeks, a flurry of international visitors attempting to enter the United States from other countries have been denied entry at border checkpoints, leading to either deportations to their home countries or days or weeks of detention. A 28-year-old British woman arrived in Britain last week after she was held at an immigration detention centre in Washington state for three weeks. She had attempted to enter the US from Canada, and questions arose at the land-border crossing whether she had the correct visa. Her ordeal came shortly after two German tourists in separate incidents were deported after trying to enter the US from Mexico. Both had spent weeks in a detention centre in San Diego, and both said they were unclear as to why they had been detained and deported. US federal law gives government agents the right to search peoples property, including their phones and laptops, at border entry points. Credit: Getty The incidents have sparked international concern over what travellers can expect at US border crossings. Most citizens of most European countries have for years enjoyed visa-free travel, for up to 90 days, to the US. ~Reflecting on the Partition Treaty, by Lasana M. Sekou~ PHILIPSBURG/MARIGOT:--- The Partition Treaty, or Treaty of Concordia, purportedly signed on March 23, 1648, divided the Caribbean island of St. Martin between French and Dutch imperial, slaveholding, and colonial interests. According to articles 5 and 6 of the Treaty of Concordia, the majority of the people, the enslaved African men, women, and children of St. Martin, were, based on the French and Dutch laws of the day, property of the European slave owners. The Black people were neither the inhabitants nor the persons referred to in what was significantly a business agreement to facilitate the exploitation of the salt and other material resources (Art 5) in the two colonial territories. That the enslaved people would have been ordered to pick, carry, and pile the stones that marked the supposed spot or location on Concordia Hill where the treaty was said to have been signed may be explored as legend or as our actual lot. Such an exercise could be done with the same power that we pursue critical knowledge of the merciless, unseparated labor in the great ponds, the building of the fortifications, mansions, and mills, and the hewing, hauling, sowing, picking, and harvesting on the plantations and from the salt marshes by our ancestors, driven as beasts under the slavers lash. Yes, we know about the Concordia treaty as a historical marker, but beyond that, it might best be left as a simple historical curiosity, along the same lines as Peter Stuyvesant losing part of his right leg during the Dutch military leadership of the 1644 attack on the Spanish occupiers of St. Martin. The Treaty of Concordia is not a festive day for the emancipated St. Martin nation. And how would this accord be maintained as a national day in an independent St. Martinbeyond the adjusted autonomy authorized by France and the Netherlands respectively in 2007 and 2010 for the North and South of our island? The Partition Treaty is neither a founding text nor a seminal constitution of the truly liberated St. Martin nation. To our humanity, this would be unmanly and detestable, and the French and Dutch nationality cannot absolve or solve what is the inherent evil at the very cornerstone of the Treaty of Concordia, and that is the dehumanization of the African or Black people of St. Martin as expressed, reinforced, and never corrected in that European accord. The Partition Treaty of 1648 is not a thing of love nor a celebration of the unity that was nurtured and consolidated most during the Traditional Period (1848-1963) by the people, individuals, and families of the villages and towns of the St. Martin nation. The Concordia treaty is not the foundation of this fraternal and familial unity of the St. Martin nation, a unity whose indivisibility we should be duty bound to honor, live, and fight for if needs be; a unity that is invariably forged best by all of the peoplepast, present, and the evolving futureof the South and North of our beloved Caribbean island, which is in the 21st century still a colony, by various names, of the Dutch Kingdom and the French Republic. (The above is an abstract version of an unfinished paper. by Lasana M. Sekou.) (Reuters) -U.S. oil major Chevron said on Friday its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Wirth was paid $32.7 million in 2024, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The total compensation received by Wirth represents a 23.4% increase from the prior year. However, the median annual compensation for Chevron employees, in the U.S. and abroad, last year fell 6.8% to $163,744, compared with an 8.7% rise to $175,673 in 2023. Earlier in February, the company said it would lay off 15% to 20% of its global workforce by the end of 2026 as it is targeting up to $3 billion in cost cuts, simplifying its business and completing a major acquisition. Its $53-billion deal to acquire oil producer Hess and gain a foothold in Guyana's lucrative oilfield is in limbo due to a court battle with larger rival Exxon Mobil, which has outperformed it with production growth. Chevron employed 45,298 people as of 2024, including 5,556 people at its service stations. (Reporting by Pooja Menon in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona) Israel military says it intercepted missile from Yemen Jerusalem, March 23 (AFP) Mar 23, 2025 Israel's military said early on Sunday it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen after air raid sirens sounded in several areas across the country. "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF (Israeli Air Force) prior to crossing into Israeli territory," the military said in a statement. The latest interception is part of an escalation between Israel and the Huthis after the Iran-backed group claimed a series of missile launches this week. The Huthis had threatened to escalate attacks in support of Palestinians following Israel's renewal of attacks against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which began on Tuesday. The Israeli military also said late on Friday it had intercepted another missile launched from Yemen. The Huthis said early on Saturday they had "targeted Ben Gurion airport" with a ballistic missile, calling it the third launch in two days. Israeli airspace would remain unsafe "until the aggression against Gaza stops", the group said in the statement. The United States began launching heavy strikes against Yemen's Huthis last week. US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the Huthis "will be completely annihilated" and warned Tehran against continuing aid for the group. Israel army tells Gazans to evacuate part of southern city of Rafah Jerusalem, March 23 (AFP) Mar 23, 2025 The Israeli military on Sunday urged residents of the southern Gaza city of Rafah to evacuate as forces launched an offensive against militants in the area. Hamas also said a senior Hamas official was killed in an Israeli strike. In a statement on X, military spokesman Avichay Adraee said the army "launched an offensive to strike the terrorist organisations" in Rafah's Tal al-Sultan district. Adraee called on Palestinians there to leave the "dangerous combat zone" and move further north. Leaflets bearing the same message were dropped over Tal al-Sultan by drone, AFP correspondents said. Earlier, an Israeli strike on a tent encampment in Al-Mawasi, in southern Gaza's Khan Yunis area, killed senior Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil and his wife, the Islamist movement said in a statement Sunday. Bardawil, a well-known Hamas figure, was a member of the movement's political bureau and the Palestinian Legislative Council -- the Palestinian Authority's parliament which has not met since 2007. The Israeli military also announced on Sunday that it was conducting operations in Beit Hanun, in the north of the Gaza Strip. "During the operation, fighter jets struck several Hamas targets," the army said in a statement. Israel, vowing to destroy Palestinian militant group Hamas, on Tuesday resumed intense bombardment of Gaza and redeployed ground troops, shattering a truce that had largely held since January 19. Before its renewed assault, Israel in early March blocked the entry of humanitarian aid into war-ravaged Gaza and cut electricity supply, in a bid to force Hamas to accept the Israeli terms for an extension of the ceasefire and release the 58 hostages still held by Palestinian militants since the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war. The electricity supplied by Israel had fed Gaza's main water desalination plant, and the decision to cut power has aggravated already dire conditions for Gaza's 2.4 million people. Rafah, on the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, was already the target of a major Israeli offensive about a year ago. ih/cyj/feb/ysm/ami Israel army says it intercepted missile from Yemen Jerusalem, March 23 (AFP) Mar 23, 2025 Israel's military said it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen early on Sunday, with Huthi rebels later claiming responsibility for an attack they said targeted Israel's Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv. "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF (Israeli Air Force) prior to crossing into Israeli territory," the military said in a statement. Later on Sunday, the Huthis' military spokesperson said the group had "targeted Ben Gurion airport... with a Palestine II hypersonic ballistic missile". He also said the group had launched attacks on the USS Harry S. Truman carrier group, which the Huthis have repeatedly claimed to have attacked. Israel's latest interception is part of an escalation between Israel and the Huthis after the Iran-backed group claimed a series of missile launches this week. The Huthis had threatened to escalate their attacks in support of Palestinians following Israel's renewal of attacks against Hamas in the Gaza Strip this week. The Israeli military said late on Friday it had intercepted another missile launched from Yemen, while the Huthis later said they had targeted Ben Gurion airport with a ballistic missile, calling it the third launch in two days. Israeli airspace would remain unsafe "until the aggression against Gaza stops", the group said in the statement. The United States began launching heavy strikes against Yemen's Huthis last week. US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the Huthis "will be completely annihilated" and warned Tehran against continuing to aid the group. Four political activists abducted in Burkina Faso: NGO Abidjan, March 23 (AFP) Mar 23, 2025 Four political activists in Burkina Faso, belonging to a political movement denouncing civilian massacres blamed on the army and allied militias, have been kidnapped, their group said on Sunday. Their abduction follows that of another member of the same Servir et Non Se Servir (SENS) movement on Tuesday, and added to numerous other kidnappings of people viewed as critical of the country's military rulers. "On Saturday March 22, four other members of the national coordination committee, including two mothers with families, were abducted and taken to an unknown location," the movement said. The abduction on Tuesday was of another member of the same national coordination committee, journalist Idrissa Barry, who was seized close to the capital, Ouagadougou. SENS, a political movement, had criticised videos posted on social media over the past week showing dozens of bloodied bodies with hands and feet bound, many of them appearing to be women, children or elderly. One video showed men armed with assault rifles and blood-stained knives, and dressed in T-shirts appearing to mark them out as members of local self-defence groups. Burkinabe authorities have denied the accusations of mass killings by its soldiers and allied militias. In the past decade, Burkina Faso has been caught up in a spiral of violence blamed on jihadists that has spilled over from neighbouring Mali and Niger and since spread beyond the three countries' borders. All three have experienced coups in recent years by military rulers who have vowed to turn the tables on the Islamist groups. Since 2015, the unrest in Burkina Faso has killed more than 26,000 people, both civilians and military, according to conflict monitor ACLED. In February the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders accused authorities in Burkina Faso of using "abductions, illegal confinements, enforced disappearances and torture" to silence critics. Israel army says encircled district in Rafah, southern Gaza Jerusalem, March 23 (AFP) Mar 23, 2025 The Israeli military on Sunday said it had encircled a district in Rafah in southern Gaza where it had earlier warned civilians to leave. Israeli troops have "in recent hours" encircled Tal al-Sultan in Rafah, the military said in a statement, adding its objective was to "dismantle terrorist infrastructure and eliminate" militants there. Earlier on Sunday, Israel had warned residents of the area to evacuate. In a statement on X, military spokesman Avichay Adraee said the army "launched an offensive to strike the terrorist organisations" in Rafah's Tal al-Sultan district. Adraee called on Palestinians in the area to leave the "dangerous combat zone" and move further north. Leaflets bearing the same message were dropped over Tal al-Sultan by drone, AFP correspondents said. Earlier, an Israeli strike on a tent encampment in Al-Mawasi, in southern Gaza's Khan Yunis area, killed senior Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil and his wife, the Islamist movement said in a statement on Sunday. Bardawil, a well-known Hamas figure, was a member of the movement's political bureau and the Palestinian Legislative Council -- the Palestinian Authority's parliament which has not met since 2007. The Israeli military also announced on Sunday that it was conducting operations in Beit Hanun, in the north of the Gaza Strip. "During the operation, fighter jets struck several Hamas targets," the army said in a statement. Israel, vowing to destroy Palestinian militant group Hamas, on Tuesday resumed intense bombardment of Gaza and redeployed ground troops, shattering a truce that had largely held since January 19. Before its renewed assault, Israel in early March blocked the entry of humanitarian aid into war-ravaged Gaza and cut electricity supplies, in a bid to force Hamas to accept the Israeli terms for an extension of the ceasefire and release the 58 hostages still held by Palestinian militants since the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war. The electricity supplied by Israel had fed Gaza's main water desalination plant, and the decision to cut power has aggravated already dire conditions for Gaza's 2.4 million people. Rafah, on the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, was already the target of a major Israeli offensive about a year ago. ih/cyj/feb/dcp/ysm France's Dassault says upping Rafale warplane output Paris, March 23 (AFP) Mar 23, 2025 France's Dassault Aviation is looking to ramp up production of its Rafale combat planes, its CEO said on Sunday, after President Emmanuel Macron said the country would increase orders. European countries including France have been seeking to boost defence spending and increase weapons production in the face of possible US security disengagement and Russian aggression linked to the war in Ukraine. Macron said on Tuesday that France was going to "increase and accelerate Rafale orders". Dassault Aviation chief executive Eric Trappier said the company had increased output from one war plane a month in 2020 to more than two per month this year, and was working with suppliers to be able to produce combat planes even faster. "We are planning to deliver three per month next year, and four from 2028-2029," he told Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper. "We have heard the president's call and are studying the possibility of ramping up to five Rafale per month. There are no concrete orders yet, but we want to be ready," he said. However, he did not say when this might be possible. Trappier said that, if the French government approved, the company would also be "ready to provide its services" to any country reviewing its orders for US-made F-35 combat planes since President Donald Trump took office. Germany on Friday said it was committed to buying F-35 fighter jets despite reports that it was reconsidering due to worries about an over-reliance on US defence supplies. But Canada said last week it was reviewing a major purchase of F-35s amid serious tensions over tariffs and Trump threatening to annex the country. That announcement came two days after Portugal said it, too, was re-examining a possible purchase of F-35 fighter jets. Trappier said that Portugal had not yet reached out to his company. Last year, France's air force had 108 Rafale jets, and the navy had 41. France was due to receive 56 additional aircraft before Macron's announcement. The defence minister last month said the air force needed 20 to 30 more Rafales to face a crisis scenario. neo/ah/rmb Hamas says Israeli strike kills political bureau member Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, March 23 (AFP) Mar 23, 2025 Palestinian group Hamas confirmed on Sunday that Salah al-Bardawil, a senior member of its political bureau, was killed in an Israeli air strike in southern Gaza the previous day. Bardawil, 65, was killed along with his wife in a camp in al-Mawasi, near Khan Yunis, according to the Palestinian Islamist movement. He is the third member of the political bureau to be killed since Israel resumed air strikes on Tuesday, after Yasser Harb and Essam al-Dalis, the head of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military confirmed Sunday that it had targeted Bardawil, saying that "as part of his role, (he) directed the strategic and military planning" of Hamas in Gaza. His "elimination further degrades Hamas' military and government capabilities", it added. Bardawil, born in the Khan Yunis refugee camp, joined Hamas when it was founded in 1987, serving as a spokesman before rising through the ranks and being elected to the political bureau in 2021. He spoke against security cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, and supported armed struggle against Israel. Detained by Israel in 1993 and interrogated for 70 days, according to Hamas, Bardawil was also arrested several times by the security forces of the Palestinian Authority. In the flare-up since last week, Hamas has also announced the deaths of interior ministry head Mahmud Abu Watfa, and Bahjat Abu Sultan, the director general of the Internal Security Services. Hamas sources said on Sunday that Mohammed Hassan al-Amur, the bodyguard of slain leader Yahya Sinwar, was killed in an overnight strike on his home in Khan Yunis. Hamas has been considerably weakened by the deaths of many of its leaders, both inside and outside the Gaza Strip, since the start of the war triggered by its deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The head of Hamas's political wing, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in Tehran on July 31, 2024, in an explosion claimed by Israel. His successor Sinwar died on October 16 in Gaza. 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 SmartAsset and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. A rabbi trust is a type of irrevocable trust that employers use to fund deferred compensation plans for key employees or executives. The money is set aside for the employee but can still be taken by creditors if the employer goes bankrupt. A financial advisor can help you decide if a rabbi trust is a good option for your retirement or compensation plan. What Is a Rabbi Trust, and How Does It Work? Rabbi trusts got their name from a 1980 private letter ruling issued by the IRS, which involved a trust set up by a synagogue for a rabbi's deferred compensation. The ruling established that assets in the trust would not be immediately taxable to the rabbi, as long as they remained subject to creditors' claims. Since then, rabbi trusts have been widely used in corporate deferred compensation arrangements. Unlike qualified retirement plans, rabbi trusts are not protected under ERISA, meaning they do not provide the same level of security as traditional retirement accounts like 401(k)s. Instead, these trusts serve as a middle ground - they offer employees some assurance that compensation will be set aside while still remaining part of the employer's assets. Rabbi trusts are commonly used for executive compensation, severance packages and non-qualified retirement plans, offering a way for companies to set aside funds without triggering immediate tax consequences for employees. How a Rabbi Trust Works Employer establishes the trust. The employer typically creates an irrevocable trust with a trustee who manages the funds. Employers contributions cover deferred compensation or executive benefits. Assets are set aside for employees. The trust holds assets, ensuring they are reserved for employee compensation. The employer cannot reclaim the funds for business use. Employees receive deferred payments. Payments begin at a specified date, such as retirement or after a set vesting period. Employees do not have direct access to the trust's funds until payments are distributed. Subject to employer's creditors. Unlike traditional retirement accounts, these assets remain part of the company's balance sheet. If the company goes bankrupt, the trust assets could be used to satisfy creditor claims. Benefits of a Rabbi Trust EXPANDING Taco Buddha, 7405 Pershing Avenue, University City, Missouri, added the Bendecido Room for private events. The renovated neighboring space was formerly Cursed Bikes and Coffee, which closed in 2024. GETTING BETTER The Missouri Department of Revenue approved MTC Truck Driver Training, St. Ann, Missouri, as a third-party testing site for the Commercial Drivers License exam, streamlining the training and testing process at one location. MILESTONES Winco Window, a third-generation family owned company based in St. Louis, Missouri, celebrated 110 years in the window and door manufacturing business. PROJECTS Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, completed a six-floor $165 million vertical expansion of the Steven & Susan Lipstein BJC Institute of Health at 425 S. Euclid Ave. St. Louis-based Lawrence Group designed the 160,000-square-foot addition of laboratory space, located in the center of the medical campus. HDA completed exterior renovation at Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis, Missouri. The 70,000-square-foot facility was originally designed by HDA in 2009 as the first LEED Silver Certified Lexus auto dealership in the country. RECOGNITION Cigna Healthcare acknowledged Clinton Manor Living Center, New Baden, Illinois, for the second consecutive year, with the 2024 gold level Healthy Workforce Designation for the centers commitment to employee health and wellness. USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards online poll included Side Project Brewing as number nine in the Best Beer Bar category. The St. Louis, Missouri brewery has three locations in Maplewood, Missouri. The six-part Netflix mini-series, Zero Day was filmed before the 2024 presidential election. In the first few minutes of this series, we learn the central plot: Hackers have hit every electronic gadget and service throughout the United States, spawning a multitude of catastrophes and deaths. A warning that it will happen again is sent to cell phones and media platforms, causing the U.S. president to enlist the help of her successor to ferret out the culprit of this breach by any means necessary. What ensues seems like a dystopian view of how we Americans would react if our system of laws were threatened. Then, here in the real world, the nation elected Donald Trump as president and now that dystopia is becoming a reality. I ask, who is surprised? Even if you were a person who thought that the hyperbole the future president spouted on the campaign trail was merely meant to shore up his base, the fact that he did not place his hand on the Bible while taking the oath of office should have given you pause. Since he immediately started to challenge the tenets of the Constitution, upholding and defending it seems to be a hollow oath. As promised, Trump immediately pardoned all of the insurrectionists from the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol, impinging on the decisions of juries that convicted them and judges who sentenced them. Of course, Trump called these people patriots, attempting to sanitize and transform the tawdry image of the mob they were. Remember, this group was intent on stopping the certification of the 2020 electoral votes hardly patriotic. Trump followed this by challenging the citizenship of children born to undocumented immigrants. The move ignores the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the U.S. and the state wherein they reside. How much clearer does this statement need to be? Nowhere is there a mention anywhere in the Constitution of the citizenship status of the parents. What made Zero Day dystopian hinged on the phrase, By any means necessary. Because of it, people were arrested during protests and a television personality was snatched from his bed and essentially disappeared, thereafter being tortured in an attempt to obtain the names of contacts the government thought were involved with the hack. These are the sort of tactics weve witnessed in other authoritarian-led countries though not in America. The Constitutions First and Fourth Amendments protect us from this, right? A free press, freedom to protest, and safety from unreasonable search and seizures are all guaranteed ... unless, it seems, these things go against President Trumps goals. Consider Mahmoud Khalil, who was abducted by plainclothes federal agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE). The threat of his deportation is being couched under the auspices of an arcane act that allows deportation of an alien even one with legal status, as Khalil has if their presence in the U.S. poses a serious adverse foreign policy consequence. Khalils crime was protesting the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza. Do we believe that this one man, protesting on a college campus, poses a serious adverse foreign policy consequence? Then there is the recent deportation of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a medical doctor specializing in nephrology (kidney disease) who had been working in the U.S. since 2018 on an H-1B visa, the kind given to specific groups of non-citizens with specialized skills. Following a two-week visit to her family in Lebanon, during which she reportedly attended a funeral of a Hezbollah leader, Alawieh was detained at Bostons Logan Airport upon returning to the U.S. Despite a court order that she be allowed to remain in the U.S. for at least 48 hours until she was given due process, she was sent back to Lebanon immediately. These assaults on the Constitution are continuing as Trump utilizes and manipulates obsolete laws like the Alien Enemies Act to satisfy his quest for absolute power. As he threatens to impeach judges who disagree with his actions and allows henchmen to dismantle government agencies that provide services to all of us, Congress remains quiet. Honestly though, is anyone surprised? Trump told us what he would do if elected. His supporters assumed none of those plans would affect them. Keep thinking that. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) transits San Diego Bay for a scheduled employment to the U.S. Northern Command area of responsibility on March 22, 2025. (Claire M. Alfaro/U.S. Navy) The Navy has deployed a second destroyer to support security operations at the southern border. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance departed Naval Base San Diego on Saturday to help deter illegal crossings and drug trafficking as part of the militarys efforts to bolster security along the southern border, the service said in a news release. It will be accompanied by an embedded U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment. Spruance joins guided missile destroyer USS Gravely, which left Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in Virginia a week earlier. USS Spruances deployment as part of U.S. Northern Commands southern border mission brings additional capability and expands the geography of unique military capabilities working with the Department of Homeland Security, said Gen. Gregory Guillot, the NORTHCOM commander. With Spruance off the West Coast and USS Gravely in the Gulf of America, our maritime presence contributes to the all-domain, coordinated DOD response to the Presidential Executive Order and demonstrates our resolve to achieve operational control of the border. In December, Spruance returned to San Diego following a five-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. The strike group was ordered to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to bolster U.S. military force posture in the Middle East, deter regional escalation, degrade Houthi capabilities, defend U.S. forces, and sailed alongside allies and partners to promote security, stability and prosperity. U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Alvin R. Scarborough and Army Pfc. Joseph R. Travers. (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) The remains of two soldiers, killed decades ago, will be interred with full military honors this week. The remains of U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Alvin R. Scarborough, who died a prisoner of war during World War II, will be interred Saturday at Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery in Carthage, Miss. The remains of Army Pfc. Joseph R. Travers, who died a prisoner of war during the Korean War, will be interred Saturday at Cedar Knoll Cemetery in Taunton, Mass. Scarborough, a native of Dossville, Miss., was a member of 454th Ordnance Company (Aviation), when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December 1941. He was among thousands of U.S. and Filipino service members who were captured, subjected to the 65-mile Bataan Death March and interned at POW camps. He died a prisoner of war July 28, 1942, at age 22. Scarborough was accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Sept. 21, 2023, after his remains exhumed in 2018 from the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Philippines, for laboratory analysis and identification. Travers, a native of Taunton, was a member of Dog Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action April 22, 1951, after his unit engaged enemy forces near the village of Undam-Jang, Republic of Korea Nov. 30, following the Battle of Chongchon. Travers reportedly died a prisoner of war December 1951 at age 24. He was accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency June 20, 2024, after his remains were exhumed in August 2019 from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific also known as the Punchbowl in Honolulu for laboratory analysis and identification. Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine (J&J) is significantly expanding its US footprint with a $55bn investment over the next four years, as the focus on domestic manufacturing in the US grows. As part of this initiative, the company has begun construction on a $2bn biologics production site in Wilson, North Carolina, expected to create 500 jobs and generate a $3bn economic impact within its first decade, according to the 21 March announcement. Three additional manufacturing sites are also planned, though details on their locations and specific functions have yet to be disclosed. In addition to new facilities, J&J will expand several of its existing US sites across its Innovative Medicine and MedTech businesses. J&Js investment represents a 25% increase over its previous four-year cycle, according to the company. This move comes as major pharmaceutical companies reassess their global operations. Last month (February 2025), Eli Lilly announced a $27bn expansion across four sites, bringing its total US infrastructure commitments since 2020 to $50bn. The domestic manufacturing trend is partially driven by government policies aimed at reshoring pharmaceutical manufacturing. The Trump administration has used tariffs and other trade measures to encourage companies to bring operations back to the US, seeking to reduce reliance on overseas production. Industry groups have expressed mixed reactions to these policies. The Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA), which represents pharmaceutical distributors, has warned that tariffs on pharmaceuticals could lead to higher drug costs and supply chain disruptions. However, the organisation also supports federal investment in domestic manufacturing, citing the potential to improve supply chain resilience. Other big pharma companies continue to expand in the US. UK-based GSK recently acquired US-based biotech firm IDRx for $1.15bn and committed $800m to expand a vaccine drug substance facility and R&D pilot plant in Pennsylvania. Before the tariffs were officially announced, foreign direct investment (FDI) data from GlobalData reflects a shift towards increased foreign investment into the US pharmaceutical sector. Outbound investment from the US healthcare sector dropped by 53% in 2024 to $3.4bn, while inbound investment surged by 837% to $6.6bn. GlobalData is the parent company of Pharmaceutical Technology. "J&J boosts US operations with $55bn investment" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. They didnt last much longer than if theyd skipped their dinner A hunger strike protest by the sons of steakhouse murder victim Jason Hennessy over conditions in Cloverhill Prison ended after less than 24 hours. Sources said Devon, Brandon and Jason Hennessy Jnr who are on remand after being charged over the planned and organised torture of a man were back dining on prison grub so quickly it negated the need to enact the prisons food refusal protocols. They didnt last much longer than if theyd skipped their dinner, a source told us. They gave up as soon as the first pangs of hunger hit. Our story last week about Devon Hennessys hunger strike When inmates go on hunger strike, there are food refusal protocols that kick in after 24 hours. They didnt make it long enough for those to kick in. Devon, Brandon and Jason Jnr are the sons of Jason Hennessy Snr, who was executed by gunman Tristan Sherry in Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown in front of family and friends on Christmas Eve 2023. They are three of five people currently on remand in prison after being charged with falsely imprisoning a man at a property in west Dublin. They are accused of the planned and organised torture of the man where he was allegedly branded with an iron, beaten, stapled and waterboarded. Its understood all five men, including Dean Fitzsimons (24) and his father Kenneth (44), of Castlecurragh Vale in Dublin 15, informed prison officers of their decision to go on hunger strike on the evening of Sunday, March 9. However, they ended their period of food refusal on Monday evening. Three weeks ago, Devon, his brother Jason Jnr and their co-accused Dean and Kenneth Fitzsimons were all refused bail at a hearing in the High Court. Judge Caroline Biggs made the ruling after hearing garda evidence of their objections to bail being granted and of the case against the men. The judge said that it seems there is extremely strong and probative evidence to support the assault charge against the men. The Sunday World revealed last week that Devon told staff in the prison he was on hunger strike over conditions in the prison. He was said to be unhappy at conditions in Cloverhill. Prison staff were informed about Devons hunger strike when he was brought to a district court hearing on motoring charges. Hennessy was in court after admitting to dangerously driving a scrambler bike in west Dublin. The 29-year-old drove at high speed along footpaths in the busy Blanchardstown area, causing pedestrians to jump out of his way, and across a green area where young children were playing. Judge David McHugh fined Hennessy 500, imposed a two-year driving ban and jailed him for four months. The defendant, of Edgeworth Lawns in Blanchardstown, admitted five counts of dangerous driving and uninsured driving on April 14, 2024. Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Blanchardstown District Court that gardai came across two scrambler motorbikes driven by unknown riders, who drove head on towards them. One of them, a red Honda, was blocked by gardai, and Hennessy picked up this bike and drove away. Hennessy drove across oncoming traffic at one roundabout, and through another roundabout at high speed, before braking suddenly. The bike went through two red traffic lights, and mounted the footpath again at Blackcourt Road. Devon was transferred to Portlaoise maximum security prison after he was sentenced in the District Court. Relatives advised to take private case against Keith Byrne while public murder trial proceeds in Spain The family of a mum-of-one allegedly murdered by her Irish boyfriend in Spain have set up a fundraiser to help with legal costs as they prepare to take a private legal action against her suspected killer. Kirsty Ward (36) from Ballinteer, south Dublin was found dead at the Hotel Magnolia Salou at around 9.30pm on Sunday July 2. A post mortem showed the much-loved young woman died as a result of strangulation Her boyfriend Keith Byrne was later arrested, charged with her murder and is now awaiting trial. Due to differences in the legal systems between Ireland and Spain, Kirstys family has been advised to take a private legal action Byrne that will run alongside the criminal case. However, costs of such an action have been estimated at in excess of 60,000 and her heartbroken family are seeking help from the public to raise this amount. Keith Byrne with Kirsty Ward Launching a fundraiser on the site GoFundMe the Friends of Kirsty Ward Group explained: Those of you who knew Kirsty will remember hearing the sad news of her passing in tragic circumstances (domestic violence) on the 2nd July 2023 while away on holidays in Spain. Kirsty was an amazing beautiful young woman and a mother who had her whole life to look forward to and is sadly missed by her loving son, parents, brother, sister, grandparents and friends. In Spain the family of the victim are allowed to take a case against the accused at the same time as the state is prosecuting the accused . Because of the circumstances of Kirstys passing and how the legal system works in Spain, the family was strongly advised to take a private legal action alongside the public case. The Magnolia Hotel in Salou where Kirsty was killed Taking a case like this in another country is not an easy undertaking and involves employing local solicitors, translators, flights, accommodation and so many other additional expenses. While suffering the loss of their daughter and now caring for their grandchild, the family have decided to act and pursue the legal case as advised to seek justice for Kirsty. Domestic violence should never be tolerated. The provisional estimate for fighting a case like this will be well in excess of 60,000 which is emotionally and financially draining. All monies raised here will be used to reduce the legal end of this burden. Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund can do so at www.gofundme.com/f/friends-of-kirsty-ward-dublin-ireland. Spanish public prosecutors are seeking a 21-year prison sentence for Byrne for allegedly strangling Kirsty Ward at their Costa Dorada holiday hotel. Keith Byrne The 32-year-old remains on remand in jail following his arrest 20 months ago. Last November, it emerged Dubliner Byrne had been formally charged after a long-running criminal probe by a specialist gender violence investigating judge as the details of the public prosecution case against him were released for the first time. A five-page prosecution indictment submitted to the Spanish courts accused Byrne of strangling Kirsty to death with a hair straightener power cord hours after she dumped him following a row in their hotel room. They claim he acted with the intention of killing the 36-year-old because he couldnt accept the end of their eight-month relationship. And they allege the Irishman, who had been living in Duleek, Co Meath, took advantage of his superior strength and the fact his alleged victim had no easy escape from their room at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in Salou near the east coast city of Tarragona to prevent her from defending herself. Byrne insisted soon after his arrest over the July 2 2023 killing he was innocent, claiming he found Kirsty lying prone with a ligature round her neck and tried to revive her in the doorway of their room. Shooting down those claims in their hard-hitting indictment Tarragona-based public prosecutors said, outlining their version of events the day of the killing which they said occurred after a deterioration in Kirstys relationship with Byrne: During the holiday period which began on June 30 2023 and was due to last a week the climate of conflict and disengagement between the accused and the victim continued. On July 2 2023, after a new row that afternoon in their hotel room, she decided to end their relationship, following which the accused man left. About 9pm the same day he returned to the hotel and had another row with the victim in their hotel room. Llevant Beach, Salou, Spain During that row the accused, unwilling to accept the break-up, and with the aim of causing death or knowing that was a possibility, got hold of the power cable of a hair straightener, put it round the victims neck and immediately pulled it tight, strangling her and causing her death by mechanical asphyxiation. They added: The accused when he strangled his victim did so taking advantage of the privacy of their hotel room and his superior physical strength. Public prosecutors are accusing Byrne of aggravated murder and not simple homicide under Spanish law because of his alleged execution of the crime in a way or with means that left the victim defenceless. As well as a 21-year prison sentence if convicted as charged at trial they are demanding he pay Kirstys teenage child, 14 at the time she died, 150,000 in compensation and her mum 100,000. Lawyers acting for Kirstys family are entitled to prosecute Byrne alongside the Spanish state in the same case. The punishment they are seeking on conviction is not known. It emerged following Byrnes Spanish arrest that he was wanted in England by Royal Military Police for going AWOL after he left for Ireland in 2017. In the aftermath of Kirstys murder, he was remanded in custody after appearing before a special court in Tarragona that deals with violence against women in a closed hearing. The soldier, who served in the Irish Guards and Parachute Regiment before abandoning his post in Colchester, Essex, claimed after being sent to prison he found his partner dead with a cord around her neck when he returned to their hotel room. Woman whose co-worker threatened to rape her and turned up at her home tells how she overcame nightmares James Steele arrived at Una Rings house with duct tape, rope, crowbar and a prosthetic penis strapped to him A woman whose stalker threatened to rape her says she has finally moved on with her life a year after the sicko was released from prison. Brave Una Ring was subjected to a horrific ordeal after her co-worker James Steele became fixated with her. Steele (55), who is originally from Australia, was arrested on July 27, 2020 after turning up at Ms Rings home with duct tape, rope, a crowbar and a prosthetic penis strapped to him. In February 2021 he was jailed for seven years, with two suspended, after pleading guilty to harassment, attempted burglary with intent to rape and a weapons charge. Despite being released from prison last April after serving just three years, Ms Ring said she has finally moved on with her life. Terrifying CCTV image of Steele holding a crowbar Speaking about how life is now, almost a year since Steele walked free from Dublins Arbour Hill Prison last April, Ms Ring said: I have finally got my life back. When he was released I was very afraid as I believed I hadnt seen the last of him. But Im in a good place now and Im getting on with my life, I have put him to the back of my mind. Im not giving him any more of my energy. Im back at work and life has returned to normal. The guards were great after he was released too which has helped me. I have finally relaxed. Ms Ring was instrumental in pushing for legislation to make stalking and non-fatal strangulation standalone offences outlawing following, impersonating or interfering with pets or property. Her contribution to getting the legislation brought in by crusading for a change to the law has seen her speak openly about her experience, including in the documentary Stalked. It is now up for a prestigious award at the Royal Television Award later on March 27. Ms Ring said: I cant believe it, the whole thing is surreal. When I appeared outside court that day of sentencing I never thought it would get so much attention. James Steele arrived at Una Rings house with duct tape, rope, crowbar and a prosthetic penis strapped to him It has been five years since the drama kicked off. We were in court from July 2020 to February 2021 for the sentence hearing and thats when it broke on the news. So much has happened since then. Its now a crime, which it wasnt during my time. There was no crime of stalking and there is now. At least that is a crime now and for me, the most important thing to come out of it was the protection order. I wouldnt have been able to get one for my case as he wasnt an ex-partner of mine, there just wasnt legislation there. Now you can get a protection order against anybody, it doesnt have to be an ex-partner, which is great. A lot of people are not aware that it exists still so its important to get that out there. So many people came forward after my case, I had to take a step back as it was just too much, I needed time to heal from my own case. It was hard for me having to hear about the same trauma for so long. I had to for my own self-preservation, take a step back. I needed to look after my own health and I had done what needed to be done too. Talented music teacher Niamh Farrell declined to comment on her High Court battle to save her job after she finished up teaching at Colaiste Eanna in Rathfarnham on Friday Niamh Farrell who is allegedly the GAA catfish girl. Pic taken 21-3-2025 Speaking with SW's Patrick O' Connell Niamh Farrell who is allegedly the GAA catfish girl. Pic taken 21-3-2025 Speaking with SW's Patrick O' Connell A TEACHER fighting for her career after she says she was wrongly identified as the so-called GAA catfish is living through a nightmare her mother said this week. Talented music teacher Niamh Farrell declined to comment on her High Court battle to save her job after she finished up teaching at Colaiste Eanna in Rathfarnham on Friday. We approached Ms. Farrell, who also teaches Irish, for comment in a residential area in south Dublin after she had knocked off work for the day. But she responded with a curt No when asked whether she would like to say anything in addition to the contents of an affidavit filed in the High Court on Wednesday. Earlier this week, we spoke to Ms Farrells mother who described her daughters three-year-ordeal as a nightmare for her and our entire family She spoke to our reporter after Ms. Farrell, who says she was falsely identified as the GAA catfish featured in The 2 Johnnies podcasts, was granted a temporary injunction preventing Colaiste Eanna continuing disciplinary proceedings that could lead to her dismissal. Ms Farrell told the High Court the allegations that she was deceiving people online by pretending to be someone else and luring men in the GAA community into relationships are completely false, unfounded and untrue and are a matter of great distress to her. When the Sunday World called to Ms Farrells home in Portadown on Thursday, her mother said lawyers were now dealing with the matter on behalf of her daughter. I cant really speak about it at all because its in the hands of the legal team now, her mother, who asked that her name not be included in this report, said. Its a lot of pressure, so it is. My heart goes out to her. Niamh is approached by Sunday World's Patrick O' Connell on Friday Asked whether she would ask the internet trolls targeting her daughter to leave her alone, Ms Farrell said: I dont think it would matter. Enough is enough. Its just horrendous. Its a total nightmare for the family and its a total nightmare for her. How much more can she take? Thats what Im worried about. But its in the hands of the lawyers. I dont want to say anything because Im afraid of saying the wrong thing. I just know the impact its having on her and the impact its having on the family. Its just not right so its not! On Wednesday, Senior Counsel for Ms Farrell, Conor Power told the High Court that his client had been shocked to receive an investigation report from her principal at Colaiste Eanna in Rathfarnham earlier this month, setting out allegations against her. Ms Farrell said the report by principal Sean O Murchu failed to comply with even the most basic requirements of fair procedures and natural justice and appeared to contain findings of fact which, she said, was totally unfair. She said it was completely unclear what allegations of misconduct were preferred against her. Ms Farrell is the head of music at the school and also teaches Irish. She said she had an unblemished disciplinary record and had never been the subject of any complaint about her work. Ms Farrell said the principal had stated that when a third episode of the podcast was broadcast by The 2 Johnnies earlier this year, she had confirmed to him that she was the person to whom the podcast related. However, Ms Farrell said she told the principal she was aware allegations were being made online about her by people she did not know and at no time did she accept she had engaged in the activities outlined in the podcast. The Two Johnnies. Photo by Ruth Medjber She said she had always denied that she was the person behind the GAA catfish. She say 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. The podcast, which became a huge hit, was developed after Johnny B shared his story of being catfished online. Johnny B told how he began messaging Cora ODonovan, who he described as drop-dead gorgeous, after she added him on Instagram. The pair exchanged messages and voice notes for several weeks but Johnny B became suspicious after she stood him up on several ocassions when they had arranged to meet. After they began digging, The 2 Johnnies said they came to the conclusion that the Cora account was fake and the person behind the account and a number of other fake profiles was actually Coras housemate who they called Nicki on the podcast. In part 2 of the series, The 2 Johnnies revealed that over 40 individuals including GAA players and media personalities had been catfished by these fake accounts run by Nicki. In January, The 2 Johnnies returned with a third instalment of the podcast where they said the serial catfisher had resumed messaging GAA stars under a new alias, Aoife Kennedy. Following the publication of this podcast, the Two Johnnies said they were flooded with emails from people who claim to have been catfished by the GAA Catfish, some going back 15 years. A complaint was later made to the PSNI about the alleged activities of the GAA Catfish and they confirmed to the Sunday World that they were investigating. Ms Farrell says that she became aware in 2022 that shed 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 her schools principal. 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. 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 mischaracterised 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. Mr Power, for Ms Farrell, said it seems the allegation 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. 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. Gardai and emergency services responded to reports of an incident at shortly after 2.30am Two young men have been seriously injured in a crash in the early hours of this morning in Co Westmeath. Both men, in their 20s, were rushed to Tullamore Hospital following the single-vehicle road traffic collision in Rathowen Village. Gardai and emergency services responded to reports of an incident shortly after 2.30am. The scene is currently preserved for examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and the N4 at Rathowen Village is closed to traffic. Diversions are in place and will affect those travelling between Mullingar and Longford. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys accordingly. Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward. Road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N4 near Rathowen Village at the time of the collision are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardai. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mullingar Garda Station at 044 938 4000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. A significant police presence was in place as crowds began to arrive An anti-immigration demonstration and counter-rally took place in Belfast city centre this afternoon. A poster titled Time to Rise has been circulating online calling for peaceful protests against mass, illegal unvetted immigration and the dangers it is bringing to our communities. Meanwhile, a leaflet for a separate rally entitled Our Belfast: Free from racism said all were welcome at a peaceful community gathering at city hall at 1pm. Politicians from People Before Profit, Sinn Fein, SDLP and the Green Party addressed the anti-racism rally, while a mixture of Union flags and Irish tricolours were displayed on the anti-immigration side. Our reporters are in the city this afternoon to bring live updates: After a stormy town hall where JP Morgans CEO addressed employee frustration over the banks latest return to work directive, Jamie Dimon conferred with workers anew on Thursday. This time, the vibe was decidedly more laid back, according to two employees who viewed the meeting, as Dimon addressed issues including his future plans, the banks DEI program and the importance of AI. Dimon, who is known for his salty tongue, started off the roughly hour long meeting with a joke. No swearing this time, he said, which produced laughs from the 1,000 people who were able to get seats. The town hall was held in the banks Dallas corporate conference center in its Plano, Texas campus. Unlike prior town halls, the bank did not provide a link to the meeting, so employees could not view it on Zoom. However, there were viewing parties in some outer offices. Dimon, as he has at other town halls, took questions from the audience. One person asked him, Where do you see yourself in five years?a query that reflects how a successor for Dimon, who has been CEO of the countrys biggest bank for more than 19 years, is one of the hottest topics on Wall Street. Dimon said Thursday he plans to remain CEO for a few more years and will then transition to a chairmans position. After JPMorgan, Dimon said he would like to serve on the board of a nonprofit or charitable organization, according to people who viewed the meeting. He was also asked about AI. Dimon predicted the technology would be the next big thing, like the Internet and computers. Dimon has long warned that AI would replace jobs across various sectors, while making some roles easier. When asked about the economy, Dimon said inflationary pressures were a concern but other issues, like the deficit, were more significant. A JPMorgan Chase employee also presented Dimon on Thursday with a Challenge Coin, a token of appreciation for what the bank and the CEO have done for veterans. JPMorgan hired the employee, who didnt have a degree or corporate experience, in 2013. The employee is now a middle market banker in JPMs commercial and investment bank, a spokesman said. (The employee received the coin from Admiral Michael Mullen, former U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.) In 2011, JPMorgan Chase and 10 other companies, vowed to hire 100,000 veterans. The program has since evolved to more than 315 companies that are part of the Veteran Jobs Mission, which has hired over 900,000 veterans and their military spouses. JPMorgan Chase is a founding member of the Veteran Jobs Mission. TV producer with military past posed for St Patricks Day photo The Oval Office snap with Conor McGregor's family, US president Donald Trump, Elon Musk and ex-paratrooper Mark Burnett A TV producer who was pictured with Conor McGregor during his meeting with Donald Trump in the White House is a former British paratrooper who served in Northern Ireland. Mark Burnett (60) is married to Derry-born actress Roma Downey, whose hometown witnessed the slaughter of 14 innocent civilians by Burnetts Parachute Regiment during a civil rights march on Bloody Sunday in 1972. Several soldiers have since been charged as a result with murder. The 1st Battalion of that same regiment was also responsible for the Ballymurphy Massacre in 1971, many years before Burnett joined, when 11 unarmed civilians in Belfast were shot dead over the space of two days in the Belfast suburb. A coroners report in 2021 found that all of those killed had been innocent and had been killed without justification. Parachute Regiment killed Derry civilians on Bloody Sunday in 1972 McGregor, who has regularly worn a poppy commemorating members of the British Armed Forces killed in conflicts, including in Northern Ireland, brought along his partner Dee Devlin and his four children to meet Trump in the Oval Office on St Patricks Day. Joining the group there was tech billionaire Elon Musk, as well as Burnett. Trump and Burnett became bosom buddies after the Englishman produced the New York moguls stint in the American version of The Apprentice. Burnett has won 13 Emmy awards and has also worked on shows such as Survivor and Shark Tank. In January Trump said it was his great honour to Burnett to be his special envoy to the UK, a position different to that of ambassador. Mark will work to enhance diplomatic relations focusing on areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment opportunities and cultural exchanges, he added. Burnett said in a statement: I am truly honoured to serve the United States of America and President Trump as his Special Envoy to the United Kingdom. Variety magazine recognised Burnett and his wife Roma Downey as trailblazers while both of them were also named among the Most Influential People by The Hollywood Reporter. Burnett with his wife, Roma Downey In February 2016, Downey and Burnett gave the keynote address at President Obamas final National Prayer Breakfast, and Burnett returned the following year to introduce President Trump at his first National Prayer Breakfast. Born in London in 1960, Burnett was raised in Dagenham in Essex, where his parents were Ford Motor factory workers. His father was a Catholic Glaswegian and his mother was a Presbyterian, but it is not known in which denomination he was raised. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the British Army, and in the rank of corporal became a Section Commander in the Parachute Regiment. From 1978 to 1982 he served with the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment in C Company and saw action during the Falklands/Malvinas War and Northern Ireland. After his service, he initially planned to go to Central America and work as a weapons and tactics adviser. He emigrated to the United States in 1984, where he was initially a nanny before working in insurance. In 1991, he made his breakthrough into TV production when he bought the rights to a French adventure business and started up an American version. In 2004, NBC premiered The Apprentice, a reality television series in which contestants competed for a job under real estate magnate and later US president Donald Trump. Burnett and Downey produced The Bible, a 10-hour History Channel drama based upon stories of The Bible. It became the No. 1 new series on cable TV in 2013. His first wife was Kym Gold, but that marriage only lasted about a year. Before that marriage finished, he met Dianne Burnett (nee Valentine) and they married in 1992; they have two sons together, James and Cameron. The couple divorced in 2006. In January 2004, Burnett began dating Roma Downey and they wed in 2007 in their Malibu home. He and Downey are heavily involved with philanthropic organisations Operation Smile and Compassion International. The Sunday World reached out to Burnett to enquire about his contacts with McGregor, and also asked for his take on the MMA fighters recent conviction in a civil court in Dublin for rape, but we got no response. Jim OCallaghan said recruiting officers from Northern Ireland could be a useful method of boosting numbers in the Republic Better pay could tempt some PSNI officers to transfer to the gardai, Irelands justice minister has said. Jim OCallaghan said recruiting officers from Northern Ireland could be a useful method of boosting numbers in the Republic. Currently there are 14,167 garda members in the Republic, an increase of around 10% since 2015 although Irelands opposition parties pointed out that as the national population has surged, there are now fewer gardai per capita than in 2005. Mr OCallaghan suggested better financial incentives could open the door to recruits from Northern Ireland. We are at a stage where we are trying to recruit as many members into An Garda Siochana as we can, Mr OCallaghan told the Dail on Thursday. He said he understood that there are serving PSNI officers living in the Irish Republic who would like to become members of An Garda Siochana, and this could be a means of quickly boosting the numbers, given reports that a second garda college will be needed to meet recruitment requirements. At present, their difficulty is that in order to become a member of An Garda Siochana through the standard route, they would have to go to Templemore [Garda College]. That would involve them having to give up their jobs in the PSNI, which would be extremely difficult, Mr OCallaghan said. The new recruits will be based at the Store Street and Pearse Street garda stations in Dublin city centre. Photo: stock image He added that he would consult with senior management in An Garda Siochana on the matter. I would like to know if there are many members of the PSNI living in this jurisdiction who would like to transfer over, he added. Obviously, there would have to be certain requirements in order for them to do so. I would have thought that if those requirements can be met, it would be a useful method of trying to increase numbers. I will consult with the Commissioner. He then added: Another relevant point is that there is nothing stopping people in the North who are not in the PSNI from applying to become members of An Garda Siochana. I suspect the terms and conditions are more favourable than those relating to people who join the PSNI. That is something we need to focus on. People from the North are welcome to apply to seek to join An Garda Siochana. The Irish Independent reported that 66 new gardai are to go to Pearse Street and Store Street garda stations in Dublin. It will be a boost to the force in Dublin city centre, around the streets that were hit by the November 2023 riots. The decision follows consultations between Mr OCallaghan and outgoing Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, but was kept under wraps as an operational matter. Almost 9m has been provided for new and enhanced public-order equipment since the riots, including two water-cannon vehicles bought from the PSNI at a cost of 1m each. New garda body armour distributed last year cost 2.7m, with a further 392,000 for riot overalls and an extra 281,000 for torso protectors, more commonly known as flak jackets. Gardai were also given 325,000 worth of stronger strength incapacitant spray in a variety of forms, such as CS gas and pepper spray. The stocks will be routinely available to all members on public order duty. Meanwhile, the two water-cannon vehicles have been overhauled and recalibrated, and are now operationally ready for deployment on Irish streets where needed. There was criticism of their absence during violent protests and agitation last July outside the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, north Dublin, which was to be repurposed as migrant accommodation. I was very shocked when I heard the news he died, I couldnt believe it Eddie alongside his old pal Red Hurley on hit TV show This Is Your Life Music legend Red Hurley says he would be honoured to sing at his childhood friend Eddie Jordans funeral. Motor racing chief and father-of-four Jordan died at the age of 76 on Thursday in Cape Town in South Africa after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate and bladder cancer. I was very shocked when I heard the news he died, I couldnt believe it, Red (77) told the Sunday World. A nicer fellow you couldnt meet, he was a bit of craic, a good laugh. I was at home when I heard the news, and I just couldnt believe it because he was a fairly fit, healthy kind of fellow. The last time I saw him was in London about four years ago when we had a few drinks together in a hotel bar. I knew he wasnt well. He seemed to be fine. Eddie alongside his old pal Red Hurley on hit TV show This Is Your Life He couldnt really talk about his illness, as there were a few people in his company, but I was aware of it. Its a sad old thing. Red and Eddie grew up together in south Dublin. I was from Milltown and he was from Dartry, just up the road about 500 yards from me, recalls Red, whose real first name is Brian. We both went to Synge Street school, we were in the same class. I think I first met him when we were aged about 10. Back then he wasnt very academic, but he was very clever in other ways, he was very sharp. He had a wonderful personality. He didnt seem to excel at any sport I knew of. Donnacha ODea was an Olympic entrant for swimming and we used to sit beside him. Eddie was extremely colourful, right from the time he was a kid. We used to pal around outside school and went everywhere together, we had great craic together. The pair remained bosom buddies all through their lives. We renewed our friendship several times. He was always upbeat and happy, he didnt worry too much about anything, reflects Red. I sang at his wedding (in 1979 to Marie McCarthy) in Terenure church. I sang a lot of religious songs like Ave Maria. Eddie was conservative behind it all. He believed in the Catholic religion. I sang at the reception afterwards, which were party type songs and we had a bit of fun. I also sang at his 40th wedding anniversary. Red Hurley A This Is Your Life TV special in 2000 featured Eddies amazing story, ranging from when he was a race car driver to founding Jordan Gran Prix, winning four Formula One races and employing Eddie Irvine, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. I was living in Florida at the time and my wife called me and said theres someone on the phone from London, Red remembers. I was cleaning leaves off the roof and I got down and spoke to the person on the phone who said Is that Red, Im with ITV, were making a This Is Your Life programme about Eddie Jordan, would you be able to fly over to London? I agreed to fly over and I came on at the very end as a surprise guest and I sang Dublin In The Rare Old Times, which Eddie played the spoons to. He was very surprised but delighted I had come along. He was a very funny kind of a fellow, he always saw the funny side of things, he never got annoyed over anything. Red admits he was amazed at Eddies meteoric career in motor racing. I went to just one of his Formula One races, at Silverstone. He made millions from it. He never paid me for the gigs I did for him though, he laughed. Red represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976 with the track When, and had No1 hits here in the 1970s with Broken Promises and Kiss Me Goodbye. Im still gigging, I played in Ballycotton in Cork on Friday but Im winding down a bit, the journeys are starting to get the better of me, Ive travelled all over America, Red explains. But theres one special event hed admits he would be privileged to sing at. I will definitely go to the funeral. They might ask me to sing. I would be honoured to sing at it, he adds. When members of the Cherrywood Probus Club turned up with morning tea in hand at Ron and Dulcie Pollocks new home last week, they were re-enacting a tradition that dates back to the 1880s. Tin canning or tin kettling was a rural New Zealand tradition that was often used to welcome newly-weds back from their honeymoon and also to welcome folk into their new home, according to Probus Cherrywood chapter president Ian Young. Usually, a small gift would be given, something like a tin for the pantry or a cake, or perhaps a pot plant. The Pollocks lived in Freyberg St in Otumoetai for 20 years before moving into Matua Village about a fortnight ago. I was brought up in the country, so I remember when I was little, my family going off to a function for a new neighbour, banging saucepan lids so they knew we were coming, said Dulcie, 92. On this occasion, our friends have brought over a cake, bikkies, preserves and some tinned peaches just to say welcome to our new house, which is lovely. My wife, Pat, and I had it done for us in Nelson back in the 80s, Young said. Dulcie has had it for her, but some of our Probus members had never heard of it. Its an opportunity to welcome people to their new environment. When you move into a new area you may not know anyone, so this is something that breaks the ice. He hopes it inspires others in Tauranga to get to know their neighbours. Our sense of community is perhaps not quite as good and in cities, youve got to work at it harder, Young said. Moving into a retirement village can be quite a dramatic change. Probus is about doing things together because there is some loneliness at times, so if this also helps people who come along as visitors, then thats good too. Two surfers were treated to a friendly encounter with a pod of orca off Arataki beach on Sunday morning. Civil construction worker Andy Morris and his brother-in-law Josh Ormsby decided to go for an early morning surf. I got in the water around 7am with Josh; we were going to have a muck around in the surf with our boards," Morris said. He first saw a big orca with a massive fin and a baby with it. Morris said the duo decided to get out of the water swiftly, mindful of the importance of staying clear of marine animals like whales and orcas. We went back in after theyd passed, and then another couple of orca were out there, Morris said. That got the adrenaline going because their fins seemed smaller, and we didnt know if they might be sharks. So we surfed in. A lady on the beach reckoned that they were orca and surfing in alongside us. He said once they got into shore, the two orcas surfing with them had taken off. And then, surprisingly another two orca came in. We were still in the water, and two of them came up pretty close. Then they turned around and took off on their merry way. I stayed out of the water after that, but Josh went back in for a dip. Morris said hes encountered orcas once before at Ohope. But they were a bit further out. He said the pod of orcas was heading towards Mount Maunganui. Quite a few people came out with their cameras to get a few shots. He is still marvelling at the mornings encounter. I couldnt believe it, it was crazy. Orcas, also known as killer whales, typically come into Tauranga harbour to feed, particularly on stingrays. Interacting with orcas Department of Conservation has some important advice regarding how people should interact with orcas if they come into contact. Vessels should not be within 50m of an orca. No more than three vessels should be within 300m of any marine mammal. Your vessel should approach orcas from behind and to the side, do not circle them, obstruct their path or cut through any group. Operate your boat slowly and quietly at 'no wake' speed when within 300m of an orca and you should avoid sudden noises that could startle the animals. Sightings of orca can be reported to the DOC by calling 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468), or by filling out an online form. Sightings are always of interest and help increase the DOC's knowledge of cetacean distribution and movements around New Zealand. Waikato Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a crash involving a car and a truck on Airport Road, Tamahere on Sunday afternoon. Emergency services were called to the crash, near the intersection of Raynes Road, about 2.10pm. The driver of the car sustained minor injuries. "Police would like to speak to the driver of the truck, who may be unaware that a collision has occurred, but will likely have damage to the left side of their trailer," a police spokesperson said. The truck was described as a white European-style truck with a flat nose, possibly a Scania or similar make. It was described as towing a double curtain sider trailer and was travelling north on Airport Road towards the Waikato Expressway. "Police would also like to hear from anybody who may have witnessed this crash and may have information that could assist in identifying the truck involved, such as dash cam footage." If you can help, please contact 105 and quote the event number P062005619. Syracuse firefighters were called for a house fire around 3:38 p.m. on Saturday March 22, 2025, at 209 Belle Ave. Greta Stuckey Syracuse, N.Y. Syracuse firefighters on Saturday fought through exhaustion to put out a fire on the citys South Side, this one starting in the kitchen of a home. The firefighters were called to the house fire around 3:38 p.m. at 209 Belle Ave., according to Daniel Downes, first deputy fire chief. Firefighters are feeling the exhaustion from constant work the last 24 hours, according to Downes. Most of these crews here already had to work on the North Side fire at the former Maria Regina College building, Downes said. Everyone is tired. Related article: Firefighters still working to put out fire at former Maria Regina College Firefighters from Station 8 on South Salina Street arrived at the home three minutes after the first call and saw smoke coming from multiple windows. There were two people inside when the fire started, but they got out of the house before firefighters arrived, Downes said. As firefighters moved hoses into the house, they found the fire in the kitchen. It was also starting to move into the attic space, he said. The fire was put out in less than 10 minutes, Downes said. There were no injuries to firefighters or residents. The fire was accidentally started from cooking in the kitchen, Downes said. The house suffered fire, smoke and water damage. The three people displaced from the fire will be getting assistance from the American Red Cross. Producing the classic musical comedy How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in 2025 poses a series of challenges. With music and lyrics by the masterful Frank Loesser and book by legendary wit Abe Burrows, the show sends up a vision of success in America that came to a head in the early Sixties before the hippie revolution and womens liberation brought it all crashing down. The shows satire was seen as sharp enough at the time that it won the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for drama, but can be seen as a little simplistic these days. Covey Theater Company offers a breezy and funny How to Succeed, without papering over its weaknesses. Loessers songs are clever, cynical, and sharply satirical, without the resonance and romance of his earlier work, especially his and Burrows own Guys and Dolls 11 years earlier, where they took stock comic characters to the heights of musical theater heaven. Burrows jokey book for How to Succeed hasnt worn well, so we can sometimes see performers working hard to sell it. Ambitious window washer J. Pierpont Finch, played here by Kilian Crowley, sets out to climb the corporate ladder at the World Wide Wickets Corporation, guided by a book called How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. A consummate schemer, Finch follows the books instructions to the letter, and, without a heck of a lot of resistance quickly arrives in the corporate suite. The men of How to Succeed are either frantically at work pushing papers or chasing after their secretaries. Those secretaries are desperate to marry one of those execs and retire to housewifedom in the burbs. Secretary Rosemary, who set her cap for Finch upon seeing him for the first time, sings shell be Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm. For todays audiences, the scenario is cringy. When she threatens to leave Finch, her girlfriends beg her, Cinderella dont give up the prince. Meanwhile, executives are warned A Secretary Is Not A Toy. Covey Theatre Company presents "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." (Amelia Beamish) AB Photography Finchs romance with Rosemary, played with earnestness by Maddie Castro, feels tacked on, with their one duet, Rosemary, a parody of earnest musical comedy ardor, full of lush imagery but basically hollow. The one hit that emerged from the show is I Believe in You, a love song Finch sings to himself. How to Succeed is really a cartoon. To make the show palatable now, director Garrett Heater, Crowley, and Shane Stensland as Finchs nemesis Bud Frump, understand they need to find the sweet spot between exaggerated physicality and plain silliness. For the most part, theyve done it. The Covey production is choreographed as carefully as Looney Tunes. Thats a compliment. The show was originally built for comic actor Robert Morse and every Finch since has trod in his footsteps. Crowley, a likable performer who resembles Conan OBrien, has the requisite killer smile. He also has the voice, moves and above all comic timing to make the ruthless young executive minimally sympathetic, at least when compared to Bud Frump. Stenslands Frump, the bosss mamas boy nephew, is constantly in motion. Hes a caricature of a guy, who, like Finch, wears his ambition on his sleeves, but the arms in those sleeves are constantly flapping. Leaning into every conversation, pouting and telegraphing every machination with a full body flip out, Stensland is often very funny, but the shtick does threaten to go over the edge at times. Big-voiced Bruce Paulsen plays J.B. Biggley, president of World Wide Wickets, with a booming sputter. Biggley fires off orders and fires executives with little thought, but soothes himself by knitting. Covey Theatre Company presents "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." (Amelia Beamish) AB Photography This How to Succeed is presented concert-style, with no sets, and actors seated on chairs upstage. Clever projections and video move the action along. By and large, this works. The shows action is as linear as the presentation, and Heater and choreographer Chelsea Colton know how to keep bodies comically in motion. The production number Coffee Break in which the office freaks out without the hit of caffeine is a gem, as is the masterpiece of insincere sincerity, The Brotherhood of Man. The supporting cast and ensemble are very good. Maddie Castro does fine work as the single-minded Rosemary, even though the role doesnt give her much to do except pine over her strangely oblivious boyfriend. Camille Millar is funny as dimwitted femme fatale Hedy LaRue, who is essential to Finchs rise, fall, and rise. CNY stalwart Aubry Ludington is a standout as Smitty, Rosemarys best friend. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying has lost a lot of its luster over the decades. Its a museum piece, a diorama of the way we defined ourselves once upon a time. But in lovingly produced stagings like the Covey Theater, its a museum piece worth revisiting every so often. The Details What: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying produced by The Covey Theater Company. Where: Hosmer Auditorium, Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse. When seen: March 21. Length of performance: 2 hours 45 minutes with 1 intermission. Attendance: Approximately 100. Family guide: High school. Younger kids may enjoy the physical comedy. Sexual situations are silly and stereotypical. Runs through: March 29. Information: Coveytheater.com, CoveyNews@gmail.com The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) has only delivered back-to-back annual gains of 25% or more (including dividends) on two occasions in its history dating back to 1957: during the dot-com internet boom in 1997 and 1998, and during the artificial intelligence (AI) boom in 2023 and 2024. The gains over the last two years have been driven by some of the largest companies in the index, including multitrillion-dollar giants like Nvidia, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft. They have invested their vast financial resources to develop powerful AI infrastructure and software, propelling their stocks to an average gain of 106% in 2023, and then a further 64% in 2024. In other words, investors who haven't owned those four stocks over the last two years have probably underperformed the S&P 500 by a wide margin. However, there is a simple way to buy them all right now, along with an entire portfolio of America's largest companies. The Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (NYSEMKT: MGK) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that holds 69 large-cap stocks, and 43.2% of its entire portfolio value is occupied by Nvidia, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft. Image source: Getty Images. Practically every AI leader packed into one ETF Despite holding 69 stocks from nine different economic sectors, the technology sector represents a whopping 59.7% of the total value of the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF's portfolio. That's mainly because all three of its top holdings (Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia) are from the tech sector, and they happen to be the most valuable companies on Earth with a combined worth of $9 trillion. The consumer discretionary sector has the second highest weighting at 20.9%, and it's home to Amazon, which is the fourth-largest holding in the ETF: Stock Vanguard ETF Portfolio Weighting 1. Apple 13.92% 2. Microsoft 11.14% 3. Nvidia 10.93% 4. Amazon 7.24% Data source: Vanguard. Portfolio weightings are accurate as of Feb. 28, 2025, and are subject to change. All four of the above companies are now laser-focused on AI. Not only are they developing new AI products, but they are also using the technology to supercharge their legacy products. Apple, for instance, recently launched its Apple Intelligence software, which enhances existing apps on iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. With a single tap, it can summarize texts and emails, and even generate replies, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Microsoft and Amazon operate the two largest cloud computing platforms in the world, which have become primary access points for businesses and developers seeking the tools they need to create their own AI software. That includes powerful data center infrastructure, and ready-made large language models (LLMs). Helen Hudson, Syracuse Common Council president, is set to return to her chair and gavel after personal loss and battling lung cancer and pneumonia. She is pictured Monday, March 10, 2025 at the Syracuse Common Council Chambers. (N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com) N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com Syracuse Common Council President Helen Hudson is grateful for the communitys support over the past 10 months of illness and heartbreak. Back at you, Helen Hudson. Were grateful for you. City government has keenly felt Hudsons absence since she abruptly left a common council meeting May 6 due to illness. She spent the months since then fighting lung cancer, dealing with the deaths of her mother and sister, and catching a rare form of pneumonia that nearly killed her. Hudson, an intensely private person, shared her comeback story with staff writer Jeremy Boyer to say a proper thank you to the family, friends and colleagues who kept her going. On Feb. 22, 275 people showed up at a hastily arranged charity gala in her honor. This city came through like champs for me, Hudson said. I love my community. Mayor Ben Walsh presented Hudson with a key to the city the first time he has done so in eight years. We agree with the mayor that she has earned it for her years of dedication to the cause of Mothers Against Gun Violence, years more in city government and mentorship of the next generation of city leaders. We cheer Hudsons miraculous recovery, wish her good health so that she can fulfill her desire to finish her term, and look forward to the day when she picks up her gavel again. About Syracuse.com editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our mission statement. Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Trish LaMonte and Marie Morelli. To respond to this editorial: Submit a letter or commentary to letters@syracuse.com. Read our submission guidelines. If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion lead, at mmorelli@syracuse.com Bottom line: Europe continues to lag in semiconductor production despite spending billions of euros trying to rectify this. But a new initiative signals the continent's intent to compete with leading semiconductor markets such as the United States and Asia. A coalition of nine European Union countries, led by the Netherlands, has been formed to accelerate plans for a potential second funding package under the European Chips Act. This initiative aims to present proposals by summer, following the mixed results of the 2023 Chips Act, which, despite preventing a decline in Europe's industry, failed to meet its key objectives due to slow approval processes and less state support than that provided by the U.S. and China. Dutch Economy Minister Dirk Beljaarts emphasized the need for a more targeted approach in the potential second funding program. "We need to allocate funds," Beljaarts told Reuters. "Both private and public funds to push the sector, also to make sure that the trickle-down effect takes place and that (small and medium-size) companies also benefit." This strategy aims to address gaps in areas such as chip packaging and advanced production, particularly after Intel shelved plans for a cutting-edge factory in Germany. The coalition, which includes Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the Netherlands, is focused on three main priorities: enhancing production capabilities, mobilizing public and private investment, and fostering talent within the sector. Europe boasts strong research and development capabilities, with companies like ASML leading the chipmaking-tools market. However, the region lags behind in advanced chip production, with only Intel utilizing cutting-edge technology in Ireland. The industry's stakeholders include major chip manufacturers like Bosch, Infineon, NXP, and STMicroelectronics, along with equipment suppliers ASML and ASM. Following a meeting in Brussels, organizations such as ESIA and SEMI Europe are set to formally propose their needs to the European Commission's digital official, Henna Virkkunen. Their requests include direct support for semiconductor design, manufacturing, R&D, materials, and equipment. The European Chips Act, launched in 2023, aimed to reduce Europe's dependence on foreign semiconductor supplies and bolster the region's technological sovereignty. However, it has faced challenges, including a scarcity of skilled workers and slow approval processes. The Act has a total investment goal of 43 billion, with the Chips Joint Undertaking playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between research and commercialization. Despite these efforts, critics argue that government intervention may not be the most effective strategy, as it can distort competition and favor inefficient producers. Why it matters: Major tech players have spent the last few years betting that simply throwing more computing power at AI will lead to artificial general intelligence (AGI) systems that match or surpass human cognition. But a recent survey of AI researchers suggests growing skepticism that endlessly scaling up current approaches is the right path forward. A recent survey of 475 AI researchers reveals that 76% believe adding more computing power and data to current AI models is "unlikely" or "very unlikely" to lead to AGI. The survey, conducted by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), reveals a growing skepticism. Despite billions poured into building massive data centers and training ever-larger generative models, researchers argue that the returns on these investments are diminishing. Stuart Russell, a computer scientist at UC Berkeley and a contributor to the report, told New Scientist: "The vast investments in scaling, unaccompanied by any comparable efforts to understand what was going on, always seemed to me to be misplaced." The numbers tell the story. Last year alone, venture capital funding for generative AI reportedly topped $56 billion, according to a TechCrunch report. The push has also led to massive demand for AI accelerators, with a February report stating that the semiconductor industry reached a whopping $626 billion in 2024. Running these models has always required massive amounts of energy, and as they're scaled up, the demands have only risen. Companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are therefore securing nuclear power deals to fuel their data centers. Yet, despite these colossal investments, the performance of cutting-edge AI models has plateaued. For instance, many experts have suggested that OpenAI's latest models have shown only marginal improvements over their predecessor. Beyond the skepticism, the survey also highlights a shift in priorities among AI researchers. While 77% prioritize designing AI systems with an acceptable risk-benefit profile, only 23% are focused on directly pursuing AGI. Additionally, 82% of respondents believe that if AGI is developed by private entities, it should be publicly owned to mitigate global risks and ethical concerns. However, 70% oppose halting AGI research until full safety mechanisms are in place, suggesting a cautious but forward-moving approach. Cheaper, more efficient alternatives to scaling are being explored. OpenAI has experimented with "test-time compute," where AI models spend more time "thinking" before generating responses. This method has yielded performance boosts without the need for massive scaling. Unfortunately, Arvind Narayanan, a computer scientist at Princeton University, told New Scientist that this approach is "unlikely to be a silver bullet." On the flip side, tech leaders like Google CEO Sundar Pichai remain optimistic, asserting that the industry can "just keep scaling up" even as he hinted that the era of low-hanging fruit with AI gains was over. There are now proposed Texas state bills from state senators that have the common goal of giving SpaceX massive control over the public roads and beaches for when they are launching their cosmic missions. Previously, the company has been met with resistance on road and beach closures around the area of Boca Chica and the southern part of Texas when it is launch day. Proposed Texas State Bills to Give SpaceX Control Over Roads, Beaches Reports from The Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News have shared that there are new proposed bills from state senators in Texas which aim to give SpaceX more power in the southern part of the state. specifically, these proposed bills, once passed, will allow SpaceX to take control over road closures and beaches for their weekday launches. However, a third bill has recently been introduced by a state senator which makes it a crime to not comply with SpaceX's closure orders on beaches. State senator Adam Hinojosa proposed the SB 2188, which will allow SpaceX to take control of Boca Chica roads on weekdays, while Janie Lopez introduced the identical HB 4660 to the state house. Those who control the roads now, Cameron County officials, will retain control of the roads on Fridays and weekends. Starbase to be a Texas City? State senator Hinojosa followed up with a second bill, SB 2230, which will charge the public with a Class B demeanor for failing to comply with SpaceX's orders to evacuate the beach on tests and launch days. All of these are made possible as SpaceX is in the process of transforming Starbase into a Texas City, according to Engadget, with an election coming up to decide on this. SpaceX and Their Operations in Boca Chica SpaceX has made Boca Chica the home of their space operations over the past years, erecting its Starbase in the small community. However, Texan authorities have since scrutinized SpaceX's operations in the area, particularly with their unofficial road and beach closures during mission days. Elon Musk and SpaceX also faced a previous lawsuit in 2021 where a family pursued a case against them for negligence after they suffered from a tragic accident that occurred in Boca Chica in 2020. The family sought $20 million for damages after crashing into a SpaceX truck, claiming that they did not see the vehicle passing through a two-lane highway, blaming the company for not establishing the proper safety markers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Texan residents have also held SpaceX on a chokehold before in their environmental review of how the Starship mission would affect the wildlife and ecosystem of the area. However, things are taking a different turn now because of proposed bills from state senators in support of SpaceX. The modern battlefield is not only shaped by advanced weaponry and sophisticated technology, but also by the critical minerals that make these innovations possible. In December 2024, NATO published a list of 12 defence-critical raw materials aluminium, beryllium, cobalt, gallium, germanium, graphite, lithium, manganese, platinum, rare earth elements (REEs), titanium and tungsten that form the backbone of military hardware. These critical minerals are indispensable for the jet engines of fighter aircraft and the semiconductors in missile guidance systems. There is a problem, however: China controls 6090% of global processing capacity for many of them. The race to secure alternative sources has intensified, particularly considering Chinas recent export restrictions on gallium and germanium, two elements critical for military-grade electronics. This growing resource war is being fought against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has further highlighted the Wests vulnerability. Now, a controversial minerals deal between the US and Ukraine aims to break this dependence. This raises several questions, chief among them being can NATO allies truly regain control over their supply chains, and what will the cost of this new scramble for resources be? Tungsten: an indispensable metal of war Among the critical minerals listed by NATO, tungsten has emerged as one of the most strategically significant. A September 2024 report from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) states that tungsten is essential for military applications, particularly in armour-piercing munitions and missile systems. Lewis Black, CEO of Almonty Industries, a tungsten supplier, starkly put it: If you want to drop something particularly unpleasant from a drone to eviscerate a car, you need tungsten. "If you want to manufacture any munitions, whether artillery shells, through all the calibres, right down to small calibre, you need tungsten for the penetrators. The GAO report highlights that the US Department of Defense (DOD) has assessed tungsten as a mineral with a high potential for supply chain disruption. China controls around 85% of the global tungsten supply, leaving Western defence manufacturers alarmingly exposed. Yet, despite its military importance, the US has almost no domestic tungsten production. Over the past three years, the primary imports of the metal to the US have been from China (27%), Germany (14%), Bolivia (8%) and Vietnam (8%). Black describes the situation as a supply chain vulnerability that has long been ignored: The problem that the West faces is that there are very few tungsten options available. It was always an unwritten rule in our sector not to really weaponise or politicise tungsten, but it appears that Chinas strategy with tungsten is to starve Western consumers." Ecuador ministry says new Amazon fuel leak an 'attack' Quito, March 22 (AFP) Mar 22, 2025 Ecuador found a new leak in a fuel pipeline in the Amazon region on Saturday and dubbed it an "attack," days after another spill affected hundreds of thousands of people. The energy ministry did not report the size of the new spill nor say whether it extended to the Coca River, where the country's main hydroelectric plant is located. In a statement, the ministry said "a leak of oil derivatives" had happened in the eastern province of Napo. It attributed the leak to sabotage. On Tuesday, he country's state-owned oil company declared an emergency over the earlier spill in the northwest, which polluted several rivers and left hundreds of thousands without clean drinking water. Authorities also denounced that spill as being an act of sabotage. The energy ministry said a decision would be made whether or not to take the nearby Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric power plant -- which provides 1,100 MW to the national grid -- offline to protect its machinery. The ministry said a plant shutdown would not lead to power cuts, as supplies would be "guaranteed" to the entire country. Ecuador faced blackouts of up to 14 hours a day in 2024 due to the worst drought in 60 years, which reduced the level of hydroelectric reservoirs to historic lows. The earlier spill on March 13 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, affecting clean water supplies for hundreds of thousands of people. Energy Minister Ines Manzano has denounced alleged sabotage targeting oil infrastructure. President Daniel Noboa, in power since November 2023, faces leftist opposition leader Luisa Gonzalez in a presidential run-off election on April 13. 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 Comedian and actor Amy Schumer has shared an update with fans about her ongoing experiences with weight-loss medication, in a video in which she also appeared to crack a joke about Meghan Markle The Trainwreck star, 43, has been open about taking Wegovy, the brand name used for Semaglutide that has also been marketed under the name Ozempic, touted by many as a miracle weight-loss drug. In January, she appeared on The Howard Stern Show where she explained that she tried using the drug three years ago, but ended up bedridden as she carries a gene that makes her prone to nausea. Nausea is a common side effect with Wegovy and other drugs used for weight loss. On Saturday (22 March), Schumer posted a video to Instagram where she spoke about her experiences and revealed that she has since had a much more positive experience with Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), dubbed as the King Kong of weight-loss jabs. She said she was prescribed the medication as well as estrogen and progesterone to help with her perimenopause symptoms via the virtual health clinic Midi Health, which is specifically aimed at women in midlife. Its not covered by insurance unless you have diabetes or severe obesity, which most of the internet thinks I have, but Im having a really good experience with it, and I wanted to keep it real with you about that, she said. Schumer said she had such a positive experience with Midi Health that she ended up investing in the company. Thats all I have to say, and Im not gonna talk any s***, Im not gonna stir the pot but why dont we have to call Kate Middleton, Kate of Wales? she concluded. The quip was seemingly a dig at Meghan Markle, who raised eyebrows in an episode of her divisive new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, after chiding comedian Mindy Kaling for calling her Meghan Markle. Im surprised you keep saying, Meghan Markle, you know, Im Sussex now, she told the comedian. You have kids, and you go, now I share my name with my children I didnt know how meaningful it would be to me, but it just means so much to go this is our family name, our little family name. Kaling later defended Meghan against the backlash over her show, which was branded tone-deaf by some critics. With love, Meghan was released as part of a bumper $100m Netflix deal ( Netflix ) Describing her involvement in the project, Kaling called it probably one of the most glamorous moments of my life while insisting that Meghans recipes were really accessible. With Love feels like a millennial blog come to life; its the TV version of The Tig, the website that Meghan launched and ran in her pre-royal, jobbing actor days, filmed with all the soft-filtered gloss of a Center Parcs advert, The Independents critic Katie Rosseinsky wrote in her one-star review. The heady blend of aesthetic curation, inspiring truisms and those inescapable edible flowers might well leave you feeling a bit queasy or simply worn out at the prospect of having to adequately perform gratitude for all the thoughtful touches involved in Meghans guest experience (You filled this cellophane bag with peanut butter pretzels for me? How lovely!). After a few episodes, I need a lie down. Please dont feel the need to pop a care package by the bed. Ocado has been increasing its workforce in the US after securing a deal with supermarket Kroger Ocado has watered down targets to get more ethnic minority people into senior roles amid a wider rollback of diversity initiatives within corporate Britain. The London-listed technology company, which jointly owns online grocer Ocado Retail with M&S, said its goal of having 10pc of senior management roles made up of people from ethnic minorities had been pushed back to 2030 from its previous target of 2027. It comes as a growing wave of companies rein in so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies following a crackdown by Donald Trump in the US. The US president has banned DEI programmes at federal agencies and ended government contracts with woke companies that continue to adopt these policies. Ocado has been increasing its workforce in the US after securing a deal with the supermarket Kroger to supply it with the technology which powers its robotic delivery warehouses. Ocado insisted it remained committed to DEI and said the target had been delayed because its strong rate of retention among senior managers meant it was unlikely to hit the 10pc goal before then. At the end of its latest financial year, the level stood at 5.6pc of senior management, up from 4.5pc the prior year. A spokesman said: It does not reflect any change in our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and we are making good progress across our other goals in these areas which extend across the business and our pipeline of talent. We strongly believe that diversity is a key driver of innovation and these targets are important for us to maintain our position as one of the UKs most innovative technology businesses. Last week, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission warned employers that their DEI policies may be illegal. Trumps executive order on DEI has prompted a flurry of companies to ditch or scale back their diversity programmes, including Meta, Amazon and Walmart. Some British firms have started to follow suit on watering down diversity plans including GSK and BT, which have pulled DEI measures from executive bonuses. Sensodyne-maker Haleon last week said it would axe diversity targets from its executive bonus scheme, with its chief executive and chief financial officer no longer required to hit gender representation targets to maximise their pay. Last week, Tim Martin, the boss of JD Wetherspoon, said diversity schemes have become politicised and weaponised and called for common sense on the topic. The changes at Ocado follow concerns over years of losses at the technology company. In February, Ocado revealed it racked up a pre-tax loss of 375m for its latest financial year, compared to a 393.6m loss a year earlier. 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 Channing Tatum showed fans how much his weight has fluctuated for acting roles in a series of shirtless pictures on Instagram. 1st photo is today 205 [pounds], the 44-year-old Magic Mike lead wrote alongside a photo of himself in the reflection of a window. 2nd photo 235 for a movie called Josephine, he continued. Producer David Kaplan said the film is a story of a family dealing with a personal trauma after seeing something unexpected and horrifying in Golden Gate Park. In his third photo, Tatum showed him at 172 pounds for Roofman out October 3. The film is based on the true story about a former Army Ranger who turns to robbing McDonalds restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs. Im so grateful for my genetics, Tatum added. Grateful for my chef/nutritionist/witch. Grateful for my trainer. I couldnt make these big swings in my weight without you guys. But i wont be doing anymore fat roles haha. Its to hard on the body and to hard to take off now. But damn when i look at these pics its just wild what the human body and will can do. The 21 Jump Street star has recently made headlines for his split from ex-fiancee Zoe Kravitz, 36. The couple called it quits on their engagement in October, about a year after the actor popped the question. What began as a working relationship in 2021 quickly spun into a romance when the two worked together on Blink Twice, in which Kravitz made her directorial debut and Tatum starred as fictional tech billionaire Slater King, who invites a cocktail waitress to join him on his private island. The duo officially made their red carpet debut last August at the premiere of the thriller film. While Tatum has yet to address their split, Kravitz spoke out about the end of their relationship in conversation with Elle in February. The Big Little Lies star told the outlet that her breakup hasnt changed the way she views the movie, despite him starring in it. I love this thing that we made together, and I care for him very much, she said of Tatum. Even when you bring up how great his performance is, it warms my heart to hear that, and Im so happy that all of it happened. I just feel so grateful that we got to go on that journey together, Kravitz continued. Since the breakup, Tatum has debuted a new relationship with 24-year-old Australian model Inka Williams. The two were seen outside the talent agency CAAs exclusive pre-Oscars 2025 party on February 28. In pictures published by E! News, Tatum was seen in a beige collared jacket, a black T-shirt, and matching pants, walking arm-in-arm with Williams, who wore a strapless fringe gown. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Entrepreneur Natasha Nelson always knew she was different. The 35-year old from Stone Mountain, Georgia, struggled with establishing social norms. She found small talk difficult, and couldnt understand why people did things like make the bed. She was diagnosed with autism in 2023 - just after her youngest daughter was also diagnosed. open image in gallery Natasha Nelson, who was diagnosed as autistic as an adult ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Now, Nelson is encouraging people to seek a diagnosis if they also think, or have long had suspicion, that they could be on the spectrum. If your life has always felt like it was in chaos and you dont feel comfortable and you dont feel like you thrive and you just feel like youre constantly surviving and going from one thing to the next, what you got to lose? Nelson said. Common signs of autism include trouble with social communication and a fixation on certain routines or topics Nelson says people have become my special interest now and may go unnoticed during someones childhood. But it can be costly and difficult to obtain an autism diagnosis later in life due to a shortage of medical professionals trained to work specifically with adults. Here's more information on what you should know about adult autism diagnoses. open image in gallery Nelson was diagnosed once her daughter was confirmed as autistic ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) What is autism and when is it usually diagnosed? Autism spectrum disorder is a range of intellectual, language and social difficulties, like rigidly following routines, having fixed or obsessive interests and struggling to hold eye contact or understand nonverbal communication. Autism is typically diagnosed during childhood, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children be screened as early as 18 months. Why are more adults being diagnosed with autism? More adults have sought insight on their own neurodiversity in the last decade often after their children are diagnosed or after seeing social media posts. A study published last year in JAMA Network Open showed a 452 per cent increase in autism diagnoses among adults age 26 to 34 from 2011 to 2022. Some traits of autism can go unnoticed until adulthood, when there are new social demands. Others may have learned how to hide certain behaviors, known as masking. Adults have learned to compensate over time, said Whitney Ence, a psychologist at the University of California San Francisco who works with autistic adults. They may have learned like I cant display that in public, and so I do that in private." There's also an overlap of symptoms between various disorders like ADHD and OCD that can complicate an autism diagnosis due to difficulties with nonverbal social cues or executive functions like attention span, working memory and problem-solving. What are the symptoms of autism in adults? Symptoms present differently for everyone, and many of the traits are common for people without autism, like enjoying routines or enjoying going down rabbit holes of information. But to meet the diagnostic definition of autism, the symptoms must cause significant impairment, said Dr. Arthur Westover, a psychiatrist who specialises in autism at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Were human beings in general. We like routines ... just having a bit of pleasure and feeling better with routines does not mean youre autistic," Westover said. "It goes a little bit deeper than that. Russell Lehmann, 34, has lived with his autism diagnosis for more than 20 years. The motivational speaker has routines that he describes as both comfortable and stressful. Eating the same food and buying the same groceries, he said, brings him comfort. But if he skips going to the gym for an hour and a half every day, he becomes overwhelmed with feelings of depression and failure. Its like no gym, no day, he said. ... My routine is an incredibly existential burden, because every night I go to bed knowing I have to do a routine I do not like simply to function. How does a diagnosis work? While there are various online screening tools, autism is a complex diagnosis, so experts recommend talking to your primary care physician for a psychiatry referral. That psychiatrist might want to interview people who were present in your early childhood, like family and friends, who can attest to symptoms being present at that time. Some psychiatrists may refer you to a psychologist, who can give you a standardized diagnostic autism test or will use their own clinical judgement. There is no brain scan or blood test for autism. Getting an autism diagnosis as an adult can be costly and take some time. Westover said there's a major shortage of specialists who work with autistic adults. Nelson's diagnosis took three years and she paid more than $3,000 out-of-pocket. Ence also suggests that you ask yourself a few questions when considering getting a professional diagnosis, and to know that you may run into a waitlist: What is leading me down this pathway to think that I need a professional diagnosis? Do I need access to services? Are there services I dont have available to me? Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Pope Francis appeared on a hospital balcony on Sunday to bless the crowd in his first public outing in five weeks. It was ahead of his release from the hospital after surviving a life-threatening bout of pneumonia. He was first hospitalised in mid February. The 88-year-old pope gave a thumbs up and acknowledged the crowd after he was wheeled out onto the balcony overlooking the main entry of the Gemelli hospital in Rome, where hundreds of people had gathered on a brilliant Sunday morning. But what is pneumonia and what are the symptoms to look out for? Heres everything you need to know. What is pneumonia? open image in gallery Symptoms of pneumonia can include sweating or shivering ( Getty Images ) Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs. According to the NHS, it's usually caused by a bacterial infection or a virus. Pneumonia can affect people of any age, but it's more common and can be more serious in certain groups of people, such as the very young or the elderly. People in these groups are more likely to need hospital treatment if they develop pneumonia. Other groups that have an increased risk of developing pneumonia include babies and very young children, people who smoke, people with other health conditions, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or a heart, kidney or liver condition, and people with a weakened immune system for example, as a result of a recent illness, such as flu, having HIV or AIDS, having chemotherapy, or taking medicine after an organ transplant. What causes pneumonia? Pneumonia is usually the result of a bacterial infection, but other forms exist, such as viral pneumonia, which is caused by a virus, such as Covid-19, and aspiration pneumonia, which can be caused by breathing in vomit, a foreign object, such as a peanut, or a harmful substance, such as smoke or a chemical. Hospital-acquired pneumonia develops in hospital while being treated for another condition; people in intensive care on breathing machines are particularly at risk of this. Fungal pneumonia is rare in the UK and tends to affect people with a weakened immune system. What are the symptoms of pneumonia? open image in gallery Pneumonia can usually be treated at home ( Getty Images ) Common symptoms of pneumonia can include: A cough, which may be dry, or produce thick yellow, green or brown blood-stained mucus (phlegm) Difficulty breathing - you might feel breathless, even while resting, or experience rapid or shallow breathing High temperature (fever) Rapid heartbeat Sweating and shivering Loss of appetite Chest pain, which gets worse when breathing or coughing Feeling generally unwell Less common symptoms can include: Coughing up blood Headaches Feeling or being sick Wheezing Joint and muscle pain Fatigue Symptoms of pneumonia can develop suddenly over 24 to 48 hours, or they may come on more slowly over several days. When should I get help? If you feel unwell and have symptoms of pneumonia, contact your GP. The NHS recommends that those with a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with others until you feel better. How is pneumonia treated? Mild pneumonia tends to be treated at home with antibiotics and plenty of rest and water. At-risk groups may need to be treated in hospital, as it can lead to serious complications, which can be fatal depending on a persons health and age. 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 Katherine Ryan has attempted to clear up any misunderstanding surrounding the news of her skin cancer diagnosis. On Friday (21 March), the 41-year-old Canadian comedian revealed on her podcast Telling Everybody Everything that she had a mole removed from her arm. Test results came back showing she had early stage melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer. Ryan explained that she originally spent 300 on a seven-minute consultation in which the doctor incorrectly told her that the mole was not cancerous. She eventually paid 1,000 to have it removed at a private clinic in South Kensington. Hours after the podcast went live, Ryan shared a video on Instagram, telling her followers her diagnosis was not a battle. The melanoma thing from my podcast got picked up [by the media] with added commentary like takes a swipe at the NHS, she began. Its all fine, its not a big deal, so dont stress. She continued: And one more thing, its not a battle. Theres no battle. The battle is done. I had a mole removed. It came back melanoma, very early melanoma, its fine. The comedian said that despite two doctors at private practices telling her that the mole on her arm wasnt cancerous, she knew it wasnt right since she was previously diagnosed with stage two melanoma on her leg in 2004, when she was 21. I know a lot about melanoma. I had a melanoma as a very young woman, stage two on my leg, and I've spoken about that before, she said on her podcast. In a further video shared on TikTok, Ryan shared pictures of her cancerous mole, which was small, raised and red. open image in gallery A picture of Katherine Ryans cancerous mole, taken in 2022 (right) and more recently (left) ( TikTok via @kathbum ) She added that the mole didnt look like a typical example of melanoma, but it was raised and constantly changing. Ryan credited Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave for speaking about her recent melanoma diagnosis and inspiring her to get the mole examined. Im a real pale person and I have loads of moles. And when the Teddi Mellencamp stuff came out, I was like, I dont like this mole. With that in mind, Ryan implored her followers to trust their gut over their health concerns. Just get it checked, and get a second opinion. And dont be happy with No its not the thing you think it is, bye! Because honestly, if I had taken that advice, I could have been dead in a few years thats how serious melanoma is. open image in gallery Katherine Ryan urged her followers to get a second opinion ( Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images ) She said in her podcast: It just feels crazy to me, like what could have happened if I hadn't been my own advocate and I will continue to be my own advocate, she said. If I hadn't pushed, if I had taken that good answer the first time and walked away, then I would have had melanoma just growing and spreading in my arm. And I would say, 'Oh no, the doctor says it's fine, it's fine,' and god knows how far that would have gone. An overwhelming 77 per cent of people would not recognise signs of a melanoma a malignant skin cancer tumour despite the majority of Britons worrying about skin cancer, a 2023 study by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) found. There are two types of skin cancer; melanoma, the deadliest form of which around 13,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK, and non-melanoma, of which there are more than 100,000 new cases diagnosed every year. The risk of melanoma is doubled if a person has had five or more sunburns at any age, the Skin Care Foundation states. But just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a persons chances of developing melanoma later in life. Non-melanoma comes in two most common forms: basal cell carcinoma, which accounts for about 75 per cent of skin cancers, and squamous cell carcinoma, which accounts for about 20 per cent. It is mainly caused by overexposure to UV light. 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 Two people face charges after a three-year-old girl was found dead from blunt force trauma, police said. Around 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, police in Picayune, Mississippi, were called to a home on Crestwood Drive. There, they found Aurora Enfinger dead. Police initially suspected foul play and the death was ruled a homicide, according to authorities. Investigators have released few details about the case, but her cause of death was ruled to be blunt force trauma, according to WVUE. Its unclear how the child sustained the injuries. open image in gallery Aurora Enfinger, three, was found dead in a Mississippi home and now two people face charges ( Picayune police ) As police investigated, they found steroids in her home, which led to two arrests on drug charges. Samanta and Christian Enfinger - the childs father and stepmother - were charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Days later, Samantha was charged with capital murder in connection to Auroras death. This is a tragic situation and our thoughts and prayers are with the people that thought well of Aurora. We ask that you pray for those impacted by this horrible crime and never forget this beautiful child, Picayune police said in a statement. The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact authorities. 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 Home security footage captured the moment a California fire captain pleaded for her life before her wife allegedly stabbed her to death, according to an arrest warrant. Yolanda Marodi, 53, was arrested Saturday in Mexico a month after her wife, Cal Fire Capt. Rebecca Marodi, 49, was found dead on February 17 in her Ramona home, northeast of San Diego. Yolanda Marodi was arrested near a hotel in Mexicali and taken into custody, the Baja California Citizen Security Secretariat confirmed in a statement. She was transferred to the border allowing U.S authorities to proceed with legal action, the statement said. Chilling details about the night of Rebecca Marodis killing are detailed in the arrest warrant, obtained by NBC 7, where the victim pleaded for her life. A week before her death, Rebecca told Yolanda that she was leaving her and ending their marriage, Cecilia Markland, an officer with the San Diego County District Attorney's office, wrote in the arrest warrant. open image in gallery Yolanda Marodi has been arrested in Mexico a month after her wife, Rebecca Marodi, died from multiple stab wounds. U.S. officials issued a warrant for Yolanda Marodis arrest and she was captured on surveillance footage crossing the border into Mexico. ( Baja California Citizen Security Secretariat ) On the night of February 17 just after 8 p.m., a female, believed to be the victim, was seen on Ring video surveillance with Yolanda chasing after her. Yolanda! Please...dont want to die, Rebecca Marodi said. You should have thought about that before, the suspect responded, according to the warrant. Yolanda can be seen at one point standing in front of Rebecca with what appeared to be a knife in her right hand, the warrant says. Apparent blood was seen on Yolandas arms and Yolanda can be heard telling Rebecca to go inside. The warrant says the pair then went into the residence, which is the last time Rebecca was seen on video surveillance. open image in gallery Cal Fire Capt. Rebecca Marodi pleaded for her life before she was stabbed to death, according to an arrest warrant. The moments before her death were captured on home security footage. ( Riverside Hazmat Team ) At 2020 hours, Yolanda is seen gathering pets, random items, some luggage and loading into a silver Chevrolet Equinox SUV, according to the warrant. The San Diego Sheriffs Office named Yolanda Marodi as the suspect and officials issued a warrant for her arrest. She was seen on surveillance footage crossing the border into Mexico in the hours after her wifes killing, the warrant said. Three days after Rebecca Marodis killing, a text from the suspect to an unidentified witness allegedly said: Becky came home and told me she was leaving me, she met someone else, all the messages were lies. We had a big fight and I hurt her I'm sorry. Rebecca Marodis ex-wife, Lilia Phleger, previously told CBS News that her relationship with the suspect was a typical toxic relationship. open image in gallery The San Diego Sheriff's Office named Yolanda Marodi as the suspect and issued a warrant for her arrest. A month later, she was arrested Saturday in Mexico by the Baja California Citizen Security Secretariat. ( San Diego Sheriff's Office ) Yolanda was very jealous, Phleger said. My understanding is she was very jealous and did not want to have Becky maintain the friendships she had for years with other women. Yolanda Marodi served prison time for fatally stabbing her husband in 2000. She was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2004 after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter for fatally stabbing her then-husband James Olenjniczak in his Fontana home in October 2000. The couple had two children, a son and a daughter, both infants at the time of their fathers death. Yolanda Marodi served a sentence of 13 years and eight months in prison, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The use of drugs and alcohol accounted for the additional time, the department said. Rebecca Marodi battled the deadly Eaton wildfire in Los Angeles County in January. Cal Fire/ Riverside County Fire Department paid tribute to her in a statement following news of Yolanda Marodis arrest. CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department is aware that Yolanda Marodi was apprehended, the statement said. We thank our law enforcement partners in San Diego and Mexico for their hard work. Becky was a beloved member of our community and Department, and we miss her greatly. When Caroline Styne and Suzanne Goin, who own the Lucques Group of restaurants in Los Angeles, fielded an inquiry from Tesla in 2023 about operating the diner, they decided against it. The restaurant wouldnt have a liquor licence, Styne said, which made the economics challenging, and besides, were not drive-in diner kind of people. Styne hasnt changed her mind about that, but she does see the carmaker differently now. This month, she replaced her Tesla with an electric BMW. This person has taken such a major role in everything thats going on and affecting everybodys daily lives, she said of Musk. And its so crazy when you think this person wasnt even elected. Wolfgang Puck Catering, which provides chicken potpies and other food for the yearly party after the Academy Awards, was also approached by Tesla around the same time, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions who asked for anonymity to speak about confidential conversations. The company did not respond to a request for comment. The project is so closely guarded that restaurant groups must first sign a nondisclosure agreement that, among other things, forbids disclosure of the agreement itself, according to two people who requested anonymity because they had signed one. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. A rendering of what the Tesla diner could end up looking like. Credit: X/HowardModels For many chefs, a prodigiously well-funded company offering a chance to run an innovative restaurant that is virtually guaranteed to get attention would be an answered prayer. In interviews, several restaurateurs said they would be interested if Tesla called. It sounds exciting, said chef Walter Manzke, who owns Republique in LA with his wife, Margarita. She told me the other day that she wants to buy a Tesla, so I can tell you what side shes on. New York-based chef John Fraser said that some time ago, he and other people in his group, JF Restaurants, began talking about gas station food, a genre where they saw room for improvement. Loading Anytime that a location or a food-service style changes the way that food and beverage incorporates into our lives, I want to be involved, Fraser said. This location is likely to do that because its changing the idea of what a gas station or convenience store could be. While registrations of Tesla vehicles in California fell about 12 per cent last year, the Model Y was still far and away the bestselling new car in the state. Few US cities took to Tesla as quickly and enthusiastically as LA, where high gas prices, warm weather, environmental awareness, local policies and the companys head start in the electric-car race conspire to make Tesla seem, at times, like the citys default carmaker. The areas early affection for Tesla inspired Shake Shack to approach the company with a proposal before it opened its first LA location, in 2016. We said were in the land of Tesla why dont we see if they would like to put some charging stations in our parking lot? Danny Meyer, who helped found Shake Shack, recalled. The electric-vehicle maker wasnt interested at the time, Meyer said. He said he had not been in talks about the diner project and probably would not take it on. Before his restaurants enter agreements with museums, ballparks and the like, Meyer said, we ask ourselves if our piece of art belongs in that frame. As for Tesla, Thats not a frame I would choose, he said. I might have 10 years ago because I think it had a different shine on it at that point. Back then, the brand was all about the environment. It seemed like a pretty cool thing. Anyone interested in running the Tesla diner would have to keep Elon Musks chainsaw approach in mind. Credit: AP Chef Paul Kahan, of One Off Hospitality in Chicago, said he would not be interested in working with Musks company for several reasons. I prefer to stay out of the madness and lean into unity, he said. Many restaurateurs are reluctant to express any opinion about Tesla because of the combative views, both pro and con, that people have about the company now. I wouldnt imagine most of my friends saying yes to this, said chef David Chang, who lives in Los Angeles County. But I couldnt imagine them wanting to say that publicly either, because of how polarising both sides are. Certain contentious issues used to be called the third rail of American politics. Now all of American politics is the third rail. For restaurateurs who are used to making their values on such issues as the environment and immigration part of their businesses image, navigating the crosscurrents of public opinion can be challenging. Metas criticism has hardly curbed the memoirs popularity. Wynn-Williams book is getting the kind of news coverage and social media chatter that many first-time authors can only dream of, having debuted at No. 1 this month on the New York Times bestseller list for nonfiction and sold well since. The truth is in the book. [Readers] can make up their own minds. I stand by everything in the book. Sarah Wynn-Williams This book is a mix of out-of-date and previously reported claims about the company and false accusations about our executives, Meta spokesman Dave Arnold said in a statement on Friday. Eight years ago, Sarah Wynn-Williams was fired for poor performance and toxic behaviour, and an investigation at the time determined she made misleading and unfounded allegations of harassment. Since then, she has been paid by anti-Facebook activists and this is simply a continuation of that work. Whistleblower status protects communications to the government, not disgruntled activists trying to sell books. Macmillan Publishers said in a statement that it remains steadfast in support of our author Sarah Wynn-Williams and is extremely proud to be the publisher of this profound and timely book. Before she was barred from promoting her book, Wynn-Williams told Business Insider that Meta was trying to smear me and convince people not to read the book. American Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen. Credit: Peter Rae People should read the book, she said. The truth is in the book. They can make up their own minds. I stand by everything in the book. Meta has faced whistleblowers before. Frances Haugen, for one, released a trove of internal research in 2021 showing that the company knew its products harmed children and spread hate speech. Wynn-Williams allegations are decidedly more intimate, one possible reason the company is waging such a fierce publicity battle. Her memoir alleges that Kaplan called her sultry and grinded against her as he flaunted his dad dance moves. She says Sandberg invited her to share a bed with her on a private plane, making her uncomfortable. Meta has said the company investigated Wynn-Williamss harassment complaints and cleared Kaplan at the time. A representative for Sandberg, who no longer works for Meta, declined to comment. Wynn-Williams also details Zuckerbergs awkward and reluctant attempts to cultivate relationships with world leaders, including getting nervous and sweaty when he met Russias then prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, in 2012 and how his refusal to take meetings before noon caused diplomatic and logistical headaches. There is a fair amount of it thats quite personal about Mark Zuckerberg himself and senior people, and some of the personal elements are perhaps even more unflattering than other descriptions or insider stories about Facebook, said Bhaskar Chakravorti, dean of global business at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Everything I say leaks. And so it sucks, right? Facebook co-founder and Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg I could see why they are trying their best to keep the book under wraps to the extent that they can. But more broadly, the social media giant has been growing increasingly intolerant of employee critics and leakers. Weeks after announcing in January that Meta would no longer support independent fact-checking on its sites, Zuckerberg complained to his employees about a never-ending stream of leaks plaguing the social media giant, according to a recording of the meeting reviewed by The Washington Post. Everything I say leaks. And so it sucks, right? Zuckerberg said during the company meeting. A month later, the company announced it had fired roughly 20 employees for sharing confidential information outside the company, Arnold said in a statement at the time. Flatiron Books, a division of Macmillan Publishers, announced on March 5 that it was set to publish a shocking book by Wynn-Williams that would show how top Meta leaders were careless and indifferent to the impact of their decisions while they sought more and more power. Within days, Meta public relations staff were trying to get ahead of the narrative with reporters. On March 7, Meta spokeswoman Erin Logan sent Steven Levy, a veteran journalist for the tech news site Wired, a pre-emptive warning about the soon-to-be-released book. While no one at Meta had seen the book yet, Logan told Levy in an email that Wynn-Williams had been fired and had previously made false claims, without specifying what those were. Logans attempts to discredit Wynn-Williams and her book only piqued Levys interest, he said in an interview. I was surprised by the passion with which they were going after this book, especially because they would have had to know it was going to draw my attention to the book, said Levy, who eventually wrote a review of the book for Wired. On March 12, an emergency arbiter a dispute resolution option outside the court system sided with Meta by ruling that the tech giant might reasonably convince a court that Wynn-Williams broke a non-disparagement agreement she entered as she was being fired by the company in 2017. The arbiter also said that while her publisher, Macmillan, appeared for the hearing on Metas motion, Wynn-Williams did not despite having received due notice. The arbiter did not make any assessments about the books veracity, but Meta spokespeople argued that the ruling meant Sarah Wynn Williams false and defamatory book should never have been published. Loading Wynn-Williams last week filed an emergency motion to overturn the ruling, arguing she didnt receive proper notice of the arbitration proceedings to the email accounts Meta knows she uses, according to a copy of the motion seen by the Post. Wynn-Williams further alleged her severance agreement including the non-disparagement provisions is unenforceable, arguing it violates laws that protect whistleblowers from retaliation, among other points. In a statement, legal representatives for Wynn-Williams said they were confident in the legal arguments and look forward to a swift restoration of Ms. Wynn-Williams right to tell her story. Wynn-Williams filed a whistleblower complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2024 contending that Meta had tried to build a censored version of Facebook for China. When The Washington Post first reported on that complaint on March 9, Meta public relations staff characterised the allegations as old. While it had been reported that Meta sought to create a censored version of Facebook for China, many new details were contained in Wynn-Williamss complaint and supplementary documents about how the company tried to win Chinese Communist Party approval. Later, the company published a four-page document with links to other stories about the companys China ambitions, though it stopped short of outright rejecting many of the underlying facts contained in the SEC complaint. Meta public relations staff have also sought to discredit Wynn-Williams as a disgruntled fired employee who is lying about her experience, making more aggressive arguments than the company made in 2021 about Haugen. Back then, the company sought to portray Haugen as a low-level employee with little tenure at the company. Metas global affairs head, Joel Kaplan. Credit: AP To counter Careless People, they have elevated comments on social media from former and current employees some of whom they personally encouraged to post who have challenged the accuracy of some of Wynn-Williams anecdotes, according to a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. Several senior women who worked with Kaplan, the global affairs head, rose to his defence, saying they didnt have negative experiences with him, and questioning the books veracity. And at least one former colleague has defended Wynn-Williams book, saying it accurately captured her experience. As we mentioned earlier, Premier David Crisafulli is in Canberra today, where he signed an education funding deal with the prime minister. The pair also discussed the states plans for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Crisafulli will publicly detail the state governments plans for Olympic venues tomorrow, with the widely speculated announcement of a new $3.4 billion stadium at Victoria Park, breaking the premiers key promise of no new stadiums during last years election campaign. Premier David Crisafulli and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese say they shared cannolis while discussing Olympic Games funding. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Standing alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this morning, Crisafulli said: I reckon we spoke a lot about it. But weve negotiated well together. I think thats fair. Weve worked together well, and thats always my style. Im on Team Queensland. Of course, theres been some strong negotiations two people of Italian descent, you would expect that. Loading But theres nothing that cant be solved over a bit of common sense and a cannoli. The prime minister added: I can confirm that the premier has on two occasions given me cannolis and I havent declared them and I declare them now. Under a previous funding agreement negotiated by former Labor premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Queensland government would have paid for the Gabba to be rebuilt as Brisbanes major Olympic stadium, while the federal government would have paid for a new indoor Brisbane Arena to host Olympic swimming. The cost of constructing the main stadium at Victoria Park will force Crisafullis LNP government to renegotiate these deals on the eve of a federal election, potentially putting Brisbane Arena at risk. It has been 1430 days since Brisbane was awarded the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the premier said. It was a veterans march of a distinctly different hue than usual. Colourful clothes replaced khaki uniforms, a New Orleans-style marching band played jazz and the weather gods put on a corker of a day. Day to connect: Ex-soldier Eamon Hale with (left to right) Shira Levine from Hoodoo Mayhem Brass Band, Hales wife, Celia, and children George and Elizabeth. Credit: Penny Stephens The emphasis was on community as military veterans and their families took part in the inaugural Festival of Veterans Arts Family Colour Parade on Sunday. Joggers on the Tan track in South Yarra smiled as the contingent did a lap of the Royal Botanic Gardens, led by the Hoodoo Mayhem Brass Band, in the name of veterans wellbeing. 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 When former Nedlands councillor Andrew Mangano rose to call on the administration to intervene in earthworks on its most prestigious street in February 2022, more than two dozen people watched as he aired suspicions the works were unauthorised. Among them was Meredith McGarry, who was tuning in from her beachfront Eagle Bay abode 250 kilometres south of the council chambers in which the debate about her $12.4 million Jutland Parade property was unfolding. The block at 52 Jutland Parade, Dalkeith. Inset: Rob Anderson KC with Paul McGarry (top). Nedlands councillor Andrew Mangano with high-profile defamation lawyer Sue Chrysanthou (bottom). Credit: Jesinta Burton/Google Maps She was warned about the threat to their forever home on millionaires row by her property developer husband, Paul, who was monitoring the meeting from their address in Hong Kong. Mangano did not know it at the time, but his advocacy on behalf of concerned residents on the banks of the Swan River would see him slapped with a concerns notice. Three years later, almost to the day, he would find himself in the David Malcolm Justice Centre fending off a gag order and a demand for damages, including aggravated damages, over comments he made at two subsequent council meetings that were later republished by the media. The pair accused Mangano of engaging in a sustained hate campaign underpinned by a vendetta, poisoning neighbours against them and feeding information to local journalists. Advertisement The former councillor, however, vigorously defended the claim on the basis his statements were substantially true, and rubbished allegations of malice. The five-day trial unearthed hundreds of exhibits, from photographs to correspondence laying bare how the stoush was thrust into the public arena and took the McGarrys famously private neighbours along with it. Laying the foundations Tonya and Malcolm McCusker. Credit: Matthew Tompsett After more than two decades living interstate and overseas, the McGarrys enlisted the help of luxury real estate expert William Porteous to scour the western suburbs for a forever home near Merediths alma-mater Methodist Ladies College, where she wanted to send their two daughters. It was a stark contrast to the skyscraper they occupied on Hong Kong Island and the familys South West holiday home, but the pair settled on the vacant block at 52 Jutland Parade in December 2021. In securing the $12.4 million property, the pair landed a blank canvas spanning 1957 square metres with sweeping river views that would soon be home to a five-storey mansion. Advertisement They had also landed several high-profile neighbours. To their right, former WA governor Malcolm McCusker and his philanthropist wife Tonya, and to their left Singaporean businessman Abdul Rahim Valibhoy, vascular surgeon Dr Steve Baker, well-known obstetrician Bruce Bellinge and APM founder Megan Wynne. The street is book ended by several properties owned by billionaire media mogul Kerry Stokes, his wife Christine, and his son Ryan. Paul met the first of his neighbours on January 12, 2022, exchanging niceties with Tonya McCusker from a boat on the river as she mowed the lawn. Emails tendered as evidence show the pair continued to chat online, with Paul vowing to minimise disruption during their homes construction and Tonya inviting them over for a glass of bubbles and imploring them to pick Chrissie Stokes brain for home design advice on her return from Vale. Tonya told the court her only concern was being a welcoming neighbour, and that remained the case when she received an email on the evening of January 30 forewarning her of minor clean up works on the overgrown vacant lot. Advertisement But the following morning, Tonya was blocked from exiting her driveway by two double semi-trailers and returned to a convoy of trucks dumping fill and sand swirling around the property boundary. The activity caught the attention of other residents, including Bakers wife Loretta and Mangano, who McCusker told the court she assured that the McGarrys were merely tidying up the lot. I dont believe they are telling you the whole story, Mangano told Tonya, prompting her to seek assurances from the couple themselves, warning council were preparing a stop work notice and expressing concern about the rising ground level alongside her boundary wall. The fill was spilling over to the other side. I was very concerned that excavator would come over the wall, McCusker told the court. It could have killed someone. On the other side of the boundary wall, Valibhoys son Arif was sparring with city planning staff about the discrepancies between what he had been told and what he was watching unfold from his parents home. Please advise on an urgent basis if council is seriously going to sit by and allow this to continue?, Arif asked the city staff. Advertisement Tonya told the court Paul was apologetic and attempted to quell her concerns, but like Arif what he was saying did not align with what she could see from the window of her home office. An amicable meeting or an ambush? As the semi-trailers continued to dump fill at the site and cracks began forming in her boundary wall, Tonya and Paul arranged an in-person chat before they adjourned to meet on February 5. Flanked by her husband Malcolm, Arif and the Bakers, Paul and Meredith told the court the meeting felt like an ambush, a claim Tonya later branded emotional hyperbole. But with friendly discussions having yielded only apologies and not action, Tonya escalated the matter with the city sending an email on behalf of Valibhoy, the Bakers and the Stokes 48 hours later demanding councillors take action. Days after Mangano notified the city of his intention to move a motion calling for the chief executive to investigate, the works had caused damage to the footpath and ruptured a sewage line sending raw sewage flowing into the McCuskers backyard. Advertisement History shows that a prime minister can win an election campaign with a simple scare about an opposition leader who will take the country into the unknown. Scott Morrison did exactly that as prime minister in 2019 when he turned the tables on Bill Shorten by highlighting Labor tax increases worth $387 billion. Anthony Albanese wants to do the same in 2025 by hammering Peter Dutton over the opposition leaders emerging plan to cut federal spending. In seeking to defeat Peter Dutton, Anthony Albanese is looking to a tactic used by Scott Morrison. Credit: Marija Ercegovac The key difference is that Shorten made himself a big target with a bold agenda six years ago. Dutton is staying a small target for as long as possible. Albanese has to make voters worry about the cuts when the opposition leader will not be pinned down on what they are. Singapore/Bali: Two Australians injured when a snorkelling boat capsized off Bali remain in hospital while a third was treated and released following the tragedy that killed Melbourne-based insolvency expert and exceptional leader Anna Blight. The four Australians and seven other foreign tourists were on their way from the beach resort town of Sanur to the popular island of Nusa Penida on Friday for a guided snorkelling tour when the boat overturned in rough seas. Anna Blight was killed when a snorkelling boat capsized off Bali. Credit: Cor Cordis It is believed Blight became trapped under the boat with an Estonian girl and some of the Indonesian crew. The young girl and the crew members escaped. The three surviving Australians were all injured, at least one of them, 32-year-old Cintamani Warrington, seriously. Another Hamas leader, Salah al-Bardaweel, was killed in a separate strike in Khan Younis, on Saturday. Both Bardaweel and Barhoum were members of the 19-member Hamas decision-making body, the political office, 11 of whom have been killed since the start of the war in late 2023, according to Hamas sources. Explosions echoed throughout the north, central and southern Gaza Strip early on Sunday as Israeli planes hit targets in those areas in what witnesses said was an escalation of the attacks that began earlier in the week. Signalling it could escalate its actions further, the Israeli military said on Sunday that one of its divisions that had operated in Lebanon, where Israel fought Hamas Iranian-backed ally Hezbollah, was preparing for possible action in Gaza. It distributed a video of tanks unloaded in a field and a caption that read: Preparations of the 36th Division for Operations in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said it did its best to reduce harm to civilians and questioned the death toll provided by health authorities in the Hamas-run territory. Most of the dead in Gaza have been civilians, according to health officials. Israel says they include about 20,000 fighters. Hamas does not disclose casualty figures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the aim of the war is to destroy Hamas as a military and governing entity. The aim of the new campaign was to force the group to give up remaining hostages, he said on Tuesday. Over the weekend, Israels security cabinet moved to establish a dedicated government department aimed at the voluntary transfer of civilians from Gaza, Londons The Telegraph reported. Katz said the government was working to implement US President Donald Trumps vision for Gaza, which involves the US taking over and owning the Palestinian territory. We will allow any Gaza resident who wants to move to a third state to do so, Katz said. Displaced Palestinians leave Rafah on Sunday as Israel resumes its military operation in the area. Credit: nna\advidler The new government department would create movement routes for civilians wishing to leave and implement plans for checks at border crossings, he said. It comes after a Gallup International survey found more than half of Gazas population would, given the opportunity, consider leaving. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Netanyahu to emphasise US support for Israel, a State Department spokesperson said. They discussed Israels ongoing military operations, efforts to bring hostages home, and US strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, the spokesperson added. Loading Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people, mostly civilians, and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israels military offensive has caused an appalling loss of life, said European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. As long as this war continues, both sides lose. Kallas said Israel must respect civilian lives and that threats to annex parts of Gaza were unacceptable. Hamas has accused Israel of breaking the terms of the January ceasefire agreement but has said it is still willing to negotiate a ceasefire and was studying proposals from Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation warning for residents in the Tel Al-Sultan neighbourhood in western Rafah. Smoke rises to the sky after an explosion in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel on Sunday, Credit: AP The military said troops had encircled Tel Al-Sultan to dismantle terror infrastructure sites and eliminate terrorists in the area to reinforce control and expand the security zone in southern Gaza. It said soldiers were allowing the evacuation of civilians from the combat zone via organised routes for their safety. When will there ever be peace? Dozens of families fled their homes in Tel Al-Sultan, heading northward to Khan Younis, some on foot, while others carried their belongings and children on donkey carts and rickshaws. When the ceasefire began, we returned to put up tents next to the ruins of our homes, dreaming that soon our homes would be rebuilt, said Abu Khaled, a Rafah resident. Now we are fleeing under fire for maybe the 10th time; when will we ever rest? When will there ever be peace in this city? he told Reuters via a chat app. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said 50,000 residents remained trapped in Rafah after they were surprised by an Israeli army raid into their areas, warning their lives, and those of rescue teams, were at risk. Palestinian and international officials also warned about the risk of a new hunger crisis. There's just no way around it: Market sell-offs are unpleasant. However, the silver lining I always try to find amid any significant pullback is that many of my favorite stocks inevitably go on sale. While these discounts are particularly tough on growth stocks with premium valuations, a handful of steady-Eddie dividend stocks also tend to get caught up in the volatility. A perfect example of that in the current market sell-off is Murphy USA (NYSE: MUSA), the fourth-largest convenience store (c-store) chain in the United States. Beautifully boring (in a good way), Murphy USA has become an 11-bagger for investors since its debut on the market in 2013. However, despite its stable operations and history of beating the market, the c-store chain has seen its shares tumble 22% compared to the S&P 500's (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) 8% decline at this writing. Following this oversized pullback, here are four reasons I believe Murphy USA is a spectacular dividend growth stock to buy amid the market's sell-off. 1. Slow and steady wins the race Despite being down 22% from its highs in late 2024 following less-than-perfect earnings in February and a volatile market, Murphy USA's actual operations look more robust than ever. Home to more than 1,760 c-stores across 27 states, Murphy serves roughly 2 million customers daily. Focused on providing low prices, it is fitting that the majority of the company's stores sit adjacent to Walmart locations, thanks to a past partnership. While a low-price c-store chain may not sound like the investment opportunity of an investor's dreams, Murphy's vast scale and unique geographic footprint leave it positioned for years of outperformance potential. As of 2023, single-store owners operated roughly 60% of c-stores in the U.S. Simply put, these owners cannot match Murphy's cost per gallon of fuel. This cost leadership gives the company an advantage over the competition with price-conscious shoppers, who already typically flock to Walmart stores for its prices. Furthermore, while the U.S. has only grown fuel gallons sold by 4% annually since 2013, the states where Murphy operates have experienced 7% growth. Best yet, Murphy has grown its gallons sold by 14% annually since 2013 -- doubling the increase in the states where it operates. This outsize growth shows that the company's focus resonates with consumers, and that Murphy is steadily gaining market share in the region. While management has expressed no interest in expanding beyond the 27 states where it operates, it plans to open 50 "new to industry" stores annually and convert 30 kiosk stores into larger formats each year. This 4% annualized store count growth, combined with Murphy's rising gross profit margins (5% in 2013 to 11% today) and the company's massive stock buyback program, create immense potential for shareholders. Bhopal sees clear skies with rise in temperature Staff Reporter According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Madhya Pradesh has experienced significant weather fluctuations over the past 24 hours, with notable rainfall, temperature variations, and storm activity in several regions. Rainfall was recorded at isolated places in Jabalpur and Sagar divisions, while Rewa division saw rain in a few areas and Shahdol division experienced rainfall in most locations. The highest rainfall was observed in Channodi (20.0 mm), Bijuri (17.0 mm), and Beohari (17.0 mm). According to IMD, maximum temperatures rose by 2.6C in Rewa division, while no significant changes were noted in other regions. The highest maximum temperature was recorded in Khargone at 37.6C, whereas Amarkantak had the lowest maximum temperature at 26.1C. Meanwhile, minimum temperatures dropped significantly by 3.2C to 3.5C in Rewa and Shahdol divisions. The coldest temperature was recorded in Girvar (Shajapur) and Nowgong (Chhatarpur) at 13.5C, while Narmadapuram reported the highest minimum temperature at 22.8C. IMD has also issued storm and weather alerts for various regions. Thunderstorms and lightning are expected in Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Dindori, Mandla, and Balaghat districts. Additionally, gusty winds ranging from 40-50 km/h are forecast in Singrauli, Rewa, Jabalpur, Mandla, Sagar, and Chhindwara. Hailstorms have already been reported in Damoh, Panna, Sidhi, Singrauli, Shahdol, Katni, Dindori, and Seoni, raising concerns for agricultural losses. According to IMD, the forecast for Bhopal and surrounding areas indicates clear skies with a maximum temperature of 36C and a minimum of 18C. Winds are expected to blow at speeds of 10-12 km/h. Over the next four days, a gradual rise in temperature by 2-4C is expected across the State. Residents and farmers are advised to take necessary precautions. IMD has recommended staying indoors during thunderstorms, securing livestock in covered shelters, and unplugging electrical appliances to prevent damage. Farmers are urged to complete harvesting within three days to avoid losses due to unpredictable weather. Additionally, it is advised to postpone new harvests for at least a week and use protective covers for fruit crops such as mangoes and bananas to mitigate hailstorm damage. As weather conditions continue to change, IMD urges citizens to stay updated with official advisories and take necessary safety measures. Congress accuses Govt of bias against a community Staff Reporter Maharashtra Congress leader Manikrao Thakre criticised the Mahayuti Governments handling of recent violence in Nagpur. He claimed that Governments bias against a community was visible. The fact finding committee should not have been obstructed, pointed out Thakre while talking to mediapersons on Saturday. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshvardhan Sapkal constituted a fact-finding committee to bring out the facts regarding riots in Mahal area on March 17. The delegation was led by former President in-charge of Goa Manikrao Thakre with former MP Hussain Dalwai, former Minister Dr Nitin Raut, Adv Yashomati Thakur, Sajid Pathan as members.Nagpur City Congress Committee President and MLA Vikas Thakre is the Convener and All India Congress Committee Secretary Praful Gudadhe Patil is the coordinator. The committee held a meeting at Ravi Bhavan on Saturday and discussed various issues. The committee members met Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal, Commissioner of Police and submitted a memorandum to him. While interacting with mediapersons, Thakre said, We condemn the police for not allowing access to affected areas under the pretense of curfew. I question the Governments commitment to unbiased investigation. The Congresss fact-finding committee was not allowed to visit violence-stricken areas due to the curfew. Taking strong objection on this action, Thakre alleged that Government wants that the truth should not come out. Thakre blamed the Government for its failure in its duty to protect citizens and unjustly targeted one community, contributing to a climate of hate. Thakre pointed out that the accountability should be fixed for those who physically participated in the violence, and also for the instigators. Vikas Thakre called for community-driven peace initiatives to help restore peace in the area. HC issues notices to DGP, others in case of revealing identity of rape victim Legal Correspondent A single bench of Justice Vishal Dhagat has issued notice to Director General of Police, Bhopal, Superintendent of Police, Jabalpur, Police Station In-charge, Belkheda and District Education Officer, Jabalpur and sought their response in the case of revealing identity of the rape victim. The next hearing of the case will be after four weeks. Advocates Ashok Kumar Gupta and Gurdeep Singh Wadhwa presented their case on behalf of the petitioner city District Congress President Saurabh Nati Sharma. They argued that an innocent girl was raped by her teacher under Belkheda police station last day. As per the rules, the identity of the rape victim is concealed. But the District Education Officer, Jabalpur revealed the identity of the minor rape victim. The identity of any rape victim cannot be revealed under Section 72(1) of the Indian Penal Code 2023, Section 33(7) of the POCSO Act and Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015. The petition demanded that an FIR be registered against the TI and DEO of Belkheda police station. It was also demanded that the DGP be directed to issue a guideline across the state regarding the said Act. According to the petitioner, the police registered a case against the accused teacher in this matter. Being a government employee, the Belkheda police station in-charge had written a letter to the District Education Officer. In the letter, the police station in-charge revealed the name of the rape victim. District Education Officer, Jabalpur Ghanshyam Soni suspended the accused teacher. In the suspension order, the District Education Officer mentioned the name of the minor rape victim. Revealing the name of the rape victim in this manner is a crime. There is a provision of fine along with two years of imprisonment for this crime. HC rejects two bail pleas of Ranu Sahu The Hitavada State Bureau Bilaspur Raipur The Chhattisgarh High Court has rejected two anticipatory bail pleas filed by former IAS officer Ranu Sahu, who is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. The court declined her bail requests, citing the gravity of the allegations and concerns linked to disproportionate assets. Justice Narendra Kumar Vyas pronounced the verdict on Friday after reserving the judgment on January 31, 2025. Ranu Sahu had filed two separate anticipatory bail pleas fearing potential arrest under two FIRs registered against her. The cases involve charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Section 13(2) and 13(1)(B)), along with IPC Sections 120B and 420. The anticipatory bail pleas aimed to prevent her arrest in cases related to alleged corruption and disproportionate assets. According to the charges filed by the State Economic Offences Investigation Agency and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SEOIACB), Sahu allegedly amassed wealth far beyond her known sources of income. She has been accused of colluding with alleged coal levy syndicate mastermind Suryakant Tiwari. The investigation revealed that between 2015 and October 2022, Sahu and her family acquired 24 immovable properties despite earning only Rs 92 lakh in salary during her tenure. However, property purchases worth Rs 3.93 crore were traced to her name. International human trafficking, theft ring busted in Mahasamund, four arrested The Hitavada State Bureau RAIPUR MAHASAMUND Mahasamund District police have dismantled a complex international human trafficking and theft ring with the arrest of four individuals, including two Bangladeshi nationals. The gang was responsible for nine theft incidents across Sankara, Basna, and Saraipali police station areas. The accused, posing as utensil sellers, conducted reconnaissance of vacant houses before committing thefts. Among those arrested are Milan Mandal, the Bangladeshi mastermind, and his accomplice, Mohammad Shafiq Sheikh alias Babu Sheikh, also from Bangladesh. Additionally, Afsar Mandal, a resident of West Bengal, was apprehended for his role in international human trafficking and selling stolen goods. Goldsmith Jaidev Karmakar, also from West Bengal, was arrested for purchasing stolen jewellery. Milan Mandal and Mohammad Shafiq Sheikh had obtained fake Aadhaar and PAN cards to conceal their Bangladeshi identities. Investigations revealed that Milan Mandal had illegally entered India from Bangladesh ten times since 2003. Afsar Mandal facilitated the illegal entry of individuals from Bangladesh into India and their subsequent movement back. He also used Hawala networks to send stolen money and goods to Bangladesh. Police recovered diamond, gold, and silver jewellery worth Rs 58,52,000, Rs 7,000 in cash, and a motorcycle used in the crimes valued at Rs 46,000, totalling Rs 59,05,000. The accused have prior criminal records, with Milan Mandal having served time in Raigarh district jail for theft. Cases have been registered against the accused at Basna and Sankara police stations for theft, and against the Bangladeshi nationals and Afsar Mandal at Saraipali police station under sections 14 and 14A of the Foreigners Act, 1946. The investigation began following a theft in January at the residence of Dinesh Agarwal in Basna, where jewelry and cash worth Rs 5 lakh were stolen. A similar theft occurred in February at Devnath Patels residence in Sankara, with losses amounting to Rs 4,43,000. Due to a similar modus operandi, a joint team from Sankara, Basna, and the Cyber Cell investigated the cases. They apprehended Milan Mandal and Mohammad Shafiq Sheikh from a lodge in Saraipali. Mandal confessed to the thefts and implicated his accomplices. Mandal revealed that he sold stolen jewellery to Jaydev Karmakar through Afsar Mandal and sent the proceeds to his wife, Manoara, in Bangladesh. Afsar Mandal, who admitted to facilitating illegal border crossings, confessed to sending Rs 18,10,000 to Bangladesh through Ganesh Barman. Mandal has been imprisoned in a theft case in Raigarh district and booked in a case at Police Station Basna under the Sections of theft, FIR No. 26/25 under sections 331 (4), 305 (A) BNS and at Police Station Sankara under crime no. 35/25 under sections 331 (4), 305 (A) of BNS. Ganesh Barman, who uses female agents to smuggle money and goods across the border, delivered the funds to Mandals wife through an agent named Firdus in Bangladesh. The arrested individuals are Milan Mandal, 40, from Bangladesh, residing in Karnataka, Afsar Mandal, 70, from West Bengal, Jaydev Karmakar, 54, from West Bengal and Mohammad Shafiq Sheikh alias Babu Sheikh, 43, from Bangladesh, residing in Karnataka. Israel fires on Lebanonin response to rocketsfired at Israeli targets BEIRUT ISRAEL struck Lebanon on Saturday in retaliation for rockets targeting Israel, killing two, including a child, in the heaviest exchange of fire since the ceasefire with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Earlier, rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel, for the second time since December, sparking concern about whether the fragile ceasefire would hold. A Hezbollah official told The Associated Press on Saturday that it was not responsible for the attack, calling it primitive, speaking on condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to speak to the media. Israel had said that it would respond severely to the attack from Lebanon early on Saturday morning, when rockets were fired into northern Israel. Israels army said the intercepted rockets targeted the Israeli town of Metula. Lebanons Health Ministry saidSaturday that the strikein the southern village of Touline killed also woundedeight others. Hezbollah began launchingrockets, drones andmissiles into Israel the day afterHamas October 7, 2023attack out of Gaza ignited thewar there. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict boiled over into an all-out warin September as Israel carriedout massive waves of airstrikesand killed most of the militantgroups senior leaders. The fighting killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon and displacedabout 60,000 Israelis. Under the ceasefire reached in November, Israeli forces weresupposed to withdraw from all Lebanese territory by lateJanuary. The deadline wasthen extended to February 18 byagreement between Lebanonand Israel. Manish Awasthi receives Honorary Doctorate from French university Business Reporter Manish Awasthi, who has had an illustrious career in jounalism, has been recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Mass Communication by the Ecole Superieure Robert de Sorbon, France. The convocation ceremony, held in New Delhi, recognised Awasthis contributions to journalism, political discourse, and media evolution over the past three decades. Awasthi is known for hosting political debates featuring national and international leaders across party lines. Beyond journalism, Awasthi has ventured into corporate communication and global aviation. With his vast experience, he has explored various possibilities in journalism and is now focusing on corporate communication & global aviation Poisoning suspected in suspicious death of RKDF College Professor Staff Reporter In the suspicious death of Dr Richa Pandey, an Assistant Professor at RKDF College, a short post-mortem report has indicated that poisoning is suspected for the death. The initial findings suggest that the cause of death might not be suicide, but rather an intentional poisoning, although the final determination is still pending. According to police sources, traces of poison were found in her body, and further investigations are being conducted to confirm whether this was a case of murder. Dr Richas family, especially her mother, Renu Pandey, has directly accused her husband, Dr Abhijeet Pandey of being responsible for her daughters death. Renu claims that her son-in-laws behaviour after their marriage had been concerning. She alleged that Dr Abhijeet frequently demanded dowry, including asking for a house, and often disappeared for several days without informing anyone. Despite being newly-married, Richa had reportedly expressed her distress about her husbands behaviour, which led to constant tension in their relationship. Renu firmly believes that her daughter, who was known for her strong will and character, could never have taken her own life. She pointed to marks found on Dr Richas body, including bruises and signs of strangulation on her neck, which she insists are clear indications of murder. She stated that the situation had been manipulated to make it look like a suicide. According to Renu, her daughter had confided in her multiple times about her husbands suspicious actions, and Richa had been unhappy with her marriage despite her efforts to salvage it. The incident occurred on March 21 when Dr Abhijeet reportedly found his wife unconscious and took her to Bansal Hospital, where she was declared dead. Prior to that, Dr Abhijeet had informed Richas uncle, P C Pandey, a Naib Tehsildar, who is based in Bhopal. However, the family claims that Dr Abhijeets relatives showed no concern or visited after the death was confirmed, further deepening the familys suspicions. Following the tragic event, Shahpura police began their investigation and sent the body for a post-mortem examination at Hamidia Hospital. The initial findings from the post-mortem indicated the presence of poison, but police are awaiting the full report to confirm the cause of death. ACP Habibganj Nihat Upadhyay confirmed that poison was found in Dr Richas body, and authorities are investigating further. Dr Abhijeet, who initially went into hiding after the incident, was eventually apprehended by the police. The investigation is going on, and police are considering all possible angles, including whether Dr Richas death was a result of poisoning orchestrated by her husband. Once the final post-mortem report is received, the police will take further action and ensure that justice is served. The Shahpura Police have stated that they are investigating every possible angle in this case, and once the post-mortem report is complete, they will determine whether the death was indeed a homicide. President Droupadi Murmu lauds river linking projects progress By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Dr Mohan Yadav called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday. He was on tour to national capital to chalk out preparations for upcoming Vikramotsav next month. Chief Minister said that President hailed Madhya Pradesh for a range of development works, especially progress made in river linking projects and industrial growth in the State. Noteworthy, phenomenal program has been reported in countrys first Ken-Betwa linking project under the new dispensation of Mohan Yadav Government. As issues with Uttar Pradesh government were resolved and project is on track. As far as Vikramotsav is concerned, State Government is going to make this festival in remembrance of great king Vikramaditya at grand level. This time its celebration is crossing the boundaries and will be observed in Delhi. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is realising the vision of Development from Heritage through Indias knowledge tradition. After Lord Shri Ram, the governance of Samrat Vikramaditya stands as an exemplary model of good governance. The various programs being organised across the country, including Madhya Pradesh, under Vikramotsav are a remarkable effort to inspire people by highlighting different aspects of Samrat Vikramadityas life and administration. A grand event focused on Samrat Vikramaditya will take place in New Delhi on April 12-13-14. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have been invited to participate. CM Dr Yadav expressed these views in a media message issued from New Delhi regarding Vikramotsav. Dr Yadav highlighted that Samrat Vikramaditya is remembered with great respect not only in India but worldwide for his sense of justice, wisdom, patience, valour, perseverance, bravery, and depth of thought. Over 2,082 years ago, he defeated foreign invaders and established the Vikram Samvat calendar. He ensured good governance by appointing 32 competent ministers, which led to his throne being known as Simhasan Battisi. Samrat Vikramaditya also introduced a democratic governance system by forming a council of nine ministers (Navratnas), whose collective decisions were implemented instead of unilateral rule by the king. Many modern-day governance principles trace their roots back to his era. Rioters will pay for losses, thunders CM Fadnavis Staff Reporter Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Saturday that the losses caused during the Monday riots in the city would be recovered from the rioters. If they fail to pay, their properties will be seized and sold to recover the losses, he said. Fadnavis arrived in Nagpur late Friday evening for the first time since the violence occurred on March 17. He held a high-level meeting with top-ranking police and District Administration officials at the Police Bhavan and took stock of its causes, and any possible lapses. He also reviewed the action taken by the police and shared his observations with them. Fadnavis underlined that police would remain on high alert and any disturbance will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against those responsible, he stated. The Chief Minister confirmed that 104 rioters had been identified so far, with action already taken against 92 of them, including 12 minors. The identification of the accused is still underway. He also stated that social media posts that helped escalate the violence will lead to legal action, with 68 such posts identified and deleted. Asked about any foreign involvement in the riots, particularly from Bangladesh, Fadnavis said, it was too early to comment, but there may be a Malegaon connection as one accused linked to a political party could be involved. Regarding the use of bulldozers, similar to the actions taken in Uttar Pradesh, Fadnavis clarified that Maharashtra would take action according to its own methods. He assured that anyone involved in wrongdoing would be punished and necessary measures will be taken, including bulldozer action, if needed. Contd from page 1 Fadnavis also responded to questions about an incident where women constables were allegedly attacked during the riots. He confirmed that while stones were thrown at them, there was no indecent behaviour. The Chief Minister also criticized the Congress partys committee visiting Nagpur to assess the riots. He pointed out that one of its members was previously involved in the Akola riots, which he said showed the committee was not serious in its inquiry. Fadnavis reassured the public that Prime Minister Narendra Modis planned visit to Nagpur on March 30 would not be affected by the riots. He stated that while there were incidents in some areas, life in the rest of the city remained normal. Finally, Fadnavis announced that the curfew in Nagpur would be lifted gradually. Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal and others were present in the press conference. The stock market has been falling in recent weeks, and many tech stocks have been performing especially poorly. Since the start of the year, the S&P 500 is now down more than 4%. And the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund, which tracks the tech sector of the broad index, has plummeted by around 9%. High valuations in tech have been a problem for a while, and soaring expectations related to artificial intelligence (AI) certainly don't help. However, not all tech stocks are struggling. There's even a tech-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF) that's doing incredibly well this year, up more than 25%. And best of all, it has the potential to go even higher. The fund I'm talking about is the Invesco China Technology ETF (NYSEMKT: CQQQ). ^SPX data by YCharts. Why the Invesco China Technology ETF has been doing well this year In recent years, tech stocks have performed fairly well for investors. But Chinese-based stocks have largely underperformed, due to concerns related to government overreach in the country, and just how safe those investments really are. But earlier this year, AI company DeepSeek rolled out an AI model that was on par with its North American counterparts, including ChatGPT. And particularly unsettling for the U.S. markets, it was supposedly at just a fraction of the cost. That suggests a lot of spending on AI may not be money well spent. And if Chinese companies are able to produce similar types of chatbots, they may be better investment opportunities given the lower cost of labor in China. In the chart above, you'll notice that for the first month, the China Technology ETF was performing similarly to the S&P 500 and the tech sector. But as DeepSeek rattled the markets toward the end of January and investors began to pay more attention to Chinese tech stocks, a gap began to emerge, with the Chinese-focused fund soaring higher ever since. The China Technology ETF still has more room to run Although the China Technology ETF is up significantly this year, it may not be too late to invest in it. The fund averages a forward price-to-earnings multiple of just 19. That's cheap when you compare it to the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund average of nearly 26. Plus, tariffs could weigh down U.S.-based tech companies for as long as they remain intact. Chinese tech companies, which are focusing primarily on Chinese markets, may be safer investment options by comparison. While that doesn't mean they won't be exposed to tariffs, the risk may be much more modest. Tencent, PDD Holdings, and Baidu are among the top holdings in the ETF, and they are among the best Chinese stocks to own. Xander Hernandez didnt know how much he needed a service dog until he had one by his side. The 40-year-old Army veteran and Spotsylvania County resident had tried several times to get matched with a dog, after combat-related injuries left him with back and leg pain along with severe post traumatic stress disorder. He left the military in 2009 after six years of service, including deployments to Iraq. But one thing after another happened in his attempt to find a dog that could help him cope. Hernandez said one company in Texas that promised a trained service dog scammed him out of thousands of dollars. Hernandez threw his hands in the air, figured it wasnt meant to be and withdrew from the world around him. I was more or less a hermit, he said, at home, not doing anything, cut off from everyone. Two years ago, his wife, Jessica, convinced him to apply for a service dog through Leashes of Valor. The national nonprofit is based in Spotsylvania, not far from where Gens. Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson plotted their move against the Union army at Chancellorsville. The National Park Service called the action one of the boldest schemes in military history. Jason Haag, a retired Marine Corps captain, also has experience with military history, not from the Civil War, but the 20-year War on Terror. He saw for himself that although the wars are over, many veterans continue to fight, and found that having a service dog saved his life. Haag founded Leashes of Valor to provide the same help to other post-9/11 veterans who returned from Iraq and Afghanistan with PTSD and other unseen wounds. LOV has paired more than 40 dogs with wounded warriors since 2017, and Hernandez was part of the spring graduating class. On their final day of training, he and Ruby Red, a dark golden retriever, worked together seamlessly to follow commands of Karen Meadows, lead trainer. Ruby Red seemed both alert and at ease, aware of everything happening around her, yet as if she were chilling with Hernandez. He held a cane in his left hand, and the dogs leash, decorated with the stars and stripes, in his right. She knows more about whats going on in my environment than I do and she reacts a lot quicker than I could even try, he said. A lot of her vigilance and reactions are automatic. I dont have to give her a command, I dont have to tell her what to do or where to go, she does it. Ruby Red was one of six puppies LOV rescued from a nearby hoarding situation two years ago. The organization prefers dogs from animal shelters or rescue situations, stressing that one leash saves two lives. Ruby Red has been part of the program since she was 8 weeks old, staying with various foster families to get used to different environments. Like other dogs being groomed for duty, shes also worked on obedience skills with LOV trainers several times a week for two years. Because the Hernandez family lives about 20 minutes away, the veteran was able to take Ruby Red home with him three weeks ago. Theyve quickly bonded, and his wife and 4-year-old daughter, also named Ruby, couldnt adore her more, he said. He said his 14-year-old son, Alex, lives with his mother and cant wait to meet Ruby Red. Shes been a wonderful addition to our home, our family, and the best way to put it is, we didnt realize we were missing her until we had her, Hernandez said. He was one of three wounded warriors who graduated during a ceremony Saturday at the Spotsylvania facility. Its named Axels Place, after the service dog Haag credits for saving his life. Axel died in 2023. On Friday, Meadows set out various items to distract Ruby Red and her classmates Scout and Walter. Their partners had been instructed to walk straight ahead or perform a figure-eight maneuver, all while preventing their dogs from sniffing the lawn chairs, plastic hairbrush or bag of kibble Meadows put in their path. The plastic items werent necessarily a problem, but it was a different matter when Meadows brought out K-9s she works with as part of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team. Walter, a black Labrador, got overly excited by them and the arrival of Blossom, an adorable puppy with the fluff and coloring of a lion cub. A fire truck and rescue squad happened to go by at the same time, with sirens blasting, and Walter needed a reset. Meadows reminded his veteran, Jennifer Alexander, to give him slices of cheese which she called a high-stakes reward each time Walter walked by the animals without being distracted. Any time he ignores us, Id be popping that cheese, Meadows said. Reinforce that hes supposed to pay attention to you, not us. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 30% of those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan will experience PTSD at some point. Service dogs are increasingly recognized as a treatment for the disorder, but their cost isnt covered by the VA or most insurers. LOV estimates a fully trained service dog is valued upwards of $27,000. Veterans stay at Axels Place during their eight days of intensive training, receiving free lodging and meals provided by members of the community. The organizations funding comes from grants, donors and sponsors. I wish there were a million Ruby Reds and Walters and Scouts and Mavericks, just to be by the side of every single veteran who struggles, Hernandez said. I think they, more than anything else, make the biggest difference for us. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, while leaving for London today, said that she would be in contact all the time despite being abroad for a few days. She also said that due to the delay in her departure, her scheduled programme has also been disrupted. Advertisement At the Airport, she said: We are going there for four to five days but will be in contact all the time. Advertisement Miss Banerjee would fly to Dubai first and from there she would get to London. On Monday, she is scheduled to have a meeting at the Indian High Commission. On Tuesday, she would participate in a business conclave. On Wednesday, she would participate in a business-related meeting. On Thursday, she is scheduled to give her address on women empowerment. She formed two separate task forces, Mamata Banerjee one comprising of secretaries of various departments comprising, Vivek Kumar, Prabhat Kumar Mishra, Nandini Chakraborty, DG Rajeev Kumar and CP Manoj Verma to run the administration and another of five ministers, who would coordinate with the administration and share information with the chief minister. For party-related matters she said that party state president Subrata Bakshi along with party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee would look after the matters. Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Sunday paid homage to the great freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on the occasion of Martyrs Day, honouring their supreme sacrifice for the nation. The Speaker paid floral tributes to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev at the Assembly premises. Advertisement Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht, Delhi Minister of Industries Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Law and Justice Minister Kapil Mishra and Chief Whip of Delhi Assembly Abhay Verma, along with several legislators, also paid floral tributes to these great revolutionaries. Advertisement Recalling their sacrifices for the country, Gupta said, These brave sons sacrificed their lives for the countrys independence. Their supreme sacrifice continues to inspire us to uphold the values of justice, freedom, and patriotism. Only a great human being could embrace the gallows with a smile for the sake of the country. He said that the magnificent temple of democracy that stands in this country today is built upon the foundation of martyrs sacrifices. We should always keep these ideals in mind. The martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev is inspiring for facing every struggle. We must remain steadfast in the face of challenges, whether personal or related to responsibilities entrusted to us by the people; victory shall be ours, Gupta said. In a major crackdown, the Delhi Police have busted a sex trafficking racket in Paharganj, rescuing 23 foreign national women, including three minors, and arresting seven individuals, an official said on Sunday. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Harsha Vardhan said that authorities had received intelligence about a group of seven individuals involved in human trafficking. Advertisement According to the DCP, the accused lured girls from West Bengal, Nepal, and other regions, bringing them to Delhi, where they were later forced into prostitution in local hotels. Advertisement Acting on the information, the police conducted raids at multiple locations, tracking the victims movements as they were transported to nearby hotels on scooters. Subsequent investigations and local intelligence confirmed that sex trafficking was being operated from the same location, Vardhan added. During the operation, the police raided a hideout and several hotels, ultimately rescuing 23 women, including three minors. It was later revealed that 10 of the victims were from Nepal. Additionally, seven suspects were apprehended, and a case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The investigation is going on, the DCP said. A team of the Delhi Police has apprehended two criminals allegedly involved in a shootout, an official said on Sunday. Earlier, in the early hours on March 10, the car of a property dealer was fired upon by unidentified assailants in Najafgarh. Advertisement Additional Commissioner of Police Pranav Tayal said the victim reported on March 9 that he had parked his car outside his office at 12 am before heading for home. Upon returning at around 9 am the next day, he found that the front windscreen of his car shattered with multiple bullet marks. Advertisement He further said that upon reviewing the CCTV footage, it was revealed that at approximately 12:55 am, two individuals arrived on a black motorcycle. One of them got off and fired multiple shots at the windshield and fled the spot with his accomplice in no time. Acting upon the information, a case was registered at Baba Haridas Nagar and a team of cops initiated an investigation into the case. Amid the probe, an official came to know through informers about the wanted criminals involved in the firing. Subsequently, they found that the accused were linked with the jailed gangsters and were expected to meet one of their associates in the Chawla area, the DCP mentioned. Upon receiving the tip, the team laid a trap and at around 10:02, spotted two individuals on a scooter. Sensing the police presence, the accused tried to flee the spot firing three rounds at the police. The team retaliated by firing five rounds of fire in self-defense that hit both the accused. The duo sustained bullet injuries in their legs. The authorities confiscated two sophisticated semi-automatic pistols, four live cartridges, and one stolen scooty from their possession, Tayal said. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the BNS, the DCP further mentioned. While the investigation is underway, the police are putting in all efforts to solve the case for further clues in the matter, Tayal stated. Days after a video allegedly showing a damaged statue of Maharana Pratap in Qudesia Park surfaced, a large group of demonstrators staged a protest on Sunday, demanding immediate reinstallation of a new statue of the Rajput warrior. The undated video clip that went viral on social media showed the statue with a broken sword and a damaged hand evoking an outrage among community members and history enthusiasts. In response, a group of protestors organized a two-hour demonstration near the site, insisting on a swift action from the authorities. Advertisement Following the protest, a delegation led by Mayank Rana of Rajputana Samaj Janhit Delhi met with Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Commissioner Ashwani Kumar and submitted a memorandum. The delegation emphasized the need for a new statue to be installed in Maharana Pratap Vatika within Qudesia Park, near ISBT, and urged the authorities to ensure that the reinstallation is carried out with proper arrangements and due dignity. Advertisement Amid the ongoing hill-plain controversy in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said Uttarakhand is a place for all. He said those promoting casteism or regionalism are not doing justice to the statehood agitators who sacrificed themselves for the formation of Uttarakhand and the nation as well. Advertisement Calling on the people in Dehradun to commemorate the third anniversary of his government on Sunday, Dhami said Uttarakhand belongs to all those who live here. Social amity, peace and harmony are the driving force of Uttarakhand and people here live with mutual respect for each other. Advertisement Amid the unending controversy of hill-plain divide erupted with unparliamentary words used against hill residents by a former minister, he said those creating a divide among people are not doing good to the state. Its significant that former state finance minister Premchand Agarwal had to resign following massive agitation against him in the hills after the budget session in February. Agarwal had made an offensive statement against hill natives earning public wrath across the state. Addressing the divisive controversy, the chief minister said the feeling of regionalism is against the desire of those who laid down their lives for the formation of the state. Regionalism and caste-based divisions are detrimental to the growth of the state. Those who promote these divisive ideas do injustice not only to the leaders of statehood agitations and movements who sacrificed their lives for the formation of Uttarakhand but also to their own motherland. It must be stopped and the people of Uttarakhand citizens must join hands to work towards the development of the hill state, said Uttarakhand Chief minister. Dhami announced on the opening day of the three-day celebrations that his government would provide financial assistance to the students preparing for competitive examinations and graduates. Besides this a dedicated platform will be created to enhance students employment-oriented skills through training. A high-level committee will be formed to implement the plan. A website will also be created to delineate modalities to move ahead with the plan. The Chief minister further announced to put in place a concrete measure for permanent re-employment of ex-servicemen through Uttarakhand Purva-Sainik Kalyan Nigam Limited (UPNL) and contractual employees. He said his government has also decided to award contracts of the projects worth 10 crore to the local contractors of the state. Dhami said Uttarakhand has overcome multiple challenges and hurdles to achieve success and remarkable milestones in the last three years, which are today resonating across the nation. He highlighted that the state was ranked top in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index for 2023-24, recognition in the Achievers category for ease of doing business and the Leaders category in the startup rankings. Uttarakhand recorded a remarkable 4.4% decline in its unemployment rate, surpassing the national average. States GDP has seen a 13.59% growth while per capita income has increased by 11.33%, outperforming the national average, he said. Dhami claimed that his government has successfully fulfilled over 70% of the promises made in its 2022 assembly election vision document, and remaining commitments will also be completed in coming days. Will the Congress Party, struggling hard to revive its lost fortune in Bihar, go to the upcoming assembly polls alone or as an ally of the Mahagathbandhan? The question has become a hot topic of discussion in the media and political circles of Bihar as the grand old party has been avoiding questions about its commitment to the alliance. After the state Congress leaders, central leaders have also joined the list. Advertisement During a media interaction in Patna on Sunday, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera also ignored the question over alliance with the RJD. Advertisement It will be decided when the time comes. There are still eight months left for the elections, he said. Despite medias repeated questions about tie-up with the RJD or the number of seats the party is preparing to contest in the upcoming elections, he ignored any commitment. Instead, he asserted that the Congress partys prospects are very good. Khera emphasised that there is a lot of turmoil in Bihar, and its obvious that when theres so much unrest, people desire change. Bihar is now looking at Congress with great hope for change. Right now we are focusing on strengthening the party. The prospects are very good. There is renewed enthusiasm among workers and supporters of the party in Bihar. We have a solid vision and track record in other states which Bihar is now looking up to, he added. The Congress leader called upon the people of Bihar to change the BJP-Nitish government to transform the state. Today, I call upon the people of BiharBadlo Sarkar-Badlo Bihar (Change the government to transform Bihar). The situation will not improve under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, he asserted. The Congress leader said that the party is concerned about the health of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar but the party is worried more about the state of Bihar. When you are weak, you are prone to manipulation. And the BJP is a known manipulator. We are worried about the papers signed by the chief minister who is not in his true health, he said. The Congress has constituted various committees to ensure the smooth organization of the upcoming AICC session in Gujarat. The two-day session is set to kick off on April 8 in Ahmedabad. Advertisement The committees formed include the Reception Committee, Coordination Committee, Accommodation Committee, Session Venue Committee, Session Dias Committee, Congress Working Committee (CWC) Venue Committee, Food Committee, Media Committee, Registration Committee, Volunteers Management Committee, Cultural Committee, Transport Committee, Publicity Committee, and Control Room Committee, as per a communique issued by Congress General Secretary in-charge of Organisation KC Venugopal. Advertisement The Protocol Committee, Gandhi Ashram Committee, and Health Committee have also been constituted. Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil has been appointed as Chairman of the Reception Committee, Mukul Wasnik as Chairman of the Coordination Committee, and Siddharth Patel as Chairman of the CWC Venue Committee, according to the statement. The party has designated Nilesh Patel as Chairman of the Food Committee, Ameeben Yajnik as Chairman of the Media Committee, and Anand Chaudhary as Chairman of the Registration Committee. As per the release, the Volunteers Management Committee will be led by Lalji Desai, the Cultural Committee by Sonal Patel, and the Transport Committee by Praesh Dhanani. Notably, on March 18, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, held a meeting with the partys General Secretaries and state in-charges. They discussed the detailed planning of the upcoming AICC session in Ahmedabad. The CWC meeting is scheduled for April 8, followed by the AICC session the next day. Meetings of all District Congress Presidents have been scheduled at Indira Bhawan on March 27, 28, and April 3. Kerala CPI-M secretary M V Govindan said on Sunday that Savarkar had no connection with the freedom struggle and that he does not agree with anyone praising him. Speaking to media persons here, Govindan said Savarkar has no connection with the national freedom struggle and he is a person who has written an apology to the British rulers to get him released from the Andaman and Nicobar jail. Advertisement Govindan was responding to Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar who on Saturday expressed his displeasure with the banner against VD Savarkar that was previously put up by the SFI, the students wing of CPI-M, on the campus of the Calicut University. Advertisement Arlekar, who is also the Chancellor of state universities has expressed his displeasure with the banner against Savarkar. The Governor was on the campus on Saturday to attend a senate meeting. He was reportedly stunned by the banner which read, We need Chancellor, not Savarkar. He questioned the rationale behind the banner and asked whether Savarkar had become an enemy of the country. When I entered the university, I saw a banner which read We need a chancellor, not Savarkar. What kind of thinking is this? How does Savarkar become an enemy of the country? What did Savarkar do? If you study properly, you can understand Savarkar properly. Savarkar is a man who made sacrifices for the country. Savarkar always worked for others. Not about home, or family. Instead, Savarkar always thought about the community. He is a man who made sacrifices for the country, he said. He also advised the vice-chancellor to be careful about such banners reaching the campus. The banner was put up by SFI activists a few months ago during their protests against Arif Mohammed Khan, the former governor of Kerala. The 'Tesla Takedown' movement, which has inspired protests at dealerships across the country this month, made its way to Colorado Springs on S Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president and Lok Sabha MP K Sudhakaran on Sunday said that the message the CPI-M has given to its party workers is, You kill, we are with you. Sudhakaran said in Kannur on Sunday that the CPI-M is at the forefront of all political murders in the state because of the protection it provides to the killers. He added that political murders in the state would end the day the CPI-M rejects the politics of murder. Advertisement Sudhakarans statement came in the backdrop of the CPI-Ms reported stance on protecting the accused found guilty in the Muzhappilangad Elambilai Suraj murder case at all costs. Advertisement The CPI-M provides complete protection to the killers. It is the party that deputes them to kill. Until recently, the CPI-M used to present dummy accused instead of the real culprits, allowing them to escape legal proceedings. The party took over all the matters like the court cases of the accused, protection of their families, financial assistance, jobs, salaries, anniversaries, etc, Sudhakaran said. He alleged that the CPI-M is even involved in the quotation activities of the killers and acts as a shield for those involved in illegal activities like the distribution of narcotics, gold smuggling, etc. Sudhakaran said that the CPI-M protects killers in the same way a terrorist organisation nurtures suicide bombers. The CPI-M provided protection to the accused in several murder cases, including those of TP Chandrasekharan, Mattanur Shuhaib, Kripesh, Sarath Lal, and Ariyil Shukkur. Even the former District Panchayat President, who was accused of being responsible for the death of ADM Naveen Babu, has been protected, he said. He pointed out that even close relatives of the accused in the Sooraj murder case work in the Chief Ministers Office. The Thalassery District Sessions Court in Keralas Kannur on Friday found nine members of the CPI-M guilty in the 2005 murder of BJP worker Suraj at Muzhappilangad near Kannur. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) held extensive three-day inspection of major road infrastructure projects in Rajouri and Poonch districts under Project Sampark, a key initiative for maintaining and constructing roads in Northern Command south of the Pir Panjal ranges, and the importance of maintaining the highest standards of construction quality and road safety measures were stressed. Brigadier Neeraj Madan, Chief Engineer Project Sampark of the BRO, on Sunday examined the Poonch-Rawalakote road up to the Line of Control (LoC) where widening work is progressing. This was the cross-LoC trade centre that was shut by India in 2019 due to security concerns. Advertisement Brigadier Madan, along with Commander 31 BRTF, OC 58 RCC and OC 79 RCC conducted an extensive three-day inspection of major road infrastructure projects in Rajouri and Poonch districts, including the Rajouri-Thanamandi-Surankote road and the Akhnoor-Poonch Road (NH 144A). Advertisement On his visit Brigadier Madan assessed the progress, quality, and safety standards of ongoing construction works emphasising the need for timely completion and enhanced regional connectivity. During the visit, key issues related to road widening, tunnel construction, land acquisition, and forest clearance were discussed. The Chief Engineer directed all stakeholders to ensure seamless coordination in addressing bottlenecks to expedite project execution. He also stressed the importance of maintaining the highest standards of construction quality and road safety measures for both workers and road users. He emphasised the need for accelerated construction without compromising quality standards, recognising these projects as crucial for improving mobility and boosting economic opportunities in the region. During the visit, the Chief Engineer also had a meeting with Poonch Deputy commissioner Vikas Kundal and Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma where respective DCs showed administrations commitment to strengthening infrastructure in Rajouri and Poonch, ensuring better road connectivity for residents and enhancing overall regional development. An encounter between the security forces and terrorists broke out on Sunday evening in the Hiranagar area of the Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir. The Rising Star Corps of the Indian Army said, Based on Intelligence Input regarding presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation has been launched by J&K Police and troops of Rising Star Corps on 23 March in general area Saniyal, Hiranagar. Operations in Progress. Advertisement Meanwhile, reports said that a group of four to five terrorists is believed trapped in the Sanyal village of Hiranagar. Advertisement The terrorists were first sighted by villagers who informed the police about their movement. A joint team of the Army, BSF, CRPF, and J&K Police has cordoned the area and intense firing was ongoing, said locals. It is worth mentioning that the Kathua district has witnessed a series of terror related incidents in the recent past. The Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government has accused the central government of economic discrimination. The state government has announced plans to release a detailed financial report, which will include information on loans and grants received from the Centre. This report aims to highlight how Jharkhand has faced financial bias by comparing its financial allocations with those of neighboring states, exposing disparities in fund distribution. During the Question Hour in the state assembly, Finance Minister-in-charge Sudivya Kumar claimed that Jharkhand has been denied its fair share of central taxes and grants. He accused the Centre of deliberately creating financial hurdles, which have slowed down the states development. He stated that the situation has become so difficult that the state government had to resort to legal action to recover its dues. Advertisement Despite these challenges, Kumar asserted that Jharkhand has maintained financial discipline. The state has consistently adhered to the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act and kept its borrowings within permissible limits. While states are allowed to borrow up to 3 per cent of their Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), Jharkhand has kept its borrowing at 2.7 per cent . The government claims that, despite limited resources, development in the state has not come to a halt. Advertisement Between 2008-09 and 2013-14, Jharkhand received Rs 20,825.63 crore in loans from the Centre, which increased to Rs 42,956.46 crore between 2014-15 and 2018-19. In 2019-20, the state received Rs 9,593.12 crore in loans. However, Kumar alleged that some states receive special financial assistance due to political reasons, while Jharkhand is deliberately neglected. The issue of pending mining tax dues was also raised in the assembly. In response to a question from JMM MLA Kalpana Soren, the finance minister revealed that the Centre owes Jharkhand more than Rs1.36 lakh crore. The matter is currently in the Supreme Court, with the next hearing scheduled for April 26. The Solicitor General has acknowledged the issue and indicated that steps will be taken to resolve it. Congress MLA Pradeep Yadav questioned the government about financial disparities between Bihar and Jharkhand. According to 2023-24 records, Bihar received Rs 1.65 lakh crore in tax shares and grants, while Jharkhand received only Rs 46,000 crore. He urged the state government to assess the financial losses Jharkhand has suffered since the Modi government came to power in 2014. The upcoming financial report is expected to provide a detailed analysis of how Jharkhand has been affected by alleged central neglect. The Hemant Soren government believes that if the state had received its fair share, its economic growth rate would have been much higher. By making the report public, the state aims to strengthen its demand for a fair share of financial resources. If necessary, the state government is prepared to take legal action. With the political battle over financial allocations intensifying, this report could further escalate tensions between the state and central governments, potentially leading to a major political confrontation. Paying homage to socialist icon Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Sunday that the renowned freedom fighter and socialist icon dedicated his life to empowering the underprivileged and nation building. In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote, Remembering Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. A visionary leader, fierce freedom fighter and an icon of social justice, he dedicated his life to empowering the underprivileged and building a strong India. Advertisement The prime minister, along with his post, shared a short video in which he recalled the contribution of Lohia to the nation. Advertisement Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to X to pay homage to the freedom fighter. Dr Ram Manohar Lohia ji was one of those great personalities in the political and social history of India, who remained dedicated to his principles and values of patriotism throughout his life, he said. The minister said his thoughts based on womens education, social equality and political purity are inspiring for everyone. I pay homage to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia ji on his birth anniversary, he added. Paying rich tributes to Lohia, Union Health Minister and BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda wrote on X, I pay my heartfelt tributes to the great freedom fighter Dr Ram Manohar Lohia ji on his birth anniversary. Recalling his contributions, Nadda said, Revered Lohia ji set high standards of purity and transparency in Indian politics. He paved the way for nation building through his nationalist thinking and work of social empowerment. Nadda said the work done by him towards the upliftment of exploited and deprived class and social justice will always inspire all of us. Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is poised to take over as the new state president of the BJP in Kerala, with his appointment now a mere formality. The BJPs central leadership has selected the technocrat-turned-politician to lead its Kerala unit, signaling a shift towards development-driven politics. Advertisement Rajeev Chandrasekhar was nominated for the post at the BJPs core committee meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Advertisement Prakash Javadekar, the partys Kerala in-charge, announced his name, and the official confirmation is expected on Monday after the completion of due election procedures. On Sunday afternoon, Chandrasekhar filed his nomination papers at the BJPs state headquarters, Mararji Bhavan. With no opposition expected, party leaders believe his election will be unanimous. The BJPs national leadership views Chandrasekhar as a symbol of development-driven politics, aiming to expand the partys reach beyond its core voter base. His background in business and technology, coupled with his close ties to the Christian leadership, was a decisive factor in his selection. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had included him in meetings with church leaders, further cementing his role in BJPs Kerala strategy. Unlike traditional politicians, Chandrasekhars style is marked by detailed PowerPoint presentations rather than rhetorical counterattacks. The BJP leadership believes his visionary approach can resonate with Keralas middle class, similar to how K Annamalai energized the BJP in Tamil Nadu. Chandrasekhar has served three consecutive terms in the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka since 2006. He was the Union Minister of State for Skill Development, IT, and Electronics in Modis second cabinet and served as Vice Chairman of the Kerala NDA. His appointment marks a break from the partys conventional leadership, as he is the first BJP state president in Kerala without a Sangh Parivar background. Born in Ahmedabad in 1964, Chandrasekhar comes from a Palakkad-origin Air Force family. He initially made his mark in Bengalurus technology sector, launching pagers and mobile services with BPL in 1994 and later founding Jupiter Capital in 2005. He holds a BTech in Electrical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology and a Masters in Computer Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. He was handpicked by Vinod Dham to work at Intel from 1988 to 1991. Chandrasekhar contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Thiruvananthapuram against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, reducing his winning margin to just 16,077 votes from 99,989 in 2019. The BJP leadership believes his appointment will rejuvenate the party in Kerala, which has long struggled with internal factionalism. Unlike the two major factionsone led by former Union Minister V Muraleedharan and outgoing president K Surendran, and the other by PK Krishnadas Chandrasekhar remains unaffiliated, making him a neutral and unifying choice. A large section of BJP workers and sympathizers in Kerala have welcomed his appointment, hoping he will aggressively challenge the CPI(M) and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, addressing concerns that the partys current leadership has been too soft on them. Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has equated Samajwadi MP Ramji Lal Sumans remark on Maharana Sanga calling him a traitor with wiping the sacred tilak from ones forehead. Several leaders, including Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, demanded stern action against the MP and a public apology from him. Advertisement Shekhawat, a three-time MP from the Jodhpur Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency, has begun a post on his X page with a poetic duplet saying : Advertisement Those who wipe tilaka mark from forehead/ God only knows on which mirror they view their faces//. He said making such remarks against historic warriors reflected on the SP leaders attempt of furthering the narrow-minded politics to appease those who treat foreign invaders as their role models. They can not understand the persona and the character of battle heroes like Rana Sangram Singh aka Rana Sanga, who bore the brunt of as many as 80 wounds while fighting battles against an external invader. The Rajput leader said, SP MP should deviate from his party lines and introspect on his act of making such a mean comment for the epic king, the grandfather of Maharana Pratap. Shekhawat demanded an apology from Suman to the nation. Chief Minister Sharma said the people in Rajasthan listen and sing folklore and songs on the bravery of Maharana Sanga and his grandson Maharana Pratap. We eight crore people of Rajasthan are hurt by the MPs remark, he added. Rana Sanga has fought 100 battles and won all but the last one that he had fought against the Babar-led Mughal army in Panipat. This outstanding warrior suffered as many as 80 wounds on his body. To call such a brave king a traitor (ghaddar) is indeed an insult to all war heroes of the country, Sharma said. The chief minister urged the Samajwadi party to take a stern action against the MP and ask him to tender a public apology. Deputy Chief Minister and scion of erstwhile Jaipur royal state Diya Kumari also deplored the SP Rajya sabha MPs utterance against the king of the erstwhile Mewar state. Diya Kumari termed Sumans remarks an insult to the elite community of brave rulers-soldiers of the country. It is an act of blotting deeds of bravery of war heroes of the nation for that the MP should tender public apology. Senior Congress leader and former minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said, We all are hurt, Samajwadi party members utterance is unpardonable, his act deserves severe action. Khachariyawas, the nephew of former vice-president late Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, urged the Centre to make a provision for terminating the membership of MPs for making such indecent statements for our historic national heroes. SP Rajya Sabha MP Suman kicked up a controversy by calling 16th century king of Mewar Maharana Sanga a traitor. Suman has reportedly said that Rana Sanga brought Babar to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. A 21-year-old youth and a teenage girl were found hanging on the branch of a tree at Deer Park, Hauz Khas area in South Delhi, an official said on Sunday. According to Delhi Police, at 06:31 am, a security guard, Baljit Singh, alerted the officials about the incident. Soon after receiving the information, a police team was dispatched to the location. On reaching the spot, they found the youth and the girl hanging with a common nylon rope to a branch of a tree, police officials said. Advertisement The deceased were identified as Deepak, 21, a resident of Laxmi Nagar, and Sirjana, 18 from Chattarpur. Advertisement During investigation, the brother of Deepak, Ganesh, said he left home at around 2 pm the previous day. Sister of Sirajana, Sapna, said she had been staying with her aunt in Humayunpur Village for the past three days and had left home the other day at around 2 pm saying that she would return to Chattarpur Enclave for work. A team of Crime and FSL (Forensic and Science Laboratory) were called for the examination of the bodies, an official said. A case has been registered under the relevant section of the BNS. Further proceedings are underway while efforts are being made to gather more clues in the case, the authorities stated. Tension prevailed in the city on Sunday following the arrest of a member of the Sambhal Jama Masjid Committee, Sadar Zafar Ali, an advocate. The police have alleged that Sadar played a role in the violence on November 24 in which five people lost their lives. The lawyer had made a statement accusing the police of opening fire and killing the youths . Advertisement While ASP Srischand said the accused has been arrested in connection with the violence of November 24, the police accused him of instigating violence. Advertisement On the other hand, security has been beefed up in the city after the arrest at around 11 am. Apart from the police of several police stations, PAC and RRF personnel have been deployed and flag marches were being carried out in the city. Drones are also being used to monitor the situation. Zafar Ali Advocates brother Tahir Ali Advocate has accused the police administration officials of attempting to spoil the peaceful atmosphere in the city. He said his brother had to record his statements before the Judicial Inquiry Commission on Monday. The police have taken action in a planned manner. It is said my brother had told the commission that the five people lost their lives after being hit by the bullets fired by the police. He was arrested before he could record the same statement, Tahir Ali said. He said his brother would stand by his statement even in jail. In fact, Zafar Ali Advocate had heated exchanges with police officers on several occasions in the past over the issue. Meanwhile, the work of white washing of Jama Masjid was completed on Saturday on the orders of the Allahabad High Court. An ASI team has also prepared its report after the completion of the white washing. The Jama Masjid Committee said the work of painting has been completed. Now, the decoration work is left to be done. It is reported that around 300 lights are expected to be installed. Uttar Pradesh BJP President Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary has issued a show cause notice to BJP MLA Nandkishore Gurjar from Loni Assembly segment in Ghaziabad district over alleged anti-party activities. BJP State General Secretary Govind Narayan Shukla informed on Sunday night that the notice was issued due to Gurjars repeated criticism of the government in public. Advertisement His statements and actions have reportedly harmed the partys reputation, which has been deemed a violation of party discipline. Advertisement The notice states that, as per the instructions of BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda, Gurjar must respond within seven days, explaining why disciplinary action should not be taken against him. As India commemorates Shaheed Diwas, Union Ministers paid heartfelt tributes to revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar, acknowledging their supreme sacrifice for the motherland. The leaders emphasised that their legacy will continue to inspire generations. Advertisement Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in his tribute on X, wrote, I pay my humble tribute to martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on Shaheed Diwas, remembering their supreme sacrifice for Mother India. Advertisement These great revolutionaries proved that there is no greater duty than patriotism. Their sacrifice, valour, and dynamic thoughts ignited the nationwide freedom movement and will continue to inspire countrymen for ages to believe that national interest is paramount, he added. BJP National President and Union Minister J.P. Nadda also honoured the martyrs, stating, I pay my heartfelt tribute to the immortal freedom fighters, brave sons of Mother India, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru. Their courage and bravery instilled self-respect in the youth and ignited the nationwide freedom movement. Their sacrifice, struggle, and ideals will always inspire this country. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid homage to the bravehearts, referring to them as immortal sons of Mother India. Their names will be written in golden letters among the revolutionaries who sacrificed everything to free the nation from colonial rule. Their unparalleled courage and spirit of sacrifice will always inspire us, he added. Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the fear that these revolutionaries instilled in the British rulers. The British used to lose their sleep at the mention of their names. Considering service to Mother India as the ultimate goal of his life, Bhagat Singh spread awareness about independence among the people. Salute to such great personalities on their martyrdom day. This nation will remain indebted to your dedication, he posted. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also expressed his respect and posted, On the martyrdom day of great revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, we pay our tributes to them who sacrificed everything for their motherland. Executed by the British on March 23, 1931, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev remain symbols of courage and resistance. While Shaheed Diwas marks a dark chapter in Indias history, it is a powerful reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought for the countrys freedom. Their legacy continues to inspire millions to cherish and uphold the independence they fought for. The ruling BJP will begin celebrating the achievements of the Uttar Pradesh governments eight years from Monday. Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths leadership, the BJP government will showcase its zero-tolerance policy on crime, welfare schemes for villages, the poor, farmers, women, and youth as well as its commitment to Antyodaya and Indian cultural Jayaghosh. The celebrations will continue until April 14. Advertisement Party officials here on Sunday said that the BJP will hold mass media interactions with the people and highlight the achievements of the state government over the past eight years through various programmes from March 24 to April 14. Advertisement Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will hold a press conference in Lucknow on Monday to highlight the state governments achievements. BJPs state convener and campaign general secretary Govind Narayan Shukla said the party will reach out to the people with its message of Eight years of Utkarsh-BJP government in Uttar Pradesh and highlight the state governments achievements through various mediums. Shukla said that district-level beneficiary fairs will be organised as part of the campaign. Through door-to-door outreach, efforts will be made to inform people about government schemes and decisions. Development seminars will also be held at each assembly level to discuss the states eight-year development journey. Yuva Morcha will conduct bike rallies to highlight major government projects in the district. At the district level, the governments achievements over the past eight years will be communicated through conferences, while Mahila Morcha will engage with women at the Gram Sabha level. To conclude the campaign on April 14, Babasahebs statue will be garlanded on Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti, and sanitation programmes will be organised at the booth level. Besides, discussions will be held on the BJP governments efforts towards social justice and social harmony. As an alumnus of Jadavpur University and currently an Assistant Professor at Bidhan Chandra College, Asansol, I find myself increasingly disturbed by the recent turmoil on campus. Once a symbol of intellectual rigor and progressive student activism, Jadavpur University now finds itself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. What should have been a forum for constructive discourse ~ the convention of WEBCUPA attended by educators across West Bengal and the Honorable Education Minister, Bratya Basu ~ descended into violence, chaos, and outright anarchy. Professors were assaulted, vehicles vandalized, and even the state minister was injured. The scene was harrowing ~ professors who had traveled from various institutions, including many from Paschim Bardhaman, Purba Bardhaman and many other districts found their vehicles targeted, with windshields shattered and their personal safety at risk. For years, they had heard of the increasing radicalization on campus, but to witness it firsthand, to be subjected to the very hostility they had read about, was a rude awakening. What impression does this leave on the academic community? What message does it send to those who once held Jadavpur in the highest regard? The situation has since escalated, with students threatening an indefinite shutdown if their demands, including the withdrawal of legal cases, are not met by the administration. Advertisement But amidst the battle cries, have we paused to reflect on the deep er crisis unfolding? Jadavpur University, once an Institution of Eminence, has lost that status, and no one seems to be asking why. A universitys reputation is built on rigorous scholarship, a culture of debate, and an unwavering commitment to academic freedom. However, when these principles are compromised by recurring instability and a shift away from intellectual pursuits towards aggressive activism, it is inevitable that such a prestigious status would be revoked. Advertisement This should serve as a wake-up call, urging us to reflect on whether we are prioritizing institutional integrity or allowing it to be eroded by external influences and internal discord. Are we witnessing the death of academic excellence at the altar of aggressive and often politically driven protests? Jadavpur University has a storied legacy of student activism. Like many of my peers, I, too, engaged in protests, debates, and ideological struggles during my time there. But our activism was rooted in intellectual rigor and the power of argument ~ not in intimidation, violence, or disruption of public life. Todays campus movements, however, seem to operate on a dangerous new principle: If you cannot out-argue your opponent, silence them with force. A striking example of this was the recent violence at Jadavpur University, where educators, including professors from various districts, were subjected to hostility, their vehicles vandalized, and their personal safety threatened. The shift from intellectual debate to physical aggre ssion raises a crucial question ~ have we abandoned the core values of discourse and dissent, replacing them with coercion and intimidation? This fundamental departure from rational activism raises an uncomfortable question: Have we failed as educators, mentors, and as a society in imparting the right values to our students? Universities are meant to be sanctuaries of free thought, critical inquiry, and mutual respect. When protests turn into physical altercations, vandalism, and violent confrontations with faculty members, the movement loses its moral ground. A glaring contrast can be drawn between historic protests such as the Anti-Emergency Movement of the 1970s ~ where students used literature, theatre, and peaceful resistance to challenge authority ~ and the recent unrest at Jadavpur University, where physical aggression and destruction of public property have overshadowed any meaningful dialogue. One of the biggest transformations in recent years has been the way ideological differences manifest on campus. During our time, students and teachers held differing opinions, but we engaged in dialogue, we questioned, we debated ~ we never resorted to physical attacks. Has our society now created an environment where ideological divergence is seen as an unbridgeable chasm, rather than a foundation for debate? Social media has exacerbated this divide, as evidenced by its influence on student activism at Jadavpur University. Movements that once relied on grassroots organizing and in-person deliberation are now driven by viral trends and online outrage. In recent incidents, social media has amplified ideological divisions, allowing misinformation to spread rapidly and fueling reactionary responses. This shift has transformed protests into spectacles, where visibility often takes precedence over substantive dialogue. While social media has empowered student voices, it has also contributed to a culture of immediate backlash rather than sustained intellectual engagement. Platforms that could be used for intellectual exchange and mobilization of constructive activism have, instead, become echo chambers of misinformation, outrage, and hostility. Protests are no longer about rational discourse but about who can garner more online attention. A movements success is measured by trends and retweets rather than real engagement and solutions. This shift has amplified polarization, making it harder for any genuine dialogue to take place. While student protests claim to fight for justice, it is undeniable that many who are not part of the movement suffer the most. Hundreds of students, eager to complete their education, now find their academic lives disrupted. In the name of student rights, are we infringing on the rights of those who simply want to study and build their future? Should student activism come at the cost of another students right to learn? Another alarming trend in these protests is their tendency to spill beyond the university gates, blocking roads, disrupting public life, and inconveniencing thousands of ordinary citizens who have no role in university politics. The right to protest is fundamental in a democracy, but should it come at the cost of a citizens right to commute freely, reach work on time, or transport patients to hospitals without obstruction? The best protests resonate through their message, not through the level of disruption they cause. For instance, consider the Chipko Movement, where villagers peacefully hugged trees to prevent deforestation ~ without harming a single individual. Their activism was powerful because it appealed to the conscience of the people and policymakers alike. Todays violent campus protests, on the other hand, alienate the very public whose support they seek. One of the most alarming aspects of recent events is the shift in student-teacher dynamics. Professors, who should be mentors and guides, are now viewed as adversaries. The physical assault on faculty members is not just an attack on individuals but a blow to the very foundation of academic discourse. How did we reach a point where students resort to violence agai nst those who are dedicated to their intellectual growth? This erosion of respect is not merely a university issue; it reflects a larger societal problem. Has political polarization poisoned student activism to the extent that it is no longer about reform but about domination? Have external forces hijacked student movements, turning them into pawns in a larger ideological battle? If universities become breeding grounds for political agendas rather than centers of free thought, we risk losing their true purpose. The ongoing turmoil at Jadavpur University is symptomatic of a deeper crisis ~ one rooted in political interference in university affairs, whether through student groups or administrative appointments. It has disrupted the academic culture and decision-making processes. Administrative inefficiencies in governance, failure to uphold academic integrity, and inability to handle campus disputes effectively have contributed to instability. The shift from intellectual debate to aggression, including the recent acts of violence against educators and visiting dignitaries, highlights a dangerous trend where dissent is met with hostility rather than dialogue (growing culture of intolerance). It requires urgent intervention. As an alumnus, my concerns about Jadavpur Universitys trajectory are deeply personal. The institution I once revered for its academic excellence and spirit of fearless inquiry is now at a crossroads. The question before us is urgent: Will Jadavpur University reclaim its place as a beacon of knowledge and constructive dissent, or will it con tinue down a path of unrest that erodes its very foundation? Universities should be spaces of enlightenment, not battlegrounds of violence. The onus is on all of us ~ students, educators, parents, and policymakers ~ to restore dignity to debate and discipline to discourse. If we fail, we risk not only the future of Jadavpur University but also the broader future of academic and democratic traditions in this country. The time to act is now. Let us ensure that our universities remain temples of learning, not arenas of perpetual strife. Only then can we truly say that we have imparted the right values to the next generation. The writer is Assistant Professor and Coordinator/ H.O.D., Department of Political Science, Bidhan Chandra College, Asansol The judiciary is often described as the bedrock of a functioning democracy, upholding the rule of law and ensuring that no one is above it. The developments surrounding Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court, following the discovery of unaccounted cash at his official residence, are deeply troubling. While the transfer order by the Supreme Court collegium may seem important, the incident raises pressing questions about transparency, accountability, and the standards expected of Indias higher judiciary. At its core, this episode underscores the fragility of public trust in judicial institutions. Judges wield immense power, not only over legal outcomes but also in shaping the moral and ethical compass of a nation. Allegations of financial impropriety ~ even before a formal inquiry ~ cast a long shadow over this image. The Supreme Court collegiums swift decision to recommend Justice Varmas transfer to his parent high court at Allahabad suggests an intent to maintain institutional sanctity. However, it also highlights the judiciarys delicate balancing act: preserving its credibility while respecting due process. The facts as reported indicate that cash was discovered during an emergency response to a fire at Justice Varmas bungalow. That the Chief Justice of India (CJI) convened the collegium promptly and sought a report from the Delhi High Court Chief Justice reflects a no-nonsense approach. Yet, the question lingers ~ will a transfer alone suffice in restoring public confidence, and will it not amount to Allahabad litigants being treated as children of a lesson god? If substantiated, such conduct would call for far sterner action, potentially leading to an in-house inquiry and, if warranted, impeachment proceedings. Advertisement The stakes are high, not just for Indias global standing, but for its capacity to deliver justice impartially. Fairness must outweigh optics if credibility is to be preserved. This situation also brings to the forefront the opaque nature of the collegium system. While designed to shield the judiciary from external pressures, its lack of transparency often invites criticism. In this case, the absence of a publicly available resolution, despite significant public interest, risks undermining confidence further. A proactive disclosure of facts and decisions could go a long way in reinforcing trust. Moreover, the broader lesson here is about the need for systemic reforms. The inhouse inquiry mechanism, although in place since 1999, remains shrouded in secrecy. Public accountability should not be sacrificed at the altar of judicial independence. Greater clarity on procedures, timelines, and outcomes in such cases can strengthen both integrity and public faith. Justice Varmas situation may well serve as a catalyst for deeper introspection within the judiciary. Advertisement There is an opportunity here to reaffirm the values of probity and accountability that the institution must embody. The collegiums next steps ~ whether urging resignation or initiating an inquiry ~ will signal the seriousness with which the judiciary polices itself. Ultimately, Indias democracy depends on the unimpeachable integrity of its courts. Every effort must be made to ensure that those entrusted with interpreting the law remain beyond reproach In India, Bollywood as rightly described and named by Helle Ryslinge in her film makes cinema that is often larger than life. Chhaava, yet another Bollywood release about a righteous Hindu king standing up to an evil Mughal emperor, and the post-cinema reaction videos which have come out on YouTube, proves exactly this. From wailing sermons, reverent chants to the glory of Shivaji and the erstwhile Maratha empire, down to the tearing of a cinema screen, the reaction to the torture and killing of Sambhaji by Aurangzeb in Chhaava made clear the actual intent of the film to reinforce a simplified Hindu-Muslim binary aligned with Hindu nationalist ideology, erasing historical nuance and complexity. Historical films are never just about the past; they are reflections of contemporary politics and ideologies. Chhaava, centered on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has already sparked debates about its portrayal of history. Yet, rather than simply asking what the film gets right or wrong, perhaps we should ask: Why does such distortion happen? The answer to the question lies in understanding the result of a fundamental rift between conceptions of history outside its academic confines, as opposed to its academic counterpart that strives toward decolonization. The national populaces general mistrust towards the academic practice of many historians and archaeologists working in universities comes from the latters refusal to engage in the pursuit of a glorious Hindu nation that supposedly was. Any other historical undertaking would inevitably lead to derogatory tags like urban naxal, Lutyens gang or left-liberal. Advertisement The roots of historys politicization in India trace back to the late 19th century, when nationalist movements first demanded that Indians reclaim their history from British colonial accounts. Until then, Indian history was dominated by British colonial frameworks, epitomized by James Mills influential History of British India. Mill explicitly divided Indian history into three adversarial stages Hindu, Muslim, and British portraying Muslims as aggressive outsiders who corrupted a pure and ancient Hindu civilization. In doing so, colonial historiography justified British rule as a supposed liberation from Muslim despotism, firmly embedding the Hindu-Muslim binary into historical consciousness. This simplified binary can be traced even further back to the late 18th-century Orientalist scholarship. British Orientalists, working predominantly with upper-caste Hindu literati, sought original texts (ur-texts) like the Manusmriti to codify Indian traditions. Their selective focus on Hindu religious texts as the essence of authentic Indian civilization implicitly marginalized Muslims as historical intruders. Advertisement By presenting Hindu culture as Indias timeless and original heritage, Orientalism (ironically co-opted later by nationalist history) established the groundwork for the communal divisions that began perpetuating in the following decades, reinforced through governance mechanisms such as the census. Moreover, colonial administrative practices did not allow for archival access in the colonies, thus prohibiting the growth of inquiry using the archives. In 19th-century colonial India, British administrators treated archival records primarily as instruments for bureaucratic efficiency, tax collection, and land revenue management. Unlike in Britain, where archives became accessible symbols of government accountability, in India, archives and historical records suffered from administrative neglect. This neglect laid the foundation for Indias contemporary archival mismanagement, where invaluable documents routinely rot, disintegrate, or vanish altogether. The economic dynamics of British imperial rule further shaped the nationalist historical project. Following economic crises like the Union Bank collapse in Calcutta (1848) and the British Crowns takeover of India (1857), the Indian mercantile class, particularly in the Bengal province, lost significant power. Stripped of economic and political agency, the colonized middle class in India turned toward cultural domains, particularly history, as a means of resistance to colonial domination. Strangely mirroring the Volk projects shaping European literary culture, intellectuals in Indias presidency towns crafted nationalist histories using myth, blurring the distinction between the two. Anyone familiar with Dakshinaranjans Thakumar Jhuli would notice its resemblance to Grimms Fairy Tales both collections of folklore preserving cultural memory against the onslaught of modernity. In European imperial metropoles, folklore remained a literary pursuit, since scientific history naturalised modernity as the culmination of enlightened civilisation. In contrast, Indian intellectuals, grappling with colonial subjugation, turned to mythic pasts, envisioning nationalist resurgence through the excavation, recording and thus recovery of the same. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay typified this nationalist historiography. In 1880, through his Bengali magazine Bangadarshan, Bankim called on Bengalis to reclaim their martial heritage using ancient epics like the Mahabharata as historical sources. However, rather than rejecting orientalist categories, Bankim and other nationalist writers embraced and reinforced them. Muslims continued to be depicted explicitly as foreign aggressors, deepening communal divides and further embedding colonial historiographys simplistic Hindu-Muslim binary within Indian nationalism. This tendency carried over into the post-colonial period, shaping how the new republic envisioned its history. Jawaharlal Nehrus vision of history in Discovery of India also played a role in framing Indias identity through ancient texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana. In these texts, he sought a romantic vision of India that regrettably aligns with Hindu nationalist claims of cultural continuity, which was supposedly disrupted by Muslims and the British. These Hindu nationalist claims even permeated one of the supposed secular institutions investigating history the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This institution carried on its legacy of the early orientalist scholarship: they gave scientific veracity to the search for texts that revealed the origins of Indian civilization by locating it in the earth and excavating it to reveal ancient truths. In postcolonial India, this explicitly became the search for a Hindu past in service of a Hindu nation. While academic history came to be decolonized (albeit incomplete), through interventions of Marxists, the Subaltern Studies and a rehabilitated Cambridge School, the ASI never shed its oriental roots. The efforts to identify locations mentioned in the Mahabharata and Ramayana, along with the Saraswati Heritage Project aimed at uncovering archaeological sites along the mythical Saraswati River referenced in the Rigveda illustrate this tendency. Therefore, it isnt a coincidence that the former director of ASI, B.B. Lal, a part of the archaeology of the Ramayana Sites Project (1975-1985), argued that there existed a Ram temple below the Babri Masjid. His intellectual milieu is that of the long nineteenth century which has shaped our historical thinking since that of the community at large, and not necessarily the academic historian. There is a reason why fake WhatsApp histories prevail in community consciousness more than academic history. It is not merely because academic historians do not engage in the public sphere. In fact, the contrary is often the case. This article began with how Bollywood cinema is used to create a historical consciousness in India which becomes a tool to create the image of a glorified Hindu past which was subjugated by Muslims to which the Hindus mounted a heroic resistance to save their civilization one that is in the Hindu nationalist imagination, only slowly reviving and reclaiming the nation. In this instance reclaiming the nation is done through the inflamed riots in Nagpur city caused by violent demands by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal to remove the tomb of Aurangzeb the Mughal emperor who is also the villain of Chhaava. The boundary between reel and real vanishes and the tomb of an emperor dead for more than 300 years becomes a representation of the current day anger of Hindus whose imagined sense of historical dispossession will only be assuaged by a larger than life violent enactment. It must be understood that history is complex and shaped by historical actors in each era. Our understanding of the past or lack thereof depends on whether we know how to think historically when we engage with history. If one was to follow the line of the Vishwa Hindu Parishads protests in Maharashtra and bring them to Bengal, then the Bengalis might as well end up asking for reparations for the rape and plunder still remembered through folksongs in Bengal in the name of righting a historical wrong. While the Marathi skirmish in Bengal is a historical fact, to see this as grounds for a contemporary redressal of injustice would wreak havoc in society. Thus to deny the complexity is to deny honest appraisals of the past one untainted by the distortions of colonialism, or even nationalism. An important place for such redressal to happen are classrooms for which we need to restore public institutions that are accessible to all. Some academic historians have also taken up public projects such as Itihase Hatekhori (An Initiation into History), meant for introducing children into various subjects of history and the school engagement programmes by the Archives at the National Centre for Biological Studies, Bengaluru which are commendable. Therefore, to reclaim history from a community that valorises itself while excluding others and a governmental apparatus overtaken by the same ideology we must bridge the divide over what defines legitimate sources of knowledge about the past, and a credible approach to history. To salvage the national imagination of India, we must save the ever shrinking worlds of Indian history. (The writers are PhD candidates at Central European University, Vienna and Binghampton University, New York.) Murshidabad, a historic town in West Bengal, has a rich history dating back to 1500 BCE, with archaeological excavations revealing pre-Mauryan settlements. The region was part of the ancient Rarh area and came under the rule of various dynasties, including the Mauryas, Guptas and Palas. Under the Mauryan Empire (4th-2nd century BCE), it thrived as a trade hub, with Ashokan stupas confirming its significance. The Guptas (4th-6th century CE) further enhanced its prosperity, as evidenced by gold coins found in excavations. During the 7th century, Shashanka, the first independent ruler of Bengal, made Karnasubarna, near Murshidabad, his capital, marking a glorious phase in its history. The region later saw political instability during the Matsyanyaya period before being unified under the Pala Dynasty (8th-12th century CE), which promoted Buddhism and trade. The Sena Dynasty (12th century) briefly ruled before Bakhtiyar Khaljis conquest in 1203, bringing Bengal under the Delhi Sultanate. In 1352, Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah established the independent Bengal Sultanate, which ruled for over two centuries. In 1576, the Mughals took control of Bengal, and Murshidabad gained prominence for its silk and trade. Murshid Quli Khan, appointed as the Diwan of Bengal by Emperor Aurangzeb, became the first Nawab in 1717 and made Murshidabad the capital, replacing Dacca. The city prospered as a political, economic and cultural hub, attracting European trading companies. However, its independence ended after Nawab Siraj ud-Daulahs defeat to the British East India Company in the Battle of Plassey (1757), marking the decline of Nawabi rule and the beginning of British dominance in Bengal. As part of the Murshidabad Heritage Festival 2025, we (The Statesman) embarked on an exploration of the historic city alongside professors, students, delegates, media professionals and tourists. The journey was spearheaded by Sandip Nowlakha, vice president of the Murshidabad Heritage Development Society. Advertisement Katra Mosque Advertisement The Katra Masjid is the oldest Islamic architecture at Murshidabad built between 1723 and 1724 by Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, the first Nawab of Bengal. The name Katra refers to a caravanserai, a traditional resting place for travellers. Designed as a mosque, caravanserai and the Nawabs final resting place, it is one of the largest caravanserais in the Indian subcontinent and was a significant centre for Islamic learning. The mosques architecture includes two towering corner structures with musket loopholes, highlighting its defensive features. It features an entrance on the east side with fourteen flights of stairs and has minar-like massive buttresses at its four corners. The open courtyard is surrounded by double-storeyed cells. Mughal emperor Aurangzeb appointed Murshid Quli Khan as Diwan of Bengal in 1702. Murshid Quli Khan was the title given by the Mughal emperor; his original name was Kartalab Khan. After Aurangzeb died in 1707, Murshid was transferred to Deccan province. In 1710, Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar brought Murshid Quli Khan back to Bengal. About seven years later, the emperor also changed the post of Subahdar, a hereditary position of Nawab. As a result, with the Mughal emperors trust, Murshid Quli Khan became the first Nawab of Bengal in 1717. On becoming the Nawab, Murshid immediately transferred his capital from former Dacca to Makhsudabad. Murshid Quli Khan also changed the old name of Makhsudabad and renamed it Murshidabad, after his name. The history of Murshidabad took a dramatic turn after it became the capital of Mughal Bengal. Notably, Nawab Murshid Quli Khan is buried beneath the staircase at the mosques entrance. In his later years, the Nawab wished to build his tomb alongside a grand mosque and entrusted its construction to his trusted architect, Murad Farash Khan. Despite damage from the 1897 earthquake, the Katra Masjid remains a striking blend of Mughal and Bengali architectural styles. Hazarduari Palace Museum Spanning an impressive 41 acres, Hazarduarimeaning palace of a thousand doorsboasts a remarkable architectural design featuring a thousand grand ornamental doorways. Constructed under the reign of Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah by architect McLeod Duncan, this majestic structure has since been transformed into a museum. Its vast collection includes Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulahs treasured belongings, weaponry from the Battle of Plassey (1757), exquisite oil paintings by Dutch, French and Italian artists, as well as rare marble, porcelain and stucco sculptures. Visitors can also explore farmans (royal decrees), rare books and manuscripts, palanquins used by the Nawabs, and numerous other historical artefacts. In 1985, the palace was entrusted to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for enhanced conservation. Today, it houses 20 galleries displaying an extensive collection of approximately 4,742 antiquities, with 1,034 currently accessible to the public. House of Jagat Seth Originating from Murshidabad, Jagat Seth was one of the most influential financial figures of 18th-century India. A prosperous banker, he was reputed to have amassed a fortune estimated at over Rs 8.3 lakh crore. Known as the trillionaire of the 18th century, Jagat Seths legacy was built on a flourishing banking and trading empire. His grandfather, Manik Chand, originally migrated from Dhaka to Patna, establishing a successful money-lending and trade business. Under the leadership of his nephew, Fateh Chand, the enterprise expanded to such an extent that he earned the title Jagat Seth, meaning banker of the world. Apart from his financial empire, Jagat Seth managed the treasury accounts of Bengal during the Nawabi period. His involvement in the political landscape of the time was significanthe played a crucial role in the conspiracy leading to the imprisonment and eventual assassination of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah. His immense wealth allowed him to lend money to both the British and the Mughals, securing his influence. However, his descendants were not as fortunate. Due to British conspiracies and competition from local economic rivals, the Seth familys financial stronghold eventually crumbled. Despite this decline, the House of Jagat Seth, built by Harreck Chand, a later-generation member of the family, still stands as an attestation to its former prosperity. Now a museum, the house showcases a collection of antique coins, muslin fabrics and luxurious garments, including intricately embroidered sarees woven with gold and silver threads. Adding to its mystique, the house features a hidden underground tunnel and chamber, speculated to have been used for secret trade discussions. This historic residence remains a fascinating window into the opulence and political intrigue of Bengals past. Nashipur Rajbari Nashipur Rajbari, also known as Nashipur Palace, is a historic edifice located in Nashipur, Murshidabad. Constructed in 1865 by Raja Kirti Chandra Singha Bahadur, a descendant of Raja Debi Singh, the palace exemplifies the grandeur of 19th-century architecture. Raja Debi Singh, originally from Panipat, arrived in Bengal as a trader and subsequently became a tax collector under the British East India Company. His tenure as a tax collector was marked by notoriety due to his oppressive tax collection methods, which led to significant peasant unrest. The most notable of these was the Rangpur Dhing of 1783, a rebellion where both Hindu and Muslim peasants united against the excessive taxation and harsh measures imposed by Debi Singh. The revolt was eventually suppressed by Company troops, resulting in numerous casualties and a period of terror throughout the Rangpur district. Today, visitors can explore the palaces expansive courtyards and grand halls, gaining insight into the architectural and cultural heritage of Bengal during that era. The palace also houses a museum exhibiting personal belongings of the Nashipur royal family, including farmans and legal documents related to tax collection from that era. Additionally, within the palace grounds is the Ramchandra Temple, one of the largest temples in Murshidabad, reflecting the religious significance of the site. (Photographs by the writer) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed his willingness to invariably support Russias war against Ukraine during his meeting with a top Russian security official, Pyongyangs state media reported on Saturday. Kim held important and useful discussions with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang the previous day. The former Russian defence minister arrived in North Korea hours before the talks. Advertisement At the meeting, both sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues related to defending the security interests of the two countries as well as regional and global issues, while confirming their consensus on such issues, reports Yonhap quoting the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Advertisement Kim also said it is the steadfast option and resolute will of the DPRK government to invariably support Russia in the struggle for defending the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security interests in the future, the report said. DPRK stands for the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, North Koreas official name. Shoigu presented an important signed letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kim, the KCNA said, without disclosing details. Experts speculated that Shoigu probably travelled to the North to explain Russias stance on a ceasefire in the Ukraine war and what it would provide to Pyongyang in return for the Norths troop deployment to Russia. During phone talks this week, Putin agreed with US President Donald Trump to temporarily halt strikes on Ukraines energy infrastructure in a partial ceasefire in the war. Shoigus trip also came amid speculation that Kim may travel to Russia, possibly in May on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Russias Victory Day. Putin invited Kim to visit Moscow during his trip to Pyongyang last June for bilateral summit talks. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Saturday announced that it had taken control of new strategic sites in the capital Khartoum. Our forces in central Khartoum continue to pressure the militia and have taken control of the Corinthia Hotel and the Strategic Facilities Administration, SAF spokesman Nabil Abdalla said in a statement. Advertisement The headquarters of the National Intelligence Service have also been cleared, while militia members are desperately trying to flee from our forces everywhere at this moment, he said. Advertisement It added that the army has also tightened control over key locations in central Khartoum, including the Zain Tower, the Central Bank of Sudan, the Sahel and Sahara Bank Tower, the Cooperative Tower, Bayan College, the National Museum, Sudan University of Science and Technology, and the Friendship Hall. On Friday, the Sudanese army announced that it had taken control of the presidential palace and government headquarters in central Khartoum. The SAF forces managed to crush the remnants of the militia in the central areas of Khartoum, including the Al Souq Al-Arabi Market, the Republican Palace buildings and the ministries, Abdalla announced in a televised statement. Our forces have completely destroyed the enemys personnel and equipment and seized large quantities of its equipment and weapons in the mentioned areas, he said. The battle for the palace intensified over the past few days, with the SAF deploying warplanes and drones against RSF fighters entrenched in high-rise buildings and government institutions, Xinhua news agency reported. Heavy artillery and airstrikes caused extensive damage, with activists sharing footage of fires raging in central Khartoum. Since February, the Sudanese army has reclaimed most of Khartoum, with the RSF holding only a few strongholds, including the Jabal Awliya area in the south, home to a major dam. Sudan has been embroiled in conflict between the SAF and RSF since mid-April 2023, with almost 30,000 lives lost, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project cited by the United Nations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday held a meeting of the military cabinet in Kharkiv, media reported. The situation on the frontlines and preparations for a meeting with the US in Saudi Arabia were discussed, The Kyiv Independent reported. Advertisement Zelensky noted that during the meeting, he received briefings from Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Andrii Hnatov. Advertisement Additionally, the Head of the Presidents Office, Andriy Yermak, and his deputy, Pavlo Palisa, attended the meeting. The following topics were discussed: We discussed the situation at the front and the developments in main directions Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Sumy as well as the course of the operation in the Kursk region. We also prepared for the meeting between the Ukrainian and American delegations, which will take place tomorrow in Saudi Arabia, the Ukrainian President said on Sunday. Ukrainian and US officials are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia on March 24 for continued peace talks, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a post to social media on Wednesday. Following a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18, a partial ceasefire on energy infrastructure strikes was agreed upon. Zelensky and Trump held a subsequent call on March 19 to discuss the US Presidents conversation with Putin the day prior, with Zelensky ultimately agreeing to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Zelenskys announcement comes as US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on March 19 on X that talks between Russian and American delegations to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine will also take place on March 24 in Riyadh. 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, Zelensky said following the call. Zelensky voiced that the US and Ukrainian delegations will continue to work out technical issues regarding the partial ceasefire. During a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki earlier on March 20, Zelensky said that Kyiv will compile a list of energy, infrastructure, and civilian sites that Russia must cease attacking and present the document to international partners. In further meetings, the teams can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security guarantees, he said. Ukrainian and US delegations last met in Saudi Arabia on March 11, where Ukraine agreed to a US proposal for a complete ceasefire. Russia did not agree to a complete ceasefire. Prior to the March 11 meeting, Ukrainian and US relations were at a low point following a heated argument in the White House between Zelensky and Trump on February 28. US military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine were paused for several days until the two sides met in Saudi Arabia on March 11. Included in the Ukrainian delegation are Andriy Yermak, Zelenskys Chief of Staff, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa. Lawmakers arrive at the Utah Capitol Building in Salt Lake City for the first week of the legislative session on Jan. 23, 2025. Life was uncomplicated when I was young. If we did not have something, there was no fear of missing out. If we did have something, it was ours to enjoy, cherish and safeguard. For ever. We never threw away a toy, a watch, a radio set or any other possession merely because it became old, or a newer model was available. If something did not work properly, we fixed it. If it broke, we repaired it. We were expected to value everything till the end of time. Thus, if the strap of a chappal broke, we changed the strap. If a pen stopped working, the ink cartridge was changed. One bag saw me through seven years of schooling, with no more than three trips to the cobbler for repairs when it got torn. Most products lasted for years and years and sometimes even generations. Long ago, my mother owned a pair of scissors on which was etched, in Urdu, the legend Dada Kharide, Pota Barte. Translated, it meant that the scissors were good enough to last for three generations or more. In that age and time, any person who had the impudence to suggest that his product had an expiry date, or worse that obsolescence was built into it, would be called a swindler and a crook. Today, we are inured to the manufacturers of expensive telephones informing us matter-of-factly that their product will stop working after a certain date. Imagine the outrage if one fine morning the Rolex company were to declare that all their watch models older than five years would stop working from next Monday! Illustration: Job P.K. For families on the cusp of the middle-middle and upper-middle classes, cars were the ultimate validation of the belief that every effort must be made to repair something before it was junked. Middle class car owners in Delhi knew that corner shop in Bhogal that specialised in retreading tyres. Chunnu Mian, who ran his poky little workshop behind the Jama Masjid, could refurbish any broken shock absorber. And the Janata Batterywala in the lane behind Moti Cinema in Chandni Chowk sold the best reconditioned batteries this side of the Khyber Pass. The Gen Y and Z shall never exult in that rush of dopamine when a dead engine comes to life after you, your brother and the neighbourhood chowkidar push-start the car on a wintry morning. No one will talk to these generations knowledgeably about reboring the engine, about oversized pistons, about universal cross joints or about the use of soap solution as brake fluidbecause they replace the old car before it is not even half old. When life was uncomplicated, refrigerators, air-conditioners and scooters were once-in-a-lifetime purchases, the same as cars. Appliances such as sewing machines, ovens, irons and washing machines lasted for years and years and were called consumer durables. We had a table fan at home when I was a child which, years later, I took to my college hostel. Had some burglar not stolen it, I would probably still be using it today, 60 years on. Even items with a defined lifespan lasted longer than they were supposed to. Wall calendars lived beyond the yearsas covers of books, framed as pictures or pasted on windowpanes to block the sun. Sadly, nowadays things are born only to die. It is no longer a question whether something will die. It is a question of when. To increase sales, manufacturers deliberately shorten the lives of their products. Sometimes these become obsolete with the arrival of newer models and sometimes due to nonavailability of key components. Consumer durables no longer endure. Television sets and microwave ovens self-destruct almost immediately after the expiry of their two-year warranty, and appliances like vacuum cleaners and geysers refuse to abide with us. Clothes that were deliberately stitched a size too big so that a child would wear them for two or three years are now discarded in a few months because of changing pret lines. Earlier we ate anything that was not visibly spoilt or smelling to the high heavens. Now we look for a best before date. Even honey is marketed with a shelf life of one year, and salt comes with an expiry date! The plumbers of today junk a whole faucet fitting if it leaks, rather than trying to repair it. In contrast, their fathers used cotton thread and zinc oxide paste before sheepishly suggesting that a new tap be bought. Not to be left behind, the electricians now visit our homes as if they are senior consultants rather than maintenance guys. They grandly announce the fate of various thingsevery fitting or appliance that might be defective is sentenced to death, to be replaced with a new one. The modular concept ensures that no effort is ever made to repair any electrical or electronic gizmo. We certainly live in an evanescent age now, in which nothing lasts. This age demands that everything old must be discarded, to be replaced by the new. This philosophy has been gradually extended to all spheres of our existence. Pens. Watches. Shoes. Jackets. Tables. Computers. Cars. Houses. Maybe even relationships? K.C. Verma is a former chief of R&AW. kcverma345@gmail.com LAST MARCH, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates met to talk technology, the prime minister quipped that AI and aaithe Marathi word for motherhad an almost homophonic similarity. I chuckled, as my early years were spent in Maximum City. While reading Deputy News Editor Navin J. Antonys cover story on how Mumbai was becoming AIs aai in India, I thought of that old reference. With its financial clout, booming data market and strong industry-academia interface, Mumbai is best poised to nurse this disruptive infant. Well, should I even call it an infant, considering that AI and I have barely five years between us? Stanford mathematician John McCarthy coined the term artificial intelligence in the 1950s. Our Resident Editor R. Prasannan has a bit of advice for every young journalist: Make a hard story soft, and a soft story hard. If a story is all facts, we might as well whack the reader on the head with a brick. And if it is all soft, it is just English with nothing to chew on. Shutterstock AI Navin has deftly straddled both worlds to bring you the people who are powering the AI growth story in India. From Night Professor Raghavan B. Sunoj to young Arpit Agarwal who came to IIT Bombay via Harvard, Columbia, Google and Meta. Even Haji Ali Bukhari, the sage who lends his name to Mumbais Haji Ali area, finds a mention. The reference to how IIT Bombays first computera Minsk II from the USSRfostered the spirit of experimentation in the university brought back memories of some of the presses that churned out THE WEEK and the Malayala Manorama. It was not uncommon to walk into the press building and see the innards of a press splattered all over the floor. In an age where there was no YouTube for repair videos or the internet to reach out to manufacturers for advice, our engineers had to be creative to get the old boys running. The centrepiece of the cover is the interview with writer Yuval Noah Harari, who argues that the rise of artificial intelligencedominated by Washington and Beijing, for nowcould fracture the world, resulting in countries trying to create their own digital spheres. I remembered what Senior Assistant News Editor Ajish P. Joy wrote a couple of weeks ago about US President Donald Trumps possible vision for a world with just three spheres of influencethe US, Russia and China. Marry that with what Harari says, and we have an unquiet future in the offing. So, AI is not just technology, but a disruptor that will upend the world as we know it. Apologies for being carried away by the cover and not mentioning other articles. In @leisure, Senior Correspondent Shubhangi Shah writes about the bloom of literary festivals across the country. And on the political front, Senior Special Correspondent Puja Awasthi writes about how the Bahujan Samaj Party has not been able to turn supporters into voters of late; Correspondent Badar Bashir about how prolonged dependence on the Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar has hobbled the Congress organisationally. The columns, too, are a fragrant bouquet. Shobhaa De on Noel Tata. Dr Mazda Turel on the optic nerve. Jay Panda on sport and diplomacy. Prasannan on Balochistan. And, dear KCs circuitous take on the circular economy. True, KC, you are spot on about school uniforms of our era. A new set was supposed to run for three years. In the first year, the uniform would take one step when you took two. In the second year, it would fit almost perfectly. And, in the third, it would show a bit of ankle and wristand waist, too, if you dared to raise your arms. What happened to the famed Indian hospitality? asked my guest, a Baloch political leader who had come to see me in my hotel room in Islamabad in 2008. Arent you offering me even a cup of tea? I was flummoxed. It was Ramzan; the restaurant in the hotel was closed. Room service was available to non-Muslim guests; so I wasnt starving. Why? Arent you fasting? I asked. Fasting is for Muslims. I am a Baloch. Give me some tea. After half-an-hour of chai pe charcha, he concluded, You are like most Indians. You offer us hospitality, and listen to us patiently. Nothing more. The brief exchange opened my eyes to two realities. One, contrary to what Pakistan alleges, India gives only moral supportno materialto the Balochis struggle against the Pakistan state. Two, most Balochi leaders are or have been secular, and are prouder of their clans than of their faith. We are the most secular people in the region, Noordin Mengal, one of the tallest Baloch leaders, had once claimed at the UN Human Rights Council. Rebels of Balochistan Liberation Army after attacking a train | PTI The Balochis are of different tribes (one speaks a Dravidian tongue that sounds a bit like Tamil; Stalin, please note!), each governed by a hereditary sardar who swore a notional allegiance to the Khan of Kalat. The British, who expanded their sway after Charles Napier confessed to have Sind in 1843, let the Balochis rule themselves as they wished, so long as they kept their Russian rivals several cannon shots away. Three decades later, they drew the Goldsmith Line, leaving part of the Baloch land to Iran. Early last century they set up their military staff college in Quetta. That perhaps was the last major infrastructure, save a couple of universities, built in Balochistan which comprises nearly half of the Pak land, and populates just five per cent of the Pak people. The college would turn out some of the subcontinents finest generals like Cariappa, Thimayya and Manekshaw who, after Partition, would have to wage wars against their collegemates and coursemates like Ayub, Yahya and Tikka Khans. During Partition, the Khan of Kalat resisted merger with Pakistan, but Mountbatten hoodwinked him to sign the instrument of accession. There started the first insurgency. Then came the discovery of hydrocarbons in Sui in the 1950s. There started a fresh round of insurgency aimed at preventing the looting of the Balochs riches by the Punjabi elite of Pakistan. There have been several since, one after Z.A. Bhutto dismissed their elected government, another after Pervez Musharraf got their revered former governor Akbar Bugti shot dead in his cave. In between, Zia-ul Haq had sent his radical mullahs to try if Islamic brotherhood would bond the Balochis better with the rest of Pakistan. The cocktail of religion and tribalism, stirred with barrels of Kalashnikov, is now proving lethal not only to Balochistan, but to Pakistan itself. Old clannish blood feuds have acquired a religious fervour that might have inspired last weeks train hijackers and tunnel bombers. Yet a good section of the Balochi elite remains secular and liberal in matters of faith, like my guest who asked for tea on a day he should have been fasting. The current insurgency has been kindled by a new bogeythe Chinaman. At stake is the huge mineral wealth of Balochistan, guess-valued at one trillion dollars. All its natural gas is pumped out to sell cheap to the Punjabis, Sindhis and the Pakhtoons, and now the Chinese are driving down the belt-road to their Gwadar port to join the loot. prasannan@theweek.in IIT Roorkee, which started as Roorkee College in 1847, was the first engineering college in Asia. After about a century, the college was elevated to the University of Roorkee, the first engineering university of independent India, on November 25, 1949, and to an IIT on September 21, 2001 Merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput murder-accused Sahil Shukla and Muskaan Rastogi are being administered anti-addiction medicines in prison to counter withdrawal symptoms, jail authorities reportedly said. 27-year-old Rastogi, who allegedly drugged and stabbed her husband to death, is demanding "injections" at Uttar Pradesh's Chaudhary Charan Singh district jail, a newspaper report said. Sahil and Muskaan were taken to prison after a Meerut court remanded them to 14-day judicial custody on Wednesday. They requested to be placed in adjacent barracks, a plea that was rejected right away. While the woman is being put in barrack number 12 designated for women undertrials, her lover Sahil is confined in barrack number 18 that is at least 1.5 kilometres away, Times Of India (TOI) claimed prison officials as saying. ALSO READ | Saurabh Rajput's body didn't rot due to cement mixture; postmortem helps Meerut Police to establish Muskaan Rastogi pierced his heart thrice It was earlier reported that Muskaan refused to eat or interact with other inmates on her first night at the prison. She spent most of the night crying. Over the days, she had started taking little food but remains a loner. She reportedly prefers to be let alone in the corner of her prison cell and often demands "injections", the daily said. Sahil, meanwhile is not doing great either. The 25-year-old keeps asking the jail staffers for marijuana. A drug addict, Rastogi is believed to have made him join her plan to murder Saurabh Rajput by convincing him that it was his late mother's wish. Using a fake Snapchat profile, Muskaan Rastogi kept interacting with Sahil until he believed it was his departed mother's soul communicating with him. Showing withdrawal symptoms at jail The jail authorities are well aware of their condition and are not taking the withdrawal symptoms lightly, the TOI report said. They are under constant medical supervision although their bodies may take about 10 days to recover. A substance addict can have withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it. The characteristics will depend on what drug is being discontinued. Symptoms may include cravings, anxiety, fatigue, sweating, vomiting, depression, seizures and hallucinations. Saurabh Rajput murder investigation Meerut Police believe that Rastogi wanted Rajput, who was abroad, to be eliminated to live a life with her lover, Sahil decided to help her since he feared the return of her husband could end their joint drug abuse sessions. ALSO READ | Saurabh Rajput murder: When Muskaan Rastogi told her parents that she killed her husband The police are also investigating the accused's activities post-murder. A video has been circulating on social media purportedly showing Muskan and Sahil dancing to music at a DJ party drenched in Holo colours. Muskaan's online chats and audio messages to cab driver who took them to Himachal Pradesh after the murder were also circulated widely on social media. An encounter broke out between the security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district on Sunday evening. The gunfight was reported in Sanyal village near the International Border (IB) the Hiranagar area where the forces were carrying out a search operation following information about the presence of suspected terrorists. Officials said reinforcements have been rushed to the spot while the encounter was still underway. Of late, Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing frequent incidents of infiltration bids by terrorists. On Saturday, a terrorist hideout was unearthed in a remote forest area in Doda district, leading to recovery of a pistol and some ammunition. The hideout was unearthed during a joint search operation by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of local police and Army. In a similar incident, the forces busted a major terrorist hideout in a remote forest area in Poonch district, leading to the recovery of a huge cache of arms and explosives. The hideout was unearthed during a joint operation by Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operations Group of local police in Sarabara near Sangla top. On March 17, an unidentified terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in the Zachaldara area of Kupwara district. Earlier this week, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said India remains steadfast in its "zero-tolerance" policy towards terrorism. He said threats of terrorism are increasingly transcending borders, and the use of advanced technology, cyber tools and unmanned systems by terrorist groups necessitates a cohesive and action-oriented approach to combat the challenge. In a scathing attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Sunday called for his resignation, saying he was physically tired and mentally unfit. "Nitish Kumar is physically tired and mentally unfit. If you want evidence for this, just ask him to name the Ministers in his Council. Nitish Kumar should resign, Kishor said. Kishor, a former aide of Kumar, made the remarks while addressing a press conference in Samastipur. The Jan Suraaj Party is keen to make inroads in Bihar where assembly elections are due later this year. "The first person to comment on Nitish Kumar's health was his ally, Sushil Kumar Modi... Since then, many Bihar Ministers have commented on his health. I never made a comment on it till January, Kishor was quoted by news agency ANI. #WATCH | Samastipur, Bihar | Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor says, "... The first person to comment on Nitish Kumar's health was his ally, Sushil Kumar Modi... Since then, many Bihar Ministers have commented on his health. I never made a comment on it till January. But during pic.twitter.com/GZsdy1Ah3x ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2025 But during the BPSC protests, I learned that Nitish Kumar's mental condition has deteriorated so much that he has no clue what's going on in the state." Kishor, who worked as an election strategist with different political parties in the past, had also served as the former national vice president of JD(U) and was expelled following a public disagreement with Kumar over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). He contented that the BJP, an ally of Nitish Kumars JD(U), might be aware that Kumar is mentally unfit. "The BJP deserves equal blame because it's not possible that the Prime Minister or Home Minister are not aware that Nitish Kumar is mentally unfit," he said. On Thursday, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, too, had taken to X questioning the mental stability of the chief minister. Let me remind you that you are the Chief Minister of a big state. You are not mentally and physically stable even for a few seconds and your being in this position in such an unconscious state is a matter of great concern for the state. Do not insult Bihar like this again and again," Yadav wrote on X. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has resolved to build a "harmonious and organised Hindu society" for the peace and prosperity of the world as its three-day meeting concluded in Bengaluru on Sunday. A resolution passed at the meeting noted that India being an ancient culture with rich traditions has the experiential wisdom to create a harmonious world. "Our thought protects the entire humanity from divisive and self-destructive tendencies and ensures peace and a sense of oneness among living and non-living beings," it said. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, BJP president J.P. Nadda and BJP general secretary B.L. Santhosh attended the meeting of the Sanghs highest decision-making body. The heads of 32 outfits affiliated to the RSS also participated in the three-day event. Hosabale released the resolution while addressing a press conference on Sunday. The resolution claimed that the Hindu society will be able to fulfil its global responsibility effectively only on the basis of an organised and collective life, full of self-confidence founded on Dharma. Therefore, we resolve to build a model society following harmonious practices rejecting all types of discriminations, promoting value-based families founded on eco-friendly lifestyle and creating a society fully immersed in selfhood and committed to civic duties, it said. The ABPS has resolved to present before the world a role model of a harmonious and organised Bharat, taking entire society together under the leadership of righteous people. Touching upon the history of the RSS, the resolution claimed that the Sangh in its journey of hundred years has earned the unwavering trust and affection of Society. During this period, Sangh Swayamsevaks have strived to carry everyone along with the strength of love and affection, rising above honours and insults, likes and dislikes. On the occasion of the Sanghs centenary year, it is our duty to remember the pujya saints and the righteous people (sajjan shakti) in the society whose blessings and cooperation have been of great strength amidst all odds, the selfless Karyakartas who have devoted their lives and the Swayamsevak families who have been immersed in silent dedication, the statement said. Shahi Jama Masjid Sadar chief and Shahi Mosque Committee chief Zafar Ali was on Sunday taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Uttar Pradesh Police in connection with the violence in Sambhal. Police said Zafar Ali was taken into custody to record statement in the 2024 violence case. However, Ali's brother and lawyer Mohammad Tahir alleged that the SIT will arrest the Shahi Jama Masjid Sadar chief. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Jama Masjid Sadar Chief & Shahi Mosque Committee Chief, Zafar Ali, taken into custody in connection with the November 24 Sambhal violence by the Sambhal police pic.twitter.com/fbSSrA421w ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2025 Security has been beefed up in Sambhal as police anticipate protests in the area. The violence erupted on November 24 following a court-ordered survey by te Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the Mughal-era mosque as a petition claimed that it was the site of an ancient Hindu temple known as the Harihar Temple. Ali was reportedly the first person to receive information about the survey following which a crowd gathered at the mosque premises. The SIT chargesheet on six out the 12 Sambhal violence cases is 4,000 pages long. Among the main accused are Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq who allegedly incited a mob for political gains. SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood's son Sohail Iqbal was also named in the chargesheet. There are 159 accused in the case in total. The chargesheet claims that weapons seized by the SIT were originally from the UK, the USA, Germany and Czech Republic. Four people were killed in the November 24 violence, while several other were wounded, including police personnel. The latest development comes two days after the ASI supervised the whitewashing work at the Shahi mosque. The renovation process was mandated by the Allahabad High Court on March 12. The mosque committee had earlier sought permission for whitewashing, additional lighting etc at the Shahi Masjid. Saurabh Rajput died of shock and excessive bleeding, an autopsy report revealed as the Meerut Police was told that Muskaan Rastogi had punctured his heart with repeated stabs to the chest. 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 The investigation team probing the murder of the former Merchant Navy Officer had learnt that Muskaan, 27, bought new kitchen knives to kill her husband. The trader was told that she needed the blades to cut chicken. Following the murder, Saurabh Rajput's head was severed from the neck by Muskaan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla. While earlier reports claimed that his body was chopped into 15 pieces to fit inside the drum, the latest updates say otherwise. Superintendent of Police (City) Ayush Vikram Singh who verified Saurabh Rajput's post-mortem results told news agency PTI that his body was cut into four. His arms were found separated at the wrists and his legs were bent backwards. ALSO READ | Addict Sahil believed Muskaan Rastogi's fake Snapchat profile was his late mother asking him to kill Saurabh Rajput: Report Cement and dust were used to fill the drum by Sahil and his lover fatally stabbed her husband. This mixture not only made the drum holding the victim's mortal remains extremely heavy but also caused it to solidify. Due to the absence of air inside the drum, Saurabh's body was not decomposed, reports suggest. While he was allegedly murdered on March 4, it was only a few days ago that it came to light. Rastogi stabbed Rajput thrice in the chest -- piercing his heart deep, the postmortem revealed. The reason for the legs of the victim being bent backwards was to fit it inside the drum, the police believe. Meerut Police had to break open the drum and separate body parts from the thickened cement. However, the stench emanating from the solidified composure was not extremely foul, confirming that the body was not rotting at the natural rate. ALSO READ | Saurabh Rajput murder: Meerut Police reveal how school alumni group led to Muskaan Rastogi-Suhail affair Sahil Shukla, 25, helped his lover Muskaan Rastogi to murder her 29-year-old husband Saurabh Rajput so that they could start a new life together. The crime was planned by Rastogi alone who is said to have exploited her boyfriend's mental vulnerability to join her plot. They have been trying to drug and murder Rajput ever since he returned from London in late February to celebrate his daughter's birthday and finally succeeded on March 4. Wyatt Hendrickson is one of Air Force's most successful athletes in program history. The two-time All-American will take his talents to Oklahoma State University next season where he'll compete for the Cowboys for his final year of eligibility. Air Force Academy wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson transfers to Oklahoma State Delhi Police personnel posing as customers busted a sex racket in the national capital's Paharganj area, reports said on Saturday. 23 women, including minors, were rescued from the racket's clutches that were luring girls from Nepal and different parts of India under the pretext of job opportunities in Delhi, the police found out. According to the Delhi Police, they were tipped off about a sex racket having accommodated women in a room in Paharganj's market area and forcing them to meet customers at hotels. Before moving in, teams were deployed to surveil the racket's base and decoy customers were dispatched, news agency PTI said. Once these officers confirmed the input on the racket's activities was true, more units moved in and raided multiple locations including hospitality establishments. A total of 23 women including Nepal nationals were freed from the racket while seven were arrested. Scooters used to take the women to hotels were also confiscated, PTI said. Three minor girls were among the rescued lot. Videos shared on the internet, which THE WEEK couldn't independently verify, showed cops taking the women to safety. Some of them were carrying children in their hands. Another report claimed that one of the women hailed from Uzbekistan. The arrested men were identified Those arrested have been identified as Nurshed Alam (21), Mohammad Rahul Alam (22), Abdul Mannan (30), Taushif Rexa, Shamim Alam (29), Mohamed Jarul (26) and Monish (26). They targeted women from Nepal, West Bengal and other parts of the country and brought them to Delhi making job offers and other false pretences. Once they arrived, the women were forced into prostitution, a senior police source told the news agency. The controversy surrounding the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput refused to die down even after the CBI filed two separate closure reports on Saturday. A day after the crucial move, BJP MLA Ram Kadam, in a video message, raised serious allegations against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, stating that his government destroyed the evidence to "save people close to him". Kadam said Thackeray did not let the Bihar Police investigate Mumbai. Uddhav Thackeray was the chief minister of Maharashtra when Sushant Rajput was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on June 14, 2020. "When the entire country was demanding that Sushant Singh Rajput's case be handed over to CBI, Uddhav Thackeray government neglected it. When Bihar Police came to Mumbai for investigation, they were stopped. What was the reason?" Kadam questioned. #Mumbai: BJP MLA Ram Kadam blames Uddhav Thackeray govt for negligence in Sushant Singh Rajput case, alleging evidence tampering and shielding of key figures. He questions justice for Disha Salian. Calls for accountability. #JusticeForSushant #JusticeForDisha #CBIInvestigation pic.twitter.com/tvozLkLACc Lokmat Times Nagpur (@LokmatTimes_ngp) March 23, 2025 He alleged that the Thackeray government ensured all evidence linked to the case was erased. "All evidence was removed to save people close to them. The furniture was removed and the apartment was painted and returned to the actual owner," Kadam said, alleging that the Shiv Sena leaders acted as "the spokesperson of accused Rhea Chakraborty". "What is the meaning of all this? " he questioned further. This comes as the Bombay High Court on Friday accepted the petition filed by Disha Salian's father Satish Salian. In this petition, he demanded a fresh investigation into his daughter's death and the alleged involvement of former Maharashtra minister Aditya Thackeray in this case. Sanjay Raut's statement Mumbai, Maharashtra: On actor Sushant Singh Rajput case, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut says, "The thing is, these people from the Bharatiya Janata Party never miss a chance to defame their opponents. Yes, they are hypocrites. In both cases, the direct report came out and the pic.twitter.com/w4Qv8YJ5ou IANS (@ians_india) March 23, 2025 Shiv Sena leader and MP Sanjay Raut has hit out against the "political defamation" happening with regard to the deaths of Sushant and Disha Salian. "It has been proven time and again that both Sushant Singh Rajput and Disha Salian committed suicide. These deaths are being given the colour of murder for political defamation," he said, questioning why Salian's father was brought forward five years after her death. "The politics of the death continues just like the Aurangzeb's politics. The BJP does not spare the dead either. People from good families die, they are also defamed," Sanjay Raut said. A day after media reports highlighted the detention of an Indian national and a senior employee of Tech Mahindra in Qatar for nearly three months, the company on Sunday said it was in contact with his family. Amit Gupta, who hails from Gujarats Vadodara, is reportedly the country head of Tech Mahindra and has been working in Doha for over 10 years. He was arrested on January 1 and has since been in the custody of Qatars State Security. "We remain in close contact with the family, providing necessary support to them. We are also actively coordinating with authorities in both countries and adhering to the due process, a Tech Mahindra spokesperson told NDTV. Ensuring the wellbeing of our colleague is our top priority," he said. On Saturday, sources quoted Indian Embassy officials as saying that they were in touch with Guptas family, his lawyer and Qatari authorities on a regular basis. Guptas family had sought the intervention of the Prime Ministers Office, Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra and Vadodara MP Hemang Joshi to secure his safe release. Though it is not immediately known why Gupta was detained, some unconfirmed reports suggested that his arrest was related to a case of data theft. His mother Pushpa Gupta told news agency IANS that somebody in the company might have done something wrong and since he is the country head, he has been detained. Gujarat: Amit Gupta, a Vadodara resident and Tech Mahindra's Country Head in Qatar, has reportedly been held hostage in Doha. His elderly parents, distressed by the situation, reached out to Vadodara MP Hemang Joshi for help Amit Gupta mother Pushpa Gupta says, "Amit Gupta was pic.twitter.com/hxd3wQIysa IANS (@ians_india) March 22, 2025 "My son was kept without food and water for 48 hours and after that, he was locked in a room. He is still locked there, she said. Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is all set to helm the BJP in Kerala, according to reports. The BJP state core committee, chaired by central observer Prahlad Joshi in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, unanimously agreed to select Chandrasekhar to lead the party as per the central leadership's recommendation. Though the proposal was accepted by the meeting, the official announcement in this regard will come only on Monday. With this, it is almost clear that there wouldn't be a contest in the state unit for the post. Chandrasekhar, who will file the nomination papers on Sunday, was initially reluctant to accept the task. However, the central leadership insisted on him as they believed Chandrasekhar's presence was crucial to attracting youth to the party, especially through social media. The central leadership hopes that Chandrasekhar's 'technocrat' image could boost the party's standing with the younger generation. It is said that the BJP plans to interact closely with the beneficiaries of the central schemes, to win more seats in the local body elections as a first step. Chandrasekhar, the party believes, can be the perfect messenger for the same. The former MP has vowed to stay in the state to spend more time in the constituency. There is also a hope that he can unite the deeply divided BJP in Kerala ahead of next year's Assembly elections. The BJP was also convinced of Rajeev's potential after he put up a tight fight against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Chandrasekhar who maintained a steady lead throughout the fight, lost to Tharoor only after the minority-dominated coastal votes came into play. A former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha member, Chandrasekhar also set a record in terms of the party's vote share in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat, pocketing 35.52 per cent, breaking the record set by senior leader O Rajagopal at 32.32 per cent. With two decades of political experience, Chandrasekhar will also be the first BJP leader to become the state president of the party without a Sangh Parivar background. He had also served as the vice-chairman of the Kerala NDA. Since 2006, he has been in the Rajya Sabha for three consecutive terms from Karnataka. On March 21, a day before the JAC meeting on delimitation, the Chennai airport was flooded with a flurry of high profile visitors. The DMK MPs and ministers were at the airport welcoming the political leaders from various states. And among them was Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan party's MP Tangella Uday Srinivas. Andhra Pradesh, which also stands to lose its Lok Sabha seats due to the delimitation exercise, did not have even a single representation at the JAC meeting on March 22. While it was said that former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Reddy's YSRCP will send it representatives, there was no formal message from Jagan or his party colleagues. When asked, Kanimozhi, DMK MP, who moderated the meeting said that YSRCP had expressed its concerns for not attending the meeting. Some people feel that when I talk about Hinduism, I am belittling other religions, but I am not that kind of person. I wish that there should be no disparity in religions and castes. - Hon'ble Dy. CM Of Andhra Pradesh Sri @PawanKalyan Garu pic.twitter.com/IzXydNK7Q2 JanaSena Shatagni (@JSPShatagniTeam) March 22, 2025 However, the highlight was the return of Srinivas just hours after he reached the hotel. Srinivas was accorded a warm welcome at the airport by DMK Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson and his colleague. Srinivas reached the ITC hotel late in the evening and was all set to participate to express Jana Sena's voice against the proposed delimitation exercise. But a sudden phone call from his party chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan made him leave the hotel and take the next flight back. The organising committee had made arrangements for him to attend the meeting and a seat was reserved for him. According to highly placed sources, Pawan Kalyan had sent Srinivas to voice his views, with a letter to Tami Nadu Chief minister MK Stalin, against delimitation and Andhra standing to lose its Lok Sabha seats. Pawan had even expressed his support to the JAC. However sources say that, as an important constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP, Pawan Kalyan and his JSP were under pressure not to participate in the meeting. And so Pawan had called him back, sources told THE WEEK. Sources also say that Pawan had assured Srinivas that he would personally speak to Stalin. Incidentally, the BJP and its leaders who stand vindicated due to Stalin's idea of bringing together the south against the saffron party, took to protest in front of the hotel and its TN chief K Annamalai dubbed it as "delimitation drama of Stalin" just minutes before the meeting began. The BJP has been maintaining that the number of Lok Sabha seats will not go down as the delimitation exercise will be carried out on pro-rata basis. Israel's cabinet on Sunday unanimously voted to back a motion of "no confidence" against attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara, who has often clashed with the current government. Hundreds of Israelis took part in the demonstrations held in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet move. Protesters raised slogans against Netanyahu and criticised the government for destroying democracy. Thousands protest in Jerusalem as Netanyahu's cabinet meets to vote on firing Attorney-General Baharav-Miara. The move follows outrage over his push to oust Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar @Jerusalem_Post #Israel Read more: https://t.co/mAhYbX4Cffpic.twitter.com/J11mDhSU1x Marios Karatzias (@MariosKaratzias) March 23, 2025 Also read | For the first time in history, Israel fires its intelligence chief. Is Qatargate to blame? Meanwhile, the no confidence motion move comes after the cabinet approved the removal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar last week. Also, the families and supporters of the hostages, who are still held in Gaza, slammed the government for neglecting their loved ones. We are here to make it clear that Israel is a democracy and will remain a democracy...We will overtake this government because it is ruining Israel, Uri Ash, who was taking part in a protest in Tel Aviv, told Reuters. Netanyahu pushes a new conspiracy theory, accusing Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miaralong targeted by Smotrich and Ben Gvirof fabricating the Qatari bribery case against his office, possibly in coordination with Shin Bet Director Ron Bar pic.twitter.com/FWjCHWhAKS HOT SPOT (@HotSpotHotSpot) March 22, 2025 Also read | Who is Ronen Bar? Israels top court halts Netanyahus dismissal of intelligence chief The process of dismissing Baharav-Miara began earlier this month by Justice Minister Yair Levin. He accused the AG of politicising her office and obstructing the government. However, any step to remove the AG would take a few months due to the administrative hurdles. The dismissal of Bar was approved by the cabinet despite Baharav-Miaras objections. In a setback to the Netanyahu government, the Supreme Court has passed a temporary injunction to Bars dismissal. Also read | Setback for Benjamin Netanyahu as Supreme Court blocks his dismissal of intelligence chief Ahead of the meeting, Baharav-Miara wrote a scathing letter to the cabinet saying the government is trying to be above the law. We will not be deterred...The termination of the Attorney General's term is a very unusual step, which must be done in an orderly process, to guarantee maintaining the independence of the Attorney General to the government," she wrote. The current proposed resolution reverses the current situation. Cases in which the government sought to act illegally, even while harming the general public, are presented as 'disagreements' that constitute grounds for dismissal. The goal is clear to turn the institution of the Attorney General into one that must remain silent in the face of illegal actions, or even lend a hand to them. Otherwise, we are threatened with grounds for terminating the position," said the Attorney General. Just about a week ago, a group of Syrian citizens crossed the UN-monitored buffer zone between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights and walked into Israel, the first such crossing in 50 years. Normally, they would have been arrested by the Israeli army, instead, they were welcomed into Israel. The contingent consisted of religious leaders from Syrias Druze minority, who made the trip to visit Druze religious sites and communities in Israel. Following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria in December, Israel has taken a far more active role in Syria, taking over the buffer zone in the Golan Heights established under the ceasefire after the Yom Kippur War (1973), deploying troops and erecting nine military outposts, including on Mount Hermon, the highest point in the Golan Heights, and taking a serious interest in Syrias Druze minority. Syrian Druze pilgrimage to Israel met with celebration, with @RedaMansour telling @laura_i24 that 'among the 150,000 Druze in Israel, there wasn't one single dry eye' after being 'disconnected for almost 70 years from our brothers and sisters in Syria and Lebanon' pic.twitter.com/8WVkxd4YiJ i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) March 16, 2025 The Druze are a distinctive ethno-religious minority, which have carved out a unique existence across the Middle East. Their identity has been shaped by their faith that combines Ismaili Shia tradition with Greek philosophy and Gnosticism. Emerging in 11th-century Egypt, the Druze faith found a foothold in the mountainous terrains of Syria, Lebanon and Israel. In Syria, they number around seven lakh, living in the southwestern Jabal al-Druze region and southern provinces near the Golan Heights under Israeli occupation. Fiercely protective of their traditions, the Druze clashed with external forces to preserve their way of life. Under the Assadsfirst Hafez and then Basharthe Baath Party integrated minorities into the state, recruiting the martial-minded Druze into the military. Yet, their loyalty was pragmatic, not ideological, a stance that shaped their response to the Syrian Civil War beginning in 2011. The civil war splintered Syria along sectarian lines, thrusting the Druze into a delicate position. Unlike the Alawite-dominated regime or the Sunni-led opposition, the Druze sought neutrality, avoiding entanglement with either the regime or rebel factions like Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra. This strategy, born of self-preservation, faltered in 2015 when their villages were ravaged by Islamic State. With the weakened Assad regime offering no real protection, the Druze formed militias to defend themselves. Their proximity to the Golan Heights introduced Israel into the mix. Israels relationship with the Druze is complicated, rooted in geography and shared history. Nearly 25,000 Druze live in the Golan Heights, annexed by Israel in 1981. Most of them retain their Syrian identity although some of them have accepted Israeli citizenship. Within Israel, 1.5 lakh Druze serve in the army, a rarity among Arab citizens. It has clearly influenced Israels policies towards the Druze in Syria. For instance, during the Syrian civil war, Israel took an active role, especially as the conflict progressed, offering medical care, food and supplies to Syrian Druze villages and treating thousands in its hospitals. This aid, while lifesaving, doubled as a strategic move to counter jihadist threats near the Golan. The fall of Bashar al-Assad in December marked a turning point. Defence Minister Yisrael Katz has declared an indefinite presence, while incursions reached 15km into southern Syria, accompanied by airstrikes targeting 40 sites in a single night to destroy weapons caches. Meanwhile, receiving a Druze contingent from Syria highlights Israels shifting strategy amid Syrias transition under interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa. Israel positions the Druze as a buffer against Iran-backed militias, leveraging their martial reputation to stabilise its northern border. After clashes in Jaramana, a Druze suburb south of Damascus, in early March, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Katz vowed to defend the Druze, warning Sharaas government of retaliation if they were harmed. Israel ties this pledge to its own Druze citizens, framing Sharaas regimerooted in the Al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)as an extremist Islamic terrorist threat. Yet, scepticism persists. Many Druze activists in Syria say border security, not their welfare, drives Israels actions. The Syrian Druze face a multifaceted dilemma. Historically, they balanced cooperation with Assads regimeserving in its forcesagainst preserving their identity. The civil war forced self-reliance, and now, post-Assad, they weigh Israels overtures against Sharaas promises. Sharaa, whose Golan roots resonate with the community, offers limited autonomy in a 12-point plan, a gesture welcomed by some Druze leaders. However, his Al-Qaeda past fuels unease, prompting a significant section of the Druze to seriously consider Israels protection offers. Beyond the Druze, Israel envisions a demilitarised zone across southern Syria, potentially its most significant territorial drive since 1948. It has started putting pressure on the Trump administration to wield sanctions against Sharaa, accusing him of shedding moderation for jihadismevidenced by the recent massacre of the Alawites. Israels belligerence could destabilise Syria, pushing Sharaa towards Turkey or enabling Iran and others to exploit the chaos. Sharaa, condemning Israels hostile expansionism, seeks minority reconciliation, signing deals with Kurds and negotiating with the Druze. For the Druze in the Golan, nearly 60 years under Israeli rule prompt introspection. Sharaa demands Israels withdrawal from the buffer zone, but tends to ignore the annexation of the Golan Heights, focusing instead on consolidating his power in Damascus. Israels indefinite presence and minority outreachextending to Kurdscould alienate these groups in a Syria hostile to foreign meddling, echoing its divisive tactics in Lebanon. Turkeys slide into autocracy seems to have reached a tipping point, evident from the recent events that have thrown the nations fragile democratic framework into a major crisis. The latest crisis is the result of the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and President Recep Tayyip Erdogans chief political rival. Detained in a dawn raid just before he was about to be nominated as the presidential candidate for the opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), Imamoglu now faces charges of embezzlement, corruption and terrorism. Critics see this as a calculated move by Erdogan to neutralise the only figure who could challenge him in elections due before 2028 but might take place earlier. The arrest has led to a wave of protests across Turkey, despite a government-imposed ban on gatherings. From Istanbul to Ankara, demonstrators have clashed with police wielding water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets, with 343 arrests reported in a single night. The opposition claims that three lakh people flooded Istanbuls streets on a Friday night, defying roadblocks and riot police. Playing a key role in this unfolding drama by siding with the government is Elon Musks social media platform X, which has suspended numerous accounts linked to opposition figures and democracy activists. Musk, a self-proclaimed advocate of free speech who said he acquired X to champion unfettered expression, now finds his platform implicated in a troubling paradox. Erdogan: "You can't go out and protest in Turkey anymore against me! I forbid it! I forbid it you hear me! You'll be all arrested!" Turks: pic.twitter.com/Gp86lgcMfg Dispropaganda (@Dispropoganda) March 22, 2025 am not seeing much coverage of the massive (and, according to the govt, illegal) pro-democracy protests in turkey pic.twitter.com/1khP6SWfAY ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) March 22, 2025 The suspensions, targeting voices of dissent in a country teetering on the brink of authoritarianism, cast further doubt on Xs role as a beacon of open discourse and raise profound questions about the limits of free speech and democracy in politically volatile states. Meanwhile, the Turkish governments response has been unrelenting. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has vowed zero tolerance for those disrupting societal order, while Erdogan has branded the protests street terrorism. This hardline stance is mirrored online, where Xs suspensions have silenced key voices of resistance. The targeted accounts, largely university-associated activists with lakhs of followers, were instrumental in sharing protest locations and rallying students. This is not a new tactic for X in Turkey; during Erdogans 2023 re-election campaign, the platform restricted content to maintain its accessibility, bowing to government pressure. Transparency reports underscore this compliance: X honoured 86 per cent of Turkeys content takedown requests in the second half of 2024, up from 68 per cent earlier that year. These suspensions are based on Turkeys 2022 social media law, a sweeping measure that grants the state vast and ambiguous powers to suppress online content. Yerlikaya has defended the crackdown, citing 326 accounts identified as inciting hatred, and noting the arrest of 54 suspects in a joint cyber-security operation. While lawful under Turkish statutes, these actions reflect a broader strategy to mute dissent as the nations democratic credentials crumble. Imamoglu arrest exemplifies this erosion. As mayor of Istanbul, which is Turkeys cultural and economic heart, his detention strikes at the oppositions core, threatening to dismantle the existing system that has allowed electoral competition, however imperfect, to persist. Turkey has never been a paragon of democracy. Over the past decade, Erdogan has steadily tightened his hold, appointing his loyalists to the judiciary and bureaucracy, co-opting the media to limit dissent and wielding state prosecutors to punish adversaries. Yet, opposition victories, such as last years municipal elections, have kept the system from tipping fully into autocracy. Barring Imamoglu from the presidential race would mark a decisive shift, aligning Turkey with countries like Russia, Belarus or Azerbaijan, where elections occur but lack meaning. It could cement Turkeys transformation into an outright autocracy, a trajectory critics argue Erdogan has pursued relentlessly. The international reaction has been muted, offering Erdogan little resistance. The United Nations has put out a vanilla statement, while the US State Department has declined to comment, calling it Turkeys internal decisions. President Donald Trumps recent call with Erdogan, hailed as transformational by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, hints at a burgeoning alliance, possibly linked to Turkeys strategic roles in Syria and Ukraine. Trumps administration, indifferent to democratic backsliding abroad, aligns with a global climate that enables autocrats. European leaders, meanwhile, once vocal critics of Erdogan, have softened their stance. With Trumps return to the White House and uncertainties over Ukraine, they see Turkey as a potential defence partner, a shift that could see Ankara supplying peacekeepers, a prospect that mutes criticism further. Economically, the fallout from Imamoglus arrest has been swift. The Turkish lira plummeted, prompting the central bank to spend an estimated $11.5 billion in a single day to stabilise it. Yet, Turkeys geopolitical leveragebolstered by its influence in Syrias new government and its appeal to a Europe anxious about Russiamay insulate it from sustained pressure. The protests, the largest since the 2013 Gezi Park uprising, but Erdogans defiance, rooted in his assertion that Turkey will not surrender to street terrorism, suggests a leader confident in his impunity. For X, the suspensions expose a glaring tension between Musks free-speech ideals and the pragmatic realities of operating in repressive regimes. By acquiescing to Turkeys demands, X secures its foothold in a vital market, but at the cost of amplifying the censorship Musk claims to abhor. Jessica D Aber, who was a former US Attorney under President Donald Trump's predecessor Joe Biden, was found dead mysteriously at her home in Virginia on Saturday. The local police in Alexandria, Virginia, has not revealed much to the media regarding the woman's death. The cops received a call around 9.18 am local time about Aber being found unresponsive. Her cause of death is yet to be ascertained. Statement from U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert on the passing of U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber pic.twitter.com/JfozwSguaQ U.S. Attorney EDVA (@EDVAnews) March 22, 2025 Aber, 43, was nominated to the top prosecutorial role for Virginia's Eastern District by Biden in 2021. This district covers key strategic areas of the US, including the Pentagon. During her tenure, Aber headed a team of 300 lawyers and staffers in the divisions of Alexandria, Norfolk, Newport News and Richmond, according to the US Department of Justice. Born in California in 1981, Aber completed her bachelors from the University of Richmond in 2003 and pursued law from the William & Mary School of Law in 2006. Before quitting her post, Aber told The Washington Post that she travelled more than 50,000 miles in her Hyundai car to connect and communicate with the students and leaders in Virginia. Erik S. Siebert, who is Aber's interim successor, told Daily Mail that she was an "unmatched" leader and mentor and "irreplaceable human being." Raj Parekh, who was an acting US Attorney preceding Aber, said she used to travel from Richmond to Alexandria during the pandemic to manage staff-shortage. "Jess's life and legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of those who had the special privilege of working with her," Parekh told The Washington Post. Pope Francis was discharged from Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Sunday after prolonged treatment. He is set to return to Santa Marta, the pontiff's official residence. Vatican said the Pope is steady and stable and has shown improvements in respiratory functions. The prognosis has been lifted. The doctors said during his hospitalisation, the pontiff kept in touch with news events concerning the church and politics. Joy all around as Pope Francis makes his first appearance since he was hospitalised on February 14th, saying a few words and imparting his Apostolic Blessing in silence. Later this afternoon he will be discharged from hospital and return to the Vatican. pic.twitter.com/Nuaxo76hrL Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) March 23, 2025 Doctor Sergio Alfieri, head of the Gemelli Hospital medical team, and the pontiff's personal physician spoke to the media ahead of the Pope's discharge. They said Pope Francis requires two months of rest. Dr Alfier said the Pope can resume his work schedule if the health continues to be stable. However, the doctors pointed out that the pontiff would not be able to meet people and groups like before during the convalescence period. Dr Alfier added that there would be a temporary "loss of voice" because of bilateral pneumonia, which is normal. Pope Francis, who was fighting double pneumonia, suffered four acute attacks of what the Vatican called "respiratory crises" during his time in hospital https://t.co/vzXO4MCKB4 pic.twitter.com/Zau3OyyPd4 Reuters (@Reuters) March 23, 2025 However, Pope Francis is expected to meet Britain's King Charles III on April 8. The doctor revealed that Pope Francis was a cooperative patient who listened to the instructions of the medical team during this month-long treatment. Pope Francis was admitted to hospital more than one month ago on February 14. He was suffering from acute respiratory troubles caused by polymicrobial infection. This resulted in bilateral pneumonia, following which he underwent a combined pharmacological treatment. During his hospitalisation, Pope Francis suffered two critical episodes that posed risk to his life. The doctors said they never intubated him but provided non-invasive mechanical ventilation and high-flow oxygen therapy. A Gujarati man and his daughter, who were working at a departmental store in the US state of Virginia, were shot to death at their workplace on March 20. The family hailed from Mehsana district in Gujarat. The suspect, George Frazier Devon Wharton, 44, who hailed from Onancock, Virginia, was arrested by police. He shot the father-daughter duo within five minutes after they opened the store around 5 am. He had come to buy alcohol and asked they why they did not keep the store open at night. Wharton then fatally shot both of them. The father, Pradipkumar Ratilal Patel, 56 who was shot twice in the chest, died on the spot. The man's mortal remains were taken to the Norfolk Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy. His daughter, identified as Urvi Patel, 26, was shot in her head. She was flown to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and died while being treated. INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY INTO A HOMICIDE IN ACCOMACK COUNTY ON THURSDAY Accomack County, VA - Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early Thursday morning, resulting in one man's death and leaving a woman in critical condition. The incident pic.twitter.com/b2s1kEr7ul Eastern Shore Undercover (@ShoreUndercover) March 20, 2025 Pradipkumar, his wife Hansaben and daughter Urvi, who were originally from Kanoda village in Bechraji, Mehsana, had moved to the US six years ago. The family was working at the Shore Stop on Lankford Highway in Accomack County that was owned by their relative Paresh Patel. Urvi has two sisters, one of whom is in Ahmedabad and the other in Canada. Wharton is currently imprisoned in Accomack Country Jail without bond. He has been charged with two counts of first degree murder, two counts of using a firearm in commission of a felony and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. The investigation was being carried out by the Accomack County Sheriff's Office and the Virginia State Police. They were assisted by the Parksley Volunteer Fire Department and the Accomack County Department of Public Safety. Ahead of the ceasefire talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian attacks continue to be a "daily reality" despite President Vladimir Putin agreeing to a ceasefire. At least three people were killed in a Russian attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia. "These attacks are a daily reality. This week alone, over 1,580 guided aerial bombs, nearly 1,100 strike drones, and 15 missiles of various types were used against our people," said Zelenskyy. He urged the allies to put "new pressure" on Russia to take measures to end the war. "New decisions and new pressure on Moscow are needed to bring an end to these strikes and this war," he said. I held a meeting of the Military Cabinet in Kharkiv. There were reports by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andrii Hnatov. We discussed the pic.twitter.com/GZlAAvoRVt Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) March 22, 2025 Zelenskyy's appeal to partners came as both Russian and Ukrainian delegates are set to hold discussions with US officials in Riyadh. This is the second round of negotiation talks taking place in Saudi. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the negotiations with the US on Monday would be difficult. Moscows main focus would be on a possible resumption of a deal to ensure safe navigation for commercial vessels in the Black Sea, he said. After the Trump-Putin call last week, the White House said that the two leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire." Moscow announced on Thursday that Sergei Beseda, the former head of the FSB spy agencys fifth directorate, would travel to Riyadh for Monday's talks with the US. Beseda would be joined by Grigory Karasin, the chair of the Russian Senates committee on international affairs, for a new round of talks. In an effort to end the three-year-long war, Ukraine and US delegations have begun talks in Saudi Arabia. After meeting with the Ukraine delegates, US officials will be negotiating with the Russian delegations. The United States is working towards achieving a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine by Easter, April 20, reported Bloomberg. Regarding the negotiations, Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov on Sunday said that they are implementing Volodymyr Zelenskyy's directive to bring "a just peace closer and to strengthen security". Umerov is heading the Ukrainian delegation in Riyadh. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff on Sunday said he expected to make "some real progress" at the Saudi Arabia talks. The meeting agenda with the Ukrainian delegation includes proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure as well. After the Trump-Putin phone conversation, the Russian president agreed to a deal to halt aerial strikes on Kyiv's energy infrastructure. Ahead of the ceasefire talks in Saudi, Zelenskyy had said that he would hand over a list of energy infrastructure that would be off-limits for strikes by Russia. Meanwhile, both countries have been continuing their attacks despite Putin ordering his army to stop targeting Ukrainian energy sites. "These attacks are a daily reality. This week alone, over 1,580 guided aerial bombs, nearly 1,100 strike drones, and 15 missiles of various types were used against our people," said Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy urged the allies to put "new pressure" on Russia so that the war could end. From Moscow, Sergei Beseda, the former FSB chief would be leading the Monday talks with the US. Beseda would be joined by Grigory Karasin, the chair of the Russian Senates committee on international affairs. Interview/ Yuval Noah Harari, historian and philosopher Before 2014, when Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind catapulted him to global fame, Yuval Noah Harari was primarily known as a scholar of medieval military history. His works ranged from an analysis of the shadowy world of 12th-century assassinations, abductions, treason and sabotage (Special Operations in the Age of Chivalry) to a cultural study of soldiers experiences (Renaissance Military Memoirs: War, History and Identity). He seemed destined to be a respectedeven if relatively obscuremilitary historian, admired in academic circles. Then Sapiens happened. Originally a compilation of his world history lectures at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the book elevated him to the status of a transdisciplinary philosopher-historian. Over the past decade, Harari has published thought-provoking works exploring humanitys past and future. His most recent book, Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI, marks a partial return to his military history roots. He says the rise of artificial intelligencecurrently dominated by the US and Chinacould result in countries creating their own digital spheres, each influenced by different political, cultural and religious traditions. Instead of being divided between just two global empires, the world might be divided among a dozen empires, he writes. The more the new empires compete against one another, the greater the danger of armed conflict. Harari has embarked on a worldwide tour warning that AI can make the world more Kafkaesque than Terminator. In Mumbai, he spoke to THE WEEK about AIs implications for India and the choices everyone must make in response to its rise. Edited excerpts: Q/ Mumbai is one of the wealthiest cities in the world, with the highest concentration of high net worth individualsthose with assets over $1 million. Still, more than 40 per cent of the citys population live in slums. Do you think AI will worsen this inequality? A/ It depends on how we use it. The future is not predeterminedit is not like there is just one future for AI. A knife can be used to murder somebody; it can be used in surgery; it can cut salad for dinner. The knife doesnt tell me what to do with it. AI is similar. It can either increase or reduce inequality and poverty. The big danger is that AI can deepen inequality both within and between countries. The 19th-century industrial revolutionthe invention of steam engine and electricityinitially widened global inequality. Britain, France, the US, and later Japan, led the revolution, using their superior technology to conquer and exploit the world. The same thing can happen with AI. You have a few countries, very powerful and wealthy, that are leading the AI revolution. They will be able to dominate and exploit everybody else. Because, with AI, all armies are obsolete. Once you have AI weaponsfully autonomous drones, ships, tanks and airplanesexisting armies become obsolete. Similarly, once you have AI replacing drivers, textile workers, bankers and even writers, old economies will collapse, or will become obsolete. Millions work in the textile industry in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. If AI makes textile production cheaper in the US or Europe, those jobs disappear. So, this is the danger. We need to make sure that the benefit of AI is shared more equally. It will never be completely equal, of course. Future beckons: On March 18, chip manufacturer NVIDIA launched Isaac GR00T N1, an open-source AI foundation model expected to accelerate the development of humanoid robots | NVIDIA Q/ How can we ensure that AIs benefits are distributed as equally as possible? A/ The benefits must be distributed more fairlyif not equallybetween countries, professions and social classes. Old jobs will disappear, and new jobs will emerge. The question is, do you have the money to retrain people for these jobs? Rich countries will have the money; poor countries will struggle. Predicting which jobs will disappear is not easy. High-paying jobs may be the easiest to automate. Investment banking, for instance, is such a lucrative job. But it is only an information job. You go over a lot of data, recognise patterns, and say, Oh, this is going up, and this is going down. I better invest in this company. AI can automate this easily. But, think about a nurse who has to give an injection to a child, or has to bandage an injured. She needs intellectual abilities to analyse information, of course, but she also needs other skillssocial and emotionalto interact with the child. She needs motor skills to very delicately replace a bandage in a less painful manner. This is much harder to automate. Q/ So the low-paying jobs will not necessarily disappear first? A/ Some of them, yes. The kind of robotic jobs that humans do are more easily replaceable. Q/ What specific measures can governments take to prevent AI from worsening inequality? A/ There are two key measures. One, education: giving people a broad education, and not a narrow one, is crucial. Training people in a single skill, or a very narrow set of skills, is risky. If you trained someone just to write code, they would have no job at all in 10 or 20 years, when AI writes all the code. So it is important to have a broad programme that helps people develop their intellect, along with their social, emotional and motor skills. With a broad set of skills, it would be easier to deal with the changing job market. The most important skill, of course, is the ability to keep learning all your life. And that is something very difficult to teach. People need flexible minds to be able to keep learning and changing, because the job market will keep changing. They will have to relearn and change, again and again. Two, cooperation: The only way for most countries to remain competitive in the AI race is to cooperate with other countries. Because you have two AI superpowersthe US and Chinathat are far ahead. They can pull a lot of resources into AI research. Even a huge country like India does not have the resources to compete with them just by itself. Smaller countries like Sri Lanka or Bangladesh have no chance. So, how do you prevent a repetition of the 19th-century industrial revolution, which had a few powers conquering everybody? The solution is cooperationpooling resources to invest in research, and reaching agreements on the regulation and use of AI. India should cooperate with the European Union, Brazil, Australia and South Asian neighbours. Q/ A recent study by Mumbais Observer Research Foundation suggests that India and Israelboth democracies with thriving startup ecosystemsshould collaborate to develop a new AI regulatory model tailored to the needs of developing countries. This proposed Mumbai-Tel-Aviv model aims to strike a balance between the two dominant AI regulatory approaches: the USs minimal intervention and the EUs stringent regulations. Could such a model work? A/ On a deeper level, studies like this reflect the need to broaden the AI conversation. At present, the leading AI models, and the most important decisions regarding AI, are made in the US and China. We need more people in Israel, India and other countries to understand what is happening, join the conversation, and influence the decisions. That is one of reasons I wrote Nexusto inform more people: Look this is happening, and this will have an impact on everybody. Ignoring AI is like ignoring the invention of trains in the 19th century. People said, We dont care about trains. We have other issues here in India. And then the British conquered India, because they had this technology that you didnt. So, if you think that India has much more pressing problems, and leave AI to the Chinese and the Americans, you will be dominated by them in 10 years. Q/ Can developing technologies be a solution? A/ You can never trust technology itself. The solution must be institutional, not technological. You need institutions that vet the fairness of the technology. The thinking that we dont need human institutions, because they are bureaucratic and complicated, and that we can just develop a miracle technology that will solve all problems, is a fantasy. It never works, because technology is never free of bias. There is no such thing as a completely unbiased technology. Just as courts ensure that human actions are not biased, we also need institutions that can test AI and make sure that it is not biasedagainst women, castes, religions. Technology is important, but it is never a solution by itself. I go back to the knife example: you cannot have a knife that can only cut salad and never harm people. Q/ Is AI currently cutting salad for us or causing harm? How do you see its role evolving in the near future? A/ You see excellent use of AI in many areas. In medicine, for instance, it helps address shortage of doctors all over the world. AI can diagnose diseases quickly and more accurately than humans. We see AI being used in transportation. Every year, more than a million people are killed in car accidents, mostly caused by human error, like drunk driving. AI-powered self-driving vehicles can drastically reduce this. While accidents still happen, they occur far less frequently with AI-driven cars. Autonomous vehicles are much safer than ones driven by humans. You see AI contributing to humanity in fields like these, but you also see very dangerous developments. Social media, run by AI, is spreading not just lies and fake news, but also fear, hatred and anger. The content is causing social disturbances that are undermining democracies. The problem is that the algorithms tend to prefer bad content, because their goal is simply to increase user engagementmake people spend more time on the platform. Then we have military AI. In wars like those in the Middle East, AI has been deciding bombing targets. When the Israelis bomb Gaza, it is increasingly AI, and not humans, that tells them, Oh, you should bomb this building, and that person. It is a huge gamble to give power to AI to make military decisions. The danger is an arms racewhere humans are forced to give more and more military control to AI to win battles. The same could happen in finance, where more and more authority is given to AI to decide where to invest, and who to give a loan to. With the Donald Trump administration in the US opposing any AI regulation, finance may see unregulated AI use. What if AI invents a new financial instrument that humans cannot comprehend, but looks very good and is unregulated for a couple of years? It may result in a huge financial crash similar to 2008, where nobody understands what is happening because these instruments that AI invented are too complicated for the human brain. What would governments do if they lose control of the financial system? Also Read How Mumbai is fast emerging as India's AI capital Q/ Can regulation be done by humans alone, if we have reached this point? A/ Humans with the help of AI. Again, the situation is becoming so complicated that you need one AI to understand the other AI, but you still need humans there to give guidance. But would AI, in its own interest, be ready to give humans a framework to govern itselfthats a big question. As it becomes more intelligent, AI is able to deceive us, lie to us, manipulate us. Q/ Like the captcha example. (In 2023, an AI chatbot, pretending to be a visually impaired person, persuaded a person to provide the code needed to bypass a captcha testa system designed to differentiate between humans and robots.) A/ The captcha example, exactly. Something less intelligent controlling something more intelligent almost never happens in the world. Monkeys dont control humans; we control them. Ants dont control us; we control ants. So, if AI has become more intelligent than us, it is very unlikely that we can still control it. Are we already out of control? Not yet. We are still in control, but AI is developing very, very fast. If we are not careful, we may lose control in five to ten years. In the wake of the March 2024 catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has sounded the alarm on dozens of bridges nationwide that could be one vessel strike away from disasterincluding six major bridges in New York City. The newly released NTSB report, prompted by the March 2024 tragedy, warns that these critical structures possess unknown levels of risk when it comes to vessel collisions. The six flagged New York City bridges include: Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (Eastbound & Westbound) Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan Bridge Williamsburg Bridge George Washington Bridge Outerbridge Crossing The NTSB is demanding immediate action, urging the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and MTA Bridges and Tunnels to conduct a vulnerability assessment of these six spans. Using strict methodology from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), officials must determine the probability of collapse in the event of a major vessel collision. If a bridge exceeds the risk threshold, it will be classified as high risk, triggering the need for urgent reinforcement or protective measures. Owners of these bridges must report their findings to the NTSB, though the timeline for completing these assessments remains unclear. While the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is classified as critical/essential, the restincluding the historic Brooklyn Bridgeare considered typical, meaning they do not meet the highest standard of structural security in case of a catastrophic impact. New York City is not alone in this infrastructure crisis. In total, the NTSB has flagged 68 bridges nationwide, urging authorities to act before another disaster strikes. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The British government on Saturday ordered an investigation into the countrys energy resilience after an electrical substation fire shut Heathrow Airport for almost a day and raised concerns about the U.K.s ability to withstand disasters or attacks on critical infrastructure. While Heathrow Airport said it was now fully operational, thousands of passengers remained stuck, and airlines warned that severe disruption will last for days as they scramble to relocate planes and crews and get travelers to their destinations. Inconvenienced passengers, angry airlines and concerned politicians all want answers about how one seemingly accidental fire could shut down Europes busiest air hub. This is a huge embarrassment for Heathrow airport. Its a huge embarrassment for the country that a fire in one electricity substation can have such a devastating effect, said Toby Harris, a Labour Party politician who heads the National Preparedness Commission, a group that campaigns to improve resilience. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said hed asked the National Energy System Operator, which oversees U.K. gas and electricity networks, to urgently investigate the fire, to understand any wider lessons to be learned on energy resilience for critical national infrastructure. It is expected to report initial findings within six weeks. The government is determined to do everything it can to prevent a repeat of what happened at Heathrow, Miliband said. Heathrow announced its own review, to be led by former transport secretary Ruth Kelly, a member of the airports board. Heathrow Chairman Paul Deighton said Kelly will look at the robustness and execution of Heathrows crisis management plans, the airports response during the incident and how the airport recovered. Stalled journeys More than 1,300 flights were canceled and some 200,000 people stranded Friday after an overnight fire at a substation 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away cut power to Heathrow, and to more than 60,000 properties. Heathrow said Saturday it had added flights to todays schedule to facilitate an extra 10,000 passengers. British Airways, Heathrows biggest airline, said it expected to operate about 85% of its 600 scheduled flights at the airport Saturday. While many passengers managed to resume stalled journeys, others remained in limbo. Laura Fritschie from Kansas City was on vacation with her family in Ireland when she learned that her father had died. On Saturday she was stranded at Heathrow after her BA flight to Chicago was canceled at the last minute. Im very frustrated, she said. This was my first big vacation with my kids since my husband died, and now this. So I just want to go home. Shutdown points to a broader problem Residents in west London described hearing a large explosion and then seeing a fireball and clouds of smoke when the blaze ripped through the substation. The fire was brought under control after seven hours, but the airport was shut for almost 18 hours. A handful of flights took off and landed late Friday. Police said they do not consider the fire suspicious, and the London Fire Brigade said its investigation would focus on the substations electrical distribution equipment. Still, the huge impact of the fire left authorities facing questions about Britains creaking infrastructure, much of which has been privatized since the 1980s. The center-left Labour government has vowed to improve the U.K.s delay-plagued railways, its aged water system and its energy network, promising to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy independence through investment in wind and other renewable power sources. The last 40, 50 years weve tried to make services more efficient, said Harris. Weve stripped out redundancy, weve simplified processes. Weve moved towards a sort of just in time economy. There is an element where you have to make sure youre available for just in case. You have to plan for things going wrong. Clear planning failure Heathrow is one of the worlds busiest airports for international travel, and saw 83.9 million passengers last year. Chief executive Thomas Woldbye said he was proud of the way airport and airline staff had responded. The airport didnt shut for days. We shut for hours, he told the BBC. Woldbye said Heathrows backup power supply, designed for emergencies, worked as expected, but it wasnt enough to run the whole airport, which uses as much energy as a small city. Thats how most airports operate, said Woldbye, who insisted the same would happen in other airports faced with a similar blaze. But Willie Walsh, who heads aviation trade organization IATA, said the episode begs some serious questions. How is it that critical infrastructure of national and global importance is totally dependent on a single power source without an alternative? If that is the case, as it seems, then it is a clear planning failure by the airport, he said. Walsh said Heathrow has very little incentive to improve because airlines, not the airport, have to pay the cost of looking after disrupted passengers. No back-up plan Fridays disruption was one of the most serious since the 2010 eruption of Icelands Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which shut Europes airspace for days. Passengers on about 120 flights were in the air when Fridays closure was announced and found themselves landing in different cities, and even different countries. Mark Doherty and his wife were halfway across the Atlantic when the inflight map showed their flight from New Yorks John F. Kennedy Airport to Heathrow was returning to New York. I was like, youre joking, Doherty said. He called the situation typical England got no back-up plan for something happens like this. Theres no contingency plan. (AP) Venezuela will once again accept repatriation flights from the United States carrying its deported nationals after reaching an agreement with the U.S., a Venezuelan official said on social media Saturday. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro suspended flights on March 8, after the U.S. Treasury Department announced the withdrawal of Chevrons license to export Venezuelan oil. We have agreed with the U.S. government to resume the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants with an initial flight tomorrow, Sunday, said Jorge Rodriguez, president of Venezuelas Assembly and Maduros chief negotiator with the U.S. Venezuela accepted the deal to guarantee the the return of our compatriots to their nation with the safeguard of their Human Rights, Rodriguez said. In his statement, Rodriguez referred to the deportation by Donald Trumps government of some 250 Venezuelans to a high-security prison in El Salvador. Migrating is not a crime and we will not rest until we achieve the return of all those who require it and until we rescue our brothers kidnapped in El Salvador, Rodriguez said. Trump alleged the deportees were members of the Tren de Aragua gang. He labeled the Tren de Aragua an invading force on March 15 when he invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a little-used authority from 1798 that allows the president to deport any non-citizen during wartime. A federal judge issued an order temporarily barring the deportations, but flights were in the air when the ruling came down. Tren de Aragua, which the U.S. Department of State designated a foreign terrorist organization, originated in a prison in the South American country. Members accompanied an exodus of millions of Venezuelans, the overwhelming majority of whom were seeking better living conditions after their nations economy came undone last decade. Trumps administration has not provided evidence that the deportees are members of Tren de Aragua or that they committed any crime in the U.S. Maduros government has mostly refused the entry of immigrants deported from the U.S. Those deportations have sharply picked up since Trump took office on Jan. 20. In recent weeks, some 350 people were deported to Venezuela, including some 180 who spent up to 16 days at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Trump administration said that the Venezuelans sent to Guantanamo are members of Tren de Aragua, but offered little evidence to back this up. (AP) Hundreds of bicycle advocates were at an annual summit this month in Washington, D.C., when their cellphones lit up over breakfast with an urgent email warning that President Donald Trumps transportation department had just halted federal grant funding for bike lanes. As the administration targets green energy projects championed by former President Joe Biden that boosted transit, recreational trails and bicycle infrastructure, several states are banding together to advance those priorities on their own. California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Pennsylvania joined forces for a national organizing effort dubbed the Clean Rides Network. The group gained momentum in various statehouses this year on environmentally friendly transportation projects it contends the federal government has abandoned. These are changes we need to make anyway, but theyre more urgent than ever, said Justin Balik, senior state program director for the environmental advocacy group Evergreen Action and one of the organizers of the Clean Rides Network. Ive been calling the state departments of transportation the next frontier of climate advocacy. Trading highway expansion for buses Although Colorado wasnt among the seven charter members of the Clean Rides Network, a policy enacted there set the framework for one of its most ambitious goals. In 2021, Gov. Jared Polis committed to a dramatic reduction in Colorados greenhouse gas emissions and employed a novel approach to accelerate the timeline. Whenever the states transportation department commits money to a large-scale project that increases vehicle traffic such as a new highway, it must also pursue a corresponding project to offset the environmental harms. Two major highway expansion projects were canceled because of the policy, said Matt Frommer of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project. The group advocated for the change. Colorado used the savings to expand an intercity bus service that has soared in popularity for urban residents and tourists traveling to ski resorts. Polis vision lined up with the multimodal transportation aims under the $1.1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law Biden signed that year. In the final months of Bidens administration, the city of Denver won a $150 million federal grant to build a rapid transit bus line along one of its busiest corridors. Frommer, a transportation and land use policy manager, said there are fears that states will now have to pursue projects like that on their own. If your state cares about climate change, you need to take the reins and step up and direct your transportation funds to projects that are going to reduce emissions, Frommer said. We may not be able to rely on the federal government to put that policy in place or to really help you in many ways. Colorados approach moves east Minnesota followed Colorados lead and adopted a similar rule to offset greenhouse emissions. Other states that are part of the network are pushing proposals this session. The Maryland House recently passed its version of the Colorado law, and Senate sponsor Shelly Hettleman said shes cautiously optimistic it will win final passage before lawmakers adjourn. In trying to persuade her colleagues, Hettleman has focused less on the environmental benefits than what she sees as economic ones. A study commissioned by the Colorado transportation department projected up to $40 billion in savings through improved air quality, road safety and reduced traffic congestion, among other things. Lawmakers in the Clean Rides states of Illinois and Massachusetts have advanced similar proposals, but theyve encountered resistance from some business leaders and advocates for road construction. This is another ill-advised piece of legislation, not based upon science, that will defer needed improvements to our crumbling transportation infrastructure in Illinois, said Mike Sturino, president and CEO of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association. Commuters will have to wait for improvements to our existing interstate system, as this bill would delay addressing unsafe conditions on our roads and bridges. Is there any interest from red states? Although most of the state leaders who have pushed alternative transportation options have been Democrats, the Clean Rides Network said more conservative states have shown interest in some of the topics, too. Just as Colorados anticipated cost savings helped spur legislation in Maryland, economic concerns continue to be foremost in the minds of residents, with some studies showing that transportation ranks second to housing in consumer costs. Forget about the cost of eggs. Its never been more expensive to drive a car, said Miguel Moravec with the nonprofit climate think tank RMI, which created a calculator to help states project the money they could save through policies that reduce emissions. Virginia employs a scale that scores potential transportation projects based on factors such as safety, congestion relief, and environmental impacts. Utah launched an ambitious transit plan for the rapidly growing state, while Montana implemented land use and zoning reforms that made cities more walkable. Muhammed Patel, senior transportation advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council in Chicago, said states are at least rethinking some of their policy priorities. We do live luckily in a country where states have authority over their own transportation systems, Patel said. Theres flexibility innately built in. (AP) The Pentagons intelligence and law enforcement arms are investigating what it says are leaks of national security information. Defense Department personnel could face polygraphs in the latest such inquiry by the Trump administration. A memo late Friday from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths chief of staff referred to recent unauthorized disclosures of such information, but provided no details about alleged leaks. Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump rejected reports that adviser Elon Musk would be briefed on how the United States would fight a hypothetical war with China. If this effort results in information identifying a party responsible for an unauthorized disclosure, then such information will be referred to the appropriate criminal entity for criminal prosecution, according to the memo. At the Homeland Security Department, Secretary Kristi Noem pledged this month to step up lie detector tests on employees in an effort to identify those who may be leaking information about operations to the media. The Justice Department on Friday announced an investigation into the selective leak of inaccurate, but nevertheless classified, information from intelligence agencies about Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang whose members in the United States are being targeted for removal by the Republican administration. Leaks occur in every administration and government officials can be the source as a trial balloon to test how a potential policy decision will be received. While polygraph exams are typically not admissible in court proceedings, they are frequently used by federal law enforcement agencies and for national security clearances. In 1998, the Supreme Court ruled they were also inadmissible in military justice proceedings. They are inadmissible because they are unreliable and often result in false positives, said George Maschke, a former Army interrogator and reserve intelligence officer who went on to found AntiPolygraph.org. Mashke failed a polygraph himself when applying to the FBI. But they have been intermittently used since the 1990s to intimidate and scare sources from talking to reporters, Maschke said. A 1999 Pentagon report said it was expanding the program to use polygraphs on defense personnel if classified information they had access to has been leaked. (AP) U.S. Senator Steve Daines, a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, met Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng with warm exchanges in front of journalists on Saturday even as tensions between their countries spiked over trade tariffs and the handling of the illegal trade in fentanyl. Daines, the first member of Congress to visit Beijing since Trump took office in January, will meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday and the nations No. 2 official will give him an introduction to Chinas policies, according to He. Daines, who previously worked for American consumer goods company Procter & Gamble in south Chinas economic hub of Guangzhou, said this trip marked his sixth visit to China. He had met Li in 2018, when he served as the Communist Party secretary of Shanghai. He said this visit comes at a time when there are some important issues to discuss between China and the U.S. Ive always believed in having constructive dialogue and that has been the nature of all my visits to China over the course of many years, he said. The U.S. Embassy in China posted on X later Saturday that Daines voiced Trumps ongoing call for Beijing to stop the flow of fentanyl precursors from China. Daines also expressed hopes that further high-level talks between the two countries will take place in the near future. Vice Premier He said that China firmly opposes the politicization and weaponization of economic and trade issues, and is willing to engage in candid dialogue with the U.S. on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits, official news agency Xinhua reported. He said the two countries have many common interests and they can become partners and friends to achieve mutual success. Ahead of the trip that began on Thursday, Daines office said he is coordinating closely with the White House and will be carrying President Trumps America First agenda. Daines served as a go-between during the first Trump administration when tariffs were also a major issue. Daines, a senator for Montana, said on X earlier this week that he would be talking with Chinese officials about curbing the production and distribution of fentanyl and the need to reduce the trade deficit and ensure fair market access for our Montana farmers, ranchers and producers. Just months into Trumps second term, tensions between the worlds two largest economies have risen after the U.S. imposed 20% duties on Chinese goods and drew retaliatory tariffs of 15% on U.S. farm goods from China. Additionally, the U.S. accuses China of doing too little to stop the export of precursor materials for fentanyl, a highly potent opiate blamed for tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S. In response, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi earlier this month accused Washington of meeting good with evil and said China will continue to retaliate for the United States arbitrary tariffs. Beijing also responded with a report detailing its efforts to control the illegal trade in fentanyl, specifically the ingredients for the opioid that are made in China. The report said that China and the U.S. have held multiple high-level meetings since early last year to promote cooperation, and that its Narcotics Control Bureau holds regular exchanges with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. China is committed to cooperation, the report said, but firmly opposes the U.S. imposition of unlawful sanctions and unreasonable pressure on China on the pretext of responding to fentanyl-related issues. Daines arrived in Beijing on Thursday and met with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. His trip to the Chinese capital followed a visit to Vietnam where he met top leaders. (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed his unwavering support for Russias war in Ukraine during a meeting with a top Russian security official in Pyongyang, North Korean state media said Saturday. Fridays meeting between Kim and Sergei Shoigu, Russias Security Council secretary, followed a South Korean intelligence assessment in late February that North Korea had likely sent additional troops to Russia after its forces suffered heavy casualties fighting in the Russian-Ukraine war. Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle Wednesday to a limited ceasefire after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the two countries leaders, though it remains to be seen when it might take effect and what targets would be off-limits. North Korean and Russian state media said Kim and Shoigu discussed various issues, including Russias war in Ukraine, Moscows dialogues with the Trump administration and the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. They reaffirmed the willingness of the two countries leaders to unconditionally uphold a major mutual defense treaty reached at a summit last year in Pyongyang, which pledges mutual assistance if either country faces aggression, according to the reports. North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency said Kim during the meeting said his government will invariably support Russia in the struggle for defending the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and security interests. Shoigu conveyed a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who extended his greetings to Kim and vowed to give utmost attention to implementing agreements reached in their recent summits. He expressed gratitude for North Koreas solidarity with Russias position on all critical geopolitical issues, particularly on the Ukrainian issue, according to his televised comments. North Korean and Russia media didnt say whether any new agreements were reached before Shoigu departed Pyongyang later on Friday. North Korea has been supplying a vast amount of conventional weapons to Russia, and last fall it sent about 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia as well, according to U.S., South Korean and Ukraine intelligence officials. In its Feb. 27 statement, South Koreas National Intelligence Service said it was trying to determine exactly how many more troops North Korea has deployed to Russia. South Korean media put the number of newly deployed North Korean soldiers at about 1,000 to 3,000. South Korea, the U.S. and others suspect North Korea is receiving economic and military assistance from Russia in return for providing weapons and troops. Many experts say North Korea will likely ramp up its support of Russia to win as many benefits as possible from Russia before the war ends. Shoigus trip could be related to preparations for Kim to visit Russia, some observers say. Putin invited Kim to visit Moscow when he visited Pyongyang last year for the summit. In 2023, when Shoigu, then a defense minister, traveled to North Korea, Kim gave him a personal tour of a North Korean arms exhibition in what outside critics likened to a sales pitch. In September 2024, Shoigu, then in the new security council post, went to North Korea again for a meeting with Kim, and the two discussed expanding cooperation, according to North Koreas state media. Earlier Friday, KCNA said Kim oversaw the test-launches of new anti-aircraft missiles the previous day. It cited Kim as calling the missiles another major defense weapons system for North Korea. The missile launches, North Koreas sixth weapons testing activity this year, occurred on the same day that the U.S. and South Korean militaries concluded their annual training that North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal. The 11-day Freedom Shield exercise was the allies first major joint military training since Trumps inauguration in January. North Korea often responds to major U.S.-South Korean military drills with its own weapons tests and fiery rhetoric. Hours after this years Freedom Shield training began on March 10, North Korea fired several ballistic missiles into the sea. (AP) President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the immediate revocation of security clearances for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Antony Blinken, Hillary Clinton, Liz Cheney, Jake Sullivan, and every member of the Biden family. The move marks a seismic shift in national security access for former high-ranking officials and sends a clear message that the era of political insiders retaining classified privileges is over. I hereby direct every executive department and agency head to take all additional action as necessary and consistent with existing law to revoke any active security clearances held by the aforementioned individuals and to immediately rescind their access to classified information, Trump declared. I also direct all executive department and agency heads to revoke unescorted access to secure United States Government facilities from these individuals. While Trumps decision has sparked outrage among Democrats, CNN analyst Scott Jennings did not hesitate to back the move, particularly when it came to the Bidens. Speaking on Laura Coates Live Friday night, Jennings pointed to the Biden familys history of influence peddling, foreign entanglements, and questionable dealings as justification for stripping them of any access to classified material. Given the familys long history of influence peddling and dealings with shady people overseas, I think cutting them off from national security information is frankly a pretty good idea, Jennings said bluntly. He further blasted top Democrats for abusing their adjacency to national security information for political purposes, calling out the now-infamous Hunter Biden laptop letter, in which 51 intelligence officials falsely labeled the laptop as Russian disinformation just weeks before the 2020 election. Donald Trump is sending a strong message, Jennings asserted. No longer are people like this who float in and out of government going to be able to abuse their national security access for political purposes. The announcement sent shockwaves through Washington, with Democrats accusing Trump of pure political vengeance. This is nothing but an authoritarian purge, one Democratic operative fumed. Trump is weaponizing security clearances against his political enemies in a way weve never seen before. But Trump allies see it differently, calling the move a long-overdue correction to the unchecked privileges granted to political elites. Lets not forget, Jennings reminded viewers, Democrats did this to Trump in 2021. What goes around comes around. Your browser does not support the video tag. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters gathered outside Istanbul city hall Sunday night to protest the arrest of the citys mayor, a key rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Earlier Sunday, a court formally arrested Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and ordered him jailed pending the outcome of a trial on corruption charges. His detention Wednesday morning sparked the largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade, with large crowds gathering outside city hall for the fifth night in a row. It also deepened concerns over democracy and rule of law in Turkey. His imprisonment is widely regarded as a political move to remove a major contender from the next presidential race, currently scheduled for 2028. Government officials reject the accusations and insist that Turkeys courts operate independently. If you werent here today, if you hadnt rushed here since the first day, if you had yielded to tear gas and barricades, if you had gotten scared and remained at home, then today a caretaker appointed by Tayyip Erdogan would be residing here in this building, said Ozgur Ozel Sunday night, pointing at city hall as he spoke to the massive crowd chanting anti-government slogans. Ozel is the head of the Republican Peoples Party, or CHP, to which Imamoglu belongs. Suspicion of running criminal organization The prosecutors office said the court decided to jail Imamoglu on suspicion of running a criminal organization, accepting bribes, extortion, illegally recording personal data and bid-rigging. A request for him to be imprisoned on terror-related charges was rejected although he still faces prosecution. Following the courts ruling, Imamoglu was transferred to Silivri prison, west of Istanbul. The Interior Ministry later announced that Imamoglu had been suspended from duty as a temporary measure. The municipality had previously appointed an acting mayor from its governing council. Alongside Imamoglu, 47 other people were also jailed pending trial, including a key aide and two district mayors from Istanbul, one of whom was replaced with a government appointee. A further 44 suspects were released under judicial control. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Sunday that 323 people were detained the previous evening over disturbances at protests. Largely peaceful protests across Turkey have seen hundreds of thousands come out in support of Imamoglu. However, there has been some violence, with police deploying water cannons, tear gas, pepper spray and firing plastic pellets at protesters in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, some of whom hurled stones, fireworks and other missiles at riot police. A primary to endorse Imamoglu and solidarity ballots The formal arrest came as more than 1.7 million members of the opposition CHP began holding a primary presidential election to endorse Imamoglu, the sole candidate. The party has also set up symbolic ballot boxes nationwide to allow people who are not party members to express their support for the mayor. Large crowds gathered early Sunday to cast a solidarity ballot. This is no longer just a problem of the Republican Peoples Party, but a problem of Turkish democracy, Fusun Erben, 69, said at a polling station in Istanbuls Kadikoy district. We do not accept our rights being so easily usurped. We will fight until the end. Speaking at a polling station in Bodrum, western Turkey, engineer Mehmet Dayanc, 38, said he feared that in the end well be like Russia, a country without an opposition, where only a single man participates in elections. At the time of Sunday nights protest, the vote count had reached around 15 million people, of which around a little over 13 million were from non-party members voting in solidarity. In a post on social media, Imamoglu praised the result from Silivri Prison, writing that the people had told Erdogan enough is enough. That ballot box will arrive, and the nation will deliver a slap to the administration it will never forget. Domestic and international supporters slam the courts action Honestly, we are embarrassed in the name of our legal system, Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, a fellow member of Imamoglus CHP, told reporters after casting his vote, criticizing the lack of confidentiality in the proceedings. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said Imamoglus imprisonment was reminiscent of Italian mafia methods. Speaking at Istanbul City Hall, he added: Imamoglu is on the one hand in prison and on the other hand on the way to the presidency. The Council of Europe, which focuses on promoting human rights and democracy, slammed the decision and demanded Imamoglus immediate release. The German government called the mayors imprisonment a serious setback for democracy in Turkey, adding that political competition must not be conducted with courts and prisons. Soner Cagaptay, director of the Turkish Research Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and an author of a biography of Erdogan, said the president was determined to do whatever it takes to end Imamoglus career. Imamoglus long history of criminal cases Before his detention, Imamoglu had already faced multiple criminal cases that could result in prison sentences and a political ban. He was also appealing a 2022 conviction for insulting members of Turkeys Supreme Electoral Council. Earlier in the week, a university nullified his diploma, citing alleged irregularities in his transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus some 30 years ago. The decision effectively bars him from running for president, since the position requires candidates to be university graduates. Imamoglu had vowed to challenge the decision. Imamoglu was elected mayor of Turkeys largest city in March 2019, in a major blow to Erdogan and the presidents Justice and Development Party, which had controlled Istanbul for a quarter-century. Erdogans 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 the CHP made significant gains against Erdogans governing party. (AP) The South African ambassador who was expelled from the United States and declared persona non grata by the Trump administration was welcomed home at an airport Sunday by hundreds of supporters who sang songs praising him. Crowds at Cape Town International Airport surrounded Ebrahim Rasool and his wife Rosieda as they emerged in the arrivals terminal in their hometown, and they needed a police escort to help them navigate their way through the building. A declaration of persona non grata is meant to humiliate you, Rasool told the supporters as he addressed them with a megaphone. But when you return to crowds like this, and with warmth like this, then I will wear my persona non grata as a badge of dignity. It was not our choice to come home, but we come home with no regrets. Rasool was expelled for comments he made on a webinar that included him saying that the Make America Great Again movement was partly a response to a supremacist instinct. Rasool said on his return home it was important for South Africa to fix its relationship with the U.S. after President Donald Trump punished the country and accused it of taking an anti-American stance even before the decision to expel him. The U.S. president issued an executive order last month cutting all funding to South Africa, alleging its government is supporting the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Iran, and pursuing anti-white policies at home. We dont come here to say we are anti-American, Rasool said to the crowd. We are not here to call on you to throw away our interests with the United States. They were the ex-ambassadors first public comments since the Trump administration declared him persona non grata over a week ago, removed his diplomatic immunities and privileges, and gave him until this Friday to leave the U.S. It is highly unusual for the U.S. to expel a foreign ambassador. Rasool stands by the comments cited by Rubio Rasool was declared persona non grata by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a post on X on March 14. Rubio said Rasool was a race-baiting politician who hates the U.S. and Trump. Although Rubio didnt directly cite a reason, his post linked to a story by the conservative Breitbart news site that reported on a talk Rasool gave on a webinar organized by a South African think tank. In his talk, Rasool spoke in academic language of the Trump administrations crackdowns on diversity and equity programs and immigration and mentioned the possibility of a U.S. where white people soon would no longer be in the majority. The supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the U.S.A., the MAGA movement, the Make America Great Again movement, as a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the U.S.A. in which the voting electorate in the U.S.A. is projected to become 48% white, Rasool said in the talk. On Sunday, he said he stood by those comments, and characterized them as merely alerting intellectuals and political leaders in South Africa that the U.S. and its politics had changed. It is not the U.S. of Obama, it is not the U.S. of Clinton, it is a different U.S. and therefore our language must change, Rasool said. I would stand by my analysis because we were analyzing a political phenomenon, not a personality, not a nation, and not even a government. Pressure over genocide case against Israel He also said that South Africa would resist pressure from the U.S. and anyone else to drop its case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The Trump administration has cited that case against U.S. ally Israel as one of the reasons it alleges South Africa is anti-American. The Breitbart story Rubio cited when announcing Rasools expulsion was written by South African-born senior editor-at-large Joel Pollak, who is Jewish and an ally of the Trump administration. Pollak is also a contender to be the new U.S. ambassador to South Africa, according to South African media. Some of the supporters welcoming Rasool, who is Muslim, home to Cape Town waved Palestinian flags and chanted free Palestine. As we stand here, the bombing (in Gaza) has continued and the shooting has continued, and if South Africa was not in the (International Court of Justice), Israel would not be exposed, and the Palestinians would have no hope, Rasool said. We cannot sacrifice the Palestinians but we will also not give up with our relationship with the United States. We must fight for it, but we must keep our dignity. (AP) Second lady Usha Vance plans a trip to Greenland, the self-governing, mineral-rich territory of American ally Denmark that President Donald Trump has suggested the United States should take control over. Vance will leave on Thursday and return Saturday, according to her office. Vance and one of her three children will be part of a U.S. delegation set to visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race. The race features around 37 mushers and 444 dogs and offers what Vances office described as a remarkable display of speed, skill, and teamwork. The statement said that Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity. Media outlets in Greenland and Denmark reported that during her trip this week, Vance would be accompanied by Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz. The White House and the National Security Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trump had mused during his first term about buying the worlds largest island, even as Copenhagen, a NATO ally, insisted it wasnt for sale. Since returning to the White House, Trump has repeatedly said that the U.S. will come to control Greenland while insisting he supports the idea for strategic national security reasons not with an eye toward American expansionism. I think we will have it, Trump said of Greenland shortly after beginning his second term on Jan. 20. The U.S. already has a military base on Greenland and the presidents son, Donald Trump Jr., visited it in January. During a recent Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said Denmarks very far away from Greenland, and questioned whether that country still had a right to claim the worlds largest island as part of its kingdom. A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. And they say they have rights to it, Trump said. I dont know if thats true. I dont think it is, actually. All five parties in Greenlands parliament issued a joint statement last week rejecting Trumps remarks. Denmark has recognized Greenlands right to independence at a time of its choosing. Beyond his focus on Greenland, Trump has refused to rule out military intervention in Panama to retake that countrys canal, said that Canada should be Americas 51st state and suggested that U.S. interests could assume control of the war-torn Gaza Strip from Israel and redevelop it as a Riviera-like seaside resort. (AP) Bernie Sanders stepped onto a stage in downtown Denver, surrounded by tens of thousands of cheering supporters in what he described as the biggest rally he had ever addressed. The Vermont senator put his hand on the shoulder of the woman who had introduced him, a signal for her to stay on stage. She has become an inspiration to millions of young people, Sanders said of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, recounting her biography from a girl who helped her mother clean houses and later became a bartender before emerging as political insurgent who ousted a powerful New York Democrat in a U.S. House primary. The crowd began a chant of her well-known moniker: AOC! AOC! In a leaderless Democratic Party out of power in Washington, Ocasio-Cortez has a message and a connection with a segment of liberals feeling disenchanted with both parties. Now, in her fourth term, the 35-year-old congresswoman is working to broaden her appeal beyond her progressive, anti-establishment roots. Hitting the road last week with Sanders for his Fighting Oligarchy rallies, she is addressing people who disagree with her and reframing the divide in the Democratic Party not as progressive versus moderate, but as those going after Republican President Donald Trump and those being more cautious. No matter who you voted for in the past, no matter if you know all the right words to say, no matter your race, religion, gender identity or status, Ocasio-Cortez said to thousands in a rally at Arizona State University. No matter even if you disagree with me on a few things. If you are willing to fight for someone you dont know, you are welcome here. Her instinct to brawl is well-matched to the restlessness of the Democratic base, much of which sees top party officials like New York Sen. Chuck Schumer as not confrontational enough. Were lacking leadership right now, and we really just need someone to take the reins and tell us what to do, said Kristen Hanson, a 41-year-old small business owner from Phoenix, whose search for a call to action brought her to see Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez. Im not in politics, but I would be very happy to follow a leader who I believe in. But that instinct also irritates some elected Democrats. Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, whose profile is also rising after her November victory in a state Trump won, was challenged recently by a constituent to more aggressively confront Trump like Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Dallas Democrat who is becoming one of her partys key messengers. Slotkin said she had to be more than just an activist and noted that those lawmakers represent heavily Democratic areas. All of those things require me to be more than just an AOC, she said. I cant do what she does because we live in a purple state and Im a pragmatist. AOC tours with Sanders Sanders, one of the few political leaders with the resources to plan large rallies and the appeal to pack them, has stepped into the Democratic leadership vacuum with appearances across the country. Ocasio-Cortez joined him this past week for five events in Nevada, Arizona and Colorado. In Denver, the crowd was so immense that people climbed onto statues and sat on the broad steps of buildings across the street to watch. In Tempe, Arizona, outside Phoenix, thousands of people who could not get inside the arena crowded a plaza outside or watched from a parking garage. In speeches lasting about 25 minutes, Ocasio-Cortez blended the denunciations of economic inequality that have been central to her brand with an offering that we are not powerless in this moment. About two-thirds of Democrats have a favorable opinion of Ocasio-Cortez and just 5% view her unfavorably, according to Gallup polling from January. But the broader public is more divided. Among all adults, about 4 in 10 had a negative view of Ocasio-Cortez while about 3 in 10 had a positive view. In her home state, about 4 in 10 New York voters in the November election viewed her favorably while about the same share had an unfavorable opinion, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of the 2024 electorate. Ocasio-Cortez confronted head-on the perception that she is a radical by being magnanimous toward other Democratic factions. She did not walk away from her progressive views but signaled openness to disagreement, saying her movement is not about partisan labels or purity tests, but rather solidarity with the working class. At each stop, she spoke supportively of local Democrats in Congress, even those who do not align with her ideologically. We need more people like them with the courage to brawl for the working class, she said in Arizona, praising colleagues who voted against a Republican spending bill. She did poke at former Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who was elected as a Democrat in 2018 but infuriated progressives for working with Republicans and blocking Democratic priorities such as raising the minimum wage. Sinema became an independent but declined to run for a second term. One thing I love about Arizonans is that you all have shown that if a U.S. senator isnt fighting hard enough for you, youre not afraid to replace her with one who will, Ocasio-Cortez said. The budget fight creates enduring Democratic anger The decision by 10 Senate Democrats, led by party leader Schumer, to allow a Republican-led spending bill to advance infuriated the Democratic base, which saw it as capitulation to Trump. (Slotkin, the Michigan senator, voted against advancing the bill.) Schumer argued the spending bill was terrible but a government shutdown had the measure not passed would have given Trump the power to make even more cuts as his administration slashes agencies and hundreds of thousands of federal jobs. House Democrats disagreed with him in a rare show of public dissent and several liberal groups are pushing Schumer to resign. Ocasio-Cortez gave voice to that anger in her speeches. Her plea for a Democratic Party that fights harder for us drew the biggest applause of her speeches in Denver and Tempe. Dane Burgos, 28, snapped a selfie with Ocasio-Cortez as she left the Denver rally. I was mainly here for Bernie, because hes the OG, but AOC its clear shes the heir apparent, Burgos said. Armando Valdez, a two-time Sanders voter and Navy veteran who gets his medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs, is especially alarmed at the Trump administrations proposed cuts. He feels like he knows Sanders well, but is eager to hear what Ocasio-Cortez has to say. Sanders is, too. Just not as a solo act yet. The 83-year-old has said hes not running for president a third time. But asked after his Tempe rally whether he sees any promising leaders rising up, he did not give his support to Ocasio-Cortez or anyone else. There are dozens and dozens of really strong progressives out there who are I think going to be the future political leaders of our country, Sanders told reporters. (AP) Aish and Partners in Torah are joining forces to create a global Jewish educational network. This new union brings together Aishs worldwide reach with Partners in Torahs proven model of sustainable Jewish connections through personalized learning partnerships. The integration unites Partners in Torahs 32-year legacy of fostering meaningful Jewish connections among more than 110,000 participants with Aishs 50-year history of innovative Jewish education through its global platforms and infrastructure. Partners in Torahs state-of-the-art technology platform, capable of facilitating hundreds of learning partnerships daily, will now be enhanced by Aishs extensive educational network and worldwide digital presence. This historic collaboration represents the next evolution in Jewish education, said Rabbi Steven Burg, CEO of Aish. By bringing together our organizations complementary strengths, were creating unprecedented opportunities for Jews worldwide to connect with their heritage through meaningful learning relationships. Rabbi Eli Gewirtz, founder of Partners in Torah, emphasized the transformative potential of this union: For over three decades, Partners in Torah has focused on creating sustainable Jewish connections through personalized learning. By joining with Aish, we can dramatically expand this impact while maintaining the personal touch that has been our hallmark. The joint program will leverage Aishs global presence and resources to enhance Partners in Torahs successful learning partnership model. This collaboration aligns with the shared vision of both organizations to strengthen Jewish education and identity worldwide. About Aish: Aish is a Jewish educational organization focused on sharing Jewish wisdom and uplifting and inspiring people to live more thoughtful, spiritual, and impactful lives. Aish connects with people from all backgrounds through digital content, in-person discovery, and exploration at the Dan Family Aish World Center in Jerusalem. About Partners in Torah: Founded in 1993, Partners in Torah revolutionized Jewish learning through its pioneering one-on-one learning model. Using sophisticated technology and personalized matching, the organization has facilitated over 110,000 learning partnerships worldwide, creating sustainable Jewish connections and transformative learning experiences. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The IDF significantly expanded its operation in Gaza on Sunday morning, specifically in the Rafah area in southern Gaza. IDF spokesperson in Arabic Avichay Adraee issued immediate evacuation orders to the residents of Tel Sultan in Rafah. Additionally, the IDF spokesperson said on Sunday morning that IDF forces have begun operating in the Beit Hanoun area in the northern Gaza Strip in order to expand the security zone located there and destroy Hamas terror infrastructure. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz made an unusual statement on Friday, saying that the IDF will begin to permanently seize territory in the Gaza Strip if Hamas doesnt release the hostages. I have instructed the IDF to seize additional areas in Gaza, evacuate the population, and expand security zones around Gaza to protect Israeli communities and IDF soldiers, Katz said. The more Hamas persists in its refusal to release the hostages, the more territory it will lose, which will be annexed to Israel. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The Rav of the city of Orleans, about 74 miles southwest of Paris, was violently attacked in front of his son while returning from shul on Shabbos, French media reported. The reports said that Rabbi Aryeh Engelberg was on his way back from the shul at 1:30 p.m., accompanied by his 9-year-old son, when the assailant attacked him, kicking and punching him and biting him on his shoulder. A passerby intervened, and the attacker left the scene. Rabbi Engelberg filed a complaint at the Orleans police station, and the Orleans prosecutor opened an investigation for intentional violence committed because of the victims religious affiliation. Yan, a resident of Orleans who witnessed the attack, said he saw the assailant giving the Rabbi three or four violent blows. I saw the attacker kicking the Rabbis hat, he said. He had blood around his neck, it looked like he was injured in his hand because he fought back. French police arrested the assailant, a 16-year-old minor, at 9:45 p.m. on Motzei Shabbos. Orleans Mayor Serge Grouard condemned the attack in a statement he published on X and expressed his full support for the Rabbi, his family and the entire Jewish community. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Colorado Springs police are investigating a smash-and-grab burglary that took place in the area of The Citadel mall early Sunday, according to an online blotter entry. According to police, two suspects broke into a unspecified store in the 700 block of Citadel Drive East at about 3:25 a.m. Sunday, using a sledgehammer and a pickaxe. Stores in and around the mall, with addresses listed on that block, include Dillard's, Piercing Pagoda, Kay Jewelers, and Barnes & Noble. The suspects, wearing face coverings and dark clothing, took a substantial amount of jewelry and caused significant damage to the business, officials said. The suspects are believed to have left the area on foot before fleeing in a waiting vehicle nearby. The cash value of the stolen jewelry was undetermined as of Sunday morning. No additional suspect information was available. Israels Cabinet convened on Sunday and unanimously approved a motion of no-confidence in Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. Baharav-Miara refused to attend the meeting, a move slammed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who headed the meeting as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu did not attend due to a conflict of interest. At the beginning of the meeting, Levin said that he views with great severity the Attorney Generals absence from the meeting, and called it further proof of the depth of contempt she has for the government and its members and that she has no answers to the claims against her. Channel 14 News reported that Levins complaints were sent to Baharav-Miara several weeks ago in order to allow her adequate time to address the claims but she chose not to do so. Levin said: The proposal we are bringing is to express a lack of confidence in the Attorney General.The Attorney General repeatedly thwarts government policy and does not offer alternatives and thwarts appointments in the civil service as was done in the case of the Civil Service Commissioner. In addition, she refused to represent the government as of the date of submission of the document 14 times, an increase of 2100 percent (!) compared to the previous government. And she was not even satisfied with that, but actually prevented the government from using alternative representation and insisted on representing it in several cases against its position. Baharav-Miara sent a letter to the ministers before the meeting in which she had the audacity to accuse the government of acting above the law. The government seeks to be above the law and act without oversight and checks and balances, even in the most sensitive times a state of emergency, protests against the government, and an election period, she wrote. The proposal seeks not confidence but loyalty to the political echelon. Not governance, but governmental power without limits. Since the establishment of the government, I and the entire government legal advisory system have been working together with the government to advance its policies, she claimed. The claim of a lack of effective cooperation is detached from reality. The data and facts speak for themselves. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Another espionage case has rocked Israel as authorities announce the arrest of a 65-year-old man accused of spying for Iran. Edward Yusupov, a resident of Netivot, was taken into custody last month in a covert operation by Israeli police and the Shin Bet security service. Prosecutors from the Southern District Attorneys Office have revealed that Yusupov is set to be indicted on charges of contact with agents from an enemy country. Investigators say Yusupov meticulously gathered intelligence on highly sensitive Israeli sites, including IDF bases, the Haifa Port, and even Israels nuclear research center in the Negev. Acting on instructions from an Azerbaijani national suspected of being an Iranian agent, Yusupov allegedly photographed these locations with the intent to pass the information to his handler. Officials report that Yusupov rented an apartment overlooking the Haifa Port to facilitate his handlers operational needs, a move that suggests an alarming level of commitment to the suspected espionage. Authorities allege that the suspect was financially motivated, receiving tens of thousands of dollars for his activities. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The Vaad HaYeshivosthe backbone of coordination between bnei Torah and the Defense Ministry regarding defermentshas found itself frozen out of the 2025 state budget, leaving the Torah world reeling. During a fiery session in the Knesset Finance Committee, Amos Sayada, head of the Education Ministrys Torah Institutions Division, confirmed what many had feared: the Vaad HaYeshivos has seen its government funding dry up, a direct consequence of the High Courts 2024 ruling demanding the draft of lomdei Torah. For decades, the Vaad HaYeshivos has operated as the lifeline for talmidim navigating the bureaucracy of army deferments, with strong government support. In 2023 alone, it received a whopping NIS 4.46 million (approximately $1.2 million)two-thirds of its budgetto ensure the uninterrupted limud of tens of thousands of yeshiva bochurim. Yet despite billions being funneled into coalition agreementsincluding NIS 8 million ($2.2 million) allocated for groups managing defermentsthe Vaad has inexplicably been left out in the cold. While sources in the Education Ministry initially indicated that funding would flow if a law was passed to secure the exemptions, the situation remains deadlocked. In response to direct questioning, Sayada confirmed that not a shekel of the earmarked funds would be heading to the Vaad HaYeshivos. The ramifications of this decision are enormous, as the Vaad has been steadfast in guiding bochurim not to report for enlistment. The daas Torah is clear: Do not report under any circumstances and do not cooperate, the Vaad instructed a concerned bochur via email. Of course, according to the law, there is an obligation to report, but these are the instructions of the gedolim. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) In a targeted operation, the IDF and the Shin Bet successfully struck a high-ranking Hamas terrorist operating within the Nasser Hospital compound in Gaza. The strike was the culmination of an extensive intelligence-gathering effort aimed at neutralizing a significant threat while minimizing collateral damage. According to reports emerging from Gaza, the target of the operation was Ismail Barhoum, a prominent member of Hamass political bureau. Barhoum was reportedly responsible for overseeing the terrorist organizations financial operations, a critical role that funneled resources into its militant activities. His elimination marks a significant blow to Hamass logistical and operational capabilities. The IDF and Shin Bet emphasized that the operation was carefully planned to address the unique circumstances of the targets location. Hamas has long been accused of exploiting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and residential areas, to shield its operatives and plan attacks. In this instance, the use of Nasser Hospitalan active medical facilityas a base for terrorist activities has drawn sharp criticism. The IDF condemned Hamass actions, stating that the group brutally endangers the Gazan population and violates international law by embedding its operatives within civilian spaces. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) By: Dovid Gold At the holiest place in the world, at the kosel, in a mixed event, a Megillah of Independence was read publicly by Conservative male and female rabbis. Across the state of Israel, Reform outreach programs, ensnaring thousands of traditional Jews, continue to sprout up. Summer camps that promote alternative lifestyles are offered free to Israeli children. What do all these projects have in common? They are all funded by the WZO, and made possible by money that could, and should, support Torah causes instead. Unbeknownst to many, the Reform and Conservative movements are on the march. While their influence has stagnated in America, they have found a way to spread their progressive ideology across Eretz Yisroel. This is happening because their American constituents have mobilized to vote in WZO elections, while we have yet to secure the number of votes that truly represent our community. With an annual budget of $2.3 billion, the WZO wields enormous influence in shaping Jewish community life in Israel and across the wider Jewish world. This massive amount of money allows the WZO to distribute hundreds of millions of dollars annually to causes it chooses to support. Elections and their Consequences Leadership of the National Institutions is determined by global Jewish elections in the World Zionist Congress, held every five years. Budget allocations are entirely based on political representation in these elections. For decades, this money was primarily being used to build the infrastructure of the State of Israel, not to spread ideology. However, this changed with the newfound interest of the non-Orthodox streams of Judaism in the Zionist movement and the State of Israel. Facing a crisis of relevance in North America, leaders of the Reform and Conservative movements turned to Zionist ideas to revitalize their communities. In 1978 (almost a century after the emergence of the Zionist movement!), the Reform Movement established the Association of Reform Zionists in America (ARZA) as its representative body in the WZO. Around the same time, the Conservative Movement redoubled its efforts to expand its party, MERCAZ Olami. These alternative forms of Judaism began to grow in influence within the WZO and demanded that large amounts of money be given to causes aligned with their values. Brilliantly, these movements positioned themselves as the exclusive representatives of American Jewry, enabling them to secure leadership positions that allowed them to influence the overall budgets of the National Institutions. As a result, a decision was made several years ago for the National Institutions to directly fund diverse streams of Judaism. Millions of dollars are now allocated annually to the Reform and Conservative movements to finance their day-to-day operations. Based on an investigative review of the entire WZO budget, the total annual amount transferred to the Reform movements by the National Institutions is approximately 46,500,000 NIS. For example, a Reform summer camp received not only direct funding from KKL/JNF but also operated at an official KKL/JNF facility as part of a partnership with the Reform movement. These Reform activities have an unfortunate effect on thousands of unsuspecting Israelis who are just looking to add religion to their lives. This reality has had a devastating effect on the traditional makeup of the Jewish state and is contributing to the religious-secular divide that plagues the country. For years this effort has gone largely unchecked by those who care about our Torah values. Fortunately, there is now something each of us can do about it. The Entry of Eretz HaKodesh For many years, the Yeshivah and Chassidic communities stayed away from the Zionist movement and the WZO, however, because of the political emergence of the non-Orthodox parties among other factors, that has now changed. A group of activists, with the support of the leading Torah leaders of the generation, Rav Chaim Kanievsky ztl and Rav Gershon Edelstein ztl, founded Eretz HaKodesh to give Torah communities a voice in the WZO. In 2020, in their very first election, they won 25 seats in the Zionist Congress, finally bringing representation to frum Jews outside Eretz Yisroel. In a few short years, Eretz HaKodesh has had a major impact. Its delegates have become a decisive factor between the left and right blocs, giving them significant influence over key decisions. Representatives of Eretz HaKodesh have worked extensively to prevent the Reform movement from acting against Torah true values and from misrepresenting worldwide Jewry. They have worked to amend the wording of various resolutions and prevented new budgets from being allocated to activities that undermine our Torah values and Jewish tradition. For example, they successfully opposed a resolution by the Jewish Agencys leadership urging the Israeli government to expand the non-Orthodox section at the Kosel. Financially, Eretz HaKodesh has achieved impressive results, particularly in areas of education. The education department of KKL/JNF had a 270 million NIS annual budget in 2023. Today, the co-chairman of the 11-member committee responsible for its budget is a representative from Eretz HaKodesh. Through his efforts, millions of shekels have finally been allocated to the frum communities including over 3,000,000 NIS in scholarships for Israeli girls high school tuition. A substantial portion of the education departments budget is also now directed to Kiruv organizations. Furthermore, over $12,000,000 a year has been used to support an incredible network of programs for youth at risk. These programs have an impressive success rate helping young boys and girls rehabilitate themselves, take on responsibilities, and return to their families as changed individuals. Future Opportunities While Eretz HaKodesh has accomplished remarkable things, there is still much to be done. The frum communities still do not have a seat at the table in many of the committees and boards responsible for allocating the various funds of the National Institutions. Anti-Orthodox factions have successfully excluded many of the religious communities from receiving money that should rightfully be going to them. For example, based on an agreement between the Israeli Finance Ministry and the KKL/JNF between one to two billion shekels a year must be spent developing community infrastructure in the peripheral communities of Israel. Dozens of religious towns in Israel should qualify to receive their share of this money. Until the religious parties expand their political influence within the WZO, this money remains inaccessible to them. Indeed, the opportunities are very real and seemingly endless. Huge amounts of money have been earmarked for dozens of special projects across Israel, ranging from building high-tech hubs to rebuilding communities devastated by the October 7th attacks. Programs for children with special needs, extracurricular activities, and summer camps are all funded at least in part by the National Institutions. Ensuring that the religious communities benefit as they should from these programs remains an effort in progress. Masa: A Real Help for American Frum Families One of the biggest funding opportunities for frum communities is Masa Israel Journey. Run by the Jewish Agency and the Israeli government, Masa gives grants to young Jews from around the world, ages 1830, to spend 2 to 10 months in Israel. Tens of millions of shekels are allocated to this program every year. Masas stated goal is to help young Jews connect with Israel and their Jewish identity. Yet the largest group of young Jews coming to Israel each year yeshivah and seminary students are mostly excluded from Masa funding. But this can change. KKL/JNF gives 30,000,000 NIS to Masa each year, and control of its budget depends on the upcoming 2025 WZO elections. If frum communities show up and vote, we can demand our fair share of Masa funds providing desperately needed tuition relief to thousands of families. We Will Do Our Part Billions of dollars hang in the balance. Will the left-wing, anti-our Torah bloc continue to receive limitless funds to shape Jewish society in their image, or will those who cherish Torah, gain access to the critical resources needed to strengthen authentic Judaism? Beezras Hashem, those of us who care about the future of Am Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel will raise our collective voice March 10 May 4th, and take action to ensure that our Torah values remain at the heart of our nation. The time to make your voice heard is now. Vote for EretzHaKodesh today! EretzHaKodesh.org SIDE BAR The WZO is the umbrella term for what is collectively known as the National Institutions. They include Keren Kayemeth LeYisroel, (KKL/JNF), the Jewish Agency (JAFI), and Keren Hayesod (United Israel Appeal), the official fundraising arm of the State of Israel. Rachel Reeves is set to announce a spending squeeze of up to 15 billion in an attempt to balance the books and more tax rises are in the pipeline if the economy continues to flatline, City experts predict. The Chancellor will say in Wednesday's Spring Statement that the world has changed as her justification for slashing Whitehall budgets and cutting red tape. It is poised to be the biggest assault on public services since the austerity years of George Osborne, one of her predecessors at Number 11. But tax and spending watchdog the Office for Budfget Responsibility (OBR) is likely to take a cautious view on how much of other savings such as rolling out artificial intelligence across government departments will actually be achieved. It delivers its verdict on the public finances the same day. In another blow for Reeves, the OBR is expected to halve its growth forecast for 2025 to around one per cent. This will pile more pressure on her to raise taxes again later this year to meet her fiscal rules. These state that day-to-day government spending must be paid for out of taxation, not borrowing. The rules also stipulate debt must fall as a share of national income by the end of this Parliament. In October the OBR said Reeves would meet her first fiscal rule with a meagre 10 billion of 'headroom' to spare. But that headroom has been wiped out as her 25 billion Budget raid on employers' National Insurance hit business confidence and strangled growth, causing government borrowing costs to soar. Fickle finger of fate: Rachel Reeves will say that the world has changed as her justification for slashing Whitehall budgets and cutting red tape The Chancellor has ruled out any major tax rises this week. Therefore, economists say, she will have to find spending cuts of up to 15 billion to rebuild a buffer that is credible to financial markets. Growth prospects have dimmed since US President Donald Trump threatened to unleash a global trade war by imposing steep tariffs on nations including Canada, Mexico, China and the EU. Plans to increase defence spending to reduce the UK's reliance on military support from the US will be paid for by cuts to the foreign aid budget. The Government has also announced 5 billion of savings from benefits payments. Between 5-10 billion could be found from the budgets of unprotected departments such as the Home Office, courts and prisons, the environment and from local government. The latter, however, is responsible for social care for the elderly, which is in great demand. Health reforms including the recent decision to abolish the NHS England quango could net another billion, while making more public services digital and reforming the civil service may yield another 3 billion and 2 billion respectively. However, the OBR is unlikely to include all of these savings in its forecasts, not least because the Government's Spending Review is not due until the summer, said Sanjay Raja, UK economist at Deutsche Bank. The OBR is therefore likely to pencil in savings of less than 15 billion, he said. its forecasts for the economys longer-term growth potential That would leave Reeves meeting her fiscal rules with around 12 billion in hand slightly more than before. The watchdog is unlikely lower its forecasts for the economy's longer-term growth potential. It has been accused of taking an overly rosy view of productivity as measured by output per hour worked. If the OBR assumed the past 15 years of sluggish productivity growth continues for another five, then Reeves would be staring into a 45 billion 'fiscal hole', research by Bloomberg Economics found. Some economists take a somewhat more optimistic view. 'Our hunch is that the OBR will, roughly, stick to its guns on growth potential, at least for the time being,' said economists at investment bank Investec. 'This would limit just how much of a spending squeeze is needed to meet the fiscal rules. 'Overall we judge that Chancellor Reeves will be forced to pare back her Budget spending plans by at least 10 billion, but we doubt that she will have to make as much as 20 billion of savings to meet her rules and to give her a credible amount of headroom.' Taking an axe to public spending will be politically difficult for the Government. But Reeves will be most concerned about how the financial markets react to her update. The Treasury said it did not comment on 'speculation' around OBR forecasts. The Government is winning the battle on housing, a Cabinet minister has claimed. The Central Bank has projected that the Government will miss its own housing targets by a wide margin for the next three years, having also underdelivered in 2024. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said he would contest strongly that the Governments housing plan was failing. He said the Government had met its targets at scale in 2023 and 2022. On RTEs The Week in Politics, Mr Burke said: Im trying to explain exactly what were doing and how we are winning this battle. He added: Were starting to turn the tide. Its going to take time. Absolutely, it will take time, I have no doubt in that. The comments were immediately criticised by Sinn Fein TD Mairead Farrell, who described the minister as out of touch. On the same programme, she said: Im just absolutely shocked at what the minister just said that theyre winning the battle in terms of housing. They are losing the battle. And the biggest losers in this are the people who are indirectly impacted by the housing crisis that has festered and gotten worse under Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Meanwhile, Housing Minister James Browne accepted there is a challenging situation around housing delivery, but maintained it was very early to be discussing projections on final figures for the year. He refused to say whether the Central Bank projections would turn out to be accurate, and said: Only time will tell whether the reports are right or wrong. Asked how Government could deliver on its housing target of 41,000 homes this year when Irish water agency Uisce Eireann says it only has capacity to connect 35,000, the minister said the body would be provided with additional funding and that a National Development Plan would be set out in the summer. He added: Im confident that everything that can be done to maximise the delivery houses will be done. Mr Browne identified a collapse in apartment building in Dublin as a key driver of challenges around overall delivery. He said: Where a lot of those predictions that we wont meet our targets, I think are based around the issue with delivering those apartments in Dublin. Housing outside of Dublin, generally speaking, is moving along, relatively speaking, on target. We have to do something quite radical to get those apartments going again. Speaking to RTEs This Week, Mr Browne said this included commencing the Planning and Development Act as quickly as possible. He said this would change who could object to the building of apartments and streamline judicial reviews. Outside of regulations, the Fianna Fail minister also said there was a need to take action on domestic and international financing. Asked if tax breaks for developers remained on the table, Mr Browne said: I think they have to be examined. Everything has to be on the table. Senior Fine Gael figures including Tanaiste Simon Harris and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe had argued previous tax break schemes for developers were expensive and damaged the economy. Mr Browne said nobody is proposing that the tax breaks of the past would make a comeback, instead pointing towards the broader regulatory regime around taxation. Cute Kansas City puppers steal the show against about 200 middle-class progressive protesters taking their ire out against an American luxury car company. Here's another roundup & report worth a peek . . . Demonstrators outside the dealership on State Line Road near 103rd Street expressed their various signs that largely criticized Elon Musk, Teslas CEO, for his political views and online behavior. Nobody Elected Musk, Get Your Musky Hands Off My Democracy, and even a dog wearing a sign that read Dogs Against Doge were just some of the chosen words that garnered honks from cars that were passing by. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . First and foremost . . . Everyone wishes him a speedy and full recovery. Here's his statement . . . And keep in mind that politics is cruel and this news will likely open up the door to more contenders for the Topeka top spot . . . Check-it: Schwab posted to social media Friday that doctors discovered a nodule in his lung in December during a routine screening. He said it is cancerous, and he will undergo surgery next week to have it removed. It has not spread or changed, Schwab wrote in his post. My doctors have confirmed it was found very early, and no further treatment will be required post-surgery. I will make a full recovery. Schwab said he will take time to recover, but remains committed to his position as Secretary of State. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . 'I will make a full recovery': Scott Schwab announces cancer diagnosis TOPEKA (KSNT) - Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab issued a statement Friday stating he will be undergoing treatment soon for cancer in one of his lungs. Schwab made the announcement on s... Sorry man . . . There are some bloggers and social media operatives on the dark money payrolls who are forced to sell this garbage as important. But let's not confuse any of that with conservatism or even a real world policy debate . . . However . . . From our perspective . . . This triumph of the Karen in Kansas seems like ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS THAT THE UNITED STATES IS CONFRONTING A POPULATION DECLINE CRISIS. If bothering teachers, schools and strangers by serving as local censor is what parenthood is all about . . . Yeah, playing video games and maybe sampling a greater variety of restaurants seems like a much better option. Don't get it twisted . . . Maybe the bleak shall inherit the Earth and they're welcomed to whatever nightmarish Orwellian hellscape they craft by way of self-righteous indignation on "many sides" of the constant will to power. Good luck with those robot slaves that everybody seems to covet but never quite seem to completely replace the need/desire to oppress real life poor people. In the meantime . . . Let's go ahead and celebrate this "victory" against reading material that's probably harmless and not nearly as captivating as so much online politicized hateration that it's intended to inspire . . . The mother of two 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. 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. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . GESD mom wins fight for preliminary injunction, allowed back on school grounds A mom who sued Garder Edgerton Schools after alleging she was banned from school events has won her fight for a preliminary injunction. KC-area mom banned from school property for taking viral photo of sex-related poster wins her freedom back in court A Kansas City-area mom banned from all school property and events for taking and sharing a photo of a sex-related school poster had her ban overturned Thursday in federal court. Carrie Schmidt had ... Developing . . . Rohingya Refugees: The Forgotten Lot Three significant developments have occurred in a week which once again brought the much-talked-about Rohingya refugee crisis to the global media Monday March 24, 2025 0:41 AM , Saleem Samad [UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres visited Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh (Photo posted on X by Antonio Guterres)] Three significant developments have occurred in a week which once again brought the much-talked-about Rohingya refugee crisis to the global media. 1. First, last week United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres visited the Rohingya refugees living in squalid camps in south-east Bangladesh. Besides Bangladesh, Rohingyas are languishing in camps in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The majoritarian Rohingyas are camped in Bangladesh. Amid aid cuts, the Secretary-General emphasized that the international community cannot turn its back on the Rohingya crisis. We cannot accept that the international community forgets about the Rohingyas, he said, adding that he will speak loudly to world leaders that more support is urgently needed. UN aid efforts in Rohingya camps are in jeopardy following reductions of funds announced by major donors, including the United States and several European nations. Guterres described Coxs Bazar (where the Rohingya camps are situated) as ground zero for the impact of these cuts, warning of a looming humanitarian disaster if immediate action is not taken. The visiting guest joined with the Rohingya for Iftar (not on the same menu as the refugees). The overwhelming majority of Rohingyas are Muslim, among an estimated 1.2 million refugees. A small number are Hindus and Christians. The Secretary-General could not promise how he would augment food aid and the deadline for the safe and sustainable return of the refugees to Myanmar. Despite being a poor country, Bangladesh is hosting over one million Rohingya refugees who fled violence in neighboring Myanmar. The largest exodus followed brutal attacks by Tatmadaw (Myanmar security forces) in 2017. A series of dreadful events prompted the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to describe the atrocities as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. Myanmar military junta under General Min Aung Hlaing who has ruled Myanmar as the State Administration Council (SAC) chairman since seizing power in the February 2021 coup detat overthrowing the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Hlaing refuses to hold parley with the United Nations officials and does not speak with Bangladesh. Also has imposed restrictions on international NGOs and aid agencies. Such arrogance became visible after the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, led by Marzuki Darusman, said that Min Aung Hlaing, along with four other Generals (Soe Win, Aung Kyaw Zaw, Maung Maung Soe, and Than Oo) should be tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity (including genocide) in the International Criminal Court (ICC), at The Hague, The Netherlands. [UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres visited Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh (Photo posted on X by Antonio Guterres)] Recently, the Rakhine state, 36,762 square kilometers (14,194 sq mi) bordering Bangladesh has been overrun by battle-hardened Arakan Army (AA) guerillas. The AA dashed all hopes for the repartition of Rohingyas when the guerilla headquarters issued an official statement extending an olive branch to hold dialogue with Bangladesh authorities but on one condition. The agenda for discussion should not include the return of Bengali Muslims (which means Rohingya). However, AA urges to continue trade and commerce, border security, and a few other bilateral issues. Bangladesh deliberately did not respond. Dhaka does not recognize ethnic military command to be a legitimate authority to hold official talks. Myanmar military junta and the rebels have similar mindsets identifying the Rohingyas as Bengali Muslims who have been blamed for illegally migrating from neighboring Bangladesh since a century ago. The draconian Citizenship Law of 1982 requires individuals to prove that their ancestors lived in Myanmar before 1823, refuse to recognize Rohingya Muslims as one of the nations ethnic groups and delist their language as a national language. Bangladesh has earlier raised the refugee crisis at several international platforms including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Commonwealth, the United Nations, and other global summits. Despite limited or no contributions for the stateless Rohingya, instead the world Muslim countries lauded Bangladesh for providing food and shelter to them. Unfortunately, several attempts to repatriate the refugees fell flat in 2018 and 2019. Instead, Bangladesh blames the intransigent policy of Suu Kyis government, which was ousted by military leaders and placed her under house arrest in February 2021. Academicians and researchers on forced migration and the refugee crisis are convinced that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. 2. Second, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) warns of a critical funding shortfall for its emergency response operations in Bangladesh, jeopardizing food assistance for over one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Without urgent new funding, monthly rations will be halved to US$6 per person, down from US$12.50 per person just as refugees were preparing to observe Eid, the biggest Muslim festival at the end of Ramadan at the end of this month. To sustain full rations, WFP urgently requires US$15 million for April, and US$81 million until the end of 2025. In recent months, as conflicts in Rakhine state were at the peak between AA and the juntas soldiers, fresh waves of Rohingya refugees exceeding 100,000 have crossed into Bangladesh. The continued trickle of Rohingya seeking safety has further contributed to greater strain on already overstretched resources. Bangladeshs government for decades refused to recognize the Rohingya as refugees, in an excuse that the government has not signed the Convention on the Status of Refugees of 1951. For a million population with no legal status, no freedom of movement outside the camps, confined inside barbed wires and no sustainable livelihood opportunities, further cuts will exacerbate protection and security risks, says the UN agency. The vulnerability is likely to heighten risks of exploitation, trafficking, prostitution, and domestic violence among women and girls. Children are expected to drop out of learning schools and be forced into child labor. There will be a spike in child brides as families resort to desperate measures to survive on meager rations. 3. Third, on the day when Fortify Rights released its 78-page research report, I May Be Killed Any Moment: Killings, Abductions, Torture, and Other Serious Violations by Rohingya Militant Groups in Bangladesh in Dhaka, the special security forces nabbed the Islamic jihadist Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) supremo Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, commonly known as Ataullah near the capital Dhaka on 18 March without a firefight. Fortify Rights, an international human rights investigation NGO, recommends that the Government of Bangladesh and international justice mechanisms including the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and the ICC investigate Rohingya militant organizations operational in the refugee camps in Bangladesh and prosecute those responsible for war crimes. Such specific Intel in capturing Ataullah must have been shared by Pakistans military establishment in Rawalpindi. International media has been blaming Pakistans spy agency ISI for recruitment, training and funding for ARSA. [UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres visited Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh (Photo posted on X by Antonio Guterres)] Indian security agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has kept ARSA under strict surveillance. Monitoring their leaders sleeper cell, monetary exchanges, and their covert activities. ARSA first came into the limelight in August 2017 after the jihadist overran several Myanmars Border Guards Forces outposts along Bangladesh-Myanmar international borders. After the firefight, ARSA fell back to Bangladeshs no-mans-land, which is covered by hill forests and scores of streams. Support to militant groups Earlier, Bangladesh, Myanmar and India refused to accept ARSA as a jihadist outfit. The militant group was described as Rohingya Muslim vigilantes with a limited ordinance and disorganized, therefore nothing to be worried about was in their mind. ARSAs attacks sparked Tatmadaws (Myanmar military) to commit a brutal genocidal campaign against Rohingya Muslims. The troops torched hundreds of villages and went on a rampage for months despite international calls to cease brutality against the Rohingyas. The Naypyidaw labeled ARSA as an extremist Bengali terrorists, also Rohingya Muslim terrorists, warning that its goal is to establish an Islamic state in the Rakhine state. Such an ambitious objective will be difficult to implement in a Buddhist-majority region. Myanmar blames Pakistans dreaded Pakistans spy agency ISI for its share in mentoring the jihadist outfit. Their theory that ARSA has been raised, funded, and provides logistics and indoctrination was masterminded by ISI and is also believed by both Bangladesh and India. Simultaneously, India became worried about the presence of the jihadist outfit at the border of Bangladesh-Myanmar-India. The skirmish with Myanmar troops has also raised the eyebrows of Bangladesh and expressed alarm on the visible presence of ARSA in its territory. The ARSA militants were mostly recruited from the Rohingya refugees. It was not to anybodys surprise that the leadership was Pakistan-born Saudi emigres. They raise funds mostly from Rohingyas living in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Several years ago, in a rare interview with an international media, Ataullah, Chief of ARSA said that their objective would be open war and continued [armed] resistance against the Myanmar government until citizenship rights were reinstated of Rohingyas in Myanmar. The jihadist leader denied having links to the Islamic State or ISIS in a video and said he turned his back on support from Pakistan-based jihadists. The Bangladesh security agencies were skeptical of his claim. A security expert in Bangladesh explains that ARSA has ideological differences from other terror outfits in the region and has reason to distance itself from the transnational jihadist network. "War Crimes" ARSA operatives are responsible for widespread abduction, extortions, tortures and executions of suspects. The crimes are committed to collect funds for local operations in the worlds largest Rohingya camps, says Fortify Rights in their latest report. Cash-starved Al Yakin, the volunteer group of ARSA, is mostly responsible for gang war in the refugee camps to establish dominance over other non-militant groups in the sprawling camps. Often breaking news from Rohingya refugee camps of robbers, dacoits, and armed gangs killed in encounters by anti-crime forces the slain victims are radicalized Rohingya militants. Fortify Rights urges that Bangladesh should hold the Rohingya militants accountable for war crimes. Bangladeshs Interim Government should cooperate with international justice mechanisms to investigate crimes and bring potential war criminals to justice. Donor governments should work with Bangladesh to redouble services for Rohingya at risk, including protective spaces and third-country resettlement, said Fortify Rights. In an interview that aired on 4 March 2025, the head of Bangladesh Interim Government, Prof Muhammad Yunus, spoke about violence in the refugee camps, saying: There is lots of violence, lots of drugs, lots of paramilitary activities inside the camps. War crimes are usually committed within the immediate theater of armed conflict but, in this case, specific crimes in Bangladesh are directly connected to the war in Myanmar and constitute war crimes, says John Quinley, Director at Fortify Rights. Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh have suffered years of violence and killings at the hands of Rohingya militant groups. Reported killings by camp-based militants numbered 22 in 2021, 42 in 2022, 90 in 2023, and at least 65 in 2024. The majority of the killings by Rohingya militants documented by Fortify Rights occurred with impunity in the camps, creating a climate of fear for all camp residents, said Fortify Rights. ARSA and a rival Islamist militant outfit, the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) are engaged in Myanmars internal armed conflict. They are both fighting with the Myanmar junta and against the Arakan Army, with very little impact militarily. To reinforce their armed campaigns inside Myanmar, ARSA, and RSO have abducted refugees in Bangladesh and forced them to fight in Myanmar. Such acts are grave violations of the laws of war and should be investigated as possible war crimes. The ICC has already established jurisdiction and opened an investigation into cross-border atrocity crimes occurring against Rohingya in both Bangladesh and Myanmar. This should include crimes committed by ARSA and similar groups, said Fortify Rights. In 2019, the British-born ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan at the time said the court was aware of a number of acts of violence allegedly committed by ARSA, noting that the allegations would be kept under review. [First published in the Stratheia Policy Journal, Islamabad, Pakistan on 23 March 2025. The writer, Saleem Samad, is an award-winning independent journalist based in Bangladesh. A media rights defender with the Reporters Without Borders (@RSF_inter). Recipient of Ashoka Fellowship and Hellman-Hammett Award. He could be reached at saleemsamad@hotmail.com; Twitter (X): @saleemsamad] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. 'Simply Irreplaceable': Ex-US Attorney Jessica Aber Mourned The incumbent U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Erik S Siebert, mourned Jessica Aber, who resigned as Attorney after Donald Trump took office, saying she was unmatched as a leader and was irreplaceable as a human being Sunday March 23, 2025 8:25 PM , ummid.com News Network The incumbent U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Erik S Siebert, mourned Jessica Aber, who resigned as Attorney after Donald Trump took office, saying she was unmatched as a leader and was irreplaceable as a human being. "Heartbroken beyond words" "She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being. We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world. Her professionalism, grace, and legal acumen set the standard," he said adding he was "heartbroken beyond words" to learn about her death. "Though we are devastated by this loss, each of us in the Eastern District of Virginia will look to her example and endeavor to live up to that standard. Jess was a proud Virginian from high school through college and throughout her career. She loved EDVA and EDVA loved her back. We remain committed to her life's work, a commitment to seeking justice, as she would have wanted," Erik said in a statement. Cause, manner of death under probe Erik was commenting on the demise of Jessica Aber, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA). The body of the 43-year-old lawyer was discovered at her home in Virginia's Alexandria, the police said in a statement. "This morning, at approximately 9:18 am, Alexandria Police responded to the 900 block of Beverley Drive for the report of an unresponsive woman. Officers located a deceased woman," the statement said. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia will determine the cause and manner of death, it added. Jessica Aber served in her position from October 2021 until her resignation in January 2025. Jessica involved in high profile cases Jessica was the lead prosecutor in the case of Asif Rahman, a CIA agent who was arrested on charges of leaking the classified documents revealing Israeli military preparations for a potential strike on Iran. Asif Rahman is pleading guilty in federal court three months to the day that he disclosed top-secret American documents in violation of his oath, his responsibility, and the law, Jessica Aber had previously said. Jessica Aber was also involved in exposing the Israeli visa fraud racket and the case of an Israeli national, Shai Cohen, who was charged with leading a "visa fraud scheme" to facilitate illegal entry and employment of non-citizens in the United States. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. China's number two leader on Sunday called for "dialogue" with Washington, during a meeting in Beijing attended by prominent US business executives and a key congressional ally of President Donald Trump. Relations between the world's two largest economies have plunged in recent weeks, as blanket tariffs imposed by Trump threaten China's trade prospects. Premier Li Qiang's comments came during a meeting with Trump supporter Steve Daines, a Republican senator from Montana. His visit has been viewed as a bid to ease strained relations, with an eye toward setting up a summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. "Our two sides need to choose dialogue over confrontation, win-win cooperation over zero-sum competition," Li told Daines. CEOs of major firms including FedEx, Pfizer and Qualcomm were also present. Li said he hoped Washington would "work together with China to promote the steady, sound and sustainable development" of relations. Earlier on Sunday, Li told the China Development Forum that Beijing would pursue economic globalisation despite "fragmentation", a thinly veiled reference to trade turmoil sparked by Trump. - 'Rough waters' - Chinese leaders have been attempting to steer a shaky economy onto a more stable path since the end of the pandemic, particularly by boosting consumption. They are seeking to position the country as a defender of the multilateral economic system, as Trump wages tariff wars with major US trading partners including China, Canada and Mexico. "China will firmly stand on the correct side of history, that of fairness and justice, and act in a righteous manner amid the rough waters of the times," Li said at the annual forum, attended by business leaders including Apple CEO Tim Cook. Beijing will "adhere to the correct direction of economic globalisation, practice true multilateralism and strive to be a force for stability and certainty", Li said. In an apparent reference to renewed trade wars sparked by Trump, Li said that "global economic fragmentation is intensifying" and that "instability and uncertainty are on the rise". - 'Candid dialogue' - Talks were also expected to discuss the flow of the deadly drug fentanyl and its precursor chemicals from China into the United States. Trump says his new tariffs on China are due to Beijing's failure to stem shipments of the chemicals, which underpin a devastating drug crisis. Beijing insists it has already cracked down on the illicit production and trade of drugs, describing the issue as one for Washington to solve. Daines on Saturday also met with Vice Premier He Lifeng, a close advisor to President Xi Jinping on economic matters. During his meeting with Daines, He said that China "firmly opposes the politicisation, weaponisation and instrumentalisation of economic and trade issues". The vice premier added that China was willing to "engage in candid dialogue" with the United States, saying they had "many common interests and broad space for cooperation". The tariffs imposed by Trump amount to a 20 percent blanket hike on Chinese overseas shipments to the United States. China's exports reached record heights last year, but observers warn that turbulence in the global trading system could soon force Beijing to find other ways to boost activity. Beijing says it is targeting growth this year of around five percent -- the same as last year and a goal considered ambitious by many economists. pfc/pjm James Cox Taoiseach Micheal Martin was told the Dail speaking rights row was an "affront to Irish democracy" and asked "is this the start of a dictatorship?". Opposition disrupted the election of Taoiseach Micheal Martin over the row in January, and it continues to delay the formation of Dail committees and other business. The long-running speaking row is over Government's attempts to secure speaking time for Regional Independent TDs, led by Michael Lowry, who support the Coalition. Opposition parties are united in their condemnation of this. The Government used its majority on the Dail Reform Committee to push through proposals to change Dail rules to allow speaking time for the TDs, which they say would be separate to Opposition time. In response, the Opposition has withdrawn the Dail 'pairing' arrangement. The arrangement saw TDs agree not to participate in Dail votes to allow for a Minister or Government TDs absence. On Friday, Opposition parties outlined plans to enter an amendment to the Governments motion to change Dail rules, which the Sinn Fein leader said will solve the row over speaking rights. Mary Lou McDonald vowed that opposition parties will face the Government down on the deepening row Mr Martin previously claimed the public "aren't excited" about the speaking rights row. However, messages to the Taoiseach, seen by BreakingNews.ie following a Freedom of Information request, show the public are very angry about the issue. The messages, sent on are after January 22nd when the Dail was suspended as opposition TDs protested over the matter and blocked the nomination of the Taoiseach, were all critical of the Government. They supported the Opposition's efforts to block the move and their "rightful indignation". The Opposition has put on a united front in the Dail speaking rights row. On the evening of January 22nd, one person wrote: "I think it's utterly farcical that TDs who support the Government are attempting to speak on Opposition time. "I fully support attempts to disrupt proceedings today as this cannot stand." A message on the morning of January 23rd read: "Micheal, is this the start of a dictatorship? You're deliberately taking away the democratic rights of the Opposition by cutting down their speaking time. The Independents who helped you form government have no place on the opposition benches taking time away from your actual opposition. "This is an affront to Irish democracy. The painting of the opposition parties (Sinn Fein, Labour, Social Democrats etc) as the bad guys in this scenario is a deliberate projection on your part to avoid accountability for your shady dealings." The message went on to accuse the Government of other "shady dealings" in "your roll back of the Occupied Territories Bill, implementation of 'hate speech' (who determines what is and what isn't hate speech? We already have laws for this) legislation are two extremely worrying examples". The person concluded: "Do you intent to be an authoritarian regime? You are showing all the signs of it." 'MAGA world' Another message, addressed to Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris, said attempts to have Regional Independents TDs speak during opposition time "would not be out of place in a MAGA world". "I am writing to express my utter disappointment at what transpired in the Dail the other day. And by this, I mean your proposal to have part of the Government, i.e. independents supporting the government agenda, having speaking time taken from Opposition allowance. "In my honest opinion, it was a low down trick of the seediest order, and would not be out of place in a MAGA world. I am dismayed that you would think it is in keeping with the values of honesty, transparency, dignity and trustworthiness (which you need to have to run a country) to even suggest it, much less that you collectively sought to portray the rightful indignation and pushback from the opposition benches as unconstitutional. "I am appalled at this, and having been a voter for both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail over the years, I will be considering all the alternatives for future votes. And as for the lack of women in the Cabinet, or diverse representation in general? There are no words." An email on Monday, January 27th, had the subject line "Stroke Politics". It read: "I wanted to make you aware of the attempt by you and your colleagues to 'pull a stroke' in the Dail. As a supporter of yours in the past I think that this attempt at a stroke and your association with and support of persons of questionable repute does incredible damage to the political system. "I am not a supporter of Sinn Fein but I am a supporter of democracy. It now seems that we could have a puppet Taoiseach with the direction coming from an individual whose history seems to suggest his greatest achievement is his personal gain both financially and politically. Do not embarrass yourself and the intelligence of the nation with your tirades about democracy." A number of the messages criticised the Government's association with TD Michael Lowry, the informal leader of the Regional Independent Group. In 1996, he stood down from government and resigned from the Fine Gael party. He continued his political career as an Independent TD. The Moriarty Tribunal, established in 1997 to investigate payments to politicians and related matters, found he had had an insidious and pervasive influence over the awarding of a mobile phone licence to Denis OBriens Esat Digifone company. Despite the controversy, he has won seven consecutive elections as an independent TD, consistently topping the polls each time. After the most recent general election, he had a role in government formation talks as lead negotiator for the Regional Independent Group. A number of the messages criticised the Government's association with Michael Lowry. One 72-year-old told the Taoiseach they had voted for Fianna Fail for the first time, "quite simply because I like and respect you personally and I wanted an experienced and safe pair of hands at the tiller as we navigate the turbulent waters of world affairs ahead of us". The person added that he strongly objected to allowing Michael Lowry, into government at all, and "to the insane idea that TDs can officially support the government and have opposition speaking rights at the same time". Another email was addressed to the Taoiseach and RTE broadcaster Claire Byrne. The author expressed anger at an interview with Minister of State Niall Collins on Ms Byrne's show. "His insane defence of Michael Lowry to have speaking rights in opposition while supporting the Government is a step too far. If Lowry and his cronies want speaking rights then they must get time to speak out of the Government's time. "Extending Dail speaking time to accommodate these members confused about whether they are in the Opposition or Government supporters would be a complete farce and likely unconstitutional." Another person referred to Mr Martin's past criticism of Mr Lowry. "There was a time when you claimed there was no place in politics for Michael Lowry. Are your principles so cheaply bought?" Blatant attack on our democracy. A "concerned citizen" wrote: "I am deeply troubled by the allocation of opposition speaking time to Michael Lowry's Regional Independent Group. This proposal is not only a blatant attack to our democracy but also a dangerous precedent that undermines the integrity of our political system. "The idea of granting opposition speaking time to a group that is not a legitimate opposition party is a flagrant attack on the democratic process. It distorts the balance of power and unfairly advantages those who do not represent the broader interests of the Irish people. "This move appears to be nothing more than a capitulation to the bullying demands of Michael Lowry, and it is deeply disappointing to see such a compromise being considered." A man is due to appear in court later today, Sunday, March 23, in connection with the discovery of cocaine with an estimated street value of 10.6 million. In a statement to Waterford News & Star and waterford-news.ie a spokesperson for the Gardai said a 60-year-old man detained in connection with the investigation has been charged. He is due to appear before a special sitting of Gorey District Court this evening at 6.45pm. The discovery of the drugs was made by Gardai from the National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and Waterford Drug and Crime Units, on Tuesday, March 18. Gardai intercepted a heavy goods vehicle on the M9 in County Kilkenny shortly after 10 am and searched two business premises and a residential address in Waterford. Dungarvan Town Hall: The thrill of love Well known stories carry their own problems when it comes to holding an audience. Especially when it comes to the story of the last woman in Britain to go to the gallows. It is difficult to sustain a true-crime drama when you know what happens at the end. Director Fidelma Meaney works hard to bring us behind the grim scenario to the real story behind the execution of Ruth Ellis. Sadly, there is no hope of reprieve or sense of redemption. Instead we become part of the gathering inevitability of what unfolds in the grisly finale. The facts are well known. Ruth Ellis shot and murdered her lover David Blakely outside a London pub and was rewarded with a trip to the gallows. Blakely was an abusive, violent, manipulative thug. Ellis had a miscarriage 10 days before the shooting after Blakely, the father, punched her in the stomach. He stole everything she owned and destroyed her career as a gentlemans club manageress. Sadly, all this was deemed irrelevant by the judge that hanged her. The trial judge, Sir Cecil Havers refused to allow the defence of provocation to go to the jury. Under current law, murder can be reduced to manslaughter on the grounds of either provocation or diminished responsibility. However, provocation was strictly interpreted at the time. The diminished responsibility defence was enacted only in 1957 four years after the Ellis hanging as a direct result of Ellis's case. The story of Ruth Ellis and of her execution is well known. Playwright, Amanda Whittingtons uncompromising script doesnt spare Ellis. And Roisin Briggss strong performance is a warts-and-all account that leaves the audience wanting to shake Ruth out of her deluded love affair with a bully. Its a credit to Roisins acting skills that she manages to elicit sympathy for a woman thats hard to like. Ruths life and work lay on the boundary of what was legally acceptable in post-war Britain where rationing and want was everywhere. Like everything else in this story, the image of the wannabee-Marilyn in paroxide wig and satin underwear, is no more than a mirage as she comes to London in search of a life beyond poverty. The clever offstage staccato pulse of cameras throughout becomes a sharp reminder of intrusive reality beyond the lens. Thousands of girls shared in the West End dream. Like Ruths friend Vicki the excellent Claire OHalloran who dreams of fast cars and bright lights and returning in a Rolls Royce. The play is not without its heroines, of sorts. Club manageress Sylvia (tough-talking Carol Elstead Thomas) gives Ruth blunt and brutal advice on the ways of London clubland but just doesnt get through to her. Julie Debois is delightful as the kindly charlady whose touching sincerity and charity makes her a firm favourite with tonights audience. Tom Rogerss, Inspector Gale works hard at dragging the facts from Ruth as she waits in her prison cell to he executed. His work is largely in vain as she refuses until its too late to reveal the identity of the man who gave her the oiled and loaded gun, who was clearly complicit in the murder. There is a timeliness about this production. In the year of the 70th anniversary of the execution, women are still victims of worldwide violence. Whittingtons script doesnt shy away from the complexities of female relationships. Warmth is tepid, sympathy is scant and bitterness is never far away as these sundown women always end up losers in a mans world. A 2003 appeal to the Court of Appeal in 2003 ruled: that Ellis was properly convicted of murder according to the laws at the time of her trial. Her hair turned white with fear on the night before her execution. On the day Ruth Ellis was hanged, a woman in Malta was sentenced for the very same crime. She got six months. I expect that they would have said to me, Dont you worry about anything financial ... We will sort this out, you focus on your husband. Weve got everything else. After initially declining to comment, 1Cover said in a statement it did not know about Stentons first emergency surgery until after the fact, and approved cover for his second surgery before the procedure. Customers health and safety is always our number-one priority. We pay tens of thousands of claims a year for customers who are overseas, and who have no difficulty with the necessary process, chief operating officer Natalie Ball said on Sunday. Unfortunately, when insurers are informed after the surgery has been performed, we find ourselves at a disadvantage. 1Cover provided a Guarantee of Payment to the hospital prior to the customers second scheduled surgery. Bell said 1Cover had approved full and final costs. Bennett-Stenton maintained the insurance company knew about the first procedure ahead of time before she did and full and final costs had not been approved because an investigation into whether Stenton had a pre-existing condition, which the couple said he did not have, was not finalised. In the statement, 1Cover denied the couples credit card was charged. A hold similar to those made by hotels when booking accommodation was placed. It is standard practice for hospitals to require payment upfront or a guarantee of payment from the insurer. Steves ordeal highlights the importance of travel insurance. Steve has been in good spirits and received the best care from the hospital, and we wish him a speedy recovery. The Age has verified the pending charges on the credit card, and Bennett-Stenton said she was advised by 1Cover she would need to recoup the money from the hospital. The couple said 1Cover had not spoken directly to Stenton. Stenton and his family on holiday in Byron Bay before the Thailand trip. On the day of the second procedure, Bennett-Stenton said 1Cover had agreed to pay, but insisted she sign a waiver. [1Cover] had me sign a disclaimer to say that they would cover the costs for the moment, but if it turned out to be a pre-existing condition, that we would repay it, she said. But even though Id signed that before the second procedure, we still had to shell out $30,000 [for the first procedure]. And the second procedure was a lot more complex than they envisaged. So for the next two days at his bedside in ICU, they [the hospital] were badgering us for another $50,000. She said 1Cover had ultimately covered the second, $50,000 payment pending a decision as to whether Stenton had a pre-existing condition. However, the insurance company said the couple would need to recoup the $30,000 from the hospital directly, which could take 30 business days. The family in happier times. Its been a nightmare on top of the nightmare of my husband having a heart attack in a foreign country. Im so livid that weve been put through all this undue extra stress, she said. The pressure had been unconscionable. Bennett-Stenton said her husband had gone to Thailand for, ironically, his Fathers Day treat from the kids and I for just a quiet, chill week. She said the couple had been forced to pull the $30,000 from their mortgage. Thats a hell of a lot of money, and so many people wouldnt have access to that, and what would have happened then? Bennett-Stenton posted on Instagram that she was unhappy with 1Covers service. When a friend replied in support, they received a message from the 1Cover Travel Insurance Instagram account which said: Kindly refrain from commenting on situations you have very little insights on. The initial post [made by Bennett-Stenton] is a far cry from reality, but thats the joys of social media. Warm regards, Eva, said another message. An apology message arrived from the same account some time later saying the initial message had been inadvertently sent. Bennett-Stenton said her husband usually used a different insurer, but 1Covers sponsorship of St Kilda had convinced him to change. The club said in a statement at the time of the announcement: 1Cover will provide St Kildas players, staff, and members with exclusive offers, ensuring Saints fans can travel with cover they can count on. Loading Stenton was released from hospital on Friday and the Port Melbourne couple hope to return to Australia to reunite with their children in a weeks time. There are lots of things about this that Im grateful for, Bennett-Stenton said. Hes alive, and my mum was able to come be with the kids, and that the treatment has been so great. The ambulance came really quickly. But you know, Aussie families trust when they do the right thing and buy comprehensive insurance that theyll be looked after. 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 Summer gets hot and muggy on Queenslands Curtis Island. Winter is too warm for frost to ever form. But all year round, metal pipes stretching out from the jetties here are running colder than the iciest temperatures in Antarctica. Since launching 10 years ago, Curtis Islands three massive export terminals have been super-chilling natural gas down to minus 162 degrees, which turns it into a compact liquid that can be shipped overseas. The projects whose backers include Origin Energy, Shell and Santos have reshaped the energy industry and made Australia one of the top gas suppliers to the world. Last year, liquefied natural gas (LNG) sold to places like Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea fetched Australia nearly $70 billion in export revenue. A decade on from the first foreign LNG tankers arriving in Queensland, though, millions of Australians are now confronting a threat that many find a bitter pill to swallow in a country still selling its gas overseas: supplies of the fuel are running dangerously low in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, leaving local consumers at risk of winter shortages and soaring energy bills. Shells Curtis Island liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant. Credit: Bloomberg Australias populous south-east is facing a gas crisis within three years, the energy market operator said on Thursday as offshore fields in Bass Strait, which have long supplied most of our domestic gas for heating, cooking, electricity and manufacturing, keep depleting, with scant new projects to replace them. While Queensland is a major LNG producer, there is limited pipeline capacity to transport its gas thousands of kilometres south to consumers in NSW and Victoria, authorities warn. In winter, when gas demand for home heating is the highest, the north-south pipeline is typically full. Gas thats produced at Western Australias LNG operations, meanwhile, has no way of being transported east. Fearing they are out of time and other solutions, east-coast energy ministers have begun working on plans to kick-start Australias first LNG-import terminals, which, if they proceed, could bring gas into the south-eastern states from Queensland, WA or even from overseas to avert the forecast shortfall in 2028-29. Advertisement Loading Thats the quickest way and probably really right now the only feasible option, says Victorian Energy Minister Lily DAmbrosio. The south-easts looming shortage of gas a fossil fuel that burns more cleanly than coal but remains a significant source of planet-warming carbon dioxide and methane emissions underscores a deepening challenge for governments that are having to balance goals to combat climate change with the need to shore up traditional energy for those who still depend on them. Consumers across the country are increasingly making the switch away from gas stoves and heaters to electric alternatives, aided by government schemes and policies banning gas hook-ups in new residential buildings. There are signs the shift is having an impact improving gas availability: non-industrial gas use in Victoria has fallen 4.5 per cent since 2023. NSW and Victoria are running out of gas and have little option but to import it. Credit: Getty Images The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) this week cited falling demand as one of the reasons why it had pushed back its warnings of temporary winter gas shortfalls by three years from 2025 to 2028 and the bigger threat of an annual east-coast deficit from 2028 to 2029. Advertisement The numbers are in Victorian households are using less and less gas, says Kat Lucas-Healey, an energy adviser at conservation group Environment Victoria, which advocates against the expansion of fossil fuels. Together they have bought us all an extra year before shortfalls hit. Still, the transition is not happening fast enough to avert the need to boost supplies, warns AEMO chief executive Daniel Westerman. Output from gas fields in the southern states is on course to collapse by more than 30 per cent by 2029, he says. Production is falling faster than demand, reinforcing the need for investment in new supply, Westerman says. AEMO is calling for a combination of solutions, including new gas drilling projects close to southern markets, expanding pipeline capacity to enable the flow of more gas to the south, increased storage capacity to hold gas for times of high demand, and the start-up of LNG import terminals. Squadron Energys LNG terminal is striving to lock in long-term supply deals with customers. Credit: The most advanced plan to import LNG is the Port Kembla energy terminal, developed by Andrew and Nicola Forrests Squadron Energy, near Wollongong in NSW. Another is Viva Energys planned terminal at its Geelong oil refinery near Melbourne, which is undergoing assessment for environmental approval. Dutch storage company Vopak, meanwhile, has proposed a floating terminal in Port Phillip Bay, 19 kilometres offshore from Avalon, and Venice Energy is planning one in Port Adelaide. Advertisement Squadrons terminal at Port Kembla is the only one to have completed construction but it has so far been unable to lock in long-term supply deals with customers, such as gas retailers, that will be required to underpin its commercial launch. Loading Energy giant AGL, which needs gas to supply its customers and to fuel its fleet of gas-fired power plants across the electricity grid, says LNG imports were needed to future-proof supplies as Bass Strait fields deplete. But AGL believes Victoria, with 2 million gas-using homes and businesses, is the best location for an import terminal to be built. Ideally, an LNG import facility would be based in Victoria, to be close to customers and leverage existing pipelines and storage, says Markus Brokhof, the companys chief operating officer. Given the speed and scale of declining Bass Strait gas production, and the long times it typically takes to explore and develop new gas fields, some see importing LNG as the only way to plug the fast-approaching gaps. Even in our most optimistic scenario, LNG imports to Australia are looking like an inevitability, says Kaushal Ramesh, vice president of gas research at consultancy Rystad Energy. Advertisement But not everyone in the gas industry agrees. With vast gas reserves in the north, and drilling programs in Queenslands Surat Basin and the Northern Territorys Beetaloo Sub-basin vying to unlock even more, energy infrastructure owner APA Group says expanding pipelines and boosting storage could avert the disastrous option of turning to LNG imports, which would further tie Australians to volatile swings in global prices. Adam Watson, chief executive and managing director, APA Group. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone There is no shortage of supply domestically, APA chief executive Adam Watson says. It would be mind-blowing to think we would have to become dependent on LNG imports and I think logic will prevail. APA has unveiled a five-year proposal to expand the gas pipeline grid and deliver a 24 per cent increase in north-south transportation capacity. The idea has won the backing of major manufacturers that need gas for energy or as a raw material in their factories for making products such as bricks, steel, food and glass. Australia has plenty of gas, its just not always where you need it to be, says Andrew Richards, chief executive of the Energy Users Association of Australia, whose members include Brickworks, BlueScope Steel and Incitec Pivot. Advertisement A dozen staff were investigated for sexual misconduct at one of Australias leading universities and six dismissed last year, according to a new report. There were 21 complaints made against University of Melbourne staff in 2024, a substantial increase from seven in 2023, according to the institutions sexual misconduct report. Some complaints were brought by more than one complainant and one matter involved more than two respondents. Six staff were dismissed at Melbourne University for sexual misconduct. Credit: Simon Schluter Of the six staff let go, four related to misconduct investigated in 2023, two related to complaints substantiated in 2024. There were also 23 complaints made against students, five of those remain under investigation and seven substantiated. They included sexual comments, inappropriate online comments, unwelcome sexual advances, stalking, inappropriate touching and unwelcome general sexualised behaviour. One student was expelled, three were suspended with conditions put on re-enrolment and three students faced combined penalties. University of Melbourne Provost, Professor Nicola Phillips, said significant progress had been made since the first report was published four years ago, but there was more work to be done. Everyone in our university is entitled to expect an environment that is safe, positive and enriching, Phillips said. No individual in our community should be subjected to sexual harassment or sexual assault as they go about their studies or work, and everyone should expect and insist on an environment which is characterised by professionalism and respect. 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 Jetson Gordon was having trouble sleeping. Anxious thoughts had been keeping him awake since he moved to Melbourne from Mullumbimby, near Byron Bay, a month before. Being alone in a new city after moving from a small country town was challenging. He missed his family and friends, and he desperately wanted to impress his new boss at the carpentry apprenticeship he had started. Oxycodone, a semisynthetic prescription opioid used to treat pain, seemed like an easy enough solution to help him relax and get a good nights sleep, so the teenager ordered what he thought was a shipment of pills online. The tablets looked exactly the way they were supposed to small, light blue pills with an imprinted M on one side and the number 30 on the other. Stashed inside a resealable black plastic bag, they had made their way to Australia inside a padded envelope from the UK through the postal system. But within hours of swallowing half a pill, the caring, trusting, and loving teenager was dead. Jetsons flatmate, Lachlan Young, found his body the following morning, after noticing Jetson had not got up for his shift. Advertisement The night before, Jetson had sat around a fire outside with his flatmates and spoken about how excited he was to head to work the following day. He had gone to bed early to get a good sleep. I opened the door, and I was like: Jetson, Jetty, wake up, mate. What are you doing here? Jetty! and he wasnt saying anything, Young remembers. As he approached the bed and touched Jetsons neck, Young realised something was terribly wrong and called triple zero. I think my friends dead. You need to come now, he told the operator. You have to tell me how to do CPR. Young scooped up the teenager and desperately tried to resuscitate him as he waited for an ambulance to arrive, but he could not be saved. Ill never forget the feeling of holding a dead body. The pills that Jetson had bought online were counterfeit painkillers that had been laced with an extremely potent synthetic opioid that has been linked to hundreds of deaths overseas and is increasingly being detected in mail shipments coming into Australia nitazenes. Advertisement Nitazenes have been linked to the deaths of 22 people in Victoria since 2021. The drug is suspected of being behind the fatal overdose of teen dad Abdul El Sayed and three others inside a house in Broadmeadows last June. The group thought they were taking cocaine, but the drugs were contaminated with a synthetic opioid. A coronial investigation into the deaths is ongoing. Fatal overdoses and hospital admissions have also been recorded in South Australia, Queensland and NSW, but the total number of Australians who have died from the drug is unknown. Forensic testing across different states and territories is also inconsistent, and the data on Australias national coronial database is about 18 months old. Jetson Gordon had just moved to Melbourne and was excited about his carpentry apprenticeship. Researchers, health experts and law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned about the infiltration of nitazenes into Australias drug supply. They believe the drug, which is routinely cut into other substances, could lead to a wave of overdoses and pose a greater threat to Australia than the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which has led to more than 100,000 deaths in the US but does not have a strong presence here. With the supply of heroin expected to dry up in the next year as a result of the Taliban regimes ban on the cultivation of opium poppy in Afghanistan, drug experts worry the use of synthetic opioids such as nitazenes will explode as criminal networks seek to satiate Australias endless appetite for drugs with cheaper alternatives. Before the ban, about 80 per cent of the worlds heroin supply could be traced back to the poppy fields in Afghanistan. Jetsons mother, who asked not to be named to be able to grieve privately, said she was happy for Jetson when he decided to move to Melbourne. He was starting his own journey and had a lifetime ahead. Advertisement What I didnt realise was that he was a bit naive. The mother, who recently returned from Canada and the United States where she witnessed how these new drugs are infiltrating and disrupting communities, said she wanted people to be informed. The deadly drug made in China For nearly two years after Jetsons death in April 2022, all that his father, John Gordon, wanted to do was to stand on every coffee table across Australia and talk about what happened to his son. The type of nitazene that killed Jetson was 28 times more powerful than fentanyl and 1000 times more potent than morphine. This deadly drug he had never heard of was out there, mixed in with other substances and hidden in counterfeit pills sold openly on the internet. This could happen to anyone, anywhere. Its not the dark web. Its not this complicated way of getting it. Its not hanging out behind a pub car park buying illicit drugs. Its at the tip of your keyboard, and anyone can do it. Its not age-restricted. Its easy as, John said. Nitazenes and drug manufacturing paraphernalia found by South Australian Police in 2024. Thats a concern shared by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). Unlike drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine which come into Australia in container loads through ports, nitazenes largely enter the country in letter-sized envelopes. The potent, deadly drug is mixed in with painkillers that anyone can order online (illegally, but found through a simple Google search) and get delivered to their home address without the need for a crime syndicate to be involved. It can also be shipped in its pure form or mixed with other substances. Advertisement What youre looking at is letters and parcels with grams or even fractions of a gram of this substance, which can be equally deadly, ACIC principal drug adviser Shane Neilson said. What that means is that there are far more importers potentially than there are for methylamphetamine and cocaine. Health authorities in Australia have detected nitazenes in oxycodone tablets, vape liquid, veterinary tranquiliser xylazine (also known by the street name tranq), and in popular party drugs such as cocaine and ketamine. In the UK and Ireland, where theres been a wave of nitazene overdoses since the pandemic, the synthetic opioid has also been found in heroin. A fraction of a gram is enough to kill, but Neilson said most people who consumed the drug were unaware that they were taking it. Hospital emergency data collected by the Emerging Drug Network of Australia shows that of 32 patients who presented to hospital for nitazene toxicity between July 2020 and February 2024, almost half were unaware they had taken an opioid at all. Five patients had knowingly taken nitazenes, while the rest believed they had consumed another opioid. These are major things that concern us, Neilson said. Intelligence collected by the ACIC suggests nitazenes are overwhelmingly being produced in pharmaceutical and chemical companies in China before being shipped to Australia or intermediary countries like the US and the UK. That is despite Chinese law banning the production of the substance. The US select committee on the Chinese Communist Party has previously accused the Chinese government of subsidising companies exporting synthetic narcotics and advertising for sale the precursor chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl, a claim that China denies. Advertisement In the past few weeks, the Tasmanian salmon industry has been in the headlines. More than a million fish are reported to have died in what appears to be an outbreak of a bacterial disease. In February alone, more than 5500 tonnes of dead fish were dumped at southern Tasmanian waste facilities. Drone footage has shown dead fish rotting inside the huge nets in the DEntrecasteaux Channel. On the pristine beaches nearby, chunks of rotting fish are washing up, along with fatty lumps that the industry says is fish oil, which is fed to the salmon. Each Australian consumes about two kilograms of salmon a year. Credit: Alana Dimou The industry has responded, as it has done to past outbreaks, by putting antibiotics into the feed given to the fish but as the fish farms are in the ocean, some of these antibiotics will enter the marine ecological systems in which the confined salmon are placed. These environmental concerns would be enough reason to avoid farmed Tasmanian salmon already which for most Australians means avoiding Atlantic salmon altogether, since 90 per cent of the Atlantic salmon sold in Australia is farmed Tasmanian salmon. Each Australian consumes more than two kilograms of Atlantic salmon a year on average, from an industry worth more than $1 billion. By Cillian Sherlock, PA A 61-year-old man has appeared in court charged with possession of 10.6 million worth of cocaine. Michael Murphy, with an address in Co Waterford, appeared before a special sitting of Gorey District Court on Sunday evening. Detective Garda Sean Lane, of Waterford Garda Station, told the court that Murphy had been arrested in connection with the seizure of the drugs on March 18th. The detective said the arrest came as part of an intelligence-led operation. Some of the seized cocaine (An Garda Siochana) Murphy, the transport manager of Herriot Haulage Limited which is registered in Co Waterford, was arrested at 10.30am and taken to Waterford Garda Station. While an initial search of the vehicle proved negative, the detective told the court, the truck and trailer was taken to Dublin Port where it was subjected to an X-ray. An anomaly was discovered within the refrigerated unit part of the trailer. Detective Garda Lane said that after a further deep search assisted by the stolen motor vehicle investigation unit and the dog unit, a sophisticated concealment operated through a hydraulic mechanism was detected. A Garda van arriving at Gorey District Court (Cillian Sherlock/PA) Cocaine weighing 152kgs and worth 10.65 million was discovered. Gardai also discovered phones, tools, bags and GPS tracking equipment. Some of the GPS equipment was located near the concealment of drugs. Investigators believe the drugs were loaded in Spain and transported to Ireland on behalf of several organised crime groups. Murphy who appeared in court wearing brown shoes, a black hooded fleece and black pants was charged under caution on Saturday night with possession of the cocaine as well possession with intent to sell or supply the drugs In reply to the charge of possession of cocaine with intent to sell or supply, Detetvive Garda Lane said Murphy said: I understand the charge. Gardai said further charges may be recommended on submission of an investigation file to the Director of Public Prosecution. He said that during searches of properties as part of the operation, a dog unit discovered a sophisticated portable signal jammer. He said this was a counter-surveillance device used by the military which was unknown to common folk and was believed to be used to aid criminality. Gorey District Court (Cillian Sherlock/PA) Detective Garda Lane said there were no conditions whatsoever that would alleviate the concerns of gardai on bail. Murphys solicitor Chris Hogan said his client was a widower, residing with some of his five children who were professionals. He said Murphy, whose exact address cannot be reported for legal reasons, had a business with 10 employees and was in the course of setting up other business interests. He said he has strong ties to the jurisdiction, that he was a businessman with his family here. Mr Hogan asked if the garda accepted that Murphy had strong ties to this jurisdiction. Detective Garda Lane said he did accept that but added it was the belief of An Garda Siochana that he had ties to other jurisdictions. Mr Hogan asked if it would alleviate his concerns if Murphy signed on at a garda station or obeyed by a curfew. The representative of An Garda Siochana said it would not. Judge Kevin Staunton said: The defendant is a 61-year-old man and his family are here to support him, which can on occasion give the court some encouragement. He lives with his family locally and he has ties to the jurisdiction. So, I understand Mr Hogans argument. The judge said he understood the argument that he is not a person likely to flee, given his business and family interests in Ireland. However, he added that he had concerns arising from the evidence from Det Gda Lane. He said the amount of cocaine involved was very significant. Given the consignment of drugs, it is a serious offence by any stretch of the imagination. In conclusion, he added: The concerns of gardai are well founded and I must refuse bail. Murphy is allowed to appeal against the refusal of bail. He was remanded in custody to appear again via videolink at Waterford District Court on Tuesday. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Over 30 people displaced after fire struck the Hotel Lafayette can now find shelter and assistance from the Red Cross. No injuries have been reported in the fire that struck the hotel Saturday morning, but many residents were left without a place to go. According to a press release from The American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter, the organization has opened an emergency shelter at Paxinosa Elementary School located at 1221 Northampton Street in Easton. The Red Cross says they will provide displaced residents with food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support and other assistance. "We want to try to ease their mind so they're not worrying about where they're gonna be, that they known they have a safe, warm place to sleep with volunteers that are here really just for them. To help them get through this challenging time and to be there to help them start their recovery," said Peter Brown, executive director. Red Cross shelters are open to everyone in need after a disaster, and all disaster assistance is free. Anyone in need of Red Cross assistance should call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). PREVIOUS COVERAGE Jessica Hoff, 47, of Colorado City, faces charges of criminal negligence resulting in the death of an at-risk adult and 54 counts of aggravated animal abuse. Istanbul mayor and Republican Peoples Party (CHP) presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu, detained on Wednesday on corruption and terror charges, was arrested and sent to prison on Sunday. The Sosyalist Esitlik Grubu (Socialist Equality Group), Turkish section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), demands the release of Imamoglu and all political prisoners. Ekrem Imamoglu, Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality [Photo: VOA] Imamoglu was the sole candidate in CHPs presidential primary scheduled for March 23 and had recently polled ahead of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The normal date for presidential elections is 2028, but according to the constitution an early election is likely to be held to allow Erdogan to run again. Imamoglu was initially arrested on charges of corruption but released on charges of aiding a terrorist organisation. The second allegation was based on the CHPs legal electoral alliance with the Kurdish nationalist Peoples Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), the urban consensus. Detention warrants were issued for 106 people along with Imamoglu. In addition to Imamoglu, the mayors of Beylikduzu and Sisli municipalities in Istanbul were also arrested. While 48 of the 92 detainees were arrested, 41 were released with a travel abroad ban and judicial control condition. The Interior Ministry has announced that it had dismissed Imamoglu and two other mayors. A trustee was appointed for Sisli, whose mayor was arrested for aiding a terrorist organization. In a statement, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors Office declared: It has been decided to arrest Ekrem Imamoglu for the crimes of establishing and leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, extortion, illegal recording of personal data and bid rigging. It added, Although there is a strong suspicion that he is guilty of the crime of aiding an armed terrorist organization, since it has already been decided to arrest him for financial crimes, it is not considered necessary at this stage and it has been decided to reject the request. The decision to arrest Imamoglu was made by the Erdogan government well in advance. The arrest warrant was leaked to pro-government media without being read to the suspects and published widely. The Chief Public Prosecutors Office had called Imamoglu a leader of a criminal organization in a statement following his detention on Wednesday. Claiming that Imamoglus right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence had been violated, his lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan explained the unlawfulness of the investigation as follows: Unlawful detention, so-called evidence, secret witnesses, witnesses whose names are not mentioned although they are normal witnesses and thus hidden, untrue allegations such as audio recordings that were not obtained legally and have nothing to do with Mr. Imamoglu There is nothing logical, legal and convincing about this investigation based on these allegations. On its report on the arrest and the secret witness statements used to justify it, BBC Turkce said: In their statements, the secret witnesses made various allegations, including obtaining unfair gains by mentioning different people and institutions, bribery, corruption, irregularities, financing some journalists, money transactions during the local election process, money distribution to delegates during the CHP congress period, and these allegations were asked to Imamoglu. Lawyer and CHP deputy Mahmut Tanal said, After Ekrem Imamoglus testimony, a 20-page reasoned verdict was prepared in just 20 minutes! 1 page per minute... There is no lawyer who would believe that this verdict was not written in advance. There is clearly a pre-prepared scenario and the weaponization of the judiciary. Erdogan foreshadowed the verdict on Saturday night with a series of tweets on X/Twitter in which he portrayed Imamoglu as a convicted criminal. At this point, we can see this very clearly: Under the current leadership, the CHP has turned into an apparatus that launders a handful of money-grubbing municipal robbers, not a party that carries the demands of its voters to Parliament, he wrote, adding, The interest groups that benefit from the municipalities are up to their necks in dirt, rust, mud, corruption and lawlessness. In a message sent after his arrest, Imamoglu said, Turkey woke up to a big betrayal today. The judicial process is not a legal action. It is a complete extrajudicial execution. I call upon our nation to fight for rights with a sense of responsibility. This struggle for rights is a matter of the future of our nation and our children. He called on voters to participate in the CHPs primaries and then take part in rallies. Following Imamoglus arrest, the CHP had called on its nearly 1.5 million members, as well as non-party members, to cast solidarity votes in Sundays primaries. From the very beginning, the CHP has been seeking to control the mass anger over Imamoglus detention and channel it towards the next elections. For this, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel managed to find a positive point even in the arrest decision, saying: On the one hand, it is important because it removes the possibility of appointing a trustee for the Istanbul Municipality. However, the necessary appeals will be made for the mayor to be released quickly. Ozel was claiming that the appointment of a trustee was prevented by the fact that Imamoglu was not arrested on terror charges. Its efforts to contain the growing mass movement and to compromise with the Erdogan government demonstrates once again that the CHP, which represents a faction of the same ruling class that is the force behind the construction of a dictatorial regime and orients towards the NATO and the European Union, is organically incapable of defending democratic rights. The mass protests that erupted across the country after Imamoglus detention, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of people, have scared not only the Erdogan government but also the CHP leadership. What drives the youth and working masses to the streets is the growing social inequality and crisis as much as the willingness to defend democratic rights. The last thing the CHP wants is for the quest for a revolutionary alternative to the bankruptcy of the capitalist social system and bourgeois rule to be on the agenda. To keep the masses, who have moved too far to the left of the CHP, under control, Ozel has resorted to radical rhetoric, which he fails to fulfill. One of them was promising to lead the masses from the Sarachane, Istanbul rally, where 300,000 people gathered on Saturday night according to official figures, or 1 million according to the CHP, to the Caglayan courthouse where Imamoglus testimony was taken. Mass protest against the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu in front of the building of Istanbul Municipality in Sarachane, Istanbul, March 22, 2024 [Photo: herkesicinCHP/X] The CHP decided not to do this because of the possibility that hundreds of thousands of people who would gather around the courthouse would prevent Imamoglu from being taken to prison, that is, would confront the state directly. In the wake of the detentions, including of Imamoglu, on Wednesday, which marked a new stage in the construction of a presidential dictatorship by the Erdogan government, broad masses, especially students, took to the streets in defiance of a four-day protest ban imposed by the Istanbul Governorate. They were followed by protests in many other cities. The protest bans announced in Ankara and Izmir also remained on paper. In Istanbul, the governorate extended the protest ban for four days but did not prevent the largest demonstration from taking place on Saturday. Police arrested more than 300 people on the same day. At the Sarachane rally, a student on the platform called for transforming the boycotts at the universities into a general strike, general resistance starting from Monday. This is a move that not only the pro-government trade union confederations but also the pro-CHP ones such as the DISK are doing their best to prevent. The organization of a political general strike against the dictatorship and in defense of democratic rights is only possible through the mobilization of the workers through the rank-and-file committees they need to build. Imamoglus detention and subsequent arrest came shortly after a phone call on March 16, between US President Donald Trump, who is building a presidential dictatorship in the United States, and Erdogan. The conversation was described as great and transformational by Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy to Middle East, in an interview Friday. The Trump administration sees the Erdogan government as critical to its plans for Ukraine and its aggression against Iran and its allies throughout the Middle East. During the meeting, Erdogan reportedly raised the issue of ending CAATSA (Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions on Turkey, as well as Turkeys re-entry into the F-35 programme. The European powers that have rhetorically criticized Imamoglus arrest also see ties with Ankara as crucial amid growing tensions with the US under Trump. Erdogans government has declared Turkey indispensable to Europes security, and there have been suggestions that Turkey may send troops to Ukraine as part of the European-led Coalition of the Willing. The defense of democratic rights cannot be separated from the struggle against imperialist war. The social constituency of this struggle is the working class, which produces all the social wealth and pays for war. The capitalist establishment parties, including the CHP, stand against this struggle. The way forward is to build a revolutionary leadership that will unite the emerging struggle of the working people and youth for its social and democratic rights with the struggle against the war. This means building the Socialist Equality Party as the Turkish section of the ICFI. Wedding bells are ringing for Jake Paul and Jutta Leerdam! The social media star and professional boxer, 28, announced his engagement to the Olympic speed skater, 26, alongside photos from the proposal in a joint Instagram post on Saturday, March 22. The post kicked off with a picture of Paul, in a white outfit, getting down on one knee in front of a scenic view, which included water and mountains off in the distance. White flower petals could be seen scattered below the couple and different white bouquets of flowers and white candles surrounded them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leerdam, who wore a matching silk top and long skirt, appeared shocked as she held a hand to her mouth. In a second photo, Paul could be soon holding her hand up to the camera and showing off the engagement ring he got her, which featured an oval diamond cushioned with diamonds. Henk Jan Dijks/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Jutta Leerdam and Jake Paul in December 2024 Jutta Leerdam and Jake Paul in December 2024 Related: Who Is Jake Paul's Girlfriend? All About Jutta Leerdam The proposal appeared to have been done at sunset, as in one photo, Leerdam could be seen jumping up and down as Paul held his hands out. A golden glow was cast over the newly-engaged couple as they shared a smooch while kneeling down and celebrating. In one of the final photos in the post, only Paul and Leerdam's backs could be seen as they threw petals up to the sky and took in the beautiful view. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Were engagedwe cant wait to spend forever together," Paul captioned the post. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Leerdam reposted the photos to her Instagram Stories, including a photo of her jumping up and down from Nakisa Bidarian, who wrote, "Find someone that makes you jump for joy." She jokingly added, "on heels hahahaha." Dave Benett/Getty Jutta Leerdam and Jake Paul at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi in December 2024 Jutta Leerdam and Jake Paul at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi in December 2024 On the boxer's Instagram, he shared a clos-up video of the Leerdam's new engagement ring sparkling inside of its ring case as he held it up to the light. In the final photo, he shared a snap of himself holding up one of his W Antiperspirant Deodorant, with the view of the mountains he proposed in front of in the background. "Life's a w," he captioned it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: How Did Jake Paul Become a Professional Boxer? All About the Influencers Life 10 Years After His Viral YouTube Career Paul, who rose to fame as a social media influencer alongside his brother Logan Paul, made his relationship with the 2022 Winter Olympic Games silver medalist official in April 2023 when he posted a photo of himself posing next to her on Instagram. "I'm Dutch now," Paul captioned the photo, which featured him hand-in-hand with Leerdam in a carousel of photos. Since then, the couple hasn't shied away from posting each other on their social media accounts or speaking about their relationship in public or cheering each other on in their different endeavors. "Im so so proud of you. You have only been doing this sport for 3.5 years and make the biggest fights happen. You inspire me so much with your work ethic, the way you think big, and your crazy determination," Leerdam wrote in a tribute post on Instagram. Read the original article on People Millions of years ago, a group of adventurous iguanas did something no one expected. They crossed the Pacific Ocean from the Americas to the islands of Fiji on giant rafts of vegetation. The iguanas in Fiji and Tonga have always been an evolutionary puzzle. Iguanas are native to the Americas and the Caribbean, but somehow millions of years ago, a small group of them made it all the way to Fiji. There was never land bridge between the two distant places. So how on Earth did they get there? Evolutionary biologist Simon Scarpetta of the University of San Francisco and his colleagues think they have solved the mystery. They believe the reptiles caught a lift across the ocean on a platform of trees, plants, or debris. These rafts occasionally break off from coastlines and drift out to sea as floating islands. Animals on them may wind up in new and unexpected destinations. In the case of the Fijian iguanas, researchers believe they made a record-breaking trip by drifting over 8,000km across the Pacific Ocean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You could imagine some kind of cyclone knocking over trees where there were a bunch of iguanas and maybe their eggs, and then they caught the ocean currents and rafted over," Scarpetta told The New York Times. Fijian iguana. Photo: Shutterstock Masters of survival It is quite rare for vertebrates to survive such trips. But iguanas can go weeks without food or fresh water, making them well-suited for long voyages of deprivation. They have been seen rafting before, but their journeys have never been this long. In 1995, a group of about 15 iguanas were spotted hitching a ride 320km between Caribbean islands aboard hurricane debris. The team thinks their slow metabolism and rainwater allowed them to survive the incredibly long journey to Fiji. There have long been two hypotheses about these out-of-place reptiles. First, that they rafted over from the Americas; and second, that a now-extinct ancestor drifted over from Asia or Australia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scarpetta and his team studied the evolutionary history of over 200 species of iguanas and lizards. The four species in Fiji are most closely related to the desert iguanas of Mexico and the American Southwest. That is clearly where they came from, although the timing of their great voyage remains uncertain. "This suggests that as soon as land appeared where Fiji now resides, these iguanas may have colonized it," Scarpetta said. "Regardless of the actual timing of dispersal, the event itself was spectacular." Hiking a volcano sounds like a bucket list item exclusive to daredevils and extreme travel adventurers. I dont really consider myself a member of either category, but when I learned about hiking Guatemalas Acatenango stratovolcano, I was all for it. I love being outdoors and hiking when I can, especially if Im rewarded with a beautiful view when I reach my destination. If hiking a volcano is on your travel to-do list, heres everything you need to know. Its completely safe Hana Holden / The Manual Hiking a volcano sounds dangerous in a way that your mother would surely disapprove of. I initially thought the same thing until I learned that the volcano I would be hiking wasnt an active volcano, and the hike wouldnt be any more dangerous than any other mountain hike. Acatenango wont be spewing any lava (as far as scientists can predict) anytime soon. The real heat comes from the neighboring volcano, Volcan de Fuego. It erupts frequently in small spurts, and most of the group hikes are booked in a time scheme that allows hikers to enjoy the unique experience of seeing a volcano erupt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acatenango stands about 13,045 feet tall and is one of the highest in Central America. Its proximity to Volcan de Fuego makes it an ideal viewing spot for the awe-inspiring natural spectacle. Most eruptions happen late at night or in the early morning, and the contrast with the dark skies is beautiful. How long it takes to hike a volcano Hana Holden / The Manual Embarking on such a steep hike can be a time-consuming affair, so you should plan to dedicate two days for the entire experience and probably another day for recovery and rest afterward. Plenty of tour companies in the area organize the treks, which is great because taking this hike without an experienced guide isnt advised. Group size will vary, but my group was eight hikers accompanied by three tour guides. We ran into other groups of hikers during the hike as well. There were even horses and mountain vehicles for taking up the heavy supplies for setting up camp, which is nice if youd like to make the hike easier by having to lug up less weight. The paths are all well trodden, and the terrain is fairly easy to navigate. Im usually pretty great at tripping over the flattest surfaces, and even I had no trouble. Of course, its physically taxing no matter how fit or clumsy you may be, but there are plenty of breaks throughout the hike to allow you to rest and regroup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its best to take the hike at a very mild pace anyway, so your body has the chance to adjust to the altitude as you go. Ive heard some people say its a 4-hour hike, and others say it takes about 12 hours. Our group took about 6 hours to hike up and 7 hours to trek back down. The descent is a little slower and slippery due to the looser volcanic rock, so we stayed at a very casual pace to keep everyone safe. Reaching base camp Hana Holden / The Manual All the true fun begins once youve reached the top of the volcano. The base camp area is spacious and wide open, without too many trees obstructing the view. Everyone seemed to get a second surge of energy once we reached the top, thanks to that gratifying feeling of success. Atop the volcano, there was a pleasant buzz of chatter and socializing while we enjoyed our delicious dinner (cooked over a campfire, of course) and waited for Volcan de Fuego to come alive. The hike leaders let us know about halfway through dinner that our timeframe had changed due to how unpredictable Mother Nature is, and the volcano wasnt expected to erupt until early morning. Slightly disappointed but still eager for the morning, everyone enjoyed some sleeping bag slumber until around 3 a.m. the next morning. Watching Volcan de Fuego erupt Hana Holden / The Manual Watching the volcano come alive was one of those experiences that seems too magical to be true and reminds you of how awesome nature is. Personally, the sounds of the eruption starting woke me up, so I left my tent to go enjoy the show. To me, the music of the volcano was possibly the best part. Theres a consistent grumbling thats somehow both loud and quiet, and it sounds like its coming from the deepest parts of the earth. The view was also amazing, and seeing literal molten lava emerge from a volcano was one of the coolest things Ive gotten to see on my travels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volcan de Fuegos eruption lasted about an hour in total, and the lava eruptions came in various speeds and sizes, allowing all the hikers to get plenty of great photos and videos. Once it was over, the volcano continued to billow smoke for as long as we could see it during our hike down the mountain. Guatemala has other large, active volcanos that are great for exploring as well, but Id highly recommend doing the Acatenango hike thanks to the opportunity to see Volcan de Fuego erupt with such a clear view. What to bring along Ill admit, I wasnt prepared for the hike since it wasnt in my initial travel plans. I went in February, which is springtime for Guatemala. The weather on the ground was nice, but atop the volcano was cold, but not brutally so. Most tour companies will let you pay a fee to rent equipment for your hike, so I was able to get proper shoes, socks, and a great hiking jacket to stay warm during the hike. Along with warm clothes and comfortable footwear, youll want to bring basic hiking essentials and a camera for getting amazing photos. The post Hiking Guatemalas Acatenango volcano: A bucket list adventure for everyone appeared first on The Manual. Mar. 22---- Working in agriculture comes with many challenges, oftentimes including navigating a business relationship with family members. The University of Minnesota hosted the 10th annual Women in Dairy event in February at the Crow River Winery in The event gave women who own or work on dairy farms the opportunity to network and discuss issues that they face in the industry. "It's a great opportunity for women to network and to get together to share their stories. They get a glass of wine and a chance to get away from the farm and spend time with like-minded people," said Jill Zieroth, coordinator with Minnesota Dairy Initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking at the event was Katy Schulz, a dairy farmer from Fox Lake, Wisconsin, who discussed her experience working with family and how she deals with the difficulties that come along with it. Schulz was asked to be the guest speaker in large part due to input from attendees the previous year. "Last year participants said they wanted to hear more about actual farmer stories, so this is a farmer. We try to find those key speakers who meet the needs of our audience," said Karen Johnson, University of Minnesota Extension educator. The event was attended by more than 75 women, both young and old, from many backgrounds. Some work with a handful of animals, while others have upwards of 400 cows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schulz focused on one stressor the entire audience could relate to the struggles of working with family. Schulz's own family tried several methods to help alleviate the stress that can come from that environment. Schulz's parents made sure she and her siblings had experience outside of the farm, for one. By having the siblings leave home to pursue other work with a boss who isn't related to them and an opportunity to find out what they are good at they were able to return home with a better understanding of working with family as coworkers. "I learned how to communicate with people of all different ages, of all different types of farms and all over the United States. That experience alone brought me a little bit more of a broadened horizon," Schulz said. The second strategy involved seeing her siblings in multiple roles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Schulz, she sees her siblings as coworkers, as siblings and as best friends. Schulz takes the time to make sure she understands these individual relationships with them as separate so that stress at work doesn't have as much of an impact. "My siblings are my best friends, they are my siblings and they are my business partners. And, on some days, they are all three. Other days they are only one of those," Schulz said. The Women in Dairy conference, hosted through University of Minnesota Extension, has been held every year for the past 10 years, with the exception of one year when it was canceled due to COVID. Throughout that time, the program has grown significantly as many returning guests bring more people to network and learn about other people in the industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Over the years we've tried to hit on a variety of topics that speak well to our attendees. There are a lot that come back year after year that are disappointed if they miss it. They're very good about offering feedback and how well the speaker's topic was presented," Johnson said. The dairy event is targeted toward women to help promote the dairy farming community. According to Johnson, many attendees of extension programs are male, and organizers wanted to have a space to highlight the work of women in the industry. "A lot of programs in extension, we tend to see the same folks coming. It is usually the primary farmer which tends to be male that is coming to a crops education day," Johnson said. "We've been trying to be very strategic about how we can work with this different segment of our audience." While the event is targeted toward local dairy farmers, the program continues to grow in scope as guests tell their friends and return with more people. "It spreads a lot through word of mouth. Usually, somebody will come for one year, and they'll decide that they will enjoy it. Then they'll bring three of their friends the next year," Johnson said. NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) It is officially Girl Scout Cookie season and volunteers are excited to help members of the community get their sweet treats. About 1.2 million packages of Girl Scout Cookies arrived in New Britain Saturday morning. Watch our coverage to find out 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 WTNH.com. (WKBN) Internet services in Trumbull County will be expanding thanks to newly awarded grants. Brightspeed announced that it has been awarded $1,500,000 to expand its Fiber Internet network to nearly 2,400 more locations in Trumbull County. This award is in addition to the more than $12.3 million in local, state and federal funding already awarded to Brightspeed to connect nearly 5,900 homes and businesses in Allen, Ashtabula, Columbiana, Knox, Mahoning, Shelby and Trumbull counties. We are excited to see years of hard work pay off with this partnership and to have Trumbull County residents who have traditionally been unserved or underserved receive a broadband connection directly to their front door, said Director of Trumbull County Planning Commission Julie Green in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brightspeed has been awarded $13.8 million in funding from the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant (ORBEG) program funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, the Broadband Expansion Authority and BroadbandOhio to extend its planned fiber network build by more than 8,300 locations across the state. We have an unwavering commitment to bridging the digital divide and thanks to this additional funding, we can further expand our planned network build to give more Ohioans the connectivity they need at home to learn and work and for their businesses to thrive, Brightspeed state and local government affairs director in Ohio Tom Simone said. It is unclear when and where exactly these services will be installed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) One person was injured in a stabbing Saturday afternoon, March 22 in far East El Paso, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office said. Deputies responded to reports of a stabbing along the 11500 block of Nancy Drive. One male victim, no age given, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported for medical treatment, the Sheriffs Office said. The incident remains 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 KTSM 9 News. A 12-year-old student faces a hate crime charge for her alleged involvement in an attack on twin Muslim students at their Connecticut middle school, authorities and advocates said. The physical altercation happened earlier this month at Wallace Middle School in Waterbury, Connecticut. Through a summons to juvenile court, the accused student was charged with intimidation based on bigotry and bias in the first and second degree, according to the Waterbury Police Department. The March 3 incident happened inside the girls' locker room during a gym period on March 3, said Police said in a statement that investigators probing the March 3 incident "determined that the altercation was motivated by religion and/or ethnicity, meeting the definition of a hate crime." They also said the classification was reviewed and confirmed by the Waterbury State's Attorney's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another 13-year-old student accused in the altercation was referred to a youth diversionary program instead of being arrested, according to police, "based on her involvement in the incident." Police said their investigation included interviews with students and staff at the school "who were present or otherwise involved" in the incident. The students' names were not released by authorities. According to the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, the students were targeted for wearing hijabs. CAIR's chair Farhan Memon told CBS News the sisters, who started attending classes at Wallace in October and do not speak fluent English, had faced taunting and threatening behavior from the accused students before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the day of the alleged assault, Memon said the accused student grabbed the sisters from behind in the locker room and pulled off their hijabs. One Muslim student was punched in the face and suffered bruises and a black eye. The other emerged from the altercation with a cut across her neck, which apparently came from a sharp object that has not been explicitly identified, according to Memon. CBS News reviewed images of the students' injuries. Police characterized the twins' injuries as minor. They did not require immediate medical treatment at the scene of the attack, according to police, but CAIR noted in a news release that the injuries were "severe enough to require treatment at a hospital." The organization, which advocates for Muslim civil rights and against Islamophobia in the U.S., called the attack "brutal" in a March 12 post on Facebook. "The parents of the victims sought CAIR's assistance because they felt that they were not receiving sufficient communication from the school regarding disciplinary actions against the perpetrators or a clear plan to ensure their daughters' safety," the organization said. The Waterbury Department of Education has now acknowledged the incident as an act of bullying, police said, adding that education officials have "taken disciplinary action, and implemented enhanced school safety measures in response to the incident." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While this was not part of a widespread problem, this is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to ensure our students are safe and respectful of one another," said Darren Schwartz, interim superintendent of Waterbury Public Schools, in a statement. Memon, however, told CBS News he believes this kind of bullying is a systemic problem in Waterbury and said he has raised that concern with the city's mayor. "Since this incident, we've heard from many parents of Muslim children in Waterbury who have said that their children too have been bullied," he said. "Cases where women wearing hijab or girls wearing hijab face harassment for that as well." The Waterbury Police Chief said in a separate statement that his department is committed to taking seriously claims of bias-related incidents, adding the investigation into this one "reaffirms our commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive school environment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spokespeople for the police and education departments in Waterbury directed CBS News to their public statements about the altercation in response to a request for comment and more details. Sen. Rand Paul says he thinks Supreme Court will uphold the Alien Enemies Act for deportations George Clooney: The 2025 60 Minutes Interview Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal on their Broadway "Othello" MIDVALE, Utah (ABC4) A 17-year-old driver is dead after crashing into a parked semi-truck on Saturday afternoon, according to the Unified Police Department. The teenager identified only as a student at Hillcrest High School was driving westbound on Fort Union Blvd with another teenager in the car on Saturday afternoon. According to the initial investigation, UPD said it appears that the driver swerved to miss another vehicle and lost control on the wet roads, after which the teenagers SUV crashed into a parked semi-truck trailer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger, a 19-year-old, was taken to a local hospital and is in critical condition, according to officials. The Unified Police Department extends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time, UPD said in a press release. Additional details about what may have led to the crash were not immediately shared by officials. There is no further information at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Four people have been arrested in connection with a mass shooting in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Friday night that left three teenagers dead and 15 others injured, police said early Sunday. Tomas Rivas, 20, and a 17-year-old boy were arrested Saturday, according to Las Cruces Police. On Sunday, another 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy were arrested, police said in an update. About 12:20 p.m. Sunday, March 23, police arrested a 15-year-old boy and charged him with three open counts of murder, police said in a social media post. The three previous arrests on this case two 17-year-old boys and 20-year-old Tomas Rivas all face the same charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional charges are pending for all four suspects, police added. Rivas was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center Sunday morning and is being held without bond. The three teenagers are being held in the juvenile section of the detention facility, police said. Its unclear if Rivas or the teens have attorneys. Andrew Madrid, 16; Jason Gomez, 18; and Dominick Estrada, 19, were killed in the shooting, according to police. Nine male and six female victims ranging in age from 16 to 36 were injured, police said. Their names were not released. An investigation is ongoing, police said. The violence marked the 53rd mass shooting of 2025, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting happened at Young Park just after 10 p.m. Friday, after an altercation between two groups during an unsanctioned car show, Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story said at a Saturday news conference. The park remains closed during the investigation, police said. This is a sad day for our community, Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez said Saturday. I want to ask the community to gather together, to stand strong and united as we try to heal and face this tragic event that took place in our city. A fundraiser to help victims of the shooting and their families has been established by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Las Cruces is on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, around 41 miles north of the US-Mexico border. CNNs Zoe Sottile contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) Two men are facing sexual assault and incest charges resulting from a January investigation by the Madison County Sheriffs Office. According to court documents, investigators were called to question Joshua Hacker, 40, and Patrick Hacker, 21, after speaking with a social worker. Both men were accused of sexually abusing younger family members. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrick was charged with: First-degree sexual abuse Incest First-degree rape First-degree sodomy Second-degree sodomy First-degree strangulation Joshua was charged with: First-degree sexual abuse Incest First-degree rape First-degree sodomy Second-degree sodomy Patrick Hacker, 21, was lodged in the Madison County Detention Center on March 20. (Madison County Detention Center) Joshua Hacker, 40, was lodged in the Madison County Detention Center on March 21. (Madison County Detention Center) Patrick and Joshua were both lodged in the Madison County Detention Center. The rape and incest investigation 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 FOX 56 News. NEW YORK (AP) During the first Trump administration, the biggest concern for many journalists was labels. Would they, or their news outlet, be called fake news or an enemy of the people by a president and his supporters? They now face a more assertive President Donald Trump. In two months, a blitz of action by the nation's new administration Trump, chapter two has journalists on their heels. Lawsuits. A newly aggressive Federal Communications Commission. An effort to control the press corps that covers the president, prompting legal action by The Associated Press. A gutted Voice of America. Public data stripped from websites. And attacks, amplified anew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very clear whats happening. The Trump administration is on a campaign to do everything it can to diminish and obstruct journalism in the United States," said Bill Grueskin, a journalism professor at Columbia University. Its really nothing like we saw in 2017," he said. Not that there werent efforts to discredit the press, and not that there werent things that the press did to discredit themselves. Trump supporters say an overdue course correction is in order Supporters of the president suggest that an overdue correction is in order to reflect new ways that Americans get information and to counter overreach by reporters. Polls have revealed continued public dissatisfaction with journalists something that has been bedeviling the industry for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tension between presidents and the Fourth Estate is nothing new an unsurprising clash between desires to control a message and to ask probing, sometimes impertinent questions. Despite the atmosphere, the Republican president talks to reporters much more often than many predecessors, including Democrat Joe Biden, who rarely gave interviews. An early signal that times had changed came when the White House invited newcomers to press briefings, including podcasters and friendly media outlets. The AP was blocked from covering pool events in a dispute over Trump's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, setting off a flurry of First Amendment concerns among press advocates and leading the administration to assert that the White House, not the press, should determine who questions him. Two months before the administration took office, former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, who served under Republican President George W. Bush, had urged that changes be made. It's time to bring that (briefing) room in line with how readers and viewers consume the news in 2025, Fleischer said in an interview. They don't get their news from The Washington Post, The New York Times and the three networks anymore. They get their news from a myriad of sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In practice, some newcomers have refreshingly tried to shed light on issues important to conservatives, instead of hostile attempts to play gotcha by the mainstream media, Fleischer said. There were also softballs, like when the Ruthless podcast asked press secretary Karoline Leavitt if reporters who questioned border policy were out of touch. The conservative Real America's Voice network tried to knock Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy off stride by asking why he wasn't wearing a suit in the Oval Office. While the White House Correspondents' Association has protested the APs treatment and efforts to upend tradition, it has been largely toothless. For more extensive discussions, the president and his team generally favor interviews with outlets that speak to his supporters, like Fox News. The Trump team's rapid response efforts to fight the 'fake media' The White House has also established a Rapid Response 47 account on X to disseminate its views and attack journalists or stories it objects to. The feed's stated goals are supporting the president and holding the Fake Media accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leavitt, 27, hasn't hesitated to go toe to toe with reporters, often with a smile, and Tik-Tok collects some of those moments. We know for a fact there have been lies that have been pushed by many legacy media outlets in this country about this president, and we will not accept that, she said at her first press briefing. It stood in contrast to Trump's 2017 press secretary, Sean Spicer, who got into an angry confrontation with the press about the size of the president's inauguration crowd on his first day in the White House, and never truly recovered from it. Showing the spread of the administration's disciplined approach, the Defense Department also has a rapid response account that says it fights fake news. The Pentagon has evicted several news organizations from long-held office space, leading some reporters to worry about access to fast, reliable information during a military crisis. Strategically, he likes to use the press as a pawn it is one of the institutions that he can demonize to make himself look good, said Ron Fournier, a former Washington bureau chief for the AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has active lawsuits going against news outlets that displease him, such as CBS News for the way 60 Minutes edited an interview with 2024 election opponent, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, or The Des Moines Register, for what turned out to be an inaccurate pre-election poll of Iowa voters. The new FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, has signaled an activist stance, with investigations open against CBS for the 60 Minutes case, ABC News for how it fact-checked the Trump-Harris debate and NBC on whether it violated federal equal time provisions by bringing Harris onto Saturday Night Live. Even with all the change, many newsrooms are confronting the challenge Fleischer welcomes a newly aggressive attitude toward the press. He believes many journalists were more activists than reporters during Trump's first term. He wondered why journalists were not more aggressive in determining whether Biden's advancing age made him fit for the presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that the press is either in denial, or they acknowledge that they have lost the trust of the people but they won't change or do anything about it, he said. They just don't know how to do their jobs any differently. Press advocates worry about the intimidation factor of lawsuits and investigations, particularly on smaller newsrooms. What stories will go unreported simply because its not worth the potential hassle? It has a very corrosive effect over time, Grueskin said. Worth watching, too, is a disconnect between newsrooms and the people who own them. Both the Los Angeles Times and Washington Post backed off endorsements of Harris last fall at the behest of the their owners, and Post owner Jeff Bezos attended Trump's inauguration. When the Post announced a reorganization earlier this month, Leavitt took a shot: It appears that the mainstream media, including the Post, is finally learning that having disdain for more than half the country who supports this president does not help you sell newspapers." Many newsrooms are notably not backing down from the challenge of covering the administration. 60 Minutes has done several hard-hitting reports, the Atlantic has added staff and Wired is digging in to cover Elon Musk's cost-cutting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For their own industry, much of the news is grim. The future of Voice of America is in doubt, eliminating jobs and, its supporters fear, reducing the nation's influence overseas. Cost-cutters are eyeing government subscriptions for news outlets, eliminating an income source. On a broader scale, there are worries about attacks on journalists' legal protections against libel lawsuits. They're pulling at every thread they can find, no matter how tenuous, to try and undermine credible news organizations, Grueskin said. It is well organized. It is coming from multiple directions. And it has been only two months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ Associated Press writer Ali Swenson contributed to this report. ___ David Bauder writes about media for The Associated Press. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social UPDATE: One arrested in West Valley shooting that hospitalized two victims WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) Two people were hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds after an incident in West Valley City early Sunday morning, according to West Valley City Police. Shortly after 1:20 a.m. on March 23, police responded to a fight-in-progress call near 3100 South and 5600 West in West Valley City, according to Lt. Levi Lloyd, WVCPD. While en route, officers received information that there were shots fired at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immersive Harry Potter exhibit coming to Utah, offering a magical experience Police arrived and found two individuals with multiple gunshot wounds. They were both taken to the hospital one in critical but stable condition and the other in stable condition. Witnesses at the scene were reportedly uncooperative with police. A third individual was brought in for questioning and subsequently booked into jail. Investigators are currently looking for any additional witnesses or anyone with a doorbell camera that may have caught what transpired in the incident. The shooting took place during a family gathering or party, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further information is available at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) Police are searching for a suspect who left two teenage girls hospitalized with gunshot wounds Saturday night. According to the Clearwater Police Department, residents at Estates of Countryside, located at 2652 McMullen Booth Road called around 9:45 p.m. to report hearing gunshots. Hillsborough deputy shoots suspect during domestic violence call, putting him in critical condition: HCSO Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An 18-year-old woman was found shot at the scene and was taken to All Childrens Hospital in St. Petersburg with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said a 16-year-old girl showed up at Mease Countryside Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries from the shooting. According to detectives, a large group of juveniles and young adults were hanging out in the pool area of the apartment complex when a dispute broke out, which led to the shooting. When shots were fired, many of the individuals present fled the area before police arrived. Officers are still searching for the suspect responsible for firing those shots. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Clearwater police at 727-562-4242. 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. BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) Twenty Bridgeport residents were relocated after a gas meter went up in flames, according to fire officials. Bridgeport fire crews responded to a residence on Bishop Avenue at 12:30 a.m., where they encountered a gas meter engulfed in flames. Connecticut boy dead from injuries sustained during alleged physical abuse in Florida After crews rapidly turned off the meter and extinguished the flames, the Southern Connecticut Gas Company was called for repairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Information on any injuries was not immediately available. The American Red Cross was called to relocate 20 residents. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the fire marshal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia launched a barrage of drones across Ukraine overnight Sunday that killed at least seven people, according to local Ukrainian officials and emergency services. The attacks, including on the capital, Kyiv, came ahead of ceasefire negotiations in Saudi Arabia in which Ukraine and Russia are expected to hold indirect U.S.-mediated talks on Monday to discuss a pause in long-range attacks targeting energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. The Ukrainian delegation is expected to meet with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia a day ahead of the indirect talks, Ukraine's President Voldoymyr Zelenskyy said. Ukraine is planning to send technical teams to discuss the details of the partial ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff said he expected some real progress at the talks in Saudi Arabia, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries, and from that youll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire. Asked about concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be looking beyond Ukraine and could press further into Europe, even if Russia is awarded territory within Ukraine now, Witkoff said he has been asked his opinion on what Putins motives are on a large scale. I simply have said that I just dont see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation than it was in World War II. In World War II there was no NATO. You have countries that are armed there. I take him at his word in this sense. And I think the Europeans are beginning to come to that belief, too. But it sort of doesnt matter. Thats an academic issue. The agenda is stop the killing, stop the carnage, lets end this thing. Asked whether he was convinced that Putin wanted peace, Witkoff said: I feel that he wants peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residential buildings hit by debris Russia launched 147 drones across Ukraine overnight, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 97, and 25 others didn't reach targets due to Ukrainian countermeasures. The attacks struck the Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa and Donetsk regions, as well as the capital, Kyiv. Three people, including a 5-year-old child, were killed and 10 others were injured in a drone attack on Kyiv, the citys military administration said. Extended sounds of explosions were heard across the Ukrainian capital in the early hours as the air raid blared for over five hours. Russian drones and debris from shot-down drones, which were flying at lower altitudes to evade air defenses, fell on residential buildings. Residents in Kyiv surveyed the damage done to their homes and neighborhoods on Sunday morning. Many were disparaging of the upcoming ceasefire talks, pointing to the burned out properties destroyed in the drone attack, saying these were more indicative of Russias true intentions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an old multistory building on Kyivs left bank that was damaged in the overnight attack, Dmytro Zapadnya, 37, said he had no faith in Russia upholding any ceasefire agreement. There is no point in signing anything (with Russians), because it will not be worth the cost of paper where you put this signature. Well, the only thing that is not very pleasant is that now the United States seems to have little understanding of our situation, he said. Elsewhere, four people were killed in Russian attacks on Ukraines Donetsk region, regional Gov. Vadym Filashkin said, including three who died in a strike on the frontline town of Dobropillya. New solutions are needed Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement on social media, Zelenskyy said attacks such as the one in Kyiv were a daily occurrence for Ukraine. This week alone, more than 1,580 guided aerial bombs, almost 1,100 strike drones and 15 missiles of various types were used against our people, he said. New solutions are needed, with new pressure on Moscow to stop both these strikes and this war. Also on Sunday, Russias Ministry of Defense said it had shot down 59 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 29 over the region of Rostov and 20 more over southwestern Astrakhan. In Rostov, one person was killed and a car caught fire due to the Ukrainian drone attack, according to the areas temporary governor, Yuri Slyusar. A woman also died in the Russian border village of Novostroyevka-Pervaya in the Belgorod region when a Ukrainian drone hit a car in which she was traveling. The driver, the womans daughter, was also seriously injured in the attack, said local Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov. Associated Press journalist Bela Szandelszky contributed to this report. Russia launched a drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, killing three people and wounded 14, Ukrainian officials said Saturday, despite agreeing to a limited ceasefire. Zaporizhzhia was hit by 12 drones, police said. Regional head Ivan Fedorov said that residential buildings, cars and communal buildings were set on fire in the Friday night attack. Photos showed emergency services scouring the rubble for survivors. Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle Wednesday to a limited ceasefire after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the countries leaders, though it remains to be seen what possible targets would be off-limits to attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three sides appeared to hold starkly different views about what the deal covered. While the White House said energy and infrastructure would be part of the agreement, the Kremlin declared that the agreement referred more narrowly to energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would also like railways and ports to be protected. The dead in Zaporizhzhia were three members of one family. The bodies of the daughter and father were pulled out from under the rubble while doctors unsuccessfully fought for the mothers life for more than 10 hours, Fedorov wrote on the Telegram messaging app. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia fired a total of 179 drones and decoys in the latest wave of attacks overnight into Saturday. It said 100 were intercepted and a further 63 lost, likely having been electronically jammed. Officials in the Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions also reported fires breaking out due to the falling debris from intercepted drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias Ministry of Defense, meanwhile, said its air defense systems shot down 47 Ukrainian drones. Local authorities said two people were injured and there was damage to six apartments when a Ukrainian drone hit a high-rise apartment block in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on Friday night. Zelenskyy told reporters after Wednesdays call with Trump that Ukraine and U.S. negotiators will discuss technical details related to the partial ceasefire during a meeting in Saudi Arabia on Monday. Russian negotiators are also set to hold separate talks with U.S. officials there. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is open to a full, 30-day ceasefire that Trump has proposed, saying: We will not be against any format, any steps toward unconditional ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a complete ceasefire conditional on a halt of arms supplies to Kyiv and a suspension of Ukraines military mobilization demands rejected by Ukraine and its Western allies. Kremlin spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Saturday that Ukraine was continuing with treacherous attacks on energy infrastructure facilities, and that Russia reserved the right to a symmetrical response. Her comments came after Russia accused Ukrainian forces Friday of blowing up a gas metering station near the town of Sudzha in Russias Kursk region. Ukraines military General Staff rejected Moscows accusations and blamed the Russian military for shelling the station as part of Russias discrediting campaign. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) Three people were killed and 15 others were injured in what police in southern New Mexico are calling a mass shooting. Among the dead, was a 16-year-old boy. Officials say two groups, with a history of problems with each other, showed up to an unsolicited car show. An argument broke out before the shots were fired. Today, we mourn a tragic, a senseless, a horrible event that happened in our city, said Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez. On Friday night, the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) says around 200 people gathered at Young Park near Lohman Avenue and I-25 for an unsanctioned car show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 10:00 p.m., a fight broke out between two groups with gunshots eventually ringing out, killing three people and injuring another 15. The three killed were a 19-year-old, an 18-year-old, and a 16-year-old boy. Las Cruces officer on leave after shooting man accused of randomly shooting gun Officers arrived on the scene and began treating people immediately while trying to deal with the chaos of that situation. Bystanders, some of them had already started administering treatment, said Chief Jeremy Story with LCPD. While police say most of the shots appear to have been fired from the parking lot, they estimate between 50 to 60 handgun casings have been collected. This senseless act is a stark reminder of the blatant disregard people in New Mexico have for the rule of law and order. Its also a reminder of the utter lack of fear and accountability in New Mexico, continued Chief Story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said his department has had problems in the park before and unsolicited car shows have also brought crime problems. That areas been trouble with crime more so in recent years, Chief Story said. Theyve kind of ebbed and flowed, partly with weather and other things. Theyve become an issue and dealt with, done some projects, they become less of an issue and then they pop back up again. Definitely a problem. Lawyers for LCPD officer in 2022 manslaughter case request new trial Chief Story says LCPD did not have a presence at the park at the time because the department did not have the units available. While he says there is typically no problem with people gathering, its what happens during these events where his concern lies. If they were just gathering and nothing was occurring that was illegal, I have no problem with that. The problem is, what tends to occur is a lot of illegal behavior with the vehicles and then also, in this case, there were firearms throughout this entire event. Some that were used in the shooting and just people with firearms willie-nilly, said Chief Story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI, ATF, NMSP, and the Dona Ana County Sheriffs Department are also helping in the investigation. Our next focus is the apprehension of those involved and those responsible for this atrocity. We will find each and every one of them and we will hold them accountable to the criminal justice system, said Chief Story. The age of those injured ranges from 16 to 36, with several of them already released from the hospital. Police have yet to make an arrest and are asking anyone with video or photos to send it to them. People can donate to the Las Cruces Crisis Action Fund. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Evacuation orders were issued Sunday for parts of Polk County, North Carolina, where three large wildfires have burned more than 3,000 acres combined and two of the blazes remain out of control, according to authorities. The three separate fires -- the Black Cove Fire, Deep Woods Fire and the Fish Hook Fire -- were all burning about 30 miles southeast of Ashville, according to the North Carolina Forest Service. The fire ignited last week but grew rapidly over the weekend, fueled by low humidity and dry vegetation, officials said. The fires are burning in an area where Hurricane Helene swept through in September, leaving behind numerous downed trees, which are also helping to fuel the fires, officials said. PHOTO: Smoke billows, March 22, 2025, from one of three large brush fires in North Carolina's Polk County. (WLOS) The Black Cove Fire had burned 2,076 acres and was 0% contained as of Sunday night, according to Kelly Cannon, spokesperson for Polk County government. The Deep Woods Fire was also 0% contained on Sunday after burning 2,545 acres, Cannon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evacuation orders issued Saturday evening by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety remained in effect Sunday for residents in the area of the Black Cove Fire, officials said. The Fish Hook Fire in Polk County was 50% contained on Sunday, after burning 199 acres, Cannon said. Evacuation orders were lifted Sunday, allowing residents to return to their homes. The causes of the fires remain under investigation. PHOTO: Firefighters battle one of three large brush fires, March 22, 2025, in Polk County, North Carolina. (WLOS) Due to multiple wildfires in the area, the North Carolina Division of Air Quality issued a "Code Red" alert signaling unhealthy air for Polk County, and a "Code Orange" in Rutherford County, signaling unhealthy air for people sensitive to smoke. Due to multiple wildfires in the area, the North Carolina Division of Air Quality has issued a "Code Red" (UNHEALTHY) alert for Polk County and a "Code Orange" (UNHEALTHY for SENSITIVE GROUPS) for Rutherford County. pic.twitter.com/n2I8Ptdy4O N.C. Forest Service (@ncforestservice) March 22, 2025 South Carolina wildfires Wildfires extended into neighboring South Carolina, prompting Gov. Henry McMaster to declare a state of emergency on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A wildfire in the Table Rock State Park on the South Carolina-North Carolina border in Pickens County, South Carolina, started on Friday night and quickly spread to 35 acres, according to McMaster. On Sunday, the Table Rock Fire had grown to 110 acres, according to Pickens County Emergency Management. Information on how much of the fire has been contained as of Sunday afternoon was not immediately available. MORE: Evacuations ordered as 175 wildfires erupt across South and North Carolina McMaster said his executive order declaring a state of emergency for the Table Rock Fire area will help bolster resources for firefighters working to contain the blaze. The governor said his order includes a statewide ban on residents setting outdoor fires until further notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Given the elevated risk of wildfires throughout the state, the statewide burning ban will remain in effect until further notice. Anyone who violates this ban can and will go to jail," McMaster said. It's the second time this month that McMaster declared a state of emergency in his state due to wildfires. A series of wildfires broke out during the weekend of March 2 and 3 in the Carolina Forest near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in Horry County, quickly spreading to more than 1,600 acres and threatening the communities of Walkers Woods and Avalon before firefighters brought the blaze under control, according to the South Carolina Forest Commission. 3 wildfires prompt evacuations in North Carolina's Polk County originally appeared on abcnews.go.com CHICAGO A 36-year-old woman was critically injured after crashing her car into an apartment building overnight on the citys West Side. TRAFFIC ALERT: Inbound Eisenhower Expressway closed in west suburbs after fatal wrong-way crash: ISP According to Chicago police, officers responding to a traffic call around 1 a.m. Sunday in the 1100 block of North Austin Boulevard discovered a single-vehicle accident in which a blue sedan crashed into an apartment building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the 36-year-old woman driving the car was injured and treated by the Chicago Fire Department before being taken to an area hospital, where she was listed in critical condition. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines No other injuries were reported, and police say citations 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 WGN-TV. Three fatal crashes two in Raleigh and one in Durham early Sunday morning left four people dead, according to police. The first happened shortly before 2 a.m. on Interstate 85 South near the U.S. 15-501 interchange, Durham police said. A 2008 Nissan Pathfinder driven by Claudia Azucena Campos Lopez, 39, of Hillsborough, went off the right side of the roadway and struck an unoccupied 2013 Kia Optima parked on the shoulder. Lopez died at the scene, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speed appears to be a factor in this crash, Durham police said in a news release. Two hours after that accident, Raleigh police responded to two unrelated fatal crashes. Raleigh police confirmed that a head-on collision on Interstate 40 near the Gorman Street exit killed two people, and was caused by a wrong-way driver. The crash shut down that section of the expressway for four hours. Jonathan Perry, 27, was driving a 2006 Lexus IS250 west in the eastbound lanes of I-40, Raleigh police said, when his vehicle collided with a 2024 Volkswagen Taos being driven by Alaina Mathews, 37. Both drivers died at the scene, police said. Crash scene evidence suggested Mathews attempted to swerve to avoid impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The preliminary investigation indicates Perry had turned onto I-40 from Gorman Street, police said. Mr. Perry had the odor of alcohol coming from his person and an open container was located at his feet inside of the car, a Raleigh police news release said. The second accident on Gorman Street near Kaplan Drive killed one person, Raleigh police said. Pierre-Louis de Mourgues (23) was traveling southwest on Gorman Street between Kaplan Drive and Brent Road on an e-scooter, police said. The preliminary investigation indicates that a vehicle traveling southwest on Gorman Street struck Mr. Mourgues from behind and drug him down the road, Raleigh police said in the news release. The vehicle then fled the scene. Mr. Mourgues died at the scene. Anyone with information about the Durham accident is asked to contact Investigator A. Roberts at (919) 560-4935 ext. 29410. LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) Four Limestone County K-9 deputies are set to receive body armor donations in a few weeks. According to the Limestone County Sheriffs Office, K-9 deputies Ares, Hoss, Pedro and Szakal are set to receive bullet and stab protective vests. This donation is from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. (Photo: Limestone County Sheriffs Office) (Photo: Limestone County Sheriffs Office) (Photo: Limestone County Sheriffs Office) (Photo: Limestone County Sheriffs Office) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the vests were sponsored by Cheryl Hopper of Hebron, IN, and will be embroidered with the sentiment In memory of Arthur L Zimmerman. The vests are set to be delivered in the next 10 weeks. LCSO said, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S.-made, custom-fitted, and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,970 vests valued at $6.9 million to K9s in all 50 states made possible by both private and corporate donations. The sheriffs office said the program is open for U.S. dogs at least 20 months old who are actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K-9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate in the program. On behalf of our entire team, I want to express our deepest gratitude for this generous donation of body armor for K-9 Ares, K-9 Hoss, K-9 Pedro, and K-9 Szakal. These vests will provide essential protection for our K-9s, who put their lives on the line daily to keep our community safe. Your support means the world to us, and we are truly thankful for your commitment to law enforcement and the safety of our K-9s, Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin 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 WHNT.com. Mar. 23'WE JUST WANT TO ... LIVE IN PEACE' Elaine Therriault, 62, West Village Mobile Home Park, Monmouth Monthly lot rent: $300 Park owner: Residents (under contract) Elaine Therriault was shocked to learn that West Village park, the manufactured home community she's lived in for the last seven years, would be going up for sale. She feared the worst could happen if the park was bought by an out-of-state investor: Rents that could double or even triple, more restrictive rules, possibly even the park shutting down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therriault, who is on disability, moved to West Village in 2018 when the mortgage for her Poland home became too expensive to afford and the house too difficult to maintain. She did her research and settled on the Monmouth Park. It's on the smaller side, with 42 lots and, most importantly, the lot rent was low, just $200 a month. She bought her mobile home for $47,000 with the proceeds from her house. "I was able to buy this and be assured that I'm going to at least have this home until the end of my life," she said. Her lot rent has increased to $300, but it's still manageable. Therriault, who lives with her grandson, said she's not rich, but she can afford her car repairs or to have her furnace serviced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she worried that could change. And if it became too expensive, sure, she could sell her home probably for significantly more than she paid for it but where else would she go? "We're not living here because we're millionaires. We're living here because it's what we can afford," she said. When the park came up for sale in November, it was good timing. The residents in Brunswick had just closed on their park, and the Bangor homeowners had just submitted their bid. Following their lead, Therriault and a group of neighbors scrambled to form a co-op and get an offer together. The $1.9 million offer was accepted, and now they have until May to get the financing together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the sale goes through, there's plenty to do, like hiring a property manager, but Therriault said there's an immense feeling of relief that the park could be owned by a nonprofit that cares about the health of the park and won't institute overbearing rules and fees. "We just want to be able to live in peace," she said. ------ 'I'M JUST DOING THIS BECAUSE NOBODY ELSE WANTED TO' Jerry Highfill, 79, Mountain View Estates, Bowdoin Monthly lot rent: $525 Park owner: Philips International Jerry Highfill doesn't consider himself an activist, and he's no "political guru," but in a matter of months, he's found himself petitioning the town of Bowdoin for rent stabilization and rallying fellow mobile homeowners to support state legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now retired, Highfill paid off his home years ago and put his "coupon book to rest." But the rent increases keep coming and Highfill can't increase his income. He's not hurting financially, he said, but he knows others in his park and beyond are. "I'm just doing this because nobody else wanted to do it and I said, well, something needs to be done, and it's just kind of exploded from there." His Facebook page, "Maine Mobile Home Owners Fed Up With Excessive Lot Rent Increases," started as a page for his park, but it gained traction and now has close to 200 members representing parks across the state. Highfill tried to pass a rent stabilization ordinance in Bowdoin but was told last month that parts of it were "illegal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm not a lawyer, I didn't use a lawyer. If I could afford a lawyer, I wouldn't be living in a mobile home park," Highfill said. "I did my best. My legal knowledge just failed. That's the gist of it." He's disappointed but, for now, is putting his energy behind supporting legislative efforts by Rep. Cheryl Golek, D-Harpswell, and Rep. Cassie Julia's, D-Waterville, to institute rent control for parks. If the state legislation passes, it would supersede any local effort anyway, he said. If not, he might consider trying to write another ordinance. He's optimistic that there's now enough support for the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a state problem and not just a little crappy town in the middle of nowhere," he said. ------ 'THIS ISN'T RIGHT' Theresa Kim, 42, Pine Tree Estates, Standish Monthly lot rent: $645 Park owner: RHP Properties Theresa Kim feels like she's watching affordable housing slipping away. She and her husband moved from Portland to Standish in 2022 and took out a mortgage on their $135,000 mobile home. At the time, the lot rent was an additional $539 a month. Three years later, the fee has gone up by more than $100 between her mortgage and lot rent, she's spending about $2,000 a month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's not as affordable as they're projecting," she said. For new people moving into Pine Tree Estates, it's even more expensive. New residents pay just shy of $900 a month, not including a mortgage. "This isn't right," Kim said. "This is supposed to be affordable, and it's getting not to be." The uncertainty is difficult. There's nothing stopping the park's owner, RHP, from increasing everybody's rent to $890. She's trying to make sure that doesn't happen. Kim is working with the town of Standish to pass a rent control ordinance, capping annual rent increases at 5% for any rental in the town with more than a $500 base rent, not just mobile homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She's particularly concerned about the older adults on fixed incomes, who she said are "stressed and scared about losing their homes." For the most part, she's happy with their home. It's spacious enough for their three kids and Jack Russell terrier, and they have a nice patio and backyard (they wanted to put in a deck but weren't allowed). Lot rent is part of life in a mobile home park, but she said it's challenging to deal with the uncertainty of rent increases on top of her mortgage, plus the threat of fines for small infractions like grass that's too long or a bike that's left on the lawn, especially when there aren't any corresponding improvements to the park. "There's a lot more cons than pros at times on that side of things, like the freedom to live and breathe and have fun with your family," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ------ 'I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT' Janet Fournier, 64, Linnhaven Mobile Home Center, Brunswick Monthly lot rent: $630 Park owner: Residents Janet Fournier always said she would never live in a mobile home, and she would definitely never live in a mobile home park. Now she owns one. Fournier moved to Brunswicks' Linnhaven Mobile Home Center in August 2023 in search of affordable housing. She sold her South Paris three-bedroom home, but the proceeds wouldn't cover the cost of another house. She wasn't interested in taking out another mortgage, and any senior housing had four- or five-year waitlists. Market-rate apartments were out of the question. She bought her house and settled in, surprised at how much she loved the park. She paid $150,000 and her lot rent is now $630. But shortly after, she learned the Scarponi family, the longtime owners of the park, planned to sell and had a $26 million offer on the table. "I thought, 'Oh my gosh, I just bought here. Am I going to have to leave? What's going to happen?' We didn't know if that developer was going to kick us all out and put some more high-rises here," she said. Fournier and a group of her neighbors connected with the Cooperative Development Institute to form the Blueberry Fields Cooperative, make an offer and gather financing. Their offer was accepted in October. "It was a lot of hard work getting to that point, and it continues to be a lot of hard work," said Fournier, who is the president of the board. They've had to hire a property manager and there are 13 vacant lots they want to fill. There's an empty house on the property, the Scarponi family's old office, that they're trying to form a plan for. The infrastructure is 70 years old, so they're planning for eventual upgrades and are looking into how they could move away from septic systems and connect to the city's sewer. "There's a lot going on here. It's not just getting up in the morning and saying, 'Hey, everybody, pay your rent, everything's good,'" she said. Running a $27 million business is time-consuming and, now that she's back to work, Fournier feels she's burning the candle at both ends. But she wholeheartedly encourages any park that's able to at least explore the opportunity. "The alternative, to be at the mercy of some out-of-state buyer that's only looking to make a buck, does not make sense," she said. "I would do it again in a heartbeat." Copy the Story Link President Trump has focused on a limited ceasefire in the Ukraine war as he seeks to get the ball rolling on broader peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin this week rejected a full 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S. and backed by Ukraine, but he signaled openness to a narrower truce focused on energy infrastructure, though many questions remain about its terms and implementation. U.S. officials are expected in Saudi Arabia next week, with reported plans to hold separate meetings with Ukrainian and Russian delegations on Monday to hash out details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what each side wants in the talks, and why Trumps NATO plans are a wild card. What Trump wants While Trump has fallen short of his promise to end the war in 24 hours, he can say there is forward movement in the talks. So far, his strategy has focused on pressuring Ukraine into concessions by leveraging military and intelligence assistance, while offering Putin a choice between economic carrots or sticks. Economic deals seem to be a priority for Trump in both talks with Ukraine and Russia. In Trumps call with Putin, he emphasized that improved ties between the two countries has huge upside, including geopolitical stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has been pressuring Ukraine to sign a mineral extraction deal, and he raised a new idea after a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this week: taking ownership of Ukrainian nuclear power plants. Zelensky said the discussion focused on Ukraines largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia, which is under Russian occupation, and whether there might be a U.S. role in bringing it back into Ukraines hands, perhaps as part of territorial talks. Trump is reportedly interested in the plant as part of powering the mining industry in Ukraine after the war. He said Friday that contracts are being negotiated over dividing up the lands as part of a final peace deal. Putin declared annexation of four Ukrainian territories, including Zaporizhzhia, despite not having full territorial control and international rejections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benjamin Schmitt, senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, said the idea of U.S. control of the nuclear plant was problematic for multiple reasons. Putin, frankly, is not going to be satisfied with any of that, because his war aims were to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty fully, he said. And so the notion that the United States having, lets say control, if not ownership, in some way over Zaporizhzhia power plant, that would have significant downside risk for any commercial firm that would want to take on that risk. What Putin wants Putin has toned down some of his demands as Trump forces negotiators to the table, Rose Gottemoeller, who served as deputy secretary-general of NATO from 2016 to 2019, said on the Russian Roulette podcast hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. This includes Putin and his top aides dropping public objections to Ukraines accession to the European Union and shifting rhetoric on its earlier war goals of denazification in Ukraine, which was coded language for toppling Zelensky in favor of someone more aligned with Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His objectives have changed, and theyve been forced to change by the war and the way it has unfolded, Gottemoeller said. Putin is still strenuously opposed to Ukraine joining NATO, hosting foreign peacekeeping forces, or officially taking back territory Russia has occupied starting with its 2014 invasion of Crimea. To the extent that Putin feels motivated to reach a ceasefire, the Russian economy is likely a major motivating factor. Increased Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil and energy facilities have reportedly depressed its petroleum production, at least temporarily, by 10 percent. And while Russia has largely weathered U.S., European and international sanctions by switching to a wartime economy, its unclear how long that strategy is sustainable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schmitt, of the University of Pennsylvania, said sanctions on Russias energy sector are definitely having macroeconomic impact on the Russian economy. He added that now is the time for stricter enforcement of these sanctions and tightening export controls against energy sector technologies and commercial goods used in military production. When it comes to U.S.-Russia relations, we should be doing what Putin understands, which is hard diplomacy, hard power, he said. What Zelensky wants Trumps proposal for a limited ceasefire on energy and infrastructure matches earlier efforts by Ukraine in talks with Russia over the past year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Essentially, what was more-or-less agreed [between Trump and Putin] was a return to two agreements Russia and Ukraine had almost finalized last year but never got over the finish line, Samuel Charap, senior political scientist with the RAND Corp., posted on social platform X. This includes talks that were scheduled to take place in August over an energy and power infrastructure ceasefire, which were derailed when Ukraine launched an incursion into the Russian territory of Kursk. Trump and Zelensky, in a phone call Wednesday, also talked about expanding the limited ceasefire to the Black Sea, a critical waterway for Ukrainian exports and a flashpoint of fighting with Russia. Ukrainian and Russian officials reportedly reached the final stages of a deal over the Black Sea in March 2024, but Kyiv pulled out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its very canny that the Zelensky government have now bolstered this essentially long-standing proposal for a ceasefire and brought it to the table with the Americans, because that gives it an extra boost, said Gottemoeller, now a lecturer at the Stanford University Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and research fellow at the Hoover Institution. Ukrainians have their own very experienced negotiators and are very, I think, very astute about representing their own interests at the negotiating table. Zelensky has long said that ongoing security guarantees, ideally involving the U.S. and NATO, are an essential component of any peace deal. Where Europe stands Europe, wary of Trumps unpredictability as a military ally, is increasingly drawing up plans to bolster its own defense industries and aid to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot going on now, a lot of chatter all this chatter and a fair amount of meetings and activity reflects the Europeans take this seriously, said John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Councils Eurasia Center and former ambassador to Ukraine. This is hard, this is complicated, and its going to take time. But theres no doubt in my mind the trend is towards a more robust defense spending and defense posture by the Europeans. But the challenge of getting Europe on the same page over plans to aid Ukraine was thrown into stark relief earlier this week. European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas saw her plan for a $43 billion military aid package to Ukraine falter amid pushback from European leaders. And an effort to rally $5.4-billion-worth of ammunition failed to materialize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, senior military leaders from more than 30 countries met in England on Thursday to flesh out plans for an international peacekeeping force that could deploy to Ukraine in the event of agreement with Russia. And French President Emmanuel Macron announced that a coalition of willing nations backing Ukraine would meet in Paris on March 27 and would include Zelensky. Trumps NATO wild card Trump has drawn rare Republican resistance after reports the Pentagon is planning to withdraw U.S. leadership of NATOs military command, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). The position has been exclusively held by an American in the 75-year history of the alliance, commanding Americas forces in Europe and overseeing the U.S. nuclear posture on the continent. Trump is deeply critical of alliance members who have yet to increase their defense budget to 2 percent of their gross domestic product, suggesting the U.S. would not act to protect them in case of an attack. And the president on Friday claimed credit for reviving the alliance by pushing member states to increase their defense spending. And he said NATOs deterrence factor relied on Americas involvement. President Putin will tell you that without the United States he wouldnt be worried. But he is worried when the United States is involved, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. There is a clear divide among Trumps allies and advisers over NATO. While MAGA voices like Donald Trump Jr. and tech billionaire Elon Musk have advocated for a U.S. withdrawal from NATO, more conventional national security voices like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz. The NATO plans would also set Trump on a collision course with GOP senators who support robust U.S. engagement in the alliance. Trump largely dodged questions about his plan Friday. Herbst said the debate showed there are people of influence in the administration who really dont understand geopolitics and American security. So thats why even such things are discussed. But I would not assume that because someone has raised this somewhere, that means that this is being given serious consideration by the administration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics. Mar. 22An Albuquerque man was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison in the 2022 shooting death of 46-year-old Gary Escareno that police described as a murder-for-hire killing. Freddy Granger, 43, pleaded guilty this past week to first-degree murder in the May 1, 2022, killing in the area of Candelaria and Juan Tabo NE. Granger was one of three people arrested in the killing. Albuquerque police alleged that Martin Trujillo, 57, hired Granger and Cassandra Dominguez, 39, to kill Escareno in revenge for an alleged robbery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trujillo, 57, was indicted in 2nd Judicial District Court with first-degree murder and other charges in Escareno's death, court records show. His May 12 trial was canceled and charges remain pending. Dominguez, 40, pleaded guilty on March 12 to second-degree murder and conspiracy in the killing and faces 10 to 18 years in prison, according to court records. Her sentencing has not been scheduled. Police responded around 10:30 p.m. on May 1 to the area of Candelaria and Juan Tabo NE after a car crashed into a pole, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. They found Escareno in the driver's seat with a gunshot wound to the head. Witnesses told police they heard gunfire and saw a man and a woman fleeing the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said they found messages in Escareno's phone from a woman who asked him to pick up a woman and her boyfriend at the Taco Bell at Lomas and San Mateo. Security footage from the Taco Bell showed Escareno pick up a pair who matched the description of those seen fleeing the shooting. A friend of Escareno's told police that Escareno failed to split profits with Trujillo from a rental assistance scam, the complaint said. The complaint didn't elaborate on what the scam involved. A witness told police he saw Trujillo pay Granger for the homicide with $15,000 worth of methamphetamine, fentanyl, a vehicle and cash, the complaint said. Granger was sentenced in 2023 to 25 years in prison on federal charges for selling two firearms to an undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officer, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Granger pleaded guilty in March 2023 to single counts of being a felon in possession of firearm, carjacking and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, the statement said. Court records show Granger was sentenced in 2015 to 10 years after taking a plea deal in the nonfatal stabbing of a woman outside an East Central motel. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Two men who were suspected of shoplifting are accused of hitting a deputys vehicle as well as several other vehicles in southeast Memphis. Kenneth Taper, 59, and Mario Pirtle, 47, were taken into custody on Saturday evening. According to the Shelby County Sheriffs Office, deputies were flagged down about a shoplifting at the Burlington Coat Factory on Winchester Road. An employee reportedly told deputies that a suspect had just stolen merchandise and was trying to flee the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SCSO says that when deputies tried to stop the suspect, he ran into a waiting vehicle. The vehicle allegedly rammed a deputys patrol vehicle as well as two other vehicles in the parking lot. SCSO says the vehicle then sped off the parking lot and hit another vehicle on Centennial Drive and Winchester Road. 1 dead, 1 injured in shooting downtown According to SCSO, the suspects led deputies on a brief chase on Highway 385. SCSO says the suspects vehicle stopped on the off-ramp of Kirby Parkway because of damage it had taken during the crashes. The suspects were taken into custody and were later identified as Taper and Pirtle. SCSO says deputies recovered $872 in stolen merchandise and returned it to Burlington Coat Factory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taper has been charged with shoplifting, driving with a license that is suspended/revoked/canceled, evading arrest, duty upon striking an unattended vehicle, reckless driving, and violating financial responsibility law. Pirtle has been charged with evading arrest and shoplifting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A Law & Order actor was sentenced to 25 years to life behind bars for the calculated, revenge-fueled murder of a rival in Queens with the victims tearful father slamming the killer as a monster. Isaiah Stokes, who appeared on hit legal drama as well as Boardwalk Empire, did not show remorse for killing Tyrone Jones, who authorities said was shot nearly a dozen times inside his parked car on Feb. 7, 2021. Joness weeping father laced into the actor during an emotional victim impact statement at the Friday sentencing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can remember the day that my son was brought into this world a happy father I was. TJ was funa loving uncle and nephew. What I dont want to remember, Isaiah Stokes, is the day that you decided to murder my son, Tyrone Jones Sr. said. Isaiah Stokes was slapped with 25 years to life behind bars for the 2021 cold-blooded murder of Tyrone Jones. Brigitte Stelzer TJ did not die from a car accident or a disease, but by the hands of a monster, the devastated father continued through tears. Stokes, 45 who also records and performs music under the name I$AIAH had a four-month-long vendetta against Jones, 37, after the younger man threw him out of his birthday party during a clash in October 2020, prosecutors said. The actor attached a GPS tracking device to Jones vehicle and stalked him for more than a week before the broad-daylight, caught-one-camera murder, according to the DAs office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You planned and thought about how and what you was going to do to end TJs life, Isaiah Stokes. Was it that serious that you had to pump 11 bullets into TJs body? his father cried in court, while staring at his only sons killer. Stokes was convicted of second degree murder in the case, along with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, but began trying to argue the merits of the case during the Friday sentencing, prompting Judge Kenneth Holder to rebuke him. Listen to me. You were convicted, so you need to talk to me about why I should have some mercy on you in the sentence thats all I need to hear from you. I dont want to hear about any motions thats all done, Holder said during the proceeding. Youre not a lawyer and frankly, you dont know what youre talking about, the judge said at one point, to which Stokes responded, I know exactly what Im talking about. TJ did not die from a car accident or a disease, but by the hands of a monster, the victims father, Tyrone Jones Sr., said during an emotional victim impact statement. Brigitte Stelzer Holder, fed up, took aim at Stokes acting career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do believe that you thought staying in jail as long as possible would do wonders for your movie career once you got out, but here is the problemyoure not getting out. Whatever movie you watched to plan this killing, you clearly watched the bootleg version, because no one could intentionally plan a murder and carry it out as stupidly as you did, the judge continued, and added that Stokes was more guilty than anyone Ive ever seen in this courtroom. Stokes sentence is a direct consequence of his criminal actions, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Friday in a statement. Justice has now been served, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2021 murder stripped the victims father of his heart, he told The Post. Stokes did not look at the grieving dad, which was a slap in the face, Jones Sr. later said outside the courthouse. Stokes failed to show remorse during his Friday sentencing. FilmMagic You know why he aint gonna look? Because I look just like my son. My son looked like me. Theres no difference. Youre looking at me, youre looking at my son, he told The Post. Later, Jones Sr. celebrated the sentence, and praised the ADA and NYPD for their outstanding work on the case. Now hell never see the street again, so Im happy. Just like my son is gone, hes gone. My son is in the ground, hes going up to a penitentiary somewhere, he said. However, its never going to be justice because Im never gonna get my son back, the father said, adding that Jones should be remembered as the King of R&B and a loving person who got along with everybody. LEE COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) A 69-year-old Alabama man was killed in an ATV crash Saturday evening, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Randy Looney, of Valley, was fatally injured when the ATV he was operating left the roadway and hit a tree. The crash happened around 5:20 p.m. about 10 miles south of Valley on Lee County 361. Auburn coach Bruce Pearl makes plea for return of American hostage Edan Alexander from Gaza Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looney, who reportedly was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene. Troopers with the ALEA Highway Patrol Division are investigating 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 CBS 42. Mar. 22Alaska Commissioner of Education Deena Bishop was in attendance Thursday when President Donald Trump signed an order to "facilitate the closure" of the federal Department of Education. The order is meant to shrink the number of employees in the department and transfer some of its duties to other arms of the federal government. The dissolution of the department would require an act of Congress. Bishop declined an interview request after attending the signing event in Washington, D.C. A spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development said the order would "return control of public education back to the states." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With more control, Alaskans can better focus in on how education resources are spent, and on what they deem most beneficial to our students and their future," the spokesperson said in an email. Alaska receives hundreds of millions of dollars annually to operate K-12 schools. The percentage of total school budgets coming from federal sources is among the highest in the nation when compared with other states. The funding is targeted at disadvantaged students, including those from lower-income households and those with disabilities. [What to know about Trump's plan to abolish the Education Department] Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan said during a press availability in Juneau on Thursday that it "could be a good outcome" if "there's more federal dollars with less D.C. strings attached." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Department of Education, since it's been enacted, has spent over a trillion dollars, and our secondary school education results have dramatically declined, and I'm not sure federal dictates from Washington that don't understand certain local education imperatives is the best way to approach it," he said. "So the key question to me is, are they just dismantling everything or is the vision to dismantle and then get the money to the Alaska state Legislature and local communities, who, in my view, have a way, way better sense, especially for Alaska, on how to spend the money and how to prioritize the money because they're closer to the kids, they're closer to the teachers," Sullivan added. In a statement on Friday, U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III celebrated Trump's efforts to close the department. "The centralized one-size-fits-all factory model of education has proven to be a poor approach. It's time to end this experiment and restore local leadership in education," Begich wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, also a Republican, questioned the claim shared by Sullivan and other Republican lawmakers that the federal Department of Education "dictates" local education decisions. "There is a strong argument for finding efficiencies within the department and ensuring that student aid is delivered more effectively. However, the assertion that the department has 'control' over our kids' education is incorrect, as federal officials are explicitly prohibited by law from meddling in schools' curricula, state standards, student assessments and more," Murkowski said in a written statement. "The benefits that the U.S. Department of Education provide for Alaska are almost too numerous to list," she said, pointing to its efforts to ensure Alaska Native students can access culturally relevant curricula, among others. "The Department of Education was created by statute and it will require approval of the Congress to close it. I will continue to defend the continuation of the laws, programs, and funding that the Department administers that Alaska's educators, students, and parents rely on," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [The Education Department was created to ensure equal access. Who would do that in its absence?] State Rep. Rebecca Himschoot, a Sitka independent who chairs the House Education Committee, said that even though education funding cannot be eliminated without congressional approval, she is concerned about the impacts of Thursday's order. She said the loss of federal education department staff could mean the elimination of data and oversight and the Alaska education department does not necessarily have the capacity to take up tasks currently entrusted to federal oversight. "Everybody loves to get funding with no strings attached," she said. "Having free-flowing funding and never having to report back on how it was spent or follow guidelines on how it should be, to me, is risky if we're interested in waste, fraud and abuse." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In remarks to the state board of education last week, Bishop said that an executive order could not on its own eliminate the federal funding that flows to Alaska schools, but she welcomed the elimination of some regulations attached to the funding. Bishop said she signed on to a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon this month proposing changes to how federal education policy is handled, including by requesting "more flexibility with the federal funding." A department spokesperson did not immediately provide a copy of the letter. "There are different categories of funding, and the request was more flexibility within the funds to share those funds," Bishop said. The National Education Association of Alaska, a union representing most public school teachers in the state, opposes the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education, its leader said Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Department of Education provides many things, including vital support for Alaska students with special needs, through the Individuals with Education Disabilities Act. Alaska receives the most Title 1 funding per pupil of any state in the nation. More than 51,000 Alaskan students benefit from that support," wrote Tom Klaameyer, president of NEA-Alaska, in a statement. "Historically, NEA-Alaska may not have always agreed with decisions or directives coming from the Department of Education," said Klaameyer. "However, whether it's through gutting the department from the inside, or seeking congressional approval for the complete elimination, the most vulnerable students in America and the educators who serve them will ultimately pay the price." Among its roles, the U.S. Education Department also handles student loans for higher education. According to an email from University of Alaska President Pat Pitney, officials with the state's public university system "don't expect there to be significant changes to our operations or the ability of students to access federal financial aid, including Pell Grants and loans." "Advocating for federal student aid funding remains a top priority for the UA system regardless of what changes happen at certain federal departments or agencies," Pitney wrote in a letter to students and faculty. "Federal student aid is a vital component of ensuring access and affordability for students across the State of Alaska." Federal workers appear to be split on Trump's return-to-office executive order. A Washington Post-Ipsos survey found that 49% of federal workers back the order while 50% oppose it. The order had long been a priority for Trump, who is working to pare down the federal workforce. Federal workers appear to be split on President Donald Trump's return-to-office mandate, a new survey found. The survey, conducted by Washington Post-Ipsos, showed that 49% of current civilian federal workers support Trump's executive order. About 50% oppose the measure, which mandates that workers come into the office full-time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many workers accustomed to COVID-era working arrangements, the need to now commute has disrupted their work-life balance. Some workers say they have arrived at offices starved for workspaces. Others have lamented the financial costs of the return-to-office order, especially for those who moved away from the Washington area because of their ability to telework. Overall, 95% of the more than 600 civilian federal workers polled said they were proud of their work from the past five years. Almost 90% of respondents said their respective agency has been a "good" place to work, while 11% said it has been "bad." However, with the new administration has come shifting attitudes. Only 67% of respondents said their agency would now be a good place to work, while 31% felt the opposite. The poll also found that 57% of current federal workers believe Trump's executive actions to remake the government are illegal. More than 40% said the president's executive actions are legal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's return-to-office mandate and broader cost-cutting efforts from Elon Musk and the White House DOGE office have roiled much of the federal workforce in Washington as well as many federal employees who work far away from the nation's capital. Most federal workers don't work in the DC area, but they have a disproportionate impact on the region's economy, given the plethora of departments headquartered in the city and the services and businesses that those workers support. Musk himself has been highly critical of remote work in the federal government, extending his corporate philosophy, which he is well-known for among employees at Tesla and X, to the government. Read the original article on Business Insider Americas most celebrated global health program is on life support, former U.S. government officials and global health advocates say. President Donald Trumps decision to suddenly halt and then terminate most U.S. foreign aid, and GOP concerns that organizations receiving government grants to combat HIV and AIDS were performing abortions, have key congressional Republicans broaching what was once unthinkable: ending PEPFAR, the program President George W. Bush created to combat HIV and AIDS in the developing world. Bush has long championed it and the 25 million lives its saved as the best example of his compassionate conservatism. But Trump has lumped the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in with other foreign aid programs he sees as indicative of the way Washington has put the needs of foreigners over Americans. It's part of a seismic shift in GOP attitudes since Trump took over the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bush Institute, an arm of the center that promotes Bushs legacy, is pleading with the administration and Republicans to keep the program alive, making the case that its good for America. PEPFAR is a strategic investment in our own national security, Hannah Johnson, a senior program manager for global policy at the institute, wrote earlier this month , arguing that it engenders goodwill toward the United States at a time when Russia and China are competing for greater influence, in ways that are not beneficial in the long-term for the African continent. She called on the administration to continue the program whether through USAID, the CDC, the Pentagon, or the State Department. It is a matter of life and death. Since late February, the Trump administration has terminated hundreds of millions of dollars in PEPFAR grants and contracts amid its rapid effort to align foreign aid with its America First policy, according to a list obtained by POLITICO. On March 25, the 2003 law that established PEPFAR is set to expire with no indication itll be renewed anytime soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congress did appropriate funding to cover PEPFARs expenses through September earlier this month. Its programs can continue even if the law authorizing it expires, but only if Trump wants to spend the money. PEPFARs budget is between $6 and $7 billion per year. Trump has halted most programs overseen by the U.S. Agency for International Development, which handled a majority of PEPFARs projects , but so far hasnt touched the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions, which run nearly $2 billion a year. The cuts the administration has made have alarmed public health advocates. A sudden end to PEPFAR could kill six million people in the next four years, reverse decades of progress and lead to growing HIV epidemics across the world, over 500 AIDS physicians and researchers warned in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Over time, these policy decisions may be proven illegal in U.S. courts but the human suffering and loss of lives happening now cannot be reversed by any court order, they wrote, asking Rubio to restart all PEPFAR projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Department did not respond to a request for comment on the letter. Abortion politics PEPFAR enjoyed bipartisan support until two years ago, when congressional Republicans accused then-President Joe Biden of indirectly funding abortion abroad by providing PEPFAR funds to groups that support or provide abortions. After allowing the law that authorizes the program to expire in 2023, Congress ended up reupping it for one year last March. Every previous renewal was for five. Then in January, the Biden administration acknowledged that a routine check on grant compliance in the southeast African country of Mozambique found that four nurses in a small province whose salaries were funded by PEPFAR provided abortions, which is legal in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mozambique refunded the money $4,100 but Senate Foreign Relations Chair Jim Risch (R-Idaho), whose panel oversees PEPFAR and would lead any effort to renew it, said it called into doubt his support for the program. This violation means that the future of the PEPFAR program is certainly in jeopardy, he said in a statement at the time. Advocates of PEPFAR have in the past turned to Rep. Michael McCaul, an 11-term Texan representing a swath of suburbia from Austin to Houston and friend of Bushs whod helped convince fellow Republicans in 2024 to reup PEPFAR for a year despite their misgivings. But in January, GOP term limits for committee chairs forced McCaul to give up his post atop the House Foreign Affairs Committee. McCauls replacement, Florida Republican Brian Mast, told POLITICO earlier this year that he wants to rethink the U.S. investment in PEPFAR. If Americans are spending billions of dollars for multiple decades funding extremely expensive HIV medication for 20 million Africans, there should be a conversation about that, he said. At what point do some or all countries start to handle that on their own? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bottom dropped out for PEPFAR shortly after Trumps inauguration in January when, as one of his first actions, he closed the agency that sponsors most foreign aid, USAID, and then terminated billions in State Department funding. The cuts included grants and contracts supporting HIV prevention for teenage girls and gay men, who are at high risk of acquiring HIV in some countries in Africa; efforts to control the spread of HIV in Nepal, Uganda and Ukraine, and clinical trials researching a vaccine and other HIV prevention measures. A State Department spokesperson said a list of the programs obtained by POLITICO is inaccurate and unverified but didnt provide more details. Payments for some of the PEPFAR projects still intact, such as a major contract to supply and deliver HIV drugs, arent flowing to the organizations running them, keeping crucial lifelines effectively frozen, according to a person familiar with the USAID programs allowed to speak anonymously for fear of reprisal from the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight countries already face significant disruptions to HIV drugs and are expected to run out in the coming months, the World Health Organization, an arm of the United Nations, said Monday, listing Kenya, Lesotho, and Ukraine among them. The Trump administration has argued in court that it needed to verify most payments manually to ensure theres no fraud involved but a federal judge ordered it to pay a large batch of backlogged invoices for foreign aid programs. In many cases, those payments are still pending: There are about 10,000 payments that need to be processed, the State Department said in a court document on March 19. The administration has kept a few hundred USAID employees out of more than 10,000. Trump is folding whats left of the agency into the State Department. Just over a dozen PEPFAR specialists from USAIDs global health bureau will be hired at the State Department office managing the program, according to a State Department memo obtained by POLITICO. Mast told POLITICO that hes considering reupping the law undergirding PEPFAR in September when the State Department will also come up for reauthorization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mast suggested hell prioritize shifting responsibility for HIV and AIDS prevention and care to the countries that have relied on PEPFAR: Theres countries and their leaders that have just taken it for granted that the United States is just going to pay for their HIV medication forever. Some of those countries have worked with China on mineral extraction and other things, Mast said, suggesting Americas PEPFAR investment didnt serve the U.S. as many tout it. He said those countries could borrow money to provide HIV-prevention services that were funded by PEPFAR to their citizens. The Trump administrations shock-and-awe approach in freezing and then cutting most of foreign aid, and, with it, many PEPFAR programs, has left global health advocates and some on Capitol Hill wondering whats left of the program that until recently was fiercely supported by most Republicans and Democrats. Its hard to understand how PEPFAR, as we know it, can continue at this moment, said a House Democratic aide granted anonymity to speak candidly. Trumps plans PEPFAR is an ecosystem of services that goes beyond providing medication and includes testing and reaching out to vulnerable groups, such as teenage girls, the aide said. The program is not going to be as successful if we chip away at pieces along the way and strip it down to something that is just, perhaps a straight provision of medication, the aide added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pete Marocco, the foreign assistance director at the State Department who has led the foreign aid cuts and USAIDs dismantling, told lawmakers from the House and Senate foreign affairs committees in meetings earlier this month that around $4 billion from PEPFARs annual funding wasnt spent on lifesaving treatment and went to advocacy instead, according to two people with knowledge of the conversation speaking anonymously because they arent allowed to publicly comment on private meetings. Marrocco also said the program only needed about $2 billion to provide lifesaving treatment, according to the two people. Marocco didnt provide a list of terminated or retained programs to lawmakers, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said after meeting him. The State Department said it doesnt comment on its officials communications and briefings with Congress. While uncertainty about whats been eliminated and what remains persists, the cuts will damage the foreign aid system, including the programs that the administration may want to keep, said Andrew Natsios, a Republican who ran USAID in the Bush administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Atul Gawande, who ran USAIDs global health programs in the Biden administration, said the funding freeze and terminations are putting the whole program at risk. This is the end of PEPFAR as we know it, and if certain issues aren't addressed, it's just the plain end of PEPFAR, he told reporters in a call in late February. Some global health advocates and lawmakers are holding out hope Gawande is wrong. PEPFAR, unlike the health programs that are based at USAID, is based at the State Department; does still have a team there overseeing the program; was given, at least on paper, the ability to continue some care and treatment, said Jen Kates, senior vice president and director of the Global Health & HIV Policy Program at KFF, a health policy think tank. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, acknowledged that it will be difficult for the program to recover from the blows it has suffered over the past few weeks. But I'm determined that it's not the end for PEPFAR. It is too important, too valuable, too effective a program for us to give up on, he said. Three European allies provided millions of dollars that the United States was supposed to spend for low-income countries. Then the Trump administration and Elon Musk's government-cutters arrived. Government officials from Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands told The Associated Press that a combined $15 million they contributed for joint development work overseas has been parked at the U.S. Agency for International Development for months. After the Republican administration and Musk's Department of Government Efficiency cut USAIDs funding and the bulk of its programs, the Europeans asked whether their money would be funneled to projects as expected or refunded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have gotten no response. Its a concern for us, especially as we want our partner organizations to be compensated for the work they have put into the programs, said Julia Lindholm, a spokeswoman for the Swedish governments international development agency. The true total may be larger. Other foreign governments also had money entrusted with USAID for distribution in a range of joint development projects at the time President Donald Trump ordered the funding freeze on Jan. 20, according to an official directly familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The worries point to the extent to which the new administration's abrupt cutoff of foreign assistance and canceling of contracts for humanitarian and development work are raising questions about Washington's financial reliability. They also show further strain between allies as Trump revamps American foreign policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Department and USAID did not immediately respond to questions asking how many foreign governments had money for joint development programs going unspent and unrefunded in the USAID funding freeze, how much money that was in total, and whether the administration was doing anything about it. Concerns from American allies Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands had been partnering with USAID on a project called Water and Energy for Food, or WE4F. It helps farmers and others in poorer countries develop innovative ways to grow more food without straining water supplies or depending on climate-damaging forms of energy. Most importantly," Lindholm said by email, the U.S. failure so far to disburse or refund allies' donations is harming 6 million of the poorest and most vulnerable farmers in the world who are dependent on the technologies for their food production and food security." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other administration actions already have alarmed traditional partners. Trump has said he would not necessarily follow the mutual-defense pact underlying the NATO security agreement, he has advanced some of Russia's talking points and demands in its invasion of Ukraine and has imposed tariffs on Canada, the European Union and others. America as a reliable financial partner Now, doubts about the U.S. as a reliable business partner have emerged in lawsuits over the administration's abrupt cancellation of what Secretary of State Marco Rubio said were 83% of USAID contracts, forcing partner organizations to lay off workers and driving some out of business. In a brief supporting a lawsuit from federal workers, former Defense Secretaries Chuck Hagel and William Perry, former CIA Director Michael Hayden and more than a dozen other former senior U.S. officials said the administration's mass canceling of thousands of USAID contracts was flouting U.S. financial regulations and destroying the United States' credibility as a reliable partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canceling the contracts "sends a message that this administration does not feel bound by those regulations regulations on which every business that works with the United States relies," the former officials said. In another case, lawyers for nonprofits and businesses seeking payment from USAID told a judge that because of the financial chaos surrounding the agency's dismantling, banks have stopped what used to be routine financing for USAID partners based on their contracts with the U.S. agency. Since the Cold War, the national security argument for development programs has been that making poorer countries more prosperous and stable lessens refugee flows and conflicts. Trump and Musk call foreign assistance through USAID in particular a fraud and scam. Administration officials are looking at focusing U.S. development efforts much more narrowly on combating China's influence abroad and boosting U.S. trade and business opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seeking money back from the Trump administration Growing steadily more alarmed by the administration's foreign aid moves, Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands initially sent USAID emails inquiring about the money they had parked in USAID accounts. Frustrated at getting no response, two of them warned in the government-to-government emails that they were looking at talking to local media about their missing money, according to the official directly familiar with the matter. Under court order, the administration has started making good on some $2 billion USAID already owed when Trump ordered the freeze in USAID and State Department foreign assistance on Inauguration Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But forced leaves and firings have yanked most officials and workers at USAID's headquarters off the job. That includes many who oversaw development programs and would be involved in tracking down numbers and calculating any refunds for the foreign governments. Sweden's development agency told the AP that it estimates it has $12 million total, including $5.1 million for WE4F, sitting in USAID accounts money going unspent for people in Africa, Asia and the Middle East and unrefunded by the administration. Lindholm, the spokesperson for Swedens development agency, called the WE4F program extraordinarily impactful, with measurable benefits for farmers and others many times greater than the programs initial targets. The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation told the AP that it has received no information about the fate of a $1.4 million funding tranche for WE4F since Trump began dissolving USAID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dutch Foreign Ministry said it reached out to the U.S. aid agency on how much of the $1.6 million it had given most recently for WE4F had yet to be disbursed by USAID and should be refunded, but that it had not yet gotten any response. "Donor partners are now exploring other opportunities to continue to run the WE4F programme to ensure a responsible completion, Lindholm said by email. ___ Knickmeyer reported from Washington, Keaten from Geneva, Corder from The Hague, Netherlands, and Gera from Warsaw, Poland. A coalition of black Queens legislators backed ex-Governor Andrew Cuomos comeback bid for mayor over Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and didnt even bother to rank incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, it was revealed Saturday. The endorsement by the 8-member group is a coup for Cuomo, a setback for Adrienne Adams, and stinging rebuke of the citys second black mayor. The majority of city and state lawmakers nearly all of whom are from or near the speakers turf in southeast Queens put Cuomo as their first choice in a ranked choice voting Democratic primary. The endorsement by the 8-member group of black Queens legislators for Andrew Cuomo is a setback for Adrienne Adams. Gerardo Romo / NYC Council The attempted comeback from Andrew Cuomo is nothing short of remarkable, coalition member state Sen. James Sanders said Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But most also ranked Adrienne Adams second, a consolation prize but still a show of support. Some in the group ranked Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie third, while others didnt rank him. The group interviewed eight mayoral candidates last weekend before making a decision. We asked the candidates, `Who could take us out of this crisis in New York City? Who is best to steer us through these troubled waters,' Sanders told The Post. Sanders said Adrienne Adams was hurt by her late entry into the race, which came two weeks ago. Cuomo announced his candidacy on March 1 but had a longstanding shadow campaign and its viability is what won over the coalition, Sanders said. We asked the candidates, `Who could take us out of this crisis in New York City? Who is best to steer us through these troubled waters,' Sen. James Sanders told The Post. Hans Pennink Theres no question that if Speaker Adams had entered the race earlier she might have been our first choice. The cruel mathematics of the campaign favors those who enter the race earlier, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The primary will be held June 24 preceded by a week of early voting. Sanders backing of Cuomo raised eyebrows, since he showed up and spoke at Adrienne Adams recent campaign kickoff for mayor. And Adrienne Adams spokeswoman, Lupe Todd, pointed out Sanders didnt just show up at the speakers campaign rally kickoff. Sanders backed Cuomo, despite showing up and speaking at Adrienne Adams recent campaign kickoff for mayor. Paul Martinka Thats really rich coming from an elected official who showed up at Adriennes announcement and spoke for 17 minutes, said Todd. The Cuomo campaign has warily eyed the entrance of Adrienne Adams, who is is black and not related to the mayor, into the race for City Hall as a potential threat to siphon off African-American votes in the primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 under the threat of impeachment amid sexual misconduct accusations that he denies. His scandal-ridden third term as the states chief executive particularly his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic came up during the interview, lawmakers said. But Cuomos overall record as governor and managerial experience overrode the negatives, said Assemblyman Clyde Vanel. Cuomo is an outstanding manager and visionary leader. Hes someone we need going forward , Vanel said. According to assemblyman Clyde Vanel, Cuomos overall record as governor and experience overrode the negatives, such as his scandal-ridden third term. Tamara Beckwith Vanel emphasized that ranking Adrienne Adams is also a big deal in a ranked choice primary, though he acknowledged others would view it as a negative, with the speaker not even having united support in her own backyard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Leroy Comrie acknowledged Cuomo was the first choice of the coalition, but the vote wasnt unanimous. The group supported Cuomo, I didnt. I dissented. I support Adrienne, Comrie said. The screening committee also included Assembly members Khaleel Anderson, Lorinda Hooks and Alicia Hyndman and Councilwomen Selvena Brooks Powers and Nantasha Williams. The group supported Cuomo, I didnt. I dissented. I support Adrienne, Senator Leroy Comrie said. Patrick McMullan via Getty Images Its sad to see elected officials support a former governor who underfunded schools and closed hospitals in Southeast Queens, said Todd. From the start, we knew the Cuomo camp would use pressure and intimidation because Adrienne is the biggest threat to his comeback tour. If they want to waste time playing politics, so be it, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other candidates interviewed were Sens. Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie, Comptroller Brad Lander and his predecessor, Scott Stringer; Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and former Assemblyman Michael Blake. The Cuomo campaign didnt comment. The gold dome of the state Capitol is seen in Denver. The News New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday called a snap election for April 28, kickstarting a campaign that will be defined by US President Donald Trump. The campaign will last just five weeks the shortest period allowed with a new round of global tariffs imposed by Washington due to come into effect in week two. Carney said he has already begun to fight the Americans, describing the countrys trade war with the US as among the most significant threats of our lifetimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump placed a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods on March 2, before partially pausing them for a month, and on March 12, a blanket 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports came into effect hitting the Canadian industry heavily. Ottawa has retaliated with by placing levies on around $42 billion worth of US imported goods so far. Carneys tough talk tapped the wave of nationalism that Trump has inspired: Rage is the new Canadian mood, The Globe and Mail declared. That anger, which has already helped Carneys party stage a stunning comeback in the polls, could give him the edge. Know More Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned a deeply unpopular leader, but his party, which was trailing by 20 points in the polls at the start of the year, is now neck-and-neck with the opposition. Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has sought to blame the Liberal Party, and its post-national globalist ideology under Trudeau as having made Canada more vulnerable to Trumps trade war, the BBC wrote. However, supporters and critics have consistently aligned Poilievre with Trump, leaving the party now to battle the widely held perception that Canada would yield to his demands under the Conservatives. CALHOUN COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) A 21-year-old Anniston woman was killed in a crash Sunday morning, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Abbigail Stovall, 21, was fatally injured when the Kia Optima she was operating departed the roadway, hit a culvert and flipped. The crash happened around 5:39 a.m. on Peeks Hill Road near Rock Springs Road. Alabama man, 69, killed in ATV crash Stovall, who reportedly was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the car and died at the scene. Troopers with the ALEA Highway Patrol Division are investigating the crash. 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. The US military is sending another warship to guard the southern border with Mexico. The destroyer USS Spruance, which fought the Houthis in the Red Sea, is set to operate off the West Coast. It's the latest military asset to be deployed as part of Trump's border security efforts. A second US Navy destroyer that spent months battling the Houthis in the Red Sea is being sent to the southern border to support military operations there. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance left its home port of San Diego on Saturday to support efforts to "restore territorial integrity" at the southern border, US Northern Command said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northcom said the deployment would contribute to the Pentagon's crackdown on maritime-related criminal activity, including weapons smuggling and illegal immigration. The Trump administration has made combating these issues and drug trafficking a priority and has dispatched a range of military assets to the US-Mexico border. Last weekend, the Navy sent the USS Gravely, another guided-missile destroyer, to the southern border. Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the director of operations for the Joint Staff, told reporters Monday that the warship would be "involved in the interdiction mission for any of the drugs and whatnot that are heading in." The Spruance, like the Gravely, is set to be accompanied by a US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment, operators that specialize in military operations at sea, such as counter-piracy, counterterrorism, anti-immigration, and combat missions. The USS Spruance transiting San Diego Bay on Saturday. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Claire M. Alfaro Destroyers such as the Spruance bring a lot of firepower to a fight. They're equipped with 96 vertical launch system cells carrying surface-to-air and land-attack missiles, as well as various guns, from the 5-inch deck gun to the close-in weapons system to machine guns. The ships also feature electronic warfare capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's not entirely unusual for these warships to partake in drug interdiction missions, especially since maritime smuggling efforts can be rather sophisticated. Gen. Gregory Guillot, the Northcom commander, said the Spruance's deployment as part of the southern border mission "brings additional capability and expands the geography of unique military capabilities working with the Department of Homeland Security." "With Spruance off the West Coast and USS Gravely in the Gulf of America, our maritime presence contributes to the all-domain, coordinated DOD response to the Presidential Executive Order and demonstrates our resolve to achieve operational control of the border," Guillot added. The Spruance and Gravely are being deployed for a mission very different from the Red Sea conflict in which both vessels fought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On their previous deployments, the Spruance and Gravely spent months shooting down missiles and drones launched by the Houthi rebels in Yemen as part of their ongoing attacks on military and civilian vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Navy has rotated carrier strike groups in and out of the Red Sea repeatedly as part of its efforts to stop the Houthi attacks. Last weekend, the US began a fresh campaign against the rebels and has been hitting them with airstrikes for several days. Read the original article on Business Insider Mar. 22ANTHONY Mayor Diana Murillo has yet to announce whether she intends to run for a third term, but Anthony's board of trustees demonstrated last Wednesday that rather than wait for municipal elections this November, they will go to court to force her from office and use taxpayer money to do it. At the board's regular meeting, Murillo sat through public comments calling for her to lose her seat as residents aired complaints about her performance, alleging abuses of power, neglect of various issues and improper use of resources. Residents and trustees alleged that Murillo frequently missed meetings. The city refutes that assertion, as an attendance record maintained by the city clerk and reviewed by the Journal indicates Murillo missed two out of 21 regular meetings in 2024, with one meeting canceled, and five out of 22 special meetings or workshops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2025, up to March 19, city records show Murillo missing one of four regular meetings documented and attendance at five special meetings or workshops. The record does not reflect late arrivals or early departures. "They don't want me there; they want me out, yet they're complaining because I don't attend," Murillo told the Journal. "We need to get along. We need to move forward for the interests of the city." In open session, trustees have complained that policies and directives approved by the board have been ignored. A group of citizens, including two candidates who were subsequently elected as trustees, sued to remove Murillo in 2023, but the case was dropped. In 2024, the board passed a "no confidence" resolution about her leadership. A pending lawsuit alleges Murillo directed city police to remove a critic from city hall and bar them from public meetings. In the most recent development, trustees have accused Murrillo of living outside the city based on a recent court petition involving a residence in Santa Teresa. Murillo's name appears on the lease, but the mayor has said she simply co-signed to assist her adult daughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the March 19 meeting, the trustees and mayor went into closed session to discuss possible action to remove Murillo, whose second term as mayor concludes at the end of the year. When the trustees resumed open session, Murillo had left, and in her absence, the board approved a resolution to seek quotes for legal representation to take Murillo to court for malfeasance in office. Trustee Gabriel Holguin told the Journal litigation was worthwhile even with just nine months left to Murillo's term, citing a 2023 case in which the Tatum town council in Lea County sued to remove Mayor Amy Gutierrez for malfeasance. That case was resolved with a settlement several weeks later in which Gutierrez agreed to resign. "We are moving in a quick manner, as we believe it is in the best interests of the city to move quick," Holguin told the Journal. Besides removal from office, Holguin said he hoped for a judgment "barring Mayor Murillo from running for office in Anthony again." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holguin is widely rumored to be planning a mayoral run himself but has not confirmed his plans. His fellow trustee, Fernando Herrera, said an election challenge is still the best way to bring about change at city hall, but he supports legal action as well. "What we're trying to do right now is put it out in the open as to what she has done," Herrera said. DENVER (AP) Bernie Sanders stepped onto a stage in downtown Denver, surrounded by tens of thousands of cheering supporters in what he described as the biggest rally he had ever addressed. The Vermont senator put his hand on the shoulder of the woman who had introduced him, a signal for her to stay on stage. She has become an inspiration to millions of young people, Sanders said of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, recounting her biography from a girl who helped her mother clean houses and later became a bartender before emerging as political insurgent who ousted a powerful New York Democrat in a U.S. House primary. The crowd began a chant of her well-known moniker: AOC! AOC! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a leaderless Democratic Party out of power in Washington, Ocasio-Cortez has a message and a connection with a segment of liberals feeling disenchanted with both parties. Now, in her fourth term, the 35-year-old congresswoman is working to broaden her appeal beyond her progressive, anti-establishment roots. Hitting the road last week with Sanders for his Fighting Oligarchy rallies, she is addressing people who disagree with her and reframing the divide in the Democratic Party not as progressive versus moderate, but as those going after Republican President Donald Trump and those being more cautious. No matter who you voted for in the past, no matter if you know all the right words to say, no matter your race, religion, gender identity or status, Ocasio-Cortez said to thousands in a rally at Arizona State University. No matter even if you disagree with me on a few things. If you are willing to fight for someone you dont know, you are welcome here. Her instinct to brawl is well-matched to the restlessness of the Democratic base, much of which sees top party officials like New York Sen. Chuck Schumer as not confrontational enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were lacking leadership right now, and we really just need someone to take the reins and tell us what to do, said Kristen Hanson, a 41-year-old small business owner from Phoenix, whose search for a call to action brought her to see Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez. Im not in politics, but I would be very happy to follow a leader who I believe in. But that instinct also irritates some elected Democrats. Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, whose profile is also rising after her November victory in a state Trump won, was challenged recently by a constituent to more aggressively confront Trump like Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Dallas Democrat who is becoming one of her party's key messengers. Slotkin said she had to be more than just an activist and noted that those lawmakers represent heavily Democratic areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of those things require me to be more than just an AOC, she said. I cant do what she does because we live in a purple state and Im a pragmatist. AOC tours with Sanders Sanders, one of the few political leaders with the resources to plan large rallies and the appeal to pack them, has stepped into the Democratic leadership vacuum with appearances across the country. Ocasio-Cortez joined him this past week for five events in Nevada, Arizona and Colorado. In Denver, the crowd was so immense that people climbed onto statues and sat on the broad steps of buildings across the street to watch. In Tempe, Arizona, outside Phoenix, thousands of people who could not get inside the arena crowded a plaza outside or watched from a parking garage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In speeches lasting about 25 minutes, Ocasio-Cortez blended the denunciations of economic inequality that have been central to her brand with an offering that we are not powerless in this moment. About two-thirds of Democrats have a favorable opinion of Ocasio-Cortez and just 5% view her unfavorably, according to Gallup polling from January. But the broader public is more divided. Among all adults, about 4 in 10 had a negative view of Ocasio-Cortez while about 3 in 10 had a positive view. In her home state, about 4 in 10 New York voters in the November election viewed her favorably while about the same share had an unfavorable opinion, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of the 2024 electorate. Ocasio-Cortez confronted head-on the perception that she is a radical by being magnanimous toward other Democratic factions. She did not walk away from her progressive views but signaled openness to disagreement, saying her movement is not about partisan labels or purity tests," but rather solidarity with the working class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At each stop, she spoke supportively of local Democrats in Congress, even those who do not align with her ideologically. We need more people like them with the courage to brawl for the working class, she said in Arizona, praising colleagues who voted against a Republican spending bill. She did poke at former Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who was elected as a Democrat in 2018 but infuriated progressives for working with Republicans and blocking Democratic priorities such as raising the minimum wage. Sinema became an independent but declined to run for a second term. One thing I love about Arizonans is that you all have shown that if a U.S. senator isn't fighting hard enough for you, you're not afraid to replace her with one who will, Ocasio-Cortez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget fight creates enduring Democratic anger The decision by 10 Senate Democrats, led by party leader Schumer, to allow a Republican-led spending bill to advance infuriated the Democratic base, which saw it as capitulation to Trump. (Slotkin, the Michigan senator, voted against advancing the bill.) Schumer argued the spending bill was terrible but a government shutdown had the measure not passed would have given Trump the power to make even more cuts as his administration slashes agencies and hundreds of thousands of federal jobs. House Democrats disagreed with him in a rare show of public dissent and several liberal groups are pushing Schumer to resign. Ocasio-Cortez gave voice to that anger in her speeches. Her plea for a Democratic Party that fights harder for us drew the biggest applause of her speeches in Denver and Tempe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dane Burgos, 28, snapped a selfie with Ocasio-Cortez as she left the Denver rally. I was mainly here for Bernie, because hes the OG, but AOC its clear shes the heir apparent, Burgos said. Armando Valdez, a two-time Sanders voter and Navy veteran who gets his medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs, is especially alarmed at the Trump administrations proposed cuts. He feels like he knows Sanders well, but is eager to hear what Ocasio-Cortez has to say. Sanders is, too. Just not as a solo act yet. The 83-year-old has said he's not running for president a third time. But asked after his Tempe rally whether he sees any promising leaders rising up, he did not give his support to Ocasio-Cortez or anyone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are dozens and dozens of really strong progressives out there who are I think going to be the future political leaders of our country, Sanders told reporters. ___ Cooper reported from Tempe, Arizona. Associated Press writers Linley Sanders in Washington and Isabella Volmert in Flint, Michigan, contributed to this report. PARIS (AP) First, the plane disappeared from radar screens somewhere over the French Alps, on March 24, 2015. Then, families of the 150 people aboard Germanwings Flight 9525 started showing up at airports. In Barcelona, Spain, where loved ones had boarded the plane, and Duesseldorf, Germany, where loved ones were meant to land. Airport screens showed a blank spot where the flight's arrival time should have appeared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon, search teams fanned out over treacherous mountainsides, rappelling off helicopters or scaling barren slopes. At last, the first signs of debris appeared. Then, human remains. Eventually, the plane's black boxes were found, allowing investigators to piece together the plane's final moments. It was no accident. French and German investigators concluded that co-pilot Andreas Lubitz locked the pilot out of the cockpit, and intentionally crashed. Local hamlets welcomed search teams and families as they waited, worried and began to grieve. Today, the village of Le Vernet hosts a monument honoring the dead, rising above a meadow overlooking Alpine peaks. On Monday, Le Vernet will host families for a memorial ceremony and a moment of silence at 10:41 a.m., exactly 10 years after the crash. An area university has started the demolition process of a 121-year-old building on campus. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On March 17, the University of Dayton began removing debris and asbestos from Chaminade Hall in preparation for its eventual demolition. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demolition plan was announced at a joint academic senate, faculty, and staff meeting on Feb. 21. The decision to demolish the 121-year-old building named after the founder of the Society of Mary, William Joseph Chaminade, was made after the Chaminade Hall Select Committee reviewed previous planning efforts for the building and took the buildings current condition into account. Chaminade Hall was the home of the School of Education and Health Sciences until it was moved to Fitz Hall in 2014. Since then, the building has remained dormant, except for the basement serving as a chapel during the renovation of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, a dining area during the renovation of Kennedy Union, and a stockroom for critical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement University officials said that the costs of maintaining Chaminade Hall are rising and that renovating or repurposing the building would be more expensive than new construction, as the internal structure does not facilitate modern delivery of classroom instruction or provide adequate office space. This decision has been a long time coming and was carefully and meticulously researched and analyzed, Rick Krysiak, co-chair of the Chaminade Hall Select Committee and vice president for facilities management and planning and auxiliary services said. While there is no denying the long history of this building, from a facilities, financial, strategic, and even safety lens, this makes the most sense for the University. For eventual new construction, it will be possible to expand the current footprint to make better use of existing space. Demolition of the building will begin after spring graduation and is expected to be completed before the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, according to the University. University officials said that while they are evaluating future building concepts, facilities management will develop and install pathways, benches, and flowerbeds on the former buildings footprint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We understand the buildings namesake, Marianist founder Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, is incredibly meaningful to the University, Fr. Jim Fitz, vice president for mission and rector said. There is certainly a connection for many alumni and former faculty and staff to the historic building. As Marianists, we look to Father Chaminade for inspiration and guidance in everything we do. His image is present in the middle of our campus and his spirit should be present in all of our hearts as we try to embrace and live the Marianist charisms. When the opportunity arises, there is a commitment from the administration to honor Fr. Chaminade with a new building in the future. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) A proposed bill in Arkansas would hold adults civilly liable for assisting transgender minors in their gender transitions. Rep. Mary Bentley (R-Perryville) introduced House Bill 1668, also known as the Vulnerable Youth Protection Act. The bill seeks to impose civil liability on individuals who knowingly cause a minors social transition, or who perform actions like castration, sterilization or mutilation. The bill would also establish a 20-year statute of limitations for filing civil suits, allowing complainants to recover financial damages for any personal injuries or harm caused by these actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While several other states have passed similar laws banning gender-affirming medical care, Arkansas latest bill is the first to target social transitioning, or the act of adopting a gender identity different from ones biological sex. Four takeaways from the 10th week of the 95th Arkansas General Assembly HB 1668 defines social transitioning broadly, including changes in clothing, pronouns, hairstyle and name. [A]ny 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. House Bill 1668 (proposed) The proposed law would allow lawsuits to be filed up to 15 years after an incident, with damages ranging from $10,000 to $10 million for those found to have provided gender-affirming care to minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Mar. 19, the bill has been engrossed, meaning it has passed through the committee stage and is now ready for consideration by the full House of Representatives. HB1668-as-engrossed-on-03-19-2025-15_05_26Download The full bill can be read above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. A passing storm system could produce a few strong to severe storms Sunday afternoon. A Tornado WATCH has been issued for parts of northeast Arkansas through 11 p.m. While this does not include our area, there will be thunderstorms that initiate in our area before tracking into these yellow shaded counties. Additional counties may need to be added for southeastern Arkansas later. That said, there remains a risk for damaging wind and large hail. But as storms move into eastern and southeastern Arkansas late in the afternoon and evening, there could be a very low risk for tornadoes. Storms may develop along the I-30/I-57 corridors by around mid-afternoon, continuing to press east and southeast as we get into the evening. Storms will then be at their peak as they approach the Mississippi River, eventually moving out of the state completely between 10 p.m. and midnight. The Arkansas Storm Team will be here monitoring storms closely as we head through the 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 KARK. Intentional violation of free speech Mahmoud Khalil arrest: Bay Area critics say detention of pro-Palestinian activist is a move toward fascism, (sacbee.com, March 11) The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil is about the intentional violation of the First Amendment by the Executive Branch of the federal government, whose express intention was to punish speech with which it disagrees. Khalils political viewpoints are irrelevant, because the administration has arrested him without due process or criminal charge. If Khalils political speech can be punished this way, anyones political speech can be met with the same punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kevin Oeser Roseville Opinion Coexistence, not killing Humane Society petitions to stop bear hunting in California, (sacbee.com, Jan. 20, 2022) Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick claims that Assembly Bill 1038 will reduce human-bear conflict by making bears fear humans and dogs, but hunting with hounds would only be allowed in wilderness areas where bears belong and not in neighborhoods where conflicts occur. In reality, hunting pushes bears into urban areas to escape. This bill is not only deeply unethical, it is based on false claims. Californias black bear population has been stable for a decade. The real issues wildfires and habitat loss call for coexistence, not killing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Devon Barone Homewood Health scare Tuberculosis is back in Kansas. Under RFK Jr., this might be just the beginning, (sacbee.com, March 7) Military officials have said that tuberculosis puts our troops serving around the world at great risk. Why? Because if TB is not stopped, we are all at risk of contracting this disease the leading infectious killer of adults in the world. Congress must invest in child immunization and maternal health investments that have been saving and improving lives for decades. Nick Arena Fresno Young environmentalists Trumps hiring freeze could impact California firefighting efforts, federal services, (sacbee.com, Jan. 21) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the firefighters who abruptly lost their jobs thanks to President Trumps hiring freeze had been working with Indigenous communities using fire to maintain healthy ecosystems and promote biodiversity, to care for the land. Hopefully, they will carry on. Traditional ecological knowledge could be a part of the public school curriculum from a very early age. Designated tribal members and foresters could utilize their skills in the classroom and in outdoor activities with the children: a practical study of soil nutrition and regeneration as well as history, geography and botany lessons to be learned from the land. This might make children environmentalists. Elizabeth Caffrey Placerville LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) A 20-year-old man and three teens have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with Friday night's shooting at a park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, that left three people dead and 15 others hurt, authorities said Sunday. Tomas Rivas and a 17-year-old male were taken into custody Saturday and a second 17-year-old male and a 15-year-old male were arrested Sunday, according to a statement from the city of Las Cruces. Each could face a murder charge and additional charges were pending, the statement said. It wasn't known Sunday if the defendants had attorneys. A message was sent to the public defender's office in Dona Ana County inquiring whether its attorneys were representing them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gunfire erupted shortly around 10 p.m. Friday at Young Park, where an altercation broke out after an unauthorized car show had drawn about 200 people to the park in the desert city, police said. Nine male and six female gunshot victims ranging in age from 16 to 36 were treated there or taken to hospitals. Andrew Madrid, 16, and Jason Gomez, 18, died at the scene and Dominick Estrada, 19, died later at a hospital, according to the city statement. Authorities were seeking video from the park and tips from those present as the investigation continued Sunday. Officials said the police and fire departments, along with community groups, would provide support for victims and their family members from Sunday through Tuesday at the Las Cruces Convention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crisis counseling, spiritual counseling and connecting victims with local resources and financial assistance will be provided, the city statement said. Anybody impacted by this tragedy is encouraged to attend. Between 50 and 60 handgun casings were scattered across a wide swath of the park, Police Chief Jeremy Story said Saturday, suggesting there were multiple shooters and multiple weapons. Fire Chief Michael Daniels said 11 patients were sent to three local hospitals or the regional trauma center, University Medical Center of El Paso. As of Saturday, he said, seven victims were in El Paso, four had been treated and released and the conditions of the other four were not known. Local police were being assisted by New Mexico State Police, the Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office, the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Story acknowledged that illegal car shows at Young Park are not uncommon and that the police presence has been larger in the past. Understaffing on Friday, he said, meant he had no units available for most of the night. U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, who represents the district where the shooting occurred, said he hopes local authorities can work together to support the car community and improve public security in the park. Because clearly, what we saw at Young Park was a chaotic event, a lawless event, where folks were not only in danger from firearms, but people were in danger from being run over from the cars that were spinning out in the parking lot, Vasquez said during a news conference Sunday. Las Cruces sits on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert along the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico, about 40 miles (70 kilometers) from the U.S.-Mexico border. One of MSNBC s top pundits lost the plot after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said only fraudsters would complain about delayed Social Security payments. You arrogant SOB! Michael Steele roared on Sundays broadcast of The Weekend. You insensitive lug! How dare you?! How dare you?! he raged on. Speaking on the All In podcast on Thursday, Lutnick described a scenario in which his 94-year-old mother-in-law had not received her monthly Social Security check. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She wouldnt call and complain, Lutnick said. She just wouldnt. Shed think something got messed up, and shell get it next month. A fraudster always makes the loudest noise, screaming, yelling, and complaining, Lutnick added. Lutnick remarks come amid mounting concerns over the future of Social Security, which Elon Musk described as the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time. No stranger to outbursts, Steele expressed outrage at Lutnicks comments in light of his personal wealth, which has been estimated at roughly $4 billion. Your mamas not going to work because if youre any kind of a decent son, youre going to cover that month, he said. There are a lot of mothers out there who dont have that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean, this is the arrogance right now in America, Steele went on, actively encouraging viewers to unelect any representative who go after Social Security. If they align with that thinking, they do not deserve to be in public office, period! he added. Take control of this situation, and unelect these people who think like that. 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 plans to announce a new candidate for district superintendent in April, acting board president Denise McGrew-Kane wrote in a statement Thursday. The search was scheduled to be complete by March but plans changed after trustees decided not to hire their controversial pick for the job at Tuesdays board meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, trustees will take another month to reconsider their options. The board acknowledges that this process has been challenging, McGrew-Kane wrote. Despite those challenges, we seek to unite the Atascadero Unified School District and desire to move forward in a collaborative and trusting spirit. Board is not launching a new search, trustee says The search for a new candidate was conducted by executive search firm Leadership Associates, which the board chose partially for its ability to cast a wider net when searching for an eligible hire, trustees said during a Nov. 5 meeting when the firm was approved. The firms search cost about $25,000, according to a presentation during the boards Oct. 15 meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the conclusion of the search, the school board announced that E.J. Rossi the districts current assistant superintendent of educational services was the best option for its top administrative position. But parents and staff soon pushed back, as past allegations that Rossi misappropriated money in the San Ardo Union School District resurfaced. At Tuesdays meeting, the board announced it would not move forward with Rossis hire after hearing the communitys feedback. Parents, staff united to protest controversial Atascadero superintendent pick. And it worked Rossi was one of 25 candidates who applied for the job, according to McGrew-Kanes announcement. Six applicants were interviewed, and two finalists were chosen. Trustees will now look back to that pool for a new candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board wants to ensure the community understands we are not reopening or starting a new search, she wrote. The board cannot make the applications public due to privacy concerns, according to the statement. She added that the original search followed industry standard best practices, as well as school board policy. McGrew-Kane also indicated that the district received plenty of feedback during the search process, including survey responses from at least 748 community members. The boards goal at the outset of the search was to find the best possible candidate for the job, and that remains true, she wrote. The selection of the superintendent of the Atascadero Unified School District is a serious and important decision, and the board takes its responsibility to make the right choice very seriously. We know how critical this choice is for the community and we know it is important that we get this right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGrew-Kane added that trustees hope to usher in a smooth transition between outgoing superintendent Tom Butler, who will retire later this year, and the new selection. She emphasized the Atascadero districts close-knit, small-town atmosphere. The board wants to honor the traditions established in Atascadero Unified while also recognizing that new leadership brings new opportunity, she wrote, The board hopes to build trust, encourage community and collaboration, and grow from a strong, stable foundation in Atascadero Unified School District. McGrew-Kane encouraged the community to continue providing input throughout the coming weeks. She said an update on the search process will be provided at an upcoming meeting. Want to participate in the selection process? Parents who want to offer the district their feedback can contact board members at their district emails or phone numbers, which are listed on the boards website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next school board meeting is scheduled for April 1 at 7 p.m at Santa Margarita Elementary School, according to the last board agenda. Those who want to speak to the board can fill out public comment cards ahead of the meeting. The meetings can also be watched on the districts Youtube channel. LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Athens-Limestone County Public Library Board of Trustees released a statement Saturday to clear up reports of inappropriate material shown in the youth sections of the library. According to the Board of Trustees for the library, there is a report going around that there are non-age-appropriate materials in the youth sections of the Athens-Limestone County Public Library. Authorities responded to high-speed chase leading to overheated vehicle, field fire off Pulaski Pike Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement released Saturday states that, before the tenure of Vicki Hereford on the board, a parent reached out and emailed unsolicited graphic images from a book called Lets Talk About It. The board said this book is a graphic novel format marketed to teens and said, in the email to Hereford, that the parent acknowledged that the library did not own a copy of the book. The board of trustees said other news articles said the parent mentioned another book called Its Perfectly Normal, but the board said the email to Hereford did not mention that book. The board did acknowledge that the library had a copy of this book but that it was shelved in the adult collection because of its purchase in 2010. While the book advertises on its cover that it is for age 10 and up, because of the images and material in the book, the library believed it was inappropriate for that age level and placed it in the adult section, the Board of Trustees said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities respond to early morning house fire on Ryland Pike You can read the full statement released Saturday by the board below. Athens-Limestone County Public Library Board of Trustees The Athens-Limestone County Public Library and its board of trustees are committed to the common-sense proposition, shared by the vast majority of citizens in Limestone County, that only age-appropriate materials be located in the youth sections of our library. Any reports that suggest otherwise are dead wrong. The ALCPL Board of Trustees is and always has been made up of Athens and Limestone County citizens appointed by the local governments. All the board members meet this qualification. Newly appointed board member Vicki Herefords qualifications also include an extensive, professional background in finance and academia, and she is known across our community as a conservative mother of three now-grown sons. She is a welcome addition to the board and we look forward to her championing a conservative approach to decisions concerning library operations and materials purchased for children. Before Ms. Herefords tenure as a board member began, a concerned parent emailed unsolicited graphic images from a book called Lets Talk About It, a book in graphic novel format marketed to teens. The parents email acknowledged that Athens-Limestone County Public Library does not own a copy of this book. That is correct, and there are no plans for our library to ever have a copy of this book. The images sent to Ms. Hereford were very sexually graphic. Ms. Hereford was disturbed by opening an email to see these unsolicited graphic images and she replied by insisting that the parent not send her those kinds of images. Some news articles have mentioned another book called Its Perfectly Normal. The parents emails to Ms. Hereford never mentioned that book and never sent images from that book. The library owns a copy of Its Perfectly Normal, and it has been shelved in the adult collection since it was purchased in 2010. While the book advertises on its cover that it is for age 10 and up, because of the images and material in the book, the library believed it was inappropriate for that age level and placed it in the adult section. The selection of materials for the library is an on-going process guided by the principle that the collection reflects our communitys beliefs, standards, growth and diversity. The library has clear policies and procedures to help guide purchasing and placement decisions, and it takes positive action to continually review and evaluate its Childrens and Young Adult collection to ensure the collection aligns with current guidelines set by the Alabama Public Library Service. Craig Beasley Chairman In the ALCPL materials selection process information guide, page 16 is titled Materials Selection Reconsideration Procedures. Latest Headlines You can read the full ALCPL Materials Selection Process guide below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3-Materials-Selection-Reconsideration-Process-ALCPLDownload In this section, the library says it supports the principles of intellectual freedom in the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. The Board of Trustees has endorsed the policy that while any one individual is free to reject any books or materials that dont meet their individual approval, this right of individual censorship cannot be used to restrict the freedom of other individuals to read the materials they choose. The Library will make efforts to properly categorize materials in such a way that certain materials as stated herein are not placed in Juvenile or Young Adult sections, however, the responsibility for the choice of library material for minors rests with their parents or legal guardians, the section reads. The section then says that those who are in good standing with the library can request that materials be withdrawn or reconsidered. The section says that pieces of work will then be evaluated as a whole, not by excerpts taken out of context. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOOKING FOR THE EXTENDED FORECAST? Click here to learn how to download the Live Alert 19 app The ALCPL materials selection process information guide also said that something will not be removed or relocated without proof that the item violates the ALCPL Material Selection Policy. An item in the collection will not be removed or relocated at the request of anyone who disagrees with the content or format unless it can be proved that the item is in violation of the Athens-Limestone County Public Library Material Selection Policy or by final judgments or rulings by a court of competent jurisdiction, the guidelines say. To request that material be reconsidered by the library, a member can fill out a citizens request for reconsideration of library material form found below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3-Materials-Selection-Reconsideration-Process-FORMDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mar. 22LIMA Members of the Kiwanis Club of Lima will meet at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 25 at the Milano Cafe, 2383 Elida Road, Lima. In honor of Disabilities Week, the Kiwanis-sponsored Aktion Club will provide the program, updating members on this year's activities. A worldwide organization with more than 6,433 adults with disabilities involved, the Aktion Club is a club for adults with disabilities, who like to do service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are over 30 Aktion clubs in the Ohio District Kiwanis, with more being chartered. Projects range from fundraising for disadvantaged families, to cleaning up parks, to packing senior boxes at the West Ohio Food Bank. For more information on the event, contact Mille Hughes with the Kiwanis Club of Lima at 419-236-1800 or via email at mhugs25@gmail.com. Featured Local Savings From 7-8 p.m. Thursday, April 3, Augustana College will present the Stone Lectureship in Judaism hosted by Amy K. Milligan, Ph.D., at the Olin Center Auditorium, 733 35th St., Rock Island. The lecture is free and open to the public. To watch the live stream as well and for more information, click here. The presentation will talk about the history of Jewish life in Selma, Alabama. Speaker Milligan will talk about the narratives retold by the community and explore complex history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milligan is the Batten Endowed Associate Professor of Jewish Studies and Womens Gender Studies and the director of the institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding at Old Dominion University. She is the author of two books about Jewish culture and history. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The state agency responsible for protecting children has been accused of negligence after the death of a 1-year-old boy who in May 2023 was left in a hot car in Puyallup. Steven Kopp of Graham died in the parking lot of MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital his foster mothers workplace after he was forgotten in the back seat for roughly nine hours during a day when temperatures hovered in the 70s, according to a lawsuit filed March 14 in Pierce County Superior Court. The complaint alleges that the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), which oversees foster care in the state, placed the boy in a neglectful home which DCYF knew or should have known posed dangers to his health and safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It claimed that DCYF received information indicating the potential occurrence of abuse and neglect at the foster home and breached its duty to protect the child by failing to remove him. The suit on behalf of the childs estate, identifying him by his initials, was filed by a lawyer representing the estate. An attorney for the plaintiff couldnt be reached Friday to discuss the case and expand on the claims. Offered an opportunity to respond to the allegations, DCYF spokesperson Nancy Gutierrez said Thursday the agency wouldnt comment on pending litigation. While the lawsuit raises safety concerns about the boys foster home, his death was ruled an accident by the Pierce County Medical Examiners Office, and prosecutors declined to press charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no concern that the foster mother will commit this type of act again herself, and criminalizing her tragic mistake will not deter others from making similar future mistakes, Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mary Robnett said in July 30 memo, also noting that a conviction was unlikely based on the circumstances and prior precedent. Robnett said that she was certain that the boy was left in the car unknowingly and that the boys 47-year-old foster mother had taken full responsibility. She was exhausted, recovering from COVID-19 and anxious about her new job as a case manager at the time of the incident, according to the memo. On her way to work, she dropped off multiple kids at different locations and planned to take Steven to daycare, the memo said, adding that a change in routine, anxiety over being late to her job and distraction from colleagues in the parking lot each played a role. Puyallup police responded to a 911 call at the hospital shortly after 6 p.m., The News Tribune previously reported. Interviews with the boys foster parents were heartbreaking, the memo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first-time foster parents received their license in May 2022, according to the lawsuit. Although theyre identified in the filing, The News Tribune isnt naming them because they werent charged with a crime. The suit alleged that DCYF didnt act on issues that were purportedly present after the couple was licensed. Over the course of the following year, the (foster parents) repeatedly demonstrated a lack of familiarity with procedures and requirements of foster care under Washington Law, violated health and safety protocols for the care of a foster child, and showed clear signs of exhaustion and burn-out as well as a lack of communication, all concerning child safety factors that were known to DCYF yet ignored by DCYF, the suit said. The complaint is seeking unspecified damages to be proven at trial and legal fees, among other awards. Mar. 22Photographer Unknown, East Side School/Lincoln, Linda Oster Researcher The East Side School pictured was built in 1884, near the middle of the block between East Fifth and East Sixth Avenues, where the present day Cathedral Squares Apartments are located. The school's name was later changed to Lincoln School. It was decided in 1907 to build a new High School; the new High School was to sit at the location of Lincoln School. Consequently, Lincoln School was moved to the northwest corner of the block and some rooms were used to house some of the Senior High programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Aug. 11, 1933, it was voted that the Lincoln School be abandoned for the coming year and the teachers transferred to other schools. In 1934 the Lincoln building was remodeled into offices for the superintendent, clerk and some high school classes. The administration was on the north side of the first floor and high school students would enter through the south entrance to the area where the band practiced on the south side of the first floor. Shorthand and Typing classes were held on the second floor and Journalism was in the basement. The old Lincoln School building was razed in 1963 and the Administrative Offices were moved to the old Post Office building at Fourth Avenue and Lawler Street. Another move put the Administrative Offices at the Mitchell Middle School. Today, Mitchell School District 17-2 offices are located at 821 N. Capital. According to The National Center for Educational Statistics for the 2023-2024 school year the Mitchell School District has nine schools with a staff of 390.19 and a student count of 2,711. It was a child's drawing the kind of sweet, simple sketch you hang on the refrigerator but something about the family portrait was off. The heights and the adult-to-offspring ratio didn't line up, so Eric Swalwell asked his daughter, "Who are all these people?" "That's Mr. Darly," the kindergartner replied, naming the security escort who's been a presence, looking out for the Democratic congressman, his wife and their three small children, for roughly her entire life. The bodyguard has grown so familiar to the 6-year-old she now considers him part of the Swalwell family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadly, frightfully, that's where we are as a country under the vengeful presidency of Donald Trump and the bludgeoning fist of his malign henchman, Elon Musk: a place where protection is needed because vocal political opposition can lead to physical endangerment. It's not only skewed the perspective of Swalwell's middle child, but cowed some of his fellow lawmakers those elected to supposedly advise, consent and exercise their best judgment into silence and submission. Swalwell hears it privately from some of his Republican colleagues on Capitol Hill. Read more: Barabak: Elon Musk brought a Silicon Valley mindset to Trump's Washington. It's been a disaster He once thought their greatest fear was a stiff primary challenge and the possibility heaven forfend of losing reelection. But, no, he said, it's deeper and more primal than that. They fear personal reprisal and possible violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Their spouses are telling them, 'Don't do this. Don't be the tallest poppy in the field,' because when you do this to your family, everything becomes more uncomfortable. Going to church, going to the country club. Your kids are going to be harassed in school," Swalwell said. "They don't care about losing their job. They just don't want a bull's-eye on their family." The 44-year-old former criminal prosecutor has represented a moderately well-off slice of the East Bay suburbs Fremont, Livermore, Pleasanton among them for the last dozen years. He waged an upstart bid for president in 2019, the signal moment coming in an early debate when he challenged Joe Biden by recalling his first run for president in 1988, when Swalwell was himself a child. The 40-something Biden was correct back then, Swalwell cheekily suggested, when he said it was time for Democratic elders "to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans." "He's still right today," Swalwell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im still holding onto that torch, Biden replied and the rest is, well, you know what happened. Don't be too surprised if Swalwell makes another try for the White House in 2028. Meantime, he's working to rally dispirited Democrats ahead of next year's midterm election and continuing his pushback against Trump and Musk, all while under protective watch almost entirely paid for, it should be noted, with campaign funds and not taxpayer dollars. Swalwell, a centrist compared with many in California's congressional delegation, earned the enduring enmity of the president and his followers during the first Trump administration, when the congressman was a constant presence and unrelenting critic on social media and the cable TV circuit. He gaveled the House into session on Jan. 6, 2021, and served as one of nine impeachment managers holding Trump to account for inciting the mob that overran the Capitol that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Swalwell's account, he has spent well over $1 million on personal security over the past few years. That's on top of other added expenses: enhanced security systems at his home, the necessary use of metal detectors at town hall meetings and while appearing in the districts of other lawmakers. He's received countless death threats against himself and his family. He's been physically accosted. A suspicious package arrives at his home just about monthly. "That's concerning," Swalwell said, "because it's demonstrating that they know where you live." Two years ago, on a family trip through the Midwest, the congressman and his son were deliberately sneezed on at a Chipotle restaurant. He tries to shield his children from politics and the unhinged passions of the moment. "I don't want to poison his mind and make him worry about things a little kid shouldn't worry about," Swalwell said of his eldest child, now 7. "Oh, that," he explained to the boy, after they wiped away the respiratory residue. "That was a weird guy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, reality can't help but impinge on daily life. The lawmaker's kids are no longer allowed to play outside in their front yard. Too much risk. Anyone old enough to have lived through the Clinton administration, the George W. Bush years or Barack Obama's time in the White House knows that rubbed-raw political feelings are nothing new. But there's a qualitative difference with a spiteful, foul-mouthed, score-settling president leading by acrid example. Unfortunately, "more and more people believe that the means to political power can ... be achieved through either violence or the threat of violence," Swalwell said. Read more: Barabak: With friends like Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk, Newsom may talk himself to political death Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He's grown a bit jaded, having lived under constant menace for some time now. "The alternative, just hiding under the bed, is not really productive," Swalwell said. But not everyone in his family is quite so ready to shrug off the danger. Over lunch recently in his district, Swalwell recounted a conversation with his father. The congressman has a close and loving relationship with his parents, despite their pro-Trump sentiments. ("We have a rule since I showed up in 2016, and there were a lot of red hats at our family Thanksgiving. My mom said, 'No more hats.'") After seeing him repeatedly attacked on Fox News, Swalwell's father called him and asked, "'Can't you just lay low and stop talking about this guy? ... I'm really worried that something's going to happen to your kids.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swalwell took a bite of his chicken pita wrap. He told how his father, a police chief in small-town Iowa, was fired because he stood up to the local good-old-boy network, refusing, on principle, to brook their petty tyrannies. It's why, Swalwell said, his family moved West, eventually settling in Northern California. "I told him, 'Dad, everything, every way I respond, is what I learned from you as a police officer.' " It's an example his own kids may appreciate someday. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. German multinational chemical company BASF has commissioned that country's largest proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer. The company said the 54-MW facility will have an annual capacity of as much as 8,000 metric tons of hydrogen. The electrolyzer is located at BASF's Ludwigshafen site. It is designed to produce zero-carbon hydrogen, using electricity from renewable energy resources, with capacity to supply the main plant at the site with up to one metric ton of chemical feedstock each hour. BASF commissioned the facility on March 17, two years after the start of construction. The water electrolyzer was built in cooperation with Siemens Energy. BASF officials in a news release said the electrolyzer "is embedded in the production and infrastructure at the Ludwigshafen site, making it truly unique in terms of its interface and integration into a chemical production environment." The system includes 72 stacks, which are the modules in which the actual electrolysis process takes place. Officials said the electrolyzer has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at BASF's main plant by up to 72,000 metric tons per year. [caption id="attachment_231267" align="alignnone" width="640"] The individual electrolyzer modules are linked to each other and to the H2 network at the Ludwigshafen site in three so-called arrays. Source: BASF SE[/caption] BASF said that after it's produced, the hydrogen is fed into the site's hydrogen Verbund network and distributed to the production facilities as a raw material. BASF, in addition to using it as a feedstock for chemical products, plans to supply hydrogen for mobility in the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region, supporting the development of a hydrogen economy in the area. Supporting Climate Targets "The commissioning of the electrolyzer makes it possible for us to support our customers in achieving their climate targets by offering them products with a lower carbon footprint," said Katja Scharpwinkel, a member of BASF's executive board and the site director at Ludwigshafen. "At the same time, we are gaining experience at our largest Verbund site with the integration and operation of a system that brings us another step closer to transforming our main plant in Ludwigshafen. We welcome the fact that the federal government and state government have recognized the importance of this technology and provided us with significant support toward the projects implementation." Katrin Eder, Rhineland-Palatinates state minister for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, and Mobility, said, "BASF has embarked on an ambitious path to net zero. In addition to progressively increasing its generation of electricity and process heat from renewable energies, the company also plans to use renewable raw materials as alternatives to the fossil energy sources currently employed, such as natural gas. Designed to produce green hydrogen as a raw material, the new electrolyzer at the Ludwigshafen location represents an important milestone and supports the achievement of Rhineland-Palatinates climate protection targets." [caption id="attachment_231268" align="alignnone" width="640"] A worker inspects equipment during a plant tour through the new electrolysis plant. Source: BASF SE[/caption] Several agencies have supported the project. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, in cooperation with the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, provided funding of up to 124.3 million ($135.2 million) for the construction of the plant, with 37.3 million ($40.6 million) of that financed by the government of Rhineland-Palatinate. BASF's investment in the project amounts to about 25 million ($27.2 million). The project, called Hy4CHem, was selected as part of the IPCEI Hydrogen expression of interest procedure and subsequently funded as an individual project. [caption id="attachment_231269" align="alignnone" width="640"] The heart of the electrolyzer facility at the Ludwigshafen site comprises a total of 72 stacks. Source: BASF SE[/caption] Alexander Schweitzer, minister-president of Rhineland-Palatinate, said, "The commissioning of the electrolyzer at BASF for the production of green hydrogen is a milestone for the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, and Europe and an important commitment of BASF to its technology and production site in Ludwigshafen. With the Hy4Chem project, BASF is impressively demonstrating how the transformation of the energy-intensive chemical industry can succeedinnovatively, sustainably, and internationally competitively. As the state government, we support this process with up to 37.3 million because we are convinced that hydrogen plays a key role in decarbonizing and securing our industrial jobs. Today's inauguration sends a strong signal for a climate-neutral future and strengthens Ludwigshafen as a business location." "I am delighted that the federal governments efforts to support the hydrogen economy in Germany are bearing fruit," said Udo Philipp, state secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. "A flagship project for the integration of hydrogen into a chemical production site has become a reality at the Ludwigshafen site. It is the largest project of its kind in Germany to date, making it an important pioneer as we strive to achieve our climate targets. Through this collaboration, BASF is demonstrating what decarbonization of the industrial sector can look like in practice and inspiring further technological progress. Hydrogen previously has primarily been produced at the Ludwigshafen site through the use of natural gas-based steam reforming, or as a coupling product and by-product. Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER. Mar. 22Bemidji Chamber Ambassadors recently congratulated Circle K on the opening of their new business located at Norris Ct. NW, Bemidji. Circle K is a global convenience store chain offering fuel, snacks, fresh food, beverages, essentials and rewards. At the ribbon cutting during their grand opening, patrons enjoyed spinning the wheel to win free cookies, beverages and more, along with lowered gas prices. As part of the celebration, Circle K also made a generous donation to the Paul Bunyan Chapter of Fishing Has No Boundaries, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing inclusive fishing opportunities for anglers with disabilities. RELATED VIDEO: Beloved Benton County detective laid to rest (Dec. 28, 2022) BENTON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) The Benton County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) announced the dedication of a memorial highway in honor of Detective Paul Newell, who lost his life while on duty. According to a post from the BCSO on Mar. 21, a stretch of road has officially been named Detective Paul Newell Memorial Highway. Fayetteville police, sheriffs office host Special Olympics fundraiser Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detective Paul Newell, 51, of Gravette, was killed in a crash on Dec. 17, 2022, while escorting the Wreaths Across America procession. He had served with the BCSO for 24 years. This memorial is a symbol of the lasting impact Detective Newell had on all of ushis courage, his heart for justice, and the lives he touched, BCSO said in a Facebook post. We will forever remember his legacy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. For more from Ross Coulthart on the JFK assassination and other stories the media is supposedly not meant to tell, watch his series, Reality Check, on YouTube now. (NewsNation) The latest release of formerly classified files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy are mostly, according to investigative journalist Ross Coulthart, a nothing-burger. Coulthart believes its likely there isnt anything the government can do to dispel conspiracy theories related to the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JFK assassination files: Read them here Frankly, I do think there are arguments that are worthy of investigation, that there should be a broader investigation into claims that there were multiple shooters and the unanswered questions surrounding the forensics in the Warren Commission that have only recently come to light, said Coulthart. JFK files release does show transparency from Trump: Coulthart The long-awaited file release has so far yielded little new information. Despite hopes that the files might contain groundbreaking details, early reviews suggest much of the material has been previously available in some form. Coulthart believes it is unlikely that any revelation about the killing of a president would be found written in a government document, let alone allowed in the National Archives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a bit naive of us to expect to think that there might have been something in those files suggesting some kind of CIA conspiracy, he said. Why would they put it in writing? Coulthart, however, believes President Donald Trumps decision to release the remaining files shows a degree of transparency not seen in previous administrations. That truly is an extraordinary achievement and a great moment in accountability and transparency, he said. Biggest takeaway from JFK files? Coulthart believes that the most evident takeaway in the files is the CIAs failures. Declassified: The JFK Assassination The history of the CIA, sadly, is one of an intelligence agency that has, frankly, missed so much. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Lawmakers voted to move forward with a bill that could ease the childcare crisis in Oklahoma. It would give companies a tax credit for helping workers with solutions to childcare. House Bill 1848 easily passed through the House on March 12 and will now head to the Senate side for consideration, but, it will face some challenges. The bill, co-authored by Rep. Suzanne Schreiber (D-Tulsa) of the House and Sen. Kristen Thompson (R-Edmond) of the Senate, would give employers a tax credit that they can use in three ways; provide child care onsite, give money to workers to cover part of the cost, or work with a licensed daycare center to reserve spots for the companys employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Stitt calls to extend the cap on Parental Choice Tax Credit Oklahoma-based company, Simple Modern, is on board with the program. We dont pretend to think that this stipend covers everything, but we think that it helps, and we want it to help, said Jon Kuhlman, Chief Culture Officer for Simple Modern. Thats the main goal behind why we do it. Simple Modern employs 110 people. Child care is just so expensive that we just felt like it was something we really wanted to do to show our support for families who are balancing the desire to be healthy parents, a good parent, a supportive parent, but also who have career ambitions, said Kuhlman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Schreiber tried to pass a similar law last session. We need to take it seriously, said Schreiber in September while the bill was running through the legislature. But it failed in the final stretch. If House Bill 1848 becomes law, it would give tax credits of $30,000 per worker, spread over five years, to help cover the cost of child care. There would be a cap of $5 million per year. Those lawmakers questioning the bill said the focus should be on trimming the states budget which was one of Governor Kevin Stitts priorities this session. Schreiber said it would be money well spent because it would strengthen Oklahomas workforce while tackling a major crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were addressing an economic issue, said Schreiber. We need a workforce. Theres many families that have a single parent that may need to go to work that dont have a choice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mar. 23New Mexico lawmakers filed nearly 1,200 bills during the 60-day legislative session that ended Saturday at noon. A total of 194 of those bills ultimately passed both legislative chambers. Some have already been signed or vetoed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, but most will have their fates decided by the April 11 bill signing deadline. Here's a look at what bills passed and which fell short at the Roundhouse. Measures marked with an asterisk (*) are already signed into law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crime/Public safety Passed Allow judges to impose longer prison sentences for fentanyl trafficking.* Change how courts handle criminal cases involving defendants deemed incompetent.* Increase penalty for school shooting threats.* Expand state's red flag gun law to allow law enforcement officers to initiate petitions.* Establish a turquoise alert system for missing Native American individuals. Expand racketeering crimes. Failed Assault weapon ban. Enhance criminal penalties for violent juvenile offenders. Make it easier to hold certain defendants in jail pending trial. Repeal firearm sale waiting period. Make fentanyl trafficking a first-degree felony punishable by a life sentence. Increase penalties for felons convicted of firearm possession. Education Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Passed Require schools adopt student cellphone policies. Ensure local school choice on school year length (vetoed). Increase starting teacher salaries to $55,000 per year. Protect Spanish language and culture. Allow tribal regalia at graduation ceremonies.* Expand the state's higher education nondiscrimination policy. Change how the state calculates eligibility for public service loan forgiveness. Require defibrillators in high schools. Failed Restrict participation in single-sex sports. Provide free condoms in secondary and higher education institutions. Create an Anti-Hazing Act. Replace the Public Education Commission with an elected and appointed state school board. Require a nominating list for higher education regent selection. Codify an Office of Special Education. Health/family Passed Create state-run psilocybin program for medical patients. Overhaul state mental health and substance abuse treatment system.* Create an Office of the Child Advocate to oversee the Children, Youth and Families Department.* Exempt public abortion providers' information from public records requests. Establish volunteering doula credential process.* Create a Medicaid trust fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Failed Create a state-run paid leave program for workers funded by mandatory employer and employee contributions. Limit attorney fees in medical malpractice cases. Impose a 6% surtax on liquor sales. Set minimum staffing-to-patient ratios for hospitals. Join interstate health care compacts. Environment Passed Overhaul the Department of Game and Fish and increase hunting license fees.* Funds to achieve net-zero emissions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Require toxic chemical warning labels for some products. Create wildfire suppression and post-wildfire funds. Establish the Strategic Water Supply Act to fund brackish water projects. Give the state more authority to protect waters. Failed Codify limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Allow schools to replace buses with clean energy buses. Ban single-use plastic bags. Pass Green Amendment enshrining environmental protections in state Constitution. Increase coverage limits for last-resort fire insurance premiums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Energy Passed Raise maximum oil and gas royalty rates in the Permian Basin. Allow investor-owned utilities to implement low-income utility rate programs. Create a local solar access fund. Fund abandoned mine cleanup.* Fund geothermal projects.* Allow utilities to recover costs from expanding the capacity of existing transmission lines.Repurpose depleted oil and gas wells. Create a regulatory framework for carbon sequestration. Failed Increase penalties for Oil and Gas Act violations. Restrict oil and gas operations within a mile of schools. Retract zero-emission vehicle sales rules. Establish a Consumer Solar Protection Act. Provide tax credits for quantum projects. Economy/Taxes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Passed Give state agency law enforcement power over state cannabis industry. Expand existing property tax exemptions for veterans.* Eliminate personal income taxes for an additional 101,000 New Mexicans. Provide tax credits and breaks for foster parents and health care practitioners. Invest in site readiness efforts. Increase attorney fees and employer advance discovery costs in workers' compensation cases.* Failed Completely eliminate state's personal income tax. Change the tax valuation for multifamily housing. Provide tax credit for local news outlets. Establish annual $500 per taxpayer rebate through 2033. Prohibit ticket scalping at more public events. Exempt tips from state income tax. Government/Elections Passed Allow voters to decide if governor should have to give reason for bill vetoes. Require lobbyists or their employees to disclose bill stances. Permit independent voters not to vote in primary elections without changing their party affiliation. Change state's insurance plan for state employee health care premiums. Establish independent election procedures for conservancy districts.* Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Failed Create independent commission to set salary levels for legislators. Change length of legislative sessions. Require driver's license or MVD photo ID to vote. Make Election Day a state holiday. Create a DOGE-inspired office to identify fraud, waste and abuse at a state level. Create a Reduction of Grocery Costs Commission. Create regulatory Artificial Intelligence Act. Make changes to state's public records law. Immigration/Labor Passed Require that projects funded by industrial revenue bonds comply with state prevailing wage laws. Prohibit state employees from disclosing individuals' immigration status or other sensitive personal information. Allow people with authorization to work in the U.S. to work in law enforcement. Failed Increase state's $12 per-hour minimum wage. Ban federal civil immigration detainment in state. Add more members to the New Mexico Border Authority. Create new state border security office. Create a reimbursement fund for local government costs incurred by state and federal border matters. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Gov. Vic Atiyeh was the most recent Republican governor in Oregon, serving as governor from 1979 to 1987. He was the first elected U.S. governor of Middle Eastern descent, with his parents emigrating from Syria and Lebanon. For years, he also ran the familys carpet business. Atiyeh is credited with helping turn tourism into a viable Oregon industry and he opened up trade between Oregon and the rest of the world, especially Asia. Nicknamed Trader Vic, theres a statue of Atiyeh in the international concourse of Portland International Airport. He died in 2014 at the age of 91. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pacific University political science professor Jim Moore has just released the definitive biography of Gov. Atiyeh, called ATIYEH: Governor Vic Atiyeh and the Transformation of Oregon. Moore is also the political outreach director of the Tom McCall Center for Civic Engagement and hes been a frequent analyst on local politics over the years. Moore returned to Eye on Northwest Politics to discuss the book and Gov. Atiyehs contributions to Oregon. Watch the full interview in the video above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Birmingham Police Department is investigating a shooting that killed one person and injured two others, including a 12-year-old. At around 9:35 p.m. Friday, South Precinct officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard on report of a person shot. Officers arrived on the scene, where they discovered an adult male victim lying in a backyard in the 300 block of Iota Avenue, suffering from a gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel transported the victim to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The victim, identified as Dorian Jackson, 20, of Birmingham, was pronounced dead Saturday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birmingham man dead after relative allegedly shot him Two additional victims, an adult female and a 12-year-old male, arrived at Princeton Hospital via private vehicle. The juvenile suffered life-threatening injuries. According to the BPD, a preliminary investigation suggests the three victims traveled to the location to meet someone when they were all shot, possibly while inside the vehicle. No one is in custody at this time. Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact the BPD Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Bitcoin holder Mara Holdings recently acquired a wind farm in Texas to help power a portion of its cryptocurrency operations. The company plans for the renewable energy source to lower its bitcoin production costs with "near zero" energy prices and help address the massive energy needs of bitcoin mining. Mara Holdings is the world's second-largest publicly traded corporate bitcoin holder, as detailed by CoinDesk. According to the Feb. 18 report, MARA Holdings had 45,659 bitcoin (BTC) on its balance sheet roughly worth a whopping $3.8 billion. These values increased somewhat by mid-March. The wildly profitable company recently acquired the Hansford County, Texas, wind farm to help power its energy-hungry bitcoin mining operation. As Investopedia explained, bitcoin mining is the process by which cryptocurrency transactions are officially entered into the blockchain ledger. Mining is also the way new bitcoin currency is launched into circulation. But this mining is notorious for requiring massive amounts of energy, often powered by highly polluting dirty fuels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NerdWallet explained that mining is crucial to the success of bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies. Mining incentivizes users to enter accurate transaction information into the shared ledger that tracks transactions and balances on an underlying blockchain network by offering rewards in the form of bitcoin. Current rewards are 3.125 BTC or about $260,000 plus transaction fees. Mining uses complex cryptography intended to prevent fraud and theft. This is done by powerful single-purpose computers called ASICs, or application-specific integrated circuits, to maximize efficiency. ASICs are often very expensive and require massive amounts of energy to operate. That's why most serious bitcoin mining is generally done by professional organizations like Mara rather than tech-savvy individuals. NerdWallet reported that, as a group, bitcoin miners use more electricity than some entire countries, though with the major miners, a large percentage of that energy is coming through surplus energy or renewable energy, so there isn't a perfect comparison. Still, running an energy-hungry data center of ASICs can have a troublesome environmental impact an impact greatly lessened when using a renewable source rather than a highly polluting dirty fuel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, there's been a big push to transition mining operations to cheaper, more renewable energy sources to help reduce reliance on dirty energy. Possible solutions for bitcoin's energy problem include excess energy deals, solar panels, wave energy, geothermal, and offshore or onshore wind like that now utilized by Mara. But Mara isn't only lowering its reliance on dirty energy with its wind farm acquisition. The company plans to continue using last-generation ASIC mining hardware to power its operations. Without wind farm power, Mara said this hardware would "have otherwise been written off or sold into the secondary market," replaced by more energy-efficient models. With wind power, last-generation ASICs can keep up with newer models, curbing electronic waste. All of that makes the plan a smart one, with the only real downside being that this wind farm purchased in Texas would otherwise be powering the grid. Bitcoin mining companies building their own new renewable infrastructure, or making joint investments with grid operators to do so, will be even better to ensure the percentages of clean energy continue to rise, though it's understandable that the company would want to put its plan into motion as soon as possible. Mara has faced complaints in the state too, though, for noise pollution from one of its other mining centers, including reports of vertigo and hearing loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a press release, the company said it hopes the wind farm acquisition and reuse of otherwise dated ASICs demonstrates Mara's "commitment to environmental stewardship." "With this added renewable energy asset, MARA now owns and operates 136 megawatts of generating capacity," Mara CEO Fred Thiel said in the release. For comparison, one megawatt of commercial wind power would be enough to power close to 350 American homes, based on an estimate from the U.S. Geological Survey. Thiel added: "This acquisition not only extends the economic life of our ASIC miners, but also drives reduction in operational costs, bringing us closer to achieving near net-zero operating costs." 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. Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week in Borderlands: Tariffs could lead Mexico into recession, report says; Echo Global Logistics expands operations in Mexico; Americold acquires logistics facility near Houston; and GM agrees to 10.25% wage increase at Mexican plant. Tariffs could lead Mexico into recession, report says Mexicos economy could be the most affected by an escalating global trade war, leading the nation into a recession by the end of the year, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says in a report. The OECDs Interim Economic Outlook, released Monday, predicted Mexico could fall into a recession with a 1.3% contraction in GDP in 2025. That compares to a GDP growth forecast of 1.2% the OECD estimated in a report released in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The overall picture is one of generalized downgrades partly because of trade uncertainty and economic policy uncertainty, but also the imposition of tariffs, Alvaro Pereira, the OECDs chief economist, said during a news conference on Monday. Were already seeing high trade uncertainty and economic policy uncertainty. This is already having an impact on confidence. We have downgraded almost every single country. The OECD, based in Paris, has 38 member countries including the U.S., Canada and Mexico that promote economic growth and sustainable development through public policies. Its latest economic forecast hinges on the Trump administration going forward with 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as implementing broad reciprocal tariffs on other nations on April 2. The tariffs could sap confidence and add to the downward pressures on corporate and household spending around the world, the OECD said in its latest report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her administration does not anticipate a recession. They think were not going to do anything in the face of an international situation, but we work every day to address that situation. We dont have that expectation because we have a plan and were working to strengthen the economy from the bottom up, Sheinbaum said Wednesday during her daily news conference. As of Thursday, outbound truck volumes out of Laredo, Texas, are up compared to last year but down significantly compared to the same periods in 2023 and 2022, according to the SONAR Outbound Tender Volume Index (OTVI.LRD). The Laredo port of entry is the No. 1 international gateway for trade between the U.S. and Mexico, though it was ranked No. 4 overall in the nation in January, the port of entrys lowest ranking since 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trade at Port Laredo totaled $27.9 billion in January, an 11% year-over-year increase. SONARs Outbound Tender Volume Index for Laredo, Texas, (OTVI.LRD) shows 2025 trucking volumes (blue line) are trending higher compared to 2024 but lower than 2022 and 2023. To learn more about SONAR, click here President Donald Trump has already imposed 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports from all countries, along with a 20% duty on Chinese goods. Canada and Mexico could face broader 25% tariffs on April 2 after a roughly 30-day pause was announced March 6. For the past 17 days, importers werent required to pay tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico that adhered to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Trump has called April 2, when the tariff policy is to be revealed, Liberation Day, and would include broad reciprocal tariffs to match duties that other countries charge on U.S. imports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement April 2nd is Liberation Day in America!!! For DECADES we have been ripped off and abused by every nation in the World, both friend and foe. Now it is finally time for the Good Ol USA to get some of that MONEY, and RESPECT, BACK. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!, Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday. The OECDs growth projection for Canada was also lowered. The forecast is for only a 0.7% increase in GDP in both 2025 and 2026, down from a previous forecast of 2%. Chinas economy will grow by 4.8% this year before slowing to 4.4% in 2026, the OECD said. Growth in the U.S. has also been downgraded: 2.2% expected this year and 1.6% in 2026, down from previous forecasts of 2.4% and 2.1%, respectively. Echo Global Logistics expands operations in Mexico Supply chain services provider Echo Global Logistics has expanded operations in Mexico City to support cross-border customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chicago-based company opened its first office in Mexico City in March 2024 and named Troy Ryley president of Echo Mexico. Were excited to continue to develop our cross-border solutions with the opening of our Mexico City division headquarters, Doug Waggoner, Echos CEO, said in a news release. Echo Global Logistics also has locations in Monterrey, Mexico, and Laredo, Texas. The company now has 29 operations across the U.S. and Mexico. In addition to Laredo, Echo has Texas operations in Houston and Dallas. Americold acquires logistics facility near Houston Atlanta-based Americold has acquired a 10.7 million-cubic-foot cold storage warehouse in Cedar Port Industrial Park in Baytown, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The facility was acquired for $127 million and adds 35,700 pallet positions to Americolds cold storage warehouse portfolio. The catalyst for this acquisition was the award of a large grocery retail contract with one of the worlds largest retailers, George Chappelle, CEO of Americold, said in a news release. Baytown is 29 miles southeast of Houston. Americold (NYSE: COLD) owns and operates 239 temperature-controlled warehouses around the world, and manages approximately 1.4 billion refrigerated cubic feet of storage space internationally. GM agrees to 10.25% wage increase at Mexican plant Mexicos National Independent Union of Automotive Industry Workers announced an agreement for wage increases of up to 10.25% at the General Motors plant in Silao, Mexico, according to El Economista. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Workers in four categories who make up more than 60% of the plants workforce will receive a 10.25% raise, while the remaining 40% will get 9.25%. The GM plant in Silao produces Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks. The factory employs 8,745 workers, according to the union. The 2024 average wage in Mexico for an unskilled factory laborer is around $4.18 per hour, according to Tucson, Arizona-based Tetakawi, a provider of services for foreign manufacturing companies in the country. The post Borderlands Mexico: Tariffs could lead Mexico into recession, report says appeared first on FreightWaves. BOULDER, Colo. (KDVR) It has been four years since the shooting at a Boulder King Soopers. To honor and celebrate the memory of the 10 lives lost, the city held a remembrance at the Museum of Boulder for the families still dealing with the grief. It was an incredibly impactful moment in our citys history. The pain is still fresh. Its not something that were ever going to forget. Were going to be mourning those ten lives for the rest of our lives, said Boulder mayor, Aaron Brockett. Pop-up prom shop in Castle Rock takes financial burden out of dress, suit shopping Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 22, 2021, Boulder lost 10 beloved community members, including a Boulder police officer. Those that were remembered were Denny Stong, 20, Neven Stanisic, 23, Rikki Olds, 25, Tralona Bartkowiak, 49, Suzanne Fountain, 59, Teri Leiker, 51, Boulder Police Officer Eric Talley, 51, 61-year-old Kevin Mahoney; 62-year-old Lynn Murray; and 65-year-old Jody Waters. I think part of it is about honoring the lives lost certainly, said Pam Davis, assistant Boulder city manager. Its about celebrating who those people were and what they represented for this community. The other part of it is to demonstrate to their families and the rest of the community that they mattered to this city and we want to make sure that they know that in perpetuity. The other aspect of the remembrance day was to acknowledge the resiliency of the city. Near the Boulder King Soopers, there are ten trees planted for each of the lives lost in the March 22, 2021 mass shooting (KDVR). The temporary memorial for the shooting victims showcases a plaque and donated flowers (KDVR). Boulder Strong to me means that no matter the scope of the tragedy, even something so terrible as losing those ten community members, that we will always come together and together we can support each other and we can make it through anything, Brockett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The atmosphere at this remembrance day was a little different than in previous years, following the closing of the trial in late 2024 when Ahmad Alissa was given 10 consecutive life sentences for the murders, with an additional 1,334 consecutive years for other charges. I can now take a breath, I can now smile, I can now laugh because that fight is over, said Rikki Olds uncle, Robert. The 20th Judicial District Attorney, Michael Dougherty also said a few words on the trial, hoping it will give the families a little bit of justice. If the jurors were in this room, I would say we all owe you a debt of gratitude, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city said they understand the pain the families continue to face every day and the empty seats at the dinner table, but the city said they hope they know they are standing behind each and every one of the surviving family members, and they have an army standing behind them. This community time and time again has demonstrated that they will show back up, Davis said. It demonstrates that even in the face of a really terrible act, this community answered that with love and with support and thats what makes me proud to stay here and serve this community. Brighton woman asking for community help in clean-up There is a temporary tribute space near the King Soopers at the northwest corner with 10 trees representing the 10 lives lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a development in the work of a potential permanent memorial, but it is anticipated to take several years of conversation with the city, its partners, those directly impacted by the tragedy and the community. Discussions are still in the very early stages and there are no specifics on what a memorial might look like, how much it would cost, where it would be located or the timeline. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Brad Pitt has suffered a legal blow in an ongoing suit filed against him by some of the victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The actor had built homes for these individuals in the wake of the natural disaster, but the homes reportedly developed dangerous mold, leading to the class action they filed. Now, the legal team for these victims has won a motion to obtain vital documents during the discovery stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has also been revealed that Brad Pitt had tried to block having to face deposition, claiming it was impossible due to his filming schedule. Court Orders Brad Pitt And His Legal Team To Hand Over Vital Documents MEGA The legal team for some victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans has been granted their request for vital documents from Brad Pitt and his Make It Right Foundation in an ongoing $20.5 million lawsuit. The victims had sued the Hollywood actor and his nonprofit in a class action some years back, arguing that he built defective houses for them in the wake of the natural disaster. Pitt had spent $12 million through his Make It Right Project to build these homes, which were designed to be ecologically sustainable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, most of the homes have since been overcome by mold and other significant issues that have immensely affected some of the owners. In the meantime, it remains unclear what the exact documents are, but there are reportedly over 70,000 documents plus 30,000 pages of financial information. The homeowners' legal team is now seeking to hire forensic accountants to review these documents ahead of an eventual trial. Brad Pitt Tried To Avoid Deposition MEGA As part of the recent revelations, it became known that Pitt had tried to avoid being deposed. The actor's lawyers had claimed that he had no relevant information to give and that his schedule wouldn't allow him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mr Pitt's motion picture production schedule presents concerns that extend beyond his personal time and attention," the "F1" star's lawyers claimed in filings per The US Sun. "Most notably, Mr Pitt's absence from film production in the event of a deposition could cause major scheduling issues with potential legal and financial consequences for the studio." Pitt's attorneys also argued that an in-person deposition will be costly to the actor if he is forced to appear. "In addition, it is likely Mr Pitt will be on location in Europe over the next several months, meaning that any in-person deposition will involve costly and time-consuming travel," they added. A Status Conference Is Scheduled For Next Month MEGA Although this information about the motion only recently came to light, it was actually filed in April last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, back in June, the presiding judge ruled the motion moot, as the discovery process had yet to be completed. Next up in the lawsuit is a status conference scheduled to take place in the coming month. The conference will likely determine a date for the trial and outline the progress of the case. The Lawsuit Against Brad Pitt Was Almost Settled In 2022 MEGA The legal battle has dragged on to this point after a proposed settlement agreement between the parties collapsed in 2022. At the time, celeb-backed eco-charity Global Green agreed to pay a $20.5 million settlement on behalf of Pitt and his charity organization, but reports later revealed that the intended donors never had such an amount of money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Brad had supported Global Green many years ago, so when they approached his team stating '$20.5M in funding' had been secured by their 'generous donors,' there was interest in considering their proposal," Pitt's rep told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement in 2023. In the statement, the rep also claimed that "Global Green represented themselves as having already obtained these funds" and also promised Pitt that they intended to use it to resolve "all claims in the ongoing lawsuit for the benefit of the homeowners." "It was incredibly surprising for the plaintiffs, the defendants, and their counsel to learn that the funds Global Green claimed multiple times were secured had not in fact been committed or raised," the rep further remarked. Brad Pitt Settled His Divorce From Angelina Jolie After 8 Years MEGA Besides his legal battle with the Hurricane Katrina victims, Pitt still has other legal troubles in his life, particularly his legal feud with his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, over their Chateau Miraval winery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the former Hollywood power couple finally settled their divorce after eight years, as seen in documents filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court on December 30. Although financial records were not disclosed in the documents, the Daily Mail reported that Jolie walked away $80 million richer after dragging Pitt "through the ringer" throughout the lengthy court battle. The movie stars exes are said to be relieved that to have finally ended their divorce, although they still have more legal battles ahead due to their business dispute. Brockton Public Schools has released a statement following Saturday nights fatal shooting at Westgate Mall. According to the Plymouth County District Attorneys office, a 15-year-old male and an 18-year-old female were fatally shot near Starbucks and Chipotle in one of the malls parking lots. One of the victims was a student at Champion High School. Brockton Public Schools has expressed their condolences, saying: We are deeply saddened by the loss of a Champion High School student following an incident of violence in our community yesterday. We are working to support their family however we can and will be making resources available to students and staff grieving this loss. Brockton Public Schools Spokesperson At this time, the identities of the victims have not been released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident remains under investigation by the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office. 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 HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) Crews are battling multiple wildfires across the region on Sunday. According to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, crews are at two uncontained fires in Hawkins and Sullivan counties. 60-acre wildfire contained in Johnson County The Hawkins County brush fire on Hickman Hollow Road was reported to be 25 acres and was 100% contained as of 7:30 p.m. The Hawkins County Rescue Squad and the Stanley Valley Fire Department were called to assist with the fire, the rescue squad said on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier in the day, an 11.67-acre area that is 100% contained was reported on Harris Hollow Road in Hawkins County. The size of the Sullivan County fire spans 15 acres and was 100% contained as of 6:21 p.m., according to Warriors Path Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) Chief Ben Wexler. Wexler said his station received the call to respond at around 1:55 p.m. Sunday and was first on scene 9 minutes after. Other agencies responding to the Sullivan County wildfire include Sullivan County VFD, Avoca VFD, Gray VFD, Fall Branch VFD, Tennessee Department of Forestry, Sullivan County EMS, and the Sullivan County Sheriffs Office. High wind levels and dry conditions in the region increase fire danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes you leave a campfire or something burning, Preston Wright with the Bristol, Virginia Fire Department said. It gets out of hand, or it can be as simple as throwing a cigarette out of a vehicle. In areas such as Washington County, Virginia, debris from Hurricane Helene has increased that risk. Its all over the forest, County Administrator Jason Berry said. Its all over the mountains. So if we have a fire break out, we could really get a big wildfire. Even though a fire may start small, the wind could accelerate the spread. Our whole region is considered under a red flag warning; thats due to our high winds and our dry weather, Wright said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you had an open fire out here in this open area, you could easily carry across the ground, Berry said. High wind conditions caused a controlled burn to spread beyond containment in Washington County on March 14. Additionally, an uncontrolled wildfire caused a house fire in Bristol, Virginia, on Saturday evening. The conditions and recent fires led the city and the county to establish a burn ban. They declared a local state of emergency, Wright said. That being said, theres a complete burn ban against all outside fires so until conditions improve, no campfires or anything like that. While these bans are in place, Wright and Berry encourage the public to be extra careful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You might not be thinking its going to spread as fast as it does, Wright said. But any kind of little burn power can spread rapidly. So the best thing is just dont start a fire, Berry said. Not even a campfire, because even campfires get out of control. As of Sunday, the Virginia Department of Forestry said it and its partnering responders had responded to 17 wildfires, including a 2,875-acre fire spanned through Lee and Scott counties. The department said smoke may continue to be visible while crews work to clear debris. Sullivan County; Photo WJHL Sullivan County; Photo WJHL Sullivan County; Photo WJHL Photo Virginia Department 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. (FOX40.COM) California Attorney General Rob Bonta is warning about a risk to their data from a company that recently reported it was in financial distress. According to the Attorney Generals office, 23andMe said in security filings that there is substantial doubt about the genetic testing-focused companys future. Bonta advised California residents of their right under the Genetic Information Privacy Act and California Consumer Protection Act to request their data held by companies be deleted and genetic materials be destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California has robust privacy laws that allow consumers to take control and request that a company delete their genetic data, Bonta said. Given 23andMes reported financial distress, I remind Californians to consider invoking their rights and directing 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company. Bontas office compiled the following steps to request data be deleted: Log into your 23andMe account on their website. Go to the Settings section of your profile. Scroll to a section labeled 23andMe Data at the bottom of the page. Click View next to 23andMe Data Download your data: If you want a copy of your genetic data for personal storage, choose the option to download it to your device before proceeding. Scroll to the Delete Data section. Click Permanently Delete Data. Confirm your request: Youll receive an email from 23andMe; follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request. The Attorney Generals Office said customers who requested their saliva sample and DNA be stored by 23andMe can change that preference from their account settings page. 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. Mar. 22CANAAN Voters at the annual town meeting Saturday approved a five-year, $1 million bond for road projects, an updated ordinance to restrict medical cannabis businesses, and about $1.88 million in regular town spending for this year. About 100 residents gathered at the Canaan Farmers Hall, approving most of the Select Board's proposals for yearly business in about two hours. Only one article, for town spending, was reduced from the amount proposed on the warrant. Town officials said they recently received new pricing for one item included in the budget that turned out to be about $4,300 lower than expected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is too soon to know how the approved total spending, 10% more than last year, will impact this year's property tax rate, as the Somerset County and Maine School Administrative District 54 budgets have not yet been set. The approved, amended ordinance, Prohibiting Cannabis Retail Establishments and Cannabis Social Clubs, passed by a secret ballot vote of 85-16. The ordinance has two parts. The first expressly prohibits adult-use cannabis establishments, including manufacturing, testing, commercial cultivation, social clubs and retail. That ban was already effectively in place under the previous ordinance. The second part addresses medical use cannabis establishments, which the town opted to allow last year. Among other restrictions, it allows only two such stores or dispensaries in Canaan and does not allow them to be within 1,500 feet of designated "safe zones." The ordinance does not allow for medical use cannabis manufacturing and testing facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also lays out a detailed licensing process and the town's enforcement authority for permitted establishments. Planning Board member William Dawe said the board developed the ordinance by looking at what other towns have put in place. Planning Board members and Canaan's code enforcement officer, Charles Worcester, have received several calls in the last year from people seeking to open cannabis establishments, he said. "What we had previously left a lot of open loopholes," Dawe told the room of voters. The ordinance that passed was drafted to allow law enforcement and the town to enforce the rules, according to Dawe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're just looking to minimize the impact to the community itself," Dawe said. In other business, voters approved the $1 million bond for road work. The funds will be used toward improvements to roads including, but not limited to, Sand Road, Tropical Fish Road, Shady Lane, Easy Street, Nelson Hill Road and Strickland Road. The passage of the bond means that no road improvement budget articles will be needed at the next five town meetings, unless there is an emergency need, according to town officials. Select Board member Jeffrey Clarke told voters that the town funded projects in a similar way several years ago. The bond allows the town to make a five-year plan and hire a paving contractor in the spring rather than later in the year, as funding is already in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's not new to Canaan," Clarke said. "We've done it before. It worked really, really well." Voters also approved $250,000 for improvements to Pinnacle Road, Browns Corner Road, Henshaw Road and a section of Lancaster Road, to be included in this year's budget. Other major spending approved for costs related to roads for this year include $212,000 for winter road maintenance, $157,700 for summer road maintenance and $100,000 toward a $200,000 down payment on a 2025 plow truck. Approved spending, for the fiscal year that began Feb. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2026, also included: $520,229.47 for town expenses, $132,000 for solid waste reduction, $72,100 for the fire department, $72,100 for the library and $46,300 for cemeteries. Voters approved $100,000 toward future purchases of fire department motorized equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An article requesting $18,100 to send up to 85 local children to Camp Podooc this summer at Lake George Regional Park drew some questions but was ultimately passed. Voters also passed a largely procedural article on the warrant annually to continue honoring the 20-year interlocal agreement for Lake George Regional Park, which was signed in 2018. A motion by resident David Calder to separate the interlocal agreement from an article that contained nine other, unrelated procedural items failed to garner a second, so it did not go to a vote. The Lake George Corp. manages the 320-acre, state-owned park off U.S. Route 2 through an interlocal agreement with the towns of Canaan and Skowhegan. Per the interlocal agreement, first signed in 1992, each town appoints five people to the corporation's board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some people, including Select Board member Daniel Harriman, had suggested in the last year that the town formally exit the agreement. The park and the town were at odds last year over the Select Board's appointment of Canaan's Lake George board representatives and the length of their terms. Town meeting resumes Monday with the election of municipal officials. Starting this year, following voter approval in 2024, Canaan's Select Board is implementing three-year, staggered terms for its three members. This year, voters will choose one member for a one-year term, one for a two-year term and one for a three-year term. Running for the seat with a one-year term are Clarke, an incumbent, and Maureen Delahanty. Tammy Hey is running unopposed for the seat with a two-year term. Incumbents Megan Smith and Harriman are facing off for the three-year term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Races for Planning Board, road commissioner and MSAD 54 board of directors are uncontested. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the Canaan Town Office at 277 Main St. Copy the Story Link Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 By David Ljunggren and Fergal Smith OTTAWA (Reuters) -New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday called a snap election for April 28, saying he needed a strong mandate to deal with the threat posed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who "wants to break us so America can own us." The comments showed the extent to which relations between the U.S. and Canada, two long-time allies and major trading partners, have deteriorated since Trump imposed tariffs on Canada and threatened to annex it as the 51st state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the next election was not due until October 20, Carney is hoping to capitalize on a remarkable recovery by his Liberal Party in the polls since January, when Trump began threatening Canada and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation. Upon being sworn in as prime minister on March 14, Carney had said he could work with and respected Trump. On Sunday, however, he took a more combative approach. "We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty," Carney told reporters after the Governor General - the personal representative of King Charles, Canada's head of state - approved his request for an election. "Our response must be to build a strong economy and a more secure Canada. President Trump claims that Canada isn't a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Carney's remarks. Trump on March 6 delayed a broad 25% tariff on some Canadian goods for 30 days. He has since imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and threatened reciprocal tariffs on additional goods, including Canadian dairy and lumber, on April 2. LAYING THE GROUNDWORK "The polling suggests that the number one concern that Canadians have right now is the potential negative fallout of Donald Trump and the threatened tariffs," said Nik Nanos, chief data scientist and founder of pollster Nanos Research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney is "probably setting the groundwork for something a little more strident on April 2nd," Nanos said. Carney, a former two-time central banker with no previous political or election campaign experience, captured the Liberal leadership two weeks ago by persuading party members he was the best person to tackle Trump. Now he has five weeks to win over Canadians. On Sunday, Carney proposed cutting the lowest income tax bracket by one percentage point. Polls suggest the Liberals, who have been in power since 2015 and badly trailed the official opposition Conservatives at the start of the year, are now slightly ahead of their rivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We moved from an election where people wanted change to an election that's really much more about leadership," said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. "The ability of the Conservatives to attack the Liberals has been greatly diminished, because people are focused on the here and now and the near-term future, not on what happened over the last 10 years," he said by phone. The Conservatives have sought to portray Carney as an elitist who plans to continue the Trudeau-era policy of high government spending. They also accuse him of being less than clear about how he transferred his personal financial assets into a blind trust. Carney bristled last week when asked about the trust, and accused the reporter asking of engaging in "conflict and ill will". The prickly reaction could give hope to the Conservatives that Carney might stumble during what will be his first campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Key to any victory will be a good performance in the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec. Carney had trouble at one press conference when asked to respond in French, first misunderstanding the question and then answering in English. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, on the other hand, speaks flawless French and is a seasoned politician who has fought seven elections. "What we need to do is put Canada first for a change," Poilievre said at a press conference on Sunday to launch his campaign, adding that his policies, including tax cuts and increased resource production, would bring back investment, helping Canada become more self-reliant and better equipped to stand up to Trump. Laura Stephenson, a politics professor at Western University in the Canadian city of London, said Carney's inexperience might not be that important given the Trump factor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have a feeling we're going to see a little more grace extended than is usually given to politicians during this campaign," she said. An online Angus Reid poll of 4,009 people released last week put the Liberals on 42% public support and the Conservatives on 37%. Angus Reid said the margin of error was around 1.5%, 19 times out of 20. (Reporting by David Ljunggren and Fergal Smith, editing by Deepa Babington, Louise Heavens, Ross Colvin, Nia Williams and Diane Craft) (WHTM) On This Week in Pennsylvania, Dennis Owens speaks to Tom Clark, Consul General of Canada in New York, on the trade war between the United States and its neighbor to the north. Its like we got punched in the nose by our best friend, said Clark in response to the tariffs put in place by President Donald Trump. Were going, what?' said Clark. Clark warned that the tariffs will hurt Pennsylvanians in more ways than one, such as gas, food, and car prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here in Pennsylvania, the price of gas is going to go up, said Clark, who spoke to Pennsylvania lawmakers in Harrisburg last week. Food is going to get more expensive. The car that you want to buy is suddenly $7,000-$10,000 more tomorrow than it was today because of steel and aluminum tariffs. Pennsylvania and Canada do $30 billion in trade; Clark urged for talks on trade to find a deal that works for both sides. Stories From This Week in Pennsylvania Stories From This Week in Pennsylvania Every week, This Week in Pennsylvania gives a comprehensive look at the weeks biggest news events in Pennsylvania, provided by the abc27 News team, along with the latest updates on local stories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania Check your local listings for weekly air times. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday called early parliamentary elections for April 28, seizing on a surge in support as a trade war with the United States rattles the country's economy and politics. Carney is to run as the lead candidate for the Liberal Party against Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party. The election was widely anticipated. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau resigned in January after his Liberal Party experienced a drop in support due to the country's weak economy and rising prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney was elected as the party's leader and interim prime minister in March, but had anticipated a no-confidence vote in parliament. For months, a shift of power to the Conservatives under Poilievre was considered highly likely in the next election. However, Canada's trade war with the United States seems to have given the Liberals a surprising boost, with Carney currently leading in the polls. The US imposed 25% tariffs on many goods imported from Canada, including steel and aluminium. Ottawa retaliated with counter-tariffs on the US. US President Donald Trump has also been campaigning for Canada to become the "51st state." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Carney and Poilievre are trying to convince the electorate that they will stand up to Trump. With anti-Washington sentiment running high, Poilievre is finding it harder to present himself as a counterweight to the US president. His style and agenda are reminiscent of Trump's, with a focus on low taxes, budget cuts, criticism of fake news and a and a populist ideology. Carney is seen as capable of managing a crisis, despite lacking government experience. He led Canadas central bank through the financial crisis and later steered the Bank of England during Brexit. Most recently, Carney served as the UN special envoy for climate action and finance. Carney advocates closer collaboration with Europe and Asia to reduce dependency on trade with the US. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a federal election in a widely anticipated move where he met with Governor-General Mary Simon on Sunday to request for Parliament to be dissolved. Im asking Canadians for a strong, positive mandate to deal with President [Donald] Trump and to build a new Canadian economy that works for everyone because I know we need change, Carney said on Sunday of the ongoing trade war with the United States. The election will be held on April 28 and will see Carney face off against his main rival, the Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney assumed his role as Liberal leader and prime minister after his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, announced his resignation in January amid a polling slump and an internal revolt in his cabinet. For months, polls indicated that the Conservatives had a strong lead in the election. The Liberal Party has since seen a surge in popularity following a trade war with the US and Trumps threat to Canadas sovereignty. We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trumps unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty, Carney said Sunday. Our response must be to build a strong economy and a more secure Canada. He added: President Trump claims that Canada isnt a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Conservative leader Poilievre, who launched his campaign for the premiership on Sunday with a Canada First message, has repeatedly portrayed Carney as a leader ill-equipped to deal with Trump. During a press conference ahead of Carney announcing the poll, Poilievre said: Today, the Liberals are asking for a fourth term in power after swapping Justin Trudeau for his economic adviser and handpicked successor, Mark Carney. When asked how he would handle his relationship with Trump, Poilievre said he would insist the independence and sovereignty of Canada was recognized and I will strengthen our country so that we can be capable of standing on our own two feet and standing up to the Americans where and when necessary. Carney, in turn, has accused Poilievre of following Trumps lead in suggesting Canada should cut its foreign aid budget. On Sunday, the prime minister suggested that Canadas Conservatives mirror the Trump administration in language and intent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney was sworn in as Canadas prime minister in March and was expected to call the election as he sought a mandate. Carney, who is the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, has emphasized his financial background as the future of the Canadian economy looks uncertain. During his address in Ottawa, the Liberal leader outlined his vision to reposition the Canadian economy. He said that after meeting with Canadas provincial ministers on Friday, a consensus was reached to remove trade barriers within the country and unify the Canadian economy. He also promised to introduce a middle-class tax cut that he said would benefit dual-income families. Canada would continue to diversify its trade partners and lessen its reliance on the United States, he said. Carney also emphasized the need to act dramatically and act rapidly to build an economy thats strong for Canada and control what we can control. This story has been updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for a federal election to take place next month, noting that President Trump wont break Canadians. I have just asked the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call a federal election on April 28, Carney said Sunday in a post on the social platform X. We need to build the strongest economy in the G7. We need to deal with President Trumps tariffs. Earlier this month, Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, shifting relations between the three neighboring countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney, a political outsider and high-profile banker, was recently sworn in to lead the country after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned. We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trumps unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty, Carney said, speaking to outlets in Ottawa. President Trump claims that Canada isnt a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us, Carney said. We will not let that happen. Were over the shock of the betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons. Trump has repeatedly claimed that Canada should join the U.S. as the 51st state, a move that Canadian officials have refused and called outlandish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was expected for Carney to call for a quick election, as he doesnt have a seat in Parliament and the Liberal Party does not have a majority, The New York Times reported. Carney will face off against the Conservative Party and Pierre Poilievre. He called for the election to take place April 28. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. You can read the full text of this article if you: Select an option Log In Buy Article Content & Permissions Access through Ovid Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday called early elections for April 28, seizing on a surge in support as a trade war with the United States rattles the country's economy and politics. Carney, the new leader of the Liberal Party, is to stand against Conservative Party candidate Pierre Poilievre. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau resigned in January after his Liberal Party experienced a drop in support due to the country's weak economy and rising prices. Carney was elected as the party's leader and interim prime minister in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For months, a shift of power to the Conservatives under Poilievre was considered highly likely. However, Canada's trade war with the United States seems to have given the Liberals a surprising boost, with Carney currently leading in the polls. With the trade war looming large, both candidates are trying to convince the electorate that they will stand up to US President Donald Trump. Poilievre may find it harder to present himself as a counterweight to the US president. His style and agenda are reminiscent of Trump's, with a focus on low taxes, budget cuts, criticism of fake news and a populist ideology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney is seen as capable of managing a crisis, despite lacking government experience. He led Canadas central bank through the financial crisis and later steered the Bank of England during Brexit. Most recently, Carney served as the UN special envoy for climate action and finance. Carney advocates closer collaboration with Europe and Asia to reduce dependency on trade with the US. TORONTO (AP) New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will run in an Ottawa area district as he seeks to join Parliament for the first time, the Liberal Party announced Saturday, a day before Carney triggers an early general election before a vote on April 28. The election will take place against the backdrop of a trade war and sovereignty threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. The Liberal Party said Carney will run to represent the suburban Ottawa area of Nepean, noting in a social media post that Ottawa is where he raised his family and devoted his career to public service. He previously served as the head of Canada's central bank and before that its deputy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election campaign for 343 seats or districts in the House of Commons will last 37 days. The party that commands a majority in the House of Commons, either alone or with the support of another party, will form the next government and its leader will be prime minister. Carney replaced Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January, but remained in power until the Liberal Party elected a new leader on March 9 following a leadership race by the governing party. Carney, sworn in as Canadas 24th prime minister on March 14, has said the government in a time of crisis needs a strong and clear mandate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governing Liberals had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Trump declared a trade war. Trump has repeatedly said that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state and he acknowledged Friday that he has upended Canadian politics. What Trump hasnt said is that the almost daily attacks on Canadas sovereignty have infuriated Canadians. That has led to a surge in Canadian nationalism that has bolstered Liberal poll numbers. The opposition Conservatives hoped to make the election about Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged. But after decades of bilateral stability, the vote is now is expected to focus on who is best equipped to deal with Trump. Trump put 25% tariffs on Canadas steel and aluminum and is threatening sweeping tariffs on all Canadian products as well as all of Americas trading partners on April 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney still hasnt had a phone call with Trump and that might not happen now until after the election. Trump mocked Trudeau by calling him governor, but he has not yet mentioned Carneys name. Carney, 60, was the head of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis. In 2013, he became the first noncitizen of the United Kingdom to run the Bank of England helping to manage the impact of Brexit. Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservatives, is Carneys main challenger. The party and Poilievre were heading for a huge victory in Canadas federal election this year until Trumps near-daily trade and annexation threats derailed them. Poilievre, 45, for years the partys go-to attack dog, is a career politician and firebrand populist who says he will put Canada first. He attacks the mainstream media and vows to defund Canadas public broadcaster. His party announced that it wont allow media onboard his campaign buses and planes. TORONTO (AP) New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Conservative opponent said U.S. President Donald Trump must respect Canadas sovereignty as they kicked off their election campaigns Sunday against the backdrop of a trade war and Trump's annexation threats. Carney announced a five-week election campaign before the vote on April 28. We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trumps unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty, Carney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump claims that Canada isnt a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen," he added. The governing Liberals appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Trump declared a trade war. He has repeatedly said Canada should become the 51st U.S. state and has acknowledged he's upended Canadian politics. Trumps almost daily attacks on Canadas sovereignty have infuriated Canadians and led to a surge in Canadian nationalism that has bolstered Liberal poll numbers. They want our resources. They want our water. They want our land. They want our country. Never, Carney said at a rally in Newfoundland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election campaign for 343 seats or districts in the House of Commons will last 37 days. Although other parties are running, the Liberals and the Conservatives are the only two that have a chance to form a government. The party that commands a majority in Parliament, either alone or with the support of another party, will form the next government and its leader will be prime minister. Carney replaced Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January but remained in power until the Liberal Party elected a new leader following a leadership race. The opposition Conservatives hoped to make the election about Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged. But after decades of bilateral stability, the vote is now expected to focus on who is best equipped to deal with Trump. Carney said the choice for Canadians is a Canadian Trump or a government that unites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves, Carney said in a hockey reference. In this trade war, just like in hockey, we will win. Trump put 25% tariffs on Canadas steel and aluminum and is threatening sweeping tariffs on all Canadian products as well as all of Americas trading partners on April 2. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is Carneys main challenger. The party and Poilievre were heading for a huge victory in Canadas election until Trumps near-daily trade and annexation threats derailed them. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, a conservative ally, said Poilievre would be very much in sync with the new direction in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The content of this interview is very bad news for the Conservatives because it reinforces the Liberals narrative about Pierre Poilievre and his perceived ideological proximity with Donald Trump, said Daniel Beland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. Poilievre said he will stand up to Trump. I will insist the president recognizes the independence and sovereignty of Canada. I will insist he stops tariffing our nation," he said as he launched his campaign. I know a lot of people are worried, angry and anxious. And with good reason as a result of the presidents unacceptable threats against our country," Poilievre said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney still hasnt had a phone call with Trump and that might not happen now until after the election. Trump mocked Trudeau by calling him governor, but he has not yet mentioned Carneys name. "Trump must recognize that Canada is a sovereign country," Carney said. "He has to say that, he has to accept that, before we can have a discussion about a trade agreement. ... Let's just say there is no meeting that has been planned. Carney, 60, was the head of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis. In 2013, he became the first noncitizen of the United Kingdom to run the Bank of England, helping to manage the impact of Brexit. Carney, a political novice, said Canadians want change and he's moved the Liberal Party to the right, announcing a middle-class tax cut Sunday and scrapping Trudeaus signature carbon tax and reversing a capital gains tax increase. Poilievre, 45, for years the partys go-to attack dog, is a career politician and firebrand populist who says he will put Canada first. Elon Musk, who is playing an integral role in the Trump administration, has endorsed and praised him. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Two were arrested Friday night after a car accident led to a drug bust at a Posey County home. A release obtained by Eyewitness News says around 10 p.m. Friday, Indiana State Police and Posey County Sheriffs Office responded to a single vehicle crash on Harmony Springfield Road and Bailey Road. Officers identified the driver as 66-year-old Michael Roettger, who was showing signs of impairment. An investigation revealed Roettger was under the influence of meth and marijuana. The release goes on to say the crash gave police probable cause to search Roettgers home at Bethsaida Church Road. During the search of the residence, officers found approximately 15 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana, four legend drug pills, one syringe, a scale with white residue, and drug paraphernalia. Roettgers wife, Christine, was at the residence during the search. Michael and Christine Roettger were arrested and taken to the Posey County Jail. Michael Roettger Christine Roettger Michael Roettger was arrested on the charges below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dealing Methamphetamine Possession of Methamphetamine with a Weapon Possession of Methamphetamine with a prior Dealing Conviction Possession of Legend Drug Unlawful Possession of a Syringe Possession of Marijuana Possession of Paraphernalia Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Christine Roettger was arrested on the charges below: Possession of Methamphetamine Possession of Marijuana Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). A blue sedan crashed into an apartment building in the Austin neighborhood early Sunday morning, according to Chicago Police. Around 1 a.m. on Sunday, police responded to a vehicle that crashed into an apartment building on the 1100 block of North Austin Boulevard. The driver, 36, was injured in the accident. She was treated by the Chicago Fire Department before being sent to Loyola hospital, where she is listed in critical condition, police said. No other injuries were reported and police are continuing to investigate. (Bloomberg) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called an election for April 28, with polls showing a close contest between his Liberal Party and the Conservatives as the country faces a trade war and taunts about its sovereignty from US President Donald Trump. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney requested the dissolution of Parliament on Sunday in a meeting with Governor General Mary Simon, who represents head of state King Charles III, triggering the election campaign. President Trump claims that Canada isnt a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen, Carney told reporters in Ottawa. Were over the shock of the betrayal. But we should never forget the lessons. We have to look out for ourselves. Its been only nine days since Carney became prime minister. The 60-year-old took over the governing Liberals after winning the race to succeed Justin Trudeau, who had resigned under pressure from lawmakers in his own party. For more than a year, the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, commanded a double-digit lead as he tapped into public frustration about the cost of living and housing shortages and successfully linked those problems to Trudeaus policies. But in recent weeks, Trumps tariffs and his threats to use economic force to make Canada a US state have eclipsed other issues to dominate Canadian politics, galvanizing Canadians to rally around their flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps menacing tone toward Canada has changed all political calculations. A new national poll of 1,500 voters by Abacus Data puts the Conservatives slightly in front. But among voters who say Trump is the top issue, the Liberals are ahead by almost 30 points, Abacus Chief Executive Officer David Coletto said in a release Sunday. The Trump administrations import taxes against Canadian products have come alongside grievances spanning from border security to defense spending to market access for US banks. The US had a goods trade deficit of more than $60 billion with Canada last year, a figure that Trump deems a subsidy for things he says the US doesnt need, fueled by massive US demand for Canadian oil and gas. Carney opened his campaign with a promise to cut the tax rate on the lowest income bracket by one percentage point, which he said would save families as much as C$825 ($575) a year. An official with his campaign said the tax change is estimated to cost about C$6 billion. Asked how he would pay for it, Carney reiterated his pledge to improve government efficiency through new technology including artificial intelligence and curb spending. Poilievre has also promised a tax cut for middle-class households. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Carney pitching himself as a financially astute manager with experience handling crises like the 2008 financial crash, the Liberals prospects have improved. Polls put them in contention to win a rare fourth term, with a shot at controlling a majority of the 343 seats up for grabs in the House of Commons. Raised in the oil-rich province of Alberta, Poilievre, 45, has outlined a vision of Canada with smaller government to unleash growth after the tax hikes and deficit spending of the Trudeau years. Hed also slash regulations to empower Canadas hydrocarbon industry. Hes described Trudeau son of a former prime minister and Carney, a former Goldman Sachs banker, as elites harming ordinary Canadians with radical, borderless globalist ideology. Poilievre accused the Liberals of weakening the economy and making it more vulnerable to Trumps aggression, and repeating his promises to unleash business investment. After the lost Liberal decade, the question is whether Canadians can afford a fourth Liberal term, he told reporters Sunday in Gatineau, Quebec. I know a lot of people are worried, angry and anxious, and with good reason as a result of the presidents unacceptable threats against our country, Poilievre said. I share your anger and I share the worry for our future. But I also draw great resolve in knowing that we can transform the anxiety and anger into action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poilievre has criticized Carney for a lack of transparency about his personal financial interests following years in the private sector in roles including chairman of investment firm Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. Carney was also chairman of Bloomberg Inc. but stepped down in January when he entered politics. Carneys challenge will be showing hes different from his predecessor. He has said a government led by him will invest more and keep a lid on government spending. In his first week in power, he abandoned Trudeau policies like a carbon tax on consumers and a proposed hike in capital gains taxes. He also ordered a review of the countrys contract for US fighter jets, and visited the UK and France to build ties with Europe. Carney has said Trumps 51st state rhetoric will have to stop before we sit down and have a conversation about our broader partnership with the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Carney and Poilievre say theyd be better at negotiating with Trump, and have talked about diversifying Canadas trade relationships while dissolving internal barriers to trade. No party has published a full policy platform yet. The third-place New Democratic Party, historically affiliated with labor unions, has sagged from the high teens to about 10% in recent data, apparently bleeding support to the Liberals. Jagmeet Singh, the partys leader, propped up Trudeaus government by voting in favor of budgets and other key measures. The surge in Canadian nationalism catalyzed Trumps attacks may also upend other political dynamics. In French-speaking Quebec, Canadas second most populous province, there were signs of rising support for separatism until Trump was reelected. Now, support for a separatist party, the Bloc Quebecois, appears to have waned. Conversely, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has issued a list of demands she says the government must address within months to boost its oil sector, or else face an unprecedented national unity crisis. Poilievre has said Smiths requests are reasonable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney and the Liberals have made it clear they will try to tie Poilievre to Trump as much as they can during their campaign. The prime minister said Sunday that one of the decisions for voters is whether they want a government that is unifying, standing up for Canada and is taking focused action to build a better economy, or they want division and Americanism. (Adds details from Carneys news conference starting in the third paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. CASEY, Ill. (WCIA) The recent storms caused a lot of damage in Central Illinois, and for a veteran in Casey, one of them took away what gave him purpose. Now, hes asking the community for help in building it back. Its his woodshop: Claires Handmade Crafts and Woodworking. Chris Greenleaf has been working with wood for decades despite being in a wheelchair. But now, he doesnt have a place to create and is hoping people can help. Neoga School District makes transportation, building access changes following tornado damage Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not in it for the money, Greenleaf said. I just, I like working with wood. Greenleaf served in Operation Desert Storm as a missile maintenance technician. But an unfortunate accident he had while serving changed his life forever. Wound up getting injured and coming home, Greenleaf said. He broke his back once in the service, and two more times back in the states. Now my left side is sporadic, Greenleaf said. I can walk, but I fall a lot. My left leg goes out a lot. Each time the doctors said he wouldnt walk again, but each time hes beaten the odds. Now, he alternates between using a cane and his motorized wheelchair. The one constant through it all has been woodworking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And I build furniture, dressers, bedroom sets, living room sets, dining room sets, Greenleaf said. I mean, whatever the customer wants. Im in it for more something to do and that sense of purpose. His woodshop was taken away from him two weeks ago when straight line winds ripped through Casey. Neoga FFA students asking for help in tornado relief efforts We have a camera in the garage, Greenleaf said. It went out and my wife got up and looked out the door and said that the garage just went over. Greenleaf lost almost everything he stored there. We had a table that had three large toolboxes on it that got dumped over, Greenleaf said. We had our table with our planer, our bands and my rotor table, which all got crushed when everything came over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and his wife quickly built a shed to temporarily store what they could salvage. But now, hes asking for help to get his woodshop up off the ground. I just want my woodshop back there. If people can help me with my goal, find me, Im not asking for much, Greenleaf said. I just want my woodshop. Thats all I want. Greenleaf says hell need around $7,000 to finish the project and bring back his passion. I like building things, Greenleaf said. I like seeing the smiles on faces when they come and pick up their order and its right. If you want to donate to Greenleaf, you can find his GoFundMe page here. He said money will go to building materials for the shop, replacing tools that were damaged and other expenses. 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. LEWISTOWN, Pa. (WHTM) Catastrophic thats how Bob Douglas; the Chief of the Lewistown Borough Fire Department described the scene of Sunday afternoons Junction Fire Company tanker crash in Mifflin County. Dozens of crews from in and around the county responded to the crash at 3rd and Grand Street in Lewistown Borough. The tanker that was involved in the accident was responding to a brush fire in Granville Township, Douglas said. It is not a borough vehicle; it was coming through the borough to respond to Granville Township for a brush fire and it came together with another vehicle in the intersection. The amount of water inside the tanker to blame around 1800 gallons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they do any kind of quick movement, that water shifts probably threw everything off balance, he explained. Two Junction Fire Company crew members were on board at the time of the crash. They were both transported to Lewistown Hospital with injuries, Douglas added. To what extent, I dont know yet. In a statement, the Junction Fire Company said one of the firefighters was transferred to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for specialized treatment. One firefighter was able to free themselves from the crash while the other had to be rescued. Aside from their injuries, the crash also caused a lot of damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a lot of power out, he took out a telephone pole and it also hit a structure that had some damage to it, he said. abc27 News spoke with Orlando Reyes, the man who lived in the apartment hit. I am still shaking, you know, he said. Reyes said he is originally from Puerto Rico and that he moved into the apartment over a year ago, but now he has to move all over again. Get daily news, weather, breaking news and alerts straight to your inbox! Sign up for the abc27 newsletters here My landlord will help me find a little apartment, he 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 ABC27. CHICAGO With just over a month until May Day, immigrant advocates gathered at the Chicago Teachers Union Headquarters on Saturday to share plans for protests, work stoppages and boycotts. Advocates are calling on the community to show support and solidarity with the citys immigrant population. We are resisting the attacks from the present administration. We are resisting the threats coming from him and the attempts to put fear in the immigrant community, said Omar Lopez, an organizer with the Immigrant Defense Resistance Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Small Business Administration to exit Chicago over sanctuary city status May 1 has traditionally been a day for labor rights marches, but the resistance council in defense of immigrants, the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, Kabataan Alliance and Arise Chicago are among the groups uniting to protest against the Trump administrations detention and deportation policies. On May 1, they plan to march in large numbers starting at Union Park on the Near West Side and proceeding to Grant Park in The Loop. Our struggles are interconnected and we must rise and denounce attacks on immigrants and migrants, Nazek Sankari, co-chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates point out that despite Chicago being a sanctuary city, the city has become a target for ICE raids. Hardworking immigrants have been under constant threat. Judge calls Trump administrations latest response on deportation flights woefully insufficient Were not criminals. Were hardworking people. Lets not forget, diversity is what makes this country great, Margarita Morelos, director of Casa Aguascalientes Chicago, said. We are not leaving. No nos vamos, Arise Chicago organizer Jorge Mujica added. With this slogan at the core of their demonstration, advocates said they intend to have a visible stand by demanding respect and inclusion and refusing to be excluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Chicago, we know how to fight back, Katherine Zamarron with the CTU 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 WGN-TV. CHICAGO Chicago police are searching for a group of suspects who reportedly burglarized/damaged over a dozen vehicles on the Northwest Side early Saturday morning. Police said the incidents happened in the OHare, Oriole Park, Norwood Park East and Norwood Park West neighborhoods. Suspects sought after man shot to death in Grand Boulevard Specific locations can be found below: 7700 block of W. Higgins Rd. (OHare) 8100 block of W. Higgins Rd. (OHare) 8500 block of W. Higgins Rd. (OHare) 5600 block of N. Cumberland Ave. (OHare) 7500 block of W. Balmoral Ave. (Oriole Park) 7600 block of W. Foster Ave. (Oriole Park) 7700 block of W. Berwyn Ave. (Oriole Park) 7700 block of W. Bryn Mawr Ave. (Oriole Park) 7700 block of W. Gregory St. (Oriole Park) 5200 block of N. Oriole Ave. (Oriole Park) 5300 block of N. Oriole Ave. (Oriole Park) 5300 block of N. Overhill Ave. (Oriole Park) 6000 block of W. Rosedale Ave. (Norwood Park East) 7700 block of W. Rosedale Ave. (Norwood Park West) 7800 block of W. Rosedale Ave. (Norwood Park West) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, the suspects were driving a blue sedan and approached the victims vehicles on foot before smashing out the windows using an unknown item. The suspects then searched the vehicles for valuables before driving off. Investigators said the group consists of four or five suspects. CPD: Body pulled from Lake Michigan near Montrose Beach No other information was released. Anyone with information is asked to call Area Five Detectives at 312-746-7394 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference # P25-5-010. Additional tips from CPD: Immediately report suspicious activity. If you are confronted by an assailant, remain calm. Remember any unique physical characteristics (scars, limp, acne, teeth, etc.). Never pursue a fleeing assailant; provide the information to the police. If approached by a witness to the incident, request their contact information. 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. In 1925, Lincoln General Hospital opened at 17th and Sewell streets. A year later, Bryan Memorial Hospital opened at 48th and Sumner. For more than 70 years, the hospitals competed with each other and with St. Elizabeth, before combining forces in 1997 when the city sold Lincoln General to Bryan. Today, the two hospitals, which are now called Bryan West and East Campus, make up the bulk of Bryan Health, which is the largest hospital system in Lincoln and one of the largest in the state, employing more than 6,000 people and seeing more than 264,000 patients last year. To mark the 100-year anniversaries of both hospitals, Bryan is planning a 14-month celebration, dubbed "Bryan Beyond 100" across the health system with a number of events, including public tours of Fairview, the historic home of William Jennings Bryan. Bryan Beyond 100 events Bryan Health is planning a number of events for its "Bryan Beyond 100" celebration of its 100th anniversary. Among them: 100 Acts of Kindness * Bryan Young Professionals are leading an effort to perform 100 acts of kindness to support local organizations in each entity's community. Time capsules * Bryan plans to unseal a time capsule buried in 1985 in September and will reseal a 2026 time capsule in June 2026. Fairview tours * Bryan will offer weekly tours of Fairview, William Jennings Bryan's historic home at Bryan East Campus, from May-September. Centennial Cup This event May 3 at the April Sampson Cancer Center will involve a discussion of Bryan's campaign to raise $100 million by 2030. "One of the things we want it to be is a celebration of the past, but we all felt like if we only did that that wouldn't do what we really felt the original founders wanted, which was always a look forward," said Russ Gronewold, president and CEO of Bryan Health. The beginning Those founders had the foresight to realize that a growing Lincoln needed more than one hospital, which at the time was St. Elizabeth, the Catholic hospital that opened in 1889. The push for Lincoln General came first. In 1920, a group of nine Rotarians spearheaded the campaign to raise $100,000 to match funds from the city and a donation from the estate of businessman and former mayor R.E. Moore. They were successful, and Lincoln General opened March 24, 1925. The first patient, according to the Lincoln State Journal, was 12-year-old Adolph Hellerick of Valparaiso. Just a few months after Lincoln General opened, Lincoln's favorite son and former presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan died. It was Bryan who helped spearhead the construction of what started out as Lincoln Methodist Hospital and later became Bryan Memorial. Bryan offered his home 103 years ago this month "to the Methodists of the state for general hospital purposes," the Evening State Journal reported on March 14, 1922. Previously, the backers of the Methodist hospital had been eyeing a site at 33rd and Randolph streets, but that all changed when Bryan and his wife offered the home, called Fairview, and the 10 acres it sat on. Bryan Memorial Hospital opened June 7, 1926. The early years Both hospitals were rather small when they opened, with about 60 beds each, and offered the kind of rudimentary medical care that was available at the time. Penicillin hadn't been invented yet, nor had many of today's common vaccines. Chemotherapy for cancer wouldn't be used for another 20 years, and the mortality rates for many surgeries were 50% or more because of the lack of antibiotics to prevent infection. So the doctors and nurses often spent most of their time keeping patients comfortable while hoping for a positive outcome. "These folks really only had one thing to give, and that was care," Gronewold said. But over the years, as medicine made advancements, Lincoln General and Bryan were sometimes at the forefront. For example, Lincoln General was the first general hospital in the country to provide acute psychiatric treatment to adult inpatients. The hospital was also a pioneer in treating trauma patients, thanks to the experience of Dr. James Styner. In 1976, Styner was piloting a plane carrying his wife and four children when it crashed near Hebron. He and his children survived, but his wife died. That experience led Styner to partner with Dr. Paul Colicott and other physicians to develop the Advanced Trauma Life Support course, an educational program to train physicians in how to best assess and stabilize critically injured patients. It was adopted by the American College of Surgeons in 1979 as a trauma educational program for physicians. Bryan Memorial Hospital was a pioneer in cardiac care and was the first Lincoln hospital to install a pacemaker and perform open-heart surgery. Bryan also performed the first heart transplant in the state, in 1986. More recently, Bryan has helped a number of local startups Nobl, Ocuvera and Virtual Incision among them by being a testing ground for their products. Both hospitals also were big into providing education. Bryan Memorial has offered nursing training since it opened in 1926, and the Bryan College of Health Sciences now offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing as well as several other health disciplines. Over the years, the hospitals also responded to major health crises like polio, flu and measles outbreaks, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitals play an integral role in the overall health of our community. For a hundred years, the collective work of Lincoln General Hospital and Bryan Memorial Hospital now Bryan Health and the Health Department has been intertwined," said Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Director Kerry Kernen. Two become one Perhaps the biggest milestone in either hospital's history, other than their openings, is their merger in 1997. In September of that year, the City Council voted to sell the financially struggling Lincoln General to Bryan for $42 million in a controversial decision. The sale, which netted the city $37 million, led to the creation of the Community Health Endowment of Lincoln. "Since then, the endowment has returned more than $43 million to the community, making Lincoln a healthier place to live, work and raise a family," Kate Bolz, the endownment's president and CEO, said in a statement. The merged health system was originally called Bryan/LGH and then changed its name to Bryan Health in 2012. The original Lincoln General Hospital is now known as Bryan West Campus. "Bryan Health has been a crucial cornerstone of our community, delivering accessible healthcare that supports our residents and strengthens the economic vitality of Lincoln," said Jason Ball, president and CEO of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. "We are grateful for their ongoing commitment to providing innovative, compassionate care and for their vital role as an exemplary corporate citizen." Gronewold said the merger of the two hospitals allowed both of them to be in a much better competitive position financially, especially in the post-COVID world of staff shortages and skyrocketing insurance costs. He said that if you look at what hospitals are doing well right now and which ones are not, it's the smaller standalone hospitals, like the size Lincoln General or Bryan Memorial would have been on their own, that are struggling. "Those are the ones doing the worst in the country right now," Gronewold said. "They're just not big enough." "I think financially, both organizations would be on a bubble right now," he said. Instead, Bryan is in a strong financial position. Tax filings for Bryan Medical Center, the entity that encompasses the hospitals, show they had net income of more than $131 million in 2023, the most recent year available. That was up from about $91 million in 2019, the year before the pandemic. Gronewold said revenue for the health system as a whole has more than tripled over the past 15 years, from $450 million to $1.5 billion today. That financial strength has allowed Bryan to make a number of huge investments, like remodeling and expanding both emergency departments, adding patient and procedure rooms at Bryan East Campus, and opening both a surgical hospital and a standalone cancer center. The health system has also expanded its footprint by buying the Kearney Regional Medical Center, and investing in the new Grand Island Regional Hospital. The future The investments that Bryan has been able to make have positioned it for the future. For example, Gronewold said "there's no question" that Bryan will be expanding further at its April Sampson Cancer Center campus in south Lincoln, although he doesn't see that including another inpatient hospital. And it will likely be at least three to five years before any new building goes on there because doctors, he said, aren't ready to commit. "We had hoped, actually, to have something started by now, but the doctors said, 'We aren't quite ready to move that far south'," Gronewold said. He said projections show that Lincoln likely has enough hospital beds for future demographic trends, although Bryan is looking for ways to add more beds to Bryan East and West campuses by converting space, which he said is "a better use of funds." Other future expansion is likely to include the development of more doctor's offices and urgent care centers, Gronewold said. The Trump administrations proposal to vet social media profiles of green card applicants already legally in the U.S. has been condemned in initial public feedback as an attack on free speech. Visa applicants living abroad already have to share their social media handles with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, but the proposal under President Donald Trump would expand the policy to those already legally in the country who are applying for permanent residency or seeking asylum. USCIS said the vetting of social media accounts is necessary for the enhanced identity verification, vetting and national security screening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency also said it was necessary to comply with Trumps executive order titled Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats. In a review of information collected for admission and benefit decisions, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) identified the need to collect social media identifiers (handles) and associated social media platform names from applicants to enable and help inform identity verification, national security and public safety screening, and vetting, and related inspections, the agency announced on March 5. President Donald Trumps administration has proposed vetting the social media handles of immigrants already legally in the U.S. who are applying for green cards or permanent citizenship. The plan has been condemned as a violation of the First Amendment. (AP) The agency is collecting feedback from the public on the proposal until May 5, the majority of which are overwhelmingly opposed at the time of writing. So the US is heading for authoritarian now, an anonymous commenter said. Anything that the current administration doesnt like means bad. Pure ideology means total destruction. This is a violation to the First Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chilling Effect on Free Speech: The fear of government scrutiny of online expression will undoubtedly stifle free speech, another comment read. This is particularly concerning for individuals from countries with different political climates, who may fear the misinterpretation of their online activity. Out of the 143 comments, 29 mentioned a violation of free speech. This policy undermines the fundamental values that make America a beacon of freedom, including free speech, privacy, and human rights, another person wrote. Civil rights groups have raised concerns that the policy proposal would disproportionately impact critics of Israel and the Trump administrations handling of the conflict. It follows the detention of green card holder Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and protest organizer, labeled pro-Hamas by the Trump administration. (REUTERS) The proposal follows the detention of green card holder Mahmoud Khalil, labeled pro-Hamas by the Trump administration, and the deportation of Brown University doctor, Rasha Alawieh, a H1-B visa holder. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials inspected the kidney medics phone and determined she followed the religious teachings of the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. They also claimed she openly admitted attending his funeral while in Lebanon. Civil rights groups have raised concerns that the policy proposal would disproportionately impact critics of Israel and the U.S. governments handling of the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This policy would disparately impact Muslim and Arab applicants seeking U.S. citizenship that have voiced support for Palestinian human rights, Robert McCaw, director of government affairs at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told The Intercept. Collecting the social media identifiers of any potential green card applicants or citizens is the means to silencing their lawful speech. McCaw added that he also worried that peoples activity would be continuously monitored on social media even if they became U.S. citizens. Ma Yang, pictured, was deported in February to Laos, a country she has never set foot in. Yang joins a growing number of visa and green card holders in the U.S. who have found themselves swept up in the Trump administrations aggressive immigration crackdown. (Facebook) The new proposal comes as the Internal Revenue Service is close to an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to allow officials to use confidential tax data to confirm names and addresses of people they suspect are in the country illegally, according to the Washington Post. ICE could submit names of suspected illegal immigrants to the IRS so the agency can cross-reference on confidential taxpayer databases, according to insiders. The agreement has alarmed career IRS officials who fear it risks abusing a privacy law intended to build criminal cases, not enforce criminal penalties, the newspaper reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As well as mass deportations, the Trump administrations immigration crackdown has turned its attention to green card and visa holders in recent weeks. Earlier this month Fabian Schmidt, a 34-year-old German electrical engineer, who has held a green card since 2008, was arrested and detained at Boston Logan International Airport. And a Milwaukee mother who is a permanent U.S resident and lived here since she was eight-months old was deported to Laos, a country shed never been to previously, after agreeing to a plea deal over cannabis charges. CHIMAYO, N.M. (KRQE) The small New Mexico town of Chimayo now knows where its new post office will be, a little more than two years after the old one burned down. In February 2023, the towns post office burned down, forcing residents to drive to other towns to pick up their mail and packages. New Mexico elected officials push for answers two years after Chimayo post office fire The United States Postal Service (USPS)announced they are officially relocating the post office to the towns south side, about two-and-a-half miles from the old location. The decision comes after the department asked the community for their input in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USPS did not say when the post office is expected to open. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. China is reportedly considering joining a peacekeeping force as part of the European-led "coalition of the willing" to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, the German media outlet Die Welt reported on March 22, citing unnamed diplomatic sources. China has positioned itself as a neutral party to Russia's war against Ukraine, but has remained a key ally of Russia throughout the full-scale invasion. "The inclusion of China in a 'coalition of the willing' could potentially increase Russia's acceptance of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine," an unnamed EU diplomatic source told Die Welt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source described the situation as "delicate." Chinese diplomats are exploring Europe's openness to Beijing's participation in the coalition, EU diplomatic sources claimed. The "coalition of the willing" is a group of allied countries led by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. The coalition aims to provide security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, possibly including a contingent of troops that would reinforce the Ukrainian military. Moscow has repeatedly rejected the idea of European or NATO troops in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, are set to meet in Paris on March 27 to continue discussing a peace plan and security guarantees for Ukraine. Leaders part of the coalition have not shared any details of China's potential involvement in the process. Chinese officials on March 18 signaled Beijing's willingness to take part in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction. Russia's main economic partner in recent years has been China due to Western sanctions. Russia and China continue to hold joint military drills, along with other allies such as Belarus and Iran. China partook in a military drill with Russia and Iran on March 11 in the Gulf of Oman. Read also: Witkoff trashes Starmers Ukraine peacekeeping plan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Laurie Chen BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged countries to open their markets to combat "rising instability and uncertainty" at a business forum in Beijing on Sunday, as China braces for further U.S. tariffs. "In today's increasingly fragmented world with rising instability and uncertainty, it is more necessary for countries to open up their markets and enterprises... to resist risks and challenges," Li told dozens of foreign CEOs and visiting U.S. Republican Senator Steve Daines at the China Development Forum, state media reported. Foreign CEOs including Tim Cook of Apple, Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm, Pascal Soriot of AstraZeneca and Amin Nasser of Saudi Aramco are attending the forum on Sunday and Monday, and some are expected to meet President Xi Jinping on Friday, sources have told Reuters. Beijing is keen to attract foreign investment at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, as policymakers try to boost domestic consumption to offset fresh U.S. tariff headwinds. "We will focus on combining policy intensification with stimulating market forces," Li said, according to a Xinhua report, without elaborating on specific stimulus measures. "We will implement more active and promising macroeconomic policies, further intensify counter-cyclical adjustments, and introduce new incremental policies when necessary." Li expressed hope that entrepreneurs would be "staunch defenders and promoters of globalisation" and "resist unilateralism and protectionism". There were fewer American CEOs attending the summit than last year due to heightened geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington, according to one source. Li met with Daines and seven other American CEOs on Sunday afternoon, which Daines billed as a chance for them to share their views of the business environment in China. The Montana lawmaker, a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, met with Vice Premier He Lifeng on Saturday in the first visit to China by a U.S. politician since Trump took office in January. Trump has announced a wave of fresh "reciprocal" tariffs to take effect on April 2, targeting countries with trade barriers on U.S. products, which could include China. He imposed 20% tariffs on Chinese exports this month, prompting China to retaliate with additional duties on American agricultural products. The Trump administration is set to conclude a review by April 1 of Beijing's compliance with a "phase one" U.S.-China trade deal struck in his first term. By Ryan Patrick Jones (Reuters) -U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday dismissed calls from some Democratic lawmakers for him to step down as leader in the Senate over his approach to a recently passed government funding bill. Schumer sparked anger among Democrats last week when he decided not to block a Republican-drafted spending bill that many in the party said gave President Donald Trump, a Republican, too much power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Look, I'm not stepping down," Schumer told NBC's "Meet the Press." Schumer said while the spending bill was "certainly bad" and that he had anticipated his support for it would stir controversy, the other option had been to let the government shut down, which would have been "15 or 20 times worse." Schumer said during a shutdown the executive branch had sole power to determine what government functions and employees were essential. In such a scenario, Schumer argued, Trump, his cost-cutting adviser Elon Musk and budget chief Russ Vought could "eviscerate the federal government." Schumer's decision to side with Republicans outraged Democrats in Congress and progressive groups, and highlighted the party's struggles as it is shut out of power in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Democrats in the House of Representatives, including Representatives Glenn Ivey and Delia Ramirez, suggested he step aside, according to Politico. NPR reported on Thursday that while Democratic Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado stopped short of calling for Schumer to quit, he told a town hall that "it's important for people to know when it's time to go." Schumer dismissed criticism on "Meet the Press" from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that he gave away Democratic leverage for nothing, arguing what they achieved was avoiding the "horror" of a government shutdown. (Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones, editing by Ross Colvin and Nia Williams) Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rebuffed calls from his own party to step down as his partys leader over his decision to vote to keep the government open. Im not stepping down, Schumer told Meet the Press in a Sunday interview. Schumer tried to tamp down calls earlier this week after some House Democrats urged him to step aside. Schumer told moderator Kristen Welker he knew his decision to vote for Republicans' continuing resolution to fund the government and avoid a shutdown would spark controversy, but he defended his decision as necessary to retain oversight of the executive branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under a shutdown, the executive branch has sole power to determine what is, quote, essential, Schumer said. They can determine without any court supervision. The courts have ruled its solely up to the executive what to shut down. With Musk, and DOGE, and Trump, and this guy Vought ... as the head OMB, they would eviscerate the federal government. Schumer maintained his vote was one of principle and conviction, and he said the caucus was still united in its efforts to fight President Donald Trump. Our goal, our plan, which were united on, is to make Donald Trump the quickest lame duck in modern history by showing how bad his policies are, he said. He represents the oligarchs, as I said. Hes hurting average people in every way. He also pushed back against former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis suggestion that Democrats should have sought to exert leverage over Republicans, claiming on Sunday they had no leverage point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we got, at the end of the day, is avoiding the horror of a shutdown, he said. There was no leverage point that we couldvewe couldve asked for things, they just wouldve said no. Schumers comments came after multiple congressional Democrats and Democratic advocacy groups suggested he needed to make room for other leaders. Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat from Colorado, told a town hall on Wednesday that, as Democrats did with President Joe Biden over his decision on whether to step aside as the partys presidential nominee, they would have to reckon with their leaders' agility as the moment calls for it. Its important for people to know when its time to go, and I think in the case of Joe Biden, and were going to have conversations, Im sure in the foreseeable future, about all the Democratic leadership, he said. House Democrat Reps. Delia Ramirez of Illinois and Glenn Ivey of Maryland also told constituents at town halls they thought Schumer should resign. Mar. 23The historic building on Fifth Avenue and Second Street West has been a beloved thrift store for decades, but its roots in Kalispell run much deeper. Its legacy began when the building's cornerstone was first laid on Dec. 20, 1895, becoming the Scandinavian Methodist Church. Construction of the building was completed the following year just four years after the city of Kalispell was incorporated. The building, listed under the National Register of Historic Places, has housed people of faith, those looking for bargain finds and for a time students. After standing for 130 years, it is now in dire need of a touch-up. Much of the structure, which includes the high windows, rickety walls and wood floors, is the same material as when it was first constructed over a century ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's why Sarah Harding, the current owner of Community Thrift, is working to receive a competitive state grant to help renovate the historic building primarily for replacing the roof. The grant also requires matching funds, which she is working to meet through fundraising efforts. But to understand the importance of preserving one of the oldest standing wood-framed churches in Kalispell, one must first appreciate its significance in the city's history. The Scandinavian Methodist Church was one of four Montana churches built by the Methodist's Norwegian-Danish Conference. The Kalispell Townsite Company gave the lot to the congregation, and $350 was raised for construction, according to the National Register of Historic Places registration form. Robert Nordtome, who lived on a farm outside of town, served as architect and lead carpenter, with Lars Johnson working as contractor. Scandinavian farmers, carpenters and tradesmen also lent a helping hand. "The church building is a physical reminder of the importance of Scandinavian settlers to the early history of Kalispell and the surrounding area," says the registration for the National Register of Historic Places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now since torn down a steeple once shot out from what is now the entrance to the building. Still standing today though is what Harding said was the minister's one-and-a-half-story living quarters. Upstairs, two small rooms are still lined with 1900s-era linoleum floors with floral print. "It's so old it doesn't even have asbestos," Harding laughed. Downstairs, today shoppers sift through hangers of shirts where leaders of faith from across Montana once commanded congregations. Where shoppers now cash out their finds, church goers would gather to listen to sermons. Before it was officially dedicated in 1905, Rev. N. L. Hanson held regular services and Sunday school classes in the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CONSTRUCTION OF the church did not come without drama, because a Scandinavian Lutheran church existed just two blocks away. In a letter to the editor published in the Inter Lake's April 10, 1896, edition, a concerned citizen expressed their frustration with building a second Scandinavian church "while there are not enough Scandinavians in the valley to fill one church of ordinary size." The writer took issue that what he said was "the only Scandinavian Methodist in the valley" convinced a Helena reverend to organize "a Methodist congregation among Lutherans." "I believe they have the right to know the reason why one church should not be enough, and as there is one Methodist church in Kalispell already, that ought to be enough until the hard times take a turn," the letter read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the church continued to serve Scandinavian Methodists, offering services in Norwegian for over 40 years before becoming the English-speaking Westside Methodist Church in 1939. The church also served as a meeting space for various social groups, such as the Girl's Club, Ladies Aid, Young People's Society and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The church appeared many times in the Inter Lake's "At the Churches" column published in the early 1900s, which listed different sermons and events held at churches across the Flathead Valley. An Aug. 1, 1924, edition of the paper told of Reverand B. Scott Bates planned sermon on "The Obligation of strength to weakness." "The Girl's Club will give a midsummer social at the Scandinavian Methodist church Thursday evening at 8 o'clock," read the June 19, 1917, edition of the Inter Lake. The announcement was posted next to an advertisement for citizen still on the home front to sign up for the American Red Cross. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The church served as a temporary classroom when in 1897 the one schoolhouse in Kalispell became overcrowded, according to a writing by Mary Rachel Long, class of 1910, which is stored at the Northwest Montana History Museum. Town was divided east and west, with Main Street as the division line. The Scandinavian church became the school for the west side students, with Caroline Gates as teacher. The church first emerged as a thrift store in 1957 after being purchased by the Salvation Army. With the change in ownership came changes to the building itself. The steeple was torn down, and drop-down tiles now hide the vaulted ceilings. Later, Connie Valentine bought the building in 1989, turning it into the cherished Community Thrift. Harding purchased the property over a year ago and said she has witnessed the building's timeless connection with the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harding applied for a $50,000 grant through the Montana Historic Preservation Grant program, which was created in 2019 to support the preservation of historic sites. The money will allow for the replacement of the roof, repainting the building and installing gutters. She will not know until May whether the money will be awarded. As part of the grant, Harding must provide 20%, or $10,000, in matching funds. To meet that goal, the shop is selling T-shirts and hosting a Spring Tea party and silent auction on May 18. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased at Community Thrift. A GoFundMe, which has raised around $850 so far, has also been launched to meet the match. The campaign can be found at tinyurl.com/uyzdcur2. "I have a customer who remembers coming to church here as a little boy," she said. When airing an advertisement for the thrift store on the radio, the DJ told her that their great-grandfather was the architect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From its beginning as a church, the building has been one of the longest standing in Kalispell, and now it continues as a thrift store loved by new generations. "We're getting third-generation people that have been coming to Community Thrift," Harding said. "It's alive." Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at junderhill@dailyinterlake.com and 758-4407. Back side of a postcard signed in 1912 with photo of the Scandinavian Methodist Church. Courtesy of the Northwest Montana History Museum. Photo of the Scandinavian Methodist Church, date unknown. Courtesy of Northwest Montana History Museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A patron exits the Kalispell Community Thrift store in the Scandinavian Methodist Church building in Kalispell on Tuesday, March 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Casey Kreider A tip jar on the counter at Kalispell Community Thrift for donations that would go towards a new roof of the Scandinavian Methodist Church building that now houses the store. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Casey Kreider The attic above the Kalispell Community Thrift shop inside the Scandinavian Methodist Church in Kalispell on Tuesday, March 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Casey Kreider A variety of recycled T-shirt styles with the Kalispell Community Thrift logo, sales of which help raise money for a new roof on the Scandinavian Methodist Church building on Tuesday, March 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casey Kreider A hole in the wall between rooms that once served as the minister's sitting room and bedroom on the second floor of the Scandinavian Methodist Church, above Kalispell Community Thrift on Tuesday, March 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Casey Kreider Racks of clothing and household items for sale at Kalispell Community Thrift inside the Scandinavian Methodist Church building in Kalispell on Tuesday, March 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Casey Kreider A room that once served as the minister's sitting room on the second floor of the Scandinavian Methodist Church, above Kalispell Community Thrift on Tuesday, March 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Casey Kreider Racks of clothing and household items for sale at Kalispell Community Thrift inside the Scandinavian Methodist Church building in Kalispell on Tuesday, March 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Casey Kreider A room that once served as the minister's bedroom on the second floor of the Scandinavian Methodist Church, above Kalispell Community Thrift on Tuesday, March 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Casey Kreider Kalispell Community Thrift in the Scandinavian Methodist Church building in Kalispell on Tuesday, March 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake) Casey Kreider ST. LOUIS A male detainee at the St. Louis City Justice Center died Sunday morning after trips to two hospitals this weekend. According to Interim St. Louis Corrections Commissioner Doug Burns, the CJC staff found the detainee on the floor at the jail on Saturday. The detainee was taken to St. Louis University Hospital. A toxicology report showed the incident was not drug related. Medical staff suspected the detainee had suffered a seizure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The detainee was treated and brought back to the City Justice Center. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News The detainee was again found unresponsive on Sunday morning and rushed to Barnes Jewish Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Mitch McCoy, there were no obvious signs of trauma. Its believed the detainee suffered a medical emergency. The mans name has not been released. The SLMPDs Force Investigations Unit is investigating the detainees death. Theyre responsible for investigating all in-custody deaths. 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 children of a Hall County man are filing a civil lawsuit against the woman accused of murdering their father. Action News Jax told you earlier this month when Suzanne Mericle, the well-known owner of Mericle Dentisty in St. Simons Island, was arrested for allegedly murdering her boyfriend. 68-year-old James Barron was found shot inside his Gainesville, Georgia home on the morning of March 8th, according to the Hall County Sheriffs Office. Officials said Mericle was living in the home with Barron, and was there when deputies arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the initial investigation, deputies believed the 61-year-old shot Barron with a handgun. Regardless of the results in criminal court, his sons want to see Mericle held responsible in civil court. According to a civil action filed on Wednesday, March 19th, Evan and Colt Barron want to receive damages for the wrongful death of their father. Photo of James Barron Source: A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home The complaint alleges that James Barron retreated to a bedroom within the home during an argument with Mericle, locking himself inside. It then said she grabbed a loaded gun from within the home and shot through the closed door, hitting Barron. The document also claims he did not die immediately, instead suffering for at least several minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barrons children are seeking to recover all damages allowable by law, including for lost wages, mental and physical suffering, funeral and burial expenses, punitive damages, as well as the cost of all the familys legal fees. As of today, Suzanne Mericle is still an inmate at the Hall County Jail, being held without bond for murder. In addition, she is charged with tampering with evidence, aggravated assault, and possession of a gun during a crime. According to the inmate log, she is due in court on March 28th. [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 heavy, unwavering weight has sat on his chest since November. While supporters celebrated the sweeping victory President Donald Trump earned at the polls, Dominic Brown wept. The 18-year-old cried for his own future, for the future of his siblings and for the future of millions of students of color throughout America just like him. The Lincoln High School grad cried because he felt hopeless, heartbroken and shocked. He feared the many changes Trump promised to make during his second term and worried the programs promoting diversity, equity and inclusion that had uplifted him for years would be taken away. Its hard to hope nowadays, he said. And not being able to hope is, I don't know, it's just debilitating almost. Now, months later, Browns tears have stopped, but his passion still burns bright and so does that fear. In the weeks since Trump took office, the president has followed through on his campaign promise to crack down on what he calls radical and wasteful programs and departments focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. In an executive order signed on his first day in office on Jan. 20, Trump called for federal departments to terminate all offices and positions relating to DEI and cancel any equity-related grants or contracts. But Brown, a freshman at Southeast Community College, said these programs have helped him learn his worth, chase his dreams of becoming a history teacher and believe diversity makes communities stronger. Sitting around a table in a nearly empty Lincoln coffee shop last week, Brown and five fellow past and present Lincoln Public Schools students furrowed their brows, nervously clasped their hands and thought about how the districts programs directed at inclusion have affected their lives. Following Trumps inauguration and his ongoing efforts to do away with DEI programs throughout the country, the Lincoln students said they have felt an array of emotions ranging from disheartened, stuck, failed, disappointed to fearful. It's a different beast when it affects you personally, Brown said. I feel failed. I feel disappointed, scared. But even so, they have also become awakened, motivated and driven. Its everybody Platforms to celebrate diversity whether it be the color of their skin, their sexuality, gender or disabilities have helped Brown and others feel included, welcomed and important. No matter your background, no matter your race, ethnicity, you are welcome, Brown said. Programs like LPS Equity Cadre a group of diverse Lincoln students that works to elevate historically underrepresented voices or the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Rally have allowed generations of students to use their voices, advocate for what they believe in, celebrate their differences and have a space where they belong, according to Catrice Olds, who graduated from Lincoln Southwest High School and is now a freshman at Dakota Wesleyan University. These programs allow students not just to feel tolerated, but accepted into a community, she added. We have these differences that make up who we are, and I feel like DEI shows how to make it more prominent in our communities and celebrate it, Olds said. DEI also helps students feel proud of their differences, said Rafa Ahmed, a junior at Lincoln North Star. In these programs, everyone is seen as equal, and each of their individual needs are met. If you look around at the dinner table, every single person who you see needs a different thing, she said. And so I think that that's something that people need to remember. All means all. It's everybody, and everybody needs something different and DEI ensures that they get what they need. For Alexis Parde, a fellow North Star junior, being involved in the Equity Cadre has allowed her to learn more about her classmates, cultures different from hers and the importance of advocating not only for one's self, but for those who may be different from you, too. Now, shes grateful for the opportunity to be involved in a program that she feels helps students learn better, perform better and interact better because of the level of support they receive. I think it creates a better, more positive and just overall welcoming atmosphere, she said. Gut wrenching Trump initially began targeting diversity, equity and inclusion defined by the American Psychological Association as a framework to guide fair treatment and full participation of all people, especially those belonging to minority groups during his first term. In 2020, Trump signed an executive order restricting the federal government and its contractors from offering diversity training, which was then reversed by the Biden administration. Since taking office in January, Trump has enacted numerous executive orders restricting DEI initiatives, including one intended to prevent organizations from showing preference on the basis of race or sex. In the executive order signed Jan. 21, Trump said illegal DEI policies have negatively impacted the country and its people by giving opportunities or jobs to people based on their race or sex, rather than their ability, experience or individual excellence. Hardworking Americans who deserve a shot at the American Dream should not be stigmatized, demeaned, or shut out of opportunities because of their race or sex, the order states. But Maya Stevenson, a senior at Southwest, said DEI doesnt promote divisiveness or discrimination. In fact, in some way or another, programs centered around DEI can have an impact on everyone, regardless of age, sex, race, identity or ability. DEI ensures that each persons unique needs are met and that everyone has equal access to opportunities, Stevenson said. Its more than just advocating for a certain racial demographic or for people within the LGBTQ+ community, she added. Without access to DEI programs, you're cutting the legs off of so many people, she said. Its all means all period. No buts. No ifs. Period." Like Brown, Stevenson said shes had a pit in her stomach since the election in November, fearing programs related to DEI will be taken away entirely. In the past 60 days, the attack on DEI has moved faster than she expected, causing that pit to deepen. It's mostly gut wrenching just because of the far-reaching ramifications and impacts it has, because it is way further than one community, one demographic, she said. It will affect every single person in some way or another. And I just don't think people grasp that yet, and the severity of it and what that truly means for the communities we're in. Olds compared society without DEI to the Great Depression, with communities struggling and people of color pushed to the side rather than lifted up. Parde said DEI ensures everyone is included, but without it, there would be separation, conflict and misunderstanding. Meanwhile, Stevenson envisions a world filled with complete discord and division. I mean, it would just be chaos, she said. Without it, there's no celebrating the magic and the specialness that is in being unique and being different from your neighbor. And there's so much power in that alone and not being able to recognize that, to celebrate that it's a sad world. 'Unite all of Lincoln' While the weight on Browns chest hasnt become any lighter in the months since the November presidential election, hes using his feelings of hopelessness, uncertainty and worry to invoke change. Brown is in the process of creating an organization for people of all walks of life where they can go to advocate for important causes and feel a sense of belonging, welcoming and comfort, which he plans to call "The Beacon. My goal is to unite all of Lincoln to just make sure we're still moving down on the path that we were moving on before, he said. To better the community, to better everybody, individually, and just advocate for people that can't necessarily do it themselves. Kaylee Denker, a graduate of Lincoln East, is also working to promote diversity at Bellevue University, where shes a sophomore, through culture and food. Denker and a few other students recently approached staff at the school cafeteria and pitched their idea to begin providing a wide variety of diverse foods, allowing students and community members to share their culture with other Bellevue University students. We're learning about each other as we're still going to school. It just brings us a lot closer, Denker said. ... It's just a safe space to get to know others around you. But creating organizations or making change on college campuses isn't the only way students are advocating for what they believe in, according to Stevenson. Whether it's turning away from specific companies that are rolling back their DEI programs or becoming educated on different cultures within the community who may be impacted by these types of policies, anyone can make a difference, Stevenson said. There's absolutely things you can do on a micro scale in order to invoke change in your own community, she said. Even if, right now, it's not directly impacting you, which it will, make sure that you are equipping yourself with the tools to then advocate for other people, because there are people who are facing the brunt of this. Mar. 23After almost 37 years of wearing a badge, Clarkston Police Chief Joel Hastings is retiring and reflecting. The big cases he's helped with are intriguing, but he is more focused on the officers he's worked with as he heads for the door on March 31. "The thing I am most proud of is the people that work for the Clarkston Police Department," Hastings said. "As the police chief, my responsibility is to hire and retain the best people, and I think I've done that. They exemplify integrity, dedication and a deep sense of duty." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hastings, 60, started his career in 1988 after earning a criminal justice degree at Lewis-Clark State College. He was hired as the chief by the late Mayor Donna Engle when he was 39 years old, replacing Vertie Brown. "I like to tell people that I haven't gotten far in life," Hastings said. "My current office is about 2 miles from where I was born. The initial plan was to stay in the valley, close to family, but it didn't involve spending my entire career in Clarkston." Instead, he remained in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, rising through the ranks and becoming a longtime department head. When Hastings took the top job, the mayor wanted a chief who was local and had a deeper understanding of the community. Engle looked inside the department and chose Hastings to fill the role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She was very careful with taxpayer money and used good common sense to solve problems and expected me to do the same," Hastings said of his former boss. Over the years, Hastings has worked with multiple officials and mayors, including Monika Lawrence who now holds the elected position. Lawrence has nothing but praise for the chief, and she's planning a party for him at 3 p.m. Friday at City Hall. The public is welcome to attend. "The City of Clarkston has been fortunate to have had Police Chief Hastings leading the police department," Lawrence said in an email. "His deep knowledge of law enforcement procedures, his capacity to lead and inspire his officers, and the ability to foster public trust with community members has served the citizens of Clarkston well." At Monday night's city council meeting, the mayor will address his replacement and likely introduce an interim chief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers has worked with Hastings for more than 25 years. They both became department leaders about the same time in 2003 and have learned the ropes together. "It has been in our roles as sheriff and chief and our commitment to the Quad Cities Drug Task Force that we really got to know and work with each other on a more regular basis," Myers said. "We both have similar styles of leadership and approaches to the way we do our jobs and that seemed to click and work for both of us right from the very start." Law enforcement in eastern Washington has been through a lot of changes, Myers said. However, they both adapted and worked with many different people in neighboring agencies. Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Joel and I spoke on the phone or met regularly to discuss matters that affected our communities, our agencies, personal matters, or just to bounce things off of each other for a second opinion," Myers said. "Having Joel as a solid second opinion, even when it was a different opinion, was invaluable and that relationship will be missed. Fortunately, I have Joel's personal contact information, so he may be in retirement, but unless he changes his phone number he is still in the consulting business." Asotin Police Chief Monte Renzelman said his ties to Hastings date back to 1995, when he was hired by Asotin County. Clarkston's top dog has always been a mentor to him and never hesitates to assist new officers, even if they work in a different department. "Chief Hastings has been a rock for all law enforcement throughout the valley, and he will be sorely missed," Renzelman said. Clarkston's police chief has some words of wisdom for new officers: Never stop learning. There will always be new technology, training, procedures and changing laws. To be successful and relevant, you have to learn and adapt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Always be ethical and professional," he said. "Your integrity is everything." Hastings said he enjoyed the fast-paced environment and unique challenges of being a cop. No two days are ever the same, and policing has been incredibly rewarding, he said. Criminal investigations sparked his interest in law enforcement, and he loved being a detective. He worked with the task force as a narcotics investigator before moving into the corner office. "I remember working as a detective and thinking, 'They're actually paying me to do this.' I like the challenge of solving cases, especially the complex ones that require a methodical, logical approach." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Helping victims find closure and preventing future crimes were motivating factors, along with presenting a calm presence to the community during times of turmoil. "Being a police chief in the post-COVID era has been particularly challenging. We have navigated a pandemic, significant police reform in the state 0f Washington, hiring struggles and complex societal issues. Through it all, I felt a strong obligation to stay, as there never seemed like a right time to leave. There was always more work to do, another problem to solve, a project to complete and the next idea to pursue." However, 37 years as a police officer is a long time in cop years, he said. It's time to hang it up, turn in the keys, the patrol car and his 24-hour duties. "I plan on slowing down, although my wife is a little skeptical about the transition," Hastings said. "I want to take a few deep breaths, be more available to help family and friends, take more advantage of our property near Dworshak and do lots of traveling and some volunteer work." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Hastings and his crew gathered for one last group picture on Thursday afternoon, he said he'll miss his coworkers, but he's at peace with his decision to retire. "Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. Even knowing then what I know now, I would do it all again." Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com. You can follow her on X @newsfromkerri. CLOVIS, N.M. (KRQE) Clovis police responded to an injured male at the scene of a suspected home shooting on East 14th Street and Sycamore. When police arrived at the area, they located an 18-year-old male who appeared to be bleeding from his abdomen. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators made contact with the two homeowners who called the police stating the victim, identified as Triston Lucero, tried entering the residence and the homeowner shot Lucero with a shotgun. A shotgun was recovered from the residence, the occupants were taken in for questioning, as well as Lucero, who was transported to a Texas hospital for his injuries. The homeowners attorney reached out to News 13 and says his client is cooperating with law enforcement. 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. CNN host Kaitlan Collins says President Donald Trump is not a morning person. He doesnt really do much in the morning, Collins said on The New Yorker podcast Friday. Maybe hell be posting, but hes not doing a lot of meetings or press conferences or anything. The work ramps up midday, she said, and Trump doesnt sleep much at night. You wake up to a Truth Social post from him about how hes voiding all the pardons that President Biden issued, she said. Kaitlan Collins started in D.C. in 2014. / John Nacion / John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images The 32-year-old CNN anchor went viral this week for going head-to-head with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Collins had asked Leavitt for evidence to back up Trumps claim that former President Joe Bidens pardons were void. Leavitt shot back, Youre a reporter, you should find out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collinswhom Trump has dubbed a nasty person takes the hostility with grace. My job is to ask questions and get answers, she told host Clare Malone. In that way, she says shes not unlike 27-year-old Leavitt, the youngest-ever White House press secretary. Theres a job to do for each of us, Collins said, and her job is to spin for her boss. Collins said she recently watched some old interviews of Trump and realized how much reporters underestimated himespecially when he first announced his run. A lot of people did not take him seriously and did not believe that he had the political power that we now [or] his biggest critics will acknowledge he has, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How times have changed. Talk to any Democrat, and theyll acknowledge Trump has the firmest grip on the Republican Party that anyone has had in decades, she added. Collins has been covering Trump since his first term. / ALEXANDER DRAGO / Alexander Drago/REUTERS Collins said the world of social media has also changed dramatically, particularly on X. Since Elon Musk took over, the platform is a vastly different environment than before, she said. You do see how people can have their beliefs reinforced so easily by going online and choosing their [social media] platform, she said. My dad will see things on Facebook about me and then call me and ask me if its true sometimes. Collins says that the president does in fact care about the medias opinion of him. / JONATHAN ERNST / Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS Collins further recalled being shocked at Trumps fight with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during what was supposed to be a polite discussion on how to ensure a peaceful end to the Ukraine-Russia war. Collins was in the Oval Office when the screaming match went down, and Trump and Vice President JD Vance demanded that the Ukrainian leader show more appreciation for Americas wartime support. Trump had called Zelensky a dictator shortly before the conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We knew it would be tense, we knew it would be noteworthy, she said. We had no idea that it was going to be like that. Despite press pool challenges and Trumps cries of fake news, Leavitt said the president cares deeply about what journalists have to say. At the end of the day, Trump is someone who seeks the validation of the press as much as he criticizes them publicly. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) After reaching the 80s Saturday, a cold front will arrive in Texoma Sunday morning, bringing strong north winds that will stay through early afternoon. Thanks to the front and more clouds than on Saturday, Sundays highs will be in the mid-70s. T he good news in the forecast is that the coming week will not be as windy as last week. Also, the chance of rain will return for the latter half of the work week. Its a challenging forecast because the disturbances that might bring rain are weak and ill-defined. So, it looks like rain will be hit-and-miss across both Oklahoma and Texas 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 Texomashomepage.com. Days after a tent demonstration in support of Gaza had been cleared, Jewish students at Columbia University gathered on Passover to share their reasons for participating in the campus protests. Joining them was Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student who had been tapped to liaison with the school administration. Khalil is currently being held in an immigration detention facility by the Trump administration. But a year ago, he skipped out on the first encampment at Columbia, which would launch a wave of antiwar protests across the country fearing the risk to his student visa. Thats why Im not suspended, by the way, Khalil said at the April 23 event. Because I did not participate, fearing that I will be arrested and ultimately deported from this country. This is why a lot of the Palestinian students here, they feel very uncomfortable very, very uncomfortable participating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil, who has since completed his international studies courses and is now a legal permanent resident with a green card, has not been charged with any crime. His arrest has sparked protests and criticism over its implications for free speech. As he made his first appearance Friday, Columbia agreed to several of the Trump administrations demands to start negotiations for $400 million in federal funding that had been revoked over allegations of antisemitism. Attorneys for the federal government say they have reasonable grounds to believe that his presence in the United States could have serious adverse foreign policy consequences, according to court filings. Speaking with reporters, Trump administration officials have attempted to link Khalil to some of the most controversial protest activity on and around Columbias campus. Interviews with friends and family, court documents, and reporting from last spring tell a more complicated story about the role Khalil may have played in the demonstrations. Khalil would not join an independent group of activists who forcefully occupied a campus building, Hamilton Hall, which brought the protests to a grinding halt after Columbia administrators called the cops and campus effectively shuttered in the final days of the spring semester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he was well-known for his involvement in the broader demonstrations. As students increasingly concealed their identities, Khalil, some years older than the undergraduates, did not wear a mask. He was quoted in the press. He met with administrators, laid out the terms for activists to take down their tents, and returned with updates to the encampment. He had a suspension reversed after one day over his cooperation with the university. I think the reason that he was chosen for that role was because of his personality and because of the way he is, his wife, Noor Abdalla, an American citizen, told public radio. Hes calm. He knows how to stay calm in stressful situations, and everybody knew him as the guy who was not going to start yelling or anything like that. Khalil himself seemed to anticipate such immigration enforcement was possible while he was still on a student visa. At the Jewish students event in April, a reporter asked Khalil what would happen to him if he were deported. He sighed, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. I will live, he replied. We would continue to live. The Palestinian people have been under occupation, ethnic cleansing, and all sorts of crimes since 1948. And we prevailed, we will prevail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In letters of support filed in court, friends recounted a time Khalil intervened when a protester shouted antisemitic remarks. Faculty described him as a stand-out teachers assistant, while a U.S. government official who took a post in Israel spoke highly of their friendship. Recently, Khalil helped convene a panel featuring a prominent Palestinian historian and a former Israeli peace negotiator, another letter said. When Khalil was asked if he supported Hamas, a U.S-designed terrorist organization a question letters suggested was posed frequently three friends said he condemned extremism in all forms and was committed to nonviolence. Khalil served as the intermediary with administrators on behalf of Columbia University Apartheid Divest, an unsanctioned student group that has grown more radical over the past year. Last spring, the coalition distanced itself from one of its members who posted his belief that Zionists dont deserve to live online. But in recent months, its leaders rescinded an apology and clarified its stance: Columbia University Apartheid Divest backed armed resistance and Palestinian liberation by any means necessary, the group wrote in a statement in October. Without evidence, a far-right, pro-Israel extremist group tied Khalil to the violent remark and asked the federal government to intervene. The organization, Betar USA, has been compiling a list of international students to deport, claiming to share their names on social media and with the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mohammad khalil says Zionists dont deserve to live while hes on a visa @Columbia, Betar wrote on X in late January. Its 10 pm and @ICEgov is aware of his home address and whereabouts. We have provided all his information to multiple contacts. Hes on our deport list! Khalil, who has finished his degree program and is expected to graduate in May, participated in a brief takeover of the library at Barnard College, a Columbia affiliate, during which activists distributed materials purporting to be from the Hamas media office, according to videos shared by the protesters, which included far-left activists from the non-Columbia group Unity of Fields. The Trump administration accused Khalil of personally handing out the pamphlets. This is an individual who organized group protests that not only disrupted college campus classes and harassed Jewish American students and made them feel unsafe on their own college campus, but also distributed pro-Hamas propaganda, flyers with the logo of Hamas, said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt at last weeks briefing. I have those flyers on my desk, they were provided to me by the Department of Homeland Security, she added. This administration is not going to tolerate individuals having the privilege of studying in our country and then siding with pro-terrorist organizations that have killed Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for Khalil have denied he distributed leaflets from Hamas, adding that no flyers have been introduced so far in federal court. The reality is that Mr. Khalil completely and vehemently denies doing anything like that, distributing any flyers like that, said Ramzi Kassem, an attorney for Khalil and the founder of CLEAR, a legal clinic at CUNY. He has absolutely no connections to Hamas whatsoever. Whether Khalil should be held accountable in immigration proceedings or otherwise for the actions of Columbia University Apartheid Divest or activists who have seized on the campus protests has elicited varying responses. Youre seeing a lot of people pointing to the worst thing theyve heard of the movement or someone else, and saying hes responsible for it, said Joseph Howley, a classics professor at Columbia. Mahmoud has the courage to put his face and name out there. This has made him an easy target for people who dont care about who he is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Howley included the White House in that bucket, suggesting top federal officials seem to spend way too much time on social media, and the accounting of events that they read there. Mahmouds own commitments are a matter of public record. I wouldnt want someone holding me responsible for someone who stood next to me once. I would like to be held responsible for the things that I have said. One Columbia student on social media shared videos of the library takeover and other protests where Khalil was involved, suggesting they were evidence of his responsibility for the protests that some Jewish students have said makes them feel unsafe. Mahmoud Khalil is not the hero some make him out to be, he wrote on X. Khalils attorneys are due back in court on Tuesday over a separate legal matter, where he and his classmates are pushing a Manhattan federal judge to intervene in the federal governments request for student disciplinary records. BAY RIDGE, Brooklyn (PIX11) A Brooklyn restaurant brought the community together for a free Iftar meal Saturday in the spirit of Ramadan. A spread of traditional Palestinian dishes, including Maqluba, mansaf, and hummus, filled tables outside Ayat in Bay Ridge as the community gathered for the meal. More Local News In a display of generosity and unity, Ayat owner and founder Abul Elenani embraced the community, welcoming people of all religions and backgrounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramadan is more about giving than receiving so we give as much charity as we possibly can, Elenani said. Invite everybody in as much as we can. So, its one of those nights where we chose to invite everybody in and feed as many mouths as possible. Iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan, is a sacred time of reflection and togetherness. Families and communities gather to share food and gratitude after a day of fasting. The line sprawled down the block outside the restaurant as New Yorkers like Sophia Touri came together to embrace the spirit of giving. What a beautiful community event for everyone to come together cause truly weve been dealing with a lot in this community, especially with the month of Ramadan, with the ceasefire being amended and just all of this happening globally, she said. Its not just about Palestine. Its about all the countries that are in need today and so coming together just kind of shows our support for everyone. Elenani said at a time when communities can feel more divided than ever, the event served as a powerful reminder of what can unite us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were all united somehow. We should all be united at the end of the day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. HERTFORD, N.C., (WAVY) Residents came together Saturday for a day of clean-up, following a tornado that disrupted the Perquimans County community. Multiple injured, homes damaged due to storms in Perquimans County A lot of progress has been made as the debris from the destroyed trailers was picked up and thrown out. Everything thats manageable you can pick up with your hands. Thats what were doing. We have another tractor thats picking up everything else that us people, everybody that came out here today, couldnt get. Its a little bit bigger, said Kevin Ghameshlouy Jr., a worker on-site today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Affected resident Laquisia Hughes shared that she lost everything. Although today was a big update in the clean-up process, she admitted it was difficult to see. You know, looking at it is depressing. Better is coming. God has a plan. Were just here, said Hughes. More than 100 volunteers came throughout the day to help out. One volunteer told 10 On Your Side twelve dump trucks were filled to the top with parts of the trailers. Owner of Perquimans Co. mobile home park providing new trailers for residents It is a true blessing. Im telling you, Im so thankful. Im so grateful. I cant say it enough, said Hughes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hughes said the community showed up and showed out, bringing food, drinks and their machinery to help move the debris. A lot of people from the community brought out their own tractors and excavators and all that, which is great, said Ghameshlouy. Video from Drone 10 on Monday shows the aftermath. On Saturday afternoon, the difference was noticeable. Its been a relief to know that we have so many people around there showing up and being present and like hands-on, said Hughes. Hughes told 10 On Your Side that new trailers will be brought to the lot 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 WAVY.com. By Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Conan O'Brien accepted the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday with a not-so-subtle broadside against President Donald Trump, whose takeover of the Kennedy Center, which awarded the prize, has shaken the arts world. A host of comedians including David Letterman, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman and Stephen Colbert celebrated O'Brien for comic greatness while ribbing the Trump administration and putting a spotlight on the renowned arts facility that is now overseen by Trump allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it was O'Brien, the longtime late-night television host and comedy writer, who aimed his comments most directly at the Republican president without using his name. "Twain hated bullies," O'Brien said. "He punched up, not down. And he deeply, deeply empathized with the weak." O'Brien described the award's namesake as "allergic to hypocrisy" and suspicious of populism and imperialism. "He loved America but knew it was deeply flawed," O'Brien said. Trump, who came into office in January, has spent the last two months implementing much of the populist agenda that helped him get elected last year while advocating for U.S. annexation of Canada and Greenland, firing federal workers, and deporting migrants who were in the United States illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The show was the first signature event at the Kennedy Center since Trump announced he would become chairman of the institution, pushing out billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein. Trump dismissed board members appointed by former President Joe Biden and installed officials loyal to him. He handed leadership reins for the facility to Richard Grenell, a close ally and former ambassador to Germany who is serving as envoy for special missions in Trump's current administration. The new board, which includes White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, fired its former president, Deborah Rutter. Trump visited the center last week and declared it in "tremendous disrepair." O'Brien thanked Rubenstein and Rutter in his remarks, drawing loud applause from the audience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When he accepted the Mark Twain Prize, this was a very different place," Colbert said from the Kennedy Center stage. "Today they announced two board members: Bashar al-Assad and Skeletor," Colbert quipped, referring to the former president of Syria and a cartoon villain. COMEDY GIANT Other comedians joked that this would be the last Mark Twain Prize awarded by the Center. John Mulaney cracked that the facility, which is seen as a memorial to slain former President John F. Kennedy, would be renamed after Roy Cohn, a political fixer known for his role in Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist scare campaigns of the 1950s, and a lawyer for Trump in his early years in business. Along with the annual Kennedy Center Honors in December, the Mark Twain Prize is one of the premier events at the renowned arts institution. Trump did not attend the event on Sunday and did not attend any of the Honors performances during his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement O'Brien hosted the Oscars earlier this month and is slated to come back in the emcee role next year. He was the host of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" on NBC and "Conan" on TBS. He is a former writer for "Saturday Night Live." "You are a genius, my friend," comedian and actor Will Ferrell said from the stage. "You're an absolute giant in the world of comedy," said actor and comedian Tracy Morgan. O'Brien told reporters before the show that he wanted to go through with the event to support Kennedy Center workers. "Our country has been through many different sea changes, and my thought is I will be here specifically to honor Mark Twain and the people that this award stands for," he said. Previous winners of the Mark Twain Prize include Kevin Hart, Sandler, Jon Stewart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Carol Burnett. Sunday's show will be available for viewing on Netflix on May 4. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Chris Reese and Saad Sayeed) A sewage worker was sacked after condemning the Oct 7 massacre, The Telegraph can reveal. Damon Joshua was dismissed by Severn Trent Water after he described Hamas as a group of violent and disgusting terrorists in a post on the companys staff intranet website on the anniversary of the attack. The post was taken down by managers at the company following internal complaints that the terminology being used includes very derogatory words and is very one-sided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to documents seen by The Telegraph, one complainant said: The post reflects poorly on Severn Trents reputation as a diverse and inclusive company. Mr Joshua was immediately suspended and then later dismissed from his job without notice following a disciplinary hearing. In the post in question, Mr Joshua said: One year ago our valued partners and friends, Israel, were horrifically attacked by a group of violent and disgusting terrorists. I can say with confidence today that the vast majority of STWs employees stand in solidarity with our Jewish, Israeli and Zionist colleagues against the evil of Islamist terror. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post also included an image of the flag of Israel. Mr Joshua told The Telegraph: It happened in a matter of hours. I made the post at 7.50. I got a call from my manager at 10 or 11 telling me that it had been taken down. At 1pm I got called to a meeting room on the site that I was working on. My manager and her manager were there and I was suspended. They didnt really give an opinion on what Id wrote. They just said that it was seen as offensive. He added: They used the word derogatory for the words I had used to describe a terrorist organisation, which shocked me. It seems quite shocking to me. How could it be one-sided or derogatory to oppose a terrorist. Surely this is only one-sided. Mr Joshuas post that resulted in him being fired from Severn Trent Water Mr Joshua says he made the post following messages to managers asking if they would do anything to commemorate the anniversary of the attacks, to which he says he received no reply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At his disciplinary hearing he was told that the post had caused significant offence to three members of staff who complained about it. Managers concluded that this offence is in relation to a protected characteristic, specifically religious belief and dismissed him for gross misconduct. He was told that the language used in the post caused offence to employees with different perspectives, particularly those with Muslim or Palestinian backgrounds. Mr Joshua argued throughout the disciplinary process that his post had not mentioned any religious group other than Jews and only referred to Islamist terror, not Islam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told The Telegraph: Theres a distinction that I was trying to make between Islamist terror and Islam. I didnt want to link it with all of Islam. Because there is a big difference. Not all followers of Islam are Islamists and the attack was perpetrated by Hamas who are an Islamist terror organisation. Mr Joshua claimed that in the disciplinary hearing that one of his managers asked how do you think a Palestinian employee would feel reading this? They also raised concerns that the wording in the post explicitly suggests support of a particular geopolitical stance. They told Mr Joshua his claim that the majority of STW staff supported Israel creates exclusion and assumptions of solidarity. Mr Joshua, who has since found employment elsewhere, said the experience was really stressful and blames snobbish white-collar colleagues for his dismissal. He says it has made him think twice about expressing his views. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt nice. There were a few sleepless nights. The hardest part was all the waiting and the not knowing, he said. People had complained, and they told me it was offensive, but I got no further details for months after I was suspended. I was a maintenance engineer. I did frontline work in the production areas. Its not a very nice job dealing with sewage. I suspect the people who complained were office-based staff. Theres a massive difference between office and production. So I think they looked down on me. Theyre slightly snobbish. They sit in their brand new headquarters at their posh desk with their expensive office chairs. Its different when youre working on the actual site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has definitely made me think twice about expressing my views in public. There is a whole war on free speech in this country at the moment. Lots of people know it but are too scared to stand up against it. Sources at the company said Mr Joshuas comments were part of a wider pattern of him voicing political views. These are understood to have included opposition to a number of company initiatives such as South Asian heritage events, LGBT inclusion days and diversity and inclusion workshops. The Telegraph understands Mr Joshua appealed against his dismissal but was unsuccessful. Mr Joshua was represented in his case by the Free Speech Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr Ben Jones, Director of Case Management at the Free Speech Union, said: Weve dealt with 3,500 cases but the facts of Damons are particularly shocking. Sacking somebody for condemning Hamas is one of the most egregious cases of cancel culture weve seen. A Severn Trent Water spokesman said: This is a complex employee relations case and its important to be clear that this is not the whole story nor an isolated incident. And whilst its not appropriate to discuss the detail of an individual case, this relates to ongoing misuse of an apolitical work forum and the expression of views on a range of emotive topics, despite having been previously informed that this was not the appropriate forum to do so. 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. Live in a home governed by a condominium, co-op or homeowner's association? Have questions about what they can and cannot do? Ryan Poliakoff, an attorney and author based in Boca Raton, has answers. Question: Our condominium complex has a few rules regarding the pool area that are more restrictive than Florida statutes and the Department of Health rules regarding food and beverages at the pool area. The health department rule is that only commercially bottled water is allowed in the wet deck area (4 around the perimeter of the pool), but our community has a rule that bans food or beverages (other than water) through the entire fenced pool area. Would this rule be reasonable and enforceable? Also, our community locks the gate to the fenced pool area so that unit owners cannot access the area after sundown. Although night swimming is not permitted by the Department of Health, should the owners be locked out of their property? Signed, S.T. Who sets the rules when it comes to community pools? Dear S.T., Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its nearly impossible to tell you definitively whether a specific rule is reasonable or not, but I can let you know my prediction and make some educated guesses. As you say, state law generally prohibits food and beverages in the pool and in the wet deck area, except for bottled water. Your board of directors likely has the power to promulgate reasonable rules and regulations governing your pool area, even if those rules are more restrictive than the state rules. The difference here is a question of whether the state law is a restriction, or an express right. That is, if the state had a law stating that food and beverages must be allowed in the pool (a right), the association might not be able to pass a rule limiting that right that would be a complicated question of whether the law applies to the association depending on when the law was first passed and whether the law is intended to be retroactive. But in a situation like this, where there is a law restricting behavior, the association can typically pass rules further restricting that behavior. So, by way of an additional example, if state law were to prohibit duck-shaped pool toys, the association could presumably prohibit both duck and dog-shaped pool toys (if they had a legitimate reason to do so). But if state law expressly allowed duck-shaped pool toys, its possible the association could not restrict them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here, the association is imposing a more restrictive rule that does not conflict with the state rule and so the question becomes whether the rule is reasonable. What is the legitimate association problem that the rule is intended to address, and is it in fact addressing that problem? Of course I would be speculating, but I can certainly see how having food and non-water beverages in the pool area could become a maintenance issue, attracting insects and rodents, creating sticky areas where people are walking around barefoot, and making it more difficult to maintain the pool. I have no idea if this is the actual reason behind the rule, but I can certainly think of legitimate association issues that may need to be addressed, and prohibiting food and beverages from the entire area would properly address those issues. So, I can see how a judge would find this reasonable. As for closing down the pool area entirely, its a very similar situation. The law does not establish an express right to use the pool after dark, it prohibits the use of the pool after dark (state law requires a specific type of lighting to use a pool at night). Sitting near the pool would not be restricted, but how could the association possibly police the use of the pool at night if the pool area is open to residents? Not to mention, without proper lighting, a person could easily fall into the pool and drown, which is exactly the reason the state does not allow night swimming in public pools without proper lighting in the first place. So, this one also strikes me as a reasonable rule. Who must approve condo legal settlements? Question: Do unit owners have to approve legal and arbitration settlements, or can they be approved by the board alone? Signed, K.E. Dear K.E., Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Generally speaking, board members have the power to settle legal disputes, unless the governing documents were to restrict that right (and I cant recall ever seeing a set of governing documents that did so). However, there may be elements of a particular settlement that would need to be approved by the membership before they could be enforced. For example, assume that a board wanted to settle a lawsuit by paying $100,000 to the plaintiff; and that they would need to pass a special assessment to collect those funds. If the associations governing documents require all special assessments to be approve by the membership, the boards right to settle legal disputes would not trump the owners right to approve assessments the board would need to seek such approval before singing the settlement agreement, because thats a condition precedent to effectuating the deal. Ryan Poliakoff, a partner at Poliakoff Backer, LLP, is a Board Certified specialist in condominium and planned development law. This column is dedicated to the memory of Gary Poliakoff. Ryan Poliakoff and Gary Poliakoff are co-authors of "New Neighborhoods The Consumers Guide to Condominium, Co-Op and HOA Living." Email your questions to condocolumn@gmail.com. Please be sure to include your location. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Can Florida condo's pool rules be stricter than state law? Linda McMahon defended the dismantling of the Department of Education, but pledged to work with others to reshape federal oversight of education. President Trump has said he will move things in accordance with the law and in cooperation with Congress, the secretary told CNNs Dana Bash on Sunday. We will work with Congress, we will partner with Congress, said the secretary. We will find out where the laws - Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bash then interjected, noting that the Trump administration would have to change the law to reorganize or end programs overseen by the Department of Education. Not necessarily, responded McMahon. We are going to look to see how we are governed [as an agency]. If we need to change the law, if we have to work with Congress, if Congress doesnt agree, well find out. Well find out. With Donald Trump finally issuing his hinted-at executive order to begin dismantling the department, lawmakers and schools around the country are waiting to hear how the administration plans to continue oversight of the nations education system as well as manage the congressionally-approved programs aiding students around the country dealing with issues including disabilities, special needs, Pell grants and more. But the order has caused confusion as many of the programs the department oversees are mandated by legislation passed by Congress, and cannot be done away with by the stroke of a pen. In her interview on Sunday, McMahon clarified that in the presidents vision, those programs would be transferred to other federal agencies and that the White House would work with Congress, rather than seeking to go around the legislative branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Bash pressed McMahon on whether that was possible given that the Republicans do not control a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, and the unlikely prospect of the president picking up any Democrats on board his plan to dismantle the agency. BASH: "Why do you think President Trump has the legal authority to do that, when these programs are inside your department through a law of Congress?" MCMAHON: "Well, certainly, President Trump has said he will move things in accordance with the law and in cooperation with pic.twitter.com/9htBX3QQ0j State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) March 23, 2025 One major responsibility that the Trump administration may transfer out of the hollowed-out Department of Education is the student loan program, which the White House hopes to transfer to the purview of the Small Business Administration. McMahon stressed in the interview that outward-facing programs including student loans and funding to support children with disabilities would continue under other agencies where they could supposedly be managed more efficiently. Do they not operate efficiently now? asked Bash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not as well as they should be, said McMahon. Shed added that Trump campaigned on getting rid of the department, but gave no evidence or examples of the inefficiencies she said were endemic to the agency she now oversees. Education Secretary Linda McMahon discussed the president's plans to dismantle the agency and transfer programs to other departments on Sunday's State of the Union. (Twitter - CNN State of the Union) The secretary was also questioned by Bash regarding whether the transference of some Education Department responsibilities to the Department of Health and Human Services run by Robert F. Kennedy Jr would mean that Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic and adherent of false conspiracies about vaccinations and autism, would be involved in school vaccination programs. That's a little outside of looking at making sure we have funding for children with disabilities, McMahon responded. So thats a no? asked Bash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not necessarily a no, said McMahon. She noted (correctly) that her agency was not currently controlling vaccinations and that sort of thing in states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all 50 states and Washington, D.C., require, by law, students enrolled in public schools to have some vaccinations for diseases such as polio, chicken pox and others. But there are exceptions some states allow exemptions for religious or political reasons, including Texas where an outbreak of measles has now reached more than 300 confirmed cases. There are no federal laws instituting such requirements across the entire country. YORK COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Hundreds of York County Republican voters filed through a Courtyard Rock Hill conference room to re-register their names in the party roll. While it may seem like a routine procedure, theyre gearing up to support the push for closed primaries in South Carolina. York County Senator Wes Climer recently introduced legislation for it in the Senate. A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with the chairman of the York Republican party, the chairman of South Carolina Republican party. And they both identified this as a core priority for a lot of their members. And government ought to be responsive to the wishes of the people, said Republican Senator Wes Climer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lancaster County Representative Brandon Newton introduced similar legislation in the house. Open primaries are open to all voters, regardless of their political party affiliation. Voters in states with closed primaries must register with a political party before voting in the partys primary. Independent and unaffiliated voters are not able to vote in closed primaries. I feel that people should vote for the people who are going to do the right thing and actually do what theyre supposed to, said Republican voter Melissa Stewart. PREVIOUS | South Carolina GOP group pushes to end states Republican primaries A small GOP group around Greenville called America First Movement was pushing the idea from county to county to abolish Republican primaries altogether, allowing the group to have the final say in candidates for local and state offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Something York County representative Brandon Guffey was not in support of. Its trying to say that oh, we dont have conservative enough legislators in office. Essentially what theyre saying is the local party is saying if yall dont do what we tell you to do, then were going to get you out of office, Guffey said. Local GOP chair Larry Barnett says thats not the case in York County. He wants candidates and voters to match their party affiliation. Barnett says theyve been trying to do this for 20 years, but even with an overwhelming majority in support, it fails to pass. QCNEWS.COM MORE POLITICAL NEWS We proposed as an option to primaries. Perhaps we should consider going to a convention or a caucus-type system that our constitution allows us to do that if we so choose. It does not cut out people. Its just a different way of us selecting our republican candidates, Barnett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its possible to switch the process in the state. South Carolina law says 3/4 of the delegates at a party convention would need to agree to transition from open to closed primaries. We dont need to be so insular that we only have one set of ideas, or we have a commonality, but you dont want to exclude people. And so I think ultimately legislatively we will work to close the primary, but I think we need to continue to have primaries, Pope said. The county Republican convention will be on April 12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE: County commissioners voted Monday, March 24 to move ahead with $54 million of certificates of obligation for infrastructure projects. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) After a one-week delay, El Paso County Commissioners Court is scheduled to once again take the next step in issuing $54 million in certificates of obligation for water, sewer, road and other infrastructure projects. Last week, county commissioners delayed discussing the item for one week. This Monday, March 24, they are scheduled to discuss and possibly direct staff to prepare a notice of intent for issuing the certificates of obligation, which are debt instruments that do not require voter approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If county commissioners approve this action, it would also trigger a state-mandated 45-day waiting period before the certificates of obligation can be issued. The County says these certificates of obligation would not raise taxes. Under the proposal, $33.5 milion would go for clean drinking water and sewer projects, $16 million for roadway improvements, $2.5 million for flood control and $2 million for heating and cooling improvements at the Family Youth Services Center. The Commissioners Court will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Monday at the El Paso County Courthouse, third floor, Room 303. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICAGO Chicago police are searching for a missing 13-year-old girl who is off her medication. Police said Kamora Clay was last seen Saturday, March 22 in the 700 block of North Austin Boulevard on the citys West Side. Police added Kamora suffers from bipolar disorder and is off her medication. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland She was last seen wearing a green Army Fatigue zip-up hoody and green Army Fatigue pants with black Ugg slippers and carrying a pink blanket. She is also 57 and weighs 140 pounds with brown eyes. Her hair is black and in braids in two low buns, according to investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to call Area Four Detectives at 312-746-8251 and use reference #JJ190859 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso Police Department and Crime Stoppers of El Paso need your help in identifying a couple who beat and robbed a man of his vehicle at gunpoint last week in El Pasos Lower Valley. This is this weeks Crime of the Week, as publicized by Crime Stoppers. At 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, a man agreed to give a couple a ride from Mesa Street and Third Avenue in Downtown El Paso to an address in the Lower Valley, according to Crime Stoppers. When the victim was near the 1100 block of Lomaland, the male suspect began to beat the victim and threatened him with a gun, according to Crime Stoppers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Crime Stoppers, the couple forced the victim out of his 2020 dark gray Nissan Rogue. The SUV has a missing back window and tape is covering the opening. The male suspect is described as being Hispanic, 35 to 40 years old, 5 feet and 8 inches in height and weighs 190 pounds. He wore a blue-hooded jacket, blue jeans and had a backpack. The female suspect is described as Hispanic, 25 to 30 years old, 5 feet and 8 inches in height, weighs 200 pounds and has shoulder-length light brown hair with blond highlights. She wore a white sweater, black legging-type pants and had a red tattoo of a broken heart by her left eye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with any information on the identity of these violent robbers should call Crime Stoppers of El Paso immediately at (915) 566-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.cselpaso.org. You will remain anonymous, and if your tip leads to an arrest, you may qualify for a cash reward. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. (COLORADO SPRINGS) The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) reported that on Sunday, March 23, officers responded to reports of multiple explosions near Oro Blanco Drive and North Carefree Circle. According to CSPD, when officers arrived around 1 a.m. at the 3600 block of Oro Blanco Drive, they found a small grass fire. After the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) put out the fire, CSPD officers searched the area and found 20 spent and 24 intact mortars. CSPD stated that detectives with the Regional Explosives Unit (REU) responded and recovered the unexploded devices. No arrests have been made at this time. 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 FOX21 News Colorado. (COLORADO SPRINGS) The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) reported that two suspects broke into a jewelry store using a sledgehammer and a pickaxe around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 23. According to CSPD, when officers arrived at the 700 block of Citadel Drive East, they discovered that two suspects, both wearing dark clothing and masks over their faces, had broken into the store with a sledgehammer and pickaxe, stolen a substantial amount of jewelry, and caused significant damage. The value of the merchandise taken is currently unknown. CSPD believes that the suspects ran from the mall to a nearby vehicle that was waiting 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 FOX21 News Colorado. Czechia is ready to contribute troops to a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, Czech President Petr Pavel said in a television interview released on March 22. Pavel met President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on March 21 to discuss European-led security guarantees for Ukraine and cooperation in defense production. Prior to that, Pavel visited Odesa on March 20, during which Russia launched a drone attack on the city that injured three people. "If there is a strong group of European nations willing to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, my strong conviction is that (the) Czech Republic should be among them," Pavel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Czech president said that the "newly organized coalition of the willing" is ready to deploy a "stabilizing force" in Ukraine once a peace deal is reached. "We are part of this coalition now and I believe that once we come to an understanding that there is (a) common will to deploy ... forces, that (the) Czech Republic will be part of it," Pavel said. Pavel said NATO membership should not be an "obstacle" to achieving a peace agreement, but should not be taken off the table for Ukraine. "Let's have it as an open issue for the future because politicians come and go," Pavel said, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump's opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Czechia is ready to work with Ukraine on reconstruction and military cooperation, Pavel said. "The biggest threat to European security was and still is Russia," he added. Pavel also said that Russia's war against Ukraine would likely end up with Russia's temporary occupation of Ukrainian territory, but that Russia's sovereignty should not be recognized. "If there is no real will to provide much more military support (to Ukraine) ... with limited personnel, it will be impossible for Ukraine without huge losses to succeed in liberating territories that are occupied by Russia," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Pavel, Ukraine has not obtained enough military aid to ensure a complete victory. "This conflict without changing the parameters will most probably end up with some compromise ... but I believe the compromise solution shouldn't be recognition of occupied territories as rightfully Russian." Pavel was in Odesa on March 20 to meet with Oleksii Kuleba, deputy prime minister for the restoration of Ukraine. Maritime security, reconstruction, and community development were on the agenda for the visit. On March 21, Pavel met Zelensky in Kyiv, where the two leaders agreed to open a Unity Center for Ukrainians in Prague. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Czechia has been one of Ukraine's staunchest allies throughout Russia's full-scale invasion. The two countries signed a 10-year bilateral security deal in July 2024. Read also: They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums, Witkoff parrots Russian propaganda, legitimizing Putins claims in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. During the ritual humiliation of Irish prime minister Micheal Martins pre-St. Patricks Day visit to the White House which I wrote about here last week Donald Trump was asked to name his favorite Irish person. The president appeared briefly baffled, and witticisms flowed for the next day or so on both sides of the Atlantic. (Does Sean Hannity count as Irish? Does Shaquille ONeal?) His eventual response was Conor, meaning mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor. Martin winced and chuckled, but said nothing, which was the basic principle of his entire performance. As he and Trump were both aware, former MMA champion McGregor was recently found liable in a Dublin civil suit for sexually assaulting a longtime acquaintance in December 2018 the same charge for which Trump was found liable in the E. Jean Carroll case. Although the cases are broadly similar, the two mens versions of events are different: McGregor admits he had sex with the woman in a hotel room but says it was consensual; Trump says the Carroll incident, in a department-store changing room, never happened at all. In retrospect, the Conor moment in the Oval Office on March 12 looks like a set-up or, more to the point, like a devious and especially petty work of MAGA-world chicanery. Five days after Martins visit, on St. Patricks Day itself, McGregor himself showed up at the White House looking rather too much like an evil leprechaun in his overly tight pinstripe suit for a series of photo-ops with Trump and Elon Musk and supposed meetings with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other functionaries. Three days after that, McGregor announced his intention to run in Ireland's presidential election this fall, something hes been threatening for months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a bizarre and terrible idea from every point of view, and it almost certainly wont work well get to that. (Given recent history, categorical predictions are unwise.) McGregors appearance in Washington was framed to look like an unscheduled or spontaneous event, and the White House press corps was only told about it a day earlier, but as later reporting by the Irish Times has made clear, it was nothing of the kind. McGregors visit had evidently been scheduled weeks earlier, long before Martin even received an invitation for the traditional St. Patricks meeting between the Irish taoiseach (literally, leader) and the American president, which is meant to celebrate the intimate historical relationship between the two countries. In other words, Trump knew hed be seeing Conor in a few days, and his administration had already selected a MAGA-friendly tough-guy celebrity with no official status and a permanently tarnished public image as its preferred avatar of Irishness, over the Republic of Irelands democratically elected leader. Given the Trump regimes all-out assault on freedom of speech, higher education, the legal profession and the courts, the McGregor affair wasnt even the biggest story in Washington on the day it happened, let alone of last week. Its not even slightly surprising that McGregor like Andrew Tate, another accused rapist, manfluencer and caricature of toxic masculinity appeals to Trump and, no doubt, to many of his followers. But the fact that Trump or Musk or someone close to them bothered to stage this event serves to illustrate the MAGA vision of full-spectrum dominance in action. First of all, this was a transparent attempt to Trump-wash the reputation of a fading global superstar (who remains a highly recognizable figure to millions of MMA fans) by associating him with right-wing issues. Its not clear what McGregor and Hegseth may have discussed in their so-called meeting perhaps their impressive tattoos, which seem to light Donald Trumps fire a bit but the Pentagon later issued an empty-words press release headlined U.S., Ireland Both Suffer Impacts of Illegal Immigration. (I couldn't tell you what the defense secretary and a semi-retired fighter have to do with that, even hypothetically. But nothing makes sense anymore.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That points us toward the second goal of the Trump-McGregor tryst, which was to undermine the elected government of a small nation that is almost entirely dependent on U.S. trade and is clearly considered insufficiently subservient and overly woke. It would have been absurd to make the latter claim about Ireland even 15 to 20 years ago, but its now clearly true: In the aftermath of the sexual abuse scandals surrounding the Roman Catholic church, Ireland has legalized divorce, abortion and a full range of LGBTQ+ rights. Of course racism, misogyny and homophobia exist, but expressing such views is generally seen as socially unacceptable; in broad strokes, Ireland has become one of the most open and tolerant societies in Europe. Over the past few years, Conor McGregor has tried to position himself as the spokesman for common sense (i.e., reactionary) pushback against those dramatic changes, and especially as a spokesman for anti-immigrant sentiment, the greatest source of social friction everywhere in the Western world. Ireland is virtually unique among European countries in having no far-right, anti-immigrant political movement of any consequence, largely because Irish nationalism is historically associated with anti-colonial and anti-imperialist attitudes, and often with socialism. McGregor would like to be the guy who creates and leads such a movement; the Trump-Musk team, it would appear, is eager to help. That said, McGregors presidential campaign is likely to end before it begins, not because hes an ignoramus and a liar and a misogynist we now understand those are not impediments but for baked-in structural reasons. Its probably a media play aimed at the American market more than anything else. First of all, the Irish presidency is a largely ceremonial and nonpartisan position with little or no political power; its a retirement gig for eminent figures, more like being the queen of Denmark than the president of France. The current and widely beloved president, Michael Higgins, was known more as a poet and academic than as a politician. Secondly, Irish citizens cant just decide to run for president and then pour millions in dark money into scary attack ads about trans people (just for instance). It simply doesnt work that way. The presidential election is effectively a closed shop; candidates must be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, or national legislature, or by at least four of Irelands 31 elected local councils. Its almost impossible to imagine the amount of Trumpian transatlantic arm-twisting, coupled with a catastrophic loss of Irish national confidence, that could make that happen for McGregor. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Social scientist Clare Moriarty noticed an important theme in McGregors White House remarks, one which suggested his true audience wasnt the people of Ireland for whom hes very close to persona non grata these days but their distant cousins on this side of the pond. McGregor has a standard spiel about how Ireland has been so swamped with immigrants that it doesnt feel Irish anymore (a categorically false statement, by the way), but added a particular twist for St. Paddys Day in D.C.: There are rural towns in Ireland that have been overrun in one swoop, that have become a minority in one swoop, so issues need to be addressed and the 40 million Irish Americans need to hear this because if not there will be no place to come home and visit. As Moriarty acridly notes, the argument here amounts to we should stop immigration so the descendants of immigrants can have an appropriately nostalgic-feeling holiday destination to visit. But in a sense, thats precisely the point: Conor McGregor is only pretending to run for president of Ireland, which is a job he cant have, doesnt want and definitely couldn't perform. Hes really running to be the symbolic president of Irish America, or at least of the millions of conservative Irish Americans who are deeply uncomfortable with both contemporary Ireland and contemporary America, and who dream of reverse-engineering a past that never existed. This syndrome, I hardly need to add, is far more general, and is in danger of reducing what remains of our civilization to self-parody and self-destruction. March 23 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1775, in a speech supporting the arming of the Virginia militia, Patrick Henry declared, "Give me liberty or give me death." In 1909, Theodore Roosevelt began his post-presidency, embarking on the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition, part specimen collection, part hunting trip. In 1933, the Enabling Act was passed by the German government, giving Chancellor Adolf Hitler the ability to enact laws unilaterally. Opening a session of the Reichstag, Hitler threatened to "destroy all those seeking to damage our people," while at the same time stressing "we are sincere friends of peace and shall heal the wounds from which all are suffering." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1965, astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young were launched in Gemini 3, the first U.S. two-man crew in space. Along for the ride, a corned beef sandwich snuck aboard the Gemini 3 probe by astronaut John Young. A monument to Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio stands in Mexico City, Mexico. He was fatally shot March 23, 1994. File Photo by JEDIKNIGHT1970/Wikimedia File Photo courtesy of NASA In 1966, Pope Paul VI met Britain's Archbishop of Canterbury at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, the first meeting between the heads of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches in 400 years. On March 23, 1983, President Ronald Reagan called for the development of an anti-missile defense system to protect the United States from potential nuclear attacks. The Strategic Defense Initiative was dubbed "Star Wars" by some. File Photo by Rich Lipski/UPI In 1983, the world's first recipient of a permanent artificial heart, Barney Clark of Seattle, died in a Salt Lake City hospital. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan called for the development of an anti-missile defense system to protect the United States from potential nuclear attacks. The Strategic Defense Initiative was dubbed "Star Wars" by some. On March 23, 2001, the Russian space station Mir was brought down in the Pacific Ocean near Fiji after more than 15 years in orbit. File Photo courtesy of NASA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1985, the United States completed the secret air evacuation of 800 Ethiopian Jews to Israel. In 1994, Mexican presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party was fatally shot during a campaign appearance in Tijuana. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, who costar in "Titanic," arrive January 18, 1998, the 55th annual Golden Globe Awards. On March 23, 1998, "Titanic" won 11 Academy Awards, tying the record total won by "Ben-Hur" in 1959. "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" also won 11 -- in 2004. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI In 1996, Taiwan elected Lee Teng-hui in the island's first direct presidential election. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI Former President Theodore Roosevelt during his SmithsonianRoosevelt African Expedition which began on March 23, 1933. File Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress In 1998, Titanic won 11 Academy Awards, tying the record total won by Ben-Hur in 1959. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King also won 11 -- in 2004. In 2001, the Russian space station Mir was brought down in the Pacific Ocean near Fiji after more than 15 years in orbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. The landmark legislation was designed to extend health insurance to about 32 million Americans over a 10-year period. Obama said it would "set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for and marched for and hungered to see." In 2021, the Ever Given, a large container ship, ran aground and became stuck horizontally in the Suez Canal, blocking traffic for six days. In 2023, Canada announced it had a record 1 million increase in population in 2022 as the government's strategy to address labor shortages and an aging population through immigration stepped up a gear. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A 19-year-old was charged after forcibly taking someones coat last year, according to D.C. police. On Dec. 2, 2024, the victim said they were walking along the 700 block of E Street in Northeast when a car drove up to them. Two people got out, assaulted the victim and took their coat and things, according to police. They then left the scene in the car. Getting ready to bloom: Cherry blossoms reach stage 5 of 6 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 17, the Metropolitan Police Department said 19-year-old Damarco Jackson was arrested and charged with Robbery (Force and violence). The case is still being investigated. Anyone with information is asked to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and conviction of those involved. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. A Russian drone strike on the city of Kyiv has killed three people, including a father and his five-year-old daughter, and injured 10 others, among them an 11-month-old child. Source: Kyiv City Military Administration Quote: "Available information suggests that three people, including a five-year-old child, have been killed. A further 10 people have been injured. Among the dead are a father and his little daughter. The youngest person injured in the Russian attack is only 11 months old." Background: Earlier, Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported that two people had been killed in the Russian attack on Kyiv on the night of 22-23 March. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A river that runs between the U.S. and Canada has now run itself right into the middle of the fight between the two allies. President Donald Trumps administration has now stopped negotiations to re-up a decades-old U.S.-Canada treaty that controls the flow of the Columbia River between British Columbia after claiming it could play a role in solving California water shortages. Last year, Bidens administration reached a tentative three-year agreement with Canadian officials to renew the Columbia River Treaty, which governs flood control and hydropower sharing between the two countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was up to Trumps administration to finalize the agreement, which could now be in jeopardy but either nation must give ten years notice before abandoning the agreement`, The Guardian reported. The pause comes as Trump wages a trade war against Canada, levying high tariffs against the country as Canadian officials respond in kind. Under the original 1964 treaty, Canadian officials agreed to build storage dams that hold back the water to reduce the threat of flooding. This followed a 1948 flood that devastated Vanport, Oregon. In return, American officials granted British Columbia a share of the value of hydroelectric power generated downstream. The river is responsible for more than 40 percent of hydroelectric power in the U.S., Le Monde reports, and the treaty provides some $200 million to Canada each year. That could soon all be in jeopardy. President Donald Trump has ended negotiations on the Columbia River Treaty with Canada after claiming that the rivers water could be diverted to California (Getty Images) Trumps decision to pause treaty negotiations comes after he once called the river a very large faucet that he said could provide much-needed water to California if diverted indicating he may be interested in ending the treaty to access more water from the river, Le Monde reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have millions of gallons of water pouring down from the north with the snow caps and Canada, and all pouring down and they have essentially a very large faucet, Trump said in September 2024. You turn the faucet and it takes one day to turn it, and its massive, its as big as the wall of that building right there behind you. You turn that, and all of that water aimlessly goes into the Pacific, and if they turned it back, all of that water would come right down here and right into Los Angeles, he added. Under the original 1964 treaty, Canadian officials agreed to build storage dams that hold back the water to reduce the threat of flooding. This followed a 1948 flood that devastated Vanport, Oregon. In return, American officials granted British Columbia a share of the value of hydroelectric power generated downstream (U.S. Forest Service) University of Oregon environmental law professor Adell Amos told Le Monde the pause in negotiations is "a threat to our collective ability to manage these resources, in light of climate change. Tricia Stadnyk, an expert in hydrological modeling at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, is concerned the treaty has become a tool for negotiating broader issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If everyone acts in their own interests, ecosystems will lose out, Stadnyk told Le Monde. As with the ongoing trade war, nothing good will come of a water war. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment about ending negotiations. Trump has long fixated on Californias water supply. Earlier this year, DOGE staffers attempted to pressure the acting head of the Bureau of Reclamation to open a water pump system they believed would send the water to Los Angeles amid the devastating wildfires in January. But the system wouldnt have allowed water to reach the scorched city. Soon afterward, Trump ordered the US Army Corps to open up two Southern California dams at the end of January. This release sent water rushing toward farmland in the San Joaquin Valley, the Los Angeles Times reported, prompting concern from farmers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump ordered the release after claiming that water access issues caused the wildfires that killed nearly 30 people. Trump falsely claimed the LA fires were a result of the states water policies. This is going to hurt farmers, water consultant Dan Vink told the Times. This takes water out of their summer irrigation portfolio. By Dedi Hayun and James Mackenzie TEL AVIV/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet approved a no confidence motion against the attorney general on Sunday, in its latest move on officials deemed hostile to the government, defying protesters who took to the streets for a sixth day. After the vote, Justice Minister Yariv Levin called on Gali Baharav-Miara to resign, saying "substantial and prolonged differences of opinion" prevented effective cooperation between the government and its chief legal adviser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vote against the attorney general, who has frequently clashed with the government over the legality of some of its policies, came days after cabinet sparked mass protests by approving the removal of Shin Bet intelligence agency chief Ronen Bar, after Netanyahu lost confidence in him. Tens of thousands of Israelis have joined demonstrations over the past week, as anger at the removal of Bar, whose agency has been investigating corruption allegations linking Qatar with Netanyahu's office, has merged with fears for Israeli hostages after a resumption of the bombing campaign in Gaza. Final dismissal of Baharav-Miara, a former district attorney appointed under previous prime minister Naftali Bennett, could be months away. Bar's dismissal, approved by cabinet despite objections from the attorney-general, has been held up for two weeks by a temporary injunction from the Supreme Court. But the moves against the two officials have drawn accusations from protesters and the opposition that Netanyahu's right-wing government is undermining key state institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, families and supporters of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza have vented their anger at what many see as the government's abandonment of their loved ones. "All they want is power and they are sacrificing the kidnapped and the values that the State of Israel was built on, that we value life and morality," said Sharon Huderland, who joined a march on Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem. "He's breaking down, crushing the legal system, and we have to fight to get our country back," she said. Signalling the risk of a wider protest that could draw in Israeli institutions, the leadership of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem said that it would shut down the university if the government defied Supreme Court rulings on the dismissals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ACCUSATIONS Earlier this month, Levin began moves to dismiss Baharav-Miara, accusing her of politicizing her office and obstructing the government. On Sunday, he said he would consult with a committee responsible for appointing the attorney general and bring a proposal for her dismissal. "A way to restore trust no longer exists," he said in a statement on Sunday. "This situation seriously harms the functioning of the government and its ability to implement its policy." In practice, any step to remove the attorney general is likely to face administrative hurdles and an appeals process that could delay it for months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although they have different priorities, the protest groups built on mass demonstrations before the Gaza war against the government's moves to curb the power of the Supreme Court. "We must come here and protest till Bibi goes home and we'll save our democracy, and bring back all the hostages," said protestor Einat Shamri in Jerusalem. Netanyahu, who has been battling a trial on corruption charges that he denies, said at the time the overhaul was needed to rein in judicial overreach that was intruding on the authority of parliament. But protesters said it was an attempt to weaken one of the pillars of Israeli democracy. Late on Saturday, Netanyahu issued a video statement defending the dismissal of Bar and rejecting accusations that the sacking was aimed at thwarting a Shin Bet investigation into allegations of financial ties between Qatar and aides in the prime minister's office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, he said, the Shin Bet probe was designed to delay Bar's expected resignation over intelligence failures that allowed the devastating attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 to take place. Netanyahu has rejected the accusations in the so-called "Qatargate" affair as an attempt to undermine his government for political reasons while Qatar has dismissed it as a "smear campaign". (Additional reporting by Steven Scheer; editing by Clelia Oziel and Giles Elgood) ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) A former Republican congressman from Pinellas County joined Democrats Saturday for a town hall. These gatherings have been happening across the nation in red districts, especially in areas where GOP members of Congress have yet to host an in-person town hall. Democrats, alongside former Pinellas County Republican congressman David Jolly, are rallying voters in the Tampa Bay area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a political movement growing right now in response to a lot of the controversy that people feel coming out of Washington, D.C. Its not exactly partisan, Jolly said. Certainly, this event has been organized by the state Democratic Party, but were seeing people who are independents, who are soft Republicans, if you want to call them that. The event is part of a larger push by Democrats to host town halls in Republican districts, especially in areas where GOP members of Congress have not held any town halls. While in these red districts, Democrats are aiming to expand their message and build voter outreach in hopes of flipping the House after the midterm election. The long game, California Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell said, is to increase voter confidence in access to the ballot box. We need to win the governorships and those seats because we need, to your point, the electoral infrastructure so we can flip two to three seats in each state in the midterms, and by 2028, have a state where we can even compete and have free and fair elections, Congressman Swalwell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jolly, who left the Republican Party in 2018, would like voters to pay attention to the cuts led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). If youre concerned about the abrupt changes, concerned about the delivery of federal services, the delivery of veteran services, what does that mean for Social Security? What does it mean for Medicare? And for this particular event, the local representative is not present and apparently has not been holding town halls, Jolly said. Florida GOP Chair Evan Power issued a statement addressing the Democratic town halls: Just more manufactured noise. The people overwhelmingly re-elected Congresswoman Luna. If only the Florida Democrats were as concerned when an autopen machine was running the country as they are now that an administration is delivering on the promises they made while getting elected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats are adding more stops in Florida as they work to grow support in unlikely places. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) Nearly 100 protesters gathered outside the Tesla showroom in Franklin Saturday to rally against Elon Musk and his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, their actions were met with criticism from counter-protesters. The protest also happened to be across the street from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building closed by DOGE, according to its Wall of Receipts. Lynn Chain, a spokesperson with Indivisible Tennessee, helped organize the protest on Saturday, March 22 and said the group is worried about cuts made to Social Security and other federal programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge temporarily blocks DOGE access to Social Security records There are people here that dont eat without the benefits that they put into, paid into their whole lives, so thats a real problem, and the billionaires dont have any way to relate to people who have worked their whole lives just to keep the lights on, Chain told News 2. Counter-protesters also made their voices heard, driving by in Cybertrucks, praising Musk and President Donald Trumps agenda, and chastising protesters for wanting an American company to fail. The vast majority of [Teslas] shares are owned by peoples retirement funds. If any of these people have retirement funds, 401(k)s, etc., theyre wanting their 401(k)s to tank, Eric Loes told News 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump goes to bat for Tesla as backlash, financial woes escalate Romonte Hamer, a Williamson County resident, also criticized protesters, saying, In the private sector, companies go through downsizing, people go through furloughs, people go through layoffs. Welcome to the real world, federal government. However, protesters said they worry the federal downsizing could have damaging effects. Saturdays protest in Franklin was one of many held across the nation recently to express disapproval for Musks push to slash government spending and reduce the federal workforce. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Margaret Reist Local government reporter Follow Margaret Reist 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. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today That weird blizzard that blew through Lincoln the day before the official start of spring, dropping dirty, wet, heavy snow everywhere, did a number on traffic signals. Drivers who happened to be heading south Wednesday, once the snow quit falling and the wind died down a bit, might have thought there was a power outage because the traffic lights werent visible on the snow-covered signals. The drivers (just spitballing here) may have slowly made their way through several intersections and considered calling their newsroom to say there appeared to be a power outage in the area until they noticed that it looked like there actually was a green or red light shining under the sheath of winter. The main culprit of this was the high winds and wet snow, but the fact that all the citys traffic signals use LED lighting likely played a part. There are big benefits to LED lighting: They are brighter, put out a lower wattage than incandescent lights and last about 10 times longer, according to Lincoln Transportation and Utilities spokeswoman Erika Hill. But they also release significantly less heat. Incandescent bulbs release 90% of their energy and fluorescent bulbs release about 80%. LEDs, on the other hand, release just a fraction of that, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That means they wont do much to melt the snow and ice sticking to them. Lincolns been using LED traffic lights for more than 15 years, and city crews routinely spread out across the city after a storm to clear snow and ice from traffic signals. One hint that this snow was particularly troublesome: LTU sent not only its traffic signal team out to clear lights but a portion of its maintenance crew. They were out all day Thursday, Hill said, and finished clearing all the lights. In Colorado where cities probably find this a bigger problem than in Lincoln a transportation signal electrician came up with some kind of cone contraption that keeps snow from building up on the signal lights, patented it and started a business called Snow Proof Signals. Several Colorado cities have installed them on selective lights, according to a story from an Denver ABC reporter. Unless Lincoln decides to add them to the city's lights, heres a hint: Dont assume the powers out on snow-covered lights. Drivers going the other direction could give you weird looks (or something worse, if the lights in their direction are clear). And then there's the trees City officials closed Hazel Abel Park near 17th and E streets after a very large hackberry tree cracked under winters (hopefully) last hurrah. The tree is leaning precariously against a pillar in the scenic little park, which worried Parks and Recreation officials enough to close it until they figure out how to remove it. Thats been problematic since the citys equipment is too big to get through the decorative wrought iron fence encircling the park. Theyre working on finding someone with equipment that could take care of the tree and not the fence. The storm resulted in 170 calls for what Parks and Recreation calls tree events. That could be a call to pick up fallen limbs and branches, removing hanging limbs or removing trees. That number of calls is in line with a typical storm, said Lincoln Parks and Recreation Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross, unlike the freakish windstorm on July 31 where a thunderstorm and 80 mph winds downed enough trees and limbs to keep Parks and Recreation officials busy for months. The department got 1,500 calls after that storm, and Parks and Recreation employees Jamie Granquist and Pam Hoffman got a mayors award of excellence last week for their work fielding and documenting those calls on top of their regular duties promptly getting them in the system so that the forestry department could respond. The city is still dealing with claims related to that storm, and the City Council was anticipating enough of them that they called an executive session, which was apparently to offer some guidance on how the city evaluates those claims when they decide whether to pay claimants. There have been 20 tree-related claims filed that list July 31 as the day of occurrence. Of those, 15 have been denied and four settled, according to the city law department. The City Council removed a couple of those claims on which the law department recommended denial for further review. Stuckey-Ross is convinced there were more than that and asked the law department to do another search, but the department has not yet provided additional details. Extreme makeover Eleven years ago, Don Wesely moved back to his old neighborhood, into a house that was, quite possibly, more well-known than the former mayor, lobbyist and prominent figure in Nebraska politics. Wesely died unexpectedly last week at home, a shock to his many friends and colleagues, who talked about the impact hed made on the city and the state. His move back to his neighborhood made headlines, too, another story of the man who spent his career giving back. Though he was born in David City, Wesely was a product of northeast Lincoln, one of a number of people who grew up in the traditionally blue-collar neighborhood who went on to prominent careers, many in public service. In 2015, he moved back to the Havelock neighborhood nestled in the shadow of the Burlington Railroad yards to a home that had made national news in 2007. Across the country, viewers of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition watched crews haul away the original home, build a new one in six days and surprise the blended family who owned it with a 4,000-square-foot home with stone walls, exposed brickwork, six bedrooms, six bathrooms, indoor-outdoor waterfalls and a granite-countered laundry room. Wesely had been looking for a home and when he learned it was on the market and put in an offer. He found out later that Realtors had fielded half a dozen offers and chose his because he was from Havelock, hed represented northeast Lincoln in the Legislature for 20 years and hed be able to handle the parade of cars that still circled the block to catch a glimpse of the dream home. He told former Journal Star reporter Peter Salter it took a while for it to feel like home, but he made it his adding a Kennedy Room and a Lincoln Bathroom and a Persian-style rug with his face stitched into it, a gift from the people of Khujand, Lincolns sister city in Tajikistan. DENVER (KDVR) The Denver Police Department is investigating a stabbing incident that occurred Saturday morning, according to a post on X from the department. The department responded to the report at 9:42 a.m. East High School dean hurt in shooting files lawsuit against Denver Public Schools The stabbing took place in the 1600 block of S. Colorado Boulevard. Officers said they discovered one victim who was transported. The extent of their injuries is unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators are developing suspect information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Federal authorities in South Florida have recently detained at least 18 Cubans during scheduled immigration appointments, local attorneys say, highlighting that a group that has historically enjoyed special immigration benefits is not immune to the Trump administrations intensified mass deportation efforts. In recent years, hundreds of thousands of Cubans who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border have received I-220A forms, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement document that records someones release from custody subject to certain conditions. That paperwork does not confer lawful status. Federal judges have ruled it cant be used to apply for green cards under the 1966 Cuban Adjustment Act, which lets Cuban nationals get permanent residency a year and a day after touching U.S. soil. Cubans with I-220As must instead seek asylum or find an alternative path to stay in the United States, like a family-based green-card petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its Cubans with I-220As, primarily women, whom ICE has detained at regular check-ins in the agencys field office in Miramar, attorneys say. Their detentions mark another way in which the experiences of newly arrived Cubans are different from previous generations that widely enjoyed special treatment in the federal immigration system. Read more: Cubans with I-220A forms are suddenly being detained. Heres why and what they can do Under the Biden administration, ICE primarily focused on detaining public safety and national security threats. As long as they did not have criminal records, Cubans with I-220As were not taken into custody. That appears to have changed under the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were always vulnerable. Its just somebody has decided to take action, said Miami immigration attorney Mark Prada. Its all discretion and priority decisions. And right now the priority is to deport every person under the sun. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to Herald questions about whether Cubans with I-220As were now considered a detention and deportation priority for ICE. Trump has said he wants to deport the millions of undocumented people who are in the United States. It is the policy of the United States to faithfully execute the immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens, Trump wrote in an executive order on his first day in office. Among the Cubans recently detained is Beatriz Monteagudo, 25, her friend Johan Ariel told the Miami Herald. The pair texted each other daily. But the last message he received from Monteagudo was March 10. The Cuban woman, who got an I-220A after entering the U.S. in January 2024, was heading to her required check-in appointment in Miramar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ariel quickly grew worried that he hadnt heard from her following the appointment. When he searched the ICE detainee locator service online, her name showed up. Then came Monteagudos call. When she called Ariel from the detention facility, she told him she was with about 18 others who had also been taken into custody after showing up for their routine appointments. Monteagudo told him she wasnt told why they were there, aside from officers mentioning the laws had changed. To date, neither Monteagudo nor Ariel have gotten answers, he says. And this week, Monteagudo, who was living in Miami, was transferred to a detention facility in San Diego. Beatriz Monteagudo, 25, was detained by immigration authorities in Miramar on March 10, 2025. I am completely left in the dark right now, Ariel told the Herald. I am so worried and have no resources to help her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ariel, who came from Cuba two years ago, fears for Monteagudos safety if she were to be returned to her homeland. She faced issues with the islands authorities for participating in the widespread July 11, 2021, anti-government protests. If she returns to Cuba, she will be imprisoned right away, Ariel said. Thatd be destroying her life. Rebeca Sanchez-Roig, an immigration attorney with Catholic Charities Legal Services of Miami, described the ICE decision to detain the Cuban women without criminal records as unusual. But while unusual, its not legally impossible, she added. Cuba doesnt consistently accept American deportation flights as many as 42,000 Cuban nationals remain in the U.S. despite having deportation orders. That means that deportation to Cuba is a headache for the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Latin American countries have agreed to accept U.S. deportees from other countries, and experts warn that Cubans could also be sent to Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama. Under a deal it brokered with the Biden administration, Mexico already takes back Cubans who arrive at the southwest border. An El Salvador mega-prison recently received hundreds of Venezuelans as part of a deal the Trump administration made with Salvadorean president Nayib Bukele last month. Wilfredo Allen, a Miami-based immigration attorney, represents an asylum seeker who was among the recently detained Cubans. The cases hes learned of are mostly women. He said its the first time hes seeing Cubans with I-220As with pending immigration cases or green card applications and no criminal histories end up in ICE custody. Its creating a big panic, Allen said. Laura de la Caridad Sanchez, 27, is one of those Cuban women with I-220As whom ICE detained as she was attending an immigration appointment in Miramar, her attorney, Eduardo Soto, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soto said he doesnt know why Sanchez, who was living in Coral Gables with her mother, and the others were detained; he added that immigration officials cited a memo and said it came down from powers that be in Washington. Soto said hes prepared to file a federal lawsuit if she is not released. This step was taken to detain her and place everyone in a panic, Soto said. Its a waste of the governments time and money and her time and money. U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar of Miami, who has positioned herself as a champion for Cubans with I-220As, confirmed on X that she was aware of the recent detentions at ICEs office in Miramar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I recently spoke with ICE and Homeland Security officials and asked them to not detain Cubans with I-220A and allow for their asylum cases to be heard, Salazar said in a statement posted in Spanish. As you all know well, during the Biden administration I sought a solution for Cubans with I-220A, and I will not stop until its no longer necessary. Miami U.S. Reps. Carlos Gimenez and Mario Diaz-Balart, who like Salazar are Cuban American, didnt respond to Herald requests for comment. They have not released statements about the detainees. However, Diaz-Balart in 2023 expressed outrage with the Biden administration over its I-220A policies affecting Cubans which are causing confusion, chaos, and injustice. Face-eating leopards Prada described the fact that so many Cubans have been given I-220A documents as a backdoor repeal of the Cuban Adjustment Act. He has been at the forefront of several lawsuits that have resulted in Cubans with I-220As obtaining parole to remain in the U.S. and gain permanent residency. Lawyers note that for South Floridas Cuban community, many of whom supported Trumps presidential campaign, the rapid immigration enforcement changes may come as a surprise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People come out in favor of the face-eating leopards, Prada said. And then they get surprised when the leopard eats their face. The detainment of Cubans by ICE in Miramar is stoking fear in South Floridas immigrant community, said Allen, a Miami immigration attorney for over three decades. He said he believes the Trump administration is trying to intimidate people and cause panic so they voluntarily return to their home countries. The panic, however, isnt only affecting immigrants, Allen said. Immigration officers are being pressured for not detaining enough people, and judges and government lawyers are also being strong-armed into rejecting peoples efforts to stay in the U.S. Allen said people with I-220A, despite their fears, should continue to show up to their appointments and court dates. They should hold faith that this year a federal court will rule in favor of them. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Two people were arrested for animal neglect after Vanderburgh County Sheriff Deputies found their home in deplorable condition. An affidavit obtained by Eyewitness News says deputies were dispatched to North Red Bank Road to assist animal control on a neglect call. Upon arriving deputies found 32-year-old Brittany Lickey and 37-year-old Joshua Anderson sitting in the back yard. The affidavit goes on to say that Lickey and Anderson lived together in the trailer with their nine dogs. Deputies begin a search of the trailer and found it in deplorable conditions. Deputies say they found six inches of animal feces inside a dog kennel, around the trailer as well as mixed in with blankets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After an investigation, both Lickey and Anderson were arrested for animal neglect and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail. Joshua Anderson (Courtesy of the Vanderburgh County Jail) Brittany Lickey (Courtesy of the Vanderburgh County Jail) Officials with animal control say the dogs never received any shots and had never been to the vet to receive care. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). A dead body was found near a Montgomery County neighborhood Sunday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As previously reported on News Center 7 at 11, Montgomery County Sheriffs deputies were called to the 3000 block of Montevideo Drive around 8:30 a.m. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The body was found in a brush area, which is where deputies focused their investigation. I didnt know what was going on and then I rolled past and seen a hearse and, you know, a body bag, Jerry Smith said. Dont too much happen around my neighborhood, so I was just kind of shocked to see it, for real. News Center 7 was able to confirm the body was found near Montevideo Drive, across from a popular ballpark. I got kids myself, so it just kind of made me feel like, dang, like anything could happen anywhere, Smith said. My heart goes out to the family. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office the coroners office will have to determine the cause of death and identify the body due to decomposition. News Center 7 is working to learn more and will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Deputies in a rural Georgia town conducted a search warrant on a mans house and arrested him after finding various illegal drugs. Deputies executed the warrant at 110 Smoltz Court in Jackson, Georgia after undercover deputies had been working several weeks on a case. Antonio Strickland of Jackson was charged with the sale of methamphetamine, the sale of hallucinogenic mushrooms, and the sale of marijuana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During their search, deputies located methamphetamine, marijuana, ecstasy, Xanax, THC wax, THC oil, and Oxycodone, which possibly contains fentanyl. He was charged with possession of all of those drugs. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] On the night of 22-23 March, Russian forces launched a large-scale drone attack on Kyiv, leaving dozens injured and three dead across the capital. Source: Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia Details: Among the dead are five-year-old Nikol and her father, Oleksandr Haranskyi, who lived in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district. The only member of the family to survive was Oleksandr's wife, Oleksandra, who was injured and is currently in hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diana Dudchenko, who knew the family, told Ukrainska Pravda. Zhyttia that the couple had moved to Kyiv from Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, after the full-scale war began. The Haranskyi family attended a church in the capital, which is where they met Diana. Diana added that the little house in the church grounds where the family lived was totally destroyed in the drone attack. "Oleksandra sings with me in the church group, so we were in close contact. Their child went to the same kindergarten as my son, so we often used to give them lifts," Dudchenko said. According to Diana, Oleksandra worked at the church kindergarten before starting her own business baking sweet treats to order. Her husband took on various part-time jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oleksandra was also actively involved in her church, organising meetings for teenagers several times a week. Dudchenko describes the Haranskyi family as friendly and kind-hearted people who had continued to help others despite having lost everything in their hometown of Orikhiv. "They helped out a lot, they were kind and positive. In the winter, Oleksandra organised a project to collect gifts for children and deliver them to frontline regions," she added. Diana also shared a video of five-year-old Nikol doing one of her favourite things playing with modelling clay on 19 March. She said she had seen the little girl at kindergarten the following day, as the children had arranged a special celebration for their mothers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diana shared her memories: "Nikol was a very good little girl, she was smart and clever. She was friends with my children, she loved to wear dresses and even had a dress with lights on like a princess. She also loved drawing and making things with modelling clay. She was a happy little girl. She was in the older childrens group in the kindergarten and would have started in first grade in September." At the time of the Russian attack on Kyiv, the Haranskyi family were living in a house in the church grounds. Diana said Nikol and Oleksandr were killed instantly when the strike hit their home. "Oleksandra was thrown twenty metres away from the house and lay there for three hours until a local electrician found her," the family friend added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oleksandra is now in intensive care in a Kyiv hospital. Diana is fundraising to help pay for her medical treatment. ". " , . ' . , , . [...] " pic.twitter.com/gpe54upBOX . (@UPZhyttya) March 23, 2025 "The mum [Oleksandra] has regained consciousness, and her prognosis is good," Diana added. The Russian attack on the Dniprovskyi district also killed an 80-year-old woman whose flat was gutted by fire, the Kyiv24 media outlet reported. A neighbour said that she herself had not been at home at the time of the fire, but noted that the 80-year-old woman could not be reached by emergency workers in time because there were so many parked cars around the building. Andrii Isaienko, a well-known Ukrainian theatre and film actor, and his wife, director and producer Olesia Morhunets-Isaienko, live in the same building. Isaienko said they were not injured in the attack and urged people to contribute to a collection to help their neighbours in need. Earlier, Ukrainska Pravda. Zhyttia reported on the victims of a Russian attack on Poltava in early February. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! From monkeys to emus, exotic pets on the loose arent new to South Carolina. This time its a kangaroo. On Saturday, Horry County Police reported returning a kangaroo to its home, according to a Facebook post from the agency. The marsupial was roaming around the Horry County fourth precinct, which covers the Socastee area, according to a 2016 map. The owner posted on Facebook a video that talked about how the kangaroo got loose. It was the goat who unlatched the gate, allowing the Roo to bounce free. Lindsey Richardson shared that she had to go out in her silk, pink pajama pants to wrestle the animal back home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sun News has requested the police report from the incident but did not receive it before publication. South Carolina has made national headlines for its animal escapees, from the 43 monkeys in Beaufort County to the two emus who roamed rural Horry County. There were also reports of an escaped monkey in North Myrtle Beach last fall, although police never located a primate. The Palmetto State has less stringent exotic pet laws, compared to other places around the country, allowing for interesting pets. Within Horry County, theres a group of monkey owners, The Sun News previously reported. Longs resident Trina Owens with her pet spider monkeys, Charlotte and Pixie. South Carolina law prohibits purchasing or possessing large wild cats, non-native bears and great apes though there are exceptions for certain nonprofit organizations, enforcement agencies, veterinary facilities, research facilities, circuses and agricultural license holders, The Sun News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its illegal to sell carnivores who are not normally domesticated but not illegal to own one. There are also a number of endangered species and reptiles that are prohibited without a permit. Often times exotic pets are ruled by municipal laws. One of the emus running loose in the Loris area may be dead. The owner Sam Morace said multiple people told her they heard someone shoot the bird. There is definitely a patchwork at the state level and then again at the county and municipal level, theres a number of other ordinances specific to those municipalities and counties that might prohibit specific animals in those jurisdictions, Will Dillman, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources assistant chief of wildlife, told The Sun News in September. [This story originally aired on October 31, 2020.] In April 2017, Moscow native Anna Repkina was found murdered on a remote Oregon logging road. Fifty-five hundred miles from home, investigators were puzzled as to what she was doing there and who could possibly want her dead. Turns out she'd met American Will Hargrove online and after a whirlwind romance, the two became engaged. Anna relocated to the U.S. not knowing she was moving right into the middle of a love triangle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOOKING FOR LOVE Ryan Joslin and Amie Matusko, both deputy district attorneys in Benton County, Oregon, received an urgent call that a body had been found on April 17, 2017. Ryan Joslin: This is outside of Corvallis quite a ways out in the Alsea area and up a remote logging road. Amie Matusko: He and I were both on scene to take a look for ourselves. That's so important in a prosecutor's role, that you understand the scene. Not just from photos but having been there. Ryan Joslin: Not too many people are gonna be up in that area. So frankly, the fact that the body was discovered as quickly as it was was pretty extraordinary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lead detective Lieutenant Chris Duffitt says a local caretaker happened to be out walking his dog that day when he came across the body. Lt. Chris Duffitt: The caller was walking on this road on a day and a time in a place that he really should've never been. So, we were very, very lucky to find her body. If it would have been -- you know, any more time, we might have never found her. Anna Repkina, 27, came from The victim was identified as 27-year-old Moscow native, Anna Repkina. She had been shot. Amie Matusko: She was smart, intelligent. She had a job, an office job working for Ikea. She loved cats. She loved to travel. Anna had a lot going for her. And a lot of people liked her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So how did a Russian woman, who had a seemingly happy life, meet her end on a remote logging road nearly 5,500 miles from home? Amie Matusko: She had broken up with her boyfriend of seven years and was really looking for that connection. A year earlier, newly single Anna started looking for love online and joined a Russian social networking site. She found what she was looking for -- halfway across the world -- when she met 26-year-old Oregonian William Hargrove. Will Hargrove, 26, met Anna Repkina on a Russian social networking site. Amie Matusko: They started really chatting. They chatted a lot over Facebook. Then -- they started videoconferencing. And that was happening on an almost daily basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anna and Will found that they had a lot in common. Amie Matusko: They really bonded over music. She very much loved music. She liked to go to rock concerts. They would have discussions about bands. She had a good sense of humor. She would constantly send funny memes, and she connected with her friends and her family that way. Will and Anna exchanged thousands of messages, imagining their future together if Anna came to Oregon. WILL HARGROVE [via Facebook]: You, are absolutely amazing. WILL HARGROVE: We are going to have soooo much fun together.. ANNA REPKINA: (Smiley Face) ANNA REPKINA: True) WILL HARGROVE: Day dreaming yet? ANNA REPKINA: Yes) its wonderful) WILL HARGROVE: Tell me? ANNA REPKINA: Difficult to imagine, but it should be very romantic and beautiful WILL HARGROVE: Snow covered evergreens, snow on the ground, a tent hidden slightly in the trees of our clearing, a good size fire roaring, and you in my arms. Jamie Klotz: He definitely had the gift of gab. Tracy Smith: The gift of gab. He could talk a good game? Jamie Klotz: He could. He could talk a very good game. Will's friend and former roommate, Jamie Klotz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jamie Klotz: He and I had things in common. Cars. He works on cars. I work on cars. I'm more Harry Potter, he's more the Avengers kind of, you know, genre. But -- we could nerd out on things like that. He actually took me to see my first Avengers movie. Jamie Klotz: He was a likeable guy. You know, a jokester. He just like to laugh and have fun. I enjoyed being around him. Will worked as a mechanic at a local auto dealership. In his free time, he would meet up with friends like Joseph Thompson at the Peacock Bar and Grill. Joseph Thompson: We would play pool over there on Sunday nights, and just basically ended up hanging out a lot, doing karaoke. I don't know how many times me and him would be sittin' there playin' pool, and he'd just have women walk up from the bar, just sit there talk to him. He was very charismatic. He had the personality, the presence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tracy Smith: Was he a player? Joseph Thompson: No. Not necessarily. Will was such a good friend that Joseph called him his brother. Joseph Thompson: We were both in the military. A lot of the training and stuff that we had went through was similar and it helped pull us together. Tracy Smith: What branch of the service were you in? Joseph Thompson: Army. Tracy Smith: And Will? Joseph Thompson: I believe he was Marines. He said that he used to be stationed in Russia. Will seemed to have an affinity for all things Russian, and his online relationship with Anna took off. Anna decided to fly to the states to spend the holidays with Will in Oregon and see if their virtual love would feel the same in reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lt. Chris Duffitt: December of 2016 she traveled here and spent a couple weeks with William Hargrove. But the road to romance had an unexpected detour. Amie Matusko: There was a problem when she first came out in December to see Mr. Hargrove. She mistakenly mixed up Portland, Maine for Portland, Oregon and she was stranded in Portland, Maine. ANNA REPKINA [via Facebook]: Who knows you have two damn Portlands WILL HARGROVE: Honestly, I didn't even know that As their relationship took off, Anna Repkina decided to fly to the U.S. from her home in Russia to spend the holidays with Will Hargrove and see if their virtual love would stand up to reality. / Credit: Benton County Sheriff's Office Amidst the chaos of flight changes, Anna messaged Will, building the anticipation to finally be together: WILL HARGROVE [via Facebook]: That's where you belong baby. In the clouds. My Angel ANNA REPKINA: Be ready, I will cry. WILL HARGROVE: ? When? When I propose to you? ANNA REPKINA: When I see you. Anna eventually made it to the right Portland, and into the arms of Will Hargrove. During her visit, she posted highlights of their whirlwind romance, including photos of their trips to the coast, Will's cars, and even a Christmas wish scrawled out to her family back home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amie Matusko: She came here for love. Lt. Chris Duffitt: At the conclusion of this trip she actually became engaged to William Hargrove. And they had plans to get married in the future. Anna returned home to Russia after 10 days with a souvenir an engagement ring from Will and plans to pack up her life in Russia and move to Oregon with the promise of marriage. Amie Matusko: She was excited about the wedding. She was talking about all the different style of dresses and what she really wanted. But there was going to be an obstacle in Anna's path to love. Michelle Chavez: I'm Michelle Chavez and I was Will Hargrove's girlfriend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A LOVE TRIANGLE In 2015, 33-year-old Michelle Chavez was living with her husband and two children in Albany, Oregon. Unfortunately, all was not right in the marriage. Michelle Chavez: Our relationship, at that point in time, really wasn't one. It was like roommates that just happened to be married. Slept in the same bed, but that was about it. Didn't really talk. Michelle met Will Hargrove while she was working as a cab driver. Michelle Chavez: It was a kind of slow time in the summer, and I was waiting at the bar waiting for people to call to go pick people up, Tracy Smith: What was your first impression of him? Michelle Chavez: God, he's short. Tracy Smith: God, he's short? Michelle Chavez: Yes. God, he's short [laughs]. Yeah. He is short. But that first impression gave way to something much more for Chavez who was so unhappy at home. Michelle Chavez: He made you feel like you were in the sun when he talked to you. He had a way of being able to look at me and I felt like I was actually seen. I felt beautiful. I felt like I was wanted. And so, Michelle and Will became much more than friends. Michelle Chavez: It wasn't a planned thing. It wasn't like it went off in my head and I was like, I'm going to have a relationship with him. It just progressed that way. Jamie Klotz | Friend of Will and Michelle: He was willing to give her what she needed. Affection, attention. The following year, 2016, the relationship grew to a new and somewhat unusual level with Will renting a spare bedroom in Michelle's house -- the same one she shared with her husband and kids, though it's not clear what Michelle's husband knew about her relationship with Will. Michelle Chavez: He only had to pay $300 a month and his own food, unless he liked whatever it was we were making at the time. Honestly, pretty sweet deal. Michelle even gave Will her wedding ring as a promise that she'd leave her husband soon. But it wasn't enough for Will. Tracy Smith: If Will had this relationship with Michelle and was in love with Michelle, why was he going on internet dating sites? Jamie Klotz: I think -- that it had to do with jealousy. Michelle was gonna leave her husband on her terms. And it wasn't going fast enough. If he could make her jealous, then -- maybe it would speed things up. Which may explain why, when Anna visited Will over Christmas, they stayed at Michelle's house -- under Michelle's nose. It seems Anna knew nothing of Will's other relationship. Michelle Chavez: They were in his room most of the time. On New Year's Eve, they were getting ready to go out Will was like "Oh, maybe I should introduce you guys." And she shook my hand and said her name was Anna. I said it was nice to meet her. But Michelle wouldn't be quite that welcoming when Anna returned a few months later on March 1, 2017, with the intention of becoming Will's wife. Michelle Chavez: I was like, "well, she's not staying here. She's not staying in my house." So, Will and Anna rented an apartment in Corvallis, a small college town not far from Michelle's home. With Will working and without a job herself, Anna spent time on her own, even joining the local gym. Life wasn't as easy for Michelle. Tracy Smith: What did you want? Michelle Chavez: Simple -- just to be happy. Tracy Smith: And you thought you'd found that with him? Michelle Chavez: I thought I had. But you have to actually know somebody to find those things, I think. Turns out, actually knowing Will was going to be a bit of challenge for everyone. Even with his new fiancee in America, he split his nights between his two love interests. Ryan Joslin: | Deputy district attorney: He really continued to float between those two -- places, back at Michelle's place and then back at the apartment with Anna. With no clue as to why Will kept disappearing, Anna often had to resort to contacting his friends to find her own fiance. Amie Matusko | Deputy district attorney: She's seeing him gone. In the text messages, she's reaching out to his friends, "Do you know where he is? What's going on?" She's becoming suspicious. "Where is he going? What is going on with his time?" NNA REPKINA [via Facebook]: Do you know where Will is? As it happened, Anna's instincts were right on the money. Ryan Joslin: This man was a fraud, and relied heavily on deception to convince other people he was the type of person that he wanted to be perceived as. Amie Matusko: He wanted to be something greater than he was. He told a number of people he was in the Armed Forces. He was never in the Armed Forces. Then there's the matter of a certain engagement ring. Anna's ring. Or was it? Michelle Chavez: Her and I had friended each other on Facebook. And then I saw her wearing my wedding ring. Tracy Smith: What? Michelle Chavez: Yeah. When Will Hargrove proposed to Anna Repkina, he used this ring, seen here on Anna's hand. Little did Anna know, this was the same ring that Michelle Chavez gave to Will as a promise to end her marriage. / Credit: Benton County Sheriff's Office The ring that had been Michelle's wedding ring had been re-purposed when Will proposed to Anna. Lt. Chris Duffitt: Will told Anna that this ring belonged to his grandmother and had sentimental value to him. Anna had no idea she was wearing Michelle's ring. And on March 22, she was shocked to get a Facebook message from Michelle about sharing Will. MICHELLE CHAVEZ [via Facebook]: if we are going to continue to share him Amie Matusko: At this point, all Anna knows is that Michelle Chavez is the crazy ex-girlfriend, because that's what Will Hargrove has told her. And so, Anna says, "No way. You get out of our lives." ANNA REPKINA [via Facebook]: stop being a bitch. Michelle Chavez: Something about me being a bitch, I believe. And I was like, I'm just getting started at being one. MICHELLE CHAVEZ [via Facebook]: I am happy to show you just how much of one I can be. Tracy Smith: Were you threatening her? Michelle Chavez: No. Just being mouthy. I just meant that if you think I'm being bitchy now, like, just watch. Just three days later, Anna and Will headed to the Oregon coast for their wedding ceremony. Lt. Chris Duffitt: Anna brought a wedding dress with her from Russia. She had her ring that William proposed to her with. On the way, Will decided to stop at the local Walmart to buy their wedding bands, leaving bride-to-be Anna in the car. Will Hargrove is seen talking to Michelle Chavez on his cell phone in the jewelry section of a Walmart where he was supposedly shopping for wedding bands on his wedding day as his bride-to-be waited in the car. / Credit: Benton County Sheriff's Office Amie Matusko: While he's in Walmart shopping for his wedding ring, he is on the phone with Michelle Chavez. And he is discussing their relationship and whether or not he's gonna come see her that night. Tracy Smith: And you had no clue when he said he was in Walmart that he was like headed to a wedding? Michelle Chavez: No, no, none at all. But as it would turn out, Anna and Will were not headed to a wedding. Amie Matusko: They go to the beach, and the officiant doesn't show up. So, he has a phone call in which he relays to both the witnesses and to Anna that the officiant couldn't make it, he was ill, something came up. Lt. Chris Duffitt: William Hargrove was actually calling a couple video game stores to presumably pretend he was talking to a wedding official to show 'em how mad he was about this day. Amie Matusko: He never arranged for an officiant. He never got a marriage license. He didn't have anything set up. Sadly, there'd be only one portrait of the bride that day picking up some fast food. Anna Repkina, pictured left, is seen wearing her wedding dress in this image from a McDonald's drive-thru surveillance camera. / Credit: Benton County Sheriff's Office Lt. Chris Duffitt: The McDonald's drive-thru video is the only video or photo taken on Anna Repkina's wedding day. And you can actually see Anna Repkina in her wedding dress -- in William Hargrove's vehicle. Seemingly oblivious to Will's feelings for Michelle, Anna set her heart on a rescheduled wedding date. But Michelle had other plans. Tracy Smith: So, did you give him an ultimatum? Michelle Chavez: At one point I did. I told him he had to pick one I didn't want anything bad to happen to her. I just didn't want her here. Tracy Smith: So, you pressured him to choose? Michelle Chavez: I did. AN ULTIMATUM In April 2017, the relationship between Michelle Chavez and Will Hargrove hit a crossroads with Michelle insisting Will finally choose between her and Anna. Will told Michelle she was his choice. Tracy Smith: So, April 19th was the deadline for both of you? Michelle Chavez: Correct. Michelle Chavez was the other woman Will Hargrove had been dating the whole time he'd been romancing Anna Repkina. When Michelle found out Anna had moved to Oregon to marry Will, she put her foot down. / Credit: CBS News Tracy Smith: You were gonna be done with your marriage. And he was supposed to ... Michelle Chavez: She was supposed to be gone or whatever. He was going to leave her. Tracy Smith: How much pressure did Michelle put on Will to get rid of Anna? Amie Matusko: A lot. There was a lot of pressure. There's a lot of back and forth in there between all the text messages -- where one minute it's like, "Clean out your stuff and get out," the next minute is, "I love you, I wanna be together, but we can't do that if she's here." Tracy Smith: There are texts between the two of you with you pressuring him to choose, and at one point you told him to fix it. What'd you mean by that? Michelle Chavez: In the general sense. Fix it in the sense that you would take care of it, not take care of it like take somebody out. You would end the relationship, that you would be done. Will told Michelle he'd tried to send Anna packing many times, but she wouldn't go. Lt. Chris Duffitt: So, Michelle perceived Anna as this girl who kinda never got the hint, that she was being told to leave and she kept coming back although Anna never knew any of this was really happening. On Saturday night, April 15, just four days shy of the deadline they'd set, Michelle was supposed to have dinner at Will's apartment. Lt. Chris Duffitt: It wasn't until about 8 p.m. that night that William Hargrove tells Michelle Chavez that -- she actually can't come over, that Anna showed back up, that Anna's back again. He'll take care of it. What followed was yet another heated text conversation. Not a surprise according to Detective Chris Dale, who says Michelle and Will exchanged more than 13,000 texts during their relationship. Det. Chris Dale: Constant checking in every morning to make sure that he's woken up on time -- to get to work. It didn't seem as if there was an hour in a day that went by where they were not communicating. But on that day, there was one critical text. Amie Matusko: So, Will Hargrove sent a message to Miss Chavez, "I will have this permanently fixed by 18:00 tomorrow." Lt. Chris Duffitt: So, he'll have the situation of Anna Repkina handled by 6:00 p.m. the following day, which was Easter Sunday. Will Hargrove and Anna Repkina / Credit: Benton County Sheriff's Office That assurance was not enough for Michelle. She contined texting and calling Will, who turned off his phone. As the hours passed with no reply, Michelle's hope that Will was truly "fixing" the problem with Anna vanished. MICHELLE CHAVEZ [2:06 a.m. voicemail to Will]: I guess you made your choice. Ok. MICHELLE CHAVEZ [3:10 a.m. voicemail to Will]: I'll let you be. Why? I just wanna know why. I'll let you be. But I just wanna know why. The next morning, Michelle headed to her mother's house for Easter. Jamie was there as well. Jamie Klotz: She said that she'd spent the night ugly crying. And even though I knew what the probable answer was going to be, I still asked her, like, "why?" And she looks at me and she goes, "Why do you think?" And I said, "Because of Will." Meanwhile, back at his apartment, Will was dealing with a very different but urgent problem: his car insurance policy. Amie Matusko: They've been sending him notices that if he doesn't have it paid by midnight on the 16th, they're gonna cancel his insurance. Lt. Chris Duffitt: He tells them that he knows his insurance lapses that evening, and he needs to get it extended -- for free -- because if it doesn't he's gonna lose his -- vehicle loan and they're gonna repossess it immediately. WILLIAM HARGROVE [phone call]: OK. Can you guys hold off until the 21st so I can get you paid? PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE AGENT: Um, unfortunately once it is pending cancellation for nonpayment, we don't have the ability to move the dates at all um, and this one yeah, so it'll be effect -- canceled effective tonight at midnight. Just after 4:30 p.m., Michelle's phone rang. It was Will. Tracy Smith: And what did he say? Michelle Chavez: That he had been out at the coast. He was on his way back in and he'd almost hit a deer. He ran off the road and had a flat tire and he needed help. Tracy Smith: How did he sound? Michelle Chavez: Shaken, sad. And so, Michelle left her family's Easter celebration to go meet Will in the town of Alsea. He waited for her at a local convenience store. Lt. Chris Duffitt: You can see him walk to the -- cooler where he gets -- a Pepsi. He goes and gets his candy bar. And then he ultimately gets a pack of cigarettes. About an hour later, Michelle arrived. Lt. Chris Duffitt: She parks on the side of that store. We see her get out of her Prius. Michelle Chavez: I asked him, "what happened? Where have you been?" He told me that he -- after we had talked to they had gotten to an argument and he said horrible, mean things to her then that she had turned around and taken her suitcases and had walked out. Thinking Anna had finally left the apartment for good, Michelle says she and Will got into his car. Michelle Chavez: We drove for a little bit. We'd pulled off and we were talking for a few. And then honestly, we end up having sex in the front seat. Tracy Smith: So, you had makeup sex, essentially. Michelle Chavez: Yeah, essentially. Makeup sex in the front seat. Michelle and Will then went their separate ways, with Michelle returning to her family's Easter celebration. Jamie Klotz: She came back, she was in a good mood. She was smiling. She was -- you know, she was happy. She looked total 180 from what she looked like in the morning. Will headed home, but he made a few stops along the way. First, at an ATM where he withdrew money from Anna's bank account. Will Hargrove was caught on video surveillance at various ATM's dispensing cash from Anna Repkina's account / Credit: Benton County Sheriff's Office Lt. Chris Duffitt: Made a $200 withdrawal from this machine, and then engaged in some conversation with some employees -- at that gas station, where he actually ended up hugging one of them and crying about the fact that his girlfriend, Anna Repkina -- had left him. Tracy Smith: His girlfriend, whose account he just took $200 from? Lt. Chris Duffitt: Yes. Will then headed to a second ATM. Amie Matusko: He goes to the Chase Bank and withdraws an additional $600 of Anna Repkina's money. Lt. Chris Duffitt: So now William Hargrove has $800 -- that he stole from Anna Repkina's bank account. At about 9:00, 9:30 p.m. on that same night he drives to -- another bank and he ends up depositing $160 of that cash into his bank account. Will had just one more chore to take care of that evening. PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE AGENT [phone call]: Thank you for calling Progressive. WILL HARGROVE: Y'all should have a card on file for me and I need to make a payment please. Lt. Chris Duffitt: Several hours earlier he has no money. WILL HARGROVE [phone call]: All good, then? Everything's done? PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE AGENT: Yep. Everything is taken care of, you are insured as we're speaking. WILL HARGROVE: Excellent. Thank you very much ma'am. PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE AGENT: My pleasure. Have a good night, William. Lt. Chris Duffitt: All of a sudden, he has money and he's taking it out of Anna Repkina's bank account, who's found dead the next day. "A HORRIBLE MISTAKE" On April 17, 2017 the day after Easter Sunday Anna Repkina was found with a shotgun blast to the back of the head, her body left like one more piece of garbage. Anna Repkina's body was discovered by a local caretaker who happened to be out walking his dog . Lt. Chris Duffitt: Anna was discarded in this landing with the other trash. Lt. Chris Duffitt: Fast food bags, cigarette cartons, candy wrappers that were -- that were here. And at that point, we don't know what's evidence and what's not. Because that could either be huge evidence in this case or it could be just trash. While investigators hoped to find a connection to Anna's killer, Will was sending Anna texts, showing concern about her whereabouts after the fight he said they'd had the day before. WILL HARGROVE [text to Anna]: Just let me know you are safe? Will also launched a bizarre deep dive online, researching time travel. WILL HARGROVE [WhatsApp message]: I need to learn about time travel. I need to correct a horrible mistake. Det. Chris Dale: He is trying to ask for help in how to travel back in time, back to April 16th, in order to correct a horrible mistake. Tracy Smith: His words, "correct a horrible mistake"? Det. Chris Dale: Yes. He even went so far as to message strangers on WhatsApp for advice to help someone he called his "best friend." WILL HARGROVE [WhatsApp message]: April 16th my best friend made a mistake. I want to go back to keep from losing the women that should be my wife. Will was apparently so desperate for this information he offered a reward -- his soul. WILL HARGROVE'S WHATSAPP MESSAGE: I'd honestly sell my soul. In addition to his strange internet search, Will went on a shopping spree, spending more of that cash he stole from anna buying candy, video games and toys. Lt. Chris Duffitt: He bought a hundred-and-something dollar set of Legos from a Walmart. Will reached out to a friend named Kevin Thomas. Lt. Chris Duffitt: saying that he's spending money he shouldn't, trying to distract himself. WILL HARGROVE TEXT TO KEVIN THOMAS: Spending money I shouldn't because I'm trying to distract myself. On Wednesday, April 19, investigators struck a lead with the trash found next to Anna's body: a KFC receipt from three days earlier with a crucial timestamp. Tracy Smith: Was there a name on the receipt? Lt. Chris Duffitt: So, on the receipt there was no name. KFC told us that there was actually a car that pulled up on that Friday. And there was two purchases made from that car. There was one made with a debit card that came back to Kevin Thomas. And another purchase that was made with cash. With only one name to work with, investigators headed to Kevin's Corvallis home. LT. CHRIS DUFFITT [audio]: We're just trying to put some pieces together for our case. Um, the uh garbage we found was I think something that you bought last week from KFC. KEVIN THOMAS: OK. LT. CHRIS OFFICER: Do you know about that? KEVIN THOMAS: Yeah. Me and my brother go to KFC LT. CHRIS DUFFITT: Go to KFC KEVIN THOMAS: -- on Fridays. DET. ADAM MILLER: What's your brother's name, Kevin? KEVIN THOMAS: Uh, Will Hargrove. Kevin and will became pals at the Peacock Bar and Grill. Kevin, like Joseph Thompson, called will his "brother." Police continued talking to Kevin at the sheriff's office, where he offered a revelation. A few weeks earlier, will had asked to borrow something that belonged to Kevin: his shotgun. Kevin Thomas, a friend of Will Hargrove, told investigators that Will had recently asked to borrow his shotgun to DET. ADAM MILLER: Did he say why he wanted to borrow it? KEVIN THOMAS: Just that he was gonna go up and go shooting in the woods and just kind of blow off some steam. What's more, Kevin told police that will had yet to return the gun. With this new information, investigators headed straight to Michelle's house, where Will was staying to question him. He answered the door. LT. CHRIS DUFFITT [audio]: We're here followin' up on a case we're workin' and uh, uh your name's come across and we wanna talk to you. WILL HARGROVE: OK. Will then lied to investigators telling them that he and Michelle drove up to Alsea together on Easter Sunday. WILL HARGROVE [audio]: Drove into Alsea, stopped at the little market there, picked up a pack of cigarettes and drove back. LT: CHRIS DUFFITT: Did you dump some trash there when you were there? WILL HARGROVE: Yeah, I did. On the side of the building. On the side of the general store. But that trash that will claimed to have left at the store, was the very same that was found next to Anna's body. Investigators asked Will to come to the sheriff's office. While Will was getting ready to leave, he texted Michelle to ensure their stories matched. WILL HARGROVE'S TEXT TO MICHELLE CHAVEZ: Picked you up at your moms drove to alsea general store and drove back. At the sheriff's office, investigators got to the question of Anna. DET. ADAM MILLER: What do you know about her? WILL HARGROVE: Almost nothing. DET. ADAM MILLER: How'd you -- how'd you guys meet? WILL HARGROVE: I met her downtown Corvallis. LT. CHRIS DUFFITT: Just walking around? WILL: HARGROVE: Yeah. During questioning, Will Hargrove lied to investigators, saying he and Anna Repkina had gone on just two dates before he called it quits. / Credit: Benton County Sheriff's Office Will played down their relationship, even calling Anna "psychotic". WILL HARGROVE: We went on two dates and then decided I I told her it wasn't gonna be anything more than that, and that I was happy to keep hanging out with her but that was all it was gonna be. LT. CHRIS DUFFITT: OK. How long ago was that? WILL HARGROVE: Uh, last time I saw her was middle of March. LT. CHRIS DUFFITT: Middle of March. WILL HARGROVE: We cut it off because she decided to put on Facebook that we were engaged. DET. ADAM MILLER: She posted that? WILL HARGROVE: Yeah. DET. ADAM MILLER: After two dates? WILL HARGROVE: Oh, yeah. And it brought hell down upon me. DET. ADAM MILLER: From who? WILL HARGROVE: Michelle. Lieutenant Duffitt turned up the heat on Will and got right to the point: LT. CHRIS DUFFITT: So, Will, your trash was found where somebody was killed. WILL HARGROVE: I'm sorry. What? LT. CHRIS DUFFITT: Okay. That's what we're talking about here. WILL HARGROVE: You guys are looking at me for this? DET. ADAM MILLER: Your trash, like my partner said was found there. LT. CHRIS DUFFITT: Your stuff was found at a scene where somebody died. DET. ADAM MILLER: Yeah. LT. CHRIS DUFFITT: OK. Talking to you there's a lot of inconsistencies with your story about what -- what happened. That's when Will stopped talking and asked for a lawyer. WILL HARGROVE: No offense, guys. You've been really kind and I like you and I don't mind that, but the moment that you say somebody was killed out there then no, I ju ju - just no. LT. CHRIS DUFFITT: OK. So, uh William Hargrove, I need you to stand up and put your hands behind your back. You're under arrest for the murder of Anna Repkina. Will Hargrove was placed under arrest, but did police have the right person in custody? Tracy Smith [to prosecutors Ryan Joslin and Amie Matusko]: If anyone on the face of it looks like they have a motive to kill Anna, it's the other woman. It's Michelle. How can you be so sure that she had nothing to do with Anna's murder? AN ALTERNATE THEORY Just hours after Will Hargrove was arrested for Anna Repkina's murder, Michelle Chavez was brought in for questioning about what she was doing Easter Sunday. MICHELLE CHAVEZ: Can you tell me what this is about though? She starts out on the wrong foot, telling police what Will had texted her to say that they'd driven to Alsea together. DET. ERIC GLASS: And he picked you up at your mom's house at that time? MICHELLE CHAVEZ: He did. DET. ERIC GLASS: OK. Immediately, Michelle reverses herself, admitting what she had just stated was false. MICHELLE CHAVEZ: That's a little bit of a lie. He called me, he was gonna pick me up and then he didn't. Tracy Smith: Why did you lie to them? Michelle Chavez: Honestly, I wasn't thinking. And I don't have a good answer. LT. CHRIS DUFFITT: I want you to know right now that Will is under arrest for murder. MICHELLE CHAVEZ: OK. OK. Michelle Chavez during questioning by detectives. / Credit: Benton County Sheriff's Office Investigators say Michelle didn't seem at all surprised when they told her Will had just been arrested for killing Anna. OFFICER: How are you not extremely upset right now? MICHELLE CHAVEZ: I I LT. CHRIS DUFFITT: To know that the person who you were romantically involved with MICHELLE CHAVEZ: I am very upset right now. I am very upset right now. I don't understand how that can be a person that I have spent the last year-and-a-half with. Michelle Chavez: I was numb. It didn't make sense. Over a year later, in July 2018, Will was formally indicted for Anna's murder. The defense would go on to spin an entirely different theory of the crime, one that had Michelle pulling the trigger after arriving from her family's Easter celebration. According to them: Amie Matusko: The defendant had taken Michelle Chavez up to the location -- to have a conversation with Anna, and Michelle had taken the gun out from him and shot Anna. A few pieces of evidence had given investigators cause for concern. For one thing, Michelle mysteriously ended up in possession of Anna's phone. Michelle blames Will. Michelle Chavez: I didn't realize it was hers. He had given it to me, I guess, the night before he got arrested. Michelle's own cellphone records showed that a month before Anna's body was found, Michelle had visited that exact spot on the logging road. Michelle claims that's only because Will brought her there, but could she have been scouting the location? Tracy Smith: The defense says that Will loved Anna, that he was starting a life with her, that you're the one with all the reasons to kill her. What do you say to that? Michelle Chavez: I had no reason to want her dead. No reason to kill her. Michelle Chavez: I do get how it looks, but her being dead is nothing I ever wanted. I wanted her to go home. Tracy Smith: Did you ever tell Will to kill Anna? Michelle Chavez: No. Days after Will's arrest, his friend Kevin's shotgun was recovered from the back of Will's vehicle. Evidence supports there'd only been one killer. Amie Matusko: Will Hargrove's fingerprint was on the shotgun. Michelle Chavez's DNA was never on that shotgun. Michelle Chavez's fingerprints were never on that shotgun. Piecing together various security cameras, investigators tracked Will's drive with Anna to Alsea. Ryan Joslin: We see the defendant's car that's distinct for various reasons, traveling along a certain path. And it gave us location as well as timeframes. But it was GPS tracking that gave police an even bigger piece of the puzzle with Will's phone pinging from the murder site from 4:35 to 4:48 that afternoon. Amie Matusko: The reason we have that is because he called Michelle Chavez. Michelle Chavez -- who was still at her mother's house at that Easter celebration. Lt. Chris Duffitt: We don't have any forensic data or information that was left at that crime scene to suggest that Michelle was at the crime scene on that day. And remember that video of Will shopping at the Alsea convenience store as he waited for Michelle to arrive? Lt. Chris Duffitt: Towards the top of his bald head, you can see what appears to be -- smaller black -- dots. Raising the question: could it have been blood spatter? Investigators wondered if small black dots seen on Will Hargrove's head, highlighted in a surveillance photo, was blood spatter. / Credit: Benton County Sheriff's Office Amie Matusko: We can't tell you if that was blood. We can't tell you what that was. But we can tell you it was there before he met Michelle Chavez. Subsequent photo comparison afterwards show that those spots weren't moles. They weren't anything that was there permanently. There was one more heart-wrenching piece of evidence found in the trash alongside Anna's body from another fast food drive-thru. Lt. Chris Duffitt: A receipt from McDonald's -- in Newport, Oregon. Dated on March 25th of 2017. March 25, the day that should have been Anna's wedding day. Will's trial got underway in October 2019. Amie Matusko: The original witness list was 131 people. Eventually, I believe close to 70 people testified. The trial took a month. Will Hargrove was found guilty of Anna's murder as well as identity theft and two counts of second-degree theft for stealing that money from Anna's bank account. AMIE MATUSKO [in court]: I wanna talk about Anna Repkina for a minute. And I placed her photo on the witness stand to remind everyone of a life that was lost. Will's sentencing was held in January 2020. AMIE MATUSKO [in court]: She came here with hopes and dreams to find somebody that was loving her and start a family. She doesn't have that anymore. The defendant very nearly got away with this crime. It was his own trash that betrayed him. Will received a life sentence with a possibility of parole after 25 years. Michelle says living under the scrutiny of people in town wondering what she knew or didn't know became all too much. Tracy Smith: How bad did it get for you? Michelle Chavez: Bad enough. Tracy Smith: Bad. Michelle Chavez: Bad. Jamie Klotz: She had an incident in which she couldn't take the stress anymore. And-- almost didn't get the police there in time. Michelle says that in June 2018, she tried to take her own life. Michelle Chavez: I tried to die. I'm still here. It didn't work. Anna Repkina / Credit: Benton County Sheriff's Office As for the young Moscow native who flew to the U.S. with the promise of love Amie Matusko: I think you have to remember Anna as the sweet, loving, caring person who put herself out there to be loved. Because Anna was loved. She was loved alive, and she was loved after. William Hargrove's murder conviction was overturned on appeal in 2023. The reversal was based on a flawed search warrant and the improper collection of some evidence. In April 2025, a new trial began and in June 2025, Hargrove was reconvicted and resentenced to life in prison with a possibility of parole after 25 years. Produced by Susan Mallie and Jennifer Terker. Cindy Cesare is the development producer. Danielle Arman is the associate producer. Marcus Balsam, Michael Vele and Joan Adelman are the editors. Lourdes Aguiar is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer. Kidney dialysis industry accused of maximizing profits over patients Pentagon officials reveal new details about U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites Netanyahu reacts to U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites Being so uniquely Louisianan, the world-class dishes created in this Southern state are nearly impossible to define simply as American. The cuisine here reflects a varied tapestry of cultures, with the influence of France, Spain, West Africa, the Caribbean, Germany, Italy and Native Americans woven into its distinct recipes. In the west, you have Cajun country, an area populated by Acadians originally from French-speaking Canada. In the north, Southern-style home cooking is the order of the day. Then, theres the Creole influence in the lively city of New Orleans. Wherever you head, many dishes are dominated by a slow-cooked roux, and the holy trinity, a mixture of onions, peppers and celery Louisianas answer to the mirepoix (a base of diced vegetables). Discover this and much more of the Bayou States cuisine at its absolute best by sampling five of its standout dishes. Travel on one of Louisiana's historic red streetcars as you weave between restaurants in New Orleans' French Quarter. Photograph by Explore Louisiana 1. Gumbo Gumbo is Louisiana encapsulated in a single dish, a cultural melting pot in which Gallic, Spanish, Choctaw, West African, Caribbean and Southern culinary traditions collide. The most familiar gumbos are made with seafood as well as chicken and sausage, but, in reality, recipes vary across the state. When it comes to preparing the dish, a few points of contention exist. Some people use tomatoes in their recipe, whereas others consider that sacrilege. Some gumbos are thickened with okra, and others use file (a spicy herb seasoning). Then, there are chefs who swear by a dark chocolate-coloured roux versus those who favour a lighter colour. Depending on where youre visiting, gumbo may be a dressed-up soup with shrimp, sausage, crab and tomato (like in Creole-influenced New Orleans) or a heartier, gravy-thick stew made with game birds, seafood and certainly no tomato (found in the Cajun Acadiana region). Nobody agrees about the one true way to cook this dish, but every Louisianan will agree that a piping hot bowl of gumbo is one of lifes most cherished pleasures. Where to try it: Rachels Cafe in Lafayette serves up delectable Cajun-style gumbo. In New Orleans, for haute renditions of the dish, head to institutions like Peche and Commanders Palace. Gumbo is perhaps the state's most iconic dish, with the seafood version one of the most popular varieties. Photograph by Explore Louisiana 2. Jambalaya The twangy Deep South cousin to its ancestors, Spanish paella and West African jollof rice, jambalaya is a hearty, comforting combination of thick and creamy rice stewed with meat, seafood and vegetables. Its a dish thats often cooked in massive proportions for celebrations and communal gatherings. Like many of the states signature foods, views on what constitutes a proper jambalaya depend on where youre from, as there are hundreds of variations, with home cooks liable to voraciously defend their own preferred method. Cajun jambalaya is known for its bold, spicy flavour with no tomatoes. The New Orleans red jambalaya, on the other hand, includes tomatoes and is primarily found in and around the city. Almost every iteration, though, will begin with a golden brown roux and the holy trinity, and, for most people, hot sauce is also a necessity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where to try it: The Jambalaya Shoppe in Baton Rouge serves up solid, spicy Cajun renditions of the dish. Theres also Evangeline in New Orleans, Marilynns Place in Shreveport and Johnsons Boucaniere in Lafayette. Jambalaya is a comforting rice dish combined with fish, meat or vegetables often compared to a Spanish paella. Photograph by Explore Louisiana 3. Po' boy The UK has the toastie. In Vietnam, its the banh mi. In Louisiana, the po boy reigns supreme. Essentially a sandwich of infinite possibilities, the po boy is a New Orleans original, created in 1929 by two deli-owning brothers. To feed picketing streetcar workers, the brothers would fill up baguettes with pot-roast scraps. Here comes another poor boy, the picketers would say to the chefs when requesting a sandwich. Poor boy was shortened to po boy, and its stuck ever since. Nowadays, the most popular variations of the sandwich (almost all require a crunchy baguette, lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayo) feature fried shrimp, oysters, roast beef or catfish. There are, of course, more eclectic versions containing alligator, or boudin (a type of sausage), which should also be on your culinary checklist. Where to try it: Olde Tyme Grocery in Lafayette is an old-school, no-frills, counter-service deli dishing out some of the best po boys around. In New Orleans, both Parkway Bakery and Domiciles Po Boy are local institutions, the former specialising in a roast beef po boy and the latter a shrimp variation. 4. Crawfish etouffee They say that Cajun food without crawfish (crayfish) is like French food without butter, and theres arguably no better way to consume the beloved crustacean than in crawfish etouffee (meaning smothered in French). The creamy stew consists of a buttery rich seafood broth, enriched with spicy, cayenne-infused seasonings, the holy trinity and succulent crawfish tails all of which is served over rice. This dish celebrates the flavours hiding within the states fruitful waterways. Youll find the best iterations during crawfish season (from February to mid-May) and along the Bayou Country Crawfish Trail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where to try it: In New Orleans, test out the old-school Cajun kitchen at The Bon Ton Cafe. Or head to Boudreau & Thibodeaus Cajun Cookin, a homely joint in Houma. 5. Red beans and rice Monday night in Louisiana means one thing red beans and rice for dinner. The dish has been a staple across the state for centuries; legend has it that its popularity derives more from necessity than culinary tradition. Historically, Louisianians would cook up a ham on Sunday nights. Monday was typically laundry day, so, amid the washing, home cooks would reuse the ham bone and slow-cook it in red beans along with the holy trinity, cayenne and leftover bits of ham and sausage. The consistency of the resulting red beans is that of a creamy soup (with soft bean chunks), and its served atop white rice. Today, the beloved comfort food has made its way beyond the back burner at home and into the states most famous kitchens. Where to try it: This dish is the Monday special at Lil Dizzys in New Orleans. The beans are simmered all day and you can incorporate smoked sausage, a tender pork chop or Cajun-fried chicken. This paid content article was created for Explore Louisiana. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) click here. (Available in select countries only). PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Dolly Partons Imagination Library of Washington, a program that sends children free books across the state, is warning the program could crumble amid budget talks in the state legislature. Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995, taking inspiration from her father who could not read or write. Under the program, the library sends children from birth to age five a free book every month, giving children a chance to expand early learning skills while developing stronger bonds with loved ones who read with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hwy 26s The Bump sends cars airborne as locals fight for improvements The program has sent over 270 million books to children around the world, and currently serves over 120,000 kids in Washington state. After starting in two counties in the state, the Imagination Library expanded statewide in 2022 under House Bill 2068 creating the first Imagination Library on the West Coast and the 11th Imagination Library in the nation. Now, the program is facing an uncertain future, Imagination Library of Washingtons Executive Director Brooke Fisher-Clark told KOIN 6 News. Half of the librarys funding model relies on state funds and the state previously provided funding through one-time dollars under former Governor Jay Inslee. Inslees last budget proposal in December, before leaving office, did not propose continuing the librarys funding into the new biennium, according to current Gov. Bob Fergusons office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vancouver considers annexation that could make it Washingtons second-largest city In February, Gov. Ferguson released a budget proposal which would make $4 billion in budget cuts amid a funding shortfall, and did not address funding for the Imagination Library, leaving the librarys future uncertain. (The Imagination Library) was not included in the governors original budget that was presented, Fisher-Clark said. We know that the Washington legislature is facing a tough budget year, and we hope that theyll continue to maintain that commitment that they made with House Bill 2068 by sustaining the Imagination Library funding, which helps to support the cost of the books and shipping to enrolled children and for future children to be able to register. The Imagination Library of Washington is requesting $7 million from the biannual budget. Without that funding, Fisher-Clark said, it would really cause the statewide program to crumble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Eye on Northwest Politics We have 46 local program partners that are nonprofits that operate this in all parts of our state, and they really are the ones that provide the service locally to their children. It would cause them to not be able to sustain it financially, the executive director said. Highlighting the importance of the program, Fisher-Clark explained that sending free books to children helps prepare them for K-12 and beyond. It helps to prepare children for kindergarten and for that K-12 journey and it really enhances family bonds, Fisher-Clark said. Its really critical, that birth to five age range, for brain development with all of those neurons doing their work to shape that child and prepare them for their future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Astoria restaurant named Oregons best seafood spot, according to Yelp It really covers all the areas of what we look at for what creates a thriving, healthy human being in terms of health, education and the economic mobility, she added. HB 2068 was passed in the Washington legislature with bipartisan support, led by Washington Rep. Monica Stonier (D-Vancouver) and Rep. Peter Abbarno (R-Centralia), who says hes advocating for the state to continue funding the program. My children were part of the Imagination Library in Lewis County and one of the first iterations of the program was in Cowlitz County and Lewis County, and so we got them signed up really early on, Rep. Abbarno told KOIN 6 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple cougar sightings reported near Beaverton shopping center It was amazing to have a monthly book that the kids got really excited for that created family time. Its all about building bonds too. Reading with your kids just builds really strong bonds, Abbarno said. When I had the opportunity to get elected to the legislature, when they were expanding the Imagination Library statewide, they, early on, asked me if I would help out with the bill that helped create that Imagination Library of Washington, and I was in 100%, Abbarno said. I hear from families in my neighborhood now, I have young grandkids and theyre members of the Imagination Library and they all love the program, Abbarno said. It has grown in not only the number of people accessing books zero to five, but in the kind of books, the culturally appropriate books, the books that are in Spanish its just grown in a way thats being more inclusive to more families and again, its just about making sure kids develop their brains, their imagination early on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon Uber, Lyft drivers could see new protections under Senate bill And you know, parents who read the books, they get excited too, because I think any of us who are in our 40s remember the little Scholastic books we used to order when we were little kids and how excited we were when they used to come monthly. This is just a program thats almost automatic, like that, Abbarno added. Abbarno who serves as assistant ranking member of the House Capital Budget Committee tells KOIN 6 he wants to see continued state funding for the program. Im a supporter of the library and supportive of funding the library because when you invest in kids zero to five, youre investing in their future education, their future success. We know that there are way too many children who are entering kindergarten and theyre not kindergarten ready. This program gets kids kindergarten ready, gets them prepared for school and I think it has lifelong implications. It most certainly will improve K-12 education when youre investing in children and families earlier and earlier, Abbarno said. Ive advocated for funding the program and continue to communicate that with my colleagues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far in the budget process, the Capital budget, transportation budget and operating budget are all in development, Abbarno said. Crown jewel: Portland City Council approves new Steel Bridge skate park Right now, theyre looking at cuts across the board, the District 20 representative explained. I dont think education and early learning, things like the Imagination Library, are investments that I dont think we should kick out because of the impact they have for our children right away. Every time you kick out something like early learning or childcare, or the Imagination Library, it sets our kids further back and when we want a high-quality education, we have to prioritize that and prioritizing that makes the most sense. My district is from South Thurston County all the way into the City of Vancouver, so its a huge districtWere in a desert and we need to focus on the best investments for our families and our kids and I think childcare and early learning are among the best investments we can make, Abbarno added. When Im out in the community, theres a number of top issues. Early learning and childcare is absolutely one of the top issues that people are struggling with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While its unclear if Washingtons Imagination Library will receive state funding so far, Fisher-Clark told KOIN 6 shes hopeful funding will flow to the program, explaining, We were very grateful that it was included in the past biennium budget. And in the 30-year history(Imagination Library programs) have never lost any state funding, so we are hopeful that Washington is not the first. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers are asking for the publics help to identify any additional victims related to an ongoing sexual assault investigation. Sadaqat Mike Abbasi, 32, was arrested by the Texas Rangers on sexual assault charges, following an extensive investigation, a press release said. Comal County Jail records indicate he was booked on a $100,000 bond Wednesday, released Thursday, and then arrested again. Three known victims have been identified at this time two in Bexar County and one in Travis County. The incidents allegedly occurred between 2016 and 2023, according to the Rangers. There may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have information related to the case, or if you believe you may have been a victim, youre asked to contact the Texas Rangers at 210-531-2280. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 prime ministers of the Netherlands and the UK have held a phone call to discuss continued support for Ukraine and the plans being considered within the Coalition of the Willing. Source: Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Schoof stated that he had just spoken with his British counterpart Keir Starmer and they discussed the importance of unwavering support for Ukraine and the commitment expressed by the Coalition of the Willing concerning reliable security guarantees as a key condition for lasting peace in Ukraine. : Just spoke with British Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer about Ukraine. We discussed the importance of unwavering support and the commitment expressed by the coalition of the willing with respect to robust security guarantees a key condition for lasting peace in Ukraine. Last Dick Schoof (@MinPres) March 23, 2025 Quote: "Last weeks meeting of military planners was an important step. Another is the upcoming meeting in Paris on Thursday at the invitation of President Macron. I thanked Prime Minister Starmer for the leading role he has played in recent weeks. We are working not only for the security of Ukraine but also for that of Europe, and therefore the Netherlands too." Background: Earlier this week, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the Kremlin leader would not have a veto over the potential deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine. Unofficial reports indicated that Macron is considering alternatives to the joint peacekeeping mission plan he developed with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer potentially involving the UN. However, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he does not view the UN as an alternative to the possible deployment of a foreign contingent in Ukraine or to security guarantees. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! DENVER (KDVR) One of the deans who was shot at East High School by a student in 2023 is suing Denver Public Schools, saying the district did not put policies in place to prevent the shooting. On March 22, 2023, Jerald Wayne Mason was shot twice in the chest while checking in with a student who was on what DPS calls a safety plan. He and another dean, Eric Sinclair, were shot by student Austin Lyle and both survived. Previous coverage: Deans shot at East High have put Denver Public Schools on notice for lawsuit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two announced plans to sue DPS just over a year ago. On Friday, a complaint was formally filed by Mason in the Denver District Court against the school district, East High School and assistant principal Shawne Anderson in his individual and official capacities. Lawsuit: School district, staff knew of students history with guns The lawsuit claims that DPS officials failed to train Mason and failed to tell him that the student had an affinity for guns and ammunition. The lawsuit states that the Denver Police Department provided the assistant principal and staff with disciplinary history records and grades for the student. According to the lawsuit, Overland High School informed East High School of an incident involving Lyle on Nov. 25, 2021. In summary, the complaint states that Lyle was aggressive with staff and would not allow them to search his backpack for weapons. When asked about guns, he tried to exit by pushing past security, school resource officers and police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The lawsuit claims that upper-level administrators and the district were aware of the students liking for guns and also knew that Lyle had previously been expelled for trying to sell an AR-15 gun and ammunition on school grounds at Overland High School in Cherry Creek School District. Lawsuit: Students safety plan was not communicated Despite knowing his history, the lawsuit claims DPS allowed Lyle to enroll at East High School in January 2023. Administrators determined through a threat appraisal that Lyle would be searched before school each day according to his safety plan. The safety plan, according to the lawsuit, is needed because the district removed school resource officers in 2020, leaving school administrators to create safety plans for students with criminal backgrounds or violent histories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claimed that Mason was not informed of Lyles safety plan. Lawsuit: Shooting was foreseeable, previous incidents not handled appropriately Additionally, the lawsuit claims that the incident was foreseeable based on Lyles history with guns. Lyle was seen moving a gun from his backpack to his pocket in class at East High School on March 2, 2023, according to the lawsuit. He was 17 at the time. The lawsuit claims that Anderson called DPD for help because Lyle fled the school when contacted to be searched. Watch: Northglenn police paint portraits with kids Additionally, a student reported seeing Lyle with a gun about two weeks before shooting Mason, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit brings attention to a shooting that happened on campus on Feb. 13, 2023 and eventual death on Feb. 28. Mason does not assert that Lyle fired the shot, but said it shows that the school and district knew gun prevention on campus was of critical importance. The lawsuit claims that DPS identifies any student misbehavior on school grounds involving a firearm as a Type 6 offense, which DPS policy says meets the criteria for a legitimate and immediate danger to safety and requires review for expulsion. Between then and the shooting on March 22, two threat appraisal meetings were conducted for Lyle, rather than staff submitting for the mandatory review for expulsion, according to the lawsuit. This resulted in the requirement for daily check-ins and pat-downs. The lawsuit also claims that Anderson told DPD that he wasnt sure if he was trained to search students. The lawsuit continues to say that the school staff implemented deficient training for those conducting the searches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claims that the morning of the shooting was typical for the high school, however, assistant principal Shawne Anderson abandoned his duty to search (the student), and, in an instant, chaos ensued. Aurora police: Passenger got out of moving stolen vehicle during pursuit, car later found The morning of the shooting, according to the lawsuit, Lyle walked into the school, unscreened and unsearched, asking Mason to speak with Anderson. The lawsuit claims that Anderson abandoned his search duties to attend a school assembly and did not respond when Mason called for him. Mason and Sinclair brought Lyle into the deans office to wait, and within moments, Mason found Sinclair wrestling with Lyle and alerting him to a gun. Thats when, according to the lawsuit, Lyle shot Sinclair three times and Mason twice at point blank. The lawsuit claims Mason was put in danger and is entitled to damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June 2023, a new long-term safety plan from DPS was released, reversing the decision to remove school resource officers and upgrading mental health plans and crisis response training. FOX31 has reached out to DPS for comment but has yet to hear back. The district normally does not comment on active litigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Municipal elections throughout the Chicago area loom, and its gratifying that most of these contests are dominated by inherently local issues such as property taxes and economic development rather than supercharged toxicity of national politics. Still, elections come frequently in these parts and the danger always is that voters will opt not to participate, especially so soon after a hotly contested national election, leaving only the most engaged to determine their villages and townships leaders for the next four years. We chose several municipal mayoral elections to interview candidates and make endorsements (you can find those endorsements on the Tribunes website), and we came away with renewed appreciation for those who put themselves out there and dedicate the time and energy to running for local office. Win or lose, you all deserve credit and appreciation. Whatever craziness is going on in Washington, these local elections reassure us that government by the people for the people will persist. Also, the April 1 municipal elections are a welcome reminder that, as much as Chicagos challenges suck up much of the political oxygen in the region, theres a vast array of suburban communities striving every day to make their collective lives better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Chicago with its 77 (officially recognized) neighborhoods, some of which are thriving and some of which are struggling, some suburbs are grappling with far tougher issues than others. The south suburbs in general face a property tax emergency after last years spike in residential tax bills, and in the face of that crisis some communities sadly are seeking leaders who can minimally function. The best known example, of course, is Dolton, where voters at long last will have as their mayor someone other than Tiffany Henyard, whos under federal investigation and whose questionable-at-best spending and behavior have made the village a national spectacle. In a recent interview, Casundra Hopson-Jordan, whos running against Dolton Trustee Jason House to succeed Henyard, said, Its been like a nightmare that just wont go away. Tribune Editorial Board endorsements for 2025 suburban elections Whoever voters choose, thankfully it wont be Henyard. Dolton must dig out from Henyards disastrous tenure, and April 1 marks the beginning of that journey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just 10 miles south of Dolton is financially struggling Ford Heights, where voters have five mayoral candidates on the ballot. Theyre all vying to succeed former Mayor Charles Griffin, who was convicted last year of stealing thousands in taxpayer funds and was sentenced in January to four years in prison. Staying in the southland, Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld, who has served in that role for 28 years (you read that right) and is in his late 80s, faces a challenge from Brady Chalmers, 39, former digital director for the Cook County Democratic Party and now in business for himself. Hofeld is something of an institution in the city he says he loves, but what struck us about Chalmers challenge was his focus on tax-increment financing districts. Under Hofeld, the village has used TIFs extensively for economic development; Chalmers calls for ending the TIF dealmaking and releasing property tax funds captured in TIFs in order to provide more funding to the schools. The use of TIFs captures headlines in Chicago, and progressives have railed for years about how Chicago mayors and aldermen have zealously guarded TIF accounts to grease development deals at the expense of Chicago Public Schools. But many suburbs employ them extensively as well. TIFs most definitely are on the ballot in Homewood. One long-term suburban mayor who finally chose to retire is Skokies George Van Dusen, who first took that office in 1999 and had served on Skokies Village Board since 1984. Three are running to succeed him: Ann Tennes, former director of communications for the village; interior decorator Charles Isho; and attorney David Azi Lifsics, former chief counsel to 50th Ward Chicago Ald. Debra Silverstein, whom Van Dusen has endorsed over Tennes even though she worked for Van Dusen for more than two decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editorial: Our views on the suburban ballots advisory questions on fair maps, pension reforms and unfunded mandates Van Dusen says Skokie is doing well, but there are plenty of important issues his successor will have to address, including a community land trust idea key to developing more affordable housing in a suburb that historically has been a good destination for middle-income families but is becoming pricier. Back in the southland, Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson is running for a second term against challenger village Trustee Joni Bradley-Scott. A major issue in the race is the villages firing last year of police Chief Jerel Jones, the details of which Nelson says she isnt at liberty to discuss. Nelson cast the tie-breaking vote on the Village Council to terminate Jones contract. Jones, who was Flossmoors first Black police chief, filed a wrongful-firing lawsuit alleging racial discrimination, which the village settled in October for nearly $60,000. Bradley-Scott has cited a lack of transparency around Jones removal as a key issue in her campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicagoans will remember how Garry McCarthy, Chicago police superintendent under Mayor Rahm Emanuel, challenged Emanuel for mayor after Emanuel axed McCarthy. Emanuel later bowed out of that 2019 campaign, and McCarthy went on to lose in a race won ultimately by Lori Lightfoot. Of course taxes and finances are at the heart of most municipal elections, and voters first task really is to ascertain who among their choices will be the best stewards of public funds. In northwest suburban Hanover Park, incumbent Mayor Rod Craig, whos been in that office for 18 years, is facing a challenge from Mark Elkins, president of the board of commissioners for Hanover Parks Park District. Craig supports approving a 1% grocery tax to preserve the $600,000-plus of revenue the village otherwise will lose when the grocery tax implemented at the state level (and passed onto localities) expires. Its a revenue source we just cant walk away from, he tells the Daily Herald. Elkins opposes a locally imposed grocery tax, arguing that its tax relief the village should provide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Municipalities throughout the state are wrestling with the same question following Gov. JB Pritzkers initiative approved last year by the General Assembly to end the grocery tax and allow municipalities to keep it if they enact it on their own. The buck has been passed, and Mayor Craig has accepted it. Hanover Park voters have a clear choice. Even locally, theres no avoiding some of the hot-button issues roiling our national politics, such as the future of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies that President Donald Trump has targeted. In an emotional race for five seats on the board for Oak Park and River Forest School District 200, two critics of an equity-based curriculum in that school district are running and being opposed by a slate of four candidates defending the districts current approach. Related Articles The critics, Nate Mellman and Josh Gertz, oppose a three-year-old freshman curriculum dubbed Honors for All and meant to redress academic disparities between white students and Black and Hispanic students. They propose having students at risk of struggling in their freshman years take intensive summer school classes in the summer before high school in order to prepare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their opponents a like-minded slate of incumbents Fred Arkin and Audrey Williams-Lee, as well as Kathleen Odell and David Schaafsma say the current approach is best for all students and that reversing it would be to go backward. While Chicagoans perhaps blessedly dont have to vote, suburbanites have plenty to consider April 1. Get educated on your choices, folks, and make your voices heard. An engaged and informed electorate is the best antidote to the feverish political wars destabilizing our country. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Mar. 23Last Sunday, this editorial board attempted to take stock of the widespread exhaustion and general pandemonium that the ad hoc decisions of the new Trump administration are causing throughout our economy and in our local communities. The consensus we reached was that to stop bracing for federal austerity and related reform was not a sound or secure way forward no matter how many false alarms have been endured in recent weeks. Our attention to the cascade of cuts and would-be cuts, and our work to make sense of their real-life effects, needs to be sustained. Locally, in recent days and weeks, we've seen an array of commendable efforts to draw attention to what's cooking at the federal level. Protests against cuts to public services took place in Portland, Bangor, Augusta and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weekend protests against the administration's actions more generally have taken hold with some regularity in many of our more populous towns and cities. Placards express discontent with the input of unelected agents of reform, tech billionaire Elon Musk chief among them. Others decry the stepped-up activity of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Those rallying together are, in many cases, concerned individuals unconnected by age, occupation or town of residence. People traveled from around Maine to Portland last week to protest the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, the permanent U.S. resident and student who was arrested over his involvement in pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University. Dozens of people joined a protest in Congress Square in Portland last Sunday, calling on Sen. Susan Collins to host a town hall in Maine something the senator has not done in years. "Where's Susan?" was the tagline of a well-attended town hall meeting held in Gorham a few days later. In other cases, it's alarm over the seemingly imminent degradation of day-to-day working and living conditions that are driving the organizing. We're talking, most recently, about actions taken by Maine's veterans, nurses, postal service workers and teachers. "People need to know what's happening, so they can take action on their own," Tom Smith, legislative director for the Bangor Area Local 536 of the American Postal Workers Union, told Spectrum News last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith is right about this role, one of the handful of valuable roles that peaceful, informed and informative protest has. In the case of USPS, it's a stand taken by carriers against as many as 10,000 layoffs nationwide and the feared path toward potential privatization and the loss of that agency's independence. Postal workers in Maine are particularly worried about the abandonment of essential services to rural addresses. For Maine Medical Center nurses and their supporters in Portland last Thursday, it was about federal cuts to Medicaid that they know will be harmful to their patients, endangering them at their most vulnerable. For veterans, it's the specter of pulled funding and the cuts to VA jobs. "We didn't cut our service to you," read one of the posters at a recent rally by veterans in Augusta. "Chainsaws cripple veterans," read another, referring to a publicity stunt of the newly minted Department of Government Efficiency (not a congressionally authorized department but an initiative). One protester brought along a pitchfork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the teachers in Maine and around the country who came together to demonstrate before school last week, it's about dramatic cuts to the staff of the U.S. Department of Education, carried out with a view to its ultimate elimination (as of last week, per executive order), an unprecedented move that they fear will affect both their ability to do their work and their students' ability to succeed. If the unfolding picture has you feeling deeply pessimistic about the state of the nation, it might be easy enough to extend that pessimism to the efficacy of groups of 20 people, 50 people, even 500 people gathering to wave signs and pass around a mic. We'd caution solemnly against that. Productive cooperation is in very short supply these days. While it shouldn't fall to disparate groups of workers and private citizens to spell out the threat to lives and livelihoods that looms overhead due to the heedless drive for cost-saving and "efficiency," it has. It is encouraging to see any shred of coherent coordination at the national, state and local level. The way things have been going, we're likely to need more of it. Copy the Story Link There are lots of reasons it's difficult to build housing for homeless people in Los Angeles. One of them shouldnt be city officials standing in the way of a project especially one already approved twice by the City Council. But thats the outrageous situation that has trapped the Venice Dell project in pre-development hell since 2017. After a competitive process, city housing officials chose nonprofit developers Venice Community Housing and Hollywood Community Housing Corps to take a 2.65-acre expanse of city parking lot in Venice just blocks from the beach and turn it into housing for homeless and low-income individuals and families. It was an ideal piece of surplus city land found at a time when city officials had begun scouring their inventory for lots that could be used for affordable housing, particularly homeless housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then the developers have done everything required: They held numerous public hearings, did environmental studies, designed and reconfigured the now-120-unit project, designed and redesigned the parking garage to accommodate city officials concerns and to allow plenty of room to keep a popular boat launch. The City Council approved the project in 2021 and again in 2022 when the developers were awarded a development agreement. Instead of being fast-tracked through the rest of the process, theyve been slow-walked by the officials who should be helping them. Starting in the spring of 2023, at the direction of the newly elected city attorney, Hydee Feldstein Soto, who had been openly critical of the project since before she took office, city departments were told to stop working with the developers because there was pending litigation (which was resolved last year). A former official in the mayors office who was familiar with the project said that the order was unusual and that they had not previously seen a city attorney stop work because of a lawsuit. Since then, the departments have worked only off and on with the developers, which has jeopardized their funding and delayed by more than a year their Coastal Commission approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the project has survived, prevailed in two lawsuits from a nonprofit Venice group that opposes it, and finally got the necessary Coastal Commission permit in December that will allow them to move forward. (That was despite the city attorney trying to convince the commission not to approve the project.) Yet city officials found more obstacles to put in the projects way. The latest hurdle was a review by the Board of Transportation Commissioners, which the city attorney argued is a necessary stop for the project even years after the City Council approved it. The commissioners an advisory body to the city's Department of Transportation declared the project unsuitable for the lot. Instead they recommended a nearby smaller (more awkwardly configured) lot for housing and suggested the Venice Dell site be turned into a mobility hub. It turns out that the city and the developers were already sued on the grounds that the city neglected to put the project before the Board of Transportation Commissioners. In that case, the city attorney along with counsel for the developers argued that the commissioners may have control over acquiring and managing city parking lots, but the City Council did not delegate its power over the use of city property including parking lots for housing to the transportation commissioners. The judge agreed and ruled for the city and the developers. Now the city attorney is arguing otherwise? This is absurd and nothing more than another ploy to kill the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilmember Traci Park, who succeeded the project's champion, Mike Bonin, in the council district including Venice Dell, is a longtime opponent of the project. She declared it dead and introduced a motion to explore the feasibility of the smaller lot that the Transportation Commission recommended for housing. That motion has already been through one City Council committee. Now it must go to the citys Housing and Homelessness Committee. So far, Councilmember Nithya Raman, who chairs that committee, is rightly uncomfortable moving forward with a motion that she says seems to be an implicit endorsement of a bad-faith effort to stop an affordable housing project that the city has already approved. Venice Dell is not a rogue project on a piece of land haphazardly turned over to the developers by the city's Housing Department and City Council. This is a vetted, thoughtful housing project in a well-resourced area of the city where there is little permanent housing for low-income and homeless individuals and families. If Park and others believe that the nearby smaller lot would be suitable for housing, great. Build housing there, too. The Westside needs all the affordable housing it can get. And if the city wants a mobility hub, that can be set up alongside the housing on the Venice Dell site. This is nothing more than the current City Council trying to go back in time and invalidate a decision made by a previous City Council a decision that gave developers a contract to build Venice Dell in partnership with the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Mayor Karen Bass, who has made housing homeless people a priority, says only that she supports affordable housing on the Westside and around the city. But she has otherwise been woefully silent on Venice Dell in particular and would not comment on the latest twist in the saga of this project. Distancing herself from this debate (for whatever political reasons) instead of supporting an already approved project only makes it more difficult to build homeless housing in the face of any kind of opposition that crops up. It will be up to this City Council and the mayor to show city residents that they are serious about building affordable housing and getting homeless people off the streets. Killing the Venice Dell project says the opposite. And the possibility of an alternative lot which will entail feasibility studies, choosing a new developer, public hearings, Coastal Commission approval is no substitute for a project that is through that process and now securing the rest of its financing. City officials decry homeless people dying on the street as disgraceful. Letting a project die that would house some of them is just as disgraceful. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Claims that an underground city exists beneath ancient Egyptian pyramids have caused a row among experts. Researchers from Italy say they have uncovered giant vertical shafts wrapped in spiral staircases under the Khafre pyramid. They said on Sunday that they found a limestone platform with two chambers and channels that resemble pipelines for a water system more than 2,100 feet below the pyramid, with underground pathways leading even deeper into the earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the claims which have not been published or independently peer-reviewed were labelled false and exaggerated by fellow Egyptologists. Prof Corrado Malanga and his team from the University of Pisa used radar pulses to create high-resolution images deep into the ground, similar to how sonar radar maps the ocean. In a statement, he said: When we magnify the images [in the future], we will reveal that beneath it lies what can only be described as a true underground city. The scientists have also said there is an entire hidden world of many structures and that the Pyramid of Khafre might conceal undiscovered secrets, notably the fabled Hall of Records. Researchers claim they have discovered eight cylinder-shaped spiral structures below the Pyramid of Khafre - but other experts have dismissed the claims - Khafre Project The Hall of Records, a concept popularised in ancient Egyptian lore, is believed to be an ancient library beneath the Great Pyramid or the Sphinx, with vast amounts of information about the ancient civilisation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prof Lawrence Conyers, a radar expert at the University of Denver who focuses on archaeology, told the Daily Mail it was not possible for the technology to penetrate that deeply into the ground. He said the idea that it proves an underground city existed is a huge exaggeration. But he said it was conceivable small structures, such as shafts and chambers, may be present from before the pyramids were built. He highlighted how the Mayans and other peoples in ancient Mesoamerica often built pyramids on top of the entrances to caves or caverns that had ceremonial significance to them. The work by Prof Malanga and fellow researchers Filippo Biondi and Armando Mei was previously discussed during a briefing in Italy last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The projects spokesman, Nicole Ciccolo, shared a video on Saturday of the trio discussing the findings that are yet to be published in a scientific journal. The team focused on the Khafre pyramid, which, along with Khufu and Menkaure pyramids, make up the three in the Giza complex. The pyramids are thought to have been built some 4,500 years ago and sit on the west bank of the Nile river in northern Egypt. The vertical shafts identified below the ground were about 33 to 39 feet in diameter, located at a depth of at least 2,130 feet, the researchers said, adding that they may support the pyramid, which needs a strong foundation, otherwise it may sink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team showed an image created by using the pulses which they claim includes a complex, luminous structure with distinct vibrations they believe is an actual underground city. Tomographic images could indicate internal artificial structures under the pyramid - Khafre Project The existence of vast chambers beneath the earths surface, comparable in size to the pyramids themselves, have a remarkably strong correlation between the legendary Halls of Amenti, Ms Ciccolo said. Prof Malanga and Mr Biondi published a separate peer-reviewed paper in October 2022 in the scientific journal Remote Sensing, which found hidden rooms and ramps inside Khafre, along with evidence of a thermal anomaly near the pyramids base. The new study used similar technology but with extra help from satellites orbiting Earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Radar signals from two satellites about 420 miles above Earth were directed into the Khafre pyramid. The experts then monitor how they bounce back and convert the signals into sound waves, which allows them to see through the solid stone and map out underground structures in 3D. Prof Malanga claimed the results had been completely consistent and using two satellites ruled out the chance of misinterpretation. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso Fire quickly extinguished a trash fire early Sunday morning, March 23 behind an Albertsons store near the University of Texas at El Paso. Minutes before 2 a.m. on March 23 at 3100 N. Mesa, an Albertsons employee told fire crews there appeared to be something burning outside the store near the trash compactor. The fire was upgraded to a Condition 2 fire, due to how close it was to the store, according to El Paso Fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The building was evacuated and crews were able to extinguish the fire quickly, according to the Fire Department. Fire crews worked with maintenance to remove the smoke that collected inside the store, according to EP Fire. According to the department, no damage was done to the store and no injuries were reported. El Paso Disposal assisted with removing the trash from the compactor, according to El Paso Fire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In the late 1960s when my parents stuffed all our belongings into a U-Haul trailer and the back of a well-traveled Chevy truck to make the 800-mile journey from the deserts of New Mexico to the land of plenty, visions of endless foods like grapes, melons and oranges danced inside my teen head. The San Joaquin Valley, however, presented a different reality: seasonal work in the fields that left very little money to sustain us year round. That is why we survived on canned chicken, blocks of cheese and powdered eggs that we got from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Those fried tacos my mother made with that canned chicken were scrumptious. I soon came to realize that the Valley whose dirt, climate and water nourish the world with its fruits, nuts and vegetables can grow enough produce to feed the hungry in an area where 30% of the residents live beneath the poverty line. The problem remains that the economics of farming seasonal work and seasonal paychecks dont mesh with the human need for work, shelter and food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion My stepfather was a hardworking man. He grew and baled alfalfa, worked as a farm manager, drove a motorcycle from Earlimart to Madera to operate heavy machinery, and always made sure there was a roof over our heads. Alas, he found out that his paycheck didnt stretch far enough to provide for five kids. My mother, a former waitress, also pitched in selling Avon products. Still not enough. It was a good thing that Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency werent around to cripple the USDAs Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which provided welcomed boxes of surplus food. I, however, never cared much for those powdered eggs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is embarrassing that hunger persists in the land of plenty. We grow so much food, and yet the access and availability of that fresh produce is minimal, a community advocate told me when I wrote about the Valleys food insecurity in 2003. We have so much hunger and poverty. Popular USDA programs should continue That is reason enough that the USDA should not toy around with two Biden-era programs designed to distribute farm produce to schools, food banks and tribes. As part of the cost-cutting mandate from the Trump administration, the USDA cut off $1 billion from the Local Food for Schools program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement. After an uproar, funding for existing programs was unfrozen, but future funding is uncertain. The programs were a win-win-win situation. Farmers made money by selling fresh produce, schools provided healthier meals for their students, and food banks counted on fresh food to include in their boxes of groceries for needy families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, schools officials, food banks and farmers are left scratching their heads about why programs with bipartisan support vanished. Are starving kids like those we see too often in television commercials lobbying for dollars to feed starving children in Third World countries what the Trump administration and Musks DOGE folks want to see? Do they honestly believe the $1 billion will be better used to offset tax cuts for the richest and most well-fed Americans? The Valley, despite its agricultural riches, remains hampered by poverty rates that are among the highest in the country. Fresno County had a poverty rate of 18.7% in 2023, according to the Federal Reserve Economic Data. In 1980, that rate was 14.5%. A March 17 virtual press conference organized by Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, delivered reasons those programs should continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 30% of the students in our schools live below the poverty rate, said Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Michelle Cantwell-Copher. We consider those school meal programs a lifeline for our students. Fresno Unified spokesperson, Nikki Henry, said the district spent its $500,000 on fresh produce, organic chicken and turkey for its students. This funding didnt just benefit our students, it stayed right here in our local community supporting local farmers and businesses, said Henry. When students eat well, they learn better. They stay focused. They thrive. The Fresno-based Central California Food Bank, the fiscal agent for 10 food banks from Amador to Kern counties, received more than $9 million from the USDA. The program, said food bank CEO Natalie Caples, shows how the government can effectively support local growers and producers. Theres no reason the Trump administration should starve the Valley. California could feel the misery of House GOP math that doesnt add up. Heres why | Opinion Rep. Tom McClintock is failing his constituents, and he doesnt want to hear about it | Opinion RACINE As measles spreads through communities in Texas, New Mexico and other states, Racine and Kenosha vaccination rates remain below the necessary 95% vaccination threshold for herd immunity. A report from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention found that Wisconsin children had the second lowest measles vaccination rate at 84.8%, with only Alaska ranking lower at 84.3%. As of March 14, the United States has seen 301 cases of measles, 95% of which were unvaccinated or did not have a known vaccination status. In February, an unvaccinated school-aged child in Texas died from measles, marking the first U.S. death from the disease in a decade. An adult infected with measles in New Mexico also died, but the cause of death is still being investigated. Were just waiting for it to hit Wisconsin, said Dr. Greg DeMuri, a professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Wisconsin. Its really spreading throughout the United States. This has happened before, even with higher vaccination rates. Its happened because we havent hit that magic 95%. What is measles? According to the CDC, measles is a disease that can cause high fever; cough; runny nose; red, watery eyes; and a rash. It can occur at any time of the year. Spreading through the air, measles is one of the most highly contagious diseases of the vaccine-preventable diseases and those most people are familiar with, DeMuri said. One way to conceptualize that is if youre on an airplane and youre sitting in first class, and somebody has measles in the rear of the plane, you can get measles from breathing air thats recirculated through that airplane, he said. Its not just sitting close to them, getting coughed on, that kind of thing, like it is with flu. Although Texas and New Mexico are far away from Wisconsin, proximity matters less now, DeMuri said. It only takes a traveler from a place where theres been a case. Somebody visits family members in another state where theres a case, brings it back home, he said. Youre contagious before you develop the rash and before you get sick, and so it can be spread to others silently. At a local level Data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services shows that in 2023, 74% of 5- and 6-year-old children in Racine County had received two or more doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. That same year, 69% of 5- and 6-year-old children in Kenosha County had received two or more doses of MMR. For DeMuri, counties with low vaccination rates like Racine and Kenosha are ticking time bombs. The virus is really knocking at our door, he said. Racine and Kenosha do not have the lowest vaccination rates in the state: The same data showed Vernon County at 48%, and Clark County is at 46%. Though other counties have lower rates, many also benefit from being rural and more spread out, whereas residents from Racine and Kenosha frequently travel between the two. Its going to cause a lot of leakage of virus over from one to another, DeMuri said. If it does hit either one, its going to be pretty quick before the other is going to get it. Schools at risk Schools, too, are at risk for outbreaks. According to the CDC, there is a higher chance of an outbreak in schools with more unvaccinated children, and the outbreak size increases with the percent of unvaccinated children. Each year, Wisconsin schools are required to report how many students have met the minimum immunization requirements, are in the process of meeting requirements, are behind schedule, have a waiver, or have no immunization record or waiver. DHS data from the 2023-24 school year shows that 86% of all Racine Unified School District students met the minimum vaccination requirements, and the remaining are in progress, are behind schedule or have a waiver. Still, 92.54% were in compliance with state immunization law, which allows students to be in the process of receiving their vaccinations or have a signed waiver. Stacy Tapp, chief of communication and community engagement at RUSD, said the district does not have a plan at this time to increase the percent of students in compliance with state immunization laws. According to the Racine County Public Health Division, just over 5% of students in the county requested immunization waivers, marking an increase of almost a full percent from the 2019-20 school year to the 2024-25 school year. Non-medical waivers are the largest contributor, accounting for almost 90% of all student immunization waivers in 2024-2025 across Racine County, a Racine County spokesperson said. Of Kenosha Unified School District students, 88% have met the minimum requirements, and the remaining are in progress, are behind schedule, or have requested a waiver. However, 99.26% of KUSD students are in compliance with state law. According to KUSD, there has been an increase in waivers for religious, medical or personal convictions, which are permitted within state immunization requirements. Indeed, DHS data shows 6.1% of Wisconsin students during the 2023-24 school year have a waiver. It is important to keep in mind that waivers typically increase when the state requirements change, a KUSD spokesperson said. Over the past few years, Wisconsins requirements have changed. It appears that waivers tend to increase during the years when these types of changes occur. KUSD sends notices on the 15th and 20th days of school when students are not in compliance. The district sends electronic communications through Virtual Backpack, its family e-newsletter, and its student information system as well as flyers from the Kenosha County Public Health Department on childhood immunizations. In the spring, KUSD sends reminders to guardians for the next school year. Spread of misinformation In a statement, Kenosha Countys communication director Joe Potente said Health Officer Lori Plahmer reports that the county is continuing to conduct its normal surveillance and that we currently have no reported (measles) cases here. According to Racine County Public Health Division, low MMR vaccination rates in Wisconsin are a significant concern. Racine County Public Health has run PSAs to spread accurate information and to encourage people to stay current on vaccinations. The county also informs families through its home visiting programs, during which a nurse or educator answers questions and helps families make a plan to get up to date on vaccines. We encourage families to get their vaccines at their healthcare providers office, local health departments, or local pharmacies, the county said. We also offer vaccines for uninsured or underinsured children at our clinic in Sturtevant. According to DeMuri, declining vaccination rates can be attributed to a combination of factors, including misinformation on social media that has caused a swing in attitudes against vaccines. Theres been this really promulgation of vaccine information throughout social media, and that just propagates, DeMuri said. People send it to their kids, their grandchildren, their brother, sister, and then that misinformation gets out there. For DeMuri, one way local officials can combat misinformation is meeting people where they are and running social media campaigns. The Covid-19 pandemic also played a role in this, he said, because there was more misinformation about vaccinations. That has bled over into mistrust for other vaccines, said DeMuri, adding that hes noticed declining vaccination rates for other vaccines, especially for live vaccines like MMR that are more prone to misinformation. Following the work of Andrew Wakefield in the 1990s, MMR has also been picked on as a possible cause of autism, he said. (Wakefields) work was completely discredited, DeMuri said. There have been multiple, large-scale epidemiologic studies from very, very trustworthy researchers that have shown theres absolutely no risk between measles vaccine and autism. DeMuri also recommends people talk with their health care providers. Go to your doctor, your nurse practitioner, physicians assistant you trust them with your life, really and ask their opinion about this, he said. A Racine County spokesperson said vaccine hesitancy among adults is likely the biggest contributing factor to low vaccination rates in the county. We as a society are inundated with information and it is often difficult to filter out misinformation and identify reputable sources. It only takes a seed of doubt to potentially sway someones decision to vaccinate, Racine County Public Health Division wrote. It is our goal to be the source of trusted information for our community so they can make the best decision possible for themselves and their families. President Donald Trumps pick for NASA administrator, billionaire Jared Isaacman, is highly unusual or it would at least be usual for a normal administration. Isaacman has a contract worth tens of millions of dollars, or more, with Elon Musks spaceflight and satellite company, SpaceX. Isaacman, a pilot and commercial astronaut, has traveled to space twice on SpaceX spacecraft. The Senate Commerce Committee has not yet scheduled a hearing on Isaacmans nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the support of President Trump, I can promise you this: We will never again lose our ability to journey to the stars and never settle for second place, Isaacman posted on X in December. We will inspire children, yours and mine, to look up and dream of what is possible. Americans will walk on the Moon and Mars and in doing so, we will make life better here on Earth. According to Isaacmans financial disclosure, his agreement with SpaceX for his Polaris Program, his private spaceflight program, is worth more than $50 million. The agreement is for space flight services & strategic agreements. As NASA administrator, Isaacman would likely oversee the agencys relationship with the SpaceX, which has been conducting travel to and from the International Space Station. They recently brought two astronauts back to Earth who had been stranded by a Boeing spacecraft. NASA also plans to work with SpaceX to send people to the moon. Musk even said SpaceX will launch an unmanned spacecraft to Mars by next year. SpaceX has also experienced two fiery failures this year. Earlier this month, an unmanned SpaceX rocket exploded mid-air, disrupting roughly 500 flights and raining debris over Florida and the Caribbean. The rocket, Starship, was cleared to fly shortly after another Starship rocket exploded in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think SpaceX is on for our time the most incredible adventure imaginable, Isaacman told CNN in August. Its not just about Mars. Its actually the possibility of unlocking lifes mysteries. Where did we really come from? What is our purpose? According to NASA, the agency has spent more than $15 billion on SpaceX. In his ethics agreement, Isaacman promised that he would terminate his companys contracts with SpaceX, and said that SpaceX would send a refund for services that had not been completed yet meaning that his company could receive millions from SpaceX if he is confirmed. In 2021, Isaacman self-funded the first spaceflight to Earths orbit manned by civilians only, Inspiration4. He and three colleagues, who were contest winners, flew on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule for three days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After this flight, Isaacman contracted with SpaceX to create the Polaris Program, which is focused on spaceflight. In September 2024, he traveled to space in the Crew Dragon for a second time. He made the trip with three other people, two of whom worked for SpaceX. Isaacman became the first person to carry out a commercial spacewalk. The astronauts also tested new SpaceX space suits. Isaacman planned to travel to space two more times in future Polaris-SpaceX missions. Isaacman is separately the founder and CEO of Shift4, a payment processing company. He also founded a defense contractor, Draken International, which contracts with the Air Force and the Marines as well as the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. It has the worlds largest private fleet of military aircraft. He sold part of his stake in 2019. Shift4 is tied financially to SpaceX. Documents show that Shift4 purchased $27.5 million worth of SpaceX shares in 2021. Isaacman owns 25 percent of Shift4. Isaacman said in an email to Shift4 employees that he would retain the majority of my equity interest in Shift4, subject to ethics obligations if he were to assume the position of NASA administrator, CNN reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has defended Musk in the past. I dont need to have a public opinion on [Elon Musks] politics because there is much more to the man and his companies, Isaacman posted on X in October. What I care about are the enormous world-changing problems Elon and his companies are working to solve and generally, how I can help. Isaacman has criticized NASAs approach of having two private companies, SpaceX and Jeff Bezos Blue Origin, develop different lunar landers in case one malfunctions. He said that NASA should spend money more wisely and only work with one company. People falsely assume its because I want SpaceX to win it all, but budgets are not unlimited & unfortunate casualties happen, he posted on X last March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spend billions on lunar lander redundancy at the expense of dozens of scientific programs, he added. I dont like it. 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. (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump has ramped up his fight with the judiciary as he racks up losses in court over his administrations efforts to reshape the US government and its approach on everything from immigration to federal spending. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two months into his term, Trump is already fighting more than 150 lawsuits challenging his executive actions, based on a Bloomberg News review of filings in federal courts. Judges across the US are frequently ruling against the administration and in some cases signaling the president may have exceeded his power to act without the approval of Congress. As Trump challenges the authority of the courts to block his agenda, even calling for the impeachment of judges, the government has been increasingly accused of disobeying judicial orders and failing to properly follow the law. The Trump administration has said that it is not flouting orders. The White House has had some notable wins and is appealing most of its losses. At least some of the cases are likely to reach the US Supreme Court, where Trump dominates with a conservative majority. Here are five areas of the Trump administrations legal fights to watch: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration Trumps hardline immigration agenda is playing out across the courts, with some of his biggest priorities stalling. Hes lost several court fights over his ban on birthright citizenship, the most high-profile executive order tied to his immigration crackdown. Judges in different states who have blocked his order from taking effect while litigation proceeds say Trumps executive order violated the clear language of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Trump has already asked the Supreme Court to intervene, by limiting the extent of the injunctions. The high court is accepting written briefs through next month. Trumps anger over challenges to his immigration policies peaked on Tuesday, when he called for the impeachment of the Washington judge handling a lawsuit over the deportations of alleged Venezuelan gang members. The judge had blocked further deportations and scolded the administration for failing to obey a verbal order to turn the planes around. Government lawyers argued they were only required to follow his written orders. The presidents comments about the judge prompted Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to issue a rare statement rebuking Trump, saying impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the other immigration suits are in early stages. The suits challenge most of Trumps reform efforts, including ending so-called sanctuary city policies, increasing immigration raids, restoring the Remain in Mexico policy and pausing funding of legal services to undocumented immigrants. If Trump prevails in these cases, it will expand the presidents already-significant ability to shape immigration policy immediately after taking office. Spending and Workforce Nonprofits, unions and state attorneys general have mostly prevailed in challenging the White House freeze of trillions of dollars in congressionally approved spending on grants, loans and other payments. Judges have ordered the US to keep funds flowing during litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the administration has been accused in a few cases of failing to resume funding, drawing rebukes from judges. So far the government has avoided sanctions or being held in contempt. In two cases over the firing of federal workers, judges ordered the rehiring of thousands of probationary employees. One judge expressed concern the administration wasnt following a court order because workers were being placed on paid leave instead of returning to work. There are at least four challenges to Trumps gutting of the US Agency for International Development. A judge in a pair of suits filed by nonprofits ordered USAID to resume paying out $2 billion for work already completed around the world. But the judge gave the administration a partial win by allowing thousands of contracts for future work to be canceled. And in a separate suit brought by USAID employees, a judge cleared the way for workers to be fired while the suit continues. The cases could establish broader powers for a president to rescind federal spending thats already been approved by Congress. Firing Independent Officials Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of independent agencies who claim they were dismissed by Trump illegally are mostly prevailing in court, though Trump has doubled down with additional firings. The winners include Gwynne Wilcox at the National Labor Relations Board, Cathy Harris at the Merit Systems Protection Board, and Susan Grundmann at the Federal Labor Relations Authority. All were reinstated in federal court rulings that highlighted the importance of independent agencies. Two of the cases are on appeal. Trump did get a win when a federal appeals court allowed his firing of Hampton Dellinger, who led the Office of Special Counsel, to take effect while his lawsuit proceeded. Dellinger dropped his case, so the courts havent ruled on the merits of Trumps actions. The president doubled down on March 18 when he fired the two Democratic Commissioners on the Federal Trade Commission, signaling even more litigation ahead. The legal fights began after Trumps firing of more than a dozen Executive Branch officials whose positions were created by Congress. The dismissals have fueled concerns that Trump could try to fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, whom the president has criticized. The cases could determine the extent of the presidents ability to control the Executive Branch, even positions that Congress decided decades ago should be independent so they can handle matters related the White House without fear of retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE and Elon Musk States, privacy advocates and unions that challenged Elon Musk and his budget-slashing Department of Government Efficiency team have had mixed results. Some judges have temporarily limited DOGE employees access to Americans personal data held by departments. But in other cases, the Musk team was allowed to continue reviewing secure information. A Washington judge denied a request that would give DOGE access to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau records, at least for now. And the Trump administration continues to fight restrictions. It asked an appeals court to block disclosures about Musks role and threatened to all but shut down the Social Security Administration after a judge blocked DOGEs access to the agencys computer systems. The administration is also fighting suits challenging DOGE access to Treasury payments data, with limited success. A New York judge largely blocked DOGEs access but said the administration could regain it by giving the employees proper training and security clearances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These cases are testing the standard allowing presidents to assign non-Senate confirmed aides to dig into Americans data across the government. Equality and DEI In a major loss for the administration, a Washington federal judge this month issued an order blocking Trumps ban on transgender people in the military while litigation proceeds. The government has said it will appeal the decision. On the DEI front, eight states that sued over the Department of Educations cancellation of $250 million in federal grants tied to equality and diversity won a temporary order blocking the terminations earlier this month. , Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Maryland, a federal judge blocked portions of Trumps executive orders limiting DEI programs. But a federal appeals court put that order on hold while its challenged, giving Trump a key procedural win. Trump got another win last month when several US intelligence officers who were assigned to DEI initiatives lost their bid for a temporary order preventing them from being fired while their lawsuit proceeds. The lawsuits come after Trump signed executive orders seeking to eliminate illegal DEI programs in government and pressure companies and universities to do the same. Government agencies quickly got to work firing employees who work on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, while DEI language was stripped from websites. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. When you peer out into the depths of the cosmos, a mystery lies there, waiting. In a survey of the deep sky, most of the galaxies are seen rotating in the same direction. This is a problem. Under current models of the way the Universe behaves, galaxies should be a hodge-podge rotating whichever dang way they please, resulting in a roughly even distribution of rotations. The fact that this is not what we observe suggests that there's something hinky going on: a huge gap in our understanding of the way the Universe works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is still not clear what causes this to happen, but there are two primary possible explanations," says astronomer Lior Shamir of Kansas State University. "One explanation is that the Universe was born rotating. That explanation agrees with theories such as black hole cosmology, which postulates that the entire Universe is the interior of a black hole. But if the Universe was indeed born rotating it means that the existing theories about the cosmos are incomplete." The other, much less exciting possibility is that it's an illusion caused by the rotation of our home galaxy. Although the Universe might appear pretty random at a glance, there is actually quite a bit of structure therein. Vast filaments of dark matter span the cosmos in a gravitational web that connects galactic hubs, for example. We had assumed, however, that the behavior of galaxies within that web was pretty randomized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means that the distribution of spin directions of these galaxies should be more-or-less equal. Shamir's body of research suggests otherwise; previously, he has found evidence that the distribution of galaxy spin directions across the sky forms a distinct pattern. In the course of his research, Shamir has noticed that there's an asymmetry in the spin distribution; and, at greater distances across space-time, the asymmetry becomes even more pronounced. That means that there are more galaxies spinning one way than galaxies spinning the other, and the difference is stronger earlier in the Universe. For this new paper, he used data collected during the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES) to study the rotations of 263 galaxies, whose light has traveled between roughly 5 and 10 billion years to reach us. There are only two directions these galaxies can spin clockwise and counterclockwise. If the Universe is isotropic, or uniform in all directions, as described by the cosmological principle, there should be a pretty even 50-50 distribution of clockwise and counterclockwise galaxies throughout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Shamir measured the spins of the 263 galaxies in his sample, he found an asymmetry that simply cannot be explained by chance: of the galaxies 105 rotate counterclockwise, while 158 rotate clockwise. The galaxies marked red are rotating counterclockwise, the blue clockwise. (Shamir, MNRAS , 2025) "The analysis of the galaxies was done by quantitative analysis of their shapes, but the difference is so obvious that any person looking at the image can see it," Shamir says. "There is no need for special skills or knowledge to see that the numbers are different. With the power of the James Webb Space Telescope, anyone can see it." The notion that we all live in a black hole is pretty wild, and difficult to swallow, but there may be other explanations for the asymmetry. One possibility is that the rotation of the Milky Way galaxy from which we observe has more of an effect on our observations than we thought, making some galaxies appear as though they are rotating differently. That would be an oversight, but one to which the solution might clear up several other problems, such as the speed at which the Universe is growing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If that is indeed the case, we will need to re-calibrate our distance measurements for the deep Universe," Shamir says. "The re-calibration of distance measurements can also explain several other unsolved questions in cosmology such as the differences in the expansion rates of the Universe and the large galaxies that according to the existing distance measurements are expected to be older than the Universe itself." His findings have been published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Related News Dozens of U.S. Postal Service letter carriers who gathered in downtown Indianapolis in protest of their employer's feared upheaval found the pouring rain fitting. USPS is the only shipping service that delivers to every business and residence in almost any weather, local carriers noted. That's why they denounce calls to privatize USPS by President Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk, saying such a move could end the agency's universal service mandate and spike costs for rural communities. "It doesn't matter what the weather is, it doesn't matter what's going on pandemic, terrorist attacks people are going to get their mail," Bob Hager, a 64-year-old carrier in Carmel, said from beneath a rain-drenched umbrella. Mail carrier Mickey Avant, bottom right, and union leader Paul Toms, bottom left, gathered with the Indianapolis letter carriers' union to protest the proposed privatization of the U.S. Postal Service outside the Indiana Statehouse Sunday on March 23, 2025. On Sunday, USPS employees around the country and in nine Indiana cities protested Trump's proposal to shift USPS, an independent government agency under the executive branch since the 1970s, to the control of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Employees said they fear such a reorganization or worse, selling the Postal Service to a private company would reduce services to the more than 51 million households and businesses in rural communities who depend on USPS. Postal union advocates have threatened lawsuits if the Trump administration pursues those efforts, saying the Constitution empowers Congress, not the president, to enact major changes to postal policy. USPS employees also worry they could lose their jobs as the federal government haphazardly slashes agencies and funding. Earlier this month Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told Congress he plans to cut billions of dollars from the USPS budget and pare down the workforce by 10,000 employees by April through a voluntary early retirement program. Under DeJoy's leadership, the Postal Service, which employs roughly 635,000 people, has already slashed 30,000 jobs since 2021. Elliott Henderson, 38, said he spent 15 years toiling in kitchens for low wages, paying his medical insurance costs out of pocket, before USPS hired him about three years ago. He can now support his two kids thanks to the good pay and the health insurance his job as a mail carrier in Indianapolis affords him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Going to a job that offers something like that for people to make a good living vision, dental, health (insurance) I need that," Henderson said. Mail carriers Elliott Henderson, center, and Jake Stidham, right, gathered with dozens of colleagues to protest the proposed privatization or reorganization of the U.S. Postal Service outside the Indiana Statehouse Sunday on March 23, 2025. USPS workers fear staffing cuts could worsen delays Local USPS employees said the proposed changes could also worsen dysfunction at the new regional processing center on Indianapolis' east side, which recently caused mass delays throughout the state and the Midwest. USPS moved into the 1.2-million-square-foot facility at 5505 Brookville Road in November, shifting operations from an old site near the Indianapolis International Airport. Poor timing and a worker shortage contributed to the delays, according to Steve Vaughn, a representative of the Indianapolis chapter of the American Postal Workers Union. The transition came just before peak mailing season, between Thanksgiving and New Year's. "It's not something you do overnight," Hager, the Carmel carrier, said of the shift to a new facility. "We can't sit here and make excuses about it. It just takes time to get it done." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: As USPS delays pile up in Indianapolis, lawmakers call on postmaster to address issue Trump and Musk have said USPS should be privatized after decades of losing money amid an 80% decline in first-class mail volume since 1997. USPS lost $9.5 billion last year and has lost more than $100 billion since 2007, though some employees take issue with how those figures are calculated. During Trump's first presidency, he formed a task force to review potential overhauls of the Postal Service. A 74-page 2018 report recommended allowing USPS to charge market rates for inessential items and better defining the agency's universal service obligation, among other administrative reforms. The report's authors found that only USPS can provide package and delivery services to every American at a reasonable price. Private companies either don't deliver to remote areas or jack up service prices to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USPS employees like Mickey Avant, a 53-year-old mail carrier in Indianapolis for more than two decades, balk at the possibility that some citizens wouldn't receive mail. Avant also fears private companies would lower the standards for employees that handle sensitive information. USPS workers swear an oath to serve with integrity and uphold the Constitution, she said. "There's not a space we don't touch, and there's not a product we don't deliver," Avant said. "We are essential." Email IndyStar Reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09 This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana USPS workers protest Trump, DOGE cuts and privatization European Parliament officials are considering a 20 million (17 million) plan for the monthly removal of scaffolding to keep its debating chamber open during renovation works. The Telegraph obtained internal documents that detail plans for the refurbishment of the institutions Paul-Henri Spaak building in Brussels. One strategy discussed by the Bureau, the Parliaments governing body, would see the Hemicycle debating chamber kept open throughout the three-year construction period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A document said: Maintaining additional part-sessions on the construction site would require special arrangements to be made before and after each session to ensure safety, access and support. This has an impact on the overall duration and budget of the works, estimated at 6-12 months and EUR 20-22 million. Insiders say this would involve dismantling the scaffolding each month as the chamber is used by debating MEPs. According to the internal document, the plan could still be rejected, as other strategies are also on the table. Another plan would see the chamber remain closed and debates held through a digital connection between two meeting rooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anders Vistisen, Danish MEP and chief whip for the Patriots for Europe group, said: The idea of scaffolding being put up and down every month for a single days work is comical in the extreme. It would be like a scene in a Benny Hill comedy sketch. But when its not their personal money, MEPs are content to spend it freely. EUs travelling circus An alternative option, which is under consideration, is to entirely relocate to the EU Parliaments Strasbourg seat. But Belgium has insisted that its Brussels venue must receive its fair share of debates, as set out in the EUs treaties. The institution is often criticised for what has become known as the EUs travelling circus, when the Parliament, its MEPs and staff, decamp to France every month for a week of debates, at the cost of almost 100 million each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Spaak building was first used by the EU Parliament in 1993 and by 2012 an internal audit found that it needed wholesale renovations. Planning documents say the building falls foul of EU green rules and so-called Eurocodes for structural integrity. The reconstruction work is estimated to cost as much as 455 million and is expected to be finished by 2030. Despite a plan to reopen the building to mark the 200th anniversary of Belgiums independence, there is not yet an agreed date for the works to begin. 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. BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) The Melina Michelle Edenfield Foundation held its annual Evening of Joy fundraiser on Saturday evening at the Embassy in Boardman. It was all in honor of Melina Edenfield, who was diagnosed with an aggressive pediatric brain tumor in 2020 and passed away a short time later. Throughout her illness, Melina asked everyone she loved to choose joy and her family continues to honor her legacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dinner and dancing event helps raise money to cure pediatric brain cancer. Its our largest crowd yet. We have over 400 people here this evening to raise funds for pediatric brain tumor research, said Michelle Edenfield, Melinas mom. Its going to be a great night it always is and its a testament to the community and how much they continue to support us, said Keith Edenfield, Melinas dad. Last year, the foundation hit its goal of raising $1 million. Melinas parents said none of it could happen without the continued support of the community. Wilson Corbisello contributed to this report. 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) Honolulu will be developing Kaleimao Village West Loch Apartments, an affordable housing project in Ewa Beach designed to contain 127 units on a 3.7 acre lot owned by the city. The housing units will be rented to low-income households earning at or below 60% of the area median income, with single-person households making up to $58,000 eligible as well as families of four earning up to $75,000. Honolulu Mayor to give State of the City Address Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The build will be composed of seven three-story buildings totaling 28 one-bedroom, 87 two-bedroom and 12 three-bedroom units. There will also be a meeting space, a central laundry facility, administrative office, mailboxes, over 120 parking stalls and over 60 bicycle stalls. Kaleimao Village specifically targets income ranges that include many of Oahus essential workforce, food service employees, childcare providers, maintenance staff, healthcare support workers and transportation personnel, who are vital to our communities yet often struggle to find affordable housing, said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. This is an excellent example of how through strong public-private partnerships and decisive action, we are ensuring that projects like this move forward efficiently. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Construction on the new project is expected to begin later this year, with an anticipated completion date of late 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A significant portion of financing the project came from Honolulus Private Activity Bond program, which Blangiardi reinstated after its 23 year absence. The program is also known as the Multifamily Housing Revenue Bond program, and allows private entities to access tax-exempt debt for projects that serve the public, like affordable housing. The Honolulu City Council unanimously approved up to $30,376,937 in these bonds for the project, lowering borrowing costs and keeping rent low. The land for Kaleimao Village is leased for 75 years, allowing for the units to be accessible to the public for at least three-quarters of a century. Kaleimao Village is a great example of how we can use city owned land to create housing opportunities for local families, said Department of Land Management Director Designate Catherine A. Taschner. With a long-term ground lease in place, were ensuring that these homes will remain affordable well into the future. This project is the result of strong collaboration and commitment, and we look forward to seeing it come to life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information, visit the Department of Land Managements 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 KHON2. Russian and Ukrainian officials are to discuss bringing about an end to their war during talks with the US in Saudi Arabia. Delegations from Moscow and Kyiv will speak with American officials in separate rooms, with talks involving Ukraine beginning on Sunday. However, the Kremlin, whose representatives will begin talks on Monday, has downplayed expectations for a rapid resolution to the conflict, warning that difficult negotiations were to come. What is happening in Saudi Arabia? Rustem Umerov, Ukraines defence minister, confirmed on Sunday afternoon that talks with the US had begun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian politician said he expected discussions to centre around proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure. The Kremlin said a resumption of a Black Sea grain deal would be the main topic during its talks with the US on Monday. Gen Keith Kellogg, Donald Trumps special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, previously suggested the discussions would take place in neighbouring rooms. However, the USs talks with Ukraine now appear to have been brought forward. It is not clear how long they will last, but previous negotiations between Kyiv and Washington took more than eight hours. Discussions with Moscow lasted about five hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, sent Andriy Yermak, his chief of staff, to the high-level discussions, while the US sent Marco Rubio, the countrys secretary of state. However, the pair will not be present this time, with working-level officials attending instead. What has been agreed upon already? After separate calls with Mr Trump, both Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, and Mr Zelensky agreed in principle to pause attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure. Mr Zelensky also previously agreed to a full 30-day ceasefire but Putin rejected this and shortly after agreeing to a partial pause in fighting, ordered an attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in the Donetsk region. Ukraine later responded with attacks against several military targets, including the Kremlins Engels military airbase 700 miles deep inside Russia. Credit: Telegram/ exilenova_plus Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Zelensky later admitted the ceasefire was unlikely to come into effect until it had been formally agreed in a document between the two countries. Ukraine has reportedly prepared a list of targets to give to the US that would be off-limits during any partial truce. What does Ukraine want? Mr Zelensky said he had initially sought a broader ceasefire but was now focused on working with the US to stop attacks on power plants and civilian sites. He had also suggested including rail and port facilities in the agreement. Ukraines primary goal centres around security guarantees, which Kyiv hopes the US is willing to provide to enforce any future peace deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington insisted a much-hyped critical minerals deal would act as a guarantee, giving the US an economic stake in Ukraine. Mr Trump later suggested US ownership of Ukraines Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant would deter future Russian aggression. However, Mr Zelensky dismissed the plan, saying he would be open to US investment and modernisation but insisted the plant belongs to Ukraine. What does Russia want? In rejecting Mr Trumps proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, Putin continued his pursuit of maximalist gains from peace negotiations, which includes no Nato membership for Ukraine and a ban on foreign peacekeepers in the country. Putin also not only wants Mr Trump to formally recognise Russias gains in Ukraine but its 2022 annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, none of which are fully controlled by Moscow, as well as Crimea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has also indicated he would not be willing to back a full ceasefire unless the US and Europe stop all military aid and intelligence being sent to Kyiv, followed by the full demilitarisation of Ukraines army. Another key Moscow request is the removal of Mr Zelensky, who has previously suggested he would only resign if it brought about immediate peace or Ukraines admission into Nato. What happens next? Mr Trump and his team now face a test of resolve. The US president, who says he wants to be remembered as a peacemaker, has repeatedly demanded a quick end to the three-year war, warning it could lead to the use of nuclear weapons in World War Three. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump has threatened to impose tougher sanctions on Russia if it does not show it is serious about implementing a ceasefire. Analysts believe Putins power is not invincible because he is losing over 1,000 soldiers daily and the Russian economy is under strain. Further domestic troubles are expected by 2026 when Russians head to polls for parliamentary elections. But, if the talks go well, a meeting could be arranged between Mr Trump and Putin, the Kremlin said on Sunday. Dmitry Peskov, Putins official spokesman, said an in-person meeting would need to be properly prepared and emphasised that difficult technical negotiations must take place beforehand. 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. CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) The South African ambassador who was expelled from the United States and declared persona non grata by the Trump administration was welcomed home at an airport Sunday by hundreds of supporters who sang songs praising him. Crowds at Cape Town International Airport surrounded Ebrahim Rasool and his wife Rosieda as they emerged in the arrivals terminal in their hometown, and they needed a police escort to help them navigate their way through the building. A declaration of persona non grata is meant to humiliate you," Rasool told the supporters as he addressed them with a megaphone. "But when you return to crowds like this, and with warmth ... like this, then I will wear my persona non grata as a badge of dignity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not our choice to come home, but we come home with no regrets. Rasool was expelled for comments he made on a webinar that included him saying that the Make America Great Again movement was partly a response to a supremacist instinct. Rasool said on his return home it was important for South Africa to fix its relationship with the U.S. after President Donald Trump punished the country and accused it of taking an anti-American stance even before the decision to expel him. The U.S. president issued an executive order last month cutting all funding to South Africa, alleging its government is supporting the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Iran, and pursuing anti-white policies at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont come here to say we are anti-American, Rasool said to the crowd. We are not here to call on you to throw away our interests with the United States. They were the ex-ambassador's first public comments since the Trump administration declared him persona non grata over a week ago, removed his diplomatic immunities and privileges, and gave him until this Friday to leave the U.S. It is highly unusual for the U.S. to expel a foreign ambassador. Rasool stands by the comments cited by Rubio Rasool was declared persona non grata by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a post on X on March 14. Rubio said Rasool was a race-baiting politician who hates the U.S. and Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Rubio didn't directly cite a reason, his post linked to a story by the conservative Breitbart news site that reported on a talk Rasool gave on a webinar organized by a South African think tank. In his talk, Rasool spoke in academic language of the Trump administrations crackdowns on diversity and equity programs and immigration and mentioned the possibility of a U.S. where white people soon would no longer be in the majority. The supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the U.S.A., the MAGA movement, the Make America Great Again movement, as a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the U.S.A. in which the voting electorate in the U.S.A. is projected to become 48% white, Rasool said in the talk. On Sunday, he said he stood by those comments, and characterized them as merely alerting intellectuals and political leaders in South Africa that the U.S. and its politics had changed. It is not the U.S. of Obama, it is not the U.S. of Clinton, it is a different U.S. and therefore our language must change, Rasool said. I would stand by my analysis because we were analyzing a political phenomenon, not a personality, not a nation, and not even a government." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pressure over genocide case against Israel He also said that South Africa would resist pressure from the U.S. and anyone else to drop its case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The Trump administration has cited that case against U.S. ally Israel as one of the reasons it alleges South Africa is anti-American. The Breitbart story Rubio cited when announcing Rasool's expulsion was written by South African-born senior editor-at-large Joel Pollak, who is Jewish and an ally of the Trump administration. Pollak is also a contender to be the new U.S. ambassador to South Africa, according to South African media. Some of the supporters welcoming Rasool, who is Muslim, home to Cape Town waved Palestinian flags and chanted free Palestine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we stand here, the bombing (in Gaza) has continued and the shooting has continued, and if South Africa was not in the (International Court of Justice), Israel would not be exposed, and the Palestinians would have no hope, Rasool said. We cannot sacrifice the Palestinians ... but we will also not give up with our relationship with the United States. We must fight for it, but we must keep our dignity. ___ More AP news on the Trump administration: https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump Invasive plant species can wreak havoc on an ecosystem by crowding out native flora and negatively impacting local biodiversity. In Arizona, though, one particular invasive plant is causing an additional concern. What's happening? The unfortunately named stinknet plant which looks like a fluffy yellow ball atop a long green stalk is extending its reach throughout the state. According to 13 News, it is steadily making inroads into Tucson. Tony Figueroa, senior manager for the Invasive Plant Program Tucson Bird Alliance, told the publication that the plant is originally from South Africa, but it has been spreading into Arizona from California since the 1980s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's really exploded in Maricopa County to the point where it's just smothered most of the open space lands throughout a lot of the Sonoran Desert," Figueroa said. Why is invasive stinknet concerning? While biodiversity is an immediate concern, experts are also worried that stinknets could increase wildfire threats. Beth Hudick, a park ranger at Saguaro National Park told 13 News after blooming and going to seed, the plant will dry out. This will lead to dense stands of flammable vegetation, which will aid the spread of wildfires. "Unfortunately, we worry that it's just a matter of time," Hudick said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rising global temperatures are increasing the length, strength, and likelihood of wildfire events. Dry plants essentially act as kindling, meaning ignition from discarded cigarettes, errant fireworks, machinery sparks, and other sources could lead to a tough-to-control fire. Homes and businesses will be put at risk, while humans are also at risk of respiratory illnesses, burn injuries, or even death. What's more, with insurers increasingly reluctant to protect properties against wildfires, damage and destruction to homes could lead to unaffordable repair work or even homelessness. What's being done about stinknets? According to 13 News, conservation groups are calling on people to pull up stinknet plants and report locations of sightings to stinknet.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The publication also noted that picking events are being organized by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. But invasive species can crop up anywhere, even in your yard. Native plants can help, as they can crowd out space for invasives to grow and take hold. Herbicides should be a last resort, as they contain chemicals that will not only kill the plants you want to keep, but they can also increase human health problems glyphosate, for example, has been linked to heightened cancer risks. There are natural ways to keep weeds at bay or at least slow their growth. In addition to protecting your yard from invasives, these can also be a lot less expensive than store-bought herbicides. Laying down cardboard under raised beds is extremely cheap, and the material will degrade naturally and will help stop weeds poking through the soil for a time. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. An explosion at a police building in Odesa Oblast on Sunday 23 March has left three police officers injured. Ukraines Security Service (SSU) is classifying the incident as a terrorist attack. Source: Odesa Oblast SSU press service in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda Quote: "The SSU classifies the explosion at a police building in Odesa Oblast on 23 March as an attempted terrorist attack and has already launched the corresponding criminal proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the investigation, the explosion occurred at around 18:00 today after a woman entered the police headquarters carrying a bag that is believed to have contained explosives. Three police officers sustained injuries of varying severity. They are receiving medical treatment." Details: SSU investigators are conducting an examination at the scene of the explosion. The SSU and the National Police are conducting a wide range of investigations to determine all aspects of the crime and identify those involved. A pre-trial investigation has been launched under Article 258 (terrorist act) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: On Sunday 23 March, a woman was reported killed and several people injured in an explosion at a police building in Odesa Oblast. Media reports stated the incident occurred in the town of Biliaivka. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Extreme weather prompted Great Smoky Mountains National Park to ban campfires and charcoal use Saturday until further notice. The ban applies to both the North Carolina and Tennessee sides of the park, rangers said The ban is consistent with a National Weather Service red flag warning for the area, rangers said. The NWS issued the warning for the Charlotte area, mountains, N.C. foothills and Upstate South Carolina until 8 p.m. Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The warning means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will develop shortly, forecasters said. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior, according to the warning. Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. Critical Fire Weather conditions on Saturday! These conditions will lead to extreme fire behavior! Burn bans are in place for some, please refer to your individual state forestry service for more information:https://t.co/BozTtGjmSthttps://t.co/as7Fy0NK1vhttps://t.co/HGv4jZhtQ1 pic.twitter.com/fc64XnUtGf NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) March 21, 2025 NC, SC burn bans The N.C. Forest Service banned all open burning and canceled all burning permits statewide effective 8 a.m. Friday, March 21, until further notice. The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a state foresters burning ban for all counties effective 6 p.m. Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Saturdays campfire ban, people in Great Smoky Mountains National Park picnic areas can still used cook stoves with compressed gas canisters and gas grills that feature an on/off switch, according to a park news release. Stoves and grills must be attended at all times, ranger said. The National Park Service is working with multiple agencies to respond to the dangerous conditions, Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers said Saturday. Visitors are urged to exercise extra caution, rangers said. For updates, visit the parks current conditions online page. This is a developing story that will be updated. They are the most advanced fighter jets in the world, capable of flying at 1,200mph while staying virtually invisible to enemy radar, equipped with unrivalled surveillance capabilities and a devastating array of missiles. Every year roughly 150 new state-of-the-art planes, which have quickly become the backbone of modern Western air forces, rise from a base in Fort Worth, Texas, for delivery around the world. But serious doubts about the programme that brings billions of dollars into the US have emerged in recent weeks due to one burning question can allies rely on America any more? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trust in the US security umbrella has rapidly drained as the Trump administration appears to move away from Europe and by some measures closer to Russia, all the while threatening to annex Greenland or Canada, and falling out spectacularly with Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky. Such is the anger at the US over its foreign policy pivot, some are even asking whether F-35s could become the new Tesla the world-beating vehicle that was once the envy of rivals but is now facing a damaging boycott. Major allies have already raised doubts over future orders, while France announced last week a massive expansion in its own domestic fighter jet production as Europe looks to onshore its defence industries. On Friday, Mr Trump threatened to pour fuel on the fire as he suggested selling toned-down jets to the US allies, because someday theyre not our allies, right? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was referring to a new generation of F-47 jets apparently named after himself, the 47th president. But the aircraft is decades away, and the only immediate impact of his comments will be to further shake Nato countries faith in a United States that looks increasingly unreliable. Allies are suddenly wary of relying on the US to supply the spare parts and software updates needed to keep their F-35s in the sky. Some even believe the jets harbour a secret kill switch that could be casually flicked on by a temperamental president, although this has been strenuously denied by Lockheed Martin. It raises an awkward question for US allies: whats the point in having a fleet of the most advanced stealth fighter jets in the world if they wont be able to get it off the ground? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One former defence official told Defense One news and analysis website that Mr Trumps repeated outbursts about seizing Greenland, Canada or the Panama Canal made it very hard to see how they remain with the [F-35] programme. Canada, which was planning to buy dozens of the fighter jets, recently announced that it was examining other alternatives. Portugal also appears to be getting cold feet. The recent position of the United States, in the context of Nato... must make us think about the best options, because the predictability of our allies is a greater asset to take into account, its defence minister Nuno Melo said this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany, too, is increasingly looking askance at F-35s. Wolfgang Ischinger, former head of the Munich Security Conference, has suggested Berlin could cancel its orders after the US halted shipments of F-16 jets to Ukraine, following Mr Trumps disastrous Oval Office meeting with Mr Zelensky. Europe, which once depended on the US for two-thirds of its military equipment, is now freezing out American companies and attempting to shift its reliance on Washington. Experts believe Frances aviation industry will be the big beneficiary of the backlash to F-35s, and Emmanuel Macron, the French president, is publicly talking up its Dassault Rafale jets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jon Hemler, an aerospace analyst, said that other options for US-sceptical nations include the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Saab Gripen, or South Koreas KF-21 but noted that all of them mean sacrificing advantages that the more-advanced F-35 can provide. The response from US allies, which have collectively invested billions of dollars into the fighter jet programme, is stunning. Kill switch fears Membership of the elite club with access to the fifth-generation jets was once highly sought-after. It was a source of humiliation for Turkey when it was expelled in 2019 by Mr Trump for purchasing a Russian missile system. Now some could turn their backs over persistent fears the aircraft is equipped with a kill switch that could ground the jets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The F-35 Joint Programme Office (JPO) strenuously denies that this exists, saying that it is built on strong partnerships with US allies and partner nations and has always been a collaborative effort that meets the operational needs of all its users. But Richard Aboulafia, a Washington-based aviation specialist, disagrees, arguing a kill-switch doesnt have to be a big red button. He told The Telegraph: Of course, theres a kill switch. Anything with software or internet connectivity has a kill switch. Thats just the way it works welcome to modern society. Software isnt the only potential issue allies are also anxious about hardware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement F-35s belonging to Nato countries could be crippled if the US decided it would stop shipping over replacement parts needed to keep them airworthy. Its like if youre in the UK and you buy a US car, said Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. If the United States were to shut off the flow of parts, you could scavenge parts for a while but eventually, your car is not going to be running very well. If you had a fleet of cars, fewer and fewer would run when you cant mobilise the other ones. Experts believe that even Israel, which has pushed for a degree of operational independence from the US, would not be able to keep its fleet running indefinitely without American-made parts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The F-35 Joint Program Office said in a statement: The programme operates under well-established agreements that ensure all F-35 operators have the necessary capabilities to sustain and operate their aircraft effectively. The strength of the F-35 programme lies in its global partnership, and we remain committed to providing all users with the full functionality and support they require. Others are anxious about the US governments commitment to the F-35 programme after Mr Musk repeatedly suggested that its funding should be pulled. While analysts are sceptical that the Pentagon would scrap the programme altogether, limiting its F-35 purchases would inflate prices for US allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November, the Tesla chief executive tweeted criticisms of F-35s three times in the space of two days, attacking the planes as a jack of all trades, master of none, obsolete and broken. Mr Musk, who has since been appointed the US governments efficiency tsar, said in one post: In the name of all that is holy, let us stop the worst military value for money in history that is the F-35 programme. But others believe that reports of the F-35s death have been greatly exaggerated. US could turn to Middle East for sales Denmark, where politicians are now fretting about the fate of Greenland as Mr Trumps repeated annexation threats, has already had its fleet of fighter jets delivered. And while many European countries are wobbling, both the Netherlands and Belgium have confirmed that they will keep buying them. Britains flagship Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier was built for the specific purpose of accommodating F-35s, meaning it is effectively being held hostage, according to Mr Aboulafia. Analysts have also suggested that the US could look for new customers in the Middle East if it is spurned by Nato countries, opening up the programme to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Douglas Birkey, head of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies US think tank, believes the West simply does not have the luxury of a decade to secure another fifth-generation fighter jet. Planes like the F-35 are the price of winning in the modern era, he told The Telegraph. But trust between the US and its allies is breaking down, and the consequences could outlive the F-35 programme. On Friday, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Boeing had won the contract to build the next-generation F-47s, declaring that America had sent a direct, clear message to our allies that were not going anywhere. Whether those countries still want to follow where the US is leading, or strike out on their own, is another question. 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. We are already getting more information about the F-47s origins. Both Boeing and Lockheed Martin built an x-plane in their quest to win the manned tactical fighter component of the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative. As we already knew, a demonstrator first flew in 2019. Now we know another one took to the skies in 2022. To catch up on everything we know about the F-47, as well as our initial analysis, click here. Air Force Chief of Staff David Allvin released a statement following the award to Boeing, saying that For the past five years, the x-planes for this aircraft have been quietly laying the foundation for the F-47 flying hundreds of hours, testing cutting-edge concepts, and proving that we can push the envelope of technology with confidence. At the time it was not clear that both of the finalists had flown demonstrator aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The revelation comes from a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) release regarding the F-47 contract award. In it, the bleeding edge defense tech agency says its involvement with what became the F-47 began in 2014 as part of the Air Dominance Initiative study, which resulted in its Aerospace Innovation Initiative. The release also quotes DARPA Acting Director Rob McHenry as stating: It is often only in future decades when DARPAs disruptive impact can be unveiled today, were proud to be able to share the 10-year DARPA research arc that has culminated in the F-47 program, defining the next era of American air dominance. The crewed sixth-generation combat jet component of NGAD traces its roots back to a requirement for what was originally termed a Penetrating Counter-Air (PCA) platform, ostensibly to succeed the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, which emerged publicly in the mid-2010s. This, in turn, was an outgrowth of aforementioned work the Air Force had done in cooperation with DARPA. Frank Kendall, the previous Secretary of the Air Force, was heavily involved in those efforts while he had the position of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. It had been claimed that up to three demonstrator aircraft flew as part of the secretive program in recent years. Its possible that Northrop Grumman, which elected to drop out of the program around 2023 to focus on other priorities such as the B-21 Raider, and the upcoming Navy 6th generation fighter program that is also under the name NGAD, also flew a demonstrator, but the existence of it was withheld. At the same time, these claims could have been inaccurate as they were never confirmed, and just demonstrators from Lockheed Martin and Boeing entered the flight test environment. DARPA also states that both Boeings and Lockheed Martins x-planes flew several hundred hours each during the evaluation. Its unclear what the state of these aircraft are now. They could have served their finite purpose not uncommon for flight demonstration vehicles with limited airframe hours designed into them or they could continue to support NGAD and other programs, we just dont know. Boeings aircraft could remain of particular value. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless, the fact that both have flown so many hours means that substantial risk was reduced, especially if they were somewhat production representative, which is a more common development tactic in an age of digital engineering and advanced rapid manufacturing. This also means the decision to choose Boeing was based on a lot of real performance data via flight testing, presumably in a quasi head-to-head manner. This may be a large factor in whether or not Lockheed Martin moves to protest the award decision. Hopefully we will get additional details about the F-47 and its developmental history in the near term, but in just two days the picture of what led to it is becoming clearer. Contact the author: Tyler@twz.com Murder. Prostitution. Gang activity. Drugs. If you think those crimes are a recent development in Scranton and beyond, think again. A recently published book containing vintage mug shots details the criminal landscape from 1898 through the 1920s, which mirrors crime one might read about in todays news. In addition to common crimes, however, the book also contains mug shots with such labels as illegally practicing medicine, adultery, horse thievery and faker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement History buff Nicholas Petula, who has a passion for all things Scranton, wrote Faces of the Accused, Volume I, after coming across a collection of mug shots at the Allentown Paper Show in 2011. * (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) A binder full of mug shotsat local historian Nick Petulas home in Clarks Summit on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Local historian Nick Petula shows his collection of mug shots and other paper artifacts at his home in Clarks Summit on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) The mug shot of local historian Nick Petulas great uncle at his home in Clarks Summit on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Local historian Nick Petula and his book Faces of the Accused at his home in Clarks Summit on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Petulas book highlights mug shots from the areas past. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Local historian Nick Petula points out interesting information in his collection of mug shots at his home in Clarks Summit on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Local historian Nick Petula talks about his latest project documenting historical Scranton area mug shots at his home in Clarks Summit on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Show Caption (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) 1 of 6 A binder full of mug shotsat local historian Nick Petulas home in Clarks Summit on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand An antique dealer was aware of Petulas love of the Scranton area and offered to sell them to him. Petula, however, wasnt willing to pay quite as much as the asking price. So, he waited until the end of the day and was able to buy them at a discount. He was amazed at not only the images, but at the details they provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lost world of crimes, misdeeds and sordid allegations were revealed in these faded images, he wrote. Petula believes someone saved the images from a dumpster after a clean-out of City Hall. Hitting close to home One evening after purchasing the mug shots, Petula was sitting in his kitchen going through the images. He was struck by the similarity of one of the photos to his great uncle, Frank Picchione, complete with a distinctive handlebar mustache. And then he realized it was his Uncle Frank, who had moved out of the area but had made frequent trips to Scranton to spend time with family. But, Petula was shocked by what he read next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His uncle had been charged with assault with intent to kill on Feb. 25, 1918, by Detective John Cartusciello. The detective described his uncle as 36 years old, weighing 127 pounds and with a blue scar across the bridge of his nose. Petula searched newspaper archives to find out the outcome of the charges, but couldnt find any information. He did find, however, that his uncle had some minor run-ins with the law, which seem related to fights. His Uncle Frank passed away in 1968. Petula remembers as a youth asking his mother how their family avoided involvement in the Black Hand, a type of extortion racket, particularly prevalent in the early 20th century, practiced by Italian immigrant gangsters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she believed his grandfather had avoided such involvement because he had suffered a severe injury in the mines early in his life. She also reminded him only a minority of Italians were involved in criminal activity. Petula said discovery of his great uncles mug shot left him in a quandary. Just who was his uncle? Was he the lovable affectionate family member he remembered or was he a man with a temper prone to fighting. It was that question that led him to begin his book by reminding his readers, A mug shot does not mean that a person is guilty or innocent of any crime. The fact that a mug shot was taken does not establish that a crime was committed or that the subject of the photograph is guilty or innocent of any wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petula points out he was unable to find any of his wife Sues relatives among the mug shots, but they were contained in several of the narratives. Among Sues family members were many police officers, he said. Why mug shots? Mug shots dated back to the early 19th century, following the development of photography. By the late 1880s, mug shots were commonly used in the United States to identify those suspected of criminal activity. In many way those early mug shots resemble current ones, but they also differ in some ways reflecting technology and legal methods available at the time. For example, on the back of those early mug shots were often detailed measures of foot size and head size. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is because fingerprints werent commonly used in the United States until about 1910. So, specific measurements were needed for identification. In spite of extended research, Petula cant name a specific date when law enforcement officials began using mug shots. The first one in his collection depicts an alleged pickpocket named Frank Costello who was 24 years old. His occupation was listed as tattooer. Petula believes that the mug shot was from around 1898. In Lackawanna County today, a mug shot generally contains much of the same information, although the photos are taken with a digital camera and are in color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They contain the name and age of the accused, the date of arrest, height, weight, eye color and hair color. Fingerprints are commonly taken at the time of an arrest, but are not included on the mug shot. However, because fingerprinting provides a reliable method of identification, it is no longer necessary to include measurements of body parts, Petula said. Informed by police history Retired Scranton police Detective Tom Culkin, a close fried of Petula, provided some historical background to the book. Culkin, a collector of police-related memorabilia himself, said mug shots tell a story of both crime and history. Not much is known about early policing, but a document that dates back to the 1850s in what was then the borough of Providence reads, most respectfully owing to the great increase of drunkenness, rowdyism, the crime and insubordination of some of our citizens, that a Lock Up and the appointment of a police force is indispensably necessary for the support of law and order It seems that Providence established a police department with part-time officers to serve as needed. During the same period, however, Scranton created a more organized police force in October of 1856. Officers received $1 for every arrest made, with the accused to furnish that amount if he was wealthy. The city had less luck with establishing a prison, however. In 1857 it built a jail at Adams and Lackawanna avenues for $575. The first prisoner, identified as Hurd and described as a plain drunk was incarcerated late in 1857. During his first night at the jail, it burned down and he died. The city soon replaced the original jail with a brick structure. Petulas book goes on to tell the story of Scrantons criminal history through photos, newspaper clippings, text and data. Looking into the faces on the mug shots, which include men and women of numerous occupations and a variety of ethnicities, Petula is quick to emphasize that those accused are presumed innocent. Each face on a mug shot is a reflection of a person with a story to tell, he said. Claim: In 2016, actor Morgan Freeman said: "I'm a huge fan of Elon Musk and I think he's got the most incredibly forward thinking ideas about where we can go technologically. What he's done nobody else has ever done." Rating: Rating: Correct Attribution In mid-March 2025, a quote attributed to Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman was circulating online in which he allegedly said he was a "huge fan" of tech billionaire Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The claim spread on multiple platforms, including Facebook (archived), Bluesky (archived) and X (archived). Freeman's alleged comments were: "I'm a huge fan of Elon, and I think he's got the most incredibly forward-thinking ideas about where we can go technologically. What he's donenobody else has ever done." In short, social media users correctly attributed the quote to the actor. However, he said it in 2016, before Musk became involved in politics and began taking highly controversial stands on public issues. Some posts, such as the Facebook post above, didn't acknowledge the year Freeman uttered the statement, meaning other users could have concluded he said it quite recently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snopes reached out to a representative for the Hollywood star seeking comment on whether his views on Musk have since changed. We will update this story if we receive a response. For the record, Freeman stated that he was a "huge fan" of Musk during an interview with CNBC's Carl Quintanilla on Sept. 6, 2016 (at minute 0:21). His full comments were as follows: Quintanilla: Is it true that on shoots you're sometimes checking your phone to see what the stock market's doing? Freeman: Yeah. Quintanilla: Any stocks in particular? Freeman: I own Tesla. Yeah. I'm a huge fan of Elon Musk, and I think he's got the most incredibly forward-thinking ideas about where we can go technologically. He's, you know, what he's done nobody else has ever done. He's landed a rocket ship so it's reusable, what a feat that is. Now we're taking off, we're going to be going to Mars, delivering stuff to people who are going to be settling there just like they settled the Old West, and bringing those ships back and landing them and reloading them. In late January 2025, Business Insider sought information regarding the actor's holdings and potential return on Tesla stock. In an email to the business news outlet, his publicist reportedly stated: "Mr. Freeman has a policy of not publicly discussing his personal investments." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk shared a clip of the interview (archived) in April 2024, writing: "Morgan Freeman is awesome." He also reposted the video (archived) on March 15, 2025. Sources: Mohamed, Theron. 'In 2016, Morgan Freeman Said He Owned Tesla Stock. It's Soared 3,000% since Then.' Business Insider, https://www.businessinsider.com/morgan-freeman-elon-musk-tesla-stock-spacex-electric-vehicles-investing-2025-1. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025. - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ISO6ySpITE. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Saturday marked a special return for a local woman with a long history. Fairports own Rosie the Riveter was recently honored at the Congressional Medal Commemoration Ceremony at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Mary Masciangelo made the trip back on Saturday and was given a warm welcome home at the Rochester airport. Mary Masciangelo, Fairports Rosie the Riveter, was rewarded with a Congressional Medal of Honor on Friday, March 21, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She, along with more than a dozen other Rosies, was honored during Fridays Congressional Medal Commemoration Ceremony, which is one of the highest honors a civilian can receive. She spoke with News 8 about how her trip went, and all the other powerful women she met along the way. They were super friendly, kind of miss them now [she laughs], Mary said on Saturday. Treated like a queen, oh my gosh, they couldnt do it enough for us. When you hear the term Rosie the Riveter, many will of course think of the iconic poster by Norman Rockwell, depicting a woman in a work shirt and bandana, flexing her biceps. Well, she represented a movement during World War II where these Rosies did things no one thought possible, building machines, working in factories, and stepping in where needed. Mary and her guardian left for the trip on Thursday when News 8s Adam Chodak first featured the World War II hero. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He met with her once more on Saturday, visiting the airport to congratulate her. Adam Chodak meets with Mary Masciangelo, Fairports Rosie the Riveter, at the Rochester airport. (WROC/Melanie Sosa.) Local Rosie the Riveter to be honored a week before turning 100 Another sweet highlight: Mary will celebrate her 100th birthday this week. Happy early birthday from all of us here at News 8, Mary! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Cancer is a disease that demands long-term, resource-intensive treatment, posing an especially heavy burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In nations like India, where a significant portion of the population comprises daily wage earners, farmers, and small shop owners living in villages, the challenges are even more pronounced. For these individuals, a cancer diagnosis can feel like a death sentencenot just due to the disease itself but because of the overwhelming socioeconomic impacts of treatment. The reality of cancer treatment in LMICs Cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy demand time, money, and proximity to health care facilities. Surgical recovery can take at least a month, radiation therapy often lasts six to eight weeks, and chemotherapy can stretch over three to six months. Alongside the physical burden, the psychological stress of cancerfear of recurrence, anxiety, depression, and lingering fatiguecan last for months or even years after treatment ends. For patients from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the cancer journey requires the full support of their families. Caretakerswhether they be spouses, parents, or childrenplay a crucial role in ensuring adherence to treatment protocols and in providing emotional and logistical support. This family-driven care environment can offer a sense of hope and encouragement to the patient. However, in India, where many households depend on daily wages, the story is far more complex. The financial trap Daily wage earners and laborers cannot afford to stop working for extended periods without jeopardizing their livelihood. They rely on their daily income not only to sustain their families but also to afford necessities like food and shelter. When cancer strikes, these patients face a harsh reality: leave their jobs to undergo prolonged treatment and risk financial ruin or continue working and risk their lives. The financial strain begins at diagnosis and deepens as treatment progresses. Although surgery can be covered under government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), the subsequent phases of treatmentradiation therapy and chemotherapypose significant barriers. In Gujarat state, only 10 out of 33 districts have radiation therapy machines, forcing patients to travel long distances, often to major cities, to complete their treatment. Even with financial support from the government, such as a daily travel stipend of 200 rupees, patients lose their primary source of income. Caregivers, too, must leave their jobs, which further exacerbates the economic burden. Myths, misconceptions, and low adherence Another significant issue is the widespread myths and misconceptions surrounding cancer treatment. In many rural communities, cancer is still seen as an incurable disease, particularly when a patients condition worsens after starting chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Anecdotal stories circulate about patients whose health declined after receiving treatment, fueling fear and reluctance among others to seek care. Modern radiotherapy techniques like 3D CRT (conformal radiotherapy) and IGRT (image-guided radiotherapy) have reduced side effects dramatically compared to older technologies like 2D RT and cobalt-based machines. Still, these advancements are not always well understood by the public. The fear of debilitating side effects often leads patients to forgo radiation therapy, which significantly increases their risk of recurrence. The result is a vicious cycle: patients either delay or avoid necessary treatment, leading to advanced-stage cancer by the time they seek help, further reinforcing the stigma that cancer is not curable. Structural challenges: Access and resources The logistical barriers faced by rural cancer patients extend beyond financial issues and misinformation. The geographic distribution of oncology services in India remains skewed toward urban centers, leaving much of the rural population underserved. Tertiary care centers with specialized equipment and oncologists are few and far between. Even as the government offers advanced techniques like robotic surgery, HIPEC, and laparoscopic procedures at lower rates, these innovations rarely reach rural populations. The disparity between the latest cancer care technologies and their availability to the lowest strata of society raises the question: Are we truly closing the care gap? The way forward: Practical solutions ADVERTISEMENT To address the challenges in cancer care for low-income patients, several measures must be considered: Busting myths and misconceptions: A widespread education campaign is essential to dispel the myths surrounding cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Many rural communities hold misconceptions that worsen patient outcomes due to non-adherence. Public health initiatives should focus on educating both patients and their families about the true side effects and benefits of modern cancer treatments, using local health care workers and community outreach programs. Supporting patients relatives: Given the long duration of cancer treatments, it is important to provide support not only for patients but also for their caregivers, who often have to leave their jobs to accompany the patient to major tertiary cancer centers. Programs could be developed to provide employment opportunities for caregivers during the patients treatment, either through temporary work near the treatment centers or financial assistance to offset the loss of income. Adequacy of government cancer hospitals and regional centers: While institutions like government cancer hospitals, regional cancer centers, and Tata Memorial Hospital provide critical services, they are not enough to cater to the vast population in need of care, especially in rural areas. These facilities often become overwhelmed, and the long distances that patients must travel to access them contribute to delays in treatment and poor adherence. Rethinking the allocation of advanced techniques: The government offers advanced procedures like robotic surgeries, HIPEC, and laparoscopic surgeries at reduced rates under PMJAY. However, it is essential to ensure that these treatments are provided in a manner that keeps both the surgeons motivated and the hospitals sustainable. Offering cutting-edge procedures at rates that strain hospital resources or demotivate surgeons may lead to a reduction in care quality or accessibility. Motivating oncologists in tier 2 and tier 3 cities: Establishing more AIIMS or Tata Memorial-like centers is not the sole solution to the health care gap. Instead, efforts should be made to motivate oncologists to practice in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, where access to specialized cancer care is still limited. This includes increasing super-specialty seats in medical training programs, offering financial incentives, and improving infrastructure in these regions to support advanced cancer treatments. Ensuring advanced techniques reach all strata of society: While advanced surgical techniques like free flaps, robotic surgeries, laparoscopic procedures, and therapeutic radiological interventions are available, they often remain out of reach for the lower socioeconomic strata due to non-affordability or lack of access. If we are to truly close the care gap, these latest techniques must be made accessible and affordable to everyone, regardless of their financial background. Are we closing the care gap? Not yet The current state of cancer care in India, particularly for daily wage earners and rural populations, reveals that while the government has made strides through initiatives like PMJAY, significant gaps remain. The burden of long treatment durations, financial strain, and deeply embedded myths make it difficult for patients to complete their cancer treatment, leading to higher mortality rates and a continued stigma around the disease. If we are to truly close the care gap, we must go beyond building advanced cancer hospitals and offering high-tech surgeries. Instead, we must focus on empowering local health care systems, educating communities, and providing holistic financial support to both patients and their families. Only then can we hope to create an environment where every cancer patient, regardless of their socioeconomic background, can receive the care they needand deserve. In conclusion, while significant strides have been made in improving cancer care, particularly with government initiatives like PMJAY, we are not yet closing the care gap. As per the mission set by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), more needs to be done to ensure that every patientregardless of economic status or geographic locationcan access timely, affordable, and advanced cancer care. Bhavin P. Vadodariya is a surgical oncologist in India. A Fall River man was injured and taken into custody after failing to stop for police multiple times in Bourne on Saturday night. According to Bourne Police around 8 p.m., officers assisted Massachusetts State Police in a pursuit of a vehicle that had failed to stop. The vehicle, traveling westbound on Route 6, was approaching the Sagamore Bridge. State Police continued pursuing the vehicle as it traveled over the Sagamore Bridge, merged off Route 3, and traveled onto Scusset Beach Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While attempting to evade police, the vehicle struck a Bourne Police cruiser. The male driver, identified as a Fall River resident, was apprehended by Massachusetts State Police and transported to a local hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries. No officers were injured during the incident. The Massachusetts State Police are currently investigating the incident. 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 The shattered family of a 14-year-old boy stabbed to death at a Queens McDonalds says the young age of his accused attackers is no excuse for the brutal crime. Police have so far arrested two boys, ages 14 and 16, in connection with Julian Corniells Valentines Day killing. The older of the two suspects, who was arrested Thursday, faces murder charges. I feel like being 16 is sometimes a cop-out. Being young is a cop-out, said the victims aunt, Sheila Corniell, 40. We can say that boys will be boys till were blue in the face, but doesnt that mean fists? That doesnt mean weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julian began high school in Long Island City last year but after enduring severe bullying and an assault by a group of youngsters that put him in the hospital he transferred to Hillcrest High School in Jamaica in November, the boys mom previously told the News. What are we doing with our children where our children arent safe in the street, our children arent safe at McDonalds, our children arent safe at school, our children arent safe on the subway? the aunt said Saturday. So where are we safe? On Feb. 14, Julian once again ran afoul of a large group of teens looking to hurt him. He showed up at the McDonalds near 38th St. and Queens Blvd. in Sunnyside with three friends in tow, his aunt recounted, and came across a larger group wearing ski masks and surgical masks. Sunnyside is not a dangerous neighborhood. Sunnyside is not a place where you would expect you need to watch your back at 3pm in the afternoon while the sun is out. On Valentines Day, Corniell said. I would understand Halloween but on a Friday on Valentines Day? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julian was chased out of the McDonalds and across the street, where he was attacked by the mob of teens. Within minutes of the fight breaking out, this kid stabs Julian, Corniell said. Once Julian is injured he runs out of the McDonalds and they run after him. As he lay dying, a friend and former classmate held Julians hand and applied pressure to his wound. Medics rushed Julian to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell in Manhattan but he could not be saved. Cops arrested the 14-year-old boy at the scene and charged him with gang assault. Julians murder echoed another slaying in Sunnyside last year, when police say a 15-year-old girl stabbed 17-year-old Sara Rivera to death near the Queens Blvd. entrance to the 46th-Bliss Street subway station. The teen victim knew Julians family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was sad about it but at the same time he understood that there wasnt much that he could do being that he was much younger, Nahomi Varona, 28, another of Julians aunts, said. Corniell added, A year later, dealing with the exact same thing only like a train stop away from when she was hurt?. What is happening? Why is our city in this state? And its all senseless. Its all over nothing. Julians family made a point of attending the 16-year-old suspects court arraignment on Thursday and listening to an assistant district attorney describe the crime. Every detail was like a punch to the gut, Varona said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teen suspect seemed stoic and emotionless to Julian family, who had never seen him before. We dont know who he is. Weve never seen him in our lives. Hes never crossed paths with us, Sheila Corniell said. It was a very big surprise to us just to see the sheer size of him. Our nephew Julian was a very small frame. Hes petite. He was like 5-foot-3, 120 pounds. Julian is 14 but he was a very little 14. The NYPD continues to investigate the senseless slaying. Julians mother, Julia Verona, said the family is putting all our trust and faith in the NYPD to get to the bottom of what happened that day. We are very grateful at the fact that this hasnt been something that theyve disregarded, she said. Were very grateful this has continued to be investigated and that theyre continuing to look into it. Because this wasnt okay and we dont want any other family to deal with what we are dealing with. The family of Riley Strain, a former University of Missouri student who was found dead in Nashville last year, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Delta Chi Fraternity on Friday, court records show. The lawsuit, filed in Boone County Circuit Court, claims negligence by the fraternity led to Strains death and names the organization and individual members as defendants. The plaintiffs seek damages related to Strains death, including compensation for financial losses, including funeral expenses and emotional suffering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strain was a senior at Mizzou majoring in interdisciplinary studies and business. He went missing March 8, 2024, after being separated from fraternity friends during a night out, Nashville detectives said. His body was recovered March 22 from the Cumberland River in West Nashville, about eight miles from downtown. Strains disappearance captured national attention. The lawsuit filed this week alleges fraternity members failed to follow their own policies, which prohibit beverages with more than 15% alcohol by volume. The family claims Strain was pressured into attending a spring formal event, and to consume large amounts of alcohol, the suit reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs attorney and representatives of the defendants did not immediately respond to The Stars requests for comment Saturday. The lawsuit alleges that members of the fraternity served beer and high-proof vodka Jell-O shots on the bus to Nashville. According to court documents, Strain was visibly intoxicated when the group arrived in Nashville. Several fraternity brothers allegedly noticed he was having difficulty speaking and walking. By the time the group reached the final bar of the night, Riley was virtually incoherent, the lawsuit reads. He was leaning against walls to stay upright, stumbling up and down steps, was completely unable to speak or communicate, and needed help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The night he went missing, Strain was kicked out of Lukes 32 Bridge Bar at 301 Broadway, a downtown Nashville bar owned by country star Luke Bryan, according to Metro Nashville Police. A bouncer reportedly did not allow Strain to stand outside the bar to wait for friends to close their tabs. A friend confirmed to The Star that Strain was taken out a side door and was gone when his friends paid and walked out. The lawsuit claims fraternity brothers abandoned Strain when he became highly intoxicated and unable to care for himself. Strains fraternity brothers failed to report him missing in a timely manner, the suit alleges. A friend said they told police they lost sight of Strain after he was kicked out of the bar. Nashville police said they tried using Snapchat to find his location, but were unsuccessful. Strains friends tried calling him multiple times the next day, but the calls kept going to voicemail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A friend called police around 1:45 p.m. the next day from outside the Nashville Central Police Precinct to file a missing persons report, saying they were in town for a fraternity formal when Strain disappeared. A massive search for Strain ensued, and his body was eventually recovered from the river. According to a medical examiner, Strain died of accidental drowning and ethyl alcohol intoxication. The police department classified Strains death as accidental. Nashville detectives said their investigation showed that Strain consumed multiple alcoholic drinks on March 8 before becoming separated from his friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges Delta Chi failed to prevent behaviors and actions that resulted in the death of Strain. It also alleges the fraternity failed to properly train members and uphold its policies. Strains family is demanding a jury trial in the case, according to court records. Previous reporting by Noelle Alviz-Gransee and Robert A. Cronkleton contributed to this report. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Efforts by New Mexico lawmakers to contain violent crime took center stage Saturday at the conclusion of an annual legislative session just hours after three people were killed and 15 injured in an outburst of gunfire at a public park in Las Cruces. The events transformed an ordinarily celebratory day for legislators at the close of a 60-day session into a somber affair. This tragedy reminds us that its going to take all of us to continue to come together to address these senseless acts of violence, said Democratic House Speaker Javier Martinez of Albuquerque. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans legislators in the legislative minority said the state is in crisis and urged Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to exercise her authority to bring the legislators back to the Capitol to seek solutions to violent crime. Lujan Grisham said she was considering it, amid feelings of anger and disappointment. I cannot ignore that we failed to adequately address the public safety crisis in our state, Lujan Grisham said in a statement. At the same time, legislators have delivered an array of crime-related bills to the governor that aim to enhance criminal penalties, expand the state's authority to prosecute organized crime and provide new precautions when criminal defendants are deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial. A bill won legislative approval on a 38-0 Senate vote this week that would expand the states racketeering law to address activity ranging from human trafficking to smuggling contraband into prisons and cock fighting. Lujan Grisham said she lobbied legislators aggressively to deliver the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A public safety law signed by the governor in February included enhanced penalties for mass-shooting threats, fentanyl trafficking and repeated vehicle thefts, while also banning devices such as the Glock switch that convert guns into automatic weapons. Lawmakers overhauled the states red-flag gun law, under which firearms may be temporarily removed from people who may pose a danger. The update explicitly authorizes police officers to file petitions and removes a 48-hour waiting period for firearm relinquishment. Legislators also sent the governor bills that establish a trust fund to underwrite an expansion of addiction and mental health services, while identifying gaps in the system. Legislators are grappling with public concern about not only crime but also the proliferation of homeless encampments in New Mexico. Beyond New Mexico, a tough-on-crime approach is back in political favor, with Republicans and Democrats alike promoting new law enforcement initiatives in state capitols. Nationwide, nearly 8 in 10 voters in the U.S. said they were very or somewhat concerned about crime in their own communities, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters conducted during the fall election. The percentage saying they were very concerned was higher than the national rate in New Mexico and several other states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and California. In his second term as a member of the Mississippi House, Bryant Clark presided over the chamber a rare accomplishment for a sophomore in a chamber that then and now rewards experience. The Holmes County Democrat presided in the House as if he were a seasoned veteran. In a sense he was. Bryant Clark is the son of Robert Clark, the first Black Mississippian elected to the state Legislature since the 1800s and the first Black Mississippian to preside over the House chamber since Reconstruction. Robert Clark rose from being a House outcast to serving three terms as pro tempore, who presides in the absence of the speaker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Clarks death earlier this month at age 96, much has been written and said about Robert Clark, the civil rights icon. While his accomplishments were groundbreaking in the history of the state, the measure of the man is, unbelievably, much more. Before being elected to the House, Clark was a schoolteacher and landowner in Holmes County. Both of those accomplishments played key roles in Clarks election in 1967. As a teacher, Clark went before the all-white Board of Education to ask that the school district participate in a federal program that provided adult literacy classes. The board said it would do so only if the superintendent supported the program. The superintendent said he did not. Clark said at that time he was going to challenge the superintendent in the next election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement True to his word, Clark went to the Holmes County Courthouse to qualify to run for superintendent. But officials there chuckled, telling Clark that the state House member from Holmes County had changed the law to make the post appointed rather than elected. Clark, not deterred, chose to run against that state House member, who he defeated in an election that made national news. At the time, Holmes, like many counties in Mississippi, had a Black-majority population and the times were changing as Blacks were finally granted the right to vote. But that change happened quicker in Holmes because at the time the county had one of the highest percentages of Black property owners in the nation. Black Mississippians who did challenge the status quo such as voting or God-forbid running for political office faced the possibility of violence and economic consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black residents of Holmes County had at least a little protection from economic consequences because many owned property thanks in large part to government programs and efforts of national groups to help them purchase land. It might have just been 40 acres and an old mule, but they said it was their 40 acres and old mule, Bryant Clark said. But there is more that makes Robert Clarks accomplishments notable. As he served in the House under watchful and sometimes hateful eyes as the first Black legislator, he had the added burden of being a single father raising two boys. When Clarks wife died in 1977, Bryant Clark was age 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Clark boys essentially grew up at the Capitol. Bryant remembers sitting in the House Education Committee room where his father served as chair (another significant civil rights accomplishment) and listening on the Capitol intercom system to the proceedings in the chamber when the House was in session. Years later, the father would watch from his home in Holmes County via the internet as his son presided. He was proud, Bryant Clark said, adding his father would at times offer critiques of his rules interpretations. But Robert Clark probably did not have to offer many critiques. His son most likely learned the rules at least in part through osmosis. At one point, Clark was home schooling his son during the legislative session. But Bryant Clark, now an attorney, said his father was chastised for not enrolling him in school by then-Rep. Alyce Clarke, D-Jackson, the first Black woman elected to the Legislature and childhood friend of Bryant Clarks late mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So to say Clark was a typical sophomore in terms of knowing the rules and the nuances of the Capitol by the time he got to preside would be an understatement. Bryant Clark recalled then-Speaker Billy McCoy calling him into his office and telling him he was being named vice chair of the Rules Committee for the term beginning in 2008 and most likely would preside as his father had made history by doing. He said he expected me to be speaker one day and he would be an old man back at his home in Rienzi reading about me in the newspaper. But times change. The state turned red, Bryant Clark said. His sons speakership would have been another historic chapter for Robert Clark the father and for all of Mississippi. This column was produced by Mississippi Today, a nonprofit news organization that covers state government, public policy, politics and culture. Bobby Harrison is the editor of Mississippi Today Ideas. A Fayette County man was arrested during a prostitution sting in Ohio. According to our partners at WFMJ, David Lynn, 55, of Smock was arrested on Wednesday. Police said he responded to an undercover ad posted on a website known for prostitution and set up what he thought would be a meeting between two women where he would pay them $250 for sexual activity. Undercover officers took him into custody when he went to the agreed-upon location in East Palestine. He allegedly had the phone used to set up the meeting and $250 in cash with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lynn pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held at the Columbiana County Jail. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Mar. 22As they progress through their junior-year school studies, a group of Fayette County students has cast a critical eye toward the future of the communities in which they live and learn. Those students gathered on Thursday, March 13, for a leadership event at the Lewis Christian Community Center in Oak Hill. "This is one of 12 or 14 sessions we do each year for Leadership Fayette County (LFC). And this is the 'Speaking Truth to Power,' combined with cooking challenges," explained Geoff Heeter, one of the volunteer organizers of Leadership Fayette County. "So, the kids are actually preparing the lunch they will serve to our guests, about 20 or so dignitaries from around the community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This year, their story for 'Speaking Truth to Power' is what they hope the place would be like if indeed they would want to come back and live and work here. So, that's pretty powerful," Heeter added. "We invited local elected officials, members of civic clubs and, of course, we're always eternally grateful to the school system for allowing us to run this program for almost 25 years," he said. "Without their support, this wouldn't happen. "We have a great track record in that this is a nonprofit, it's run by a board and several members of our board are alumni. Dr. Mandy (Wriston) and I both volunteer to administer the program and the mentoring of the program." While the students normally come up with the menu, a time crunch this year caused a change in the approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I did the menu to simplify things," Heeter said. "Normally we have a lot longer, and I take them to Kroger and let them do the shopping and everything; that's an integral part of it. Some kids have never gone grocery shopping. Some kids have never cooked before. "So, it's a pretty intense session for them: how to prepare food for a big group of people on a certain timeline." Heeter says the current installation of LFC students is "a very interesting group." "It's our largest group ever," he said. "We have the largest class of applicants ever this spring, so we decided to add a few more slots, so we have 15 kids this year from around the county, from all high schools in the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's been a wonderful group. Very interestingly diverse in their ideals and their personalities, and that's really a big part of putting a team together." Junior Raeanne Perdue, a member of the Oak Hill High Class of 2026, is one of the Class of 2025 for LFC. On Thursday, she helped prep asparagus and salads, while fellow students were handling other varied chores as the meal coalesced. "We kind of just split up into different groups," said Perdue. "My group was specifically to cut up all the vegetables and do all that." "I think Leadership has gone fantastically," she added. "I don't know how it went for other groups, because I didn't hear much about Leadership until now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I thought (the decisions made this year) worked really well for our group and the time management and ultimately what went down. I just think overall the program went really well this year." Perdue said her LFC interview at the outset of the program allowed her to understand more of the concept of the program and enticed her to start learning more and participating. Ahead of sitting down and breaking bread with the community leaders, the LFC students presented thoughts on the program and their future. Among the suggestions they offered were more third-party services such as events that would help bring the community together and create better connections. And, one of the messages was that consideration in the future must be given to local community needs as well as those of tourists coming into the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizations represented were: City of Oak Hill, Canyon Rim Rotary Club, Lions Club of Fayetteville, Town of Fayetteville, Beckley campus Bluefield State, BridgeValley CTC, New River CTC, WVU Tech, Fayette County BOE, Leadership Fayette County alumni, Fayette County Chamber/New River Gorge CVB, Fayette County Community Foundation and the ICE Collaborative. Email: skeenan@register-herald.com; follow on Facebook Listen up, spring breakers. FBI Los Angeles has released a stark warning to people traveling for spring break, telling sunseekers to maintain vigilance. The advisory comes after a University of Pittsburgh student disappeared in the Dominican Republic earlier this month. Davis warned that the risks are there when it comes to traveling overseas. Mediteraneo stock.adobe.com Whether its families looking to escape the final throes of winter or a college student seeking a brief respite from the rigors of academic life, know that the risks are there, Akil Davis, the FBI assistant director in charge, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maintain vigilance throughout your travels and be prepared to contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate should the need arise. The agency listed an array of tips for travelers to keep in mind during spring break this year, urging revelers to check any travel advisories for their destination. The travel advisory system was designed to give US citizens timely, clear, and reliable information regarding security threats overseas, the FBI wrote. According to Newsweek, spring breakers tend to flock to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Bahamas and Spain for their week-long vacation, some of which have been flagged with warnings from the State Department. Be conscious of your surroundings and avoid areas you believe may put your personal safety at risk, the agency warned. ON-Photography stock.adobe.com The US Department of State has issued Level 3 warnings which means to reconsider travel for multiple popular hot spots, including Jamaica, and Level 2 advisories meaning exercise increased caution for places like Turks and Caicos, Spain, Belize and the Bahamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To stay safe, the FBI told travelers to create a point of contact for the group in case of emergencies and avoid going anywhere alone, particularly at night. The agency cautioned tourists to only use authorized taxis and shuttles, as passengers have been robbed or kidnapped when riding unauthorized vehicles. They also told vacationers to avoid illegal behavior and to exercise caution when meeting new people. Take mental notes of anyone following you and promptly report it to the appropriate security officials, the FBI wrote. Be conscious of your surroundings and avoid areas you believe may put your personal safety at risk. University of Pittsburgh coed Sudiksha Konanki disappeared on March 6 while the two went for an early morning swim in rough waters at the RIU Hotel & Resort in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic. Mar. 22WILKES-BARRE Public Square was packed Saturday with federal workers and their most ardent public supporters. Speakers took aim at the labor policies of President Donald Trump, as well as the actions of billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency. Federal workers in Luzerne County, particularly those working for the Social Security Administration, have been in the spotlight recently. Earlier this month, and at the end of February, SSA employees received an email from DOGE asking them to reply with a list of tasks they had completed. At the beginning of March, three federal buildings in the local area were being considered for sale on the General Services Administration website. Those included SSA buildings in Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton, which were listed as "non-core properties." By the next day, however, the listings were gone from the website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phil Glover, District 3 national vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), was the scheduled rally's first speaker, and said that Musk and DOGE employees are not truly targeting fraud in the federal budget. Instead, according to Glover, they are slashing "shit that they don't like." "They're simply going into line items that they don't understand and they don't know why it was ever spent. That's Congress' job," Glover said. He noted that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is responsible for auditing the government and called for rally attendees to hold their elected officials accountable. "Either we stand up to this, and we let our members of Congress and the Senate know that they better stand up for us. We're the constituents, and we can fire them just like DOGE is firing our people," Glover said. Glover added that Trump and his allies' support for impeaching members of the judiciary is of serious concern, though it might not be getting the attention it deserves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a true constitutional crisis, and if you don't believe it, and if the press doesn't believe it, you better wake up," said Glover. Dave Demas, president at AFGE 3003, was at the rally to support government workers, and echoed Glover's sentiment in suggesting that the importance of federal workers might not be fully understood. "Let's hope the community actually understands what's going on with the government employees and not just watching the news. There's a lot of misinformation," said Demas. Janet Oborski, President of AFGE 1699, called out other elected officials in the federal government, including U.S. Reps. Dan Meuser and Rob Bresnahan, and U.S. Senator Dave McCormick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Meuser does not care about any of you. He doesn't care about the veterans. All he cares about is his money... He lives and breathes whatever Donald Trump says," Oborski claimed. She pointed out a number of understaffing issues in the federal workforce and the threat of veterans' benefits being cut. "[Bresnahan] was supposed to be here today," Oborski said of the first-term congressman. "Where is he? This isn't a photo op that he wants. He doesn't want to stand with federal workers and our veterans and our elderly. He doesn't care." Meuser, Bresnahan and McCormick are all Republicans. Like other speakers at the rally, Oborski charged her fellow federal workers with a task. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You know who [the elected officials] need to hear from? All of you," she said. Barri Sue Bryant, regional president for the AFGE, was even more direct when speaking to the crowd about DOGE's irresponsible handling of sensitive materials, and Trump's policies on immigration and civil rights. "Federal workers, minorities, LGTBQ+, disabled and women... [The] only group left? The white male," Bryant asserted. "And the white males that I know don't want any part of this. They don't. We have to stand up and fight." In addition to the AFGE, other unions such as the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and labor organizations had representation at the rally. Two state representatives, both Democrats, also attended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is the highest form of patriotism. You are here because you love this country. You are here because you honor all those that gave their lives so we can be here today," said state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski. He was joined by his colleague in the state legislature, Rep. Jim Haddock. Pashinski said that even non-union workers should consider the sacrifices made by unions in improving the standard or workplace conditions. He also contrasted the lives of middle-class Americans with Musk, the richest person on the planet. He suggested that DOGE's goals to cut waste, fraud, and abuse are noble at face value, but Musk and his team's methods are worthy of opposition. With his voice rising, Pashinski ended his remarks with a final plea to the audience. "Your vote counts," he said. "Get out there and get everybody to wake up and vote the right way." VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Federal workers, union representatives and allies gathered Saturday to protest against the Trump Administrations policies and mass layoffs. Constituents of Affordable Virginia, Freedom Virginia and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia held a town hall at the TowneBank Arena Saturday afternoon to discuss how the administrations policies are impacting the Hampton Roads area. An invite was extended to Rep. Jen Kiggans, but she was not present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Jen Kiggans office released the following statement in reference to the phony town hall: Today, phony paid protestors put on a fake town hall to spread more lies about Congresswoman Jen Kiggans. The organizers of this so-called town hall are the same left-wing operatives who have been attacking the Congresswoman since she began fighting for real Virginians in her Congressional district. These people are not interested in real democracy nor working with Congresswoman Kiggans for the good of American families. They operate through the politics of intimidation, have harassed her and her family at their home, and will stop at nothing to try to disrupt her good work. They come from the same activist groups that are now firebombing cars, shutting down colleges, and attacking American businesses because they cant win elections or even figure out their own agenda. Rep. Jen Kiggans Office Moreover, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2328 organized a rally outside of Rep. Jen Kiggans office Saturday morning to defend their jobs and the services they provide. Local 2328 represents employees at the Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Washington (DC News Now) Fiery town halls, its the latest trend for congressional lawmakers. Maryland Congressman Glenn Ivey (D) held a town hall in Prince Georges County. Rep. Ivey was met with some of those fiery exchanges. Rep. Ivey reacts to his town hall and his conversation with his constituents. Rep. Ivey also discusses if Sen. Chuck Schumer should step down from leadership. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Robert Antic has never been to Hungarys annual Budapest Pride, due to mark its 30-year anniversary this summer. But now, the 37-year-old content creator who is representing Hungary at this years Mr. Gay Europe wants to join the festivities for the first time and the timing is no coincidence. Hungarian lawmakers on Tuesday passed a new law which bans Pride events in the country and allows authorities to use facial recognition technology to identify those attending any events that go ahead despite the ban something campaigners say is illegal and part of a wider crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban welcomed the ban, which he said would outlaw gatherings that violate child protection laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We wont let woke ideology endanger our kids, he posted on X on Tuesday. The move sparked lively protests in Budapest earlier this week, with organizers of the citys Pride vowing to continue with the annual festival despite the new law and declaring: We will fight this new fascist ban. A spokesperson for Budapests mayor, Gergely Karacsony, told CNN that he would work with organizers to find a solution to hold the event again this year, branding the new law an attack on the right to assembly. For Antic, who describes himself as a proud gay man, the ban is a violation of his right to express himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new laws make it difficult to imagine a positive future for LGBTQ+ people in Hungary, he told CNN. The legal environment feels more restrictive, and its worrying to think about what lies ahead. Robert Antic, who is representing Hungary at this year's "Mr Gay Europe" competition. - Courtesy Robert Antic Despite the fears that the new law brings, Antic said he still considers Pride a fundamental event for the community. No matter the challenges or restrictions, its important for people to come together and celebrate who they are, he said. I believe change is possible. New laws to segregate us The Hungarian government, led by Orbans nationalist-populist party, regularly stands at odds with the rest of the European Union despite being a member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Hungary, the only EU member state opposing Ukraine from joining, refused to sign a statement of support for Kyiv that was agreed to by all other countries within the union. Orban is also a close ally of US President Donald Trump, with the two sharing both an ideology and political approach. Orbans party has been enacting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation for several years now, often under the guise of so-called child-protection. In 2020, the country effectively barred same-sex adoption, with Orbans office saying at the time that the move strengthened the protection of Hungarian families and the safety of our children. A year later, the country banned the distribution of content related to homosexuality or gender change to under 18s, something the European Commission said violated a number of EU rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simon Bird, a 68-year-old retired teacher who moved to Budapest in 2016, told CNN that the Pride ban has made him feel unseen and actively disliked. As a self-described queer person, he has attended every Pride event held in Budapest since he arrived. Simon Bird said the new law makes him "want to be more obvious" as a queer person. - Courtesy Simon Bird Though the new law made him momentarily question whether his move to the city had been the right decision, he decided that his presence, along with other members of the LGBTQ+ community, is now more important than ever. It makes me want to be more obvious (as a queer person), he said. For June, a 24-year-old non-binary, bisexual teacher and tattoo artist who did not want to share their last name for privacy reasons, Hungary is a challenging place to be openly LGBTQ+. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People just dont get me, my piercings, (or) my colorful hair, they told CNN. Theres so little going on (in Hungary) such little pride, such little confidence, such little faith. Its quite rare to find explicitly queer events. In an effort to create more spaces for LGBTQ+ people in Budapest to meet, June has for the past two years held an event called Queer Picnic on the citys central Margaret Island. Some 70 people showed up to the first picnic after June advertised it on social media, with dozens showing up the following year. June at the first Queer Picnic event, held in summer 2023. - Szintia Turza Despite the escalating clampdown, June said that they would organize another event this year, despite the ban on LGBTQ+ gatherings. Queer Picnic for now will be a really great solace for people during these times, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People want to feel normal thats all we want. We just want to feel normal, they added. Its the government that keeps inventing new laws to further segregate us. Highly intrusive level of surveillance As members of the LGBTQ+ community are vowing to defy Hungarys new law, politicians and non-governmental organizations around the world are speaking out against it too. This government wants to turn the clock back by decades and drag the country back to a much darker past, a cross-party group of European Parliament members declared on Wednesday. Neela Ghoshal, senior director of Law, Policy and Research at LGBTQ+ charity Outright International, told CNN that Hungarys patently illegal maneuver to ban Pride flies in the face of its human rights obligations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ghoshal said the laws reliance on the worn-out claim that it is protecting children by criminalizing LGBTIQ people and their allies is a blatant ploy to misuse children for political gain. Rainbow-colored smoke bombs were set off by legislators as the anti-LGBTQ+ law was passed inside Hungary's parliament in Budapest on Tuesday, March 18. - Boglarka Rodnar/MTI/AP Despite criticism from human rights groups and opposing legislators some of whom let off smoke flares in Hungarys parliament on Tuesday the law was passed in a 136-27 vote, with support from Orbans party and their minority coalition partner the Christian Democrats. Orban may be trying to appeal to right-wing voters - Hungarys opposition party, Tisza, leads Orbans Fidesz in polls, according to Reuters, a year before elections in the country. Meanwhile, other critics have homed in on the governments planned use of facial recognition tools to police the ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anna Bacciarelli, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, said that Hungary is subject to the European Unions AI Act, which, she says, explicitly prohibits the use of facial recognition in public spaces unless there is justification on national security grounds and when it is subject to judicial oversight. Bacciarelli told CNN that adding Pride attendees to a government database for further profiling and surveillance is an incredibly worrying move that is clearly incompatible with human rights. Another danger of facial recognition technology is that it has been shown to misidentify people, particularly those from minority groups, according to Serhat Ozturk, a legal officer at UK-based nonprofit Privacy International. Ozturk told CNN that the use of facial recognition technology in public spaces is a highly intrusive level of surveillance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement June, the non-binary tattoo artist, said the threat of facial recognition being used if this years Pride goes ahead initially scared them, but as they heard more people say that they would go anyway in defiance of the law, it lit a flame within them. Im realizing that these are all tactics to silence us, June said. And if that is their goal, then we must continue. We have to continue fighting. That is all that we can do. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Mar. 22SANTA FE For the first time in Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's tenure, a New Mexico legislative chamber voted Saturday to override one of her bill vetoes. While the Senate did not follow the House in voting to override the governor's veto of a bill dealing with a state school day mandate, a top GOP senator suggested that could still happen next year. The drama played out during the final hours of the 60-day legislative session that ended Saturday, which also featured Republicans calling for a special session to deal with public safety and health care access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the last several years, Democrats and Republicans have largely stood together to oppose the Lujan Grisham administration's attempts to require at least 180 days in a school year. Many lawmakers have argued for more local control and flexibility, while the governor's administration has maintained more school days would better the state's poor educational outcomes. And with just hours left in the 2025 session Saturday, the House voted 64-0 to override a veto from the governor about instructional days in a school year. House Bill 65 would've codified a court ruling from earlier this year nullifying a Public Education Department policy mandating 180 days of instruction at all schools. It passed through the Legislature without a single "no" vote in both chambers' committee and floor votes. "And that was a message to the governor," said House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, in a post-session news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But since the Senate didn't join the House to override the veto, the governor's action stands. Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, said the chamber just didn't have time to get to a veto override motion, working right up until 10 minutes to noon. "The timing was really bad," she said at a news conference, though she later told the Journal she didn't support the local control initiative anyway. The House overrode the veto with about an hour left in the session, quickly and without debate. This isn't the first time the Legislature has opposed the educational measure. Last year, Lujan Grisham line-item vetoed a clause legislators included in the budget that would've barred PED from implementing the 180-day rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since taking office in 2019, Lujan Grisham has directly vetoed around four dozen bills, including two so far from this year's session. The Legislature could still decide in 2026 to override the veto during the 30-day session, which Armstrong hinted at. It takes a two-thirds vote from both chambers to get it through. Health care crisis Legislators weren't as aligned on other issues, including the correct way to solve New Mexico's health care professional shortage. Despite a slew of different initiatives introduced in the session, from changes to medical malpractice statute to better staffing-to-patient ratios to interstate compacts, few actually made it to the governor's desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It drew ire from Republicans, who wrote a letter to the governor Saturday asking for a special session to address health care issues as well as crime. GOP leadership said the Legislature's inability to lower medical malpractice premiums and provide health care incentives is unacceptable. "We had several comprehensive bills which had support input from medical professionals that Democrats refused to consider or simply killed. They seemed to side with the trial lawyers over New Mexico health care providers," said Senate Minority Whip Pat Woods, R-Broadview. The governor, in her own news conference, said she doesn't disagree with the Republicans' sentiments on malpractice and the doctor shortage. Lujan Grisham said more time is needed to move legislators in a "uniform fashion" with regard to changes to medical malpractice law. "We could have done much more here," Lujan Grisham added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fred Nathan, founder and executive director of think tank Think New Mexico, acknowledged work the Legislature accomplished with its Medicaid funding which Democrats said adds up to $15 billion between the state and federal government and reduced taxes on practitioners via future tax commitments. But he agreed that trial lawyers stood in the way of other efforts, specifically mentioning interstate medical compact bills that failed. He told the Journal it "demonstrates the remarkable power of the trial lawyer lobby to bottle up a bill that would have increased access to health care for hundreds of thousands of New Mexico patients." Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, in the Democrats' post-session news conference, referenced medical malpractice compromise efforts in 2021 and 2023, when the Legislature changed the Medical Malpractice Act to raise the cap on damages, but said agreements fell apart afterward. Everyone needs to be at the table, he said. "If there's things that we can do and make it better, I think we're open to that. But again, we need to do that with the time to get it right," Wirth said. Media outlets and posts on X reported Saturday evening that a fire had broken out at EPCOT Center behind the French Pavilion. According to Fox 35, Disney said the incident happened in the afternoon when a walk-in cooler caught fire backstage at the pavilion. Officials said the fire was extinguished quickly but the smoke was continuing to rise and there were no injuries. According to the website Inside The Magic: The distinct sound of sirens echoed through the park, sending waves of concern among visitors. A message left with the fire department for the Central Florida Tourism District, which provides fire prevention and protection services to the area that includes Disney World and EPCOT, was not immediately returned. A fire erupted backstage at Walt Disney World, forcing the evacuation of one ride and sending dramatic plumes of black smoke into the Orlando sky, according to local reports Sunday. No one was injured in the Saturday evening blaze, which started in a walk-in cooler in an employees-only area, according to local outlets Fox 35 and Click Orlando. Several people took video of the billowing smoke, video of which you can see above. The fire started around 7:20 p.m. in EPCOTs France Pavilion, according to the reports. The popular ride Remys Ratatouille Adventure was evacuated because of the smoke and flames, but had since re-opened Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A cause of the fire had not been disclosed. Guests began posting photos and videos of the fire just after 7 p.m. during a busy time at the park, with spring break in session across many parts of the state and country. A representative for Disney told FOX 35 that the fire was extinguished quickly, and people nearby were evacuated backstage or away from the Paris area. The post Fire Erupts at Disney Worlds EPCOT in Florida, Remys Ratatouille Adventure Ride Evacuated | Video appeared first on TheWrap. A fire was allegedly lit Saturday evening in the Macys mens bathroom at Fashion Fair in Fresno. The Fresno Fire Department responded to the fire at 6:11 p.m. Crews went into the bathroom and were met with heavy black smoke coming out in the basement floor at Macys, Battalion Chief Brian Downs said. Crews were able to evacuate Macys and contained the fire to just the bathroom. Downs said there were some toilet paper dispensers that have been lit on fire and extinguished in one of the stalls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve just been working on trying to eliminate the smoke out of the building, Downs said. We were able to isolate the fire to the bathroom. Crews opened doors and used fans to get the smoke out of Macys. Macys was evacuated for 30 minutes before employees and customers were allowed to go back in. Downs said none of the fire sprinklers were activated, but the fire alarm was. Our investigator right now is investigating to find out what the cause is and theres also some surveillance footage around the area that hell be reviewing to see what information we can about how or who started the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is just a good reminder that when the fire alarm goes off, even though many times its not an emergency, it always has the potential and were glad that people evacuated. He said he doesnt remember any recent fire events at the Fashion Fair. Fire crews have responded to alarm activation due to the size and age of Fashion Fair. Mar. 22Dr. Vesta Sandoval had never seen anything like COVID-19 in her 30 years of experience as a pulmonary doctor. "It was very scary in the beginning, because we had no idea what to expect, other than that we knew it was going to be an overwhelming number of patients," she said. "There's really never been a disaster like this in the history of the United States." Sandoval had just become chief medical officer of Lovelace when the pandemic began, and it was her responsibility to find enough ventilators and ICU beds for a large number of the 45,000 New Mexicans who would be hospitalized due to COVID, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By March 11, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had made its way to New Mexico, affecting the first four people in the state. Two weeks later, the respiratory disease would claim the life of an Eddy County man in his 70s. He would be the first, but not the last, New Mexican to die in the global pandemic. As of March 2025, over 10,000 COVID deaths in New Mexico have been reported from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While that's a tiny portion of the more than 7 million COVID deaths worldwide, for New Mexico the impact has been enormous. Five years after the pandemic first ripped through the state , providers and families spent time reflecting to the Journal on the effects the disease had on their lives, their futures and how they see the world. "We lost huge portions of communities," Sandoval said. "It was difficult for providers because they're not used to seeing patients die and not have something to try to help. At that time with COVID, you could try and put somebody on a ventilator, but it wasn't necessarily going to be enough." Sandoval added that during the pandemic, hospital workers put their lives on hold to provide care for residents. Many worked to the point of exhaustion, and some even spent nights at the Lovelace hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others, Sandoval said, left the profession, choosing to retire early or change careers. "People put so much of themselves into taking care of those patients, and sacrificed a lot," she said. "We lost some nurses and doctors who got sick and passed away." Of course, providers were far from the only ones to suffer from the disease. Olivia Ortiz remembers the day she lost her daughter, 48-year-old Lynette Fajardo, to COVID. Fajardo had a passion for life and always joked around with anyone who would listen, Ortiz said. It is one of many things she misses about Fajardo and one of many things the pandemic took from her, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ortiz, 68, who is a retired native New Mexican, and her family took strict precautions after they learned about COVID, going as far as having their groceries delivered and wiping them down with disinfectant before loading them inside their fridge. Fajardo, who had health issues prior to contracting COVID, was especially susceptible to the disease. Despite the strict precautions, the entire family contracted the virus. While most of the family recovered, Fajardo realized she was having a medical emergency and went to seek treatment. Fajardo was admitted to the hospital on January 8, 2022, and did not receive an ICU bed until the following night. "We're very limited in our ICU beds, so we knew we had to be very efficient, and we started immediately working on plans for how we would be able to expand services and what we needed to be able to do to get patients through the door," Sandoval said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fajardo's condition worsened three days later. Doctors warned Ortiz she would have to consider what her next steps would be. On Jan. 10, 2022, Ortiz made a decision she and her family would remember for the rest of their lives. "The doctor called and told me all her organs have shut down, and we needed to make a decision on what to do," Ortiz said. "I didn't want her to suffer, so I told them to go ahead and disconnect her." Ortiz begged doctors to let her in the hospital room just once to see her only child. She was heartbroken when doctors said no visits would be allowed in the room. "I can't even explain to you how horrible that felt," Ortiz said. "I carried her for nine months, she was always with me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Fajardo's passing, Ortiz has become the primary caretaker to Fajardo's two daughters, Larissa and Marissa LaJeunesse. "Half my heart is missing and the other half belongs to my grandchildren," Ortiz said. Through all the losses from COVID, some painful lessons have been learned. Sandoval has seen some changes in the way providers practice medicine. Some things like telemedicine have come from COVID and have allowed providers to reach people in more rural areas. But, she has also noticed an increase in hesitancy regarding vaccinations. Ortiz has been a proponent to raise funds for a permanent COVID memorial to be built outside of Albuquerque. She has also become an advocate, helping others grieving their loved ones lost to COVID to find peace and help herself mourn in the process. "I've gone to Rio Rancho, to the city. I've been a lot of places where I've been able to talk about COVID and what it's done to our family," she said. "I think at least that would give us some kind of comfort, to be able to be there and be around other people that went through the same thing you went through." OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK4) joins the Flash Point team to discuss concerns over federal jobs and the local impact of DOGE. Cole fields questions on everything going on in Washington, and you can watch the entire episode in the player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Mar. 23The Flathead County Animal Shelter is overwhelmed with animals after 27 dogs were seized from allegedly unsanitary conditions at a Coram property earlier this month, according to shelter division manager Austin Hicks. Candy Jean Evans, 55, was arrested for felony aggravated animal cruelty on March 13 after officials seized the dogs and an allegedly dead puppy from her property. Evans does not yet have an arraignment scheduled in Flathead County District Court. If convicted, she faces up to two years with the state Department of Corrections and a fine of $2,500. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is still an active investigation so I can't talk about a lot of things," Hicks said during a Flathead City-County Health Board meeting on Thursday. "...Those 27 dogs obviously put us way above our numbers." The shelter anticipated it would have a week to prepare for the dogs' arrival, Hicks said, but the canines came only a day and a half later. Staff reached out to animal shelters throughout the state for help, resulting in the transfer of 16 adoptable animals to various other shelters in Montana. "Even with the help of other shelters, [Flathead County Animal Shelter] is still responsible for the care of 27 dogs involved in the case, in addition to 10 adoptable dogs currently under their care," Hicks said in a press release issued last week. EVANS FIRST met with law enforcement on Aug. 12, 2024, when animal control officers with the Flathead County Sheriff's Office responded to a complaint that people were shooting at the dogs, according to court documents. Evans told the officer on the scene that she and her sister, Lavina Evans, owned 23 dogs. She originally agreed with law enforcement that the situation was "out of control," court documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few days later on Aug. 17, animal control officers met with Lavina Evans, who said that they were ready to relinquish five puppies. The animals were signed over to the shelter. Each puppy tested positive for parvovirus and was quarantined and treated. All of them survived. The sisters told law enforcement that they would relinquish more dogs at that point to treat them for possible illnesses, court documents said. However, when the authorities returned on Sept. 5, the sisters refused to give up the dogs and Candy Evans declined to speak with the officers, according to court documents. The investigation halted until March 11, when law enforcement officials responded to a vicious animal complaint at Evans' Coram residence. When law enforcement arrived, according to the charging documents, they observed two dogs that were malnourished and two puppies that appeared lethargic with "distended bellies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers also reported seeing other dogs that were notably skinny. The property was allegedly covered in dog feces and dogs were loose, scavenging trash. At that time, the sisters agreed to surrender the dogs, estimated to be 23 on the property, court documents said. When law enforcement and veterinarians returned to the residence to collect the dogs on March 13, Lavina Evans assisted them while Candy Evans refused. Authorities removed 27 dogs from the property and one dead puppy, found in a trash container in the living room, according to court documents. "The veterinarian report stated that the dogs were suffering from severe neglect and the death of the puppy was certainly directly attributable to lack of adequate food and care," reads the affidavit filed in district court. NONE OF the dogs are available for adoption while the case remains under investigation. Owing to the large volume of animals in the shelter and the increased level of attention needed to care for them, the shelter is not taking surrenders at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They will continue to accept animals brought to them through Flathead County Animal Control, Hicks said last week. At the close of Thursday's Health Board meeting, members thanked Hicks for his work and response to the situation. Hicks in turn thanked shelters around the state for their assistance in taking animals, including the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter, Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, Stafford Animal Shelter, Humane Society of Western Montana and the Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter. To support the shelter's efforts, members of the public can donate to Flathead Shelter Friends, the nonprofit dedicated to funding work at the shelter. Flathead Shelter Friends can be reached at (406) 890-0459 or flatheadshelterfriends501c@gmail.com. Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com. From holding down property taxes on homes rebuilt after hurricanes to new post-storm rules for elections supervisors, the Florida House on Tuesday started moving forward with a proposal to address issues whipped up during the damaging 2024 hurricane season. The House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee unanimously approved a wide-ranging bill (HB 1535) that also seeks to look at shelter regulations, address debris cleanup in rural fiscally constrained counties and direct how cranes are positioned when storms approach landfall. Bill sponsor Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, said the proposal is the product of feedback from our local governments. Its feedback from the Realtors. Its feedback from homeowners associations, from builders, from environmentalists, emergency managers, and all of that is boiled into this bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Lindsay Cross, D-St. Petersburg, suggested more clarity for long-term local government plans. The time after a storm is maybe one of the only opportunities when communities can look at being more resilient or being more proactive, when residents finally understand what it means to be impacted and how this could not only happen in the future but be worse, Cross said. The bill would prohibit counties under federal disaster declarations from Hurricane Debby, Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton from imposing moratoriums that affect rebuilding storm-damaged properties through Oct. 1, 2027. Local governments, school districts and special districts would also be prohibited from imposing impact fees when post-storm rebuilding doesnt change previous land-use designations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, residents would be allowed to rebuild homesteaded property up to 130 percent larger than the pre-hurricane footprint without facing increases in their appraised property values. Many of our residents that are in the coastal area had to lift as they had to elevate as they rebuild, McFarland said. And its almost impossible to lift your home and not have the footprint increase, whether its adding an external stairway or, you know, more provisions for your utilities. Almost everyone who is lifting their home to rebuild has to increase their footprint. The proposal also calls for state agencies to work with local governments to streamline permitting to repair and rebuild damaged structures. Also under the proposal, if an emergency is declared by the governor within 60 days of an election, county elections supervisors could change locations of early voting sites, expand the early voting period to the day before an election and request approval from the secretary of state that early voting locations be used on election day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supervisors could also take steps such as sending vote-by-mail ballots to displaced people. Contingency plans would need to be set in case elections are suspended, delayed or rescheduled due to an emergency. Amy Keith, executive director of Common Cause Florida, called the proposal a step in the right direction for voters and a strong start for elections supervisors. No disaster-affected voters should be forced to submit more paperwork or drive across the county just to cast their ballot, Keith said. What they need is accessible voting options and easy access to information about those options. The legislation also addresses a construction crane that wasnt taken down before Hurricane Milton slammed St. Petersburg last year. The crane collapsed into an office building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would require that 24 hours before anticipated hurricane impacts, all hoisting equipment would have to be secured to comply with manufacturer recommendations, which could include removing advertising, laying down fixed booms where feasible and setting towers in a weathervane position. The legislation also would require the Florida Division of Emergency Management to conduct a study on the statewide needs of emergency shelters, including accommodations for people with developmental disabilities and the availability of space for pets. The division would also be directed to coordinate debris removal with fiscally constrained counties in areas where emergencies have been declared. Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Helene made landfall last year in rural Taylor County, while Hurricane Milton made landfall in Sarasota County. Rep. Jason Shoaf, a Port St. Joe Republican whose district includes Taylor County, described the bill as much needed for North Floridas Big Bend region. Shoaf added he looked forward to getting a grip on the fiscal impacts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McFarland said she cherry picked ideas from other bills in the House and Senate and intends to continue revising the bill. It needs to clear two more House panels before it could go to the full House. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. DELAND, Fla. (WFLA) A man was arrested Friday and charged with attempted first-degree murder after an attack at a DeLand-area transient camp last Saturday. According to the Volusia County Sheriffs Office, the attack occurred in the woods off International Speedway Boulevard and Stone Street in DeLand. Deputies said Giovanni Bubenik, 29, struck another man in the back of the head multiple times, leaving him in critical condition, before proceeding to dig a grave for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives tracked Bubenik down at 147 Evergreen Terrace and took him into custody. The Volusia County Sheriffs Office has charged Bubenik with attempted first-degree murder. The victim has since regained consciousness but is believed to have sustained significant long-term injuries and memory loss due to the attack. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Search for SUNSHINE WEEK GREETING CARD and Google with all of its exuberance for artificial intelligence smarty-pantsness ignores you like an Aggies fan showing up at a Lobos watch party. AI might be the now and future but not when it comes to celebrating the publics right to know. Your browsers search results offer images of sun faces with Mona Lisa smiles; hand-drawn sunflowers in bloom; and a list of suggested questions people ask, such as Are greeting cards still a thing? So, if youre celebrating Sunshine Week, dont bother hitting the greeting cards aisle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of the business operators on the Plaza are selling T-shirts of James Madison framed by chile pepper ristras. And if you walk into Michaels arts and crafts store, youll spot large bunny heads made of pink foam and fake sunflowers perfect for occasional dusting. But large sun heads in yellow foam emblazoned with the slogan: SHINE A LIGHT ON THE FIRST AMENDMENT! ... nowhere. Nada. Not even on the shelves filled with 14,986 foam shapes. The future of democracy may be in the public mind, but were not even an art project. Regardless of your perception, I like to believe journalists are well-intended romantics who dont know how to quit. Instead of delving in darkness, were trying to shine a light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunshine Week may not be worthy of greeting cards or your local arts and crafts store, but it has existed for 20 years to educate the public, journalists, lawmakers, and others on the right to know in the U.S. states and federal government, according to sunshineweek.org. The Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications has kept Sunshine Week top of mind for those who care about democracys complexities, thanks to a John S. and James L. Knight Foundation endowment. The impetus for Sunshine Week began in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001. Florida editors, notably Tim Franklin of the Orlando Sentinel, noticed how government agencies were making public records less available or exempt from viewing. The first Sunshine Sunday happened March 16, 2002, honoring the birthdate of Bill of Rights author James Madison (sans ristras). From sunshineweek.org: The goal was simple but impactful: raise awareness around the need for open government and our right to know. Sunshine Week then launched in 2005. During those 20 years, the United States has lost more than a third of its printed newspapers, according to the 2024 State of Local News Report from Northwestern University. (Franklin now serves as a senior associate dean, professor and John M. Mutz Chair in Local News at Northwestern.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres another way to understand the consequences, especially if youre following whats happening in Washington, D.C. Research from Northwesterns Local News Initiative showed President Donald Trump dominated news deserts during the 2024 presidential election, winning 91% of the counties with no professional source of local news. Whats happened nationally has also made New Mexico less enchanting for those who care about the publics right to know. Since 2005, the number of New Mexico journalists has decreased more than 60%. Five counties in New Mexico have no news outlets, Yet, even in this so-called blue state, lawmakers during the 2025 session proposed several bills that would have significantly gutted the states Inspection of Public Records Act. No wonder Sunshine Week doesnt have a greeting card with a sunny face. All of us are shopping in the deep-sympathy section. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Did I mention that journalists and that goes for anyone who believes in democracy are well-intended romantics who dont know how to quit? If anything, we need a moment. A John-Cusack-in-awesome-trenchcoat-with-raised-boombox moment that blares Peter Gabriels In Your Eyes, because the relationship we have with elected officials should be deeply attuned to the publics interests. Instead of a full-length love story, the public seems stuck in a reality show where those who ask questions get fired. It would be illuminating if Sunshine Week didnt need to be an annual reminder of the public transparency weve lost. Democracy should be less a battle about access and more of an everyday right to know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locally owned news organizations can make a difference. The publics support is essential. Informed voters matter. I believe this because Santa Fe New Mexican subscribers are consistent in both praise and critiques about our accountability and investigative stories. For that, we thank you. Youve been our sunshine. U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, speaks with reporters during a news conference at the Department of Justice, on Dec. 6, 2023, in Washington, as Attorney General Merrick Garland (left) and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, look on. Mark Schiefelbein via Associated Press The former federal prosecutor who resigned the day President Donald Trump took office in 2025 was found dead Saturday in her Virginia home, the Alexandria Police Department said in a statement. Jessica Aber, former U.S. attorney for the eastern District of Virginia, was 43. Her death is under investigation. On Jan. 20, the day of Trumps inauguration, Aber resigned after serving as U.S. attorney for the eastern District of Virginia for three years. She was nominated by former President Joe Biden in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive had the privilege of spending my career as a prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia working alongside talented, hard-working public servants who manage matters affecting citizens here and across the world, Aber said in a statement. Concluding my service to the District as its U.S. Attorney has been an honor beyond measure. Attorney General Pamela Bondi called Abers death deeply tragic. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time, Bondi said in a statement. Erik S. Siebert, the current U.S. attorney for the eastern District of Virginia, said in a statement that he and his office are heartbroken over Abers death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being, Siebert said. We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world. Her professionalism, grace, and legal acumen set the standard. Though we are devastated by this loss, each of us in the Eastern District of Virginia will look to her example and endeavor to live up to that standard. Before becoming the U.S. attorney for the eastern District of Virginia, Aber served as assistant U.S. attorney, prosecuting financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime, and child exploitation cases. She also served as counsel to the assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. Related... This article was originally published in Kansas Reflector. KANSAS CITY, Kan. Marialexa Sanoja publicly quit her job as a Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools police officer over concerns with the districts handling of student safety needs and founded a nonprofit to help kids escape the challenges in Wyandotte County. In the three-and-a-half months Sanoja was stationed at Wyandotte High School, the districts largest school with 1900 students, Sanoja said she filed 140 incident reports and that in most instances the district failed to take action. The district, through its YouTube channel, disputed her figures and asserted it handled concerns responsibly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It didnt take long for me to find out that the students were not in the best interest of anybody, Sanoja said. When the police officer becomes a safe space for students, there is something wrong with that. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter After her resignation in December 2023, Sanoja founded Mission Despegue, translated to mission takeoff, a nonprofit that helps parents and students document their grievances with the school district to hold the district accountable for its handling of safety issues. Sanoja saw the districts response to a sexual assault case and its communication as inadequate, and experts echo her concerns. Now, Sanoja works with current and former students to get their GED certificates, drivers licenses, mental health care and prevent substance abuse. Sanojas concerns Sanoja said much of the Latino community, which makes up 72% of Wyandotte High School, is afraid to complain or make a scene because many of them are new to the country. She aims to empower them, and help them achieve the American dream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One reason Sanoja resigned and a former student dropped out was because of the districts response to the former students experience of being sexually assaulted at school. Kansas Reflector doesnt identify minors who have been sexually assaulted. According to an incident report filed by Sanoja, the former student was a freshman and alone in the Wyandotte High School stairwell when a group of older boys groped her and made sexual remarks. She began recording the boys with her phone, which prompted them to leave, the report said. Sanoja was off duty that day. The former student asked the on-duty officer to file a report, which Sanoja says she never saw. The day after, Sanoja and the former student said they filed an incident, criminal, and Title IX report. The former student wanted to press charges. After that, I just stopped going to school, because I didnt feel safe, the former student said in an interview with Kansas Reflector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanoja said security camera footage and the former students video showed the boys faces. The former student said the district told her that because the boys never returned to school, it could not suspend them. However, the former student said she continued to see the boys on campus. Ultimately, the district didnt do anything about it. We were asking, at least, for suspension. That didnt happen, Sanoja said. A spokesperson from the district told Kansas Reflector it was unable to provide comment on the former students case, or the districts responsibility to handle reports of sexual assault. Sanoja publicly resigned with a letter that accused the district of failing to communicate with parents. She wrote that she was worried about instances where students brought guns to school property and all parents werent notified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a response video to Sanojas resignation, district superintendent Anna Stubblefield said those incidents are not always relayed to all families. Not because were hiding anything, but because the impact is low and to protect the privacy of our students. A district spokesperson told Kansas Reflector the administration is required to contact parents regarding student issues such as absences, drug-related concerns, or fights in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Expert opinions Ken Trump, an expert in school safety communications who is not related to the president, said parental anxiety over school safety is rising nationwide. Its very easy to get caught up if youve got a couple thousand kids in a school, dealing with incidents and other things. But you need to take a tactical pause in this, and go back to looking at the communications, Trump said. You cant go back to the old-school mindset of if someone finds out about it well talk. That doesnt work anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanoja said that after a student overdosed at school and she contacted the parents directly, the high school principal told Sanoja to route all communication with parents through administration. Sanoja said that she continues to receive videos of physical fights in the schools, totaling in the hundreds, since her resignation. Michael Dorn, a school safety expert who assists schools after major acts of violence, said Sanojas allegations were concerning. He said he would have responded to her concerns differently than the school district did. I was a school district police chief for 10 years, Dorn said. If an officer in my department wrote that kind of resignation letter, I would request a state police investigation. I would ask for a polygraph test, and I would ask that she be polygraphed. I wouldnt do anything like that, but if someone alleged that I did and I didnt do it, I would request that to clear my name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanoja worked as a police officer in Lenexa before transitioning to the school district and said Wyandotte High School presented the most significant challenges shes seen. She believes the problems are within the culture of the school. Everybodys tired of the way the district is handling things, Sanoja said. Theyve been failing these kids for years. Fixing root causes Through her nonprofit, Sanoja helps students who leave the district, like the former student who was sexually assaulted, earn their GED certificate. When theyre out of the school environment, Sanoja said, they thrive. Sanoja said most of the families she works with are immigrants, and the parents do not speak English. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We face the daunting task of ending the stigma, shame and judgement that come with our culture, Sanoja said. Mission Despegue seeks to fix the root causes of the problems seen in school like substance abuse, violence, bullying, and mental health issues. Sanoja said she sees these problems reflected in things like the graduation rate of the district. For the 2023-2024 school year it was 78.1%, which is 11.4 percentage points lower than the state average. Through donations, Sanoja covers the cost of mental health appointments, DMV license and GED class registrations, and laptop purchases for students pursuing their GED certificate without one. In February, she began converting first-time offenders court fees, in hopes of reducing recidivism. With the help of more than 100 volunteers, Sanoja has hosted events where she provides Narcan and educates parents about the dangers of substance abuse. She also guides volunteers to further training, like drug prevention and compassion fatigue workshops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanoja said she doesnt get paid for her work with Mission Despegue. She said she needs an assistant, because she has a long list of people that need help. I see something in them. I know theyre going to be successful, Sanoja said. I want that opportunity for every kid I have. Kansas Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kansas Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sherman Smith for questions: info@kansasreflector.com. The writer was the 2015-2017 Charlotte mayor. I agree with attorney Mike Tadychs assertion in a Mar. 17 article that there is concern about small group meetings of council members where policy is discussed with the city manager. When I was Mecklenburg county commission chair, county manager Harry Jones would not discuss detailed policy with me alone. He said business be done in the open for the public to hear. Also, he wanted to make sure all elected officials simultaneously got the same information to avoid fear of favoritism or leaving out vital information for some. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I was mayor, I was emphatic about transparency. That was the reason I pressed the police chief to release body camera footage. This policy of city council is not in the best interests of transparency and accountability. Jennifer Roberts, Charlotte Broken promise I am a disabled Army veteran. This is not a partisan message but a painful truth. The Department of Veterans Affairs saved my life countless times. I owe my existence to it as much as my fellow soldiers. Using these devoted public servants livelihoods for political gain is nothing short of dishonorable. The soldiers creed declares, I will never leave a fallen comrade. Yet, we abandon those who never abandoned us the nurses who held my hand through dark nights, the doctors who put me back together, the counselors who guided me home when my mind remained at war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honoring veterans means more than flags and parades. It means protecting those who care for us when we return broken. Breaking this promise doesnt just hurt veterans it tears at the American way we risked our souls to defend. Stephen Williamson, Hickory Trump nonsensical The Trump administrations recent statements regarding the judiciary caused me to recall the book by Rick Shenkman Just How Stupid Are We? Hearing Trump make false, nonsensical statements about the responsibility and authority of federal judges is one thing. But to hear U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Fox News make the same statements about the judiciary and refer to limitations of federal judges authority because they are unelected is insulting and disqualifying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The elimination of the education department will further dumb down the younger generations to the point that publicly spoken and social media amplified nonsense will be the norm. The question is How Stupid Are We Going To Be. David Gilliam, Matthews Physician assistants bill In February, doctors released a report on primary care in the U.S. The report looks back at trends affecting primary care access and notes that the number of primary care physicians, physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners fell from 2021 to 2022. As a PA, I am deeply concerned by this decline at a time when we need more primary care providers. In North Carolina, like most states, there are healthcare provider shortfalls. Our state lawmakers will consider a bill to eliminate the requirement for experienced PAs to have a specific relationship with a physician when working in a team-based setting. Physician assistants will continue to collaborate with physicians based on patient need. We must take action! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Truett Smith, Troutman Tariffs I enjoyed the Mar. 13 article on Hendrick Motorsports building vehicles for the Army. I have a question. Where is it getting steel and aluminum? Canada? China? If so, the foolish tariffs will cost the Army and taxpayers more money. Tony Hilton, China Grove A former Miss Scotland bit a security guard and called him the N-word, a court heard. Lucy Thomson sank her teeth into the hand of Andrew Okpaje and made the racist slur while being thrown out of the Edinburgh City 7s rugby competition. The 26-year-old also bit a second security officer and shouted Do you know who I am? and Ive got so much money in my account during the drunken rant in June 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomson the reigning Miss Scotland at the time was arrested after Mr Okpaje called police to report her using racist language towards him. Footage of Thomson and her sister being ejected from the tournament by security staff was posted on social media. The Miss Scotland Wikipedia page states she was later dethroned of the title. Thomson denied the charges but was found guilty following a two-day trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday. I was shocked when it happened Mr Okpaje told the court he was employed as a supervisor with MK Security and was working at the Edinburgh City 7s tournament at the capitals Peffermill playing fields on June 17, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he was asked to attend to a report of a drunk woman at around 7pm and the decision was made that they were to be escorted off the site. He said that as he attempted to remove the woman and her sister from the area she started fighting back and said to him do you know who I am? and Ive got so much money in my account. Mr Okpaje, 26, added: As we got closer to the exit I was assaulted. We were holding her and trying to be as gentle as possible and as I had my arm up she went to bite it. It left a mark on my hand. I looked at her in shock and then she proceed to call me the n word. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She looked directly at me and with confidence she said f--- you then, you f---ing n-----. He added: I hadnt heard the word said to me in a while. It was quite a shock when it happened. It was pretty horrible. Andrew Okpaje says he was shocked at the use of the racial slur in a while and it was pretty horrible - Alexander Lawrie Alasdair Doolan, Mr Okpajes colleague, told the trial Thomson had also bitten him on the arm during the struggle but he had not seen the assault on his fellow bouncer or heard her use racist language. Thomson also gave evidence and denied biting the two men or using the racial slur. She said she had been invited to the event as an ambassador and had promoted the rugby tournament on her social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomson told the court she had only drunk two and half ciders all day and saw her sister being cornered into a woodland area by security staff before she was assaulted by one of the men. Thomson said she was struck from behind by one security officer before she had her arms pinned to her side and dragged across a rugby pitch with no warning. She told the trial she did not say anything towards the employees apart from her shouting for help. Thomson also denied being stripped of the Miss Scotland crown instead claiming she had passed on the title in September 2023. Following the evidence, Sheriff Derek OCarroll said he found Thomsons account to be utterly implausible and found her guilty of assaulting both men and to racially abusing Mr Okpaje. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomson, of Crossford, Fife, was fined a total of 790 which is to be paid within two months. Thomson was crowned Miss Scotland at a ceremony at Glasgows Grand Central Hotel in July 2022 but following her arrest organisers stated online she had been dethroned. In 2020 she started non-profit BRAvery Trust charity working for bra and menstrual product donation and equipping people living in period poverty. 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. This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com A man who used to work in tech in Seattle was sentenced to prison for facilitating three separate fraud schemes involving work, the pandemic and his love life. Westcott Francis-Curley, 31, will spend three years in prison and will have to pay nearly $700,000 in restitution after being found guilty of two counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, announced the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Washington Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Francis-Curleys fraud spiral stemmed from greed, Acting U.S. Attorney Miller said via the release. After his employer discovered his theft, he stole from a program designed to keep small businesses afloat during the pandemic. And when those proceeds were gone, he committed identity theft against his former romantic partner. This sentence is an important step to break the cycle of fraud. Former Seattle tech worker begins scheme in 2023 Francis-Curley has been in custody since March 2024, following an indictment in August 2023. The attorneys office, citing records filed in the case, stated Francis-Curley started his first scheme in 2019 when he embezzled money from his former employer by misusing cloud computing resources and accounts he had access to as an employee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He used employer funds and his employee authorization to purchase cloud computing resources and then sell or lease them back to the company, paying himself with company money obtaining more than $550,000. With his half million, Francis-Curley went on trips using private jets, stayed in luxury hotels and paid for a penthouse at Seattles Harbor Steps apartment complex. The attorneys office said that even after he was caught, he emailed customer service and corporate executives to try to get another half-million dollars. Money meant for small businesses stolen In 2020, Francis-Curley struck again, this time defrauding the COVID-19 assistance Paycheck Protection Program that was designed to help small businesses during the pandemic. Using fake companies, he obtained nearly $100,000 taking money from small businesses in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His latest scheme in October 2022 gained him another $1,000. He obtained a credit card in the name of his former significant other and officials said the unpaid bill continues to impact the victim. He had a comfortable life and a lucrative job, but that wasnt enough, Assistant United States Attorney David T. Martin wrote in asking for a three-year sentence. Leveraging a bit of Google research and the trust of his employer, Francis-Curley in his own words found a way to make as much money as he wanted. Within weeks of commencing the scheme, he was living large: private jets, luxury hotels, cash gifts to friends and family, monthly credit card bills approaching six figures the list goes on. In two months, he went from paying himself $13,000, to a quarter-million dollars, to he hoped a half-million dollars. Only getting caught stopped that unabashed escalation. The attorneys office said the $689,675 in restitution will go to Francis-Curleys former employer, the Small Business Administration and the person whose identity he used for credit card fraud. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy warned that Democratic congressional leaders should be wary of meeting a similar fate to the one that befell him in 2023. The ex-congressman was interviewed on New Yorks WABC 770 AM as part of The Cats Roundtable, a show hosted by billionaire John Catsimatidis. McCarthy told listeners that Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries were no longer being looked to by voters or even their fellow lawmakers as leaders of their party. McCarthy insisted the real figures of leadership in the party were Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, who have embarked on a nationwide tour to rally disaffected Democrats in the wake of Trumps inauguration. The pair have brought in crowds numbering in the tens of thousands in cities including Denver and Tuscon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a huge mess, said the former speaker, according to excerpts of the discussion first obtained by The Hill. If you think about it, they are leaderless. Theres no message, and their polling continues to drop. They are now fighting among themselves...It wasnt just that President Trump won the election. He has now broken the Democratic Party. The real leaders of the Democratic Party right now are AOC and Bernie Sanders. Those are the two that are getting the crowds, McCarthy continued. Kevin McCarthy, pictured, shakes hands with a delegate at the Republican National Convention in 2024. He is now saying that Donald Trump has broken the Democratic party (AP) The former speaker warned that the two minority leaders Jeffries and Schumer would not remain in their posts at the current rate. The two men, he argued, had little to no control over their own caucuses and were not making themselves known to the American people. What has Hakeem Jeffries done? He has no messaging. He cant make a decision, said McCarthy, while blaming other Democrats for working against them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know how much longer Hakeem Jeffries and Schumer can stay leaders. Theyre in hiding, he continued. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would not step down from his position despite calls to do so after joining Republicans in voting to break a filibuster on a GOP spending bill. (AP) Schumer in particular is under the microscope and feeling blowback from his partys base after he and nine other Senate Democrats voted to break a filibuster and allow voting to proceed on a GOP measure to fund the government one he and his party had roundly denounced for cutting non-defense spending and failing to restrain the slash-and-burn methods of Elon Musks DOGE effort. Not helping his case: Jeffries and other senior Democratic leaders, including Nancy Pelosi, have come out publicly in disagreement with his decision. A YouGov/Economist poll released after the funding bill debate found that six in ten voters now have an unfavorable opinion of the Democratic Senate minority leader. Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders, who ran for president twice unsuccessfully while gaining a massive national following in the process, have drawn massive crowds at events where they have called on Democratic lawmakers to reject corporate money and support policies aimed at winning back working-class Americans. Their message has won support in recent weeks from more centrist members of the Democratic House and Senate caucuses such as Chris Murphy, who blamed Democrats for walking away from that agenda in 2024 in an interview with The Daily Show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the move has also faced resistance from more conservative members of the GOP including Kyrsten Sinema, Elissa Slotkin and John Fetterman. The New York senator embarked on a media tour to defend his decision while postponing a planned book tour. In repeated interviews, Schumer has insisted that the time was not right to mount a resistance against the GOP, and argued that the effects of a shutdown would be drastic. Still, calls for his ouster as leader of the caucus have grown louder in recent weeks, with one Democratic congressman even coming out publicly in support of what a number of others are reported to endorse privately: an effort by Ocasio-Cortez, a rising star in the party, to mount a primary challenge for Schumers Senate seat. "I'm not stepping down, he insisted Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. The senior senator from New York, 74, is up for reelection in 2026. Former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber was found dead in her home Saturday, just two months after she resigned from her position as the top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia. She was 43. Alexandria police said they were called at 9:18 a.m. to Abers home for a report of an unresponsive woman. They found Aber dead when they arrived. An investigation is underway, and the local medical examiner will determine her cause of death, police said in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are heartbroken beyond words to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague, said Erik Siebert, who took over as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia when Aber resigned. She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being. We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world. Aber was nominated in August 2021 by President Joe Biden, after Virginia senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine recommended her. She was unanimously confirmed by the Senate a couple of months later. In an interview with The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press in December 2021, Aber said one of her top priorities was restoring trust. The most important issue facing this district and frankly all districts is a lack of community trust in the Department of Justice and the criminal justice system, Aber said. My prosecutors are doing some extraordinary work. But the community has to see us doing that justice and believe in it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aber graduated from the University of Richmond, and earned her law degree from William & Mary. She joined the U.S. Attorneys Office in Richmond in 2009. Among the notable cases she handled there was the 2014 prosecution of former Gov. Bob McDonnell on financial fraud charges. Aber announced Jan. 17 that she was resigning from her position as U.S. Attorney for Virginias eastern district. She stepped down three days later. Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com March 23 (UPI) -- Jessica Aber, the former U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, was found dead Saturday morning at her home in Alexandria. Alexandria Police said in a statement that officers responded to a report of an unresponsive woman at 9:18 a.m. Saturday and found the woman dead at the home, identifying her as Aber. "As a matter of protocol, an investigation is underway surrounding the circumstances of her death," police said. "The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia will determine the cause and manner of death." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former federal prosecutor, more so than federal prosecutors in many other jurisdictions across the country, had an outsized role in the U.S. Justice Department because of the importance of Virginia's eastern district. The Eastern District of Virginia encompasses key national security and intelligence hubs just outside Washington, D.C., including the Pentagon and CIA headquarters in Langley. It is known as the "Rocket Docket," a moniker celebrating its reputation for moving cases swiftly and efficiently through the court system. As a result, the district has become a strategic venue for when the government needs to fast-track cases involving national security or classified information, particularly regarding matters of espionage or terrorism. Aber, 43, was nominated to the role by President Joe Biden on Aug. 10, 2021, and was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Oct. 5, 2021. She served in the position until her resignation on Jan. 20 upon the second inauguration of President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the many court wins during her tenure, Aber's team scored a victory when Asif Rahman, a 34-year-old former CIA analyst, pleaded guilty to leaking top secret documents detailing Israel's plans for a strike on Iran last year. "I've had the privilege of spending my career as a prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia working alongside talented, hard-working public servants who manage matters affecting citizens here and across the world," Aber said in her statement announcing her resignation. "Concluding my service to the District as its U.S. Attorney has been an honor beyond measure." Her death was mourned by her successor, Erik S. Siebert, who called her "unmatched" as a leader and prosecutor, praising Aber for her "professionalism, grace, and legal acumen." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She is simply irreplaceable as a human being. We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world," he said. "Though we are devastated by this loss, each of us in the Eastern District of Virginia will look to her example and endeavor to live up to that standard. Jess was a proud Virginian from high school through college and throughout her career." Though Aber served the Justice Department under former Attorney General Merrick Garland, his replacement, Pam Bondi, also mourned her loss. "The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic," Bondi said in a statement. "Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time." ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) A former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia was found dead Saturday morning, officials said. In a statement, the Alexandria Police Department (APD) said that officers responded to the 900 block of Beverly Dr. around 9:20 a.m. for an unresponsive woman. They found 43-year-old Jessica Aber, who was dead. Officials were still working to determine what caused her death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heathrow fire strands London-bound travelers at Dulles Airport The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia released the following statement after Abers passing. We are heartbroken beyond words to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague, U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber. She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being. We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world. Her professionalism, grace, and legal acumen set the standard. Though we are devastated by this loss, each of us in the Eastern District of Virginia will look to her example and endeavor to live up to that standard. Jess was a proud Virginian from high school through college and throughout her career. She loved EDVA and EDVA loved her back. We remain committed to her lifes work, a commitment to seeking justice, as she would have wanted. U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert Attorney General Pam Bondi also paid tribute to Aber, issuing a statement on X. The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time. Attorney General Pam Bondi Attorney General of Virginia Jason Miyares also took to social media to express his condolences. I am saddened to learn of the passing of Jessica Aber, whose career of public service included US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and whose work with Ceasefire Virginia saved more lives than we may ever realize. Our thoughts and our prayers are with her family this week. Attorney General of Virginia Jason Miyares We are deeoply saddened to hear the passing of our colleage and friend former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber. Throughout her career with the Eastern District of Virginia, Jessica was not only a fierce advocate for justice but also a trusted and invaluable partner to the FBIs Norfolk, Richmond, and Washington Field Offices. Her unwvering commitment to upholding the law, her dedication to the safety of our communities, and her collaborative spirit made a lasting impact on all those she touched. Jessica leaves behind a legacy of integrity and service that will continue to inspire us all. Our deepest condolences to her loved ones and all who had the privilege of working alongside her. FBI Washington 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica Aber was found dead on Saturday morning at the age of 43. According to the Alexandria Police Department (APD), the cause and circumstances of Abers death are being looked into and will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia. A statement issued by the APD said that they received a report of an unresponsive woman and rushed to the 900 block of Beverley Drive at around 9:18 a.m., when Abers body was found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aber started her role at the Eastern District of Virginia as an assistant U.S. attorney in 2009. From 2015 to 2016, she held a detailed position as counsel to the assistant attorney general for the Department of Justices Criminal Division. Following that, she took on the role of deputy chief of the criminal division at the Eastern District of Virginia. In 2021, Aber was nominated by former President Biden for the position of U.S. attorney and received unanimous confirmation from the Senate. She stepped down in January when President Trump took office. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement Saturday regarding Abers death. The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post on the social platform X, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares also paid tribute to Aber. I am saddened to learn of the passing of Jessica Aber, whose career of public service included US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and whose work with Ceasefire Virginia saved more lives than we may ever realize, 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 The Hill. Former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber has been found dead in her Virginia home at the age of 43. According to NBC News, Alexandria, Virginia, police found Aber deceased after receiving a call about an "unresponsive woman" around 9:18 a.m. on March 22, 2025. The cause of death for Aber has not been released. As a matter of protocol, an investigation is underway surrounding the circumstances of her death, police said, according to NBC, which noted that the cause and manner of death will be determined by the medical examiner, and it's not yet clear whether the death was suspicious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aber's death was also confirmed by U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert, who said in a statement, We are heartbroken beyond words to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague, U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber. She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being." He added: "Jess was a proud Virginian from high school through college and throughout her career. She loved EDVA and EDVA loved her back. We remain committed to her lifes work, a commitment to seeking justice, as she would have wanted. U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia joined the then Attorney General Merrick Garland in a news conference. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images According to Newsweek, before stepping down after the inauguration, Aber led "high-profile investigations into intelligence leaks, allegations of war crimes against Russian-linked individuals, and people suspected of providing sensitive U.S. technology to Moscow." For example, one DOJ news release lists her as being involved in the prosecution of a "dual U.S.-Russian citizen" who pleaded guilty "to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act by exporting firearm parts, components, and ammunition to Russia without the required authorization." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was also involved in the case of former CIA analyst Asif Rahman, 34, of Vienna, who pled guilty "to retaining and transmitting Top Secret National Defense Information, which was publicly posted on a social media platform in October 2024," according to DOJ. She was active on X through January, when she stepped down. Serving as U.S. Attorney has been an honor. EDVA is full of dedicated, extraordinary public servants. Thanks to everyone who kept up with EDVAs fantastic work on X during my tenure. https://t.co/x1Au3HagJ0 U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber (@USAttyAber) January 17, 2025 "Serving as U.S. Attorney has been an honor. EDVA is full of dedicated, extraordinary public servants. Thanks to everyone who kept up with EDVAs fantastic work on X during my tenure," she wrote on X on Jan. 17. According to the U.S. Department of Justice news release on her appointment, Aber served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As U.S. Attorney, Aber supervised "the prosecution of all federal crimes and the litigation of all civil matters in which the United States has an interest. She leads a staff of approximately 300 prosecutors, civil litigators, and support personnel across four Divisions located in Alexandria, Richmond, Norfolk, and Newport News. The district serves over six million residents," the release said. "U.S. Attorney Aber was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on August 10, 2021 and unanimously confirmed by the Senate on October 5, 2021 for the position of United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. President Biden signed Ms. Abers commission on October 7, 2021," it notes. Jessica Aber. US DOJ "Ms. Aber began her service to EDVA in 2009 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, taking on a variety of financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime, and child exploitation cases. From 2015 to 2016, she served on a detail assignment as counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. Since 2016, Ms. Aber has served as the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division for EDVA," the release continues. "Ms. Aber received the Assistant Attorney Generals Award for Exceptional Service from the Department of Justice in 2019." The release says that before joining DOJ, Aber "was an associate at McGuireWoods LLP from 2007 to 2008. She served as a law clerk for then-Magistrate Judge M. Hannah Lauck on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia from 2006 to 2007. Ms. Aber received her J.D. from William & Mary Law School in 2006 and her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Richmond in 2003." Former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica Aber was found dead on the morning of March 22 in Virginia, according to local police. She was 43. Police in Alexandria, Virginia, were called to a home on Beverly Drive in the suburb of Washington, D.C., at around 9:18 a.m. for the report of an unresponsive woman, according to a police statement. They found Aber dead inside. PHOTO: Former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber held the position from October 2021 to January 2025. ((Justice Department) ) MORE: Trump administration live updates: Trump rescinds security clearances for former opponents Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said an investigation is underway surrounding the circumstances of her death. Two sources close to the investigation told ABC News that the death appears to be from natural causes. At this point there is no indication of foul play, the sources added. A friend of the family told ABC News on Sunday that police believe the death was the result of a longstanding medical issue. However, officials are still awaiting a formal report as to the cause and manner of her death from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Aber, who served as U.S. attorney in Virginia for most of the Biden administration, took office in October 2021 after being unanimously confirmed by the Senate and stepped down in January, shortly after President Donald Trump's inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As U.S. attorney, Aber oversaw a staff of some 300 prosecutors and other staff and handled federal prosecutions in the state. She started working in the office in 2009 as an assistant U.S. attorney, prosecuting financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime and child exploitation cases, according to an online biography. MORE: Over 25 million remain under red flag warnings with heightened risk of wildfires She received her law degree from William and Mary Law School in 2006. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi shared a statement on X on Saturday night, writing: "The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are heartbroken beyond words to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague, U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber," current U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Erik Siebert said in a statement. "She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being. We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world." Calling her a "proud Virginian from high school through college and throughout her career," Siebert's statement went on to say: "Her professionalism, grace, and legal acumen set the standard. Though we are devastated by this loss, each of us in the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) will look to her example and endeavor to live up to that standard." In a statement, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares said he was saddened to learn of her death, saying her "career of public service included US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and whose work with Ceasefire Virginia saved more lives than we may ever realize." He added, "Our thoughts and our prayers are with her family this week." ABC News' Alexandra Faul contributed to this report. Former US Attorney Jessica Aber found dead in Virginia at 43 originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Rep. Frank Chopp, who served 30 years in the Legislature and was the state's longest-serving House Speaker from 1999 to 2019. (Legislative Support Services) Longtime Washington Democratic Rep. Frank Chopp, who became one of the states most powerful House speakers over the two decades he held the leadership role, died Saturday. He was 71. Chopp was first elected to represent Seattles 43rd Legislative District in 1994 and would go on to become the states longest-serving speaker of the House. He retired from the Legislature ahead of the current session, after announcing last year he would not seek reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His family said in a statement on Monday that Chopp had died of cardiac arrest. Up until the day he died, he was doing what he loved and what people loved about him, the statement said. His intellectual curiosity was as boundless as his energy. He woke up every day with a passion to solve problems and make peoples lives better. He was one of a kind, Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, said Saturday night, adding he didnt know if anyone had had as much impact on the state. Chopp moderated the 43rd District town hall on March 15, said Pedersen, who represents the district. Chopp phoned the majority leader two days later to discuss housing items that might be in the budget. Absolutely devastating news. R.I.P. Speaker Chopp, Democratic Lt. Gov. Denny Heck wrote on Facebook. You accomplished more in your 71 years than is almost imaginable. Our hearts are so heavy but full of gratitude for all you did for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chopp was a force in Washington politics, Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, posted on social media. I had coffee with him just a few weeks ago, and he was as animated and energized as ever talking about solving problems for the people of our state. J.T. Wilcox, a former Republican lawmaker and House minority leader, said Chopp cared deeply about people who worked hard and people who needed a hand up and that he loved and respected the House of Representatives and honored its process even at the expense of his policies. Former Gov. Jay Inslee posted on social media that Chopp was one of the most effective and consequential legislative leaders in the whole nation. He led our march of progress in health and housing for years with unmatched ambition, compassion, and results. His spirit will inspire us. The 1994 election that brought Chopp to the Legislature also saw his Democratic Party lose more than two dozen seats, going from a near supermajority in the House to a 62-36 minority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He ascended to leader of the House Democratic caucus in the late 1990s while it was still in the minority. He became co-speaker with Republican Clyde Ballard of East Wenatchee in 1999 when there were equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans in the House. Democrats won a special election in Snohomish County in 2001 to gain control of the chamber and installed Chopp as speaker in 2002, a job he kept until stepping aside in 2019. At that time, he said he wanted to focus more energy on the issues that matter most and are priorities for the caucus. His exit opened the door for Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, to become the first woman and first lesbian to serve as Washington House Speaker. Chopp grew up in Bremerton and graduated from the University of Washington. He served several years as executive director of the Fremont Public Association, now known as Solid Ground, which offers resources such as food banks, housing and employment programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chopp announced last March he would not seek re-election. In his 30 years as a lawmaker, he focused heavily on housing and homelessness, working to increase the amount of affordable housing across the state, improve access to homeownership and house people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He helped lead efforts to set up the states Housing Trust Fund and its Apple Health and Homes program, which uses Medicaid dollars to fund housing. Hes also remembered for his work on Apple Health for Kids, which according to House Democrats, now provides free or low-cost health care to more than half of the children in Washington. Chopp also pushed policies to expand behavioral health care facilities, child care access and student financial aid for more Washingtonians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am proud to have played a role in helping people throughout Washington gain access to services and support that help them gain independence and realize their dreams, he told the Standard last year. I do know how to get things done, he said, adding he was not retiring. As people know about me, I am not the retiring type, he said. This story was updated with a statement Chopps family released on Monday. AKRON, Ohio (WJW) A 12-year-old boy died Saturday and a 23-year-old man is now facing charges after police determined foul play was involved in the boys death. 1 killed after truck full of teens crashes into tree: OSHP According to Akron police, officers responded to the 100 block of Balch St. around 2:30 p.m. Saturday for reports of cardiac arrest. When Akron Fire arrived on scene, they found the 12-year-old unresponsive. He was rushed to Akron Childrens Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a press release from the Akron Police Department, the preliminary investigation revealed that were was foul play involved. WJW photo Police later arrested Anthony McCants, 23, who was known to the family, police said. Hes been charged with felony Child Endangering. Woman, 2-year-old hurt after being hit in Parma parking lot No further information has been released at this time. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Closing arguments are set for Wednesday in the NY fraud trial of Frank founder Charlie Javice. Federal prosecutors say Javice tricked JPMorgan Chase into paying $175 million for her website. Her lawyers say JPMC got what it wanted in the deal Javice herself then fumbled the ball. Four years ago, when Charlie Javice began boasting that Frank, her financial aid website, had more than 4 million student users, eyebrows shot up among her co-workers. "Do we really have 4.25M students?" they chatted behind her back on the office messaging app, Slack, during a team meeting in early 2021. "Is this real?" one slacked, according to government evidence. "Why do I feel like it's so much smaller?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When a Frank worker joked, "These look like charlie numbers," another agreed: "Charlie is king of finding magic numbers haha." As early as Thursday, a federal jury in Manhattan will begin weighing fraud and conspiracy charges that carry a potential 30-year prison sentence. The charges allege that Javice, 32, and her top executive at Frank, Olivier Amar, 50, used fake data to trick JPMorgan Chase into buying the website for $175 million. Jurors will be asked to consider many millions of numbers scattered throughout spreadsheets, emails, WhatsApp texts, and Slack messages surrounding the 2021 deal. Ultimately, though, a single "Charlie number" and whether it was magic or merely misunderstood will be at the center of their deliberations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That number is 4,265,085. Prosecutors say it's what Javice ultimately settled on when, on July 8, 2021, she told JPMorgan executives how many individuals had used the website over the previous four years to at least begin filling out a FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Javice assured JPMorgan that each of these users had given Frank their first name, last name, email, and phone number, prosecutors said. They said she also told the bank that many of them had additionally given Frank their Social Security numbers, home addresses, dates of birth, and details on their income, cash assets, and investments. All of this information could be theirs if they purchased Frank, the bank was told data points it could use to directly market Chase credit cards and checking accounts to students at the start of their lifelong financial journeys. A slide from a 60-page pitch deck Frank founder Charlie Javice sent to JPMorgan Chase during 2021 merger negotiations says, "4.25 million Students trust Frank for all their money needs." US Attorney's Office/Business Insider Prosecutors allege that when the bank asked to verify the impressive number, Javice pushed back, citing user privacy and terms-of-service restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During daylong meetings on July 12 and 13, 2021, Javice repeatedly assured the bank that the number represented real Frank users from whom the website had collected at least names, emails, and phone numbers. JPMorgan Chase kept pressing for proof. So Javice and the bank agreed to a compromise she would send her 4,265,085 rows of spreadsheet data to a third-party marketing company. The marketing company could review the spreadsheet and assure the bank that the data was all there. The trouble, prosecutors allege, was that no such spreadsheet existed. They say that only 293,000 users had ever signed up for a Frank account and submitted their names, emails, and phone numbers to the website. Many of these account holders had never started a FAFSA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eager to clinch the deal, Javice and Amar were undaunted, prosecutors argued. According to the indictment against them, the two hired an outside company to create a phony spreadsheet whose 4,265,085 rows would mirror the statistical properties of those 293,000 actual users. Federal prosecutors allege this chart is filled with bogus numbers and was sent by Javice to JPMorgan Chase to help convince the bank to buy her website. US Attorney's Office/Business Insider Prosecutors say this massive Excel spreadsheet was created by an outside company in three days for $18,000 and filled with "synthetic data" to clinch the $175 million sale. "It was all fake," federal prosecutor Micah Festa Fergenson said during Javice's arraignment in April. The parties signed a merger agreement in early August 2021. The deal closed a month later. Javice received an immediate $21 million and began collecting on her half-million-dollar annual salary and bonus package. As Javice courted potential buyers for Frank, the financial aid website boasted of its 4.25 million student users. US Attorney's Office/Business Insider JPMorgan, the country's largest bank, purchased Frank without ever setting eyes on the spreadsheet, nevermind vetting its numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, prosecutors allege, the bank relied on Javice's third-party marketing company, which assured that it had counted the rows of data, and, indeed, they numbered 4,265,085. After the merger closed, Javice and Amar knew their new bosses would need real numbers so, prosecutors say, they purchased publicly-available data for four million students, including names, emails, and phone numbers, on the open market for $100,000. When Chase used the data to test-run a marketing campaign, "a lot of the emails were old and didn't work," Fergenson, the prosecutor, said at Javice's arraignment. "Almost nobody clicked through to it. And it was completely unexpected." A former Frank employee testified Thursday that more than 30% of the emails were invalid. She said only 1% of the people who received the Chase email actually clicked to open it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the test run using Frank's user spreadsheet the spreadsheet JPMorgan spent $175 million to access resulted in 10 people signing up for a Chase checking account. The bank launched an in-house investigation. The Frank website was taken down. JPMorgan fired Javice and Amar in November 2022 and sued them a month later. The following April, the US Attorney's Office announced Javice's indictment. On the same day, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced it had filed a civil lawsuit charging her with bank and securities fraud, a case that remains on hold pending the resolution of her criminal case. Javice arrives at federal court in Manhattan. INSIDER They wanted Javice more than her data In court papers, opening statements, and arguments throughout a monthlong trial, Javice's attorneys have tipped their hand on several defenses that may find their way into closing arguments scheduled for Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They've argued that for JPMorgan, the Frank deal was more about acquiring Javice a promising fintech star and media darling than her data. The microfinance entrepreneur had made Forbes' "30 under 30" list and, at age 28, secured a one-on-one meeting with Jamie Dimon, the bank's CEO. JPMorgan hired Javice as its managing director for student solutions because she was an "incredible young woman," defense lawyer Jose Baez said during opening statements last month. "They saw something in Charlie, a young female CEO breaking the glass ceiling," Baez, the Florida attorney who successfully defended Casey Anthony, told jurors. "That's what JPMorgan negotiated for, and that's what they got." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense lawyers have also argued that Javice could not have intended to deceive JPMorgan because previous to the merger negotiations, she'd repeatedly said in interviews and on the pages of Frank that the website had helped 300,000 students and their families. And they've argued that when Javice cited that 4-million-user figure, JPMorgan executives misunderstood her. "The 4.25 million figure was about website traffic based on Google Analytics metrics," her lawyer Kirsten Nelson said in a court filing earlier this month. Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan testified on Thursday on behalf of Javice that terms like "user," "customer," and "visitor" were generally synonymous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A user could casually come and go and absorb Frank content without significant interaction," Rowan, an early Frank investor and board member, said of the millions who had clicked around the website. Finally, the defense may argue, as they have in court papers, that the bank concocted fraud allegations to fire Javice "for cause" and avoid paying her a $20 million retention bonus. The defense may argue that JPMorgan killed Frank after an email-blast marketing campaign that failed not because of fraud but because JPMorgan Chase was tone-deaf to Gen Z. Young people rarely answer emails, Javice witness Jennifer Zeitler, a former Frank marketing manager, told jurors on Thursday. The bank would have had better luck sending out texts instead, she told the jury on Thursday. "Ninety-nine percent of text messages are read," she testified. Instead, "We were just spamming people." Read the original article on Business Insider "Frankenstein" probably brings to mind gothic, stormy castles and macabre monsters brought to life by lightning. "Frankenstein fraud" is a bit different but no less scary. In this case, criminals use someone's real Social Security number and pair it with other individuals' sensitive information to create a new, synthetic identity. Criminals will use these personas to borrow money and then leave the real SSN owner holding the bag. What's worse, bad actors tend to target the most vulnerable among us to build these stitched-together identities. To protect yourself against this and other forms of identity theft, consider signing up for an identity theft protection service. Synthetic Identity theft really hinges on a cybercriminal obtaining your SSN. I have more than 40 years of experience as a cybersecurity expert -- here's how I recommend stopping bad actors from using your SSN. What is synthetic identity theft? Synthetic identity theft is not a new phenomenon but the term might be unfamiliar to most people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Often referred to as Frankenstein fraud, synthetic identity theft is the practice of creating identities by piecing together parts stolen from other identities. Some elements may be real and taken from more than one individual, while other parts may be fictitious. Yet these almost completely false identities are fooling the financial system at an alarming rate. As many as 15 million consumers in the US are victims of synthetic identity fraud and most are completely unaware of it, according to Frank McKenna, a fraud expert and chief fraud strategist at Point Productive. That's because Frankenstein fraud often targets the most vulnerable victims children, the elderly and the homeless. These kinds of victims are the least likely to frequently check their credit reports. Synthetic identity theft caused $20 billion in losses in 2020, according to the cyber fraud defense and software company FiVerity's 2021 identity fraud report. How does synthetic identity theft work? Synthetic identity fraud is an exercise in patience, at least on the criminal's part, especially if they're using the Social Security number of a child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The identity is constructed by using a real Social Security number in combination with an unassociated name, address, date of birth, phone number or other piece of identifying information to create a new "whole" identity. Criminals can purchase SSNs on the dark web, steal them from data breaches or con them from people through things like phishing attacks and other scams. Synthetic identity theft flourishes because of a simple flaw in the US financial and credit system. When the criminal uses the synthetic identity to apply to borrow from a lender, it's typically denied credit because there's no record of that identity in their system. The thieves are expecting this because children and teens may have no credit or a thin history, and elderly individuals may have poor credit scores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once an identity applies for an account and is presented to a credit bureau, it's shared with other credit bureaus. That act is enough to allow credit bureaus to recognize the synthetic identity as a real person, even if there's little activity or evidence to support that it's a real person. Once the identity is established, the fraudsters can start borrowing credit from lenders. How does synthetic identity fraud affect me? During the next few months, or even years, the thieves will focus on building credit and credibility around that fake identity by becoming an exemplary borrower -- paying off balances in full each month. Finally, the fake identity has built up a high enough credit score that grants them access to greater lines of credit. This is where identity thieves suddenly max out all credit cards and loans they can, abandon the false identity and disappear. The lender, and often the real owner of that Social Security number, is then left on the hook. How to protect yourself from synthetic identity fraud Synthetic identity fraud may sound scary but there are steps you can take to mitigate how criminals can use your identifying data. Freeze your credit reports A credit freeze prevents creditors from accessing your credit reports, which means no one can open new lines of credit in your name. This includes you, unless your credit is unfrozen first with each of the major credit bureaus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because synthetic identity theft relies largely on stealing the Social Security numbers of kids and the elderly, one of the best ways to cut off that source is to freeze their credit too, although the process for freezing a child's credit is a bit more involved. Similarly, you can freeze your Social Security number to help prevent anyone from using it without your knowledge. Check your credit reports regularly If you don't freeze your credit reports, check them regularly for any suspicious activity. Be especially vigilant for the presence of any other names, addresses or employers connected to your credit file. You can also sign up for a free credit monitoring like Capital One's CreditWise, which will check the dark web for your personal identifiable information. You could also use an identity theft protection service to help automate checking your credit reports or to notify you if your data is leaked in a breach. You can also use AnnualCreditReport.com to get a free weekly credit report. Aura Protect your personal data and get peace of mind with CNET's top pick for identity theft software. Aura See at Aura Watch out for phishing and social engineering attacks If criminals can't get your Social Security number through a data breach or purchase it on the dark web, they can come directly to you and steal it through a phishing or social engineering attack. Criminals will try to trick you into revealing your Social Security number by pretending to be a bank, the IRS or the Social Security Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While phishing tactics are growing more advanced because of AI, you can spot most of them if you remember to slow down and carefully read the email or text and scan it for typos or a sense of urgency that you must act quickly. If you receive an unprompted message from your bank, call the bank directly using a number on the bank's official website. Protect any documents that include your Social Security number While very few organizations will use your full SSN in communications, the full version will still be on things like tax returns. So make sure you protect any printed copies, shred any copies you don't need and delete any forms that might be attached to email communications with your CPA. Check your Social Security statements This can be done free through the Social Security Administration and will help you uncover if someone is using your Social Security number, or the number of one of your kids, to file for employment or benefits. You can request your Social Security statement here, and you can lock your number for added security. Aura Protect your personal data and get peace of mind with CNET's top pick for identity theft software. Aura See at Aura PARIS (AP) French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Sunday the poison of antisemitism following a shocking attack on the chief rabbi of the central city of Orleans. French authorities are treating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime. Rabbi Arie Engelberg was assaulted Saturday evening while walking in the city center with his young son. Local media reported that the suspect hurled antisemitic insults at the rabbi before physically attacking him. The attack on Rabbi Arie Engelberg in Orleans shocks us all. I offer him, his son, and all our fellow citizens of the Jewish faith my full support and that of the nation We will not give in to silence or inaction, Macron wrote in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was arrested shortly after the assault and transferred to a psychiatric facility, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin confirmed. I condemn with the greatest firmness the antisemitic attack of the Chief Rabbi of Orleans, he posted on X. He has all my support. The suspect was arrested and placed in a psychiatric facility. Darmanin later added: France cannot allow itself to become a stage for foreign tensions that fuel violence and antisemitism. No, anti-Semitism is not residual, said Yonathan Arfi, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF), reacting on X. Those who minimize, relativize, or justify hatred of Jews by a conflict 4,000 km away bear an immense responsibility. The rabbi was not seriously injured but was left shaken, local media reported. Orleans' mayor, Serge Grouard, condemned the heinous and intolerable act, describing it as a serious attack on the values of our Republic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement France is home to Western Europes largest Jewish population, with an estimated 500,000 Jewsapproximately 1% of the national population. It is the third-largest Jewish community in the world, after Israel and the United States. That prominence has made France a frequent flashpoint for rising antisemitism, particularly during moments of heightened international conflict. In recent years, antisemitic incidents have surged, with a sharp increase reported in 2023 after the Oct.7 Hamas attacks in Israel. These include physical assaults, threats, vandalism, and harassment, prompting alarm among Jewish communities and leaders. According to figures released Sunday by the French Interior Ministry, 1,570 antisemitic acts were recorded in 2024, representing 62% of all religiously motivated hate crimes in the country. While that marks a 6% decrease from the previous year, the ministry noted that 65% of those acts targeted individuals directly unlike anti-religious incidents against other faiths, which tend to involve property. Physical or personal assaults were up 3% year over year. When a local politician announces a run for public office or files the necessary paperwork, my typical reaction is a shrug. Running for office is what politicians do. Some are so eager they dont even wait for an election to pass before launching campaigns and nabbing endorsements for the next one. Yes, Fresno City Councilmember Nelson Esparza, thats directed at you. But when an outspoken community organizer who has successfully advocated for Fresnos least-fortunate residents and its most-neglected neighborhoods enters the political space, my interest gets piqued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion This explains how I found myself seated across a restaurant table from Sandra Celedon for her first interview as a candidate for state Assembly in District 31, which covers much of Fresno and a swath of the county. Joaquin Arambula, the seats current occupant, plans to run for Fresno City Council in 2026 potentially as a prelude to a mayoral run in 2028. With Joaquin Arambula terming out, I dont see a champion for the people of this district. I dont see someone whos willing to fight for them, Celedon said during our hour-long conversation. Over the last two decades I dont think theres anyone who has fought as hard as I have for the people of this community, to be honest Everything Ive done at the local level, thats what I want to be able to bring to Sacramento on behalf of the people of Fresno and this Valley. Thats why Im running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As president and CEO of Fresno Building Healthy Communities, Celedon is one of the most visible faces and effective leaders of the regions burgeoning social and environmental justice movement. In 2018 her organizations youth interns did much of the legwork and collected signatures for Measure P, Fresnos parks tax, which received 52% approval despite heavy opposition from the mayor, police chief, business groups and influential developers. Advocates again demonstrated their ballot box might in 2022 when Celedon and fellow nonprofit Leadership Counsel for Justice & Accountability co-spearheaded the No on Measure C campaign that blocked a 30-year extension of the countys transportation tax sought by civic leaders. Sandra Celedon, CEO of Fresno Building Healthy Communities, speaks to a large group including California Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, left, opposing the renewal of Measure C during a election night watch party at Vibez Lounge in Fresnos Tower District on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Transforming Fresno with state funds Besides subverting the powers-that-be, Celedon has been instrumental in several advocacy efforts that resulted in significant local investments. Foremost among these is the Transformative Climate Communities program that brought in $70 million in state cap-and-trade funds, including nearly $17 million toward construction of the Fresno City College campus in southwest Fresno. We were advocating for Fresno to be first to get that money, she said. It didnt just happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Celedons group has also been involved in multiple lawsuits against businesses and government agencies, including one currently pending in federal court that charges Community Health System of misusing Medi-Cal funds for its Clovis hospital expansion. Its early yet, but the only other candidate to file paperwork with the California Secretary of State for the AD 31 race is Annalisa Perea. The Fresno city council member has not made a formal announcement. Celedon certainly appears to be Arambulas choice to succeed him in the Fresno regions most Democrat-leaning assembly district. Her fledgling campaign committee received a $5,900 contribution from Arambulas 2024 account the maximum allowed by state law as well as $5,900 donations from attorneys Amelia Arambula (Joaquins mother and wife of former Fresno County Supervisor Juan Arambula), Amparo Cid and former state lawmaker Sarah Reyes. Dr. Arambula didnt recruit me, and neither did the Arambula family. I want to be clear on that, Celedon said. Im not part of any political dynasty. Id like to say the reason they are supporting me is because theyve seen me in action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Celedon grew up and until a few years ago lived in Calwa, an unincorporated community of 2,100 on Fresnos southern outskirts. She is the daughter of Mexican immigrants who began life in the U.S. as farm laborers before advancing to higher-paying jobs that allowed them to scrounge up enough money to buy a house. (Her father worked at a warehouse that manufactured shingles; her mother cleaned hotel rooms.) Veronica Garibay, left, co-director of Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, and Sandra Celedon, CEO of Fresno Building Healthy Communities, check early election results while gathering with supporters who are against the renewal of Measure C during a election night watch party at Vibez Lounge in Fresnos Tower District on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Ive lived the challenges Looking back, Celedon credits the stability provided by her parents as the reason she was able to attend Fresno State and set herself up for success. She believes those opportunities have since diminished due to the rising costs of housing, food, gas and electricity combined with the dearth of living-wage jobs. I am a working-class person from this district, Celedon said. I understand what it means to have to make a hard decision over which bill to pay this month. I understand what its like to take care of an elderly parent or handle childcare. Its not anecdotal. Ive lived the challenges people are experiencing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinionated and outspoken, Celedon drew scrutiny from certain local news outlets and criticism from conservatives for tweeting Burn it down. #BlackLivesMatter. No justice, no peace. Enough is enough in regard to a Minneapolis police precinct that was torched by rioters following the 2020 death of George Floyd. Asked about the post, Celedon called it a visceral response to what was happening in this country at that time. Her X account has since been deleted. Dont judge me on a tweet judge me on my actions, she said. I didnt go out and be destructive. I woke up the next day and went to work. Thats when I joined the advocacy efforts that led to the Black Lives Matter march that ultimately led to the Fresno Commission on Police Reform. Five years later, one of Fresnos most effective community advocates is running for state Assembly. Doubt her at your own peril. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The Ohio Department of Agriculture announced the sign-up period for Ohio farmers to apply for relief funding following last years drought. We went to the different counties that were really impacted throughout this historic drought that we saw last summer and into the fall and we were meeting with farmers, meeting with local stormwater offices, and hearing their concerns, Ohio Department of Agriculture director Brian Baldridge said. Ohio lawmakers were part of these visits too. Baldridge said the initial place farmers can turn to for help is the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But they decided to add some additional assistance. Governor Mike Dewine signed Senate Bill 54 into law in 2024, which allocated $10 million worth of funding for the 28 counties hit the hardest by the drought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighter injured after falling down stairs in Columbus house fire We were hearing stories from farmers who had been seeding their winter storage of hay since the first part of July, hauling water because those streams, ponds, wells, springs were dried up on their farms, Baldridge said. One of those farms includes Harrison Farm in Groveport. The owner, Katherine Harrison, said the drought didnt just cause a rough spring and summer. It also led to the worst winter shes ever had on the farm. I struggled to give my animals the care that they needed and keep this farm operating. I gave up a lot of things that I needed so that funds were there for the farm, Harrison said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is the fifth generation of her family to own the farm. It means a lot to her to keep all 700 of her animals healthy. Every day I am working and so typically I work seven days a week, ten to 14 hours a day because I believe in this farm, she said. Typically in the spring and summer months, the animals will graze the pastures, according to Harrison. But after the drought hit, the grass dried up. She was forced to use her hay supplies that are saved for winter. By late fall, she said the hay was gone too. Luckily, community donations came in. Frankly, we would not have made it through the winter. Having the Christmas trees and the pumpkins allowed us to be able to make it to today, said Harrison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While these donations kept the animals fed, Harrison said the different foods led to health issues. For example, its lamb and kidding season but many of the mothers dont have enough milk. When a mother cannot provide the care that a baby needs, then it becomes my responsibility. So not only have we navigated health issues in the adult animals as well as in the newborns, but weve also had those situations where mama may not have enough milk from nutritional compromising, she said. Harrison said this funding would help get the animals healthy again and allow her to stock back up on depleted supplies. I am hopeful to soon be able to enjoy buying groceries without worrying about whether the farm is going to keep going, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Applications are open until April 1. The eligible counties include: Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Licking, Madison, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Tuscarawas, Vinton and Washington. The Ohio Department of Agriculture said the funding is available to any livestock producer participating in the USDA FSA Livestock Forage Disaster Program. Baldridge said farmers are encouraged to contact their local Soil and Water Conservation Districts to discuss eligibility and to apply. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) On Friday, News 13 told you about the backlash Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach has received in light of recent dolphin deaths. According to a Facebook post by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Captive Wildlife Investigators were conducting an onsite inspection of the facility. However, they were denied entry by park personnel to conduct a wellness check and to view dolphins enclosed by Gulf World staff. This comes after four dolphins died in the last 6 months in the facility. The most recent death happened during a live show at Gulf World Marine Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gulf World Marine Park faces backlash amid dolphin deaths While FWC found that the species and enclosures under state authority were found in basic compliance, they remain committed to resolving this matter. Further, FWC is referring the facility to all state-level licensing agencies that may license other components of the facility. FWC says the health and welfare of Floridas wildlife is our mission and that includes our states saltwater marine mammals. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gatwick airport is preparing to reject government demands for it to guarantee that the majority of passengers using its proposed new runway will arrive by train. Stewart Wingate, chief executive, said meeting some of the requirements for approval of the 2.5bn plan to add 100,000 flights a year, such as lower noise levels, may be feasible. However, he said providing a binding guarantee that at least 54pc of travellers will get to and from the airport by rail up from 44pc now is beyond the airports powers to deliver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: Wed like to bring the runway into operation by the turn of the decade and bring a boost to the economy, but to do that the Government must give us final approval later this year with planning conditions that enable us to go ahead and invest. Gatwick has less than five weeks to address proposals from the Planning Inspectorate after the Government last month unexpectedly delayed a decision on opening its emergency runway to regular flights, almost doubling capacity to 75m passengers a year. Faced with the deadline, the airport plans to appeal to the Government to review the stipulations and consider counter proposals. Mr Wingate said that rather than demanding increased rail usage, ministers should give more weight to Gatwicks plans to minimise traffic jams by investing $300m in an overhaul of surrounding highways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the suite of roadway enhancements would satisfy the chief concern of the Planning Inspectorate, which is to avoid congestion on the local roads close to the airport. Mr Wingate said Gatwick had led the way in seeking to boost air-rail links, having contributed millions towards the airport station while successfully lobbying for new trains, inclusion in Transport for Londons Oyster zone and services as far as Peterborough and Cambridge. But he warned Gatwick and its French owner Vinci could not be expected to fund the runway only to have flights from the strip halted because of the failings of train operators that are themselves about to be brought under state control. He said: We cant make an investment that relies on a runway that we cant use because the railway company hasnt got a timetable, or hasnt got the hours of operation, or the size of trains, or prices that allow 54pc of passengers to get to and from the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Wingate said the proposed roads plan would remove the threat of daily traffic jams for local people by providing them with flyovers bypassing the roundabouts that lead to the hubs north and south terminals. He added that addressing requirements concerning noise levels should be more straightforward. Shrinking Gatwicks proposed noise footprint to 125 square km from the planned 135 km may be achievable based on projections for the impact of new, quieter aircraft models and the retirement of older planes, he said. A further stipulation that the Government wants Gatwick to meet would require it to spend more on noise insulation for surrounding homes. 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. March 23 (UPI) -- The death toll in Gaza has passed the 50,000 mark as Israel expanded its fighting in the Palestinian enclave on Sunday. The Gaza Health Ministry said in a statement that 50,021 people have died and another 113,274 people have been injured since the fighting between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7, 2023. The death toll had risen by 41 people in the last 24 hours alone, with 673 people killed since hostilities resumed on March 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gaza Health Ministry is urging the families of people who have been killed to complete official forms registering their deaths to ensure accurate tracking by the agency. The agency is also tracking people who are reported missing amid the war. The ministry recently launched a detailed public dashboard on its website to track data related to war casualties. The dashboard lets users break down the number of children dead by age group, revealing, for example, that 876 infants under the age of 1 have been reported to have been killed. The dashboard also tracks damage to health facilities, showing that 31 buildings have been completely destroyed. And it reports that 1,393 of the ministry's health staff have been killed and another 360 detained by Israeli forces throughout the war. "In response to the urgent need to enhance transparency and facilitate access to accurate data, the updated platform provides comprehensive databases that include the medical and legal details of each case, with the ability to follow up on updates in real time," the ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli Defense Forces said Sunday that it had ordered evacuations from southern Gaza as it resumed air strikes on "several targets and terrorist infrastructure," weeks after Palestinians had started returning home. The IDF said it had seized more Palestinian territory in northern Gaza "to expand the security area." The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Sunday on social media that it has four ambulances trapped in Rafah that it is seeking to rescue. It added that several of its paramedics have been injured and the agency has not been in communication with them. Ahmad Kullab told NPR that while fleeing Tel al-Sultan near Rafah he witnessed shelling in his neighborhood Saturday night. "The Israelis started to shoot at us as we were going out through the safe zone," he said. "Tanks are now advancing towards us, firing rounds and causing chaos in the streets." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Khan Younis hospital, a woman who fled Tel al Sultan with her family told NPR hat an Israeli airstrike killed her husband and daughter. "A rocket fell right in between us," she said. "Their bodies shattered in front of my eyes." U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in an interview on Sunday blamed Hamas for the latest attacks in Gaza, saying that "Hamas had every opportunity to demilitarize and accept the bridging proposal, but they elected not to." The bridging proposal, offered earlier this month, would amend a previously signed ceasefire deal reached in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal would extend the first phase of the ceasefire until after Ramadan and Passover, rather than moving directly into the second phase, which would move to permanently end the war in exchange for the remaining Israeli captives in Gaza. The first phase of the ceasefire expired on March 1 and negotiations for the second phase reached a standstill, leading to the bridging proposal. Hamas has not agreed to the extension. 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? {microsoft_credit="" caption="Gundbert Scherf, co-founder and co-CEO of Helsing, is pictured during an interview with the German Press Agency (DPA). Jens Kalaene/dpa"} German defence company Helsing is calling for the swift establishment of an effective conventional deterrent on NATO's eastern flank using new types of combat drones. "A drone wall could be erected within a year. You also need reconnaissance systems, satellites and probably reconnaissance drones," Gundbert Scherf, co-founder and co-chief executive of the Munich-based enterprise, told dpa on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Scherf believes the entire concept of modern-day defence would first need a major rethink. "At the moment, the debate is still like the Cold War," he argued. "We're counting armoured systems, aircraft and ships on the other side and seeing if we can somehow get close to parity with a lot of money. And I think that's the wrong way round." Helsing specializes in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for the defence industry. It has developed the HX-2 drone - initially for use in Ukraine - which employs AI to guide explosive charges to a target and is less susceptible to electronic interference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company has established a partnership with French space start-up Loft Orbital to monitor borders and troop movements using reconnaissance satellites. With the Swedish manufacturer Saab, preparations are being made to install an AI application for air combat in the Gripen fighter jet. Helsing also plans to present an autonomous system for use at sea soon. Democracies cannot wage 'war of attrition' A drone wall - a combination of reconnaissance and combat drones - is described as an intelligent barrier that could replace minefields. The barrier would allow allied forces through while fighting enemy units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scherf noted that the Baltic States are discussing the creation of a "drone wall" as NATO beefs up its 3,000-kilometre border. "It's a bit of a paradox, but autonomous systems are made for democracies," said the CEO. "We value life, we all like to live a good life. I don't believe that our democracies can or want to wage a war of attrition that costs many lives." This places the onus on so-called asymmetric technology, he added - military assets or weapons that maximize one's own advantages while minimizing the enemy's relative size or technological strength. Drones return to Germany's defence plans Due to the controversial offensive capabilities of drones, their extensive use by Germany's military was put on ice five years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But drone development is experiencing a revival in view of the growing threat to Europe from Russia and the recent election victory for the conservative CDU/CSU bloc under the likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz. The experience of Ukraine, which Russia invaded in 2022, showed that western countries require a different form of deterrent along their eastern flank, said Scherf. Drones are not seen as an alternative to tanks and artillery, but as a necessary and highly cost-effective supplement, Scherf argued. "Drones fight tanks at less than 1% of the cost," the Helsing co-founder said. The company's new HX-2 drone is said to be capable of engaging artillery weapons, armoured vehicles and other military targets at ranges of up to 100 kilometers. As it recognizes its target and the path to it using AI, it is said to be less susceptible to any jamming. German defence company Helsing is calling for the swift establishment of an effective conventional deterrent on NATO's eastern flank using new types of combat drones. "A drone wall could be erected within a year. You also need reconnaissance systems, satellites and probably reconnaissance drones," Gundbert Scherf, co-founder and co-chief executive of the Munich-based enterprise, told dpa on Sunday. However, Scherf believes the entire concept of modern-day defence would first need a major rethink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At the moment, the debate is still like the Cold War," he argued. "We're counting armoured systems, aircraft and ships on the other side and seeing if we can somehow get close to parity with a lot of money. And I think that's the wrong way round." Helsing specializes in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for the defence industry. It has developed the HX-2 drone - initially for use in Ukraine - which employs AI to guide explosive charges to a target and is less susceptible to electronic interference. The company has established a partnership with French space start-up Loft Orbital to monitor borders and troop movements using reconnaissance satellites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the Swedish manufacturer Saab, preparations are being made to install an AI application for air combat in the Gripen fighter jet. Helsing also plans to present an autonomous system for use at sea soon. {microsoft_credit="" caption="Supporters of Turkey's Republican People's Party gather in Ankara to protest against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Tunahan Turhan/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa"} The German Foreign Office has called the formal arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on Sunday a setback for democracy in Turkey, as it urged a fair trial and respect for the rule of law going forward. "Political competition must not be conducted through courts and prisons," a Foreign Office spokesman said in Berlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We expect the allegations to be transparently investigated as quickly as possible and for proceedings to be conducted on the basis of the rule of law, the spokesman said. The same applies to detained demonstrators, he added. Imamoglu, a leading opposition figure and a potential challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 2028 election, was taken into custody on Wednesday. He faces charges of terrorism and corruption, with the pre-trial detention ordered by a court on Saturday linked to the corruption case. Imamoglu has rejected the allegations. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets across Turkey for days to protest his detention, defying a ban on demonstrations. Hundreds have been arrested. The Foreign Office spokesman stressed that respect for democracy and the rule of law remains central to Germanys relationship with Turkey, both bilaterally and within EU-Turkey relations. Thanks to conservation efforts, a once-rare giant spider is making an extraordinary return across Europe, according to the Indian Defense Review. The Dolomedes plantarius, also known as the great raft spider, was once on the brink of extinction due to wetland destruction. But today, sightings of this semi-aquatic predator are on the rise, which is a major victory for biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. Fifteen years ago, the future looked bleak for the Dolomedes spider. Habitat loss caused by urbanization and agricultural expansion nearly wiped out its population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, conservationists at the Chester Zoo in the U.K. developed an innovative breeding and reintroduction program, where thousands of young spiders were raised in captivity and later released into restored wetland areas. This gave them a second chance in the wild. The results have been nothing short of remarkable. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has recorded over 10,000 breeding females in the U.K. alone. Conservationists believe that wetland restoration efforts could further boost its population. While the spider can grow as large as a human hand, it is far from a household invader. The Dolomedes spider thrives in wetlands and poses no threat to homes or human activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dolomedes spider also plays a vital role in wetland health. It helps regulate insect populations, preventing ecological imbalances in aquatic environments. By supporting wetland biodiversity, its return contributes to the health of amphibians, birds, and fish that rely on balanced ecosystems. This success isn't the only one the U.K. has had recently. The return of beavers has improved water management and biodiversity, and the European bison, now thriving in protected areas, has resurfaced. Wildlife lovers and conservationists alike are celebrating this win for biodiversity. The Indian Defense Review reports, "[Their] population is now booming." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back when the project first started, Jeff Lambert of B.U.G.S Keeper stated, "It's looking like it's actually starting to become a success." Little did he know that a decade later, the mission has become a standard of excellence for wildlife conservation efforts worldwide. As wetland conservation continues, scientists hope similar success stories will unfold for other endangered species, paving the way for a healthier, more balanced planet. 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. GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) The Glynn County Police Departments Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding a shooting that took place Friday night and led to one murder and three people being wounded. GCPD officers responded to reports of multiple shots fired at The Retreat Apartments on Altama Avenue. Officers found one male deceased, a victim of gunshot wounds. At approximately the same time, two males arrived at a nearby hospital with gunshot wounds, while a third wounded male was also transported to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This investigation is ongoing and any person with information on this case is asked to contact the Glynn County Police Department Non-Emergency at (912) 554-3645 or anonymously via Silent Witness at (912) 264-1333. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Republicans on Capitol Hill are staring down a key three-week stretch in their effort to enact President Trumps ambitious tax agenda, with hopes that the House will be able to advance a compromise budget resolution at its conclusion to keep pace with the partys aggressive timeline. Senate Republicans last month adopted a budget resolution for their two-track strategy to advance Trumps legislative agenda, moving ahead with an initial package that included funding for border and defense needs. Days later, the House GOP approved its framework for one big, beautiful bill full of Trumps domestic policy priorities including tax cuts putting the two chambers on a collision course. Since then, top lawmakers have been working across the Capitol to reconcile the two blueprints, discussing a number of key details, including how to make Trumps 2017 tax cuts permanent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those conversations are expected to come to a head over the next three weeks. Republicans are attempting to move large pieces of Trumps agenda through a process known as reconciliation, which bypasses the Senate filibuster but must meet specific criteria. The budget resolution lays out the parameters for an eventual final bill. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) indicated that the upcoming stretch would be pivotal for the process. When we get back, this will begin in earnest, Johnson told reporters earlier this month, before breaking for a weeklong recess. Well have leaders and lieutenants, committee chairs of jurisdiction in both chambers working together to begin that process to finish up the resolution and move forward with budget reconciliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The matter currently resides in the Senate, where Republicans will work to amend and hammer out changes to the Houses budget resolution. The goal is to allow the lower chamber to vote on a compromise version before the end of the work period, with the Senate to follow after the next recess. Headlining the to-do list is determining whether the GOP will be able to use the current policy baseline gimmick to score the bill in order to make the tax cuts permanent. Under this idea, the current tax rates could be extended into the future indefinitely without adding to the deficit. The 2017 tax cuts are set to expire at the end of the year, and under the current scoring system, they would cost roughly $4.5 trillion over the next decade the figure laid out in the House-passed budget resolution. GOP leaders are supportive of this idea, but it must also pass muster with the Senate parliamentarian. Republicans are set to meet with the parliamentarian during this three-week stint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most people feel theres a good case for the current policy baseline. But that would definitely throw a wrench into it, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said of the possibility the idea gets rejected. Tillis, who is up for reelection next year, added that he would not be supportive of overruling or replacing the parliamentarian in order to allow the bill to be scored at the planned levels. Thats nuking the filibuster as far as Im concerned. Thats just ridiculous, Tillis said. Those are all versions of nuking the filibuster. Im just not taking a step down that slope, he continued, and Im guessing weve got a few others that would feel the same way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also a question of whether enough hard-line House Republicans will be on board with utilizing the maneuver. Conservatives especially those in the House Freedom Caucus have been adamant that the final reconciliation package must be deficit-neutral, or reducing, and are warning that they will not accept a bill that includes less than the spending cut floor laid out in their budget resolution, even if the gimmick is utilized. No, it does have an impact, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) told reporters last month when asked if he would be supportive of using current policy baseline. If it changes much of anything, Im talking about minor details, weve got a solid group thats no, and we will do it, Norman added, referring to the in-the-works compromise budget resolution. And what well ask the president to do, as he got involved in here, to get involved with the Senate. That apprehension poses a potential problem for Johnson, since he will need near unanimity to get the compromise budget resolution through his slim majority. Final-hour lobbying from Trump has helped get skeptical House Republicans on board with big legislative undertakings in the past few months including adopting the budget resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complicated conversations come as Republicans are looking to make good on their proposed timeline for moving the reconciliation package which has emerged as another point of disagreement between the two chambers. Johnson initially hoped to get the final package through the House the first week of April, and to Trumps desk by Easter or Memorial Day, a plan that has already been pushed back because of the cross-Capitol disagreements. Some Senate Republicans, meanwhile, are eyeing an August deadline to get the package enacted, a timeline that Johnson threw cold water on last week. August is far too late, the Speaker said. Were gonna move that ball a lot faster than that, and well be talking with our colleagues and friends, Republican leadership in the Senate, about this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One thing that could alter that August deadline for Senate Republicans is if the so-called X-date to raise the debt ceiling is earlier than lawmakers anticipate. The Houses budget resolution contains a provision to deal with the debt ceiling. The Congressional Budget Office has said it plans to announce the X-date by the end of the month. Another major discussion members are set to have surrounds possible Medicaid cuts, which will almost certainly be needed to help fund the massive tax cut. Weve got to look into other areas where were not harming the beneficiaries of some of these safety net programs, but we are definitely open to changes, and I think thats going to put some people out of their comfort zone. Its going to be critical, Tillis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All were doing is talking about is looking at some of the fraud and abuse in some of the program, he said, specifically singling out Medicaid. Thats going to have its own ups and downs with gaining votes on one hand, but then potentially losing votes on the other. Its going to be that constant tug and pull for the next three weeks. This idea, though, has already started to make some lawmakers queasy. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) told state legislators last week that she would not back a Medicaid cut that hurts our people or puts you in a budget hole. Others have signaled their concerns to leadership on this front. Of course I have, from the standpoint of the participation in West Virginias enormous, Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) told reporters last week. Nearly one-third of his constituents were enrolled in Medicaid as of last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of us want to cut benefits, he said. But at the end of this whole process, should we not look at methodologies, that maybe some people would call a cut, that would make it better for everybody? As Republicans stare down the high-stakes work period, they are openly recognizing that the path to pass legislation could get murky as they work through a series of thorny matters in their effort to enact a large chunk of Trumps legislative agenda. The process is going to be ongoing, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) told reporters last week at the Capitol. Probably what well do is talk each other to death, stare at each other, and then eventually confuse the issue so much that it takes two months to unravel what weve agreed 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. WASHINGTON Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, said on NBC News Meet the Press on Sunday that politicians are not being honest when they say they wont touch Social Security. His comments come as President Donald Trump has said his administration was not touching Social Security and town hall attendees have expressed concerns about potential Social Security cuts. Elon Musk, who has spearheaded Department of Government Efficiency efforts to cut spending, has vocally criticized Social Security, prompting concerns from some Trump allies. Were not being honest when we look people in the eye and say were not going to touch it. If we dont touch it, it touches itself, Curtis told Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker. You know that, right? Thats not being honest with the American people, and I think thats one of the things that makes them not trust us, when we say something that they just know is not true. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curtis said the government does not need to impact the people that are in Social Security, but instead can have a conversation about what Social Security looks like for younger generations that are further away from retirement, like 20- and 30-year-olds. We all need to say, those in retirement and those near retirement, were not going to touch it, youre safe. But lets have that conversation, because my kids dont think theyre going to get it, he said. So why cant we have a conversation with them about moving some of the variables around, and the sooner we do it, the less dramatic it has to be. If we dont do it, we have worse decisions thrust upon us, he added. Curtis said he plans to introduce a change to Social Security in a few months. A spokesperson for the senator declined to preview the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Social Security, which includes retirement and disability benefit programs, has been referred to as the third rail of politics, meaning it is considered untouchable because of its widespread popularity. Curtis has previously been vocal about wanting to reform Social Security, saying last year that he told then-prospective GOP Senate leaders to use me as your tip of the spear in discussions on Social Security reform, according to NBC affiliate KSL of Salt Lake City. Republicans have frequently voiced concerns about the federal deficit and made government cost-cutting a centerpiece of the second Trump administration. As part of these efforts, DOGE has moved to close some Social Security offices and alter telephone services. Asked about Musk's involvement in decisions to cut federal programs, contracts and the federal workforce, Curtis said it was a "false narrative" that someone could not get involved in the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "President Trump can consult anybody he wants to," Curtis said. "Elon Musk is not making any cuts. He's only suggesting the cuts, and then President Trump is making the cuts." An NBC News poll this month indicated that 46% of registered voters believed creating DOGE was a "good idea" but that 47% hold negative views of DOGE and 51% hold negative views of Musk. Curtis was also asked about Trump ally Steve Bannon's comments in a NewsNation interview that he believes Trump will run for and win a third term, which the 22nd Amendment prohibits. "I wouldn't have supported a third term for George Washington," Curtis said, confirming he would not support a third term for Trump, either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration is in court battles over deportations under the rarely invoked Alien Enemies Act. A judge had told a government lawyer to instruct his clients to turn around planes involved in deportations under the act, but the planes were later revealed to have landed in El Salvador. The timing of the flights and questions about the administration's responses to the judge are the centerpieces of a high-profile court battle. Asked about the legality of the Trump administration's action, Curtis noted that he was not a lawyer, adding, "Let's let this play out." "I think that's the beauty of the courts, is having confidence that it will play out and we'll get to the right answer," he said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com I got hit with a wall. Granger tornado victim takes rare step for protection GRANGER, Texas (KXAN) Central Texas experiences an average of five to six tornadoes every year and both Travis and Williamson Counties have recorded 71 tornadoes each since 1950. When and where are tornadoes most common in Texas? While theyre often weak and short lived, that wasnt the case in March 2022. NWS Doppler Radar in Granger, Texas (KXAN Photo/Nick Bannin) The thrill of the chase Storm chaser Gabe Cox is fascinated with weather and, in his words, had a lifelong obsession with the sky. His live video along with doppler radar-based tornado warnings encourages people to seek shelter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Storm chasers follow tornadoes, hurricanes and other fascinating and dangerous types of weather. As they storm chase, they often stream their live video online or through television partnerships. While they can get paid for their videos, their streams and their content are often secondary to their passion for weather and the thrill of the chase. Storm chasers also serve as a valuable resource. They are storm spotters that are able to relay weather information and tornado observations back to the National Weather Service and the public in real time. This is ground truth to that text you just got on your phone, or to what you guys are saying on air, like, heres the visual proof that somethings happening and somethings coming, Cox said. Three years ago, on March 21, 2022, Gabe and his team hunted the Round Rock/Granger tornado that started near Interstate 35 and State Highway 45 and continued through Williamson County. Round Rock tornado path (NWS Austin/San Antonio Photo) We were listening to you guys streaming it was that audio that had us turn around and haul north to Granger, Cox added, referencing KXANs wall-to-wall coverage. Twister headed for Granger That same day, Sharrion Threadgill was at home in Granger with her nephew and his wife and two children. Threadgills home before the tornado hit (Viewer photo) We turned on KXAN we turned it up actually louder and I told my nephew, Lets start making a plan here,' Sharrion said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moments later, Gabe and his team captured the EF-2 tornado before it went straight to the Threadgills Granger home. Still image of our live tornado coverage as the tornado moved through Circleville into Granger (KXAN footage) Sharrion Threadgills grandniece walks away after the tornado (Viewer photo) I got hit with a wall, and I went flying across the house, and all I could remember is, I think Im gonna die today. And Im thinking where are the kids? Sharrion Threadgill recalled. As the tornado twisted their roof, the wind almost pulled her grand niece away. The tornado was taking her, and I grabbed the dress, and she fell, and I just landed on top of both of them. We just I just stayed on top of them. And I was just, we just, I was just screaming, hold yourself to the ground, hold yourself to the ground it seemed like an hour, and it was really just the 45 seconds, I think, Sharrion said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it was over, the family were able to walk away alive. But not much was left of their home. The Threadgill's home and property after the tornado in 2022 They rebuilt on the same spot, but the Threadgill family werent going to take their chances at having another tornado. So they had an in-ground shelter built for extra peace of mind. Dean Threadgill shows his new tornado shelter (KXAN Photo/Nick Bannin) Dean Threadgill shows his new tornado shelter (KXAN Photo: Nick Bannin) Tornado shelters arent common in Central Texas, but Sharrions husband felt he had no choice. We knew that it was not going to be comfortable living here if we didnt have something, in case it ever happened again, Dean Threadgill said. As this severe weather season ramps up, they wont wait to take action. You guys can inform us, but you can only keep us safe if were willing to follow the direction. And it is as simple as that, Sharrion added. Tornado terminology & safety Whether a tornado warning is radar indicated, radar confirmed or observed, you should still take all tornado warnings seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOWNLOAD THE SEVERE WEATHER GUIDE: Thunderstorms, Tornadoes and Lightning Tornado Terminology (KXAN Graphic) Should a tornado warning get issued for your area: Head to an interior room, away from windows and put as many walls as you can between you and the outside Cover yourself with a mattress and bike helmets if available in order to protect your head. Stay with the First Warning Weather Team as we track any severe weather moving through Central Texas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) Governor Henry McMaster declared a State of Emergency for the Table Rock fire in Pickens County. The fire began on Friday, March 21, and is currently estimated to reach approximately 35 acres and is continuing to grow as crews work to contain it. As this wildfire continues to spread, the State of Emergency allows us to mobilize resources quickly and ensure our firefighters have the support they need to protect lives and property, said Governor McMaster. Given the elevated risk of wildfires throughout the state, the statewide burning ban will remain in effect until further notice. Anyone who violates this ban can and will go to jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South Carolina Forestry Commission issued a burning ban on Friday for all counties. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including campfires and debris burning. All trails at Table Rock State Park are reported to be closed until further notice, and residents are urged to stay away from the area and to report any debris fire to your local law enforcement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. After a mass shooting at a park in Las Cruces, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was visibly frustrated by what she called a lack of public safety legislation passed during the 60-day session that ended at noon Saturday and warned lawmakers to expect a special session to complete the task. At her end-of-session news conference in the Cabinet room, Lujan Grisham expressed her disappointment with the end result, saying only a small fraction of 270 bills dealing with crime and public safety reached her desk. That is shameful, the governor said. There was not a single productive debate on reducing juvenile crime. Not one. And, in fact, even in the Senate, they failed to get over the finish line a weakened, watered-down juvenile crime approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 032225_MS_Legislature_002.JPG Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks to media Saturday in the governors Cabinet room at the Roundhouse about the deadly mass shooting in Las Cruces. Lujan Grisham said she cant understand lawmakers reluctance after she held more than a dozen town halls across the state in which New Mexicans voiced their concerns about crime. The governor championed her legislative proposals directly to residents after the Democratic-controlled Legislature ended a special session on public safety within five hours last year without taking up any of the governors anti-crime proposals. Accountability is missing in New Mexico and has been for quite some time, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor acknowledged the Legislature did pass a crime package of several bills, as well as a number of behavioral health reforms, about a month ago. But she recalled a news conference where lawmakers promised to do more on the crime front. I believe you all asked some pretty poignant and tough questions about, Are we done? And I believe universally, we said, We are not. Well, the end results of this legislative session would belie that commitment in large part, she said. Lujan Grisham said she had to pressure lawmakers to pass several public safety bills, including two dealing with racketeering and embezzlement. The bills would not have made it upstairs but for the pressure of the executive branch, she said. That would be code for the governor and her team going downstairs and making it a must-have, you will do it, and thats not how this should work. If its a shared priority, thats not typically what you need to do to move the needle. Lujan Grisham was particularly critical of the Senate and House Judiciary committees and the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think theres any other way to describe but what appears to be pretty purposeful efforts to prevent [bills from being heard], she said. In fact, I think the chair of the Senate Judiciary [Committee] said hes proud of logjamming these bills and not giving them a debate, she said, referring to Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces. And I think New Mexicans need to weigh in about whether or not we think thats appropriate given that theyre elected, and this is the session to debate every single one of these measures, Lujan Grisham continued. 032225_MS_Legislature_003.JPG Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks to media Saturday in the governors Cabinet room at the Roundhouse about the deadly mass shooting in Las Cruces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lujan Grisham said she stands squarely in favor of a Democratic agenda in light of whats happening at the federal level. But let me say this, when youre at the ballot box, if your legislator, irrespective of their party ... is refusing to commit to you that they will fix this, then I think you should make a different decision, she said, adding a bill to allow unaffiliated voters to vote in partisan primaries that passed this year is a step in the right direction and give New Mexicans more opportunities. The 2025 session ended mere hours after three people died and 15 others were injured in a mass shooting around 10 p.m. Friday at Young Park in Las Cruces. Between 50 and 60 shell casings all from handguns were found scattered across a wide swath of the large park, suggesting multiple shooters and multiple weapons, police said. Lujan Grisham did not say when she plans to call a special session, saying the focus now should be on the deadly shooting in Las Cruces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a shocking situation, she said. I think its the right approach, but I want a moment to make sure that Im not dishonoring and disrespecting what the families need at this moment, that we have clarity about the strategies that we need. 032225_MS_Legislature_004.JPG Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks to media Saturday in the governors Cabinet room at the Roundhouse about the deadly mass shooting in Las Cruces. Republicans are on board with the idea of a special session to deal with crime and health care. However, House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, said Saturday that special sessions arent effective if theres not a whole lot of pre-work done and the special session last summer showed that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do think that calls for a special session at this point are premature. Obviously, the governor has the authority to call a special session, and if she does, then well all come to the table and see what we can work ahead of time, he said. To rush special sessions is not a good idea, Martinez said. Its a waste of taxpayer dollars, and quite frankly, its a waste of peoples time. Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, agreed work has to be done on bills in advance of a special session to get them ready for consideration. Special sessions dont work if the bills arent cooked, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor said she would want input from district attorneys, police and families affected by violent crime. She also said she shared the sentiment of Republican leaders in the House and Senate who called the 60-day session unproductive and disappointing. The likelihood [of a special session] is far stronger than not, she said. They should expect it, she added. I dont know how you dont expect it. SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are in favor of a special session. In a letter to the governor, Republicans say the 60-day session, Failed to address the most important issues facing the people of New Mexico. Which bills have been signed by the governor so far? The governor, in a separate statement, sent from the office, says while some public safety measures were passed, there is an urgent need for more action in light of the Las Cruces shooting. She says of 270 bills on public safety introduced in the 2025 Legislative Session, only a handful passed so far Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A special session has yet to be called. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A Dublin man accused in three bank robberies within a five-day period in Columbus has admitted to the crimes. According to the United States Attorneys Office, Southern District of Ohio, 27-year-old Hussein Mohamed pleaded guilty to federal crimes related to three armed robberies in April 2024. Worthington restaurant destroyed by three-alarm fire Court documents state that on April 11, Mohamed, who lives in Dublin, robbed the Telhio Credit Union on North Hamilton Road in northeast Columbus while wearing a white face mask. He reportedly showed a bank teller a note from his cell phone, indicating that he had a gun, and left with approximately $2,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five days later, Mohamed committed two separate robberies. At about 4 p.m., he entered a Fifth Third Bank on Bethel Road in northwest Columbus this time with a blue face mask approached a bank manager and demanded money using the note from his phone. After indicating he had a gun, the bank manager forfeited $1,073 over to Mohamed. Courtesy/United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio Approximately 45 minutes later, he entered a Huntington Bank on North High Street in the University District, wearing different clothing, and again showed the teller a note from his phone. After a teller emptied the drawer for Mohamed, approximately $2,000, he told another teller to empty her drawer. The second teller said there was no cash in her drawer, and Mohamed pulled out a gun and forced the tellers to the vault room while making threats. Mohamed took about $20,000 from the vault. The U.S. Attorneys Office said a second individual conspired with Mohamed as the driver of a vehicle used to travel to and from the robberies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evidence collected by police included Mohameds location, temporarily, due to a GPS device placed into the stack of money by the bank tellers. Police were able to track Mohamed to the area of Lane Avenue and Indianola Avenue, where the device was found on the ground. Courtesy/United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio Police were also able to track cell phone number locations of Mohamed to all three bank locations at the time of the robberies, as well as to an apartment on Merrick Crossing Drive in east Columbus after each robbery. Police then tracked the owner of the Honda to the same Dublin address where Mohamed lives. Area security footage shows two individuals in a silver Honda Accord driving away from the Huntington Bank and later one of the persons in the car throwing a GPS device out the window. Authorities obtained a search warrant of the east Columbus apartment and recovered clothing worn at the robberies, a loaded handgun, Mohameds wallet and his identification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How dismantling the Department of Education will affect Ohio schools Arrested in May 2024, Mohamed pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery, three counts of conspiring to commit bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Federal sentencing could include up to 20 years in prison for the robberies, five years in prison for conspiring to commit the robberies and a mandatory seven years and up to life in prison for the firearm charge. The firearm charge would run consecutively to any sentence imposed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Britains green energy tycoons are at war. Greg Jackson, the chief executive of Octopus Energy, is taking on Dale Vince, Ecotricity founder, in a fight over the best way to achieve net zero. At the heart of the battle is a radical new scheme being considered by Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, called zonal pricing, under which Britain would be divided into zones with different power prices. In a round of briefings last week, Jackson set out why Octopus, the UKs biggest energy supplier, is backing the idea prompting a swift backlash from Vince, who ridiculed the scheme as unworkable and questioned his rivals motives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jacksons key criticism of the UKs current crazy power system is the way it has encouraged developers to build vast wind farms in Scotland, despite there not being power cables to transfer the electricity generated to customers. This leads to thousands of turbines being unnecessarily turned off, he says, costing billpayers millions of pounds in the process. If you look at whats causing our record high energy costs at the moment, we banged a load of renewables on to a system that wasnt designed for it, says Jackson. As a result, the biggest wind farms in the UK, that should be the most productive, stand idle the vast majority of the time. Jackson calculates that zonal pricing would save households at least 3.7bn a year, equating to around 132 per customer. That figure will certainly appeal to Miliband, who this summer will decide if zonal pricing is introduced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the scheme is not without its critics. Just hours after Jacksons briefing last week, Vince released a carefully crafted report warning that zonal pricing would be massively complex, delay the UKs net zero programme and burden poorer households with extra charges. And that was before he launched a personal attack on Jackson. I dont understand why Greg Jackson is evangelical about it, says Vince. But part of me thinks that hes looking for a cause to campaign for and make a name for himself because there are so many better things we can do to bring energy prices down. Lower costs, or more uncertainty? The spat marks a new phase in the war over zonal pricing, one that has been simmering for at least a decade but was previously confined to academics, energy analysts and suppliers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It first came to the fore last year when Miliband ordered a review of electricity markets. But the debate has been revived of late after zonal pricing became a real possibility. But what is zonal pricing? And why do Vince and Jackson care so much? At the moment, electricity costs are the same across the UK. However, under the proposed new regime, the country would be split into 12 zones with power prices determined by geographical supply and demand. Prices would fall for consumers close to energy hubs such as wind farms, but would rise if electricity had to be imported from other zones. The practical result, say most experts, would be to cut power prices in the North where there are lots of wind farms and sharply increase them in the South. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson loves the idea because he believes it would stop renewables developers from putting wind farms in places starved of infrastructure and households. It would be mad to keep building on our current system because youre building wind farms that are idle more often than theyre productive, he says. The more of them you build, the worse that gets. If you introduce a more sensible market, meaning zonal, then all that infrastructure should be more productive, and costs come down. Vince, however, disagrees: Zonal pricing would be one of the most complicated reforms that we could make to our energy system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be lengthy and difficult to implement, with it being unlikely that it would be finished before 2030, more likely much later, which would create a huge deal of uncertainty for investors and market participants. The row over zonal pricing comes at a turbulent time for Britains energy system, with Miliband already pledging to remove gas-fired power stations from the system by 2030 a hugely ambitious target. Other forces are at work too. The long-term collapse of British industry saw demand for electricity plummet to 317 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2023, its lowest since the 1980s. But, according to Milliband, the shift to heat pumps and electric vehicles will reverse that decline. By 2050, UK demand could reach 700TWh more than double current levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meeting that demand will mean more than tripling the UKs generating capacity from its current 116 gigawatts (GW) to more than 400GW. That increase equates to nearly 100 nuclear power stations the size of Hinkley Point C, currently under construction in Somerset. Nearly 100 Hinkley Point Cs will need to be built to meet projected 2050 energy demand - Anna Barclay/Getty Images Europe Some experts have warned the reorganisation needed for zonal pricing would delay decarbonisation and disrupt the expansion of the grid. Jackson, however, believes it would actually help by forcing developers to build wind and solar closer to places where demand is highest. For example, closer to Englands power-hungry cities rather than in Scotland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such arguments may make economic sense but they are not without political risk, particularly if it means carpeting the English countryside with renewables. Despite this, Jackson is adamant that the pros outweigh the cons, rejecting Vinces view that zonal pricing is an unnecessary distraction. An Octopus spokesman accused Ecotricity of parading the familiar rhetoric of other incumbents with vested interests in maintaining the status quo. But even they cant argue against the hard truth, they added. The UK has some of the highest electricity prices in the world, with severe impacts on people and businesses. Our current electricity market design is failing consumers and is no longer fit for purpose. Industry-wide debate Jacksons view has some powerful backers, including Ofgem, the energy regulator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem chief executive, told MPs: This is not a unanimous issue, but we are, broadly, very supportive of moving to a system that has zonal pricing. We think it improves efficiency. There are ways in which you can deal with some of the regional inequalities that might result. Neso, the National Energy System Operator, whose job it is to run Britains electricity networks, is also keen. We are in favour of zonal pricing, said a spokesman. However, there is far less agreement across the rest of the industry. Energy UK, the trade body for power suppliers, counts Octopus as a member yet has come down against zonal pricing. Renewable developers also largely back Vince. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a joint statement, Solar Energy UK, which represents solar developers, and Renewable UK, the wind industry trade body, said: We remain sceptical about the claimed benefits of a zonal system. Others argue that the battle over charging policies has forgotten one key group: billpayers. Jackson suggests the savings will lie in the infrastructure: invisible to consumers but offering suppliers big rewards. The major benefit of zonal pricing is not that we expect households in different regions to behave differently, he says. Its things like the interconnectors, the huge grid-scale batteries, the stuff at the backend, it will all behave very differently, saving everyone a fortune. However, for Ecotricity a much smaller company without the sophisticated technology underpinning Octopus zonal pricing is not worth the hassle. Zonal pricing would be an incredibly complex trading arrangement, increasing our costs for sure, along with risk and uncertainty, says Vince. Im just surprised Gregs chosen this incredibly complex thing to lobby for thats so fraught with uncertainty. 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 man died on Sunday morning after what authorities called a gun battle in downtown Los Angeles. The shooting occurred at around 4:30 a.m. in the area of 6th and San Pedro streets, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Upon arrival, officers found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, including wounds to his face. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Hes yet to be identified, pending notification of next of kin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initial investigations revealed that the man and an unidentified suspect engaged in a gun battle. The suspect shot the man and fled the scene, the LAPD said. No suspect description was immediately made available. Police said its currently unknown if the shooting was gang related. No additional details were immediately made available. The LAPD told the public to expect traffic delays in the area of 6th and San Pedro streets as police investigate the scene. Its unclear how long the delays will last. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now) A man from Hagerstown was arrested early Sunday morning for setting his estranged partners things on fire, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshals Office. On March 23, just before 3 a.m., the Hagerstown Police Department and Hagerstown Fire Department responded to a fire at 1004 Corbett St. There, they found burned clothing in the front yard. Maryland Natural Resources Police warn of thefts from vehicles at state parks Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire was put out before it spread to the home. Brian Allen Blank, 41, was arrested after police saw him try and get back into the home. Investigators said they found out that Blank had intentionally started the fire. He put the clothes in the front yard and doused them with gasoline, according to the fire marshals office. There was also damage made to the front porch and door to the home. His estranged partner was notified, and she confirmed that it was her belongings. Officials: 2 students taken in for questioning following reported explosive at Boonsboro High School Blank was arrested and taken to the Washington County Detention Center to be held without bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blanks estranged partner took custody of their two children, who were staying in the home with him. Authorities charged Blank with first-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, reckless endangerment and intoxicated endangerment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. (KRON) A man accused of strangling his mother barricaded himself in his Half Moon Bay family home, according to the San Mateo County Sheriffs Office. At around 6 p.m. on Friday, a 67-year-old woman informed police that her 37-year-old son had just strangled her at their Half Moon Bay home. According to the sheriffs office, the victim had visible injuries and was provided medical care and resources. The victims son was identified as Robert A. Kimuracuellar. Authorities said Kimuracuellar was under the influence of drugs. Deputies said he was possibly experiencing a mental health crisis when he barricaded himself inside the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office, along with several other agencies responded to the residence. Authorities said multiple forms of de-escalation were utilized. After the SWAT team responded, Kimuracuellar exited the home without any use of force on early Saturday morning, said authorities. The standoff lasted several hours, according to the sheriffs office. 6 injured after stolen vehicle crashed into another car: SCCSO Kimuracuellar was taken to a local hospital. After he was medically cleared, he was booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility for assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse causing injury. Sheriffs deputies have since served a search warrant on the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact Detective J. Piper at 650-363-4062. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 senior Hamas official has been killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian militant group reported on Sunday. The Islamist organization confirmed the death of Salah al-Bardawil, a member of its politburo, in a post on its Telegram channel. Hamas said al-Bardawil and his wife were killed "in a treacherous Zionist assassination" in his tent in al-Mawasi, an area in the Gaza Strip designated as a humanitarian zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war-torn Gaza Strip has seen a fragile ceasefire shattered in recent days after Israel resumed its bombing campaign early on Tuesday before launching another ground offensive. Hundreds of Palestinians have since been killed, including women and children. Mediators had previously failed to agree on an extension of the ceasefire that took effect in mid-January, after more than 15 months of fighting following the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Hamas militant group is responsible for the renewed fighting in Gaza after rejecting efforts to move forward with what had been an "acceptable deal," U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday, even as he said he would be open to new outreach. "So this is on Hamas. The United States stands with the state of Israel," Witkoff told Fox News Sunday. "Hamas had every opportunity to demilitarize, to accept the bridging proposal." After weeks of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, following a ceasefire deal reached in January, attempts to agree an extension of the halt in fighting stalled and Israel resumed its air strikes and deployed ground troops in areas across the strip. Palestinian health authorities say hundreds have been killed in the latest strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witkoff's "bridge" plan, presented earlier in March, aimed to extend the ceasefire into April, beyond the holidays of Ramadan and Passover, to allow time for negotiations on a permanent cessation of hostilities. "Would we be amenable to a reach out from Hamas? Of course, we would be - no different than in the Russian conflict (in Ukraine). We want to end the killing, but we need to be clear who the aggressor is here, and that is Hamas," he said. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after Hamas attacked Israeli communities around the strip on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, according to an Israeli tally, and abducting 251 others as hostages. At least 50,021 Palestinians have been killed and 113,274 wounded since the start of the war, the Palestinian health ministry said in a statement. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; editing by Ross Colvin and Paul Simao) Mar. 23Michael Gilpatrick and the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office agreed to settle out of court for $10 million and avoid a trial in Gilpatrick's lawsuit alleging he was gang-raped at a Manchester Youth Development Center in 1998. Bradley Asbury, a 70-year-old former YDC house leader, was found guilty in November of holding down Gilpatrick, then 14 years old, in a staircase as two other youth counselors allegedly raped him. In January, a Hillsborough County Superior Court judge sentenced Asbury to 20 to 40 years in prison. "Michael Gilpatrick's trial was scheduled for March 3. Jurors in NH really dislike child sexual abuse, and even more so when the State allows it to happen to kids in its custody," David Vicinanzo, Gilpatrick's attorney, said in a written statement. "So, if the case had not settled, a verdict could easily have been in the range of a $40+ million verdict, which with interest would have been about $50+ million." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vicinanzo said one reason Gilpatrick agreed to the settlement "for a fraction of the case's value was the sincere apology for the abuse conveyed by the associate attorney general." "That simple act of human decency moved Mr. Gilpatrick to tears, saved the State millions, and perhaps tens of millions ..." Vicinanzo said. "He wanted the State to show some accountability for its horrendous conduct and empathy for his suffering." (The Union Leader doesn't routinely identify victims of sex crimes, but Gilpatrick had gone public with his allegations.) The settlement requires approval of the state Legislature or the deal is off and the trial would be scheduled for Aug. 4, Vicinanzo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gilpatrick, 41, said he was "beyond grateful" after Asbury's sentencing in January. "The truth came out, the people believed me," he said. In a related criminal case, Stephen Murphy is scheduled for a new jury trial early next year after a mistrial was declared in January on charges he raped Gilpatrick. Murphy is facing one count of aggravated felonious sexual assault in that case and charges in three other cases involving allegations of abuse at the YDC. Jury selection for Murphy for allegations brought by David Meehan is scheduled for Oct. 6. Meehan was the first plaintiff to file a lawsuit against the state. A jury awarded Meehan $38 million last year, but the state is disputing the award, asking for it to be reduced to $475,000 because the jury only checked one incident on the jury form. State statutes cap the damages for a single incident at $475,000. Another trial on allegations by "T.T." is set to begin in November, followed by a trial on allegations by "R.G." in March 2026. dpierce@unionleader.com KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) Hundreds of people gathered outside the Social Security Office in Kalamazoo Saturday, demanding protection for their benefits amid sweeping changes. The Social Security Administration announced earlier this month that starting March 31, it will no longer allow people to prove their identity over the phone. Instead, it will require in-person visits or online authentication. The measures are intended to reduce fraud. However, opponents argue that the changes could hurt many older Americans, like those who live in rural areas, those who dont have internet access and those who have mobility limitations. Social Security requiring in-office visits for millions of recipients, applicants Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has said he will not cut Social Security benefits. But during an interview with Joe Rogan, Elon Musk termed Social Security a Ponzi scheme, and a federal judge earlier this week temporarily blocked Musks Department of Government Efficiency from Social Security systems that include millions of Americans personal information. Dozens of Social Security Administration offices across the country are slated to close, part of an effort by DOGE and the Trump administration to shrink the federal government, the Associated Press reports. And the Social Security Administration intends to cut about 7,000 jobs, it announced last month. Republicans want Musk to shut up about Social Security The changes have left many people uneasy, both across the country and in West Michigan. At Saturdays Hands off our Social Security rally in Kalamazoo, which was organized by the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party, protesters held signs reading stop DOGE and we fight for democracy. They said any threat to Social Security benefits could have devastating impacts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they were to suddenly cut our benefits my benefits, my mothers benefits we would be in a world of hurt, Jayne Trombley said. We need those funds that we contributed to through our working lives. People depend on these checks for housing, food and gas, said Troy Zukowski-Serlin, a clinical social worker. If thats put at risk, it can lead to a major psychological crisis. A list of the Social Security offices across the US expected to close this year State Rep. Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, was also in attendance. She said Social Security benefits are important for people across the country, regardless of political party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their lives are on the line. You cannot play politics with peoples lives. This is the social safety net. Its been around for decades, Rogers told News 8. Things like Social Security, Medicaid, health care, fundamental things that Americans have come to rely on are at risk, and its unacceptable. Protesters say they want their representatives to take a firm stance, ensuring that Social Security benefits remain protected. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles dinner became politically charged as its speakers and honorees used their platforms to uplift and rally the LGBTQ+ community. Bullies only win when we let them think they can, Janelle Monae said while accepting the organizations Equality Award. Heres the truth, bullying doesnt stop when we grow up. It doesnt end when we leave school. It just gets bigger. It rebrands itself. The bully gets elected president. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Grammy-nominated musician, actor and producer stopped short of saying President Donald Trumps name, the crowd assembled at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles knew who Monae was referring to. Monae pledged allegiance to marginalized communities, including immigrants, people of color and, in particular, transgender and nonbinary people, who have been the subject of several of Trumps executive orders. Lets make it clear. We will challenge the giant, she concluded. Hannah Einbinder, who was presented the HRCs Visibility Award for expanding LGBTQ+ representation on and off-screen, said those with a platform must use it to ensure that speaking out is not outlawed altogether. So, the Hacks star used her speech to speak out about climate change and against the ongoing war in Gaza. My queerness is a tradition of social justice, as is my Judaism, Einbinder said. To me, these are traditions of humanity, of care for human life, all human life. Equally as a queer person, as a Jewish person and as an American, I am horrified by the Israeli governments massacre of well over 65,000 Palestinians in Gaza. I am ashamed and infuriated that this mass murder is funded by our American tax dollars. It should not be controversial to say that we should all be against murdering civilians. Hannah Einbinder and Mark Indelicato pose for photographers. The Emmy-nominated actor also advocated for Mahmoud Khalil, the Algerian Columbia University student and pro-Palestine activist currently held in detention and facing deportation, despite having permanent residency in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A young activist was ripped away from his eight months pregnant wife in the night with no crime and no warrant, and Donald Trump says this violent disappearance was done to combat antisemitism, Einbinder said. Mahmoud Khalil standing alongside both Palestinians and many Jewish students calling for the Israeli army to stop dropping bombs on his homeland does not make me feel unsafe. Elon Musk and Steve Bannon Heiling Hitler does. Donald Trump calling a group of white nationalists with Tiki torches shouting, Jews will not replace us, very fine people, does. Sherry Cola presents the Impact Award to Ashley Park during the ceremony. Ashley Park who was honored with the Impact Award, which is bestowed upon allies to the LGBTQ+ community kept her remarks light. I should say, throughout my years in the world of musical theater and Broadway, I have now four ex-boyfriends who have since come out of the closet. So needless to say, I am an ally, Park, a Grammy and Tony-nominee, quipped, before going on to emphasize the importance of art in dark times. Together, we must promote stories that challenge archaic societal norms and open hearts in order to foster true empathy and understanding amongst audiences. In addition to the Hollywood contingent, several prominent political leaders were in attendance, including Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who described growing up going to Pride parades with his mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have to laugh when I hear the right-wing carry on about the dangers of exposing kids to trans people or same-sex couples, because Im living proof that introducing your kids to the gay agenda might result in them growing up to be governor, he said. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett told the audience to stand tall against oppression. I am here to tell you that we are engulfed in darkness, but Im here to also tell you that each and every single person sitting in this room is a bright star. It is time for us to rise up. It is time for us to inspire others, Crockett said. Scroll for more photos from the event: Jasmine Crockett speaks onstage during the ceremony. Dreamer Isioma and Janelle Monae pose backstage. Brian Michael Smith on the blue carpet. David Archuleta performs during the ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elliott Cooper and Greg Mathis Jr. on the carpet. Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson (center) with Sherry Cola, Hannah Einbinder, Ashley Park and Paul Forman inside the ceremony. Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner attend the event. Rj Chumbley, Leo Kalyan, Adrian Patterson, Honey Mahogany and Blair Imani inside the dinner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Nervous flyers with active imaginations can always imagine the worst when it comes to plane malfunctions. But for those who are familiar with the workings of aviation, there is one particular piece of kit whose failure would be scariest of all: the landing gear. Anyone who has watched a plane take off will recognise the landing gear. On modern jets, its the seven-ton hydraulic system that retracts or lowers the planes wheels usually one at the front and two on either side ensuring that it can land smoothly, rather than crumbling on impact. The landing gear isnt the only part of a plane that serves a critical function. But it does happen to be the one thing which cannot be mitigated by the skill of the pilot should it fail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take the engines, for example. While you might assume that a failure would be disastrous, a modern plane is capable of gliding for some 100 miles without engines, giving the pilot time to pull off an emergency landing. But without working landing gear, the chances of a safe landing are much slimmer. As you might imagine, the modern passenger jet is designed to eliminate any unnecessary risk of this happening. For a start, the hydraulics are served by two separate computer systems, providing a backup option should the first one fail. Whats more, the plane will alternate between the two computers each time the landing gear is activated, meaning that neither is left dormant. Even in the extremely unlikely event that both hydraulic systems fail, the pilot has an emergency switch to trigger something called a gravity drop. This will manually open the landing gear doors allowing the wheels to drop into place. Not only do airlines conduct regular and thorough checks of their landing gear (as you might expect), they also have strict safety protocols usually requiring them to make a precautionary emergency landing if they experience any issues with the kit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, a Virgin Atlantic plane turned back mid-flight when flying from London Gatwick to New York, because of what the airline called a technical issue. Images of the planes arrival at Manchester showed that its landing gear doors were open, suggesting a potential issue with the hydraulics. As irritating as it might be to turn around halfway across an ocean, history shows that its much better than the alternative. If the pilot cannot operate the landing gear, the only realistic alternative is to attempt a belly landing a procedure that is as risky as it sounds. Even if the plane doesnt crumble on impact, theres a high chance it will catch fire as a result of the extreme kinetic energy generated by metal pressing against tarmac. But in rare cases where a belly landing is inevitable, can anything be done to reduce the risk of disaster? The most obvious step is to reduce the amount of highly flammable fuel on board. Depending on how much fuel is remaining, that might mean flying back and forth for hours in order to burn off the surplus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in the 1960s, US aviation authorities came up with the idea of coating the runway in flame-resistant foam, in order to reduce the risk of a fiery landing. These days, though, the practice is discouraged, as it increases the risk of the plane skidding out of control and potentially creating a fatal collision. Instead, the modern protocol is to ensure that emergency services are on hand to put out any blaze as soon as possible. Thats exactly what happened back in February, after a Pegasus Airlines flight landing at Manchester sent a distress signal about a potential failure with its hydraulic system. In the end, the plane was able to make a standard landing which would have come as quite a relief to the firefighters lining the runway. More recently, there was talk of landing-gear issues being to blame for the tragic plane crash in South Korea at the end of last year but is this the case? While the exact causes of the Jeju Air tragedy are still under investigation, images of the planes final moments show that its landing gear was not correctly in place, which at the very least contributed to its deadly crash. These extreme cases are mercifully rare in modern aviation though, if you go looking for them, youll still find the occasional example of pilots managing to pull off a safe landing against the odds. The most famous of which harks back to 2005, with American airline JetBlue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after take-off from Burbank in California, JetBlue flight 292 experienced significant issues with its nose wheel, necessitating an emergency landing while the remaining wheels were still operational. Given the risk of sparks upon landing, the captain made the wise decision to fly in a figure-eight pattern for three hours, in order to burn off surplus fuel. Rather than return to Burbank airport, the decision was made to set course for nearby LAX airport in Los Angeles, on the basis that the longer runway would increase the chances of a safe landing. Given that the emergency landing had become national news, nervous passengers were able to watch live updates on their in-seat televisions. Despite the tense situation, the pilot, Captain Scott Burke, was able to execute a near-flawless landing on the back wheels, ensuring that the plane did not crash or spin out of control. The emergency response teams on the runway watched in awe, likely breathing a sigh of relief. Two decades later, JetBlue flight 292 remains a celebrated part of aviation history, even if a handful of other similar landings have been executed since. But is it the most dramatic example of saving the day in the event of a landing gear failure? There is one strong contender for that particular crown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a truly Hail Mary moment, just look at what happened back in 1985, when an amateur aviation enthusiast pulled off the Hollywood-worthy feat of reaching over from his car to manually pull down the faulty landing gear on a friends plane from the runway. When it comes to landing gear incidents, miracles arent entirely out of the question, then. But thankfully as is always the case when it comes to airline safety the sheer statistical unlikelihood of an incident in the first place means its unlikely well need to rely on divine intervention (or, indeed, that of a dare-devil friend). 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. David Bailey, a longtime Bitcoin investor and evangelist, had tempered expectations in early 2024 when he first pitched Donald Trumps campaign on the political upside of embracing cryptocurrency. Even after Trump pledged over the summer to make the US a Bitcoin haven and the industry spent tens of millions of dollars supporting his presidential bid, Bailey suspected Trumps overture might be a fleeting appeal for crypto voters rather than a lasting commitment. Yet since returning to office, Trump has upended the federal governments wary stance toward cryptocurrency just as he said he would. Earlier this month, he signed an executive order directing the Federal Reserve to hold Bitcoin alongside golda move long sought by crypto advocates and once considered improbable. If a year ago you put me into hypnosis and said, Describe to me your deepest dreams of what could happen, this would be straight-up fantasy, said Bailey, who owns the Bitcoin conference where Trump first stepped out as a pro-crypto candidate. I never would have believed it could happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps return to power was achieved in part through an unorthodox coalition-building strategy. He courted groups who mightve been overlooked by Republican candidates, like Bitcoin enthusiasts, making direct appeals with policy promises tailored to specific audiences. For those who played along, the rewards have come swiftly. The Lumbee Tribe in North Carolina, for instance, had reliably voted Democratic in presidential elections for decades. But an eight-year pursuit by Trump for the battleground states predominant native group culminating with his promise last fall to grant the tribe much-coveted federal recognition appeared to resonate at the ballot box. In Lumbee-rich Robeson County, where Barack Obama twice won handily, Trump secured a 28-point victory, his largest margin across three races. Three days after taking office, Trump signed a memorandum declaring it US policy to support the full federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe, the strongest statement to date from the Oval Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transactional? Perhaps, but thats politics, said Lumbee Tribe Chairman John Lowery, who told CNN, It feels good to be courted. In this October 2024 photo, Abigail Blue, a member of the Lumbee Tribe, walks by the stage during a campaign event in support of Donald Trump in Red Springs, North Carolina. - David Yeazell/AP/File Everyone is in their lane and theyre not going to get out of it. Youre either hardcore this or that, Lowery said. We are hardcore for those who are showing the effort and putting in the work to get our vote. And we have a tendency to reward that more than any ideological view. Theres something about good old retail politics. Trump has done that on this issue. Trumps unconventional approach extended to union workers, a longtime Democratic stronghold. Amid the outreach, and with many of his members increasingly leaning toward Trump, Teamsters President Sean OBrien stunned Democrats by delivering a primetime address at the Republican National Convention (getting a lukewarm response from the GOP audience). Later, the union withheld an endorsement in the presidential race for the first time in decades, a considerable blow to the Democratic ticket. The strategy paid off for Trump: He won 45 percent of the vote from union households, according to a CNN exit poll, a striking watermark for a GOP candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For OBrien, the calculated risk proved worthwhile during a Nov. 21 visit to Mar-a-Lago, where he advocated for Lori Chavez-DeRemer, then a Republican lawmaker from Oregon, to lead the Department of Labor. After three hours of intense discussions, Trump agreed to nominate Chavez-DeRemer and, most critically, vowed not to relent in face of expected pushback from business groups who saw her as too sympathetic to unions, OBrien told CNN. The next day, his transition team announced Chavez-DeRemer as his pick for Secretary of Labor and she was confirmed earlier this month. The episode solidified the Teamsters as one of the most influential unions in the country, OBrien said. We know we got criticized by our peers in organized labor, but weve watched our organization do the same thing every single campaign and expect a different result, he said. We didnt want to take that approach. President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Sean OBrien speaks on stage at the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Trumps early efforts to appease key constituencies comes as his political operation is already plotting how to motivate his unconventional coalition to show up for Republicans in next years midterm elections. While some in Trumps movement have predicted a more permanent political realignment is in the offing, the White House remains concerned that the presidents appeal to certain groups may not translate to GOP congressional candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear, for example, whether Libertarian voters and supporters of ex-presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can be convinced Trump needs to keep Republican majorities in Congress, a White House official told CNN. Trump appealed to both groups during the campaign a calculation his political team made early after watching the Libertarian candidate siphon votes from him in 2020. Trumps effort to court Libertarians last summerincluding a speech at their national convention where he endured boos before promising to pardon Ross Ulbricht, the imprisoned founder of an illicit online market called Silk Roadseems to have worked. The Libertarian ticket garnered its smallest share of the vote since 2008. A day after taking office, Trump fulfilled his pledge to pardon Ulbricht. Similarly, Trump named Kennedy Secretary of Health and Human Services shortly after the election after vowing the prominent vaccine skeptic would have a role overseeing health issues in his administration. Angela McArdle, the Libertarian Party chair at the time, has publicly insisted giving Trump a platform at the convention has paid off for her members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont expect perfection, she posted on X this week. Take the wins! But not everyone is pleased with the arrangement. Steven Nekhaila, the current party chairman, called Ulbrichts clemency a good transaction from the libertarian movement, but added that Libertarians were naive if they thought Trump wanted anything more than our vote. Its even more naive to think we wont be discarded when were no longer convenient the same way Rep. Thomas Massie was cast aside when he was no longer in line, Nekhaila said, referring to Trumps threat to primary the conservative Kentucky congressman after he defied the president on a vote to fund the government. Trumps early actions on cryptocurrency have also drawn some criticism, including from supporters within the industry who have balked at his growing financial interests in digital assets. Once a vocal opponent of Bitcoin, Trumps change in tune last year came as his family launched a crypto venture spearheaded by his sons. Days before his inauguration, Trump also announced a new meme coin capitalizing on his name, presenting new conflicts for a president who already has more than any modern predecessor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Trump unveiled his familys new digital asset business, Nic Carter, a crypto investor who supported the Republican, said, At best its an unnecessary distraction, at worst its a huge embarrassment and source of (additional) legal trouble. Bailey, speaking to CNN en route to a dinner at the White House for donors, dismissed the conflicts as examples of Trumps entrepreneurial spirit. Regardless, Bailey believes the former president has forced the political class to take the cryptocurrency community seriously. Our voter bloc is big and growing quickly, he said. And it will be up to the parties to speak with us. While Trumps early actions have earned plaudits from the groups his campaign targeted, their leaders also suggest theres more to be done to fully satisfy his commitments to them. Trump has yet to say, for example, how much Bitcoin the Federal Reserve should stockpile. The Teamsters is closely watching how labor fares in early decisions under Trump by the National Labor Relations Board and whether his administration stands by union provisions in existing federal contracts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lumbee Tribe still needs an act of Congress to access the federal benefits granted to other federally recognized American Natives. Lowery said he is cautiously optimistic Trump can champion a legislative push, but if Republicans with full control of government cant get it to his desk, Lumbee voters may swing back toward Democrats. Youve got to remember us, Lowery said, and you cant take us for granted. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Lumpy roads, crumbling walls and dripping pipes all are the result of a broken water system that has plagued a Henderson neighborhood for decades, residents say. The water problem has been a problem since Ive been here over 20 years and its not going anywhere, Blossom Decrescenzo said. Now, neighbors are trying to find solutions. The first step electing a new HOA board ready to take on the challenge which is estimated to cost each home around $17,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday they held a community meeting to find who will step up. $17,000, thats pretty much what I make in three quarters of a year, but I do want to preserve our community, its important to me. I think our board members inherited a mess, and they tried. But we need help, Debbi Grim said. Theyre hoping that help can come from elected officials as they plan to invite Henderson Ward IV Councilman Dan Stewart to their next HOA meeting. Theyre also working with republican state Senator Carrie Buck. Will Bradley, one of Bucks special assistants focused on HOA issues and said Buck was inspired to look into HOAs after the story of Somerset Park, the Henderson neighborhood that almost had their water shut off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Repairs to Henderson-area residential community plumbing system complete It took unfortunately, a Somerset where 81 people were looking at losing, getting evicted to bring light to this issue, Bradley said We were hoping there wouldnt be other issues as big as Somerset. This is bigger. Somerset only needed $700,000 repairs. This place needs up to $1.3 million. Bradley said this issue is just one of many cases involving HOAs in the valley. The biggest words I could tell all homeowners, get involved, Bradley said. Go to meetings. Dont you miss a meeting, important things happen at every meeting. Run for the board or find people you trust to run for the board and vote in elections. In a typical HOA, only 25% of owners even vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buck introduced a bill to the legislature with multiple changes to HOA laws, including creating a training program for board members. Lawmakers have not yet held a hearing for the bill. In a statement to 8 News Now, Buck said, I care a lot about homeowners who live in HOAs and want to make sure HOA boards and management companies are trustworthy with homeowner dollars and have homeowners best interests. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mar. 22A fundraising effort has been launched by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, in partnership with the Las Cruces Police Department and the city of Las Cruces, to support the victims of a deadly shooting that took place at a Las Cruces park Friday night. After talking with city and county officials Saturday morning, the foundation decided to relaunch the "Together Las Cruces Crisis Action Fund," an emergency relief fund that was established during the COVID pandemic and is administered and managed by the foundation. In the past, the fund was used to support the Dona Ana community during COVID and assist those affected by recent fires and flooding in Ruidoso and Roswell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a community foundation, we have the ability to be really nimble and quick when it comes to supporting the community, especially in times of crisis," the foundation's executive director, Terra Winter, told the Journal. The link to contribute to the fund can be found at the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico Facebook and Instagram social media pages, as well as the foundation's website, communityfoundationofsouthernnewmexico.org. On the website, click on "Donate Now" at the top of the page, scroll down and select "Donate" on the first fund listed and titled "Together Las Cruces Crisis Action Fund." "We raised a lot of money for the fires and floods in our sister communities, so I know that our community will open their hearts to this fund," Winter said. "We'll definitely keep the community updated with press releases and social media posts of what's been raised thus far." The foundation will work with city officials to distribute the funds raised to the families and victims impacted by the shooting, Winter said. She added that the foundation is also considering how funds could be used to benefit local mental health work to support first responders and the neighborhood surrounding the park where the shooting happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winter wasn't aware of any other fundraising efforts as of noon Saturday. But the foundation has been in contact with local mental health nonprofits, as well as partners at the El Paso Community Foundation and Paso Del Norte Foundation, to coordinate on how to provide extra support, Winter said. The tragedy hits close to home for Winter, who was born and raised in Las Cruces and has been executive director at the foundation for almost eight years. "Young Park is the community that I grew up in... so it definitely touches very close to home," Winter said. "It's not what you want to hear about in your community, that's for sure." Winter said the foundation does not take any administrative fees from donations and that the money will support victims and their families directly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the Las Cruces Fire Department announced in a news release that the police and fire departments along with other community support organizations will offer assistance and resources to people affected by Friday's shooting. The event will take place from 1-6 p.m. Sunday at the Las Cruces Convention Center. BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) Due to weather conditions and fire risk, the City of Bristol, Virginia has declared a local state of emergency. Bristol Fire Chief Mike Armstrong issued a news release on Saturday night stating that the Bristol Virginia Fire Department has already responded to multiple fires in the past week. Firefighters also responded to another fire on Saturday that spread to the back of a home in Bristol. 40-acre wildfire burning in Johnson County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city issued the state of emergency as the region experiences high wind and dry conditions. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the area, including Bristol, Va. and Washington County, Va., by the Federal Emergency Agency. According to the fire department, a Fire Weather Watch will remain in place through Sunday evening. As a result, all outdoor fires are banned in the city. The burning ban will remain in place in Bristol until the weather conditions change. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RIVERVIEW, Fla. (WFLA) A suspect is in critical condition following a domestic dispute that turned into a deputy-involved shooting early Sunday morning. The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office responded to the incident in the 10500 block of Lake Montauk Drive in Riverview to find a woman outside of the home who had been physically assaulted. Florida 10-year-old dies weeks after gruesome abuse from mom, man: police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman had a bruise on her face and had been struck at least once by the time deputies arrived. She told deputies the abuser was in the home and had a gun. The victims ex-husband had called 911 around 3:47 a.m. and the womans new boyfriend beat her up and lit the bedroom on fire. Three adult children were in the residence at the time. Sheriff Chad Chronister said the suspect, 50-year-old Manuel Alvarez, lit a fake plant and other miscellaneous items on fire. As officials spoke with the mother, they could hear Alvarez upstairs. Deputies made their way up the stairs to approach Alvarez, as the suspect yelled out, Come on up, Im gonna shoot your a**. VIDEO: Fire erupts at Walt Disney Worlds EPCOT park in Orlando Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The body camera shows the moment one deputy flung open the door to the bedroom to find Alvarez pointing a firearm at him and threatening to shoot him. The deputy fired several shots at Alvarez, striking him twice in the upper torso. Alvarez was rendered first aid on the scene. He is in critical condition and is undergoing surgery at Tampa General Hospital, according to Sheriff Chronister. The sheriffs office said Alvarez has no record of criminal history. The deputy involved in the shooting is 35-year-old Shawn Swinford who was hired by the sheriffs office in July 2024. He has eight years of experience as a law enforcement officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Chronister made a statement to victims of domestic violence, saying there is another way to live, and urged them to call The Spring of Tampa Bay at 813-247-7233 for help. The incident will be investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The deputy was placed on administrative leave. This was a volatile and dangerous situation that could have turned deadly for our deputies and others. Our deputies are trained to make critical decisions under pressure, and in this case, our deputy made a split-second decision to not only protect himself, but everyone in that home, Sheriff Chad Chronister said. This incident began with an act of domestic violence, a heartbreaking reality that affects individuals and families in our community. If you are a victim of abuse, I urge you to contact law enforcement. There is support, there are resources, and there is a way out. WFLA.com live streamed the press conference, which can be viewed in the video player above. 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. Border czar Tom Homan on Sunday said officials are confident that all migrants on the deportation flights were Venezuelan gang members. Homan, during an interview on ABCs This Week, reiterated that all the migrants on the flight were members of the gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), noting that multiple officials were confident in their decision. A lot of officers, a lot of criminal investigators, special agents whove done this for decades looked at the intelligence information, the criminal investigation information, all their various social media and surveillance and government records and public records, and they are confident that theyre all members of the TdA, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were actually using the laws on the books to enforce immigration law and secure the border at the highest levels ever been, Homan added. When pushed on whether he would release the information about the deportations, Homan said the decision would need to be litigated in the courts. Theres going to be more litigation on this case, Im sure. But what we did what was done by the Trump administration was exactly in accordance with federal law, again, enacted by Congress and signed by a president, he added. Were not making this up. Were enforcing laws around the books. Homans comments come amid a tense legal battle after President Trump attacked U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg for ordering the administration to turn around or halt flights of Venezuelan migrants headed to a Salvadoran 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 The Hill. Mar. 23GRAND FORKS The lead pastor at a Grand Forks church believes its upcoming expansions and renovations will be a benefit not only to its congregation, but the community as a whole. HOPE Church's recently announced "Dare to Wonder" project is nearly two years in the making, and has received strong financial support, Pastor Paul Knight told the Herald. The project is expected to be a costly endeavor, falling between $7 million and $8 million, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're about halfway to ($8 million)," Knight said. "Close to that. And it's all donations from people in the church." It is exciting to be growing and serving the community, and the church is "all in" on that mission, he said. A project brochure outlines four facets: youth ministry spaces, exterior updates, staff offices and hospitality ministry spaces. The existing youth group space will be expanded and reconfigured to better accommodate the 150 or so middle and high school students who meet there weekly to participate in worship, games and other activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have an amazing bunch of youth, so it's pretty fun," Knight said. HOPEkidz, the space for younger children's activities like Sunday School and Wednesday night ministries, will expand to accommodate for its rising attendance. This expansion will take over existing staff office space, which will be relocated elsewhere in the Grand Cities Mall, allowing all staff offices to be housed in the same area. HOPE Church's exterior has received little attention since the church relocated from East Grand Forks. One of its congregants said when he first brought his family to the space, they said it felt like walking into a penitentiary, Knight said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's the ugliest church in the city," he said. Though appearances aren't what's most important, he hopes a "facelift" of the outside will make the church appear more welcoming to passersby. Perhaps, then, they might feel compelled to join the approximately 1,300 people who currently attend various HOPE Church services each Sunday. The church has grown exponentially since Knight joined it in 1991 when there were closer to 50 people in attendance each Sunday. He attributes this growth "to a commitment to love people, and care for people." "We actually believe what we're teaching," Knight said. "So (we have) a commitment to what the Bible teaches, and just an excitement about what God's doing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are also committed to helping the community, and hope to turn an empty area upstairs into a community space that can be rented by the public, though it depends on how much money is raised, Knight said. Other community ministry efforts will include an indoor playground and coffee shop. "People talk all the time about how there's no place for kids to go in the winter, so we're going to make a place for kids to go in the winter," Knight said. He envisions mothers of young children drinking coffee together, watching their kids play. There are few spaces for people to spend time together, and even fewer that don't require money to be spent, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "... People need a place to hang out, and just relax," he said. In the decade since the church created an LLC to purchase the entire Grand Cities Mall a time when it was rumored a potential buyer may demolish the building a significant amount of work has been done to revitalize the space, Knight said. "We're in the geographical center of the community," he said. "We want to be the heartbeat of the community, help care for the community, and love the community and do all kinds of things to help." The hope is to begin work on renovations in October, but at this time there isn't a set date, Knight said. The church is still in the process of raising funds, doing what Knight called a stewardship campaign, "inviting people to donate to the project to help for the future of the kids." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's exciting, he said. Plans are being drawn by Churches by Daniels, a company based in Oklahoma. "We'll use all local contractors when we bid it out," Knight said. "(Churches by Daniels) is going to help us do that." Construction is anticipated to last approximately a year, Knight said. Though it may be messy, with such a large space to work with, no services should be interrupted. The church's current features include a worship center, fellowship hall, nursery, child care center, commercial kitchen, care center with a food pantry and clothing donations, as well as support groups for grief, addiction, divorce and more. The majority of these programs, which the church refers to as ministries, are open to the public regardless of whether they attend HOPE Church services or are affiliated with religion at all. Democratic Rep. Jim Himes (Conn.) said he thinks the Trump administration is acting with an unbelievable cocktail of incompetence and illegality. Himes, who is the ranking member on the House Committee on Intelligence, joined CBS Newss Face the Nation on Sunday, where host Margaret Brennan asked him about the Trump administrations deportation flights of alleged Venezuelan gang members and the differing messages about the legality of Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act to do so. What people worry about is that this administration acts with a unbelievable kind of cocktail of incompetence and illegality, Himes said of the deportation and the Department of Government Efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you fire all of the people at the Department of Energy who look after our nuclear weapons and then say oopsie, we need to hire you back, thats incompetence, he continued. Brennan asked Himes about the deportations of the alleged Tren de Aragua members and Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act. The 18th-century wartime law allows the government to deport people who are deemed foreign adversaries in times of war. Officials have noted that the U.S. is not in a war with Venezuela, but national security adviser Mike Waltz suggested the gang was affiliated with the Venezuelan government. Im not a lawyer, but I can read the first paragraph of the Aliens Enemy Act, which says very clearly that the authority that this administration claims is dependent on a declaration of war, not on acting as a proxy, Himes said. So, Mike distorted the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Himes and Brennan highlighted a recent New York Times article that said the intelligence community does not believe the gang is linked to the Venezuelan 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 The Hill. Hundreds of people have been detained in fresh protests against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, authorities said on Sunday. The Turkish Interior Ministry wrote on X that 323 people were held amid a wave of demonstrations on Saturday. Protests were held in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and other cities, with thousands participating despite bans on demonstrations. Imamoglu, a leading opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was taken into custody on Wednesday. A court ordered him to remain in pre-trial detention on Sunday. When Jesse Ugalde, who served in the Vietnam War, entered a Department of Veterans Affairs building Friday, he noticed a difference. Already, people are leaving, Ugalde, 74, who relies on the VA for his healthcare, said of VA employees. I was told that theyre going to try to provide services, but its going to take longer." To protest President Trump's push to slash the size of the federal government, which includes drastic staff cuts at the VA and other agencies, Ugalde took to the streets with hundreds of others in Westwood on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not only the VA, but theres other programs that we need desperately," Ugalde said. "Theres no reason to do it this way. ... I fought for this country, and Ill fight for it again. Angelenos and residents from throughout Southern California participate in a march and rally outside the Wilshire Federal Building. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) The protesters marched toward the federal building on Wilshire Boulevard around noon, rallying against the government cuts and what they described as clear constitutional violations. We are here because we are not going to let Trump, were not going to let Elon Musk, his co-president, or anybody else take the United States Constitution down, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) told the crowd. Read more: Key points people need to understand about Trump's Education Department closure Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks advisory team, which he calls the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has fired thousands of government workers, frozen billions of dollars in federal spending and ordered the almost complete shutdown of multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of Education. In a statement, VA press secretary Pete Kasperowicz said the department is still in the planning phase for wider staff reductions and will go through a "deliberative process" to improve care and benefits. "Were not talking about reducing medical staff or claims processors, were talking about reducing bureaucracy and inefficiencies that are getting in the way of customer convenience and service to veterans." Musk, a billionaire known for his move fast and break things approach at his companies, described wasteful government spending as an urgent and existential threat in an interview Tuesday with Fox News. The country is going bankrupt, he said, referring to the growing national debt. If we dont do something about it, the ship of America is going to sink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But people at the protest organized primarily by Democracy Action Network, a pro-democracy organization founded last year said the programs on the chopping block are far from wasteful. Protesters hold signs and the U.S. flag outside the Wilshire Federal Building. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) Shaun Law-Bowman, 67, spent 15 years as a public school teacher before moving into an administrative position. Theres no reasoning. Theres no excuse, she said of Trump's plan to shut down the Department of Education. I was a special ed administrator those are federal funds. Theres a huge amount of kids that need special help, and all that money is going to be gone. Its just evil. Read more: Musk team targets nearly two dozen environmental offices for closure in California Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This month, a federal judge ruled that Trump and Musks dismantling of USAID was probably unconstitutional, arguing that the cuts were incompatible with the will of Congress. Federal judges have also ruled that the administrations firing of probationary employees did not follow the appropriate procedures for layoffs and that the U.S. Office of Personnel Management lacked the authority to order the firings. The administration has bashed these rulings, with Vice President JD Vance posting on X that judges arent allowed to control the executives legitimate power. Protesters hold upside-down U.S. flags while marching outside the Wilshire Federal Building. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) Many protesters spoke out against the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist. Khalil, an Algerian citizen, is being held in immigration detention even though he is a green card holder with no criminal record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, without immediately providing evidence, accused Khalil of supporting the militant group Hamas, which the U.S. considers a foreign terrorist organization. Read more: Military veterans are becoming the face of Trump's government cuts and Democrats' resistance For many, the demonstration was a way to take matters into their hands. For all those people that say the protests dont matter we wouldnt have the civil rights we had in the '60s without protests, said Elizabeth Gietema, 28. "Vietnam might have gone on longer without the protests. 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. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) A Huntsville woman was killed in a two-vehicle wreck Sunday morning. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, at around 5:15 a.m., 19-year-old Emma G. Howard was killed when she hit the rear end of a tractor-trailer. The crash happened on U.S. 431 near the 90-mile marker, about 25 miles south of Phenix City in Russell County. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Nothing further is available as troopers with ALEAs Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate. 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. LONDON (AP) Icelands president on Sunday accepted the resignation of the North Atlantic island nations childrens minister, who quit the government over a relationship she had with a teenager more than three decades ago. Asthildur Loa Thorsdottir stepped down after national broadcaster RUV revealed last week that she had a child 35 years ago when she was 23 and the babys father was 16. RUV said the relationship began after the pair met at a church youth group when the teen was 15. Iceland s age of sexual consent is 15, but it is an offense for an adult to have sex with a teenager they teach, employ or mentor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thorsdottir confirmed the relationship in a statement, saying she was not a leader of the church group, just a member, and that relationships between people of that age were not at all uncommon, even if they were not desirable. She said the relationship lasted only a few weeks, though the father was present at the childs birth. RUV reported that the father sought access to the couples son through the government and church, but was granted only occasional visits, though he paid child support for 18 years. Thorsdottir, who said the father had made little attempt to establish a relationship with his son, officially stepped down at a meeting Sunday of the State Council, involving government ministers and President Halla Tomasdottir. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although she has left the government, she remains a lawmaker for the Peoples Party, which is part of a coalition government led by Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir of the Social Democratic Alliance. Iceland is a volcanic island nation tucked below the Arctic Circle with a population of less than 400,000. Its parliament, founded in 930 by Viking settlers, is arguably the worlds oldest legislature. Dark energy, the mysterious force that makes up 70 percent of everything in existence, was hypothesized to explain why the expansion of the universe was accelerating. Ever since, it's been thought of as a constant, immutable presence. Now, the latest observations from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) indicate that dark energy has actually changed over time a development that could potentially upend the prevailing cosmological model, and perhaps hint at a new understanding of physics. The findings, detailed in a series of papers currently awaiting peer review, have implications not only for how the universe has evolved, but what its eventual fate might be as well. "It sounds like it will be a paradigm shift, something that will change our understanding and the way we are putting all the pieces together," Mustapha Ishak-Boushaki, a cosmologist at the University of Texas and DESI team member, told Quanta Magazine of the findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DESI telescope, located in Kitt Peak, Arizona, searches and measures galaxies to tease out the effects of dark energy. It's now surveyed a staggering 15 million of these realms as far as 11 billion light years away, providing the most comprehensive portrait to date of the galaxies as they shifted and clustered together over the eons movements thought to betray the presence of dark energy. Following up on preliminary findings shared a year ago, the latest DESI results strongly suggest that the acceleration of the universe's expansion started sooner than once thought, peaked early on, and is currently weakening. This is a big deal. Dark energy, as it's currently theorized, stems from the idea of a cosmological constant. Proposed by Albert Einstein, it assumes that there's some unseen background force powerful enough to explain why the universe, with all its mass, doesn't collapse under its own gravity. Einstein later called the cosmological constant his "biggest blunder," but it found a second life decades later with the idea of dark energy, along with dark matter, in the late 1990s. Dark energy, envisioned as this constant, is now a cornerstone of the lambda-CDM model, the standard model of cosmology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this model, dark energy pushes against the literal weight of existence to make sure it all doesn't come crashing down, accelerating the universe's expansion at a fixed rate. Meanwhile, invisible dark matter, thought to make up roughly 25 percent of the universe compared to a measly five percent of the regular matter we're made out of, is thought to govern the formation of galaxies from the shadows with the pull of its gravity. Though it may be the standard theory, lambda-CDM has always been contentious, not least of all because it doesn't explain what dark energy actually is (Einstein thought it was a force intrinsic to the vacuum of space itself.) It's too early to say that the dominant model has been trumped, but it's on the ropes. The DESI results, combined with extensive observations of the cosmic microwave background the leftover light from the Big Bang and of thousands of supernovas, indicate a discrepancy of 4.2 sigma, a measurement of uncertainty indicating, in this case, that there's only a one in 30,000 chance that the lambda-CDM model is correct, per Quanta Mag. Five sigma, however, is the standard needed to be considered a bona fide discovery. Though it hasn't quite made the cut yet, the latest work yields a higher sigma level than reported a year ago and there's still two more years of DESI data to parse through. Comfortingly, one possible implication of a waning dark energy is that the universe won't relentlessly expand until it rips itself apart, as one theory holds. On the other hand, if dark energy's powers are diminishing, it's possible its effects could not halt at zero but go on to reverse course, dooming the cosmos to implode on itself. Then again, the mere fact that dark energy can change at all could mean that everything's up in the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As far as theoretical models, Pandora's box just opened," Ishak-Boushaki told New Scientist. "We were stuck with a cosmological constant. We are not stuck anymore." More on cosmology: Physicists Find That the Universe Could "Collapse Like a House of Cards" KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Independence Police Department is asking the public for help in finding two persons of interest who investigators say are connected to a February homicide. According to a post on Facebook by IPD, officers are searching for Christopher L. Ponds Jr. and Lazarus Atkins. Independence police are searching for Lazarus Atkins, one of two men they say is connected to a Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 homicide in Independence, Missouri. A photo of Christopher L. Ponds Jr. -- a person of interest connected to a February 2025 homicide in Independence, Missouri. The homicide is still under investigation; however, IPD said it took place on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. If you or anyone you know has information regarding the whereabouts of Ponds Jr. and Atkins, police ask that you call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477 and reference IPD Case #25-7624. 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. A Senate bill that would make school board races partisan was amended further on second reading by the House chamber Thursday, but two amendments proposed by Democratic members were defeated. Senate Bill 287, authored by Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville, Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, and Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Goshen, would change the school board election process to that of other elections, which would include a primary and general election. The school board candidates would have to declare a party. In the House Elections and Apportionment committee last week, the bill was amended to reflect House Bill 1230, authored by Rep. J.D. Prescott, R-Union City. Prescott, who serves on the House Elections and Apportionment committee, offered the amendment to remove the primary process from the bill and stated that in the general election, a school board candidate can choose to be listed as a Republican, Democrat, independent or nonpartisan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prescotts amendment would maintain the original bills requirement that school board members be paid up to 10% of the lowest starting salary of a teacher employed in the district, which would shift the current $2,000 payment. Prescott brought forth another amendment Thursday that states if a school board candidate chooses to be nonpartisan, there will be a blank space next to their name where party affiliation would be listed. This option was in collaboration with the school board association and others. They felt more comfortable with an option for no identifying marker next to the name, Prescott said. Rep. Blake Johnson, D-Indianapolis, said the bill is a mess that has been to be rewritten multiple times just to make it halfway functional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill started as a solution in search of a problem. With this amendment, it becomes a fix for a complication layered on to a solution in search of a problem that didnt exist, and somehow it still doesnt work, Johnson said. Were legislating blank spaces on ballots, because nothing says transparency like a big empty void next to a candidates name. Rep. Tim Wesco, R-Osceola, said Johnons argument seemed to support making school board races partisan because right now school board candidates have blank spaces next to their names. The amendment passed 63-27. Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City, offered an amendment to the bill that would allow a school board candidate to submit a profile about their qualifications and experience, but couldnt include references to a political party, to be posted on a school districts website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boys amendment would require school board candidates to be listed as nonpartisan on the ballot. Rep. Cherish Pryor, D-Indianapolis, said Boys amendment would allow candidates to communicate their policy ideas and positions with voters without politicizing the race. Prescott said Boys amendment would remove the primary function of the bill. Boys amendment failed 29-62. Rep. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, offered an amendment that would maintain the school board members pay increase but remove all other portions of the bill. Errington, who is a member of the House Elections and Apportionment committee, said she received 191 emails and calls from school board members and residents who opposed making school board races partisan. Meanwhile, she only heard from three people in support of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School districts have a hard time finding candidates to run for school board, so adding politics into the race will narrow the candidate field, she said. Making school board elections partisan would not serve the best interest of students or our communities, Errington said. In fact, it would weaken the governance of our schools by diverting voter attention away from the credentials and educational vision of the candidates and turn it to party politics. Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond, said she also serves on the House Elections and Apportionment committee, and what concerned her was testimony from people who wanted to know the ideology of school board candidates. Jackson said people run for school board to improve education for students not to become politicians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We would be doing a serious injustice to our communities if we vote to enforce the candidates for school board having to declare their party, Jackson said. Erringtons bill failed 27-63. Senate Bill 287 moves forward for third and final consideration by the House. akukulka@post-trib.com GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) An inmate housed at the Georgetown County Detention Center has died after suffering a medical condition, officials announced Saturday. The Georgetown County Sheriffs Office said a woman was placed in the detention centers detox unit after she was arrested Friday for shoplifting by the Georgetown Police Department. Detention Center staff observed her experiencing a medical emergency this afternoon and medical assistance was rendered prior to the arrival of Georgetown County Emergency Medical Service, the sheriffs office said. After being transferred to Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital she was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Carter Weaver contacted the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and requested the agency investigate the death. The inmates identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Wildlife experts and constituents pleaded with Wyoming lawmakers to cease a bill introduced in the state that would end 72 years of protection for river otters, WyoFile reported. The bill passed the House with a 52-8 vote and passed the Senate with a 22-9 vote. What's happening? Republican lawmakers in Wyoming's State Legislature have proposed House Bill 45, "Removing otters as protected animals," which would do exactly that. The bill, conceived by Andrew Byron, originated from the trouble fishers were having in polluted waters and locals who were "having trouble with otters." If the bill passes, it would remove otters from a list of "protected animals for purposes of hunting regulations." Northern river otters, the only species of otter in Wyoming, according to Cowboy State Daily, have been protected since 1953, prior to the Federal Endangered Species Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After they were protected in 1953, you started to see their population spread," said Wyoming Game and Fish director Angi Bruce. According to Bruce, having the bill pass would help authorities deal with "problem-causing otters." Reports of otters in fish-stocked waters or attacking tubers have caused some concern. "Having this tool, in my perspective, allows us to help gain support for more otters," said Bruce. However, wildlife experts and other lawmakers caution that the bill is moving too quickly. Merav Ben-David, a University of Wyoming professor, asked for lawmakers to leave river otters alone. Her plea stemmed from research on otters that were nearly wiped out during the fur-trading eras and slowly reintroducing themselves to their habitats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In 2021, we had 25% of the otter activity at these latrines compared to what we had a decade ago," Ben-David told lawmakers. "River otters are slowly clawing their way back. Their existence is tenuous, depending on water flow, fish abundance and pollution." " We would be smart to wait until we get viable populations in other places, [like] along the Wind River," Ben-David continued. "I would encourage a change in their status when I start getting complaints from anglers in the Bighorn River or friends of mine who live in Glendale." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. State Rep. Karlee Provenza deferred to Ben-David's expertise: "If the number one scientist that knows what is going on says, 'No,' then I would also urge you to vote no on this bill." The bill passed the committee with a vote of 8-2 before moving through the House and Senate and being signed by governor Mark Gordon. Why is the passing of Bill 45 important? According to the International Otter Survival Fund, northern river otters are listed as "least concern," meaning they are not at threat of extinction. However, this status is supported by the protections otters have had in Wyoming for 72 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill 45 could place river otters in danger of becoming endangered. Removing the protected status allows for the moving and killing of "fish-eating nuisance otters," according to WyoFile. "The first step would be to try to relocate them to somewhere else," Game and Fish chief warden Dan Smith said. "In the end, if nothing works, that still would give us the tool to lethally remove them, but that would be a last step," said Angi Bruce. Food supplies for otters are dwindling due to rising water temperatures. This forces otters to move to different areas for food and to get creative in their search. Researchers even found otters eating foods 35% harder than their teeth are used to and using glass bottles to help break down their food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the National Environmental Education Foundation, river otters, as predators, are ecologically important as they help control populations of kelp and other species. They even help control the spread of invasive species. But they are also susceptible to "environmental contaminants," such as mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls. In England, scientists found high levels of toxic chemicals in dead otters due to waste. With less protection, otters can be more susceptible to these environmental hazards and have a harder time finding their food supply. What's being done about river otter protections? Even though the bill was passed, there still are protections in place. According to Wyoming Public Media, the bill doesn't allow an open season on otters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are fears out there that this is an all-out attack, this is a free-for-all," said Rep. Byron. "It's really, really not the case." First steps would be to use electric fences and other mitigation practices before resorting to lethal methods. "I personally believe that when we are able to go in and address conflict situations with landowners, it helps build support for that species as they become more popular across the state," Angi Bruce said. According to River Otter Ecology, there are plenty of ways you can help protect otters on a personal level. These include picking up trash, not using chemical fertilizers, and supporting conservation groups and political candidates. 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. Authorities are investigating two people who have been shot in a Brockton mall parking lot. Around 7 P.M. Brockton police officers responded to the Westgate Mall parking lot near Chipotle and Starbucks to reports of a large altercation between several teenagers. At some point during the altercation, two individuals were shot. No word has been shared about the condition of the victims. Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police Officers are currently investigating the incident, led by the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office. 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 EWA, Hawaii (KHON2) Honolulu police have opened multiple investigations after a string of e-bike incidents in Ewa Beach on Saturday, March 22. Police were called to Keoneula Blvd around 7:30 p.m. when a large group of e-bike and e-motorcycle riders committed multiple traffic violations. HPD enforces e-bike regulations, Kailua riders cited Officials said riders were committing the violations in moving traffic and one rider rear-ended a police vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents said the situation erupted into chaos. Hawaii renewed his body and soul: Rachel Kondo speaks about her brother After first, residents said they heard about 20 bikes going up and down their road, which they say is fairly common on weekend nights, but this time there were police sirens as well. Matt LoPresti was on his way home after an event in town when he noticed about 200 bikers near a busy intersection. And they were dressed in black with masks on and it was like a biker gang had taken over our neighborhood, he said. Residents started filming the situation as it unfolded. Penny Parnes went out and started talking with some of the younger kids involved. One of the kids I spoke to said it began as an organized event in Kapolei, and they had ridden from Ka Makana Alii into our neighborhood, and the kid said at some point the police chased them by Ewa Makai, she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then they all ended up on Keoneula Street. HPD said when the officer went to assist the rider who hit his vehicle, another biker damaged the police car. Kids were riding up and down both sides of the street, on the median, on the sidewalks, LoPresti said. They were harassing my neighbors and residents who were just walking and looking out of their homes trying to see what was going on. He said one of his neighbors was called racial slurs and assaulted and called it a hate crime. Some of the older teens on dirt bikes came and said Were here to mob the police, and they were surrounding officers yelling I cant breathe, while HPD is trying to get the younger riders out of the street, Parnes explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents who live nearby said some of the kids involved in the bike ride event were as young as seven years old. I have no words, like where are the parents? Parnes added. The whole incident lasted over two hours. Parnes said police did the best that they could with such a large number of children. LoPresti said parents need to do better. The kids should be better than this, the parents should know where their children are and it really comes down to the parents. The majority of residents nearby said they were shocked the situation didnt escalate into something much worse. This is not a video game, and thats what I kept telling the teens were coming in on dirt bikes saying they were going to mob the police, the police are armed and you are the size of an adult, thats a terrible idea and I dont know who is putting that idea in these kids heads, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just shocking the lack of respect, its a shocking lack of any common sense and Im grateful it didnt end worse than it did, she added. She said the whole situation was avoidable. The owner of BikeFactory, which organized the event in Kapolei, said they typically hold rideouts throughout certain communities across the island every month and their rideouts are supposed to be beneficial for the communities. The owner said they cannot control who joins their rideouts. Honolulu EMS said they treated the 29-year-old bike rider for serious injuries. He was transported to an area hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Police arrested one 16-year-old male for disorderly conduct, driving without a license and disobeying an officer. Check out more news from around Hawaii Honolulu police have opened multiple investigations including refusing to stop, criminal property damage and major motor vehicle collision. In late February, a 7-year-old girl was critically injured when a car hit her while riding an e-bike in Ewa Beach. She passed away two weeks later. In response to several e-bike incidents, the Honolulu City Council adopted Bill 61, which prohibits exhibition riding, like performing wheelies, unless it is part of an authorized event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BikeFactory rideout was not a permitted event. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Things got heated at the Sioux City public library in Morningside, as folks expressed frustration towards the state of Iowas current politics. Three Iowa state senators came on Saturday to talk to folks about the hot topics in the Iowa government, including education, rural health care, transgender rights and more. The senators that came on Saturday, Sen. Janice Weiner, Sen. Matt Blake and Sen. Herman Quirmbach, do not represent Woodbury County, however they still wanted to spread awareness and hear the peoples concerns. I dont have a lot of faith right now in our governor, our current Department of Education to do an adequate job with the resources they currently have, said State Sen. Janice Weiner, a Democrat in District 45. Its less about being polite or not being polite, but being truth tellers and going out and telling people whats really happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weiner said she wants people to know that behind the scenes, Republicans and Democrats in the state of Iowa talk all the time and work together, but its the hot topics that cause the division. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DUBAI (Reuters) - Talks with the U.S. are impossible unless Washington changes its pressure policy, the Iranian foreign minister said on Sunday, as Iran prepares to respond to President Donald Trump's letter proposing negotiations on a new nuclear deal. Trump said earlier this month that he had sent the letter to Iran's top authority, Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warning that "there are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal". Khamenei rejected the U.S. offer for talks as "a deception", saying negotiating with the Trump administration would "tighten the knot of sanctions and increase pressure on Iran". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday Tehran would soon reply to both the letter's "threats and opportunities". While leaving the door open for a nuclear pact with Tehran, Trump has reinstated the "maximum pressure" campaign he applied in his first term as president, including efforts to drive down the country's oil exports to zero. The U.S. has issued four rounds of sanctions on Iran's oil sales since Trump's return to the White House. "Under these conditions, it is no longer possible to enter into talks with America. Unless certain approaches change," Araqchi was quoted as saying by Iranian state media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When we say no to negotiations with the U.S., it stems from a history and experience," he said, referring to Trump's withdrawal from Tehran's 2015 nuclear pact with six major powers in his first term. After ditching the nuclear pact in 2018, Trump reimposed U.S. sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy. A year later, Tehran started breaching the pact's curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme and has far surpassed its limits. Months of indirect talks between Tehran and Trump's predecessor Joe Biden to revive the 2015 nuclear deal failed. "In my opinion, the 2015 pact in its current form cannot be revived. It would not be in our interest because our nuclear situation has advanced significantly and we can no longer return to previous conditions," Araqchi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he said the 2015 pact could still be "a basis and model for negotiations". U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said last month time is running out for a deal to rein in Iran's nuclear programme as Tehran continues to accelerate its enrichment of uranium to near weapons grade. Tehran has long said the programme is only for peaceful purposes. (Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Jamie Freed, David Goodman and Helen Popper) Israels security cabinet has moved swiftly overnight to establish a dedicated government department aimed at the voluntary transfer of civilians from Gaza. Israel Katz, the countrys defence minister, said the government was working to implement Donald Trumps vision for Gaza, which involves the US taking over and owning the Palestinian territory. We will allow any Gaza resident who wants to move to a third state to do so, Mr Katz said, adding that the new government department would create movement routes for civilians wishing to leave and implement plans to check pedestrians at border crossings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after a Gallup International survey found that more than half of Gazas population would consider leaving if given the opportunity. Hours before the new department was approved, the IDF called on residents of Rafahs Tel Sultan area to evacuate north in anticipation of airstrikes The area you are in is considered a dangerous combat zone. Gush Katif Street is considered a humanitarian route for your use in order to move to the Mawasi area. We warn you: Movement in vehicles is prohibited, an IDF spokesman said. Staying in shelters, tents, and houses, or travelling via other unspecified roads, puts your life and the lives of your families at risk. Evacuate immediately, they added. Hours later, the IDF announced it had encircled the area to dismantle terror infrastructure sites and eliminate terrorists in the area, in order to reinforce control and expand the security zone in southern Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overnight, Israeli airstrikes killed senior Hamas political figure Salah Al-Bardawil and his wife in Khan Younis, in the south. Gazas Hamas-run health ministry confirmed their deaths, alongside 18 others. Al-Bardawil is the latest senior Hamas official to be killed since Israel resumed its offensive on Gaza earlier this week. The IDF also carried out operations in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, targeting Hamas infrastructure to further secure the region. Civilians will be allowed to evacuate the combat zone for their own safety, the IDF said. As Israeli military operations intensify, public protests in Israel have been mounting. More than 100,000 Israelis demonstrated across the country on Saturday night, demanding a ceasefire so the remaining hostages being held by Hamas can be released. Palestinian Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil was killed by an Israeli airstrike - CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP via Getty Images A senior Hamas official told The Telegraph that while there had been no serious development towards ceasefire talks, the group would continue dealing positively with Steve Witkoffs latest proposal that enables us to get out of the dilemma created by Netanyahu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official added that Mr Witkoffs, the US Middle East envoy, proposal has to lead to an end to the current military campaign and engaging in second-stage negotiations that would end with a complete cessation of the war, the withdrawal of enemy forces and an exchange of prisoners and hostages. Israel has refused to enter the second phase of the ceasefire, demanding that the first phase be extended until after Ramadan and Passover, as proposed by Mr Witkoff. As Israeli attacks continued in Gaza, Houthi rebels launched another ballistic missile at central Israel on Sunday morning, sending millions into bomb shelters. The missile was intercepted by an air defence system before entering Israeli territory. The Houthis have attacked Israel with ballistic missiles five times in less than a week, but Israel has yet to respond. On Saturday, the Houthis fired a ballistic missile which it claimed was aimed at Israels Ben-Gurion airport, warning it has become unsafe for air traffic and will remain so until the aggression against Gaza stops and the blockade is lifted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, a Houthi military spokesman claimed the group had fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at a military target south of Tel Aviv. 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. Palestinians are among the rubbles of their houses in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on Tuesday, March 18, after Israel launched a wave of airstrikes. Credit - Abed Rahim KhatibAnadolu/Getty Images The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas negotiated in mid-January seems to have been written on tissue. It frayed midway through the first of three phases, when Israel declined to negotiate for the second phase. Since then, it was only a countdown until the first hours of Tuesday morning, when the Israel Defense Forces executed a swift and punishing series of airstrikes throughout Gaza. By Thursday, the IDFs ground operation got underway with a three-part pincer move, operating in the north of Gaza, in the Strips midriff around the Netzarim corridor (from which it had redeployed as part of the deal), and in Rafah in southern Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 400 Gazans were killed on the first day of strikes, in what was one of the deadliest single-day tolls of the war, the Associated Press reported. The toll climbed to as many as 700 by Friday, according to Palestinian health officials. Social media is awash in photos of dead babies. The IDF says it is routing out terror infrastructure and picking off specific Hamas military and political leaders; Palestinians say they are taking down anyone in the vicinity. Hamas and the Houthis have revived rocket fire at Israel. Where is all this leading? Ironically, it was much easier to predict where things would go two months ago, when the ceasefire deal was agreed, than it is now. From the moment the details of the agreement became known, analysts gave the deal a poor prognosis. The first phase involved the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, while the two sides suspended the fighting and Israel withdrew from heavily populated areas and from the Netzarim corridor. The second phase was to include a sustainable ceasefire and full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and further hostage and prisoner release. The third phase would have ended the war and seen the release of the remains of Israeli captives and Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there were two signs that the deal would never reach beyond its first phase. Read More: A Roadmap to Lasting Peace Between Israelis and Palestinians The first was that leaders of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus most important coalition partners, the Religious Zionist and Jewish Power parties, made clear that they would bolt the coalition if the fighting stoppedthey want to capture and resettle Gaza. When the deal was finally signed, Itamar Ben Gvir, who runs Jewish Power, resigned from Netanyahus government, weakening his coalition. Betzalel Smotrich, who runs the Religious Zionist party, remained in government but insisted that Israel must restart the war or he too would leavewhich would mean scrapping either the deal or the government. The second was Israels history of decision-making, particularly when it comes to Palestinians: Phased deals dont usually work. Case in point is the phased, conditional Oslo peace process during the 1990s that Palestinians saw as a path to an eventual Palestinian state and a permanent end to the conflict, neither of which materialized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Did Hamas want to complete the current ceasefire deal more than Israel? Most likely yes. Gaza is in ruins, nearly 50,000 people have been killed in the war, and polls show that Palestinian hostility toward Hamas has risen. The group holds two main cards for credibility among Palestinians: forcing Israel to release Palestinian prisoners, and being the only Palestinian faction able to end the war. Beyond that, Hamas only recourse to staying in power is brute force. The first phase of the ceasefire went through. But then Israel declined to open negotiations for the second phase, after Trump took office and began talking about expelling 2 million Palestinians in Gaza. Netanyahu became emboldened to resist the second phase; Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff began negotiating that phase seemingly from scratch, introducing a new ceasefire plan different from the one both sides agreed to in January. Now Netanyahu is facing an avalanche of domestic political crises. There is a budget deadline this month that could sink his government; mass street protests have resumed, with tens of thousands calling for a new ceasefire and criticizing Netanyahu for failing to get the remaining hostages home. Israelis on some level have known more conflict was coming. A February poll by the Institute for National Security Studies found just 40% thought the deal would reach the second phase; more thought the chances were low (46%). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet no one knows what happens next. How long will this resurgent war go on? Israel hasnt been able to eliminate Hamas nor secure the release of most hostages through military pressure throughout the warwhy would it be able to do so now? Do exhausted Israeli reservists have the morale for a forever war, and does a forever war lead to a complete military re-occupation of Gaza, alongside the continued expansion of settlements and de facto annexation in the West Bank? If the Israeli government has answers, its not saying. For its part, will Hamas accept a U.S.-backed bridge plan to restore the ceasefire and extend it into April, to allow time for continued negotiations? Or will Israeli demands to simply release all hostages and oust Hamas under heavy military pressure work this time around? There is a better path: ending the occupation through Palestinian self-determination and statehood, possibly anchored in regional normalization deals between Israel and Arab states. That would guarantee Israels security and contribute greatly to a more peaceful Middle East. But those with the power to make peace a reality, apparently prefer to make war. Contact us at letters@time.com. An Israeli airstrike hit a hospital in southern Gaza on Sunday night, leaving a part of the hospital in flames and causing multiple casualties, two doctors working at Nasser Medical Complex told CNN, as the country pressed a renewed offensive in the embattled enclave. The Israeli military confirmed it carried out a strike on a key terrorist in the Hamas terrorist organization who was operating inside the hospital but did not share the targets identity. Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa TV reported that Ismail Barhoum, a member of Hamas political bureau, and his nephew Ibrahim were killed in the strike on Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barhoum was receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during an Israeli strike on March 18, according to Al-Aqsa TV. Hamas later confirmed Barhoums death which it said illustrates Israels disregard for all international norms and agreements. Hospitals are entitled to special protections during armed conflict under international humanitarian law and can only be targeted under extremely limited circumstances, such as if they are being used to actively commit an act harmful to the enemy, according to the Geneva Conventions. The strike comes after Israeli operations intensified in southern Gaza, with the military saying earlier on Sunday that it had encircled an entire district and ordered evacuations. The Israeli military resumed air and ground operations in Gaza earlier this week, blamed on Hamas for refusing to agree to revised terms on extending the first phase of the ceasefire. Gaza health officials meanwhile said the toll from the fighting since October 7 has passed 50,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nasser Medical Complex, the largest functioning hospital in Gaza, has previously seen intense bombardment and raids from Israeli forces accusing the facility of harboring Hamas operatives. On Sunday, the second floor of the hospital was struck, Dr. Tanya Haj Hassan, a pediatrician from Medical Aid for Palestinians, told CNN following the attack. The strike hit the mens surgical unit, resulting in multiple casualties, according to Dr. Mark Perlmutter, an American doctor currently in Gaza. He said European and American teams were working at the hospital when the airstrike hit. Images of the aftermath show a fire burning and smoke billowing as crowds gathered on the streets outside of the hospital. A view of the destroyed emergency department of the Nasser Hospital after Israeli attack, in Khan Younis, Gaza, on March 23, 2025. - Doaa Albaz/Anadolu/Getty Images A video shared with CNN by Dr. Perlmutter shows the interior of the hospital after the strike. Dazed individuals are seen walking among debris in a hallway, with smoke in the air and power knocked out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza blamed Israel for the strike, saying occupation forces have just targeted the surgical building inside Nasser Medical Complex, which houses many patients and injured individuals, resulting in a large fire at the location. The Israeli military on Sunday accused Hamas of exploiting civilian infrastructure while brutally endangering the Gazan population and vowed to continue to operate against the Hamas terrorist organization and to remove any threat to Israeli civilians. Encircled district The Israeli military said Sunday that troops had concluded the encirclement of Tel al-Sultan, a district to the west of Rafah that has seen multiple Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operations in the past year, a testament to the difficulties of dislodging Hamas. The purpose of the operation was to reinforce control and expand the security zone in southern Gaza, the IDF said in a statement Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the night, the troops encircled the area, eliminated several terrorists, and conducted a targeted raid on a terror infrastructure site that was used over the past few months as a command and control center of Hamas terrorists, the IDF said. The military earlier issued a warning to people to leave the Tel al-Sultan area immediately as troops launched their offensive. The IDF instructed civilians to move north to the Mawasi area, but would not permit movement in vehicles, forcing those evacuating to do so by foot. The Israeli military forcibly displaced thousands of already displaced people from their tents in the Tel al-Sultan district under heavy gunfire, the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank said in a post on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gazas Civil Defense warned of a grave and imminent danger threatening the lives of more than 50,000 civilians in the Al-Baraksat area, west of Rafah, after they were besieged by Israeli occupation forces. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said four of its ambulances had been surrounded after responding to an Israeli attack in Rafah. Contact had been lost with a civil defense crew west of Rafah that was trying to rescue an ambulance crew. Also in the south, Hamas-affiliated media reported that three people had been killed when a municipal vehicle in Khan Younis was struck. Hamas said Salah al-Bardawil, a member of the groups political bureau, was killed along with his wife in an Israeli strike on tents for the displaced in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel blocked aid going into Gaza ahead of its renewed operations, in an attempt to force Hamas to accept the new terms and release the hostages it is still holding. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said no food, water, medicines or fuel have entered Gaza in three weeks, marking a longer siege than what was in place in the first phase of the war. Every day without food inches Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis, UNRWA said in a social media post on Sunday. A woman mourns near the bodies of relatives killed in an Israeli strike, in the yard of the Indonesian hospital in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday. - Bashar Taleb/AFP/Getty Images The IDF is also continuing its ground operations in northern Gaza. It said on Saturday that troops had begun operating in the Beit Hanoun area to target Hamas terror infrastructure sites in order to expand the security zone in northern Gaza. It added that fighter jets struck several Hamas targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, the Health Ministry in Gaza said that 41 more deaths in the past 24 hours as the death toll in Gaza surpassed 50,000, marking a grim milestone for a war with no end in sight. The ministry said that 50,021 people have been killed in Gaza since the October 7 attacks in its latest update. CNNs Ibrahim Dahman, Mike Schwartz, Tim Lister contributed reporting For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's parliamentary finance committee late on Sunday approved the 2025 state budget, setting up a final vote by lawmakers before its March 31 deadline to prevent the government's collapse. The committee cleared the long-delayed wartime budget after a 13-hour debate in which opposition members accused the government of a lack of transparency over spending. The Finance Ministry said that these funds are not yet subject to a government decision and therefore do not appear in the budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The total budget will be 756 billion shekels ($203.5 billion), or 620 billion excluding debt servicing for a 21% rise in spending over 2024. The defence budget alone will be a record 110 billion shekels, while the deficit is set at 4.9% of gross domestic product. Israel spent $31 billion on its military conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon in 2024 and the government vowed to sharply boost defence spending going forward. While failure to approve the budget by the end of March would trigger snap elections, it appears there is little chance the government will collapse. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had hoped the budget would be approved by the end of 2024, but political infighting among coalition partners delayed the final vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not clear when the full parliament would vote on the budget, which features a series of tax hikes to prevent the deficit - which was 6.8% in 2024 and led to credit rating downgrades - from becoming unsustainable while Israel finances its military conflicts. "This is not an easy budget in a difficult period. We did everything we could and ultimately succeeded in reducing many of the taxes that the Treasury had proposed, thereby easing the burden on citizens," said committee chair Moshe Gafni. "The reality we are living in is extremely difficult, and the responsibility shown by the members is commendable." Opposition member Vladimir Beliak called the budget "socially and morally disastrous". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Credit rating agencies are reviewing the budget and are considering another downgrade for Israel. If the finance minister's policies continue, there is a high likelihood that taxes will need to be raised again by the end of the year," he said. ($1 = 3.7153 shekels) (Reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -An Israeli airstrike at a hospital in Gaza on Sunday killed five people, including a Hamas political leader, Palestinian medics and Hamas said, in an attack Israel said had targeted a key figure in the militant group. The Gaza Health Ministry said the strike hit the surgery department at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The Israeli military said its attack followed extensive intelligence and used precise munitions to minimize harm at the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas said a member of its political office, Ismail Barhoum, had been killed. Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, confirmed the target was Barhoum. The military did not name the target, which it described only as "a key terrorist" in Hamas. Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV said Barhoum was being treated at the hospital for wounds sustained in a previous attack. Israel says Hamas systematically embeds in hospitals, schools and shelters, which the group denies. Video on social media showed a fire blazing on the third storey of what appeared to be the hospital. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After two months of relative calm in the war, Gazans have again been fleeing for their lives after Israel effectively abandoned a ceasefire, launching a new all-out air and ground campaign on Tuesday against Hamas. Another leader in Hamas, Salah al-Bardaweel, was killed in a separate strike in Khan Younis, Hamas said earlier. The Israeli military confirmed it had killed Bardaweel on Saturday. Both Bardaweel and Barhoum were members of the 19-member Hamas decision-making body, the political office, 11 of whom have been killed since the start of the war in late 2023, according to Hamas sources. Explosions echoed throughout the north, central and southern Gaza Strip early on Sunday, as Israeli planes hit targets in those areas in what witnesses said was an escalation of the attacks that began earlier in the week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signalling it could escalate its actions further, the Israeli military said on Sunday one of its divisions that had operated in Lebanon, where Israel fought Hamas' Iranian-backed ally Hezbollah, was preparing for possible action in Gaza. It distributed video of tanks unloaded in a field and a caption that read: "Preparations of the 36th Division for Operations in the Gaza Strip." At least 45 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli strikes on Rafah and Khan Younis so far on Sunday, health authorities said. Palestinian officials on Sunday put the death toll from nearly 18 months of conflict at over 50,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military said it does its best to reduce harm to civilians and questioned the death toll provided by health authorities in the Hamas-run territory. Most of the dead in Gaza have been civilians, according to health officials. Israel says they include around 20,000 fighters. Hamas does not disclose casualty figures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the aim of the war is to destroy Hamas as a military and governing entity. The aim of the new campaign is to force the group to give up remaining hostages, he said on Tuesday. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Netanyahu to "emphasize U.S. support for Israel," a State Department spokesperson said. They discussed Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza, efforts to bring hostages home and U.S. strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, the spokesperson added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after Hamas fighters stormed southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. "Israels military offensive has caused an appalling loss of life," said European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. "As long as this war continues, both sides lose." Kallas added Israel must respect civilian lives and that threats to annex parts of Gaza were unacceptable. TEL AL-SULTAN SURROUNDED Hamas has accused Israel of breaking the terms of the January ceasefire agreement but has said it is still willing to negotiate a ceasefire and was studying proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation warning for residents in the Tel Al-Sultan neighbourhood in western Rafah. The military said troops had encircled Tel Al-Sultan to dismantle "terror infrastructure sites and eliminate terrorists in the area," in order to reinforce control and expand the security zone in southern Gaza. It said soldiers were allowing the evacuation of civilians from the combat zone via organised routes for their safety. Dozens of families quit their homes in Tel Al-Sultan heading northward to Khan Younis, some on foot, while others carried their belongings and children on donkey carts and rickshaws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When the ceasefire began, we returned to put up tents next to the ruins of our homes, dreaming that soon our homes would be rebuilt," said Abu Khaled, a Rafah resident. "Now we are fleeing under fire for maybe the 10th time, when will we ever rest? When will there ever be peace in this city?" he told Reuters via a chat app. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said 50,000 residents remained trapped in Rafah after they were surprised by an Israeli army raid into their areas, warning their lives, and those of rescue teams, were at risk. Palestinian and international officials also warned about the risk of a new hunger crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every day without food inches Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis. Banning aid is a collective punishment on Gaza: the vast majority of its population are children, women & ordinary men," the head of the United Nations agency on Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, posted on X. On March 2, Israel blocked the entry of goods into Gaza and Netanyahu's foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk, accused Hamas of taking aid for its own use, a charge Hamas has previously denied. (Reporting and writing by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell. Additional reporting by Jaidaa Taha, Muhammad Al Gebaly in Cairo; Editing by David Gregorio, William Mallard, Alison Williams, Elaine Hardcastle and Giles Elgood) The Israeli military on Sunday said it has intercepted another missile fired from Yemen. The rocket was intercepted before entering Israeli territory, it added, with no casualties or damage reported. Warning sirens sounded in several areas of the country, while muffled explosions were heard in the city centre of Tel Aviv. After the resumption of the Israeli war in Gaza in the last week, the Hamas-allied Houthi militia in Yemen has also restarted its missile attacks on Israel. There was also renewed shelling across Israel's border to Lebanon on Saturday. March 22 (UPI) -- Israeli officials on Saturday proposed creating an ad-hoc body to enable the voluntary migration of Palestinians from Gaza through Israel and on to other nations. The ad-hoc group would create a plan allowing the controlled movement of Palestinians through Israel while providing them with security and escort services, the Jerusalem Post reported. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Friday announced plans to permanently annex parts of Gaza if Hamas continues to refuse to release 59 hostages still held in Gaza, NBC News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have instructed the IDF to seize additional areas in Gaza while evacuating the population and to expand the security zones around Gaza for the protection of Israeli communities and IDF soldiers," Katz said Friday in a prepared statement. "The more Hamas persists in its refusal to release the hostages, the more territory it will lose, which will be annexed to Israel," Katz said. An Israeli armored personnel carrier is transported near Kibbutz Mefalsim close to the Gaza border on Saturday after it was taken from a combat area inside the Gaza Strip. Photo by Jim Hollander/UPI Israeli officials estimate only 24 are still alive among the 59 hostages and said the IDF will intensify its military actions that have killed nearly 600 in Gaza after Israel broke a two-month cease-fire on Tuesday. A senior Hamas official on Friday said the designated foreign terrorist organization has demonstrated sufficient flexibility to resume cease-fire negotiations to end the war begun when Hamas attacked Israel and killed about 1,200 civilians and kidnapped about 250 while committing many atrocities on Oct. 7. 2023. Israeli tanks and a D-9 armored bulldozer are seen inside southern Israel on the border with the Gaza Strip on Saturday. Photo by Jim Hollander/UPI Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said any negotiations with Hamas only would take place while IDF forces continue military operations in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas officials Taher al-Nunu told Al-Jazeera indirect negotiations with Israel have continued despite Israel breaking the cease-fire agreement, but Israel has refused to negotiate, the Times of Israel reported. Katz said Israel will use all available military and civilian assets to pressure Hamas to release the all remaining hostages,whether they are living or dead. That pressure would include evacuating Gaza's population southward and implementing the proposed voluntary migration of Gaza residents to other nations. Peace eventually will come through Israel's permanent control of Gaza, Katz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed ad-hoc body for voluntary migration would determine a transportation route for Palestinians and create checkpoints at designated crossings out of Gaza. Israel also would build infrastructure to enable the voluntary migration of Palestinians using land, sea and air transport to their respective countries of destination. The body would be subject to international law and would include representatives from Israel's ministries of justice, foreign affairs, interior, finance, transportation and strategic affairs. Others involved would include the IDF, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Shin Bet, the National Security Council and Israeli police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ad-hoc body would coordinate the voluntary migration activities with international organizations and others. The IDF's current ground operation in Gaza partly is to prepare for the migration plan. The Israeli government is expected to okay creation of the body to create and implement the voluntary migration plan, the Jerusalem Post reported. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Israels military struck the largest hospital in southern Gaza on Sunday night, killing two people, wounding others and causing a large fire, the territory's Health Ministry said. The strike hit the surgical building of Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis, the ministry said, days after the facility was overwhelmed with dead and wounded when Israel resumed the war in Gaza last week with a surprise wave of airstrikes. Those killed in Sunday night's strike included a 16-year-old boy who underwent surgery two days ago, according to the Health Ministry. Also killed was Ismail Barhoum, a member of Hamas political bureau, who was being treated at the hospital, Hamas said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels military confirmed the strike on the hospital, saying it hit a Hamas militant operating there. Israel blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in densely populated areas. Like other medical facilities around Gaza, Nasser Hospital has been damaged by Israeli raids and strikes throughout the war. More than 50,000 Palestinians have now been killed in the war, the Health Ministry said earlier Sunday. The military claimed to have eliminated dozens of militants since Israel ended a ceasefire Tuesday with strikes that killed hundreds of people on one of the deadliest days in the 17-month war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's unrest over Gaza and political issues grew Sunday, with anger at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as his government voted to express no confidence in the attorney general, seen by many as a check on the power of his coalition. Im worried for the future of this country. And I think it has to stop. We have to change direction, said Avital Halperin, one of hundreds of protesters outside Netanyahu's office. Police said three were arrested. Displacement under fire Israel's military ordered thousands of Palestinians to leave the heavily destroyed Tel al-Sultan neighborhood in the southern city of Rafah. They walked to Muwasi, a sprawling area of squalid tent camps. The war has forced most of Gaza's population of over 2 million to flee within the territory, often multiple times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its displacement under fire, said Mustafa Gaber, a journalist who left with his family. He said tank and drone fire echoed nearby. The shells are falling among us and the bullets are (flying) above us," said Amal Nassar, also displaced. The elderly have been thrown into the streets. An old woman was telling her son, Go and leave me to die. Where will we go? Enough is enough. We are exhausted," said a fleeing Ayda Abu Shaer, as smoke rose in the distance. The Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said it lost contact with a 10-member team responding to the strikes in Rafah. Spokesperson Nebal Farsakh said some were wounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's military said it had fired on advancing suspicious vehicles and later discovered some were ambulances and fire trucks. In Gaza City, an explosion hit next to a tent camp where people had been told to evacuate. My husband is blind and started running barefoot, and my children were running, said witness Nidaa Hassuna. Strikes kill Hamas leader Hamas said Salah Bardawil, a well-known member of its political bureau, was killed in a strike in Muwasi that also killed his wife. Israel's military confirmed it. Hospitals in southern Gaza said they received a further 24 bodies from strikes overnight, including several women and children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gazas Health Ministry said 50,021 Palestinians have been killed in the war, including 673 people since Israel's bombardment on Tuesday shattered the ceasefire. Dr. Munir al-Boursh, the ministry's general director, said the dead include 15,613 children, with 872 of them under 1 year old. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up over half the dead. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 fighters, without providing evidence. Ceasefire in tatters The ceasefire that took hold in January paused more than a year of fighting ignited by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack into Israel, in which militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostage. Most captives have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the latest ceasefire's first phase, 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others were released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces allowed hundreds of thousands of people to return home. There was a surge in humanitarian aid until Israel cut off all supplies to Gaza earlier this month to pressure Hamas to change the ceasefire agreement. The sides were supposed to begin negotiations in early February on the ceasefire's next phase, in which Hamas was to release the remaining 59 hostages 35 of them believed to be dead in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. Those talks never began. New settlements in the West Bank Israels Cabinet passed a measure creating 13 new settlements in the occupied West Bank by rezoning existing ones, according to Bezalel Smotrich, Israels far-right finance minister, who is in charge of settlement construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This brings the number of settlements, considered illegal by the majority of the international community, to 140, said anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now. They will receive independent budgets from Israel and can elect their own local governments, the group said. ___ Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writers Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel, and Julia Frankel in Jerusalem contributed. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war An Israeli strike killed a notable Hamas official, according to The Associated Press. Salah Bardawil, a member of the Palestinian parliament and political bureau, was among a minimum of 26 killed in Israeli strikes in southern Gaza stretching from Saturday night into Sunday morning, the AP reported. The strike also killed Bardawils wife. The number of Palestinian deaths in Gaza since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas has risen to more than 50,000, Gazas Health Ministry said, coming after a ceasefire was ended last week by Israel via a stream of strikes, the AP reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to its military, Israel also recently launched strikes in retaliation against Lebanon during an unstable ceasefire with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah that came together last year. Earlier this week, Israel also went forward with a stream of deadly strikes aimed at Hamas in Gaza, which stopped a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said the attack that killed 400 Palestinians came after Hamass repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all of the proposals it has received from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and from the mediators. Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength, the prime ministers office also said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump also backed the earlier attack, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying the Israelis consulted with the White House before going forward with the action. 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 the presidents previous threats toward Hamas. The Associated Press contributed reporting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed at least seven people on Saturday, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, as the Israel Defense Forces responded to rocket launches from the south of the country toward Israel. The cross-border exchanges were the largest since a U.S.-brokered truce came into effect in November, ending more than a year of fighting between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia. A child was among the seven people killed by Israel's strikes, the Lebanese Health Ministry said. Another 40 people were injured, it added in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ministry reported Israeli strikes in at least seven areas of the country's south, where Hezbollah wields major influence. The coastal city of Tyre -- the country's fifth largest city -- was among the areas hit. Southern Lebanon was the location of much of Israel's recent air and ground campaign against Hezbollah, with parts of the capital Beirut also devastated. PHOTO: Damaged cars lie in a street following an Israeli strike that targeted a neighborhood in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on March 22, 2025. (Kawnat Haju/AFP via Getty Images) The IDF said its strikes were conducted in response to the launch of six rockets from Lebanon toward Israel on Saturday morning. "The IDF struck Hezbollah command centers, infrastructure sites, terrorists, rocket launchers and a weapons storage facility throughout Lebanon," the IDF said in a statement, adding it will "continue to strike as required in order to protect Israeli civilians." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Israeli official told ABC News that three of the six rockets fired crossed into Israeli territory. The official said Israel could not immediately confirm which group was responsible, though described the attack as "a serious violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon." Hezbollah denied responsibility for the rocket launches, suggesting that the "allegations are merely pretexts" for Israeli strikes on Lebanon, "which have not ceased since the ceasefire was announced." Israel has continued to launch strikes against what it says are Hezbollah targets inside Lebanon since the agreement was signed. "Hezbollah reiterates our commitment to the ceasefire agreement," the group's statement continued, framing the Israeli strikes as "dangerous" and an "escalation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Husam al-Titi, former ABC News journalist, killed in Gaza air strike Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that the IDF had been instructed "to act forcefully against dozens of terror targets in Lebanon." Lebanon's government, they added, will be held responsible for "everything taking place within its territory". Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in a statement that the army had been ordered to investigate the rocket launches and called for all parties to engage with the "utmost seriousness." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned that his country was at risk of being drawn into a "new war." PHOTO: Smoke billows from the site of Israeli artillery shelling that targeted the area of the southern Lebanese village of Yohmor on March 22, 2025. (Rabih Daher/AFP via Getty Images) Israeli troops are still present at five locations inside southern Lebanon despite the country's commitment to withdraw as part of the November ceasefire. Renewed Israel-Lebanese tensions come alongside the collapse of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza after nearly two months. As of Sunday, health officials in the Hamas-run territory said at least 673 people had been killed and 1,233 others wounded by renewed Israeli attacks. ABC News' Ghazi Balkiz, Anna Burd, Sami Zyara, Diaa Ostaz, Morgan Winsor and Victoria Beaule contributed to this report. Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill 7, officials say, as IDF threatens more attacks originally appeared on abcnews.go.com By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to separate 13 Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank from their neighbouring communities, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Sunday. The settlements will ultimately be recognised as independent, he posted on X about the move, which follows the approval of tens of thousands of housing units across the West Bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We continue to lead a revolution of normalisation and regulation in the settlements. Instead of hiding and apologising we raise the flag, build and settle. This is another important step on the path to actual sovereignty in Judea and Samaria," Smotrich said, using Israel's term for the West Bank. Israel's opposition to ceding control of the West Bank has been deepened by its fears of a repeat of the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas-led militants. Its military says it is conducting counter-terrorism operations in the West Bank and targeting suspected militants. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry criticised the approval of the separation of the neighbourhoods and their recognition as independent settlements as disregarding international legitimacy and resolutions. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group governing Gaza, condemned the move in the West Bank, describing it as a "desperate attempt to impose realities on the ground and consolidate colonial occupation on Palestinian lands". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, land Israel captured in 1967 during the six-day war. Most countries consider Israel's settlements on territory seized in the war to be illegal. Israel disputes this, citing historical and biblical ties to the land. Israel's pro-settler politicians have been emboldened by the return to the White House of U.S. President Donald Trump. Smotrich, head of the far-right Religious Zionism party and a key partner in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition, has for years called for Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank. He noted that until now the 13 settlements were formally considered part of their parent communities, in some cases for decades, which he said caused significant difficulties in their daily management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Recognising each of them as an independent settlement is an important step that will greatly assist in their advancement and development," Smotrich said. (Reporting by Steven Scheer; Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta; Editing by William Mallard) The mayor of Istanbul has been charged with criminal acts and stripped of his duties in a government crackdown that has sparked heavy clashes with Turkish riot police. Ekrem Imamoglus detention is largely seen as an attempt by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, to block him from power and has led to the countrys worst street protests in over a decade. The arrest came as voters cast their ballots in a primary to name Mr Imamoglu the opposition CHP partys candidate for the 2028 presidential race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He would have run against Mr Erdogan who has held office for 22 years as both Prime Minister and President and polls suggest he could have beaten the incumbent in national elections, which must be held by 2028. On Sunday, Mr Imamoglu called on the Turkish people to hold mass demonstrations across the country against his detention. We wont give in to despair, insisted 38-year-old Aslihan, referring to the massive protests sweeping across the country. She was waiting in line to vote in a long-planned primary organised by the main opposition CHP to choose Mr Imamoglu as its presidential candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polling stations opened at 8:00am and voters of all ages began flocking to vote at 5,600 ballot boxes installed across 81 cities. The CHP said millions had turned out, pushing to extend the closing time from 5:00pm to 8:30pm due to overwhelming turnout. Riot police sprayed this protester in the face on Sunday night - Huseyin Aldemir This protester sat reading Erdogans book in front of riot police - ERDEM SAHIN Whenever theres a strong opponent [to Erdogan], they are always jailed, shrugged a 29-year-old voter called Ferhat, who like many, did not want to give his surname. There is a dictatorship in Turkey right now, nothing else, its politics in name only. X will always defend freedom of speech Faced with a mass opposition movement, Turkish authorities called for the closure of more than 700 accounts on X, Elon Musks online platform said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We object to multiple court orders from the Turkish Information and Communication Technologies Authority to block over 700 accounts of news organizations, journalists, political figures, students, and others within Turkiye, Xs communications team said in a statement. Providing a platform committed to defending everyones right to free speech is paramount at X, and we believe this decision from the Turkish government is not only unlawful, it hinders millions of Turkish users from news and political discourse in their country. We look forward to defending these principles through the legal system. X will always defend freedom of speech everywhere we operate, the company said. Mr Imamoglu said the legal process over his detention was a complete extrajudicial execution which meant a betrayal against Turkey. He was detained in connection with two probes alleging graft and aiding a terror organisation accusations which, on Saturday, he told police were immoral and baseless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move against him first sparked protests in Istanbul on Wednesday. They have since spread to more than 55 of Turkeys 81 provinces, unleashing running battles with police, who arrested 323 people overnight Saturday, officials said. A protester approaches City Hall in Istanbul to show support for the detained mayor - KEMAL ASLAN/AFP By Sunday, terror charges against Mr Imamoglu had been dropped and he was formally accused with establishing and managing a criminal organisation, taking bribes, extortion, unlawfully recording personal data and rigging a tender. A court ruled that he be jailed without bail, pending a trial. Calling his arrest a black stain on democracy, Mr Imamoglu urged supporters to join protests on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demonstrations continued for a fifth night late on Sunday, with photographs from the scene showing police using pepper spray and tear gas, and holding riot shields, as they confronted crowds in Istanbul. There were reports demonstrators had also thrown stones at police and let of flares. Police sprayed tear gas at protesters on Sunday night - ADEM ALTAN Mr Imamoglus CHP party said nearly 15 million people cast a ballot on Sunday. Polls opened at 8:00 am Sunday (0500 GMT) with 5,600 ballot boxes in 81 cities. The CHP said the vote was open to everyone, not just members, in the hope of a massive show of support for Mr Imamoglu. I invite our nation... to the ballot box. We are casting our vote to support president Ekrem: for democracy, justice and the future, said Dilek Kaya Imamoglu, his wife, on X, shortly after voting with Selim, their son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are not afraid and we will never give up. Police have resorted to pepper spray to fight back protesters - Umit Bektas/Reuters Earlier, Ozgur Ozel, opposition leader and CHP head, said he and the mayors wife had been allowed to spend five minutes with Mr Imamoglu after the prosecution ended its all-night interrogation, saying he was in good spirits. He said this process had led to a great awakening for Turkey which he was happy about, said Mr Ozel, who put turnout at the Istanbul protest on Saturday at more than half a million. You will not silence us Riot police used rubber bullets, pepper spray and percussion grenades on the Istanbul protesters, forcing those who could to take refuge inside City Hall building, an AFP correspondent said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the capital Ankara, riot police used water cannons to push back protesters, while in the western coastal city of Izmir police blocked a student march headed towards the local offices of the ruling AKP party. Dictators are cowards! and AKP, you will not silence us! read some protesters placards. The nightly protests began shortly after Mr Imamoglu was taken to the courthouse to answer prosecutors questions in the two investigations. Police used rubber bullets and pepper spray on the Istanbul protesters - Kemal Aslan/AFP The first interrogation began at 7:30pm, ending around midnight, with the second starting shortly after and ending at about 7:30am, media reports and his legal team said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police set up a tight security cordon around the courthouse, where around 1,000 protesters stood nearby shouting slogans, AFP said. Turkish lira slides On Saturday, the 53-year-old mayor denied the charges against him, telling police his arrest had done untold damage to Turkeys image, in a statement released by City Hall. Protesters are taking to the streets for Ekrem Imamoglu - Burak Kara/Getty Images This process has not only harmed Turkeys international reputation but has also shattered the publics sense of justice and trust in the economy, he said. The move against him badly hurt the lira and caused chaos in Turkeys financial markets, with the benchmark BIST 100 index closing Friday nearly eight per cent lower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are here today to stand up for the candidate we voted for, Aykut Cenk, 30, told AFP outside the court, holding a Turkish flag. We are not the enemy of the state, but what is happening is unlawful. The unrest has spread rapidly despite a protest ban in Turkeys three largest cities and a warning from Mr Erdogan that the authorities would not tolerate street terror. 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. Italian authorities have frozen talks with SpaceX to obtain Starlink access, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in a wide-ranging interview with Italian media outlet La Repubblica released on March 22. European officials have repeatedly decried U.S. billionaire Elon Musk for inflammatory remarks about Ukraine and Europe. European officials previously clashed with Musk over concerns that Starlink access could be cut off in Ukraine. Earlier this year, the Italian government explored the possibility of an agreement with Starlink, but opposition officials denounced the idea of a contract with Musk, citing his comments on Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It seems to me that everything has stopped ... the topic has moved from Starlink to the statements of and about the person," Crosetto said. Negotiations are on hold for now, he said, and Italy will focus on what is "useful and safe" for the country in its defense contracts. Authorities in Italy are currently not working on a contract with Starlink but will consider it in the future, Crosetto said. "The technical plan is not being discussed. When the controversy and the times have calmed down, there will be a technical approach." European officials voiced concern Starlink could cut off Ukraine's access to its internet service, following media reports that the U.S. had threatened to terminate Starlink service in order to pressure Kyiv to sign a minerals deal with Washington. Starlink internet access is crucial to Ukraine's battlefield communications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk and top White House officials clashed with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski over the legitimacy of such concerns on March 9. Musk denied Starlink access could be cut off in Ukraine following backlash from Ukraine's allies. "To be extremely clear, no matter how much I disagree with the Ukraine policy, Starlink will never turn off its terminals," Musk said on March 9. Read also: Exposed: The Stop Zelensky protesters sowing Russian disinfo across Europe Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Mar. 22MITCHELL Jobs for America's Graduates South Dakota held its annual Career Development Conference in Mitchell on March 11 on the campus of Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell. The conference hosted 230 JAG-SD students from across South Dakota. Students competed in competitions that showcased skills that will serve them well into adulthood. Competition categories were based on the six JAG core skills that form the backbone of the JAG program: career development, job attainment, job survival, basic skills, leadership and self-development and personal skills. Volunteers from the surrounding communities and the South Dakota Department of Education were on hand to serve as judges for competitions and to provide feedback for the students. The DOE will continue its commitment to supporting JAG-SD students as they compete at the JAG-National Career Development Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 24-26. Students who received medals in each category will be eligible to compete at the national level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First place winners in each category are: * Maggie Lingemann, Lyman High School, employability skills * Mia Ohayon, Roosevelt High School, Sioux Falls, financial literacy * Addy Moran, Lane Olivier, Kori Hanson, Lyman High School, knowledge bowl * Memphis Choal, Lyman High School, prepared speaking * Sha'Vell O'Dell, Arriyyon O'Dell, Charlotte Selemani, Jasaya Pinckney, Roosevelt High School, Sioux Falls, project-based learning After the competition portion of the conference, students selected the JAG-SD state officers for 2025. Those elected are: * State President: Hayden Wren, Wagner High School; Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * State Secretary: Catelyn Fry, Bennett County High School; * State Parliamentarian: Marlee Wells, Lyman High School; * School Representative A: Briley Oldenkamp, Lyman High School; and * School Representative B: Mariska Parkhurst-Barahona, Todd County High School. Beth Schneider, the state director for JAG-SD, congratulated the new state officers, and thanked outgoing officers for their dedication in 2024. She also recognized school staff members for making JAG-SD a success. "We want to recognize the specialists, mentors, and supporters who have guided and encouraged these and all of our students along the way your dedication makes these achievements possible," Schneider said. The wife of US vice-president JD Vance will visit Greenland this week as Donald Trump continues his campaign to acquire the island. Usha Vance will join a delegation of several senior Trump administration officials travelling to the island on Thursday. Mike Waltz, the US national security adviser, will join the second lady in what has been billed as a private visit, the Financial Times reported. Credit: X/@RapidResponse47 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Usha Vance will travel to Greenland with her son and a United States delegation to visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersua, Greenlands national dogsled race, the White House said. Mrs Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity, it added. Since returning to office, Mr Trump has insisted he wants the US to take over Greenland and even refused to rule out the use of force to get it. The strategically located Arctic island, which is rich in mineral resources, is vital to international security, the US president has argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked by White House reporters earlier this month about taking over the island, Mr Trump said: I think it will happen. Mrs Vances visit comes after Donald Trump Jr toured Greenland in January on a personal day trip. According to polls, most Greenlanders support independence from Denmark but not annexation by Washington. During his first term in power, Mr Trump raised the idea of buying Greenland from Denmark but officials from both territories said it was not for sale. Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, said on Sunday the visit cannot be seen independently of the public statements that have been made by Mr Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to work with the Americans, Mr Frederiksen told the Sermitsiaq newspaper. But it must and shall be a cooperation based on the fundamental values of sovereignty and respect between countries and peoples. This is something we take seriously, she said. The dialogue with the United States regarding Greenland will take place in close coordination between the Danish government and the future Greenlandic government. 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. Jessica Aber, a career federal prosecutor, was found dead at her home in Alexandria, Virginia, Saturday morning but the circumstances of her death remain unclear. Aber, 43, rose to prominence as a top U.S. attorney in Virginia, overseeing important legal cases for the Justice Department, including those securing convictions for an MS-13 gang leader, the former governor of Virginia and more. She also helped in investigations against Russians accused of conspiracy and fraud. Aber also oversaw the prosecution of man who helped Israeli citizens enter the U.S. without proper visas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was appointed to oversee the Virginia district by then-president Joe Biden. Aber resigned from her position as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia as President Donald Trump took office. Jessica Aber, 43, was found dead at her home in Virginia on Saturday morning. Police have yet to say how she died (Getty Images) Two months later, police were called to Abers home shortly after 9 a.m. where authorities found her deceased. Her death is under investigation and will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia, the Alexandria Police Department said. Heres are details about Abers life and some of the top cases she oversaw: Who was Jessica Aber? Aber spent most of her life in Virginia and obtained her bachelor's from the University of Richmond and her law degree from the William & Mary Law School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She began her career in the Eastern District of Virginia in 2009, serving as an assistant U.S. attorney before becoming counsel to the assistant attorney general for the criminal division in 2015. One year later, she became deputy chief of the criminal division for the district court. In 2021, Aber became the third woman to be confirmed to lead the Eastern District of Virginias office after being nominated by Biden. Colleagues described Aber as an unmatched leader who was deeply committed to seeking justice. Some told the Washington Post she was detail-oriented and often sat in the courtroom gallery for major trials or hearings. Aber was dedicated to restoring public trust in law enforcement, so much so that she logged more than 50,000 miles driving her Hyundai across Virginia to speak with people in communities we were disgruntled with law enforcement, she told the Washington Post. What cases did Jessica Aber work on? Having spent much of her career working in an area of the U.S. home to some of the most important federal agencies, Aber handled cases prosecuting violent crimes, child exploitation cases, financial fraud, cyber crimes and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of Abers cases involved foreign entities, whether it be individuals, companies or organizations. In October, Aber and her staff secured a criminal conviction against a former MS-13 gang member for his role in the gangs criminal enterprise that resulted in the killing of six people. Aber was an appointee of Joe Biden and resigned before Donald Trump too office (U.S. Attorneys Office) At the time of the conviction, Aber said the gangs deadly activities including flooding the streets with narcotics and committing brutal murders will not go unchecked and promised to give her full attention and resources to address the crimes. In coordination with the Department of State and Treasury, Aber and her office brought an indictment against a Russian national for his alleged involvement in multiple money laundering schemes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Aber helped secure a guilty plea in a corporate espionage case involving Siemens Energy Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of the German conglomerate Siemens Energy AG. Aber and her office also obtained a guilty plea from an Israeli national for his alleged role in facilitating the illegal entry, harboring and transportation of a noncitizen to the U.S. What have people said about Jessica Aber? Attorney General Pam Bondi released a public statement acknowledging Abers death on Saturday, calling it deeply tragic. The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time, Bondi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Attorney Erik Seibert, who currently heads the Eastern District of Virginia, said in a statement that he was heartbroken beyond words to learn of Abers passing, She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being. We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world. Her professionalism, grace, and legal acumen set the standard, Seibert said. Statement from U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert on the passing of U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber pic.twitter.com/JfozwSguaQ U.S. Attorney EDVA (@EDVAnews) March 22, 2025 District Judge M. Hannah Lauck, who Aber clerked for, said Aber was brilliant and a gold soul. Jess was brilliant, but far more important was her sense for justice, her humanity and her ability to change the world in a positive way even during her brief time with us, Lauck said. My clerk family has lost its rock, and I have lost a friend. She was a gold soul and I am proud to have known her. For more from Ross Coulthart on the JFK assassination and other stories the media is supposedly not meant to tell, watch his series, Reality Check, on YouTube now. (NewsNation) The newly declassified documents from the John F. Kennedy assassination files have shed light on David Lamar Christ, an American intelligence operative imprisoned in Cuba during the 1960s whose case raised significant national security concerns. According to the files, Christ was involved in Operation Palladium, a covert American program designed to spoof unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) in Soviet airspace. The operation aimed to create false radar readings that would lead Soviet defense systems to dismiss actual threats as phantom readings in the event of a genuine American strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Australian intelligence official Geoff Cruickshank, who analyzed the recently released documents, confirmed that the declassified National Security Council notes reveal U.S. authorities were actively planning to break Christ out of Cuban captivity. What JFK files have been released, and what have we learned? American officials were concerned that under torture or interrogation, Christ might reveal sensitive details about Operation Palladium to the Soviets. They were trying to break him out, Cruickshank told NewsNation. The documents suggest a possible connection between Christs imprisonment and the Bay of Pigs invasion, with Cruickshank noting that a lot of people have thought that maybe the Bay of Pigs was actually a cover for the jailbreak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuban authorities apparently anticipated such a rescue attempt. Declassified: The JFK Assassination According to Cruickshank, they had lined the Isle of Pines prison with explosives to prevent a jailbreak, prepared to blow it up and kill Christ and everyone with him, if necessary. The newly declassified files also indicate that Kennedy had concerns about anomalous objects detected during American thermonuclear weapons tests in the Pacific. Kennedy reportedly worried these phenomena might be misinterpreted by the Soviets as signs of an impending American attack. Cruickshank said he believes now is the perfect time for the CIA to be fully transparent, otherwise it could be a slow-moving trainwreck for them for months. 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. Lisa Hippes nightmare started on March 5 with a FRAUD ALERT text from Chase Security asking whether she had charged $727.34 at Target. It said reply Yes or No, and of course I said No, said Hippe, 61, of Centerville. Other texts followed, and then a phone call from a man claiming to be from Huntington Bank, her longtime bank. The caller, who knew Hippes name, address and account numbers, said he was a fraud investigator at Huntington. The man, who said his name was Michael Freeman, said that her five accounts at the bank had been compromised and that somebody was trying to wire $33,000 out of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said, What we need to do is to get all of your money out of the bank and get it loaded onto a card so it will be safe, she said. But a major snowstorm had occurred that day, and Hippe told the man she wasnt going to leave her house. I mean, Im a Minnesotan and whatever, but Im like, No, Im not going anywhere. Its going to have to be tomorrow, she said. At 10 a.m. the next day, March 6, the man called again and said scammers were now trying to wire $10,000 out of her accounts. He said, OK, this is what were going to do, she said. You need to go to the bank right now. He had me really scared. The caller said Huntington officials were setting up a safe account for her at Chase Bank. He then added a new Chase debit card to her Apple Wallet on her iPhone, and then told her to withdraw all her cash from Huntington $44,000 and deposit it into the Chase account through an ATM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said they were doing an investigation, and they thought it was possibly an inside job that employees were transferring peoples monies out after they deposited them, she said. He said, So this is the plan: When you get to the parking lot, youve got to let me know, so that I can unfreeze your accounts because right now your accounts are frozen. He said that my username and password and everything was locked up at that point, so I could not go online to look to see what was going on. He told me to keep him on the phone and take my phone into the bank so he could listen. He also said that there was an undercover cop inside the bank, just kind of hanging out, but to pretend not to see him. If the teller at the Maplewood branch were to ask why she was taking all that money out, Hippe was to say it was for personal reasons, she said. The teller never asked, and Hippe withdrew $20,000 in cash which the man told her was the limit that she could withdraw from one bank branch in a day. When Hippe got back to her car, the man told her to drive to the Huntington Bank branch on Fifth Street in White Bear Lake. There, she attempted to withdraw $24,000 the total amount left in her five accounts and the two accounts belonging to her and husband Teds only child, Jasmine Hippe, which were linked to Lisa Hippes accounts. Jasmine Hippe, who lives in Ojai, Calif., lost $12,000 in the scam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teller in White Bear Lake wouldnt initially let Lisa Hippe withdraw any money because Hippe had recently applied for her Real ID, and had holes punched in her drivers license. She had left the accompanying paper document at home, she said. I didnt have that when I went to Maplewood, and the teller there did not question it at all, she said. But when I went to White Bear, she questioned it. So then Im like, Crap. I had to go all the way home and get that piece of paper. She returned and withdrew the remaining $24,000. The man then directed her to the Chase Bank on White Bear Avenue in Maplewood. He gave her a code to enter into the ATM and had Hippe tap her iPhone on the pad. She then fed $44,000 in cash into the machine, which takes stacks of 150 bills at a time, she said. Stripped and violated By the time Hippe realized something was wrong, it was too late the money was gone, and nothing could be done to recover it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he was having the receipts emailed, but I didnt even put my email in there, she said. I dont know where these receipts were going. I had this whole list of questions. When I got home from doing all this, I made a list of questions like, I need the whole card number, I need a card for my husband, I need a PIN number. I was still just sucked into this and not realizing what happened until Jasmine called me in tears, telling me that all of her money was gone. And then it was just like somebody hit me over the head with a mallet. Two weeks later, Hippe said she still feels stripped and violated. Im just non-trusting of anybody at this point, she said. I am scared to do anything online. I mean, we opened up a new account at a new bank, and I kept pushing them. Im like, OK, so you are sure this is safe? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she is embarrassed to admit that she never questioned what the man was telling her. Unfortunately, its just the opposite, she said. He made me feel comfortable with him. He made me feel like he was truly helping me. I felt like I was in an FBI sting with him. God, I even told him that. I was with this guy probably for five hours that day. I still blame myself because I was sucked in. Related Articles I feel like sometimes Im a little gullible, and Im just too trusting of people, said Hippe, the former manager of Keys Cafe in Forest Lake. I choose to see the good in people. I know there are a lot of bad people out there, but I know there are good people out there, too. The day after Hippe was scammed, she and husband Ted each received a letter from Change Healthcare saying a massive cyberattack at the company, a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary, might have involved their data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont ignore those data-breach letters, people, she said. Stay alert. Change your passwords. I think that somebody took my information, and its out there on the dark web. Somebody sold it to somebody, and I believe thats how they got it. Im so afraid that this is not finished. Evolving tactics The Maplewood Police Department is investigating, but officials at Huntington and Chase have told Hippe that there isnt anything the banks can do. A spokesman for Huntington National Bank said Wednesday that he could not comment on a specific customers account, but said the company takes allegations of fraud seriously and conducts a thorough review. We remain committed to educating customers on safeguarding their finances and recognizing scams, said Kris Dahl, vice president of regional communications. Fraudsters continually evolve their tactics, often using sophisticated methods to deceive individuals. Huntington Bank provides resources to help customers identify and prevent fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maplewood police Detective Derek Fritze said the area code of the mans phone number, 863, serves south-central Florida, including cities like Lakeland, Winter Haven and Sebring, but that he could have been calling from anywhere. They can easily spoof the number, he said, referring to the practice of scammers disguising a phone number to convince a victim they are interacting with a trusted source. Its getting out of hand. Fritze said Maplewood police are currently investigating more than 15 scam reports with losses ranging from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The scams are getting more difficult to figure out, and theyre always changing, he said. By the time we figure something out, it just gets changed into something else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, he said, most of the money lost in scams is not recovered. Fritze said he and another Maplewood investigator often give educational presentations about scams and how they work. What were finding is that what gets the best result is just to educate people about whats out there, he said. So when something comes up, they can say, Oh wait, I heard this was a scam. A plea to help and to heed Jasmine Hippe has started a GoFundMe online fundraiser for her parents (gofund.me/a0bd1f85). On March 6, scammers drained my parents bank accounts, stealing their entire savings over $40,000 and leaving them with nothing to cover their basic needs, Jasmine Hippe wrote. Now, they are struggling to pay their bills, feed themselves and their two dogs, afford gas and cover essential health expenses all with just the few hundred they had in cash at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ted Hippe, a printing pressman, works overtime each week to support them both, hoping to retire in a few years, she wrote. But now, with their entire savings stolen, I fear that may not be possible. Jasmine Hippe said it was heartbreaking that bank tellers did not flag this transaction as suspicious. Had Lisa Hippe transferred the money to a different account, rather than withdraw it in cash, bank officials might have been able to stop it after the fact, Jasmine Hippe said. Because she took out cash and then brought it to an ATM, there was nothing that either bank could do for us. Im sharing their story not only to seek help for my parents but also to warn others, Jasmine Hippe wrote in her GoFundMe post. Please talk to your parents and grandparents about phone and text scams. Warn them never to trust unexpected calls from banks, never to withdraw or transfer money under pressure, and always verify with their bank directly. Since sharing her parents story, Jasmine Hippe said has heard from many people who have received phone calls like this or almost fell for scams like this. It seems as if theyre targeting a lot of people 60 years old and older. The man on the phone with Lisa Hippe even warned her about sharing information over the phone, she said. He said, You know scammers can get your information, so be careful,' Jasmine Hippe said. They build that trust, and then theyre creating that sense of fear and urgency of, like, Theyre taking more money. Theyre taking more money, and you need to act now. These people just get locked in, and its like your critical-thinking abilities shut down because youre in that state of fear and almost panic. Its really sad. What really breaks Jasmine Hippes heart is that her mother mentioned the first call from the scammer to her when they talked on the phone that night. Related Articles We all kind of pushed for more information, like, Thats weird that they would send you to Chase Bank, but she told us that she was going to Huntington the next day to talk to somebody, so I thought, OK, well, shes going to talk to a teller, and shes in good hands,' she said. We didnt realize she was being scammed. Lisa Hippe said she wanted to share her story publicly as a warning to others. I want people to know that they have to stay vigilant, she said. I just dont want this to happen to anybody else, and I know it will, but if I can help in any way to bring awareness to what is happening, I am willing to do that. I dont know if I am ever going to get back the feeling that I had before this that feeling of being safe and secure in my life. He knocked that out of me. Maybe forever. SCRANTON The Lackawanna County District Attorneys Office announced Saturday that a 17-year-old juvenile male was arrested and charged with possessing multiple dangerous and altered automatic weapons, as well as dealing fentanyl. There is an alarming increase in firearm offenses committed by minors, particularly those involving the illegal modification of semiautomatic weapons into fully automatic firearms using Glock switches, said District Attorney Brian J. Gallagher. This is not a trend we will tolerate. According to Gallagher, after purchasing fentanyl from the juveniles home in the 900 block Prescott Avenue in Scranton, law enforcement conducted a search warrant and found two Glock handguns loaded with a drum/extended magazine, one Draco AK-47 style firearm with a loaded magazine and a Taurus handgun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guns and other contraband confiscated during an arrest Friday evening. (SUBMITTED) Both Glock 9mm handguns had been modified to fire as fully automatic weapons with a single pull of the trigger. Law enforcement also found approximately 300 rounds of ammunition, a quantity of fentanyl pills and a digital scale, Gallagher said in a release. The juvenile was arrested and charged with numerous felony and misdemeanor weapons and drug-related charges. This case represents law enforcements shared mission to investigate, arrest, prosecute, and remove individuals from our community who are harming our neighborhoods with drugs and illegal firearms, Gallagher said. The surge in firearm offenses by minors, especially those involving the illegal conversion of weapons to fully automatic firearms, will be met with unwavering and aggressive law enforcement action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallagher applauded the collaborative efforts of Lackawanna County Detectives, Scranton Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police Troop R Vice Unit, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office Gun Violence Section. Following his arrest, the juvenile was incarcerated at a juvenile detention facility. The District Attorneys Office does not identify juvenile defendants in accordance with the law. SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A juvenile was arrested in Lackawanna County on multiple drug and weapons charges. According to the Lackawanna County District Attorneys Office, a 17-year-old male juvenile was arrested after allegedly possessing multiple altered automatic weapons and fentanyl. According to District Attorney Brian Gallagher, an undercover law enforcement agent purchased fentanyl from the juveniles home on the 900 block of Prescott Avenue. Credit: Lackawanna County District Attorneys Office Officials then conducted a search warrant and allegedly found two Glock 9mm handguns loaded with a drum/extended magazine, one Draco AK-47 style firearm with a loaded magazine, and one Taurus handgun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement also found around 300 rounds of ammunition, fentanyl pills, and a digital scale. The release states that both Glock 9mm handguns allegedly had been modified to fire as fully automatic weapons with a single pull of the trigger. Two arrested, facing charges after alleged home invasions There is an alarming increase in firearm offenses committed by minors, particularly those involving the illegal modification of semiautomatic weapons into fully automatic firearms using Glock switches, said District Attorney Brian J. Gallagher. This is not a trend we will tolerate. We are working with our state and federal partners to implement heightened investigative strategies and will not rest until we remove this threat from our streets and bring this those responsible to justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The District Attorney was assisted by Lackawanna County Detectives, the Scranton Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office Gun Violence Section. The juvenile was transported to a juvenile detention facility where he was incarcerated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS Have you received a text demanding payment for unpaid tolls? It just might be a smishing scam. On Friday, the Kansas Department of Transportation issued a warning to the public of an ongoing scam. The scheme involves sending a text regarding unpaid tolls and asking the potential victim to open a fraudulent link. According to the press release, KDOT does not collect tolls for road usage, and additionally, does not send unsolicited texts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: How to spot tax scams: BBB shares tips ahead of filing deadline A separate agency, the Kansas Turnpike Authority, is responsible for toll collection but be aware of any unsolicited messages asking you to click on untrustworthy links. Those who have received a smishing message or have been the attempted target of a related scam can file a complaint with the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center, 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Mar. 23Indiana Borough police arrested a New Kensington man accused of assault and making terroristic threats while displaying a gun Saturday evening during the IUPatty's student celebration held annually in the community. Police said Adisun Lee Jackson, 22, who is not a student at local Indiana University of Pennsylvania, refused to leave a residence in the 200 block of Indiana's South Seventh Street and displayed a firearm in his waistband during an argument on the rear porch of the apartment. Jackson, who has a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon, made hand gestures imitating a shooting, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one was injured in the incident reported shortly after 5:30 p.m. Police seized Jackson's handgun and charged him with terroristic threats, simple assault and criminal trespass. He was placed in the Indiana County Jail pending arraignment. IUPatty's is a student-organized weekend event not sanctioned by the university. It triggers increased vigilance by local first responders. State police at the Indiana County barracks said they planned to boost traffic and DUI enforcement and roving patrols. Between 7 a.m. Friday and 7 a.m. Saturday, borough police arrested two IUP students for violating a noise ordinance for loud gatherings. They arrested five non-students for various violations, including a female suspect charged with kicking and spitting on officers during an arrest for public drunkenness and underage drinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IUPatty's has been a sore spot among many in the community. In 2023, 12 people were hurt when a second-story floor of an apartment collapsed during an IUPatty's party in White Township, near but not on the university campus. Five people were treated at the scene and seven others were taken by ambulance for hospital treatment. Other past incidents have included: IUPatty's 2017: A man died and a woman was in critical condition following two shootings that police said were unrelated. Police arrested two suspects in the shootings, which occurred near the IUP campus. IUPatty's 2014: Hundreds of college-age partiers fueled by alcohol estimated to be more than 400 packed South Seventh Street, where revelers taunted police and got into brawls that were videotaped and later posted online. Officials said many of those who caused problems were not university students. Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com. This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. A century ago, in 1925, the Ku Klux Klan came to Washington, D.C. The Klansmen had arrived in early August: the Kleagles and Dragons and Exalted Cyclopes, regalia folded and packed, families in tow. Loyal men came from the South, as expected, but that was not where the groups true strength lay. The Invisible Empire sent agents from all four corners, from New Jersey and Ohio and California and pretty much everywhere else. An all-woman Klan band arrived from Cumberland, Maryland. A marching troupe paraded in from Fort Worth, Texas. Caravans of cars choked the highways heading into Washington, D.C., and specially chartered trains full of Klansmen spat out wave after wave of people into Union Station. Steamboats ferried groups up the Potomac from Virginia. The hordes of loyal Knights camped in Bethesda, Maryland, or at the crossroads of 15th and H Streets Northeast, in D.C., or across the river at the horse-show grounds. They crashed in boardinghouses and in hotels and with friends. In all, the members and their retinue numbered at least 30,000, not counting the horses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They would march that weekend. There was talk that the New Jersey contingent had hired a plane that would fly a giant illuminated cross over the city, like a sign of some perverse providence. But as it turned out, that was just talk. The Klan had been preparing for some time. The organization was not very tight-knit, and the planning was fractious. Hiram Wesley Evansthe groups national leader, known as the Imperial Wizardhad originally discouraged the event, but hed eventually relented to local members in D.C. Hed lived in Texas, where hed personally overseen racial terror and violence. Hed been present in 1921 when Klansmen in Dallas abducted Alex Johnson, a Black bellhop, and flogged the man and branded his forehead with acid, after Johnson was allegedly found in a white womans hotel room. But now, with the Klan reaching for a new level of national legitimacy, Evans found it useful for the group to avow a more moderateor at least less overtly violentplatform. If the Klan was to march through the nations capital, it would request the proper permissions and allow police oversight. The D.C. march was supposed to be peaceful: no vulgarity, no fights, no brandings, no lynchings. The Klan wanted to appeal to American patriotism and dazzle onlookers with its showmanshipthis was to be a pageant, not a pogrom. Even so, many residents of D.C. were not so easily sold. The federal bureaucracy had become the beginnings of a multicultural haven, providing jobs that helped build a Black middle class and opening up roles to Jews and Catholics. This was a city whose architecture bore the handprints of slaves, and where cathedrals would soon dot the stunted skyscape. The citys ethnic and religious minorities understood well that no matter how much the Klan polished its image, its swords still cut. Sales of guns in the District soared, and newspapers reported that the negroes were arming and awaiting eventualities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other groups appealed to President Calvin Coolidge to stop the march, but to no avail. Klan leaders in D.C. plannedperhaps hopedfor confrontation, and the city sent out its entire police force and mobilized Marines from Quantico. But on the day of the event, white reporters said they could barely find any spectators from the supposed lesser race and figured they were hiding. One Black newspaper told a different story, of Black people going about their day as normal, peering at the commotion with amused contempt. The sky was heavy on the afternoon of the demonstration. Storm clouds were gathering. But the Klansmen carried on with confidence; the winds had been blowing in their favor for years. A decade prior, D. W. Griffiths The Birth of a Nation had become the countrys first blockbuster. The silent picture had enjoyed screenings right here in Washington, D.C., both for President Woodrow Wilson and for other members of government. The films portrayal of the Lost Cause myth and of heroic avenging Klansmen had helped re-create the KKK, which had mostly dissolved in the 1870s. Hundreds of thousandsperhaps millionsof white Protestant men and women joined this new Klan in the following years, including Evans himself. Much of the country and the world was in a similar mood. The Red Summer of 1919, when anti-Black riots and massacres gripped dozens of cities, had come and gone, and the Black neighborhood of Greenwood, in Tulsa, had recently been burned. The Blackshirts paraded on Rome, and just a month before the Klans planned march, the first volume of a book called Mein Kampf began appearing on German bookshelves. The Scopes trial had just concluded; the Klan had been one of the early organizations calling for the inclusion of creationism in curricula. Still, even up to the last minute, there were factional disputes about whether to go on with the D.C. parade at all. Perhaps, after having gotten there with little opposition, with city officials helping and thick crowds of white spectators appearing, the coming march somehow felt too easy for Klan leaders, for whom membership had always been a thing to hide, if only for appearances sake. Maybe there were some in the ranks of the Empire whod expected to be shut downa grievance to add to the list. But the weather held, and the road beckoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The triumph began at the Peace Monument, a marble complex built to honor men whod served in the Union Navy during the Civil War. At its peak was an intricate white sculpture of a woman, referred to as Grief, crying on the shoulder of another, representing History. History held a tablet honoring the men whod given their lives for the Union: They died that their country might live. Statues of Peace and Victory flanked the monuments east and west faces, looking out to spaces where other features had been planned by the sculptors but never finished. On the morning of the march, men who bore the inheritance of Nathan Bedford Forrest, one of the most notorious Confederates, gathered below the monument to prepare. A color guard of robed men riding atop black horses and carrying a gorgeous American flag struck out first, reportedly the first time anybody had ever preceded the police escort in a Pennsylvania Avenue parade, according to The Washington Post. As Evans would later remark, the Klan always followed the flag. They followed the flag up Pennsylvania Avenue, the great road of democracy, in the direction of the White House. Side to side, covering the breadth of the avenue, men, women, and children marched, keeping their bared faces trained ahead. Many wore white hoods and robes, some with fringes and regalia colored brightly to mark various groups, orders, and ranks. Drummers and marshals helped them keep pace, and many Klans and auxiliaries put on special performances for the applauding crowd. Some participants marched with military precisionsome groups had dusted off actual kits from the Great War, and marched with their old comrades in arms. Groups of women and children marched. More than 100 attendees passed out from the sticky August heat, but the mood was otherwise exultant. The Klansmen sang hymns and marching songs. Behind men and banners that proclaimed white superiority, some bands played jazz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Above all, according to the Post, there was a profusion of flags. According to The Baltimore Sun, there were 900 or so large flags, the greatest number, perhaps, which were ever massed in a single spot. Many marchers carried and waved small American flags, while new Klans and regiments were announced by larger flags, held high. Many units marched with flags that were so comically gigantic that they could not be waved, and had to be carried horizontally by teams of marchers. One group of women carried a flag that could cover the foundation of a good-size house today; spectators threw money on it, netting the flag-bearers some $200. There was to be no mistaking it: These were the most American of Americans. Under Evans, their platform, succinctly, was Americanism. After about four hours, the march reached its end, under the stone obelisk dedicated to George Washington. Speakers held forth. The Grand Kleagle of the District of Columbia promised that the rain from the heavy clouds would not come; God had ordained it so. By the time A. H. Gulledge, an official orator for the Klan, took the stage, the ordination had evidently worn off. This is the proudest day of my life, Gulledge told the soaking crowd. I never dreamed it would come so soona day when so many native-born, gentile, white Protestant American citizens might march down Pennsylvania Avenue unharmed and unmolested. They had all come, Gulledge said, to renew our pledge of allegiance to the greatest government man ever built, a government that was finally allowing people like them their birthright freedom of speech. Gulledge refuted any claims of malice or hate on the Klans part, saying that his group just wanted to put an end to the mixing of racesa phenomenon that had caused only strife and the disinheritance of white Protestants. In this, his words encapsulated part of the brewing philosophy of Evans. We found our great cities and the control of much of our industry and commerce taken over by strangers, who stacked the cards of success and prosperity against us, Evans would write in the North American Review the next year. Shortly they came to dominate our government. Evans was skeptical of the assimilability of Jews, Catholics, and recent immigrants, and believed that Black people were simply naturally inferior to their white betters. Evans blamed Jews and Catholics for constantly criticizing that which was American. Nothing is immune, he wrote, our great men, our historic struggles and sacrifices, our customs and personal traits, our Puritan consciencesall have been scarified without mercy. Yet the least criticism of these same vitriolic critics or of their people brings howls of anti-Semitic or anti-Catholic. For him, the way forward would be Americanismfor real Americans to proudly wear their real Americanness, to claim their dominion, to find their forgotten greatness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next evening, the organizers held a Klan spiritual and burned a towering cross in Arlington, but most of the visitors had already gone home. The marchers had made their way back to Union Station. Night trains sped home in the darkness. A group of white-robed boys helped direct traffic out of the city. Klansmen went back to their lives as policemen, doctors, teachers, dentists, carpenters, politicians. When the next editions of newspapers arrived, many breathlessly covered the spectacle, estimating crowd sizes and marveling at the composure of the Klansmen. Black newspapers, however, played a different tune. According to The Washington Tribune, the march was huge but unimpressive, with apathetic spectators and little city enthusiasm. The Chicago Defender carried a brief blurb about the Klans gala day, but other events had pushed it below the fold: The front page centered the lynching of Walter Mitchell, a 33-year-old Black man in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, by a white mob. Mitchell had been falsely accused of accosting a young white woman, and the mob had rushed the jail, kidnapped him, paraded him through the streets, and hanged him from a tree. One headline was grim and sardonic: Missouri Carries Out American Democracy. Related: Here are three Sunday reads from The Atlantic: Photo Album Take a look at the view from Greenland, a self-ruling Danish territory that has recently undergone a national election, seen protests seeking autonomy from Denmark, and become a prominent target of President Donald Trumps. When you buy a book using a link in this newsletter, we receive a commission. Thank you for supporting The Atlantic. Article originally published at The Atlantic The Town of Essexs Development Review Board took up Amazons proposal to build a 107,00-square-foot distribution center off Kimo Drive at a public hearing Thursday. But, after a four-hour meeting marked by near-unanimous opposition from community members, the board opted not to put Amazons plans to a vote. Appearing by Zoom, a spokesperson for the development defended the proposal, saying Amazon is already a part of the community. Were already here, we already have customers, we already have businesses selling on amazon. com, the spokesperson said. This is kind of the final piece of that plywood to make sure that we can deliver the best service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the issues raised by opponents is what the facility would mean for other businesses. Its a threat to small businesses and workers that sustain our local economy, said one man who attended the meeting in person. We should not welcome a company that prioritizes profits over people. Heres what else to know about Amazons proposal: Where would it be built? Amazon has its eye on roughly 23 acres of woodland and meadow in the Saxon Hill Industrial Park. The site is bordered by undeveloped land on three sides and a solar array to the south. The review board approved a 5-lot subdivision of the land, which was once mined for sand and used as a tree farm, on March 6. What else would be on the site? The site plan includes parking lots for 211 cars and 271 delivery vans, as well as spaces for five trailers and five box trucks. The warehouse will have 11 loading docks. What about traffic? Access to the site will be via four driveways off Kimo Drive. One driveway at the northern end of the site will be lead to the loading docks. Workers inside will then sort the boxes for each route. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One parking lot just south of the warehouse is for employees and visitors. Tractor trailers and box trucks will enter the site on the north side of the warehouse via separate driveway. Van drivers are expected to make a total of 90 trips in the morning 46 vans in and 44 out; another 82 in the afternoon 55 in and 26 out, according to Amazons calculations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROBINSON CREEK, Ky. (FOX 56) Kentucky State Police (KSP) announced that a missing boy in Robinson Creek has been found. State police said Dewayne Salyers, 13, was found and is safe after going missing around 1 p.m. on Saturday. MISSING IN KENTUCKY He was described by law enforcement as 4 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 100 pounds, and with blonde hair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KSP said Dewayne was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, checkered jacket, black jeans, brown boots, and carrying a green backpack. Missing child found in Kentucky womans attic Anyone who may know where to find Dewayne is asked to contact troopers with Post 9 in Pikeville at (606) 433-7711. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Las Cruces Police and Fire departments and several community support organizations will host a Family Assistance and Resource Center for families and victims of the mass shooting at Young Park. UPDATE: 3rd suspect arrested in park shooting in Las Cruces The center will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 23 at the Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E. University Ave. Anybody affected by the incident is encouraged to attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resource center will feature crisis and spiritual counseling and will connect victims with local resources, according to a news release by Las Cruces Fire. Financial assistance will also be available. Dona Ana County: Resources available to help with aftermatch of 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 KTSM 9 News. LAS CRUCES Three people died and 15 others were injured in a mass shooting at a park in Las Cruces, officials said Saturday. Police and fire crews arrived at just after 10 p.m. Friday onto a chaotic scene at the citys Young Park, where an unauthorized car show had drawn about 200 people, police said during a news conference. Gunshot victims ranging in age from 16 to 36 were treated on the scene or sent to area hospitals. Between 50 and 60 shell casings all from handguns were found scattered across a wide swath of the large park, Police Chief Jeremy Story said, suggesting multiple shooters and multiple weapons within the two opposing groups. Several others were injured in the crossfire, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Las Cruces Fire Chief Michael Daniels said seven patients were treated at the scene, including two who died, and 11 others were sent to three local hospitals or to University Medical Center of El Paso, the regional trauma center. By Saturday, seven of the surviving victims were in El Paso, while four others had been treated and released and the four remaining victims conditions were not known, he said. Victims were sent to all three local hospitals, as well as to University Medical Center of El Paso, the regional trauma center, according to police and hospital officials. Of six patients who arrived at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces by ambulance and private car, five were sent to El Paso, said marketing and communications director Andrew Cummins. Authorities continued to solicit videos and other tips from those in attendance as they worked to identify a suspect or suspects who carried out the attack. This horrendous, senseless act is a stark reminder of the blatant disregard people in New Mexico have for the rule of law and order, Story said, vowing about the perpetrators to find each and every one of them, and we will. We will hold them accountable to the criminal justice system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who died were two 19-year-old men and a 16-year-old boy, police said. Their names and those of other victims were not yet being released. In a statement late Saturday morning, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said the shooting "underscore[s] the legislatures years-long failure to address the crime crisis shattering lives and communities in our state" and said lawmakers "should expect a special session to address our ongoing public safety crisis." "New Mexicans are heartbroken, and they should also be outraged that their legislature will adjourn today without having a passed a single bill to address juvenile crime or ban assault weapons," Lujan Grisham said. "Their inaction is appalling and unacceptable." In a letter to the governor released Saturday, House and Senate Republican leaders also called for a special session to address both crime and the state's shortage of health care providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "New Mexico is in crisis, and we cannot wait another day for reluctant legislators to take long-overdue action towards keeping our communities and neighborhoods safe from violent criminal behavior," they wrote. "Equally important, the Legislature's inability to lower malpractice insurance premiums, as well as provide incentives to both encourage health care providers to stay in our state and recruit medical professionals, especially in our rural areas, is unacceptable." "We sounded the alarm 12 days ago, all about the critical legislation to address crime and health care and that it was going nowhere. Unfortunately, nothing changed," House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, said at a news conference Saturday. "Republicans made attempt after attempt to pass meaningful crime legislation, but we were blocked at every turn," said House Minority Whip Alan Martinez, R-Bernalillo. "The biggest threat New Mexico is facing is violent juvenile offenders, and week after week, we see headlines that highlight the dangers in our communities. We must address this now." Democratic leaders were more skeptical about the usefulness of a special session: "Special sessions don't work if the bills aren't cooked," as Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, put it at a news conference Saturday afternoon marking the end of the session." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do think that calls for a special session at this point are premature," said House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque. "Obviously, the governor has the authority to call a special session, and if she does, then we'll all come to the table and see what we can work ahead of time. Sen. Joe Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, posted on X that "on the last day of our session I will drive home to share the shock and grief of my home community. And do so profoundly disappointed my House colleagues again failed to confront clear solutions including SB318," referring to a bill he sponsored to allow some lawsuits against gunmakers. Police were asking Saturday for bystanders to share videos and other tips as they continued to seek a suspect or suspects in the attack. In a post to Instagram on Saturday, Las Cruces City Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo expressed grief at the tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of me wanted to write that this is something you never really think this is going to happen in your city, but that actually feels deeply untrue, she wrote. Honestly now days a tragedy like this feels like a nightmare just waiting to come true at any possible moment, yet also always praying and hoping it never will. Las Cruces police said police and fire personnel are being assisted in their investigation by New Mexico State Police, the Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office, the FBI and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Last night, I sat on the floor of the Senate while texts and calls from all over the district including from the Las Cruces Police Chief poured in about what was happening," Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte, who represents part of the city, said in a statement. "There is no feeling like the helplessness you experience, even from the center of the Capitol building, when a tragedy like this strikes. Brantley said she was praying for the families of the victims and that the shooting was "another reminder that despite all of our progress on crime legislation, New Mexico criminals do not fear the strong arm of the law." Public safety legislation has been a major focus of the 2025 legislative session, which ends at noon Saturday, and many Republicans and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham have taken the Democratic majority to task for not doing more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we cannot feel safe in our parks where our kids, my kids, play there is a deep moral failing by our government to protect its citizens," Brantley said. "We must return to a place of safety and stop with the half-measures." Cervantes said on the Senate floor he hopes "we get a little bit beyond the now common refrain that thoughts and prayers are with folks." My heart goes out to the Las Cruces community and everyone who lost someone or has a loved one in the hospital because of this senseless mass shooting," Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland said in a statement. "Addressing gun violence is about safety and preventing crime. We must do everything we can to keep our communities safe." Lujan Grisham expressed condolences to the victims and said she was "mobilizing state resources to support local law enforcement in their investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The disturbing rise in violent crime in Las Cruces which has increased by 46 percent compared to last year demands immediate and sustained attention," she said. "This is not merely a statistic; these are our neighbors, our children, our future." This is a developing story and will be updated. Mar. 22SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Saturday excoriated lawmakers for not passing bills dealing with juvenile crime during this year's 60-day session, saying she would likely call the Legislature back for a special session in the wake of a shooting in Las Cruces that left multiple people dead. Describing herself as angry, frustrated and grieving, the governor eschewed the typical jubilant post-session news conference for a more somber event alongside Lt. Gov. Howie Morales. Lujan Grisham vowed to hold accountable the perpetrators of the late Friday shooting at a Las Cruces park that left three dead and at least 15 injured, but also criticized Democratic lawmakers for their response to legislation increasing criminal penalties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They promised a lot more in this session on public safety," Lujan Grisham told reporters. "The longer we wait, the more victims we have." "Accountability is missing in New Mexico and has been for quite some time," the governor later said. As for the timing of a special session, she said she had not decided for certain when she might call lawmakers back to Santa Fe. That decision will be made after taking time to process the Las Cruces tragedy and assist the families of victims, she said. Meanwhile, House and Senate Republicans also called Saturday on the governor to call a special session on violent crime and health care access, saying their proposals on the issues were rebuffed by Democrats during the session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Republicans made attempt after attempt to pass meaningful crime legislation, but we were blocked at every turn," House Minority Whip Alan Martinez, R-Bernalillo, said during a Saturday news conference. But top-ranking Democratic lawmakers said they had approved legislation aimed at addressing deeply rooted societal issues that contribute to juvenile crime. Specifically, House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, cited a bill creating an outside oversight office for New Mexico's troubled Children, Youth and Families Department. "You cannot talk about juvenile crime without ensuring that this state steps up and shows up for those children who are in situations where they are struggling," Martinez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said Democratic lawmakers had stood firm against proposals to lock up youthful defendants and treat them as if they were "disposable." As for the possibility of a special session, Martinez said legislators would try to work collaboratively if such a session is called. But he cautioned that rushing such a session without ample time for negotiations could lead to a "waste of taxpayer dollars" and a "waste of people's time." Special session could force tough votes The governor also called lawmakers back to Santa Fe last year for a special session focused on crime and public safety issues. But the Democratic-controlled Legislature largely rejected the governor's agenda, with lawmakers arguing the proposals had not been fully vetted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During this year's session, legislators moved quickly to pass a package of crime bills and an overhaul of New Mexico's mental health and substance abuse treatment system to the governor's desk shortly after the session's halfway point. "We kind of did two 30-day sessions back to back with our approach this year," Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, said shortly before lawmakers adjourned Saturday. But despite the urging of the governor, few public safety bills were approved during the final weeks of the session, as several bills dealing with juvenile crime either stalled or were voted down by lawmakers. A proposed assault weapon ban also died without a hearing in a Senate committee, though lawmakers did approve an expansion of the state's red flag gun law that Lujan Grisham is expected to sign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexico Chief Public Defender Ben Baur said Saturday there is no easy fix to issues such as easy access to firearms for juveniles. "The idea that legislators passing these laws is going to solve these social problems is, I think, putting too much faith in government," Baur told the Journal. He also said that increasing criminal penalties for youthful offenders would lead to increased incarceration rates, but not necessarily less crime. "Treating young children like adults and thinking that's going to solve our community problems is just wrong," Baur said. But the governor said New Mexico must take a different approach to the issue and disputed that supporters of get-tough laws are seeking to lock up youthful offenders for the rest of their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Wishing we didn't have a violent juvenile crime problem doesn't resolve a violent juvenile crime problem," Lujan Grisham said. Crime debate casts shadow on other action While she focused most of her post-session news conference on juvenile crime issues, Lujan Grisham also cited other bills passed by lawmakers during the session that began Jan. 21. She indicated she likely will sign a bill making it easier for New Mexico's 330,000 or so independent voters to cast ballots in primary elections, but expressed concern about a tax package that lawmakers approved during the session's final evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, most of the governor's remarks focused on public safety bills, as she said fewer than 10 of the 270 bills dealing with crime and penalties that were filed made it to her desk for final approval. The list of crime bills that were passed includes measures expanding New Mexico's anti-racketeering and embezzlement laws that Lujan Grisham said she had to lobby legislators to approve. "That's not how this should work if it's a shared priority," said the governor, who accused several Democratic committee chairs of bottling up crime-related legislation. "That's not typically what you need to do to move the needle." This year's session marked Lujan Grisham's last 60-day session as governor and possibly her last, best chance at getting the Legislature to approve her agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers will convene for a shorter 30-day session focused on budget issues next year, which will be the final year in the four-year term Lujan Grisham was elected to in 2022. But the governor said she's not done yet, hinting at the likely special session by saying, "We will do more, sooner rather than later." WASHINGTON (AP) The chairman of a prominent law firm who cut a deal with President Donald Trump last week to avert the consequences of a White House executive order told colleagues in an email Sunday that he did so because the order could easily have destroyed our firm and put it out of business. The message from Brad Karp offers the most detailed public explanation yet about the decision to make significant concessions to the White House in the face of an executive order that targeted his firm, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Garrison & Wharton. The order, the latest in a series of similar actions targeting law firms whose lawyers have performed legal work that Trump disagrees with, threatened the suspension of security clearances for Paul Weiss attorneys as well as the termination of any federal contracts involving the firm. It cited as an explanation the fact that a former Paul Weiss attorney, Mark Pomerantz, had been a central player in an investigation by the Manhattan district attorneys office into Trumps finances before Trump became president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday evening, though, Trump announced that he had rescinded the March 14 order following a White House meeting with Karp. The White House said the firm had agreed to dedicate $40 million worth of free legal services to support certain Trump administration agenda items, including on countering antisemitism; to conduct an audit of its hiring practices and not adopt, use, or pursue any DEI" policies; and to take on clients regardless of political affiliation. The resolution triggered an intense backlash within the legal community, with lawyers criticizing the firm for capitulating to Trump rather than standing up to him, particularly at a time when he's using the power of the presidency to threaten the livelihoods of attorneys and companies he believes have crossed him. The deal also reinforced Trump's recent success in extracting concessions from a broad swath of targets, in both academia and private industry, who have opted to compromise rather than fight. In an email to Paul Weiss employees obtained by The Associated Press, Karp described the order as having presented an existential crisis for the firm. He said it was very likely the firm would not have survived a protracted fight with the Trump administration. The executive order could easily have destroyed our firm, Karp wrote. It brought the full weight of the government down on our firm, our people, and our clients. In particular, it threatened our clients with the loss of their government contracts, and the loss of access to the government, if they continued to use the firm as their lawyers. And in an obvious effort to target all of you as well as the firm, it raised the specter that the government would not hire our employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karp wrote that the firm was initially prepared to challenge the executive order in court, something another law firm targeted with a Trump executive order, Perkins Coie, has done. Even as a team of attorneys prepared a complaint, he said, it became clear that, even if we were successful in initially enjoining the executive order in litigation, it would not solve the fundamental problem, which was that clients perceived our firm as being persona non grata with the Administration. He also said that the support he hoped the firm would receive from other law firms never materialized. Disappointingly, far from support, we learned that certain other firms were seeking to exploit our vulnerabilities by aggressively soliciting our clients and recruiting our attorneys, he wrote. Against that backdrop, when the firm learned that the administration might be willing to cut a deal, it sought to do so and negotiated a settlement in a matter of days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know many of you are uncomfortable that we entered into any sort of resolution at all. That is completely understandable, Karp wrote to his colleagues, adding that there was no right answer to the predicament in which we found ourselves. He added: It is very easy for commentators to judge our actions from the sidelines. But no one in the wider world can appreciate how stressful it is to confront an executive order like this until one is directed at you." The firm is one of numerous Trump targets that have recently reached agreements with the administration rather than further provoke the president's ire. On Friday, for instance, Columbia University agreed to put its Middle East studies department under new supervision and overhaul its rules for protests and student discipline, acquiescing to an ultimatum by the Trump administration to implement those changes or risk losing billions of dollars in federal funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meta and ABC made settlement payments to Trumps future presidential library to end lawsuits filed by Trump. Other tech and financial firms have publicly rolled back DEI programs in line with Trumps policy interests. ____ Associated Press writer Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report. Isaiah Stokes, who has had a long acting career with roles in major television shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Blue Bloods, among others, has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the 2021 murder of Tyrone Jones. Stokes was officially convicted of murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, as stated in an official press release from Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox Katz shared a statement about the decision, saying, "Justice has now been served for the premeditated murder perpetrated by this defendant and he will now spend 25 years to life in prison as a direct consequence of his criminal actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stokes was convicted of the charges earlier this month after a two-week trial. In a press release posted after the trial, Katz called the crime a "calculated murder," adding, "I thank our prosecutors and the NYPD detectives who built this case. The jury has now spoken, and the defendant faces up to 25 years to life at sentencing for his criminal actions. Jones was shot and killed in Queens, N.Y. on Feb. 7, 2021, with the press release saying, "The shooting is believed to have been retaliation for an altercation between the defendant and the victim at the victims birthday party in October 2020." Stokes has been a working actor since the mid-2000s, with his first official television job appearing in two episodes of Rescue Me in 2006. In 2009, he had a role in Law & Order: SVU, and over the years, he has had small parts in other TV staples like The Americans, Louie, and Blue Bloods. Next: Amanda Knox Has One Shot at Clearing Her Name 15 Years After Murder Conviction A federal lawsuit is pressing the Environmental Protection Agency to establish new water quality standards for a 38-mile stretch of the Delaware River, per NJ Spotlight News. It may be the thing that saves the Atlantic sturgeon from extinction. Wastewater treatment plants have been filling the river with ammonia for decades. This has resulted in dangerously low oxygen levels in the water, threatening not only the Atlantic sturgeon but several other native species. As egregious as that may sound, it doesn't violate the current legal standards. Those standards have stood still since 1967. For context, that's three years before the first Earth Day ignited the environmental movement in the United States. While we still have much work to do, many of today's environmental standards are far higher than they were during the Summer of Love. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network has been fighting to improve water quality standards with what many consider to be an overdue update. The environmental group's lawsuit has resulted in a pending legal agreement requiring the EPA to raise the standards for the river's required oxygen levels by June 30. While saving the Atlantic sturgeon from extinction is a huge deal, it's not the only reason to clean up the Delaware River. On top of all the other plant and animal life that depend on the river, humans depend on it too: It supplies drinking water to over 17 million people across 42 counties and five states and that is facing enough threats already. The Delaware River also provides fishing opportunities to countless people, which means both food and money to many. Beyond that, it's just a gorgeous, historic piece of the regional landscape. Should the legal agreement to protect the river receive approval from a federal judge, it will be in what is potentially the 11th hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A population like the sturgeon may very well disappear from the face of the Earth for forever," Delaware Riverkeeper Maya K. van Rossum told NJ Spotlight News. "Hopefully, we've gotten to it in the nick of time." 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 good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The League of Women Voters along with the Sioux City branch of the NAACP held their third and final legislative town hall of 2025 this morning. It was an overflow crowd at the Sioux City Public Museum as local state legislators discussed topics and answered questions from their constituents on topics like education, healthcare and civil rights. According to organizers, forums like this are important so both the elected officials and voters have a chance to discuss things face to face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the key to our Democracy at a time when there are those that are speaking against Democracy, said Carolyn goodwin, with the League of Women Voters of Siouxland. The League of Women Voters has always encouraged people to vote. We want them to have an informed vote. To listen to legislators, to listen to political parties. We do not support candidates, nor do we support political parties as an organization. There were five legislators in attendance. From the Iowa State House of Representatives, Democrat JD Scholten and Republicans Robert Henderson and Jacob Bossman. From the State Senate, Republicans Rocky De Witt and Kevin Alons. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Volunteer Millers of de Immigrant Windmill will be hosting a program about the influence of railways on American history. Illinois is the nations railroad crossroads. They dramatically shaped the states economy and communities; while creating an industry with a cultural allure. The speeding locomotives became icons of population growth and corporate America. Historian, Mike Matejka, will outline the influence the railways displayed. This program is supported by the Illinois Humanities Road Scholar program. Come out on Monday, March 31 at 6:00 p.m. in the Windmill Cultural Center at 111- 10th Avenue Fulton. Light refreshments will be served following the presentation. The facility is accessible to persons with disabilities. The event is free and open to the public. If you have questions, please contact 563-249-6115. 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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. KAPOLEI, Hawaii (KHON2) Hundreds of Native Hawaiian families are a step closer to securing a place to call their own after the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands awarded over 700 project leases on March 22. KHON2 spoke with some of the beneficiaries about what this life-changing moment means for them. Hawaiian Home Lands: Why is it taking so long? There were many smiles in Kapolei as the DHHL waitlist for Hawaiian homes shrunk by 735 on March 22. The first two awardees called had application dates from the 1950s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive watched for years, decades, really, where things just didnt happen, not because people didnt care, perhaps, but because they just somehow got stuck, said Gov. Josh Green. Today that all ends. It is bittersweet for some, like Elaine Kekahuna her husband had been on the waitlist since 1976. And so we waited all this time. The sad thing is that he just passed away last year, Kekahuna said. I wish that he was here. I know that he is, you know, in the spirit. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The leases awarded on March 22 connected those on the waitlist to specific locations or projects in development. Awardees also had the chance to choose successors who the homes will be passed on to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre the root of Hawaii, you know? And to get a final Whew, final chance of our ground, and of our Hale. Oh, my God. You know, carry it on to the generation, Kekahuna said. Plenty of different emotions, but all happy. Just finally getting my own place. And not just for me, but for me, for my kids and my grandkids, said recipient Kealii Hanohano. Thats major, thats more than big. Thats the whole world to me. Billions to build Hawaiian homes: The math is not mathing Several vendors were on site to offer help through the process, those who were awarded leases today will need to get qualified for a mortgage loan by the time the homes are ready. DHHL officials said the first homes will be ready in about five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now more hope man, something to work more harder for, Hanohano said. Reps. Diamond Garcia and Darius Kila were in attendance along with Councilmember Andria Tupola. Project leases of this type were last issued in the early 2000s and more are planned in the coming months. Were so grateful for DHHL, for all the people that have made this possible. Generations of Hawaiians will thank you for the work that youve done, Tupola said. May we continue to strengthen one another. And God bless these families. Bless the land that theyre going to live on. Bless us that we might be able to thrive. The next step for the awardees is to go through a financial assessment process to see what kind of home they can receive. About 400 more leases are set to be awarded on Hawaii Island in April and almost 1,000 will be awarded on Maui in 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 KHON2. SEOUL (Reuters) - At least four people have died and six have been injured in a series of wildfires in South Korea, as firefighters rushed to put out the fires amid dry, windy weather, the Korea Forest Service said on Sunday. Over 9,000 staff and 105 helicopters were deployed to quell the fires engulfing areas mostly in the southeast of the country, damaging residential buildings and a temple, the authorities said. More than 1,500 residents took shelter as the fires wiped out some 6,300 hectares (16,000 acres) of forests, Acting President Choi Sang-mok told a disaster response meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I request that the Korea Forest Service pay special attention to securing the safety of personnel in charge of extinguishing wildfires in the air or on the ground," Choi said as he vowed to use all available resources to stop the fires. Three of the four people who died were firefighters and one was a public servant, according to the Yonhap news agency. (Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by William Mallard) Mar. 22DIXON In the midst of National Agriculture Week, the Lee County Board unanimously approved a resolution Thursday making a commitment to support and promote agriculture in the county. Ag Week, from March 16 to 22, is celebrated across the U.S. to raise awareness about the importance of agriculture while highlighting the industry's contributions to the nation's economy. The approved resolution acknowledges the large amount of farmed land in Lee County and its direct effect on the local economy. Lee County has a total of 829 farms covering 377,886 acres. The agriculture industry supports 3,325 jobs, which accounts for about 19% of all jobs in the county, according to the resolution that uses data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2022 census. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are in support of the pro ag resolution and agriculture in Lee County," Ashton Franklin Center FFA chapter member Elsie Viall told the board. Elsie is an eighth grader at AFC. She wants to become a hog farmer and an ag teacher when she grows up. "Agriculture has impacted my life in a lot of really good ways, and FFA in particular has helped a lot with leadership," AFC FFA Vice President Kate Viall said. The resolution acknowledges that Lee County farmers support the food security of residents, it creates additional jobs generating economic growth, and farmland is a limited resource vital to agriculture and the economic well-being of the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The rural way of life is the backbone of our country. Efforts should be made to accommodate future success of the rural community," according to the resolution. The Lee County Farm Bureau, a nonprofit organization based in Amboy, sponsored the resolution and passed out pro-agriculture pins to board members after the meeting. LITTLE HAITI, Brooklyn (PIX11) The federal government indicated it could soon end a program that promised legal status to over half a million people who emigrated from four countries in political and economic distress. On Friday, an official statement signed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem indicated that the legal status of everyone in the program would be revoked as early as Monday, March 24. That could make them vulnerable to deportation 30 days later. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The developments could significantly impact a variety of New York City communities. One of those communities is the Little Haiti neighborhood in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Its the largest Haitian community in the U.S. Since Noems order applies to legal immigrants from Haiti, as well as Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, people in Little Haiti were talking about. Right now, everyone is scared, said Debbie Louis, a local business owner and activist. These are taxpayers, these are members of the community. They help us do everything support our schools, our students. The program in question, called the Humanitarian Parole Program, was adopted by the Biden administration in 2022, and provided legal protected status for people from the four countries with financial sponsors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the hundreds of thousands of people who qualified received their protected status less than two years ago. Even though the terms of their legal protection have not officially expired, DHS said it will revoke them anyway. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State People in Little Haiti told PIX11 News the intended DHS measures are wrong. I feel like you shouldnt [deport anyone] if you already allowed them here, said Tyrice Pelt, a Little Haiti resident. If you allowed them here, theres no reason to [send] them back. Anne Garraud, another resident, agreed. If in the first place, youre giving people opportunity, its unfair to take that back, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For its part, DHS said in its federal notice that letting the 532,000 eligible people remain here legally under the program is a violation of an executive order signed by President Trump to secure U.S. borders. People in Little Haiti, like Sacha Richards, disagreed. I think its very unfair, she said. I hope it doesnt go through. Already there are legal challenges to Secretary Noems proposal. Several different immigrant rights groups have filed lawsuits against DHS over the issue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) The legislative session is officially over and the last few bills to make it over the finish line are on their way to the governors desk. Bills that passed and failed drew mixed reactions from the governor and lawmakers. More than 1,100 bills were introduced this session; many covering the states foster care system, crime, and education. With the session closed, nearly 200 of those bills passed, while others stalled. After countless hours of debate, lawmakers have wrapped up the 60-day legislative session but what made it through? A top priority promised this session included legislation surrounding reforming the New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD). A bipartisan House bill creating the Office of the Child Advocate, HB 5, was signed by the governor despite her expressing it wasnt what she wanted. A bi-partisan Senate omnibus package, SB 42, with additional CYFD reforms is headed to her as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which bills have been signed by the governor so far? New Mexicans have demanded reform at CYFD and we delivered, said Reena Szczepanski, (D-Santa Fe) Majority Floor Leader. This is a huge step forward for children and families across our state that has been many years in the making. Other accomplishments highlighted by Democratic lawmakers included the passage of a crime package, HB 8, that includes reforms to criminal competency and treatment as well as fentanyl trafficking. They also celebrated the passage of a bill increasing teacher salaries. Although some Republican bills passed, such as SB 11 which requires districts to create rules for student cell phone use in schools. Republican lawmakers shared disappointment over the lack of medical malpractice bills succeeding and the governors decision to veto a proposal, HB 65, to let districts decide the number of days in a school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had the full support of the House [on] both sides of the aisle and the people of New Mexico have spoken, the people of the House have spoken, and ultimately, the people of the Senate have spoken, said Gail Armstrong, (R-Magdalena) Minority Floor Leader. Bill giving student loan relief to some veterinarians heads to governors desk The governor shared her frustrations on bills related to juvenile crime, after a House bill backed by the Bernalillo County District Attorneys office, HB 134, and a House bi-partisan bill, HB 255, failed. The notion that we spent far too little time addressing in any meaningful way juvenile crime and public safety issues in this state is a remarkable failure in so many ways, said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added lawmakers could be called to a potential special session on the issue of crime. Yes, I think the likelihood is far stronger than not which is why in our statement, they should expect it. I dont know how you dont expect it, said Governor Lujan Grisham. Other bills that passed on Saturday and are headed to the governors desk include the Trade Ports Development Act, HB 19, which would create designated port districts across the state. For bills passed in the last three days, the governor has thirty days to either sign pocket veto or 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. HONOLULU (KHON2) The Miss Hawaii USA pageant took place on the night of March 22 at the Hawaii Convention Center, with wahine from all over the islands looking to nab the grand prize and represent the aina at Miss USA. The program began by announcing the top 10 wahine, who would advance to categories such as swimsuit and interviews. New leases fill Hawaii wait listers with more hope The top 10 wahine in no particular order were: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miss South Shore USA 2025 Kiri Takanishi Miss Valley Isle USA 2025 Faith Alvior Miss Hawaii Island USA 2025 Kaysha Kahai-Enos Miss Waikiki USA 2025 Ellise Kakazu Miss Maui USA 2025 Mikaela Bega Miss Orchid Isle USA 2025 Emma Fincher Miss Kakaako USA 2025 Kristi Van Diver Miss Hilo USA 2025 Issha Rose Mata Miss Manoa USA 2025 Erica Osterkamp Miss Kahala USA 2025 Alexia Sommers Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Upon judge deliberation, the top 10 were then narrowed down to a top five, consisting of the following wahine in no particular order: Miss Kahala USA 2025 Alexia Sommers Miss Valley Isle USA 2025 Faith Alvior Miss Kakaako USA 2025 Kristi Van Diver Miss Hilo USA 2025 Issha Rose Mata Miss Maui USA 2025 Mikaela Bega Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After painstaking deliberation, judges determined that Miss Hilo USA 2025 Issha Rose Mata would be crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2025, with 2024s Miss Hawaii USA Breea Yamat there to pass the crown on to her successor. Alongside the new Miss Hawaii USA 2025, awards such as Miss Congeniality, who went to Miss Orchid Isla USA 2025 Emma Fincher and Miss Hilo USA 2025 Issha Rose Mata, were given out. Miss Valley Isle USA 2025 was fourth runner up, Miss Kahala USA 2025 was third runner up, Miss Kakaako USA 2025 was second runner up and Miss Maui USA 2025 served as first runner up. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. We have come together to stay together: Uddhav > < 22:46 Chhattisgarh: 22 Maoists, including 6 with total bounty of Rs 11L, surrender Twenty-two Maoists, including six carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 11 lakh, surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Sunday, a police official said. Of these, Ayatu Punem, Pandu Kunjam, Kosi Tamo, Sona Kunjam and Lingesh Padam carried rewards of Rs 2 lakh each of their heads,... Read more > 22:22 Royal scion urges Fadnavis to remove dog memorial at Raigad Fort Former Rajya Sabha member and Kolhapur royal family descendant Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to remove a dog's memorial near that of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Raigad Fort.In a letter dated March 22, he stressed that the dog's memorial should... Read more > 22:08 Three arrested, minor detained for gangraping collegian in MP Three persons were arrested and a minor detained for allegedly gangraping a 20-year-old collegian in Anuppur district in Madhya Pradesh, a police official said on Sunday. The incident took place when she returned from college and was walking towards her home at 6pm on Saturday after... Read more > 21:33 Noted social worker, Gandhian Krishna Bharati passes away Noted social worker and Gandhian Pasala Krishna Bharati passed away at her residence in Hyderabad on Sunday due to old age, sources said. She was 92. Known for her work in promoting education among less privileged, especially Dalits, and donations to educational institutions and... Read more > 21:19 Odisha minister's motorcade attacked, cop injured Odisha minister Suresh Pujari/ANI Photo A group of people in Odisha's Mayurbhanj on Sunday hurled stones at a vehicle, which forms a part of the cavalcade of a state minister, as they sought to know why officials did not visit areas affected by a recent hailstorm in the district and assess damages.A constable was injured in the attack,... Read more > 21:09 If she doesn't have a problem....: Salman on romancing Rashmika in 'Sikandar' Bollywood star Salman Khan on Sunday took a jibe at those who talk about the 31-year age gap between him and his Sikandar co-star Rashmika Mandanna, asking if the heroine doesn't have a problem with it, why do social media users. Directed by AR Murugadoss, Sikandar is slated to be... Read more > 20:55 Two security personnel hurt as Maoists trigger IED blast in Chhattisgarh File image Two security personnel sustained injuries as Maoists triggered an improvised explosive device to blow up a vehicle they were travelling in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Sunday, the police said. Two personnel of the Special Task Force, a unit of state police, were injured due to... Read more > 20:32 Former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar to become Kerala BJP chief Former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is likely to become the state president of the saffron party, as he is the sole nominee for the post, party sources said.A formal announcement will be made following the party's state council meeting on Monday.BJP's... Read more > 20:20 Illegal Bangladeshi migrant held in Delhi, to be deported A Bangladeshi national who entered India illegally was apprehended from Mahipalpur area of southwest Delhi, the police said on Sunday.The accused, Ashrafulalam Rayhad Thalukther, was detained and later sent to a deportation center after completing legal formalities, they said.According to the... Read more > 20:05 Burnt notes found in garbage near HC judge's house? A screengrab of the cash allegedly discovered at a storeroom at Justice Varma's house. Sanitation workers have said they have found burnt pieces of currency notes near the official residence of Delhi high court judge Justice Yashwant Varma who is facing a probe over cash allegedly recovered from his residence. We work in this circle. We collect garbage from the roads. We... Read more > 19:59 Encounter breaks out in J-K's Kathua File image An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening, officials said. The encounter started when security forces launched a search operation in Sanyal village near the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector following... Read more > 19:38 National level wrestler-turned-gangster held at Delhi's Singhu Border The Delhi police arrested fugitive gangster and former national-level wrestler Manjeet Dalal, from the Singhu Border area in Delhi, an official said on Sunday. The accused, a sharpshooter associated with the Neeraj Bawana-Amit Bhura gang, had been absconding and was wanted in multiple cases,... Read more > 19:27 Pope Francis makes first public appearance since being hospitalised five weeks ago Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance after a month-long absence, at the hospital's balcony before making his way back to his residence, Casa Santa Marta. During his appearance, the Pope bestowed his blessing upon the gathered crowd and addressed them in a heartfelt... Read more > 19:10 Male devotees defy dress code, enter temple wearing shirts in Kerala File image A group of people entered a Lord Ayyappa temple here on Sunday without removing their shirts, protesting against the long-standing practice that requires male devotees to do so before entering the shrine. Visuals showed the protesters -- members of the SNDP Samyuktha Samara Samithi --... Read more > 18:50 Situation completely peaceful in Nagpur: Fadnavis Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Curfew has been lifted in Nagpur as the situation in the city is completely peaceful, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday. The CM was speaking to the media in the Pimpri Chinchwad area of Pune where he attended an event organised by the non-profit Paani... Read more > 18:41 Drug trafficker held after exchange of fire with police in Arunachal A drug trafficker, wanted in several cases, was arrested in Arunachal Pradesh's capital region after an exchange of fire between the criminal and police personnel, a senior officer said on Sunday.Acting on a tip-off, a police team apprehended him from Hollongi near here on Saturday evening and... Read more > 18:22 Declining mortality rate increases pension liability: Kerala minister Kerala cultural affairs and fisheries minister Saji Cherian Kerala cultural affairs and fisheries minister Saji Cherian has indirectly said that the state's declining mortality rate is increasing the government's pension liability. Addressing a meeting of the State NGO Union in Alappuzha on Saturday, Cherian claimed not only is the birth rate low,... Read more > 18:18 Maha axes bus driver for watching cricket on mobile phone while driving File image The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation on Sunday dismissed a bus driver, who allegedly watched a cricket match on his mobile phone while driving. The transport authority took action on the direction of state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik after a passenger sent him a video of... Read more > 17:22 Muslim body announces agitation against waqf bill File image All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Sunday announced a nationwide agitation against the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill. A statement issued by Mohd Vaquar Uddin Latifi, Office Secretary of the said, Following a massive and successful protest in Delhi on March 17, the All India Muslim... Read more > 17:04 Chandigarh grenade attack: NIA chargesheets 4 Babbar Khalsa International terrorists The National Investigation Agency has chargesheeted four terror operatives of the Babbar Khalsa International terrorist organisation in the 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack case, officials said on Sunday. As per a release by the NIA, the chargesheet filed before the Special NIA Court in... Read more > 16:23 4 killed, 6 injured as wildfires ravage Korea's southeastern region File image At least four people were killed, six people were injured and some 1,500 people were evacuated as wildfires fueled by strong winds have scorched areas of the nation's southeastern region, disaster authorities said Sunday. The fire began in Sancheong County, about 250 kilometres... Read more > 15:51 6 days after violence, curfew totally lifted in Nagpur File image Curfew was lifted from the remaining four areas of Nagpur in Maharashtra on Sunday, six days after violence rocked the city, officials said. Following the violence on March 17, curfew was imposed in Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shanti Nagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan,... Read more > 15:35 Two women doctors killed, four injured as SUV hits culvert in MP Two women were killed and four others sustained injuries after an SUV carrying a group of doctors from Maharashtra hit a culvert in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district on Sunday morning, the police said.Sub divisional officer of police Vijay Yadav said the SUV carrying six doctors hit a culvert... Read more > 15:18 India's forex reserves rise $305 mn to $654.3 bn India's foreign exchange reserves rose $305 million to $654.271 billion in the week that ended on March 14. The previous week witnessed the highest weekly gains in over three years. Prior to that, forex reserves had slumped for about four months, recently hitting an 11-month... Read more > 15:00 Minor boy injured during firing at yajna in Haryana The police on Sunday registered an attempt to murder case based on the complaint from a minor boy, who sustained bullet injury after a security guard opened fire at a Mahayajna being conducted in Kurukshetra. The yajna is being organised at Keshav Park in Kurukshetra by Shri Shri 1008 Swami... Read more > 14:59 Woman director of pvt hospital shot dead in Bihar After the director of a private hospital was shot dead inside her cabin a day ago, the father of the deceased demanded a high-level inquiry into the case, alleging a conspiracy in her death. Speaking to ANI, Rajesh Sinha, father of the slain Asia Hospital director, said, I saw her only... Read more > 14:32 Sambhal mosque chief in cop custody for statement The Special Investigation Team of the local police took Zafar Ali, the president of the Shahi Jama Masjid here, into custody to record his statement in connection with the November 24 violence case. The Mughal-era mosque here has been at the centre of a major row after a petition claimed... Read more > 13:43 Meerut murder: Accused suffering from drug withdrawal symptoms in jail Muskan Rastogi (right) and her lover Sahil Shukla/File image The police said that the accused, Muskan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla, who allegedly killed Saurabh Rajput and sealed his body parts in a drum filled with cement, are facing drug withdrawal system and are being treated through de-addiction centres and counselling in jail. Muskan... Read more > 13:11 1,243 forest fire incidents reported in J-K in 2024-25 fiscal: Minister File image As many as 1,243 forest fires were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in the 2024-25 financial year, more than double than the previous fiscal but almost identical compared to 2022-23, forest minister Javed Ahmad Rana has said. However, most of the incidents are ground fires where only grass and... Read more > 12:53 Tension in UP village as miscreants vandalise Shani Dev idol File image An idol of Lord Shani Dev was vandalised by some unidentified people in the Mirhachi area of this district, the second such incident in a week that sparked tension in the locality, the police said on Sunday. According to officials, the incident took place on Saturday evening in Datei... Read more > 12:43 Manipur: 4 militants hurt in clash with Meiti group At least four militants of the banned United National Liberation Front-Pambei outfit were injured in a clash with members of Meitei radical organisation Arambai Tenggol in Manipur's Imphal East district, the police said on Sunday. The four injured UNLF-Pambei militants were taken into police... Read more > 12:26 Sambhal court pauses probe into MP Zia-ur-Rahman Barq's home till April 5 File image In a relief to Samajwadi Party member of Parliament, Zia-ur-Rahman Barq, the investigation to determine the legality of the MP's house has been paused till April 5, sub-divisional magistrate Vandana Mishra said on Sunday. The pause comes as the Sambhal MP submitted an application to... Read more > 12:08 Indian-origin man, daughter killed in US store shooting File image A 56-year-old Indian-origin man and his 24-year-old daughter were shot dead at a convenience store in the US state of Virginia and police have arrested one person in connection with the shooting, according to media reports. Pradipkumar Patel and his daughter were working at the... Read more > 12:05 Dalit man attacked, held hostage after road accident in UP A 20-year-old Dalit man was allegedly held hostage, attacked and faced casteist abuses after his bike collided with another two-wheeler in Bhadohi, the police said on Sunday. Sangam Lal Gautam was riding a bike home to Handia in Prayagraj on March 10 when the accident... Read more > 11:39 Punjab police bust narco-terror module, nab 4 men with 4 kg heroin The Punjab police Sunday said it has busted a narco-terror module with the arrest of four people and recovered 4 kg of heroin from them. Punjab police chief Gaurav Yadav said an FIR has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at the State Special Operations... Read more > 11:22 Cars set to get costlier from April Cars are set to get costlier from April, with various automakers like market leaders Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Hyundai, announcing price hikes due to rising input costs and operational expenses.Maruti Suzuki India, which leads the domestic passenger car segment in the country,... Read more > 10:38 Will Ukraine cede occupied territories: US envoy United States special envoy Steve Witkoff said that 'the elephant in the room' for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine is the status of Crimea and four mainland Ukrainian regions 'occupied' by Russia, CNN reported.He made the remarks during the interview with podcast host Tucker... Read more > 09:49 Bihar Muslim body to skip Iftaar hosted by Nitish A prominent Muslim body in Bihar announced that it was turning down Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's invitation for 'Iftaar', in protest against his 'support' for the Waqf Bill.The Imarat Shariah, which claims to have followers across Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, shared a copy of the letter in... Read more > 09:25 Will stay in Gaza permanently unless...: Israel Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has warned Hamas that Israel will maintain a permanent presence in parts of Gaza unless the hostages in Gaza are released, CNN reported.The wobbly ceasefire collapsed on Tuesday when Israel bombarded Gaza, shattering two months of calm that also saw dozens of... Read more > 09:03 Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer thanks CBI for closing Sushant case Actor Rhea Chakraborty's lawyer Satish Maneshinde on Saturday welcomed the closure report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the alleged suicide case of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput.We are grateful to the CBI for having thoroughly investigated every aspect of the case... Read more > President Trump is dealing with backlash from Democrats in Congress, activists and judges as he ramps up deportations of migrants from the U.S. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg recently imposed a temporary order to halt deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century wartime law. Boasberg contended during Thursdays hearing that the government evaded his deadline to fork over information about the deportations of migrants that were flown to El Salvador. Trump and his close adviser Elon Musk have publicly blasted Boasberg and called for him to be impeached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Border czar Tom Homan on Sunday said officials are confident that all migrants on the deportation flights were Venezuelan gang members. Homan, during an interview on ABCs This Week, reiterated that all the migrants on the flight were members of the gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), noting that multiple officials were confident in their decision. On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order to chart a path for abolishing the Department of Education (DOE). Although approval from Congress is needed to fully terminate the department, the president told Education Secretary Linda McMahon to achieve as much as she can on her end. Then on Friday, the commander-in-chief announced that student loans will be taken care of by the Small Business Administration, an agency suffering from a 40 percent workforce cut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman (D) said Sunday that she is concerned about the Department of Educations disassembly. When I hear folks from Washington, they sound really out of touch with whats going on in the state and certainly in our classrooms, Coleman told NewsNations Chris Stirewalt on The Hill Sunday. And I can say that because I went from being a high school teacher, a basketball coach and an assistant principal to being Kentuckys lieutenant governor. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is touring the country and drawing massive crowds of liberal voters who are expressing dissatisfaction with the Trump administrations efforts to overhaul the federal government. However, on Sunday, Sanders said there is one thing he agreed with Trump about: curbing illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders joined ABC Newss This Week, where host Jonathan Karl asked if there was anything Trump has done right. I think cracking down on fentanyl, making sure our borders are stronger, Sanders replied. Look, nobody thinks illegal immigration is appropriate, and I happen to think we need comprehensive immigration reform, but I dont think its appropriate for people to be coming across the border illegally. Read the full Sunday show list here and follow along below 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 The Hill. Stormwater board to meet Monday GOSHEN The Elkhart County Department of Stormwater Management Board will meet immediately following the Elkhart County Commissioners scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday at the Elkhart County Administration Building, 117 N. Second St., Goshen. Wawasee hosting executive session SYRACUSE The Wawasee Board of School Trustees will host an executive session at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Wawasee Professional Learning Center, 801 Sycamore St., Syracuse. The purpose of the special meeting is to discuss salary, compensation or benefits of employees during the budget process and to train board members with an outside consultant about the performance of their role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Third House meeting with state legislators Friday ELKHART Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce will host the final Third House meeting of this years legislative session at noon Friday at 418 S. Main St., Elkhart. The meeting will also be available on Zoom. Third House meetings are interactive and open to chamber member and non-member organizations and community members. State lawmakers will share updates and then answer questions from attendees. Indiana legislators invited to the Third House meetings include Rep. David Abbott, Rep. Joanna King, Rep. Doug Miller, Rep. Timothy Wesco, Sen. Blake Doriot, and Sen. Linda Rogers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocacy on behalf of members is at the core of the work the Chamber does on a daily basis. Being able to host our state lawmakers so they can meet face-to-face with their constituents is a privilege. The link to register is https://www.elkhart.org/event/third-house-meeting-3-28-25/ AMES, Iowa Almost ten years to the day Brandon Long opened High Class Glass in Ames, he permanently closed his smoke shop as a result of new legislation. On January 1st of this year, Senate File 345 took effect. The law was quietly passed at the end of the 2024 legislative session and imposed a 40% tax on glass or metal smoking devices, like bongs. Additionally, the law required smoke shops to pay a $1,500 sales permit yearly. As a result, Long closed High Class Glass on December 31, 2024, just one day shy of his businesses tenth anniversary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have painted a lot of murals and artwork and there were things that I hadnt moved in years and now theyre gone, said Long. Seeing it like this, so dusty and not taken care of [and] just waiting for the next tenant to come, it was definitely heartbreaking for sure. You spend ten years in a place and youre going to get attached to it. His smoke shop once sold local blown glass, but the new law was the businesses death blow. Longs colorful signs and lights were replaced by one piece of white printer paper on the door reading, Location permanently closed. Thank you for the years of wonderful support. Also under the new law, business owners are also required to keep a record of devices sold for five years and they have to shield anyone under the age of twenty-one from seeing these devices. For example, shops either had to remove these devices from windowsills or cover their windows so theyre not visible. They really, really, really made it hard to operate, the former owner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Longs leftover inventory is being sold to House of Glass, a smoke shop on Fleur Drive in Des Moines. The owner, Rachel Gulick, said if they didnt own the building that the shop is located in, they would have likely closed their doors, too. While Gulicks shop can remain open, they are still seeing the effects of the law. The owner had to let go of two employees and take themselves off of payroll to be able to provide for the two staffers they have left. Gulick also said another well-known smoke shop in the Drake neighborhood, Groovy Goods, also had to close its doors for similar reasons. The shop had been open for three decades. According to a Facebook post by Groovy Goods, the shop closed due to the government and a landlord. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres this saying in the business world that if you can make it five years, youre going to make it. Well, if youve made it 30 years and now cant make it because of swift action and taxes levied by the state, who can? And I dont think thats a great look for Iowas business community, said Gulick. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New London The police department this month earned full state accountability accreditation through the Police Officers Standards and Training Council (POST-C), well ahead of a December 2026 deadline. The Tier III designation required the department meet 116 general management standards that covered communication, investigative, operational, personnel and training areas. The three-phase accreditation aims to ensure police departments operate with standardized procedures that represent the highest standards and best practices. Were very happy and put a lot of work into this, Chief Brian Wright said Monday. We had many of these policies in place already, but we did have to update some procedures and provide proof of that filling in the blanks as well as ensure what we had was current and relevant." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department previously earned Tier I accreditation, which addressed policies and procedures from how to treat a handcuffed suspect to the use of deadly force needed to ensure an agency isnt sued. That initial level was attained during the tenure of former Chief Margaret Ackley, who retired in 2017. Wright said the department earned its Tier II designation, which covers internal operations, including how officers interact with the community and recruitment outreach, less than two years ago. And we started right up preparing for the next tier, Wright said. This is a fluid set of documents case law changes, as do policies so well continue to update our procedures going forward. The certification program, with its total of 322 standards, was introduced as part of a sweeping police accountability bill signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont in 2020. It sets minimum standards and practices Connecticut police departments must adhere to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tier III level, like the two other accreditation ranks, was completed by the New London department after a self-evaluation and independent audit by state assessors and specially appointed members of a POST-C subcommittee. That final tier requires a department, among other things, to have written procedures for responding to witness or victim calls and for follow-up investigations and dealing with informants. Departments must also have written policies on budgets, grievances and crime analysis, while also showing they are actively recruiting, conducting training, maintaining records and performing employee evaluations. A "gold standard' of accountability in Groton In addition to New London, 17 Connecticut police departments, including East Lyme, have earned Tier III accreditation as of May 2024, according to the states accreditation website. The Town of Groton Police Department earned accreditation from POST-C, as well as international accountability accreditation though the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies group last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Louis J. Fusaro Jr. called CALEA the "gold standard" of accreditation designators. "That was a commitment we made some time ago and we've benefited from it," he said Monday. "There's maybe two dozen departments in Connecticut to earn the CALEA designation and we're the only one in Eastern Connecticut. Paul Gately, the Town of Grotons deputy police chief, said achieving the CALEA accreditation was a heavy lift that required an overhaul of the departments policies and procedures over a number of years. The department then implemented the practices, explained the expectations to police department members and provided proof of compliance. For example, Gately said the police department codified the step-by-step process for searching transport vehicles prior to transporting detainees, and officers use a checklist to follow and prove each step was followed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fusaro said the public over the last several years has been calling for transparency and accountability from police. By being CALEA accredited, the police department is not only telling people that it is doing that, but proving it through an independent assessment. He said the accreditation shows that weve dedicated ourselves to not just maintaining acceptable standards but surpassing them. Unlike other many other departments which engaged outside law firms to assist with the accreditation work East Lyme paid nearly $25,000 in legal fees to gain full accreditation New London handled the task internally. We had people in-house who were familiar with the process, so it pays to have good, knowledgeable people on hand, Wright said. j.penney@theday.com LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) A woman who allegedly told a 911 dispatcher she shot her mother multiple times on March 14 is due in court Tuesday morning. Brianna Rich, 26, was arrested around 9:30 p.m. outside Carol Richs residence on Burnett Road off KY-229, where authorities had found a woman who had been shot multiple times. Around 10:30 a.m. the next day, the Laurel County Sheriffs Office identified the victim as Carol, Briannas mother. In a recorded 911 conversation, Brianna allegedly told a dispatcher she hadnt been able to leave the house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U-Haul truck full of kids headed for Florida found at Madison County truck stop Im holding blankets on her wounds, and she dont have a pulse, Rich continued. Theres a lot of blood. The dispatcher reportedly stayed on the line with Brianna until authorities arrived, at which point she was told to walk outside with her hands up. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: She was charged with murder and lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show that Brianna is due in court at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 25 for a preliminary hearing. Madylin Goins contributed to 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 FOX 56 News. City council meetings anywhere can quickly be derailed by public comments, some of which can be rude, vulgar or discriminatory. Take, for example, the Los Angeles City Council, a legislative body that helps govern one of Americas most important cities and which meets three times a week. During those meetings, there are a few speakers who routinely hurl racial slurs, antisemitic phrases or other forms of verbal abuse at city council members, according to the Los Angeles Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violent wrong-way crash claims 2 lives in Pomona They have attacked officials looks, their weight, clothes, sexual orientation and gender, curdling the proceedings on a regular basis, LAT said. Thus, city lawmakers are taking the first steps toward outlawing offensive language. As first reported by Westside Current columnist Jon Regardie, on Friday, seven council members signed a joint proposal prohibiting the use of two words: the N-word a racial slur and the C-word, described by the L.A. Times as a sexist vulgarity. LOS ANGELES, CA OCTOBER 20, 2023 Gadfly Armando Herman shouts racist comments before a city council meeting at City Hall in downtown Los Angeles on October 20, 2023. A judge ordered Herman to stay away from meetings of the county Board of Supervisors for the next three years. Herman frequently hurls slurs at public meetings. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) The proposal, put forward by Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, would make it so that audience members could be removed from meetings or banned from future ones for repeatedly using those words. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to the Times, Harris-Dawson said that audience members using foul, offensive language has put a chill on civic participation and discouraged people from attending meetings. Family pleads for hit-and-run driver who killed 4-year-old boy in Los Angeles to turn herself in It is language that, anywhere outside this building where there arent four armed guards, would get you hurt if you said these things in public, Harris-Dawson said, per the Times. The City Council President who was thrust into the spotlight earlier this year when devastating wildfires broke out while he was the acting mayor of L.A. during Mayor Karen Bass trip to Ghana also told the Times that he and his colleagues may add more prohibited words to the proposal over the coming weeks. FILE A few people use Grand Park at the foot of Los Angeles City Hall, Tuesday, March 31, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) Passing the proposal might not be easy, as some legal analysts worry that the proposal infringes on 1st Amendment rights and might not survive a challenge in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can feel some sympathy for the City Council, Loyola Marymount University Law School professor Aaron H. Caplan told the Times. But I feel like it would be pretty easy for a court to say, You cannot just have a list of a couple of prohibited words when theres lots and lots of other words that are just as offensive [and] then it becomes discrimination against certain viewpoints. Suspect in Cal Fire captains death arrested in Baja California: Police Another law expert, UC Berkeley School of Law dean Erwin Chemerinsky, stated that the two words in the proposal, while deeply offensive, are protected by the 1st Amendment. As for right now though, Harris-Dawson says his proposal will look to eliminate the N-word and the C-word from meetings first, as those two words in particular have no political value and are meant only to insult a person. 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. The Tarrant Area Food Bank is turning to local support now that it faces a combined deficit of $4.2 million due to the ending of federal food-assistance programs. That equates to 2.5 million meals for families across North Texas. The nonprofit acts as a regional clearinghouse for donated food serving Fort Worth and 13 surrounding counties. It is responsible for distributing a mix of fresh, frozen and shelf-stable products to a network of hunger-relief charities and social services organizations. The Trump administration is freezing over $1 billion in pandemic-era spending for schools and food banks, six months before the programs were scheduled to end. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced March 10 that it is cutting the initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The programs cut were Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, which help schools and food banks pay for food sourced from local farmers, respectively. Julie Butner, president and CEO of Tarrant Area Food Bank, said the organization has been able to maintain balanced supply and distribution through the local food purchase agreement. The food bank also received supplemental food purchasing assistance from the Commodity Credit Corp., the government agency created to protect farm income and prices. These services, which help make up 30% of the food banks purchasing budget, have been axed. According to a USDA spokesperson, the programs are being cut in an effort to bring nutrition programs out of the COVID era. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With 16 robust nutrition programs in place, USDA remains focused on its core mission: strengthening food security, supporting agricultural markets, and ensuring access to nutritious food, the spokesperson said. Unlike the Biden Administration, which funneled billions in (Commodity Credit Corp.) funds into short-term programs with no plan for longevity, USDA is prioritizing stable, proven solutions that deliver lasting impact. Its unclear when exactly the government funding will end. The USDA notified states that the assistance is no longer available and those programs will be terminated following 60-day notification, though the notification date was not provided. Butner said the Tarrant Area Food Bank was notified March 14 by Feeding Texas, a statewide hunger-relief network, but has not been told when to expect the programs to end. The USDA spokesperson said the funds are being redirected to fulfill existing commitments and support ongoing local food purchases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesperson did not further specify where the funds were redirected to. Without the government aid that Tarrant Area Food Bank relied on to purchase fresh goods from local farmers, donations and support from the community will make up nearly all of the groups food purchasing budget. Butner said she is hopeful the nonprofits donors and private supporters will bridge the gap until September, when Congress sets the budget for next year. Turning toward advocacy The Tarrant Area Food Bank is pushing for a strong Farm Bill when the 2018 Farm Bill is set to expire in September. The Farm Bill, officially named the Agriculture Improvement Act, is a comprehensive bill passed every five to six years that acts as the primary agricultural and food policy instrument for the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Butner said she is concerned any time the Farm Bill is up for discussion on Capitol Hill, but especially now with major federal food-purchasing programs set to expire six months before planned. Tarrant Area Food Bank is partnered with Feeding America and Feeding Texas in advocating for two main points in the new bill: continued investment in local and regional food systems while continuing the partnership between the food bank and U.S. agriculture; and support for key programs which help offset food costs for low-income households. The second point is pertinent to ensuring food-insecure families are properly nourished, Butner said. As food costs rise, low-income households will have to decide whether to spend more of their budget on food or other necessities like rent or gas for the car. Oftentimes food is the easier thing to forgo, Butner said. You can skip a meal a day. You can skip multiple meals in a week. Its not healthy, but its better than being evicted from your home, if youre not able to pay your rent, or having your electricity or water bill cut off, if youre not able to pay those bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Programs that would aid in offsetting food costs include the Emergency Food Assistance Program, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program for Seniors and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In Tarrant County, nearly 10% of households receive help through SNAP, about 4 percentage points higher than the national average, according to the 2023 U.S. Census Bureau. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is speaking out against the East Baton Rouge Parish School System after a rapper with alleged gang ties visited a local school and filmed a video with students. Murrill criticized the incident, questioned how officials allowed it to happen and raised concerns about school safety and privacy violations. This is absolutely unacceptable. Who allowed this to happen? THIS is the kind of example they want to set for their students? The principal says he didnt know the person had a known gang affiliation, but then let school children make a video mimicking holding guns and displaying acts of violence. Since when can you just show up on campus and make a video with school kids? That violates a number of school privacy laws. This is appalling on so many levels. Crime is already out of control in Baton Rouge lets not glorify violence at our schools or any place of learning. Im looking into this, Murrill said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana AG issues statement on Boosie Bash using Caleb Wilsons name, image The attorney general further criticized the school systems handling of the situation, accusing it of allowing the rappers visit in exchange for small incentives. For some water and Doritos, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System promotes a person with known gang affiliation, allows him to make a video with kids using offensive, racist language, and glorifying violence, and basically turns a day at elementary school into a day of recruiting for a gang, Murrill said. East Baton Rouge School Board responds In a statement, the school system said the rapper was a former student who visited the campus to donate items to help motivate students as they prepare for standardized testing. The East Baton Rouge Parish School System is aware of an incident that recently occurred at Park Forest Middle School involving a former student who visited the campus to donate items to be used as motivation for students in preparation for the upcoming standardized testing cycle. During this visit, an inappropriate TikTok video was filmed with students that does not align with our values or standards. Upon learning about this individuals background, the district initiated an internal investigation to ensure that we are addressing the situation appropriately. We want to reaffirm our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students. The safety, security, and well-being of our students remain our highest priority, and we will take all necessary actions to reinforce our standards. Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate this matter. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board School board President Shannonie Steward said she plans to contact the attorney general to discuss her concerns. In my individual capacity as a board member and Board President, I plan to contact Attorney General Murrill to discuss her concerns regarding visitor access to schools and district policy. I am always open to meeting and working in the best interest of students. East Baton Rouge School board President Shannonie Steward 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. ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. (KLFY) A St. Tammany Parish deputy has been killed in the line of duty. Sheriff Randy Smith reports that a sergeant with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office was killed early Sunday morning. The Sheriff says the sergeant was assisting with a pursuit and was deploying a spike strip on Interstate 10 near the Oak Harbor exit when he was struck by the suspects vehicle and killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three injured in St. Martin Parish shooting; suspect caught The suspects have been taken into custody. No other information is being released at this time. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The fight for fair representation is taking Louisianas voting rights battle to the nations highest court. The Power Coalition for Equity and Justice is taking a group of community members and legal advocates from Baton Rouge and New Orleans to Washington, D.C. They are going ahead of a Supreme Court hearing that may affect voting rights across the country. The case, Louisiana v. Callais, will determine the future of the states congressional map. The debate centers on a second majority-Black district. It was created in 2024 after a federal ruling for fairer representation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A group of white voters is challenging the new district, which runs from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. They say it is unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. The decision made by the Supreme Court will say to Black voters whether or not they have an opportunity to elect officials of their choice or if their power will be diminished, said Taneshia Flowers, communications director for the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill will defend the map in the Supreme Court on Monday. She argues that the legal fights over redistricting need to stop. In a Saturday statement, Murrill asked the court to support the states map. Proposed law would increase penalties for left lane camping Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I urge the Supreme Court to uphold Louisianas map. This will give clarity to states like Louisiana, which face endless lawsuits every time a new census needs redistricting, she said. For those traveling to D.C., the stakes are high. So this isnt just a fight for one district, this is a fight for democracy. Its a chance to stand up for whats right and make history, said Marcquinton Bouie of Southern Universitys NAACP. Flowers echoed the sentiment, comparing the moment to historic Civil Rights struggles. For some people, it feels like a re-enactment of the Civil Rights Movement, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Supreme Court prepares to decide, Louisiana voters and advocates are speaking up. They want to actively shape the future of fair representation. 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. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rejected calls to resign from members of his own party and defended his decision to join Republicans in voting for a spending bill that kept the government from shutting down. For nearly two weeks, Schumer has been subject to intense scrutiny from Democrats and their voters who believe the New York senator turned his back on his party and caved to President Donald Trumps wishes when he broke from Democrats to vote to keep the government open earlier this month. Despite the backlash, the senior Democrat feels confident he made the right decision and outright rejected calls for resignation on Sunday while speaking with Kirsten Welker on Meet the Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look, Im not stepping down and let me just say this Kristen, I knew that when I cast my vote against the government shutdown that there would be a lot of controversy and there was, Schumer said. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would not step down from his position despite calls to do so after joining Republicans in voting for a spending bill (NBC News) But Schumer said that while the continuing resolution the short-term funding bill that keeps the government open until September was certainly bad, he believes a shutdown would be 15 or 20 times worse. With Musk and DOGE and Trump and this guy [Russell Vought, director of Office of Management and Budget] they would eviscerate the federal government, Schumer said. Had the government shut down, only essential federal employees would have been permitted to work, leaving the executive branch largely responsible for running the government. Schumer said he worries had Trump been given that authority he would have made more cuts without Democrats to push back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On day two they could say Oh SNAP, feeding hungry children? Not essential. On day four, Mass transit, all transit, aid the states? Not essential were cutting it. On day six, Medicaid, well cut that by 20, 30, 50, 80 percent. Well go after Social Security, well go after the veterans, Schumer said. Elon Musk has aided Donald Trump in making drastic changes to the federal government in an effort to shrink the budget (Getty Images) Sometimes when youre a leader, you have to do things to avoid a real danger that might come down the curve. And I did it out of pure conviction as to what a leader should do and what the right thing for America and my party was. People disagree, Schumer said. Some Democrat voters have expressly called on Schumer to resign. Although no Democrat senators have expressly called on Schumer to resign, several have insinuated the party needs new leadership. Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado told a constituent at a town hall last week that the party was going to have future conversations about all the Democratic leadership. He later cryptically added, Let me just say its important for people to know when its time to go seemingly a reference to former president Joe Bidens refusal to bow out of the 2024 presidential election. Mar. 23Seven butterfly species found in Maine are experiencing some of the fastest population declines in the U.S. These species, with fanciful names like Dreamy Duskywing and Coral Hairstreak, saw their population decline by more than half over two decades and some by more than 80%, according to a study published this month in Science. The findings are based on 12.6 million sightings observed by 35 monitoring programs from 2000 to 2020. Some, like the Duskywing, remain common in Maine and have no special conservation status despite a steep 86% national decline over 20 years. Others, like the Hairstreak, whose national numbers fell 58%, are deemed locally imperiled, too, due to threats of habitat loss, pesticides and climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Butterflies play a critical ecological role, both as pollinators and as prey, but they can also tell us a lot about how development, pesticides and climate change are affecting the rest of the insect world," said Collin Edwards, a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife ecologist, the lead author of the study. The study found about one in five U.S. butterflies, or 22%, have disappeared over the last 20 years. That works out to be a 1.3% decline each year. Charlene Donahue, a retired entomologist with the Maine Forest Service, called the study's findings worrisome. Butterflies are the "canaries in the coal mine" of the insect world, an indicator of what is happening to the less-beloved members of the invertebrate world and the environment in general. "If butterflies aren't doing well, there are a lot of other insects and habitats in trouble," Donahue said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everybody loves butterflies, Edwards said. They can be beautiful or whimsical. Fans photograph, count and collect them. Their size makes them easy to spot and identify when compared with bees or fireflies. They are the most intensely observed and cataloged kind of insect on the planet. As a result, butterflies get more funding set aside for their study and preservation than other insects. And because butterflies face the same existential threats as other insects, their condition can tell us what is going on with the rest of the insect world. Despite the study's grim findings, there is reason to hope, Edwards said. While only 3% of butterfly species showed population growth, butterflies have the potential to bounce back quickly with the right conservation efforts, such as habitat protection and pesticide protections, Edwards said. "There is a lot of really depressing news in this report, but there's also a lot we can do to protect butterflies, and some of the researchers who worked on this study have found those protections to be very successful," Edwards said. "That's the silver lining. A small one, but I'll take it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study does not claim to represent all butterflies some parts of the country have a lot of observers, some none but it measures the change in abundance of the butterflies in 2,500 survey areas revisited over 20 years. In Maine, the North American Butterfly Club conducted 48 surveys at five locations. Maine doesn't have a robust butterfly monitoring program that in other states provides a total butterfly count with species-by-species estimates. But in 2007, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife launched the Maine Butterfly Survey to fill in other information gaps for this beloved insect. This program trained citizen scientists to fill information gaps on the distribution, flight seasons and habitat preferences for butterflies in the same way the department has done for bees and amphibians, said Phillip Demaynadier, who supervises the department's wildlife diversity section. Meant to last only five years, the survey continued for a decade and was turned into a regional guide "Butterflies of Maine and the Canadian Maritime Provinces" published in 2023. The survey helps the state decide which of Maine's butterfly species are endangered, threatened or of special concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 20% of the 120 butterfly species found in Maine have special conservation status, according to Demaynadier, one of the field guide's authors. Many are listed because they are known to be losing their habitat, he said, not necessarily because scientists know if their population is decreasing. But Maine biologists agree on the biggest threats facing local butterflies, especially elusive ones: loss or change of habitat, pesticides, invasive species and climate change, Demaynadier said. Aerial insecticide spraying to kill an introduced species like the spongy moth shows how such threats can multiply. Scientists are still learning how climate change is affecting Maine's butterflies, he said. Some butterflies like elfins and hairstreaks are starting to arrive in Maine earlier than in the past. Scientists worry about timing mismatches, with butterflies arriving before their host plants are ready to provide their nutrition. Climate change is also threatening some of the cold-loving habitats that host rare Maine butterflies, like the alpine tundra favored by the endangered Katahdin Arctic and the boreal forests favored by Northern Blue, a species of special concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herb Wilson, a retired Colby College biology professor who lives in Waterville, made four wet and buggy trips to the Saco heath before finding an endangered Hessel's Hairstreak. In May 2014, he bushwhacked his way to a stand of the Atlantic white cedar that the endangered Hessel's calls home. After hours of beating the branches to get the butterflies out of the canopy, Wilson who helped conduct the Maine Butterfly Survey found himself 2 1/2 feet from a Hessel's, easily recognizable by its telltale green wings with red stripes and white spots. "The little rascal came down for nectar and I got some photographs of it perched on an open flower," Wilson recalled. "I spotted an endangered Frigga Fritillary once, but a state biologist led me to it, which isn't the same. This one I found entirely on my own. I floated back to my car." None of Maine's eight threatened or endangered butterflies are represented in Edwards' national study. Researchers didn't have enough data on them to include, perhaps because Maine is at the southern edge of the species' range. Some, like Maine's Katahdin Arctic, can only be found in hard-to-reach areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Maine believes another 13 butterflies are on the verge of becoming threatened or endangered, or what it calls species of special concern. Their low or declining numbers, limited distribution and special habitat needs mean the state wants to keep an eye on them, but it isn't offering them any regulatory protections. Two of these species deemed to be on the brink here in Maine, Leonard's Skipper and Coral Hairstreak, experienced sharp national declines across all regions. Edwards' study found that Leonard's Skipper had declined by 84% and the Coral Hairstreak by 58%. The Bronze Copper and Southern Cloudywing experienced 63% and 61% national declines, respectively. These are considered species of greatest conservation need, which means they are considered in need of voluntary conservation measures but not quite as badly as species of special concern. The other three Maine butterflies that reported national declines greater than 50% include the European Skipper, the Dreamy Duskywing and Harris' Checkerspot. The study concluded their national population numbers had declined by 92%, 86% and 77%, respectively, but they remain commonplace in Maine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an introduced species, the European Skipper is an unlikely candidate for additional local protections. But the Checkerspot's wet meadows and marshes and Duskywing's open meadow and streamside habitat could be protected if Maine wants to take steps to preserve the U.S. populations of these butterflies. Retired endocrinologist Roger Rittmaster remembers walking through a colony of Harris' Checkerspot in a meadow of flat-topped aster in Stockton Springs one June day a decade ago. He had only just moved to Maine and was in love with photographing butterflies, even the common ones. He was struck by their beauty. The small bright orange butterflies have complex black markings, with an upper area that has spots, some with white centers, and an underwing with white bands divided by black lines. And where there is one, there are usually many, making them easier to photograph. He returned a year later to gather caterpillars in the hope of starting a colony on his Camden property. He has documented 32 butterfly species in his backyard full of asters, but Rittmaster's dream of building a backyard Checkerspot colony came to nothing. A handful of adults emerged, but they flew away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I tried several times to get people interested in doing butterfly counts, to establish a population baseline and annual surveys like the ones done in other states, but I couldn't get enough people interested," Rittmaster said. "Eventually I found all the butterflies I could reach and now I've moved on." Rittmaster, a board member of the Maine Entomological Society, now photographs flower flies. Despite Maine's apparent role as a national refugium for the Checkerspot and Duskywing, Maine law does not allow the state to add a species to its threatened or endangered species list unless it's in trouble here, regardless of how poorly it might be doing elsewhere, Demaynadier said. But the study's findings could play a role when reviewing butterfly species of greatest conservation need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Xerces Society, an international nonprofit devoted to the study and protection of invertebrates and their habitats, plans to use the national study's findings to develop conservation guides for policymakers and individuals to stem the tide of butterfly decline. Maine's official state butterfly, the Pink-edged Sulphur, appears to be doing fine. It was named the state butterfly in 2023 after two fifth graders from Old Orchard Beach petitioned the Legislature to honor the widespread butterfly as an important pollinator and wildlife food source. Copy the Story Link A Maine man has been arrested for driving under the influence and driving the wrong way on I-95 in Greenland. On Friday morning, March 21, New Hampshire State Troopers received reports of a wrong-way driver going erratically on I-95 Northbound at the Hampton Toll Plaza. The driver passed the tolls and crossed the median, continuing northbound in the southbound travel lanes. Troopers identified the vehicle, a 2019 Jeep Cherokee, and began to utilize several tactics to stop the vehicle. However, the driver was able to speed past troopers and continued the wrong way, at a reduced speed, avoiding traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver finally ran into troopers, who decided to use their cruiser to stop the Cherokee, where the driver eventually stopped, but not before causing a minor slow-speed collision with two uninvolved vehicles. The driver, 70-year-old Robert Cresta of Kittery, Maine was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital for precautionary treatment. Cressta was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, and felony counts of reckless conduct and possession of a controlled drug. Cresta is expected to be Im Portsmouth District Court on April 9, 2025. 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 Maximus, a ginormous 125-year-old alligator snapping turtle that staff loved to swim with and who brought smiles to thousands of visitors, has died, N.C. Zoo officials said Friday. A true marvel of nature, Keeper Audrey Williams said in announcing the death of 135-pound Max. The gentle giant of the North Carolina Zoo. Max lived in the zoos Cypress Swamp since 2015 and was a favorite of staff and visitors, Williams said on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Max didnt have a name when he arrived, so Williams came up with one that would be fitting for such a majestic creature, she said. The turtle was born around 1900, zoo officials estimated. Max lived in the North Carolina Zoos Cypress Swap since 2015 and was a favorite of staff and visitors, Keeper Audrey Williams said. NORTH CAROLINA ZOO Over the years, we shared countless quiet moments, and I had the privilege of getting to swim with him as I cleaned his pool, Williams said. A true marvel of nature, North Carolina Zoo Keeper Audrey Williams said in announcing the death of 135-pound Max. The gentle giant of the North Carolina Zoo. NORTH CAROLINA ZOO Despite his size, we danced together in our slow, routine movements, each of us occupying our own space, a ritual I will never forget, she said. Max, always a quiet observer, loved swimming up to kids as they peered into his enclosure, she said. Maximus may no longer be with us, but his spirit will live on in our memories and in the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him, Williams said. Rest in peace, Maximus. You will always be remembered. Over the years, we shared countless quiet moments, and I had the privilege of getting to swim with him as I cleaned his pool, North Carolina Zoo Keeper Audrey Williams said about Maximus. NORTH CAROLINA ZOO His spirit will live on in our memories and in the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him, North Carolina Zoo Keeper Audrey Williams said about Maximus. NORTH CAROLINA ZOO Advertisement Advertisement Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. MAGNA, Utah (ABC4) A man was arrested on Friday, a few days after his infant son died in the hospital from several injuries said to be associated with abusive head trauma, according to arrest documents. Armando Valenzuela, 25, was arrested on one count of murder, a first-degree felony; and one count of aggravated child abuse intentionally or knowingly, a second-degree felony. He was arrested a week after he initially called 911 to report that his son wasnt breathing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DNA testing confirms identity of body found in 1980s to be missing teenager Valenzuelas 1-month-old son was taken to the hospital on March 14, after the suspect called first responders to report that his son went limp and stopped breathing after he picked the child up. A few hours before that call, the child was taken to a pediatrician appointment and was said to be alert. While at the hospital, arrest documents said medical professionals found several injuries including retinal hemorrhaging, healed and acute rib fractures, and intracranial hemorrhages that were said to be most consistent with abusive head trauma. They are not the result of benign typical infant handling and are not explained by an underlying genetic or hematologic condition, documents said of the infants injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The childs mother said the baby was fine when she left the home just before 8 p.m. on March 14, and said the baby would typically only go into his loud screams when he was alone in the bedroom with [Valenzuela], arrest documents said. Valenzuela said the baby was screaming extremely loud before the child went limp and Valenzuela called 911. Valenzuela performed CPR on the child until first responders arrived. When talking with police, Valenzuela said he believed nurses at the hospital had handled his son roughly, and said some of the childs injuries may have come from the doctor pulling the baby out during a C-section. After being told about the childs brain hemorrhaging and bleeding and being told that those injuries are not attributed to medical professionals handling of the child Valenzuela continued to deny doing anything to [the child], except picking him up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child died at the hospital on March 17, and Valenzuela was taken into custody on March 21. If you suspect child abuse or neglect contact the DCFS 24/7 hotline: 855-323-3237. For more information, visit dcfs.utah.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 ABC4 Utah. A man has been arrested in Jacksonville Beach after flashing a firearm at a security guard and fleeing from officers on Monday. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] According to reports by both the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office and the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, the man, Skyler Trinidad, was drinking with friends Monday night through the various bars around Jacksonville Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the night, Trinidad tried to return to Mangos Bar, where he was refused entry due to his level of intoxication. A friend of Trinidad told officers that he later returned to the bar in frustration, where he flashed his firearm and told the security guard I will see you later, and upon hearing this statement he informed an officer working in an off-duty capacity. The officer was able to identify Trinidad, and upon making contact he fled the scene. The officer quickly came in contact with JSO and JBPD. JSO was able to locate Trinidad shortly after arriving on the scene, where officers found a black firearm in plain sight in his waistband. He was detained shortly thereafter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skyler Trinidad is charged with improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon or firearms, Disorderly intoxication, and Resisting Officer without violence. [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. DAVENPORT, Fla. (WFLA) A man was arrested in Polk County on Wednesday after he was accused of trying to bite and kick deputies while attempting to conceal drugs. According to the Polk County Sheriffs Office, the incident occurred at 6:02 p.m. on Power Line Road near Snell Creek Road in Davenport. A white Ford Ranger pickup truck with three occupants was pulled over for a routine traffic stop, during which the driver and the occupant in the passenger seat were cooperative, according to deputies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies said they noticed the man in the middle seat had pulled out a white baggie from his pocket and was attempting to hide it behind him. He was identified as 60-year-old Esteban Fernandez Uriostegui. Deputies reached in to remove Fernandez Uriostegui from the vehicle when they said he attempted to bite one of them, elbowed another in the face, and kicked another detective in the leg multiple times. Deputies said that during the struggle, Fernandez Uriostegui managed to put the white baggie in his mouth before they could secure him in handcuffs. After searching him, they found Fernandez Uriostegui in possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was taken to a nearby hospital before being booked into the Polk County jail. The Polk County Sheriffs Office has charged him with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, tampering with evidence, possession of cocaine, and 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 WFLA. KANAWHA COUNTY, West Virginia (WJW) A West Virginia man has been arrested after driving around a school bus that had its stop sign out and nearly hit a child earlier this month, the Kanawha County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. Video footage taken from the school bus shows the frightening moment the child crosses in front of the bus only to narrowly miss being hit by a white sedan (as seen in the player above). The incident took place on Friday, March 14. Oh my goodness: VIP Millions scratch-off players hit it big in Ohio Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office said they were able to identify the owner of the vehicle Kevin Webster of St. Albans about 30 minutes after they posted the dramatic video online thanks to help from the community. They then worked to learn if the driver and the owner were one in the same, finding evidence that was the case. Photo courtesy Kanawha County Sheriffs Office Webster is facing multiple charges, according to the sheriffs office, including: DUI, reckless driving, overtaking and passing a school bus, driving on a revoked license for DUI and suspended driving. The sheriffs office reminded people to stop for school buses when lights are flashing and to always go slowly through 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A 21-year-old Troy hospital employee has been charged after allegedly shooting his coworker in the hospitals parking garage earlier this week, prosecutors say. Robert Paljusevic, of Shelby Township, was arraigned Sunday on charges of assault with intent to murder, felony firearm and carrying a concealed weapon, according to the Oakland County Prosecutors Office. PD: Troy hospital employee in custody, accused of shooting coworker Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting happened Thursday morning at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital. The Troy Police Department said the suspect fired several shots at the victim, a 25-year-old man who was leaving after his shift. The victim was hit twice in the arm, police said. (The victim and the suspect) were friends at some point, Troy Police Chief Josh Jones said in a briefing Thursday afternoon. In the very quick investigation we have done this morning, it sounds like there was some kind of falling out recently, but thats all we know right now. The suspect fled in a car, according to the prosecutors office, prompting an hourslong search and sending the hospital into lockdown Thursday morning. Police tracked him to a home in Macomb County, and he was arrested later that morning. We can be grateful the victim appears to be recovering from his injury, but no one should have to fear violence in the workplace, said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald in a statement. This incident sent the hospital into a lockdown, put local schools on alert, and terrified an entire community. Multiple law enforcement agencies mobilized to quickly and safely apprehend the defendant. Even in a situation where, thankfully, there were no fatalities, the real and emotional cost of gun violence is immeasurable and unacceptable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paljusevic is being held without bond, according to the prosecutors office. His next court appearance is set for March 31. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 North Carolina man is in a South Carolina jail on an attempted murder charge, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Jason McConnell Yount was arrested after an incident that began with him exposing himself in public before he stabbed a police officer who responded by shooting Yount, SLED said in a news release. Yount is a 42-year-old Newton, North Carolina resident, Charleston County court records show. Information about why Yount was in South Carolinas Lowcountry, about 250 miles south of Newton, was not available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 18, Mount Pleasant Police Department officers responded to a 911 call about a person, later identified as Yount, who exposed himself at a bank, according to the release. It was a branch of the First Horizon Bank in the 600 block of Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, police said. At about 5:15 p.m., an officer located an individual matching the suspected flashers description near East Cooper Plaza, according to police. There was an altercation between Yount and the officer, where Yount assaulted and stabbed the officer with a knife, and the officer shot the North Carolina man, SLED said. Both Yount and the officer were taken to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston with what police said were non-life-threatening injuries. SLED said that the officer suffered multiple injuries, but further information on the officers condition was not available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other injuries were reported. Both have been discharged from the hospital, and on March 20 Yount was arrested on the attempted murder charge, according to SLED. No bond was set and Yount remains locked up in the Al Cannon Detention Center, jail records show. Yount is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 5, judicial records show. Mount Pleasant police asked SLED to lead an investigation into the shooting. Because the investigation is ongoing, SLED said its not releasing any other information about the incident. This was the first shooting involving a member of the Mount Pleasant Police Department this year, and there were no similar incidents involving the department in 2024, according to SLED. This was the ninth time in 2025 that a law enforcement officer in South Carolina was involved in a shooting after there were 45 of those incidents last year, SLED said. A man who spent three nights awaiting arraignment inside Brooklyn Criminal Court apparently died in his holding cell, cops said. Soso Ramishvili was found dead at 8:25 a.m. Friday, police said, just an hour before he was supposed to appear in front of a judge. One minute he was sitting on the floor of the cell and the next minute they noticed he was slumped over with his head on the ground. The nurses checked on him and called EMS. They performed CPR on him, a police source told The Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramishvili, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death was not immediately known, and police are still investigating. Soso Ramishvili, 32, was found dead inside of a holding cell inside Brooklyn Criminal Court at 8:25 a.m. Friday, cops said. KYLE MAZZA/Shutterstock Court records show Ramishvilis arraignment had been postponed six times since he was brought to the courthouse after being arrested Tuesday for shoplifting in Brooklyn. Cops busted Ramishvili with $213 worth of stolen power tools from a Home Depot in Mill Basin, according to the source. When they searched him, they allegedly found a glassine envelope full of what they believed to be cocaine, pending testing, the source said. He was charged with petit larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While at the courthouse, Ramishvili required medical attention at least three times for drug-related health issues, according to a police source. Hes been back and forth to the hospital in recent days for drug withdrawals, the source said. Staffing issues at the citys courthouses may have added to the scheduling issues in Ramishvilis case, another police source said. Ramishvili, who allegedly had a glassine envelope of cocaine when cops arrested him, required medical attention for drug withdrawals while in police custody, a police source said. KYLE MAZZA/Shutterstock One minute he was sitting on the floor of the cell and the next minute they noticed he was slumped over with his head on the ground, the source told The Post. KYLE MAZZA/Shutterstock They shorted all the courts by putting everyone out on the subway, the insider said. They dont have enough manpower. In order to guard prisoners, cops working in courthouses across the city need to be able to have inmate contact but may not be able to because of physical issues such as injury or pregnancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why do you send people who cant have prisoner contact to the court section? the source asked. The Legal Aid Society and Brooklyn Defenders are demanding an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ramishvilis death. Recent staffing issues at the courthouses may have added to the scheduling issues that Ramishvili faced, another police source said. KYLE MAZZA/Shutterstock This person, who should have been granted a desk appearance [ticket] and released based on the offense, languished in pain in custody for three days and was deprived of medical care despite repeated pleas from defense lawyers and other personnel to secure them needed care. This level of indifference is unconscionable, the groups said in a joint statement about Ramishvilis death. New York City law requires people to be arraigned within 24 hours of their arrest unless there is a valid reason for the delay. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) A St. Petersburg man is accused of threatening a cop with a hatchet and putting another officer in a headlock. On Friday morning, officers with the St. Petersburg Police Department responded to the home of 32-year-old Michael Wolski after he struck his father, who is over the age of 65. Florida 10-year-old dies weeks after gruesome abuse from mom, man: police According to an arrest affidavit, Wolski threatened one of the officers with a black hatchet he was carrying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report said Wolski cocked the hatchet over his shoulder at the beginning of a throwing motion toward the cop, knowing he was a law enforcement officer. As officers tried taking Wolski into custody, he refused to drop the weapon. Thats when the suspect pushed another responding officer with his two hands and struck him. Wolski then wrapped his arm around the officers neck, placing him into a headlock, the affidavit said. The suspect was tased to release the officer from his grasp. Wolski was arrested and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and battery on a person 65 years or older. He is being held without bond. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man is dead and another is in critical condition after a shootout in Red Banks, Mississippi, Marshall County Sheriff Kenny Dickerson confirmed. Sheriff Dickerson said the shooting occurred at Joe Joes Truck Stop, located in the 4100 block of US-78 in Red Banks. Two people reportedly started shooting at each other. One man was killed and another is in critical condition at Regional One. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He walked up, they said a couple of words the next thing I know, I heard gunshots, Tara Baldwin said. I didnt even realize thats what it was. It was so quick. Baldwin, a worker at Joe Joes Truck Stop described to WREG what she saw and heard the night of the shooting. Mans home catches fire after he allegedly shot at neighbors house He came in walking in to get his food, he had his baby with him. He got her a popsicle, they were on their way outside, Baldwin said. They had just put the baby in the car and thats when the other people had pulled up in the car. Baldwin said the victims young daughter witnessed her fathers final moments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That baby was sitting there saying her daddys dead, she said. She seen her daddy die and theres no way, shes never gonna forget something like that. Thats always gonna be with her. Its just sad, what people are doing these days. After the shooting happened, Baldwin told WREG that witnesses and her 19-year-old daughter did what they could to save the mans life. She said her daughter also moved the loaded gun at the scene. However, the Marshall County Sheriffs Office said those actions led to her arrest. MPD: Man threatens to butcher churchgoers with a machete She had got the gun and gave it to an adult, Baldwin said. They got her detained cause they said she was tampering with evidence and its not that she was tampering with evidence, she was just making sure that that gun was not picked up and no more rounds out of that gun was fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two other people were arrested for tampering with the crime scene after the fact. Baldwin said her daughter is almost six months pregnant. Shes hoping she will be released soon. In the meantime, shes praying for the loved ones affected by this weekends deadly shooting. It was a good man that lost his life. A good father, a good husband, Baldwin said. I mean he did what he could for his family. He would do anything for anybody around this town. The names of the men involved in the shootout nor the names of the other people who were arrested have 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 WREG.com. ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. One of three men linked to a 2017 armed robbery of a Casino Queen in East St. Louis, which left a security guard wounded, has been sentenced to nearly half a century in prison. A judge sentenced Daryl S. Muhammad, 48, of Marietta, Georgia, to 49 years in federal prison on Friday. He was convicted last November of armed robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Investigators say Muhammad and two others entered the Casino Queen around 3 a.m. on Sept. 17, 2017, armed with rifles. The trio got away with $47,000, while an unarmed security guard was shot during the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anheuser-Busch to end PrideFest sponsorship after 30 years The investigation eventually led Illinois State Police to the arrest of Muhammad in January 2019 in Cobb County, Georgia. This was more than a robberyit was a violent assault on the community with military-style rifles, which is why our office cross-designated one of our prosecutors to support the great work done by the States Attorneys Office, said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft for the Southern District of Illinois via a news release. The community wins when state and federal authorities combine efforts to take out the most violent criminals. Illinois State Police informed the St. Louis Post-Dispatch last November that the other two men involved can no longer be prosecuted because a statute of limitations has expired. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A man was injured after he was stabbed in Southeast D.C. early Sunday morning, police said. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) told DC News Now that officers responded to the 2200 block of Minnesota Ave. SE for a reported stabbing shortly before 8:15 a.m. This is near Boone Elementary School. At the scene, officers found a man suffering from stab wounds. Police said he was conscious and breathing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police investigating double shooting in Northwest DC Responders took him to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. First Presbyterian Church of Chaumont will host their annual rummage sale on Thursday and Friday, March 27 and 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. The rummage sale is currently being set up inside the church, more information will be made available on the churchs Facebook 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 WWTI - InformNNY.com. Both candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court have earned endorsements from the Wisconsin State Journal in the past. Our editorial board endorsed Susan Crawford for Dane County judge in 2018, calling the former assistant attorney general who worked on hundreds of criminal cases, prison policy and environmental protection sharp and confident with the calm and patient demeanor of a judge. We endorsed Brad Schimel for attorney general in 2014 and 2018, crediting him for a solid job, broad experience and defending Wisconsins open records law. So deciding our endorsement for state Supreme Court in the April 1 election wasnt easy. Both judges in this race Crawford on the bench in Dane County, Schimel in Waukesha have strong records. During meetings with our editorial board, they both exhibited the professionalism and knowledge necessary for Wisconsins highest court. Neither judge has sided callously with criminals nor ignored rape victims, as so many TV attack ads erroneously claim. Crawford and Schimel are good people caught in an ugly and expensive race for high court that has surpassed $67 million. Wisconsin must adopt a better way of selecting judges than mudslinging election campaigns funded by billionaires and special interests. Appointing top judges based on merit would help restore trust in objective justice. Limiting justices to longer, single terms, perhaps with retention elections, is another potential improvement. Yet voters have to make a decision April 1, with ideological control of the high court likely at stake. Under normal circumstances, both candidates would make fine state Supreme Court justices. But these are unusual times. Republican President Donald Trump has attacked the judiciary in unprecedented ways when it doesnt always rule his way. Trump last week demanded Congress impeach a lunatic and crooked judge for merely suspending one of his many executive orders. His fiery rhetoric is absurd and dangerous. If a judge needs a few days and more information to ensure people are treated fairly in our nation of laws, that is a judges prerogative and responsibility. Trumps latest threat against our courts even prompted Chief Justice John Roberts to issue a rare public statement defending the judge. For more than two centuries, Roberts wrote, 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 is right, and his advice mirrors our own editorial boards admonition to U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, last month. Van Orden parroted the wishes of billionaire White House adviser and major Schimel donor Elon Musk in demanding impeachment for a different judge who temporarily blocked Musk from accessing millions of Americans Social Security and bank account numbers. Trump, Musk and Van Ordens disdain for the rule of law and an independent judiciary is shameful. To his credit, Schimel isnt joining them in bashing judges for doing their jobs. Moreover, Schimel told us hes never met Musk and doesnt control a lot of the ads against his opponent. Our endorsements for Madison City Council 15 races could significantly change who represents capital-city residents at City Hall. Still, Schimels response to Trumps demand for impeachment is disappointing. When asked Thursday if he was uncomfortable with Trumps attack on the judge, Schimel said: Thats the presidents prerogative to make statements like that. Technically, sure, the president has the same free-speech rights as anyone else. But Trumps blatant intimidation of the judiciary is wrong, and Schimel should say so. It just strikes me as how politics are right now, Schimel said. Unfortunately, thats true because Trump has lowered the bar on civil discourse and democratic norms. At least Schimel didnt fault Roberts for his response. But we worry how Schimel might rule as a potential deciding vote if, for example, Trump denied again and repeatedly, despite all evidence the legitimate results of another fair election in Wisconsin. Like Schimel, Crawford has partisan ties. Shes worked for a Democratic governor and liberal causes before becoming a judge. But Crawford wont cave to Trumps dangerous pressure campaign against the judiciary. We hope Schimel wouldnt either. But were not sure, given how many Republicans have fallen in line when Trump has violated even clear Republican principles. At a recent campaign rally, Schimel told supporters that Trump needed a support network, implying hed be part of that. Schimel also has campaigned with Trumps son. Schimel sounded awfully MAGA at the rally, which is inappropriate for a judge. Unlike Schimel, Crawford can quickly cite cases where she ruled against her partisan supporters. She also credited conservative Justice Annette Ziegler for her dissent in a criminal drunken-driving case, saying she would have upheld the authority of police who arrested the man. Were disappointed Crawford wont agree to step down from high-profile cases involving special interests spending millions of dollars to benefit her high-court election. But Schimels position is the same. He wont commit to recuse from a case the court is likely to hear about Tesla even though the electric-car companys owner, Musk, has spent $7 million from a super PAC to bolster Schimels chances. Its not Crawfords nor Schimels fault that big-money campaigns are turning our best judges into the worst of politicians. Yet Crawford is better positioned to uphold Wisconsins laws and elections, regardless of politics. Shes more likely to respect our democratic foundations no matter how fierce the political pressure becomes. Were endorsing Crawford as a needed check for Wisconsin on the worst instincts of a president who, by the day, seeks to surpass his legitimate powers. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Protesters gathered in downtown Nashville Saturday afternoon, voicing concerns over proposed legislation that would allow school districts to deny undocumented students. A group walked to the Tennessee State Capitol on Saturday, March 22, several days before the bill in question is set to be debated in Senate and House committees. Youre not going to shut down the peoples business: Lawmakers expect more protests over bill impacting undocumented students Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have been a targeted community over and over again, and this is our way to show our voice, Stephanie Alas, co-founder of Hijos de Inmigrantes, told News 2. We want it to be known that there is community in this chaos thats going onWe want to let the world know especially here in Tennessee that theyre not alone. Republicans have said the proposed legislation is designed to alleviate the large financial burden undocumented students have placed on school systems. However, its sparked heated debate among lawmakers and protests from the public that have all but shut down three committee hearings over the past few weeks. We welcome protesters here, we welcome peaceful protesters here, but for anyone who comes down to the Capitol, youre not going to shut down the peoples business, House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland), the bills House sponsor, said on Thursday, March 20. Its a passionate topic. Ive seen dozens and dozens of those down here, and thats not a bad thing. We just ask that folks be peaceful about expressing their viewpoints and to understand they are not going to shut down government. We will continue to move forward. Bill requiring tuition payments for undocumented students in Tennessee public schools dies in Senate committee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill was recently amended to allow families who cannot prove the legal status of their children to pay tuition so they could still attend school. The proposal is scheduled for discussion in the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on Tuesday, March 25, followed by the House Education Committee on Wednesday, March 26, per the Capitol calendar. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. It is a procession of the absurd. The Marche du Nain Rouge, an annual, riotous, jazzy parade through the Cass Corridor of Detroit, stepped off once again Sunday, attracting thousands to join in and behold all the weird, wacky and wonderful costumes and floats while marking this past Thursday's official start of spring. Event organizer and co-founder Francis Grunow said it serves as a distraction from the chaos of the real world. It's a chance for people to let loose and have fun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need more absurdity in our lives," Grunow said. "We want people to come down and let their freak flag fly." And that is exactly what parade-goers did. Thousands turned out to see the march, which kicked off on Second Avenue and West Canfield Street in Midtown. Led by Detroit's Gabriel Brass Band, the parade took about an hour to reach its stopping point at the Masonic Temple on Temple Street. With New Orleans-inspired jazz, an annual appearance from a mythical legend and DJs spinning techno at the afterparty, the Marche du Nain Rouge solidified itself as Mardi Gras meets Groundhog Day in Detroit. Detroit Protests: Protesters in Detroit and Canada unify across river, rally against Trump presidency Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ralph Taylor, an 82-year-old artist from Trinidad, has been designing costumes for the parade for almost a decade, he said. Taylor, who wore a simple navy blue jacket and jeans, was actually the man behind some of the loudest costumes marching through the Cass Corridor Sunday. Performers wearing his costumes stood out in the crowd with large fans and ornate sets of wings fixed to their backs. Taylor is a Kresge Arts fellow who designs ornate costumes for marchers in the parade. He said he's inspired by his childhood in Trinidad and Tobago. "I grew up in Trinidad, and there I loved Carnival," Taylor said, referencing the exuberant annual festival on the Caribbean island. "I loved all the old people making costumes and I wanted to make costumes myself something beautiful." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor said he's been making award-winning costumes since he was 9. And at 82, he plans to keep elevating the Marche du Nain Rouge. "I just love the Nain Rouge," Taylor said. News quiz: Did you follow metro Detroit news this week? Test your knowledge with Free Press news quiz A newer Nain The parade is steeped in nearly 300 years of history. The Nain Rouge "red dwarf" in French is a local cryptid described as an impish, cantankerous creature who has allegedly been sighted in Detroit before several catastrophes. In previous iterations of the march, people were encouraged to chase Nain out of Detroit, warding off the potential for bad luck. Often, there were effigy burnings once the parade had concluded to cast away Nain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, organizers have decided Nain can stay billing the event as a "Groundhog Day of Detroit" rather than the running off of a little red dwarf. Most versions of the story attribute the myth of Nain to Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac the founder of Detroit who is said to have seen a little red devil running through the city before experiencing financial ruin. John Tenney, a local historian who studies hauntings and local folklore, said the origin of the red dwarf is wrapped up in anti-indigenous stereotypes. Tenney has been hoping for a change like this for a while he has protested at every march for the last 20 years. John Tenney, holding a sign reading "Cadillac was a fraud!!" was one of about a dozen protesters who were pro-Nain, embracing a shift in the narrative of the Marche du Nain Rouge. "The problem is, the history behind the parade is problematic," Tenney said. "We don't need to be kicking the red devil out of Detroit." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tenney and about a dozen other protesters of the event stood with light-hearted signs embracing Nain. Tenney said he still appreciates the event and the celebration and now he is embracing the change in tone of the parade. Nicolle Talley, a pro-Nain protester from Clawson, said she has always had fun at the parade but is happy the narrative is changing. "We're pro the Nain Rouge parade," Talley said. "But we don't think we should be running the little red man out of Detroit." This year, the red, pointy-earned Nain stood in a float at the head of the parade pointing forward as a trail of dancers, jazz musicians, bikers and people in wild costumes all of them having a grand time followed closely behind. Contact Liam Rappleye: LRappleye@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Marche du Nain Rouge rolls through Midtown once again Max Frankel, the Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times corresponded who would rise to become its executive editor, has died, his wife confirmed to the paper on Sunday. He was 94. Frankel died Sunday in his Manhattan home, wife Joyce Purnick, herself a former reporter and editor at The Times, said. Frankel fled Nazi Germany as a child and came to New York not knowing any English. He gravitated toward journalism, a career that would see him rise to the summit of his profession, befriending world leaders and leading the Times during eight years of great change and turmoil on the global stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frankel went with Richard Nixon to China on his 1972 mission to normalize relations, and chronicled the presidents meetings with Mao and Chou En-lai, along the way giving American readers a look into the lives of everyday Chinese, who had been in isolation since the Communist revolution of 1949. His 24 articles in those eight days won the 1973 Pulitzer for international reporting. Frankel served as the Times opinions editor and later executive editor from 1986 to 1994, a time of mostly massive growth for the storied newspaper. More to come The post Max Frankel, Pulitzer Prize-Winner and Former NYT Executive Editor, Dies at 94 appeared first on TheWrap. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Sunday that President Trump has broken the Democratic Party, adding that it has become leaderless and party members are fighting among themselves. It is a huge mess, McCarthy said Sunday of the present state of the Democratic Party in a conversation with radio host John Catsimatidis on WABC 770 AMs The Cats Roundtable. It wasnt just that President Trump won the election. He has now broken the Democratic Party, he said. If you think about it, they are leaderless. Theres no message, and their polling continues to drop. They are now fighting among themselves, he continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCarthy added that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) are displaying weak leadership. The former Speaker went on to say that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who recently addressed a joint rally in Las Vegas, are currently leading the party. The real leaders of the Democratic Party right now are AOC and Bernie Sanders. Those are the two that are getting the crowds, he said. In response to a question about Schumer supporting the stopgap bill that averted a government shutdown earlier this month, McCarthy said, But his own party attacked him for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean, what you are finding out here is the House is without a leader. What has Hakeem Jeffries done? He has no messaging. He cant make a decision. You got AOC leading the Democratic Party now, McCarthy said. I dont know how much longer Hakeem Jeffries and Schumer can stay leaders. Theyre in hiding, he said. Their own party is working against them. The California Republican further said that the Democratic Partys leadership challenges show how strong Trump is. His polling is getting stronger, because he secured the borders. Thats what he said he would do. McCarthy also slammed California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), calling him a chameleon and accusing him of now talking like a Republican and featuring a slew of Republicans on his new podcast This Is Gavin Newsom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gavin is the biggest chameleon who ever lived, McCarthy 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. Education Secretary Linda McMahon wont rule out having Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. take over vaccines in public schools. Noting that shuttering the Department of Education as the Trump administration intends would require redistributing its responsibilities, host Dana Bash asked whether Kennedya vaccine skepticcould be tasked with overseeing state vaccination mandates. Would he be involved in vaccination of children at schools? she asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McMahon responded by saying the question was outside the scope of the discussion. Bash quickly shot back, So thats a no. Thats not necessarily a no, McMahon replied, pointing out that under the current rules, vaccine mandates for children entering public schools are enforced at the state rather than federal level. The education secretary was nevertheless swift to voice her support for Kennedys credentials when it comes to protecting vulnerable children. Secretary Kennedy, with whom Ive had conversations about that, has an absolute passion about looking at students with handicaps and disabilities, because he himself talks about how difficult it has been for him with the neurological aspect that he dealt with all through his life, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy suffers from a neurological condition known as spasmodic dysphonia, which causes the muscles of his voice box to spasm involuntarily, resulting in a strained voice and pain while speaking. [It] is painful for him when he speaks, McMahon went on. He understands children who are having to deal with that kind of handicap and need help. I think that would be a passion of his own heart. Kennedy has drawn rebuke for peddling junk science about the supposed health threats of inoculation against debilitating and deadly diseases, particularly in children. One of the new health secretarys chief claims, widely debunked in scientific studies, is that vaccinating children causes autism. He has also previously asserted the COVID-19 pandemic was engineered to target Caucasians and Black people and pushed misleading claims about the dangers of fluoride in drinking water. CHICAGO (WGN) About 90% of the U.S. population has gotten their two-dose regimen to protect against measles, mumps and rubella, but, the unvaccinated have increasingly been contracting the highly contagious, deadly disease. Northwestern University and Lurie Childrens pediatric 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Measles cases rise to about 320 total in Texas and New Mexico. What you should know. Decades of research have proven the MMR vaccine is 95% 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, 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. 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 March 14 | More than 300 measles cases now confirmed in 14 states For those teenaged to adulthood, the two doses are far in the rearview mirror. And since the virus is one of the most contagious, with 9 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 err on the side of extra doses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rising vaccine hesitancy has health experts concerned about other illnesses as well, including chicken pox and potentially polio. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In the 20 years since a teen carried out the deadliest school shooting in Minnesota at Red Lake High School, authorities have learned more about warning signs before violence. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension started the Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Team in 2023 and just rolled out a statewide strategy. The work moves beyond a law enforcement-only approach to a multi-disciplinary team that includes mental health professionals, educators and community leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Far too often we hear about mass violence occurring in one of our communities, both in Minnesota and across the country, and yet we know theres a fairly regular pattern that exists with people that commit mass violence, said BCA Superintendent Drew Evans, referring to people who are around perpetrators and, in hindsight, realized there were warning signs. The states team is working to prevent violence from occurring in the first place, focusing on threats to schools, houses of worship and other places where large numbers of people are gathered, Evans said. Not if they made a threat, but if they pose one The work of threat assessments began on the federal level after attempted assassinations of public figures, including then-President Ronald Regan in 1981, to develop a profile for the type of person that would perpetrate that kind of violence, with the view of prevention, said James Densley, co-founder of the St. Paul-based Violence Prevention Project and an expert in mass shootings. Behavioral threat assessment became an evidence-based approach thats been applied to school shootings and workplace violence as a way of trying to get upstream of the problem and intervene before it ever occurs, said Densley, who chairs Metropolitan State Universitys criminology and criminal justice department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota is the eighth state to roll out a statewide strategy for preventing targeted violence. The work is coordinated at the BCAs office in St. Paul. They assist local entities and also have a tip line thats open to the public. The state team began in October 2023 after receiving a federal grant. The information they receive is often about people causing safety concerns to those around them and its a change to their typical behavior. Its not if they made a threat, its if they pose a threat, said Emmah Pieper, BCA criminal intelligence analyst. Examples may include someone who is suddenly making agitated posts on social media or who shows an interest in something they didnt before such as firearms, said Stefanie Dressen, BCA assistant special agent in charge of the Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Team. The change in behavior also includes talking about violence or other concerning behavior. Related Articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Untreated mental illness or substance abuse problems could be driving the change, or it could be a grievance with someone or something they dont know how to resolve, Dressen said. A person could be motivated by politics or ideology, but thats not always the case. Other examples are people who are embarrassed by a divorce, fired from their job or being bullied at school. A major part of the behavioral threat assessment is determining whether a person has the means to carry out violence, including access to guns or other weapons. Everyones affected by every targeted violence act, no matter where it happens in the country or in the world, because it makes us look over our shoulders, Dressen said. Its not just a law enforcement problem, its not just a school problem, its a community problem. Response could be law enforcement or social services The people who come to the attention of a Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Team may not have committed a crime or their actions may constitute a threat of violence under state law. But if theyre arrested and released, that doesnt take away violent plans they may be making, Dressen said. Thats why the teams work is also about getting people connected to social services and mental health resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, a 32-year-old man was arrested in St. Cloud in 2021 for stalking and possibly planning an attack against police. A Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Team not the BCAs because it was before it was started assessed the man and determined that civil commitment and addressing his untreated mental health condition would best serve him and public safety, the BCAs strategy document says as an example. Since then, the man has been successfully living in the community and is gainfully employed. Densley said he agrees that not all threats should mean a criminal response, especially for juveniles. If people are making threats rather than keeping them to themselves those should be viewed as a chance to step in and get them help, Densley said. But if a persons actions involve a criminal violation, a Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Team will take a law enforcement and prosecution approach. In 2023, a 20-year-old from a Twin Cities suburb received a prison term for a 2021 burglary, during which he tried to steal guns. An initial assessment from a Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Team identified an intent to carry out mass violence, the BCAs report said. This approach ensured that the criminal justice system acted appropriately and in a coordinated fashion. Red Lake, 20 years later On March 21, 2005, the Red Lake community was devastated by shootings carried out by a Red Lake High School student he killed five of his classmates, a teacher and the schools security guard, along with his grandfather and his grandfathers partner, before dying by suicide. Red Lake is 260 miles north of downtown St. Paul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we endured as a community was tragic and devastating for so many wonderful individuals, families and the Red Lake community as a whole, said Missy Dodds, a Red Lake High School teacher who is now an outreach specialist and speaker for Safe and Sound Schools. I want people to know that those we lost will never be forgotten Neva, Chase, Thurlene, Dewayne, Alicia, Chanelle and Derrick. They will always have a place in our hearts. Through the work of the 3.21.05 Memorial Fund, plans are being made for a permanent memorial in Red Lake. I am grateful that the lives lost and changed will forever be honored and remembered, Dodds said. In their research, Densley and Hamline University criminology and criminal justice professor Jillian Peterson, the founders of the Violence Prevention Project, studied the warning signs showed by the Red Lake shooter. This was a student that had trouble at home, who was pretty immersed in Nazi, far-right propaganda, was posting things on social media, was writing about things in diaries and school projects, Densley said. He had access to guns because his grandfather was a police officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the problem before Red Lake and other mass shootings is the red flags that are pieces of a puzzle and, while various people may know about pieces, it takes coordination like a Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Team to put the puzzle together before violence happens, Densley said. Dodds said she believes in the threat assessment process and the evidence-based approach it provides to identify potential warning signs and opportunities for intervention on the pathway to violence. She sees it as one part of a comprehensive approach to school safety, which is something Safe and Sound Schools often talks about. It takes everybody being involved The BCA knows of 20 Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Teams in Minnesota some counties have them, along with school districts and corporations and is aiming to work in coordination with them. The goal of having a strategic plan, which the BCA and Gov. Tim Walz publicized Thursday, is to make people around the state aware that theyre a resource and they have training available, Dressen said. Related Articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their message to the public is: It takes everybody being involved, said BCA Special Agent Katie Gernentz, who works on the Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Team. There is no bad tip, even if you only have minimal information, Dressen added. If it makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up, if it makes you worried or scared, thats a sign to come forward, Pieper said. People can make tips, including anonymously, about concerning or suspicious behavior by calling the BCA Tip line at 877-996-6222, emailing bca.tips@state.mn.us or downloading the BCA tip app called See it, Say it, Send it. As an ophthalmology physician assistant, Stephanie Schick spends her days detecting diseases and helping preserve and restore the vision of patients in Merced. Schick, 36, may have missed her calling as a detective. I kind of feel like I would have been a great detective, she said. I can detect diseases. I can also detect stolen property. I think you have to see the big picture, but you also have to look at the details. I think Im able to do both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, there were 470 vehicles stolen in Merced, according to the Merced Police Department. Schick helped lead to the recovery of three of those cars. We rely on our citizens to solve crime a lot of the time, Merced Police Sgt. Christian Lupian said. If you live in a neighborhood, you know what cars are frequent to that area. You know what your neighbors cars look like. If you see a car that doesnt belong, its typically because it doesnt belong. According to Lupian, many stolen cars are usually dumped in neighborhoods after the vehicle has been involved in a crime such as a shooting, robbery, or a hit-and-run or if the thieves stole the vehicle just to take it for a joy ride. One of the vehicles Schick helped recover was a car that looked out of place. The vehicle was parked near a patients house and after asking neighbors and caretakers it was clear the car didnt belong to anybody in the neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schick phoned the police and it turned out the car was stolen and used in a high-speed chase. It takes a community to really help fight the crime, not just the policemen, Schick said. Tips to prevent auto theft According to Lupian, 390 of the 470 vehicles stolen in Merced were recovered. However, Lupian says its about a 50% chance the vehicle is going to be recovered in similar condition. Often vehicles are stripped for certain parts, tires are taken and property inside the vehicle is stolen. Its recommended to use alarms, steering wheel locks, and always lock your cars, Lupian said. Theft often occurs when cars are left running or unlocked, especially in the morning. People will warm up their cars and leave them running unoccupied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lupian says they have seen a 56% decrease in vehicle theft so far this year with 45 cars stolen in Merced in January and February with 40 of those being recovered. Lupian said a big reason for the drop in auto theft is Kias were particularly targeted due to a USB ignition issue, which has been addressed by a recall. Ophthalmology physician assistant Stephanie Schick, inside the office of Dr. Harold Schick, MD, in Merced, Calif., on Friday, March 14, 2025. On the case In 2020, Schick, who graduated from Merced High School in 2006, began working full time in the same ophthalmology office her father Dr. Harold Schick had been working in for 38 years. She had started working part time there in 2018. One of the vehicles Stephanie Schick helped recover was her own. It was stolen from out in from of her home last summer and a few weeks later she spotted someone driving the car around town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schick hopped into her fathers car and started following her car. She phoned the police to let them know she had her car in sight, but they were unable to send an officer at the time. She eventually lost the vehicle at a stop light. Her car was eventually recovered by the police a few weeks later close to where she spotted it. If you find your stolen car Lupian said he doesnt advise people to follow their stolen vehicles for safety reasons and if you do locate your own stolen vehicle and its unoccupied, call the police. Report it and let us know where its at, Lupian said. Dont touch it. Dont go anywhere near it, because we ultimately arrive to the scene to print it or dust it for any prints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lupian said theres been times when people have just driven their vehicle home without informing the police, forgetting that the car is still in the system as a stolen vehicle. Helping a friend The other vehicle Schick helped recovered belonged to the mother of Merced City council member Sarah Boyle, who was a high school classmate. After already helping recover her own stolen car, Schick let the Boyle family know she was on the case and they would find the car. Sure enough, while heading to meet her dad, Schick saw a car that fit the description. She backed up her car to get a photo of the license plate with her phone and sent a text to Sarah Boyle. After phoning the police, Schick was ready to stand guard by the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think she just pays attention, Boyle said. You know, theres so many people that just dont pay attention. First she notices, Hey, I dont see this car ever, and it turns out to be a stolen car. Then its like, I remember my friends moms car, and she finds another one. Schicks ability to recover stolen vehicles has led to her having Merced Police captains and detectives contact numbers stored in her phone. I think it illustrates how much she truly cares about our community, Boyle said. Mass General Hospital launched its Center for Space Medicine Research in January of 2024. Needham native Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are the latest to undergo physical changes after their return from space after 9 months this week. Williams and Butch Wilmores eight-day expedition turned into 9 months after concerns over their Boeing capsule. The two splashed down Tuesday night off the coast of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vladimir Ivkovic is the director of research opportunities at the Mass General Hospital Center for Space Medicine. He has been monitoring Suni and Butchs journey alongside other astronauts who have to acclimate from space to life on Earth. He explained, We are more and more interested in understanding the actual ramifications of those missions that they will have on the human body, on human performance, on psychological functioning of these individuals. The Boston-based unit is now performing research funded by NASA. Ivkovic told Boston 25 Saturday that Wilmore and Williams will undergo several changes returning to life on Earth and gravity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, Ivkovic said theyll experience weakness in their muscles and bones that havent experienced pressure from gravity in months. Their hearts will also be forced to pump harder with gravity, which could cause fatigue and take weeks to adapt to. He explained, Of course, initially it is most acute in the first 48 hours. Then it becomes more stable. But, it takes a lot of effort. The two will undergo extensive cardiovascular and resistive exercises to gain back their physical strength, Ivkovic says. Emotional and psychological effects can be seen in the coming weeks as well, with more exposure to crowds, family, and the outside world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivkovic and his team are not working directly with Wilmore or Williams, but have been gathering data from other astronauts whove undergone the same physical change. They believe the physical changes they undergo could shed light on certain disorders and conditions on Earth. Ivkovic explained, Theres a lot of similarities in fact with some extreme situations or environments we have on earth and what were seeing in space flight. Boston 25 spoke with Suni Williams family Wednesday, who said they are giving her space to adapt over the next few weeks. Once shes able, she plans to return at some point to the Boston area. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A tragic ATV crash in Midland on Friday, March 21 resulted in the death of two individuals, including a student from Midland Independent School District (MISD), according to law enforcement and school officials. The Midland County Sheriffs Office confirmed deputies responded to a single-vehicle accident involving a 4-wheeler in the 5100 block of West County Road 116. Upon arrival, authorities found an adult male and a juvenile deceased at the scene. A second juvenile was transported to Midland Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was listed in stable condition. The identities of the victims have not yet been released, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement issued Saturday, MISD shared their grief over the loss of one of their students in the crash. MISD is saddened to have learned of the passing of one of its students who was involved in an ATV accident Friday evening. The loss of a young life is never easy, and we ask the community to keep our students family, friends, and schoolmates in their thoughts and prayers, the district stated. No further details about the second juvenile or the adult male involved have been made public as of Saturday evening. The Midland County Sheriffs Office says the investigation is ongoing. This is a developing story. More information will be released as it 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 Yourbasin. A mother's recent experience with United Airlines has sparked outrage after she was allegedly forced to remove her disabled son's ventilator before takeoff. Melissa Sotomayor took to TikTok to share her ordeal, and her video quickly went viral, amassing over a million views. Her heartbreaking account details how flight attendants repeatedly insisted that she turn off her son's life-sustaining medical equipment despite her providing the necessary documentation. Now, social media users are rallying behind her, calling for accountability from United Airlines and urging legal action against the airline's treatment of passengers with disabilities. A Mother's Nightmare Unfolds On United Airlines Flight Melissa Sotomayor's trip to Florida with her disabled son had been uneventfuluntil it was time to return home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mother, who had carefully prepared for the flight, ensured she had all the necessary medical documentation to accommodate her son's needs. Her son requires a tracheostomy and a ventilator to breathe, making it critical that his medical equipment remains functional at all times. However, shortly before takeoff on their United Airlines flight from Tampa, Florida, to New Jersey, a male flight attendant approached Sotomayor with an unexpected and distressing demand. She was told that she needed to turn off her son's ventilator and portable oxygen concentrator because the devices "needed to be secured for takeoff." Sotomayor was shocked by the request, knowing that even a brief interruption in her son's oxygen supply could be dangerous. Despite her immediate protests, the airline staff remained firm in their stance. Airline Crew Refused To Listen CANVA The situation escalated when Sotomayor provided the necessary medical documentation, expecting that this would resolve the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, things only got worse. Two additional flight attendants and even the flight captain approached her with the same demand. At one point, a flight attendant coldly told her, "He'll be okay until we're in the air at a high enough altitude." However, for a mother who understands her child's medical condition better than anyone, this was an unacceptable risk. As the confrontation continued, Sotomayor was given an ultimatum: comply with the airline's request or move to another seat. Feeling increasingly humiliated, she refused to back down. Other passengers, witnessing the ordeal, began to speak up in her defense, calling the crew's actions "harassment." The Woman Endured A Long, Stressful Wait Before The United Airlines Flight Took Off CANVA The plane remained taxiing for nearly an hour while the tense exchange continued. Throughout this time, Sotomayor felt embarrassed and disrespected in front of a plane full of passengers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the captain announced that the plane was cleared for takeoff. Even then, there was no apology from the airline staff for the distress they had caused. Still, the mistreatment didn't end on the flight. When Sotomayor escalated the incident to United Airlines' corporate office, she was met with another disappointing response. The airline insisted that they were following FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) guidelines and refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing. Melissa Sotomayor's Viral TikTok Post TikTok | missysoto0 Outraged by the entire experience, Sotomayor took to TikTok to share her story. In the now-viral video, she recounted the stressful series of events, explaining how she was pressured to turn off the life-sustaining equipment that her son depends on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This message is for United Airlines. The way that you treated my son when we were attempting to fly home from Tampa to Newark was absolutely ridiculous," she began in the clip. "I was really upset by the way we were humiliated in front of others and the way we were talked to," she also stated in the video. In her caption, she summarized the shocking ordeal, calling the airline's actions and highlighting the lack of empathy and understanding from the airline crew. She also emphasized how distressing it was to be treated in such a way while simply trying to ensure her sons safety. Netizens Blast United Airlines For Mistreating The Woman And Her Child Instagram | United Airlines The response to Sotomayor's video was overwhelming. Many social media users expressed anger toward United Airlines, criticizing the airline for its treatment of passengers with disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One user wrote, "The fact that they thought taking your son off OXYGEN, and a ventilator for any amount of time, and he would be fine, is INSANE." Another outraged commenter suggested direct action against the airline: "So we boycott United Airlines? Seems like the only way we can get a point across these days is to stop paying these people." Several people encouraged Sotomayor to take legal action, pointing out that airline staff are not allowed to ask for medical documentation beyond what is provided before boarding. "Please, please, please retain an attorney that specializes in ADA. MAKE ALL THE NOISE. Nobody should have to go through this," one person advised. Another commenter reinforced the legal aspect, saying, "The flight attendants are not allowed to ask you for any documentation. All of that is already provided prior to your boarding. Lawyer up, girl!" MONETT, Mo. This week, firefighters from Monett and Pierce City were called to assist in Douglas County and Ava Missouri, where several fires threatened the area. This past Wednesday, Monett Rural Fire District and the Pierce City Fire Department got a call. Wednesday afternoon, evening, a request was sent out to Barry County fire chiefs stating that it was county, region G, was requesting assistance, said Matt Privett, Monett Rural Fire Chief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wildfires impacting Douglas County There were several fires. Theres a total of three or four fires that were scattered around the eastern part of Douglas County that were out of control and hard to contain, said Clell Maples, Waymark Church deacon. More Local News Both departments were already handling their own problems. We was in a fire danger as well, so the availability of personnel was kind of lacking, said Privett. We have lots of supportive people, but members that are able and willing to put their life on the line. Those numbers are limited, said Maples. Despite these challenges, Monett and Pierce City teamed up to send firefighters and equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its main purpose is to assist vegetation fires such as blowers, saws, rakes, hoses, water, said Privett. One Monett firefighter and Waymark Church deacon, shares what it meant for him to be there. Its such an honor to be there and be a part of it to experience it, but also give back, because thats what its all about, is giving back to the community, said Maples. Waymark Church gives back by letting Monett Rural Fire District use its facilities for banquets and providing firefighters with food. Waymark Church always is very supportive of the communityone of them is giving back to helping the help, which is our guys, our local heroes, said Maples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the fires may be under control, Monetts fire chief says My heart goes out to the firefighters and Douglas County, said Privett. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Mora woman suspected of driving while high on meth is now facing criminal vehicular homicide charges after her 4-year-old son died of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash. The Chisago County Attorneys Office recently announced elevated charges against 36-year Ashlee Rose Klapperick in connection with the March 14 crash. Klapperick now faces one count of criminal vehicular homicide along with five other counts of criminal vehicular operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It followed a head-on crash involving Klapperick's Chevrolet Cruze and a Chrysler minivan at around 6:15 p.m. in Nessel Township. Chisago County Sheriff's Office Klapperick, identified as the driver of the Chevrolet Cruze, was in the car with her two children. Her 4-year-old son, Anthony Sobaski, was not breathing, but first responders were able to obtain a light pulse with chest compressions. He was airlifted to a Twin Cities hospital with a "significant brain injury," and died on Thursday. Klapperick's other child in the car, a 3-year-old, sustained a broken collarbone in the crash. The driver of the minivan told police that the Chevy had crossed the centerline into the opposite lane, eventually leading to the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver and three children traveling in the minivan were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. At the scene, Klapperick showed signs of likely drug impairment, according to the criminal complaint. A substance found in a tin in her car also tested positive for methamphetamine. Across the U.S., a longtime push to ban synthetic dyes in food is gaining renewed momentum, with critics of the dyes insisting its not a matter of if, but when. States like West Virginia have cited the Make America Healthy Again movement, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as a driving force, along with concerns among parents and some scientists that dyes might contribute to behavioral problems in kids a link the Food and Drug Administration says it is monitoring but hasnt established. In the first three months of the year, 20 states including Oklahoma, West Virginia and New York have introduced nearly 40 bills aimed at cracking down on artificial dyes and other food additives, the most in any year, according to the Environmental Working Group, a food safety advocacy group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were really encouraged, said Brandon Cawood, an advocate for eliminating food dyes who, along with his wife, Whitney, created To Dye For: The Documentary, a film that has been cited by West Virginia lawmakers. Oklahoma, Utah, Tennessee have bills on the table. Florida, New York, Texas, Arizona. All these states all over the place are popping up. The FDA has approved 36 color additives, including nine synthetic dyes used in foods and beverages. Among them was Red No. 3, approved for use in foods in 1907, though the agency banned it in January over concerns about possible cancer risks. Theyre commonly used in products marketed to kids, including candy, breakfast cereals and soda, because their bright, vibrant hues are particularly eye-catching, experts say. Earlier this month, West Virginia lawmakers passed a bill banning seven of those dyes including Red No. 40 and Green No. 3 which is set to take effect in 2028 if signed into law by the states governor. The bill follows a similar move from California last year that banned six dyes from food served in public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Arizona lawmakers held a roundtable discussion on a bill that would ban public schools from serving or selling foods that contain certain chemicals, including synthetic dyes. Kennedy's push to eliminate artificial dyes There really hadnt been much of a grassroots movement and that shifted this election cycle, said Jerold Mande, an adjunct professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who is also a former FDA senior adviser and former deputy undersecretary for food safety at the Agriculture Department. I really think MAHA is playing a big role in this. Its by no means a new movement: The FDA began taking steps to look into a possible link between dyes and behavioral problems in kids in the 1970s, when a California allergist and pediatrician proposed a possible connection. The agency investigated it even further following a 2007 study published in The Lancet, which said artificial dyes resulted in increased hyperactivity in kids. In 2011 and 2019, the FDA also reviewed data but determined no causal relationship could be established for children who havent already been diagnosed with behavioral disorders. Scientists and physicians have called for more research on the topic. The FDA did not respond to a request for comment. The FDA has said that it has reviewed and will continue to examine the effects of color additives on childrens behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the FDA hasnt made a connection, that hasnt stopped government officials and outside groups from insisting there is one or alleviated concerns from parents. Its extremely important that we really change our school food, West Virginia state Del. Evan Worrell said on a call with reporters Tuesday. We have some behavioral problems in our school system today, and Im not going to point them all to food dyes, but its a contributing factor. Kennedy, who oversees the FDA, has also previously claimed dyes are linked to hyperactivity and learning disorders. He cited a 2021 report from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment that reviewed 27 trials in children and concluded food dyes can interfere with normal behavior in some kids. He is vowing to eliminate artificial dyes from the nations food supply, telling executives from major food companies in a closed-door meeting this month that he wants them all gone by the end of his term, according to an HHS official. Its unclear whether hell have the money or resources to do so, however, given the Trump administrations broader goal of reducing federal spending across the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other dyes permitted by the FDA include Red No. 40, used in cereals, gelatins and puddings; Yellow No. 5, used in snacks, condiments, baked goods and yogurt; and Green No. 3, used in ice cream, sherbet and drink mixers. The FDAs slow efforts to take action on artificial dyes has forced states and local groups to step up, said Marion Nestle, professor emerita of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University. State lawmakers also point to other countries, like those in Europe, where food dyes are more heavily regulated. Still, Nestle added, any action the FDA takes to ban certain chemicals must be based on sound scientific evidence showing a potential link. The agencys ban on Red No. 3 was based on research linking the chemical to cancer in laboratory rats. Although there wasnt evidence in humans, it was enough to persuade the FDA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some research has suggested a link between certain dyes and an increase in hyperactivity and moodiness or irritability in children, the evidence still isnt conclusive, which may explain why the FDA is taking so long, Nestle said. The research is really, really hard to do, said Nestle, questioning how Kennedy would go about banning the chemicals. You cant do it in people. You cant take a bunch of kids and give some of them food dyes and another bunch of kids not and see what happens. She noted theres evidence that some kids respond badly to color dyes. Even so, it may become harder for food companies to defend the use of the chemicals especially because they dont preserve food or provide a nutritional benefit, Nestle said. In a statement, Sarah Gallo, senior vice president of product policy for the Consumer Brands Association, an industry trade group, said food and beverage makers are committed to food safety and criticized a state-by-state approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A state patchwork approach in the food regulation space creates unnecessary confusion for consumers, limits access to everyday goods and increases costs at the grocery store, Gallo said. Mande, of Harvard, said he doesnt buy arguments from some food companies about the potentially high cost of transitioning away from synthetic dyes, noting companies have managed to find natural color additives to replace them in other countries where synthetic ones are banned. Nestle said some companies have tried to eliminate artificial dyes from their products in the past, although unsuccessfully. Mars announced a plan in 2016 to remove artificial dyes from all its products but abandoned the pledge in 2021, stating: We have found that consumer expectations regarding colors in food differ widely across markets and categories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement General Mills also made a switch to natural dyes in its cereals in 2016 but brought back artificial colors a year later after consumers reportedly complained the new colors were depressing. We dont really need these things. Their only function is cosmetic, Nestle said. Should we use the European precautionary principle: If we cant prove that these things are safe, then were just not going to use them? Thats the path Wendy Bakos, 34, from Florida, took when she transitioned her two children, Harper, 7, and Caden, 3, away from foods containing artificial dyes about a year ago. Concerned about possible health issues from dyes, she joined a Facebook group of families whove made a similar transition that lists resources and recipes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most challenging part of the transition, she said, was finding dye-free candy that her children liked, particularly Harper. They did find alternatives, however, like a brand called Unreal, and discovered that Trader Joes offers candy without artificial dyes. We werent really eating too much, like say, Froot Loops and things, Bakos said. With candy, especially like on Halloween, it was like, Wait a second, why cant I eat that? But as soon as I introduced her to alternatives, she was fine with it. Ella celebrates her sixth birthday. Likewise, Liz Dent, 36, from Humboldt, Iowa, didnt find a lot of issues when she stopped buying foods with dyes for her kids Evelyn, 9, and Ella, 6. Their family, she says, has been dye-free since 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dent sends her children to school with dye-free candies, suckers and fruit snacks. She also always keeps a box of juice boxes and popsicles. The hardest part of the transition, she said, was attending events, like birthday parties. An assortment of dye-free candy. When were at special events, like a theme park or a fair, if we go to Disney World, we just have to bring our own food, Dent said. If we go somewhere, and everybody else can have a snow cone, my kids cant have it. My kids cant have the cotton candy. My kids cant have cookies or ice cream. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man was arrested this week after he allegedly threatened to butcher parishioners at a local Catholic Church, Memphis Police confirmed. On Friday, officers arrived at St. Louis Catholic Church when they were met by two male victims, one was a pastor and the other was a music minister. After being involved in a verbal altercation with one of the male victims, Zachary Liberto allegedly defaced the baptismal pool inside the church. Zachary Liberto. (SCSO) Liberto then allegedly sent an email to one of the victims threatening to cause mass casualties at the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim forwarded the email thread to investigators, who read an email that said, I need a video of [redacted] getting slapped by you in 24 hours before I butcher people in that church with a machete. 1 dead, 1 injured in shooting downtown Both of the victims said that they knew Liberto to carry a machete with him. Investigators were able to obtain a recording by a parishioner of the church who spoke with Liberto on the phone. During the recording, Liberto could be heard saying, I will not f let people threaten and mock me all day and not go f do something about it Ill do time about it today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rick Ouellette, a spokesperson with the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, said they immediately notified authorities of a potential issue and thanked authorities for apprehending the suspect in a quick amount of time. Liberto has been charged with Commission of Act of Terrorism and is being held on a $200,100 bond. Ouellette told WREG that a safety and security plan is always in place for the church campus. The safety and security of everyone on campus is a top priority, Ouellette said. Ouellette said the church community is praying for everyone involved. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mar. 23Jerry Deible of Murrysville can remember standing on the ground at a Vietnam firebase in the early 1970s, staring up at a massive C-130 airplane passing overhead. He craned his head back and snapped a photo of the plane as liquid streamed down from tanks strapped to its sides. The C-130 was spraying Agent Orange, an herbicidal defoliant that got its name from the orange band wrapped around the drums it came in. While there were other chemicals used to thin the triple-canopy Vietnamese jungles, Agent Orange accounted for 12 million of the 20 million gallons dropped over an area roughly the size of Massachusetts, according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After more than 15 years of denying that the dioxin in Agent Orange was linked to cancers, birth defects and other medical issues with Vietnam veterans, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was empowered in 1991 to declare a range of 19 diseases as probable effects of Agent Orange exposure, including several cancers. But its poisonous legacy has gone largely unacknowledged by the federal government. "We were told it was perfectly safe," said Deible, 76. "There were guys who'd go around the border of the firebase with jungle pants, boots and no shirts on with a pump tank of Agent Orange strapped to their backs, spraying it all over." Deible has joined with Murrysville Alliance Church Pastor Dan Lawrence to host an April 12 ceremony presenting Vietnam veterans with recognition from the nonprofit Orange Heart Medal Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foundation was created by Vietnam veteran Ken Gamble, who was diagnosed with cancer as a result of Agent Orange exposure. "This is recognition not by the federal government, but by one of their veteran brothers," Lawrence said. "Jerry came to me and said he felt like we needed to do something to recognize our vets dealing with this. We can't forget." The foundation's name comes from the medal presented to participating veterans, which is an orange heart with the letters "A" an "O" on either side of an outline of Vietnam. "When the Purple Heart was commissioned, it was the only award permitted to be in the shape of a heart," Deible said. "But when Ken Gamble started the foundation, he got permission from the government to make it in the same shape." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foundation was created in Tennessee, where the state legislature was the first in the nation to pass a law recognizing veterans affected by Agent Orange, in 2019. Nine additional states have joined Tennessee in the years since. In early 2024, the Pennsylvania Legislature convened a task force with the goal of helping better communicate treatment options to exposed veterans. Vietnam veterans or their surviving spouses can fill out an application to take part in the April 12 ceremony and receive an Orange Heart. Applications are available at MurrysvilleAllianceChurch.org. Deible and Lawrence said poor treatment of Vietnam veterans returning to the U.S. after the war was compounded years later by a lack of recognition that millions of them had been exposed to a toxic herbicide. "The thinking today goes, if you were boots-on-the-ground in Vietnam, you were exposed to Agent Orange in some way," Deible said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Said Lawrence: "When these guys talk to me about how they came home and all that transpired, it's heartbreaking. We're saying to the community: Let's come together, pay respect to our Vietnam vets, acknowledge that Agent Orange is a real thing and not walk away from it." Medals have been given to more than 11,000 veterans during the nonprofit's short history. The public is invited to attend the April 12 event, which will start with an 11:30 a.m. luncheon at the church, 4130 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville, followed by the medal ceremony. Applications are due by March 30. For more information or to RSVP, call 724-327-7206 or email office@murrysvillealliancechurch.org. For more on the foundation, see OrangeHeartMedal.org. Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@triblive.com. Despite that anxious Minnesota spring feeling is it shorts weather or is it going to snow? the outdoor concert season isn't quite here. In lieu of planning that first spring cookout, here are the concerts that will keep you occupied until Prince's promise of snow in April is safely in the rearview mirror. GloRilla Thursday, March 27 at The Armory GloRillas 2024 GLORIOUS was, surprisingly, her debut full-length, despite having had released hit songs already. Adding to the surprise for casual fans, it was discussed in reviews as a "comeback" after a stretch of being absent from the charts. Advertisement Advertisement The record, as well as her 2024 mixtape Ehhthagng Ehhthang produced plenty more hits like Yeah Glo! and TGIF. The show in Minneapolis will be without the albums high-profile collabs with Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, and Sexyy Red, but it's still sure to be an energy-packed night at The Armory. John Grant Saturday, March 29 at The Dakota A gifted musical storyteller, Grant has a knack for dropping a laugh-inducing turn of phrase into melancholy songs. (See: GMF, The Queen of Denmark, or Where Dreams Go to Die.) His songwriting is biting, despite the often sweet melodies and gentle timbre. His latest release, The Art of the Lie, has a little more bombast than usual he has likened the tone to Vangelis' Blade Runner soundtrack but under it all is the songwriting and humanizing look at the often mundane aspects of life that mark some of his best work. Gary Louris: Dark Country album release Saturday, March 29 at The Parkway Theater Advertisement Advertisement The Jayhawks frontman will celebrate the release of his latest solo effort, Dark Country, this week. The album's moody ballads live up to the name. It's got quite a few pensive love songs not surprising, since the record is dedicated to his wife but there's a somber thread to songs like "Getting Older" and "Dead Porcupine" that make it an exciting and captivating listen. An Evening with Alash Sunday, March 30 at The Cedar Cultural Center There's a meditative quality to seeing the Tuvan throat singing trio Alash perform live. They've built an international reputation for infusing their traditional folk music with modern influences. That ability to incorporate western music has aided collaboration between groups like the Sun Ra Arkestra and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. (Fleck will perform in Minneapolis a few times this week as well, heading to The Dakota as the Bela Fleck, Edmar Castenada, Antonio Sanchez Trio.) Kraftwerk: 50 Years of Autobahn Sunday, March 30 at Orpheum Theatre Advertisement Advertisement The seminal krautrock group celebrates the 50th anniversary of Autobahn and their first U.S. tour this spring, promising a multimedia experience with striking visuals that add some flair to their hallmark stage presence. Following a 20-year break from touring in the U.S., the group has come to town just four times, including, most recently, a 2022 show at the State Theatre. With this being a celebration of Autobahn, fans are likely in for something a little different than theyve brought to town before. Related: Planned Franklin Avenue construction has Electric Fetus worried about its future Concerts on Monday, Mar. 24: Concerts on Tuesday, Mar. 25: Concerts on Wednesday, Mar. 26: Related: Caamp will headline Surly Festival Field in June Concerts on Thursday, Mar. 27: Concerts on Friday, Mar. 28: Concerts on Saturday, Mar. 29: Concerts on Sunday, Mar. 30: Related: The Doobie Brothers and Jimmy Buffett's band line up outdoor gig in Minnesota Just announced concerts: Related: The Liquid Zoo is back at Bauhaus with food trucks and beloved local bands Strong winds and thunderstorms are set to roll into the Nashville area this afternoon, and there is a chance they may become severe. The National Weather Service said the "primary threats are damaging straight-line winds and large hail." NWS issued a tornado watch for Davidson County, most of West Tennessee and parts of Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Missouri late Sunday afternoon, set to last until 11 p.m. Still, the threat of tornadoes and flooding remains low, National Weather Service Nashville said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Areas statewide with the highest chance of severe weather on Sunday are west of Interstate 65 near the Tennessee River including Clarksville, Waverly, Jackson and Lawrenceburg according to NWS. Overall, the NWS Storm Prediction Center estimates a 15% chance of damaging straight-line winds or hail and a 2% chance of a tornado within 25 miles of Nashville. When will storms start? Storms are predicted to start in Middle Tennessee around 4 p.m. and continue through the night, coming to an end around 1 a.m. Monday. They are moving from western Tennessee southwestward into northeastern Texas, the NWS said. From 1 a.m. on in the Nashville area, the weather should clear up, leading into a sunny day with highs in the upper 60s and a low of 48 degrees. But meteorologists predict more thunderstorms will head into the area later this week. Nashville weather radar How should Tennesseans prepare? The NWS suggests those in West and Middle Tennessee stay weather aware Sunday afternoon and "ready to act." The organization also recommends having multiple ways to receive warning information should a tornado appear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nashville residents can call HubNashville via 3-1-1 to request information for any Metropolitan Nashville Government services. Hadley Hitson covers business news for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville's Sunday afternoon storms bring chance of tornado, hail A Sahrawi human rights defender called on the international community in Geneva to hold Algeria accountable for human rights violations committed in the Tindouf camps (southwestern Algeria) and to put an end to the impunity enjoyed by polisario leaders. We urge the international community to hold Algeria accountable for its responsibilities as a host country. Impunity should no longer be granted to polisario leadership for these crimes, El Filali Hammadi, Secretary-General of the Independent Human Rights Commission Network for North Africa, said when addressing earlier this week the 58th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). Algeria has given control of the Tindouf camps to the polisario, which operates with very little oversight. This situation has created a legal and administrative vacuum, leaving the detained populations exposed to serious abuses starting from arbitrary detentions to extrajudicial executions, noted El Filali, who was speaking under agenda item 4 of the general debate. Algeria has repeatedly refused to respond to special UN rapporteurs urgent communications, he said, recalling that in October 2020, for example, Algerian soldiers burned two Sahrawi gold prospectors alive in a well. The activist referred to the World Food Programs 2024 report on the Tindouf camps, which states that nearly 90% of Sahrawi refugees are either vulnerable to food insecurity or are food insecure. He also pointed to reports from organizations such as Human Rights Watch, which highlight issues such as mismanagement and the diversion of humanitarian aid. Despite this, Algeria has failed to fulfill its obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention, which is supposed to protect refugees rights. The lack of proper oversight and accountability of both Algeria and the polisario has caused continued suffering and violations of human rights, he deplored. Even the dolphins of the South China Sea were serenading the last governor of Hong Kong as he sailed into the tropical night, on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, leaving Britains last significant imperial possession in a blaze of fireworks, bands, hope and glory. Lord Patten of Barnes, as he now is, had spent five years running Hong Kong, defying China to introduce sweeping democratic reforms before the inevitable handover to Beijing. Earlier he was the youngest minister in Margaret Thatchers cabinet and then the party chairman who masterminded the Conservative triumph in the 1992 election. Had he not lost his own seat in Bath, he would have become chancellor. Chris Patten (left) with Douglas Hurd (centre) and other members of the Cabinet in 1990 - Tony Harris So when I press the doorbell of Lord Pattens elegant house beside Barnes Common, I want to discover why he decided against re-entering British politics after returning from Hong Kong in 1997, vastly experienced and only 53. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why wasnt he sailing homewards on Britannia, with his mighty escort of 17 warships more than the Royal Navys entire fleet of frigates and destroyers today intending to seize the Tory leadership and dethrone Tony Blair as prime minister? I hope to find the answer. I do not expect to learn that Lord Patten was also returning home to be smeared by the man who has just become our ambassador in Washington, Lord Mandelson of Foy and Hartlepool. At the door Lord Patten greets me with a question worthy of a former chancellor of Oxford University: Is that a college tie? I reply truthfully, if perhaps tactlessly, that I dont know since I found it in an office desk drawer. Lord Patten is kind enough to laugh (he is tie-less himself, clad in jacket, jersey and flannels). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside his modest living room, he takes an armchair opposite a painting of himself and his wife and beneath an exquisite collection of miniature Chinese statues. Lady Patten drops in to say hello before taking their dog, Bobby, out on the Common. Its soon clear that even after three decades, Lord Patten has not forgotten his treatment at the hands of Lord Mandelson. Its a story which defines my relationship with His Majestys ambassador in Washington, he says. In August 1997, weeks after Lord Pattens return from Hong Kong, the News of the World revealed that Robin Cook, then foreign secretary, was having an affair with his diary secretary. Labours media machine, run by Peter Mandelson and Alastair Campbell, had to respond. Lord Mandelson was appointed as the British Ambassador to the United States at the end of last year - Getty They had the problem of how they would try to get this story off the front pages, so they leaked two stories, remembers Lord Patten. One was that they were going to save Britannia. The second was that I was about to be prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act for things that had been written in Jonathan Dimblebys biography of me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stories made headlines everywhere though there was a problem: both were false. Britannia was decommissioned four months later; meanwhile journalists were sceptical of the claim that Hong Kongs former governor might have been treacherously leaking state secrets. Lance Price, then a BBC political correspondent, would disclose that he ran the Patten story only because Mandelson personally and mendaciously assured him that it was true. While Mandelson was spreading poison, Lord Patten and his wife Lavender were in blissful ignorance at their holiday home in France. So my kids are here, he says. Were in France. Suddenly, our house in the middle of the French countryside is surrounded by cameras and journalists. And my kids are reading stories on the front page of the newspaper saying their Dad is about to be hauled off to the Tower of London. Very few journalists actually dug into it and exposed it for being rather a nasty smear, he adds ruefully. Very few would take on the mighty Mandelson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continues: Neither Jonathan Dimbleby nor I were ever investigated. Eventually there was a written question in the House of Lords about this and the answer was it has not been regarded as being in the public interest to pursue this matter. With wry amusement, Lord Patten recalls that the Labour government was also asking him to accept a job. At the same time, theyre pressing me to chair the committee on the security services and policing of Northern Ireland. So theyre asking this traitor to take on this responsibility. I mean it was nasty and bizarre. And maybe it was partly to try to take me down a notch or two. But it was just unpleasant. I ask whether Lord Mandelson was the right choice for ambassador in Washington? I have to avoid my views on him distorting every view I take on who will serve best the British interest, replies Lord Patten evenly. Let me say, for the sake of the country I hope hes more successful than he has been in all the other jobs hes done. The then Prince Charles, Chris Patten and his wife Lavender bid farewell on the royal yacht Britannia in 1997 - Ian Jones He is indignant rather than angry. He denounces the sin, not the sinner. Early in his career The Economist called him a liberal thug because he was both a moderate centrist and a political pugilist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now Lord Patten has mellowed into a genial, dignified, gentle 80-year-old. His Catholic faith is profoundly important, as we shall see. And few people really stir his anger, except US president Trump, vice-president JD Vance and Vladimir Putin (the latter, whom he met 20 times, he describes as the wickedest man Ive ever met I cant understand how hes able to play Trump in the way he has). But first I probe why he decided against a political comeback after returning from Hong Kong. In 1997 I wasnt sure it would work, he says. Id been out of politics for quite a long time. There were plenty of people asking me to go back and there was a pressure on me at one time to throw my hat in the ring to be in a mayoral election in London. Sometimes I regret not doing that. I mean, I couldnt have been as bad as all the mayors weve had. He pauses and adds: Maybe I was a bit scared of what I could do or wouldnt be able to do, if ones honest with oneself. I reply that all political careers end in failure, but his ended with a spectacle in Hong Kong that Hollywood couldnt have bettered. Didnt he just want to freeze frame that scene? There was a bit of that, he concedes. But dont forget: that didnt last for very long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does his decision mean he has less right to complain about the state were in? I suggest that he could have changed the course of history here as well as in Hong Kong. Lord Patten and Lavender at their holiday home in France - Eleanor Bentall Im not sure about that, replies Lord Patten. I think the best job Ive ever done was police reform in Northern Ireland, which was far from easy, and I think I did quite a lot as a European commissioner in relation to our national interests, which Im not embarrassed about. But youre certainly right: it should make me less prepared than I sometimes am to criticise whoever are the contemporary politicians trying to wrestle with these subjects. Two contemporary politicians whom he vigorously criticises are Donald Trump and JD Vance. He was appalled by the vice-presidents speech last month, denouncing Europe for fretting about Russia and supposedly restricting free speech. Hes such a poisonous man, says Lord Patten, partly because he is at a certain level quite clever, but not as clever as he thinks he is. Its a very dangerous combination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He accuses Trump of wantonly vandalising the post-war order. There isnt a President in my lifetime who would have done any of the things that Trump did, he says. Make America great again? America was great. And it was great partly because after the war it had put in place, with some support from us and the Europeans and others, it put in place a network of international agreements, acceptable ways of behaving, commitments to free speech, defensive alliances. They created a better world, not only for us, but for America. So America was already great. What Trump is doing, what Trumpism is doing, is undermining that greatness. Two contemporary politicians Lord Patten vigorously criticises are US president Trump and vice-president JD Vance - Shutterstock Lord Patten feels this deeply because he has loved America ever since he toured the country on a scholarship after leaving Oxford in 1965. My whole life has been about admiration for America, he says. I ask: is that over now? Its over so long as hes there, he replies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Lord Patten thinks that Sir Keir Starmer and President Macron are right to hug Trump close. Its an extraordinarily difficult hand for us all, Europeans or Canadians, to play. We want to go on standing for what we believe in and trying to defend the institutions and the countries that we think need support without antagonising this mendacious bully. And I think that Starmer and Macron have done extremely well. He adds: I think its quite important to do it without losing our self respect. Respectability was the essence of Lord Pattens upbringing with one sister in suburban London. He was born on 12 May 1944 the day that German forces were driven from Crimea and grew up in Greenford, a world of semi-detached houses, privet hedges and weekend cinema trips, with Catholic, Conservative-voting parents. His father had turned down a place at Manchester University to become a drummer in a jazz band. After serving in the war he worked as a music publisher in Tin Pan Alley in Soho, responsible for releasing such songs as She Wears Red Feathers and a Hooly-Hooly skirt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The young Patten attended St Benedicts school in Ealing and Balliol College, Oxford. His trip to America allowed him to work on a New York mayoral campaign, triggering his interest in politics. On his return, he joined the Conservative Research Department and entered Parliament aged 35 as MP for Bath in 1979. Thatcher gave him various junior posts before promoting him to the Cabinet in 1989 as environment secretary. His job was to introduce the poll tax, probably the most unpopular measure ever attempted by any government, and this helped doom him to defeat in Bath in 1992. John Major, then Prime Minister, sent him to Hong Kong and, six years after his return in 1997, Lord Patten became chancellor of Oxford. Along the way he was also chairman of the BBC Trust. Lord Patten retired as chancellor last year but on March 31 he will be back in Oxford for the Literary Festival, discussing freedom of expression. I ask whether the fact that its necessary to discuss free speech at a literary festival is itself concerning? Yes, he replies, although it has to be said that weve debated and argued about free speech in good times and bad since before Milton and Areopagitica. But I think its particularly important today both because of the way free speech is challenged by some of the techno-oligarchs. Second, we do have things to be concerned about, both in relation to our press and our universities. During his 21 years as chancellor, he says there were some issues, not least the Middle East, where it was more difficult than it should have been sometimes to remind people that it was a sort of act of treason in a university to deny people free speech. Doesnt this show that something has gone badly wrong? Lord Patten gives a measured reply. What happens is that minorities who deserve to be able to express their views sometimes get more attention than perhaps those views should normally deserve given the very few people who take them. The then Labour leader Tony Blair and Lord Patten at the House of Commons in 1997 - David Cheskin His party is now a minority struggling for attention. Lord Patten has never met Kemi Badenoch and professes no particular view of her. But he scorns the Tory Right and warns against any accommodation with Nigel Farage, who he calls Faridge. I was chairman of the Conservative party when there was one, he says. I think theres been an element of the Conservative party which wants to model itself on Mr Faridge. What does he make of that as an electoral strategy? I think its utterly crazy. If people want Faridge theyll vote for him. They wont vote for the Conservatives. And he represents something which is, I think, a real threat, here as it is elsewhere in Europe. Another threat to Europe is the Peoples Republic of China. Throughout his time in Hong Kong, Lord Patten clashed with Chinas leaders, earning their fury with his democratic reforms. His conclusion was that robustness is the only way of dealing with Beijing. Theres an illusion that if only we were nicer to the Chinese, wed have so much more trade, and, you know, and we mustnt try to cut them out automatically. Of course. But first of all the idea that you can only sell things to China if you kneel first is bilge. I can parade statistics to demonstrate that point, he says. Yes, of course we want to have them engaged in dealing with global problems. But we should understand that they always break their word. He adds: China matters in the world, but we have to recognise that we dont need to concede that they have the mandate of heaven and so have to be treated unlike anyone else. The heavenly and spiritual are often present in Lord Pattens conversation. He refers easily to Saints Luke, Matthew and John. He thinks Pope Francis is terrific and reserves his greatest enthusiasm for the churches he visited in Rome during a happy assignment in the Vatican advising on their communications strategy. In my working life, I have seldom had cause to mention that I too am a Catholic. In conversation with Lord Patten it seems almost dishonest to conceal that fact. And as I tell him, a childhood memory stirs. I find myself describing the Catholic tradition whereby parents trace the letters INRI from the Cross on the foreheads of their sleeping children. Instantly Lord Patten recites the accompanying prayer: May Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, preserve you from sudden and unprepared death. Amen. My dad used to do the same with me. Suddenly his eyes brim with tears. I remember that so well, he says with a catch in his voice. I pause and ask whether he did the same for his grandchildren when they were younger and he was putting them to bed. Yes, he says. Now I think about them when I go to sleep. He has eight grandchildren, all doing GCSEs or going to university. His eldest daughter, Kate, works for an events company, Laura has a pilates business, and the youngest, Alice, is an actor. Lord Patten talks freely of the burdens of age. He mentions that he will soon have an injection to help with spinal stenosis. You become more and more aware of that remark by an American film star [Bette Davis]: ageing is no place for sissies. Ive got this spinal problem. Ive got a fantastic cardiologist who deals with my heart. I suffer from something called atrial fibrillation. I have a wonderful, wonderful cardiologist. He speaks lightly and calmly, as if heart problems are just opportunities to meet wonderful cardiologists. Once he was on the deck of Britannia sailing towards the dawn. Now Lord Patten seems to be journeying serenely towards the Catholic ideal of grace. Lord Patten will in conversation with Timothy Garton Ash in the event Free Speech Conversation: Freedom of Expression is our Lifeblood at Oxford Literary Festival, in partnership with The Telegraph, on Monday 31 March. Tickets: oxfordliteraryfestival; Telegraph readers can save 20 per cent with the code 25TEL20 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. Our planet's oceans are set to get a little bit cleaner thanks to a new ban tidying up the shipping industry in Sweden. As Offshore Energy reported in February, the Swedish government has banned discharges from scrubbers into ocean waters. Scrubbers are a piece of ship-cleaning equipment meant to "clean the ship's exhaust gases so that what is released into the air contains relatively low levels of sulfur." However, they can then wash that pollution right into the water. Effective July 1, 2025, "discharges from open-loop scrubbers will be prohibited in Swedish territorial waters." These more common scrubbers can send water filled with exhaust gas pollutants into the ocean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Effective January 1, 2029, even closed-loop scrubbers will be banned in Sweden as they can also release toxic pollutants through drain water. Per Offshore Energy, most shipowners in Sweden don't even need to use scrubbers because of lower-sulfur fuel options. This new ban should curb the release of hazardous scrubber water from all ships in and passing through the area. "Emissions from ship scrubbers are even in very low concentrations harmful to our marine environment," said Romina Pourmokhtari, Sweden's Minister for Climate and Environment. "The use of scrubbers also increases total fuel consumption by around 2-3 percent, which also increases carbon dioxide emissions. When the government now bans emissions from scrubbers, we are taking an important step both for a better marine environment and for the climate." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ban in Sweden is part of a larger global effort to ban emissions from scrubbers and protect open seas worldwide. Finland's government has already decided to prohibit scrubber water from being discharged in the ocean, and Denmark is working toward banning the practice soon as well. Yet, since oceans have no borders, pollution from scrubbers in one region has the potential to spread all over. Ultimately, a global scrubber discharge ban is needed to address the broader issue and replace heavy fuel oil with more sustainable alternatives. In addition to banning scrubber pollution, there are many other ways to make ships more sustainable. For example, innovative companies are creating high-tech sails to optimize routes based on wind and reduce ship pollution. Meanwhile, sustainable ships powered by hydrogen fuel systems can lessen the industry's reliance on dirty energy for a greener maritime future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Excellent news, and further proof that the pollution from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS), which turn air pollution into water pollution, simply isn't acceptable anywhere, but especially in sensitive areas such as the Arctic!" Jim Gamble, senior director of the Arctic Program at Pacific Environment, commented on Sweden's ban via LinkedIn. "A big win for those who are drawing crucial attention to the problem of scrubbers! And now we need more action in the U.S.," another LinkedIn user replied in the comments. 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. Around the time horrific violence against nurses at hospitals in Florida and Pennsylvania captured February headlines, a patient attacked nurses at Backus Hospital in Norwich, sending one to the emergency room after punching her in the back of the head. That same night, Backus nurses say, a nurse was dragged by her hair in the ER. In online interviews last week, nurses at Backus and Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London discussed the increasing violence they and other health care workers have been facing on the job, a trend thats been playing out at hospitals across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its now the norm, said the Backus nurse who was punched. While requesting her name be withheld from this article, the nurse said incidents of violence occur at Backus almost every day, whether they involve hitting, kicking, spitting, throwing things, verbal threats, threats to kill a nurse or threats aimed at other patients. Ive been a nurse for three years and in that time Ive been verbally or physically assaulted on every shift, she said. Another Backus nurse who was among several who responded to the punching incident said chaos ensued after the attack, which took place in a hallway outside patients rooms. Other staff members also helped subdue the attacker before security personnel arrived to restrain him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We didnt feel like help was coming, said the second nurse, who also requested her name be withheld. We felt like it was really dire. The nurse, who took the Backus job 14 months ago after 20 years as a certified nursing assistant, said one of her first Backus patients tried to strangle her with her stethoscope. In the incidents that focused national attention last month, a patient with mental health issues severely injured a 67-year-old nurse in a Feb. 18 attack at a hospital in Palm Beach County, Fla., while an armed man with a grievance took hospital staff hostage in York County, Pa., during a Feb. 22 shooting that left a police officer dead and five other people wounded. Data confirm the prevalence of workplace violence in the health care and social assistance sector, which experienced the highest counts and annualized rates of workplace violence of any sector over the two-year period from 2021 to 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. During the period, there were 41,960 nonfatal cases of workplace violence in the health care and social assistance sector, accounting for 72.8% of all cases in private industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The health care cases occurred at an annualized rate of 14.2 cases per 10,000 full-time workers. By comparison, the rate for all sectors was 2.9% while for educational services, it was 8.4%. I do believe COVID was a turning point, Anne Diamond, president of Bridgeport Hospital, said of the increase in violence against health care workers, especially nurses, in recent years. In a phone interview, Diamond, who also serves as Yale New Haven Healths executive sponsor for workplace violence, disaster preparedness, safety and security, said current levels of workplace violence were unheard of decades ago. We saw a shift after COVID, she said. We saw more mental health illness thats where we see patients acting out. ... Also, theres just a lack of patience. I see it when I'm in line at my supermarket checkout counter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nurses at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital agreed that the overall mental health of the population they serve declined during and after the pandemic. In some cases, they said, those who suffered with mental illness couldnt get the help they needed outside the hospital, causing their conditions to deteriorate significantly by the time they were admitted. Weve seen an increase in alcohol use, Tiffany Makara, a nurse who works in an L+M psychiatric unit, said. People are more anxious and depressed, which is reflected in the way were treated. It's not just the patients who are threatening. Joann Regan, a nurse in L+Ms intensive care unit, said she recently had a charged encounter with a family member who became extremely angry when she couldnt tell him when his mother would be transferred from a critical care unit to a bed elsewhere in the hospital. Sensing things could escalate rapidly, she immediately extricated herself from the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Post-COVID and in our political climate, people feel emboldened to do and say things that wouldnt have been acceptable before, Regan said. Union demands Backus and L+M nurses, all members of the hospitals respective AFT Connecticut union locals, said hospital management has been slow to address some of the safety issues union members have raised. They say theyve called for the installation of metal detectors to screen patients, family members and other visitors entering the hospitals, and they want more security personnel and more staffing in their own ranks. Dale Cunningham, past president of L+Ms nurses union, said she finds the lack of metal detectors in many Connecticut hospitals appalling. During a recent visit to a Long Island hospital in New York, she was impressed by the metal detectors placed at the entrance to its emergency room and the requirement that visitors use special identification cards to get through turnstiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Backus, a member of the Hartford HealthCare system, the shortage of nurses is acute, according to Heather Brauth, a union officer, who said the hospital has 439 nurses and 95 open nursing positions. Theyre overfilling the hospital to 120 to 125% of capacity, Brauth said. Patients are on stretchers in hallways. Nurses are being run ragged theyre exhausted. Barbara Sadowski, president of L+Ms nurses union, said it's a daily battle to maintain staffing levels at her hospital though the union has successfully pushed for more staff in some psychiatric units. Still, dozens of jobs are vacant. We cringe when we hear the words fiscally responsible because we know that means theyre (management) going to cut, Sadowski said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diamond, the Yale New Haven Health executive who deals with workplace violence, said the system, which includes L+M and Westerly hospitals, is in the process of installing weapon detectors, devices considered superior to metal detectors because they can detect a greater variety of weapons. Employing artificial intelligence, weapon detectors can locate non-metallic weapons like guns made with 3D printers, Diamond said. Yale New Haven Health installed weapon detectors on Bridgeport Hospitals Milford campus last week and plans to install them at Bridgeport Hospital this week. L+M and Westerly hospitals are expected to get them in spring or early summer. Diamond also called attention to Yale New Haven Healths use of the Broset score to predict patients violent behavior. The score, formally known as the Broset Violence Checklist, involves scoring a patient on six behaviors considered indicators of whether an individual is likely to become violent within a 24-hour period. The six behaviors are confusion, irritability, boisterousness, verbally threatening, physically threatening, and attacking (or throwing) objects as opposed to another person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On occasion, nurses have pressed criminal charges against violent patients, a step hospital management generally supports. Sue Hainline, an L+M nurse stationed in an inpatient psychiatric unit, said she accepts verbal abuse as part of the job, but takes a different approach to physical violence. Shes been assaulted a few times, she said, and has pressed charges on four occasions, including once when a patient threatened to stab her in the neck with the crudely sharpened end of a toothbrush. I called security, which responded, and then police, she said. Im a firm believer in pressing charges. My experience is that they (police) dont come on the unit and make an arrest. They investigate and may return later with a warrant. Hainline said one of the cases she pursued ended with an attackers courtroom appearance and conviction on a charge of assaulting a health care worker. b.hallenbeck@theday.com When Natural England disregarded nearly 200 objections to designate Penwith Moors a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Eric Murley was not happy. The environmental regulators 2023 decision means farmers in the Cornish idyll have to apply for consent for a raft of activities, including ploughing. The confrontation has left 78-year-old Murley, who runs a 350-acre family dairy farm, hoping that the quango will one day reap what it sows. So, imagine his surprise when he found out last week that the Government is about to give Natural England the power to slap a compulsory purchase on his land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason? Its because the quango lies at the centre of the Governments ambitious plans to spark a housing revolution designed to build 1.5 million homes. Developers themselves will no longer be obliged to offset the environmental damage in the area of the building, with the inevitable delays. Instead, theyll pay into a national nature restoration fund. It will be Natural Englands job to offset the environmental damage of the new large-scale developments by setting up nature reserves and rewilding land on a national as opposed to local basis. To this end, the draft of the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill, unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner earlier this month, gives Natural England powers to seize farmland, allotments and other green spaces for this environmental offsetting, which will free up sites for developers. But critics fear this conceals a breathtaking power grab by Natural England. When it comes into force, the bill will give local authorities in England, alongside Natural England, the power to seize farmland at bargain rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The backlash is hardly surprising: farmers have denounced the bill as a landgrab, Marxism, and the death of property rights, as well as another nail in the coffin of farming. The Governments plans for growth include the building of 300,000 homes each year - Chris Ratcliffe/ Bloomberg Natural England? I wouldnt trust them with a barge pole to be perfectly honest, says Murley. If they think they have a chance of getting it done, theyll come and jump in, regardless of the farmer. They arent going to bother about us. They just push us aside. I have got no time for Natural England as a body at all. At all, he adds. We have had several ministers down here over the last two and half years and every time I say to them Have you got any authority over Natural England? And they say no. They are unanswerable. Look, can it be right in a democracy that a quango can effectively put a farm out of business? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murley is not alone in looking at Natural Englands burgeoning powers with alarm. Natural England was originally meant to be the advisor to the Government, but over the years it has been handed a series of executive powers that have turned it into judge, jury and executioner, says Victoria Vyvyan, the president of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA). Now no one can really challenge them. The bill reflects both Sir Keir Starmer, and Rayners, determination to clear the planning logjam for a largescale housing and infrastructure programme. The move to hand Natural England its extended powers is designed to help avoid delays and often protracted and expensive mitigation projects. These have included the infamous bat tunnel on the HS2 route with European rules on protecting habitat and wildlife still in place. The bill ballooned to 100 million. But what has particularly outraged farmers and landowners is that local authorities and Natural England will be able to buy the land at its agricultural value, which critics believe will impair the value of farms. The bill effectively removes hope value, or the potential development value of land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Housing and nature are not competing interests, says Oliver Harmar, the chief strategy officer at Natural England. Sustainable development and nature recovery must go hand in hand, but the current planning system needs to change. We are working with the Government to deliver their ambition to grow nature and grow the economy for the benefit of everybody. This includes ensuring guidance is fit for purpose and moving toward better strategic planning to secure environmental improvements and enabling development. Natural England is fully accountable to the Secretary of State and Parliament. Experts have told The Telegraph that the exact mechanisms by which Natural England would exercise their powers under the bill has yet to be spelt out. But Murley worries that he, along with any other landowner, would be rendered helpless in the face of a compulsory purchase order from Natural England. Compulsory purchase orders can force property owners to sell their land to make way for building developments - Christopher Furlong For Natural Englands activist chairman Tony Juniper, the decision to hand his quango such sweeping powers represents an extraordinary turnaround. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, only three years after Juniper was appointed, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs floated the idea of closing it down. Tory critics had become increasingly concerned with what they viewed as Natural Englands activist agenda. Last year a group of Conservative MPs wrote to the then Defra secretary, Steve Barclay, urging him to strip Natural England of its SSSI powers. Natural England is completely independent and can make decisions without ministerial sign off, says Greg Smith, Tory MP for Mid Buckinghamshire. On the one hand we have Rachel Reeves attacking quangos and on the other they have given a quango with no democratic oversight the power to take land. At the end of the day this all points in the direction of less food security, loss of natural beauty and loss of rural areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former minister, who did not want to be named, says: The main issue I had with Natural England was the gold plating of the powers they had, which, along with other quangos is becoming quite a threat to democracy. He adds that he has come across farmers who were unhappy with Natural England but when he went to Natural England Tony Juniper said, We have got the act if you dont like it, ministers can change legislation. Environmentally destructive Chairman of Natural England Tony Juniper - Jason Bye A life-long environmentalist and former Friends of the Earth director, Juniper has a long history of attacking governments on environmental issues. In 2011, before he joined Natural England, he was signatory to a letter that accused the Government of being on a path to become the most environmentally destructive government to hold power since the environmental movement was born. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since joining Natural England in 2019 Juniper has repeatedly promoted net zero on social media despite Natural Englands code of conducts requirement for political neutrality. Juniper has also attacked Brexit and in a Tweet last month appeared to issue a coded dig at Kemi Badenochs scepticism around net zero when reposted a tweet by Badenoch, marking Margaret Thatchers election as Tory leader 50 years earlier. Baroness Thatcher was the first Prime Minister to take a political lead on climate change, & Teresa [sic] May when she was PM enacted the net zero goal for 2050, he said. These distinguished climate leaders hopefully provide inspiration for their successors. In 2023 it emerged that Natural England was accused of stalling plans to build up to 145,000 homes thanks to concerns about potential pollution of rivers. Natural England has a nutrient neutrality policy, which derives from the European Court of Justice. These block development in designated areas unless it can be shown they would not increase levels of nitrogen or phosphorous in the rivers. Yet construction companies have long claimed that the bulk of waste flowing into rivers comes from farms, not housing and infrastructure projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the same year, Juniper was accused of failing to declare his membership of the National Trust, Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB before a key vote. The vote saw Natural England designate a large swathe of Penwith Moors an SSSI despite widespread objections. At the time Natural England said it strongly rejected claims of conflicts of interests and that all board members had observed the relevant rules. Because of the SSSI designation, farmers, including Murley, said they were told that they would no longer be able to spread lime on the land to neutralise soil acidity and allow farming. So, in effect, they were stopping us from farming, says Murley. They can effectively put a firm out of business with no compensation, because there is no compensation with SSSI. An SSSI designation can effectively put farmers out of business as theyre prevented from spreading lime, says Murley - iStockphoto The Cornishman is convinced that Natural Englands management was determined to drive through the SSSI as a flagship development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are going to make a big splash in West Cornwall, says Murley. It was going to be a big deal for them, and they were going to force it through come what may. I run this business with my wife and three sons, he says. My sons now say to me... do we really need to be bothering with farming, and Ive never heard this before. Talking about this still upsets me now. Natural England says that Penwith SSSI was chosen on scientific evidence and reflected its statutory duty to protect areas of special environmental interest. The quango also says it always seeks to work with farmers and landowners and that it will provide consent for the majority of established farming activities. Murley says that Natural England had recently written to farmers in the SSSI to say they could now use lime, but he says that the damage had been done. Still, the Cornishman has some sage advice for any farmers should Natural England come rattling their front doors with their new expanded powers. My advice would be to politely tell them to get stuffed. 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. Id brought my 11-year-old son E. to the protest so he could rage in community with other trans and queer folks, so he could see how many grown-ups were fighting for him, and so hed feel less alone. Watching him speak off the cuff before a crowd of hundreds on a sunny Saturday last month, however, had not been on my bingo card. I hadnt known the organizers planned to open up the mic after powerfulspeeches from activists like Angelica Christina Torres and Denise Norris or that my sixth-grader would feel moved and brave enough to sign up. Only give them your first name, I cautioned. Fear stole my breath, but pride kept me from pulling my baby back into the anonymity of the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children like my son a Stranger Things superfan who spends hours perfecting illustrations of characters hes created and texts with his friends late into the night are, somehow, public enemy No. 1 for the current administration. This was another turn of events I would never have expected until this fall, when it became impossible to ignore the central place that E. and other trans kids occupied in the rhetoric of the Republican Party. GOP operatives spent an astounding $222 million on anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ advertising in the 2024 cycle more than on housing, immigration and the economy combined. Since Inauguration Day, the drumbeat of discriminatory actions and executiveorders against trans Americans has made my heart race and kicked my anxiety into overdrive. The White House has refused to issue passports reflecting applicants gender identities, attacked providers of gender-affirming care, banned trans service members from the military, prevented schools from supporting students who transition, eliminated protections against spying on LGBTQ+ citizens, regulated bathroom use, benched trans kids from sports, transferred trans women into mens prisons and targeted LGBTQ+ civil servants. It has also deleted references to trans and nonbinary people on government websites from the State Department and CDC to the Park Services page for the Stonewall National Monument. Wed gathered at that monument, a slim triangle in Greenwich Village between Christopher Street and Grove Street across from the Stonewall Inn, the traumatic birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. It was there that icons like Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson and other trans women of color risked their lives in 1969 to confront oppression on behalf of the broader community. Id taken E. there two years ago, shortly after he came out, to teach him about those who came before and place his experience in the context of history. But our government is now erasing and rewriting that history while my son is still learning it. E. at the Queer Britain museum in London adding his thoughts to an exhibit about the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility. Courtesy of Ali Moss Put the T back in Stonewall, we chanted. No LGB without the T. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effort to scrub government websites of any acknowledgement that queer people exist have ever existed has yielded some almost-comical errors, like the removal from the Defense Department site of archival photos of the plane that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima because it was called the Enola Gay. It also has a less immediate impact on the daily lives of trans Americans than many of President Donald Trumps other proclamations. However, it shares with them a common historical antecedent that leaves me shaking not only as the parent of a trans kid but as the granddaughter of a German-Jewish refugee. Well before Hitler implemented the Final Solution to wipe Jews themselves from the face of Europe, his government erased them from public life and from history. But a parallel effort has often been overlooked and was only recognized by the German Parliament for the first time on Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2023: Hitlers crackdown on the LGB and T community. One of Hitlers first acts after ascending to power was the destruction of Magnus Hirschfelds Institute of Sexual Science, a global pioneer in LGBTQ+ research, therapy, gender-affirming care, advocacy and community. Hirschfeld was both Jewish and queer undesirable identities linked inextricably in Nazi ideology. On May 6, 1933, Storm Troopers looted the Berlin center and torched its library, the first of the infamous book burnings intended to incinerate all traces of any un-German culture. Deleting mentions of LGBTQ+ people from U.S. government websites may not be as fiery, but it is the digital equivalent of this fascist censorship. According to scholar Heike Bauer, the calculated spectacle at the institute followed months of observation and threats inaugurat[ing] a new phase in the intensification of Nazi terror. With the benefit of hindsight, we know where that terror led. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant go back there. In front of the crowd, sporting a trans flag like a suit of armor, my son E. began, It has always been and is especially right now incredibly difficult to be a trans minor. Even at my middle school, which supposedly accepts everyone, Ive faced hate from many of my classmates. E. didnt go into detail on stage, but from how he describes the casual transphobia and homophobia he witnesses, not as much has changed as Id like to think since I was his age 30 years ago. His peers still say things like, Whoever moves first is gay, and share anti-LGBTQ+ memes. E.s younger sister, a third-grader, reports that her classmates play the same loaded games. This is happening in New York, in progressive schools and (relatively) accepting communities, where LGBTQ+ students are for the most part comfortable being out, supported by teachers and administrators, and protected by state and local laws. But when the president of the United States targets those same children for erasure, he empowers this bigotry in every part of our country and at every level of society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the many powerful signs I spotted at the protest read, We are older than your laws and we will outlive them. There are queer and trans kids, adults and elders in the future. It is a message of resilience and hope to which I cling in these dark times. During this Trans Month of Visibility but at all other times too its critical to remember that President Trump can no more erase transgender Americans from the future than he can from the past. But thats only true if allies echo and amplify the loud voices of the trans community. Their words E.s words could be heard far beyond the fences of Stonewall National Monument that afternoon. As his parent and greatest champion, its my job to make sure you hear them, too. E. and his sister heading to catch frogs at a pond in the woods. Courtesy of Ali Moss Id brought E. to the protest to show him the power of his community, but it turned out hed taken the stage to impart that very message to others the only part of his remarks hed prepared before getting up there. He paused to collect himself, fingers dancing with nerves along the edge of the cape that marked him as a trans superhero, before ending on this resonant note: To all the trans and nonbinary kids out there you are not alone. The crowd thundered in agreement as E. stood awkwardly by the mic, uncertain of what to do next. I beckoned him to come down so I could wrap him in the tightest mama-bear embrace. E. beamed, reveling in having overcome his stage fright and charged with the energy of hundreds of protesters. On our way out of the park, he was stopped five times by grown-ups who wanted to voice their pride in him and let him know the community has his back. So I had achieved my aim after all. Angelica Christina Torres, a board member of the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative whod stirred the crowd earlier with her own speech, came up to tell him how proud she was of him and asked for a picture. You get in here, too, mama, she encouraged me. Youre doing a great job. I hadnt realized it, but I desperately needed to hear that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parenting a trans kid right now means walking through the world with the weight of his health and safety on my shoulders a much more arduous load than I carry for my cisgender daughter, than I carried for E. mere months ago. The intensity of this burden the visceral fear that bares its fangs throughout my days has awoken in me the intergenerational trauma that is my legacy as the granddaughter of a woman who fled Nazi Germany as a teenager. Although she died before I started kindergarten, my grandma has remained an animating force throughout my life. I grew up asking myself, Would I have been as brave as her? Until recently, the question remained theoretical. But its not an exaggeration to say that President Trump is running plays straight out of Hitlers playbook. And its not just the hypervigilance I inherited that makes me take note. Trans kids like E. are canaries in the coal mine. If we dont stand up for them and stop Trump in his tracks, history makes patently clear where this path leads. You may not bear the brunt of this persecution yourself. Your children might be fine. But, as M. Gessen argues with ferocious eloquence, The reason you should care about this is not that it could happen to you but that it is already happening to others. That should be enough. Ali Moss (she/her) is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker working on a memoir about her commitment to breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com. Related... About 1,000 people attended a Lexington town hall Saturday to decry President Donald Trumps cuts to veterans healthcare, education, research and his administrations hardline stance on immigration. Kim Edwards, a cancer survivor, said she benefited from cutting-edge treatments at the University of Kentuckys Markey Cancer Center. Trump has threatened to nix National Institutes of Health and other medical research funding that helped save her life and others lives. A recently-passed federal budget resolution calls for a 57 % cut to medical research, Edwards said. It has thrown our cancer research into chaos, Edwards said. People will die because of these cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marilyn Daniel, a retired immigration attorney who still works in an immigration clinic, recently spoke to two immigrant women whose children were American citizens. One woman has a child who is 14 months old and the other had a child with special needs. They are terrified that they will lose their children, Daniel said. Thats what keeps me up at night. It has happened before. During Trumps first administration, 1,300 children were separated from their parents during crack downs on immigration, Daniel said. They were never reunited, Daniel said. When kids are separated from their parents at the time a parent is detained for allegedly entering the country illegally, the child is often placed with the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services, an agency so overburdened that children removed from guardians custody have had to sleep in state office buildings, Daniel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel encouraged U.S. Rep. Andy Barr to make sure there is a path for parents and children to be reunited as Trump has again stepped up immigration enforcement. Attendees raised their hands in support of the speaker at the Peoples Town Hall held on Saturday morning at the Kentucky Theatre, Lexington, KY. Rep. Andy Barr declined an invitation to attend. Barr hints town hall coordinated attack by paid liberal activists Barr, R-Lexington, who represents Fayette and many surrounding counties, did not attend. An empty seat was placed on the stage at the Kentucky Theatre, where the town hall was held, to signify Barrs absence. Barr was also greeted by protesters when he spoke Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency before the Commerce Lexington luncheon. Barr said after Wednesdays speech that he would hold a virtual town hall instead of attending Saturdays town hall. U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Lexington speaks to an audience about the economy, free markets, bourbon tariffs, and government oversight on March 19, 2025, during the Commerce Lexington policy luncheon at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington, Ky. Dozens of other protests and town halls have also popped up across Kentucky in recent weeks. On Saturday, there was a protest In Louisville over possible Medicaid cuts called for in the most recent federal budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Barr called Saturdays town hall a coordinated liberal attack. Kentucky voters overwhelmingly voted for Trump in 2024. He won with 64.5% of the vote, Barrs office said. This is a town hall organized by liberal activists with no coordination from our office, said Tyler Staker, a Barr spokesperson. The Congressman continues to travel the district and listen to his constituents, and the feedback hes hearing is his constituents are fired up about President Trumps agenda to Make America Great Again and to clean up waste, fraud, and abuse across government. Moreover, Saturdays demonstration was likely staged by paid agitators, Staker said. These organized, often paid, efforts by a small group of liberal activists across the country to disrupt this mandate for change wont work, Staker said. Former Lexington Vice Mayor Steve Kay served as moderator at the Peoples Town Hall Saturday morning at the Kentucky Theatre, Lexington, KY. Representative Andy Barr declined an invitation to attend. Thats blatantly false, said the event organizers, a grassroots group called Gathering for Democracy. The group of local Lexington residents asked Barr to have a town hall but was told by Barrs staff Barr has been told not to conduct an in-person town hall due to security reasons, said Rena Wiseman, one of the organizers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than two dozen people spoke during the 90-minute town hall. A video of the speakers, as well as cards people filed out about specific issues they want to see addressed, will be sent to Barrs office, Wiseman said. People voiced concerns about loss of education funding, cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs, social security, Medicaid and the politicization of the U.S. military. It was a standing-room only crowd at the Kentucky Theatre, whose main theater holds 800 people. An overflow crowd of greater than 1,100 attended the Peoples Town Hall held on Saturday morning at the Kentucky Theatre, Lexington, KY. Rep. Andy Barr declined an invitation to attend. Why is inclusion a bad word? Lynn English is a retired physical therapist from the University of Kentucky. UK students and faculty work in a clinic in Ecuador three times a year. That clinic was supposed to receive a United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, grant to expand services to include rehabilitation services for kids and adults with disabilities. That funding has now been terminated as a result of Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE cuts, English said. Its the only clinic of its kind in Ecuador, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you know or care about the individual stories related to USAID? English asked the absent Barr. Multiple people voiced concerns about possible cuts to Veterans Affairs. Lexington has two large VA medical campuses one on Leestown Road and another on UKs campus. State Rep. Adam Moore, D-Lexington, is also a military veteran. Veterans are dependent on that system to meet all of their medical needs, he said. I am a veteran and I get my care at our local VA, Moore said. What are you doing to protect our care? Dr. Megan Wolack is a doctor and a physician educator in Lexington. Wolack said cuts to the VA will also hurt doctors and doctor training. The Trump administration has said they want to cut between 70,000 and 80,000 employees from the VA. More than 6,000 Kentuckians work for the VA, according to federal data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is estimated that 70% of doctors have received training at the VA, Wolack said. The recent federal budget resolution also calls for billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, the state and federal program for the poor and disabled. It is estimated one in three Kentuckians receives health insurance through that program. Patti Logsdon has a son who is autistic and receives services and healthcare through Medicaid. She is also involved in research that helps teachers and others communicate with students and others that may have communication limitations. Yet, she and other researchers feel they cant use the word inclusive in their research because of attacks at the federal and state levels on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. What are you doing to support people with disabilities? Logsdon asked the absent Barr. Why is inclusion a bad word? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others said they have grown increasingly concerned Elon Musk and other billionaires have been given free reign to make cuts no one elected them to make. The threats to the U.S. Constitution are real, many said. Trumps administration has repeatedly ignored court orders, including deporting people after a federal judge told them to stop, many said. Ross Carter said he and others who have attended protests arent paid liberal agitators. They are people. Our nation is careening down the road to dictatorship, Carter said. Trump has alienated and continues to alienate scores of people. He has also angered teachers, veterans, government workers social security recipients and most people who stayed awake during middle school civics classes, Carter quipped. What I am asking, Mr. Barr, is that you pump the brakes on our crash course toward dictatorship. It's come down to this. I never imagined I would be writing about dog crap for a column, but here I am after an incident in my neighborhood sparked, to put it mildly, a lively discussion with a fellow pet owner. One morning, a man walking his large pit bull mix allowed his dog to relieve itself in my neighbors yard without trying to clean it up. I asked him, Are you just going to leave that there? His response was matter-of-fact: I dont have a bag. I offered to grab one for him from my house, but he mumbled something under his breath and continued walking as if I was interrupting his day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, I might have just dismissed this as a minor irritation. You know, remind myself this is small stuff in the grand scheme of things, but this wasn't the first time it happened. And in case you hadn't noticed, things in the big picture are, quite honestly, pretty crappy as well. Incivility is rampant, the news is full of stories and social media feeds are stuffed with enough ill-mannered waste to fill all those plastic bags blowing around on the side of roads. Which makes me wonder: What happened to manners? We want to hear from you: Please take our survey on manners. Are they worse today? Can they improve? As a dog owner, I carry bags and take my responsibilities seriously As a dog owner, I take my responsibilities seriously. My fur baby, Knight, is a year and three months old and enjoys plenty of walks five to six each day. Whenever I walk my Chow, I always bring two or three bags tucked into my coat pocket or jeans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knight has his favorite spots, and when he does his business, I pick up after him and try to leave the area a bit cleaner. If I come across a bottle, beer cans, pizza boxes, or anything similar, I pick them up and throw them in the trash. Maybe I've become that guy, you know the grumpy old man on my block who complains about everything and I guess I have but we must acknowledge that there has been a dramatic shift in how we treat one another. A recent study by UCLA sociologists found a significant decline in the use of the word please among adults, with only 7% incorporating it into their requests. However, I believe a more profound issue is at play people who are in the wrong or misbehaving often do not want to be confronted. This creates a problem, as no one likes to feel disrespected, causing people to act out when they should blush and be ashamed of their actions, like that guy not picking up the load on my neighbor's lawn Growing up, manners were not optional in our family When I was a kid spending summers in the South, my grandparents insisted that I call my grandmother ma'am and my grandfather sir. My grandfather took manners very seriously and would contact my parents to tell them how he had to set me "right" during my time there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These manners were reinforced in my church upbringing. In the 1980s, misbehavior in front of teachers was unacceptable at school, and respect was always a priority. I dont even think I knew my teachers' first names; they were always called Ms. Reed, Mr. Jude, or Ms. Leys. There was never any consideration for addressing a teacher differently. These days, however, you often hear about students and parents cursing out teachers. In November, a parent at Bruce Elementary School was charged with a felony after he attacked a special education teacher in front of her students. Throughout my years in the Milwaukee Public Schools, I never witnessed a parent, especially a man, physically assaulting a female teacher. Yet, a simple online search reveals that these incidents happen all over the country regularly. James Causey takes a selfie with his Chow, Knight, during a walk. He always carries extra bags to pick up after his pet. What has happened to us that we now act out like this without regard for others, and why do we react so violently when someone tries to say something to us? By the time most children start kindergarten, they have learned that "please" is powerful. It serves as a polite expression that conveys courtesy and respect, turning what could be a demand into a request that is more likely to be granted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the 2024 UCLA study found people say please much less often than expected, and mostly when they expect a "no" response. Letters: I love my Milwaukee neighborhood. City needs to keep street lights working. People use "please" when making requests to friends and coworkers, especially when they think the other person might not want to help. This happens when the person has already said no or is busy with something else, the study says. The study suggests that instead of teaching rigid rules that apply in all situations, we should focus on understanding the details of each specific situation. When manners deteriorate, we see trash tossed out of cars The UCLA study reveals what we already know: manners have deteriorated. This could explain why some individuals toss trash out of their cars at intersections and why people often resort to violence instead of resolving conflicts through conversation. Perhaps its why someone with a large dog allows it to relieve itself in your yard without cleaning up afterward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a way, all these behaviors are interconnected. My question is, how can we return to the days of saying please and thank you," holding the door open for others, and doing these things simply because its the right thing to do? We may argue that manners should be taught at home, but given that many adults fail to exemplify good manners, we may need to depend on schools to teach these values and ensure that children maintain a sense of decency for as long as possible. Once those manners are lost or ignored, it feels like all were left with is, well, a pile of crap on the front lawn. Reach James E. Causey at jcausey@jrn.com; follow him on X@jecausey. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Do dog owner behaviors reveal an American manners crisis? | Opinion A large right-wing extremist demonstration in Berlin ended prematurely on Saturday as hundreds of counter-protesters blocked the intended route of the marchers. The rally leader called off the event after around four hours when participants got little further than their arrival point at the German capital's eastern Ostkreuz train station, the police said. According to official estimates, around 850 people - five times more than staged a similar march a month ago - gathered for the demonstration titled "For law and order. Against left-wing extremism and politically motivated violence." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The march organizers spoke earlier of 1,200 participants expected. Meanwhile, the police reported that between 2,000 and 5,000 people protested vociferously against the neo-Nazi action. Fifteen counter-protests ensued on the planned march route in the eastern city district of Friedrichshain, with hundreds of people blocking the road. Around 1,500 officers were deployed to keep the two camps separate, while remaining mindful of the rights of both, the police said. "We never protect the content of the assembly, but only the reason for the assembly itself, the freedom of assembly," spokesman Florian Nath said in a video posted on X as the marchers assembled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite a call for all sides to remain peaceful, a dpa reporter at the scene observed repeated scuffles amid a heated atmosphere. According to a police spokeswoman, demonstrators from the left-wing camp tried to break through a cordon, prompting officers to use pepper spray. Some people were temporarily arrested. Late on Saturday, Berlin Police said that more than 80 people had been arrested, most of them from the right-wing gathering. The force said that officers observed "unconstitutional symbols and forbidden salutes" at that gathering, as well as assault, use of abusive language and resistance to law enforcement. More than 20 people were arrested amid the counter-protests for offences such as breach of peace and resistance to law enforcement, police continued in a post on social media platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said that 11 officers were injured in total. Three people were excluded from the neo-Nazi march earlier, police said. The people concerned had previously been arrested for displaying symbols of unconstitutional organizations. One man, for example, had performed a Hitler salute. This is already the third demonstration by right-wing extremists since December 2024 under the same march title. Former Aachen Alternative for Germany(AfD) politician Ferhat Sentuerk speaks as an organizer at a right-wing extremist demonstration at Ostkreuz S-Bahn station. The demonstration has been registered under the slogan "For law and order - against left-wing extremism and politically motivated violence". -/dpa {microsoft_credit="" caption="Former Aachen Alternative for Germany (AfD) politician Ferhat Sentuerk speaks as an organizer at a right-wing extremist demonstration at Ostkreuz S-Bahn station. The demonstration has been registered under the slogan "For law and order - against left-wing extremism and politically motivated violence". -/dpa"} The Netherlands has allocated 65 million euros ($70.7 million) towards the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, Ukraine's Energy Ministry announced on March 22. The Netherlands has pledged to provide Ukraine with 3.5 billion euros ($3.8 billion) in combined government support in 2026. Dutch Special Representative Erika Scholten spoke with Deputy Energy Minister Roman Andarak in an online meeting March 22 about the Netherlands' ongoing support for Ukraine's energy sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Thanks to these funds, we will be able to partially cover urgent needs," Andarak said. "A stable energy supply is a condition for the functioning of the economy, critical infrastructure, social and other spheres of life in Ukraine. We are sincerely grateful for this help." Since the onset of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022, the Netherlands has provided Ukraine with 3,000 tons of energy equipment, the energy ministry said. Transformers, generators, and equipment for repair and restoration work are among the types of equipment provided. The energy sector will remain a priority for the Netherlands in its continued support of Ukraine, Scholten said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Various countries contribute to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, which was established in 2022 with the help of the EU. The fund helps repair Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure, which has been aggressively targeted by Russian aerial attacks over the past three years. Recently, Iceland allocated over $2 million to the support fund on March 11 and Canada promised to contribute $34.8 million on March 14. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp previously announced 20 million euros ($20.6 million) for the fund in January. The Netherlands has also provided Ukraine with significant military aid, including F-16 fighter jets. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on March 19 that Ukraine received a new delivery of F-16s, but did not specify where the jets were shipped from. Thus far, only the Netherlands and Denmark have provided Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: No high expectations Ukrainian officials skeptical about upcoming Riyadh talks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. 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 Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are peptide-based therapeutics for treating diabetes and for weight loss. Unfortunately, shortages and high costs have made it difficult for people to start and maintain treatment. Now, researchers report a drug delivery system that "paints" these peptides directly on the antibodies they target. In studies with mice, the system led to sustained weight loss and prolonged blood sugar management with a GLP-1 injection one fourth that of the standard dose. Bradley Pentelute, professor of chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), presents his team's results at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS 2025) held March 2327 in San Diego. Peptide-based therapies are highly effective. However, they are easily degraded by enzymes in a person's body because peptides lack the structural stability that larger, more complex proteins have. One way that scientists have tried to work around this limitation for GLP-1 receptor agonists is by fusing the peptide directly to a person's immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. These long-acting, drug-fused IgGs act as excellent peptide ferries, but they are costly because the antibodies must be extracted and modified in a laboratory before they can be effective inside that same person's body. Pentelute and his team have developed a technology to attach GLP-1 receptor agonists to IgGs within the body. The drug delivery system, which he calls in vivo antibody painting, is itself a peptide and is composed of a binder region that attaches to the IgG, a payload region that carries the GLP-1 receptor agonist, and a reactive region that attaches (i.e., paints) the GLP-1 drug onto the IgG with a covalent bond. In laboratory tests of the antibody painting platform on mouse and human IgGs, the researchers found that nearly half of all antibodies successfully attached to GLP-1 receptor agonists at a body temperature of 98.6F (37C). Next, they tested the platform for delivering GLP-1 receptor agonists in a mouse model for type 2 diabetes and metabolic-induced obesity. Pentelute and his colleagues found that the mice experienced sustained blood glucose management and weight loss for up to 15 days after a single treatment. In fact, mice that received antibody painting had better and longer-lasting results at a GLP-1 drug dose, much lower than the current traditionally administered dose. The researchers have shared their findings in a preprint research article on bioRxiv that is currently under peer review. Pentelute expands upon this work during his ACS Spring 2025 presentation, including new results from demonstrations showing that the platform can effectively paint antibodies in the presence of extracellular debris such as cellular proteins. "We're also expanding the technology to make antibody drug conjugates for cancer," shares Pentelute. "And we're modifying this technology to be able to paint multiple drugs onto one antibody," he adds. "With new technology like this, the future of peptide-based therapies could see reduced costs and enhanced effectiveness." This technology is included in a pending provisional patent from MIT. Katsushi Kitahara, a study co-author, is employed by a pharmaceutical company. Pentelute is a co-founder and involved with several companies focusing on the development of protein and peptide therapeutics. More information: Katsushi Kitahara et al, In vivo Antibody Painting for Next Generation Weight Loss Drugs, bioRxiv (2024). DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.22.609257 Journal information: bioRxiv NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) The Newport News Police Department continues to seek information in reference to a June 2022 double homicide at the Kiln Creek 7-Eleven. Owner, employee fatally shot inside 7-Eleven in Newport News On June 15, 2022, Newport News police responded to a suspicious situation at the 7-Eleven in the 1400 block of Kiln Creek Parkway. Upon arrival, two men, later identified as 52-year-old Preyas Patel and 35-year-old Logan Edward Thomas, were found inside the convenience store with gunshot wounds. They were pronounced deceased at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newport News police want to locate anyone who may have details regarding the incident. NNPD would also like to speak to tipsters who previously submitted information about the case. Additionally, 7-Eleven Corporation is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in this case. If anyone can identify a suspect or know anything about the incident, please call Det. Rogers at 757-928-4219. Tipsters cannot remain anonymous to receive the reward. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Crime Line by calling 1888-LOCK-U-UP, online at P3Tips.com, or by using the P3Tips app. Crime Line tipsters may remain anonymous and are never required to testify in 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 WAVY.com. An NHS nurse was punished after accidentally addressing a transgender paedophile as Mr. The paedophile, a patient from a high-security mens prison, called Jennifer Melle, 40, a n----- three times during an aggressive tirade at St Helier Hospital in Carshalton, Surrey. But it was Ms Melle who was investigated and disciplined by the hospital in October 2024, with a final warning and a referral to the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now she is filing a legal claim against the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals Trust for harassment, discrimination and human rights breaches. Ms Melle said: Ever since I have expressed my Christian beliefs under extreme pressure, I have been a marked woman. Last year, the patient, known only as Patient X, arrived from a mens prison at Ms Melles ward to receive treatment for a urinary problem. During the evening shift, a colleague told Ms Melle, the senior nurse on staff, that the patient wanted to self-discharge and a doctor was called for guidance. Ms Melle spoke with the doctor on the phone outside the patients room, during which Ms Melle referred to the patient as mister and he. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she was discussing a catheter, for a male person, which needed to be removed, adding: This was a real-life medical scenario that required accurate terminology to avoid any doubt between medical professionals. Overhearing Ms Melle, the patient who was born a man but identified as a woman, took issue with the male pronoun and title. The nurse replied that she was sorry I cannot refer to you as her or she, as its against my faith and Christian values but I can call you by your name. The patient began to verbally abuse the nurse, saying: Imagine if I called you n-----? How about I call you n-----? Yes, black n-----. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The patient also lunged at her despite being restrained and threatened to make a complaint, she said. Jennifer Melle is suing the hospital for harassment, discrimination and human rights breaches - CHP Ms Melle said: It was terrifying. Id never been called that word before. And I thought I was going to be attacked. Last month, Ms Melle received a letter from the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which is assessing her ability to practise. Its code of conduct states nurses should not express your personal beliefs (including political, religious or moral beliefs) in an inappropriate way. Therefore, although [Ms Melle] felt unable to identify Patient X using the preferred pronouns due to her religion... it could be perceived that [Ms Melles] actions could be seen as a potential breach of the code. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Melle has denied there was any breach of the code and said that a white colleague also referred to the patient as a male but suffered no abuse or investigation. She said: My conduct throughout this incident and during my career has been fully compliant with the code. I have been put at risk, but I am being treated like a criminal. Sadly, if you put your head above the parapet and speak truthfully on these issues in the NHS, the risk is that you will be knocked down, punished severely and demoted. NHS captured by transgender ideology Christian Legal Centre is supporting Ms Melles legal claim. Andrea Williams, the centres chief executive, said: The NHS appears to remain captured by transgender ideology to the point it is prepared to back a convicted paedophile, who was clearly very disturbed and shouting racist comments, over the Christian nurse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennifer Melle was genuinely doing her best while not wanting to deny her Christian faith and biological reality. We would ask Wes Streeting, as Health Secretary, to investigate what is happening here. He is already involved in the Darlington nurses case, and has previously said he is horrified by how they are being treated. Its time for government intervention on this matter. Eight nurses at Darlington Memorial Hospital are suing the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, their employer, for sexual discrimination and sexual harassment after Rose Henderson, a transgender nurse, was allowed to use a female changing room. A spokesman for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust said: These matters are still subject to ongoing internal proceedings, so it wouldnt be right for us to comment further. 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 Luis Obispo County has a new five-year plan for making needed infrastructure improvements across the county and Nipomo is getting a new Sheriffs Office substation as a result. At its March 11 meeting, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved a five-year facilities and infrastructure plan that includes 78 projects with a total estimated cost of $689 million. $9.9 million of that budget will go to Nipomo to build a new substation for the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office at the northeast corner of West Tefft and Carillo streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I came into office almost 15 years ago, I really focused on two main projects, Sheriff Ian Parkinson said during the meeting. One is co-located dispatch, which were doing with Cal Fire, which youve seen the pictures of an amazing building and the second was the Nipomo substation, which has been about a decade in the works. District 4 Supervisor Jimmy Paulding said the substation represents a significant expansion of the Sheriffs Offices operating capacity in South County. Nipomo, an area of 18,000 people within the Nipomo Community Services District area, and then about 24,000 people looking at the whole Nipomo Mesa, is becoming a large community, and the Sheriffs Office has to patrol that community as well as Oceano and the rural parts of South County from the Oceano station, Paulding said. Obviously that impacts response times just the fact that responding patrol deputies are coming from Oceano all the way to the Nipomo is problematic. New San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office Substation in Nipomo Explore the planned location of the new Sheriff's Office substation at the intersection of West Tefft Street and Carillo Street in Nipomo, California. What services will new Nipomo substation provide? Not all projects included in the five-year will be built within that time frame, according to San Luis Obispo County Public Works Director John Diodati. Some were already completed in 2024, he said at the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Luis Obispo County facilities planning manager Lacey Minnick added that over the past year, the county completed 25 projects at a cost of $8 million. Some projects completed last year include modifying the apparatus bay doors at the Estero Bay fire station, two projects to replace the public safety communications project at Cuesta College and installing an emergency generator at the countys emergency response center, Minnick said. The substation project was included in the 2023-24 budget, with an initial budget for early design work of $1.2 million. The supervisors needed to approve a budget adjustment of just over $9.9 million to pay for the building costs over the next few years. In Sept. 24, the Board of Supervisors awarded a professional consultant services contract to Omni Design, Inc. to develop these early design documents. This effort, along with site-specific detailed environmental studies, is currently underway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All told, the project will cost more than $11 million, according to the staff report. Those dollars will pay for secure parking for patrol vehicles, unsecured parking for visitors, office space, interview rooms, a multi-purpose room, community services rooms, administration offices, criminal investigation rooms, volunteer patrol rooms, report room, fitness room, locker rooms with showers, break rooms, staff restrooms, public restrooms, armory, access controls, utility and equipment rooms, storage space and a kitchen, according to the meeting staff report. Paulding said with funding secured, the project is on track to start construction in 2027, with completion expected sometime in 2028. This project is long overdue, Paulding told The Tribune in an email, and Nipomo deserves this. NIXA, Mo. On Saturday, local businesses were able to show off their products at the 2025 Nixa Business Expo. The event featured over a hundred different businesses, and they got to interact with the local community. Ozarks First spoke to some of the businesses returning and new to the expo about what this showcase means to them. Nick Conyac, pastor at Legacy City Church, says they came to NIXPO to introduce themselves to the community and share their message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were out here at the expo just getting to meet people and tell people about who we are. Its an opportunity just to connect with our community and let people know that we exist and are here for them, Conyac said. Patrick Duffy & other stars set to appear at the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival Jackie Barger, executive director at Childrens Smile Center, said that the connections made at the event are beneficial for the future of their business. I talked to people that might want to sponsor some of our fundraising events, which is really good news for our organization, Barger said. I talked to people who want to attend our special events, and thats going to be a benefit for us in the long run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Whitney Guison, believes reactions to this years expo have been positive. I feel like everyones been very happy. All the vendors been talking to a lot of community members, not just from Nixa, but surrounding communities as well, Guison said. We have some people come from Arkansas just because they heard about it and want to come visit. Buc-ees suing Marshfield business Barc-ees for trademark infringement Guison says connecting local businesses with residents can lead to positive engagement within the community. Its where they can come and kind of see whos who of Nixa, who are these small business owners that where we should be using. Shopping local and using your local vendors and your local businesses keeps your tax dollars in our community, said Guison. It funds our streets and it funds all the things that we need to keep moving forward and keep growing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guison says the expo is always the Saturday of Spring Break and advises people to mark their calendars for next 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. New Jersey's strong abortion laws aren't enough for the top Democrats running for governor. Now, they want to change the state Constitution to explicitly include abortion rights. For Rep. Mikie Sherrill, considered the front-runner in the Democratic primary, amending the Constitution is among her most specific and consistent campaign promises. Rep. Josh Gottheimer added it to his campaign platform. And former Senate President Steve Sweeney claims to be the first candidate in the race to call for such a measure. Its a move thats been debated at the Statehouse in recent years but one that has not been endorsed by many legal experts and abortion-rights advocates in the state, some of whom call it unnecessary. Many abortion-rights supporters are instead prioritizing measures they say would increase abortion access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats focus on abortion rights especially since the fall of Roe v. Wade mitigated their losses in the 2022 midterms, yet zeroing in on it last year ended with a Republican trifecta in Washington. Running on abortion rights in a state where they are protected could test whether it is an issue that can still launch a Democrat to the governors mansion. The race is viewed as a bellwether for the 2026 midterms. But some abortion-rights supporters caution that amending the state Constitution which requires approval from voters could make the state a focus for conservatives, with little gain for furthering legal protections for abortion. State law protects access to the procedure and the New Jersey Supreme Court has decades-long precedent that protects abortion rights under the state Constitution. I dont want women in New Jersey to think that we dont have a [state] constitutional right to abortion today, because we do," said civil rights attorney Nancy Erika Smith. Smith said she was a law student involved in one of the landmark state abortion cases, Right to Choose v. Byrne. Honestly, I think its a little performative The last thing we need is Elon Musk pumping $100 million in a ballot issue in New Jersey. Other Democratic candidates for governor contacted by POLITICO said they would support such a proposal, and a Democratic state lawmaker recently introduced legislation to start the process to amend the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But legal experts and activists like the ACLU of New Jersey, which is among the strongest supporters of abortion rights in the state do not share the enthusiasm of Democratic candidates for an amendment. For 40 years, our state constitution has provided greater protections for abortion rights than federal law, ACLU-NJ Deputy Policy Director Jim Sullivan said in a statement to POLITICO. A state constitutional amendment that only maintains the status quo is unnecessary, and without a careful, deliberative process, a ballot measure risks creating uncertainty in the legal landscape and undermining existing rights. Loretta Weinberg, the former state Senate majority leader, who sponsored a 2022 law that codified abortion rights, said she absolutely agrees with the ACLU. This is not the time for such a measure when our rights to abortion in NJ are fully protected under our laws, she said in a text message. The governor has no official role in changing the Constitution. To do so, the Democrat-run state Legislature must pass a resolution in two back-to-back years with a simple majority or in one year with a supermajority. Then the proposal must be approved by voters at the ballot box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id love to see a constitutional amendment for abortion on the ballot that the voters want, Sherrill said during the first Democratic gubernatorial debate this year, when asked about allowing voters to put initiatives and referendumson the ballot. Test of abortion as a winning issue Voters in conservative states like Montana and Missouri have voted for abortion rights when it was featured as a ballot question leading many to believe that it would pass easily in blue-leaning New Jersey. States like New York have also passed a constitutional amendment protecting abortion on top of existing state laws that allow for the procedure. When Democrats outperformed expectations in the 2022 midterms, New Jersey Democrats consideredputting a constitutional amendment for abortion rights on the ballot for 2023, when the entire state Senate and Assembly was up for election. But the proposal fell apart due to a lack of support from the ACLU and Planned Parenthood. When asked about a constitutional amendment for abortion now, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthoods New Jersey affiliates, said the state has some of the strongest abortion protections in the country. The group did not rule out possibly supporting an amendment in the future, but for now is prioritizing a bill package that would expand access to abortion and reproductive rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now is the time for our legislative leaders to pass policy that reduces barriers to care, Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, executive director at Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, said in a statement. Some supporters of abortion rights think it is still a winning electoral issue, especially with Republicans holding a trifecta in Washington. Shortly after the 2024 election, EMILYs List, a left-leaning group that went on to endorse Sherrill in the governors race, said in a memo that abortion rights will only grow in salience for voters in elections. Sherrill is already using her support for a constitutional amendment to contrast herself with Republicans running for governor. In a statement to POLITICO, Sherrill said a constitutional amendment would cement our rights and protect them from interferences of right-wing politicians like Jack Ciattarelli and Bill Spadea. She cited the fall of Roe as an example of long-standing precedent being overturned, although, unlike federal law, New Jersey has abortion rights codified in its statutes. We thought our rights were safe, but the Trump Supreme Court pulled the rug out from under women everywhere when it weakened the right to privacy and allowed bans on abortion in large parts of the country, Sherrill said. We cannot let that happen here in New Jersey. A constitutional amendment is the best way to make sure we wont be caught off guard again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the campaign trail, Gottheimer and Sweeney have called for the amendment. Other Democrats running for governor like Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller said they would support a constitutional amendment when asked by POLITICO. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said he supports a constitutional amendment but underscored his support for the bill package Planned Parenthood supports, dubbed the Reproductive Freedom and Health Equity Bill Package. [W]omen in New Jersey already have that constitutional right, and political rhetoric should never create doubt about it, Baraka said to POLITICO in a statement. The real challenge isnt just having the right, its ensuring that every woman, regardless of income or ZIP code, has full and equitable access to reproductive healthcare. Republicans not eager to scale back protections The two top candidates in the GOP primary for governor have also not focused on scaling back abortion rights. Spadea, a conservative former radio host who was endorsed by the states leading anti-abortion group, said in an interview posted online that he doesnt see any foreseeable change in the future of taking away a woman's right to choose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ciattarelli supports prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. During his 2021 run for governor, he also said he would codify abortion rights into state law if Roe were overturned. Another GOP gubernatorial candidate, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, regularly describes himself as pro-choice. In the Statehouse, top Democrats like Senate President Nick Scutari and Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz have expressed support for eventually amending the constitution to include abortion rights. One Democratic state Assemblyman, Joe Danielsen, recently introduced a resolution guaranteeing reproductive freedom in the state constitution. Like Sherrill, he expressed concern that state Supreme Court precedent could one day be overturned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danielsen said in an interview he was approached by his constituents, like very local groups and individual ladies, for a constitutional amendment. This may move forward, it may not, he said. I hope we can further deepen the roots of protection for women and their reproductive rights. That's my only agenda here. Vaccines, measles I was heartened to see Tarrant County Public Health Director Brian Byrds support for measles vaccination given the rising outbreak in Texas. (March 14, 7A, Tarrant County getting ready for measles as West Texas outbreak grows) But we must also address the statements by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Associating the measles outbreak with vitamin A deficiency puts children and those pregnant at unnecessary risk if parents forgo vaccination. Vitamin A is important for our immune system, but deficiency is unlikely. Unvaccinated children with great vitamin A levels can contract and even die from measles. Kennedy is correct that Texas has nearly the highest rate of food insecurity among the states. So, I hope he will join me in calling upon Texans in Congress to protect SNAP benefits for residents of our state, most of whom are families with young children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Aquiel Warner, Euless Dueling boycotts The boycott of Tesla would be amusing if not so indicative of the worrisome double standard in our country under President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The right wing was gung ho to boycott Budweiser over the Dylan Mulvaney Bud Light ad campaign. Kid Rock even blasted cases of Bud Light in a video. Trump says the boycott of Tesla is illegal. Is that not a double-standard? If somebody with enough money lined up four or five Teslas and opened fire on them, Trump and Musk should be OK with the symbolism, right? - Graham Donathan, Benbrook Little losses Education is fundamental for a democracy and a well-functioning society. Dramatic changes have occurred in every state over the last 75 years. Small-town Texas no longer thrives with pride and quality in its schools. Separation of church and state is no longer accepted by everyone because of the culture wars. The shibboleth of the Republican Party for small government and noninterference of federal and state governments in local issues unless the Constitution is violated has been cast aside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who lose with school vouchers include small Texas towns and large inner-city schools. Winners include religious schools, affluent private schools, home schools which prevent socialization of students in a diverse society and politicians buying votes with a voucher law. - Michael Stoltz, Fort Worth Frances line After reading the March 17 story, French lawmaker demands US return of Statue of Liberty, in the online edition, I thought: Yes, Frances request is another fatal blow to our nations profile because of President Donald Trumps callousness. He seems to take pleasure in coming up with any heinous act that will feed the selfishness and bigotry of his followers. - Preston Matthiesen, Fort Worth Everyone loses Now is the time for mainstream Jewish organizations to join with pro-Palestinian activists in protesting the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil. Allowing President Donald Trump to deport those he claims are engaged in pro-terrorist, antisemitic, anti-American activity threatens free speech for all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a more important reason exists: Such a bold move could decimate the rhetorical battle lines destroying any hope for a permanent peace in the Middle East. Once Palestinians, Israelis, pro-Palestinians, Jews, Zionists and anti-Zionists realize they are pawns in a struggle perpetuated by powerful nations and self-interested politicians, they might find the courage to support those desperate to craft an equitable two-state solution. Waving flags, shouting, marching and giving speeches excoriating your enemy is much glitzier than hammering out a less-than-perfect agreement. - Barbara Chiarello, Austin KANSAS CITY, Mo. One man is dead following an early morning shooting Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri, the Kansas City Police Department said. Around 2:30 a.m., KCPD said officers responded to the 7800 block of North Oak Trafficway. When they arrived, several people were trying to save a man who had been shot multiple times. Balloon released in honor of late mother ends up found in Maine Officers took over until EMS arrived, and he was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. The victim, 47-year-old Samuel Aro, died Monday morning, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe there was an argument between the victim and another man that escalated into a shooting. The suspect fled before police arrived, and detectives have not yet been able to identify the shooter. This is an ongoing investigation. FOX4 will provide updates as theyre made 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. The board of directors of the Norman Regional Health System will hold a meeting Monday evening to review the system's financial status and evaluate the possibility of a sale or a partnership with other health care systems. The meeting follows a special meeting earlier this month, which underscored the hospital system's financial problems. A letter obtained by The Oklahoman said Norman Regional was evaluating all options to provide the necessary capital and resources to sustain it. The letter was addressed to Norman Regional's "healers" and "physicians." Norman Regional is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to seek potential sale or partnership opportunities for our organization, the letter said. While this is not a path we originally intended to consider, current financial challenges have led us to evaluate all options that could provide the necessary capital and resources to support our long-term stability and growth. Unfortunately, despite record-breaking volumes in January, we did not see the dramatic financial turnaround we hoped to achieve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, the hospital system issued a request for proposal for the possible sale or partnerships with other institutions. Melissa Herron, a spokesperson for Norman Regional, said in a statement that the health system's No. 1 priority is its patients and its ability to continue care into the future. More: Norman Regional Hospital looking for partnership or potential sale Norman Regional received negative bond rating from Moodys The announcement follows the release of a negative bond rating by Moody's. Last year, Moody's downgraded Norman Regional's bonds to junk status. Prior to that, in September 2024, the system's CEO, Richie Splitt, resigned his post after serving for 11 years. In December, Norman Regional Hospital's revenue bonds were downgraded by Moody's Ratings, a bond credit rating business, from Ba1, or stable, to B1, significant credit risk," according to The Norman Transcript. Moody's reported the Norman Regional Health System had $328 million of outstanding debt. That debt contributed to the hospital's bond rating, also known as the financial snapshot of a hospital, being lowered several times since 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Transcript reported that Moodys wrote: Management turnover during significant financial stress contributes to high governance risk related to financial strategy and track record, which is a key driver to this rating action. NRH is fully drawn on a $35 million line of credit (included in our liquidity calculations) which further weakens leverage metrics with cash-to-debt below 30%. Continued weak operating performance, lower than expected volumes and additional capital spending needs through the beginning of FY 2025 will contribute to further cash deterioration. Management risk is higher with the unexpected departure of the CEO. Still, at least one item listed on the Monday agenda referenced a call by Dr. Jerome Weber for the "Norman Regional Health System remaining independent." The agenda also lists an item about discussion about possible "strategic alignment and plans for Norman Regional Health System." Several area health care systems, including St. Anthony and the University of Oklahoma, have expressed interest in some type of partnership. Jimmy Durant, the director of government affairs for the St. Anthony system, said his system had responded to the Norman RFP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are very interested in a partnership with Norman Regional," Durant said. "Our system submitted an answer to their RFP and we will have a representative attend the board meeting Monday night. We are interested in hearing what direction Norman's board wants to go." Durant said St. Anthony manages the Purcell Hospital, the Weatherford Hospital and other rural hospitals. Norman Regional Health System is a multi-campus system supporting south-central Oklahoma. The heart of the system is Norman's newly expanded 775,000-square-foot acute-care hospital licensed for 326 beds, according to its website. The board meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 24, in the first floor board room at 3300 HealthPlex Parkway in Norman. Contributing: Political reporter Alexia Aston This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Norman Regional Health System to meet Monday over potential sale NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A woman is being celebrated for her longevity, and her good humor this weekend in North Little Rock. Tracie Virginia Moses turns 100 on Monday and family and friends from across the country gathered Saturday at the Patrick Henry Hays Center for her birthday party. Little Rock World War II veteran celebrates her 100th birthday with parade Mrs. Moses said she is blessed to have lived to see her children grown as she continues to be a vital part of her community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Got more mature as I got older, and I tried to do the right thing, she said. Im not perfect, but I tried to do the right thing as I was growing up. Little Rock World War II veteran celebrates her 100th birthday with parade Tracie was born in Lonoke County and raised a daughter and seven sons. The city of North Little Rock, as well as the state of Arkansas both presented Mrs. Moses with proclamations celebrating her and her special day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. 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 Our earliest years are a time of rapid learning, yet we typically cannot recall specific experiences from that perioda phenomenon known as infantile amnesia. A new study published in Science on Thursday challenges assumptions about infant memory, showing that young minds do indeed form memories. The question remains, however, why these memories become difficult to retrieve later in life. "I've always been fascinated by this mysterious blank spot we have in our personal history," Nick Turk-Browne, professor of psychology at Yale and the study's senior author, told AFP. Around the age of one, children become extraordinary learnersacquiring language, walking, recognizing objects, understanding social bonds, and more. "Yet we remember none of those experiencesso there's a sort of mismatch between this incredible plasticity and the learning ability that we have," he said. Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, hypothesized that early memories are repressed, though science has since largely dismissed the idea of an active suppression process. Instead, modern theories focus on the hippocampus, a part of the brain critical for episodic memory, which is not fully developed in infancy. Turk-Browne, however, was intrigued by clues from previous behavioral research. Since babies cannot verbally report memories before acquiring language, their tendency to gaze longer at familiar things provides important hints. Recent rodent studies monitoring brain activity have also shown that engramspatterns of cells that store memoriesform in the infant hippocampus but become inaccessible over timethough they can be artificially reawakened through a technique that uses light to stimulate neurons. But until now, pairing observations of infants with brain imaging had been out of reach, as babies are famously uncooperative when it comes to sitting still inside a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) machinethe device that tracks blood flow to "see" brain activity. Psychedelic patterns To overcome this challenge, Turk-Browne's team used methods his lab has refined over the yearsworking with families to incorporate pacifiers, blankets, and stuffed animals; holding babies still with pillows; and using psychedelic background patterns to keep them engaged. Still, inevitable wiggling led to blurry images that had to be discarded, but the team accounted for this by running hundreds of sessions. In total, 26 infants participatedhalf under a year old, half overwhile their brains were scanned during a memory task adapted from adult studies. First, they were shown images of faces, scenes, or objects. Later, after viewing other images, they were presented with a previously seen image alongside a new one. "We quantify how much time they spend looking at the old thing they've seen before, and that's a measure of their memory for that image," said Turk-Browne. By comparing brain activity during successful memory formation versus forgotten images, the researchers confirmed that the hippocampus is active in memory encoding from a young age. This was true for 11 of 13 infants over a year old but not for those under one. They also found that babies who performed best on memory tasks showed greater hippocampal activity. "What we can conclude accurately from our study is that infants have the capacity to encode episodic memories in the hippocampus starting around one year of age," said Turk-Browne. Forgotten memories "The ingenuity of their experimental approach should not be understated," researchers Adam Ramsaran and Paul Frankland wrote in an accompanying Science editorial. But what remains unresolved is what happens to these early memories. Perhaps they are never fully consolidated into long-term storageor perhaps they persist but become inaccessible. Turk-Browne suspects the latter and is now leading a new study testing whether infants, toddlers, and children can recognize video clips recorded from their own perspective as younger babies. Early, tentative results suggest these memories might persist until around age three before fading. Turk-Browne is particularly intrigued by the possibility that such fragments could one day be reactivated later in life. More information: Tristan S. Yates et al, Hippocampal encoding of memories in human infants, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adt7570. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt7570 Journal information: Science 2025 AFP Vladislav Surkov, former adviser to Kremlin ruler Putin and chief ideologist of the "Novorossiya" project, which aims to annex southeastern Ukraine and Crimea, has stated that the ideology of the Russian World (Russkiy Mir) "has no borders", meaning Russia will continue to expand its influence in all directions. Source: ISW Details: Surkov, known as the ideologist behind the "Novorossiya" project, voiced Russia's expanded imperial ambitions in an interview with the French weekly LExpress. He claimed that the ideology of the Russian world "has no borders" and exists "everywhere there is Russian influence". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surkov also stated that Russia would achieve this strategic goal, which he claimed had remained unchanged since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, despite potential "manoeuvres, slowdowns and pauses" along the way. Surkov said that bringing Ukraine back into Russias sphere of influence had been an objective since the collapse of the Soviet Union, referring to Ukraine as an "artificial political entity". Surkov believes that the Russo-Ukrainian war will "separate the Russians and the anti-Russians" and "confine" the latter within their "historical territory" so they "stop spreading across Russian soil". When asked about Russias borders, Surkov claimed that the ideology of the Russian World has no limits and exists "everywhere there is Russian influence" be it cultural, military, economic, ideological or humanitarian. He stated that Russia "will spread out in all directions". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts emphasise that the Kremlin has repeatedly used the concept of the Russian World to justify military interventions in former Soviet republics, arguing that the territories of the former USSR and Russian Empire are historically Russian lands. Quote: "The Kremlin has used the Russkiy Mir narrative for decades to justify Russian aggression in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova and to set conditions to influence independent countries once colonised by the Soviet Union and the Russian Empire. Putin and other senior Russian officials have repeatedly propagated pseudo-history to deny Ukrainian statehood and nationhood and have falsely asserted that Ukraine's Western neighbours have legitimate claims to Ukrainian territory in an effort to sow division between Ukraine and Europe." To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 22 March: US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff uncritically amplified a number of Russian demands, claims and justifications regarding the war in Ukraine during an interview on 21 March. Vladislav Surkov, a former close adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, recently reiterated a number of longstanding Kremlin claims and ambitions that directly contradict Witkoff's assertions in an interview with French media aimed at Western audiences. [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president ed.] Surkov's statements are consistent with those made by Putin and senior Russian officials, who have recently and repeatedly stated that Russia intends to bring Ukraine under Russian control and establish suzerainty over neighbouring countries in order to weaken the West and strengthen Russia's global influence. Witkoff uncritically repeated several inaccurate Russian claims regarding the status of the Ukrainian territories that Russia illegally occupies. Witkoff's statements undermine US President Donald Trump's stated desired end state for the war in Ukraine that achieves an enduring peace and is in the best interests of the United States, Ukraine and Europe. Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk, and Russian forces recently advanced near Siversk and Pokrovsk and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The Kremlin continues to innovate new ways to leverage conscripts to increase the pool of servicemembers eligible for military service in the future. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A New York Times bestselling author, mathematician and data scientist is coming to the Queen City next month. Cathy O'Neil, winner of the Euler Book Prize, is set to speak at the National Speakers Forum, hosted by the Woman's City Club of Greater Cincinnati and co-sponsored by The Enquirer on Friday, April 11. The event's theme is "Weapons of Math Destruction: Big Data and You." It will begin at 7 p.m. at Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., in Over-the-Rhine. Tickets are $54 for individuals and can be purchased on the venue's website. VIP tickets, which include admission to the lecture and a reception with O'Neil, start at $154. Advertisement Advertisement O'Neil's bestselling book, "Weapons of Math of Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy," has been widely praised, winning the Euler Book Prize. The award recognizes outstanding books about mathematics and is awarded annually by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). Cathy O'Neil is set to speak at the National Speakers Forum, hosted by the Woman's City Club of Greater Cincinnati, in April. O'Neil earned a PhD in mathematics from Harvard and taught at Bernard College before moving to the private sector, where she worked for a hedge fund and later became a data scientist. Her expertise led her to write opinion columns in Bloomberg View, and she even launched the Lede Program for Data Journalism at Columbia University. At the National Speakers Forum, O'Neil will delve into how mathematical models used today are unregulated and uncontestable, even when theyre wrong. She will also discuss how the models "reinforce discriminationpropping up the lucky, punishing the downtrodden, and undermining our democracy in the process," according to a press release. For more information, visit womanscityclub.org. Setting the stage for the forum Ahead of O'Neil's forum, the Woman's City Club is hosting a conversation with Erin St. Jeor, decision science manager at Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati. The event will take place virtually over Zoom on Wednesday, March 26, at 7 p.m. Anyone is invited to register for the free conversation online. What is the Woman's City Club of Greater Cincinnati? Woman's City Club was founded in 1915 by women who sought to inform themselves and others about civic issues and voting rights. The club's mission is to educate, empower and engage people to be responsible citizens who actively participate in democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Every spring since 1994, the Woman's City Club's National Speaker Forum has invited women of national stature to the Greater Cincinnati community, having them share insights on current events and public policy. Notable past speakers include: Lani Guinier , the first Black woman to become a tenured professor at Harvard Law School. Susan Stamberg , an NPR journalist and first woman host of a national news broadcast. Molly Ivins , a columnist, author and political commentator. Gail Collins , a journalist, columnist and the first woman to serve as the New York Times' editorial page editor. Diane Rehm , a journalist and podcast host. Mariel Hemingway , an award-winning actor. Isabel Wilkerson , a journalist, author and first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in journalism. Martha Raddatz , an ABC News reporter. Mary Frances Berry , a civil rights activist. Marcia Coyle , a U.S. Supreme Court expert. Jenn White, an NPR award-winning journalist and podcast host. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NYT bestselling author Cathy O'Neil headlining Woman's City Club event Forget sharknado this footage shows a new feat of nature. Researchers from the University of Aukland got a chance sighting of an octopus hitching a ride on the back of a shark, which they have dubbed sharktopus. The team was off the Northern coast of New Zealand in the Hauraki Gulf in 2023 when they spotted a shortfin mako shark with an orange blob attached to its back. The sharktopus encounter is a reminder of the wonders of the ocean, Constantine said. Youtube/University of Auckland Upon closer inspection, they realized it was a Maori octopus when they spotted its tentacles moving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, I was like: Is it a buoy? marine scientist Rochelle Constantine told the New York Times. Is it entangled in fishing gear or had a big bite? The phenomenon was particularly remarkable because of the nature of both creatures. Octopuses usually are on the ocean floor, where shortfin mako sharks typically do not go. It makes no sense that these two animals should be at the same place and time to encounter each other, Constantine said, adding that both marine animals seemed quite happy. We have no idea how they found each other. While the researchers only stayed to watch the aquatic animals for 10 minutes, Constantine mused that the octopus was in for the ride of its life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The octopus may have been in for quite the experience, though, since the worlds fastest shark species can reach 50 kilometers per hour, she told Oceanographic. But, according to the outlet, octopuses can travel at a maximum of 40 kilometers, or 25 miles, per hour. The sighting was caught on video in 2023. Youtube/University of Auckland The sharktopus encounter is a reminder of the wonders of the ocean, Constantine continued. One of the best things about being a marine scientist is that you never know what you might see next in the sea. By supporting conservation initiatives, we can help to ensure that such extraordinary moments keep happening. For more of Off Road Confidential and their trip around California, visit our YouTube playlist to hear from farmers, restaurant owners and more. Off Road Confidential is sponsored by Visit California and produced by NewsNation. (NewsNation) NewsNation is taking off on a road trip to remember. From the beautiful redwoods to the stunning coast, and bustling cities to charming small towns, NewsNation special Off Road Confidential, made in association with Visit California, is finding hidden gems for the everyday traveler and connecting with the people who make these places unforgettable. Gabriel Ornelas made stops in five must-see California places. Marin County: East Coast feel in the West The views in Marin County, California, give visitors that quintessential vacation feeling: I didnt know this was California, Ornelas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He visited the county, located between San Francisco and wine country, for one leg of Off Road Confidential. Ornelas got the chance to try some local cheese, take a horseback trek and admire the view from Point Bonita Lighthouse. Theres amazing institutions, restaurant institutions, for oysters, clam chowder, Ornelas said. You get a little bit of that East Coast feel on the West Coast, which is so nice. Carmel-by-the-sea: Magical getaway in wine country Carmel-by-the-sea in Monterey County, California, is the southernmost stop on NewsNations Off Road Confidential. The multifaceted towns draws include local wine, lots of shopping and premier hiking spots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One person Ornelas spoke to told him being in Carmel-by-the-sea is being surrounded by everything thats good in life. Half Moon Bay: Small town coastal charm 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. 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. Sacramento: Farm-to-fork eating Ornelas discovered Sacramentos rich history and culture talking to the farmers who cultivate the regions produce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ornelas itinerary was packed with hidden gems from food to fun for families, couples and even the solo traveler. Its a love letter. Its a postcard, a visual postcard, but really its an invitation for people to get out, explore, discover California, Ornelas said. San Francisco: Artisanal adventures The citys plethora of murals, tasty artisanal chocolate and the Mission Districts beautiful Dolores Park make it a cant-miss destination, according to Off Road Confidential host Gabriel Ornelas. So many people know it for Alcatraz, the Golden Gate, Fishermans Wharf, which are all incredible, Ornelas said. But theres so much more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether Ornelas was making chocolate, choosing from 90 different pasta shapes or just taking a stroll in the citys steep streets, he told Morning in America locals and tourists alike can feel welcome. San Francisco is for everyone, and you can find something, whatever you want, Ornelas said. You can find something there. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WMCH) Ohio State University announced former astronaut and Marine Maj. Gen. Charles Frank Bolden Jr. as this springs commencement speaker. Bolden was NASAs first Black and 12th total administrator, where he served the agency from 2009 to 2017, leading nationwide teams to further the U.S. space program. He will address the 12,000 graduates and thousands of other attendees at this years spring commencement. Bolden, a highly decorated veteran and astronaut, did not attend Ohio State but did receive an honorary degree in 2017 for his innovative work in global sustainability and the NASA program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio higher education bill one step closer to law I am excited to return to campus, where I have enjoyed my affiliation with the John Glenn College of Public Affairs for many years, and to join the graduates and their families in celebrating the completion of their studies at this prestigious institution, Bolden said. Bolden oversaw the transition from space shuttle missions to the International Space Station in his time overseeing NASA. He also helped oversee the Mars Curiosity Rovers landing and new understandings of Jupiter through the Juno mission. Before that, he served 34 years in the Marine Corps, including 14 years in NASAs Astronaut Office. He flew more than 100 combat missions in the Vietnam War. Bolden traveled to orbit four times aboard a space shuttle between 1986 and 1994, spending two as a commander and two as a pilot across more than 680 hours in space. He helped deploy the Hubble Space Telescope and was a part of the first U.S.-Russian joint shuttle mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolden is a recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He is inducted in both the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and the National Aviation Hall of Fame. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1968 and attended the University of Southern California for his masters degree. It is quite an honor and privilege to be invited by a dear friend and fellow Naval aviator, President Ted Carter, to deliver the commencement address to The Ohio State University Class of 2025, Bolden said. What to know about NCAA tournament games in Columbus and Cleveland Today, Bolden is founder and CEO emeritus of The Charles F. Bolden Group, a veteran-owned small business that specializes in space exploration, national security, health initiatives and STEAM education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carter said it was an honor and privilege to welcome Bolden to campus. Maj. Gen. Bolden is an exceptional leader who has dedicated his life to serving our country. In every role throughout his distinguished career, he has elevated the United States safety, security and prosperity, Carter said. He perfectly embodies the Buckeye mission to serve a purpose greater than ourselves. This will be a special day for our graduates, their loved ones and the entire Ohio State community. Carter and OSU drew criticism after the 2024 commencement speakers bizarre address by cryptocurrency enthusiast Chris Pan. Pan drew audible boos from the audience during a live demonstration with Carter promoting Bitcoin. Pan also sang, promoted his bracelet company and admitted he used a psychedelic drug to write the speech. See coverage of the 2024 spring commencement in the video player above. Ohio States spring commencement will take place on May 4 at noon at Ohio Stadium. 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. Thousands of verdicts and criminal sentences had been handed down within its courtrooms, but in 1951 the old Oklahoma County Courthouse received its own judgment. The courthouse had been built beginning in 1904 at 520 W Main St., but more than 30 years later it was replaced by a new courthouse. And, with time and neglect, the unused historic building fell into disrepair, becoming a dangerous playground for some youth. Jimmy Ferrell and R.C. Clancy demonstrate in 1946 the decayed state of the stairways within the old Oklahoma County Courthouse at 520 W Main St. On March 27, 1946, The Daily Oklahoman photographed and told of the deteriorating conditions within the courthouse: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the sagging door of the old courthouse there hangs a sign, "Pull and Step Down." But for those of you who shed a nostalgic tear at the passing of the old glories, we say don't. Leave that door shut. Far better to remember the old fellow in the proud days of yesteryear, when the scats of the mighty were there. There isn't much left but the memories. Let them lie. Remember him as he was in 1908 the day Oklahoma's county government moved into its fine new edifice. There for a quarter of a century it stood in cold, stone dignity as all the emotions of mankind were paraded and laid bare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: The history of OKC's skyline: Progress sometimes meant demolishing with dynamite In 1946, beams of the old Oklahoma County Courthouse sag down from the roof, which caved in after a fire. The story went on to describe the decisions that had transpired within the walls of the courthouse during its prime: There the jurors sat through the long hours of night, wrangling, arguing and votinglife or death. ... There a fiery young county attorney sent nine men to the electric chair in eight years. On March 25, 1946, a youth peers down an abandoned elevator shaft in the old Oklahoma County Courthouse at 520 W Main St. in downtown Oklahoma City. But in 1946, the interior of the courthouse was not one that had weathered the passage of time well. Glass was broken, windows were missing, doors were askew. Stairways had gaping holes, the roof had caved in and fire had charred some of the interior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma City Fire Chief G.R. McAlpine and city juvenile officers were asking Oklahoma County commissioners to secure the building to prevent injury. A series of photos of the demolition of the old Oklahoma County Courthouse was published on March 16, 1951, on the front page of The Daily Oklahoman. This photo shows one of the historic building's towers falling as the courthouse is torn down. Five years later, on March 15, 1951, a cable and winch pulled down one of the stately towers of the degenerating building as demolition began, bringing to an end what had once been a grand new courthouse. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Once stately, old Oklahoma County Courthouse demolished in 1951 DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A driver crashed an allegedly stolen vehicle and then fled from police in Englewood. According to the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch crews were called to a crash on I-70 at Hoke at approximately 2:40 a.m. When officials arrived on the scene the driver ran away on foot. The driver climbed over a fence, then swam through a nearby pond before entering a Walmart parking lot. Deputies told our 2 NEWS crew on scene they arrested the suspect, confirming the car was stolen from Beavercreek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This incident is still under investigation. 2 NEWS will follow this story as it develops. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WSAV) A police chase turned deadly on Harris Trail, closing down the road for several hours Saturday. Bryan County officials told WSAV shortly after 5:30 p.m., a Bryan County Sheriffs Deputy attempted a traffic stop in the Sterling Curve area on Ga. Route 144, and when the driver refused to stop, the deputy was led on a high speed chase. The suspect then began passing vehicles on solid double yellow lines, and the chase proceeded for several minutes throughout roadways in the eastern portion of the county, eventually ending on Harris Trail where the suspect was attempting to turn a curve, hitting another vehicle, sending both vehicles into the wood line, Georgia State Patrol (GSP) officials told WSAV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the suspect then hit a tree, and the crash set the vehicle on fire. The deputy stopped to assist the driver of the other vehicle struck by the suspect, but was unable to render aid to the suspect. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Georgia State Patrol Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is investigating the accident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE 37-year-old David Rodgers was identified by police as the driver who died at the scene. Police say Rodgers was driving a 2016 Ford Mustang northbound on Fremont and drifted into the southbound lane of Fremont. His car hit a southbound 2022 Kia Telluride. Rodgers family has been notified. SPRINGFIELD, MO. One person is dead and another was significantly injured after a crash between two vehicles in south Springfield Saturday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Springfield Police Department says the accident occurred at around 3 p.m. on the 4400 block of South Fremont Avenue near Republic Road, where a passenger car and an SUV collided head-on. One of the drivers in the crash was pronounced deceased on the scene while the other driver was taken to the hospital and is in serious but stable condition. Speed is a possible factor in the accident, SPD says. One of the vehicles also crashed into a telephone pole and broke its base, needing City Utilities to secure the pole. Police say no power outages resulted from the damaged pole. SPDs Traffic Unit is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash. We will update this article once we receive more information. 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. 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 rates of decline in ever smoking and smoking regularly slowed significantly from 2010 onwards, coinciding with the emergence of vaping in New Zealand. Credit: Sam Egger, Becky Freeman, Judith McCool and Lucy Hardie, CC BY-SA. E-cigarette companies, including giants such as British American Tobacco, have actively lobbied governments in New Zealand and Australia to weaken existing vape regulations while preventing the introduction of stricter ones. As part of their argument, they claim that for adolescents in New Zealand, the use of e-cigarettes (vaping) might be "displacing" cigarette smoking. They argue young people are opting for vapes over traditional cigarettes. Their key piece of evidence for this claim is an influential study published in Lancet Public Health in 2020. It concluded: "The overall decline in smoking over the past 6 years in New Zealand youth suggests that e-cigarettes might be displacing smoking." However, in our new study published today in Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific, we used the same data source as the 2020 study and found it does not support that conclusion. Examining the evidence We used a statistical approach known as logistic regression to analyze data spanning a 25-year period from 1999 to 2023, including nearly 700,000 high school students aged 14 to 15. Before analyzing the data, we knew New Zealand had made remarkable progress in reducing adolescent smoking rates in recent decades. What we wanted to know, however, is whether this progress had been affected by the emergence and rapid rise of vaping among New Zealand adolescents, beginning in about 2010. This could potentially include vaping displacing smoking, as argued by e-cigarette companies. If this were the case, we might expect to see adolescent smoking rates decline at an even faster rate after the emergence and subsequent rise of vaping. Alternatively, impacts might happen through a "gateway effect" where vaping would increase the risks of adolescents starting to smoke. This is a theory consistently supported by findings from cohort studies, which follow individuals over time to examine how certain factors affect their health or behavioral outcomes. Under this scenario, we might still expect to see adolescent smoking rates continuing to decline after the emergence and rise of vaping, but to decline at a slower pace than before the introduction of vapes. From 1999 to 2023, we saw a large decline in the rates of students aged 14 or 15 "ever smoking," "smoking regularly" (daily, weekly or monthly) or smoking daily. However, the rates of decline in "ever smoking" and "smoking regularly" slowed significantly from 2010 onwards, coinciding with the emergence of vaping in New Zealand (see figures below). The rate of decline in daily smoking did not change significantly from 2010 onwards. In 2023, about 12.6% of 14- and 15-year-olds in New Zealand had "ever smoked" (ranging from just a few puffs to smoking daily). However, if the "ever smoking" rate had continued along its pre-2010 trajectory (before vaping emerged) this figure would have been 6.6%. Similarly, in 2023, around 3.0% of students were "smoking regularly," but this rate would have been just 1.8% had it followed its pre-vaping trend. Some might argue that 2010 is not the optimal year for observing changes in smoking rates related to vaping because vaping was at low levels then. However, we addressed these concerns by testing alternative "change years" from 2008 to 2018. Our findings were consistent across all years. Others might suggest that changes in cigarette prices between 1999 and 2023 might be driving the observed slowing in the decline of smoking trends. However, even after statistically accounting for price changes, our findings remained the same. Where the 2020 study falls short The conclusion of the 2020 study was based solely on the observation of declining smoking rates from 2014 to 2019, a period when vaping had already become notably present among New Zealand youth. By not assessing whether smoking trends actually changed, rather than simply declined, the study incorrectly attributed the declines between 2014 and 2019 to vaping. It did not consider whether the declines reflected a continuation, a slowing or an acceleration of pre-existing trends. In contrast, our analysis over an extended timeframe (including before the introduction of vaping in New Zealand) shows the rates of decline for both "ever smoking" and "smoking regularly" slowed significantly from 2010 onwards. Why does the 2020 study matter? Correcting the record of the 2020 study is important because it has been used repeatedly to lobby government committees and influence policy decisions. It was one of the most frequently cited pieces of evidence in submissions to the New Zealand parliament's health select committee, including by British American Tobacco, regarding a 2020 bill which aimed to regulate the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes. In its submission to the Australian Parliament's select committee on tobacco harm reduction, British American Tobacco again referenced the 2020 study as important evidence to argue against the tightening of e-cigarette regulations. In its submissions to both committees, British American Tobacco quoted verbatim the flawed conclusion from the 2020 study. Our research challenges claims that vaping might be displacing smoking among New Zealand adolescents. Instead, our findings suggest that vaping may be contributing to adolescents taking up smoking. This underlines the need for effective policies that address both vaping and smoking in New Zealand. Other jurisdictions contemplating laws that allow easy access to vaping products for adults should carefully consider the potential for unintended consequences on young people. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. GAFFNEY, S.C. (WSPA) One person was killed early Sunday morning on Interstate 85 in Gaffney. Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler said at around 4:50 a.m. Jeffrey Ray Mullinax, 42, of Blacksburg, was driving north in I-85 near mile marker 92 in Gaffney when he went off the right side of the road and his vehicle overturned several times. Mullinax was pronounced dead at the scene. Fowler said he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the wreck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wreck remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. ChatGPT may increase loneliness in power users, according to studies by OpenAI and MIT Media Lab. Researchers analyzed millions of interactions and found that high usage was linked to loneliness. Voice interactions initially helped loneliness, but the benefits faded with prolonged use. AI, like social media, might be just another in a long line of technologies that make us all feel worse. It's been over two years since OpenAI released ChatGPT. Since then, it's taken the world by storm, attracting 400 million weekly active users worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while it makes us more productive, it may also make us more isolated. Researchers from OpenAI and the MIT Media Lab published a paper that analyzed millions of chat conversations and thousands of audio interactions with ChatGPT. They also surveyed 4,000 users on their self-reported behaviors with the bot. In a separate study, MIT Media Lab analyzed how close to 1,000 users interacted with ChatGPT over four weeks. Researchers collected data across text and voice in personal, impersonal, and open-ended conversations. The results are nuanced, especially since feelings of loneliness and social isolation often fluctuate and can be influenced by various factors. However, the researchers said they found that ChatGPT may worsen feelings of loneliness in a group of "power users." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our analysis reveals that a small number of users are responsible for a disproportionate share of the most affective cues," wrote the researchers of the joint paper between OpenAI and MIT Media Lab. Affective cues, which the researchers never defined explicitly, are generally considered verbal and nonverbal signs of someone's emotional state. The researchers analyzed conversations for themes of loneliness, vulnerability, problematic use, self-esteem, and dependence. Similarly, researchers at the MIT Media Lab found that "while most participants spent a relatively short amount of time chatting with the chatbot, a smaller number of participants engaged for significantly longer periods." Those who had "higher daily usage across all modalities and conversation types correlated with higher loneliness, dependence, and problematic use, and lower socialization." The researchers said they measured both feelings of loneliness and actual levels of socialization to separate users' subjective experience of isolation from their actual levels of isolation. Researchers observed a catch-22: ChatGPT's voice mode made users less lonely but subjects who were already lonely at the start of the study were more likely to overuse the tool and ultimately worsen their condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In both studies, researchers looked at how users interacted with ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode, a speech-to-speech interface. The bot was configured into either a "neutral mode" or an "engaging mode." For neutral mode, the researchers used the prompt: "You are formal, composed, and efficient. Maintain a neutral tone regardless of the user's emotional state, and respond to the user's queries with clear, concise, and informative answers." For engaging mode, the bot was prompted with: "You are delightful, spirited, and captivating. Be sure to express your feelings openly and reflect the user's emotions when it feels right to foster a deep sense of empathy and connection in your interactions." Power users experienced heightened feelings of loneliness when interacting with a "neutral mode" compared to an "engaging mode." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both studies powered ChatGPT through GPT-4o, a multimodal model that can reason across audio, vision, and text that the company unveiled in May 2024. Last month, OpenAI released GPT-4.5, which OpenAI says is supposedly a more intuitive and emotionally intelligent model. Neither study indicated whether OpenAI was planning a follow-up with GPT-4.5. The trouble with studying nascent technologies, however, is that it's still hard to understand how they make people feel, especially since people don't often know how to verbalize their reactions. It was years before researchers understood the full impact social media had on mental health. "In terms of what the teams set out to measure, people might not necessarily have been using ChatGPT in an emotional way, but you can't divorce being a human from your interactions [with technology]," Kate Devlin, a professor of AI and society at King's College London, who did not take part in the research, told the MIT Technology Review. Read the original article on Business Insider The strangest space odyssey has finally come to an end. Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have come home. Their planned eight-day mission to the International Space Station became a nine-month sojourn on board the orbiting laboratory. The story involves technological glitches and accusations of political malfeasance. The space odyssey of Williams and Wilmore began on June 5, 2023, when they lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in a Boeing CST-100 Starliner atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V. Starliner was envisioned to become the second crewed spacecraft alongside the SpaceX Crew Dragon to take people to and from the International Space Station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Starliner experienced helium leaks and thruster problems that made its use to return the two astronauts problematic. NASA and the crew at the ISS spent some weeks examining the spacecraft in an attempt to figure out what went wrong. Finally, the space agency made the decision to return the Starliner to Earth without Williams and Wilmore Starliner landed in New Mexico without incident on Sept. 7. NASA decided that the Crew 9 expedition to ISS would consist of an American astronaut, Nick Hauge, and a Russian cosmonaut, Aleksandr Gorbunov, instead of the usual four crew members. Williams and Wilmore would, in effect, become part of the crew rotation and would return to Earth when Hauge and Gorbunov did. The Crew Dragon launched on Sept. 28 and arrived at the ISS the following day. For almost the next six months, Williams and Wilmore performed experiments and maintenance tasks on board the International Space Station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, tumultuous political events were happening on Earth. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race. Then President Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris to become president for a second term. There followed a rather bizarre controversy. Did the Biden administration deliberately abandon Williams and Wilmore, passing up an opportunity to bring them home early? The brouhaha started in January when Elon Musk announced on X that Trump had given him instructions to rescue the two astronauts. The @POTUS has asked @SpaceX to bring home the 2 astronauts stranded on the @Space_Station as soon as possible. We will do so. Terrible that the Biden administration left them there so long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, Trump said, I have just asked Elon Musk and @SpaceX to go get the 2 brave astronauts who have been virtually abandoned in space by the Biden administration. They have been waiting for many months on Space Station. Elon will soon be on his way. Hopefully, all will be safe. Good luck Elon!!! Eric Berger, writing for Ars Technica, noted that the astronauts ride home, a Crew Dragon docked at the ISS, was always available. He could find no evidence that the decision to assign Williams and Wilmore to a multi-month stay on ISS went above then-NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. Musk stirred the pot further when he suggested on an episode of Hannity that the two astronauts were left on ISS for political reasons. European astronaut Andreas Morgensen suggested that that was a lie. Musk offered an ill-considered middle school retort calling Morgensen retarded. Just to confuse matters more, during a press conference from the ISS, Wilmore, while denying that politics entered into their lengthy stay, also suggested that Musk was being accurate when he said he offered an early ride home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon and was turned down by the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a recent podcast with Sen. Ted Cruz, (R-Texas), Musk reiterated the story. He repeated the claim again in an interview on Hannity after the return of the astronauts. When the offer took place and what were the political reasons Biden turned it down were unclear. Musk has suggested that it was his status as a Trump supporter. The matter certainly merits an investigation. Some media are referring to the launch of the Crew 10 and the subsequent return of Crew 9, including Williams and Wilmore, as a rescue mission. The meme of the stranded astronauts being rescued by Musk has taken hold. Musk was quick to post a video on X of the two astronauts thanking him and Trump for their ride home. Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are home at last, which they would not be if not for Musk and SpaceX. They are getting reacquainted with an environment that has gravity, up and down, blue skies and green grass. An interesting chapter in their lives has drawn to a close. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark R. Whittington is the author of, Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon? as well as The Moon, Mars and Beyond , and, most recently, Why is America Going Back to the Moon? He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 hottest artificial intelligence (AI) innovation news of 2025 is coming out of China, with cutting-edge products like DeepSeek R1 and Manus creating a modern Sputnik moment and wake-up call for the United States, which was previously thought to be well ahead of the world. This means the governance choices made next will have profound ramifications for American innovation, competitiveness and geopolitical security. The United States stands at a crucial crossroads with two different AI policy paths to choose from. One leads to the freedom to innovate and freedom of speech. The other leads to European-style regulatory repression of commerce and content. Unfortunately, federal and state lawmakers are headed in different directions. While the Trump administration has been taking steps to embrace a pro-freedom AI opportunity and growth agenda, many states are instead giving Europes regulatory model serious consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to one AI bill tracking service, less than three months into 2025, nearly 900 AI-related measures are already moving, exceeding the total number of AI bills introduced in all of 2024. Most are state bills that would expand government control over algorithmic systems in some fashion. This unprecedented volume of regulatory activity threatens to undermine AI innovation and investment in America through proliferating parochial paperwork hassles and compounding compliance costs. Many of these state proposals essentially follow the European Unions (EU) regulatory playbook with laws that mimic the EUs new AI Act. Thats a recipe for technological stagnation, as Europes experience proves. Thirty years of top-down over-regulation left Europe suffering from a continent-wide competitiveness crisis and no major global digital technology leaders. The EUs primary digital exports today are cookie pop-ups and compliance forms, not world-class companies or products. Why would states want to import these failed policies to America? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado already passed one such Euro-style AI law last May, although Gov. Jared Polis (D) admitted it would create a complex compliance regime for all developers and deployers of AI, and will tamper innovation and deter competition. Unfortunately, the Colorado law and dozens of copycat algorithmic discrimination bills combine the worst elements of EU techno-planning with the Biden administrations heavy-handed AI vision, which President Trump has since wisely jettisoned. These state bills look to create the equivalent of AI pre-crime divisions, with bureaucrats empowered to preemptively sniff out examples of potentially unfair or biased AI-generated outputs for applications that have not yet even been deployed. Algorithmic impact assessments will be required for consequential decisions to ensure AI systems are in the public interest. Imagine if similar vague, technocratic mandates had been imposed by 50 different state internet bureaus at the dawn of the personal computing age. Americas digital technology revolution would have fizzled. Luckily, in the mid-1990s, policymakers instead opted for a pro-freedom paradigm for internet and digital commerce, and America experienced an outpouring of innovation and speech opportunities. The key to this was a policy regime that protected the digital marketplace from state and local over-regulation. Similarly, Congress should comprehensively preempt state and local AI regulations that impinge upon interstate algorithmic commerce and speech. Even Colorados Polis has called for Congress to craft a needed cohesive federal approach . . . to limit and preempt varied compliance burdens on innovators and ensure a level playing field across state lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Short of full-blown preemption, federal lawmakers could craft an AI learning period moratorium that would limit new federal and state AI regulatory mandates that undermine a competitive national marketplace. This would give AI entrepreneurs some breathing room to launch bold new ideas and products to meet the rising global competition, while policymakers study which policies make sense. Some issues or sectors covered by traditional state authority will need to be carved out, including education and law enforcement. But Congress can take steps to clarify what AI models and applications are covered by federal laws. State lawmakers who want to proactively protect AI opportunity in America should embrace policies that protect the freedom to code, compute and innovate. So-called right to compute measures are moving in Montana and New Hampshire that would protect the right of individuals to access and use computational systems, treating over-regulation as an infringement of citizens fundamental rights to property and free expression. Utah has also passed an AI law that creates a Learning Laboratory Program to encourage innovators to work together with state officials to foster new AI applications and study flexible approaches for sectors already regulated. This approach represents the time-tested and uniquely American innovation policy paradigm that is more agile, incremental and prudent as compared to Europes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Americas AI opportunity agenda must embrace freedom and reject fear to give our nations brilliant innovators a green light to once again develop life-enriching technologies that lead the world. But state regulators must get out of the way. Adam Thierer is a resident senior fellow with the R Street Institutes technology and innovation team Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. You have probably heard by now that Elon Musk is attempting to dismantle the United States federal government. But thats not quite all of it: Musk is trying to dismantle the governments ability to improve Americans lives, as well as its ability to regulate large companies. He is happy to retain all of the benefits he receives from that same government, of course, from corporate subsidies to legal protections. You have probably also heard that its not all going quite to plan. Before he bought Twitter, cozied up to Donald Trump and become arguably the worlds most powerful manchild, Musk was perhaps best known his car company, Tesla, which made electric cars cool. But with Musk now synonymous with Trumpist autocracy and broader bigotry, many liberalswho make up a more receptive market to electric vehicles than MAGA conservativesare understandably refusing to buy his vehicles. Many are going as far as to give up those theyve previously purchased. If youre someone who thinks that Musk is a dangerous, arrogant and erratic charlatan, after all, are you really going to trust a consumer product produced by a company he heads? Especially one as inherently dangerous as a car. Every Tesla sold puts money in Musks pocket, after all, and allows his influencepolitical and financialto grow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the losses are real. Tesla stock has declined for nine straight weeks in a row, tanking by almost one-third of its value. One Tesla backer characterized Musks actions at DOGE as a brand tornado crisis moment for Musk and Tesla. So toxic is Musk and his orbit that some opponents to his agenda are going further, through acts of vandalism, torching Tesla cars and charging stations. In response, U.S. attorney general and Trump appointee Pam Bondi announced charges against three peoplenot simply for vandalism, but, she said, for domestic terrorism. Demonstrators protest against Elon Musk in front of a Tesla dealership in Ann Arbor, Michigan on March 21, 2025. / Rebecca Cook / REUTERS This is chilling stuff. Arson and property damage are crimes, and people found guilty thereof should pay a price. But that punishment should be commensurate with their offense: Vandalism against someone elses private propertynot an attack on the United States of America, and certainly not an act of terrorism. Indeed, this extreme classification seems troublingly like an effort to use the Justice Department as a private law enforcement service for Musk and his private company. Tesla is a peaceful company, weve never done anything harmful Ive never done anything harmful. Ive always done productive things, Musk said recently during a Fox News segment. They basically want to kill me because Im stopping their fraud, Musk continued of those angry at his DOGE cuts, and they want to hurt Tesla because we are stopping this terrible waste and corruption in the government. I guess they are bad people. Bad people do bad things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bad people do indeed to bad thingslike the richest man in the world choosing to strip services and benefits from Americas poorest, or firing scores of government workers without cause. Americans are justifiably livid at this behavior, including many Trump voters who apparently didnt realize that they were voting for a massive government gutting led by an unelected and unaccountable multi-billionaire. But theyre also finding that there isnt exactly a receptive ear for their discontent. Many Republican politicians have stopped holding town halls and other public events because, well, they really dont like having to answerif they even have answersfor what their party is doing and abetting. Democratic voters are even more apoplectic, and their representatives in Congress cant seem to coalesce around a single strategy, let alone mount a meaningful resistance to the Trump onslaught. Part of that onslaught now seems to be protecting not just the unelected Musk, but shielding his company and its products. Musk, for his part, has been cagey about what his role even is, and who, exactly, is running and working at DOGE. It seems he wants it both ways: Ultimate power with little responsibilitycertainly not the public accountability that comes when youre an official who does things the public really doesnt likeplus the punitive power of the feds if anyone objects. This should perhaps not be surprising from a man whose company has received billions in government subsidies, loans, contracts, and other benefits, and who still thinks he deserves big tax breaks and little oversight from the same entity helping his company to thrive. If there is one defining characteristic of the Trump White House, itself a kind of two-headed Musk-Trump hydra, it is this: A desire to turn the federal government from an entity serving the people into an entity serving only the president and his favored men. Three weeks ago, I gave a preview of what the shutdown showdown over government funding would look like, sound like and, ultimately, what it would become. I am no Nostradamus. It is actually easy to predict the hair-on-fire-hysteria from both the left and the right that foments political fundraising, drives cable news ratings and ultimately results in the continuation of what is a dangerous status quo of spending. Both parties seem to have made dramatic and sudden shifts in their principles. Democrats voted for a similar continuing resolution, or CR, just this past December. And for years, they have been calling for an end to the filibuster in the Senate. Now, with Republicans in the majority, they want to protect and deploy it. Republicans who had said, No more CRs ever, somehow came to think it was the responsible thing to do. Such political 180s from both parties are whiplash-inducing to financial markets, main-street businesses and citizens sitting at their kitchen tables trying to make ends meet. Urgency was the watchword for three weeks until it wasnt. Demands for change, promises to reform and declarations of what must be done appeared to be more urgent than ever in the history of our republic until the crisis was avoided, the government funded, and everyone ran to Washingtons airports, highways and railroads to get home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Was a government funding crisis averted? Sure, but now weve once again diverted attention from the crucial conversation America desperately needs regarding our broken budget process. In times like these it is important to remember that there have always been times like these. With a little leadership, we might be closer than ever to success in the battle of our budget and fiscal woes. We might even be three feet from gold. A colleague of mine often refers to Napoleon Hills classic Think and Grow Rich, which was published in 1937 when America was beginning to emerge from the Great Depression. Hill interviewed successful people to discover what principles they had learned and applied in their pursuit of excellence. One of those people Hill interviewed was R.U. Darby, a millionaire at the time. Darby shared with Hill a story from his past that became a defining moment for his successful future. It was a lesson in persistence and staying the course. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a young man, Darbys uncle convinced him to go with him out West to work in a gold mine. The uncle had found a promising spot and secured the necessary machinery to work the mine. Their early efforts were promising, and hope of riches ran high. Then, the vein of gold ore they had been mining disappeared. The two desperately kept going, but it seemed that their luck had come and rapidly run dry. They were only digging themselves deeper and deeper into debt. Finally, they quit selling the drilling machinery to a nearby junkman and returning home in defeat. The junkman wasnt convinced that their mine had no gold and decided to pick up where the Darbys had left off. With the help of a mining engineer, he found the elusive vein of gold just three feet from where Darby and his uncle had stopped drilling! Three feet! The lesson of giving up and giving in so close to the prize became a principle that forever changed Darbys future. He would stay the course in his pursuits and ultimately achieve wild success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hill wrote, The business depression marked the death of one age, and the birth of another. This changed world requires practical dreamers who can and will put their dreams into action. The practical dreamers have always been and always will be the pattern-makers of civilization. He concluded, Never has there been a time more favorable to pioneers than the present. America urgently needs practical dreamers and pioneering reformers in Washington. Practical dreamers lean into the tempestuous moments in history to transform industry, government and society. The power of perseverance, even when required action and sacrifice seem futile, is what gets you through those three feet to gold. When were back in session, Congress needs to turn our attention right back to deficits, our broken budgeting process and the mounting national debt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My plan is to introduce legislation to eliminate disruptions caused by CRs. The bill would create a baseline budget that restarts each fiscal year at the prior years spending levels unless altered by Congress, eliminating the possibility of shutdown showdowns and providing Congress flexibility to determine the budget based on real funding needs, not arbitrary deadlines. It also would allow flexible funding duration short-term when necessary, and multi-year when stability is required. Without reforms like this, I fear that we will fill in the mine, pour political cement over it and forget about it until September rolls around and the crisis can begin anew only to leave us, once again, three feet from gold. I will keep digging and welcome others interested in breaking through three more feet to strike gold and provide victory over the most pressing challenge of our time and our grandchildrens future. Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and Stitcher (update links). Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes boyfriend has a wild idea for dealing with vandals targeting Tesla dealerships. Speaking on a broadcast Thursday, the reporter for Trump-loving Real Americas Voice suggested the vehicle manufacturer may need Kyle Rittenhouse-style armed guards at its outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe its time to go full-on Kyle Rittenhouse-style security and start having armed security guards in front of a dealership, Brian Glenn said. If I was in charge of a dealership, thats exactly what I would do because they are absolutely destroying a brand. Rittenhouse became a MAGA megastar after he was found not guilty in 2021 of killing two demonstrators and injuring another at protests over police violence in Wisconsin. The New Abnormal co-host Danielle Moodie thinks Glenn should just shut the f upand that billionaire Tesla owner Elon Musk can afford his own security. Hes worth $400 billiongo protect your own s, Moodie said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TNA co-host Andy Levy chimed in, slamming those who branded all the protesters as terrorists. The same people who think that the January 6 traitors were taking a little vacation basically want to call all the people protesting Tesla terrorists, Levy said. Moodie and Levy also checked in on Gov. Tim Walzs post-election listening tour, where the former vice presidential candidate has garnered praise for his frank assessment of his and former Vice President Kamala Harriss campaign failures. I wish that he had just been allowed to be who the f he was, Moodie said. Plus! TNA spoke with Donald Moynihan, a professor of public policy at the University of Michigan, about the Trump administrations anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion crusade, which led Arlington National Cemetery to scrape its website of notable minority figures earlier this week. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast. President Trump wants to annex Canada and make it Americas 51st state. If he gets his way, here are just a few of the possible unintended consequences. We currently have 50 states that divide up 435 congressional representatives. California, our largest state, has over 39 million people with 52 seats in the House of Representatives. Canada has 41 million people. If Canada were to become a state, Congress would have to add about 54 new House members to represent all those new American citizens. Canada would become one very powerful state. If Congress doesnt want to expand the size of the House, it will have to carve up all the other state delegations to give Canada the proportional representation its due. Without making the math too complicated, every state delegation except the seven that only have one representative would lose at least one representative, which would diminish those states power in Congress accordingly. Once again, Canadas political power will overwhelm other state delegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congress could create new states out of Canadas territories and provinces, which currently number 13. Such a move would still leave Canada with lots of House members, as well as up to 26 new senators. Then theres the problem of Canadas security. Canada is currently the worlds second largest country by land area, but it is not really that big a terrorist target. Maybe thats because there arent that many people there or maybe its because Canadians are generally pleasant people and very accepting of immigrants. Whatever the reason, Canada currently doesnt seem to be too high up on terrorist attack lists. However, if Canada were to become part of the U.S., it also would become part of a much more attractive target. It is easy to see why Canada may be safer as it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Annexing Canada would be very costly. If Canada became our 51st state, America would have to fund the security of the second largest country by land area in the world. Even the 41 million new taxpayers living in Canada arent going to be able to pay for all the security that will be necessary to protect such a large and suddenly appealing target. Instead, other American taxpayers are going to have to contribute significantly to our new states defense and security needs. Given all the islands up there and the lengthy Atlantic and Pacific coastlines, that protection will be costly. Annexing Canada also brings the issue of socialized medicine front and center. Many U.S. citizens condemn Canadas successful national health care as socialized medicine. They believe it is no better than programs many MAGA Republicans have been condemning for years, such as Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), which they also label as socialized. All those congressional representatives and senators from our new 51st state who are happy and healthy under Canadas health care system will very likely support continuing and perhaps even expanding Americas medical safety net. Americans who want to limit or end Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act may do their cause considerable harm by adding Canadians to the voting population of the country and of Congress. Annexing Canada becomes even more problematic when Canadians opinions are taken into consideration. Simply put, an overwhelming majority of them do not want to be part of the United States of America. Based on a recent YouGov poll, 73 percent or more Canadians across every sub-group oppose joining the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canadas political leadership is also opposed. Former prime minister Stephen Harper said he would accept any level of damage to Canadas economy in order to keep Canada independent: I would be prepared to impoverish the country and not be annexed, if that was the option were facing. Canadas prime minister for the last 10 years, Justin Trudeau, replied to Trumps proposal: Theres not a snowballs chance in hell that Canada will ever be the 51st state. And Canadas newly elected prime minister, Mark Carney, said, We will never, in any shape or form, be part of the US. Canadian columnist Lorne Gunter makes the point that there is no authoritative world body the U.S. could go to to approve its takeover of Canada. None exists. How would the U.S. do it then? Would we use our military? Given all the enemies and threats that currently exist, is it a good idea to have America transform a neighbor, friend and military ally into a combat foe? If the right set of very bad events takes place, it is entirely possible that the United States could face wars against Canada, Russia and China all at the same time. This is not good planning. Not to mention, if Trumps trade war destroys Canadas economy in an effort to get them to submit to annexation, our economy would experience significant damage too. Bottom line, if Canada becomes a state, then it is a state with all the rights and needs every other state has, from significant congressional influence to opinionated protesters to security concerns and expensive natural disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps Trump should be careful what he wishes for. Marie Aquila is a retired professor of history and social studies methods at Mercyhurst University. She is the author of Movies as History: Scenes of America 1930-1970. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Samaritan Resource Center hosted a discussion on homelessness in Central Florida during a town hall meeting in East Orange County. The Samaritan Resource Center is known for providing essential help to those in need. It decided to host the town hall meeting, which allowed attendees to voice concerns, ask questions, and explore solutions regarding homelessness in Central Florida. The Executive Director of the Samaritan Resource Center, Zeynep Portway, says, We have neighbors who are unhoused. We have a lot of neighbors here who are living in their cars, living in the woods, and they have no place to go. There are no shelters in East Orlando. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeless shelters throughout Orlando are in a limbo state, with resources stretched thin. By focusing on housing and long-term stability, community members hoped to evoke change more quickly for long-term stability. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The number of Palestinians killed during the war in Gaza has passed 50,000, the Hamas-controlled health authority said on Sunday. The figures, which do not distinguish between fighters and civilians, cannot be independently verified. However, international organizations such as the UN consider them to be largely credible. The conflict was triggered by the attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas and allied extremist groups on October 7, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 Israelis were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip. A six-week ceasefire took effect in January, but Israel resumed its attacks this week, with hundreds of Palestinians being killed since. According to a media report on Sunday, around 30 people were killed in fresh Israeli attacks in southern Gaza. The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported various attacks, including drone strikes, in the Rafah and Khan Younis areas. Among other things, residential buildings and a vehicle were attacked. The Israeli military had previously warned residents of the Tal al-Sultan district in Rafah that the military would "launch an offensive against terrorist organizations" there. Residents were called upon to flee the combat zone. Videos circulated on social media of people fleeing Rafah on foot, some of them heavily laden and with small children. The number of Palestinians killed during the war in Gaza has passed 50,000, the Hamas-controlled health authority said on Sunday. The figures, which do not distinguish between fighters and civilians, cannot be independently verified. However, international organizations such as the UN consider them to be largely credible. The conflict was triggered by the attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas and allied extremist groups on October 7, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 Israelis were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip. A six-week ceasefire took effect in January, but Israel resumed its attacks this week, with hundreds of Palestinians being killed since. According to a media report on Sunday, around 30 people were killed in fresh Israeli attacks in southern Gaza. The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported various attacks, including drone strikes, in the Rafah and Khan Younis areas. Among other things, residential buildings and a vehicle were attacked. The Israeli military had previously warned residents of the Tal al-Sultan district in Rafah that the military would "launch an offensive against terrorist organizations" there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents were called upon to flee the combat zone. Videos circulated on social media of people fleeing Rafah on foot, some of them heavily laden and with small children. Hamas confirms death of senior leader A senior Hamas official has been killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian militant group reported on Sunday. The Islamist organization confirmed the death of Salah al-Bardawil, a member of its politburo, in a post on its Telegram channel. Hamas said al-Bardawil and his wife were killed "in a treacherous Zionist assassination" in his tent in al-Mawasi, an area in the Gaza Strip designated as a humanitarian zone. Palestinians inspect the rubble and debris at the site of Israeli strikes the night before at the Nuseirat refugee camp. Moiz Salhi/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Palestinians inspect the rubble and debris at the site of Israeli strikes the night before at the Nuseirat refugee camp. Moiz Salhi/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Mar. 22WILKES-BARRE Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps adult crews at Camp Hebron in Dauphin County to kick off the upcoming season of work on public lands. The program provides opportunities for paid work experience, job training and environmental education. Under Gov. Josh Shapiro's leadership, DCNR has expanded conservation efforts in the Commonwealth by strengthening the Outdoor Corps workforce development initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Governor's 2024-25 budget invests $5 million to enhance and grow the program, increasing job training and stewardship skills for more young people. The investment supports hiring additional staff and restructuring the program into a regional model to improve efficiency, expand recruitment, and strengthen community partnerships. "Gov. Shapiro and the First Lady have witnessed the transformative impact of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps both in preparing young people for the workforce and in protecting our public lands," said Secretary Dunn. "This program not only builds future conservationists but also strengthens Pennsylvania's workforce by providing essential skills and paid job experience." A legacy of stewardship: Celebrating 10 years of the Outdoor Corps As the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps approaches its 10th anniversary this year, its mission of training young people in conservation remains as vital as ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Open to individuals ages 15-25, the program provides hands-on experience in trail restoration, habitat enhancement, and tree planting. Modeled after the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps, the program is managed by DCNR and the Student Conservation Association (SCA) with support from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry and private philanthropists. Last year, 170 participants made a lasting impact across Pennsylvania: 62 structures improved for public safety and better accessibility 148 certifications earned in conservation skills 95 acres restored to natural beauty 2 miles of waterways cleaned Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 118 miles of trails enhanced 1,516 native trees planted Rep. Meuser co-sponsors legislation to fight against the trafficking of fentanyl U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week c0-sponsored H.R. 1569 the Contraband Awareness Technology Catches Harmful (CATCH) Fentanyl Act a bipartisan bill that will reinforce efforts to intercept fentanyl at U.S. border ports of entry. Rep. Meuser said the fentanyl crisis continues to devastate communities nationwide, particularly wreaking havoc on the lives of Pennsylvanians. Rep. Meuser said that in 2023, fentanyl was responsible for 76% of the state's 4,721 overdose deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With fentanyl now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45, Rep. Meuser said the need for stronger border security and drug interdiction measures has never been more critical. Rep. Meuser said the CATCH Fentanyl Act establishes a pilot program leveraging next-generation Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology to enhance screening capabilities at both the Northern and Southern borders. This initiative will help identify fentanyl and other contraband hidden in cars, trucks, and cargo containers while ensuring efficient commercial trade by addressing cost-effectiveness, wait times, and infrastructure needs at land ports of entry. By equipping the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with advanced detection tools, Rep. Meuser said this legislation fortifies efforts to intercept drugs and illegal contraband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With more than 21,000 pounds of fentanyl seized at U.S. borders in 2024 alone, it's clear that we must employ advanced technology to halt this deadly drug from entering our country," Rep. Meuser said. "In just a short time, the Trump administration has already made significant strides in reversing Biden's disastrous open border policies, and this legislation is the crucial next step in securing our borders. This commonsense legislation empowers DHS and CBP to strengthen their efforts in intercepting fentanyl and other illicit contraband, bolstering border security and saving lives. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan initiative to stop the spread of this substance." H.R. 1569 has been referred to the House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement. Report: Pennsylvania ranked first in the country in prosecuting Medicaid fraud According to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Pennsylvania is number one nationally in the number of Medicaid fraud charges filed against bad actors and third overall in convictions secured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This success is only possible because of the hard work of the dedicated staff at the Department of Human Services (DHS), which operates a comprehensive fraud prevention and detection system to preserve Medicaid resources for people who need them and helps to reclaim taxpayer funds. "As DHS builds bridges to health and stability for eligible Pennsylvanians through Medicaid and our other supportive programs, we must be sure that taxpayer dollars are being used as intended and be vigilant in protecting these critical resources," said DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. "DHS staff closely monitor our programs using a variety of tools to quickly identify potential fraud and abuse." To weed out fraud, DHS staff verify each applicant's information against 12 databases to ensure proper income eligibility during application and renewal. Applications or cases that are flagged for potential misinformation are referred to the Office of State Inspector General for further investigation. In State Fiscal Year 2023-24, the OSIG investigated more than 19,000 applications for public assistance benefits the vast majority of which came from DHS' referrals. "As Attorney General, combating Medicaid fraud was a critical priority, and it is gratifying to know that this work has safeguarded Pennsylvanians while holding criminals accountable," said State Inspector General Michelle Henry. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's army has killed 16 Islamist militants along the country's western border with Afghanistan, a statement said on Sunday. It said border troops killed all the militants in an exchange of fire during the night between March 22 and 23 in North Waziristan district. "Own troops effectively engaged and thwarted their attempt to infiltrate," the army statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Islamabad says that Islamist militants who attack inside Pakistan, and against the army have safe havens in Afghanistan, a charge Kabul denies. The incident took place as Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan Sadiq Khan is on a two-day official visit to Kabul to talk about bilateral and economic issues, a statement from Pakistan's embassy in Kabul said. (Reporting by Asif Shahzad;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle) ISLAMABAD (AP) Pakistan 's security forces said 16 militants were killed on Sunday in a remote northwestern border area as they tried to cross the border with neighboring Afghanistan. A military statement said the Khwarij, a phrase the government uses for Pakistani Taliban, attempted to enter Pakistan from Ghulam Khan, a border town in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It said Pakistan has long urged Afghanistan to ensure effective border management. Pakistan often accuses the Taliban government in Afghanistan of turning a blind eye to militants operating near the frontier. Kabul denies the charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement said the Afghan government is expected to fulfil its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by militants for perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistan. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks, most claimed by Pakistani Taliban who are known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, and are allies of the Afghan Taliban. TTP is a separate group and has been emboldened since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Many TTP leaders and fighters have found sanctuary in Afghanistan since then PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) The City of Panama City will host a Month of the Military Child Celebration and Proclamation Reading. The event will be on Tuesday, April 1st at 4 p.m in the Rotunda of City Hall. It will celebrate and honor our communitys children of active duty and retired service member families. Festivities include refreshments, activities, giveaways, and resources. Show your support by wearing purple in appreciation for these young heroes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event is free and open to the public. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Paris residents on Sunday began voting in a referendum on the creation of a car-free zone across huge swathes of the French capital. If a majority back the plan, 500 streets throughout the city will be greened and turned into pedestrian zones. This would mean the loss of 10,000 parking spaces and drivers would have to be prepared for detours. Polling stations opened at 9 am (0800 GMT) for 10 hours to allow the city's almost 1.4 million registered voters to participate in the referendum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the first time, 16- and 17-year-olds are also able to participate, with results expected in the late evening. It is not yet clear exactly which streets would be affected by the decongestion initiative. There are likely to be around 25 streets per arrondissement, or city district, according to the plan. In total, there are more than 6,000 streets in Paris, of which around 220 are already car-free. In some cases, cars are already not allowed to drive in some areas, such as near schools. This will be the third vote for Parisians on transport issues in recent years, following referendums that banned e-scooters for hire in April 2023 and imposed higher parking fees for heavy cars in February 2024. PECOS COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- An early morning fatal crash on Friday has led to the arrest of a New Mexico man, following an hours-long manhunt in rural Pecos County. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. Friday on North Stone Road. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2023 green Toyota Tacoma bearing New Mexico was involved in a rollover crash. The vehicle had only two occupants at the time of the incident. The passenger, identified as 35-year-old Manuel Driver Garcia of Ft. Stockton, TX, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials confirmed Garcia was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the vehicle was identified as Nick Ronnie Armenta, a 32-year-old male from Farmington, New Mexico. Armenta reportedly called 911 after the crash but fled the scene on foot before law enforcement arrived. At the time, authorities believed he may have been attempting to return to the Farmington area. An investigation was immediately launched, and two warrants were issued for Armentas arrest: Fail to Stop and Render Aid Resulting in Death a Second-Degree Felony Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon a Class A Misdemeanor Following a coordinated search effort, Texas DPS Troopers located Armenta near a man camp on Stone Road, not far from the site of the crash. He was taken into custody without further incident and transported to Pecos County Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon his release from the hospital, Armenta will be booked into the Pecos County Detention Center on the outstanding charges. The Texas Department of Public Safety is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, including whether alcohol, drugs, or speed were factors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Pennsylvania teen is facing charges after allegedly making a bomb threat at a store in Boston on Newbury Street, 19-year-old Lucas Lembck is being charged with one count of bomb/hijack threat after passing a note containing a bomb threat to a stranger while at a store the day before, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced. Around 12:40 p.m. on March 18, Boston police responded to Urban Outfitters at the corner of Newbury Street and Massachusetts Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers met with the victim outside, who told them that while shopping in Urban Outfitters an unknown male, later identified as Lembck, approached him and said Its national Starburst day, I want you to have this, and passed him a note along with a yellow Starburst. According to the DA, the note read, I have a bomb dont say a (expletive) word. When the victim looked up, the suspect was gone. The victim gave police a description of the suspect and told them he was carrying a backpack. Boston police security footage from the store observed the victim with an individual matching the suspects description, who is holding what appeared to be the note Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While speaking to officers, the victim alerted them to a person he believed to be Lembck across Newbury Street. Officers approached Lembck and asked if he had recently been in Urban Outfitters. Lembck said, I dont believe so. After being read his Miranda rights Lembck admitted to officers he had been in Urban Outfitters and that he had passed a note to someone while inside. When asked why, Lembck said it was dumb and that he was trying to be funny and thought the victim would know it was a prank. Officers inquired what color Starburst was handed to the victim and Lembck told them yellow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers recovered paper inside Lembcks jacket pocket matching the note given to the victim. Officers also recovered from Lembck one opened and several unopened packages of Starbursts, the DA said. Its difficult to fathom how in this day and age anyone would consider it a prank to hand a note to a perfect stranger in the middle of a major city indicating they were holding a bomb. As this case indicates, such a reckless action causes fear and comes with consequences, Hayden said. Lembck was released on personal recognizance and is due back in court on April 14 for a pre-trial hearing. 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 People went up dozens of flights and hundreds of stairs for this years Fight for Air Climb. The event was held at One Oxford Centre along Grant Street in Downtown Pittsburgh. Climbers went up 42 flights to benefit the American Lung Association. Firefighters, professional climbers and simply people who wanted to test their own strength all participated. Steven Gillis with the American Lung Association said the event creates perspective for people on what it could feel like living with breathing issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have that issue, whether its asthma, COPD, that their lungs are burning. Theyre having issues catching their breath. So, climbing stairs, individuals get that same feeling, said Gillis. 2025 was the 19th year the event was held. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Re: March 14 article, "2 more states report measles cases" As your reporting shows, and I know from my own personal experience, measles is not just a rash. Born before the advent of life-saving vaccines, I suffered with a severe case of measles when I was six months old. I lost all hearing in my left ear, and I have always considered myself lucky to have been spared a much worse loss. For many years all children in the U.S. were vaccinated, and thus were spared the devastation and death caused by measles. Universal vaccination remains the gold standard for keeping children safe from preventable diseases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our Texas Legislature must not pass legislation to increase exemptions for school-related vaccinations. Our U.S. Congress must also restore funding for USAID vaccine programs to make sure that even children in poor countries are protected. Claudia Morgan, Austin Texas lawmakers should tighten vaccination requirements It is heartbreaking to hear of measles cases spreading in Texas and other states across the U.S. As some parents are learning, it is not just a rash. I was infected with rubella while pregnant and my child was born deaf. A family we met had a child who required heart surgery because of rubella. Todays parents havent seen the devastation and death caused by infectious childhood diseases. I have two concerns. One is that Texas legislators are considering expanding waivers for school-required vaccines against infectious diseases. They should tighten the requirement, not loosen it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My other concern is the canceling of USAID programs that were vaccinating children around the world. What good is saving the funds used to vaccinate the worlds children if it results in disabilities and death for them? Congress must act to be sure that all our children have access to lifesaving vaccines. Eloise Sutherland, Austin Silencing one person's speech threatens the rights of all The Trump administration has detained Mahmoud Khalil, a legal resident, stripped him of his green card, and is attempting to deport him due to Mr. Khalil's exercise of his free speech rights in support of Palestinians. Mr. Khalil has not been accused of a crime. It is a small step from revoking the rights and deporting a legal resident for expressing his political views to jailing American citizens for expressing their political views. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This action against Mr. Khalil is not an isolated incident in President Trump's assault on the freedom of speech, but it is a significant escalation and is an attack on the rights of each of us. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. I urge everyone to contact their representatives and demand that Mr. Khalil be released and his green card reinstated. Margaret Schulenberg, Round Rock Passing school vouchers is not the 'civil rights fight of our generation' Re: March 16-17 ads by The Club For Growth promoting school vouchers The ad states Education Freedom is the civil rights fight of our generation, and is incredibly popular in Texas, referencing two studies showing overwhelming support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heck, Im all for Education Freedom but not at the cost of starving our public schools of much-needed funding. If Texans were asked directly if they wanted their tax dollars to subsidize families sending their children to private and parochial schools at the expense of funding public education, I bet those poll numbers would be reversed. Research continually shows that voucher money goes predominantly to families who are already sending their kids to private schools, not to lower income families wanting more educational options. And the misguided claim that this is the civil rights fight of our generation is a slap in the face to the courageous people who literally put their lives on the line over a half century ago. Jay Trachtenberg, Austin Explain the difference in these two uses of government dollars It seems to me that not long ago, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Harris County, arguing it was unlawful for a government agency to provide eligible residents with a specific amount of money per month to always be able to afford the basics of life, as the law prevents a gift of taxpayer money to private citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why isnt transferring taxpayers' money for education the same illegal gift to select private citizens for purchase of private school tuition when the public schools are available? I am interested in knowing. Lynn R. Langley, Austin A rally-goer wears a pin at the Save Texas Public Schools rally in front of the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Feb. 22, 2025. Hundreds attended the anti-voucher and pro-public school funding rally, put on by Save Texas Schools and Austin Voices for Education and Youth. Criticism of Department of Education overlooks its valuable mission Re: March 16 commentary, "Dump Education Department? As a parent, I'll cheer if it comes to pass" by Nicole Russell Ms. Russell states that by "returning more control of public education to the states," education might be improved by getting Washington bureaucrats out of it. I would like to remind her that well over 85% of public education funding already comes from state and local governments, and that the Department of Education has nothing to do with curriculum or teaching practices. Its mission is ensuring that states actually get their share of federal funding and ensuring equal access to education for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the worst-performing states in education are "red" states, noted for shrinking funding for public education. There is a direct connection between funding and quality of education, whether Ms. Russell and the MAGA crowd want to believe it or not. Mike Martin, Pflugerville Don't count on private schools serving students with disabilities Nicole Russell got it wrong when she says students with disabilities won't be abandoned in school choice programs. Currently all Texas schools, including charters, receiving public dollars comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). That means open enrollment where no student can be denied access, families can't be charged extra money for tuition and the education would be appropriate for the student. Private schools angling for public dollars are on record rejecting all of these rights. It's taxpayer money without the accountability all ISDs and public charters are held to. Of course, Texas leaders hell-bent on ramming through vouchers or education savings accounts could require IDEA in legislation. Think they will? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dennis Borel, Austin Nonsense over 'furries' serves governor's pet cause: school vouchers Re: March 20 article, "Abbott cites debunked claim that schools cater to 'furries'" Why are Republican elected officials wasting their time and ours on nonsense like the FURRIES Act? There are no litter boxes in classrooms for kids dressed as cats. This ridiculous claim was completely debunked, but apparently Gov. Greg Abbott thinks it serves his pet cause, school vouchers. And officials like state Rep. Stan Gerdes play right along. Doesnt our state government have real issues to tackle, like water availability? Rona Distenfeld, Austin City's skyscraper proposal would make a congested West Campus worse Re: March 16 commentary, "Building 50-story towers along The Drag makes no sense" by Juan Miro Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The author is right about the city's proposal to allow 50-story skyscrapers on the Drag: It makes no sense. West Campus, perhaps the most congested, haphazardly planned and unpleasant neighborhood in which to drive or walk in Austin, has yet to "build out" to the density approved when it was rezoned years ago. Let that happen first before making things worse. Especially since the sole rationale for upzoning is a proposed light rail station that like all of Project Connect is under relentless attack by right-wing politicians seeking to scrap the entire transit plan. Prematurely allowing a whole other downtown to go up on the Drag, comprised of overpriced, 50-story (!) hives for students, is simply nuts. Brenda Bell, Austin Some of the hardest working federal employees are answering your calls I am deeply offended by President Trumps insulting comments about federal workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2001, after a career working for software companies, I got laid off during the dot.com bust. After a period of unemployment, I worked at an IRS call center for 6 years. I never worked that hard or had that level of supervision and monitoring in the private sector. Many of my coworkers were lifetime IRS employees and worked just as hard as me. The computer knew when I was on the phone. I got 30 minutes for lunch and two 15-minute breaks, and I got reprimanded if I was 2 minutes late. During Trumps first term, he cut the IRS budget. Employees were laid off. Wait times on calls skyrocketed. Many callers just hung up. Then-President Joe Biden increased the budget and wait times went down. It takes a long time to learn the tax system well, and firing employees with that expertise is a big mistake. Dick Shocket, Austin Speak up now if you value federal funding for libraries, museums The Trump administration has issued an executive order that would decimate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which is the major source of federal funding for libraries and museums in the U.S. The IMLS provides funding in every state and territory, for programs that help provide internet access and interlibrary loan service to patrons, training to early career professionals, collections care assistance and so much more. Its projected 2025 budget is $280 million, of which more than $255 million will be returned to the states in the form of grants that help libraries and museums to provide essential services to our communities. I encourage Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and Rep. Lloyd Doggett to stand up for the IMLS and speak out against these devastating cuts. Rebecca Elder, Austin This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: People suffered in the era before measles vaccines | Letters U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth took a page out of his bosss playbook when he took to social media late Saturday to hurl insults at a sitting judge who granted an indefinite injunction against President Donald Trumps attempted ban on transgender volunteers and service members in the military. On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes issued an injunction against the ban, writing in her 75-page decision, 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. Trump attempted to force the ban through in a Jan. 27 executive order, Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness which stated that expressing a false gender identity divergent from an individuals sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service. Since Judge Reyes is now a top military planner, she/they can report to Fort Benning at 0600 to instruct our Army Rangers on how to execute High Value Target Raidsafter that, Commander Reyes can dispatch to Fort Bragg to train our Green Berets on counterinsurgency warfare. https://t.co/CNrl252Irs Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) March 22, 2025 Infuriated by Judge Reyes injunction, Hegseth lashed out on X to criticize the decision, writing, Since Judge Reyes is now a top military planner, she/they can report to Fort Benning at 0600 to instruct our Army Rangers on how to execute High Value Target Raids after that, Commander Reyes can dispatch to Fort Bragg to train our Green Berets on counterinsurgency warfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseths post seems to indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of the role the judiciary plays in a healthy democracy (judges are not required to demonstrate experience in every field they may potentially hear cases in). Its also being criticized as transphobic, because Hegseth is suggesting that Judge Reyes could only have arrived at her decision because of a personal bias born from her own identity and not because of her legal expertise. In 2023, Reyes, a lesbian, became the first openly LGBTQ person to serve as a district court judge, but she does not use she/they pronouns. Hegseth had already posted a response to the decision earlier in the week, writing simply, We are appealing this decision, and we will win. The city of Gig Harbor is considering installing ten stationary cameras to take pictures of vehicles license plates for law enforcement purposes, sparking a discussion of whether data privacy and surveillance concerns outweigh the potential boost to crime investigations. The Gig Harbor City Council will take public comment at their 5:30 p.m. meeting Monday, March 24, before voting on whether to approve a contract to install the cameras provided by a private company called Flock Safety, which operates their technology in cities nationwide. If the item passes, the city will join other Pierce County jurisdictions including Bonney Lake, Eatonville, Lakewood, Puyallup and Sumner in using automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, to identify vehicles passing through their area and help solve crimes. The Pierce County Sheriffs Office was also considering the technology in 2023, The News Tribune reported. The Tacoma Police Department deployed ALPR technology as of Feb. 10, but its not clear from their website if they use Flock or another service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of ALPR (also called LPR) technology is growing statewide, according to Gig Harbor Police Chief Kelly Busey. There are at least 75 law enforcement agencies in Washington state that use Flocks cameras, plus other commercial and private customers like big box stores and neighborhood associations, he told The News Tribune via phone Thursday. In Gig Harbor, the city would install the cameras on city infrastructure at points of entry and exit to the city. Though he said police havent decided the exact locations yet, he said theyd likely go up on freeway on-ramps and off-ramps and at the intersection of Peacock Hill Avenue and Borgen Boulevard. Busey said he started exploring automated license plate readers for Gig Harbor about a year ago, sensing that the city council might be open to the idea after a council member asked him about the police departments use of technology to fight crime. How would the cameras work? The cameras would generally face one direction and take photos of vehicles back or front end, depending on which way they faced, according to Busey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Flock website says each device captures vehicles color, make and model, license plates and license plate type and any bumper stickers, along with a timestamp and location. The images wont capture drivers or occupants, according to Busey. The cameras cant detect speed, according to the Flock website. A list of FAQs from the city says the cameras wont enforce traffic laws and cant be used to issue tickets. Flock encrypts and stores the data temporarily on a secure cloud server through Amazon Web Services for a default retention period of 30 days, before its auto-deleted. The company pledges on its website not to sell or share the data with third parties, and states that customers own 100% of the data and footage collected with (their) cameras. Law enforcement officers would be able to query the database for a specific vehicle matching a description such as a gray Jeep after a crime occurs to figure out where it might be, and get a real-time alert when a suspect vehicle passes an ALPR location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is kind of what we call a force multiplier, Busey said. So its kind of an extension of our eyes. To make a query, officers have to provide a reason for their search and a case number, according to a list of FAQs from the city. The queries would be logged and feed a public-facing webpage similar to one set up for the city of Sumner, which notes the number of searches in the last 30 days and different agencies that have access to the data. ALPRs in the city could have helped the police department more quickly catch a serial bank robber, who first hit a Key Bank in Gig Harbor and then several others in the Puget Sound area, according to Busey. The police department worked with other local agencies that had access to ALPR data to locate him. The technology could have also helped police locate repeat purse snatchers and a missing person, according to the citys FAQ page. He emphasized that the police department already uses investigative techniques to locate suspects, like reviewing peoples cell phone and bank records when they have a search warrant to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flock is just a less invasive and probably more immediately available technology, he said. ... Were not tracking anybody. Were not ... trying to develop a pattern of where somebody might go during the day. Privacy concerns At the March 13 council study session, some council members questioned Flocks ability to protect citizens data from federal agencies and other third parties, outside of law enforcement. I trust our Gig Harbor Police Department to do the right thing, council member Roger Henderson said when reached via phone Friday afternoon. Thats not my concern. Its just potential misuse from other agencies for whatever reason. He said he wants to see city protocols in place first to address the risks of letting the data fall into the wrong hands, such as perpetrators of domestic violence or unelected officials at higher levels of government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council member Em Stone told The News Tribune via phone Thursday that shes feeling a little bit torn ahead of the vote Monday. Shes also thinking about the cameras in light of the confidentiality and privacy necessary to keep domestic violence survivors safe, coming from a previous job as public policy director at the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. While the risk is low, it just takes one, Stone said. And not to say I want to make all my decisions assuming bad actors, but I do think its worth it for me to have conversations and ask the questions around what we can do legally to better protect vulnerable populations. Council member Jeni Woock told The News Tribune shes worried the rule of law wont be upheld to protect peoples data from the federal government, if it was requested. If you havent committed a crime, Im not in favor of people being tracked, and Im not in favor of our community playing perhaps an innocent part in that, Woock said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the citys ability to protect the data, Busey told The News Tribune that the city would only release the data to another police agency if they can show a valid violation of Washington state law. If a federal agency wanted to access the data, the city would only comply with a court order signed by a federal judge. Up until now, Flock has received no such inquiries from federal agencies, he told The News Tribune. According to a list of Terms and Conditions on the Flock website, the company says it may access, use, preseve and/or disclose the footage to law enforcement authorities, government officials, and/or third parties, if legally required to do so or if Flock has a good faith belief that such access, use, preservation or disclosure is reasonably necessary to comply with a legal process, enforce this agreement, or detect, prevent or otherwise address security, privacy, fraud or technical issues, or emergency situations. The companys Terms & Conditions are meant to ensure that Flock complies with the law, while its customers retain full ownership of the data collected on license plate reader devices, according to Flock spokesperson Holly Beilin. Asked about how the company protects the data from bad actors, such as stalkers or domestic violence perpetrators, Beilin wrote in an email Sunday evening that every search of the platform requires the user to input a search reason, which is recorded indefinitely in an audit report that can be made public through the optional, free Transparency Portal that Flock offers law enforcement agencies. She also wrote that if we were made aware that any user had conducted illegal activity through the Flock platform, they would immediately be removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 30 day default retention period ensures that agencies have sufficient time to retain the objective, actionable evidence they need to solve crime, while also ensuring the protection of personal privacy and civil liberties, she wrote. Cost of the cameras In May 2024, the police department applied for a grant from the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority and received $33,000 in July 2024 to install the technology and pay for the first year of operation. WATPA awarded about $2.3 million total to agencies across the state for automated license plate reader technology that year, according to Executive Director Bryan Jeter. The Gig Harbor Police Department has until June 30, 2025 to use the money, according to Busey. The city would have to pay to operate the cameras after that, at $30,000 each year for 10 cameras or $3,000 per camera, a Flock representative said at the city council study session March 13. The city would evaluate the use of the technology after the first year before deciding whether or not to keep funding it, according to Busey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WIRED reported that automated license plate readers first appeared at police departments in the 2000s. The cameras have since been adopted by many agencies across the United States, including nearly 90% of sheriffs offices with at least 500 sworn deputies, according to a 2020 survey from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Among sheriffs offices with 250-499 sworn deputies, a category that includes the Pierce County Sheriffs Office, about 78% used automated license plate readers regularly. Editors note: This story has been updated with comments from a Flock Safety spokesperson. A Pierce County woman who played a key role in a violent drug trafficking ring connected to Aryan prison gangs was sentenced Friday to seven years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced. CLa Morales, 39, received a total of 84 months behind bars24 months for one count of drug trafficking, followed by 60 months for firearms possession. She will also serve five years of supervised release. U.S. District Court Judge David Estudillo handed down the sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You took on the responsibility to distribute large quantities of controlled substances, Estudillo said. You had to know those were going to lead to addiction and wreak havoc for those individuals and their families, friends, and loved ones. What were the allegations? According to prosecutors, Morales was a high-level drug redistributor in a South Sound drug trafficking ring linked to white supremacist prison gangs operating inside and outside Washington state correctional facilities. She worked closely with Jesse Bailey, the ringleader of one of three interrelated criminal organizations dismantled by law enforcement. Bailey, of Renton, has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, firearms, and money laundering charges and was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Wiretap evidence revealed Morales was regularly purchasing and redistributing large quantities of fentanyl pills and heroinsometimes up to 10,000 fentanyl pills and 10 ounces of heroin at a time. Morales was well aware of the significant fire power Jesse Bailey kept to protect his drug trafficking activities including fully automatic weapons, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When agents searched Morales storage locker and vehicle, they recovered more than 5,800 fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills made to look like prescription oxycodone, 480 grams of heroin, and a loaded Mossberg shotgun with multiple boxes of 12-gauge ammunition. Authorities also found $5,183 in drug proceeds and two additional pistols with loaded magazines stashed in a lockbox inside her car, on the floorboard between the drivers and passenger seats. Criminal history Prosecutors noted Morales extensive criminal history, including a 2019 conviction for drug trafficking while armed. She was actively evading the Pierce County drug court program when she committed the new federal crimes. Morales is not new to drug trafficking while armed with firearms. In 2019 she was arrested for drug trafficking while armed with a firearm that eventually resulted in convictions for unlawful possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of a firearm. Morales committed the current charges while on warrant status for the Pierce County drug court program. Thus, despite her clear drug addiction and need for treatment, it is difficult to trust that she will maintain compliance with treatment and not return to trafficking controlled substances, the U.S. Attorneys Office write to the court. Morales case is part of a sweeping federal investigation into Aryan gang-linked drug operations in Washington and Arizona. On March 22, 2023, authorities executed a coordinated takedown involving 10 SWAT teams and more than 350 officers. That effort led to 24 federal arrests and the seizure of 177 firearms, over 25 kilos of narcoticsincluding fentanyl, meth, and heroinand nearly $330,000 in cash. Earlier seizures connected to the case included 830,000 fentanyl pills and 223 pounds of methamphetamine. A 39-year-old Pierce County woman was sentenced to 84 months in prison for drug and gun possession, acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller for the Western District of Washington announced on Friday. CLa Morales was arrested as part of a drug trafficking investigation of three interrelated drug distribution organizations tied to Aryan prison gangs operating inside and outside state prisons, according to a news release. Morales was a member of a drug ring that trafficked fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine and possessed multiple firearms, according to court records filed in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wiretap evidence in the case revealed she was purchasing and distributing 10 ounces of heroin and 10,000 fentanyl pills at a time, according to the release. Morales also was sentenced to five years of supervised release following prison. Two others with ties to Morales are set to be sentenced. Jesse Bailey, who prosecutors describe as a top-level leader of the drug trafficking ring, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16. His wife and co-conspirator, Candace Bailey, is scheduled for sentencing on June 13. The Morales prosecution is one of some two dozen related to an investigation of South Sound-based drug trafficking rings, according to the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March 2023, law enforcement made two dozen arrests on federal charges. The effort involved 10 SWAT teams and more than 350 law enforcement officers, according to the release. They seized 177 firearms, more than 10 kilos of methamphetamine, 11 kilos of fentanyl pills and more than a kilo of fentanyl powder, three kilos of heroin, and more than $330,000 in cash from 18 locations in Washington and Arizona. Earlier in the investigation, law enforcement seized 830,000 fentanyl pills, 5.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, 223 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of heroin, 5 pounds of cocaine, $388,000 in cash, and 48 firearms, according to the release. This investigation was led by the FBI with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the state Department of Corrections, Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriffs Office and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force. Primary investigators also received help from Washington State Patrol, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, Lewis County Sheriffs Office, Lakewood Police Department, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Image of Future Worth Fighting For, a mixed-media work created by Parker Williamson in 2024. I grew up poor, non-white, and queer, so it was never a picture-perfect place to me, but I always considered myself lucky to be here. Iowa has been a better place for people like me than other surrounding states, historically speaking. We used to lead the charge on civil rights. In 1839, seven years before Iowa was even a state, the Territorial Supreme Court proclaimed that No man in this territory can be reduced to slavery. In 1851, we became the third state to allow interracial marriage. In 1868, the Iowa Supreme Court held that separate was not equal and ordered Susan Clark, an African American, be admitted to the public schools. This effectively desegregated our schools 86 years before Brown v. the Board of Education. Same-sex marriage was legalized when I was 8, and sexual orientation and gender identity were added to the Iowa Civil Rights Act two years prior, in 2007. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowa is my home, and I used to be proud of that. Oh how far weve fallen. I came out in 2011, 6th grade if you dont want to do the math. There was support from my family, friends, teachers, and many in my community. Sure, there was bullying, dirty looks, and the rare call to the school to complain, but I was overall accepted and safe. I always knew that a lot of people in Iowa hated me for being me, but there was rarely direct confrontation about it. Maybe that was the Iowa Nice I always heard about. In the 2022 election, Gov. Kim Reynolds was going to win, there was no question about that. But she still punched down and released an ad stating that Iowans know right from wrong, boys from girls. This year, legislation has been proposed that would technically make it a felony for me in plain clothes to speak in front of children. And worst of all: Iowa is now the first state to ever remove civil rights protections from a group of people. It is possible some of the discrimination we worry about wont actually be allowed; in reality, there will be costly legal battles, humiliation, fear, and laser-focused hatred. But all of what we are scared of is what the other side wants to be the reality. Iowa is my home, but why would I want to call a place home when lawmakers WANT me to be discriminated against in housing, employment, wages, credit practices, public accommodations, and education? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowa is my home and now I have to think carefully before heading to a new restaurant, see if I can find out if the owners are allies, or take the risk of being humiliated and denied service for wearing the wrong clothes. Why do they even want to pass laws like this when we all know it might not actually materialize in the ways they intended? Hate. Thats it, thats the only reason. Hate. It has nothing to do with protecting women. Sex is already a protected category under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Preserving the protected status of one vulnerable population does not and should not come at the expense of another. Rather than protecting anyone, it opens the door to invasive policing of peoples identities, and risks subjecting many to harassment and public humiliation based solely on appearances. While we are unsure of the actual legal impacts that the Civil Rights Removal Act will bring, there are some things that we do know. According to research from The Trevor Project, anti-transgender laws cause significantly increased suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth, by as much as 72%. They also found that 90% of LGBTQ+ young people said their well-being is negatively impacted due to recent politics. Iowa is my home but the lawmakers here dont care if their actions make kids like the kid I once was feel isolated and ostracized, even if it pushes them to take their own lives. So much for protecting children. Iowa is my home, and I deserve to belong here just as much as anyone else. Leading up to Feb. 27, the day of the final public hearing and ultimately the passage of the bill in both chambers, I was only angry. So. Incredibly. Angry. My mom would start the day by texting me to check in on how I was feeling, and later, during our almost-daily phone call, she would tell me how sorry she was that I have to deal with all of this. I was so angry about the legislation, about the people it would hurt, that I almost felt annoyed that she kept making sure I was okay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, after chanting at the top of my lungs with over 2,500 other Iowans, I went home. Mother knows best, it seems. It hit me hard. I called her and couldnt hold myself together, because I realized that not only am I angry, I am hurt. Hundreds gathered in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol Feb. 27, 2025, protesting legislation to remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Mom, it hurts so bad, I admitted. She listened, and when she replied all I could focus on was how much sadness and fear I could hear in her voice. How must she feel fearing that her son will face discrimination, legally, for living as his true self, something she always encouraged with love and support? Iowa is my home, and I want it to be a place worth fighting for. A place that takes care of ALL of its people. The Republican supermajorities couldve put this amount of urgency and effort into passing any other legislation. They could be seeing to it that every child in this state gets a high-quality education instead of bleeding our public schools dry. They could be protecting our water, ensuring its clean enough to drink, safe enough for us to swim in. They could be confronting the rising cancer rates, investing in health care access, making it easier not harder for Iowans to get the care they need. They could actually protect women by strengthening reproductive freedoms instead of stripping them away. The possibilities are endless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They could be doing ANYTHING else, but they insist on making life harder for people like me. They insist on making an already vulnerable community a target for discrimination and hatred. Iowa is my home, but is the future here worth fighting for? Home is a place where you are known, where you are accepted, where you can breathe without fear. Home is where you grow, where you stumble, where you are allowed to exist fully as yourself without apology. Its not just four walls and a roof, not just a town on a map. Home is community. Its the people who show up for you, who see you, who stand beside you. Home is where you should feel protected, not persecuted. Where you should be nurtured, not pushed out. Iowa was my home, and now I just live here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This column first appeared on Rural Routes Substack. It is reprinted here via The Iowa Mercury and Iowa Writers Collaborative with permission from the author. Editors note: Please consider subscribing to the collaborative and the authors blogs to support their work. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A third person has been arrested in connection with a New Mexico shooting that left three people dead and 15 others injured late Friday. Police in Las Cruces confirmed Sunday morning that 20-year-old Tomas Rivas and a 17-year-old boy had been taken into custody over their alleged involvement. Late Sunday afternoon, police reported that a third person, another 17-year-old boy, had also been arrested. Both 17-year-olds are not being identified due to their juvenile status but police say they and Rivas are facing open counts of murder with additional charges pending. Rivas will be booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he will initially be held without bond. The juveniles will be remanded to the juvenile detention facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 3 killed, 15 injured in shooting at park in Las Cruces Police and fire crews arrived just after 10 p.m. Friday to a chaotic scene at Young Park in Las Cruces, where an unauthorized car show had drawn about 200 people, police said in a news conference. Gunshot victims ranging in age from 16 to 36 were treated there or taken to hospitals. The dead were identified as 16-year-old Andrew Madrid, 18-year-old Jason Gomez, and 19-year-old Dominick Estrada, police said. Madrid and Gomez died at the scene while Estrada died from his injuries at the hospital. Las Cruces Fire Chief Michael Daniels said 11 patients were sent to three local hospitals or to the University Medical Center of El Paso, the regional trauma center. As of Saturday, he said, seven victims were in El Paso, four had been treated and released and the conditions of the other four were not known. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between 50 and 60 handgun casings were scattered across a wide swath of the park, Police Chief Jeremy Story said, suggesting multiple shooters and multiple weapons among two groups whose ill will toward each other are believed to have led to the shootings. Several others were injured in the crossfire, he said. Crime scene tape blocks off Young Park after Friday nights fatal shooting in Las Cruces, N.M., on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP) Las Cruces police investigate Friday nights fatal shooting that occurred at Young Park in Las Cruces, N.M., on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP) Evidence markers are shown in the parking lot at Young Park after Friday nights fatal shooting in Las Cruces, N.M., on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP) Crime scene technicians investigate the parking lot at Young Park after Friday nights fatal shooting in Las Cruces, N.M., on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP) Crime scene technicians look over the Young Park parking lot after a mass shooting overnight, Saturday, March 22, 2025 in Las Cruces, N.M. (Justin Garcia/The Albuquerque Journal via AP) Young Park remained closed as of Saturday night as police continued gathering evidence from the scene. Nearby roads also remain closed to through traffic. Police did not say when they would reopen. Law enforcement partners are continuing their investigation and are actively following multiple leads. LCPD is receiving assistance from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New Mexico State Police, the Third Judicial District Attorneys Office, and the U.S. Attorneys Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico has established a fundraising initiative to help victims and their families. Information on the Las Cruces Crisis Action Fund can be found by clicking here. Las Cruces sits on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert along the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico, about 40 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A third person has been arrested in connection with a New Mexico shooting that left three people dead and 15 others injured late Friday. Police in Las Cruces confirmed Sunday morning that 20-year-old Tomas Rivas and a 17-year-old boy had been taken into custody over their alleged involvement. Late Sunday afternoon, police reported that a third person, another 17-year-old boy, had also been arrested. Both 17-year-olds are not being identified due to their juvenile status but police say they and Rivas are facing open counts of murder with additional charges pending. Rivas will be booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he will initially be held without bond. The juveniles will be remanded to the juvenile detention facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 3 killed, 15 injured in shooting at park in Las Cruces Police and fire crews arrived just after 10 p.m. Friday to a chaotic scene at Young Park in Las Cruces, where an unauthorized car show had drawn about 200 people, police said in a news conference. Gunshot victims ranging in age from 16 to 36 were treated there or taken to hospitals. The dead were identified as 16-year-old Andrew Madrid, 18-year-old Jason Gomez, and 19-year-old Dominick Estrada, police said. Madrid and Gomez died at the scene while Estrada died from his injuries at the hospital. Las Cruces Fire Chief Michael Daniels said 11 patients were sent to three local hospitals or to the University Medical Center of El Paso, the regional trauma center. As of Saturday, he said, seven victims were in El Paso, four had been treated and released and the conditions of the other four were not known. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between 50 and 60 handgun casings were scattered across a wide swath of the park, Police Chief Jeremy Story said, suggesting multiple shooters and multiple weapons among two groups whose ill will toward each other are believed to have led to the shootings. Several others were injured in the crossfire, he said. Crime scene tape blocks off Young Park after Friday nights fatal shooting in Las Cruces, N.M., on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP) Las Cruces police investigate Friday nights fatal shooting that occurred at Young Park in Las Cruces, N.M., on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP) Evidence markers are shown in the parking lot at Young Park after Friday nights fatal shooting in Las Cruces, N.M., on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP) Crime scene technicians investigate the parking lot at Young Park after Friday nights fatal shooting in Las Cruces, N.M., on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP) Crime scene technicians look over the Young Park parking lot after a mass shooting overnight, Saturday, March 22, 2025 in Las Cruces, N.M. (Justin Garcia/The Albuquerque Journal via AP) Young Park remained closed as of Saturday night as police continued gathering evidence from the scene. Nearby roads also remain closed to through traffic. Police did not say when they would reopen. Law enforcement partners are continuing their investigation and are actively following multiple leads. LCPD is receiving assistance from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New Mexico State Police, the Third Judicial District Attorneys Office, and the U.S. Attorneys Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico has established a fundraising initiative to help victims and their families. Information on the Las Cruces Crisis Action Fund can be found by clicking here. Las Cruces sits on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert along the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico, about 40 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. 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. EDITORS NOTE: Las Cruces Police listed one of the victims as 18-year-old Jason Gomez. His family told us he was 17. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Four suspects have been arrested in the Young Park shooting in Las Cruces, Las Cruces Police said on Sunday, March 23. The fourth suspect is a 15-year-old boy and he is being charged with three open counts of murder. The three previous arrests in this case two 17-year-old boys and 20-year-old Tomas Rivas all face the same charges. Additional charges are pending against all suspects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police initially announced the arrests of Rivas and one of the 17-year-old boys. They have sent out updated news releases twice on Sunday announcing the two additional arrests. 3 killed, 15 injured in shooting at park in Las Cruces The three juveniles are being held in the juvenile section of the Dona Ana Detention Center. Rivas is on the adult side of the detention center and is being held initially without bond. The investigation is ongoing. The victims who died in Fridays shooting have been identified as Andrew Madrid, 16; Jason Gomez, 17; and Dominick Estrada, 19. Madrid and Gomez died at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Resource event continues to help those impacted by Young Park shooting Estrada was transported to MountainView Regional Medical Center where he died from his injuries, police said. Madrid was a sophomore at Centennial High School where he was a junior varsity baseball player, Centennial baseball coach Rusty Evans said. A vigil was held Sunday at Young Park for the three teenagers killed in the shooting. It was attended by friends, family, classmates and a faith group. A vigil was held on Sunday, March 23 at Young Park in Las Cruces. Jesus Baltazar/KTSM The other 15 victims, whose ages range from 16 to 36, were injured in the shooting. Of the 15 victims, nine are male and six are female. Police will not release their names for privacy reasons, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current medical conditions on the surviving victims were not immediately available. Law enforcement partners are continuing their investigation and are actively following multiple leads. LCPD is receiving assistance from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New Mexico State Police, the Third Judicial District Attorneys Office and the U.S. Attorneys Office. The shooting occurred shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, March 21 at Young Park, 850 S. Walnut St. Las Cruces police and fire personnel were dispatched to reports of gunfire and possible gunshot victims in the parking lot of Young Park. Some of the injured were transported to local hospitals in Las Cruces, with seven subsequently taken to hospitals in El Paso. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting happened during an unauthorized car show at the park after two groups of people had a fight and then the altercation escalated, police said. Young Park and surrounding roads were reopened early Sunday morning. The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico has established a fundraising initiative to help victims and their families. Information on the Las Cruces Crisis Action Fund can be found by clicking here. The family of Jason Gomez has set up a GoFundMe. You can access that by clicking here. A GoFundMe has also been set up for Andrew Madrid. Click here for 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. police are investigating a double shooting that left two men hurt in Northwest early Sunday. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) told DC News Now that just before 3:15 a.m., officers responded to the 900 block of 23rd St. NW after someone reported two people walked in with gunshot wounds. This is where the George Washington University Hospital is located. Once on the scene, offers saw the two men, who had been shot multiple times. Police said they are being treated for their injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USBP: 14 TdA gang members, 1 MS-13 member arrested in DC area Upon investigating further, officers learned the shooting took place in the 1700 block of Connecticut Ave. NW. This is in the Dupont Circle area. As of Sunday morning, there is no word on any arrests. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) D.C. police are investigating after a man was grazed by a bullet in Southeast early Sunday. According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), officers responded to a D.C. area hospital just before 12:10 a.m. for a walk-in shooting victim. At the hospital, officers made contact with a man who had been injured after a bullet grazed him. Man taken to hospital after stabbing in Southeast DC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon further investigation, detectives learned the bullet grazed the man In the 3400 block of 13th Place, Southeast. This is not far from the Maryland- D.C. line. The man is receiving treatment for his injury. As of Sunday morning, there is no word on any suspects. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. EASTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Connecticut State Police, Troop D., said they responded to the area of Chaplin Road for a car striking a pole. Officers say the collision resulted in downed wires and no injuries were reported. Pedestrian hospitalized after car accident in Kent, police say The roadway is blocked for investigation and crews say they expect it to be closed for an extended period of time. Troopers advise anyone traveling in the area to seek alternative routes. 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. Police said in court Sunday that an employee at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital shot a co-worker last week because he was angry that he had not been invited to the private funeral for the other worker's father. Robert Paljusevic, 21, of Macomb Township, was denied bond at his arraignment Sunday morning on attempted murder and other charges. He is accused of shooting a co-worker in a parking garage at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital after a shift on Thursday. Detectives in court Sunday morning said Paljusevic and the victim were close friends before an after-work disagreement that led to Paljusevic threatening and eventually shooting his friend and co-worker. Police have not released the name of the shooting victim, who is recovering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Officers arrived on scene and located a black Ford Escape in the parking deck with multiple bullet holes through the windshield. Several shell casings were found on the ground and a blood trail was observed, leading toward the hospital," Detective Carlo Pizzorni of Troy Police Department said. Detectives interviewed the victim, who immediately identified Paljusevic as the shooter. Shortly after, Macomb County Sheriff's deputies found Paljusevic at his home in Macomb. Suspect and victim were friends, police say Detectives working the case interviewed family members of the victim, who indicated Paljusevic was a friend, but had a "short fuse" and was often "possessive" over the victim. Paljusevic, who worked at the Troy hospital for two years, allegedly became upset with the victim after he was not invited to a private, family-only funeral for the victim's father in January, detectives said. At the public funeral a few days later, detectives say Paljusevic whispered expletives to the father's body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after, Paljusevic Face-timed the victim and showed himself urinating on prayer cards taken from the public funeral ceremony, police said. The victim told detectives Paljusevic threatened him on the call, saying, "If I do see you outside in public, don't be surprised if something happens." The family of the victim believes that this moment led to a halt in communication between the former friends, which may have been the cause of the shooting. Earlier this month, the victim allegedly confronted Paljusevic for urinating on the prayer cards. Detectives said Paljusevic told the victim, "You deserved that. You'll see." Detectives said the victim felt Paljusevic was an unpredictable character. "The victim described the defendant as Jekyll and Hyde sometimes he'd be easygoing, sometimes he'd overreact," Pizzorni said. "The victim stated there was typically a cloud hanging over the defendant. There was always a fear of what he might do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the booking process, police say, Paljusevic laughed. Suspect held without bond Arraigned by video from the Oakland County Jail Sunday, Paljusevic pleaded not guilty, requested a court-appointed attorney and stood mute to the charges of assault with intent to murder and two other felonies involving firearms. Officers have yet to recover Paljusevic's cell phone and the weapon he allegedly used in the shooting. Magistrate Cody Ellwanger, who presided over Paljusevic's arraignment, denied bond. "The court is certainly troubled by the allegations," Ellwanger said. "I don't see a single condition the court would impose that could make Mr. Paljusevic any less of a danger to society." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paljusevic's next hearing will take place on March 31 at 9 a.m. at 52-4 District Court in Troy. Contact Liam Rappleye: LRappleye@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Police: Troy hospital shooting suspect, victim had falling out Pope Francis was released from Romes Gemelli Hospital, where he has been battling double pneumonia for the past five weeks, on Sunday, returning to the Vatican where he will continue his recovery. The pontiff left the hospital shortly after he made his first public appearance in weeks, waving to people and giving a thumbs up from a balcony. Though the pope looked frail and struggled to speak, he addressed the crowd outside the hospital, thanking them and acknowledging one woman in the crowd who was holding flowers. He also gave a blessing, though appeared to have some difficulty raising his arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this, the pontiff seemed alert, shaking his head when an aide came over to ask him something. Francis, 88, was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14, initially suffering from a severe respiratory infection. He was subsequently diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection, which evolved to pneumonia in both lungs. His medical team said Saturday that his condition had now stabilized, allowing for him to be discharged to convalesce at his residence in the Vatican, Casa Santa Marta, for the next two months. Before returning to his residence on Sunday, the pope went to the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he offered flowers to be placed before the icon of the Virgin Mary Salus Populi Romani. The basilica holds significance to Francis, who usually visits the church before and after trips abroad, as well as after hospital stays. Pope Francis giving a thumbs up to the crowd outside Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Sunday. - Remo Casilli/Reuters The pope had previously only been seen once during his lengthy hospital stay when the Vatican released a photograph of Francis praying at the hospitals chapel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis has not led the Angelus prayer for the past six Sundays, but has still offered a reflection every week. During this long period of hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the patience of the Lord, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of doctors and health workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the relatives of the sick, he said in his Angelus message, which was distributed to reporters in advance. This trusting patience, anchored in the love of God that does not fail, is truly necessary in our life, especially to face the most difficult and painful situations, he continued. The pope also said in his Angelus message that he was saddened by the resumption of heavy Israeli bombings on the Gaza Strip, with so many dead and wounded. He called for the silencing of weapons and for peace talks between Israel and Hamas to resume, so that all the hostages are freed and a definitive ceasefire is reached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the 88-year-old pontiff is returning to his residence at Casa Santa Marta where he has lived since he was elected as pope in 2013 he will need to recuperate for at least two months to allow his body time to fully heal, his doctors said in a news conference at the hospital on Saturday evening. Dr. Sergio Alfieri told reporters that during his 38-day hospitalization there were two very critical episodes in which the Holy Fathers life was in danger. Alfieri, who is the head of the medical team that has been taking care of the pontiff, described the two-month period of convalescence as very important. Nuns watch Pope Francis during his first public appearance in five weeks, on a screen in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square. - Ciro De Luca/Reuters The pope will need to return to work gradually and has been advised against taking meetings with large groups of people for some time, Alfieri added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his hospitalization, the popes treatment required several weeks of non-invasive mechanical ventilation and oxygen. The pontiffs voice is improving but he needs more time to fully recover, Dr. Luigi Carbone, the Vice-Director of the Vaticans healthcare service, said Saturday. He added that while the pope no longer has double pneumonia, he still needs to heal from the other infections he has been fighting. Carbone told reporters that the pope has been in good spirits and had been asking to be discharged for the last few days. But he will need to continue the treatment and physiotherapy he has been doing in hospital after returning home, Carbone added. Despite being plagued by a string of lung-related health issues, Francis has shown a determination to get better, resuming some work activities and signing documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, the pope approved a new three-year reform process for the Catholic Church. Reforms on the table include how to give greater roles to women in the Catholic Church, including ordaining them as deacons, and the greater inclusion of non-clergy members in governance and decision making. The popes departure from hospital will be welcomed by many around the world and senior Vatican officials have suggested his hospital stay will have caused him to reflect. One of his closest aides, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, said Friday that a new stage is opening for him. Fernandez, an Argentinian compatriot of the pope, said he had been in contact with Francis during his hospitalization though he did not specify when. He said that will need to continue with rehabilitation therapy to strengthen his voice and that the popes lifes will certainly have to change upon his return to the Vatican. Before going into the Gemelli, Francis had been keeping up an intense schedule of meetings and speeches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is a man of surprises, who will surely have learned so many things in this month, and hell pull who knows what out of the hat, Fernandez said. So even knowing that this has been a very heavy effort for him, a difficult time, I know it will be fruitful for the church and for the world. This story has been updated with developments. CNNs Barbie Latza Nadeau, Sharon Braithwaite and Olivia Kemp contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ROME (AP) Pope Francis appears on hospital balcony to bless crowd in first public appearance in 5-week battle against pneumonia. Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen wins 1,500m in Nanjing Norways Jakob Ingebrigtsen celebrates after winning the mens 1500m final during the Indoor World Athletics Championships in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. Photo: AFP Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen won the 1,500m in Nanjing on Sunday to claim not only a first global gold in his favoured distance, but also a rare world indoor track distance double. Ingebrigtsen, who had won the 3,000m on Saturday for his first world indoor title, clocked 3min 38.79sec to emulate the double claimed by Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie in Maebashi in 1999. Britain's Neil Gourley took silver in 3:39.07 while American Luke Houser rounded out the podium (3:39.17). "Of course this is something special," said Ingebrigtsen, before adding: "A lot of things have changed and I'm not doing this because anyone else has done it before. So that's purely a coincidence. "It's very difficult to compare yourself against history and what others are doing. "I'm only focusing on myself and I feel good to have done a lot of preparations, and that was always the main goal. It's not to do with something somebody else did before. "I think I can do more, so I'll try to maximise that and grab the opportunity given to me." Ingebrigtsen's victory also banished some of the Norwegian's 1,500m demons. "The main goal is obviously to win both distances, but I would say so far a pretty good indoor season, getting out and succeeding with the things that I wanted to accomplish, so it's been good," he said. Ingebrigtsen, as his wont, was happy to sit at the back of the nine-strong pack as American Samuel Prakel took up the running in Nanjing, splitting the pack into single file. The Norwegian moved to the front with four laps to run, Britain's Gourley on his shoulder and Mariano Garcia of Spain also in the running. Ingebrigtsen surged again, shouldering off Austrian veteran Raphael Pallitsch's clumsy attempt at a pass. Next to try their luck was Portugal's Isaac Nader, but at the bell it was Ingebrigtsen in charge. Gourley raced down the inside line of the far straight, but there was to be no Briton to spoil the party at the line, as there has been twice at the world outdoors. The Norwegian kept not only his speed but also his nerve to see off his rivals, crossing the finish line with a brief look over his shoulder and a wagging index finger. (AFP) Pope Francis made his first public appearance on Sunday since being hospitalized in Rome more than five weeks ago. Officials at Gemelli Hospital, where the 88-year-old pope has been undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, said earlier they were preparing for the pope to appear in a window. Seated in a wheelchair, Francis appeared and waved his hands. In a weak voice, he said: "[T]o all ... and I see woman with yellow flowers ... She is 'brava,' good." He then waved again and appeared to make a sign of the cross. PHOTO: Pope Francis waving to the crowd from a window of the Gemelli hospital in Rome before being discharged following a five weeks hospitalization for pneumonia, Mar. 23, 2025. (Vatican Media/AFP via Getty Images) PHOTO: Pope Francis gives a thumbs up as he appears at a window of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Sunday, March 23, 2025, where he has been treated for bronchitis and bilateral pneumonia since Feb. 14. (Domenico Stinellis/AP) The crowd cheered, "Francesco! Francesco!" as the pontiff was again wheeled away. PHOTO: Pope Francis waves as he appears at a window of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Sunday, March 23, 2025, where he has been treated for bronchitis and bilateral pneumonia since Feb. 14. (Domenico Stinellis/AP) MORE: Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital on Sunday, Vatican says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The area near the entrance of the hospital had been filling up with people on Sunday morning. People were also flooding into St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, where they were able to watch the pope's greeting via large TV screens. PHOTO: Faithful gather outside the Gemelli hospital before the appearance of Pope Francis on the day he will be discharge following a five weeks hospitalization for pneumonia, in Rome on March 23, 2025. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images) The pontiff has been in stable condition for the past two weeks, according to the Vatican. PHOTO: Pope Francis leaves in a car the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Mar. 23, 2025. (Marco Ravagli/AP) PHOTO: Pope Francis leaves in a car the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Mar. 23, 2025. (Marco Ravagli/AP) After Francis' appearance at the hospital, his motorcade of at least seven vehicles left the facility. Francis could be seen in the front seat of a white Fiat 500, which brought him home again. Pope Francis returns to Vatican after first appearance since Feb. 14 hospitalization originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Pope Francis left Romes Gemelli Hospital and returned to the Vatican on Sunday, more than five weeks after he sought out treatment for bronchitis. The pope was still receiving supplemental oxygen through nasal tubes as he made his way home in the front passenger seat of a Fiat 500L, according to The Associated Press. The 88-year-olds discharge and public reappearance brought relief to people around the world who feared he would die in the hospital or choose to resign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have continued to pray for me with so much patience and perseverance, thank you so much! I also pray for you, he said during a brief appearance on his balcony at the hospital before he began his trip home, per The Washington Post. Faithful and pilgrims gather in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican to follow on giant screens a live broadcast from Rome's Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, Sunday, March 23, 2025, where Pope Francis made his first public appearance since he was hospitalized on Feb. 14 with bilateral pneumonia. | Gregorio Borgia The popes hospitalization Pope Francis entered the hospital on Feb. 14 to receive treatment for bronchitis. Less than a week later, his care team announced that he was suffering from a complex respiratory infection and bilateral pneumonia, as the Deseret News previously reported. For much of the past month, the popes condition was described as critical and his prognosis as guarded. It wasnt until March 10 that doctors felt comfortable saying he was out of imminent danger of death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, the pope has continued to receive treatment for double pneumonia in his hospital room as he participated remotely in events at the Vatican. On Thursday, March 13, he celebrated the 12th anniversary of his election to the papacy with a cake brought to him by members of the hospital staff. Whats next for Pope Francis? On March 17, it became clear that the Vatican expected the pope to be back at the Vatican by early April when Buckingham Palace announced that plans for King Charles III and Queen Camilla to meet with Pope Francis on April 8 were still on. His care team ultimately discharged him on Sunday, although he will still be watched closely over the next two months, according to the AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctors say Francis needs two months of rest and convalescence at the Vatican, during which he should refrain from meeting with big groups of people or exerting himself. But they said he should be able to resume all his normal activities eventually, the AP reported. The Vatican spokesman announced that officials are hopeful Pope Francis will be able to take a planned trip to Turkey in late May. During his brief public remarks on Sunday, the pope appeared unwell and sounded as if he was gasping for air. But he felt good enough to make an unexpected detour on his way from Gemelli Hospital to the Vatican. Francis stopped at Romes Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, handing flowers to its overseer as an offering to the Virgin Mary, The Washington Post reported. By Joshua McElwee VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after surviving a five-week battle in hospital against double pneumonia that became the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy. The 88-year-old pope, who also made his first public appearance since February 14 before being discharged from Rome's Gemelli hospital, left the facility shortly after noon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A car carrying the pontiff was accompanied by police vehicles through Rome, making a short detour to take flowers to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a church to which Francis has a special devotion and visits frequently. Though the pope has returned from hospital, his doctors have said it would still take "a lot of time" for his ageing body to heal fully. They have prescribed a further two months of rest at the Vatican and told him to avoid large or stressful meetings, leaving unclear how much activity Francis will undertake in the coming months. Just before leaving the hospital on Sunday, Francis smiled and waved at a group of well-wishers gathered outside. He used a wheelchair, as he has done for several years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His face looked swollen and there were bandages visible on both arms underneath his white cassock during the appearance, which lasted only a few moments. He spoke briefly, with a feeble voice, to thank 79-year-old Carmela Vittoria Mancuso in the crowd below. Mancuso, who visited the hospital each day during the pope's treatment, had brought yellow flowers for him. She told Reuters afterwards that her heart "was bursting" when the pope noticed her. Francis had only been seen by the public once before during his hospital stay, in a photo the Vatican released last week, showing the pontiff at prayer in a hospital chapel. The pope, who has been receiving oxygen to help him breathe throughout his hospital stay, was breathing on his own during the public appearance. But he was seen using a small hose under his nose for oxygen while travelling in his car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the moments before the pontiff's appearance on Sunday, the crowd of hundreds of well-wishers called out for him, chanting "Francis, Francis, Francis". THANKS DOCTORS FOR 'TIRELESS CARE' Francis, pope since 2013, was first admitted to hospital for a bout of bronchitis that developed into double pneumonia, caused by what his doctors called a "complex" infection involving several microorganisms. During his 38 days in hospital, the pope suffered four acute episodes of what the Vatican called "respiratory crises", which involved serious coughing fits caused by constrictions in his airways, akin to asthma attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of the crises were critical, putting Francis "in danger of his life", Sergio Alfieri, the head of the pope's medical team, told a press conference on Saturday. While Francis no longer has pneumonia, he is also not completely healed, the doctor said. Alfieri said it would also take time for him to regain full use of his voice, after battling a respiratory infection for so long. On Sunday, the Vatican released a brief text it said was prepared by Francis, in which he thanked his doctors for their "tireless care". Many Catholics around the world had been praying for the pope's recovery, and pilgrims at the Vatican on Sunday expressed relief at his leaving hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This discharge cheers us all up and gives us joy and hope," said Grazia Mara, an Italian. "We wish him a safe return home and a speedy recovery." The pope had continued to lead the Church from hospital. He was making usual appointments of Catholic bishops around the world and also launched a new three-year reform process for the global institution. But a period of two months rest for Francis could lead to significant changes to the Vatican's calendar of coming events. The pope had been set to meet with Britain's King Charles on April 8 and to lead the Vatican's annual Easter celebrations on April 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vatican has not said whether Francis will be able to keep those appointments. (Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Additional reporting by Giulio Piovaccari, Lavina Sdoga and Roberto Mignucci; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle, Helen Popper and David Goodman) Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital Sunday after making a brief public appearance for the first time in more than five weeks, waving to a crowd from his window at Romes Gemelli Hospital where he had been hospitalized with pneumonia in both lungs. The pontiff, 88, smiled and greeted the cheering crowds waiting outside for a glimpse at the leader of the Catholic Church, who appeared on the balcony in a wheelchair, which he has used for several years. Thank you all, he said into a microphone, before waving again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis appeared to make the sign of the cross to the crowd before he was taken back into his room. Pope Francis waves from a window of the Gemelli hospital Sunday. Minutes later, he could be seen waving from the back seat of a car as a convoy left the hospital. On his way back to the Vatican, the pope stopped in the center of Rome to pray at the Papal Basilica, before arriving at the Vatican. The pope did not offer his usual weekly prayer, but the Vatican released a text the pontiff prepared Sunday. In this long period of hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the patience of the Lord, Francis said in the statement, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of doctors and healthcare workers, as well as in the devotion and hopes of the families of the sick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the remainder of the text, the pope addressed some of the world's conflicts, welcoming a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and saying he was saddened by "the resumption of heavy Israeli bombing on the Gaza Strip." During his hospitalization, Francis had continued his practice of near-nightly calls to the Catholic parish in the war-torn enclave. He is expected to return home to Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City. Francis will need a further two months of rest once he returns to the Vatican, the head of his medical team said Saturday, and his doctors said it would take a lot of time for his aging body to fully heal. Francis has been hospitalized since Feb. 14, the longest stretch of his tenure. Addressing reporters outside the hospital in Rome on Saturday, the popes doctors said his life had been in danger on two occasions, but confirmed he has remained stable for at least two weeks. A bishop stands among the crowd outside the hospital. At times, the pope had required high-flow oxygen therapy, according to the Vatican, and his changing health status captivated the worlds attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has been seen by the public just once since his admission to the hospital, in a photo shared by the Vatican earlier in March showing Francis praying in the hospitals chapel. Throughout his illness, the Vatican has maintained that Pope Francis has continued to fulfill his duties, despite staying out of the public eye. Notably, he missed the Catholic Churchs jubilee celebration, a significant tradition held every 50 years for the remission of sins, known as the Holy Year. Despite his ongoing health struggles, there has been no indication from the Vatican that the pope intends to resign. This recent hospitalization isnt Pope Francis first serious health challenge. In 2021, he underwent surgery for diverticulitis, a gastrointestinal condition, and again in 2023 for a hernia. Before his hospitalization, the pope was seen with his arm in a sling, which the Vatican explained was the result of a fall. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Pope Francis, 88, has returned to the Vatican. After 38 days of hospitalization for an at times critical bout of respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia, the pontiff was released from Romes Gemelli Hospital on Sunday. Before leaving the facility, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church greeted a crowd of supporters from a small balcony, responding to their cheers with a thumbs up and an expression of gratitude: Thank you, all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I greet this lady with yellow flowers, he added, acknowledging Carmela Vittoria Mancuso, a 79-year-old a woman in the crowd who had brought him a bouquet of yellow roses. She told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that she has lived in Rome for six years and attended many papal events with offerings of flowers: From the first time, I saw the wonder and the smile in his eyes. Are they for me? he asked me. The brief remarks represented Franciss first public appearance since he was hospitalized on February 14. In recent weeks, his prognosis at times appeared dire and reports circulated that he had told some confidants he did not believe he would survive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the head of the medical team that treated Francis at Gemell, noted that drug therapy and oxygen treatments allowed for a slow and progressive improvement. Pope Francis greets supporters from a balcony of the Gemelli Hospital on March 23, 2025 in Rome, Italy. / Vatican Pool / Vatican Media The pontiff will still require a two-month period of convalescence and rest, according to his medical team. Earlier in the morning and before his balcony greeting, Francis met with and thanked the hospital staff who had cared for him. After departing Gemelli in the front passenger seat of a white Fiat 500, the pontiff made a surprise visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. According to the Vatican press office, he gave the basilicas archpriest, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, flowers to put before the Salus Populi Romani, an icon of the Virgin Mary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis arrived back at the Vatican at approximately 1 p.m. local time. Happy to know that Pope Francis is returning to the Vatican, said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a social media post. A special thought and best wishes go to him, with affection and gratitude, for his tireless commitment and his precious guidance. Felice di sapere che Papa Francesco stia tornando in Vaticano. A lui vanno un pensiero speciale e i migliori auguri, con affetto e gratitudine per il suo instancabile impegno e la sua guida preziosa. pic.twitter.com/z2q8mRw0QT Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) March 23, 2025 The Romans love Pope Francis and are happy to see him released from the hospital, said Roberto Gualtieri, Romes mayor, in remarks given at the hospital. It was a truly demanding test and it is very emotional to see him. I am here to bring the affection and closeness of the entire city. Cardinal Anders Arborelius, the Archbishop of Stockholm who holds several key appointments at the Holy See, told La Repubblica that, following his illness, he believes Francis will need to find another way of being Pope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis will not be able to travel, he will not be able to attend many meetings, Arborelius said. He will rather be a Pope in prayer, he will live a more hidden, more quiet life. He will have to be less communicative, but he will want to communicate the most important things: his words will have more weight. Pope Francis was released from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, March 23, where he had been recovering from bronchitis, which advanced into double pneumonia, since February. Following five weeks in the hospital, the pope is now returning to the Vatican, where he will continue his treatment and recovery. The pope, 88, made his first public appearance in weeks on Sunday, waving to people and showing his love for them, and then left the hospital. He also gave a blessing to the crowd and acknowledged one woman in the crowd who was holding yellow flowers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I see a woman with yellow flowers. Brava!" he said, according to NPR. The crowd responded by calling out "Viva il papa!" and "Papa Francesco." In the pope's Angelus message, which was given to reporters in advance, he states, "During this long period of hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the patience of the Lord, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of doctors and health workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the relatives of the sick." He added, "This trusting patience, anchored in the love of God that does not fail, is truly necessary in our life, especially to face the most difficult and painful situations." Pope Francis also added that he was "saddened by the resumption of heavy Israeli bombings on the Gaza Strip, with so many dead and wounded" and asked for peace talks between Israel and Hamas to resume, "so that all the hostages are freed and a definitive ceasefire is reached." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pontiff is returning to his residence at Casa Santa Marta, which has been his home since being elected pope in 2013. Doctors stated in a news conference that he will have to rest and recover for at least two months for his body to fully heal. Related: Pope Francis Gives Strong Indication Whether He'll Step Down March 23 (UPI) -- Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance since being admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital for medical care last month. "Thank you to everyone," the pontiff said from the balcony of his room at the hospital, according to Vatican News, the press arm of the Holy See. He was described by the BBC as "breathless" and described by CNN as "frail" as he delivered his brief message to supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis then gave the crowd of about 3,000 people gathered outside a thumbs up before he was escorted out of the hospital to his usual white Fiat 500L. "When I saw him, I felt, to be honest, a little relieved," Larry Kulick, a bishop in Pennsylvania, told the BBC. "I felt just overjoyed to see him." On his way to the Vatican, Francis stopped at Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major where he met with Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas and handed him flowers to be placed before the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani as thanks "for her care and protection." Pope Francis, 88, was hospitalized on Feb. 14 with bronchitis that developed into bilateral pneumonia. Over the course of his five-week stay, he suffered several respiratory crises, including two life-threatening episodes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the severity of his condition, Francis remained conscious and alert throughout his hospitalization. He continued performing papal duties from his hospital room, maintaining communication with Vatican officials and issuing statements during his recovery. Sergio Alfieri, one of the doctors treating the Pope, said at a Saturday press conference that Francis will need at least two months of rest at the Vatican to recover, but no longer has pneumonia. Health officials said that Francis' voice is recovering, he is in good spirits and had asked to be discharged. He has been advised to resume his work gradually. Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, one of the pope's closest aides, said Friday that Francis will need ongoing rehabilitation therapy to strengthen his voice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vatican on Sunday released a text version of the Angelus, a weekly prayer ritual on Sundays in which the pope leads Catholic observers in a prayer before a delivering a short message from his window overlooking St. Peter's Square. "In this long period of my hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the Lord's patience, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of the doctors and healthcare workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the relatives of the sick," Francis wrote Sunday. "This trusting patience, anchored in God's unfailing love, is indeed necessary in our lives, especially when facing the most difficult and painful situations." The pope ended his message by condemning Israel for resuming the bombing of Gaza and praising Armenia and Azerbaijan for agreeing to the final text of a peace agreement. Pope Francis was released from hospital on Sunday after surviving a life-threatening bout of pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff left Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he had been hospitalized since mid-February. A frail-looking Francis earlier made his first public appearance since being hospitalized, thanking the thousands gathered outside the clinic while sitting in a wheelchair on a balcony. The pope returned to the Vatican, where he will continue to receive medical treatment at his residence, Casa Santa Marta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the age of 88, Francis is the second-oldest pontiff in history. He has been in office since March 2013 as the successor to German Pope Benedict XVI. Recovery after life-threatening illness Francis' discharge from hospital on Sunday marks a remarkable recovery after he was twice in acute danger during his five weeks in hospital. The pope first contracted bronchitis before Christmas and was forced to seek treatment at the Gemelli Hospital in western Rome on February 14. Francis suffered with severe pneumonia in both lungs, an infection in his respiratory tract and problems with his kidney. Since his hospitalization, the Vatican has only published a single photo of Francis - and only from behind, in front of an altar in the chapel on the tenth floor of the clinic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News of his imminent release came as a surprise on Saturday, with doctors explaining that Francis was hoping for a speedy return to the Vatican after his state of health improved. It is uncertain whether the Argentinian will be able to take part in Easter celebrations next month. Doctors have recommended at least two more months of rest and advised Francis to avoid crowds due to his compromised respiratory system. A meeting with King Charles III is planned for early April, while a trip to Turkey is also on the cards in May, although it has not been officially announced. NEW YORK (PIX11) Pope Francis was released from the hospital Sunday morning. The big moment happened in Rome, where the pope made his first public appearance after surviving a five-week, life-threatening bout of pneumonia. More Local News The 88-year-old was greeted with cheers and applause from outside Gemelli hospital. Security guards said Francis was heading to St. Mary Major Basilica, where his favorite icon of the Madonna is located and where he always goes to pray after a foreign visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctors, who announced his planned release at a Saturday evening news conference, said he should refrain from meeting with big groups of people or exerting himself, but that eventually he should be able to resume all his normal activities. His return home, after the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy and the second-longest in recent papal history, brought tangible relief to the Vatican and Catholic faithful who have been anxiously following 38 days of medical ups and downs and wondering if Francis would make it. As the pope made his way back to the Vatican, New Yorkers gathered at St. Patricks Cathedral for Sunday mass. This story comprises reporting from the Associated Press. 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. Taking place on March 22- 23, the programme offers a dynamic platform for students to devise innovative turnaround strategies for businesses facing financial distress. The event emphasises practical learning and strategic thinking in corporate rescue, providing participants with hands-on experience in navigating real-world financial distress scenarios. Participants will analyse financial statements, develop corporate rescue strategies, and present their solutions to a panel of esteemed judges. Additionally, they will engage with insolvency professionals, legal practitioners, and business leaders through panel discussions and networking opportunities. The competition offers valuable industry exposure, expert feedback, and the opportunity to gain recognition for their innovative solutions. The inauguration ceremony commenced with the traditional Lighting of the Lamp, performed by distinguished judges of the event and dignitaries on the dais, symbolizing the formal commencement of the competition by an introduction by the Student Convenors for the event, Ayushi Agarwal, Eepsa Bansal, and Harshitha Ulphas. Following this, Dr Pyla Narayana Rao, Course Director and Head of the School of Corporate Law, delivered the Inaugural Address, emphasising the significance of corporate rescue strategies in ensuring business sustainability and financial resilience. Pavithra Ravi, Professor at Gujarat National Law University, delivered the Opening Remarks, offering insights into the competition's objectives. A video message from Kapileshwar Bhalla, LL.M Faculty, encouraged participants to apply their financial knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. He extended his best wishes to all participants and applauded the organizers for their efforts in making the event a success. The competition will challenge students with practical case studies simulating real-world financial distress scenarios. Participants will be evaluated based on the feasibility, innovation, and strategic insight demonstrated in their proposed solutions. Through this platform, IICA aims to nurture the next generation of corporate leaders equipped to address complex financial challenges. (ANI) ROME, Italy (WSAV) Pope Francis is scheduled to be discharged from the hospital on Sunday according to his doctors. The Pope was hospitalized for bronchitis on February 14 and remained under care for more than five weeks. At times, Francis was in critical condition and required high-flow oxygen therapy. For the immediate future, he wont be able to continue his usual activity of meeting groups of people or important work. He will likely return to his duties after a period of convalescence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vatican said in a statement on Saturday that the Pope will greet a crowd of gatherers outside the hospital on Sunday, marking his first public appearance since his treatment began. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Were here to say: Keep your hands off the postal service! Thats what David Norton, the president of the local branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers, said to the hundreds of United States postal workers in Portland who gathered for a rally and march Sunday afternoon. As part of an ongoing nationwide effort to rally support, United States postal workers in Portland held a march Sunday to decry any potential move to privatize the mail service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public mail is not for sale, USPS worker Theresa Dunas told KOIN 6 News. This is actually a very real threat to us. Postal workers, union officials and community leaders took part in the rally to decry any potential move to privatize the mail service. that began at Salmon Street Springs in downtown Portland. I mean, look, we deliver peoples packages, medications, vote-by-mail ballots, Norton said. Theres millions of Americans every day that rely on the Postal Service and our service. We have universal delivery. So that means that we deliver to every address in this country, places where UPS, Amazon, other delivery companies dont go. And so without the Postal Service, these people would go without any kind of needed delivery service. USPS currently employs about 640,000 workers tasked with making deliveries from inner cities to rural areas and even far-flung islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If DOGE comes in and does more cuts, it would actually hurt our service even more, Dunas said. We need to have a raise. We need to have better working conditions and safety, and thats when well really see our customer service improvement. Postal workers rallied in Downtown Portland on March 23, 2025 (KOIN) Postal workers rallied in Downtown Portland on March 23, 2025 (KOIN) Postal workers rallied in Downtown Portland on March 23, 2025 (KOIN) This is at least the second time in a month that Portland postal workers have held a very visible rally. On February 23, more than 100 Portland postal workers, union leaders and local politicians joined a nationwide Fight Like Hell rally to demand fair wages and protest proposed changes to the USPS by President Trump. Dolly Partons Imagination Library of Washington in jeopardy without state funds Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This past Thursday, the American Postal Workers Union said thousands of workers in all sections of the country held rallies in more than 250 locations in what they called the National Day of Action to Defend the Public Postal Service. On March 14, the AP reported Postmaster General Louis DeJoy plans to cut 10,000 workers and billions of dollars from the U.S. Postal Service budget and hell do that working with Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, according to a letter sent to members of Congress. DOGE will assist USPS with addressing big problems at the $78 billion-a-year agency, which has sometimes struggled in recent years to stay afloat. The agreement also includes the General Services Administration in an effort to help the Postal Service identify and achieve further efficiencies. Critics of the agreement fear negative effects of the cuts will be felt across America. Democratic U.S. Rep. Gerald Connolly of Virginia, who was sent the letter, said turning over the Postal Service to DOGE would result in it being undermined and privatized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This capitulation will have catastrophic consequences for all Americans especially those in rural and hard-to-reach areas who rely on the Postal Service every day to deliver mail, medications, ballots, and more, he 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 KOIN.com. VIRGINIA BEACH More than 200 letter carriers and their families lined Lynnhaven Parkway on Sunday afternoon to rally against the potential privatization of the U.S. Postal Service. Wearing red shirts and carrying signs emblazoned with the words Fight like hell and Hell no to privatization, the protesters stood in front of the citys main post office on Viking Drive. Attendees mostly included members of the National Association of Letter Carriers, a labor union, with representatives from Hampton Roads seven cities. The rally was one of hundreds around the country over the past several days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crowd gathered shortly after 12:30 p.m. with Darren Barnes, representative of Branch 247 which includes Portsmouth, Hampton and Yorktown leading a prayer. This is a movement to keep the U.S. Postal Service as it is, Barnes, 59, said as protesters bowed their heads. President Donald Trump has floated the idea of privatizing the Postal Service. It employees more than 600,000 people and is the largest civilian employer of military veterans in the country, according to the union. But the Postal Service, which was established by the Second Continental Congress in 1775, has been losing money in recent years. The organization reported a $9.5 billion net loss for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024, compared with a $6.5 billion loss in the previous year. Some of the losses have been attributed to declining mail volume and increased operational costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Union representatives on Sunday said theyre concerned that privatization could lead to cuts in service, particularly in rural areas. Employees also fear it would jeopardize collective bargaining efforts, in which members seek fair wages and compensation as well as improved working conditions. We run the risk of them dismantling the service, selling it off and breaking it apart, said Kristin Williams, 45, a Virginia Beach resident and former letter carrier who works for the Postal Service labor union. We want to make sure we keep the postal service whole. For about two hours, protesters stood on both sides of Lynnhaven Parkway cheering as drivers honked their horns. Today is amazing, said Jeannine Gasper, a Williamsburg resident, letter carrier and union advocate. It shows the unity with not only our National Association of Letter Carriers, but with what the Postal Service means to us. This is our livelihood, and we work hard. Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com Despite withdrawing an application to operate its shuttered jail facility as an immigrant detention center from the city of Leavenworth, CoreCivic appears poised to pursue a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement anyway. CoreCivics spokesperson Ryan Gustin said in a written statement, we look forward to continuing to serve our federal partners at our Midwest Regional Reception Center, citing the companys long and positive relationship with the Leavenworth community. When the city of Leavenworth announced last week that CoreCivic was no longer pursuing a special use permit, many people thought that meant tentative plans had been scrapped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a win for how the community of Leavenworth came together, spoke their truth, and said no. But it speaks volumes that CoreCivic couldnt bear even this small amount of accountability, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas said in a statement. According to City Manager Scott Peterson, the reasoning behind CoreCivics abrupt about-face on the application has nothing to do with a change in the companys vision for entering into a contract with ICE to house hundreds of rounded up immigrants. The facility has undergone no structural changes since its contract serving as a maximum-security detention center for the U.S. Marshals Service expired under a Joe Biden executive order more than three years ago. Gustin said earlier this month that his company believes it has always operated this facility by right. CoreCivic currently runs 14 immigrant detention centers around the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He refused to explain the abrupt withdrawal of the special use permit application or expound on the prison companys plan for the Leavenworth facility in a phone call. The guidance Im getting right now is that the extent of our comments are contained in the statement I just provided to you, Gustin told a reporter. ICE did not respond to requests for comment for this story and has not acknowledged The Stars Freedom Of Information Act request for communications between agency officials and CoreCivic. Under the terms of an agreement signed last month by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, an unspecified number of Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents will be enlisted to help ICE arrest immigrants in the state. Reality inside CoreCivic facility Forgoing the application, which the city requested as a condition for reopening the facility, means abandoning plans for at least three public meetings where the request would be discussed. The City Commissions calendar called for a final ruling on the application in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past three years, repeated efforts by CoreCivic to advance its ICE proposal have fallen apart amid local resistance. Some detractors have highlighted the prisons history of violence and others have expressed anti-immigrant sentiments and worry that people brought to the detention center might take up permanent residence in Leavenworth. Taking a profit-driven shortcut and ignoring real peoples input would be consistent with CoreCivics track record across the country and locally, the ACLU said in its statement. Previously, at the same facility they seek to reopen under an ICE contract, CoreCivic ignored the voices of staff, detainees, and even the Department of Justice who all raised concerns about understaffing, safety, and security. That disregard had dangerous and sometimes deadly consequences and resulted in serious human rights violations. William Rogers, a Wyandotte County resident and former prison guard who worked at CoreCivics Leavenworth facility from 2016 to 2020, said chronic understaffing precipitated rampant drug use and an environment of violence in the private prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he was stabbed by an inmate in 2020 and received 14 stitches after his head was split open in a separate altercation. On multiple occasions, he attempted life-saving measures on inmates who had committed suicide or overdosed. After you get stabbed or after you have someone die in your hands, nobody ever came to you and said, Hey, Bill, are you all right? Are you ready to work? Are you good to go back? Rogers said. Had they had those hearings, I believe there was going to be quite a few people come out and speak about the realities of CoreCivic. Executive session Peterson said Monday that the commission would discuss possible paths forward at Tuesday evenings special meeting. The five-member commission held a 40-minute executive session to discuss legal strategies but took no binding action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assistant City Manager Penny Holler deferred to CoreCivic for comment Tuesday about future plans for the rebranded prison and the city governments involvement in its potential reopening. Before the closure at the end of 2021, the CoreCivic facility was so understaffed and violent that U.S. District Court Judge Julie Robinson called it a hell-hole in its final months. Justin Gust, vice president of community engagement at El Centro, shared the city of Leavenworths Facebook post on Friday, thanking the more than 1,600 people who signed a petition calling for the denial of the application. He said hes still cautiously optimistic about the ability of grassroots organizations to influence what could be a bitter fight over whether CoreCivic can agree to house as many as 1,033 immigrants arrested by ICE. That fight could play out as President Donald Trump ramps up his mass deportation push. Some of the federal administration and also state government have just been using similar tactics of were just going to proceed even though its not in the due process or the right procedures or, you know, lawful, and just wait and see what happens in court, said Gust, whose nonprofit resource center provides educational, social and economic services for Hispanic families in and around Kansas City. Im not terribly surprised that that is the tactic theyre just trying to use. But were still watching and very concerned. I think its good to still try to celebrate a small win because they took it back for some reason, whether they just didnt want to deal with the community pushback or theyre just trying to plan a different route to get it done without that hassle. By Laurie Chen BEIJING (Reuters) -U.S. Republican Senator Steve Daines met Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing with a group of executives from U.S. companies on Sunday, following an annual business summit in the capital attended by CEOs from big foreign firms. Daines was accompanied by seven senior executives including Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, Cargill CEO Brian Sikes and Boeing Global Senior Vice President Brendan Nelson in the talks at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, a foreign media pool report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daines' trip marks the first time an American politician has visited China since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January. Beijing is seeking high-level dialogue with the Trump administration, hoping to reach a deal to avert further pressure on tariffs from Washington. Daines, a staunch supporter of Trump and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was heavily involved in negotiations over U.S.-China trade during Trump's first term as president, and has made multiple trips to China as a senator. He lived in Guangzhou and Hong Kong in the 1990s while working as an executive for Procter & Gamble, which he referenced in his opening speech. "Collectively, these seven companies have over 275 years of experience of doing business in China," Daines said as he introduced the CEOs, according to a pool transcript. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TARIFF PRESSURE Beijing has been trying to attract foreign investment to offset U.S. tariff pressure and its slowing domestic economy. The U.S. executives were granted an audience with Li Qiang, who will not meet separately with other foreign CEOs at the China Development Forum for the second year in a row. The annual closed-door meeting with the premier was traditionally viewed as a summit highlight by foreign firms' CEOs, who have long complained of an unequal playing field, regulatory hurdles and restricted market access in China. Relations between China and the U.S. have come under new strain after Trump slapped additional tariffs on Chinese goods, accusing Beijing of not doing enough to stem the flow of fentanyl into the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early April, Trump is expected to unleash a round of tariffs on all countries that tax U.S. imports, potentially including China. A U.S. review of whether China has fulfilled promises made during the "phase one" trade deal from Trump's first administration is set to conclude on April 1. In his opening remarks, Daines pitched Sunday's meeting as a chance for them to air their views on the business environment in China directly to Li. "There are no winners in a trade war," Li told Daines in their meeting, stressing the importance of economic and trade ties in overall U.S.-China relations. "China ... will actively promote solutions to the legitimate demands of enterprises, treat domestic and foreign enterprises equally," Li said, according to a Xinhua report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Chinese officials at the meeting included Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, and the director of China's state planner, Zheng Shanjie. Daines met Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Beijing on Saturday, and discussed with him the need for China to stop the flow of fentanyl precursors, according to a post by Daines on the X social media platform. (Reporting by Laurie Chen; Editing by Jamie Freed, Tom Hogue and Helen Popper) (NewsNation) State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the Cabinet meeting in which there was an alleged shouting match between Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio was a productive one. I think when you understand the Trump administration because we really didnt see any of this during the Biden administration because there were no cabinet meetings, is that there are conversations, there are meetings. That was a productive meeting, Bruce said on NewsNation Live. 2 convicted in US of Iran-backed plot to kill journalist critical of Tehran Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, the worlds richest person who helms six major companies, reportedly tore into Rubio, scolding the former senator for not firing much of the workforce at the State Department and that he is only good on TV, but barely for anything else, The New York Times created the report, citing interviews with five people with knowledge of the events. Rubio, privately, has been furious with Musk for some time, particularly after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) set its sights on shuttering the U.S. Agency for International Development, the agency that administers billions of dollars of security, humanitarian and development assistance in more than 100 countries, the Times reported. President Trump denied an argument took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NewsNation affiliate The Hill 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) With tax season in full force, scammers have begun to implement tactics to steal your personal information, particularly when it comes to tax returns. According to Michigan State University, some scammers may promise you an easy way to get rich, while others may impersonate an IRS employee. Regardless, scammers want to steal your information and money. These scammers are reaching their targets through several communication platforms, including email, phone calls and text messages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor Fisher, a postdoctoral research associate in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University`s College of Social Science, spoke with the university and answered questions about relevant tax return scams and how people can avoid falling victim to them. This information was shared in a news release sent to 6 News. How do tax return scams work? Scammers will make false ads claiming you can earn a huge check with your tax return and a few key tax credits. This typically includes providing false information to the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS. Its important to note that providing false information to the IRS is a serious offense. The IRS and the Federal Trade Commission both provide resources on spotting scams. What are some key red flags to look out for this tax season? A big payday, demands or threats, and URLs or direct links that redirect to unofficial sites are all deemed red flags by the IRS. These types of scams include quick money scams, false credits or misinformation, and ads suggesting special programs for seniors or new tax filers. These types of tax-related scams have evolved into such a wide range that the IRS identifies an annual Dirty Dozen tax scams listing. What are common scam tactics and tips for avoiding them? Phishing/smishing/vishing/quishing Communication platforms that allow indirect contact allow scammers to contact you regarding your tax returns. Scammers can use an email, a text message, a phone call, or a QR code on an advertisement to trick you into sharing sensitive information. If you believe you are being scammed, contact the organization directly through contact information on their official websites. The IRS will not contact you via text message or social media platforms but review what forms of contact your key accounts use. Social engineering Scammers will use information about you found online on your public accounts. With information found on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn, scammers can craft a message specifically tailored to you. Scammers can fake email addresses or phone numbers to appear to be from your boss, grandchildren, child`s school, or even the IRS themselves. Fake or misleading tax credits Scammers often advertise fake credits or credits that do not apply to you and encourage you to use them to file your taxes. Scammers may offer to help you file your taxes (for a fee) and include false information or fake forms in the submission. This tax return may or may not be sent to the IRS. If it isn`t, you face the risk of not filing. If it is sent, you face consequences for making fraudulent statements. Credits for self-employment, sick leave, fuel taxes, and others are not typically found on tax returns. Trusted tax services can help find applicable credits but will not encourage you to lie or claim credits that do not exist. Ghost tax returns Someone claiming to be a tax preparer but advertises with a yard sign on the side of an intersection, is likely not to be trusted. Ghost preparers will not have an official Tax ID number known as the IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number or PTI which is required by law. Scammers will typically ask you to sign a return before it is completed, claiming they will fill in the relevant information later. What should you do if you believe you have fallen victim to a scam? Notify any relevant party if you believe you have been the victim of a tax scam. The IRS has shared resources for responding to a scam. Call your bank account, credit cards or loan providers and report to them any instances of fraud. Consider freezing your credit scores if you believe there is an ongoing threat, especially if new accounts are being opened in your name. Getting fraudulent credit activity removed is an important recovery step. Report the scam to the IRS and the FTC. Even if the scam was unsuccessful, it can be helpful to see how widespread different scams 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 WLNS 6 News. (COLORADO SPRINGS) Around 50 people gathered outside a Tesla dealership on Saturday, March 22, to protest against multi-billionaire Elon Musk and the government agency, DOGE. Although it was the first protest in Colorado Springs, hundreds of protests have been taking place across the country targeting Tesla dealerships, rallying behind whats being called the Tesla Takedown Movement, according to FOX NEWS. Peaceful protest is the only true way to make any change thats going to remain. It has to be peaceful, said Lynn Lee a protestor at the event. Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell People at the protest say their goal is to bring awareness to the public. While Saturdays rally was peaceful, many across the country have not been. People are lighting the electronic vehicle on fire and targeting Tesla showrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a democracy, this is about destroying democracy, and if we dont stand up and fight, we will lose it, said Lee. Dozens of people stood outside the dealership, waving signs and chanting. According to FOX NEWS, Tesla vandalism has occurred in at least nine states. I think the inhumanity of Musks actions [is] by firing people, by closing the Department of Education, said Linda Nicks, another protestor. I think theres one counter-protester over there, its pretty gutsy of him to show up, said Nicks. People around the country say they are fed up with Teslas CEO billionaire Elon Musk, who is leading the efforts to fire federal workers. President Donald Trump appointed Musk to lead the efforts to downsize the federal government. Musk is in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE, the program making thousands of cuts nationally. According to Newsweek, it is estimated more than 220,000 jobs will be cut in 2025 with more to be expected. Photo credit: Cora Mitchell I think my ultimate goal is to energize other people, bring people together. I think, you know, the sign says organize I really believe that, thats exactly what we need to do. Organize and come together, said Nicks. I think peaceful protest is really important. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is very distressing is the number of people who allow themselves to be brainwashed by groups to the point that every action they take is against their own best interest, said Lee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In a protest transcending national boundaries, hundreds of Detroiters and Canadians came out Saturday afternoon to voice their displeasure with President Donald Trump and the American government. Hundreds gathered at Hart Plaza on the American side of the demonstration, mirroring a significant, though smaller, turnout across the river in Windsor. The protesters at Saturday's rally in downtown Detroit stood unified under an anti-Trump banner but were motivated by a plethora of issues, including tariffs, the future of Social Security, the war in Ukraine, relationships with Canada, media mogul and Tesla CEO Elon Musk and federal job cuts. Hundreds of people chant power to the people during a joint protest with Canadians at Hart Plaza in Detroit on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Jacquelyn Scott, a protester from Farmington Hills, said she decided to protest out of anger and fear. She said she worries about the future of Social Security, which she has been paying into for 50 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Social Security news: US judge blocks Elon Musk's DOGE from accessing Social Security records Michigan approval ratings: Michigan poll finds split on Donald Trump: Fewer than half approve of president "I'm so stressed out based on what Donald Trump is doing," Scott said. "He's taking jobs. He's destroying our democracy. He doesn't care. I worked 50 years for my Social Security and Medicare, and to see someone trying to take it away and give tax cuts to the rich how is that even possible?" Scott said that during the first Trump administration, she felt like the presidency was guided by the Constitution. This time around, she said she feels the government has accelerated into unconstitutional territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Look what he's done in two months," Scott said. And as for the next three years, Scott said nothing but, "Oh, Lord, I stay in prayer." The protest in Detroit comes after a flurry of political movement and rising tensions in response to the blistering pace of change set by the Trump administration, especially among American and Canadian relations. On Wednesday, the mayor of Sarnia the Canadian city that sits across the river from Port Huron requested that all American flags in the city be taken down, citing "economic terrorism." Fabrice Smieliauskas, a professor of economics at Wayne State University and a native Canadian, said he was motivated to join the protest movement over his concern with the Trump administration's tariff policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an economics expert, Smieliauskas said, "Tariffs are just a destructive force economically," while highlighting the important role Detroit plays in the trade economy between Canada and the United States. "This is the sort of biggest border crossing between the United States and Canada," Smieliauskas said, pointing across the Detroit River to Windsor. "Trade is our lifeblood, especially for the auto industry, and this will just slow down and harm this industry in a way that is essentially pointless for both countries." As a Mississaugan, Smieliauskas said animosity between Canada and the United States worries him. "As a Canadian, you know, I'm upset about just the friction this has caused between our two countries," Smieliauskas said, explaining that his family in Canada has begun boycotting American-made products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smieliauskas himself is also trying to engage in boycotting action. He hopes to sell his Tesla manufactured by Musk's company as a method of dissent. Amid all of the political tension, Smieliauskas said he saw some catharsis through a wide-reaching protest like Saturday's. "This was the first protest I've seen about the tariffs and about our global sort of relationships with Canada and Mexico," Smieliauskas said, emphasizing the importance of economic policy. "I'm glad to see, though, that the turnout at this first one is huge much bigger than I thought." People hold signs across the Detroit River during a joint protest with Canadians at Hart Plaza in Detroit on Saturday, March 22, 2025. The protests, organizers said, won't end with Saturday's joint rally with Windsor. They plan to continue demonstrations in Rochester Hills on Sunday, with more protests scheduled in Detroit and Lansing through the spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the afternoon, organizers and activists stood atop the steps at Hart Plaza to voice their concerns through loudspeakers about the country's future. Canadian flags and American flags alike waved in the wind. As the protest wound down, the American side of the demonstration sang both countries' national anthems and waved from about a mile away across the Canadian border to the protesters on the other side of the river. Contact Liam Rappleye: LRappleye@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Protesters in Canada and the US express fear, distrust in Trump The Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Delhi East Commissionerate had organised a GST Registration Campaign this week, with the aim of encouraging greater registration and compliance under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. The initiative sought to engage unregistered manufacturers and traders in falling under the jurisdiction of CGST Delhi East to help them understand the importance of registering with the GST Department and complying with the provisions of the law. GST Helpdesks were set up at -- Hallan Chowk, Old Seelampur; Gole Baithak, Old Seelampur; Jacket Market of Jaffrabad; Subhash Road, Gandhi Nagar; and New Seelampur -- locations to address queries and help in the GST registration process. The initiative received a warm and encouraging response from the local trade community, many of whom were previously unregistered, often conducting their transactions primarily in cash, which has a negative impact on the Indian economy. Over the course of the campaign, more than 2,000 queries from traders were addressed by GST officers, who provided valuable assistance with the registration process. The drive proved to be a success, with a significant number of unregistered traders coming forward to voluntarily register their businesses under GST, with more than 100 registration applications being generated on spot after following due process. As part of the outreach efforts, 200 students from reputed Universities were invited to be GST Ambassadors to create awareness for the two-day campaign. These volunteers/GST Ambassdors were closely monitored and guided by a large team of GST officers comprised of 10 Assistant Commissioner/Deputy Commissioners and more than 80 officials. The students actively participated in spreading awareness about GST provisions and assisted traders by going shop-to-shop to brief them about the process and benefits. The students went for door-to-door campaigning and helped conduct survey through aid of pre-decided questionnaire. Standard script was prepared and the student's academic knowledge of Sales/Marketing/Market Survey was leveraged to generate leads for GST officers to follow up later. They distributed 7,500 pamphlets published in Hindi and Urdu, highlighting the provisions of GST Registration. A public announcement system, skits, street plays, and mohalla campaigns at different locations were also organised by the National School of Drama (NSD) team so that the people are made aware of the importance of payment of tax to the government as well as the consequences of non-payment of tax. The successful execution of this campaign marks a crucial step in increasing GST registration among the unorganised sectors, thereby improving compliance and contributing to the overall growth and stability of the Indian economy. The CGST Delhi East Commissionerate remains committed to continuing such initiatives and ensuring that all sectors of trade are brought into the formal economy, fostering greater transparency, accountability, and economic growth. The campaign culminated in a closing ceremony presided over by Mahesh Kumar Rustogi, Director General, Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS), with an address the student volunteers, trade associations and civic society organisations along with the team of officers and officials. Rustogi highlighted the importance of formalisation of economy in achieving the target of USD 5 trillion economy and also enthused the audience to carry on this exercise and wished for a future wherein such campaigns transcend the boundaries of Delhi East CGST to other divisions and finally throughout the country. (ANI) AUSTIN (KXAN) Around 100 people gathered on the sidewalks outside a Tesla showroom in northwest Austin on Saturday, the second weekend of a row of protests at that location. The protest began at the showroom near Research Boulevard and U.S. Highway 183 with about a dozen people around 10 a.m. A KXAN photojournalist reported dozens more joined within the hour, holding signs, chanting and clanging cowbells. Unlike last week, there did not appear to be counter-protesters. LAST WEEK: Protesters, supporters of Elon Musk gather at Austin-area Tesla showroom Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevin Kamath, a member of Resist Austin who was one of the protest organizers, said he hoped the event would lead to more people joining the group, or at least stopping to think about whether to buy a Tesla and, therefore, support Elon Musk. Signs at the protest urged people to sell their Teslas and Tesla stock, while another noted nobody elected Elon, referring to President Donald Trump putting him in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency, which has recently made sweeping cuts to the federal workforce. I believe the right to protest is a right that should be used frequently and fairly and I do believe were doing that today, Nevin said, adding the group planned to continue protesting every Saturday morning. Protesters gathered outside a Tesla showroom near Research Boulevard and U.S. 183 on March 22, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Christian Rodriguez-Panesso) Protesters gathered outside a Tesla showroom near Research Boulevard and U.S. 183 on March 22, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Christian Rodriguez-Panesso) Kamath said Resist Austin is a local chapter of the Resist Trump movement, which according to an orientation presentation is anti-authoritarian, pro-democracy and not affiliated with a political party. Nevin emphasized that the group is non-violent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protest was among others around the nation Saturday, according to local news reports. While the Austin one remained peaceful, last week U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled recent vandalism of Tesla dealerships as domestic terrorism, while Trump called those arrested sick terrorist thugs. In a Tesla all-hands meeting Friday, Musk acknowledged recent Tesla challenges but urged employees to hang on to their stock. Prices of Tesla reached a 5-year peak in December but have since plummeted. There are times when there are rocky moments a little bit of stormy weather, he said. KXAN reached out to Tesla for a statement, and to ask if it is making any adjustments to its security at its Austin showrooms. We will update this story when we receive a response. 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. A protester holds a picture of Jackie Robinson outside of the Tesla dealership in New York City. Earlier this week, an article dedicated to Robinson's accomplishments and background serving in the U.S. military was taken down from the Department of Defense website. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul isnt fully endorsing President Donald Trumps recent use of the rarely used Alien Enemies Act to deport a group of Venezuelan nationals accused of gang ties, warning that the move raises big legal questions. The Bill of Rights applies to everyone, Paul said during an interview on CBS Face the Nation with moderator Margaret Brennan on Sunday. The Bill of Rights doesn't specifically designate citizens On the other end, the Alien Enemies Act says you don't get much process The president can declare that you are somehow a problem for foreign policy and you can be deported. Trump invoked the rarely-used Alien Enemies Act which was last employed during World War II on March 15 to deport over 200 alleged Venezuelan gang members. The sweeping wartime authority permits noncitizens to be deported without a hearing before an immigration or federal court judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move set off a legal showdown between the Trump administration and U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who had ordered the Trump administration to turn around the planes carrying deportees bound for El Salvador, though the deportations proceeded. During a Friday hearing, Boasberg pledged to determine whether the Trump administration violated his order. Meanwhile, Trump administration officials have repeatedly insisted they are in compliance with court orders while accusing Boasberg who was appointed by former President Barack Obama of left-leaning bias and obstructing the lawful removal of alleged violent criminals. Errors with the deportations have already surfaced, according to Lee Gelernt, an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union defending the Venezuelans targeted by Trumps order. At least one deportee was not Venezuelan and others were women, whom the Salvadoran government refused to accept and were instead flown back to the United States. Paul, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said that the situation presents a clash between constitutional protections and presidential authority. If Trump follows through on his intention to take the case to the Supreme Court, Paul predicted that the judges will likely back the administrations use of the act and hinted at a possible discomfort with that outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My guess is they will uphold the Alien Enemies Act, he said. It's not necessarily my position but I think the court will uphold it. However, Paul also seemed to think that Trump's immigration agenda will not progress without some inclusion of due process, but declined to go into detail on what that could look like. I think there is going to be some process afforded by the courts for representation before youre deported in most cases," he said. As part of the larger debate about federal judges impeding Trumps agenda, including his administrations aggressive crackdown on immigrants lacking permanent legal status, Rand said he suspects the Supreme Court will eventually limit district judges power. On the question of whether a district judge can make a ruling for the country, that's a very big question, he said. I do believe the Supreme Court is going to limit district judges from having nationwide rulings. High pressure off the California coastline will keep the storm track far to the north of the Central Coast through the first week of April. Santa Lucia (northeasterly) winds will bring dry and warmer conditions this weekend into Tuesday, followed by strong to gale-force (25 to 38 mph) northwesterly winds and cooler weather on Wednesday through the following week. A transitory ridge of high pressure over the Great Bain will generate moderate to fresh (13 to 18 mph) Santa Lucia winds during the night and morning, shifting out of the northwest during the afternoon. This pattern will maintain chamber of commerce weather with clear skies and warmer temperatures this weekend through Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Highs will range from the low 80s across inland valleys (Paso Robles), and mid-70s (San Luis Obispo) in the coastal valleys, and beaches, while overnight lows will drop to the mid-40s inland and the low 50s near the coast. Monday with be the warmest day of the week. Classic Central Coast springtime winds will return this week. A series of storms will move into the Pacific Northwest with periods of heavy rain and low-level snow, the associated cold fronts will produce steep pressure gradients along the California coastline which will generate strong to gale-force (25 to 38 mph with gusts to 45 mph) northwesterly winds starting Wednesday and continuing through the following week. These winds will be weaker further inland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The long-range numerical models indicate a dry weather pattern persisting through mid-April, if not longer. Surf report A 5- to 7-foot northwesterly (300-degree deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 17- second period) is forecast Saturday through Sunday, becoming a 4- to 6-foot northwesterly swell (290-degree deep-water) swell (with an 8- to 18-second period) on Monday through Wednesday morning. Northwesterly gales along the California coastline will generate 8- to 10-foot northwesterly (305-degree deep-water) sea and swell (with a 5- to 14-second period) Wednesday afternoon through next Sunday. Surface seawater temperatures will range between 50 and 53 degrees through Wednesday, lowering 48 to 51 degrees on Thursday into next Sunday. Today in weather history (March 23): 1913: A vicious tornado hit the city of Omaha, Nebraska. The tornado struck during the late afternoon on Easter Sunday, and in just 12 minutes cut a swath of destruction 5 miles long and two blocks wide across the city killing 94 persons and causing $3.5 million in property damage. (David Ludlum) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1987: A blizzard raged across western Kansas, and the panhandle of Texas and Oklahoma. Pampa, Texas, received 21 inches of snow, and winds gusted to 78 mph at Dodge City, Kansas, and Altus, Oklahoma. Governor Hayden declared 46 counties in western Kansas a disaster area. In southwest Kansas, the storm was described as the worst in 30 years. (Storm Data) 2009: A very steep pressure gradient developed along the California coastline, producing sustained northwesterly winds of 40.5 mph with gusts of 55 mph at the Diablo Canyon meteorological tower. 2020: Rain showers wrapped around a low-pressure system that was moving east-northeastward. Many Central Coast locations recorded between 0.75 and 1.25 inches of rain. 2022: Daily high-temperature records were broken throughout the Central Coast. The San Luis Obispo County Airport reached 87 degrees besting the old record of 82 set in 1976. Cal Poly hit 88, smashing the previous record of 83 degrees from 1931. Paso Robles Airport saw a high of 84, breaking the old mark of 82 set in 1977. To the south, Santa Maria Airport broke its record high set back in 1926 by reaching 86 degrees. This weeks temperatures LOWS AND HIGHS, PASO ROBLES SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 44, 75 48, 82 51, 80 48, 76 48, 76 48, 75 49, 76 49, 77 LOWS AND HIGHS, SAN LUIS OBISPO AND COASTAL VALLEYS SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 51, 73 55, 78 56, 74 55, 72 53, 73 52, 72 53, 73 53, 74 John Lindsey is a retired PG&E marine meteorologist. Email him at JohnLindseyLosOsos@gmail.com or follow him on X @PGE_John. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Congress is wrapping up its spring break and headed back to work in Washington Monday. Having passed a resolution that keeps the government open until September, budget battles will be front and center. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri This week Democrat Congressman Emanuel Cleaver of Missouris 5th District joins us to talk about why he voted no on the resolution and discusses efforts by the Trump administration to cut jobs and agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, FOX4s Malik Jackson joins to discuss the fate of Kansas City Manager Brian Platt. The council extended his suspension indefinitely, but Mayor Quinton Lucas says issues should be resolved in a matter of days, not months. Malik Jackson, whos been covering the story, shares his insights. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Local teenagers got a glimpse of what it takes to attend the nations top military schools at Congressman Neal Dunns United States Military Service Academy Day. Representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Air Force, and the Naval Academy were at Gulf Coast State College on Saturday. They spoke with interested Bay County high schoolers and eighth graders about higher education choices. This is the happiest duty we have every year. We gather together all of these great, very, very competitive students to talk to them about what they need to do if they want to be competitive and get into the military academies. All of the candidates and theyre all outstanding schools, but theyre all very difficult to get into, Dunn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gulf World Marine Park faces backlash amid dolphin deaths However, some took Dunns scheduled visit to Bay County as an opportunity to get his attention. Im out here supporting all of the citizens of Bay County to show up for Neal Dunn. Weve asked for town halls. Weve asked to have conversations with him about what he could do as a member of Congress to push back on things that up until now, republicans have been all for: support of the military, support of social security, support of a system of laws, protester Julie Raynor said. Dozens of residents gathered outside GCSC for a peaceful protest primarily against proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA provides health care and other services for millions of veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a promise that was made to these men and women that got in uniform and served us all over the world, and theyre cutting that promise. Its horrible they wont be able to get the care they need, Bay County Democratic Executive Committee Chair Laura Bjorklund said. Protesters said their frustration is rooted in a lack of accessibility to Dunn. The whole point of democracy is people with disagreements coming to talk to each other. If you cant have a town hall and talk to someone who disagrees with you, youre in the wrong business. How has it been eight years since hes met with a constituent who disagrees with you? Thats the whole point of a democracy. Its supposed to be rowdy. Were supposed to have a talk. Were supposed to hear from different points of view, not just hang out in your own little silo and look at the screen all day. So, he should meet with people and hear about whats actually happening on the ground in Panama City, protester & GCSC student David Albares said. Dunn says the potential cuts to the department are nothing but rumors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Veterans Administration, yes, they have had, DOGE has made some cuts. Heres the cuts theyve made. In this district, which is the biggest, most populous district of the VA; north Florida, Georgia, 6600 employees. They were asked to release 20 out of 6,000, thats less than one-third of one 10th of 1% of their staff. This is not a massacre. And by the way, nobody was released for cause. Theyre just the most recent hires. You know, get back in the queue. They can come back, Dunn said. Panama City officials and Beach Drive residents analyze proposed multi-use pathway design plans Dunn declined to comment on the protest itself. If youd like more information on the military service academy event, 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 mypanhandle.com. CHICAGO Mayor Brandon Johnsons plan to have Chicago Public Schools cover a $175 million pension payment appears to not have enough support from the school board. Chalkbeat Chicago reports seven board members signed a letter saying they wont vote to cover the payment, meaning the city would have to pick up the tab. Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools near contract agreement, but hurdles remain Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school board postponed a vote on the issue last Thursday. According to Board President Sean Harden, the vote was postponed because they were close to reaching a deal with the Chicago Teachers Union. A deal, however, has not yet been reached. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dorany Pineda Associated Press Malynndra Tome was helping to map livestock ponds in the Navajo Nation when she saw something that inspired her to act. An elderly woman was filling milk jugs with water at the back of a gas station in the Native American reservation, where about 30 percent of people live without running water. How can we be living in the United States of America one of the most powerful countries in the world, and people are living like this here? asked Tome, a citizen who grew up in the community of Ganado, Arizona, in the nation's largest Native American reservation at 27,000 square miles (69,930 square kilometers) in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A report published Tuesday identifies ways historically neglected communities most vulnerable to climate change, like Tomes, can create resilient water and wastewater systems. Its highlights include nature-based solutions, tailoring approaches to each community and using technology all the while recognizing barriers to implementing them. What we hope to do with this report, what I hope, is that it actually gives people hope, said Shannon McNeeley, a report author and senior researcher with the Pacific Institute, which published the report with DigDeep and the Center for Water Security and Cooperation. In spite of some of the major federal funding sources becoming uncertain and possibly not available, I think people will find other ways. Climate impacts and the Trump administration Weather extremes made worse by climate change have disrupted peoples access to water. In September, more than 100,000 residents in western North Carolina were under boil-water notices for nearly two months after Hurricane Helene destroyed much of a local water system. In January, several water providers declared their drinking water unsafe after wildfires roared through Los Angeles. One utility in Pasadena, California, sent out its first notice since it began serving water more than a century ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aging water systems leak trillions of gallons, leaving residents in some of the countrys poorest communities with a substantial financial burden to fix them. An estimated 30% of the population in the Navajo Nation lives in homes that dont have running water, and many residents drive long distances to get water from public spigots, according to the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The report also notes that some federal resources and funding have become unavailable since Donald Trumpreturned to the White House. The Trump administration has cut or paused funding for critical water infrastructure projects, touted a reversal of diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and eliminated environmental justice policies meant to protect the communities the report centers on. Greg Pierce, director of the Human Right to Water Solutions Lab at the University of California, Los Angeles, said the report comes at a very depressing moment where we're not going to see federal action in this space, it doesn't seem, for the next four years. Solutions come with challenges The report synthesizes existing literature about water, climate change and solutions. Its authors reviewed academic studies, government and private reports and interviewed experts to identify ways low-income and communities of color can build water and wastewater systems to withstand extreme weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report highlights technology like rainwater harvesting and gray water reuse systems that can decrease water demand and increase resilience to drought. But it adds that implementing and maintaining technology like it can be too expensive for poorer communities. The report also advocates nature-based solutions such as wetlands, which studies find can reduce the length and severity of droughts, provide flood control, reduce or remove pollutants in water and protect water supplies. Communities across the country are increasingly recognizing the benefits of wetlands. In Floridas Everglades, for example, officials have spent billions of dollars to build engineered wetlands that clean and protect a vital drinking water source. The report argues for government-funded water assistance programs to help poorer households pay water and sewer bills, like the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. But some are benefiting communities Gregory Moller, a professor in the soil and water systems department at the University of Idaho, notes that some approaches are too complex and expensive for smaller or poorer communities. Our innovations also have to be on a scale and stage that is adaptable to small systems, he said. And thats where I think some of the most serious challenges are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some solutions the report highlights are benefiting communities. In the Navajo Nation, hundreds of solar-powered home water systems have brought running water to more than 2,000 people. Kimberly Lemme, an executive director at DigDeep, which is installing the systems, said it can be a complex and lengthy process. But it shows that solutions do exist. Water is a basic human right, said Tome, whose encounter with the elderly woman inspired her to pursue a doctorate in water resources. And in order for people to live productively, to have healthy lives, I think water is a big part of that. Scientists have finally figured out how the Zika virus manages to enter the placentas of pregnant women. What's happening? Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered that the Zika virus builds tiny tunnels called nanotubes in the cells of pregnant women, helping it to covertly cross the placental barrier, which normally protects the fetus from chemicals and microbes that could harm it. The study, published in Nature Communications, also found that this strategy raises little alarm in the immune system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We discovered that the formation of these tiny tunnels is driven exclusively by a Zika protein called NS1," first author Rafael T. Michita stated in a news release. "Exposure of placental cells to the NS1 protein of Zika virus triggers tunnel formation. As the tunnels develop and connect neighboring cells, a path opens for the virus to invade new cells." While other viruses such as HIV, herpes, influenza A, SARS-CoV-2, and the virus that causes COVID-19 can induce similar tiny tunnels to spread into uninfected cells, this is the first time that tunneling has been shown by Zika virus infection in placental cells, according to the researchers. Why is the study important? "These findings offer vital insights that could be used to develop therapeutic strategies targeted against this stealth transmission mode," co-senior author Indira Mysorekar stated. Zika virus in pregnancy can lead to neurological disorders, fetal abnormalities, and fetal death, according to the press release. Currently, there are no vaccines for Zika, nor is any antiviral treatment available, according to the CDC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, warming global temperatures are expected to expand the ranges and populations of the mosquito species that transmit Zika and other vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria. For instance, hotter weather in Europe has already helped many disease-carrying vectors expand their ranges north and to higher altitudes, according to the European Union. Similarly, malaria risk zones have reached higher elevations in the Ethiopian Highlands due to rising temperatures, according to Climate.gov. And a recent study predicted that several mosquito species' populations will expand their ranges in North and South America in the coming years thanks to warming weather trends. What's being done about vector-borne diseases? Across the world, scientists and local officials are looking for new ways to control mosquito populations. For instance, a Florida county is using X-rays to kill off invasive disease-spreading mosquitoes. And a group of scientists from the U.S. and Burkina Faso are researching how a genetically engineered mosquito-killing fungi delivered from males to females during mating could help in the fight against malaria. Plus, researchers recently reached a breakthrough with a new one-dose malaria vaccine that has demonstrated 90% protection against the disease. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Union Minister of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal held a detailed review meeting with senior officials of the government of Odisha on the state's power sector development on Sunday in the state capital Bhubaneswar. As per a statement from the Union Ministry of Power, the discussions covered key issues including fly ash utilization, capacity addition, transmission infrastructure, and power allocation. During the meeting, on the issue of achieving fly ash utilization targets Manohar Lal assured that a joint meeting with the Ministries of Coal, Environment, and Railways will be convened to address the issue comprehensively, including the provision of adequate rail rakes for long-distance transportation of fly ash. Highlighting the need to meet growing power demands, the state government informed that Odisha currently has 20 GW of operational coal-based thermal power capacity, with an additional 10 GW in the pipeline, expected to be commissioned over the next 5-6 years. The Union Minister encouraged the development of more pit-head thermal power plants in Odisha, including through joint ventures with generation companies of other states. On the transmission front, Odisha shared its intra-state planning strategy and recent progress in strengthening supply to cities like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The Union power minister was also apprised of the steps taken by the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) to resolve Right of Way (RoW) issues. He informed that the proposal for establishing a green energy corridor within the intrastate transmission network of Odisha will be taken up by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) after March 31, 2025, upon completion of the compilation process. Regarding the inclusion of Odisha in the subsequent phase of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the Union Minister assured that the matter would be taken up appropriately. On power allocation, he stated that Odisha will receive adequate power from Phase II of NLCIL's Talabira Thermal Power Project in line with Ministry of Power guidelines. "The (Minister's) visit reflects the Centre's commitment to strengthening Odisha's power infrastructure and facilitating sustainable growth in the energy sector," said the power ministry statement. (ANI) Two rare black wolves were caught on camera crossing a stream in a Polish forest, bringing renewed hope for wildlife diversity in the region, the Associated Press reported. The footage, captured by wildlife researchers, shows these striking animals, believed to be siblings, traveling alongside their gray counterparts through their natural habitat. Joanna Toczydowska, a project coordinator with SAVE Wildlife Conservation Fund Poland, happened to record the wolves while monitoring beaver populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's something new and unusual," she told reporters about the unexpected discovery. These black-furred wolves are extremely rare in Europe. While most of Poland's nearly 3,000 wolves are gray with red or black accents, these animals have a distinctive all-black coat thought to result from genetic mixing with domestic dogs thousands of years ago. Trail cameras such as the one that captured this footage are valuable tools for wildlife experts. They help researchers track wildlife population health without disturbing natural behaviors, providing critical data about how species recover from near-extinction, as wolves in Poland had been all but killed off by the 1950s. The return of wolves to Polish forests represents a conservation success story with benefits beyond just saving a species. Healthy predator populations help maintain balanced ecosystems, which support cleaner water, healthier forests, and more stable wildlife communities local residents and tourists rely on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conservation team is now collecting scat samples to study the genetics of these unusual wolves, estimated to be about a year old and weighing approximately 66 pounds. Their location remains confidential to protect the animals. "For people, it's a new phenomenon," Roman Gula, head of the organization's wolf monitoring project, told the AP. "Education is one of our major, major goals." The discovery demonstrates that with smart management and protection, species can bounce back from the brink. As these magnificent creatures reclaim their historic territory, they help restore natural balance to ecosystems supporting wildlife and human communities across Poland. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. 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. In February, catastrophic flooding devastated Kentucky and West Virginia, prompting thousands of water rescues, damaging homes, and killing at least 17 people. Just a few days later, a snowstorm and Arctic temperatures slammed the region, hampering cleanup efforts. What happened? As The Washington Post reported, when several inches of rain fell in the Appalachian Mountains, which had recently been hammered by several rain systems, it led to historic flooding that left many rural communities without heat and power. Eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia bore the brunt of the impacts. And since some parts of the region had already received up to twice their normal winter precipitation, the soil couldn't absorb all the rainfall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several rivers breached their banks, causing widespread flooding and road closures. Saturated soils also led to mudslides and landslides, leaving homes full of mud and towns in shambles. "It's catastrophic across the region," Rev. Brad Davis, a West Virginia resident, told the Post. After the rounds of rain moved through, some of which broke records in Kentucky, the area had to contend with snow and subzero temperatures. With nearly 1 in 4 households still without power, many had to put cleanup efforts on hold and seek emergency shelters to stay warm. For some residents, the storms brought back memories of the destructive floods that impacted the region in 2022. Though they were better prepared this time, they didn't have much chance to recover between systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's not fair that we got hit again," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said. "It's not fair that some of the same areas got flooded again, and it's certainly not fair that we're getting hit by a snowstorm while this is still going on." Why is this important? Extreme weather, such as floods and heavy rainfall, has become more common as the planet warms. In vulnerable areas such as the Appalachians, these events can be deadly, as residents had no way of leaving quickly when water rushed through valleys. Recently, communities in the area haven't been able to catch a break, as back-to-back Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated North Carolina and South Carolina, among other states, in fall. Some remote towns are still rebuilding and waiting for disaster relief funds, though Congress allocated $100 billion in emergency aid. But because rising global temperatures are causing more frequent storms and floods, it's making it harder for people to recover. What's being done to help? Extensive relief efforts are still underway, with organizations such as Samaritan's Purse and Appalachian Regional Healthcare providing critical assistance and supplies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has assisted several residents in West Virginia after President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Developers have also started designing hurricane- and flood-proof homes to improve communities' resilience in the face of our rapidly changing climate. Fortunately, there are things you can do as an individual to reduce the impacts of the planet's overheating. For example, powering your home and appliances with clean energy sources, such as wind and solar, and switching to an electric vehicle, can make a big difference. 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. For most of the 42 years Ive been a Palm Beach County high school English teacher, Ive loved my job. If I had my life to live over, I would choose the same career. My greatest reward has come from students telling me Ive made a positive difference in their lives. My teachers and my moms reverence for teachers ignited my desire to teach. Mom never forgot the kindness of the teachers who stayed after school to help her when she emigrated from Cuba in 1950. At 19, she had attended only two years of school, so she was hungry to learn. But she was placed in the third grade until she learned English. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five years later, she graduated with honors from Palm Beach High School. Janet Meckstroth Alessi says her mother, Anna, inspired her to become a teacher. Here, Anna Vasquez Straub poses after graduating from Palm Beach High School at age 24. Mom was as proud of me for becoming a teacher as she was of my brothers for becoming doctors. To honor her love of education and mine and to try to improve our education system before I retire as I plan to do at the end of this school year I want to sound the alarm about the ways in which I see this world changing, and the challenges I see students and teachers facing today. Lowered expectations: Grades, absences, tardies and more When I began teaching in 1983, Florida's students needed a 94% to make an A and a 65% to pass. They needed to bring a note from home to excuse their absences and make up the work. Late to class twice? That too was an absence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But these standards are no more. An "A" begins at 90% and 60% is passing. Any work missed by absences, excused or otherwise, even suspensions, can be made up without academic penalty. And the definition of absent and tardy has shifted too students can be up to 50 minutes late in 100 minute class and that's still only "tardy." Janet Alessi in her first year teaching, 1983, at John I Leonard High School in Greenacres. Knowing that, many stroll in 45 minutes late. Making up classes is no longer a matter of attending summer school to get those lessons again; we have what's called online credit recovery, which is easily passed with the help of AI or classmates' screenshotted answers. I could go on. Then vs. now: Where are my students? Whats gone exponentially wrong since COVID is how much school students miss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During this school years first semester, 31% of my 145 students had 15 or more absences. Two had over 60. And 36% of the 59 students in my first classes of the day had 10 or more tardies. Two had over 25. (Parents or guardians receive a phone call every time their student is absent or tardy unless their student blocks the calls.) With classroom doors locked a state requirement if I have 14 tardies the first period of the day, thats 14 times (knock knock) my teaching is (knock knock) interrupted to (knock knock) let (knock knock) students in. More importantly, tardy students miss out on my teaching. Students miss exams, snub huge incentives Until COVID, students rarely missed their semester exams. In December, 12% of my students were absent and 28% tardy for my exam even though many had to pass it to pass my class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kids seem to be absent because its raining or cold or Monday or Friday or their birthday or the day before or after a day off. In my first period class, the day we returned from having a whole week off for Thanksgiving, I0 students were absent and six were tardy. Incentives, including a drawing for a 55-inch TV, didnt move the needle. Students with perfect attendance and no tardies the last two weeks of first semester qualified for the drawing. On our first day back after winter break, 15 of the 33 seniors in my first period class were absent and eight were tardy. So much for New Years resolutions! Teacher absenteeism a problem too Some Fridays, we have 30 teachers of 198 on staff absent and not enough substitutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When students have a substitute, many skip class. And when a teacher is out, and theres no substitute, the students are sent to other classes where they generally do nothing. Im often asked to take in others students even though I have only 29 desks in my room and in one class 33 students and no room for another desk. School grades drive policy and funding In the late 1990s, when the state began issuing school grades and tying our funding to things including graduation rate, our focus shifted from educating students to graduating them. Teachers are urged to stretch deadlines for makeup work missed when absent deadlines set in policy. Not that more time matters because many students dont even ask for makeup work. (This creates new pressure from above to give students 50% for work not done rather than a "0" because zeroes tank grade averages quickly and, often, beyond repair. Not happening on my watch.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, teachers are sometimes asked to explain failing grades are students? In a move to curb students taking shortcuts, I told students who needed to do makeup work that they had to leave their cellphone with me and do the work in front of me. Six seniors with an F essentially said, Nah, Im good. The challenge of cellphones in classrooms We provide students with a laptop. They dont need to use their phone during class. (I understand parents want to be able to reach their children, but, parents: You can call the office.) This is what my students tell me they do on their phones: scroll through TikTok and Instagram, watch Netflix and Youtube, listen to music, play games, and text. What teacher can compete with that? Janet Alessi teaches an English class during the time she describes as "happier days. Not a cellphone in sight." School district policy (5.183 to be exact) allows students to have cellphones on campus, but in class those devices are not supposed to be "visible, used, or activated, and are kept in the 'off' position' throughout the day and even on the school bus." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's the catch if you're a teacher: The district doesnt spell out the consequences, leaving the rule unevenly enforced across the county. If were supposed to impose any consequences, we need to feel supported.Years ago, if a student had a phone out during class, we could take it to the office, where a parent had to retrieve it. Now, were discouraged from touching students phones. Anecdotally, I know this can work. My dental hygienists son told her when his high school banned students from having their phones visible during the school day, except during lunch and followed through with consequences it was a game changer. He now enjoys school and is learning more than ever. Cellphones clearly detract from our students education. Five of Janet Alessi's John I. Leonard students on their senior trip to Italy in 2006. The longtime teacher says her students "used to make her feel like a rock star. Since COVID, they hardly talk." Cellphone addiction, depression and why I miss class clowns and shushing Students are no different from the rest of the population: Theyre addicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, one of my students wrote in an essay, Phones are a NEED. We need our phones to not feel lonely. Another, Most kids are quiet and glued to their phones. School feels lifeless, like a place where all joy goes away. And another, In school people dont talk to each other. Nowadays, you just go to your class, do your work, and then go home. Good morning, we say to students on a Monday morning. How was your weekend? Often, we receive no response. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Are they even listening? Headphones and earbuds have to go, too. They see the problem too. When COVID started, we stayed on our phones, not realizing it started to become a habit. Before COVID, we would hang out with our friends, go to the beach or park. Not a single person had a phone in hand. We were happy, and now were falling into depression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the past few years, teachers have been asked to deliver mental health lessons. The lessons for this years high school juniors covered topics including being tech safe, overcoming challenges, suicide prevention, human trafficking, preventing violence, and managing anxiety. Sadly, many students dont engage in these lessons because you guessed it theyre on their phones. I miss the class clowns, the big personalities. I miss having to shush a class. Another problem for teachers: Cheating with phones Students also use their phones to cheat. How? One person completes an assignment and sends a picture of it to a friend. Soon, everyone has the answers. They can even have AI write an essay for them. Or they can scan a worksheet, and AI will give them the answers. Before AI, I could catch a plagiarized essay by Googling a sentence from it. Bam! The source would pop up. All I can do now is ask a student, What does this word you used in your essay [nuanced or delineate, for example] mean? Even if they clearly can't answer, if they insist they did the work, what can I do? My suggestion: The district could get Turnitin, a program many college professors use to detect AI text. An instructor's (and student's) nightmare: Testing, testing, testing As of December, only six states required a test to graduate from high school: Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia. In Florida, we administer an alphabet soup of standardized tests: PBPA, ACT, SAT, BEST, PM#1, PM#2, PM#3, CLT, EOC, FAST, AICE, AP, PSAT/NMSQT, USA, FSQ, FCLE, and ASVAB. We also give makeup and retake tests. And makeups of makeups. And retakes of retakes. Students must be what we call math and reading ready to graduate in order to earn a diploma. The ones who dont hit that mark keep missing class to take and retake tests. This can leave them further behind, as classes go on while they are sitting for those retakes. (It also disrupts the day for students who did pass as schools juggle staff, taking some out of classrooms, to monitor tests.) Those who can't pass the tests receive a certificate of completion instead. During the 2023-2024 school year, only five out of the nearly 900 seniors at my school missed the mark but some tested nearly 20 times to pass. And not to mention: Teacher pay still terrible Over the years, Ive worked with some wonderful teachers and administrators who show up every day and do their best to help our students and each other. Our school district the largest employer in Palm Beach County and the 10th largest school district in the nation has nearly 23,000 employees, including over 13,000 teachers. Id be doing my fellow educators a disservice if I didnt talk about money. For the 2024-2025 school year, starting teachers pay was boosted to $53,000. Until then, Florida was 50th (the worst) out of 50 states. Were now 49th. Median earnings are nearly seven times what they were 40 years ago, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Yet, $53,000 is only four times what I made ($13,500) 42 years ago. "Depending on the data source, there are 20 to 30 percent fewer people going into teaching each year than there were a decade ago, " according to Education Next. And "nearly 50% of new teachers leave the profession within their first five years," according to the U.S. Department of Education. (We also need more classrooms. Many teachers have to float to a different classroom each period.) Oklahoma is easing their teacher shortage by giving scholarships to education majors and stipends to new teachers. Despite all these challenges: Teaching can still be rewarding Janet Alessi poses with some of her students in 2017, pre-COVID-19, which changed everything in her classroom for the worse. You get evenings, weekends, summers, spring break, and holidays off, I tell my juniors and seniors, and you get 10 sick days per year. You get health, vision, and dental insurance. You feel as if youre helping others. You get to be home when your children are home from school. And when you retire, you can get a pension for the rest of your life. And today, students have more opportunities to go to college for free than ever before. Since 2016, 827 students at my school have earned an AICE diploma giving them free tuition to any public Florida university. Many others have received Floridas Bright Futures scholarships, and thousands have earned college credits by passing AP and AICE exams. Janet Alessi cherishes this gift she received from her mother. They can also apply for scholarships. The National Scholarship Providers Association estimates $100 million in scholarship money is unclaimed every year because of a lack of applicants. Teachers and students are still making a difference. Over the past 10 years, Ive helped over 90% of my AICE students earn college credits for passing their exam. Ive helped over 90% of my AICE students earn college credits for passing their exam. Last year, a student wrote, At first, I didnt like you because you looked mean, and your class was hard, but then I realized you were trying to get us to pass our AICE exam. Thank you for always believing in me and helping me improve my writing. You are full of surprises. Youre actually cool. I am so blessed to have had you as a teacher. Alessi, wrote an autistic student, has unlocked my true potential and allowed me to realize I dont need to be in ESE classes. I wish I had a teacher like her during my sophomore year. I was even asked to officiate over a former students very small wedding. Teachers and students are still making a difference. The teacher across the hall from me is alive thanks to a kidney donated by one of his former students. Teaching doesnt have to be as difficult and frustrating as its become. We need to stop the downward spiral. Our children are our future. Want more education news? Sign up for ourExtra Credit weekly newsletter, delivered every Friday! Janet Meckstroth Alessi has been teaching at John I. Leonard High School since 1983 and is a frequent contributor to Accent. She can be reached at jlmalessi@aol.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida teacher reflects on cellphones, testing frenzies, absences U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz sat down with CBS News on March 23 to discuss the upcoming U.S.-led negotiations in Saudi Arabia on ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. When asked about the goals of the peace talks in Saudi Arabia, Waltz praised the efforts of the Trump administration, noting that there are "technical teams actually with Ukrainians and Russians in the same facility, conducting proximity talks." Waltz said that the topics of prisoner exchanges and Ukrainian children illegally abducted by Russia will likely be discussed at the peace talks, adding that they will serve as a "confidence building measures" for negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "President Trump has spoken to both leaders about prisoner exchanges. Both the Russians and Ukrainians exchanged prisoners, nearly 200, immediately following their call. And he's also talked about the future of these children. So that's certainly, first and foremost, and, kind of, confidence building measures," Waltz said. When asked to clarify whether the Trump team will request "the release of these children as a confidence building measure," Waltz confirmed that the measure is "one of them." At least 19,500 Ukrainian children have been confirmed as abducted by Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and about 1,200 have been brought home, according to the Ukrainian government's Children of War database. Waltz also mentioned the recent 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure and a pending ceasefire in the Black Sea, that would allow "both sides [to] move grain, fuel, and start conducting trade again." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has repeatedly targeted Black Sea shipping routes since the start of the full-scale invasion. In July 2023, they also pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, further threatening global food security. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 17, 2023, over the deportation of Ukrainian children. Read also: They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums, Witkoff parrots Russian propaganda, legitimizing Putins claims in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Evan Fays Roar Brewing Co., believed to be Detroits first Black-owned brewery, is opening on March 23 via a soft launch, with the companys grand opening set for summer 2025. Fays brewery will launch with its flagship flavor, Honey Oat Stout, and the companys name is a tribute to Detroits automotive history. According to the Detroit Free Press, Fay said as much in a press release, noting that it is his desire for the brewery to take on the spirit of Detroits citizens themselves. Detroit is home to the Lions, the Tigers, the Pistons, and the Red Wings teams that roar with pride. But the roar isnt just in sports. Its in the citys engines, its music, its industry, and its people. We wanted our brewery to be a tribute to that spirit, Fay said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fay, a United States Air Force veteran, also owns Detroits Cafe Noir and Chloe Monroe Galleries and all of Nain Rouge Brewerys assets, including the building now housing Roar Brewing and all of its beer-making equipment. Fay told the Detroit Free Press that his goal with his brewery company is to make craft beer accessible. Were not trying to be everything to everyone, but we want our beer to be accessible and easy to enjoy, Fay said. Fay also told the outlet that like the craft breweries he visited in Fort Collins, Colorado, and Wyoming, he wants the space to become a gathering space for the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I was in the military and stationed in Wyoming, I would visit breweries in Fort Collins, and I realized they werent just places to grab a drink they were community hubs, Fay said. Fay also told the outlet that Roar Brewing had to look outside of Detroit to the National Black Brewers Association because there were no Black craft breweries in Detroit. Theres a great ecosystem in Detroit to support small businesses, but in craft brewing, there arent as many direct pathways, Fay told the Free Press. Typically, you turn to people in your community who have done it before, but with no Black-owned breweries in the city, we had to look outside our immediate circles for guidance. He continued, The challenge is that for a lot of Black entrepreneurs, luxury industries like craft beer havent been a priority because people are often focused on essentials first. But we want to change that by making craft beer a space that is inviting, exciting, and approachable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the National Black Brewers Association, less than one percent of craft breweries are owned by Black people. Before their formation, no entity existed to help Black brewers and brewery owners with needs specific to them. In 2024, the group introduced the Brewing Equipment Donation Grant Program, an initiative connecting Black and Brown brewers with expensive equipment donated from breweries who no longer need it, an attempt to bridge one of the biggest barriers to thriving Black breweries: a lack of quality equipment. According to National Black Brewers Association Executive Director Kevin Asato, solving the equipment problem helps Black breweries generate capital they would otherwise have to invest in infrastructure. You need capital to purchase half a million to a million dollars worth of hardware and steel. The equipment becomes so significant.It is the primary reason for capital, right? Asato said in a press release announcing the program. RELATED CONTENT: Crown & Hops, Black-Owned Brewery, Lock Arms With Fellow Spirits Owners To Diversify The Industry ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The Op Shop in Rochester, known for selling vintage and hand-made, sustainable goods, was broken into at its location on Charlotte Street early Saturday morning, according to the business. The Op Shop in Rochester was reportedly broken into in the early morning hours of March 22, 2025. Photos courtesy of the Op Shop. The Op Shop in Rochester was reportedly broken into in the early morning hours of March 22, 2025. Photos courtesy of the Op Shop. The Op Shop in Rochester was reportedly broken into in the early morning hours of March 22, 2025. Photos courtesy of the Op Shop. The thieve(s) smashed through the front door and stole the cash register inside around 5 a.m. Saturday, according to the business on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a terrible and stressful way to start a Saturday morning, the business wrote on Instagram Saturday morning. But its Saturday, our busiest day of the week, so as a small business, we will be open today. If youre looking to support us, come by, bring a friend, and find some sustainable vintage or handmade lovelies for yourself. Filers Powersports broken into second time in 2 years The Op Shop is located at 89 Charlotte Street in Rochester. (WROC/Melanie Sosa.) The Rochester Police Department is investigating the incident. No arrests have been made. Officers asked anyone with information to call 911. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story, check back later for more details. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCKVILLE, Md. (DC News Now) Rockville police arrested four teenagers accused of burglary and theft early Saturday morning. The Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) said that officers responded to Smoke Island on Hungerford Drive around 1:15 a.m. after a property manager informed them about movement on surveillance cameras. The property manager described the suspects to police and told them the direction in which they fled. RCPD said that a 13-year-old, 14-year-old, 15-year-old and 16-year-old from Rockville were using a stolen Hyundai Elantra in the burglary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Off-duty PGPD officer accused of driving police cruiser while impaired in Laurel One of the teenagers was caught on Frederick Avenue at N. Stonestreet Avenue with the stolen car. The other three were taken into custody on the Unity Bridge, which crosses train tracks near the business. All four were charged with various counts of burglary, theft and destruction of property. Police said just over $4,000 in stolen property was recovered. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. (FOX40.COM) -A man who was wanted by police for an alleged kidnapping in Roseville died after he shot himself during a pursuit, according to the Reno Police Department. Video Above: What to do if you witness a crime Around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, RPD responded to the 1800 Block of Silverada Boulevard for an attempted armed carjacking. Police said the man tried to steal a victims car at gunpoint but was unsuccessful. Wave of violent Tesla attacks prompts US DOJ to take action Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next, RPD said the suspect fled the scene, carjacked another victim, and drove off in the stolen vehicle. Nevadas CHP located the vehicle and learned the carjacking suspect was wanted in Roseville for alleged kidnapping and domestic violence charges. Police pursued the vehicle and the chase ended when the suspect crashed the stolen vehicle into a tree in Reno, according to RPD. As officers were attempting to get the suspect to surrender, they said he shot himself and died. The incident is under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News (hyperlink to the original story), a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here. Katie Surma Inside Climate News Lea este articulo en espanol. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled on Thursday that the Ecuadorian government violated the rights of uncontacted Indigenous peoples living in the Amazon rainforest, a landmark decision that strikes at Ecuadors powerful oil industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Costa Rica-based court ordered the Ecuadorian government to ensure any future expansion or renewal of oil operations does not impact Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation. There are at least three groups of Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation in the Ecuadorian Amazon: the Tagaeri, Taromenane and Dugakaeri. Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation is a term used to describe Indigenous people who refuse or have not had contact with the outside world. The Ecuadorian government violated the rights of those groups by allowing oil drilling to go forward inside portions of Yasuni National Park where uncontacted groups are known to inhabit, the court ruled. Ecuador must honor the results of a 2023 referendum, in which Ecuadorian voters chose to stop oil operations in that region indefinitely, the court said. The judges emphasized that Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation are particularly vulnerable to impacts on their environment. Thus, any activities that could affect their territories, like oil drilling, must be carefully evaluated. The court ordered the Ecuadorian government to apply the precautionary principle when making decisions about future oil operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This principle means that, even in the absence of scientific certainty regarding oil exploration and exploitation projects impacts on this territory, effective measures must be adopted to prevent serious or irreversible damage, which in this case would be the contact of these isolated populations, said the opinion, written in Spanish. Thursdays ruling is the first time an international court has ruled on whether a government has done enough to protect the rights of people living in voluntary isolation. The court underscored that the rights of people living in voluntary isolation includes not just their physical territories but also their cultural identity, health, food security, housing and the overall environment necessary for their dignified life. The court also directed the government to enact measures to prevent third parties, like illegal loggers, from invading uncontacted peoples lands and jeopardizing their right to remain uncontacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple international treaties recognize the rights of people living in voluntary isolation to remain uncontacted. The court suggested that to fully protect the rights of the Tagaeri, Taromenane and Dugakaeri, the government may need to expand a Delaware-sized area of rainforest and its 6-mile buffer zone that are supposed to be off-limits to extractive activity. The ruling noted that there have been multiple sightings of uncontacted groups traveling outside the designated off-limits area, known as the Intangible Zone. In recent years, oil operations have expanded into the buffer area surrounding the Intangible Zone. Ecuadors Procurador Generals office, which defended the government in the case, did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court said the Ecuadorian government violated the rights of two uncontacted girls who survived a violent attack on their community in 2013. The girls, the court said, were subject to multiple rights violations, including to their personal integrity, cultural identity, appropriate health care and participation in decisions affecting their lives. All of the violations stemmed from the attackers invasion of their territory, the contact forced on the girls and the governments inadequate response to their situation. The United Nations estimates that about 200 Indigenous communities live in voluntary isolation across at least nine countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Peru and Venezuela. The ruling also impacts other Indigenous groups who either share territories with the Tagaeri, Taramonae and Dugakaeri or live nearby. That includes Waorani people in recent contact. The Tagaeri, Taramonae and Dugakaeri are a subset of Waorani peoples, and the groups share the same language and culture. Penti Baihua, a traditional leader of the Baihuaeri Waorani of Bameno, called on the government to meet with recently contacted Waorani communities affected by the ruling, and to include those groups in discussions about protecting the forest and their uncontacted relatives. The Baihuaeris ancestral territory is located inside the Intangible Zone. Government policies affecting the region, Baihua said, must respect the rights and culture of the uncontacted and recently contacted Waorani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government talks wonders about protection, Baihua said in Spanish. But what will they do to make that a reality? The government keeps sending oil companies deeper into the forest. We live here, too. This forest is here because we have protected it for generations. The nissionaries and the oil company All Waorani people lived uncontacted in the Ecuadorian Amazon until the late 1950s, when American Christian missionaries began to force contact on Waorani groups to evangelize them. A few years later, the U.S. oil company Texaco worked with the missionaries to accelerate their forced contact campaign and remove Waorani people from their oil-rich lands. Ever since, the oil industrys operations have expanded deeper into Waorani groups territories, displacing some communities and driving uncontacted and recently contacted communities into a smaller and smaller area of shared rainforest. This has put an enormous amount of pressure on Waorani communities that need large territories to survive and to have access to their culture, which is deeply reliant upon sizable and healthy rainforest lands and waterways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The oil industry, including Texaco (now Chevron), has spilled, flared and intentionally dumped vast amounts of toxic pollution into the regions air, water and soil, according to court documents and multiple reports. Oil industry roads have opened up previously inaccessible forest to colonization and other extraction activities like illegal logging and mining. Beginning in 2003, a string of high-profile killings took place between illegal loggers using guns and uncontacted groups, who defended their territories with spears. In 2006, activists Fernando Ponce Villacis, Raul Moscoso, Juan Guevara and Patricio Asimbaya filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, alleging that the Ecuadorian government had violated the rights of Tagaeri and Taramonae by failing to safeguard their territories. The commission, based in Washington, D.C., is an independent arm of the Organization of American States that investigates complaints filed against OAS members. The commission helps governments comply with their human rights obligations and can also refer cases to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which hears cases filed against governments that have accepted its jurisdiction. Ecuador is one of 20 countries in the Americas that has done so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2006, the commission asked the Ecuadorian government to implement measures to protect the lives and territories of the Tagaeri and Taramonae. In response, the Ecuadorian government, in 2007, demarcated the Intangible Zone, covering about 700,000 hectares of rainforest meant to be off-limits to extractive activities for the benefit of the uncontacted groups. The government also installed a checkpoint on a river used to access remote parts of the Amazon rainforest. Human rights experts have criticized the Ecuadorian governments efforts, saying its policies were designed to accommodate the oil industry. Uncontacted groups are known to travel outside the Intangible Zone, for instance, but officials have not expanded the extraction-free zone to reflect that reality. In 2013, the Ecuadorian government quietly adjusted official maps designating where uncontacted groups were known to travel. The new maps indicated, without justification, that uncontacted groups no longer traveled through an oil-rich area known as the Ishpingo, Tambococha and Tiputini oil fields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government then announced it would open up drilling in those fields. That same year, two more violent attacks involving uncontacted groups took place, including a massacre of around 30 uncontacted people. Two surviving girls referred to in Thursdays ruling, then aged about 2 and 6, now live in different parts of the Ecuadorian Amazon region. In 2020, the Inter-American commission referred the case to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Thursdays ruling was the culmination of that move, though the court ordered the Ecuadorian government to report back to the court on its compliance measures. View the original article to see embedded media. Germany is investigating suspicions that Russia was behind a string of recent terror attacks committed by asylum seekers, The Telegraph understands. German intelligence officials are exploring the theory that Russia sought to recruit mentally ill and/or extremist asylum seekers to commit the attacks ahead of the Feb 23 election. The goal, security sources said, would have been to increase support for the far-Right, pro-Kremlin Alternative for Germany (AfD) party just before Germans cast their votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of these attacks happened when the AfD had a low curve in its popularity, a German security source said. We know the Russians are using second-hand agents, little guys on the street to make it more difficult to understand who is behind it. Over a 10-month period leading up to Februarys general election, asylum seekers and refugees committed five terror attacks in the cities of Mannheim, Solingen, Magdeburg, Aschaffenburg and Munich. The wave of terrorism put mass migration firmly at the centre of the German election debate, especially as so many of the perpetrators were subject to deportation orders when they struck. The frequency of the attacks noticeably intensified as election day approached, with a car-ramming attack in Magdeburg in December quickly followed by a knife attack in Aschaffenburg the following month, and then another ramming attack in Munich just weeks before the polls opened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German sources said there have been cases where petty criminals, such as drug dealers, suspected of being part of Russias wider shadow war on the West have broken down and admitted in interrogations that they were recruited by Moscow. The source stressed that the Russia angle was just a theory at this stage, adding: Its interesting. There might have been a little outside help but there is no proof. German officials have previously said the Russian practice of recruiting criminals or other outcasts within Germany is so widespread that they have compared it to a gig economy for sabotage and terror. The timing of the recent terror attacks has not just aroused suspicion in Germany but also among EU allies grappling with Russias wider hybrid war campaign, which tries to destabilise Ukraines allies and disrupt military support for Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The uptick was striking in the run-up to the elections, an EU diplomatic source said. And to make the election debate about migration was the best bet to get a high turnout for the AfD. In February, a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker was arrested after a vehicle was driven into a crowd in Munich The same source also stressed that the suggestion of Russian involvement remained a theory for the time being. The proof lies with the [German] investigating authorities... there are many arguments to at least investigate that theory. The AfD secured an unprecedented second place in the February elections, winning 20 per cent of the vote, making a far-Right party the main opposition for the first time in Germanys postwar history. Elon Musk, the US tech billionaire, and JD Vance, the US vice-president, had aggressively lobbied Germans to vote for the AfD, claiming the party had been unfairly demonised by the German political elite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friedrich Merz, the election winner and leader of the centre-Right Christian Democrats (CDU) party, has flatly ruled out a coalition with the AfD on the grounds that it is too extreme. He is instead holding coalition talks with the centre-Left Social Democratic Party (SPD), which came in third place and suffered the worst result in the partys history. A CDU-SPD coalition led by Mr Merz could be sworn in as soon as Easter, at which point it will be under pressure to introduce tough migration reforms in response to last years terrorism wave. If a link is confirmed between Russia and the attacks, it would point to a wider pattern across Europe in which Moscow has been trying to wreak havoc on countries supportive of Ukraine, and influence elections in its favour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It follows an alleged plot by Russia to assassinate Armin Papperger, the chief executive of Rheinmetall, the German arms firm. Russia is also suspected of comitting an arson attack on a metals factory in Berlin owned by Diehl, a German air-defence manufacturer, to disrupt arms supplies to Ukraine, one of several such attacks across Europe in recent years. 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. The Bharat Economic Forum has launched its flagship initiative, Viksit Bharat: Dialogue & Action, aiming to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047. This initiative promotes a human-centric economic development model, focusing on individual progress, national growth, sustainability, and inclusivity. The forum features four key dialogue categories: Influencers for Viksit Bharat: Leveraging thought leaders to inspire collective action; Entrepreneurs for Viksit Bharat: Encouraging innovators to create scalable solutions for India's growth; Investors for Viksit Bharat: Engaging venture capitalists to fund transformative ideas and policymakers for Viksit Bharat: Collaborating with government experts to ensure sustainable development. The inaugural ceremony included short pitches (3 minutes), roundtable discussions, and the Bharat Economic Forum Podcast, offering a platform for meaningful dialogue and actionable insights. Manish Patel, founder and chairman of Bharat Economic Forum, emphasised the collective responsibility of 1.4 billion Indians in achieving this vision. He stated that Viksit Bharat is a movement empowering every Indian to contribute to a sustainable and financially independent India. He stated, "Viksit Bharat is a shared responsibility of 1.4 billion people of India that demands collective action. Viksit Bharat is more than just an initiative; it's a movement that empowers every Indian to play their part in ensuring a sustainable and financially independent India." Other notable speakers, including Shirish Chandra Agrawal, Sampat Saraswat, and Padma Sundaram Verma, highlighted crucial aspects of India's development, such as environmental sustainability, infrastructure development, and climate action. Shirish Chandra Agrawal, Former IFS Officer and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Chhattisgarh, highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability in policymaking. He said, "Policymaking for Viksit Bharat should ensure that the environment is taken into consideration while deciding the development priorities of India, differentiating it from the development model of the current developed countries who have exploited natural resources unsustainably, creating more harm than good to the people on Mother Earth." Sampat Saraswat, BJP Spokesperson on National Issues and Founder & CEO of Eco Bharat, spoke about the role of infrastructure and industry development. He remarked, "Effective infrastructure and industry development through public-private partnerships and foreign direct investment can ensure that the development model brings change and empowers people in the remotest parts of the country. This must be a global effort, involving not only Indians living here but also the Indian diaspora worldwide, who aspire to see India as a developed nation by 2047." Padma Sundaram Verma, renowned for developing the dryland agroforestry technique, stressed the importance of climate action. He said, "Climate and tree plantation should become a collective priority. In a nation of 1.4 billion people, if even 1 per cent of us start planting trees dedicatedly, the pace at which we are creating pollution while developing our industries can be mitigated effectively, ensuring sustainable development." As India stands at a critical juncture in its development journey, the Viksit Bharat initiative seeks to harness its strengths, creating a development model that is inclusive, sustainable, and human-centric. Bharat Economic Forum is a platform for discussing, debating, and shaping India's economic policies, business strategies, and development initiatives. (ANI) Russia launched an overnight drone attack against Kyiv, striking multiple residential buildings and killing at least three people, including a 5-year-old girl and her father, authorities reported on March 23. A further 10 other people were injured, including an 11-month-old child, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration. Emergency crews had extinguished all the fires by the morning. The 5-year-old girl and her father, who were killed in the attack, moved to Kyiv after fleeing from Orikhiv, a front-line town in Zaporizhzhia Oblast heavily damaged by Russian attacks. The mother survived the strike in Kyiv and is currently in the hospital, Ukrainska Pravda reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A series of explosions rocked the capital throughout the night, as air defense units remained active in the city, according to Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground. Initially, two people were reported dead, but the number increased after rescuers discovered the body of the five-year-old child while clearing rubble in the Holosiivskyi district, said the Kyiv City Military Administration. Earlier, the body of her father was found in the same location. "Today, the Russians are once again demonstrating their 'desire for peace,'" Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration said. "In reality, terrorists are simply launching deadly weapons at residential buildings." Emergency Services extinguish a fire in Kyiv. March 23, 2025. (Ukraine's State Emergency Service / Telegram) Russian forces launched 147 drones overnight across the country and Ukraine's air defense shot down 97 drones, Ukraine's Air Force reported. The previous day, air defense shot down 100 drones, and 114 drones the day before that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that at least seven people had been injured. One victim was hospitalized, while the others received medical treatment onsite, he said. Two residential buildings in the city's Dniprovskyi district came under fire, according to authorities. A fire broke out on the top floors of a 9-story building, killing one woman, the State Emergency Service said. Twenty-seven residents were evacuated. The sixth floor of a 16-story apartment building was also damaged. Drone debris struck a catering facility in the same district, according to Tkachenko. In the Podilskyi district, a fire broke out on the 20th floor of a 25-story residential building. Previously, Tkachenko had reported that two buildings in the area were hit, though he later said the strike on the second building had not been verified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Holosiivskyi district, the attack caused fires in an office building and warehouse, as well as a residential trailer. Two people were killed, the State Emergency Service said. Wreckage from drones caused fires and property damage throughout the city. A fire broke out in a forest area of the Desnianskyi district, while two cars in the Shevchenkivsky district were damaged. Damage to a residential building in Kyiv. March 23, 2025. (Ukraine's State Emergency Service / Telegram) "These attacks are a daily reality," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a post on social media on March 23, adding: "This week alone, over 1,580 guided aerial bombs, nearly 1,100 strike drones, and 15 missiles of various types were used against our people." Four people were also killed by Russian strikes in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest attack comes less than a week into the partial 30-day "ceasefire" on attacks against energy infrastructure in Russia and Ukraine. The ceasefire, which the Kremlin announced on March 18 following a call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, has not interrupted Moscow's aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. Read also: Putins ceasefire Is Russia still attacking Ukraine? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. LONDON It was a spectacular thing to wake up to: Heathrow, one of the worlds busiest airports, shut down and plunged into darkness. More than a thousand flights grounded, another hundred already in the air diverted to other cities or turned back to where they came from, in a crisis that snarled travel around the world. The shutdown was caused by a fire at an electrical substation 3 miles away that supplied much of the airports critical services. British police have said there was no initial indication of foul play, and the London Fire Brigade has taken over the investigation from counterintelligence officers, as the fire is now being treated as non-suspicious. But in the absence of information immediately after the fire, Britains raucous tabloids were ablaze with speculation about Russian sabotage: If Russia was behind Heathrow fire, is that an act of war? The Telegraph wondered in an op-ed headline. British radio presenter Nick Ferrari asked listeners jokingly whether anyone had seen Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On social media, users pointed to patterns of sabotage by Russia, while others argued the fire was part of a broader strategy of hybrid warfare. The North Hyde Electricity Substation in London caught fire last week, shutting down Heathrow Airport. It is not difficult to see why people might jump to such conclusions. The number of Russian sabotage attacks, many of them carried out in European NATO countries, nearly tripled between 2023 and 2024, after quadrupling between 2022 and 2023, according to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. Transportation and critical infrastructure, the CSIS report said, are some of its primary targets, and its main weapons and tactics have included explosives, blunt or edged instruments, and electronic attacks. Russia has denied accusations that it is orchestrating a sabotage campaign across Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an article published by the London-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Oleksandr Danylyuk, a former adviser on defense and intelligence for Ukraine, said sabotage was getting a higher priority in Russia, with the European intelligence community reporting that a new unit, the 236th Specialist Training Center, had been created to seriously scale up sabotage operations. According to CSIS, roughly 27 % of the known attacks were against transportation targets, another 27% were against government targets, and 21% were against critical infrastructure, including the electricity grid, pipelines and undersea fiber-optic cables. On Friday, the Kremlin knew more accusations would be coming. Shortly after the scale of the Heathrow disruption unfolded, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russias Security Council and a former president, addressed U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on X: Im looking forward to Russia being blamed for the Heathrow fire. What are you waiting for, Starmer? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A British official told NBC News on Friday there was no indication of Russian involvement. But H.A. Hellyer, a senior associate at RUSI, said he wasnt surprised that people jumped to conclusions about Russian sabotage at Heathrow. The disinformation and misinformation environment that were in leads a lot of people to assume that when bad stuff happens like this, theres going to be some sort of Russian fingerprint, because there have been so many Russian fingerprints in the past, he told NBC News. The increase in attacks appeared to be tied to an increase in military assistance from European governments to Ukraine, according to the CSIS report, with many targets having links to Western aid to Ukraine, such as companies producing or shipping weapons and other supplies. The report also noted that there were no recorded incidents in countries that did not provide significant aid to Ukraine, like Serbia or Hungary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richard Moore, head of MI6, has previously described Russias actions as a staggeringly reckless campaign intended to sow fear about the consequences of aiding Ukraine and challenge Western resolve. The timing of the Heathrow fire, which followed weeks of increased British support for Ukraine as Starmer sought to step in as U.S. backing receded, added fuel to the speculation. However, Matthew Savill, the director of military sciences at RUSI, said while the timing may appear suspicious, covert action takes time to plan and prepare. Implementing a plan and executing it at a few days notice is not easy, he said on X. That doesnt mean its impossible of course! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press has documented at least 59 incidents in which Russia, its proxies or its ally Belarus were blamed by governments and officials for acts across Europe ranging from cyberattacks and propaganda campaigns to sabotage, espionage and assassinations, much of it aimed at entities supporting Ukraine. Last year, Western security officials said Russia was behind a plot to plant bombs on cargo planes in Germany and the U.K. as part of a wider sabotage campaign to start fires aboard aircraft bound for North America. According to NATO, Russia was behind a plot to kill the head of a German arms manufacturer supplying weapons to Ukraine, while European authorities are also investigating damage to undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, with Finnish officials detaining a ship suspected of being part of Russias shadow fleet. In the United Kingdom, a Russian dissident was poisoned in 2018 with the military-grade nerve agent Novichok, and earlier this month, three Bulgarians were found guilty of running a Russian spy ring from a British seaside resort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ongoing sabotage by Russia has created an environment where Russias adversaries feel uncomfortable and anxious and slightly paranoid. Theres an old saying in the movies, Hellyer said. I might be paranoid, but it doesnt mean that not everybodys out to get me. Savill warned that even if Russia had nothing to do with Heathrow, the mere perception of vulnerability has strategic consequences. If you look vulnerable, you are less resilient, he posted on X. And that reduces the cost of action against you, limiting the deterrent effect you can achieve. The CSIS report suggested Russias covert sabotage activities in Europe aimed to erode public support for Ukraine by creating fear and uncertainty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, however, public support for Ukraine remains high. A 2024 European Union survey indicated strong backing for the E.U.s response to the Russian invasion, with 89% supporting humanitarian aid, 84% in favor of welcoming refugees and 72% approving sanctions on Russia. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The office of Ukrainian news agency Oboz.ua (Obozrevatel) was damaged in a Russian attack on Kyiv on the night of 22-23 March. Source: Obozrevatels Editor-in-Chief Lesia Hasych on Facebook Quote from Hasych: "Since this night, I have been at a loss for words and emotions. Our office has been damaged." The damaged Oboz.ua office. Photo: Hasych on Facebook Details: It was reported that no one was injured. The damaged Oboz.ua office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Hasych on Facebook Background: A Russian drone strike on the city of Kyiv killed three people, including a father and his 5-year-old daughter, and injured 10 others, among them an 11-month-old child. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on March 23 condemned Russia's continued attacks on civilians following a mass drone attack on Kyiv the night prior. Russia attacked Kyiv overnight on March 23, striking multiple residential buildings and killing at least three people including a five-year-old girl and her father. Ten other people were injured, including an 11-month-old child, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration. "Russia's systematic and deliberate terror against civilians contradicts its own statements about peace and undermines peace efforts by the US and other partners," Sybiha wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sybiha further called for "additional air defense capabilities to protect its people from Russian terror and an increased pressure on the aggressor to end the war." The Kremlin's attacks on Kyiv come amid a recently agreed upon partial 30-day ceasefire on attacks against energy infrastructure in Russia and Ukraine. The ceasefire, which the Kremlin announced on March 18 following a call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, has not deterred Moscow from deliberately attacking Ukrainian cities. The latest attacks occurred on the eve of peace negotiations in Riyadh on March 24, where the U.S. will hold indirect talks between Moscow and Kyiv, with Russian and Ukrainian representatives present in separate rooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Ukrainian delegation met with its U.S. counterpart in Riyadh on March 23 for talks on "technical issues" on the partial ceasefire on energy and critical infrastructure strikes, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said. Read also: US, Ukrainian delegations hold technical talks in Saudi Arabia to discuss partial ceasefire Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Three people have been injured and businesses and houses damaged as a result of Russian attacks on the city of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on 22 March. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Details: Lysak initially reported that two men, aged 57 and 71, had been wounded during Russian shelling of Nikopol. Both were taken to hospital in a moderate condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Premises belonging to two businesses were damaged. Later, Lysak added that the Russians attacked the Nikopol district nearly 20 times on Saturday, including the district centre and the Marhanets, Pokrovske and Myrove hromadas. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.]. The attacks involved heavy artillery, kamikaze drones and a munition dropped from a UAV. Another man, aged 63, was wounded in a Russian strike in the evening. He will be treated on an outpatient basis. In addition to the businesses, three houses, a dacha, three cars and a disused building were damaged. [A dacha is a sort of a summer house, usually with a little plot of land where people grow vegetables, fruit trees and berries, or keep a garden - ed.] Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Two people have been killed and one man injured as a result of Russian attacks on Donetsk Oblast on Sunday 23 March. Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office Quote: "On 23 March 2025, troops of the aggressor state launched an attack, likely using a Smerch multiple-launch rocket system, on the village of Donetske in the Mykolaivka hromada [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.]. The strike hit near an apartment building. As a result of the attack, a 46-year-old man was killed at his place of residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residential areas in the city of Pokrovsk once again came under fire from the Russian Armed Forces. During the attack, a 76-year-old pensioner was fatally injured while he was outside. 23 , The aftermath of the attack on Donetsk Oblast on 23 March. Photo: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office A 69-year-old local man also sustained injuries he has been diagnosed with a mine-blast injury and shrapnel wounds." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has stated that the Kremlin's actions undermine US peace efforts, citing a Russian overnight attack on the city of Kyiv and previous strikes on Kropyvnytskyi, Zaporizhzhia and Odesa. Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: At least three people were killed in the Russian attack on Kyiv overnight, including a father and his five-year-old daughter. A further eight people were injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sybiha recalled that this followed similar attacks on Kropyvnytskyi, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa and other cities in recent days. "Russia's systematic and deliberate terror against civilians contradicts its own statements about peace and undermines peace efforts by the US and other partners," he said. The foreign minister noted that Ukraine needs additional air defence capabilities to protect its people from Russian terror and to increase pressure on Moscow to end the war. Background: Earlier, Katarina Mathernova, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, condemned the Russian strikes, stating that they exemplified what the peace promised by the Kremlin looks like. Czech President Petr Pavel visited Odesa on the day when Russian forces launched a large-scale drone attack on the city. The Czech president later remarked that such large-scale attacks, occurring as negotiations for a ceasefire and a potential peace agreement are starting, do not suggest that Moscow is serious about pursuing peace. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said there is one thing he agreed with President Trump about: curbing illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the country. Sanders joined ABC Newss This Week, where host Jonathan Karl asked if there was anything Trump has done right. I think cracking down on fentanyl, making sure our borders are stronger, Sanders replied. Look, nobody thinks illegal immigration is appropriate, and I happen to think we need comprehensive immigration reform, but I dont think its appropriate for people to be coming across the border illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the senator agreed with Trump on strengthening the countrys borders to protect citizens, he disagreed with the presidents mass deportation plan. He wants to deport 20 million people who are in this country who are undocumented, Sanders said. Well, you do that, you destroy the entire country. Because I got news for you, Trumps billionaire friends are not going to pick the crops in California that feed us. Theyre not going to work in meatpacking houses, he continued. Thats what undocumented people are doing. Sanders has emerged as one of the lefts loudest voices against the Trump administration and tech billionaire Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes launched a Fighting Oligarchy speaking tour across the country, now joined by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). Over the weekend, more than 30,000 people attended a rally they held in Denver. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As the need for rain increases across the Ozarks, tonight offers a chance to water the dry soil, with thunderstorms expected to return. Storms will occur between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m., as a warm front slowly lifts over the region. The Storm Prediction Center recently upgraded its risk assessment, placing a large portion of our viewing area under a slight risk for severe weather. The primary concern will be large hail, with hailstones potentially reaching the size of quarters to half-dollars. The tornado risk remains low, as these storms will be elevated and lack the necessary shear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thunderstorms are expected to develop in southwestern Missouri a couple of hours before midnight, moving into Springfield near the midnight hour before progressing further east. Sunday morning should start soggy, with scattered showers possible before skies clear in the afternoon. Temperatures will peak in the mid to upper 60s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forecast for next week looks generally sunny and quiet. Cloud cover will limit temperatures to the upper 60s on Monday, but skies will break on Tuesday, allowing temperatures to climb into the 70s, where they will remain for the rest of the week. After tonight, our next chance for storms will be on Saturday, when thunderstorms and severe weather are possible. Stay updated with us here on the web and through the Ozarks First weather app. Download our KOLR 10 weather app Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sauce Walka is recovering after being shot in broad daylight in downtown Memphis on Saturday (March 22). The 34-year-old Houston rapper, born Albert Walker Mondane, was shot in the leg outside a hotel near Memphis FedExForum when a car with multiple people pulled up and began firing, TMZ reports. He is currently in the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. More from Billboard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An unidentified man who was with Sauce at the time of the incident died from his injuries at the scene. The victims name has not been released. Memphis police are still searching for the shooters, who fled the scene in a white four-door vehicle. In a press conference on Saturday, Memphis authorities confirmed that investigators believe Walka and the other individual were specifically targeted by the gunmen. Police do not believe the attack was random. This appears to be a targeted shooting incident, a Memphis Police representative said, according to the Houston Chronicle. The victims were outside by a vehicle. The suspect vehicle pulled up. Multiple people got out of that vehicle, fired shots without engaging in any conversation, they got back into the white vehicle and fled. Individuals with information about the incident are urged to contact Memphis CrimeStoppers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sauce, a Houston native, began his hip-hop career in 2007 and has since released multiple mixtapes. He has collaborated with fellow Houston rappers, including Bun B, Lil Keke, Slim Thug and Travis Scott, as well as other hip-hop stars like A$AP Rocky and Migos. In 2009, Walka was involved in another gun-related incident during a Trae Tha Truth concert. Police also connected him to gang activity in 2018, though he has denied the claims. I know that Im a record label, I know that Im an artist Im not into gang activity or any of that stuff, the rapper stated in response, according to the Houston Chronicle. In 2023, the rapper was reportedly arrested after leading Houston police on a car chase that ended in a crash. Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Almost a month after legendary actor Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Hackman, and their pet dog were found dead at their New Mexico home last month, new bodycam footage obtained by People has captured a heartbreaking request from their daughter, Elizabeth Hackman. Elizabeth, 62, has asked for the couple's beloved kelpie mix, Zinna, to be cremated and buried alongside her mother, Betsy. Zinna was found dead inside the home with the late couple, and Elizabeth wanted the dog to rest with Betsy. In footage obtained by People from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, an officer is seen calling Elizabeth from a police vehicle on February 27 to ask what should be done with Zinna's body, to which she responds, "I'm thinking cremate the dog and bury it with Betsy." She can also be seen making another emotional request as she says, "If the dog is wearing a collar, could you save that for me?" In another bodycam video recorded on February 26, obtained by the publication, a local dog trainer, Joey Padilla, who had worked with their pets, described them as "dog nuts." "They loved their dogs. You can see toys everywhere around their property," Padilla said, adding that the couple had two other dogs, Bear and Nikita, in addition to Zinna. The causes of their deaths were revealed in March. Betsy Hackman passed away due to hantavirus, a virus linked to rodent droppings. Gene Hackman died a week later from severe heart disease, high blood pressure, and advanced Alzheimer's disease. (ANI) Mar. 23MASSENA School officials from the 18 component districts of the St. Lawrence-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services had an opportunity to share their concerns with elected officials during a recent Lobby Day held at the BOCES Center. Massena Central School Board member Patricia F. Murphy and Superintendent Ronald P. Burke were among the attendees who met with Sen. Mark C. Walczyk, R-Watertown, Assemblyman Scott A. Gray, R-Watertown, and Assemblyman Kenneth D. Blankenbush, R-Black River. "Dan Stec (Sen. Daniel G. Stec, R-Queensbury) tried to come in via Zoom, but was unsuccessful," Murphy told school board members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said that among the topics they covered were the transition to zero-emission buses, the use of personal devices in schools, workforce shortages, an increased aid ratio for BOCES Career and Technical Education and staff, and foundation aid. Murphy said there were concerns over the state mandate for electric buses. New York's enacted 2022-23 state budget included a requirement that, by 2035, all student transportation be done with zero-emission vehicles. Under the law, all school district purchases or leases of new vehicles for pupil transportation must be zero-emission by July 1, 2027. School districts may request a delay in the implementation of the July 1, 2027, deadline and be granted an extension for up to two years. But, all purchases and leases by school districts or transportation contractors will need to be electric by July 2029. "There were concerns about the thickness of cement pads in the bus garages because these are significantly more heavy buses and if there wasn't a sufficient cement pad, they would crack and we would need to address that," Murphy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travel distance for the buses was also addressed. "In our part of New York state, weather is a big factor, and making sure that the students are warm enough and able to travel out and back, which also led to the number of bus runs. Some superintendents who did have electric buses were finding that these buses were unable to do multiple runs. So, that would influence the fleet size," she said. Cost was another concern. "They're almost three times more expensive than the traditional diesel buses. Also, the state may not have enough funds to reimburse districts," Murphy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, she said, "The life of the buses may fall short." "Typically, we tend to trade in our buses and get a certain amount of money back, which helps offset the costs. But, if we bond for seven years, some are afraid that these won't last that long. The typical theoretical distance is 1% of charge per mile, but that's only in the best of conditions," she said. "And then Mr. Blankenbush brought up on YouTube that there were videos of electric fires on buses and the danger to students that could happen." School officials also discussed cell phones in school with the state representatives. In her proposed budget, Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul allocates $13.5 million for cell phone pouches and cubbies to restrict the use of devices throughout the school day. The New York State United Teachers union supports the governor's proposal. But, Murphy said, that's not the case locally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was the consensus of the superintendents that the governor not mandate this, that it should be left to the locals. Superintendents would like to have local control," she said. "If it is mandated, they are afraid that it will be an unfunded mandate. So, we will be required to buy some sort of device pouch which, right now, they're very expensive and we might not be able to absorb that cost." Board member Zachary J. Monroe said the pouches cost about $30 each. "Multiply that times 2,500 students, it's $62,500 in cell phone pouches for our school district," he said. Foundation aid was also discussed during the meeting. "Some of the smaller districts will not be able to operate in the near future if the aid formula is not totally revamped. One assemblyman admitted that even he cannot figure out how to budget with this type of formulation," Murphy said. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday rebuffed a recent critique from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi about his decision to support the Republican-backed stopgap spending bill, saying he had no choice but to avert a government shutdown. What we got, at the end of the day, is avoiding the horror of a shutdown, Schumer said on NBCs Meet the Press to host Kristen Welker. There was no leverage point that we could've we could've asked for things, they just would've said no. Pelosi a longtime ally of Schumer had taken aim at the minority leaders move last week, accusing him of giving ground to Republicans without demanding anything in return. I myself dont give away anything for nothing, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer and a small group of other Democrats decision to vote in favor of the continuing resolution has sparked backlash from members of their party who argue Democrats capitulated on key priorities. Schumer, however, has held firm, repeatedly asserting that a shutdown would have handed President Donald Trump and his allies an opening to continue gutting the federal bureaucracy. Schumer's decision to support the GOP bill drew praise from Trump, who said Schumer had "guts" and "did the right thing." Despite the clash, Pelosi said she continues to support Schumer a stance that contrasts with growing murmurs within the Democratic Party about whether Schumer should step down from his leadership role. Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet recently declined to explicitly call for Schumer to step aside as Senate minority leader, but highlighted echoes of the party's internal struggle last summer over former President Joe Bidens candidacy. But Schumer pushed back on the comparison when asked if he thought he could be making a similar mistake. No, absolutely not, he said. I did this out of conviction. He doubled down on his decision to support Republicans' spending bill, saying, "Look, I'm not stepping down." After caving to Donald Trump and voting for a Republican-backed short-term government funding bill, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has faced calls to resign from members of his own party. But Schumer is not backing down on that fight, saying he will not quit his leadership position. Im not stepping down, Schumer said in an interview with Kristen Welker that aired Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. Nine Democrats joined Schumer in voting for the legislation that increased defense spending and cut $13 billion in non-defense spending, giving Trump broad discretion to direct the funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Glenn Ivey was the first to publicly call for Schumer to resign. I respect Chuck Schumer, the Democrat from Maryland said at a Tuesday town hall. 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. While no senators have asked Schumer to step aside, some have criticized his leadership. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Schumer was wrong to capitulate to Trump. Sen. Bernie Sanders said that the problem is deeper than Schumer; its the party itself. In the Democratic Party, youve got a party that is heavily dominated by the billionaire class, run by consultants who are way out of touch with reality, Sanders said. The Democratic Party has virtually no grassroots support. This weekend, Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez held a rally in Denver, drawing a crowd of nearly 34,000 people. Schumers vote drew so much ire from the public, he postponed his book tour, citing security concerns due to planned protests against him. Some progressive groups have said they would support a primary challenge against Schumer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CR was certainly bad, you know, the continuing resolution, Schumer said. But a shutdown would be 15 or 20 times worse. Under a shutdown, the Executive Branch has sole power to determine what is, quote, essential. And they can determine without any court supervision. The courts have ruled its solely up to the executive what to shut down. With Musk, and DOGE, and Trump, and this guy Vought as the head OMB, they would eviscerate the federal government. Schumer went on to say that with a shutdown, the executive branch could decide to cancel crucial government programs like food assistance for children and families, mass transit, state aid, Medicaid, Social Security and veterans benefits. Their goal is to just eviscerate the federal government so they can give more taxes, and their tax cuts, to their billionaire class over there. And so it would devastating, Schumer said, adding that Trump, billionaire Elon Musk and others in the executive could have dragged out a shutdown for six months to a year until all federal employees were furloughed and gone and quit. Before the vote, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi released a rare statement calling on Schumer not to support the spending bill. She later said that she doesnt give away anything for nothing, arguing that Schumer should have gotten more concessions from Republicans before supporting the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Schumer said that had Democrats asked for things, Republicans just would have said no. Schumer did acknowledge that under the leadership of Trump and Musk, democracy is at risk. Many of Trumps actions including broad firings of federal workesr and the dismantling of federal agencies like USAID and the Department of Education as well as the non-profit U.S. Institute for Peace have been challenged in the courts. Schumer said that he believes if Trump defies the courts, the public will rise up. We have to fight that back in every single way, he said. 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. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer maintained on Sunday that he will not step down, despite Democrats growing anger at party leaderships lack of urgency in the face of blatant authoritarianism. The longtime New York senator recently received swift backlash from those within his party after abandoning his plan to filibuster the Republican spending bill instead voting for the resolution without first trying to negotiate aspects of it. All but one Democrat in the House united to oppose the bill, which was signed on Saturday by President Donald Trump. Schumer again defended his decision Sunday while on NBCs Meet the Press, saying he had a duty as a Democratic leader to avoid a government shutdown that he said would have been 15 or 20 times worse than the continuing resolution and would have no off-ramp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes when youre a leader, you have to do things to avoid a real danger that might come down the curve, Schumer told host Kristen Welker. And I did it out of pure conviction as to what a leader should do and what the right thing for America and my party was. People disagree. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) walks to the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol on March 14 in Washington, D.C. Kent Nishimura/The Washington Post via Getty Images Welker pointed out the similarities between the current calls for Schumer to step down as Democratic leader with last years calls for former President Joe Biden to step down as the Democratic nominee a move that Schumer himself supported at the time. The senator rejected the comparison. Im not stepping down, he said. And let me just say this, Kristen. I knew when I cast my vote against the government shutdown that it would be... that there would be a lot of controversy, and there was. Schumer has also repeatedly said he believed there was no point in trying to negotiate over the bill if he knew his GOP colleagues were just going to say no a stunning admission that invited major criticismfrom within his party by moderates and progressives alike, who believe Democrats need to fight harder with more urgency for their increasingly frustrated constituents. And if they cant, then they need to step aside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want you to look at every level of office around and support brawlers who fight because those are the ones who can actually win against Republicans, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said at an event with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in Las Vegas. The two progressives spent the past several days traveling to Nevada, Colorado and Arizona, holding rallies titled Fighting Oligarchy and town halls to listen to working class Americans. The rallies have brought increasingly large crowds of people Sanders said are desperate for better representation amid Trumps rising authoritarianism. It saddens me that when the Democrats had control of the Senate, they did virtually nothing for working people. I have to say that. Im a member of the Democratic caucus as an Independent, so Im not going to lie to you and tell you otherwise, Sanders told Jon Karl on ABCs This Week during his tour stop in Denver, which saw tens of thousands of attendees. And since then, do I think the Democrats have been effective in rallying the American people, in stopping Trumps movement toward oligarchy and authoritarianism? No, I dont. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senator stressed that while Democrats are frustrated by Schumers leadership, he believes that the party overall is failing to connect with the countrys working class. Look, theres nobody more critical of Chuck Schumer than I have been, and not just on this thing. But the bottom line is [its] not just Chuck Schumer. Its not just Chuck Schumer, he said. Youve got a Democratic Party in general that is dominated by billionaires, just as the Republican Party operates under the leadership of a bunch of inside the beltway consultants, very well-paid, who are way out of touch with the 32,000 people who are here today. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, is seen at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Friday, March 14, 2025. Credit - Allison Robbert/BloombergGetty Images Chuck Schumer delivered a defiant message amid growing calls for him to step down as the Senate Minority Leader. In an interview on NBCs Meet the Press, the Democratic leader said he was not planning on leaving his post. Schumer has received backlash since helping to avert a government shutdown by aiding the Republicans in passing their stopgap spending plan over the objection of the majority of his fellow Democratic Senators and House Democrats. He has lost favor with many of his fellow party members, especially those who believe the Democrats need a more aggressive tactic to go against President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, Schumer says that despite the fallout, he is not yet done leading the minority party in the Senate. He defended his decision to vote for the bill in order to avoid the horror of the government shutdown, saying he believed he was doing the right thing for America and for his party. It was a decision he says was made out of pure conviction. Read More: As Schumers Stock Falls, Heres Whos Vying to Lead Democrats Against Trump Look, I'm not stepping down, Schumer told host Kristen Welker, stating that he knew he would get backlash for his decision. A shutdown would be 15 or 20 times worse. Under a shutdown, the Executive Branch has sole power to determine what is, quote, essential. And they can determine without any court supervision. Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey called for Schumer to step down in a packed town hall earlier in the week, saying that he has respect for Schumer, but believes it may be time for Senate Democrats to get a new leader. This came after Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas questioned the senior Senators leadership, telling Jake Tapper on CNN that Schumer was absolutely wrong in his decision to vote in favor of the spending plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Senate Democrats have to sit down and take a look and decide whether or not Chuck Schumer is the one to lead in this moment, she said, later adding that younger, fresher leadership may be something that many of usnot just depending on what part of the spectrum youre onbut many Americans may be looking for. Other prominent progressive Democrats to criticize Schumers decision include Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who said there is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal over Schumers support for the GOP spending plan, and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who said: I am disgusted that several Senate Democrats gave up our first point of leverage. In addition to individual lawmakers, several progressive groups have called for Schumer to change course or step down. Progressive advocacy group Indivisible called for Schumer to step aside," saying that the party needs new leadership. Four Gen-Z led political organizationsSunrise Movement, College Democrats of America, United We Dream Action, and Voters of Tomorrowalso co-signed a memo in which they argued that Schumers leadership is failing to meet the moment. If you refuse to fight for our future, we will find leaders who will, read the united message from the activist groups. An activist participates in a protest outside the office of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on March 14, 2025. Michael Nigro/Pacific PressGetty Images In the pre-taped interview which aired on Sunday, Schumer went on to tell Welker that Democrats are united in fighting Trump every step of the way, and that their goal is to make Donald Trump the quickest lame duck in modern history by showing how bad his policies are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: What to Know About John Roberts, the Chief Justice Challenging Trump Schumer also said that democracy is at risk under Trump, responding to his recent call to impeach a judge who ruled against him on the deportations of immigrants alleged by the U.S. to be Venezuelan gang members. Trumps call for the judge to be impeached earned him a rare, and public, rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts, who stood firm against the notion of the impeachment of judges over judicial differences. Look, Donald Trump is a lawless, angry man, Schumer said in response to a question about whether or not the U.S. is at constitutional risk. He thinks he should be king. He thinks he should do whatever he wants, regardless of the law, and he thinks judges should just listen to him. If Trump defies the Supreme Court, Schumer says the Democrats will rise up against him, and that the public may as well. It will trigger a mass movement from one end of the country to the other, something that we haven't seen in a very long time, he predicted. Contact us at letters@time.com. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said democracy in the United States is at risk, calling President Trump a lawless, angry man during an interview that aired Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. When asked by host Kristen Welker whether he believes the U.S. is in a constitutional crisis, Schumer said he does. Democracy is at risk, he said. Look, Donald Trump is a lawless, angry man. He thinks he should be king. He thinks he should do whatever he wants, regardless of the law, and he thinks judges should just listen to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer was referring to Trumps recent attacks against U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg, who ordered the Trump administration to turn around flights carrying alleged Venezuelan gang members. The president later called for the impeachment of Boasberg amid outrage on the right over the judges ruling. Now we have to fight that back in every single way, Schumer continued. And we actually have had over 100 cases in the courts where weve had a very good record of success. So Donald Trump, infuriated by that success, said judges should be impeached. When asked whether he believed Trumps statement saying he would not defy a court order, Schumer responded that he doesnt trust him. We have to watch him like a hawk, he said. Defying court orders is why our democracy is at risk, and well have to do everything to fight back in that regard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps calls for Boasberg to be impeached have been heavily criticized, even eliciting a rare public response from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who said impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. Trump has since doubled down on his attacks, decrying the entire concept of nationwide injunctions to halt his agenda and calling for the Supreme Court to intervene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 (AP) Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says he won't resign his post, despite pressure from some in his party after he voted to move forward with a Republican spending bill that avoided a government shutdown. Look, Im not stepping down, Schumer said in an interview with NBC's Meet the Press that aired Sunday. The New York senator said he knew voting for the bill backed by Republican President Donald Trump would spark a lot of controversy." I did it out of pure conviction as to what a leader should do and what the right thing for America and my party was, he said. People disagree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats last week were confronted with two painful options: allowing passage of a bill they believe gave Trump vast discretion on spending decisions or letting funding lapse. After Schumer said he'd vote to advance the spending measure, 10 Democrats supported breaking the partys filibuster and allowing the bill to pass. Schumer's move has sparked outrage from some Democrats and progressive activists who protested at his office and called on him to resign his position. They said they'd like to see him face a primary challenge perhaps from New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The uproar prompted Schumer last week to postpone his book tour amid a series of planned progressive demonstrations. Schumer isn't up for reelection until 2028. He told NBC that the spending bill that funds the government through September was certainly bad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he argued that not voting to provide the funding would have been 15 or 20 times worse. He called his action a vote of principle," arguing that sometimes when youre a leader, you have to do things to avoid a real danger that might come down the curve." In an interview that also aired Sunday on ABCs This Week, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, criticized Schumer and other members of Democratic Senate leadership. But he abruptly ended the interview when asked about Ocasio-Cortez potentially being elected to the Senate. I dont want to talk about inside-the-beltway stuff, Sanders said. Another outspoken progressive, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said on CNNs State of the Union" that There is no doubt that there is anger there, and people were very, very disappointed in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khanna said the anger stemmed from Senate Democrats not seeking concessions for their support of the GOP-backed spending package including possible limits on government spending and job cutting efforts being led on Trump's behalf by billionaire Elon Musk. Asked if he'd support Ocasio-Cortez challenging Schumer during a 2028 Democratic Senate primary in New York, Khanna said the decision to run was up to the congresswoman. I havent talked to her directly," Khanna said. He added: But heres what I will say: The American people are fed up with the old guard. There needs to be a renewal. ___ This story was first published on March 23, 2025. It was published again on March 24, 2025, to correct Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is an independent who caucuses with Democrats, not a Democrat. (Bloomberg) -- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer predicted Americans will rise up if President Donald Trump defies courts that challenge his policies, saying he doesnt trust Trumps pledges to abide by judicial rulings. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer was responding to a question on NBCs Meet the Press about a previous comment that any such effort by Trump would require extraordinary action by Democrats. If the public is so, so angry and takes action and certainly we Democrats will it will trigger a mass movement from one end of the country to the other, something that we havent seen in a very long time, Schumer said. Trumps push to test the limits of executive power has played out in a clash with a US district judge over the deportation flights of alleged Venezuelan gang members who ended up in a prison in El Salvador. The judge, James Boasberg, admonished the administration for disregarding his order on March 15 to halt the deportation flights. Trump has dubbed Boasberg a radical left judge and called for his impeachment, prompting a rebuke by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration will abide by the court order as litigated and the deported migrants were given due process according to the laws on the books, White House border czar Tom Homan said on ABCs This Week. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, whos under orders from Trump to largely dismantle her department and shift key tasks to other agencies, said Trump knows that if there are statutes or laws that are governing where they need to be, we will have to abide by the law. And if we have to change the law, if we need to work with Congress, if Congress doesnt agree, then we will find out, she said on CNNs State of the Union. Schumer Critics Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer struck a defiant tone toward his own party when asked about his decision to end a blockade by Senate Democrats against a Republican spending plan, which averted a US government shutdown. Look, Im not stepping down, said Schumer, 74, whose stance has prompted a backlash among some Democrats. Those questioning his decision and the lack of Republican concessions on Democratic priorities include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Ro Khanna, who said Americans are fed up with the old guard. Theres no doubt that theres anger there and people were very, very disappointed in the Senate for not voting no on the continuing resolution without any concessions, Khanna, a California Democrat whose district includes parts of Silicon Valley, told CNN. Schumer said a shutdown would be 15 or 20 times worse by handing the Trump administration an opportunity to eviscerate the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He argued that Democrats shouldnt allow themselves to be split over disagreements about how to deal with the short-term spending bill, known as a continuing resolution. Our goal, our plan, which were united on, is to make Donald Trump the quickest lame duck in modern history by showing how bad his policies are, Schumer said. (Updates with Homan, McMahon and Khanna comments starting in sixth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Warmer and drier climate conditions are raising the Himalayas' snow line, leading to more frequent wildfires and concerning water shortages. What's happening? Satellite images reveal that the elevation at which snow accumulates on the Himalayan mountains is rising at abnormal rates. According to NASA's Earth Observatory, the higher snow lines have concerned scientists since early 2021. Between Dec. 11, 2024, and Jan. 28 of this year, the snow line rose nearly 500 feet, demonstrating how quickly it is changing. According to Mauri Pelto, a glaciologist at Nichols College, "The only year recently when January snow lines were near typical levels was 2022." He referred to the high snow lines in January 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 as potentially the "new normal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, it's suspected that much of the snow's disappearance is due to sublimation, not melting. This means more snow evaporates into the air, instead of turning to water and running down the mountains. As Earth Observatory described, the snow is almost "vanishing into thin air." What does the higher Himalayan snow line mean? Scientists are alarmed by the rising snow line, which can lead to a higher risk of forest fires and a reduced water supply for nearby communities. According to the Nepali Times, Nepal's wildfire season started early this year. This is due to prolonged winter droughts, meaning winters with abnormally low snowpack. ICIMOD cryosphere specialist Sher Muhammad, author of the Snow Update Report 2024, explained, "This is a wake-up call for researchers, policymakers, and downstream communities: lower accumulation of snow and fluctuating levels of snow pose a very serious increased risk of water shortages, particularly this year." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These water shortages can also cause crop failures, meaning the communities face food shortages as well. While abnormal weather patterns occur naturally, this persistent lack of snowpack is a troubling trend. Rather than an isolated weather event, these dry, warm winters have become a pattern spanning four years. Many experts attribute super storms, bomb cyclones, atmospheric rivers, and other extreme weather events to the rapidly overheating planet. What can be done about the rising snow line? Communities must rethink how they manage water and prepare for a higher fire risk to combat the water shortage. ICIMOD's senior cryosphere specialist, Miriam Jackson, explained, "It's clear that governments and people in this region need urgent support to help them adapt to changes in snow patterns that carbon emissions have already locked in." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She continued, "G20 countries need to cut emissions faster than ever before to prevent even more changes that will prove disastrous to major population centers and industries that rely on snow-melt in the mountains." Mitigating the overheating planet is the best way to stop the rising snowline and restore a more consistent snowpack. This means reducing carbon pollution, supporting sustainable agriculture, and focusing on creating new forms of renewable energy. 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. The Paani Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works on drought prevention and watershed management in Maharashtra. It was founded by Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao. Khan through his NGO has been helping select regions of Maharashtra to eradicate the drought situation, which has been adding to the woes of farmers of the region. Meanwhile, on the acting front, Aamir will be seen in the film 'Sitaare Zameen Par'. At an event previously, Aamir said that the film is set for release by the end of this year, aiming for a Christmas debut. "My next film as a lead actor is Sitaare Zameen Par. We are trying to release it by the end of this year, on the occasion of Christmas. It is an entertaining film; I like the story. The shooting of the film has begun," he said. The film is expected to feature Genelia in a pivotal role. For 'Lahore 1947', Aamir Khan has step into the role of producer, bringing his vision and expertise to the project through Aamir Khan Productions. The film will be directed by the renowned Rajkumar Santoshi. Leading cast will be Sunny Deol and Preity G Zinta, who will play pivotal roles in this highly anticipated film. Shabana Azmi and Ali Fazal have also joined the cast of 'Lahore 1947' in a pivotal role. (ANI) Great news for tea lovers the brewing process can remove about 15% of lead from water, according to a new study. CNN summarized the research, which looked at how brewing tea could naturally adsorb heavy metals such as lead, chromium, copper, and cadmium. Adsorption is when a solid material holds molecules of a gas, liquid, or dissolved substance as a thin film on its outside surface or within internal surfaces including crevices, the news site explained. The team tested tea leaves and bags, finding that cellulose bags performed the best, while cotton and nylon bags barely absorbed any of the metals. However, the scientists noted that nylon bags are already problematic since they release microplastics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers also found that finely ground leaves, especially those of black tea, adsorbed more contaminants than whole leaves. All that said, the scientists discovered that the longer they steeped the tea, the better the metal absorption was, no matter the tea or bag type. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, lead in drinking water can cause a variety of negative health impacts in adults, including decreased kidney function and reproductive problems. Lead is even more impactful in children low levels in the blood can cause problems such as slowed growth, hearing problems, and anemia, the agency reports. Pregnant women also are at high risk, including via premature births and reduced growth of fetuses. Unfortunately, heavy metals aren't the only dangerous contaminants in our drinking water. According to one study, more than 20% of the U.S. population may rely on groundwater with detectable levels of PFAS, or "forever chemicals," before treatment. Another study in France found disturbing levels of microplastics in both bottle and tap water. As for the tea bag study, lead author Vinayak Dravid, the Abraham Harris Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University, told CNN that it is "one of very few 'systematic' studies that provide rational control, meaningful statistics and 'nanotechnology'-level of sophistication brought to a seemingly mundane topic of tea brewing. So little is studied about its capture potential, over and beyond 'release.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're not suggesting that everyone starts using tea leaves as a water filter," he added in a statement from the university. " Our work highlights the unrecognized potential for tea consumption to passively contribute to reduced heavy metal exposure in populations worldwide." 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 weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Scott Peterson, who gained notoriety after he was convicted of the murder of his eight-months-pregnant wife Laci and their unborn son Conner in a much-publicized 2004 trial, is recovering from his injuries after he was attacked in prison during a game of pickleball. And now his assailant is speaking out. Earlier this month, we reported that Peterson was recovering from minor injuries sustained in a prison attack. The attacker, fellow inmate Charles Miles, then gave an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle in which he revealed that he did not initially recognize Peterson, and thought his fellow inmate had been charging at him with a weapon; in reality, Peterson had been holding a paddle and chasing a runaway pickleball. Despite the misunderstanding, Miles told the Chronicle that he doesnt regret the attack, telling the newspaper, God made this happen. It was Gods plan for sure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another interview with Court TV, obtained by TMZ, Miles also stated that he felt overcome by a primal urge during the attack, which was intensified by the knowledge that Peterson was a baby killer. Miles confirmed that he and Peterson have since made up, with the pair talking through their cells for roughly two hours after the attack. Miles explained that he felt it was in his best interest to be on good terms with Peterson considering how wealthy he is and the fact that people are willing to do anything for money, adding, he could easily just pay a bunch of inmates to try to get on me. Peterson maintains his innocence, going so far as to try and convince Miles during their conversation, citing what he feels is insufficient evidence of his guilt. Peterson was originally sentenced to death in 2004, but his sentence was reduced to life without parole in 2020. In 2022, Peterson was moved from San Quentin State Prison to Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California. In 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project agreed to take on Petersons case, arguing that he was convicted due to circumstantial evidence and is arguing that DNA evidence went ignored. The organization is currently at a standstill with the courts while they attempt to schedule a new trial. In the first few days after Donald Trumps election in November 2024, purchases of emergency contraceptives spiked, with two companies reporting sales about 1,000% higher than the preceding week. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood reported a 760% increase in appointments for IUDs the day after his win. Many Americans are fearful that the incoming administration could further curb reproductive rights, 2 years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion. Today, roughly one-third of states ban the procedure almost entirely or after the first 6 weeks of pregnancy before many women and girls realize that theyre pregnant. Several nominees for Trumps second administration oppose abortion rights. But some of his allies have suggested that not having children is itself a moral failing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 2019 speech, for example, Vice President-elect JD Vance said that people become more attached to their communities, to their families, to their country because they have children. In 2021, he tweeted that low birth rates have made many elites sociopaths. During a Trump rally in 2024, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said her children are a permanent reminder of whats important and keep me humble. Kamala Harris who has two stepchildren, but no biological children doesnt have anything keeping her humble, Sanders said. Beyond politics, many people hold similar views. People from New York Times columnist Ross Douthat to Pope Francis have described decreasing birth rates as a sign of self-centered cultures. Plenty of childless people want children but cant have them. Other people may not want kids for personal or economic reasons. But advocates for anti-natalism, a relatively new social movement, argue giving birth is immoral. The anti-natalists Ive interviewed push back against the idea that childlessness is selfishness. They believe they are protecting their unborn children, not neglecting them: that childlessness is the ethical choice. Japanese anti-natalists demonstrate in Harajuku, Tokyo, in June 2023. Asagi Hozumi Then and now In the 1970s, the word anti-natalism referred to policies designed to reduce a countrys fertility rate, such as the campaign to sterilize millions of men in India during the state of emergency from 1975-1977. Such policies were designed to address concerns of overpopulation and poverty, spurred in part by growing environmental awareness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the following decades, niche environmental movements such as the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement were influenced by this trend and encouraged people to stop having children for the sake of the planet. However, anti-natalism first came to denote a moral philosophy in 2006, when two key books were published: The Art of Guillotining Procreators, by Belgian activist Theophile de Giraud, and Better Never to Have Been, by South African philosopher David Benatar. Rather than emphasize the damage new humans cause to the planet, this new anti-natalism emphasizes the harm life brings to the unborn. By not having children, these philosophers argue, people help the unborn avoid the inherent painfulness of life. The unborn cannot experience lifes pleasures, either but as Benatar writes, those who never exist cannot be deprived. Anti-natalism took off among a collection of online communities but reached a broader audience in 2019, when Raphael Samuel, a Mumbai businessman, attempted to sue his parents for giving birth to him without his consent. The stunt sparked public conversation about the ethics of procreation and prompted the formation of the activist group Childfree India. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Various anti-natalist groups have formed across the globe since, including a subreddit with about 230,000 members. Stop Having Kids, founded in the U.S. in March 2021, has hosted demonstrations spanning Canada, Bangladesh and Poland. That same year, Asagi Hozumi and Yuichi Furuno created Antinatalism Japan and have been holding frequent outreach events in Tokyo since 2023. In early 2024, an Israeli activist named Nimrod Harel planned a European tour to promote anti-natalism in more than 30 cities. Stake in the future Criticism of anti-natalists comes in many different flavors. Most frequently, however, anti-natalists complain that they are called selfish: that critics assume they are prioritizing their own freedom over raising the next generation. I never understood people who say not having children is selfish, one anti-natalist wrote in their community group chat. Name me one reason you are (having children) for the childs sake. Deciding not to have children can be motivated by a desire for freedom and self-actualization, but it doesnt have to be. Often, among the anti-natalist online communities I study, the point of not having children is precisely to protect them. Shyama, an anti-natalist from Bengaluru, India, used to teach low-income children. After witnessing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on her students, she hopes to pivot toward a career in mental health research for children and adolescents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She speaks about her own children, but only in hypothetical terms, having vowed not to have kids. When she reads about bad news, she feels relieved that her children never have to suffer like that. She refuses birth for their sake. When her friends accused her of challenging other peoples right to have a child, she told me that this was less unfair than bringing another life into this world and imposing an entire lifetime of inevitable suffering on it. Some critics respond that having children gives parents a stake in the future. Philosopher Samuel Scheffler, for instance, argues that having children personalizes the future, anchoring parents to a community that extends beyond their own lifetimes. A sense of connection to the past and future. Uwe Krejci/DigitalVision via Getty Images Anti-natalists, however, refuse to equate children with a stake in the future. Anugraha Kumar, a Marxist anti-natalist, told me that most leaders within the Communist Party of India are childless. Without needing to support a family, they are free to fight for a better future. Secularizing birth Throughout history, catastrophic events have provoked reflection about the ethics of reproduction. After the Holocaust and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Jewish and Japanese writers documented some survivors apprehensions about giving birth. According to anthropologist Jade Sasser, anxieties about climate change, the economy and political turmoil have fueled current questions about whether to have a family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I have argued that this narrative downplays deeper shifts in how many modern societies understand birth. Traditionally, birth was often considered entwined with religion: something predestined, or even shaped by divine intervention. In many of the societies where anti-natalist groups have formed, however, parents have far more control over whether to give birth, when and to whom and birth is viewed in a more secular way. Birth is less often viewed as part of divine order but often likened to a lottery: a game of chance where parents roll the die and their children suffer the consequences. Japanese anti-natalists, for example, sometimes compare their birth to gachapon: vending machines that spit out a toy at random each time someone inserts money. Parents choose to spin the wheel of life, an anti-natalist from Philadelphia told me, without knowing what kind of life they will create. Without a way to acquire consent from the unborn, he added, This is not a risk that is ours to take. 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: Jack Jiang, The New School Read more: Jack Jiang 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. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) abruptly tried to ditch an interview with ABC News after he was asked Sunday if he thinks Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) could be a possible contender for the U.S. Senate. Right now, we have, as I said, just a whole lot of people in the Congress. OK, Jonathan, thanks, Sanders, 83, replied to political journalist Jonathan Karl, as he quickly rose from his seat to end the interview. You want to do nonsense, do nonsense, Sanders added as he stood off camera. I dont want to talk about inside the Beltway stuff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders hesitantly returned to the interview after Karl claimed he had just one more question, noting it was about him and not Ocasio-Cortez. Karl then asked Sanders if he plans to run for president again. Sanders previously had two failed bids for president. Right now, Im Vermonts senator. Thats what I do. And Im very happy to do it, Sanders told Karl. I am 83 years of age, and Im tired. Sanders comments come after he and Ocasio-Cortez have been rallying large crowds in recent weeks to fight against the disconcerting first months of President Donald Trumps second term and his MAGA agenda. Amid the rallies, the progressive lawmakers have also been calling for a democratic party that fights harder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt just about Republicans. We need a Democratic Party that fights harder for us, too, Ocasio-Cortez told a crowd at an event with Sanders in Las Vegas on Friday. But what that means is that we as a community must choose and vote for Democrats and elected officials who know how to stand for the working class. Watch a clip from Sanders ABC News interview below. When asked by @JonKarl if he would like to see Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York in the Senate, Sen. Bernie Sanders abruptly tried to end the interview. https://t.co/v4ppEYgwCZpic.twitter.com/4Hkht8sJAA This Week (@ThisWeekABC) March 23, 2025 Related... Sen. John Curtis pushed back on the suggestion that the clash between President Donald Trump and federal judges who are blocking his reforms of the federal government is a crisis, in an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. I hope every high school civics teacher and every high school student is paying attention, because were having a lesson in civics, he said. Its not crisis, its civics. And our founders created a system where there are these tugs and pulls between the three branches. On Trumps suggestion that some of the judges should be impeached, Curtis pointed out it takes two-thirds support in the Senate to impeach a judge. We know thats not going to happen, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Host Kristen Welker pressed Curtis, pointing out that earlier in the program Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had called the conflict between Trump and the judges a constitutional crisis. It sounds like you wouldnt go that far, Welker said. Well, listen, its easy to throw out, he said. And by the way, when everything is a crisis, nothing is a crisis. President Trump has been very clear multiple times he will obey court orders. So I dont see the crisis. Congress also has to do its job, he said. I think a lot of this opens up for the president when we dont do our job. Curtis: Elon Musk only suggesting cuts Welker asked Curtis if he thought voters were angry because of cuts made to the federal government by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curtis responded, I think its this false narrative that somehow somebody cant get involved thats not an elected official or just because theyre a billionaire, theyre a bad person, right? President Trump can consult anybody he wants to. Elon Musk is not making any cuts. Hes only suggesting the cuts, and then President Trump is making the cuts. Curtis also addressed the raucous town halls that Republicans and Democrats have experienced in recent days. Instead of holding a traditional town hall during his stay in Utah this past week, Curtis said he drove 1,000 miles across the state speaking with constituents and protesters. It basically was a week-long town hall meeting, he said, adding that he doesnt think a stereotypical town hall is the best way to communicate with constituents. On the unruly town hall held by his congressional colleagues, Curtis gave a shout-out to Utah Reps. Celeste Maloy and Mike Kennedy for holding the town hall. I think one of our fundamental responsibilities as elected officials is accessibility. Curtis: Were not being honest on need for Social Security reform Welker also asked Curtis about Musk calling Social Security a Ponzi scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wouldnt use those words, but were not being honest either with people, and thats why youll actually see me in a couple of months introduce a change to Social Security, he said. He continued, Were not being honest when we look people in the eye and say were not going to touch it. If we dont touch it, it touches itself. You know that, right? Thats not being honest with the American people, and I think thats one of the things that makes them not trust us when we say something that they just know is not true. Curtis said that those currently on Social Security or close to retirement wont face cuts, but that changes need to be made for his childrens generation, who are afraid Social Security wont be available to them because it is facing insolvency. The sooner we do it, the less dramatic it has to be. If we dont do it, we have worse decisions thrust upon us, he said. The full interview can be viewed here. WARNING: This post contains material regarding sexual activity. Reader discretion is advised. SANDY, Utah (ABC4) A registered sex offender recently released from jail was caught masturbating at a public park in Sandy on Saturday, according to Sandy Police. Victor Anthony Tapia, 31, was arrested in Salt Lake County on charges of lewdness with prior offense involving a child (third-degree felony), intoxication (class-C misdemeanor), and sex offender violation (third-degree felony). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At around 7:45 p.m. on March 22, police responded to a call regarding lewdness at Scott Cowdell Park in Sandy. The caller reported seeing a man later identified as Tapia hiding in the bushes by the canal next to the park, masturbating. The caller also said that there were several children at the park. Immersive Harry Potter exhibit coming to Utah, offering a magical experience Upon arriving on scene, police approached Tapia, who was sitting down by the canal, a probable cause statement reads. When the officer asked Tapia what he was doing, Tapia reportedly responded, Im masturbating. Tapia was clearly visible from the public trail around 30 feet away, police said, and Tapia could reportedly clearly see the park as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While interacting with Victor several people walked past on the public trail including a young girl roughly five years old, the statement reads. I could also smell a strong odor of an intoxicating beverage coming from Victor and when asked Victor said he had ben drinking beer and getting high on Meth. Tapia reportedly also told police that he had been released from jail 15 days prior, where he had been booked on a third-degree felony lewdness charge. Tapia told the officer, What Im doing right now, according to the statement. Tapia was arrested and booked into Salt Lake County Jail on the aforementioned charges. No further information is available at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. This temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and is one of the most visited religious sites in the nation. It attracts millions of devotees annually. Producer Danayya donned an all-white outfit for his sacred visit. In the visuals, he was seen surrounded by his family, friends and security. DVV Danayya also posed with his family for the photographers after offering prayers at Lord Venkateshwara Temple. The producer was joined by his wife, son Kalyan Dasari and daughter. Earlier, actor Gautham Raju visited the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara. The actor offered his prayers to Lord Venkateswara during his sacred visit. He also greeted his fans, who were delighted with Gautham Raju's presence. On the same day, the lead cast of 'Dilruba' also visited the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple for the blessing of Lord Venkateswara ahead of their film's release. It was released on March 14. The movie was directed by Viswa Karun and starred Kiran Abbavaram, Rukshar Dhillon and Kathryn Davison in the lead roles. The trio were seen exiting the Venkateswara temple with Prasad in their hands. Kiran donned a green shirt and a dhoti for the visit. He also greeted his fans and snapped some photographs with them. He was joined by Rukshar and Kathryn on his holy visit. (ANI) MEMPHIS, Tenn. A shooting and a house fire on the same street have residents asking a lot of questions. People living on Shayne Cove in Whitehaven woke up to startling news on Sunday morning. Neighbors told WREG that a home on the street caught on fire last night. However, police said they were also in the area around the same time for another reason. MPD: Man threatens to butcher churchgoers with a machete Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As far as I know, I heard gunshots and the next thing I know, the fire department and police were over here, one neighbor said. WREG cameras noticed bullet holes around the front door of the home next to the burned-down house. Memphis Police said they responded to a shots fired call around 1:30 a.m. Aftermath of house fire on Shayne Cove. Aftermath of house fire on Shayne Cove. According to the police report, a witness said that one of his neighbors came outside of his home and walked over to the witness front yard. The neighbor allegedly had an unknown handgun in his hand and said to the witness, Stop playing on my phone as he (the witness) was sitting in his van parked in the front driveway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers spoke with a woman inside the house. She told them that she was sitting in the living room when a gunshot passed her head into the wall. He said the neighbor caused around $10,000 worth of damage. The witness said the neighbor shot at his house and then ran back into his home, which was next door. 1 dead, 1 injured in shooting downtown Police said the neighbors house caught on fire shortly after. Its unclear at this time what caused the fire. An MPD spokesperson said no one was injured in the shooting but the neighbor was detained on the scene. We need more police presence over here in this whole community, a neighbor said. This city is shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said this is an ongoing investigation and have not said what possible charges the detained neighbor may be facing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NAIROBI (Reuters) - At least six police personnel were killed in Kenya while four were injured in an attack on a police camp by suspected Islamist militants in Garissa county in the country's east on the border with Somalia, police said. The assault which occurred early Sunday was carried out by suspected fighters from Somalia's al Qaeda-allied al Shabaab group, said a police report sent out to the media. Al Shabaab frequently carries out cross-border attacks in the area against both military and civilian targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attackers from the group launched an assault around dawn on a camp housing police reservists and "used assorted weapons to overrun the camp," the report said. "Six (6) fatalities have been confirmed with four (4) injured and in hospital." On Tuesday the U.S. embassy issued an advisory, telling Americans not to travel to some places in Kenya including Garissa and other counties along the border with Somalia due to threats of terrorism. Al Shabaab has been fighting for years to overthrow Somalia's central government and establish its own rule in the Horn of Africa country based on its own strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law. (Reporting by Humphrey Malalo; Editing by Elias Biryabarema and Elaine Hardcastle) The wife of slain Cal Fire Capt. Rebecca Marodi was arrested Saturday in Mexicali, Mexico, and transferred to U.S. marshals in San Diego, where she will be booked on suspicion of murder, authorities said. Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi, 53, was named as the prime suspect three weeks ago in her wife's killing on Feb. 17. She was arrested Saturday at a hotel in the Ferrocarril neighborhood of Mexicali, according to the Baja California Citizen Security Secretariat. Mexican state security agents transported Olejniczak Marodi to the U.S. border, where she was released to marshals, according to a news release from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She will be booked into custody in San Diego on suspicion of murder, and the investigation into Marodi's slaying remains ongoing, the release said. Marodi, 49, a decorated Cal Fire captain who helped battle the Eaton fire, was found stabbed to death in her home in the San Diego County community of Ramona. She and Olejniczak Marodi had been married for just over two years. Olejniczak Marodi was previously convicted of killing her then-husband, James Joseph Olejniczak. She pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter after Olejniczak's fatal stabbing in 2000 and served nearly a decade in prison. Read more: Friends of slain Cal Fire captain offer glimpse into 'controlling' marriage to fugitive wife Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olejniczak Marodi had been at large since Marodi's death and had driven into Mexico the night of her slaying, according to the Sheriff's Office. She was seen on surveillance video earlier in the evening "arguing with Rebecca and physically assaulting her" before leaving the house, according to the Sheriff's Office. Marodi had told her wife she was ending their marriage about a week before her slaying, Marodi's mother told authorities. Home security footage from a Ring camera at the couple's home depicted a brutal scene on the evening of Feb. 17, according to an arrest warrant. A woman who is believed to be Marodi can be heard in the video screaming Yolanda! Please ... ! I dont want to die! before appearing on video with blood on her back, according to the warrant. Apparent blood can be seen on Olejniczak Marodi's arms in the video, according to the warrant, and she appears to be holding a knife. The footage then shows both women entering the home and Olejniczak Marodi is later seen "gathering pets, random. items, and some luggage" and packing it into her silver SUV, according to the warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same car crossed the Mexican border about an hour later. Times staff writer Summer Lin contributed to this report. 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. OTTAWA Prime Minister Mark Carney called a snap election on Sunday, saying he needs a mandate from Canadians to take on U.S. President Donald Trump. The federal campaign kicks off days ahead of a new slate of Trump tariffs, and at a time when Canadians are increasingly worried the president will make good on his threats of economic and cultural takeover. President Trump claims that Canada isn't a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen, Carney said outside of Rideau Hall in Ottawa. We're over the shock of the betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters will go to the polls on April 28 with a clear ballot box question: Who is best to handle Trump? Canadas Liberal Party was staring down a heavy defeat at the start of 2025, worried it was about to be wiped out from the House of Commons. But Trumps return to the White House has overturned the political landscape to the extent that most national opinion polls currently favor the Liberals to win. Pollster Frank Graves of Ekos Research Associates says there has been a "breathtaking transformation" of the race. What I've been seeing developing over the last two months is the most improbable inversion of the political landscape in a non-campaign period that Ive ever seen, Graves said on The Herle Burly pod last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney will spend the next five weeks on the campaign trail attempting to hold onto that momentum, while fending off attacks from his biggest political rival, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The populist Conservative leader devoted years to bashing then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over climate policy and concerns about the cost of living. The aggressive campaign was so effective that Liberals forced Trudeau out of office and replaced him with Carney who used his first day on the job to axe the consumer carbon tax just as Poilievre had been promising to do. The Conservatives have been criticized by the electorate for reacting too slowly to Trump, who has imposed a series of tariffs on Canadian goods while simultaneously fixating on the idea that Canada should be Americas 51st state. Trump has even taken credit for turning the Liberals fortunes around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before I got involved and totally changed the election which I dont care about, probably, its our advantage, actually but the Conservative was leading against, I call him Governor Trudeau. The conservative was leading by 35 points, he said Friday, while exaggerating the polls. I think Canada is a place, like a lot of other places, if you have a good candidate, the candidate is going to work, Trump said. The Liberals are attempting to secure a fourth mandate, a feat last pulled off in Canada in the 1970s. None of this was imaginable two months ago before Trumps tariff threats, the annexation taunts and his warnings that the U.S.-Canada border is just an artificial line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canadians have responded to Trumps intimidation tactics with an outburst of patriotism. They are canceling spring break plans, buying made-in-Canada products, damaging Teslas and booing The Star Spangled Banner at professional sporting events. Carneys campaign slogan is Canada Strong while Poilievres is Canada First. We will never be an American state. We will always be a sovereign and self-reliant country, Poilievre said Sunday as he launched his campaign. We will stare down this unprovoked threat with steely resolve. Trudeau got sunk by the polls, which inspired unrest in his party. In early January, he announced that he would resign in March, just as soon as his party could select a new leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was like removing a sickness or a tumor from the party, said Fournier. Suddenly it could recover. Carney won the Liberal leadership in a landslide, a rookie politician who has run the central bank of Canada, and of England. He has argued that what Canada needs most right now is a crisis manager. But the biggest factor in the Liberals' ascension has been Trump. His insertion into this election has made Canadians fundamentally shift from a mindset where they were, like Americans, deeply concerned about the cost of living, housing, affordability, taxes to now, where theyre increasingly worried about the external threat that Trump is now posing to Canada said David Coletto, CEO and founder of Abacus Data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a recent interview with Fox News, the president was asked about how his recent treatment toward Canada appears to be helping the Liberal party. "I don't care," he said. "I think it's easier to deal, actually, with a liberal and maybe they're going to win, but I don't really care. Trump went on to say Poilievre is stupidly no friend of mine because of the negative things he has said about the president. Poilievre has tried to frame the comments as proof that Trump is endorsing Carney, while the Conservative leader attempts to revamp his strategy to meet the moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poilievre has run a campaign with populist appeal and was viewed as the antidote to the frustration that Canadians were feeling about their day-to-day lives. He was promising to ax the tax, build more homes and stop crime. But he hasnt come up with a clear answer to how he is going to defend Canada from Trump, Coletto said. Trump is also a divisive figure within the Conservatives own coalition of voters. Trumps popularity in Canada has hit new lows during the past number of months, but among conservative supporters, about one in four still like Trump, said Coletto. Poilievre has to find a way to hold that coalition together because if he goes too hard on Trump, theres a risk he alienates some of those who like him and risks losing it, Coletto says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Conservatives' path to victory requires winning more seats in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. The Liberals must do well in Quebec to make up for their weakness in Western Canada a formula that has worked for the party in every election. Carney has been prime minister for just nine days, after he won a Liberal leadership race to replace former Justin Trudeau. Since then hes cancelled the Liberals carbon tax and reversed other unpopular Trudeau polices, traveled to London and Paris to discuss a defense strategy with Europe, met with King Charles III, skated with the Edmonton Oilers, met with provincial premiers to carve out a Trump strategy, and even marched in a St. Patricks Day parade. Were offering a positive vision for the country, a vision of action. You can see the action thats happened, he said in a campaign-style stop in Edmonton on Thursday. I havent been prime minister for a week yet, and you can see what weve done thus far. Eight decades after American soldiers sailed across the Rhine under gunfire to break through German defenses, U.S. soldiers gathered again at the banks of the river, joining veterans and German military counterparts to commemorate the historic crossing. While an Army band played on Saturday, soldiers in vintage World War II uniforms boarded an amphibious boat from the 1940s named Tugboat Annie and sailed down the Rhine, in honor of the brazen March 22, 1945 crossing that helped kick off a massive invasion of Nazi Germany by Gen. George Pattons Third Army. Along with an Army band playing, the generals granddaughter Helen Patton was in attendance for the commemoration. 80 years ago this weekend several Allied armies staged massive, different crossings of the Rhine. It was part of major pushes past the last defenses at the German border. The Battle of the Bulge had ended with the Allies able to regroup and continue their advance towards the Siegfried Line. By March 1945, all that remained was to find a way across the Rhine, as Nazis rushed to destroy any crossing they could. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Allies had scored a miraculous win a week earlier, seizing the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen before the Nazis could blow it up. The First Army moved armor and infantry across the bridge, but Patton and his rival, Bernard Montgomery were racing to get their armies across the river before the other. Montgomery was preparing a major, combined arms push for the night of March 23. On March 22, Patton had his troops just cross without wider aerial support. Late into the night, without an artillery barrage to pave the way, soldiers hurried across the river in amphibious vehicles, crossing at Oppenheim and catching the Nazis understrength from weeks of fighting by surprise. In a few days, several divisions of the Third Army had seized a beachhead through the German lines. At the same time as Pattons troops were crossing the Rhine, Bernard Montgomerys 21st Army Group was launching its own invasion into the German heartland. Operation Plunder was a massive endeavor, with airborne units jumping ahead of amphibious crossing while Allied bombers dropped ordnance on German positions. More than four thousand artillery pieces launched a massive bombardment of enemy positions. Combined with the aerial attack, it paved the way for ground forces to cross in amphibious vehicles and for engineers to build bridges across the river. The assault spanned more than 20 miles, and by the end of the fifth day, it was a massive Allied success. Soldiers from the 89th Division cross the Rhine River under fire as part of Operation Plunder. U.S. Army photo. Although beaten across the river by Patton, Operation Plunder was significant not only for its own success but some of the elements within it. On March 24, 1945, Allied airborne units carried out Operation Varsity, the single largest airborne operation targeting a specific location. Two airborne divisions jumped into German-held territory, seizing it and causing chaos for the Nazis as amphibious units pushed across the Rhine. The event at Nierstein was the latest commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Europe. Since last summer, the U.S. military and its partners have been retracing the steps of the Allied victory. Active-duty service members as well as veterans and reenactors have jumped out of vintage aircraft, landed on the beaches of Normandy and marched through parts of the Netherlands to honor the troops who fought there 80 years ago. Some recent events tied to the final push into Axis territory, such as this weekends in Germany, have been smaller affairs than the D-Day commemoration, but still mark major turning points in the war. The latest on Task & Purpose NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) Armed militants from Somalia raided a Kenyan police camp near the border, killed six reservists and seized weapons, Kenyan police said Sunday. Four other police reservists sustained serious wounds from the attack on a camp in Garissa county by al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militants, police spokesperson Michael Muchiri said, adding that more police had been deployed to increase security in the area. The militants shot and stabbed the reservists, ransacked the camp and took away weapons. An undisclosed number of militants also died in the attack, Muchiri said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The area near the porous Kenya-Somalia border that has been repeatedly breached by militants. The U.S Embassy in Kenya last week issued an advisory for Americans not to travel to the area due to the risk of attacks and kidnappings. Last week, a Kenyan police officer at a border post in Mandera county was shot and killed by armed men suspected to be Somali intelligence officers. Kenyan police officials said the attack was a revenge mission after Kenyan officials arrested Somali nationals who were allegedly planning an attack on an infrastructure project. Somalia has since 2022 intensified security operations targeting al-Shabab militants, who control some of the rural areas. An African Union stabilization mission made up of troops from different countries is assisting Somalia in the fight against al-Shabab. BRUNSWICK HILLS, Ohio (WJW) The parents of Christion Olson still have more questions than answers. Rochelle and Christopher Olson held a vigil and a walk on Saturday near where the 18-year-old was found badly beaten last July. According to police, the Medina teen was in Brunswick Hills with friends. He left the gathering in the early morning hours. Man charged with DUI, driving around school bus after child nearly hit by car Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those friends later found Olson near Topaz Lane on the ground with injuries. The family said they were woken up by their son being brought home by those friends. Olsons mom Rochelle said they told her Christion was drunk. But his parents knew something was wrong. They told Fox 8 Christion seemed unresponsive and then stopped breathing. His family members performed CPR on him until he was taken to a hospital by medics. Christion Olson, Courtesy: Brunswick Hills Police Department Christion Olson, Courtesy: Brunswick Hills Police Department Although he was officially pronounced dead at the hospital, Rochelle told Fox 8 that her son died in their arms at home. He suffered from internal injuries including internal bleeding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight months later, they still dont know who beat up their son and why. Whoever did that is just walking around living their best life and our lives are turned upside down. We havent even been able to start the grieving process because we still dont know what transpired. All we know is hes not here, The Olsons said. Christion had just graduated high school. He was a week away from his graduation party. He was set to go to the Medina County Career Center, his mom said. Instead, theyre still hoping police can bring them answers. Theyve posted yard signs on their own and organized Saturdays event with hopes that it will help them get the closure theyre looking for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saint Mark School continues the fight against childhood cancer with annual event We would like for someone to have a moral compass and come forward with what they know because someone knows something. Someone has seen something. Someone has heard something. Someone has the answers that we need, Christopher said. The investigation into Christions death is open and current, according to Brunswick Hills Police Chief Tim Sopkovich. We are seeking justice. Just like the family, we want to find the individual that caused this physical harm to Christion. Sopkovich told Fox 8 they opened their investigation in the area Christion was found the moment they were called. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said detectives are following the evidence they have, but more clues that could lead to an arrest are still needed. Last November, officials got the Medina County Prosecutor to approve a $5,000 reward for any tip that could lead to an arrest. Tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. South Florida congressional members say they are concerned for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans suddenly under threat of deportation now that the Trump administration is ending a program that gave more than 500,000 immigrants a temporary legal pathway into the United States. Lets give them the opportunity to apply for the protections they were promised, Republican U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar said in a statement Saturday afternoon. The Department of Homeland Security on Friday announced that it will shut down the Biden-era humanitarian parole program known as CHNV an acronym for the four countries enrolled in late April. More than 531,000 people had been approved to enter the United States and stay for up to two years under the program, with Florida receiving 80% of the arriving migrants, according to the current administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move will give people who do not have some other form of legal immigration protection, such as a pending asylum application, 30 days to leave the United States. After that, people who came to the United States through the parole program will be prioritized for deportation, and will no longer be able to legally work in the country. The Trump administration said the program created as a means to help reduce illegal immigration from countries in crisis is ineffective and inconsistent with the presidents foreign policy agenda. But several members of South Floridas congressional delegation told the Miami Herald that immigrants who came here legally including 75,000 who subsequently filed for asylum shouldnt be punished. Salazar, who has supported elements of Trumps immigration crackdown, blamed former President Joe Biden for putting Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans in legal limbo. But she said Trump should give people affected by the revocation of the program a chance to plead their case to stay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is cleaning up Bidens political mess, and the legal limbo the Cubans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans are facing is entirely Bidens fault. He fooled them, said Salazar, whose majority-Hispanic district includes Little Havana. They came here fleeing failed, communist countries believing in Bidens empty promises. The Trump administration should take this under consideration and not punish them for Bidens mistakes. Miami-Dade Countys two other Republican U.S. representatives, Carlos Gimenez and Mario Diaz-Balart, did not respond to requests for comment on Friday and Saturday. People paroled into the United States under the program were required to have a financial sponsor here, arrange for their airfare and pass health and background checks. As of December 2024, 531,690 people had come through the program, including 110,240 Cubans, 211,040 Haitians, 93,070 Nicaraguans, and 117,330 Venezuelans. Immigrants who entered the United States under the CHNV parole program arent the only ones expected to lose deportation protections next month. Last month, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked an extension of Temporary Protected Status for more than 250,000 Venezuelans, who are set to lose protections on April 2. Another 500,000 Haitians are set to lose Temporary Protected Status in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to revoking legal protections, the Trump administration has also invoked a rarely used wartime law to deport alleged Venezuelans gang members without going through standard legal proceedings. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans, some of whom have said they have been wrongly accused. The Department of Justice has appealed and argued that the courts have no jurisdiction over actions involving alleged terrorists and foreign policy. U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, a Democrat that represents a district that includes Little Haiti, North Miami and North Miami Beach, said her office has seen an uptick in the number of calls from immigrants who are desperate for help since Trump took office in late January. For many, being sent back isnt just about crossing a borderits a death sentence, Wilson said. It means living under brutal dictatorships like in Cuba or facing life-threatening violence like in Haiti. Ending parole overnight isnt just heartlessits dangerous. It will rip families apart, shatter livelihoods, and change the very fabric of South Florida. Wilson said she will continue to fight in Congress for people who came to the country under the program, and called on Trumps administration to reverse this cruel decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the initial publication of this article, Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, South Floridas lone Haitian-American U.S. representative, issued a statement in which she also called on the Trump administration to reverse course immediately. As Ive stated before, the abrupt removal of nearly half a million individuals is inhumane, irrational, and it will have an irreparable impact on businesses across the country and our economy at large, she said. Those with humanitarian parole status legally work and pay taxes in the U.S. Across South Florida and throughout the nation, they have strengthened our workforce, supporting our airports, our hospitals, our small businesses, and our schools. U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat who represents Weston, a city with a large Venezuelan population, said ending the program is unfair to people who came to the United States through a legal pathway. They did it the right way. They followed the law, Wasserman Schultz said. Now, in an instant, Trump yanks their lawful immigration status and hangs the specter of disappearing them out of the country, just like [Venezuelas Nicolas] Maduro or any other out-of-control dictator would do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article will be updated if additional members of South Floridas congressional delegation respond to requests for comment. Miami Herald reporters Jacqueline Charles and Syra Ortiz Blanes contributed to this report. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck officially settled the terms of their divorce on January 6, and the Los Angeles County Superior Court declared the couple's marriage dissolved and the pair legally single on February 21, according to court documents. Now, as per the sources, Lopez is "ready" to start dating again just two months after settling her divorce from ex-husband Ben Affleck, reported Page Six. "Jennifer is ready to put herself out there again and she hasn't given up on finding love," the insider shared. "Her friends have encouraged her to date and she's definitely open to meeting someone new." The source also shared that she is thinking about expanding her dating pool to include not just celebrities, as per the outlet. "Jennifer is considering dating somebody who isn't in the public eye this time around but she's not limiting herself to any particular type," the sources added, reported Page Six. Affleck and Lopez married in an intimate Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022. They later celebrated their nuptials with a ceremony in Georgia in front of friends and family on August 20, 2022. Lopez filed for divorce precisely two years after the Georgia ceremony, listing April 26, 2024, as the couple's date of separation and citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. While Lopez is ready to move on, Affleck has his eyes set on ex-wife Jennifer Garner now that they've been spending more time together. However, a source shared that neither Lopez nor Garner, who has been dating John Miller since 2018 are interested in Affleck anymore. "I'd say they're both relieved to be done with him," the source shared, as per the outlet. "Ben's an emotional roller coaster. He's even been reaching out to Jennifer [Lopez] again recently. The two Jennifers are actually friends. They bonded over co-parenting their kids. I don't know why the press feels they have to pit women against each other," reported Page Six. (ANI) A man has been arrested and booked on two counts of homicide after two people later revealed to be his parents were found dead at their Inland Empire home. According to a press release issued by the Indio Police Department, officers responded to a residence in the 45000 block of Green Hills Court in Indio to conduct a welfare check on an elderly couple. Initially, officers did not notice any apparent foul play at the residence of the couple but could not contact anyone at the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through investigative leads, the officers went to a second address in the 78000 block of Blooming Court in Palm Desert to locate the couple, the Indio Police Departments press release reads. The officers spoke with an adult male, but their contact with the individual escalated into a standoff after the male refused to exit the residence. Based on the suspicious circumstances of the couples whereabouts, officers conducted an interior safety sweep of the residence they initially went to on Green Hills Court, the press release continued. Forced entry was made, and upon entering, officers found the couple they had been searching for were deceased. Los Angeles City Council looking to crack down on 2 specific slurs during meetings Preliminary investigation and physical evidence at the scene indicate that the victims, both of whom were 84 years old, were victims of homicide. Neither of their names were released pending investigation by the coroners office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Desert Regional SWAT Team responded to the standoff at the residence on Blooming Court, where after several hours and repeated commands to exit, the man eventually complied and left without further incident. The man identified by police as Kevin James Reddy was detained and later arrested. Kevin James Reddy as seen in a booking photo. (Indio Police Dept.) Reddy, 51, was transported to the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio, where he was booked on two counts of second-degree murder. Inmate search records indicate he is being held on $1 million bail. His first court hearing is set for Wednesday morning. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Frank Ortega at the Indio Police Department by calling (760) 391-4057. 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. With the drama around the first human spaceflight of the year behind it, SpaceX is back to the business of sending private customers to space. The Fram2 mission headed by a Chinese-born cryptocurrency entrepreneur and three of his friends is targeting Monday, March 31, for liftoff from Kennedy Space Centers Launch Pad 39-A. It would be the second human spaceflight of the year behind the Crew-10 launch for NASA from KSC earlier this month that set up the return of another Crew Dragon on the Crew-9 mission from the International Space Station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That one brought home the Boeing Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were left behind on the station last year, and became the center of a national spotlight after President Trump and Elon Musk blamed the Biden Administration for leaving them up there for political reasons. This next flight has a little less national attention, although it will be the first time humans have flown a polar orbit around the Earth. SpaceX posted Saturday on X that the Crew Dragon Resilience was already at the KSC hangar and that the Fram2 crew had completed training in California last week aiming for liftoff at the end of the month. The first launch window has target liftoffs at 11:20 p.m. March 31 with backups spilling over into April 1 at 12:53 a.m. and 2:26 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first-stage booster is making its sixth flight to space, the same one that launched Crew-9 last September. Crew-10 launched on March 14, so the Fram2 launch coming just 17 days later would mark a record turnaround for human spaceflight from the same pad. The crew is headed up by Chun Wang, now of Malta, who in addition to being able to fund the mission is an avid adventurer. Along for the ride will be fellow adventurers Eric Philips of Australia, Jannicke Mikkelsen of Norway and Rabea Rogge of Germany. Mikkelsen will take the role of mission commander and Philips the role of pilot. Chun has been updating training progress on his X account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This morning, we spent over three hours in the Dragon simulator running through the deorbit and splashdown sequence. It was our final simulation at the Hawthorne training center, he posted Friday. He said the crew began training in December 2023, and SpaceXs astronaut operations manager Haley Esparza said at the time, Make yourself at home. I didnt quite believe her at the time everything felt strange and unfamiliar. But now, more than a year later, weve finally graduated. This place has truly become our home but now its time to say goodbye, Chun posted. SpaceX has flown 16 missions and 62 humans so far on its fleet of four Crew Dragon capsules, and was working on a fifth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crew Dragon Resilience debuted in 2021 for NASAs Crew-1 mission to the station, but switched roles starting in 2021 when it flew billionaire and if confirmed the next head of NASA, Jared Isaacman, on his first trip to space, Inspiration4. SpaceX pulled off the forward-facing docking apparatus from Crew-1 since Inspiration4 wasnt headed for the space station. Instead it installed a cupola window that would allow Isaacman and his crew to get better views during their three-day orbital flight, which became the first time an all civilian crew flew to space. Isaacman and a new crew of three returned to Resilience for last years Polaris Dawn mission, but this time SpaceX added the Skywalker spacewalk platform in place of the cupola, allowing Isaacman to become the first commercial astronaut to perform a tethered spacewalk. For Fram2, though, the cupola is back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fram2 is named after a ship Fram, built in Norway that was used to help explorers such as Roald Amundsen get to the Arctic and Antarctica in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Wang aims to use the mission to highlight the crews explorational spirit, bring a sense of wonder and curiosity to the larger public, and highlight how technology can help push the boundaries of exploration of Earth and through the missions research, SpaceX posted to its website when it announced the mission last year. Fram2 will last three to five days and venture to an altitude of between 264 to 279 miles, leveraging insight from space physicists and citizen scientists to study unusual light emissions resembling auroras, SpaceX posted. The plan is to study the green and mauve thermal emissions and conduct other research to study the effects of spaceflight on the human body, including taking the first human X-ray images in space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also targeting the first Crew Dragon mission to not splash down off the coast of Florida as SpaceX moves recovery operations to the West Coast. The move was made to better control where the propulsion module called the trunk, which detaches from the spacecraft, returns to Earth during reentry. Crew-9s splashdown last week may have been the final time a Crew Dragon makes a Florida return. SpaceX has at least two more Crew Dragon missions planned this year, with the private company Axiom Space targeting a May liftoff to the International Space Station on what would be its fourth private mission. That would be followed by a mid-July trip to the station of the Crew-11 flight to replace Crew-10. NASA has not announced when the relief flight for Crew-11 would be, but it will likely fall to SpaceX as Boeings certification of its Starliner still faces hurdles that could push its first rotational crew mission into 2026. _____ SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Springfield Police are asking for the publics help in locating a missing teen. Photo: Springfield Police Department According to police, 12-year-old Avianna Diaz was last seen in the area of Plainfield Street on Friday, March 22, between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. Police say she did not go to school that day. Anyone who has seen Diaz or know of her whereabouts are asked to call the Springfield Police Departments detective unit at (413)-787-6360. 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. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stressed the importance of maintaining transatlantic ties despite President Donald Trump's lukewarm attitude towards Europe. Source: The New York Times, as reported by European Pravda Quote from Starmer: "Many people are urging us to choose between the US and Europe. Churchill didnt do it. Attlee didnt do it. Itd be a big mistake, in my view, to choose now." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Pausing, he added: "I do think that President Trump has a point when he says there needs to be a greater burden borne by European countries for the collective self-defence of Europe." The immediate question is whether the UK and Europe will have a meaningful role in President Trump's negotiations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. To ensure this, Starmer is working to assemble a multinational military force, which he refers to as the "coalition of the willing". The aim, Starmer says, is to protect Ukraine's skies, ports, and borders following any potential peace settlement. "I dont trust Putin. Im sure Putin would try to insist that Ukraine should be defenceless after a deal because that gives him what he wants, which is the opportunity to go in again," he noted. The UK is facing challenges on multiple fronts: Russia has rejected the proposal for a NATO peacekeeping force, and President Trump has yet to provide the security guarantees that Starmer argues are necessary for nations to commit troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amidst the political and diplomatic uncertainties, Starmer stressed that staying ahead of the pack is his only option. "If we only move at the pace of the most cautious," he said, "then were going to move very slowly and were not going to be in the position we need to be in." Background: The group known as the coalition of the willing, which is laying the groundwork for securing a future post-war settlement, gathered in London in early March. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously stated that he will be in Paris next week for discussions. Moreover, senior military officers from the coalition met at the UKs military headquarters on the outskirts of London on Thursday 15 March to discuss plans for deploying an international force to Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he faced pressure from Washington to criticize President Volodymyr Zelensky after a showdown in the Oval Office last month led to the Ukrainian president walking out of the White House early. In an interview with the New York Times (NYT) published March 23, Starmer said the U.K. is acting as a bridge between Ukraine and the U.S. and that President Donald Trumps actions, such as reproaching Zelensky, have caused "a degree of disorientation." He added that the best response is not to get provoked. "On the day in which the Oval Office meeting between President Trump and President Zelensky didnt go particularly well, we were under pressure to come out very critically with, you know, flowery adjectives to describe how others felt," Starmer told the New York Times. Starmer instead called both sides to "try and get them back on the same page." He added that he has a good relationship with Trump and understands "what hes trying to achieve." Following the heated Oval Office clash on Feb. 28, Starmer sent his national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, to Kyiv to advise Zelensky on how to repair relations with Trump. The British leader later updated Trump on Kyivs progress, helping set up a call between the two presidents that saw Zelensky openly back Trumps peace efforts. Nonetheless, Ukrainian officials still remain skeptical of Washingtons attempts to cultivate a ceasefire. A U.S.-orchestrated 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure was agreed by Moscow and Kyiv on March 18, but Russia has continued to launch hundreds of drones at Ukraine, killing dozens of civilians. The spat between Zelensky and Trump on Feb. 28, caused outrage in Ukraine that only escalated when Washington temporarily cut off military intelligence aid on March 5. At the same time, Trump has done little to pressure Russia, apart from threats of sanctions. U.S. negotiators are set to separately meet Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Riyadh on March 24 to discuss the partial ceasefire proposal. Until now, the Trump team has only held bilateral talks with each side separately, including meetings with Russia in Riyadh on Feb. 18 and Istanbul on Feb. 27, and with Ukraine in Jeddah on March 11. Starmer, an ardent supporter of Ukraine, has called for countries to join a coalition of the willing to support Ukraine with a peacekeeping force. He warned that Putin will breach any peace deal unless security guarantees are in place. "It needs to be clear to Putin that there will be severe consequences if he breaches the lines," he said on March 20. Read also: Trump says efforts to end Ukraine war somewhat under control just hours before deadly Russian strike on Kyiv Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Standing beside the bodies of two men lying on the ground, blood pooling around one of them, in the Syrian village of Qabo Al-Awamiya in the Latakia countryside, a woman shouts in despair: God wont forgive you. Are those your sons? God wont forgive you, one of the men shes speaking to, who is out of frame and appears to be holding the camera, responds. You started it, he says, as he issues a chilling threat: I swear, were going to crush every Alawite. The exact circumstances surrounding the footage were not immediately clear. But it is one of more than 15 videos geolocated and verified by NBC News capturing the deadly violence that unfolded in Syria last week after fighters loyal to the ousted Assad regime attacked government forces on March 6, setting off a wave of revenge killings largely targeting the Alawite community, the small Islamic sect to which the Assad family belongs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one video, an armed man can be seen pummeling and taunting another man, before setting him free only to shoot him as he runs away; in another, men are forced to crawl on their hands and knees before being shot. In several others, bodies can be seen amassed on streets and in mass graves in areas across Latakia, a former stronghold of ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. A sweeping response from security forces has stabilized the violence, but imagery has laid bare the deep divisions coursing through Syrian society after more than a decade of civil war, with the deadly attacks highlighting the colossal challenge the countrys interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, faces in his bid to fulfill his vow to lead a more unified and inclusive Syria. More than 1,300 people were killed in a dayslong eruption of violence earlier this month after the retaliatory attacks were launched following the assault on security forces, with more than 970 civilians, mostly from the Alawite community, among those killed, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Hundreds of Syrian government soldiers and fighters loyal to Assad were also killed in clashes. The majority of the killings were focused in the governorates of Latakia and Tartus along the Mediterranean coast, both former Assad strongholds and home to majority-Alawite populations. Hundreds of people were also killed in Hama, further inland, and elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some have accused government forces of being behind the retaliatory attacks, with the violence fueling doubts about Sharaas own stance as his past life as a jihadi leader continues to hang over his future ambitions. A protest condemning attacks on the Alawite community in Qamishli, Syria, on March 11. Those accusations have come despite Sharaas own calls for peace amid the violence, as well as his decision to launch an investigation into the violence, vowing to bring those responsible to justice. One member of the Alawite community, who spoke on the condition of anonymity over fears for his safety, told NBC News that promise gave him little reassurance. The 24-year-old man described how he and his neighbors in a town in the governorate of Hama were forced out of their homes on March 7 by masked groups. He said he noticed one white vehicle with the words Public Security emblazoned on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They forced us out of the house and made us kneel on the ground, warning us, Be quiet and dont say a word, or I will shoot you, he said in messages on Monday. He said at least two of his neighbors were taken by the men and later found dead, sharing images with NBC News showing the two men lying on the ground bloodied, one with a severe wound through his left eye. NBC News was not able to independently verify the details of his account. But now, he said, he lives in fear of another attack and is considering seeking asylum in another country because of the fear and terror. The man said he was not an Assad supporter but that under the regime, he had felt more protected as an Alawite. He said he felt convinced that the current government had at least some role in the attacks against his community. Its a sentiment many are likely to share in the Alawite community, said Tim Eaton, a senior research fellow in the Middle East and North Africa program at the London-based think tank Chatham House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that Assads ties to the Alawite community, as well as the communitys strong presence within the regime, created a kind of dependency, while also exacerbating the animosity of those opposing the regime. The deadly violence in recent days marks a major turning point in Syria following Assads ouster, led by Sharaas Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, rebel group, highlighting the difficulties Syrias leader faces in navigating a complicated security landscape rife with sectarian divisions that simmered for months before coming to a boil. Muhsen al-Mustafa, a research assistant at the Istanbul-based Omran Center for Strategic Studies, said in a phone interview Monday that while he felt the security situation in Syria was more stable now, there was still widespread confusion about the state of peace inside the country. This feels to be a major test of rule of law and the rhetoric of Sharaas leadership, Eaton said in a separate phone interview Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, he said, I feel like the response to it is going to be the more decisive part to it, because is he going to be able to rein these elements in? Is he going to actually walk the talk in terms of holding [those responsible for the violence] accountable? The challenges are so incredibly steep, he said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Senator Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, watches a vote during the Senate Floor Session on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. (Nathaniel Bailey for the Daily Montanan) The Montana Republican Party officially called for the resignation of Hamilton Sen. Jason Ellsworth on Sunday. In a press release, the state GOP said Ellsworth, a Republican and former Senate president, is no longer fit to serve in the Senate following a report by the Senate Ethics Committee about Ellsworths failure to disclose a conflict of interest while procuring a $170,100 contract for a friend and business associate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report has raised serious concerns regarding his conduct, and we firmly believe that for the good of the state and the well-being of his constituents, Senator Ellsworth should step down from his position, the release stated. We urge Senator Ellsworth to resign voluntarily in order to restore trust in the Senate and allow for a focus on the work that lies ahead for the people of Montana. Ellsworth was not initially aware of the partys stance on Sunday morning and did not respond to questions about whether he would resign. The senator has not been working from the Capitol in recent weeks, after receiving permission to work remotely due to health issues. The ethics committee adopted its final report last week following weeks of hearings and fact finding. The Senate initially convened the ethics committee in January after details of the contract between Ellsworth and his friend Bryce Eggleston were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Justice is also investigating criminal allegations related to Ellsworths actions. The Montana Senate is expected to discuss the ethics report during Mondays floor session, with the GOP majority expected to bring a motion to punish Ellsworth, according to several senators. Whether the motion will be for expulsion or a form of censure was not confirmed to the Daily Montanan. The state Republican Party said that if Ellsworth does not voluntarily step aside, they will fully support the Senates decision to expel him, ensuring that the integrity of the Senate remains intact. The decision by the state GOP was reached by a unanimous vote of the Montana Republican Partys Executive Board. NIAGARA FALLS Two Republican state lawmakers from Niagara County say they want to ensure casino funds keep flowing to local entities previously guaranteed gaming revenue under state legislation that expired more than a year ago. During a press conference on Friday at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, state Sen. Minority Leader Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, and state Assemblyman Angelo Morinello, R-Niagara Falls, renewed their calls to amend and approve a new version of the now-expired gaming revenue sharing agreement commonly known as 99h. The agreement, which ended along with the states gaming compact with the Seneca Nation of Indians on Dec. 31, 2023, required the City of Niagara Falls to share part of its annual allotment of casino funds with the citys hospital, school district, housing authority and underground railroad interpretive center as well as the Mount St. Marys Neighborhood Health Center and Niagara Countys lead tourism agency, Destination Niagara. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Absent the legislation, both Ortt and Morinello said the entities are unable to bank on what they described as essential gaming revenue, which they said has not only helped sustain the organizations over the years but has also resulted in substantial capital projects and community investment in the Falls. If we werent here talking about this, those great things would still be going on, but there would be less funding and resources to do so, Ortt said. So maybe a few less people would be helping. Maybe a few less people, maybe more than a few, would not be employed or not employed here. So it is critical. The now-expired gaming compact required the Seneca Nation to give the state 25% of slot machine revenue from its three local casinos Seneca Niagara, Buffalo Creek and Seneca Allegany on an annual basis. The state then shared a percentage of its share with host municipalities, including the Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca. Seneca leaders have said they intend to seek a lower payout percentage payment to the state under any new deal. Both Ortt and Morinello described current negotiations using terms like stalled and at a standstill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While they acknowledged an amended revenue-sharing agreement could not take effect without a new gaming compact in place, both lawmakers said they feel it is important to keep pressing the issue knowing a deal will get done eventually. Both lawmakers said they recently discussed the situation with leaders from the Seneca Nation. Ortt said he also talked it over during a recent meeting with Gov. Kathy Hochul. I think it is important that we make sure this is top of mind and that we get something done, Ortt said. That doesnt mean you cant adjust. I think everyone up here, they would take something over nothing. The amended 99-H legislation calls for Niagara Falls to keep 80% of its annual share of casino revenue once a new compact is in place. Under the proposal, city funds would be designated to accommodate and enhance economic development and to support neighborhood revitalization, public health and safety and infrastructure improvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the proposal, the remaining 20% would be divided up among the other entities each year as follows: The Falls hospital and school district would both receive 5.5%, not to exceed $750,000; Destination Niagara would receive 7%, not to exceed $1 million; The Underground Railroad Heritage Commission, which oversees the operation of the citys interpretive center, would receive 1%, or $200,000, whichever is greater; The Falls Housing Authority and Mount St. Marys Neighborhood Health Center, located on Ninth Street in the city, would receive $50,000 each. While they noted that the city has no shortage of needs and uses for casino revenue, both Ortt and Morinello argued that the other entities could use the money as well and that what theyve done with casino money in the past has benefited the community as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each one of the entities that is listed in 99-H provides some form of economic development, some form of tourism, Morinello said. Memorial Medical Center received as much as $750,000 per year under the prior revenue-sharing agreement. CEO Joe Ruffolo said the bulk of the money was used to support large-scale capital projects and investments, including the development of two inpatient behavioral health centers and renal dialysis, stroke and cardiac care units. Ruffolo said guaranteed casino revenue in future years would go a long way in supporting the hospitals current $58 million long-term capital improvement plan, which includes plans to demolish the healthcare facilitys deteriorating parking ramp on 10th Street. The renewal of 99-H and the continued funding for the hospital is extremely important if we are able to hit all of those projects on the timeline we have set forward, he said. Ortts version of the amended 99-H legislation has already been approved by the state senate. It is up for consideration by the assembly this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both lawmakers said, as a local bill covering only entities in the Falls, it is not required to be co-sponsored by any Democrat in Albany, however, passage would require support from Democrats who control the majority in the state assembly. Hochul provided Niagara Falls with $7.6 million last year as an advance of casino revenue the city should have received under the old compact. The city did not share any of the money with any of the entities previously covered under 99-H. Falls Democratic Mayor Robert Restaino, who did not attend Fridays press conference, previously told the newspaper that hes reluctant to engage in talks about a new revenue-sharing agreement without a new gaming compact in place. One of his main concerns is the lack of understanding about what the total revenue share for the state might be under any new compact. Not knowing what the compact is going to look like makes it difficult to look at what would a refashioned distribution of resources look like, Restaino said in an interview last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restaino also previously noted that the city relies on casino revenue to support its general fund obligations, including services like police and fire protection. He said hes concerned such services may be impacted if the state, and by extension the city, end up receiving less money each year. The money that we receive already has a destination, Restaino said. Until we can completely wean off of casino funds in the general fund, thats got to be entered into the conversation too. State Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who yields a lot of influence over assembly votes by virtue of her position as the bodys Majority Leader, has not endorsed the idea of amending 99-H. In a statement sent to the newspaper in response to a request for comment last week, Stokes said she is interested in seeing a renegotiation of the gaming compact between the state and the Seneca Nation and that she hopes, with a new compact in place, Restaino and the city council will have the ability to make decisions, for themselves, on how those (funds) are used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Morinello expressed confidence that he would be able to secure support from enough Democrats to get the bill passed in the Assembly. If this were to get to that point, I can assure you that I have enough working relationships across the aisle that we can get it across the finish line, he said. Ortt said he has also asked Hochul New Yorks most influential Democrat to endorse the bill as well. I think having her support, it certainly helps us get it across the finish line, Ortt said. PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) On Saturday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation released a Facebook post regarding denied entry by park personnel to conduct a wellness check and view dolphin enclosures by Gulf World Marine staff. On Sunday, State Representative Griff Griffitts released this statement in response to FWC concerning reports related to the sanitation and condition of aquatic enclosures : As your State Representative, I am very concerned about the welfare of the dolphins at Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am currently reaching out to the appropriate state and federal agencies to inquire about the proper steps to ensure the safety and well-being of all animals at the park. Please know that I take these concerns seriously and will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will keep our community informed of any developments as they arise. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mar. 22MORGANTOWN The continuing resolution signed into law this past week averted a government shutdown, but may have closed the door on a number of projects across West Virginia. As previously reported, the temporary spending plan did not include any fiscal year 2025 congressionally directed spending, or earmarks, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars across the Mountain State. Now, local officials are questioning the status of yet-to-be-received funds awarded as congressionally directed spending from FY 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dominion Post reached out to WVU after the university made an emergency request to the Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization to amend its Transportation Improvement Plan to reflect a change in funding for upcoming improvements to the university's Personal Rapid Transit system. The university had been awarded $6.4 million in congressionally directed spending in the FY 2024 appropriations cycle for the work. The funds were to be used as part of a multi-year overhaul of the transit system, including aesthetic and infrastructural updates to stations, platforms, staircases, elevators and guideway components. "Currently, a lot of those grants are frozen, including this PRT grant, " MPO Executive Director Bill Austin said. "WVU would like to continue with that work. That's about $3 million worth of work they were hoping to get done this summer. So, working with the [Federal Transportation Administration ] they figured a way to shift some funds around from the next fiscal year so they could accommodate that work." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that was just one of many FY 2024 earmarks anticipated by WVU, the city of Morgantown and other local agencies that have yet to materialize. WVU Executive Director of Communications April Kaull said the university is working with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito's office "to better understand the potential impacts and are hopeful that funding will be available for important university and related projects and initiatives." Morgantown City Councilor Danielle Trumble was part of the Morgantown delegation that traveled to Washington D.C. earlier this month for the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference. Trumble, who met with Capito while in D.C., said she was surprised to learn the 2025 congressionally directed spending was being eliminated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about the 2024 funding, Trumble said she left the conference concerned about any federal funding that's been announced but not received. "I think that it's not automatically gone like fiscal year 25, but other grants that the city has been awarded seem to be frozen, and I think we should be moving forward with the assumption that they are not guaranteed any longer, " she said. "The fiscal year 25 congressionally directed spending is certainly gone now, but I'm concerned about any other money that we don't already have in hand. I think the freeze is affecting a lot more than fiscal year 2025, and even more than just earmarks." Capito's office previously told The Dominion Post the continuing resolution only eliminated the 2025 congressionally directed spending requests. "Senator Capito understands the frustration, and she shares in that frustration, but remains committed to supporting initiatives that benefit West Virginia, " Capito Communications Director Kelley Moore said. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao shared his experience of visiting the 11th edition of the Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. Deputy CM Sao praised the arrangements and scholars' guest list at the 11th edition of KLF. He called it a beneficial program for India as many representatives from different countries gathered at the festival to share their knowledge. While speaking with the media, Deputy CM said, "Kalinga Literature Festival is being organised for the 11th consecutive year, and this time people and their representatives from many countries have come here. In different sessions on different topics, many scholars participated. This is a very beneficial and far-reaching program. It was a very good program. I have come here for the first time, and I felt very good coming here." The 11th edition of the three-day Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) concluded today. The theme of this year's festival was "Decolonizing Literature: The State, Market, and the Literary Community in the Global South". This theme aimed to explore the complex ways in which literature in the Global South navigates the enduring legacies of colonialism, the influence of the state and market forces, and the evolving role of the literary community in shaping narratives and fostering cultural dialogue, as per the official website of the KLF. This three-day event started with the inauguration ceremony on March 21. The Governor of Odisha Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati was the chief guest on the first day. (ANI) ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) In response to the Trump administrations moves on immigration control and tackling anti-Semitism at American colleges, student activists gathered at Rockfords Haight Park on Saturday afternoon. :I think its part of our social responsibility to be the best community members that we can and to protect the most vulnerable of our society, said demonstrator Ari Perez. And right now, we are seeing heightened attacks on our Palestinian brothers and sisters, as well as my Latino brothers and sisters. So I think its important whenever we see these injustice take place, to step out of your comfortability and to to take to the streets, to stand up and fight back. The protest Saturday was part of a continued string of demonstrations in the Rockford area. Last month, protests were held at multiple Rockford high schools in support of both Palestine (Gaza has come under fire from Israel in response to the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attack) and noncitizen migrants facing deportation from the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im happy that thats going on. And its just another indication to me that that the younger generations are not only going are not only going to promote a free Palestine, but theyre also going to oppose those authoritarian regimes regardless of where they are, Perez said. With the April 1st Consolidated Election only a few weeks away, Perez said activists are also encouraging everyone to vote. A lot of these local elected officials, local officials, they say that, oh, Palestine doesnt relate to Iraq, its not Iraq. But if you look at the history, you can understand that Rockford is implicated. So I think that we as a Rockford need to pressure our elected officials to to realize that we are implicated. This is not just a faraway issue, Perez 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. (NewsNation) A new study has challenged the long-held notion that we dont have memories from when we were babies. Published in Science Adviser on Thursday, Yale University researchers investigated infantile amnesia by performing memory tasks with infants from 4 to 24 months. Researchers from Yale University found that we dont lose those memories, instead, we cannot access them in adulthood. The reason why is still unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Babies were placed inside a functional MRI machine and shown a series of images for two seconds, with researchers analyzing activity in the hippocampus; a part of the brain associated with memories and emotions. Eating mangos linked to preventing diabetes risk: Study Shortly after, they were shown two images next to one another one they had seen, another they had not. Researchers analyzed which image they focused on for longer. Looking at the familiar image for longer was taken to mean they were familiar with it. Senior author of the study Nick Turk-Browne, Ph.D., has said more research is being undertaken on the subject. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were working to track the durability of hippocampal memories across childhood and even beginning to entertain the radical, almost sci-fi possibility that they may endure in some form into adulthood, despite being inaccessible, he said in a release. This study could be the beginning of a greater understanding. The amazing thing about this study is convincingly showing hippocampal encoding processes in babies for stimuli that are, in some sense, unimportant to them, Dr. Lila Davachi, a psychology professor at Columbia University, who was not involved in the study, told CNN. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This story is reported by South Dakota News Watch, a non-profit news organization. Find more in-depth reporting at www.sdnewswatch.org. STURGIS, S.D. An event hosted by Congressman Dusty Johnson to honor Vietnam veterans in Sturgis this week unwittingly revealed the growing division among some veterans in South Dakota and beyond. As Johnson told those assembled inside he wanted to make up for poor treatment of veterans in the 1960s and 1970s, a group of people outside the Sturgis Veterans Club protested how veterans are being treated now by the Trump administration and Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the sidewalk outside the club, a dozen people carried signs and chanted slogans. The protesters, including some former military members, said widespread employee cuts in the Department of Veterans Affairs are weakening health care for veterans. Inside the club, a few dozen people gathered for the ceremony led by Johnson, a third-term Republican. He started the event by lamenting how poorly many Vietnam veterans were treated upon returning home after their service. America is the best country in the world, but that doesnt mean that its perfect, said Johnson. If you needed to point to a piece of evidence of that imperfection, one place to start would be how we treated people in uniform in the 1960s and 1970s. Johnson said that has changed over time and that American military personnel and veterans are now treated with far more respect and reverence and that theyre more likely to get a round of applause than they are to get spit on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson welcomed about 20 Vietnam veterans or their family members to the front of the room a few at a time, and each was given a commemorative coin, a certificate, a lapel pin and a handshake. Veterans were given a microphone to share their stories of service in Vietnam. And while some remembrances were humorous, others were deeply moving and revealed the pride they feel about their service. At least one veteran began to weep. One veteran told how he was greeted in Vietnam by a commander but also by stacks of boxes containing dead soldiers waiting to be flown back to the states. The sister of one late veteran told how her brother became a journalist on the front lines in Vietnam, and read aloud an eloquent letter he wrote home. She said her brother died twice from afflictions due to exposure to Agent Orange. This is an opportunity for our country to do the right thing, Johnson said later. I look every one of these veterans in the eyes, I shake their hand, and I tell them that a grateful nation honors and thanks them for their service. Protesters angry over VA cuts But outside the veterans club, protesters decried efforts by President Donald Trump and his adviser, Elon Musk, to cut VA staffing and programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They carried signs saying, VA cuts hurt veterans, Support vets and heroes and Veterans deserve better! Deadly vehicle rollover in Black Hills The group of mostly gray-haired men and women shouted Save our veterans, Hee hee, ho ho, Elon Musk has got to go, Trump is not our king, and Show me what democracy looks like. One woman then added, This is what democracy looks like, so take a good look because it wont be here for long. Roseanna Renaud, 71, said she found it despicable that Johnson was honoring veterans at a time veteran services are being cut and many veterans are losing their jobs, and the Republican-controlled Congress is doing nothing to stop it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Veterans are starting to wake up and notice that they cant get that appointment that they need, that they cant get that treatment, said Renaud, who said she is a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe, a Vietnam-era Army veteran and a retired police lieutenant. I find it just absolutely disgusting. I mean, theres a sign over there about the Veterans Crisis Line and at the same time they have slashed mental health services for veterans. You think thats right? Hell, no. At one point, a man entered into an argument with a protester and shoved the 74-year-old man to the ground. Later, John Henry, 76, of Sturgis, was arrested for simple assault, said Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDerwater. The protester was not seriously injured. VA might cut thousands of jobs Actions by the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency already have led to the firing of a few thousand VA employees and the suspension of hundreds of contracts for services, according to The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AP reported on March 5 that an internal VA memo announced a major reorganization this summer that will cut 80,000 more jobs from the agency that provides health care and other services to millions of veterans. More than a quarter of the VAs workforce is comprised of veterans, and veterans made up nearly a third of the overall federal workforce, which has seen dramatic job cuts under the Trump administration. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has said the job cuts are not in mission-critical positions and that veteran care would not be affected. But during the ceremony, one Vietnam veteran who was being honored by Johnson shared his concerns that staff and funding cuts to the VA could harm the ability of sick or injured service members to receive the care and services they need. Robert Orr, who said he served in the Air Force Strategic Air Command from 1970-77, spoke up about VA cuts when Johnson handed him the microphone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im very pleased with the care Ive gotten at the VA, Orr said. Congressman Johnson, if you can, do what you can to restore the funding and personnel to the VA. Orr added that, Ive never heard there was a surplus of staff at the VA, a comment that drew applause from ceremony attendees. Orr later told News Watch that he has seen VA services slipping for some veterans he knows and is worried that any position, program or funding cuts could make it even harder for them to receive care. Orr said he felt it was a conflict for Johnson to lead a ceremony honoring veterans while the president and Republican leadership in Congress have or will cut the VA budget and staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id say its a lack of critical thinking, Orr said. In an interview after the ceremony, Johnson said he supports the ability of the protesters to exercise their First Amendment rights to criticize the government. He said he had not spoken with the protesters but is monitoring the cuts and proposed cuts to the VA to ensure medical care and other services are not impacted. Johnson: VA seeking efficiencies Johnson said he is friends with VA secretary Collins, they have discussed how the VA is being managed and together have called out the Trump administration when the cuts are not the right fit. Johnson said the White House has been receptive to their concerns and suggestions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congress hasnt and will not cut VA funding. There will certainly be some efficiencies that are found as we work together, but those efficiencies are going to be reinvested in the system, he said. We have got to reduce these debts, and we know that no front care or provisioning staff have been cut. There have been some positions eliminated that weve got some concerns about. Were asking some tough questions to the (Trump) administration (because) we need to get this right. Johnson told News Watch he wasnt sure how many VA positions have been cut in South Dakota so far, but his understanding is that it is not a large number. The South Dakota VA health system includes hospitals in Sturgis, Hot Springs and Sioux Falls and outpatient clinics in nine cities across the state. Johnson said he and other members of Congress have spoken to agency heads, Cabinet secretaries and the White House to stay abreast of DOGE actions and cuts, including any related to the VA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every week that goes by, were building, I think, more successes as we go, Johnson said. Clearly, theres a lot of change coming at us very quickly. We know that nobodys going to bat 1,000 and its part of our job representing South Dakota to make sure that when the administration has a misstep, that we do what we can to get them back on the right track. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When schools in Kentucky closed for several days last month due to severe flooding, students suddenly began showing up at the Bullitt County Public Library. They had come for the internet. To pay for those high-speed connections that some students lacked at home, the county library like many others across the country has relied on a federal program that is now poised for a major overhaul courtesy of the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Internet access is a luxury, said Tara OHagan, the librarys executive director. In Bullitt County, theres literally a digital divide. The case, which the justices will hear on Wednesday, could wind up costing libraries, schools and hospitals billions. At a time when nearly 10% of US households do not have access to broadband internet, one of the leading programs to bridge the divide has been caught up in a broader and decades old separation-of-powers fight over federal agencies. Those cases have found purchase on the 6-3 conservative Supreme Court, which has repeatedly limited the ability of the federal bureaucracy to act absent congressional approval. A conservative consumer awareness group is challenging the $7 billion Universal Service Fund, which Congress created in 1996 to offset the cost of phone and internet service for low-income Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a system that critics say is a bureaucrats dream and a nightmare for the Constitution. To pay for programs like E-Rate, which OHagans library relies on, Congress requires telecommunications companies to chip billions of dollars into the fund, a cost that is usually passed on to customers. Critics say the system is an indirect tax levied by the Federal Communications Commission and violates whats known as the nondelegation doctrine the idea that Congress cant delegate its power to federal agencies. Making matters worse, those critics say, the FCC essentially outsources the administration of the fund to a private company. Nobody wants to take responsibility for taxes, said Trent McCotter, an attorney at the Boyden Gray law firm who will argue against the government on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paying for the program through regular congressional spending bills, McCotter told CNN, would be better for schools and libraries in the long run. The Universal Service Fund is facing a widely recognized death spiral of ever-higher rates, with dwindling returns which will soon implode the program, he said. But others say pervasive gridlock on Capitol Hill would jeopardize programs like E-Rate and Lifeline that connect millions of Americans to the internet. The impact would be most pronounced and quickest on low-income folks, said John Heitmann, counsel for the National Lifeline Association, a group that represents companies that connect about 8 million households with phone and internet service subsidized through the fund. They dont have the megaphone that corporations have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A decision is expected by the end of June. Curbing the administrative state The Supreme Courts conservative majority has in recent years hacked away at the power of federal agencies to act on their own, most recently in a 6-3 decision last year that overturned a 1984 precedent requiring courts to give deference to agency regulations in many circumstances. Federal agency power expanded dramatically after the New Deal, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority, and courts had veered too far from exercising independent judgment about whether an agency had violated the law. That decision came on the heels of a blockbuster ruling in 2022 that embraced the so-called major questions doctrine, which bars an agency from issuing a rule with major economic or political impacts absent explicit approval from Congress. The nondelegation doctrine, which blocks Congress from delegating its authority to agencies and may also bar agencies from delegating their authority to private entities is the next target in that campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The high court has not invoked the nondelegation doctrine since the 1930s. It has instead since permitted Congress to delegate authority under certain conditions. But conservative groups in particular have argued the permissiveness has perverted separation-of-powers principles, allowing government agencies to take the lead on difficult choices they say should be left to elected lawmakers. That argument has drawn nods of approval from at least four conservative justices. Many of the recent appeals dealing with the power of federal agencies have taken on a political sheen, with conservative groups challenging policies embraced by the Biden administration including student loan forgiveness, environmental regulations and Covid-19 restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the politics of this case, FCC v. Consumers Research, are more complicated. The Biden administration appealed an adverse ruling from the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals and the Trump administration hasnt shown any sign of deviating course. The Justice Department warned the court in a brief this month that Congress has relied on this courts longstanding approach to the issue to enact legislation authorizing agencies to police unfair competition, oversee the securities industry and ensure the safety of food and drugs. Some of the programs funded through the Universal Service Fund have faced controversies and even some of those advocating for them acknowledge that McCotter has a point about the funds long-term viability. Still those advocates are hopeful that President Donald Trump wont try to undermine the programs, which have a significant impact in rural communities that supported his reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Trump announced a new FCC commissioner in a social media post in January, he noted that the agency would work to cut regulations, protect free speech and ensure every American has access to affordable and fast internet. The remark, though unspecific, was not lost on advocates hoping to bolster the programs. And Vice President JD Vance, a former senator from Ohio, was a leading supporter of a similar initiative in Congress, the Affordable Connectivity Program. That program, though, serves as a cautionary tale for advocates for expanding digital access: Congress let its funding lapse last year. Disconnecting rural communities? Librarians and school officials who spoke with CNN are focused on the impact and their budgets far more than the politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OHagans said the library spends about $4,000 a month to provide internet to its five branches. Thats an 80% reduction on what it would normally cost a difference that is covered by E-Rate, one of the programs at issue in the case. Without that support, we wouldnt be able to provide internet access to our most susceptible community members, she said. Chase Christensen, superintendent of the Sheridan County School District #3 in northern Wyoming, also relies on an E-Rate program, which pays about 20% of the cost of managing the schools internal internet network. Chase Christensen, the superintendent of the Sheridan County School District #3 in Wyoming, told CNN that the E-Rate program helps his district pay for broadband internet for students. - Kimonas Patiniotis Tara OHagan, executive director of the Bullitt County Public Library in Kentucky, relies on the E-Rate program to pay for internet access at several branches. - Courtesy Tara OHagan Its picking up the big chunk and making it a little bit more affordable, Christensen said. We can spend those dollars in the classroom instead of spending them on network infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The E-Rate program provided about $3.26 billion in discounts for interconnectivity in 2024, according to a brief supporting the FCC filed by the School Superintendents Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and other groups. More than 106,000 schools benefited over the past two years. Sometimes schools use those resources in less than obvious ways. A lot of them are using the internet to power security systems or theyre using their internet to control the environment, said Noelle Ellerson Ng, with the superintendents group. Thats not even about teaching and learning. Its just about getting kids to schools and getting schools ready for kids. Danielle Perry, chief compliance officer for a California-based company called TruConnect, said the Lifeline program helps low-income Americans search for better jobs, attend telehealth visits and stay connected with family in other words, the same things everyone uses the internet for. Its something that most of us take for granted never think about it, she said. But these are people who just desperately need this program. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A young man was arrested on suspicion of attacking a rabbi in the French city of Orleans, over the weekend, prompting Emmanuel Macron to describe anti-Semitism as a poison. The attacker allegedly hit the rabbi of Orleans on the head, bit him on the shoulder and insulted him as he was walking back from synagogue with his nine-year-old son on Saturday afternoon, a source told AFP. Several sources said Rabbi Arie Engelberg was hit on the cheek and shoulder blade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emmanuelle Bochenek-Puren, the Orleans prosecutor, said police were checking the identity of the person in custody since he did not have documents on him when he was detained. Another source with knowledge of the case said the suspect arrested on Saturday night was known under at least three identities, one Moroccan and two Palestinian. France is home to the largest Jewish population outside Israel and the United States, as well as the largest Muslim community in the European Union. Several EU nations have reported a spike in anti-Muslim hatred and anti-Semitism since the Oct 7 massacre, according to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andre Druon, a Jewish community leader in Orleans, said there had not been any incident in Orleans since Oct 7 apart from some graffiti before the very violent attack on the rabbi. He said the rabbi was profoundly shaken when he recounted his ordeal to the community on Sunday. Mr Druon said an individual started filming the rabbi and then attacked the religious leader when he asked him to stop recording. Yann Dhieux, a locksmith, said he had intervened with his arms wide and helped stop the assault, but that it was shocking to see the rabbi attacked in front of his young son. Zero tolerance Mr Macron voiced solidarity with the rabbis family and all French people of the Jewish faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anti-Semitism is a poison, he wrote on X. Gideon Saar, Israels foreign minister, said he was shocked by the attack and called for zero tolerance for anti-Semitism. France recorded some 1,570 anti-Semitic acts last year, according to the countrys interior minister. They made up 62 per cent of all acts of hatred based on religion. 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 DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The suspect accused of killing her wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi, in an alleged domestic incident in San Diego County was arrested in Baja California, Mexico, a month later, authorities report. Law enforcement in Baja California and San Diego County announced Saturday Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi has been arrested for the stabbing death of her estranged wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi. U.S. Marshals take suspect in Cal Fire captains death, Yolanda Olejniczak, into custody at Calexico West U.S. Port of Entry (Photo: U.S. Marshals) U.S. Marshals take suspect in Cal Fire captains death, Yolanda Olejniczak, into custody at Calexico West U.S. Port of Entry (Photo: U.S. Marshals) Marodi was found with fatal stab wounds on February 17 at her home in the San Diego County community of Ramona by her mother who lives on the property in an ADU. The San Diego County Sheriffs Office said she had several injuries to her neck, chest and back consistent with a stabbing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olejniczak had been on the run for over month after she was identified as the primary suspect in the case and was believed to have fled to Mexico. Officials identify suspect in stabbing death of Cal Fire captain The San Diego County Sheriffs Office reports Olejniczak was seen on surveillance video earlier in the evening of Feb. 17 reportedly arguing and physically assaulting Marodi. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports Olejniczak crossed into Mexico in her vehicle by the San Ysidro Port of Entry on that same evening of Feb. 17. Cal Fire captain dies after found with multiple stab wounds in Ramona Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. authorities in San Diego County had requested help finding Olejniczak in Mexico. She was arrested by the FESC near Hotel Hacienda del Indio on Fresnillo Avenue in Mexicali on Saturday, Baja California Citizen Security Secretariat officials report. Suspect in Cal Fire captains death arrested in Baja California (Photo: Baja California Government) After confirming her identity, Mexican authorities turned Olejniczak back over to United States custody at the Calexico West U.S. Port of Entry to the U.S. Marshals. Olejniczak will be booked into jail and faces a murder charge, the sheriffs office reports. She always had a smile: Colleague remembers Cal Fire captain killed inside Ramona home Court records obtained by FOX 5/KUSI show Olejniczak had previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the early 2000s after fatally stabbing her estranged husband, James Olejniczak, in San Bernardino County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation into the circumstances and motivation behind the fatal stabbing of Marodi remains ongoing. Anyone with more information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330/after hours at 858-868-3200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Check back for updates on this breaking 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI) Authorities say the woman accused of killing her estranged wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi, in an alleged domestic incident last month has been arrested in Baja California, Mexico. Marodi was found fatally stabbed on February 17 at her home in the San Diego County community of Ramona by her mother who lives on the property. The San Diego County Sheriffs Office said Rebecca Marodi had several injuries to her neck, chest, and back consistent with a stabbing. Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi was identified as the primary suspect in the case and authorities believed she had fled to Mexico. U.S. Marshals take suspect in Cal Fire captains death, Yolanda Olejniczak, into custody at Calexico West U.S. Port of Entry (Photo: U.S. Marshals) U.S. Marshals take suspect in Cal Fire captains death, Yolanda Olejniczak, into custody at Calexico West U.S. Port of Entry (Photo: U.S. Marshals) The San Diego County Sheriffs Office reports Olejniczak was seen on surveillance video shortly before the alleged stabbing and appeared to be arguing and physically assaulting Marodi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports Olejniczak crossed into Mexico in her vehicle by the San Ysidro Port of Entry the night of the incident. Authorities in San Diego County had requested help finding Olejniczak in Mexico. She was ultimately arrested roughly 100 miles from Ramona near a hotel in Mexicali on Saturday, Baja California Citizen Security Secretariat officials report. After confirming her identity, Mexican authorities turned Olejniczak over to the U.S. Marshals at the Calexico West U.S. Port of Entry. Olejniczak will be booked into jail and faces a murder charge, the sheriffs office reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She always had a smile: Colleague remembers Cal Fire captain killed inside Ramona home Court records obtained by Nexstars KSWB/KUSI show Olejniczak had previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the early 2000s. She had been accused of fatally stabbing her estranged husband, James Olejniczak, in San Bernardino County. An investigation into the circumstances and motivation behind the fatal stabbing of Marodi remains ongoing. Anyone with more information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330 or after hours at 858-868-3200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. 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. CHICAGO Chicago police are looking for the suspects responsible for gunning down a man on the citys South Side late Saturday morning. According to Chicago police, the shooting happened around 11:05 a.m. in the 4700 block of South Evans Avenue. The 26-year-old victim, whose identity has not yet been released, was standing near the sidewalk when three gunmen ran up on him. The victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man found shot to death inside burning South Side home Mona Hardy, who lives nearby, said she was getting ready to leave for an appointment when everything unfolded. Thats when I heard the shots and I just froze and I sat there and my 13-year-old came and was like, mom I just saw a guy get in a car in the alley with a ski mask and a gun, Hardy said. Right when she was telling me that we started hearing the shots again, so I was like, get down. Surveillance video from a nearby building obtained by WGN shows three male suspects running out of the alleyway, opening fire on the victim as he stood near an SUV in the street. More than a dozen gunshots can be heard before the suspects ran back into the alley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About fifteen seconds later, an SUV emerged and stopped near the victim. One suspect is caught on camera getting out of the vehicle, running over to the victim, and continuing to shoot him on the ground before getting back in the SUV and taking off. Pilot program allows 7th District CPD officers to file gun charges without felony review process A few seconds later, we started hearing the screaming and the yelling. I looked out my window here and I saw the lady over here trying to talk to the guy on the ground, said Hardy. All of the neighbors came, I even came down, I had on a robe with towels just trying to help any way that we can; called 911. Neighbors described the brazen crime as shocking. Hardy said she cannot recall anything like this happening in the area and said shes felt safe since she moved in more than a year and a half ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WGN analyzed the citys crime map, and between 2015 and 2025, no homicides or shootings occurred on this block or several surrounding blocks. Investigators remained at the scene Saturday for several hours, canvassing the area for potential evidence, documenting the crime scene, and speaking with witnesses. At least one vehicle parked along the street sustained damage from gunfire. A woman who works nearby said she parked and walked away from her SUV around 10:45 a.m., just about 20 minutes before gunfire erupted, leaving her vehicle damaged. Because Ive experienced loss in that traumatic way, Im thinking about whats going to happen to the people that are still here, said Tiffany White. I feel for the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both White, who has had four cousins killed in Chicago, and Hardy hope that people with information will come forward. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines I always encourage people if you see something, say something, I dont care how small it may be. It could be you next, and then you would your community, your neighbors to help out, say something, Hardy said. If you dont say something, youre letting someone get away with a murder, that could potentially lead to another murder, and then its a cycle, White said. According to Chicago police, no suspects are in custody. Area One Detectives are handling the homicide investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 312-747-8380 or visit this link to submit an anonymous tip. 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. ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland has highlighted the country's contribution to the U.S. economy as it seeks to avoid tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, Swiss economic affairs minister Guy Parmelin said. A delegation visited Washington last week after Switzerland was put on a list of countries being examined for unfair trade practices. Parmelin said it was difficult to say whether Switzerland would avoid U.S. reciprocal tariffs, which are expected to take effect on April 2, although Swiss officials had explained the country's position. "We have signalled we are ready to discuss and to show we have benefits for the U.S.," Parmelin told broadcaster SRF. "We have abolished industrial tariffs. That means almost 99% of goods from the U.S. that come to Switzerland do so without customs duties. Probably other countries don't have that." Switzerland was the sixth biggest foreign investor in the United States, and Swiss companies employed around 400,000 people in the country, with high salaries, Parmelin said. "We are a strong investor ... and we want to invest more," Parmelin said. Whether this was enough to prevent tariffs was still open, Parmelin said. Trump's objection to other countries charging sales taxes could be difficult to deal with, Parmelin said, with Switzerland not wanting to abolish the tax. Still, Switzerland wanted to wait to see what was announced on April 2. "The high level political discussions will come afterwards," Parmelin said. (Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Alison Williams) Hundreds of motorcycle riders took over the streets of DeLand in Volusia County to honor of 8-year-old Michael Millet. Its a benefit for a family who lost their little boy and was killed. We are here just to mainly support them, said Anthony Ridings, who joined the run on his motorcycle. The call to action started small and quickly took on a life of its own. Suddenly, donations for raffles started pouring in from all over the county, along the hundreds upon hundreds of bikers who signed up, and business owners who donated their space for fundraisers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has rocked the entire community in the Central Florida area, and I felt the need that we needed to do something. My husband is amazing, he came up with the idea to do a poker run, said Mandy Shrader, who kickstarted the whole thing and got emotional just talking about it. I just want to thank the community for actually showing up. All of these items were donated by the community. Its just amazing. I cant thank this community enough. Although the event is a display of solidarity, it also comes following a tragedy. After the loss of their 8-year-old, who was mauled to death by two dogs near his DeLand home in January, Michaels family has been pushing for stricter rules and penalties for owners of dogs considered dangerous. They even made a trip to Tallahassee to tell their story before lawmakers last week., Most people who attended the run on Sunday didnt even Michael, his family, or even one another - however, they all showed up for their community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is an unimaginable nightmare for all of us, is their daily existence. And they found a way to deal with it, at least for now in taking on this purpose and changing the laws, said Katy, who decided to attend the event as a volunteer. I hope that they push for these laws to change and make people accountable, added Shrader. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and his office have supported the run since the beginning and also donated items for the fundraiser. The funds will go straight to Michaels family. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A.R. Murugadoss expressed his love and admiration for Salman Khan by sharing an old incident which took place in Chennai, where he saw the actor for the first time. Director Murugadoss, who is known for films Ghajini and Holiday, collaborated with Salman Khan for the first time for the upcoming film titled Sikandar. It is slated to hit theatres on March 30, 2025. At the trailer launch event, the 'Ghajini' director shared his fan moment for superstar Salman Khan which includes an unexpected meet with the actor in Chennai He said, "I was struggling as an AD (Assistant Director) long back. So I wanted to watch a shoot, so I went to Prasad Studios in Chennai. I requested the security guard to let me in and watch me shoot. He allowed me on two conditions. You have to be in corner and you cannot talk to anyone. He gave me 20 minutes. After that, I had to leave." He further explained how he became a fan of Salman after one unexpected encounter with the actor and decided to cast him in a film. "So I entered. I don't know what the shoot was. Full dark smoke, light comes, Sridevi is there. I was surprised. Then suddenly, I see a hero's backside. He is combing his hair. So I tried to see who the hero was. He was none other than Salman Sir. So, I tried to go one step forward, and I saw the guard looking at me. He said no. So I went outside and thought that one day I will direct his film. So after so many years, I have directed the film with him." At the trailer launch, Salman reflected on his experience working on the film, highlighting how Murugadoss constantly pushed him, especially in action sequences, to bring out his best. Meanwhile, filmmaker AR Murugadoss recently expressed a desire to collaborate with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in future. In an interview with ANI, Murugadoss, who has already worked with Aamir Khan in 'Ghajini' and Salman Khan in the forthcoming film 'Sikandar', spoke about his wish to tick off working with the third Khan from his bucket list. "After this film (Sikandar), I have to finish one Tamil film. Then I will think about it (collaborating with SRK). Definitely, it is (on my bucket list); I want to work with him," Murugadoss said. Besides Aamir and Salman, Murugadoss has worked with huge stars such as Rajinikanth ('Darbar'), Vijay ('Kaththi'), Mahesh Babu ('Spyder'), Chiranjeevi ('Stalin'), Suriya (Ghajini) and Ajith ('Dheena') as well. His next directorial, Sikandar, is an action-packed film which stars Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles. (ANI) Tavares police are releasing new details of the 10-year-old child who died after being tortured by a Taveres couple. The police department shared a picture of 10-year-old Xavier Williams. Detectives say he had been uncontentious for nearly a month after Andre Walker and Kimberly Mills were seen dropping off at the Advent Health Waterman Hospital on Feb. 22. Police say Xavier touched the hearts of so many. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To honor his life, theyre hosting a candlelight vigil next Saturday, March 29, at 7 p.m. at Wooton Park in downtown Tavares. Theyre asking everyone to wear blueXaviers favorite coloras a gesture of unity and love. The department added in a statement Xaviers family warmly invites everyone in our community to join them in this moment of remembrance and gratitude for your overwhelming support during this time. Let us come together to show our love, compassion, and solidarity as we celebrate Xaviers life and the joy he brought to those around him. Tavares police say they expect enhanced charges to be filed against Kimberly Mills and Andre Walker--this Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre accused of abusing the child-- including dropping a 10-pound weight on the childs abdomen. While he was having weights dropped on his stomach---he was duct-tapped to a ladder, a detective said on the stand. Investigators say the child had bruises and burns in various stages of healing-- and also showed signs of sexual abuse. For those wishing to offer additional support to the family, the Tavares police charity is accepting donations. The family has also set up a GoFundMe page. Familys GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/aid-for-tavares-boys-critical-care?attribution_id=sl:78ca2216-e006-4484-81db-eb9372758ce0&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_t1-amp14_c&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link Tavares Police Charity: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mount-dora-community-trust/tavares-police-charities-fund?fbclid=IwY2xjawJMHHRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHYMPn1ui4pRS88hf-fQKI53t4we1WN7_La7WFhuG8ZUINeci7QMDWs7W8w_aem_tR6kEwyylRvIPPPVMyXgDQ Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Top officials at the Internal Revenue Service are predicting a large drop in tax revenue this year due to individuals and businesses either not filing or not paying all due taxes, IRS sources told The Washington Post. According to internal projections, the IRS could lose 10 percent of its revenue, or $500 billion, for tax year 2024. Thanks to Donald Trump and Elon Musks cuts via the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, the IRS will have fewer employees and therefore less ability to enforce the tax code. Because of the perception that the IRS will be less likely to prosecute tax cheats, the agency has noticed an uptick of online chatter from individuals declaring their intention to not pay taxes this year, The Post reported after speaking to three individuals familiar with tax projections. They also said that before Trump was sworn in, the incoming administration was warned that this could happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea of doing that in one year, its hard to grapple with how meaningful of a shift that represents, Natasha Sarin, a former Biden administration senior tax official and president of the Yale Budget Lab, told the paper. So far this tax season, the IRS is seeing 1.7 percent fewer returns than it did by this time last year. But internal projections take into account outstanding balances compared to last year as well as payments on returns that have already been filed this year. Sarin said the data is concerning. The thing that I think is really alarming is if this data ends up telling a story about how this filing season is evolving, and youre seeing it happen in real time, she said. A Treasury Department spokesperson who requested anonymity told The Post that the claims are sensational and baseless and should be dismissed out of hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the changes at the IRS, projections were higher for this tax season than last year, considering that the economy grew 2.8 percent in 2024. 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. GAFFNEY, S.C. (WSPA) The Gaffney Police Department has charged a former teachers assistant with physically assaulting a student. On Monday, March 17, officers were called to the Gaffney High School in reference to an assault. Police say that the assistant, identified as 21-year-old Sarah Jane Johnson, was seen slapping a 17-year-old male student in the head by other staff members. Johnson allegedly had been employed with the Cherokee County School District for just over a year. Johnson was charged with one count of cruelty to children, and turned herself in on Friday, March 21. Johnson also submitted her resignation to the School District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas White, interim superintendent of Cherokee County Schools issued the following statement when asked about the incident. When reported we responded immediately, including reporting the incident to law enforcement. The employee was put on administrative leave pending an investigation. The employee resigned her position the next day before our internal investigation was completed. Our commitment to the safety and well-being of our students and staff is a top priority. Dr. Thomas White, Interim Superintendent, Cherokee County School District Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. How was your Michelin-starred dinner last night? Was the chile-ajo-mole sauce a revelation? The chestnut souffle impossibly airy? The socarrat on the paella simply perfection? If so, you probably have the hands and skills of an immigrant to thank for that flawless experience. But if the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration and the highly publicized raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have their intended outcome, your future dinner plans might be in serious jeopardy. More from Robb Report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its estimated that 22 percent of all food-service workers in the U.S. are immigrants, with up to half that number thought to be undocumented. The statistics are even higher at earlier stages of food production. Who do you think picks the tomatoes, harvests the eggs, and slaughters the cows? Hint: Its not the guys rushing Sigma Chi. The presidents anti-immigration stance was a cornerstone of his winning campaign. If stoking fearin immigrants both documented and undocumented, to say nothing of the chefs and restaurateurs who rely on their laborwas a side effect he hoped for, mission accomplished. Because the restaurant industry is nervous. The potential for dire consequences is so great that many chefs famous enough to go by one name were unwilling to talk (even off the record) about the impact that ICE raids could have on their businesses. To protect the chefs who did speak to me, I wont identify them, except to say that theirs are the restaurants in major American cities with loyal customers, long waiting lists, and many-starred reviews. The teams are terrified, including those who have become U.S. citizens, one told me. Many are legacy employees who have been with our company for 10 years or more. They have a spiked sense of fear that they will get removed from the country or separated from their families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another added that their crew of largely Hispanic workers are genuinely petrified. Theyve shared the horrific storiesand they are all horrificof how they got here, but they all say that this is scarier. The other day, the staff was looking to see where they could hide in the walk-in. One employee is a grandmother, [in this country] for 20 years. They have all been paying taxes. While there have been few reports of ICE raids on restaurants, chefs and operators are taking precautions as directed by their attorneys and industry-advocacy groups, as much out of concern for the welfare of their staff as for the health of their establishments. If my restaurant loses 30 percent of its workforce, I have to shrink the number of covers, one chef explains. Its a house of cards. Restaurants feed other industriesvendors, purveyors, farmers, ranchers. If we have to downsize, they will, too. This can have a serious, almost catastrophic effect on the economy. Another owner was even more blunt: We and everyone else would never be able to stay open if all restaurants got raided and all illegals were sent away. It would all crash. In January, the New York City Hospitality Alliance circulated a detailed guide titled What To Do if ICE Knocks on Your Door, written in partnership with the law firm Fox Rothschild. One operator used the guidelines to teach management, and management in turn are teaching staff. But we are keeping this on a low profile. Another told me, Our managers were disappointed that we werent reassuring them that everything would be okay, but we cannot promise what we cant deliver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its worth noting that everyone I spoke with said the same thing about their staffs: Every employee is on the books, no one gets hired without proper ID, no one is paid under the table, and everyone pays taxes. In other words, these people are contributing to the U.S. economy and government coffers. Theyre contributing to the Social Security they may never end up receiving. Whats also true is that no one can be totally certain whether those proper IDs are legitimate. We know what we know, but we dont know what we dont know, says one restaurateur. You can get a Social Security number on the streets thats good enough to get through the onboarding company. Another notes: These people are not criminalsthey are just here illegally. Indeed, what gets too little attention in the larger immigration conversation is the fact that being undocumented is not a criminal offense. One chef adds: A lot of Americans dont want to do these jobs, to wash dishes for $18 an hour, to do the scrappy, hands-on, long-hours job that working in a kitchen requires. Andrew Rigie, executive director of the N.Y.C. Hospitality Alliance, concurs. Immigrants are not taking jobs from Americans, he says. I have never heard an American say, I couldnt get a job as a porter or a dishwasher at a restaurant because an immigrant took the job. Of course, deportations are nothing new. One chef told me his staff, most of whom have worked at his restaurants for more than a decade, were not very concerned because the deportations were worse when Obama was president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The immediate concern, says Rigie, is related to the rhetoric from the Trump administration. But the truth is that the decades-long failure of the government to enact immigration reform has created these problems. Given how critical to our food culture immigrants are, its unbelievable that the path to citizenship and legal status isnt easier. I say this as the proud product of immigrationand the culinary industry. My grandfather came to America from Italy, ran a speakeasy during Prohibition, and opened a restaurant in 1939. His son, my father, became an assistant U.S. attorney, then served as a local prosecutor for decades and a state judge of workers compensation. My brother still runs the restaurant that has been a pillar of our community since it opened. Immigrants are the backbone of the restaurant industry, notes Rigie. Which helps make it so wonderful and delicious. Something to consider the next time youre debating whether you can score a Thursday reservation at the new Thai, Peruvian, or Korean hot spot youve been so desperate to try. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pavia Rosati is the founder of the award-winning editorial travel website Fathom and the newsletter Way to Go. She lives between New York City and London, and she will travel for a four-hour lunch. Best of Robb Report Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. GAITHERSBURG, Md. (DC News Now) A 14-year-old boy was arrested and charged Friday with an attempted robbery in the Glenmont area, according to the Montgomery County Police Department. According to police, on the evening of Thursday, March 20, officers received reports of an assault at a McDonalds in the 12300 block of Georgia Ave., where two teens were found fighting behind the counter. Court documents: Man charged after barricade incident at CIA headquarters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After an initial investigation, police determined a 15-year-old was on a Ride On bus when he was approached by the 14-year-old suspect, who then allegedly attempted to rob him. Police say the 15-year-old exited the bus and ran into a nearby McDonalds for help as the suspect followed him. According to police, the suspect then began to assault the victim, still demanding he give up his personal property. Police apprehended the suspect, and he was charged with attempted robbery and assault. The suspect was referred to the Department of Juvenile Services and released to his 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WKRG) Spanish Forts Police chief says a 17-year-old was shot after breaking into a home. It happened at about 12:15 am Saturday at a home on Caisson Trace, near Highway 225. Chief John Barber says a family was home when one of them heard glass breaking and saw the teenager in their home. A homeowner got a pistol and shot the teenager in the upper abdomen. They called 911 and Barber says police officers rendered aid that may have saved the teenagers life. He was flown to University Hospital for treatment. Barber says they believe the teenager was under the influence of something. They dont know why he broke in. Barber says the teenager didnt live in the neighborhood where the shooting happened but was visiting friends nearby and did not know the family of the home he allegedly broke into. 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 WKRG News 5. The group Superstition Rising Indivisible organized a protest outside a Tesla location in Tempe to highlight Elon Musk's influence over the country. In an online call to action, the group voiced "deep concerns regarding Elon Musk's leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, and the detrimental impact of its recent actions on essential federal agencies." The March 22 protest was part of Tesla Takedown protests, a movement decrying Musk's impact on national politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protest took place outside the Tempe Tesla dealership. It was part of a broader series of demonstrations aimed at raising awareness about what organizers view as the misuse of Musk's influence. The event posting emphasized that the protest was not against Tesla or its products but rather "specifically at Musk's role in implementing policies that undermine critical public services." Global Day of Protest The same group intends on returning for the Global Day of Protest slated for March 29. Musk, co-founder and chairman of Tesla, owns approximately 13% of the company. "We're here because we want his hands off all of our stuff, all of our money," said Nancy Topoozian, the protest organizer. "We're here to protect the people that can't have the voice." Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk attends a rally by Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, on the day Trump returns to the site of the July assassination attempt against him, in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 5, 2024. Throughout the event, approximately 50 protesters gathered, holding signs with slogans such as "Fire Musk" and "Elon is a Nazi." Some signs took a more creative approach, including "I saw a (Musk) rat" and "Take all the ketamine," while others emphasized resisting oligarchy and defending democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Topoozian made clear the protest was not against Tesla as a company. Many protesters were Tesla owners who opposed Musk's involvement in politics, she said. A billboard depicts Elon Musk puppeteering President Donald Trump on Grand and 11th avenues in Phoenix on March 11, 2025. Stock in Musk's company has plummeted in recent weeks after multiple protests nationwide. Protesters cite his stake in the company and his influence on the federal government. Tesla has become a symbol for Americans frustrated with Musk and his efforts to shrink the federal government in his unelected role as a "special government employee" under Trump. Protesters want DOGE to look at everything in government, Topoozian said. "If there's fraud, get rid of it, but we don't agree with just firing everybody," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesters also criticized Musk for his influence on the presidential campaign and the right-wing shift of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, which he purchased in 2022. The DOGE cuts hit home for Topoozian, who was formerly an educator. "I want to be the voice for those who are scared to be out here. I also want to make sure we're doing it peacefully. We want the real message to be out there," Topoozian said. "We want Musk's pocket to start feeling like what he's doing to us" Gail Graves said her father always told her she had no right to complain unless she was actively working to improve a situation. She emphasized the importance of action. Everybody needs to know that they've got to get out and do something themselves. We have to show them how unhappy we are," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was joined by other protesters she met at a Bernie Sanders event, all sharing a common concernthat the wealthiest 1% are running the country at the expense of everyone else. Graves, an independent voter, said she was denied entry to an Andy Biggs event last week after staff looked up her voting record. She wasnt the only one turned away from the event featuring the congressman, she added. "They were very open about it," said Graves. "They said, 'Republicans only.'" Cuts to education, Social Security and veterans' benefits were among the protesters' concerns on March 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graves, a retired USPS worker, said she personally has noticed the change in how many people were arriving for the "We Care Wednesdays" food drive at Mesa Community College where she volunteers. The cuts to benefits are a big part of that, she said. Sophia Marjanovic, who has been leading the Tesla protests for the past month, said the goal is to hurt Musk financially as long as he continues to influence American politics. "Elon Musk's wealth is in Tesla. He's already lost 200 billion dollars and he's still the richest man in the world," Marjanovic said. "If he keeps disrupting our government, we're going to continue disrupting his businesses." Toopozian added, "We want Musk's pocket to start feeling like what he's doing to us." This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tesla takedown protest takes place at Temp dealership HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) A sea of people could be seen gearing up Saturday to tackle the 48th annual Holyoke St. Patricks Road Race. It marks the beginning of a spirited weekend here in the city, where the streets are flooded green, and Irish music rings on. No matter if youre Irish or not, everybodys Irish this weekend, expressed 2025 Grand Colleen Moira Reardon. Bridget Moynahan recognized as JFK National Award Recipient Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each year the road race brings 7,000 runners from all over the world right here to downtown Holyoke. Everyone is decked out in green with their running sneakers laced up and ready to go. But before the big 10K run, the shorter and more family-friendly kids fun run kicked off the day. So everyone was able to get their taste of excitement. Many area children were excited to just be outside and running in the festivities. It may be the biggest running event in western Massachusetts, but its the tradition of race day, the cheering, the outfits, and the block parties, that make this race unlike any other in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People in the neighborhoods just like really throw on a party and it like amps you up, and keeps going, said Ray Michaud of East Windsor, Connecticut. Even with the long hills you just want to push through and have fun, and its a party. Its that tradition that the St. Patricks Committee hope shines through year after year. The 2025 St. Patricks Road Race Director, Brian Donoghue told 22News that bringing a smile to peoples faces is just one reason they put on the race every year. Even tonight, you look through social media, and all you see is pictures of people having fun, Donoghue said. You know its why were here. Its why we do this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, whether runners have taken to the hills of Holyoke for this 6.2 mile race before, or giving it a try for the first time, theres no question race day sets the right tone for Sundays much-anticipated parade. Gianna, Angela, and Katie, a few of the runners said theyre ready to run, no matter the challenge, Were ready to run. And the faster you get to run, the faster you get to have fun. And if you cant make it down to the parade in person, you can watch it on 22News starting at noon. Find 22News on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; send your news tips to reportit@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. This brings the total number of drug smugglers arrested to 2613 in just 22 days. The operation was conducted simultaneously in all 28 police districts of the state on the directions of the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav. Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Senior Superintendents of Police to make Punjab a drug-free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a five-member Cabinet Subcommittee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs. Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 250 Police teams, comprising over 1700 police personnel, under the supervision of 98 gazetted officers, have conducted raids at as many as 536 locations across the state, leading to the registration of 51 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 601 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added. The Special DGP said that the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy--Enforcement, Deaddiction, and Prevention (EDP)--to eradicate drugs from the state. The Punjab Police, as part of 'De-addiction,' has convinced four persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment. (ANI) 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) This story originally appeared on 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. 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, Fauntleroy said. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. 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. Avery Fauntleroy, today. (Courtesy of Avery Fauntleroy) 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Avery Fauntleroy left the juvenile detention facility, at 16, he didnt tell anyone what had happened. He was just relieved to be outside. 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. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) Three adults and one dog have been displaced following a house fire in the South Norfolk section of Chesapeake on Saturday. According to the Chesapeake Fire Department, firefighters responded to the 1400 block of Seaboard Avenue after multiple reports of a structure fire at approximately 4:35 p.m. Upon arrival, crews entered the structure and extinguished the blaze. The fire was contained to the kitchen area of the house and officially marked under control around 4:50 p.m. Courtesy: Chesapeake Fire Department Courtesy: Chesapeake Fire Department The occupants of the home evacuated before firefighters arrived. The Red Cross has been contacted to assist with lodging arrangements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were no injuries reported to civilians or firefighters. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mar. 23The three Gorham teens who were reported missing Sunday morning have been found safe, police said. Nevaeh "Alex" Boucher, 17, Lexi Broad, 14, and Gabriella Kennie, 15, had last been seen in the area of Friendly Village, a neighborhood of mobile homes, around 12:15 a.m. Saturday, the Gorham Police Department said in a news release Sunday morning. In a second news release a few hours later, Gorham police said the three teens were safely located in New Hampshire and were being reunited with their guardians. 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 Mar. 22DIXON A program that provides in-need students at Dixon Public Schools District 170 with school supplies is helping a growing number of students each year. Tools for School provides K-12 students who are eligible for the free and reduced lunch program with a backpack filled with grade-appropriate school supplies to use throughout the year, program director Mandy Dallas said in an interview with Shaw Local. District 170 has been hosting the program for more than 12 years. For the 2023-24 school year, the program provided supplies for 531 students. That number jumped to 640 for the 2024-25 school year, Dallas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We had a hundred more students that we provided for," Dallas said. The program relies strictly on donations, and the number of donations it receives directly correlates to the number of students it can provide for, Dallas said. Tools for School is accepting either monetary donations or backpacks filled with school supplies. All donations can be dropped off at the district office at 1335 Franklin Grove Road in Dixon, she said. The program will distribute the supplies to students from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Dixon Elks Lodge, 1279 Franklin Grove Road, before the start of the new school year Aug. 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event will be a "one-stop shop" for families and feature other community resources such as free haircuts and services from the Lee County Health Department, among others, Dallas said. For information, call Dallas at 630-881-3995. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) An early morning fire at a Providence home is under investigation. According to Providence Fire Battalion Chief Jay Viens, they received a call just before 6 a.m. for a report of a fire at a home on the 100 block of Chad Brown Street. When they arrived on scene, there was fire coming from the back of the building. It took firefighters about 20 minutes to put the fire out. One person was taken to Rhode Island Hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were 14 people who live inside the home. The Red Cross are assisting those impacted by the fire. Right now, the cause of the fire is under investigation. 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: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. On the occasion of World Water Day, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini called upon everyone to take a pledge to save every single drop of water and prevent its misuse. He encouraged people to become 'Jal Mitras' and contribute to the success of the 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2025' campaign. Speaking at the national-level launch ceremony of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2025, held at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula on Saturday, the Chief Minister emphasized that the initiative would be a milestone in the efforts being taken for water conservation. He assured that the 2.8 crore people of Haryana would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the success of this water conservation movement. Welcoming the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, to the sacred land of Lord Shri Krishna, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister C.R. Patil for choosing Haryana to launch this nationwide campaign. He said that upon receiving the news about this event, he felt not only honoured as the Chief Minister but also proud as a citizen of Haryana to be a part of such an important water conservation movement. Saini said that water conservation is not just a campaign but a movement and a revolution. He stressed that this initiative is not merely a government scheme but a crucial step for securing the future of coming generations. He stated that when 'Neeti, Niyat aur Netratav' (Policy, Intent, and Leadership) are right, society also undergoes transformation, and PM Modi has proven this to be true. He emphasized how the Prime Minister has addressed social issues and shown deep concern for the people, leading to nationwide movements on cleanliness, health, Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, and water conservation, which have now become mass campaigns. The Chief Minister further said that PM Modi has set 9 resolutions for a sustainable future, with water conservation being the first. He stressed the importance of this initiative, pointing out that India has only 4 percent of the total fresh water of the world, while 18 percent of the world's population lives here. Scientists have repeatedly warned that if concrete steps are not taken in time for water conservation, the future could pose significant challenges. He further emphasized that the Jal Shakti Abhiyan is crucial not only for the present generation but also for future generations. By conserving, storing, and using water wisely today, we can ensure sufficient resources for the generations to come. The core message of this campaign is to enhance public participation and awareness in water conservation and management, said Saini. The Chief Minister said that Haryana does not have abundant water resources. The state is dependent on other states or groundwater, both of which have their limitations. However, a third source--rainwater harvesting and conservation--offers a solution. To address this, the Haryana government has already launched several water conservation schemes, covering sectors such as agriculture, industry, and housing. Saini said that to encourage farmers to grow low-water-consuming crops, the government has implemented the 'Mera Pani-Meri Virasat' scheme. Under this initiative, financial assistance is provided for growing alternative crops instead of paddy. The incentive, which was previously Rs. 7,000 per acre, has been increased to Rs. 8,000 per acre in the latest budget, he said. The Chief Minister further shared that to maximize irrigation efficiency with minimal water usage, underground pipelines have been installed to facilitate drip and sprinkler irrigation. Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: Per Drop More Crop initiative, up to 85 percent subsidy is being provided for micro-irrigation techniques, ensuring better water utilization in agriculture, said CM Saini. The Chief Minister said that treated water from Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) is being used for irrigation, industries, and non-drinking water needs in urban areas. He further said that under the Amrit Sarovar Mission, 2,215 ponds have been renovated for wastewater treatment and management, along with the restoration and rejuvenation of water bodies. CM said that the state government is encouraging farmers to construct ponds on their fields for rainwater harvesting, offering up to 85 percent subsidy for pond construction. Additionally, over 68,000 water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures have been developed across the state to enhance water availability and sustainability, shared Saini. Speaking on this occasion, Irrigation and Water Resources Minister, Shruti Choudhry, said that to save water, we must adopt the policy of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. She said that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, the state government has been running the "Mera Pani Meri Virasat scheme" for water conservation. Under this scheme, farmers are provided an incentive of Rs. 7,000 per acre for cultivating alternative crops instead of paddy. In this budget, the Chief Minister has announced to increase this amount to Rs. 8,000 per acre. While adhering to the Chief Minister's directions, an app has been developed that will help people track the water levels in canals and know the schedule for water supply rotations, informed Choudhry. The Chief Secretary, Anurag Rastogi, said that for Haryana, this is not just a campaign but our lifeline. He said that the average rainfall in Haryana has been continuously decreasing. The state's two main sources of water are the Sutlej, Ravi, Beas, and Yamuna rivers. The availability of water in both of these systems has been steadily declining over the past 40-50 years, which is a cause for concern. He further shared that the groundwater level in the state is continuously declining. Out of 143 blocks, 88 are now in the dark zone. However, the Haryana government has prepared an atlas of its ponds and conducted a survey of water resources. The government is ensuring that water reaches South Haryana, shared Anurag Rastogi. The Chief Secretary further stated that the government has made several efforts for water recharge, including pouring water into riverbeds and constructing water harvesting structures. However, much more needs to be done. He expressed hope that through such programmes, not only will they contribute to water conservation, but they will also be able to save water for future generations in the state. In his address, Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ashok Meena said that Haryana has set an inspirational example for the entire country in water conservation and management. By adopting community-driven initiatives and innovative solutions to tackle water scarcity, Haryana is not only improving its water situation but has also become a beacon of hope for other regions struggling with water crises. He said that this campaign is a continuous effort to strengthen both water and forest conservation. This year, the Jal Shakti Campaign is being advanced in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, which will focus on establishing a balance between water conservation and forest conservation through the 'Jal-Jangal-Jan: Ek Prakritik Bandhan Abhiyan', (Water-Forest-People: The Intrinsic Bond campaign), strengthening the ecological link between rivers, springs, and forests, said Meena. Chairperson, Haryana Water Resources Authority, Keshni Anand Arora, MP Kartik Sharma, MLA Shakti Rani Sharma, BJP State President Mohan Lal Badoli, Mayor Panchkula Kulbhushan Goyal and former Speaker Haryana Vidhan Sabha Gian Chand Gupta and other officers and dignitaries also remained present on this occasion. (ANI) It looks like the Trump administration is still angling to annex Greenland. Over the weekend, it was announced that second lady Usha Vance will travel to the Danish territory next week along with her son and a delegation from the U.S. According to a press release from the office of Vice President JD Vance, the second lady is set to visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the nations premiere cultural event, a dogsled race known as the Avannaata Qimussersu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the second ladys itinerary seemed like standard diplomatic fare on the surface, the visit comes amid President Donald Trumps continued pressure to make Greenland part of the U.S. During his address to congress on March 4, he said, We need Greenland for national security and even international security. Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, appear at the 2024 Republican National Convention last July. The second lady will be traveling to Greenland next week. PATRICK T. FALLON via Getty Images The nation is strategically located between the Atlantic Oceans northernmost stretches and the Arctic Ocean, a region where Russia and China are also jockeying for influence. I think were going to get it, the president added during his address. One way or the other, were going to get it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Trump seemed confident about his prospects, politicians from the worlds largest island have not seemed swayed by his proposal. In response to the presidents March proclamation to congress, Greenlands prime minister, Mute Egede, said, We are not for sale and cannot simply be taken. Days later, all five of the nations political parties rejected Trumps idea in a joint statement. Trump has had his eyes on Greenland for some time now. He first expressed interest in purchasing the nation in 2019 but was swiftly rebuffed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who called the offer absurd. Related... A reader from Forrest County recently asked the Roy Howard Community Journalism Centers What Is True? fact-checking service if a Trump administration executive order, issued on the presidents first day in office for his second term, would halt federal funding aimed at expanding broadband internet access to rural portions of Mississippi. On Jan. 20, President Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders, including one called Unleashing American Energy. This particular order directed federal agencies to pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a $1.2 trillion package aimed at modernizing U.S. infrastructure, improving sustainability and boosting economic growth. The act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in November 2021, allocated $65 billion for broadband expansion and affordability efforts. Then-U.S. President Joe Biden speaks as he announces a $42 billion investment in high-speed internet infrastructure during an event in the East Room of the White House on June 26, 2023, in Washington, D.C. The investment is part of the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure package and part of the administrations goal to connect all Americans to high-speed broadband by 2030. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/TNS) Mississippis broadband expansion and federal funding The act also created the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, better known as BEAD. The goal of BEAD is to expand high-speed broadband access across the country and particularly to rural, unserved and underserved communities. BEAD was given $42.45 billion to accomplish this goal, and each state, territory and the District of Columbia received a slice of that funding. After state officials submitted a comprehensive plan for expanding access, the Magnolia State was awarded more than $1.2 billion of this funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of this award, state leaders were already well on their way to expanding broadband access to hundreds of thousands of Mississippians. In a 2023 interview with the Mississippi Business Journal, Sally Doty, head of the state broadband office, said that funding streams for this effort included about $450 million from the federal Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, about $75 million from the 2020 federal CARES Act, $32 million from the U.S. Department of Commerces Broadband Infrastructure Program and around $152 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. In that interview, Doty said the BEAD funding would have a tremendous impact on Mississippi. She said her office was working with federal officials on an implementation plan, and, in August 2024, the Biden administration announced that an initial plan proposal had been approved, enabling Mississippi to request access to funding and begin implementation. Clarifying the orders impact After Trump took office and signed the Unleashing American Energy order, several news outlets including StateScoop reported that broadband expansion was in limbo. To clarify matters, the Trump administration issued a memo stating that the funding pause only applies to funds supporting programs, projects, or activities that may be implicated by the policy established in Section 2 of the order. Section 2 discusses the administrations plans to expand domestic energy production, reduce reliance on foreign resources and eliminate regulatory barriers that favor technologies like electric vehicles. While this executive order does not mention internet expansion efforts and will likely not affect BEAD funds for Mississippi, CNN recently reported that the U.S. Commerce Department, which has oversight of the program, is revamping it. The original BEAD framework prioritized fiber-optic networks as the preferred solution for high-speed internet expansion, but the departments changes, according to CNN, include the adoption of a technology-neutral approach, allowing satellite providers like Elon Musks Starlink to compete for federal funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to British daily newspaper The Guardian, Musk, a senior White House adviser, has publicly called for defunding BEAD while also suggesting that Starlink could provide internet connectivity to rural homes at a fraction of the connectivity cost. State broadband office responds Doty told What Is True? that she foresees no drastic change in Mississippis plan for the buildout of broadband infrastructure to the approximately 125,000 households across the state that remain unserved. She added that her office had already anticipated that (low-Earth orbit satellite providers Starlink and Amazons Project Kuiper) or fixed wireless would be used for our extremely high-cost locations in Mississippi. Alternative technologies are the right answer in certain situations and can provide acceptable speeds, especially as this technology evolves, Doty said. Starlink will have a role in our buildout, but (it) is not the answer for all remaining unserved locations in Mississippi. She said that she agreed with Musks criticism surrounding the programs slow rollout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I emphatically agree that the program has been excruciatingly slow, Doty said. From my view, many of the federal requirements that states must meet are time-consuming, expensive and unnecessary for an effective program. Doty said that she expects the new administration to streamline the process, which will allow her office to move with more urgency. Looking ahead Although the Trump administrations executive order does not explicitly halt broadband expansion funding, the Commerce Departments revamp of BEAD introduces uncertainty about its future in Mississippi. While state officials, including Doty, anticipate progress will continue, the implementation process may shift under new federal guidelines. What Is True? is a media literacy initiative dedicated to investigating false and misleading information. Our team fact-checks claims, provides context and helps the public navigate todays complex news landscape. Submit your claim. Editors note: This article is based on publicly available sources, media reports and information collected from interviews. The Mississippi Business Journal article cited in this report was written by Joshua Wilson, who is also the author of this article. In the interest of full transparency, we disclose this connection to ensure readers are aware of the authors previous reporting on this topic. The What Is True? fact-checking service follows rigorous verification standards, and readers are encouraged to review the linked sources for further context and verification. The U.S. government is attempting to dismantle itself. President Donald Trump has directed the executive branch to significantly reduce the size of government. That includes deep cuts in federal funding of scientific and medical research and freezing federal grants and loans for businesses. He has ordered the reversal or removal of regulations on medical insurance companies and other businesses and sought to fire thousands of federal employees. Those are just a few of dozens of executive orders that seek to deconstruct the government. More than 70 lawsuits have challenged those orders as illegal or unconstitutional. In the meantime, the resulting chaos is preventing the government from carrying out its everyday functions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration accidentally fired civil servants who were responsible for safeguarding the countrys nuclear weapons, preventing a bird flu epidemic and overseeing the nations electricity supply. A Veterans Administration official told NBC, Its leading to paralysis, and nothing is getting done. A spokesperson at a nationwide program that provides meals to seniors, Meals on Wheels, which the government helps fund, said, The uncertainty right now is creating chaos for local Meals on Wheels providers not knowing whether they should be serving meals today. Our recent book, How Government Built America, shows why the administrations aim to eliminate government could result in an America that the countrys people have never experienced one in which free-market economic forces operate without any accountability to the public. Federal dollars built the federal interstate highway system and maintain it. Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images A combination of regulation and freedom The U.S. economy began in the Colonial era as a mix of government regulation and market forces, and it has remained so ever since. History shows that without government regulation, markets left to their own devices have made the country poorer, killed and injured thousands, increased economic inequality, and left millions of Americans mired in desperate poverty, among other economic and social ills. For example, approximately 23,000 people died from workplace injuries in 1913. In 2023, that figure was just 5,283, largely because the Occupational Safety and Health Administration began regulating workplace safety in 1971. Similarly, the rate of deaths in vehicle crashes per mile driven has decreased 93% since 1923, which can be mainly attributed to the ways government has made vehicles and highways safer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government funding and regulation have yielded countless economic benefits for the public, including the launch of many efforts later capitalized on by the private sector. Government funding delivered a COVID-19 vaccine in record time, many of the technologies GPS, touchscreens and the internet that are key to the functioning of the cellphone in your pocket, and the highway system that enables travel throughout the country. Government management of the economy has prevented economic downturns and enabled quicker recoveries when they have occurred. Government regulations keep private businesses from engaging in reckless economic behavior that harms everyone, as happened in 2008 when loopholes in rules and enforcement allowed the banking industry to invest billions of dollars in worthless securities. The government then spent trillions to prevent major banks from collapsing and to stimulate the nations economic recovery. More recently, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government spent $3.1 trillion to keep the economy healthy. Food and water are safe because the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency act to protect people from becoming ill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of government oversight, Americans can safely take the medications physicians prescribe to make them better. They can safely put money in checking and savings accounts knowing that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the National Credit Union Administration reduce the likelihood of the bank or credit union failing and ensure they dont lose everything if trouble arises. The Federal Trade Commission works to ensure the advertising Americans see is not deceptive, and the Securities and Exchange Commission makes sure that the companies people invest in are not making false claims about their financial prospects. Americans know that their children can get a free public education and student loans for college or trade schools to advance themselves economically. And government has helped millions of Americans pay for housing, food, medical care and the other necessities of life even if they work full-time or cannot because of age, illness or disability. A person gets drinking water from a tap in Jackson, Miss. AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis Not a perfect record Admittedly, there is wasteful spending as much as $150 billion a year in erroneous payments. That is a lot of money, but its a tiny sliver just 2.2% of the $6.75 trillion the federal government spent in the 2024 fiscal year. And government has not always been a positive force in society, either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we describe in our book, for a very long time the federal government aided and abetted slavery and then racial segregation. It also codified the treatment of women as second-class citizens, and discriminated against members of the LGBTQ community. Yet government has addressed these failings as Americans understanding of equality has evolved. Over the past century, rights for women, racial and ethnic minority groups and people with a range of sexualities and gender identities have been recognized in constitutional amendments, federal laws, state laws and Supreme Court decisions. As our book shows, the responses havent always been immediate, but the president and Congress have addressed policy mistakes and incompetent administration by making appropriate adjustments to the mix of government and free markets, sometimes at the behest of court cases and more often through congressional action. Until now, however, it has never been government policy to shut down government wholesale by defunding agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development or threatening to do so with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Trump voters cited economic factors as motivating their support. And our book documents how policies supported by both political parties particularly globalization, which led to the flood of manufacturing jobs that went overseas contributed to the economic struggles with which many Americans are burdened. But based on the history of how government built America, we believe the most effective way to improve the economic prospects of those and other Americans is not to eliminate portions of the government entirely. Rather, its to adopt government programs that create economic opportunity in deindustrialized areas of the country. These problems economic inequality and loss of opportunity were caused by the free markets response to the lack of government action, or insufficient or misdirected action. The market cannot be expected to fix what it has created. And markets dont answer to the American people. Government does, and it can take action. 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: Sidney Shapiro, Wake Forest University and Joseph P. Tomain, University of Cincinnati Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Sidney Shapiro is affiliated with the Center for Progressive Reform. Joseph P. Tomain 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. Allies of President Donald Trump in the Republican Party, on Wall Street, and in corporate board rooms have asked the White House to put a stop to Elon Musks proclamations on Social Security, according to an NBC News report. One Trump adviser told the broadcast network that Musks claims about entitlement programs had caused outside concern. Musk, the leader of cost-cutting task force the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has spent weeks spreading falsehoods and unsubstantiated assertions about the benefits program, which he dubbed the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time in an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan last month. BREAKING: Elon Musk called Social Security "the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time" in an interview with Joe Rogan. pic.twitter.com/gCrDPLM15u More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) March 1, 2025 In an interview with Fox Business on Mar. 10, Musk claimed there is $500 billion to $700 billion in fraudulent or wasteful spending on entitlements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no evidence to support this claim and, as Forbes noted, that would represent nearly a third of the $1.5 trillion Social Security paid out last year and approximately 20% of the amount spent on Social Security and Medicare combined. Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly vowed not to touch Social Security, something the White House reiterated in a statement the day after Musks Fox appearance: The Trump administration will not cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits. A second White House official told NBC News they understood people could be concerned if they hear something on the news that Elon Musk is saying, that we should do something with Social Security, but claimed Musks opinions about Social Security dont weigh on Trumps pledge to protect the program. An unidentified Republican congressperson told NBC they wished, rather than the DOGE leader attacking the credibility of entitlement programs, that the White House would make a measured case for reform: The last thing we need to talk about is disparaging the system. Its not a Ponzi scheme, its just an entitlement program that needs to be reformed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The congressperson said they were unaware of calls to the White House to reel in Musks public attacks on the popular retirement and disability program. Musks DOGEwhich has swung an unsparing axe at multiple government departments and agencies in pursuit of cuts that its leader has said could reach $2 trillionhas begun to train its attention on Social Security, announcing plans to lay off thousands of jobs at its administrator agency and shutter dozens of Social Security offices. While White House officials told NBC the administration is steadfast in its commitment not to touch Social Security, the reality is everything that Elon is doing when it comes to Social Security is just to improve it, one official said. A Republican lawmaker on Sunday broke ranks and called such claims dishonest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not being honest when we look people in the eye and say were not going to touch it, Senator John Curtis, a Republican from Utah, told Meet the Press. I think thats one of the things that makes [the American people] not trust us, when we say something that they know is not true." Curtis, who was referring to broader concerns about the programs long-term solvency, said he plans to introduce a change to Social Security in the coming months. President Donald Trump is pointing fingers again. This time, hes claiming he didnt actually sign an order on Friday invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport suspected members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua without questioning. I dont know when it was signed because I didnt sign it, Trump told reporters Friday, according to The Hill. Other people handled it. The proclamation in the Federal Register clearly shows Trumps signature at the bottom with the invocation by the President of the United States of America. Trump claimed he wasn't the one who officially signed the order. / Kevin Lamarque / Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS Hours after Trump made his remarks, the White House released a statement saying that the president was obviously referring to the original Alien Enemies Act that was signed back in 1798. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But they said the recent Executive Order was personally signed by President Trump to deport these heinous criminals. A week ago, U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg issued a 14-day halt on deportations under the act, which was last used during World War II. Boasberg called the invocation of the act incredibly troublesome and said the administration signed in the dark in order to get [detainees] out of the country before a suit is filed. Despite the judges order, planes carrying the detainees landed in El Salvador on Sunday, leading the judge to suspect the Trump administration ignored his ruling. Boasberg and lawyers for the Department of Justice have been involved in a sparring match all week. The judge vowed to get to the bottom of whether the DOJ violated his order on Friday. Trump has vowed to seal the southern border. / Mike Blake / Mike Blake/REUTERS Boasbergs rebuke triggered Trump, who called Boasberg a Radical Left Lunatic who should be IMPEACHED!!! Trumps outburst prompted a rare public statement from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who slapped down Trumps demands and said that impeachment is not an appropriate response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump further evaded responsibility for the deportations while speaking with reporters by shifting blame to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He wanted [the Venezuelan migrants] out, and we go along with that, Trump told reporters that evening. We want to get criminals out of our country. Trump pointed fingers at Rubio instead. / Carlos Barria / Carlos Barria/REUTERS When asked if hed permit more flights, he said, Id have the secretary of state handle it because Im not really involved in that. Still, he stood in support of getting bad people like murderers, rapists, drug dealers out of the country. I ran on that. I won on that, Trump said. Trumps deflection comes less than a week after he baselessly claimed that former President Joe Biden used an autopen when he signed pardons, rendering them void. Trump has previously admitted to using an autopen himself. Nevertheless, he stressed that his predecessor knew nothing about the orders he issued and the people who did may have committed a crime. Are we in a constitutional crisis? The Trump administrations agenda is getting resistance from the courts. Trump is calling for the impeachment of judges who rule against him. In response the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, issued a statement condemning such a use of judicial impeachment. Even before this recent episode, nearly a thousand law professors signed a letter stating, We believe we are in a constitutional crisis. But John Yoo, a conservative law professor at UC Berkeley, has argued that claims of a constitutional crisis are overblown, if not completely imaginary. Yoo sees talk of a crisis as partisan whining. How would we know if we were in the middle of such a crisis or any crisis? This is a difficult philosophical question with broad implications for thinking about economic crises, crises of faith, and personal existential crises. A crisis is a moment of instability, danger, and decision. It is a turning point in which conflict and change are in the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion But it is difficult to know with certainty when a crisis is occurring. Thats because people disagree, both about the facts and the values under consideration. And historical change is unpredictable, and often unnoticed until after the fact. Consider the execution of Jesus by the Roman authorities. This was a crisis of world-historical proportions for his followers. But for the Romans, it was business as usual. And most ordinary people in the ancient world had no idea that Christ was crucified in Jerusalem, or that this event would usher in a new epoch. Our imaginations are narrow, and our knowledge is incomplete. We cannot predict the future. Our access to the facts is limited, and often biased. We disagree about what is right and what is good, as well as about what is really happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John F. Kennedy once said, The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in time of crisis preserve their neutrality. A crisis is a decision point. It forces you to choose. But how do we choose if we are uncertain about what is happening? Picking sides is difficult because a crisis is the result of a conflict of values, and confusion about the world itself. In a world of fake news, propaganda, and information silos, the task of diagnosing a crisis becomes quite difficult. And crises often involve disagreements among authorities. In the present crisis, which law professors should we trust? And who should we believe, the president or the chief justice? Resilience, tenacity and adaptability pose other problems. As things change, it is wise to adapt and roll with the changes. It is also good to be loyal and persistent. But these useful traits can become dangerous in a crisis. People stick with dead-end jobs, crumbling marriages, and bad investments. From the outside it is often surprising to see how much misery people will endure. But from the inside, it is often hard to see how bad things have become. Powerful psychological forces can lead us to deny the reality of a crisis, and pretend that everything is fine. Among these is a kind of wishful thinking and longing for a stable status quo. If we keep our heads down, we hope, things will turn out OK. And even if you pick a side, then what? Ordinary people cant do much to resist the tides of history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if we are in a constitutional crisis, we still need to go to work, pay our bills and mow the lawn. The challenges discussed here are difficult. They remind us of the need for courage and wisdom. We must bravely seek the truth. But it is also important to remain humble and self-critical. Seek out counter-arguments. Imagine the other side. And realize that in a crisis, there are profound disputes about facts, values, and who counts as a legitimate authority. Neutrality is a comforting illusion. Life demands decisions. We still make a choice, even if we choose not to choose. Humble self-criticism is no excuse for indifference, or complicity. We dont know how present crises will unfold in our private lives, or in the larger political world. But history will judge us. And if Kennedy is right, so too will the gods. Andrew Fiala is the interim department chair of Fresno State Universitys Department of Philosophy. Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, has once again stated ahead of the upcoming USUkraine talks in Saudi Arabia that he believes the Kremlin leader is ready for peace and does not see Russia as a threat to the rest of Europe. Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda Details: On Sunday 23 March, Witkoff expressed optimism about the negotiation process surrounding Ukraine and said he believes the Kremlin is willing to negotiate an end to the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I feel that he [Putin] wants peace," Witkoff said in an interview with Fox News. He also said he expects "some real progress" from the talks in Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding a potential ceasefire in the Black Sea. "And from that, you'll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire," Witkoff added. The special envoy also expressed scepticism over concerns that Moscow, having secured a favourable deal from its aggression against Ukraine, would then launch wars against other neighbours. "I just don't see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation than it was in World War Two," said Steve Witkoff. Background: Previously, Witkoff stated that Ukraines NATO membership was incompatible with a potential peace deal with Russia. He also said that the "key issue" in the negotiations is whether Ukraine is willing or unwilling to come to terms with the loss of occupied territories, referring to the sham referendums on joining Russia that were held there by the Russian occupation authorities. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President Donald Trump screamed conflict of interest while going after the judge who temporarily ordered he halt migrant deportations done under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The chief executive continued his attacks on Judge James E. Boasberg in a Saturday night post on Truth Social, sharing a group photo that showed the jurist standing besides former Second Gentleman, Douglas Emhoff, and six other people. SUCH A CONFLICT OF INTEREST! Trump wrote in all caps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The accusation was thin at best. President Donald Trump accused Judge James Boasberg of a "conflict of interest" for participating in a mock trial with former Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff back in 2022. Donald Trump/Truth Social The photo was simply from Boasberg and Emhoffs time participating in the Shakespeare Theatre Companys Mock Trial in Washington, D.C., in 2022 and did nothing to indicate the duo knew each other outside of the event, in either a professional or social capacity. Trump began to direct his ire at Boasberg last weekend, almost immediately after the judge ordered a flight deporting a group of Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador to be stopped. Though Trump ignored the order, that didnt stop him from lashing out at Boasberg online, where he dubbed him a troublemaker and agitator while calling for his impeachment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outburst was enough to make the Supreme Courts Chief Justice John Robertsrebuke the president in a statement, where he reminded him that impeachment was not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. Related... Sudhakar Reddy, BJP Tamil Nadu National Co in-charge, has called the Joint Action Committee meeting on delimitation a" political move" to divert people's attention from the misgovernance of the Tamil Nadu government and the other States ruled by the Opposition. "This meeting being held by the Tamil Nadu CM is a vote bank agenda...It is a political move," Sudhakar Reddy told ANI. "They want to divert the attention of the people of Tamil Nadu and the Southern part where they are ruling, where they miserably failed in giving the good governance which they promised in the name of guarantees. Their misinformation camp is on," he added. The Joint Action Committee on delimitation after the first meeting held today, unanimously adopted the resolution which asserts that "any delimitation exercise carried out by the Centre should be done "transparently" and after discussion and deliberation with all stakeholders. Addressing a press conference, DMK MP Kanizmozhi stated that the JAC has expressed its deep concern about the lack of "transparency and clarity" in the delimitation exercise without any consultation with the various stakeholders. Kanizmozhi said, "I would like to read the resolution which has been passed today. The JAC (Joint Action Committee) expressed its deep concern on the lack of transparency and clarity in the delimitation exercise without any consultation to the various stakeholders. The JAC expressed its appreciation to the CM of Tamil Nadu for taking up this initiative to safeguard the political and economic future of performing states in India. Based on the various points and scenarios put forth by representatives during the discussion, the JAC unanimously resolved that - Any Delimitation exercise carried out by the Union Government to improve the content or character of our democracy should be carried out transparently, enabling political parties of all states, state governments and other stakeholders to deliberate, discuss and contribute." "Given the fact that the legislative intent behind the 42nd, 84th and 87th Constitutional amendment wants to protect and incentivise states which had implemented population control measures effectively and the goal of national population stabilisation has not yet been achieved. The freeze on parliamentary constituency based on 1971 census population should be extended by another 25 years..." she added. The Joint Action Committee on delimitation was held in Chennai under the leadership of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. The meeting was attended by various political leaders, including Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das, and Biju Janata Dal leader Sanjay Kumar Das Burma, among others. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has said that the next meeting on the delimitation of constituencies will be held in Hyderabad, Telangana. (ANI) Elon, here is how to trim government I noticed in the latest Doonesbury cartoon that you published that there were some ridiculous claims about government reductions by President Clinton. Doonesbury is noted for ridiculous comments, so I decided to check it out. Clinton and Gore reduced the federal workforce by 426,000. That a reduction of 21%. Turns out to be true. They consolidated 800 agencies and eliminated 10,000s of pages of rules. Again true. And in addition, they produced a balanced budget. How did they do it? Well, they first put together key government folks along with congressional oversight people for six months to do a proper review without disrupting government functions. This effort produced 384 recommendations. Where they could, they issued executive orders and where it was appropriate, they involved Congress to pass laws. The net result was a significant improvement in government functioning and reduction in cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They used a thoughtful inclusive process that worked. No wild hatchet swinging by neophytes, but a selective scalpel. Opinion Besides giving Trump a copy of the Constitution to read, it would be good to give him and Musk a copy of the National Performance Review that was the result of the Clinton/Gore government increase in efficiency effort. Richard Caputo, Clovis Valadao-Fong are rubber stamps What is with our local congressmen David Valadao and Vince Fong being the Rubber Stamp Brothers in Congress, who vote yes, yes, yes to everything our royal king Donald Trump requests. How can anyone be in total agreement with Trump or anyone else 100 percent of the time? What exactly do they do in Congress? What do they do that is beneficial to the people in the Valley? Do they agree with Trump arresting undocumented fathers and mothers who have legal children in the US? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why are they allowing Trump to disrupt our farms and packing houses with INS raids? Do the Rubber Stamp Brothers agree with Trump tariffs on our most important friends and allies? Are they rubber stamping the alliance of Trump and Elon Musk meddling in affairs usually reserved for Congress or the Senate? There are many questions for the the Rubber Stamp congressmen I am sure I left some out. Steven Trevino Jr., Clovis Womens vote is powerful Immigration reform is personal to me. It drives my commitment to vote and encourage others to do the same. But I havent always seized the opportunity for civic engagement. In fact, I wasnt involved in politics until I watched a debate where a nominee spread lies about immigrants. I was shocked and deeply offended. That moment motivated me to get informed and vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getting involved, using my voice, and understanding the impact of my participation empowered me and created a ripple effect in my family and community. I realized that the issues that matter to me immigration reform, economic justice, and protecting families are directly tied to the choices we make at the polls. Latinas must recognize that our vote is crucial, from social and economic justice to environmental protection. It ensures we are seen, heard and represented while fighting for those who cannot vote. Its not too late, you can make a difference and the first step is registering to vote. This Womens History Month, lets celebrate the power of Latina women in civic engagement and remember our voices shape a more just and equitable future. Claudia Garcia, Fresno Biggest threat are progressive Democrats Progressive Democrats and their allies in the news media are screaming constitutional crisis now that President Trump is trying to bring both the federal government and illegal immigration under control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They certainly didnt think it was a constitutional crisis when President Biden openly defied the Supreme Court on student loan relief and abortion, when he forced social media sites to censor dissenting voices concerning COVID and other issues, or when he had the Justice Department persecute conservative schools, churches, and organizations, among other things. For that matter, singling out and prosecuting President Trump on mostly politically motivated charges wasnt a constitutional crisis at all. As far as the progressives are concerned, its only Republicans who cause constitutional crises; they never do, no matter how serious their transgressions. They truly believe that the laws and rules dont apply to them, and as such, they consider themselves free to do whatever they want, knowing that much of the news media will look the other way. The Democrats claim that the Republicans are a threat to democracy, is ironic; theyve shown themselves to be by far the biggest threat to democracy in this country. Larry Pameter, Fresno Cell phones and Newsom Wow, now our governor wants to send cell phones to CEOs, which the state really cant afford? How about this: send an email to all the same CEOs with Gov. Newsoms personal number and then add those numbers to Newsoms phone. Problem solved with little or no cost to the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And what makes Newsom think that CEOs in the state of California want his phone number, so they will have a direct line when they decide to move their companies out of California? Give them a direct line for the heads up with that Hi, were leaving. This is just another hare-brained idea from a politician that is totally out of touch with the business community in this state. Lets make the state more conducive to business to stay in California. How about we make big business a priority vs. big government? But you and I both know the ruling party in California would never stand for that. Their egos wont allow it. Time for the citizens of the state of California make a change. Duane Opie, Fresno Dems should back Trumps tax cuts Why are the leaders of the Democratic party wanting to vote against the tax cuts that President Trump put forth in 2016? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Listen, Trump is for the working people. Also Trump wants to eliminate taxes on Social Security retirements. Also he wants to eliminate taxes on tips and on overtime. Call your congressman and tell them to vote for these tax cuts. Jerry Jones, Visalia Congress must reject President Donald Trump and Elon Musks plans to dismantle the Department of Education and undermine the foundation of public education in this country. We have witnessed countless attacks on public education at the hands of Trump and his administration. In this most recent attack, nearly 50% of education department employees were unjustly fired in the name of government efficiency. With the significant reduction in staff, the Trump administration has effectively shuttered the agency and gutted its ability to support public schools, compromising our childrens legal right to quality, equitable education. They are attempting to circumvent Congress to do so! As a concerned community member and an advocate for equitable education, I believe these attacks will have devastating long-term consequences for our children, our schools and our country. I urge Congress to invest in public schools and rein in the Trump administrations attacks on public education. Our childrens future depends on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alana Williams, Durham Gun law It is negligent and foolish to allow a person without basic knowledge of the law to carry a firearm as proposed by NC lawmakers. Obtaining a permit for concealed carry provides instruction about North Carolinas laws of self-defense, defense of others and property, and when deadly force can be used. Innocent civilians will be in danger when an ignorant person uses a firearm without lawful justification. An armed citizenry needs to be informed. I do not place much stock in the U.S. Supreme Courts New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision. It has a long history of distasteful and poorly reasoned opinions. Evaluating 21st century firearms laws using a historical tradition of firearm regulation is absurd. North Carolina has a whole host of problems. Lawmakers should be focused on fixing real, not imagined, problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Burnley, Durham Medicaid Last week, Congress voted to drastically cut healthcare funding, disproportionately impacting Medicaid, which covers over 2.6 million North Carolinians. As OBGYNs, we see the benefits Medicaid affords patients, including pregnancy care, family planning services and primary care. Following Medicaid expansion in NC, 600,000 more individuals qualified for coverage, leading to increased access to birth control, cervical cancer and STI screening and automatic enrollment of infants after birth. Cutting Medicaid will result in sicker moms and babies. Stripping away Medicaid is not fiscally responsible. Ensuring health coverage prevents crippling medical debt and improves access to care, ultimately reducing healthcare costs and improving health. Protecting Medicaid impacts the health and well being of our state, for which patients, physicians and representatives must fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctors Reilly Bealer and Jenna Beckham, Raleigh Town halls People are having more and more questions for their elected officials as the results of the massive changes in government become apparent. Our folks in Congress decline town hall visits. Being held accountable can be uncomfortable. However, the time will come when they must answer for the upheaval they watched over. In doing nothing, they are complicit. I will be looking for explanations that cannot be dodged when theyre running for re-election. Deborah Brogden, Durham Judge We have entered a constitutional crisis. Federal Judge James Boasberg ordered the Trump administration not to deport any Venezuelans using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The administration blatantly ignored him. This is terrifying. No president can ignore a judges order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This country was created with a system of checks and balances for a reason. This is something we all learned in school, and yet the president of this country has no regard for our Constitution. Without these checks and balances, we cease to be a democracy. My hope and prayer is that Sen. Tillis and Sen. Budd will have the courage to stand up to this administrations unconstitutional actions. We need strong leaders who will uphold the Constitution and represent the needs of their constituents. Allison Hood, Raleigh By Valerie Volcovici and Nathan Layne WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Trump administration officials on Sunday defended their use of extraordinary war powers to deport scores of Venezuelan migrants despite a judge blocking the move and Venezuela denying U.S. officials' assertions that the deportees were gang members. "It's modern-day warfare, and we are going to continue to fight that and protect American citizens every single step of the way," Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on the "Sunday Morning Futures" program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi said the Trump administration's decision to deport 137 Venezuelan migrants last weekend to El Salvador was justified because they were members of Venezuela's feared Tren de Aragua gang and posed a safety risk. Venezuela's interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, said on Friday, however, that none of the Venezuelans deported by the U.S. to El Salvador were members of the gang, which Washington has declared a terrorist group. Relatives and immigration advocates for some of the men have also denied any links. The administration used the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law, to deport the migrants on the grounds that they were committing violent crimes and sending money back to Venezuela. White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on CBS' "Face the Nation" program, without citing evidence, that Tren de Aragua was a proxy of the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The alien sedition act fully applies because we have also determined that this group is acting as a proxy of the Maduro regime," Waltz said. "Maduro is deliberately emptying his prisons in a proxy manner to influence an attack on the United States." U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said on Friday he would continue to probe whether the Trump administration violated his order temporarily blocking the use of the act for deportations after it failed to turn around two flights carrying the Venezuelans. The Trump administration is facing a March 25 deadline to respond to his request for more details on the deportations. Some legal scholars view the situation as an escalation in President Donald Trump's confrontation with the judiciary and say it raises concerns of a looming constitutional crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, told ABC News' "This Week" program that he would not defy Boasberg's order but reiterated that the Trump administration would continue its arrests of migrants they deem dangerous. "We're going to continue to arrest public safety threats and national security threats," Homan said. "We will keep targeting the worst of the worst." Bondi criticized Boasberg for interfering with the Trump administration's agenda. "This is an out-of-control judge, a federal judge trying to control our entire foreign policy," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Boasberg told a justice department lawyer at a hearing that he could not recall ever having heard government lawyers address him in the way the administration had in this case. He did not specify what language he took issue with. Bondi also stepped up her critiques of other federal judges who she accused of trying to stymie the president's policies. "We are in court every day, fighting against these activist judges. We're not going to stop. Many of them should be recused from these cases," Bondi said. "They will be recused from these cases." (Reporting by Valerie Volcovici, Nathan Layne and Phil Stewart; editing by Ross Colvin, Paul Simao and Nia Williams) After hawking Teslas on the White House lawn, the Trump administration is selling off Easter. The White House has begun soliciting offers from corporate sponsorswith packages ranging from $75,000 to $200,000for this years Easter Egg Roll, according to CNN. Sponsors who have received the pitch deck have been promised valuable brand visibility and national recognition for supporting the event. The businesses would also be responsible for providing activities and giveaways, according to CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sponsors would also get access to an invite-only brunch hosted inside the White House by First Lady Melania Trump and a private White House tour. It was unclear whether the American Egg Board, which has sponsored the egg roll in the past, would remain part of the event. The money raised through the sponsorships will go to the White House Historical Association, a private nonprofit organization, the administration told CNN. The White House and the American Egg Board, respectively, did not respond to immediate requests for comment. The Easter Egg Roll dates back to 1878 during the Rutherford B. Hayes administration and has become a time-honored tradition across partisan lines. The event, which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to produce, has been produced by Egg Board since 1977. It expanded its support for the event in 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move would extend the White Houses use of federal property for commercial purposes. President Donald Trump displayed Teslas on the White Houses South Lawn last week alongside Tesla CEO and Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk. The event, which came as Democrats nationwide rebuked the electric vehicle company and sent its stock price plummeting, drew harsh criticism from ethics groups over the imagery of a White House used as a car dealership. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM A crew member aboard an American V-22 Osprey transporting a group of international military personnel to the USS Carl Vinson during RIMPAC 2024. 1 /8 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM A crew member aboard an American V-22 Osprey transporting a group of international military personnel to the USS Carl Vinson during RIMPAC 2024. U.S. AIR FORCE SENIOR AIRMAN MADELYN KEECH / U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, right, has pledged to rebuild the military but has requested that the Hawaii-based U.S. Indo-Pacific Command be exempt from budget cuts. The INDOPACOM plays a significant role in RIMPAC and training exercises at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island. Hegseth welcomed Elon Musk on Friday at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 /8 U.S. AIR FORCE SENIOR AIRMAN MADELYN KEECH / U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, right, has pledged to rebuild the military but has requested that the Hawaii-based U.S. Indo-Pacific Command be exempt from budget cuts. The INDOPACOM plays a significant role in RIMPAC and training exercises at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island. Hegseth welcomed Elon Musk on Friday at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM A U.S. Army soldier prepares for battle in an exercise at Pohakuloa Training Area. 3 /8 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM A U.S. Army soldier prepares for battle in an exercise at Pohakuloa Training Area. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Members of the Oahu-based 25th Infantry Division use a lava rock formation as a fighting position as they fire from enemy forces during a simulated battle on Nov. 2, 2022, at the Pohakuloa Training Area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4 /8 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Members of the Oahu-based 25th Infantry Division use a lava rock formation as a fighting position as they fire from enemy forces during a simulated battle on Nov. 2, 2022, at the Pohakuloa Training Area. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM / 2022 Environmental issues and the future of ancient Hawaiian cultural sites are among the discussions going forward as the Army negotiates lease renewals with the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. Lena Schnell, senior program manager with Colorado State Universitys Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands shows off several native plants at Pohakuloa Training Areas greenhouse. 5 /8 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM / 2022 Environmental issues and the future of ancient Hawaiian cultural sites are among the discussions going forward as the Army negotiates lease renewals with the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. Lena Schnell, senior program manager with Colorado State Universitys Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands shows off several native plants at Pohakuloa Training Areas greenhouse. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM The Pohakuloa Training area is classified as a sub-alpine tropical dry land forest, one of the rarest kinds of ecosystem in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6 /8 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM The Pohakuloa Training area is classified as a sub-alpine tropical dry land forest, one of the rarest kinds of ecosystem in the world. STAR-ADVERTISER Army Col. Steven McGunegle with offering of ho okupu during a visit to the militarys Makua Valley training ground on April 25. 7 /8 STAR-ADVERTISER Army Col. Steven McGunegle with offering of ho okupu during a visit to the militarys Makua Valley training ground on April 25. STAR-ADVERTISER / 2019 The Marines have a rifle range next to Puuloa Beach Park. Signs warn people not to enter the area. 8 /8 STAR-ADVERTISER / 2019 The Marines have a rifle range next to Puuloa Beach Park. Signs warn people not to enter the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM A crew member aboard an American V-22 Osprey transporting a group of international military personnel to the USS Carl Vinson during RIMPAC 2024. U.S. AIR FORCE SENIOR AIRMAN MADELYN KEECH / U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, right, has pledged to rebuild the military but has requested that the Hawaii-based U.S. Indo-Pacific Command be exempt from budget cuts. The INDOPACOM plays a significant role in RIMPAC and training exercises at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island. Hegseth welcomed Elon Musk on Friday at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM A U.S. Army soldier prepares for battle in an exercise at Pohakuloa Training Area. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM Members of the Oahu-based 25th Infantry Division use a lava rock formation as a fighting position as they fire from enemy forces during a simulated battle on Nov. 2, 2022, at the Pohakuloa Training Area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM / 2022 Environmental issues and the future of ancient Hawaiian cultural sites are among the discussions going forward as the Army negotiates lease renewals with the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. Lena Schnell, senior program manager with Colorado State Universitys Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands shows off several native plants at Pohakuloa Training Areas greenhouse. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @STARADVERTISER.COM The Pohakuloa Training area is classified as a sub-alpine tropical dry land forest, one of the rarest kinds of ecosystem in the world. STAR-ADVERTISER Army Col. Steven McGunegle with offering of ho okupu during a visit to the militarys Makua Valley training ground on April 25. STAR-ADVERTISER / 2019 The Marines have a rifle range next to Puuloa Beach Park. Signs warn people not to enter the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump and his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, have promised sweeping changes to the U.S. military. Hegseth has pledged to rebuild the military by investing in high-tech weapon and industrial programs while simultaneously cutting costs. The administration has promised to reduce the Department of Defenses massive spending budget by 8 % each year as part of sweeping cuts being undertaken across the federal government. Those cuts are being overseen by billionaire Elon Musk and the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, made up mostly of junior programmers and engineers from Musks various companies. On Friday, Musk met with Hegseth and members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. While Hegseth supports budget cuts, he specifically requested that the Hawaii-based U.S. Indo-Pacific Commandwhich oversees all operations across the Pacificbe exempt from any reductions, a strong sign that Hawaii is being put squarely at the center of the new administrations military strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His request that INDO PACOM be exempted from budget cuts indicates a priority shift from Europe to the Indo Pacific, said Elizabeth Freund Larus, adjunct senior fellow at the Honolulu-based Pacific Forum. It recognizes that China poses the biggest threat to the post-World War II global order. Hegseths list of 17 offsets includes funding for military construction funding in the Indo-Pacific to support the militarys Pacific Deterrence Initiative strategic plan. Hawaii currently has the highest share of the militarys construction budget of any state, accounting for roughly 8 % of the total. The biggest share of those funds$1.2 billionis meant for the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyards Dry Dock 5, which is the single most expensive construction project in Navy history. 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 ! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The shipyard is the states largest industrial employer with a workforce of more than 6, 000 employees. That spending is expected to stay stable amid DOGEs aggressive federal cuts. But while military spending has helped prop up Hawaiis economy, countless dollars also have been spent over the decades on cleaning up pollution associated with the military presence in the islands. In particular, the Red Hill water crisis, which began in 2021 when jet fuel from the Navys underground Red Hill storage facility tainted the areas water system serving 93, 000 people, and efforts to shut down the facility has put military operations in Hawaii under the microscope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the Trump administration wants to keep spending to build the nations Pacific forces, the future of the militarys environmental cleanup and cultural programs in Hawaii is less clear. A give-and-take thing The military has several interests it hopes to maintain in Hawaii. Notably, the Army has several land leases on state lands it uses for training that will expire in 2029. The training areas, acquired for a mere $1 in 1964, have been increasingly used for international exercises, bringing foreign troops from across the globe. Environmental issues and the future of ancient Hawaiian cultural sites are among the discussions going forward as the Army negotiates lease renewals with the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. While weve been making gains in building up relationships and trust, trying to have conversations about what this balance looks like between military presence and the community, we are nowhere near even close to getting down to the brass tacks of it all, said U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee. Youve got a definite change in leadership thats coming in. Its really hard to say what they will decide to do, what their posture in Hawaii will be in regards to the lease renegotiations. Hegseth has pledged to slash many environmental programs and prohibit military officials from discussing climate change. Even under Trumps previous administration, the Pentagon studied climate change, including a 2018 study that concluded the majority of U.S. bases faced threats from intensifying weather patterns. Some segments of our society can consider climate change to be either nonexistent or just a matter to be kind of thrown away from a political perspective, said U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii. But the military has studied the consequences of changes in our weather, on their preparation, on their installations, on their ability to fight wars, on their basic ability to function, and theyve reached a very definite, objective conclusionabsent of politicsthat the kind of climate changes were seeing in the world are detrimental, if left unaddressed, to their mission. Larus said Hegseth has been critical of ideological training in the U.S. military, including workshops and education modules outside the war-fighting domain, such as on diversity, equity and inclusion programs and those on climate change. Last month he fired the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. CQ Brown Jr., who was formerly the top Air Force commander in the Pacific, and several other top officers the administration deemed as woke. The military has spent millions on environmental remediation and on preserving ancient Hawaiian cultural sites on lands it controls and uses for its operations in Hawaii. When asked if the Pentagon under Hegseth would actively pursue promised environmental cleanup and cultural preservation programs specific to Hawaii under the new administration, Larus said Hegseth is single-minded when it comes to the U.S. military. He has said over and over that the mission of the U.S. military is warfighting. Larus said Hawaii residents should expect to see environmental and cultural programs drastically scaled back and argued most were the result of congressional mandates that warped military priorities and distracted the military from warfighting with an emphasis on lethality. Recognizing that U.S. adversaries, such as China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, have no such desire to make the military a kinder and gentler organization, Hegseth and President Trump want to return the U.S. military to a fighting force that is more lethal than that of its adversaries. But state Sen. Kurt Fevella, who has represented portions of the Ewa area since 2018 as one of Hawaiis few Republican lawmakers, said that talk of cutting back on environmental efforts troubles him. I know they got to be ready, not taking away anything from there, but theres parameters , he said. The disrespect for the host people is something that is troubling for me. Fevella has already tangled with military officials under both the Trump and Biden administrations when it comes to environmental and community concerns around the Marine Corps Puuloa Range Training Facility in his district, pollution coming out of Pearl Harbor and Army land leases, including the large Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii island. He said he remains committed to those fights in the long term. We want to be able to protect our environment when it comes to any kind of military presence. To be a good partner is a give-and-take thing, Fevella said. Do they have a cleaning plan for Pearl Harbor ? Do they have any plan to clean up all the oil that is leaking into the ocean thats coming to my community at Puuloa Beach Park ? No, they dont address these things. So to be a good neighbor to the host communityor host peoplejust do your job. They have the the best engineers (so ) why you cannot just be pono to the land ? Warfighters China has been proactively building up its military capabilities and clashing with neighboring countries. In particular, the Chinese military has sought to impose control over the South China Seaa critical waterway that more than a third of all international trade travels throughover the objections of its neighbors, often clashing with vessels from those countries. It has also stepped up military maneuvers around Taiwan, a self-ruled island democracy with close U.S. trade ties that Beijing regards as a rogue province. Threats across the region from North Korea, China and Russia are real and stretch from illicit to strategic dangers, according to Brent Sadler, a senior research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation. The Chinese in particular have engaged in nefarious influence campaigns from pressuring local island governments to enabling criminal organizations to operate in the region, weakening local governance. The U.S. military has conducted constant patrols and training exercises throughout the region. Larus argued the Biden administration was strong on diplomacy with Pacific allies as well as with projection of soft power but was weak on military power and military power projection ; (it ) was weak on backing up diplomacy with military strength. China now has the worlds largest navy in terms of number of ships and is growing its capacity, while the U.S. is struggling to maintain ships at its aging shipyards. The biggest mistake that previous administrations made in the Pacific is failing to maintain a navy adequate to sustain U.S. maritime power in the region and to uphold the peace and security of the Indo-Pacific, Larus said. U.S. Navy assets are inadequate to deter Chinas muscular and growing navy. In particular, the U.S. has lost its ability to keep up with Chinas shipbuilding capacity. Military leaders have expressed optimism about Hegseths pledge to streamline the acquisition of new military hardware and trim the bureaucracy. On Feb. 13 at the Honolulu Defense Forum, INDOPACOM chief Adm. Samuel Paparo said the U.S. military needs procurement at the speed of combat, not at the speed of committees Technology alone is not going to win this fight. Weve also got to reform defense bureaucracy with unprecedented urgency. But several military officials who spoke to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser also expressed unease about the administrations apparent dismissal of climate change, which many Pacific countries see as their No. 1 threat, its contentious dealings with traditional allies and an aggressive push to gut any programs deemed to promote DEI. When it comes to diversity, some military officials said they are concerned about an over-correction of the Biden administrations embrace of identity politics toward outright rejection of efforts to capitalize on Americas cultural diversity. An Army official noted that Hawaii serves as both a key military and diplomatic meeting site for the U.S. government in part because its diverse Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora populations vividly demonstrate Americas deep Pacific tiessomething U.S. officials have proudly highlighted to their Pacific allies in the past. Under Trumps first presidency and the Biden years, there was a push to recruit young Hawaii residents to serve as military officers and diplomats and in intelligence roles to support Americas pivot to the Pacific. Anything that says the word culturaleven historicalis looking to be removed from the Department of Defense, Tokuda said. She noted that she and other lawmakers have fought for cultural training for military personnel coming to Hawaii and the Pacific, arguing its so critically important they understand the history of where we have been as a people, as a community, in regards to our relationship with the military, so they better understand how we must do better going forward. Recently, the Pentagon drew immense backlash in Hawaii when it removed digital content about Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the service. Among the culled content was an Army webpage dedicated to the legendary 442nd Regimental Combat team, which was drawn largely from Hawaii-born Nisei and became one of the most decorated combat units in American history. Fierce public response led to the swift republishing of the Armys 442nd history as a news item on its website, but much of the rest of the content remains unavailable. Pentagon officials have insisted they intend to honor veterans but say they now want to remove race and culture from the discussion as much as possible. Anybody that claims to know exactly how this is all going to unfold is on a fools errand, Case said. Im eyes wide open that, if nothing else, were dealing with a very fluid and uncertain situation where a new administration could make changes with dramatic ripple effects around our region and, in fact, the world. And so I dont think any of us can predict with any degree of certainty what President Trump will do, either generally or specific to the DOD, or what the consequences of what he does will be either. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin appeared at odds on Sunday night over peace talks as delegations prepared to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. The United States was optimistic that Mondays summit in Saudi Arabia could pave the way to a full-on ceasefire and bring an end to the three-year war, Mr Trumps envoy to Moscow said on Sunday. However, the Kremlin played down expectations, suggesting the meeting was just beginning and that difficult negotiations lay ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are only at the beginning of this path, Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Kremlin, warned, less than a week after Russia rejected Mr Trumps last offer of a 30-day ceasefire. The White House is said to be aiming for a truce by Easter Sunday in the latest sign the timetable is shifting after Mr Trump promised to end the war on day one of his presidency. Donald Trump has made a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire a main feature of his new term in office - Matt Rourke/AP Photo Ukraine and Europe have raised concerns that Russia is delaying in order to buy time on the battlefield, which is likely to frustrate Mr Trump, who has promised a swift end to the war. Sources close to Mr Trump indicated on Sunday night that he was willing to wait for the right deal, but some said he was growing angry at the continued missile and drone attacks, which have been taking place despite promises from both sides of a mini truce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will get frustrated if they [Ukraine and Russia] keep bombing infrastructure, infrastructure and energy, one person close to the administration said. Those closest to the president say temperatures remain calm inside the White House and to trust the process. It comes as Sir Keir Starmers plan for a coalition of the willing was dismissed as a posture and a pose by Donald Trumps special envoy. Steve Witkoff, who Mr Trump sent to Moscow, said the idea was based on a simplistic notion of the Prime Minister and European leaders thinking we have all got to be like Winston Churchill. Few concrete details of what troops and equipment would be sent have emerged. On Sunday, senior military sources dismissed the plans, telling The Telegraph that Sir Keir had got ahead of himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Witkoff was accused of siding with Putin over the weekend as he suggested Ukraine must cede territory. On Sunday he repeated that he believed Putin was negotiating in good faith, adding that he does not think Russia will invade all of Europe. Donald Trump said at the weekend efforts to stop further escalation of the war were somewhat under control. But the presidents assurances were undermined on Saturday night after Moscow launched drone strikes killing civilians across Ukraine. Seven people, including a five-year-old child, were killed and 10 others injured in Kyiv. In Donetsk, four people were killed, including three who died in a strike on the town of Dobropillya. The second round of formal talks between US and Russian negotiators is set to start on Monday in Saudi Arabia following a phone call between the two presidents last week that ended with mixed messages from both camps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American negotiators met with Ukrainian teams in Saudi Arabia on Sunday night ahead of the US-Russia talks on Monday. Russian drones inflicted wide-scale destruction across Ukraine on Saturday night - Yan Dobronosov/Getty Images Volodymyr Zelensky said his countrys delegation to Sundays talks was working in a completely constructive manner. But no matter what we say to our partners today, we need to get Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes, he added. Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said the talks on Sunday were constructive and meaningful and focused on discussing the energy sector. We discussed key issues, particularly the energy sector, he said in a post on social media. China is also said to be considering joining the potential peacekeeping mission, German newspaper Die Welt reported at the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move was described by diplomats as an attempt to persuade Putin, who has warming relations with China, to allow foreign boots on the ground. 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. President Donald Trump said he has always agreed with the official conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald killed former president John F. Kennedy but hinted the infamous assassin may have had help. While aboard Air Force One over the weekend, Trump sat down with Clay Travis from OutKick, a conservative website part of the administrations new media push, to discuss a wide breadth of topics, including the presidents conclusion about Kennedys assassination. When asked if he believed Oswald was the one who killed Kennedy a conclusion rebuked by some conspiracy theorists Trump responded, I do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do and Ive always felt that, the president said. Former president John F. Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald but conspiracy theorists have floated many other ideas (AP) However, Trump left the door open for other theories asking, Of course, was he helped? Some people believe Oswald received assistance from the U.S. government, the Mafia, the CIA, the Cuban government, the KBG or other powerful entities. Thus far, all evidence has shown Oswald acted alone. The interview question arose because Trump directed his administration to release the remaining 80,000 documents as part of the governments investigation into Kennedys assassination. Those documents were being withheld from the public due to their sensitive nature but Trump ordered his administration to release them all with no redactions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately the documents did not reveal any groundbreaking new information about Kennedys assassination. However, it did unveil several peoples Social Security numbers. President Donald Trump announced the Kennedy assassination files would be released one day before they became public. He has now said he believes Lee Harvey Oswald killed Kennedy (REUTERS) I think the papers have turned out to be somewhat unspectacular and maybe thats a good thing, Trump told Travis. The Kennedy assassination files are just one part of Trumps efforts to declassify and release information around cases and events of public interest. The president signed an executive order directing his administration to release information related to the federal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the killing of Robert F. Kennedy, the September 11 attacks and more. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is on a collision course with President Trump as the commander in chief increasingly tests the limits of the judiciarys role as the most prominent backstop to his administrations sweeping agenda. The president stepped up his attacks this week by calling for a judges impeachment, earning a rare public rebuke from the chief justice. Though it marked the most direct spat yet between the duo since Trump retook the White House, the trail ahead appears rougher as the ever-intensifying barrage of litigation against the Trump administration creeps closer to the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Justice Roberts and the United States Supreme Court do not fix this toxic and unprecedented situation IMMEDIATELY, our Country is in very serious trouble! Trump wrote Thursday on Truth Social. As the president expresses agitation toward district judges who block his policies nationwide, Trump so far has maintained more cordiality with Roberts, refusing to attack him personally. The president respects Chief Justice Roberts overall, he just expressed that to me in the Oval Office, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday. The restraint was notable, given that Trump has no trepidation for lambasting judges who rule against him. Yet he refused to personally chastise Roberts, who had just rebuked the president for calling for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg for ordering the administration to turn around deportation flights last weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chief justices pushback was terse, two sentences in all. 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. Retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, who served alongside Roberts for nearly 17 years, said on CNN this week that every judge is aware of the climate of the era. Hes trying to explain to the people of this country how the legal system works and how it doesnt work, Breyer said of the chief justices rebuke. It doesnt work by impeaching a judge because you dont like his decision. And, by the way, you may be right. The other side may be wrong. There are two sides, usually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if the country is nearing a constitutional crisis, Breyer said no one really knows. 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. And that is what they try to do, he said. Trump, for his part, has brushed off Robertss rebuke by noting the statement didnt explicitly name him. Trump stood firmly on his calls to impeach the lower judge but declined to go after Roberts. He didnt mention my name in the statement. I just saw it quickly. He didnt mention my name, Trump replied in an interview with Fox Newss Laura Ingraham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others in Trumps orbit were also calling for the judges impeachment. That Roberts felt the need to speak out at all whether Trump was named or not is rare. Roberts rebuked Trump once before, during his first White House term, when Trump in 2018 assailed a judge as an Obama judge for temporarily blocking the administration from refusing to consider asylum applications. 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. The independent judiciary is something we should all be thankful for, the chief justice said at the time. In recent years, Roberts has only spoken out against another prominent politician one other time, when he critiqued Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumers (D-N.Y.) remarks at a 2020 rally outside the Supreme Court. Schumer told Trump-appointed Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh they will pay the price and wont know what hit them as they were inside hearing oral arguments in an abortion case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Trumps first White House term, Roberts often sided with the president, but not always. In 2019, for example, Roberts joined the courts liberals in refusing to clear the way for the administration to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. As Trump makes sweeping moves on the federal bureaucracy, immigration, federal spending and more in his second administration, Roberts may now face his greatest test of all. The chief justice has long looked to keep the court above the political fray and once famously compared his role to that of an umpire who calls balls and strikes. Trump, meanwhile, has long accosted judges who have ruled against him as a defendant and as president, often accusing them of being politically biased and part of the radical left. Trump has also, at times, invoked the names of some of their family members. Trumps and Robertss starkly different views on judges proper role became apparent at Trumps joint address to Congress earlier this month, when Trump passed Roberts in the front row of the House chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You did such a great job, thank you. And theyre still talking about it, Trump told Roberts as he approached the rostrum. On the way out, Trump similarly told him, Thank you again, thank you again, wont forget it, patting Robertss arm. The chief justice did not appear to say anything in response. The now-highly scrutinized exchanges prompted speculation among Trump critics that the president was referencing the Supreme Courts landmark decision carving out broad criminal immunity for former presidents. In a Truth Social post, the president later insisted he was referring to how the chief justice swore him in at the inauguration and went on to attack sleazebag journalists for trying to create a divide between me and our great U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No matter how Roberts perceived it, at the time, he was preparing to rule against Trump. Days earlier, the administration filed an emergency application with the court seeking to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid payments. The court issued its decision denying the request the morning after Trumps speech. Though Roberts joined the courts liberal justices to side against the administration, he largely was spared from the spotlight. Instead, the online right directed their barrage of criticism toward Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Trumps third nominee to the court who joined Roberts to form the slim 5-4 majority on the ruling. But Roberts may not be able to do the same as many of the more than 100 legal challenges filed against major Trump administration directives approach the Supreme Court. Some of the appeals appear designed to prompt Roberts and his conservative colleagues to overturn some of the courts precedents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already, the Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court for an emergency intervention to narrow several judges nationwide injunctions blocking Trumps efforts to restrict birthright citizenship. The court is set to rule after briefings conclude early next month. And other cases are inching closer to the justices. The Trump administration has signaled a desire to bring a lawsuit filed by Democratic attorneys general over frozen teacher preparation grants to the Supreme Court, and challenges to Trumps independent agency firings could also soon arrive once an appeals court issues its ruling. Its incumbent upon the Supreme Court to rein in these activist judges. These partisan activists are undermining the judicial branch by doing so, Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said this 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 The Hill. Despite all the problems Boeing has had with its planes and spacecraft, president Donald Trump is now boasting about the manufacturer building the military a new fighter jet and naming it, seemingly, after him. "Im thrilled to announce that at my direction the United States Air Force is moving forward with the worlds first sixth-generation fighter jet," the president said during an Oval Office presser, per Fox News. "Nothing in the world comes even close to it, and itll be called the 'F-47,' the generals picked that title." Sure, Jan. As Axios reported, Trump added that it was a "beautiful number," suggesting that maybe "the generals" didn't pick the name after all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another excerpt from the same press huddle, Trump claimed that the new fighter jet will be "equipped with state-of-the-art stealth technology it is virtually unseeable." It's unclear what he means by that, since there's little to suggest that our military or any other has the capability to create invisible planes unless, of course, all those UFO whistleblowers are right and the military has reverse-engineered alien tech after all. Trump: "The F-47 is equipped with state of the art stealth technology -- it is virtually unseeable." pic.twitter.com/9uiuFnWLop Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 21, 2025 More likely, the new F-47 which, notably, was also the name of a redesigned World War II-era high-altitude bomber built by Republic Aviation that had originally been called the P-47, and was also known as the "Thunderbolt" is equipped with technology that makes it "invisible" to traditional radar, which was invented in the 1970s for Lockheed's F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter. In its reporting on the newly announced fighter jet, Axios added that the Air Force will also be collaborating with defense contractor Anduril, which was founded by Palmer Luckey, the Oculus VR headset guy who counts Elon Musk as a maybe-friend and regular texting buddy. For all the accolades from the president, who called the forthcoming fighter jet "the most advanced, most capable, most lethal aircraft ever built," there was seemingly no official reference to Boeing's massive headline-grabbing issues over the past 18 months. Notably left out was any mention of the manufacturer's Starliner spacecraft, which was at the center of Trump's recent criticisms of his predecessor, because it was so janky that the astronauts who flew up to the International Space Station on it couldn't return with it without risking a fiery death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though we don't have any pricetags or timelines for the F-47, Axios notes that the Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance program, which is behind the new jet, has been extremely costly. So it sounds like we taxpayers will be footing a bill worth untold figures for a fighter jet vanity project that may or may not ever get finished or even work at all. More on vanity projects: Veterans Furious at Elon Musk Asia Hospital director Surbhi Raj was shot dead on, SDPO Patna City Atulesh Jha informed on Saturday. The victim was diagnosed with several gunshot injuries, after which she was referred to AIIMS, where she succumbed to her injuries. "At 3:30 in the evening, we got information that Surbhi Raj, the director of Asia Hospital, had been shot. When the police team reached there, they were told that when some staff went to the director's room, they found her unconscious and covered in blood. She was shifted to the ICU, where she was diagnosed with multiple gunshot injuries, and from there, she was referred to AIIMS. Right now, the news of her death has come. The police team is collecting evidence from all angles. Investigation is underway", Atulesh Jha said to ANI on Saturday. Further details are awaited into the matter. (ANI) Soon, if a new proposal from the Trump administration goes into effect, immigrants applying for green cards or citizenship will have to disclose their social media handles with their application, The Intercept reported Sunday. Considering the recent detention of Mahmoud Khalil, an immigrant and Columbia University student who helped lead pro-Palestinian protests on campus in 2024, this proposed new policy could negatively affect immigrants to the U.S. who have espoused pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel views, including people who have lived in the country for many years. Although Trump has alleged Khalil was a Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas operative, he has offered no evidence to back up his claim, and experts told Rolling Stone Khalils arrest is a clear violation of First Amendment rights. The administrations proposal refers to an executive order Trump signed on his first day in office that sets the stage for a second travel ban on citizens from majority Muslim countries. The order also directed federal agencies to find immigrants in the U.S. who hold hostile attitudes toward America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Trumps first term in office, he instituted a so-called Muslim ban that was upheld by the Supreme Court. President Joe Biden repealed the ban in 2021, but Trump campaigned on bringing it back and making it much stronger. A draft list for the new ban obtained by The New York Times last week includes a total block on citizens from 11 countries as well as restrictions on citizens from 10 other nations, plus it gives 22 additional countries 60 days to address the administrations concerns. Forcing immigrants to share their social media handles would disparately impact Muslim and Arab applicants seeking U.S. citizenship that have voiced support for Palestinian human rights, Robert McCaw, director of government affairs at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told The Intercept. Collecting the social media identifiers of any potential green card applicants or citizens is the means to silencing their lawful speech. In the proposal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated that Trumps executive order requires the collection of all information necessary for a rigorous vetting and screening of all grounds of inadmissibility or bases for the denial of immigration-related benefits. It goes on to say that gathering social media accounts is required for the enhanced identity verification, vetting and national security screening. USCIS proposes using the information to help validate an applicants identity and to determine if they pose a security or public-safety threat. But the First Amendment provides protections to more than just U.S. citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anybody who is within the bounds of the United States has First Amendment rights, Saira Hussain, a senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told The Intercept. The Constitution applies whether you are somebody who is a citizen or somebody who is a green card holder who is here in the United States. I think that this administration is trying to chip away at that notion, but that is very much what First Amendment jurisprudence has been under the courts. The proposal is currently open for public comment through May 5, 2025. 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. Ive represented a number of national security and intelligence officials across the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations in leak investigations and prosecutions. I have criticized the fact that many of those cases transpired under the draconian, antiquated Espionage Act and targeted government employees for alleged press disclosures made in the public interest. And I have also condemned those cases for being politicized against people who exposed Americas darkest (and often illegal) secrets, including torture, warrantless domestic surveillance, and civilian drone strikes. Defendants included U.S. Army whistleblower Chelsea Manning; CIA whistleblowers Jeffrey Sterling and John Kiriakou; and NSA whistleblowers Thomas Drake, Edward Snowden and Daniel Hale. In my opinion, these cases were politicized against leaks that embarrassed the government, exposed its ineptitude, or revealed illegal conduct. But that is a far cry from what Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is threatening to do. She recently announced that she has ordered an investigation into "politically motivated leaks." Theres a big difference between politicizing prosecutions against leakers versus prosecuting politically motivated leaks. Politically motivated prosecutions against leakers, largely brought under the problematic Espionage Act, have at least contained the fig leaf of allegations that defendants mishandled national defense information, communicated it to someone not authorized to receive it, and wanted to (or knew that they would or could) harm national security. The government said Espionage Act defendants endangered American troops (Drake), compromised covert operatives (Kiriakou) and put American lives at risk and caused irreparable harm to national security and diplomacy (Manning). Even though these claims were mostly shown to be hyperbolic and false, the government perpetuated them in public statements and in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ironically, in Espionage Act cases, a defendants motivation does not come into play until the sentencing phase. It doesnt matter if someone leaked to score political points, or whether they did so because it was in the publics interest to know what their government was doing in secret. Thus, while the government was not typically required to prove an intent to harm national security (or actual harm to national security), in order to win an Espionage Act conviction, the government still clung to the damage to national security narrative. To abandon that narrative would imply that the leak prosecutions were simply an attempt to silence whistleblowers and chill the journalists who published their stories. Gabbards pursuit of politically motivated leaks, however, flies directly in the face of the First Amendment. The First Amendment actually elevates political speech above all other forms of individual expression. While there are a number of categories of unprotected speech (obscenity, true threats, incitement, defamation, etc.), political speech no matter how outrageous or offensive is still protected from government action. Her new anti-leak fervor also flies in the face of her previous positions, which adds to the sting of her recent proclamations. As a member of Congress, she took principled and controversial positions opposing mass surveillance, opposing the prosecution of Wikileaks Julian Assange, supporting a pardon of my client Edward Snowden, and introducing legislation to reform the Espionage Act. While conceding that Snowden broke the law, she repeatedly and poignantly refused to call him a traitor during her confirmation hearing and pointed out that he exposed illegality by the government. Now, she erroneously and disingenuously claims that such leaks have become commonplace with no investigation or prosecution. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Hawaii from 2013-2021, she was clearly aware of the investigations and charges against Snowden (2013), Reality Winner (2017), Julian Assange (2018), Terry Albury (2018), Joshua Schulte (2020) and Hale (2021) as well as the upward trend of their sentences and actual time in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadly, the one consistency in Gabbards new position on punishing leaks is the degree to which it falls in line with the anti-leak hysteria recently exhibited by her cohorts in the military and national security arenas. For example, look no further than the Department of Homeland Securitys Kristi Noem, who leads the sisterhood of the unraveling rants on leak paranoia. The most recent example is White House adviser Elon Musk threatening Pentagon employees with prosecution for leaking information about a meeting in which Musk would be briefed on U.S. military plans for any potential war with China. Both the Pentagon and Trump confirmed the meeting. Trump denied it was about China, though further leaks revealed that, in fact, it was. In any event, Musks theoretical basis for prosecution was to claim that it was maliciously false information, which sounds more like a sloppy formulation of defamation law than a crime. As with Noem, I suspect Gabbard and Musks tough talk on leaks is really driven not by the fear that leaked information is ipso facto dangerous, but rather that the person wanting to hide it is. Following Trumps propensity for projection, perhaps it is Gabbard and Musks newfound positions that are politically motivated, not the leaks they are promising to plug. (Bloomberg) -- Turkish central bank officials held a technical meeting with commercial lenders on Sunday to prepare for potential market volatility after a key opposition politician was formally arrested. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting discussed the latest developments in markets, according to a statement from the Turkish Banks Association. Bloomberg reported earlier on Sunday that central bank officials would discuss possible coordination with banks and take stock of the recent selloff in Turkish markets, citing people with direct knowledge of the matter. The meeting marks one of the first high-level gatherings between the nations lenders and the monetary authority since Istanbuls popular mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, was taken into custody earlier this week, rattling markets. The lira, Turkish stocks and debt subsequently posted some of the worlds biggest declines as investors weighed the risk of a potential reversal in Turkeys economic policies. Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek met with banks on Friday, telling them that policymakers would use all the tools at their disposal to mitigate what he said was a temporary volatility in markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imamoglu, whos viewed as President Recep Tayyip Erdogans most prominent challenger, was jailed on Sunday on corruption charges. The court hearing the allegations against him decided against a separate, formal arrest on terror charges. The central bank already stepped up its defense mechanism of the lira in the past week to ensure financial conditions remain tight. It lifted its overnight lending rate by 200 basis points to 46%, raising the average cost of funding for commercial lenders. It suspended lending at its lower, benchmark rate of 42.5% for an unspecified period. The bank also said it will hold a liquidity bill auction with 91-day maturity, the first such action in nearly two decades, aimed at absorbing excess lira. Following the moves, the lira overnight reference rate, a gauge of the cost of overnight funding, rose more than three percentage points to 45.7%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates lead to show meeting happened, banks association statement in second paragraph, confirming Bloombergs scoop.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Turkey formally arrested President Recep Tayyip Erdogans main political rival, a decision likely to trigger more market turmoil and protests across the country. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbuls mayor, was jailed on corruption charges Sunday morning, days after being detained by police. The case has the potential to keep Imamoglu, who denies the charges, behind bars for years and prevent him from running against Erdogan in the next elections. He is the most prominent person to be ensnared in a recent wave of detentions and investigations against opposition figures. His arrest suggests Turkish authorities wont be deterred by mass protests that have broken out in cities including Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Erdogan and his officials have accused the main opposition party of trying to sow chaos by calling people onto the streets. Social media platform Xs Global Affairs Government account said theyd received court orders from Turkish authorities to block over 700 accounts of news organizations, journalists, political figures, students and others within the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe this decision from the Turkish government is not only unlawful, it hinders millions of Turkish users from news and political discourse in their country, X said. Turkish assets plunged last week. The countrys stocks and currency experienced the biggest drops globally, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, while the governments local-currency bond yields surged. That was despite state lenders selling at least $9 billion to try to calm markets. The central bank hiked a key interest rate in an unscheduled meeting on Thursday. It convened executives from the nations top lenders on Sunday in another attempt to stem the fallout, people with direct knowledge of the matter said, asking not to be identified as the gathering is private. The impact on the $1.4 trillion economy will be critical for Erdogan as he navigates the latest of the many political crises during his 22 years in power. Inflation of almost 40% has already been denting his partys popularity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the risk of any blowback from Turkeys Western allies is low. Europe is distracted by Russias war on Ukraine, a conflict thats making the continent increasingly reliant on Turkey which has NATOs second-largest army for security. And US President Donald Trump is unlikely to weigh in. Turkish assets will be under renewed pressure in the aftermath of Imamoglus arrest but Erdogan is likely betting that this wont last long, said Wolfango Piccoli, the co-president of consulting firm Teneo. Turkeys foreign partners are unlikely to exercise meaningful pressure. Ultra-Popular Mayor Imamoglus detention on Wednesday came a day after authorities revoked his university diploma, which Turks need to run for the highest political office. The Istanbul court hearing the allegations on Sunday decided against a formal arrest on separate terror charges, but Imamoglu will remain in jail over the corruption probe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 54-year-old mayors popularity has risen nationally since 2019, when he defeated Erdogans handpicked candidate in local elections. He repeated his success at the ballot box against another Erdogan ally last year, helping the main opposition Republican Peoples Party, known as the CHP, inflict an unprecedented defeat on Erdogans AK Party. On Sunday, Imamoglu was scheduled to be declared his partys candidate for the next presidential vote, scheduled for 2028. But the cancellation of his university degree and decision by Turkish authorities to put him behind bars leave his political future unclear. Well together remove this black stain put on our democracy, Imamoglu said in a statement shortly after his arrest. I stand tall, I will never bow. He repeated the popular campaign slogan he used in municipal elections: All will be good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why Now Some of Erdogans critics say hes simply trying to weaken the opposition a charge the government has denied, saying that Imamoglus detention has nothing to do with the president or his party. Others argue Erdogan is using the shifts in the global balance of power to maximize his gains at home: he has a good rapport with Trump, who he hopes to visit at the White House next month, and enjoys close ties with Russias President Vladimir Putin. Turkeys expanding military footprint makes Erdogan a key power broker in regional conflicts from Ukraine to Syria, and a useful ally for the European Union as the bloc frets about a possible US retreat. Markets Nosedive Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most significant blowback from Imamoglus detention has been in financial markets. The unfolding volatility could undo many of the economic gains Turkeys made since it pivoted to more orthodox monetary policies in mid-2023. Then, Erdogan, who had long championed low interest rates to boost economic growth, swallowed his pride and brought back former ally Mehmet Simsek as finance minister. Simsek, who used to be a Merrill Lynch bond strategist, oversaw a period in which the central bank raised interest rates to 50% the highest since Erdogan began ruling Turkey in 2003 and kept them there long enough to attract billions of dollars of inflows from foreign investors. Inflation, still as high as 75% last May, was finally showing signs of slowing after years of runaway price increases that pushed many Turks into poverty and away from Erdogans party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dead-end Street Turks taking to the streets over the past four days have defied various bans on protests. Istanbuls governor placed restrictions on travel into and out of the city to stop the rallies from spreading. Erdogan the main focus of the anti-government protesters ire appears unfazed. As was the case in 2013 during months of anti-government protests that began in Istanbul and spread throughout much of Turkey, the president has gradually become more confrontational. Its a dead-end street, Erdogan said after the main opposition party called on followers to organize mass protests. The days when street terror set the direction for politics is now in the past, just like the old Turkey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Inci Ozbek, Firat Kozok and Tugce Ozsoy. (Updates with X statement in fifth and sixth paragraphs) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. A Turkish court has ordered Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a leading opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to be held in pre-trial detention, the state-run Anadolu reports news agency reported on Sunday. Imamoglu was taken into custody on Wednesday, days before he was expected to be nominated as the presidential candidate for Turkey's largest opposition party, the CHP. The move has sparked nightly nationwide demonstrations, with up to 300,000 rallying in Istanbul on Friday night alone according to CHP figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The popular opposition politician is facing accusations of terrorism and corruption in two separate proceedings. The judge's order for pre-trial detention on Sunday came in connection with the corruption charge. In the corruption investigation, Imamoglu is accused of membership in a criminal organization, extortion, bribery, fraud and bid rigging, while he is also accused of supporting the banned Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in the terrorism charge. According to Anadolu, the background to the terror investigation is cooperation between the CHP and the pro-Kurdish DEM party in the local elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public prosecutors argue that the cooperation helped to extend the influence of the banned PKK. The mayor has vehemently denied the allegations and said on Saturday that they are based on "fabricated" reports. Imamoglu's victory in Istanbul in 2019 - and re-election in 2024 - were seen as bitter defeats for Erdogan's AKP party, which had previously governed the city. The city is Turkey's most populous metropolis and is of major importance to the country's politics and economics. Control of the mayor's office is also highly symbolic, as the position was formerly held by Erdogan from 1994. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CHP plans to go ahead with plans to nominate Imamoglu as its presidential candidate in a primary vote on Sunday. In the nationwide ballot, the party's 1.7 million members are called upon to back Imamoglu for the 2028 presidential election. In addition to the 4,000 party ballot boxes set up in the country, as many symbolic "solidarity ballot boxes" are to be set up in which all citizens can cast a vote. Imamoglu is the only CHP candidate. Critics see his arrest as an attempt to eliminate a potential rival to Erdogan - a charge strongly rejected by the long-standing leader's government. Turkeys president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has regularly faced down challenges to his autocratic rule, winning elections he was expected to lose. In 2023, he confounded predictions that his long period of rule was drawing to a close by securing another five years in office. Since 2003, he has held the posts of either prime minister or president and his ability to outmanoeuvre his critics has been helped by the almost total control he wields over the media. But it seems this now extends to the judicial system and he may have overreached himself. The arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a key figure in the main opposition party, has triggered days of disturbances in Turkeys biggest city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To many of Erdogans detractors it is a leaf straight out of Vladimir Putins political playbook to discredit, and preferably lock up, your main rival. It is perplexing since the constitution forbids Mr Erdogan from standing again in 2028 unless again like Putin he changes it to extend his tenure as some suspect he might. The presidents people insist he has nothing to do with what is a purely judicial matter beyond his control, though few in Turkey believe that. The coincidence of the arrest coming just days before Mr Imamoglus nomination as the presidential candidate for the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) is too great to be so airily dismissed. Similar civic disturbances have calmed down before. At a time of global tension, stability is important in what is Natos second biggest military power as well as home to US nuclear bases. But Turkey and its leader need to show they remain on the side of their democratic Nato allies, not adopt Russian tactics for dealing with legitimate protest. 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. ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) members and others head to polling stations on Sunday for a primary election to endorse detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as candidate for the next presidential election. The CHP has called for non-party members to vote to boost public resistance following Imamoglu's detention over charges including graft and aiding a terrorist group. Imamoglu denies the charges. CHP, which has more than 1.5 million members, set up 5,600 ballot boxes for voting across all of Turkey's 81 provinces. Polls will close at 1400 GMT. The next election is scheduled to be held in 2028. (Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by William Mallard) By Ece Toksabay, Ezgi Erkoyun and Tuvan Gumrukcu ISTANBUL (Reuters) -A Turkish court on Sunday jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival, pending trial on corruption charges in a move that inflamed the country's biggest protests in more than a decade. The decision to send Imamoglu to jail comes after the main opposition party, European leaders and hundreds of thousands of protesters criticised the actions against him as politicised and undemocratic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the courtroom developments unfolded, there were signs that the mayor's troubles were galvanizing opposition against Erdogan's government, which has run Turkey for 22 years. Nearly 15 million Republican People's Party (CHP) members and non-members, who made up the vast majority, streamed into polling stations nationwide to either elect or endorse Imamoglu as its candidate in a future presidential vote, the party said. The non-member vote - more than 13 million, according to the CHP - could indicate that Imamoglu, 54, enjoys wide public support beyond the party faithful. The party's chairman said it showed the need for early elections. Imamoglu has denied the charges he faces as "unimaginable accusations and slanders" and called for nationwide protests on Sunday. "We will rip away this coup, this dark stain on our democracy, all together," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Footage showed him being taken to Silivri prison in a police convoy after the ruling. The mayor of Turkey's largest city was also removed from duty, along with two other district mayors, the interior ministry said. The government denies that investigations are politically motivated and says courts are independent. Turkey's vice president, Cevdet Yilmaz, and Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan sought separately to calm market jitters that sparked a sharp selloff in Turkish assets since Imamoglu was detained last week, and that analysts expect to accelerate after his jailing. A nationwide ban on street gatherings was extended on Saturday for four more days but protests, scattered skirmishes with police and some detentions continued in major cities on Sunday, the fifth night of mostly peaceful anti-government demonstrations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'SOLIDARITY VOTES' The court said Imamoglu and at least 20 others were jailed as part of a corruption investigation, one of two opened against the two-term mayor last week. It said he was arrested for "establishing and leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, embezzlement, unlawfully recording personal data, and rigging public tenders in connection with a financial investigation". The jailing caps a months-long legal crackdown on opposition figures and the removal of other elected officials from office, in what critics called a government attempt to hurt their election prospects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six of the CHP's 27 municipal mayors in greater Istanbul are now under arrest - a year after municipal elections in which opposition parties handed Erdogan's AK Party its worst ever electoral defeat. The CHP opened party polling stations Sunday to non-members to cast "solidarity votes" for Imamoglu, who was the only name on the ballot for presidential candidate. CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel said the high turnout in the primary elections - 14.85 million total ballots cast for Imamoglu - was a strong rebuke to what he called a "coup attempt". It called "Erdogan's legitimacy into question and makes an early election inevitable", he told crowds at a municipal headquarters in Istanbul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If they believe they can compete with us, with Ekrem Imamoglu, then let them call for an early election." No general election is scheduled until 2028. But if Erdogan, 71, who has led Turkey for 22 years, is to run again, parliament would need to back an earlier election since the president will have reached his limit by that date. Imamoglu is leading Erdogan in some opinion polls. MARKET TURMOIL Imamoglu is also facing terrorism charges, but the court did not formally arrest him on those at the same time. A future ruling to jail him pending trial on these charges could allow the government to appoint a trustee to run Istanbul. A conviction could prevent him running for president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CHP said it would appeal the ruling and elect someone to work as acting mayor. Shortly after the ruling, the mayor vowed to ultimately defeat Erdogan, and said those who ran the investigation would be held accountable. "Imamoglu has become Erdogan's ... nightmare," Mehmet Karatas, an opposition supporter, said outside the courthouse. "We will make Ekrem Imamoglu president." Since Imamoglu's detention Wednesday, the Turkish lira, stocks and bonds suffered heavy declines, prompting the central bank to take steps to stabilise the currency, while authorities also announced a ban on short selling on the Istanbul bourse. Karahan, the central bank's governor, met board members of Turkey's Banks Association (TBB) on Sunday and said it will use all instruments within market rules decisively to maintain stability, the TBB said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil disobedience has been dramatically curbed in Turkey since nationwide Gezi Park protests against Erdogan's government in 2013, which prompted a violent state crackdown. On Saturday, authorities had detained more than 300 people during protests. (Additional reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever, Jonathan Spicer, Mert Ozkan and Mehmet Emin Caliskan; Writing by Jonathan Spicer; Editing by William Mallard, David Goodman, Alison Williams and Giles Elgood) Two people were killed early Saturday morning in a suspected DUI crash in Merced County. The incident was reported at 12:19 a.m. of a crash at Highway 165, south of Turner Avenue. Officers responded to the crash and determined it was a two-vehicle head-on crash. California Highway Patrol Sgt. Jim Yates said a Los Banos woman was driving a 2014 BMW SUV at a high rate of speed southbound on Highway 165, south of Turner Avenue. A 41-year-old man from Ceres was driving a 2016 Honda Accord with a juvenile at an unknown speed northbound on Highway 165, south of Turner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For unknown reasons, the BMW failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway, crossing over solid double yellow lines into the northbound lane of Highway 165 and crashed head-on into the Honda. Both occupants in the Honda were pronounced dead. The BMW driver sustained major injuries and was taken to a Modesto hospital. Yates said all occupants were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash. The driver of the BMW was identified as 20-year-old Melissa Rosales. She was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter. The crash is under investigation. The contraband was found unclaimed and was subsequently seized after completing all legal formalities. The Agartala Government Railway Police (GRP) has launched an investigation to identify the individuals responsible for smuggling the illegal substance. According to officials, the estimated market value of the seized ganja at its destination is approximately Rs 15.10 lakh. Authorities are working to track down those behind the smuggling attempt and have intensified security checks at the station to curb such illegal activities. Earlier on Thursday, authorities at Agartala Railway Station recovered and seized 34 kg of dry ganja worth Rs 5.10 lakh on Wednesday during a routine check, as per the information from officials. The estimated market value of the seized ganja in its destination market is approximately Rs 5.10 lakh. The contraband was found abandoned, with no claimant in sight. Following due legal procedures, the seized ganja was secured as unclaimed property. The Agartala Government Railway Police (GRP) has initiated an investigation to trace the source and owner of the illegal consignment. Authorities suspect that the consignment was part of an inter-state drug trafficking network, and efforts are underway to identify those involved. Law enforcement agencies have intensified their vigilance at railway stations and other transit points to curb the smuggling of illegal substances. (ANI) BROCKTON, Mass. (WPRI) The Plymouth County District Attorneys Office is investigating after two teenagers were shot and killed in a mall parking lot in Brockton, Mass. Saturday night. Investigators say around 7 p.m., Brockton police were called to the parking lot of the Westgate Mall for a report of several teenagers fighting. During the altercation, the two teenagers were fatally shot. The victims are only being identified as a 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office are investigating this incident. No other information is available at this time. 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. March 23 (UPI) -- The United States is dispatching a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East in an effort to ramp up defense efforts against Houthi militia aggression in the commercial shipping lanes of the Red Sea. The move could presage an increase in U.S. bombing efforts against Yemen and its proxies in the region. The U.S. will send the USS Carl Vinson and its several destroyers to the Red Sea next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's the second time in 6 months that the United States has had two aircraft carrier strike groups in the region at the same time, but the first time under the current Trump administration. The deployment is an extension of a fresh campaign to strike targets in Yemen, during which the United States has struck dozens of sites in the region, many of which have been munitions sites, including missile launch and storage locations, according to the U.S. Defense Department. An Evolved Sea Sparrow missile is launched from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in 2021. The Vinson is being dispatched to the Middle East as part of a move to defend against Iran-backed Houthi attacks on commercial vessels. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy/Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Green Trump claimed on social media that the Iran-backs Houthis would be "completely annihilated" by U.S. forces and warned Tehran to "immediately" stop supplying the militants with military equipment. A temporary military stand down between Israel and Hamas, which has since crumbled, also meant the Houthis had not attacked any of the commercial shipping traffic in the Red Sea since Jan. 19, but have said they are likely to escalate their aggression and have added that they will attack U.S. ships sent there to mediate. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said it will take the Vinson roughly three weeks to reach the conflict zone. A federal prison in the Quad Cities area is one of seven that a group of Democratic senators say will be adversely impacted by staff reductions and cuts to staff-retention incentives, according to a letter the senators sent Friday to the U. S. Attorney General. U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), along with 12 other Democratic Senators, on Friday sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi expressing deep concern over the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) plan to reduce by 50 percent (at 42 BOP correctional facilities) or entirely eliminate (at seven BOP correctional facilities) staff retention incentives, according to a news release. The senators are concerned about the effect this will have on staff and incarcerated people alike, and seek additional information on the circumstances surrounding this decision. The decision to halve or eliminate retention bonuses is expected to impact 23,000 BOP employees across the nation and will result in further deteriorated staffing levels, morale, safety, and programming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are deeply concerned by the recent testimony before the House Appropriations Committee indicating that the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) will be reducing or eliminating retention incentives at numerous facilities across the nation, the senators wrote. The Bureau is already grappling with extreme, chronic understaffing at BOP institutions. In part, this is due to salaries and benefits for both correctional and non-correctional staff that are less competitive with other law-enforcement institutions. Understaffed prisons face immense challenges in keeping current populations and staff safe, ensuring access to necessary medical and dental care, and fully implementing the First Step Act in order to reduce recidivism risk and promote public safety. Thomson has 134 vacant positions The senators letter continues: Unfortunately, we have already seen the crisis that reduction of retention incentives creates for correctional facilities. Last year, over the objection of members of Congress, BOP removed retention incentives for staff at FCI Thomson in Illinois. As expected, that has resulted in severely deteriorated staffingaccording to the facilitys local union president, FCI Thomson currently has 134 vacant positions, including 100 unfilled correctional officer positions. The decision to expand the reduction and elimination of retention incentives at more facilities will inevitably lead to similar, unacceptable crises across BOP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To better understand the decision, this letter asks the BOPamong other questionsto confirm information about the extent of the retention incentive cuts, provide information about when the Bureau believed the cuts would be necessary, describe alternative or additional actions considered and/or taken, and explain the expected impact of the cuts, and detail relevant funding levels and sources. While the Trump Administration works to slash the spending and budgets of executive agencies, BOP is already severely understaffed as the Bureau tries to uphold its public safety mandate, the Senators wrote. Ultimately, curtailing the Bureaus chronic staffing shortages is imperative to ensuring the health, safety, and morale of BOP staff, as well as the health, safety, and rehabilitation of incarcerated persons. While we appreciate the difficulty of the current fiscal climate, BOP staff need more resources during this time, not less. In addition to Durbin, Booker, and Schiff, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). Read the whole letter here. Read the whole letter here:: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Letter-to-AG-Bondi-re.-BOP-Retention-Incentives1Download Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Storrs An annual LGBTQ+ youth conference returned to the University of Connecticuts campus this weekend after a four-year hiatus and not a moment too soon, organizers and attendees said. On Saturday, costumed stilt-walkers brushed past dozens of students and volunteers inside the campus Student Union building where a drag performer executed a rapid-fire series of one-liners and observations. Several members of the crowd sported rainbow flag that matched dyed hair, shirts and hats. The SOGIEcon (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression conference), formerly the True Colors event, featured a series of workshops, discussion panels and forums designed to address issues important to the LGBTQ+ youth community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New London resident Robyn Ventura-Chavez, a 26-year-old non-binary, transgender man, attended his first True Color event as a Norwich Free Academy freshman several years ago. He was scheduled to present a talk Saturday on the intersection of neurodivergence and disabilities in queer and transgender lives. Id known for a fact I was transgender since I was 19, but coming to that first conference let me know there were other people out there like me and it was okay, said Ventura-Chavez, a para-educator with the Norwich school system. There was an overwhelming sense of acceptance here and I hope people leave here today understanding its okay to still be figuring things out, that things are fluid. Other workshops included talks on code-switching, navigating healthcare, labeling and economic empowerment for Black and brown LGBTQ+ youths. The first event grew out a fieldwork assignment by Robin McHaelen in 1994 as part a social work studies program that sought to survey LGBTQ+ community members. The conferences ran through 2019, with an online version held in 2020, before being paused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the interim, McHaelen, a lesbian, handed over the reins to the conference to The Health Collective group, which revived the event this year. At its height, the conferences drew in thousands of attendees and was billed as the largest LGBTQ+ youth event in the U.S. McHaelen said the conference, which ran Friday and Saturday, is more necessary than ever. Just last year alone, there were over 400 anti- LGBTQ+ bills submitted by states including Connecticut, she said, adding the re-election of President Donald Trump has LGBTQ+ youths terrified. Kids are afraid to come out of the closet with the administration doubling down on their targeting. Ventura-Chavez said many of his peers have experienced first-hand an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric during the last year or so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They're frightened," he said. "I, myself, had to do some research on what my rights are and might be if things change." Ledyard resident and therapist Jerad Ripley held quiet room counseling conferences with attendees. He said some of his LGBTQ+ clients have reported increased bullying in recent months. I want people to leave here today and understand they are not alone, that there are people out there who care for them, he said. Ive said I have two families: my immediate one and my chosen one in the LGBTQ+ community. Lily Denver, a 20-year-old UConn junior who identifies as pansexual, said it was challenging growing up in the small town of Barkhamstead with a non-traditional gender identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It can be so hard to find people like you, or to have older allies and role models," she said. "That's why we need events like these and not just around Pride Month in June. j.penney@theday.com Last week, following Iran-backed Hamas rejection of Americas proposal to extend the Jan. 19 Gaza ceasefire and release all 59 hostages, the Jewish state resumed military strikes. The renewed fighting makes it all the more important to recall the scope, magnitude, and goal of the jihadists surprise attack on the Jewish state on Oct. 7, 2023. On that terrible Sabbath, Hamas gleefully executed an elaborate plan to massacre civilians in southern Israel. The terrorists killed some 1,200 persons, mostly civilians; raped women; mutilated bodies; kidnapped 251, mostly civilians; and plunged the Jewish state into a Tehran-sponsored, multi-front regional war. Coming to grips with the deadliest and most gruesome assault on Jews since the Holocaust is about more than scrupulous historical bookkeeping and clarifying the near-term and long-term causes of todays fighting. Grasping the jihadists war aims, tactics, and atrocities is crucial to understanding the threats faced not only by Israel but also by the United States and other rights-protecting democracies. Several factors beyond the ordinary passage of time obscure the Oct. 7 horrors and their larger implications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In general, as the digital revolution deluges the world with information, attention spans decline, intellectual standards deteriorate, and predilections for the shallow, juvenile, and vitriolic proliferate. More specifically, vicious anti-Israel propagandists, often driven by hatred of America, work assiduously to invert reality. They portray Israelis as the perpetrators and the Palestinians as the victims of the sexual violence and attacks on civilians in which Hamas reveled on Oct. 7. The most prominent recent example is the report issued earlier this month by the notoriously anti-Israel United Nations Human Rights Council. Despite lacking access to Israels rules of engagement, the UNHRCs Commission of Inquiry accused the Jewish state of committing against Palestinians the very war crimes - many of which were captured in living color on the terrorists GoPro cameras - that on Oct. 7 Hamas perpetrated against Israeli civilians. In the process, the UN commission altered well-accepted evidentiary standards. "In a shameless attempt to incriminate the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] and manufacture the illusion of systematic use of SGBV [Sexual and Gender Based Violence], the CoI [Commission of Inquiry] deliberately adopts a lower level of corroboration in its report, which allowed it to include information from second-hand single uncorroborated sources," stated The Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations in Geneva. "This is inconsistent with established UN verification standards and methodologies." Furthermore, Hamas war of extermination against Israel - including Irans additional anti-Israel fronts in Judea and Samaria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Tehran itself (in December 2024, the Syrian front collapsed with the fall of Iran-backed dictator Bashar al-Assads government) - shrouds the jihadists Oct. 7 savagery. Western diplomats, fueled by Biden administration diplomacy, have tended to view Israel and Hamas as mutually aggrieved parties who should accept a ceasefire and negotiate a hostilities-ending compromise. Since, however, Israel had no designs on Gaza, and Hamas undertook to destroy Israel, the Biden administration from the outset should have led other nations to consistently and forcefully demand Hamas unconditional surrender and immediate release of all hostages. The jihadists key tactics, moreover, flagrantly violated the international laws of war. These prohibit the targeting of civilians. They also require combatants to wear uniforms to distinguish themselves from civilians and to operate apart from their own civilian populations. Yet as part of a war plan years in the making, the jihadists targeted Israeli civilians and civilian infrastructure; dressed as civilians; and, conducting military operations in and under Gazas cities, used noncombatant Palestinians as human shields and Palestinian civilian infrastructure as fortifications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas turned Palestinian residential neighborhoods into combat zones not only to lure Israelis into back-alley ambushes and booby-trapped buildings but also to ensure that Israels exercise of its right of self-defense would produce appalling collateral damage. Hamas could then exploit Palestinian civilian casualties and tens of thousands of tons of rubble to portray Israel as a lawless aggressor. This grotesque propaganda has proved effective among the gullible, the blinkered, and the dogmatically partisan, who are disproportionately represented in international tribunals and commissions and among formers of global public opinion. Released on March 18, the 318-page "7 October Parliamentary Commission Report" counters the forgetting, the propaganda, and the fog of war by meticulously describing the jihadists war plans and their execution of the slaughter. Lord Roberts of Belgravia - Andrew Roberts is a master historian and author of more than 20 books dealing predominantly with diplomatic and military affairs - chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group for UK-Israel, which produced the extensively documented and chilling report. Driven by moral outrage at the evils Hamas inflicted on Israel, the Roberts reports purpose and methodology reflect the spirit of coroner and pathologist rather than that of judge and jury. Addressing the widespread denial, coverup, and celebration of the Oct. 7 attacks, the report aims "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." To that end, the report draws on the historians traditional tools. "By compiling survivor testimonies, eyewitness accounts, first responder narratives, and expert analyses, this project has sought to create an authoritative historical record," writes the commission. "This report will serve as an enduring resource for governments, educators, and civil society, safeguarding the truth against denialism and distortion." After reviewing the harrowing facts painstakingly set forth by the report, no competent judge and jury will reasonably doubt the odiousness of Hamas war crimes and the malignancy of its mission. The Roberts report illuminates the Oct. 7 massacre by placing it in political and ideological context. Following Israels 2005 withdrawal from Gaza and, in 2007, Hamas violent ouster of the Palestinian Authority, the terrorists built up their arsenal of mortars and rockets. The IDF undertook several operations in Gaza between 2008 and 2023 to counter Hamas aerial bombardments of civilian targets in Israel. Gross violations of the international laws of war, Hamas attacks on Israeli noncombatants were from the jihadists perspective skirmishes in a large-scale undertaking. As the report observes, Hamas "1988 charter called for the murder of Jews, the destruction of Israel, and in her place, the establishment of an Islamic state in historic Palestine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report focuses on the attack itself. At 6:29 a.m. on Oct. 7, under the cover of thousands of mortar shells and rockets, jihadists at approximately 24 points burst through the border fence protecting Israel from Gaza. Other terrorists flew on paragliders and invaded by sea. Some 7,000 individuals took part in the assault. While Hamas coordinated the attack, around 2,200 combatants from among Gazas 16 or so other terrorist groups also joined in the murder and mayhem. Palestinian civilians, including women and children, exploited the chaos and carnage to invade Israel and plunder and lay waste to Israels besieged communities. Many individual Israeli police officers, soldiers, internal security services members, and civilians fought valiantly to fend off the onslaught, but the military establishment and the political echelon were caught flatfooted. It took Israel until around 9 p.m. on Oct. 8 to regain control over the Gaza Envelope (the southern Israeli communities near Gaza). The death toll was staggering, both relative to Israels small population of roughly 9.8 million and in absolute terms. "It was the deadliest per capita terrorist attack since the Global Terrorism Database started data collection in 1970, with just over 1 person killed per every 10,000 Israelis," according to the Roberts report. "The 7 October 2023 attacks are also the third deadliest terrorist attack to date, following the 11 September 2001 attack perpetrated by al Qaeda that killed nearly 3,000 people in the United States, and the Camp Speicher massacre in Iraq by the Islamic State in June 2014 that killed approximately 1,700 people." Hamas cruelty to the hostages - male and female, and infants to the elderly - eviscerated civilized norms. "During the hostage taking process, several of the hostages were subject to abuse captured in video footage," the report states. "The abuse included both physical assault, verbal abuse, sexual assault and humiliating and degrading treatment." Worse was in store for the hostages who reached Gaza alive. "Based on the testimony and medical assessments of hostages who have been released, the abuse of hostages" held in Gaza "has included sunlight deprivation, starvation, binding, beatings, sexual abuse, and other degrading and humiliating treatment." The jihadists use of sexual violence as a weapon of war was premeditated down to the issuance of commands in Hebrew. "Phrasebooks found on the bodies of Hamas militants included translations for Take your clothes off! Spread your legs! Get down!" according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such depravity stems from ruthless Islamist indoctrination. Consequently, the next ceasefire, or even formal termination of hostilities, is bound to fall far short of bringing peace to Israel or stability to the region. There will be no rest for Israel - or for rights-protecting democracies at a distance from the front lines - until the Islamists throughout the Middle East cease educating their children to hate Jews, Israel, America, and the West. Peter Berkowitz is the Tad and Dianne Taube senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. From 2019 to 2021, he served as director of the Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. State Department. His writings are posted at PeterBerkowitz.com and he can be followed on X @BerkowitzPeter. (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said U.S. President Donald Trump has a point that European countries must bear a greater burden for their collective self-defence, the New York Times said on Sunday. "We need to think about defence and security in a more immediate way," he told the newspaper in an interview. Starmer is trying to assemble a multinational military force that he calls a coalition of the willing to keep Ukraine's skies, ports and borders secure after any peace settlement, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Trump, Starmer said, "On a person-to-person basis, I think we have a good relationship." But, he said, the U.S. leader's actions, from imposing a 25% tariff on British steel to berating President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine, had generated "quite a degree of disorientation". (Reporting by Rhea Rose Abraham in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom Hogue and William Mallard) Ukraines army has recaptured a small village in the eastern region of Luhansk a rare success for its forces in an area almost completely held by Russia since its 2022 invasion of the country. Kyiv officials said troops had liberated the village of Nadia following a 30-hour operation, during which its soldiers retook one square mile of territory. Its military did not provide details about casualties or the strategic significance of the village. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraines forces have made small gains across the wars eastern front in recent weeks, while a Russian offensive has stalled blamed by experts on a mix of poor weather and troop exhaustion. The gains come as Ukraine and Russia attempt to improve their negotiating positions ahead of the next round of talks, mediated by Donald Trump, the US president, to end the conflict. Ukrainian and US officials are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia later on Sunday to discuss a potential partial ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow. The meeting comes ahead of talks between the US and Russia scheduled for Monday. The latest round of diplomacy follows a series of talks in Saudi Arabia, first involving the US and Russia, and then between the US and Ukraine, when Kyiv accepted a 30-day truce proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Kremlin has downplayed expectations of a rapid resolution to the war. It said on Sunday that Mondays meeting was just beginning and that difficult negotiations were to come. Russia has insisted on an all-in-one deal, demanding an end to Western military aid, limits on Ukraines forces, and recognition of land it has annexed conditions Kyiv and its allies have rejected. Ukraine wants a phased approach, starting with a ceasefire and followed by negotiations backed by Western security guarantees. Mr Trump said on Saturday that efforts to stop further escalation in the conflict were somewhat under control, despite a series of drone and missile attacks by both Ukraine and Russia. 03:31 PM GMT Thats all for today Thank you for tuning in to our Ukraine live blog. Well be back tomorrow to bring you all the latest as peace talks get under way in Saudi Arabia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This live blog is now closed. 02:37 PM GMT Mixed signals: US optimism meets Russian caution in Ukraine peace process For all the signs of growing rapprochement, the messaging between Moscow and Washington is still far from harmonious. Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff voiced optimism that any agreement struck would pave the way to a full-on ceasefire. But the Kremlin on Sunday downplayed expectations of a rapid resolution, saying talks were just beginning. Moscows change in tone is straight out of the Putin school of negations - move slowly, keep Donald Trump interested and reset expectations. By giving a little ground, Putin signals that he is ready for a slow dance with the US president. But by downplaying expectations, he sets the pace of their waltz and ultimately, puts him in control. 01:59 PM GMT Trumps chief negotiator expects real progress in talks I think youre going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that youll naturally gravitate to a full-on shooting ceasefire, Steve Witkoff told Fox News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian and US experts will discuss ways to ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea at talks on a possible Ukrainian peace settlement in Riyadh. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that when Putin and Trump spoke by telephone on Tuesday, they had discussed the Black Sea Initiative. Turkey and the United Nations helped mediate the so-called Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal struck in July 2022 that allowed the safe export of nearly 33 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea despite the war. Russia withdrew from the agreement after a year, complaining that its own food and fertiliser exports faced serious obstacles. 01:52 PM GMT Ukraine and US to meet today in Saudi Arabia Ukrainian and US officials are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia later today to discuss a possible partial ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting, which is taking place earlier than thought, will precede talks between the US and Russian delegations which are scheduled for Monday. It follows a series of talks held in Saudi Arabia, first between the US and Russia, and then later between the US and Ukraine, when Kyiv accepted a 30-day truce proposal. The Kremlin has downplayed expectations for a rapid resolution to the Ukraine conflict, saying on Sunday that the meeting on Monday is just beginning and that difficult negotiations were ahead. Russia insists on an all-in-one deal, demanding an end to military aid, limits on Ukraines forces, and recognition of its annexations - conditions Kyiv and its allies reject. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump said on Saturday that efforts to stop further escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict were somewhat under control, despite a series of drone and missile attacks from both Ukraine and Russia. 01:32 PM GMT Five-year-old killed in Russian strikes on Kyiv A Russian overnight drone attack on Kyiv killed at least seven people including a five-year-old child and injured ten others, Ukrainian officials said. Multiple explosions were heard across Kyiv from Saturday evening into the early hours of Sunday. The Kyiv city military administration said: According to the available information, three people died, including a five-year-old child. Another 10 people were wounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the wounded, the youngest victim was... only 11 months old, it said. In the Dniprovsky district of the capital, a fire broke out on the upper floors of a nine-story building, spreading to the roof and covering 100 square metres. One woman died there, and 27 people were evacuated. Firefighters in the Podilsky district also extinguished a 20-square-meter fire on the 20th floor of a 25-story residential building. The attack comes as the US and Russian officials are set to talk on a possible Ukrainian peace settlement in Riyadh tomorrow. Ukrainian negotiations will also be in Riyadh for talks with the US, but in a different room. 12:40 PM GMT Ukraine recaptures small village in Luhansk region Ukraines army said its troops have recaptured a small village in the eastern Luhansk region, a rare battlefield success for Kyivs forces in an area that Russia has almost fully captured since invading in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraines Land Forces said on Telegram it had liberated the village of Nadia in Luhansk region in a 30-hour operation that saw it retake three square kilometres (one square mile) of territory. 11:39 AM GMT Difficult negotiations ahead on Ukraine, says Kremlin The Kremlin has downplayed expectations for a rapid resolution to the Ukraine conflict, saying talks were just beginning and that difficult negotiations were ahead. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: We are only at the beginning of this path. He added that negotiations with the United States in Saudi Arabia on Monday would be difficult and that Moscows main focus would be on a possible resumption of a deal to ensure safe navigation for commercial vessels in the Black Sea. 11:16 AM GMT Watch: Aftermath of Russian overnight drone attack on Kyiv 11:00 AM GMT Oil spill at Russian depot after drone strike Oil products spilt at a Krasnodar region depot in southern Russia that caught fire after a drone attack last week, regional officials said on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire area increased to 2,000 square metres from 1,250 square metres previously reported, according to state news agency TASS. No casualties occurred and surrounding buildings and tanks remained undamaged, officials claimed. Russias foreign ministry called the attack a violation of an agreement halting energy infrastructure strikes amid Ukraine ceasefire efforts. Authorities deployed firefighting trains Saturday to combat the blaze.The facility is a rail terminal for a pipeline to Kazakhstan. 10:27 AM GMT US hopes for Ukraine-Russia ceasefire by April 20 The White House is working toward a broad ceasefire in Ukraine by April 20, US officials have said. Officials aim for a truce agreement by April 20, which this year is Easter in both the Western and Orthodox churches, but recognises that timeline may slip given the large gaps between the positions of the two sides. Russias demands include ending weapons supplies to Ukraine, which Kyiv and allies have rejected. The White House briefly halted arms deliveries earlier this month to pressure Ukraine but hasnt agreed to permanent restrictions. We are working for a ceasefire and a lasting peace, said White House spokesman Brian Hughes. We wont have the terms of discussions or timing be played out in the media. European officials worry Trump might sacrifice Ukraines interests for a diplomatic win. They believe Putin is delaying to gain concessions and battlefield advantages. 10:02 AM GMT Pictured: Russia strikes Kyiv Ukrainian rescuers working at the site of an overnight drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, 23 March - Shutterstock A view of the shelling at the site of an overnight drone attack on a nine-story residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine, 23 March - Shutterstock 09:51 AM GMT Zelensky urges pressure on Russia after deadly strike President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Ukraines allies to increase pressure on Moscow to end the war, following a Russian drone attack on Kyiv that killed at least three people. Mr Zelensky said: New decisions and new pressure on Moscow are needed to bring an end to these strikes and this war. 09:32 AM GMT Russia seeks progress in Saudi talks, says negotiator Russia hopes to achieve some progress at talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday, Russian negotiator Grigory Karasin told state media as the United States prepares to meet Ukrainian and Russian delegations separately. We hope to achieve at least some progress, said Mr Karasin, who will lead the Russian delegation alongside FSB advisor Sergey Beseda. He added that they would bring a combative and constructive approach to the negotiations. US envoy Keith Kellogg described the effort as shuttle diplomacy between hotel rooms. Ukrainian officials will meet US mediators first, with a separate US-Russian meeting scheduled for Monday. Moscow has rejected a joint US-Ukraine proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire, suggesting instead a pause on aerial attacks targeting energy facilities. Both sides have continued military operations ahead of the talks. 09:29 AM GMT Hello and welcome to our live coverage Were bringing you the latest updates from the Ukraine war. 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. Union Minister and BJP MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar attacked the opposition parties that participated in the all-party meeting on Saturday over the proposed delimitation of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin chaired an Joint Action Committee meeting in Chennai on March 22 over the proposed delimitation issue in the state. The meeting was joined by Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and others. Speaking to the media in Karimnagar on Saturday, Bandi Sanjay Kumar stated that the thieves have divided the village among themselves and all of them are a gang of mafia. He added that the BRS are cooperating with Congress to escape from their cases. "Thieves are dividing the village among themselves. All of them are gangs of thieves and mafia. There is a liquor scam gang. There is a land scam gang. We are saying from the beginning that BRS and Congress are one. BRS is cooperating with Congress to escape from their cases. They are working together. They are together in Delhi, and they fight in the gully (streets). Both of them have gone to the meeting by DMK", he said. He further stated that the Telangana police must consider whether Congress and BRS are one or not and that the KCR family is not receiving any notices related to their cases. Sanjay emphasised that both parties are fighting against the BJP and stated that no process related to the proposed delimitation has started by the Union Government. Bandi Sanjay alleged that the Congress party was trying to divert people's attention from them and the six guarantees they made during the elections. "All of them has gone together for the DMK meeting. All of them will speak together there. Who are they all against? They are fighting against BJP. Congress and BRS are together fighting against BJP. Today in Delhi, no process has been started on delimitation. No laws has been formulated on it. No decision has been made. As per a plan the Congress party here is trying to escape from their 6 guarantees and divert the people's attention from their corruption", the Karimnagar MP said. The Union Minister said that the BRS are doing everything that the Congress is telling them in order to escape from their cases. He alleged the Tamil Nadu government of being engaged in a Rs 1000 crore liquor scam from which they are trying to divert attention in a well planned delimitation row. "BRS is doing anything that the Congress tells them because the Congress should corporate with them on their cases. In Tamil Nadu, DMK has engaged in a 1000 crores liquor scam. The people of Tamil Nadu are ready to vote against DMK and it's corruption. To divert the people attention they are doing all this (anti-Delimitation meeting) well planned. The people won't care about all this", Bandi Sanjay said. (ANI) Ukrainian officials will hold talks with a U.S. technical team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 23, a day before the U.S. plans to hold separate meetings with Ukrainian and Russian delegates on March 24. The news was first reported by the media on March 21 and confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 22. A U.S.-Ukraine meeting "will take place tomorrow, March 23, in Saudi Arabia," Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington is also set to hold diplomatic talks with Moscow in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on March 23, according to U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff. Previously, Zelensky announced that Ukrainian and American delegations would hold talks in Riyadh on March 24. U.S. negotiators planned to hold separate meetings with Ukrainian and Russian delegates that day, in a format Special Envoy Keith Kellog described as "shuttle diplomacy." CBS News correspondent Jennifer Jacobs reported on March 21 that Ukrainian officials would meet with U.S. representatives ahead of the March 24 talks. "U.S. technical team intends to meet with Ukrainian officials on Sunday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ahead of discussions on Monday with the Russians," Jacobs wrote on X, citing unnamed sources familiar with the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If progress is made in Riyadh with Russian team, the U.S. technical team may meet again with the Ukrainians' team later Monday," she said. Zelensky's remarks on March 22 confirmed that Ukrainian officials are planning a meeting with a U.S. team on March 23. Ukraine's delegation will be led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Pavlo Palisa, the deputy head of the President's Office, an undisclosed Ukrainian source told Sky News. Both of these officials were present at the previous U.S.-Ukraine talks in Jeddah on March 11. According to Zelensky, Kyiv is sending "technical teams" to flesh out the details of a potential partial ceasefire with Russia. Ukraine also made it clear that no direct communications between Ukraine and Russia will beheld in Riyadh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: No high expectations Ukrainian officials skeptical about upcoming Riyadh talks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Cross-border drone attacks killed civilians in both Ukraine and Russia overnight into Sunday, according to local officials, as the two sides continued long-range strikes despite agreeing -- in principle -- to a limited ceasefire last week. At least three people -- including a 5-year-old girl and her father -- were killed in a drone attack in Kyiv, the local military administration said, with at least 10 more people injured. Ukraine's air force reported 147 drones launched into the country, 97 of which were shot down and 25 were lost in flight without causing damage. The Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa and Donetsk regions were affected, the air force said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to seek cover while air defenses engaged a "massive" number of incoming UAVs, or unmanned aerial vehicles. The mayor reported falling debris and fires in three districts of the capital. PHOTO: In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters put out the fire following a Russian attack in near Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 23, 2025. (AP) "The terrorist state has once again shown who it really is," the Kyiv military administration wrote on Telegram. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram that foreign components remain vital to Russian munitions, calling for "new solutions" to block their continued import to Russia despite the Western-led sanctions campaign against Russia. Ukraine needs "new pressure on Moscow so that such strikes and this war stop," the president said. "We must strengthen Ukraine and our army -- more air defense and real assistance," Zelenskyy added. "I thank all partners who understand this and continue to support Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, wrote on social media, "Russia does not cease fire." Russian President Vladimir Putin, he added, "wants to continue killing civilians, this must be stopped." The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces shot down 59 Ukrainian drones overnight, with a major attack reported in the southwestern Rostov region, which borders Ukraine. The attack set fire to a car on a highway in the Rostov region, with one person inside the vehicle killed, said Yury Slyusar, the region's acting governor. Slyusar described the attack as "massive." MORE: Ukraine targets key Russian airbase with 'massive' drone attack Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere, the governor of the Astrakhan region said a residential building was damaged by falling drone debris. Drone strikes have continued through the weekend despite last week's apparent progress toward a U.S.-brokered partial ceasefire, though Kyiv and Moscow appeared to have different understandings of what that would entail. Following talks with President Donald Trump, both Zelenskyy and Putin signaled their support for a partial freeze on long-range strikes. The White House said the pause would cover "energy and infrastructure" targets. The Kremlin said the agreement related to "energy infrastructure," while Zelenskyy suggested Ukraine wanted ports, railways and "other civilian infrastructure" covered by the deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian and American negotiators are due to meet again in Saudi Arabia on Monday, with details of the proposed ceasefire expected to be among the topics of discussion. PHOTO: A damaged apartment building is seen after a Ukrainian drone attack injured two people in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on March 22, 2025. (AP) Trump and his top officials have framed the potential partial ceasefire as a springboard for a broader peace deal to end Russia's war on its neighbor. Meanwhile, European allies have been working with Kyiv on a peace proposal to present to the White House, which may include European peacekeepers deployed on Ukrainian soil -- a prospect the Kremlin has repeatedly rejected. Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff dismissed the British- and French-led plan in an interview with Tucker Carlson, during which he also made several remarks aligned with misleading Russian narratives about the conflict. Witkoff said the European proposal of deploying allied troops to Ukraine was "simplistic" and "a posture." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC News' Natalia Kushnir, Fidel Pavlenko and Victoria Beaule contributed to this report. Ukraine, Russia exchange deadly drone attacks amid ceasefire maneuvering originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A meeting between Ukrainian and US delegations has begun in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Source: Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov on X (Twitter) Quote: "Weve started the meeting with the American team in Riyadh. We are implementing the President of Ukraines directive to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security. The agenda includes proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure. Weve started the meeting with the American team in Riyadh. We are implementing the President of Ukraines directive to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security. The agenda includes proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure. Today, were Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) March 23, 2025 Today, were working through a number of complex technical issues our delegation includes energy experts as well as military representatives from the naval and air components." Background: Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier stated that the meeting would be used to "determine the parameters of the proposals for various ceasefire regimes currently under discussion". Ahead of the anticipated USUkraine talks in Saudi Arabia, US Presidents special envoy Steve Witkoff once again said he believed the Kremlin leader was committed to peace and did not see Russia as a threat to the rest of Europe. On 22 March, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the military cabinet in Kharkiv, during which preparations for the meeting between the Ukrainian and US delegations in Saudi Arabia on 23 March were discussed. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! By Pavel Polityuk and Pesha Magid KYIV/RIYADH (Reuters) -Ukrainian and U.S. delegations discussed on Sunday proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure, Ukraine's defence minister said, part of a diplomatic push by U.S. President Donald Trump to end three years of war. The meeting in Saudi Arabia, which precedes talks on Monday between the U.S. and Russian delegations, came as U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about the chances for ending Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I feel that (Russian President Vladimir Putin) wants peace," Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday. "I think that you're going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that, you'll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire." Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his country's delegation to Sunday's talks was working in "a completely constructive manner", adding: "The conversation is quite useful, the work of the delegations is continuing. "But no matter what we say to our partners today, we need to get Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes," Zelenskiy said in a televised statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's delegation was headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who said the aim of such contacts was helping to "bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security", though Zelenskiy also said Sunday's talks were essentially "technical". Putin agreed last week to Trump's proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks on each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days, but that narrowly defined ceasefire was soon cast into doubt, with both sides reporting continued strikes. A large-scale Russian drone attack on Kyiv overnight killed at least three people, including a 5-year-old child, causing fires in high-rise apartment buildings and damage throughout the capital, Ukrainian officials said on Sunday. Meanwhile Russian authorities said on Sunday that their air defences had destroyed 59 Ukrainian drones targeting the country's southwestern regions, adding that the strikes had killed one person in Rostov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskiy, facing continued advances by Russian troops in eastern Ukraine, has backed Trump's call for a blanket 30-day ceasefire. 'SOMEWHAT UNDER CONTROL' Trump said on Saturday that efforts to stop further escalation in the Ukraine-Russia war were "somewhat under control". The U.S. hopes to reach a broad ceasefire within weeks, targeting a truce agreement by April 20, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the planning. White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said on Sunday the United States was talking through a range of confidence-building measures aimed at ending the war, including on the future of Ukrainian children taken into Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the goals for the broader negotiations, Waltz said that after a Black Sea ceasefire was agreed, "we'll talk the line of control, which is the actual front lines". "And that gets into the details of verification mechanisms, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are," Waltz said. "And then of course, the broader and permanent peace." Trump's contacts with Putin - two publicly announced phone calls but possibly other exchanges too - have spooked European leaders who fear Washington could be turning its back on Europe in the hope of striking a peace deal with Russia as part of some broader grand bargain encompassing oil prices, the Middle East and competition with China. Britain and France are leading European efforts to beef up military and logistical support for Ukraine, and a number of countries have announced plans to increase defence spending as they try to reduce their reliance on the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Witkoff on Sunday played down concerns among Washington's European NATO allies that Putin might be emboldened by any peace deal in Ukraine to invade other neighbours. "I just don't see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation than it was in World War Two," Witkoff said. (Additional reporting by Phil Stewart in Washington and Moscow bureauWriting by Gareth JonesEditing by Alison Williams and Giles Elgood) Key developments on March 22 - 23: Kyiv hit by massive Russian drone strike, 3 dead including a 5-year-old girl and her father Russian attacks on Kyiv 'undermine peace efforts,' Sybiha says China considering joining Ukraine peacekeeping mission, Die Welt reports Czechia willing to contribute troops for peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, Pavel says Zelensky visits front-line troops, holds meeting in Kharkiv Oblast amid fears of renewed Russian offensive Russia launched an overnight drone attack against Kyiv, striking multiple residential buildings and killing at least three people including a five-year-old girl and her father, authorities reported on March 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A further 10 other people were injured, including an 11-month-old child, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration. Emergency crews had extinguished all the fires by the morning. A series of explosions rocked the capital throughout the night, as air defense units remained active in the city, according to Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground. Initially, two people were reported dead but the number increased after rescuers discovered the body of the five-year-old child while clearing rubble in the Holosiivskyi district, said the Kyiv City Military Administration. Earlier, the body of her father was found in the same location. "Today, the Russians are once again demonstrating their 'desire for peace,'" Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration said. "In reality, terrorists are simply launching deadly weapons at residential buildings." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian forces launched 147 drones overnight across the country and Ukraine's air defense shot down 97 drones, Ukraine's Air Force reported. The previous day, air defense shot down 100 drones, and 114 drones the day before that. Previously, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that at least seven people had been injured. One victim was hospitalized, while the others received medical treatment onsite, he said. Two residential buildings in the city's Dniprovskyi district came under fire, according to authorities. A fire broke out on the top floors of a 9-story building, killing one woman, the State Emergency Service said. Twenty-seven residents were evacuated. The sixth floor of a 16-story apartment building was also damaged. Drone debris struck a catering facility in the same district, according to Tkachenko. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us In the Podilskyi district, a fire broke out on the 20th floor of a 25-story residential building. Previously, Tkachenko had reported that two buildings in the area were hit, though he later said the strike on the second building had not been verified. In the Holosiivskyi district, the attack caused fires in an office building and warehouse, as well as a residential trailer. Two people were killed, the State Emergency Service said. Wreckage from drones caused fires and property damage throughout the city. A fire broke out in a forest area of the Desnianskyi district, while two cars in the Shevchenkivsky district were damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These attacks are a daily reality," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a post on social media on March 23, adding: "This week alone, over 1,580 guided aerial bombs, nearly 1,100 strike drones, and 15 missiles of various types were used against our people." Four people were also killed by Russian strikes in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported. The latest attack comes less than a week into the partial 30-day "ceasefire" on attacks against energy infrastructure in Russia and Ukraine. The ceasefire, which the Kremlin announced on March 18 following a call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, has not interrupted Moscow's aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Putins ceasefire Is Russia still attacking Ukraine? Russian attacks on Kyiv 'undermine peace efforts,' Sybiha says Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on March 23 condemned Russia's continued attacks on civilians following a mass drone attack on Kyiv the night prior. "Russia's systematic and deliberate terror against civilians contradicts its own statements about peace and undermines peace efforts by the US and other partners," Sybiha wrote on X. Sybiha further called for "additional air defense capabilities to protect its people from Russian terror and an increased pressure on the aggressor to end the war." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest attacks occurred on the eve of peace negotiations in Riyadh on March 24, where the U.S. will hold indirect talks between Moscow and Kyiv, with Russian and Ukrainian representatives present in separate rooms. A Ukrainian delegation met with its U.S. counterpart in Riyadh on March 23 for talks on "technical issues" on the partial ceasefire on energy and critical infrastructure strikes, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said. Read also: US, Ukrainian delegations hold technical talks in Saudi Arabia to discuss partial ceasefire China considering joining Ukraine peacekeeping mission, Die Welt reports China is reportedly considering joining a peacekeeping force as part of the European-led "coalition of the willing" to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, the German media outlet Die Welt reported on March 22, citing unnamed diplomatic sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China has positioned itself as a neutral party to Russia's war against Ukraine, but has remained a key ally of Russia throughout the full-scale invasion. "The inclusion of China in a 'coalition of the willing' could potentially increase Russia's acceptance of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine," an unnamed EU diplomatic source told Die Welt. The source described the situation as "delicate." Chinese diplomats are exploring Europe's openness to Beijing's participation in the coalition, EU diplomatic sources claimed. The "coalition of the willing" is a group of allied countries led by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. The coalition aims to provide security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, possibly including a contingent of troops that would reinforce the Ukrainian military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow has repeatedly rejected the idea of European or NATO troops in Ukraine. European leaders, including Zelensky, are set to meet in Paris on March 27 to continue discussing a peace plan and security guarantees for Ukraine. Leaders part of the coalition have not shared any details of China's potential involvement in the process. Chinese officials on March 18 signaled Beijing's willingness to take part in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction. Russia's main economic partner in recent years has been China due to Western sanctions. Russia and China continue to hold joint military drills, along with other allies such as Belarus and Iran. China partook in a military drill with Russia and Iran on March 11 in the Gulf of Oman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Witkoff trashes Starmers Ukraine peacekeeping plan Czechia willing to contribute troops for peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, Pavel says Czechia is ready to contribute troops to a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, Czech President Petr Pavel said in a television interview released on March 22. Pavel met Zelensky in Kyiv on March 21 to discuss European-led security guarantees for Ukraine and cooperation in defense production. Prior to that, Pavel visited Odesa on March 20, during which Russia launched a drone attack on the city that injured three people. "If there is a strong group of European nations willing to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, my strong conviction is that (the) Czech Republic should be among them," Pavel said. The Czech president said that the "newly organized coalition of the willing" is ready to deploy a "stabilizing force" in Ukraine once a peace deal is reached. "We are part of this coalition now and I believe that once we come to an understanding that there is (a) common will to deploy ... forces, that (the) Czech Republic will be part of it," Pavel said. Pavel said NATO membership should not be an "obstacle" to achieving a peace agreement, but should not be taken off the table for Ukraine. "Let's have it as an open issue for the future because politicians come and go," Pavel said, referring to Trump's opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership. Czechia is ready to work with Ukraine on reconstruction and military cooperation, Pavel said. "The biggest threat to European security was and still is Russia," he added. Pavel also said that Russia's war against Ukraine would likely end up with Russia's temporary occupation of Ukrainian territory, but that Russia's sovereignty should not be recognized. "If there is no real will to provide much more military support (to Ukraine) ... with limited personnel, it will be impossible for Ukraine without huge losses to succeed in liberating territories that are occupied by Russia," he said. According to Pavel, Ukraine has not obtained enough military aid to ensure a complete victory. "This conflict without changing the parameters will most probably end up with some compromise ... but I believe the compromise solution shouldn't be recognition of occupied territories as rightfully Russian." Pavel was in Odesa on March 20 to meet with Oleksii Kuleba, deputy prime minister for the restoration of Ukraine. Maritime security, reconstruction, and community development were on the agenda for the visit. On March 21, Pavel met Zelensky in Kyiv, where the two leaders agreed to open a Unity Center for Ukrainians in Prague. Czechia has been one of Ukraine's staunchest allies throughout Russia's full-scale invasion. The two countries signed a 10-year bilateral security deal in July 2024. Read also: They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums, Witkoff parrots Russian propaganda, legitimizing Putins claims in Ukraine Zelensky visits front-line troops, holds meeting in Kharkiv Oblast amid fears of renewed Russian offensive President Volodymyr Zelensky visited front-line troops near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast and held a military command meeting in Kharkiv Oblast on March 22, as Russia continues to press on in eastern Ukraine. Zelensky has previously said that Russia is attempting renewed offensives in various parts of the front line, including in Kharkiv Oblast. The president visited the command post of the tactical group "Pokrovsk" and was briefed on front-line developments by acting commander Yurii Madiar. The embattled town has been among the most hotly contested areas of the front, though Zelensky reported on March 15 that the situation near Pokrovsk had "stabilized." On the same day, Zelensky visited the command post of the tactical group "Kharkiv" and was updated about the battlefield situation in Kharkiv Oblast by Commander Viktor Solimchuk. The Russian army has not stopped trying to expand its footholds in the northern areas of the region, Solimchuk said. Zelensky presented soldiers in both areas with medals, including the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi. "I want to thank you for truly bringing Ukraine closer to a lasting and just peace, to victory. We all deeply want this, and every step is important," he said. Zelensky later held a military cabinet meeting in Kharkiv with senior officials in the armed forces and the Presidential Office. The president and his team discussed key front-line developments and prepared for the upcoming meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia on March 23, the Presidential Office said. Zelensky previously said the delegation would meet on March 24, the same day the U.S. is set to hold separate meetings with Russian delegates. CBS News correspondent Jennifer Jacobs reported on March 21 that a U.S. technical team would meet with Ukrainian officials a day earlier. "If progress is made in Riyadh with Russian team, the U.S. technical team may meet again with the Ukrainians' team later Monday," Jacobs wrote, citing sources familiar with the talks. Zelensky also plans to meet European leaders in Paris on March 27 in a meeting hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. Read also: Starmer says he faced pressure from US to criticize Zelensky after Oval Office clash with Trump, NYT reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian forces liberated the village of Nadiya in Luhansk Oblast, reclaiming three square kilometers from Russian occupation, the Third Assault Brigade reported on March 23. The 30-hour operation was carried out by the Third Assault Brigade, in particular the 1st Assault Battalion. The brigade uploaded a graphic video from the operation which can be watched here showing armoured vehicles firing across an open field, and Ukrainian soldiers shooting in woods nearby derelict houses. Several dead Russian soldiers are shown in the video, although the Brigade did not confirm the number of fatalities and casualties. The capture of Nadiya cost the enemy two months of effort and two wiped out mechanized regiments - the 752nd and 254th 20th Russian Army, said Andriy Biletsky, commander of the Third Army Corps. The village lies on the Western edge of Luhansk Oblast, around three kilometers from the border of Kharkiv Oblast. It was captured by Russia in March 2022, then liberated in Oct. 2022 before being occupied a second time. Luhansk Oblast remains almost entirely occupied by Russian forces. In the past day, there were 147 clashes along the front line, according to the Armed Forces General Staff. The day before, Ukraines Air Force successfully struck Russian troops in a shelter in Torestsk, Donetsk Oblast, killing a number of assault groups and drone operators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Trump believes Ukraine war ceasefire could be agreed by Easter, Bloomberg reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Russians launched 147 UAVs to attack Ukraine on the night of 22-23 March, 97 of which were downed by Ukraine's air defence. On the previous two days, 100 and 114 drones were downed. Source: Ukraine's Air Force Quote from the Air Force: "A total of 25 enemy decoy drones disappeared from radar. Last night, the enemy deployed a larger number of strike UAVs (at least 122), along with 25 decoy drones." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The drones were launched from the Russian cities of Millerovo, Bryansk, Kursk and Primorsko-Akhtarsk and the Ukrainian town of Prymorsk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The drones have been confirmed shot down in the south, north, west and centre of Ukraine. The authorities reported that the Russian attack affected Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa and Donetsk oblasts. Background: A Russian drone attack killed three civilians in Kyiv, including a father and his five-year-old daughter. Ten other people were injured, including an 11-month-old child. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! On 21 March, Ukraine's Air Force destroyed a combat support company assisting the 205th Separate Guards Motorised Rifle Brigade's crossing in Dnipriany in the occupied Kherson Oblast. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Details: It is noted that the attack destroyed Russian boats, military equipment and a utility room stocked with technical equipment. Quote: "The destruction of the aforementioned prevents the enemy from conducting military operations against Ukrainian soldiers in the area." Background: On the same day, Ukraines Air Force successfully struck a cluster of Russian troops from the 1st Separate Guards Motorised Rifle Brigade of the 103rd Motorised Rifle Regiment who were sheltering in a basement in the city of Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Ukrainian Air Force successfully struck a cluster of Russian troops from the 1st Separate Guards Motorised Rifle Brigade of the 103rd Motorised Rifle Regiment who were sheltering in a basement in the city of Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast, on 21 March. Source: Ukraine's General Staff Details: The General Staff noted that the location of the Russian forces had been completely destroyed. The exact outcome of the strike remains unclear, but the General Staff reports that Russian military personnel, including air assault groups and drone operators, have been killed. Quote: "The Ukrainian defence forces are prepared to take decisive action to prevent the invaders from posing a threat to the security of the Ukrainian people." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraines Air Force struck and destroyed a concentration of Russian troops in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast on March 21, the Armed Forces General Staff reported on March 23. Ukraines attack reportedly completely destroyed the position of the troops from the 1st Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 103rd Motorized Rifle Regiment who were hiding in their shelter in the city of Toretsk. Among the casualties were airborne assault groups and drone operators, the General Staff claimed. Exact numbers are still being clarified, but the destruction of their shelter and personnel greatly diminishes the ability of the Russian military to operate effectively in the Toretsk axis, the General Staff wrote in a Telegram message which was accompanied by a video of the strike. 0:00 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement / 1 Toretsk, which lies roughly 20 kilometers southwest of Bakhmut, has seen fierce fighting in recent months and Ukraine launched a counterattack in late February and early March. The city is largely occupied by Russian troops. President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the nearby city of Pokrovsk on March 22, where he previously said the situation had recently stabilized amid hotly contested battles. He warned that Russia is attempting renewed offensives in various parts of the front line, including in Kharkiv Oblast. On March 23, Ukraines Third Assault Brigade announced it had liberated the village of Nadiya in Luhansk Oblast. The developments take place as Ukraine meets with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia on March 23 to discuss a ceasefire proposal. The U.S. will also meet with Russian officials in Riyadh on March 24. Read also: Trump says efforts to end Ukraine war somewhat under control just hours before deadly Russian drone strike on Kyiv Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Amid a row that erupted over the issue of delimitation, Rajya Sabha MP and BJP OBC Morcha National President K Laxman has launched a scathing attack on the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government. The BJP leader alleged that MK Stalin's government is involved in a liquor scam, and now the people of Tamil Nadu are fed up with the current government, claiming that the BJP-led NDA alliance has now become a stronger force in the southern states of the country. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, the BJP OBC Morcha National President asserted that the people of the southern states believe in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and NDA will soon come to power in Telangana and Tamil Nadu also, adding to its existing stronghold in 21 states. "People are angry with the Tamil Nadu government that has been there for the last 10 years under the leadership of MK Stalin--the government that is sunk in a liquor scam. The BJP is rising in Tamil Nadu; in the last election, the BJP alone got 11% votes. NDA is now becoming a strong force in the South... Congress or any other regional parties cannot face the BJP alone. They also fought against one another, but now they all had a meeting in Chennai as they are afraid of the BJP. But, the people in the South today are with PM Modi... NDA is there in power in 21 states, and soon we will be in power in Telangana and Tamil Nadu..." Laxman told ANI. On Saturday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin chaired the first Joint Action Committee meeting in Chennai over the proposed delimitation issue. The meeting was joined by Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and others prominent leaders. After the first meeting of the Joint Action Committee on delimitation, a resolution was unanimously adopted which asserts that "any delimitation exercise carried out by the Centre should be done "transparently" and after discussion and deliberation with all stakeholders. DMK MP Kanizmozhi stated that the JAC has expressed its deep concern about the lack of "transparency and clarity" in the delimitation exercise without any consultation with the various stakeholders. (ANI) The spotted lanternfly may be small, but its impact is anything but. Since it was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, this invasive insect has expanded into at least 18 states, threatening over 70 plant species including grapes, hops, and fruit trees. Left unchecked, it could devastate industries and ecosystems alike. But now, an unexpected group of heroes is joining the fight: highly trained detection dogs. Much like bomb-sniffing or search-and-rescue dogs, these canine conservationists are trained to track down spotted lanternflies by scent, helping conservationists stop infestations before they spread. "They've been trained to smell out something we want them to find," said Kansas State University wildlife expert Drew Ricketts, according to the K-State Research and Extension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their noses are proving far more effective than human eyes, especially in dense forests and hard-to-reach areas where traditional monitoring falls short. Once an infestation is found, crews can remove eggs, apply targeted insecticides, or even introduce natural predators to keep the bug population in check. "As invasive species start to expand, we are able to find them as quickly as possible and can remove them to keep a new population from starting," Ricketts explained. This innovative use of detection dogs is part of a growing movement in conservation. Canines have already been trained to locate coyote scat for wildlife research and to track down endangered bird nests for monitoring. Now, their keen sense of smell is being harnessed to fight one of the country's most destructive invasive species. Ricketts highlighted that the urgency is only growing. He said spotted lanternflies have already been detected as far west as Iowa, and experts fear they could soon take hold in Kansas. That's especially concerning for the state's growing vineyard industry. "Within one growing season of the infestation starting, you could see 80% to 100% vine loss," Ricketts warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While early detection is crucial, so is community action. The best way to stop the spread is to spot and report them through platforms, such as iNaturalist, and eliminate spotted lanternflies at any stage of their lifecycle, especially by destroying their eggs before they hatch. While it may not feel good to eliminate life, taking action against invasive species is essential to preserving native ecosystems including the one in your own backyard. By combining innovative solutions like detection dogs with community action, we have a real chance to curb the spread of spotted lanternflies before they cause irreversible damage. Protecting native ecosystems starts with vigilance and sometimes, that means letting a well-trained nose lead the way. 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. An unhinged trans-rights protester lunged at a Manhattan mom this week during an off-the-rails education meeting marred by constant interruptions by lefty activists chanting, We Will Rock You and This Little Light of Mine. The troubling incident happened Wednesday at District 2s Community Education Council meeting on the Upper East Side when an irate woman refused to let conservative parent advocate Maud Maron leave, video shows. She lunged at me, she barred the door with her body and she said I couldnt leave, said Maron, who is now calling on the feds to ensure safety at the groups increasingly chaotic meetings. A protestor lunged and shouted at Maud Maron and Allyson Bowen as they left the meeting, Maron told The Post. Instagram/aunties4liberation The irate woman, a parent of two trans kids, and other protesters followed then followed Maron from the building and through the school yard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am used to protestors and demonstrators loudly disagreeing with me in fact, I support their constitutional right to do so but the last CEC meeting was scary, added Maron, who has been outspoken opponent of trans women competing against biological women in sports. Without the beefed up NYPD presence, I would not have been physically safe to walk out of the building and down the street. The incident was the latest in a year of disruptions by trans-rights activists at meetings for CEC 2, which covers most of Lower Manhattan, Midtown and the Upper East Side. At last months meeting, the group heckled, stormed the dais and even danced the Macarena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They began when the advisory body of elected parent volunteers passed a resolution calling on the city Department of Education to review its policy allowing transgender girls to play female sports, which the DOE has refused to do. On Wednesday, they wore face masks, Palestinian scarves and birthday hats for the one-year anniversary of the protests, chanting and singing variations of Queens We Will Rock You and the hymn This Little Light of Mine that focused on trans kids and voting out CEC members. The confrontation required NYPD school safety agents to step in and escort two CEC members out. Instagram/aunties4liberation Jesse Mojica, deputy executive director of the DOEs Office of Family and Community Engagement, asked attendees at the meeting not to shout over speakers and council members, and announced that school safety agents were on hand for support. But parents say the DOE has failed to ensure safety at meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CEC 2 President Craig Slutzkin said, despite meetings with the DOE regarding safety, the situation has become untenable, and parents have told him they are terrified to attend the meetings. The DOE needs to do something big to fix this, he told The Post. Simply having increased safety officers didnt prevent the harassment. At the councils February meeting, demonstrators danced the Macarena in protest of a speaker. X/queens_parents Maron is calling on U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon to help restore safety at meetings. Gabriella Bass Maron is now pleading for help from Mayor Adams and US Education Secretary Linda McMahon. Ongoing harassment and threats now jeopardize my safety and that of other council members, hindering our ability to serve, Maron wrote in a letter to McMahon Saturday. I seek your guidance on ensuring our protection in these elected roles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She implored Adams to allow the council to transition to remote meetings. Maron also called on McMahon to advise NYC parents distressed by the DOEs refusal to discuss how its 2019 gender guidelines including replacing sex with gender identity affect female students and athletes. Maron said the DOEs refusal to discuss its gender guidelines stifle democratic participation and undermine federal law. Anadolu via Getty Images Maron also called on Mayor Adams to allow the council to conduct virtual meetings until the hostile conditions are resolved. Getty Images This stifles democratic participation and undermines girls rights to fair treatment under federal law. She is calling for a review committee, including female athletes and trans students, to discuss in a calm and respectful fashion how to move forward in compliance with Title IX. The DOE and the mayors office did not respond to an inquiry from The Post. RIYADH (Reuters) -U.S. and Russian officials wrapped up day-long talks on Monday focused on a narrow proposal for a ceasefire at sea between Kyiv and Moscow, part of a diplomatic effort that Washington hopes will help pave the way for broader peace negotiations. Even as the meeting was under way in Saudi Arabia, where a Ukrainian delegation was present on the sidelines, a Russian missile strike damaged a school and a hospital in Ukraine, wounding at least 88 people. The talks, which focused among other issues on trying to reach a Black Sea maritime ceasefire deal, were portrayed by Washington as a step in President Donald Trump's effort to end the three-year-old war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A White House source said progress was being made in the Riyadh talks and that a "positive announcement" was expected "in the near future." Russia's RIA news agency said the Russian delegation, when asked about their mood after the end of the talks, replied: "It's good." A Russian source told Reuters that the talks had concluded late on Monday and a draft joint statement had been sent to Moscow and Washington for approval, with the parties aiming to release it on Tuesday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that no documents would be signed, the TASS agency reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Monday, Trump listed other issues he said were on the table: "We're talking about territory right now. We're talking about lines of demarcation, talking about power, power plant ownership." Last week, Russia rejected a proposal by Trump for a full 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, and it has so far agreed only to a moratorium on attacking energy infrastructure. As Monday's talks were being held in Riyadh, Russian missiles struck the city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine. Several high-rise residential blocks were damaged along with a school and hospital, regional governor Volodymyr Artiukh said in a video filmed in front of a blaze producing a column of smoke. The schoolchildren were in a shelter at the time, averting worse casualties, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Moscow speaks of peace while carrying out brutal strikes on densely populated residential areas in major Ukrainian cities," Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said. "Instead of making hollow statements about peace, Russia must stop bombing our cities and end its war on civilians." MARITIME TRUCE? The talks in Saudi Arabia follow phone calls last week between Trump and the two presidents, Volodymyr Zelenskiy of Ukraine and Vladimir Putin of Russia. Ukrainian officials met the Americans in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Trump, who has scaled back U.S. diplomatic backing for Ukraine and shifted publicly to a stance far less critical of Russia than that of his predecessor Joe Biden, says he aims to bring a quick end to the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House says the initial aim of the Saudi talks is to secure a maritime truce in the Black Sea, allowing the free flow of shipping. But maritime battles have been a comparatively limited facet of the war since 2023, after Ukrainian attacks drove Moscow to move its navy far from contested waters, making it possible for Ukraine to reopen ports and resume exports. "This is primarily about the safety of navigation," Kremlin spokesman Peskov said. He said a previous U.N.-backed agreement on Black Sea shipping had failed to deliver some of Moscow's demands. A source briefed on planning for the Saudi talks said the U.S. side was led by Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior State Department official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia was represented by Grigory Karasin, a former diplomat who is now chair of the Russian upper house's Foreign Affairs Committee. Karasin was cited by Interfax news agency as saying during a break in the talks on Monday that they were progressing "creatively" and that the two sides had discussed issues regarded as "irritants" in bilateral ties. Trump had expressed broad satisfaction over the way talks have been going and has been complimentary about Putin's engagement. But major European powers doubt whether Putin is ready to make real concessions or will stick to what they see as his maximalist demands, which do not appear to have changed since he sent troops into Ukraine in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin says he is ready to discuss peace but that Ukraine must officially drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw its troops from the entirety of four Ukrainian regions that Russia has unilaterally annexed. White House national security adviser Mike Waltz told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday that the U.S., Russian and Ukrainian delegations were assembled in the same facility in Riyadh. Beyond a Black Sea ceasefire, Waltz said the teams would discuss the "line of control" between the two armies, which he described as "verification measures, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are". (Reporting by Dmitry Antonov in Moscow, Steve Holland in Washington, Pesha Magid in Riyadh and Pavel Polityuk and Christian Lowe in Kyiv;Additional reporting by Phil Stewart and Don Durfee in Washington;Writing by Peter Graff and Matt Spetalnick;Editing by Kevin Liffey, Deepa Babington and Rosalba O'Brien) By Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism on Sunday ahead of high-stakes talks in Saudi Arabia over the war in Ukraine and said he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to end the three-year-old conflict. "I feel that he wants peace," Witkoff told Fox News Sunday. A U.S. delegation is due to hold talks later on Sunday in Saudi Arabia with Ukrainian officials on a possible partial ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. U.S. and Russian officials will then hold talks on Monday, also in Saudi Arabia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think that you're going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that, you'll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire," Witkoff said. Putin agreed last week 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. Ukraine accepted Trump's 30-day proposal. Asked about Western criticism of Putin, Witkoff said he believed there were two sides to every story and played down concerns among Washington's NATO allies that Moscow could be emboldened by a deal and invade other neighbors. "I just don't see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation than it was in World War Two," Witkoff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UKRAINIAN CHILDREN As it slashes a wide range of U.S. government programs and most foreign aid, the Trump administration has ended a government-funded initiative led by Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab that tracked the mass deportation of children from Ukraine, lawmakers say. The White House's national security advisor, Mike Waltz, said the U.S. was in discussions during the Russia-Ukraine talks about confidence-building measures, including the future of Ukrainian children taken into Russia during the conflict. "We're talking through a number of confidence-building measures. That's one of them," Waltz told CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has called the abductions of tens of thousands of its children who were taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territory without the consent of family or guardians a war crime that meets the U.N. treaty definition of genocide. Russia has said it has been evacuating people voluntarily and protecting vulnerable children from the war zone. Asked about the goals for the broader negotiations, Waltz said after a Black Sea ceasefire is agreed, "we'll talk the line of control, which is the actual front lines." "And that gets into the details of verification mechanisms, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are," Waltz said. "And then of course, the broader and permanent peace." (Reporting by Phil StewartEditing by Ross Colvin, Gareth Jones and Paul Simao) The U.S. has lifted bounties on three senior Taliban figures, including the interior minister who also heads a powerful network blamed for bloody attacks against Afghanistans former Western-backed government, officials in Kabul said Sunday. Sirajuddin Haqqani, who acknowledged planning a January 2008 attack on the Serena Hotel in Kabul, which killed six people, including U.S. citizen Thor David Hesla, no longer appears on the State Departments Rewards for Justice website. The FBI website on Sunday still featured a wanted poster for him. Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said the U.S. government had revoked the bounties placed on Haqqani, Abdul Aziz Haqqani, and Yahya Haqqani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These three individuals are two brothers and one paternal cousin, Qani told The Associated Press. The Haqqani network grew into one of the deadliest arms of the Taliban after the U.S.-led 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. The group employed roadside bombs, suicide bombings and other attacks, including on the Indian and U.S. embassies, the Afghan presidency, and other major targets. They also have been linked to extortion, kidnapping and other criminal activity. A Foreign Ministry official, Zakir Jalaly, said the Talibans release of U.S. prisoner George Glezmann on Friday and the removal of bounties showed both sides were moving beyond the effects of the wartime phase and taking constructive steps to pave the way for progress in bilateral relations. The recent developments in Afghanistan-U.S. relations are a good example of the pragmatic and realistic engagement between the two governments, said Jalaly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taliban see the opening in breaking out of isolation Another official, Shafi Azam, hailed the development as the beginning of normalization, also citing the Talibans announcement they were in control of Afghanistans embassy in Norway. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, China has been the most prominent country to accept one of their diplomats. Other countries have accepted de facto Taliban representatives, like Qatar, which has been a key mediator between the U.S. and the Taliban. U.S. envoys have also met the Taliban. The Taliban rule, especially bans affecting women and girls, has triggered widespread condemnation and deepened their international isolation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haqqani has previously spoken out against the Talibans decision-making process, authoritarianism and alienation of the Afghan population. He has been under U.N. sanctions since 2007, because of his involvement with the network founded by his father, Jalaluddin. But the global body has allowed him to travel in the past 12 months, including to the United Arab Emirates to meet the countrys leadership and to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. Those were his first trips abroad since the Taliban takeover. Ibraheem Bahiss, a senior analyst with International Crisis Groups Asia program, said the removal of the bounties was a win for Taliban officials wanting to do business with the international community. The U.S. was showing it could reward those who made compromises within their own remit, even if these compromises didnt translate to national policy, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The international community had made demands of the Taliban, specifically lifting restrictions on women and girls, but offered nothing in return, said Bahiss. Scrapping bounties was a sign that small diplomatic overtures were possible. While recognition as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan might not immediately be on the horizon, the Taliban viewed normalization as enough progress given their existing diplomatic inroads in the region, according to Bahiss. For the Taliban, the removal of sanctions is more important than (official) recognition. Sanctions bite. They inhibit your ability to do business, to travel. Thats why they would celebrate this as a victory. The transactional nature of this diplomacy suits both the Taliban and Trump. His partial rehabilitation on the international stage is in contrast to the status of the reclusive Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who could face arrest by the International Criminal Court for his persecution of women. US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz believes the United States may ask Russia to release illegally deported Ukrainian children "as part of confidence-building measures". Source: Waltz in an interview with CBS News on Sunday 23 March Details: The host asked why the State Department had stopped funding a Yale University programme that helped locate Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Waltz replied that "Secretary Rubio is conducting a review of all of those programmes" and that he could not comment on that particular one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "But I can say that President Trump has spoken to both leaders about prisoner exchanges. Both the Russians and Ukrainians exchanged prisoners, nearly 200, immediately following their call. And he's also talked about the future of these children. So that's certainly, first and foremost, and, kind of, confidence-building measures." More details: When asked to clarify whether the US was requesting the return of Ukrainian children "as a confidence-building measure", Waltz said: "We're talking through a number of confidence-building measures. That's one of them". Background: Elon Musk's large-scale cuts to funding in the US government have suspended the work of a Yale University team that helped rescue hundreds of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. A group of Democratic lawmakers said there was reason to believe that evidence of Russias abduction of around 30,000 children from Ukraine had been lost after US funding was withdrawn. In response, a State Department spokesperson stated that the information gathered under the Yale University project on Russias abduction of children from occupied Ukrainian territories had not been deleted despite the end of funding. In March 2023, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russias Presidential Commissioner for Childrens Rights, who is also accused of war crimes related to the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children. In December 2024, during Joe Bidens presidency, the US State Department announced visa sanctions against five individuals involved in the forced deportation, relocation and imprisonment of Ukrainian children. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has called for U.S. power plants to increase their production by 10% to 15%. What's happening? Burgum called for this ramping up of energy to meet the growing needs of artificial intelligence, per Reuters. "Winning the AI arms race doesn't just take software developers. It takes more electricity," Burgum told a meeting of U.S. governors in Washington. He also said that the U.S. should build new transmission lines and natural gas pipelines and also permit new power plants to fulfill this demand. Why is AI's energy consumption concerning? In its current state, AI uses an immense amount of energy, which can cost a lot of money and harm our environment. And as AI expert Chris Mattmann told The Cool Down in a recent interview, the demand is only increasing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Statista, two of the most recently trained and most popular models, ChatGPT-4 and Gemini 1, cost between $41 million-$78 million and $30 million-$191 million, respectively. These numbers do not factor in staff salaries. The International Energy Agency has also reported that data centers in the U.S. are projected to consume 6% of the country's total energy usage by 2026. If the U.S. does not slow down its use of AI, use renewable energy to power AI, or commit to a combination of the two, wallets and the environment will suffer. What's being done about AI's energy consumption? In addition to natural gas, Burgum also proposed at his confirmation hearing in January that "clean coal" should be used to power AI, per Politico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sierra Club's legislative director, Melinda Pierce, spoke out against this, saying, "There's no such thing as 'clean coal.' Coal pollutes our air, increases the risk of illnesses to vulnerable groups, and causes climate catastrophes." Pierce continued, "We urge Doug Burgum to move on from his 'clean coal' fairytales and get serious about the problems that our communities are facing by helping our nation responsibly transition to clean energy." Companies such as Oklo are also working to create small modular nuclear reactors to support the energy demands of data centers a solution that brings its own risks and concerns but is at least much cleaner for the atmosphere than coal and gas. Burgum has not yet endorsed expanding renewable energy initiatives such as solar, wind, geothermal, or hydroelectric methods of energy generation that notably require no mining or shipping of fuel to be burned into the air and in many cases require less ongoing maintenance once built. When he was governor of North Dakota, though, he did promote the notion of an "all-of-the-above energy policy" that would push all forms of energy generation as a logical way to become more energy independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When there are opportunities to advocate for clean energy and against irresponsible energy use, advocate accordingly when you can. You can also consider how you use AI personally and professionally. While looking at your personal habits may not solve everything, it can matter when done at scale across millions of others, and it may give you the knowledge to figure out how you can best contribute to legislative advocacy if you choose to do so. 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. The Delhi Legislative Assembly has taken a significant step towards digital governance by signing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (MoPA), Government of India and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) for the implementation of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA). With this development, Delhi becomes the 28th legislature to sign MoU with the Ministry for implementation of the project, marking a new chapter in its legislative functioning, according to official release. The occasion was graced by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly Vijender Gupta and Umang Narula, Secretary, MoPA. Satya Prakash, Additional Secretary, MoPA and Mission Leader (NeVA); Ranjeet Singh, Secretary, Delhi Legislative Assembly; and Reetesh Singh, Principal Secretary (Law), GNCTD signed the MoU for implementation of the project in Delhi Assembly. The agreement signifies Delhi's commitment to transitioning to a paperless and more transparent legislative system, in alignment with the Prime Minister's vision of "One Nation, One Application." The NeVA platform, developed under the guidance of the MoPA, aims to enhance legislative procedures by promoting greater efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability. By digitizing House business and providing real-time access to documents, it enables seamless coordination among legislators and secretariat staff. This adoption of NeVA by the Delhi Assembly will not only reduce paper consumption but also streamline workflows, empowering Members of the Legislative Assembly with digital tools to improve legislative performance. The NeVA platform is hosted on Meghraj 2.0, India's cloud infrastructure, ensuring robust scalability, security, and data integrity. Its device-agnostic nature allows it to be accessed seamlessly across smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops, ensuring that legislators can manage legislative business from any device, anytime, anywhere. Designed for paperless operations, NeVA provides real-time access to key legislative documents, such as agendas, bills, and reports. The platform features a secure digital repository, safeguarding the confidentiality and integrity of legislative data. The platform also offers multilingual capabilities, catering to the linguistic diversity across states and regions, making it accessible to a broader range of users. Speaking in the event, Kiren Rijiju emphasized the transformative potential of NeVA in streamlining legislative functions and expressed confidence that this digital shift will contribute to enhance transparency and accountability within legislative processes across the nation. Delhi Speaker Vijender Gupta welcomed the adoption of NeVA as a step towards fostering a more efficient and transparent legislature. He noted that the integration of this platform will empower lawmakers to work more effectively, ultimately benefiting the citizens of Delhi. Umang Narula, Secretary, MoPA, lauded the efforts of the Delhi Assembly and reiterated the Ministry's full support in facilitating smooth implementation, onboarding, and training of stakeholders under the NeVA initiative. This landmark move further strengthens the nationwide momentum toward digital transformation in legislative institutions, as NeVA continues to expand its footprint across the country. The onboarding of the Delhi Assembly onto the NeVA platform marks a key milestone in the Delhi Government's 100-day agenda, underscoring its commitment to promoting tech-driven, transparent, and efficient governance. With the constitution of the new assembly, the integration of NeVA further accelerates the modernization of legislative processes. This makes the Delhi Assembly a model for digital governance. Speaking to reporters, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta expressed his gratitude to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju for signing of MoU for National e-Vidhan Application. Gupta stated that the Delhi Assembly will now become paperless within 100 days. "I would like to thank Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju for ordering the connection of the Delhi Assembly with the National e-Vidhan Application in a very short time... Within 24 hours, our first meeting was held, during which the entire roadmap was prepared, and today, the MoU has been signed... All the country's assemblies are being connected with the National e-Vidhan Application... We will connect the Delhi Assembly with NeVA within 100 days and make the Delhi Assembly paperless... I am very surprised that this work was stopped for many years... However, that period has passed, and now we will write a new story about the new era," Gupta said. (ANI) Representatives from Kiev and Washington met in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday to begin the latest round of negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. "We are implementing the President of Ukraine's directive to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security," Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov wrote on X. Umerov said the talks with US representatives were to focus on measures to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure, and that the Ukrainian delegation included energy experts as well as military representatives from the naval and air divisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Saudi Arabia, US mediators plan to negotiate separately with representatives from both Moscow and Kiev starting on Monday. US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg spoke of a "shuttle diplomacy," through which the US delegation hopes to achieve a rapprochement between the two warring parties' positions. Both Ukraine and Russia have already agreed in principle to an initial break in attacks on energy facilities, though it is not yet clear how this should be implemented. Both sides have since carried out large-scale drone attacks. In the ceasefire talks, Kiev is also seeking to protect other types of infrastructure. Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's full-scale invasion for more than three years. The News Russia downplayed the possibility of swift progress in Ukraine ceasefire talks with US officials currently underway in Saudi Arabia. A Kremlin spokesperson spoke of difficult negotiations following a 12-hour meeting in Riyadh, the specifics of which are expected to be released Tuesday. Moscow has turned the discussion into a lingering one to blunt momentum on a ceasefire while it gains on the battlefield, a prominent pro-Kremlin analyst said. While the talks may result in some normalization of US-Russia relations, a successful peace negotiation is unlikely, Eurasia Groups Ian Bremmer argued, drawing a comparison with the US involvement in talks for a Gaza ceasefire which ultimately fell apart, allowing Israel to restart fighting over its more maximalist demands. Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. A Ukrainian delegation met with its U.S. counterpart in Riyadh for talks on "technical issues" on the partial ceasefire on energy and critical infrastructure strikes, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on March 23. The meeting with a technical team comes a day before the U.S. plans to hold separate meetings with Ukrainian and Russian delegates on March 24. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 21 that Kyiv would send "technical teams" to flesh out the details of a potential partial ceasefire with Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's delegation is Umerov and Pavlo Palisa, the deputy head of the President's Office, an undisclosed Ukrainian source told Sky News. "We are implementing the President of Ukraines directive to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security," Umerov said on X ahead of the discussions. Weve started the meeting with the American team in Riyadh. We are implementing the President of Ukraines directive to bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security. The agenda includes proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure. Today, were Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) March 23, 2025 "The agenda includes proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure. Today, were working through a number of complex technical issues our delegation includes energy experts as well as military representatives from the naval and air components," Umerov said on X. Following the conclusion of the talks Umerov said on Facebook that the "discussion was productive and focused," without providing specifics on the outcome of the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, Zelensky announced that Ukrainian and American delegations would hold talks in Riyadh on March 24. U.S. negotiators planned to hold separate meetings with Ukrainian and Russian delegates that day, in a format Special Envoy Keith Kellog described as "shuttle diplomacy." Washington is also set to hold diplomatic talks with Moscow in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on March 23, according to U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff. Ukraine also made it clear that no direct communications between Ukraine and Russia will beheld in Riyadh. Read also: They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums, Witkoff parrots Russian propaganda, legitimizing Putins claims in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Authorities recently arrested 15 suspected gang members in the D.C. area, the United States Border Patrol (USBP) announced Friday. In a post on the X platform on March 21, USBP Chief Michael Banks said authorities arrested 14 Tren de Aragua (TdA) members, an MS-13 member and recovered one firearm after conducting an operation in the D.C. metro area. TdA is a gang that formed in a Venezuela prison and has since developed into a transnational crime organization. MS-13, another transnational crime organization, was formed in Los Angeles by Salvadorian immigrants who came to the U.S. to escape the civil war in El Salvador. The gang is believed to have been founded in the mid-1980s, according to the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former US Attorney found dead at 43, Alexandria police say The operation, administered by the USBP Special Operations Group-BORTAC and the USBP National Gang Unit, in coordination with the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, targeted suspected gang members involved in ongoing criminal activity. United States Border Patrol Special Operations Group-BORTAC and the United States Border Patrol National Gang Unit, in coordination with the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, conduct an operation to arrest suspected gang members in the D.C. metro area. (Courtesy: Chief Michael Banks via X/@USBPChief) Banks did not specify where exactly the alleged gang members were arrested or what charges they are facing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. March 23 (UPI) -- Second lady Usha Vance and Trump administration officials will visit Greenland this week amid President Donald Trump's push to gain control of the country, officials announced Sunday. Vance will join the White House national security adviser, energy secretary and other administration officials in Greenland Thursday, the White House said. As part of a sweeping effort to increase the United States' presence in the Western hemisphere, the Trump administration has repeatedly talked about making Canada the 51st American state and taking control of the Panama Canal, doubling down on talk of expanding the U.S. presence across the globe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Usha Vance is scheduled to attend a historic sled dog race along with one of her children. "Ms. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity," The New York Times reported. Michael Waltz, the national security adviser, and Chris Wright, the energy secretary, are scheduled to tour a U.S. military base. Greenland is a self-governing, autonomous part of Denmark. Neither government solicited the visits by Vance or the administration officials, the Times reported. "The visit from the United States cannot be seen in isolation from the public statements that have been made," Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said of Trump's . "In the kingdom, we wish to cooperate with the Americans. But it must - and shall - be a cooperation based on the fundamental values of sovereignty and mutual respect between nations and peoples. This is something we take seriously." This will be Usha Vance's second solo trip abroad as second lady. She visited Italy earlier this month as leader of the U.S. delegation for the Special Olympics World Winter Games. Weeks after President Donald Trump's son visited Greenland amid fears of a possible US takeover of the territory, the wife of Vice President JD Vance is now also said to be planning a trip in the coming days. Usha Vance and Trump's National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are planning a joint trip to the remote and resource-rich Arctic island, local and Danish media reported. According the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq, Vance will first travel to the capital Nuuk and then attend a traditional dog sled race in the town of Sisimiut, which begins on March 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenland's acting foreign minister, confirmed the visit to the Jyllands-Posten newspaper. However, she said she did not know the exact travel schedule or programme. Citing anonymous sources, Danish broadcasters DR and TV 2 also reported that the US vice president's wife and Waltz are undertaking the trip in a private capacity. According to the reports, the US government requested official meetings with Danish and Greenlandic representatives but was denied. The trip has not yet been officially confirmed by the US side. Trump has been talking about wanting to seize control of Greenland for months, and has not ruled out using military force. He often justifies this on the grounds of national and international security, apparently viewing the semi-autonomous territory as a strategic prize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early January, his son Donald Trump Jr travelled to Nuuk for a one-day visit that drew significant media attention. Politicians and the majority of the population on the island, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, are against it becoming a US territory. A week ago, hundreds of people in Nuuk and elsewhere protested against Trump's apparent takeover plans. Greenland's politicians are in the process of forming a new government shortly after a parliamentary election. Local elections will also be held on the island on April 1. "It is clear that the Trump camp does not respect our right to self-determination without outside interference," a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, Aaja Chemnitz, wrote on Facebook. The wife of Vice President JD Vance, Usha Vance, is to travel to Greenland this week, the White House confirmed on Sunday, amid fears of a possible US takeover of the territory. Vance's visit comes just weeks after President Donald Trump's son travelled to the strategically located and resource-rich Arctic island. According to the White House, Vance will travel to Greenland on Thursday with her son and a US delegation. She will visit historical sites, learn more about Greenlandic heritage and attend a traditional dog sled race in the town of Sisimiut, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The race begins on Saturday, when Vance is scheduled to return to the United States. Citing anonymous sources, the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten and broadcasters DR and TV 2 reported that Vance will be joined by Trump's National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, however the US has not officially confirmed this. According to the reports, the US government requested official meetings with Danish and Greenlandic representatives, which were denied. Trump has been talking about wanting to seize control of Greenland for months, and has not ruled out using military force. He often justifies this on the grounds of national and international security, apparently viewing the semi-autonomous territory as a strategic prize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early January, his son Donald Trump Jr travelled to the capital Nuuk for a one-day visit that drew significant media attention. Politicians and the majority of the population on the island, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, are against it becoming a US territory. A week ago, hundreds of people in Nuuk and elsewhere protested against Trump's apparent takeover plans. Greenland's politicians are in the process of forming a new government shortly after a parliamentary election. Local elections will also be held on the island on April 1. "It is clear that the Trump camp does not respect our right to self-determination without outside interference," a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, Aaja Chemnitz, wrote on Facebook. (Bloomberg) -- Second Lady Usha Vance will travel to Greenland this week, the latest ally of Donald Trump to visit the island as the president ramps up his rhetoric that the US should buy it from Denmark. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance, will travel to Greenland with her son and a US delegation on Thursday and return on Saturday, the White House said. She is expected to visit historical sites and attend the Avannaata Qimussersua, Greenlands national dog-sled race. The planned trip comes after one that Donald Trump Jr. made in January, which the presidents son described as a personal visit that didnt include any scheduled meetings with officials. Ms. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity, the White House said in a statement. Trump has posited that the US needs Greenland to protect its own national security interests, telling Congress in a speech this month that he expected to get it one way or the other. His stance on Greenland reflects an increasingly expansionist US agenda that has included desires to take over Canada, the Panama Canal and Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president first considered acquiring Greenland during his first term in office, but was rejected by Denmarks government at the time. Greenland has been a Danish territory since 1953 and was a Danish colony before that. About 85% of people in Greenland oppose the idea of becoming part of the US, according to a January poll of the island. About half of those polled viewed Trumps interest in Greenland as an opportunity. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) A federal jury convicted a man Friday on 19 charges of bank fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and false representation of a social security number. According to a release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of VA, Dion Lamont Camp, 40, spent years conning numerous women into romantic relationships and then leveraging those relationships to obtain fraudulent loans and credit cards. The Virginia Beach man would then show the women fake tax documents and ask for their help, claiming that the IRS had frozen his accounts. He would promise to repay the money when the matter was cleared up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From 2020 through 2022, Camp caused six fraudulent loans from a national credit union for cars that were either ghost purchased, meaning the car was never purchased at all and there was never any collateral securing the loan, or double financed, meaning Camp procured financing both from the credit union and from the car dealership for the same car, thereby obtaining the credit union loan proceeds and the car. Mugshot of Dion Lamont Camp | Courtesy Western Tidewater Regional Jail During the trial, prosecutors showed that Camp opened shell businesses with names closely resembling that of actual used car dealerships in Hampton Roads. According to the release, he persuaded two women, Jane Doe (JD) 2 and JD5, to open corresponding business bank accounts. Once those accounts were open, Camp persuaded these two women, along with four other women, JD3, JD4, JD6 and JD7, to apply for automobile loans in their own names at the credit union. Camp convinced these women that he could not get a loan himself because his accounts were frozen. He would then promise to pay them back. The U.S. Attorneys Office goes on to say that after the credit union approved the loan applications and provided checks to the women for the dealership, they would then give the checks to Camp. Camp would then use a call spoofing service to make it seem like he was calling from a legitimate car dealership, and call the credit union, impersonating employees at the dealership. He would pretend that the loan was being used for various luxury vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He would provide VINs for the cars to the credit union, and obtain the codes needed from the credit union to release the check, which he would then funnel through the business accounts. JD2 and JD5 withdrew loan proceeds from those accounts and gave the money to Camp. The four ghost-purchased cars were located across the country and never at the businesses in Hampton Roads. They were never purchased by Camp or the women using the credit union checks, depriving the credit union of its collateral to secure the loans. Camp also conned JD4 and JD7, who had already gotten loan checks from the credit union, to purchase two other luxury cars at a dealership in northern Virginia using in-house financing for over $100,000. Again, Camp cashed the credit union checks, and the credit union was deprived of having the cars as collateral for the loan as these cars were double financed. For two of these fraudulent loans, Camp obtained not only the money from the auto loan check, but he also convinced the women to trade in their own vehicles to help fund the credit union loans. He then sold their cars at local dealerships and kept that money as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another instance of Camps fraud, he purchased a car in his own name from CarMax. This was as repayment for a friend of the family who had given him money for a car years earlier. Camp used false information to obtain financing, claiming he had been a UPS employee for more than a decade. After Camp was arrested and in Western Tidewater Regional Jail, this family friend feared the BMW would be repossessed. Camp called the finance company on a recorded jail call, using another inmates account in an attempt to avoid detection, and convinced the finance company to give him a payment extension on the loan as long as he was still employed at UPS, which he falsely claimed that he was. According to the U.S. Attorney, Camp also defrauded banks for personal loans. In 2019, Camp provided JD8 and JD11 with fraudulent paystubs with inflated income to support personal loan applications to another local credit union. Both women gave the loan proceeds to Camp, which he again had falsely promised to repay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Camp used JD3s personal information, without her knowledge, to obtain an American Express credit card. He also obtained supplemental American Express credit cards from the accounts of JD5, JD3 and JD10 using the Social Security number of an individual identified as R.D. R.D. testified at Camps trial that he has never met or had any relationship with Camp. The final charge Camp was convicted of involved an application for a property rental in Virginia Beach in which Camp used a false Social Security number, a fake credit report with a highly inflated credit score and a false IRS business tax filing that showed that his alleged house flipping business, Camp Investments LLC, made hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. It was found, though, that Camps business bank account rarely had any significant balance, and Camp never filed taxes for Camp Investments. In the trial, prosecutors used evidence to reveal that Camp had defrauded women and banks out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Camp faces a minimum of two years and up to 392 years in this case, and he is set to be sentenced on September 12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Anti-Auto theft squad of Dwarka district and Baba Haridas Nagar Police station officials arrested four people, including Geetika (Geetu), the wife of a gangster known by the name as Sachin Banje, for allegedly extorting money from a businessman at gunpoint, said Delhi Police officials. "A case of extortion was registered in the BHD Nagar police station of the district in which four people came to a businessman's house and tried to extort money from him at gunpoint... All the people involved in the whole case have been arrested," the Deputy Commissioner of Police Ankit Singh told ANI on Saturday. The police claims that Geetika "played an important role" in the plan to extort the businessman. The other accused in the case, Vicky, has been one of the others arrested, and is currently being interrogated. "Geetika (Geetu), who is the wife of gangster Sachin Bhanje, she provided the phone and played an important role in executing the entire plan. Apart from this, there are 3 more people, one is Vikas (Vicky) who has more than a dozen cases against him. We are interrogating all of them," the DCP said. Investigation into the case is currently ongoing. Earlier on March 21, Delhi Crime Branch arrested a wanted gangster and a life convict who had jumped parole in a 2005 sensational abduction for ransom-cum-murder case in Nangloi. During the strategic operation to nab the gangster, the Delhi Crime Branch team created a fake Instagram profile, posing as a Mumbai-based model to trap the fugitive gangster Manoj alias Arun, who the police says has a long history of heinous crimes. The accused is wanted by police of the national capital, Haryana and Rajasthan in several heinous cases of murders and robbery. The Delhi Police said that Manoj has been a member of Jitender alias Gagi Gang and is a close associate of notorious gangster Deepak alias Tittar who is presently lodged in several cases including MCOCA and the murder of rival gangster Tillu Tajpuria in Tihar Jail premises. (ANI) Vietnam infantry veteran James Sanden carries a flag on Mar. 14, 2025, during a protest at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center. Sanden and others were protesting Veterans Affairs staffing cuts. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) Staffing cuts in the federal Department of Veterans Affairs are disproportionately affecting the veterans that the department preferentially hires, said members of a South Dakota veterans advocacy group. They worry the Trump administrations goal of cutting 80,000 VA employees will put more veterans out of work without a vetting process, and erode the quality of services provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eugene Murphy, of Sioux Falls, is a past national commander of Disabled American Veterans and a Vietnam War vet who was paralyzed by gunshot wounds. How are you going to treat my brothers and sisters like that? he said. This is not right. The VA provides services for veterans including health care, housing options, life insurance, pensions, education stipends and more. One-quarter of the VAs 482,000 employees are veterans. DOGE in SD For more about the impact of mass federal firings, funding freezes and grant cancellations in South Dakota, see Searchlights DOGE in SD page. Disabled American Veterans of South Dakota says the Trump administrations initial round of cuts to probationary employees disproportionately impacted disabled veterans. The national organization shared testimonials on its website of some of the disabled and decorated veterans who have already been fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I found out I lost my job off the clock, on my day off, without a warning, without a meeting, without even a termination letter, said Navy veteran Kara Oliver, of Michigan. Just a locked computer screen and a stunned supervisor confirming the news. And heres the worst part: The veterans lost more than I did. About 2,400 of the VAs roughly 46,000 probationary employees generally those whove been in their jobs less than two years were terminated last month. Judges have ruled that the mass firings of federal probationary workers that began last month were illegal, and ordered the workers reinstated pending further litigation. The Trump administration has begun the process of reinstating tens of thousands of them, though most are just being placed on administrative leave as the government cites the burdens of rehiring, court filings reviewed by States Newsroom show. The cuts are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration and the worlds richest person, Elon Musk, leader of Trumps so-called Department of Government Efficiency, to reduce government spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins said in a recent video that he intends to return the agency to 2019 staffing levels of around 398,000. He said the savings will be reinvested in health care and services. The federal government doesnt exist to employ people. It exists to serve people, Collins said. He said doctors and nurses are not being fired. You know where were going to be looking? At the bureaucracy layer that goes from my doctor to the central office in Washington, D.C., Collins said. Makes my blood boil That doesnt ease the concerns of Marty Pennock, an Army veteran who directs the South Dakota department of Disabled American Veterans, headquartered in Sioux Falls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just makes my blood boil knowing the politicians doing this never have to worry about where their paychecks are going to come from, he said. Pennock referenced the example of a disabled veteran and single mother who served 16 years in the military and was recently fired from the Sioux Falls VA hospital. I have great concern that all these cuts are going to impact the services provided, but Im also concerned about the impact on those let go, Pennock said. Many of the people working for the department are disabled veterans. And if not, theyre all people who have put in time to serve people I care about. They deserve better than being fired without any justification or a basis. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, serves on the Armed Services and Appropriations committees. He said the volume of calls his staff receives has more than doubled following the Trump-Musk cuts. He said they will continue monitoring the situation and advocate for rehirings when appropriate. He shares concerns about firing veterans. I think thats what we have got to be on guard for, Rounds said. The cuts come at a time when veterans health care needs are increasing. The VA enrolled 400,000 veterans in its benefits system from March 2023 through March 2024, 30% more than the prior year. It also expanded eligibility for former service members to receive VA health care. The agency has grown in recent years in response to the increase in veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan needing services as they age, as well as a new benefit from a 2022 toxic exposure law known as the PACT Act. The law is intended to help veterans exposed to the militarys use of open-air burn pits in Afghanistan and Iraq. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of that, Pennock said, VA staff cuts will hurt benefits. Since the PACT Act, demands on the system increased greatly, Pennock said. Many of the new people were brought on to help with a backlog of disability claims. Staff shortages have led to long wait times for care, with some VA clinics so understaffed that they are unable to take new patients for primary care or mental health needs. Pennock met with the states congressional delegation about one month ago in Washington, D.C. While Secretary Collins said benefits could ultimately improve via a reallocation of funding, Pennock said he left D.C. not feeling optimistic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennock is worried that options presented in the Congressional Budget Offices recent report on reducing the federal deficit may soon come true. Possibilities include eliminating disability compensation for households making over $137,000 (or means testing), reducing disability benefits for retired veterans, and making veteran disability income taxable. Most families would lose their benefits if that means-testing option is implemented, Pennock said. This is huge. Rounds said the Congressional Budget Offices report does nothing more than offer options where cuts could be made. None of those have been presented as a proposal to be voted on, Rounds said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, said in a statement that he has heard concerns about changes to the VA, and Im seeking more information on the administrations plans. Despite the claims of some, Congress wont cut VA benefits as a part of this years appropriations process, Johnson said. Of course, well work to find efficiencies, but saved dollars will be reinvested in the system to improve care. SD veteran protests Protests last week drew more than 100 people to the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Sheila and Donald Aaker attended the protest. The two are worried veterans health care services will be negatively impacted. Donald served in Vietnam, and he did his duty, Sheila said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just not right, Sheila said. Its not right for people to have to struggle with an illness and wonder if their health care will be available. He was promised that, and I think the country owes it to him. Army veteran Bruce Watts holds a sign during a protest at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center on Mar. 14, 2025. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) Retired VA nurse Linda Bruce (left) and Air Force veteran Jody Fleischhacker hold signs during a protest at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center on Mar. 14, 2025. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) Air Force veteran Larry Williams holds a sign during a protest at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center on Mar. 14, 2025. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) A protester holds a sign during a protest at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center on Mar. 14, 2025. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) A demonstrator holds a sign during a protest at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center on Mar. 14, 2025. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) A demonstrator holds a sign during a protest at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center on Mar. 14, 2025. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) Air Force veteran Larry Williams said witnessing gruesome deaths during a deployment to Europe during the 1970s wore on his mental health. I got the help that I needed, Williams said. And today Im doing a lot better than I was. But I am here for my fellow comrades. These services are vital. We signed a blank check saying we will surrender our lives in battle, but some of us have come home. And were still being treated like s. Jody Fleischhacker is an Air Force veteran. She said what is happening in D.C. is unbelievable. Her daughter was a federal employee fired by the Trump administration. There is such a disregard for a lot of people, she said. And they dont care. Its the billionaire boys club out there. Rounds, Thune and Dusty Johnson are worthless. They sit up there and turn their backs on South Dakota. Bruce Watts joined the Army out of high school and served in Korea. He too wants to see South Dakotas congressional delegation take action. Step up and protect veterans rights, he said. And stop this anti-democratic move happening in Washington. State-provided veterans benefits and staffing will not be impacted by the federal cuts, according to the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs. Public affairs officers with the Sioux Falls and Rapid City VA offices did not respond to requests for comment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A ribbon cutting marked the grand opening of the Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home on Saturday morning, as veterans and city, county and state officials came to lend their support. The crowd of about 100 people gathered at 2200 Joe B. Rushing Road to listen to Texas Rep. Nicole Collier, who spoke with a replica P-51 Mustang behind her. The fighter bomber was used by the Black military pilots and airmen called the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen fought for freedom, not only for themselves, but for all Americans, Collier said. As we open the doors for this new home, let us remember that the work of creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive world is ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 100,000-square-foot home will provide long-term nursing care for 120 veterans. It will include 72 rooms, 24 of which are private, and up to 30 residents who may require memory care. Veterans with 70 percent or more service-connected disability rating are eligible to live in the home at no cost. The location is adjacent to the Fort Worth VA clinic at 2201 SE Loop 820. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of more than 900 African-American military pilots and airmen who flew combat aircraft in World War II. They flew more than 1,500 missions in North Africa and Italy. The group was subjected to discrimination during their time in the armed forces, but have since been honored for their legacy and wartime achievements. The airmen were collectively awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 2007, were inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame in 2008 and were commemorated in the George Lucas film Red Tails in 2012. Fort Worth was home to at least five Tuskegee Airmen, with the citys last surviving member, Robert T. McDaniel, dying in 2019 at 96. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The creation and construction of the veterans home happened when then-Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, who was also president of the Texas Veterans Land Board, attended a breakfast at the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce in October 2018. He came by the Chambers office and mentioned how the Veterans Land Board wanted to build a new veterans home in North Texas. The Chambers president and CEO at the time, Devoyd Jennings, along with others, worked to develop a proposal for a Fort Worth location. In 2019, Bush and his staff viewed several sites and decided on the property, which was owned by the county. In spring 2019, then-Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Brooks persuaded the county to donate the land; the approval was granted that summer. The name of the facility was chosen in August 2021 to honor the Tuskegee Airmen and the ground breaking was held that same month. The replica of the P-51 Mustang was unveiled for the facility last September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Veterans Land Board Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham said the opening of the facility was a collaborative effort, from Tarrant County donating land to local organizations offering their services. Thats what people want to see, Buckingham said. They want local governments, their state government, and federal government working together for the benefit of the people. Its understandable after the horrific fatal collision on Jan. 29 between an Army helicopter and a passenger airliner that people may be jumpy when they see a military aircraft using Kern Countys Meadows Field Airport for training. But Meadows Field has many important roles other than simply providing residents with conveniently scheduled daily commercial flights. Training pilots military, commercial and general aviation is one of them. Recently a Californian reader wrote in a letter to the editor that she was concerned about what appeared to her to be unsafe military operations at Meadows Field on Feb. 26, when commercial aircraft were taking off and landing at the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, the distant rumbling; next the deep vibration; finally, the thrilling roar of two fighter jets low altitude buzzing the runway at Meadows Field, she wrote. Was that a safe time for a high-speed buzz? Did the military pilots get permission from air traffic control? The writer contended she attempted to reach airport officials to ask these questions, but her calls were unanswered. Meadows Field is a controlled airport. That means there is a control tower, where the operation of all arriving and departing aircraft is directed by air traffic controllers. So, yes, controllers certainly were aware of the military maneuvers. The controllers job is to keep all aircraft military, commercial and general aviation safely separated. Meadows Fields location is suitable for military and civilian flight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a control tower, sophisticated navigation systems and two asphalt runways one 10,855 feet long and the other 7,703 feet Meadows Field can accommodate more air traffic than it receives today. The airport supports commercial flights, as well as charter operations, transport aircraft, general aviation aircraft and daily training exercises. While some may consider Meadows Field to be a very active airport, it actually pales in comparison with others that are considered congested. With so many airplanes arriving and departing those airports, the job of an air controller can be likened to threading a needle. That was the situation at Reagan International Airport in Washington, D.C., where an approaching commercial airliner collided with an Army helicopter, killing 67 people, including three soldiers aboard the helicopter. While the National Transportation Safety Board continues its investigation of the tragic incident, airport congestion and the military helicopter flying at an unauthorized elevation are among the factors being considered. Preliminary findings already have resulted in changes to military operations around Reagan International, one of the nations most congested airports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The modern and well-equipped Meadows Field has been the location of pilot training for a century. That includes training World War II combat pilots, as well as more recently hosting centers to train pilots to fly with national and international airlines. A retired military aircraft greets travelers at the airports entrance. To protect the safety of air travelers, as well as on people on the ground, pilots must train. The more practice, the more proficient pilots will be. Military and civilian pilots routinely use Meadows Field for flyovers, as well as touch-and-goes, which are arrivals and departures where airplanes only briefly touch the runway. On almost any given day, you can find plane watchers lining Meadows Fields perimeters marveling at these training exercises. Meadows Field is a critical driver of Kern Countys economy. Many businesses locate in Kern County based solely on the existence of a modern airport that can meet their supply and transportation needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airplanes representing some of nations most recognizable transport companies regularly fly into and out of Meadows Field. Without those flights, local manufacturers could not supply the U.S. with products ranging from assembled machinery to food supplies. Every Kern County resident and business benefits from Meadows Fields existence. Airport officials must do a better job of explaining the airports attributes. That should start with answering peoples questions when they call. Community members in an Ohio village are frustrated after leaders decided to sell one of the departments police K9s. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Village of Batavia council approved a contract to sell K9 Drees for $1,500 on March 9. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some people said they are suspicious of the recent decision. Former Batavia Police Chief Mike Gardner told WCPO-9 TV that this started when Drees handler told the department he was going to take a new job. Drees current handler is Officer Chris Whitaker, according to the Village of Batavias website. Gardner believes that village leaders are upset with Whitakers decision, so they decided to take the 9-year-old dog away and sell it. In my opinion, its nothing except retaliation because hes leaving, Gardner told WCPO-9. Whitaker has been with the Batavia Police Department for eight years, and hes been the K9s handler for four years, according to Gardner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WCPO-9 TV reports that Gander was the police chief when the K9 program started in 2015. He said Drees was funded from donations and drug fund money. The taxpayers are losing nothing by this dog leaving, Gardner said. Some of the frustration comes from the Ohio law that allows handlers to buy their K9 partner for $1 when they retire. Village leaders believe Drees still has two years left. A law enforcement officer who leaves an equine or canine unit of a law enforcement agency while the police dog or horse assigned to the officer is still fit for duty forfeits the right to purchase the animal under this section, section D of the law reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gardner told WCPO-9 that he believes the council is lying about how long Drees can serve. Drees is trained to detect marijuana, and many K-9s across the state retired after it was legalized, WCPO-9 reported. Their own contract that they wrote says hes untrainable for a third handler, which is not good for the dog either, Gardner said. Gardner said Whitaker isnt taking Drees to work at another department. Sources told our media partners WCPO-9 that Whitaker was able to purchase Drees due to an anonymous donation. The Village of Batavia received several donations from community members who wanted to help Whitaker purchase Drees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They released a statement on March 18 saying the funds would be donated to the Matt Haverkamp Foundation. The Village of Batavia is pleased to announce funds received in relation to the Village taking its canine officer out of service will be donated to The Matt Haverkamp Foundation, supporting the training and development of future K-9 officers. This decision reaffirms Batavias commitment to public safety and law enforcement initiatives. According to Mayor C. Scott Runck, the Villages intention has always been to contribute these funds to this outstanding foundation, which has played a vital role in equipping law enforcement agencies throughout the region with highly trained K-9 units. We are proud to support The Matt Haverkamp Foundation and its mission to provide trained canine officers to communities in need, said Mayor Runck. This donation reflects our steadfast commitment to public safety and ensures that future K-9 officers can continue to serve and protect. The Matt Haverkamp Foundation, established in memory of Officer Matt Haverkamp, has been instrumental in funding police K-9 programs across the region, enhancing law enforcement efforts and community safety. The Village of Batavia recognizes the invaluable work of the foundation and is honored to contribute to its ongoing success. Village of Batavia spokesperson Gardner told WCPO-9 that he doesnt believe the donation was made in good faith. Damage control, absolutely damage control, he said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Several foreign nationals and tourists have been arrested or deported in recent weeks, as the Trump administration ramps up its immigration enforcement. Some of the cases appear to be over legitimate issues, while others seem highly politicized. One of the most controversial is that of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestine activist who helped orchestrate the protests at Columbia University. Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident, was detained earlier this month by federal immigration authorities who were reportedly acting on a State Department order to revoke his green card, per the Guardian. We know there are more students at Columbia and other Universities across the Country who have engaged in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity, and the Trump Administration will not tolerate it, President Trump wrote on his social media site, adding that Khalils arrest would be the first of many to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several tourists have also been caught in the crosshairs, prompting Canada, the U.K., Germany, and other European countries to issue advisories about traveling to the U.S. As the crackdown continues, well be keeping an eye on the most prominent cases. Kseniia Petrova A Russian researcher at Harvard was detained at a Louisiana immigration facility over failing to declare frog embryos she and others at the university were studying. Kseniia Petrova was stopped by Customs and Border Protection after they found the noninfectious and non-toxic specimens in her luggage, her attorneys wrote in a complaint. Petrova was transporting the embryos at the request of the lead researcher, ABC reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than imposing the appropriate monetary penalties for the customs violation, CBP improperly invoked their extensive immigration authority to impose a punishment grossly disproportionate to the situation, Petrovas attorney, Gregory Romanovsky, told ABC. Romanovsky added that Petrovas situation is especially dire because she may now be deported to Russia, where she faces the threat of immediate arrest due to her prior political activism and outspoken opposition to Russias invasion of Ukraine. A DHS spokesperson said in a statement to ABC that Petrova was lawfully detained for lying to federal officers about carrying biological substances into the country. Rumeysa Ozturk Plainclothes officers in Boston abruptly detained a Turkish Tufts University student earlier this month. Six agents with their faces covered approached Rumeysa Ozturk as she was leaving her home in Somerville, Massachusetts. They seized the 30-year-old Fulbright scholars phone and handcuffed her, a video of the incident shows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It looked like a kidnapping, a witness, who recorded the arrest, told the Associated Press. They approach her and start grabbing her with their faces covered. The Department of Homeland Security has said that Ozturks visa was terminated because of her support of Hamas, but did not provide any evidence, the Guardian reports. Her attorneys say shes being retaliated against for an op-ed she co-authored for her student newspaper last year, pushing for Tufts to acknowledge the Palestinian genocide. A federal judge last week ruled that Ozturk cant be deported without a court order. Criticizing U.S. foreign policy and human rights violations is neither illegal nor grounds for detention, an attorney for the student said. The government must immediately release Rumeysa to continue her studies and rejoin her community. Badar Khan Suri Badar Khan Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, was detained last week and had his J-1 visa revoked. The Indian national has been accused by the DHS of actively spreading Hamas propaganda. New: DHS has confirmed the arrest of Badar Khan Suri, an Indian student at Georgetown. You decide America: Deport of keep? He has been spreading anti American propaganda and has ties to a known senior adviser to Hamas. DHS will deport him the same way as Mahmoud Khalil. pic.twitter.com/OuarbxbtWR Tom Homan Border Czar Rapid Response News (@TomHoman_) March 20, 2025 Suris lawyers have denied this, and have argued that he is being punished for his wifes ties to Gaza. Suris wife, Mapheze Saleh, is a U.S. citizen of Palestinian descent whose father, Ahmed Yousef, is a former advisor to Hamas, the Associated Press reports. Yousef, who left his role with the organization over a decade ago, told the Times that his son-in-law wasnt involved in political activism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Department has detained Suri under the same rarely used federal provision it invoked to detain Khalil. The provision allows the Secretary of State to remove any alien they believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences. A federal judge last week ruled that Suri cant be removed from the U.S. until the Court issues a contrary order, NPR reports. Rasha Alawieh Earlier this month, Rasha Alawieh, MD, a kidney transplant specialist at Brown Universitys medical school, was deported despite a court order temporarily blocking her deportation. The 34-year-old, who has a valid visa, was detained last week after returning from her native Lebanon. The DHS said Dr. Alawieh was deported because she had attended a funeral in February for Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and openly admitted to supporting him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A visa is a privilege not a right, a spokeswoman for the agency told the New York Times. Glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa issuance to be denied. This is common-sense security. Dr. Alawiehs attorney, Stephanie Marzouk, told reports last week that were not going to stop fighting to get her back in the U.S. to see her patients, and were also going to make sure that the government follows the rule of law. Immigration experts say the kidney transplant specialist may face an uphill battle. Essentially, immigration officers really dont have a bar to prove anything, immigration attorney, Veronica Cardenas, told CNN. Lucas Sielaff, Jessica Brosche, and Fabian Schmidt In recent weeks, at least three German nationals have been detained. Jessica Brosche, a 29-year-old tourist, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Mexican border. She spent six weeks at a prison in San Diego and was in solitary confinement for eight days, the tattoo artist told a local news outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lucas Sielaff returned to Germany this month after spending two weeks in the same San Diego facility. He was also arrested while trying to enter the U.S. from Mexico. The 25-year-olds girlfriend said she believes he was arrested because hes not fluent in English and incorrectly answered a question about his residency, the Guardian reports. Fabian Schmidt, a green card holder whos lived legally in the U.S. since his teens, was detained on March 7 after returning from a trip to Luxembourg, according to the Boston Globe. Schmidts family said the 34-year-old was stripped and placed in a cold shower and has faced other unnecessary treatment that caused him to fall ill and require medical attention. The electrical engineer is still being held in Rhode Island, although its unclear what for; Customs and Border Patrol havent filed charges and DHS hasnt given him a notice to appear on charges, per the Globe. A 10-year-old U.S. citizen with brain cancer NBC News reports that a 10-year-old U.S. citizen was removed from the country along with her parents, who are both undocumented. In February, the family crossed the border to Houston, where the girls specialists are based. They went through a checkpoint theyve passed through several times to get to the hospital, showing officers letters from their doctors and lawyers, but this time the parents were arrested. They, along with their five children, were then transported back to Mexico. NBC has published the familys name, as they were deported to a region known for kidnapping American citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the family was deported, the 10-year-old has not had the care she needs. The girl still has swelling on her brain thats affected her speech and motor skills, her mother told NBC. The family also has two other children with cardiac conditions that require specialized medical attention. Currently, the Texas Civil Rights Project is asking for humanitarian parole for the family, so the girl can continue treatment. Ranjani Srinivasan Ranjani Srinivasan, a Fulbright scholar who was pursuing a doctoral degree in urban planning at Columbia, recently fled to Canada out of fear that shed be detained. The atmosphere seemed so volatile and dangerous, the 37-year-old from India told the Times. So I just made a quick decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, as the drama over Khalils detention unfolded, the State Department abruptly revoked Srinivasans student visa. The Department of Homeland Security later issued a statement describing the student as a terrorist sympathizer and accused her of supporting Hamas. Im not a terrorist sympathizer, she told CBC News. So, I just find it kind of absurd. Srinivasan has also said that she did not participate in a high-profile protest at Columbia, where students took over a campus building. President Trump has pledged to deport some non-citizen students who were involved in the demonstrations. Jasmine Mooney "To put things into perspective: I had a Canadian passport, lawyers, resources, media attention, friends, family and even politicians advocating for me. Yet, I was still detained for nearly two weeks" https://t.co/O4NUALkJip Nick Field (@nick_field90) March 20, 2025 A 35-year-old Canadian woman was detained while attempting to obtain a new U.S. work permit at the Mexican border. Jasmine Mooney was taken an ICE prison in San Diego and then transferred to one in Arizona. The entrepreneur described the conditions as inhumane and likened the experience to a sick psychological experiment, she told People. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an essay for the Guardian, Mooney says that shes still unclear about why she was detained. The post The Visa and Green Card Holders Caught in Trumps Immigration Crackdown appeared first on Katie Couric Media. BALTIMORE Its too late for the Francis Scott Key Bridge, but not for its longer and more heavily trafficked sibling span over the Chesapeake Bay. The National Transportation Safety Board criticized Maryland on Thursday for failing to assess the risk of a ship striking and collapsing the Key bridge, which is exactly what happened nearly one year ago. But, the NTSB noted, Maryland also had not conducted the recommended assessment on its other major span, the Bay Bridge. Hindsight is 20/20, said Michael Shields, a Johns Hopkins associate professor of civil and systems engineering. The important thing now is we acknowledge the risk is there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is among those gratified to learn that according to the Maryland Transportation Authority, an assessment of the Bay Bridges vulnerability to being struck and knocked down by a ship has been underway since the fall. Responding to the NTSBs criticism, state transportation officials said it would have an update of its Bay Bridge within 30 days. The NTSB identified 68 bridges across the country, including both the east- and west-bound spans of the Bay Bridge and the Chesapeake City Bridge, with an unknown level of risk of collapse. The NTSB recommends that the bridge owners calculate that risk under guidelines established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, or AASHTO, and inform the federal agency of their findings. The guidelines date back to 1991, and were developed for use in constructing new bridges, said Patricia Bush, AASHTOs program manager for bridges and design. AASHTO later recommended that states use those provisions to assess the vulnerability of bridges that had been built before 1991, she said. Among the factors that go into determining the risk a bridge faces are the location of its piers, its height clearance, the location of the shipping channel, the size and height of vessels that traverse it and even the flow and speed of the waterway itself, Bush said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are a lot of variables, she said. Its very detailed. The equation takes into account the importance of these variables. The assessment takes time and resources, to hire a consultant or do in-house, Bush said. The state departments of transportations are constrained in staffing and in funding. The collapse of the Key Bridge may spur owners of other bridges to now do the risk assessments, she and other engineers said. The bridge engineers I work with in the 50 states and Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, they are very good at looking at mistakes that happened in the past and trying to make sure they dont happen again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happened with the Key Bridge is a tragedy and a lesson, said Mehdi Shokouhian, an associate professor in Morgan State Universitys civil and environmental engineering department. I think after the collapse, I think many states are considering assessing their risks, he said. This is something we really have to think about. For one thing, many factors have changed in the decades since the Key and Bay bridges were built, Shokouhian said. Vessels are much larger and heavier, greatly increasing the impact force on a bridge in the event of a ship crashing into it, he said. The dolphins and fenders that many older spans have to prevent ships from crashing into bridge supports are too small to provide much protection against huge ships, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dali, for example, weighed more than 112,000 metric tons when it left the Port of Baltimore in the early morning hours of March 26, 2024, lost power and crashed into the Key Bridge. While assessing the vulnerability of bridges to collapse is recommended by AASHTO and the NTSB, it remains voluntary. But engineers say they hope states and other bridge owners will see the value of conducting such reviews. I think these risk assessments are essential especially in the wake of the Key Bridge collapse, Shields said. It is costly to do, and to put protective measures in place as a result of the risk assessments. And indeed, an evaluation of the Delaware Memorial Bridges fender system determined it needed more protection, and a project begun in 2023 has a nearly $100 million price tag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a choice of course, Shields said. The cost of the protective measure may be high, but you have to weigh that against the loss of life, the loss of the bridge, the loss of commercial traffic. I certainly hope that authorities across the country recognize the risk to these bridges, he said, and act accordingly. Spokane Valley Councilmember Al Merkel is a big guy 6 feet, 350 pounds, bushy black beard with a loud voice. He is also, according to an independent investigation initiated last year by the city of Spokane Valley, a bully. The April 24, 2024, investigation into Merkel, triggered after multiple city employees alleged that he represented a safety threat, concluded that he was so unreasonably loud, pushy, rude and disrespectful to city employees that, while his behavior didnt constitute legal harassment, it clearly violated the citys standards for decorum. Multiple staff reported that Councilmember Merkel has made them feel fearful and intimidated working at City Hall, the city said in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Merkel hit back at the investigation with an unorthodox tactic: publishing the entire thing online. It took eight months for the citys public records department to hand over the interview transcripts from the investigation, he said, but once he had them, he uploaded the documents to his campaign website and posted rebuttals. In the eyes of Merkel and his allies, the investigation was retaliation for his outspoken views on budget waste and city incompetence, a smear campaign put on by the city with city funds. But in the eyes of city staffers, Merkels online rebuttals represented their own kind of retribution against the staffers whod testified against him. Merkel was never officially told who his accusers were. If he had been criminally accused, no matter how minor or heinous the accusation, he would have had a right to confront his accuser. But those same rights dont apply to internal employee investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The names of accusers and witnesses were redacted in the public records. But their job titles were included, leaving several witnesses afraid of retaliation from Merkel or his impassioned allies. Maybe its not even retaliation from a council member, said Kelly Konkright, Spokane Valley city attorney. But what is somebody out in the community going to do with the information? Now the fight has shifted to the state Capitol in Olympia. City staffers asked their local state representative, Republican Rob Chase, to push legislation to further shroud the identities of accusers and witnesses. Along with witnesss names, the bill would require agencies to black out email addresses, phone numbers, and even require using software to digitally disguise their voices in recordings. It would also cut out job titles that are often crucial to distinguish between, say, an accusation from a mayor and from an accusation from a receptionist. But the tensions between a victims right to be heard, the accuseds right to know whos accusing them and the publics right to know are ever at odds: This exemption is one of nearly 700 that have been passed over the years, resulting not only in limited public access to government information, but also slowed records responses as overburdened records clerks try to adhere to the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill to redact job titles swiftly passed the House, 92-4. It received little resistance from even the state open government groups that typically lobby hard against these restrictions, who saw the bill as a relatively small extension of existing records exemptions. Yet David Cuillier, director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project, which advocates for public record access at the national level, says that even small erosions of governmental transparency are worth fighting. Thats why we have so much secrecy today. Even open government advocates say, Oh, its just a little thing. Dont fight it, Cuillier said. Its incremental whittling away at public access to information. Spokane Valley City Councilmember Al Merkel poses for a photo by the tombstone, an unfinished construction project that is scheduled to become The Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center, on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Spokane Valley, Wash. (Erick Doxey for InvestigateWest) Anonymous sources Cuillier says that about two decades ago, a national trend started up to try to protect the names of victims in criminal records. Today, he says, that tendency has spread to public human resources investigation records as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the last five years, public employees, particularly unions, have repeatedly advocated for more exemptions from public records. I think people are more worried these days about ending up the target, purely because they happen to be a public employee, said Candice Bock, government relations director for the Association of Washington Cities. City staffers have always had to deal with the occasional angry citizen. But in the age of social media mobs, Bock said, many feel a keen awareness of just how easy it is for one angry citizen to post something on Facebook or NextDoor, where it suddenly turns into a hundred angry citizens. The Washington Legislature has made moves to restrict records involving employee investigation information several times before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, in response to the #MeToo movement, the Legislature passed new exemptions to parts of the Public Records Act: Public employees who reported harassment or discrimination would have their names censored, unless they requested otherwise, in records requests for the ensuing investigations. So would the names of every witness interviewed. Ideally, legislators hoped, that would make victims more likely to report misbehavior, protecting them from retaliation. But for those trying to hold powerful leaders and institutions accountable, it was an immediate setback. Confirming the identities of accusers and witnesses and reaching out to them for comment is generally crucial to telling a full and accurate story. The Spokesman-Review, along with other Spokane media outlets, had sued to get the names of the women who accused a former community college president of sexual harassment, in an attempt to learn whether the college had failed to appropriately respond to the concerns. But after the 2019 law passed, a court reversed an earlier decision, and the names were never released. Thats the only way we can keep the system honest is to know who is involved, Cuillier said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in complicated investigations, with the identities of dozens of different parties blacked out, reporters are faced with trying to understand what happened without names. You could have somebody that was accused of seven things, lets say, and you wouldnt know if it was from seven people or one person, said Rowland Thompson, longtime lobbyist for the Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington, a trade group representing media outlets. You could think there was a rash of problems at the Public Works Department at Spokane, say, and then you come to find out its one person accusing everybody above them of harassment. Job titles have, with some investigations, been one of the only ways to reliably distinguish between different figures. But others say that was a bug with the law, not a feature. In a city like Spokane Valley that has relatively few full-time staffers, its often simple to figure out an identity from a persons position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you disclose a job title, in most circumstances with a smaller workforce, you might as well identify them by name, Konkright told InvestigateWest. Title fight Cuillier argues that job titles themselves are a crucial part of the public record. What matters is the circumstances the titles are a big part of the circumstances, Cuillier said. Is it the police chief accusing the mayor of something, or an intern? Is it a high school cadet accusing the sergeant of abuse or a captain? Harassment and discrimination is frequently about abuse of power, Cuillier says. A job title shows that power. One of the Spokane Valley reports most serious accusations against Merkel was that, after a council meeting, he yelled at someone and tried to physically block her from leaving the room. That person? Pam Haley, a fellow councilmember and mayor of Spokane Valley, who Merkel considers one of his political enemies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the proposed new law, when elected officials are witnesses or complainants, their job titles would be obscured, too. Thompson argues theres a due process problem with trying to obscure the identity of the accuser from the accused. I just cannot get past the fact that you can have a complete HR investigation a virtual witch hunt of somebody and theyre not telling them who the person is who is accusing them of this, Thompson said. Its anonymous. And it could ruin your career. Merkel points to the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the right of criminal defendants to confront their accusers. While those constitutional protections only apply to criminal cases, he argues that the principle should apply more broadly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a way for investigation subjects like Merkel to find out who his accusers and witnesses are: Sue. Names protected from the public eye are typically revealed during the discovery process. The thing that is going to happen is the only way that they can really find out is theyre going to sue, Thompson said. So I just think this sort of leads to more litigation. Slippery slopes As the bill heads to the Senate, the Washington Coalition for Open Government is officially neutral on the proposal. Last week, the Washington Coalition for Open Government awarded InvestigateWest the Bunting Award for a series last year that exposed how the accrual of exemptions has clogged up the records system. But this bill, too, would add more work for agencies, including requiring records offices to alter audio recordings to disguise the voices of witnesses or accusers. Some open-government advocates are just relieved that the bill isnt more broad and sweeping. Thompson said the initial push from the Legislature had been to propose language that banned revealing personally identifying information of witnesses or accusers at all. If you do that, how would you know anything? Thompson said. Even if you removed Pam Haleys title from her transcript, there were plenty of other clues as to her identity, including the year she was appointed to the council, and the fact she owns a day care center and previously managed a bill collection business. You could get rid of the job titles, but if youre asking questions like, What do you do for the city? Where do you work in City Hall? Merkel said, you can begin to figure it out. But start removing any possible information that could be potentially linked to a persons identity, and you begin excising big chunks of the testimony, including crucial claims and context for understanding what was happening within local government. In other states, like Oregon, some agencies have played reverse-detective spotting records that, if combined with another, could allow someone to figure out protected identities, and then preventing the public from seeing that information. At that point were just starting to make the whole process secret, Cuillier said. I think thats what a lot of government folks prefer for their dirty laundry to be hidden. Even Merkel, who refers to himself as a transparency hound, is accused of having failed to turn over public records related to his NextDoor social media posts. The other City Council members voted last month to sue him under the Public Records Act, though Merkel claims he has already provided the records. But while the public may be frustrated by losing access to information about their government under the proposed bill, Konkright said, journalists will learn even less about their government if victims are afraid to report at all. Many staff members stated they will just not come forward if there is any future incident, Patricia Rhoades, Spokane Valleys public records officer, told the Legislature. She and other Spokane Valley veteran staff members including the human resources director, city attorney, city clerk and former building inspector testified in favor of the records bill, all by name. The Legislature, at least, does not allow the public to testify anonymously. InvestigateWest (invw.org) is an independent news nonprofit dedicated to investigative journalism in the Pacific Northwest. A Report for America corps member, Daniel Walters covers democracy and extremism across the region. He can be reached at daniel@investigatewest.org. ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) A smoke plume that towered over Walt Disney World Resort on Saturday was caused by a walk-in cooler that caught fire, a representative from Disney said. The blaze was quickly extinguished, and there were no injuries. Photos and video of the fire that were captured by park guests and others in the Orlando area circulated widely on social media. The walk-in cooler behind the France Pavilion caught fire in a backstage area. The pavilion is part of the World Showcase at the resort's Epcot theme park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause of the fire was not immediately known. The official said it was quickly put out by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District fire department. The pavilion reopened to theme park guests in the early evening. Union Health Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda on Sunday paid tribute to political leader and activist Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. In a social media post on X, Nadda hailed Lohia for the contributions he had made for the upliftment of exploited and deprived class. "I pay my heartfelt tributes to the great freedom fighter, founder of Sapt Kranti, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia ji on his birth anniversary. Along with setting high standards of purity and transparency in Indian politics, revered Lohia ji has paved the way for nation building through his nationalist thinking and work of social empowerment. The work done by him towards the upliftment of the exploited and deprived class and social justice will always inspire all of us," Nadda posted on X. https://x.com/JPNadda/status/1903650085046718717 Union Minster of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju also paid his tributes to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary and stated that his works for the welfare of poor will always be remembered. Taking to a social media post on X, Rijiju wrote, "Tribute to the great freedom fighter, dedicated to social justice, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia ji on his birth anniversary. Your struggle and your work for the rights of the poor and the deprived will always be remembered." https://x.com/KirenRijiju/status/1903637832754774018 Ram Manohar Lohia was an activist in the Indian Independence Movement and a socialist political leader. He was a member of the Praja Socialist Party and the Samyukta Socialist Party. In 1962, Lohia contested against former PM Jawaharlal Nehru from Phulpur, but he lost the election. In 1963, he won the by-election and became from MP from Farukkhabad. Later in 1967, he won the election from the Kannauj constituency. (ANI) Mar. 22ROCHESTER It is the question of the moment for the national Democratic Party, and it cropped up a couple times during former Democratic vice president candidate and Gov. Tim Walz's packed town hall meeting Saturday at John Marshall High School. How did we lose? "How in the hell did we lose to these people with these ideas? What happened? They sided with the billionaire and the hedge fund manager over the county attorney and the public school teacher," Walz said, referring to GOP President Donald Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, compared to presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Walz himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have to be more forceful," Walz said. At this early date, it's not clear whether the party has an answer to the question yet. Saturday's town hall was filled with numerous standing ovations for Walz. But intermingled with the cheering and clapping were unmistakable notes of anxiety and worry from an audience seeking to understand the upheaval unleashed by Trump's barrage of executive orders and the dismantling of the federal bureaucracy and how it might affect them and others. One mother asked how she could protect her son with disabilities now that Trump has signed an executive order initiating the dismantling of the Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man called for the defense of Veterans Affairs, an agency serving veterans that is facing deep cutbacks under the oversight of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Another person asked about the rights of transgender people, whom Trump has banished to non-personhood through his executive orders. The gathering had elements of a therapy session as much as a rallying of the base. One University of Minnesota Rochester student worried about going homeless, given her reliance on federally subsidized housing, Pell grants and other government assistance. "I'm worried about DEI policies as (the University of Minnesota Rochester) is backing away from DEI," she said. "Please remember my story when you fight." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walz has been holding town hall meetings across the Midwest in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin and his home state in congressional districts where its Republican representatives have so far declined to hold town halls, heightening speculation that Walz is considering a run for president in 2028. Walz said there is a reason that many Republicans are refusing to host town hall meetings: It would be difficult for them to defend what is happening in Washington, D.C. right now, he argued. He recalled facing a skeptical and an occasionally hostile crowd as a congressman when the Affordable Care Act was up for a vote. Walz voted for it. "I was proud to defend the right to expand health care," Walz said. "I was proud to stand on the ACA. I think it would be a lot harder for them to stand on the stage and defend cutting Medicaid, cutting our public schools, and threatening Social Security." An estimated 1,500 people attended the rally, a DFL official said, and an additional room in the school was opened to handle the overflow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walz did not brandish his phone and chortle over the plunging value of Musk's Tesla stock, as he did at a previous town hall. But he did chide Republicans in Congress for abdicating their role as appropriators of federal dollars under the Constitution to an unelected individual. He also directed critical remarks toward his own party and its leaders for not doing enough to thwart Trump and the GOP-held Congress, despite their minority status. "You don't get to say, 'well, we're not in the majority. We really can't do anything.' That's not good enough," Walz said. One message that Walz struck was that the Democratic Party, while a minority party in the Capitol, is not powerless. "As a Democratic Party, we have to understand there's power out there. Indivisible folks are doing their own thing," Walz said, referring to the progressive group that was born soon after Trump's first election in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "How do we get them to see that, collectively, together how do we build that together?" he asked. He recalled winning the 1st Congressional District, which now leans Republican, by 33 percentage points by relying on the party local leaders and stalwarts who introduced him at events when he first ran for Congress. He argued Saturday that the national party could take a page from the DFL by returning to its origins as a party focused on labor and rural issues. He said the Democratic Party needs to become the DFL. "There's a reason we have the longest streak of winning statewide elections," Walz said. "And, look, I knew it was my job to try and kick off those other swing states, and we didn't. I came back to lick my wounds and say, 'at least we won here.' And that's not because of me. That's because of the organization. "Things are happening, but it's in flux," he said. Political leaders across the Washington region are scrambling to find a place for government workers President Donald Trump is trying to fire, part of a mad dash to protect the regions economy that relies on serving the federal workforce. Officials from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia have been mobilizing their resources to build a safety net, trying to offer fired federal workers positions elsewhere. Websites sprawling with links on everything from filing for unemployment to postings for local jobs have gone up for all the major counties in the area, and officials are trying to hire as many former federal officials as they can in state and local government. It was obvious from the beginning that DOGE and Musk were gonna have a big impact on the workforce in Northern Virginia, and really the whole DMV, Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) told POLITICO at a job fair he set up in the Washington suburb of Arlington for laid off feds, using a nickname for the region. We want to try to keep them here as best we can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The loss of jobs for potentially hundreds of thousands of federal workers would be devastating for the areas future. The unemployment rate is inching up already in Washington, and the administration is exploring selling federal buildings in the city. The Districts budget projected as many as 40,000 fewer federal jobs, descending the city into a mild recession in 2026. After a slower start many regional leaders were in wait-and-see mode shortly after Trump was inaugurated, with few concrete preparations for mass layoffs officials are now trying to lure workers to stay in the region. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser earlier this month announced the city would expedite the hiring process for federal workers looking to move to city government jobs. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore also unveiled an omnibus recruitment package, including virtual job fairs to siphon federal workers to the states growing education, biotechnology and cybersecurity sectors. And Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin a Republican and a backer of Trump who has thrown support behind DOGE launched a Virginia Has Jobs campaign to promote the state, with his office noting many Virginians are concerned about the impact of the federal workforce realignment on their careers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funneling of local resources reflects the intensifying unease among area leaders that the mass firings may trigger an exodus of workers, which would cause an outsized economic hit to the D.C. region. Some of these firings have since been overturned by federal judges, who have deemed the actions illegal and ordered the Trump administration to rehire some probationary employees. But that doesnt stop the threat of greater cuts down the line. What I have seen in these past six weeks is worse than anything we couldve anticipated, Moore said in a press conference earlier this month. Youngkins office did not respond to a request for comment, while a spokesperson for Bowser pointed to her recent press conferences. Moores office directed POLITICO to state Labor Department Secretary Portia Wu, who said worsening federal workforce cuts prompted the state to escalate efforts in recent weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're here to be responsive to the need, Wu said. We know there are people addressing these on many fronts. Some people are disputing them. There's litigation, but I think the main thing is we want [federal workers] to have the resources out there so people can access them. Beyer has been meeting with local leaders in northern Virginia government for weeks to coordinate a response, he told POLITICO. They organized a resource fair to get essential services all in one room, the first of its kind in Arlington County. A local high school was festooned with flyers, posters covered in QR codes for local jobs, booths with unemployment resources, mental health services, child care options and more. Over a thousand people visited, according to Beyers office. It may be particularly difficult for the District of Columbia to follow through on promises to hire workers because of its unique ties to Congress, which maintains the authority to modify the citys budget. Congress interim spending bill would force the city to revert to its fiscal 2024 budget and cleave its budget by $1.1 billion, which Bowser said could prompt a hiring freeze and layoffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disrupting those investments wont be good for D.C., for our country, Bowser said at a press conference earlier this month about the stopgap budget. The thing about mistakes is that they can be corrected, and theres time to do that. Congress is currently weighing a separate bill that could restore the Districts funds. It passed the Senate earlier this month and now sits in the House, which Bowser has spent the past days lobbying. The pressure on local resources is set to grow, as the worst of the layoffs may be yet to come. Departments and agencies are due to implement a widespread reduction in workforce in early April. Thousands of federal workers stand to join the already fired probationary employees and the other tens of thousands that accepted buyouts. But local leaders say theyre already preparing for the fallout. This problem is not going to be gone in two weeks or a month, Beyer said. We want to keep the Northern Virginia economy really strong. HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) The 72nd Holyoke St. Patricks Parade will kick off at 11:10 a.m. on Sunday, broadcast live at noon on WWLP-22News, and streamed on WWLP.com. The route is just over two-and-a-half miles so there will be lots of space to see the festivities and get immersed in the spirit of the Irish. It will take approximately three hours and the streets along the route will open as the end of the parade proceeds. Holyoke St. Patricks Parade Route Where to watch the Holyoke St. Patricks Parade The main television broadcast will be stationed at Beech Street in front of Holyoke High School, beginning at noon to provide optimal live coverage of the events festivities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The broadcast team will feature veteran 22News Anchor Rich Tettemer and Parade Committee representative Sheila Moreau as primary hosts. At the same time, 22News Anchor Taylor Knight will provide on-the-ground coverage, featuring real-time interviews with participants and spectators. Watch Live: Holyoke St. Patricks Parade Where to watch 22News Channel numbers and access to specific streaming platforms will depend on your area of residence in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties. Broadcast or Cable Television (over-the-air) viewing: 22News (WWLP) Channels: 22.1, 28.1 Comcast Channels: 5 & 822 Charter Channels: 9 & 787 DirecTV Channel: 22 DISH Channel: 22 CW Springfield (EWLP) Channels: 22.2, 28.2 Comcast Channels: 1174 Charter Channels: 13 & 788 DirecTV Channel: 23 Broadband or Digital Streaming viewing: Most streaming services are tied to zip codes and if your zip code is listed in Hampden, Franklin, or Hampshire counties you are within our viewing area and can find both 22News (WWLP) and CW Springfield (EWLP) on the following digital streaming platforms: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peacock Hulu Fubo YouTubeTV AT&T TV Xfinity Streaming Spectrum Streaming 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. DENVER (KDVR) A couple in Centennial, Colorado is not concerned about a package that was stolen from their porch, but about the man taking a child with him to steal it. The whole incident was caught on camera Thursday evening. Crosby Moresco and his wife moved into the neighborhood back in October. They said they were drawn in by the areas high safety score, which they thought would be a great place to start a family. But he intends to make sure his family doesnt act like the one that came to his porch on Thursday evening. His wife first noticed an alert on their doorway camera that someone had come up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recall: Green beans sold at Target may be contaminated When they looked at the footage, they saw a man and a child stealing a package from their porch. As they leave, you can hear the child say, No, youre the one stealing them. Quite a shocking incident to see on our camera, said Moresco. He called the action bold and said he was home and his car was even in the driveway. The package stolen was a gift from their baby registry. Were expecting our first child and to have it be some things that are for our brand new baby coming it stings a little more, said Moresco. He has greater concerns, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most important thing is not the package but just making sure that any child is not kind of put in a situation like that that could be potentially very dangerous, he said. Moresco worried about the child in the video potentially joining the man in stealing from a more dangerous location. AOC, Bernie Sanders host rally in Greeley in first of two Colorado stops Coming up to random peoples houses, not knowing who they are. Coming to steal a package, you dont know whos in that house, he said. He said as he expects to be a father soon, this is something he wont be teaching. Im definitely going to make sure we do the exact opposite of what that video shows, said Moresco. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he contacted the county sheriff and provided them with the video. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The bulk of the rain and mixed showers is expected to arrive just after midnight, thankfully while most of us are still asleep. A few scattered showers may linger into the morning, possibly as people head out the door. For the most part, expect cloudy skies to dominate through the morning hours. Temperatures will climb, nearing the 50 mark by midday. In the early afternoon, we will experience a brief dry spell, allowing clouds to break and some blue sky to peek through. As the cold front moves in late afternoon, expect scattered rain and snow showers, with gusty winds picking up. Wind advisories have been issued for Orleans and Genesee counties tomorrow. While the winds have subsided for today, that is certainly not the case for the next few days. Windy conditions return for the start of the week, accompanied with precipitation. Although it may be a windy and wet start to the work week, it will also be a warm one pic.twitter.com/9TC6idtnKY Leanne Byer (@LeanneByerwx1) March 23, 2025 As colder air wraps around behind the front, we could see scattered snow showers Tuesday morning. While temperatures will be cold enough for snow, its unlikely well see significant accumulationjust a light dusting on cars and grassy surfaces. Temperatures will warm up through the afternoon, which may bring mixed precipitation as Tuesday winds down. Winds will remain gusty, though not as intense as Monday. The scattered rain and snow showers could persist into Wednesday morning, but should clear by midday. Both Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to stay in the upper 30s. 8-Day Forecast Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The end of the week looks drier, with mixed skies expected on Thursday and Friday, and temperatures climbing to the mid-40s. While the week will wrap up dry, unfortunately, this will not last into the weekend. https://twitter.com/LeanneByerwx1/status/1903902798812471794 A large storm system is forecast to move into the Rochester area by Saturday, likely lasting through the weekend and into early next week. While early indications suggest a wetter weekend, its still too far out to predict the exact nature of the system. Be sure to stay tuned to News 8 for the latest updates both on air and 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 RochesterFirst. During the second half of 1915, in a giant outpouring of empathy and generosity, many thousands of Americans, organised by the American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief, donated millions of dollars to aid the survivors of the Muslim Turkish genocide against Asia Minors Armenian communities. By the mid-1920s, more than 1.5 billion in todays values had been raised to help the surviving Armenians and those still alive after the Turks went on to destroy the other Christian communities of Asia Minor, the Greeks and the Assyrians. Hundreds of American volunteers travelled to the Middle East and the Balkans to distribute food and set up orphanages, vocational schools and hospitals for the remnants of the once thriving Christian communities. How times change. The slaughter, between 1955 and 2005, of up to two million black African Christians and animists in southern Sudan by Sudans Muslim Arab government bent on Islamising and Arabising the territorys non-Muslims generated little interest or coverage in the Western world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slightly more attention, though no mass outpouring of aid or empathy in the Christian West, accompanied the slaughter of thousands of non-Muslims in northern Iraq during the 2010s by Islamic State, most of the victims Yazidi infidels as well as not a few Christian Arabs. Perhaps the starkest indication of the disappearance of the Middle Easts Christians is the demographic evolution of Bethlehem, the city in Palestine (or the West Bank) where Jesus was born. The British Mandate census of 1922 registered 5,800 Christians and 818 Muslims (and two Jews) in the town. In 1948 Bethlehem was still 85 per cent Christian. In 2016 only 16 per cent of the towns residents were Christians, the rest Muslims. The towns Christian population is today probably smaller still, given continued Christian emigration (and higher Muslim birth rates). The steep decline in Christian numbers in the Middle East began with the Ottoman imperial and republican Turkish anti-Christian genocide, though what was to come was already augured in the large-scale massacres of Christians in Lebanon and Damascus in 1860 by their Muslim and Druze neighbours and Ottoman troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before 1894, the year the Ottoman government-ordered anti-Armenian massacres began, Christians represented 20-25 per cent of Turkeys population. Today they represent less than 2 per cent. The depletion in Christian numbers and the steady ejection of Christians from the Middle East was driven by the emergence of the anti-Western Arab nationalist movements and their conjunction with Islamic revivalism. Islamist nationalists viewed the Christian imperial powers, mainly Britain and France, as mortal enemies and regarded the local Christian Arab communities as their potential or actual allies. In British Mandate Palestine, for example, the Palestinian Arab Revolt of 1936-1939 against British rule and the Zionist enterprise was accompanied by the slogan First Saturday (Sabbath), then Sunday, meaning first we will smash the Jews, then the Christians. Many Muslims suspected their Christian neighbours of harbouring pro-British sympathies. Later in Palestinian history, individual Christian Arabs, as if to compensate or allay suspicions, were prominent in the vanguard of nationalist militancy. In the 1960s and 1970s, the terrorist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a world innovator in airplane hijackings, was led by two Christian Arabs, George Habash and Wadie Haddad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such terrorist organisations were lauded by Leftists and even liberals in the West, who viewed them as ideological brothers in the struggle against Western imperialism and colonialism and, more generally, regarded the Arabs as perpetual victims of the West. This mindset translated into indifference to the suffering of Christian Arabs. These Leftists and liberals looked at Christian Arabs with suspicion, viewing them as projections of the Christian West and its values and possible abettors of Western political and military power. Perhaps the root of the widespread Western indifference to the suffering and fate of Christians in the Middle East lies beyond the restrictive purview of religion or its absence. Perhaps ideas and ideologies, of any sort, no longer play a significant role in the lives of most people in the West. Perhaps in the Age of Ideology, when socialism and communism flourished, the reality of an encompassing collective present and the prospect of a collective future, and a sense of class or national or racial brotherhood, were common coin. But in todays West these are relics of a long-gone past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, of course, domestic political and economic calculations also come to bear when considering voicing a protest or calling for political or military intervention to save Christians in the Arab lands. Anger in your own country or neighbourhood may well lead to violence. The economic clout of Arab countries, significant in our age of oil and petrodollars, must also be taken into consideration when contemplating acts that may be painted as anti-Muslim or anti-Arab. So Western Christians keep their peace in the face of oppression or even genocide in the Middle East unless, of course, the victims happen to be Arabs, in which case the Western Christian conscience is quickly stirred to righteous protest and rhetoric, and even action. 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. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the White House pushed London to make critical remarks about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the Oval Office spat. Source: Starmer in an interview with The New York Times, as reported by European Pravda Details: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged that US President Donald Trumps actions, ranging from imposing a 25% tariff on British steel to criticising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have caused "quite a degree of disorientation". Starmer stressed that the proper response is not to yield to Trump's provocations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On the day in which the Oval Office meeting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy didnt go particularly well, we were under pressure to come out very critically with, you know, flowery adjectives to describe how others felt," Starmer recalls. "I took the view that it was better to pick up the phone and talk to both sides to try and get them back on the same page," he added. Starmer sent his national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, to Kyiv to advise Zelenskyy on rebuilding relations with Trump. Starmer then called Trump to brief him on the progress in Kyiv and prepare for a phone call between the two presidents. Zelenskyy expressed support for Trump's peacekeeping initiatives when the two leaders spoke. Background: On 28 February, Zelenskyy left the White House ahead of schedule after a spat with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. After the fallout, Starmer said he trusted Zelenskyy and did not believe he had done anything wrong. On 19 March, Zelenskyy and Trump spoke on the phone after the US president held talks with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. After the conversation, Zelenskyy stated that he and Trump had agreed to discuss the technical details of a partial truce, focusing on a commitment not to target energy and civilian infrastructure. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The White House is reportedly planning to offer corporate sponsorships for its annual Easter Egg Roll in April, breaking decades of tradition that keep public office and private profits separate. In a nine-page document, obtained by CNN, the White House and Harbinger, an event production company based in D.C., are offering sponsorships ranging from $75,000 to $200,000 with opportunities for branding and marketing for the annual event. Prospective sponsors also have the chance to have their logos featured on event signage, naming rights for key areas or elements, custom-branded baskets, branded snacks or beverages, mentions in social media posts and press releases and can access an invite-only brunch hosted by First Lady Melania Trump, according to CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, White House officials have denied the characterization calling the selling of corporate sponsorship false and noting that that there has been a long history of private donations for the event. The Trump administration is reportedly breaking from tradition and allowing corporate sponsorships for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll (Getty Images) The Easter Egg Roll, which began in 1878, is typically funded through private donations without taxpayer dollars. Those donations, and who they are from, are typically not disclosed. The American Egg Board largely assists in helping the White House put on the tradition, donating tens of thousands of eggs. But this year will seemingly be different as the Trump administration seeks to create new traditions while dissolving the barrier between the private sector and the government. The decision to allow corporate sponsorships for the egg roll follows similar patterns by President Donald Trump such as promoting Teslas in front of the White House with his senior adviser, and the CEO of the EV car maker, Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As president, Trump has encouraged supporters to buy merchandise branded with his likeness and most recently promoted his meme coin $Trump. The American Egg Board largely assists the White House in putting on the annual event by providing tens of thousands of eggs (Getty Images) Many of Trumps senior administration members have extensive experience working in the private sector or for corporations. Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessett is a billionaire who founded a hedge fund company and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick was the CEO and chairman of Cantor Fitzgerald. While some have raised concerns about the ethical implications or potential conflicts of interest it sets up, the administration continues to push forward. Money raised by Harbingers efforts will be placed into an account run by the nonprofit organization, the White House Historical Association, according to CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many presidencies, the White House Historical Association has collaborated with White House staff to facilitate a public gathering such as the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. And as we do with other gifts to the White House collection, we receive contributions and in-kind gifts that are used on the grounds that day, Stewart McLaurin, the president of the White House Historical Association, told CNN. This article was amended on March 25 to include a comment from the White House. The United States remains hopeful that a broad truce in Russia's war in Ukraine can be achieved within weeks, despite the Kremlin's reluctance to expedite the process. Source: Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, as reported by European Pravda Details: The White House is aiming for a ceasefire agreement by 20 April, coinciding with Easter this year, but recognises that this timeline may be disrupted due to significant differences between the positions of the two sides, according to sources familiar with the plans. These individuals requested anonymity to discuss confidential matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US President Donald Trump had pledged to swiftly resolve the three-year war before taking office, but progress has been slow. In the coming days, US officials will hold separate meetings with Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia, marking the first such parallel talks since the early days of the Russian invasion. "I believe were going to pretty soon have a full ceasefire," Trump told reporters on Friday, responding to a question about the ongoing attacks despite a deal to limit strikes on energy infrastructure that he announced after a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. Trump said on Saturday 22 March that efforts to keep the Russia-Ukraine war from escalating were "somewhat" under control. Russia has presented maximalist demands for any deal, including a halt to arms shipments to Ukraine, a stance that Kyiv and its allies have firmly rejected. The White House, which briefly suspended vital weapons shipments earlier this month to apply pressure on Ukraine, has not yet agreed to any restrictions, according to the sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are working for a ceasefire and a lasting peace. We wont have the terms of discussions or timing be played out in the media," said White House spokesman Brian Hughes. European officials are concerned that Trump's pursuit of a diplomatic victory could result in him compromising Ukraine's interests by agreeing to terms that would leave the country vulnerable to future Russian attacks. They argue that Putin is simply stalling for time, aiming to secure further concessions from Trump and gain more success on the battlefield. Background: Several countries have rejected Putin's demand to halt aid to Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron have both stated that they will continue to provide military support to Ukraine. The UK has expressed the same stance. Notably, Trump mentioned that during his telephone conversation with Putin, the issue of assistance to Ukraine had not been discussed. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Why did Albom blame only Democrats for pandemic failures? Mitch Alboms take on the fifth year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic seems to miss the point of the chaos caused by the pandemic. ("5 years later, COVID-19 reminds us that fear makes us small," Detroit Free Press, March 16.) He glosses over then-President Donald Trumps response, and looks at it through the lens of false equivalency. Its disappointing that he mentions the shortcomings of Andrew Cuomo and former President Joe Biden, but left out the more serious ones of Trump and his right-wing allies who amplified unhinged conspiracy theories. Trumps name is not even mentioned in Alboms column even though he was president at the onset of the pandemic. There is no mention of how Trump injected politics and made it more about him. Why no mention of Trump contradicting Dr. Anthony Fauci at every opportunity? Why no mention that instead of deferring to science, Trump floated the idea that injecting disinfectants or a powerful light might cure the virus? No mention of people who died who thought the virus could be cured by the use of hydroxychloroquine or horse pills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When describing the legitimate fear of those who wore masks during a pandemic, Albom does not mention the illegitimate fear of those who claimed the vaccine would alter your DNA, or that 5G mobile towers were spreading the virus. What about the absurd claims that the virus was created by Bill Gates as a means of implanting chips through vaccines? Or that the vaccine would make you magnetic, or that masks actually activated the coronavirus? Lets be clear, many people died who didnt have to because of the politicizing of the pandemic. It should have been something that brought us together as Americans, instead it tore us apart and made the rift between us even greater. Eddie Dee Novi Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More from Freep Opinion: Hamtramck mayor gets Trump appointment he's been angling for. Good riddance. Don't demo the RenCen, lease the space to a Chinese automaker I may be tugging on Superman's cape, but I think that John Gallagher's advocacy for demolishing part of the Renaissance Center is totally misplaced. ("I'm a historic preservationist, but these RenCen towers have to go," March 12.) Yes, I agree that the RenCen should never have been built where it was, and is. Although downtown, it's not really part of downtown. The solution, however, isn't to demolish it. Make it part of downtown by redoing Jefferson Ave, and eliminate the moat which also serves as an anti-pedestrian expressway entrance that isolates the RenCen from the rest of our city. Yes, access to our international riverfront should be a priority. After all, it's undoubtedly the premier asset of our city, and why our city is located where it is. But the RenCen doesn't block access to the riverfront. Immediately to its west is Hart Plaza, with the iconic Noguchi fountain, statuary commemorating the Underground Railroad, the landing of Cadillac, and more. And to its east is Cullen Plaza, the carousel and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, the Renaissance Center is an iconic feature of our skyline, one that appears in nearly every media report from the area. Do we really want to see the media highlight the demolition of it? I suspect the demo will be characterized as the fall of General Motors. Recent business reports have suggested that international automakers, including those from China, are likely to establish larger footprints in the U.S. The owners of the Ren Cen (absent GM, of course) should be actively soliciting them! Imagine the initialism of (Chinese automaker) "BYD" replacing "GM" on the central tower. Thomas E. Page Detroit Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters and we may publish it online and in print. If you have a differing view from a letter writer, please feel free to submit a letter of your own in response. Become a Free Press subscriber. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Albom blamed only Democrats; GM, lease the RenCen to China | Letters Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tribute to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, describing him as a visionary leader, fierce freedom fighter, and an icon of social justice. In a post on X, PM Modi highlighted Lohia's dedication to empowering the underprivileged and contributing to the building of a strong India. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1903646676281422297 "Remembering Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. A visionary leader, fierce freedom fighter and an icon of social justice, he dedicated his life to empowering the underprivileged and building a strong India," PM Modi said on X. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also honoured Lohia on his birth anniversary, calling him as ne of those great personalities in the political and social history of India. https://x.com/AmitShah/status/1903636446785020241 "Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia ji was one of those great personalities in the political and social history of India, who remained dedicated to his principles and values of patriotism throughout his life. Lohia ji's thoughts based on women's education, social equality and political purity are inspiring for everyone. I pay my tributes to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia ji on his birth anniversary." Amit Shah said on X. Union Minister JP Nadda paid heartfelt tribute to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, saying that his work towards the upliftment of exploited, deprived class and social justice will always inspire all of us. https://x.com/JPNadda/status/1903650085046718717 "I pay my heartfelt tributes to the great freedom fighter, the pioneer of Sapt Kranti, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia ji on his birth anniversary. Revered Lohia ji has set high standards of purity and transparency in Indian politics and has paved the way for nation building with his nationalist thinking and works of social empowerment. His work towards the upliftment of the exploited and deprived class and social justice will always inspire all of us," Nadda said on X. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari paid respects to Lohia on his birth anniversary, recognizing him as a great freedom fighter. https://x.com/nitin_gadkari/status/1903618904037187725 "Humble greetings to the great freedom fighter Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia ji on his birth anniversary," Gadkari said on X. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also paid tribute to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. https://x.com/vishnudsai/status/1903635309755281426 "Respectful greetings to the freedom fighter, great thinker Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia ji on his birth anniversary." CM Sai said on X. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid tribute to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, honouring his lifelong dedication to social justice. https://x.com/myogiadityanath/status/1903609716531507346 "Humble tribute to the great freedom fighter, the founder of 'Sapt Kranti', Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, who was dedicated to social justice throughout his life! His work towards the upliftment of the deprived and exploited will always be respected by us."CM Yogi Adityanath said on X. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also offered tribute to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1903650410356719745 "Humble tribute to the great freedom fighter and ardent socialist thinker Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary." Assam CM said on X. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also paid tribute to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. https://x.com/KirenRijiju/status/1903637832754774018 "Humble tribute to the great freedom fighter, dedicated to social justice, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. Your struggle and your work for the rights of the poor and the deprived will always be remembered." Kiren Rijiju said on X. (ANI) By Andrea Shalal, Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Steve Holland WASHINGTON/COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Monday doubled down on his suggestion that the U.S. should take over Greenland as leaders from the semi-autonomous Danish territory criticized a planned trip there this week by a high-profile U.S. delegation. "I think Greenland is going to be something that maybe is in our future," Trump told reporters after a meeting with officials in his cabinet, saying it was important for U.S. national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenland's outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede called plans by the U.S. delegation to visit an American military base and attend a dog sled race a "provocation", and said his caretaker government would not meet with the group. Trump said his administration was working with "people in Greenland" who want something to happen, but did not elaborate. "They're calling us," he said. "We're not calling them." The U.S. visit, which runs from Thursday to Saturday, will be led by Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, and include White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has made U.S. annexation of Greenland a major talking point since his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., paid a private visit to the vast, mineral-rich island in January. "Such interference is a breach of our democratic principles and shows a lack of respect for our self-determination," Egede told local broadcaster KNR, adding Greenland's allies needed to be more forceful in their statements. "We have not yet seen any of our allies make a clear statement. And we need our friends among nations. That is why they must come out more clearly - there is no other way. The vague declarations must end." Naalakkersuisut, the Greenlandic government, is now in a caretaker phase following a March 11 parliamentary election won by the Democrats, a pro-business party that favours a slow approach to independence from Denmark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the Democrats, called for political unity and criticized the timing of the U.S. visit during coalition talks with municipal elections due next week. "We must not be forced into a power game that we ourselves have not chosen to be a part of," Nielsen said on Monday. Similarly, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Monday the visit was "problematic" and showed "a lack of respect". "These are not random tourists. And you sense it is a signal. It is a charm offensive to pull Greenland towards the United States," Lokke Rasmussen told public broadcaster DR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is no appetite for this neither in Greenland nor in the Kingdom (of Denmark) and it is therefore not good timing." Brian Hughes, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said the visit aimed to "build on partnerships that respect Greenland's self-determination and advance economic cooperation". "This is a visit to learn about Greenland, its culture, history, and people and to attend a dogsled race the United States is proud to sponsor, plain and simple," Hughes said. HEAVY SECURITY Two U.S. Hercules military transport planes arrived in Greenland's capital Nuuk late on Sunday, carrying security personnel and bulletproof vehicles, Greenlandic online news outlet Sermitsiaq reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 60 police officers from Denmark also arrived in Nuuk on Sunday, state broadcaster KNR reported. Waltz and Wright plan to visit the Pituffik space base, the U.S. military base located along the shortest route from Europe to North America, vital for its ballistic missile warning system. They will then join Vance to visit historical sites and attend the national dog sled race. Vance said in a video posted by the U.S. consulate in Greenland that her visit was meant to "celebrate the long history of mutual respect and cooperation between our nations". Trump, who first floated the idea of buying Greenland in 2019, has renewed his calls for the U.S. to take over the island since his return to the White House in January, and he has not ruled out using force to achieve this objective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenland is rich in raw materials, including minerals critical to advance new technologies. The governments of both Greenland and Denmark have voiced opposition to any U.S. takeover. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a written comment reacting to news of the U.S. delegation's visit that "this is something we take seriously". She said Denmark wanted cooperation with the U.S., a NATO ally, but on the basis of "the fundamental rules of sovereignty", adding that Copenhagen and Greenland's future government would both be involved in any talks with the U.S. regarding the island. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Steve Holland and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; additional reporting by Stine Jacobsen and Gwladys Fouche; editing by Gareth Jones, Sharon Singleton, Mark Heinrich and Alistair Bell) PIEDMONT TRIAD, N.C. (WGHP) Several wildfires burned across the Piedmont Triad Saturday after the North Carolina Forest Service issued a statewide burn ban. Wilkes County EMS shared video with FOX8 of a wildfire along the mountainside of Old Highway 16 near the Wilkes and Ashe County line. It is currently 100 acres, and it is only 50 percent contained. Crews are being challenged by high winds and low humidity. Theyre working with the North Carolina Forestry Service, the Wilbar Fire Department, Wilkes County Emergency Management and other agencies to fight the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also an ongoing fire in a wooded area at the Stokes County/Rockingham County line approaching 100 acres with heavy smoke visible. Stokes County Public Services, volunteer fire departments, forestry officials and other first responders are battling that fire this evening, and we have reached out for updates. The statewide ban on open burning remains in effect until further notice. This is a developing 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 FOX8 WGHP. Trump administration special envoy Steve Witkoff said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin prayed for President Trump after he was injured following an assassination attempt during the presidential campaign last year. Speaking to former Fox News host Tucker Carlson on his podcast, Witkoff said Putin told him about his reaction to the attack on Trump during a meeting he had with the Russian leader in Moscow. The special envoy has visited Russia twice to discuss details surrounding negotiations about the Ukraine conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the president was shot, he [Putin] went to his local church and met with his priest and prayed for the president, Witkoff said. According to Witkoff, Putin has a friendship with the president. He was praying for his friend, Witkoff said. Last July, Trump, then a presidential candidate, was addressing a rally near Butler, Pa., when he was injured by a bullet fired by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. Witkoff added that Trump was clearly touched when he told him Putin had prayed for him following the shooting incident. I dont regard Putin as a bad guy. That is a complicated situation, that war, and all the ingredients that led up to it, Witkoff said in the podcast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia next week to resume bilateral talks. Earlier this month, Putin said he is open to a 30-day ceasefire, as proposed by the U.S. However, he suggested vague terms for his support, including wanting to eliminate the root causes of this crisis. Ukraine recently agreed to support the framework in talks with the U.S., after which the Trump administration is trying to get Russia to sign on. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Kremlin, told reporters following the meeting that Putin received Witkoff on the evening of March 13 and that additional signals regarding Kremlins position have been conveyed to Trump. 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. U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has rubbished British Prime Minister Keir Starmers plan for a special coalition force to support a ceasefire in Ukraine. Speaking with American far-right political commentator Tucker Carlson on March 21, Witkoff called Starmers plan "simplistic" and a "posture and a pose." He said he does not believe that Russia wants to further invade Europe or even absorb all of Ukraine. "There is this sort of notion that we have all got to be like Winston Churchill. Russians are going to march across Europe. That is preposterous by the way," he told Carlson. Starmer has called for countries to join a "coalition of the willing" that will include "planes in the air and boots on the ground" in an effort to secure a successful ceasefire in Ukraine. He stressed that the coalition would need "strong U.S. backing" to succeed. Over 30 countries have expressed willingness to contribute to the coalition's peacekeeping force, Starmer's spokesperson said on March 17, confirming that the initiative has moved into an "operational phase." Witkoff, who is officially special envoy to the Middle East, has recently emerged as a leading figure in negotiations regarding Russia and Ukraine and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month. Read also: They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums, Witkoff parrots Russian propaganda, legitimizing Putins claims in Ukraine In the interview with Carlson, he applauded U.S. President Donald Trumps efforts to negotiate with Russia, saying that he is optimistic about "bringing the two sides together." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also praised Putin as being gracious, adding that he doesnt regard the Russian leader and war criminal as a "bad guy." Witkoff went on to echo Russian propaganda narratives around referendums in the occupied regions in Ukraine, claiming that people there want to be under Russian rule. He left out that the referendums were a sham and carried out at gunpoint while also forgetting the names of the partially occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. He later told Fox News that he is not taking any sides but that there is a belief in Russia that the occupied territories are now considered Russian. Witkoff repeatedly cheered on Trumps 30-day temporary ceasefire agreement. Both Moscow and Kyiv agreed to stop targeting energy infrastructure for a month, although it has been repeatedly violated and dozens of Ukrainian civilians have been killed in Russian attacks over the last few days. He said that the purpose of the 30-day ceasefire was to give time to negotiate a full ceasefire. U.S. representatives will meet with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia on the evening of March 23 and then with Russian officials on March 24 to discuss the ceasefire. The U.K. will host three days of military planning sessions this week to prepare high-level plans for mobilizing the coalition. Read also: Trump says efforts to end Ukraine war somewhat under control just hours before deadly Russian drone strike on Kyiv Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. PARMA, Ohio (WJW) A mother and her two-year-old son were hospitalized with serious injuries after they were hit by a vehicle in a Parma parking lot Friday evening. Meanwhile, police are still searching for the vehicle involved. Family holds vigil, walk for 18-year-old beaten to death in Brunswick Hills According to Parma police, the woman was shopping at the Marcs located at 7511 W. Ridgewood Dr. and left the store around 7 p.m. Surveillance video shared by police shows the woman leave the store, pushing a shopping cart with son seated in the front. As she steps off the sidewalk into the parking lot, theyre hit by a passing vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can see the surveillance video in the attached video player. Fox 8 News is choosing not to show the moment of impact, and instead weve stopped the video just before and pick it up right after. Police said the car did not stop and continued on toward Ridge Rd. where it is believed the driver turned south. A screenshot from the surveillance video shows the suspect vehicle police are searching for (Credit: Parma Police) The woman and her son were taken to the hospital for treatment. Officers immediately began checking cameras in the area to get a description of the vehicle and a possible route the driver took. Several vehicles matching the description were observed and information was obtained. Officers were able to locate the vehicles and confirmed that the vehicles were unrelated to the Hit-Skip, a press release from police stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boardman High School senior diagnosed with rare condition The vehicle is described as a dark colored, possibly blue or black, sedan with silver trim and tinted windows. If you have any information that could help police, you are asked to contact the Parma Police Department Crime Tip Line at (440) 887-7340 or email crimetips@parmajustice.net Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN DIEGO A woman suspected of fatally stabbing her fire captain wife at their home in Southern California has been captured in Mexico after more than a month on the run, Mexican officials said Saturday. Yolanda Marodi was taken into custody after being found at a hotel roughly 2.3 miles south of the U.S. border in the city of Mexicali, the Baja California Citizen Security Secretariat (SSCBC) said in a statement. The SSCBC said Marodi was transferred to the border with the help of Mexicos National Institute of Migration. She was turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service after being returned to the United States at a U.S. port of entry, the San Diego County Sheriffs Department said in a statement about her capture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was wanted by U.S. authorities in the Feb. 17 killing of 49-year-old Rebecca Becky Marodi, a respected California fire captain, at the couples home in San Diego County. The secretariat said cooperation and an exchange of information with U.S. authorities helped lead to the arrest. An affidavit in support of an arrest warrant for Yolanda Marodi cites home security video depicting a horrific scene outside the couples home in Ramona as she confronted a bloodied Rebecca Marodi with a knife on Feb. 17. As the pair ran across a patio that night, Rebecca Marodi was heard on the recording saying, Yolanda! Please ! dont want to die, according to the declaration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point, Yolanda Marodi responded, You should have thought about that before, according to the affidavit. Rebecca Marodis mother, who lived with the couple, called authorities to say her daughter had been stabbed, according to the document. Cal Fire Captain, Rebecca Marodi. Shortly after, the homes security camera captured Yolanda Marodi, wearing different clothes, placing belongings, luggage and pets in her silver Chevrolet Equinox SUV and driving away, according to the document. The same night, the SUV crossed into Mexico, about 45 miles south of Ramona, the affidavit stated, citing Department of Homeland Security records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yolanda Marodi was charged with murder on Feb. 21. The search for her included the San Diego County Sheriffs Department and the U.S. Marshals Service San Diego Fugitive Task Force, authorities said. Carlos Zuniga, spokesperson for Baja Californias state security agency, said authorities there had been searching for her in coordination with U.S. counterparts, NBC San Diego reported last month. In 2003, Yolanda Marodi pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the stabbing death of husband Jim Olejniczak in 2000, the station reported. She was released from custody a decade later. The affidavit states that an unnamed witness received a text from Yolanda Marodi a day after Rebecca Marodis killing stating that Rebecca Marodi had told Yolanda Marodi she met someone else and was leaving her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Becky came home and told me she was leaving, she met someone else, all the messages were lies. We had a big fight and I hurt herIm sorry, the text stated, according to the affidavit. First responders at the home reported Rebecca Marodi had multiple stab wounds, including lacerations to her neck, chest and abdomen, the document said. She was declared dead at the scene. According to a joint statement from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, and the Riverside County Fire Department, Rebecca Marodi worked in firefighting for more than 30 years, starting as a volunteer in Moreno Valley, a city about 85 miles north of Ramona, in Riverside County. She was a seasonal firefighter, then a full-time one, before she moved up to engineer in 2007 and captain in 2022, working mostly in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, according to the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department thanked authorities following Yolanda Marodis capture. We thank our law enforcement partners in San Diego and Mexico for their hard work, spokeswoman Maggie Cline De La Rosa said in a statement. Becky was a beloved member of our community and Department, and we miss her greatly. Rebecca Marodi dedicated much of her career to peer support, always prioritizing the well-being of her colleagues, according to the statement. An Instagram post from Cal Fires battalion in Temecula, California, a community just north of Riverside Countys border with San Diego County, showed Rebecca Marodi on the front lines of the Eaton Fire in Altadena, the deadliest of the states windstorm-driven blazes in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Cal Fire San Diego Benevolent Fund online drive to raise money for Rebecca Marodis family described her as a woman who dedicated more than three decades to serving and protecting our communities with unwavering bravery, leadership, and commitment. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com HAZLE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) say a woman is facing arson charges after a fire in Hazle Township. Troopers say in a release on Wednesday, March 19, before 9:00 p.m., authorities were called to the 1000 block of North James Street in Hazle Township. When state police arrived on scene, they discovered a row of bushes, measuring about 150 feet long, was involved in a fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two arrested, facing charges after alleged home invasions A neighboring residence was about 21 feet from the west side of the bushes and, at the time of the incident, was occupied by a 30-year-old woman, a seven-year-old girl, and a 14-month-old girl, troopers say. PSP says two traffic signs were damaged in the fire and will need to be replaced. Authorities say Amy Degenhart was arraigned on March 21 before Magisterial District Judge James M. Dixon and is facing multiple charges, including Arson, Risking Catastrophe, Criminal Mischief, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and terroristic threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Degenhart was denied bail and was taken to the Luzerne County Prison with a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 3. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 woman suspected of fatally stabbing her wife, a California fire captain, last month has been arrested in Mexico, authorities there announced Saturday. Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, was arrested near a hotel in the Mexican state of Baja California, the State Citizen Security Force said in a press release Saturday. Yolanda Olejniczak is suspected of fatally stabbing 49-year-old Rebecca Marodi inside the couple's home near Ramona, California, some 40 miles northeast of San Diego on Feb. 17. PHOTO: Yolanda Marodi is shown in this photo released by the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. (San Diego County Sheriff's Office) MORE: Arrest warrant issued for wife of murdered California fire captain Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marodi was a fire captain for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. Court papers filed in San Diego County Superior Court allege Olejniczak stabbed her wife after learning Marodi planned to leave her and that the attack was captured on a Ring home security camera. In the footage, Rebecca Marodi is seen being chased across the patio by Olejniczak, screaming "Yolanda! Please..I don't want to die," an arrest warrant stated. Olejniczak responded, "You should have thought about that before," and appeared to stand in front of Marodi with a knife in her right hand, according to the warrant. There appeared to be blood on both Marodi's back and Olejniczak's arms. Marodi repeatedly asks for Olejniczak to call 911, and then the two are seen entering the residence, according to the warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several minutes later, the front-door camera captures Olejniczak wearing different clothes, loading "pets, random items and some luggage" into a silver Chevrolet Equinox, according to the warrant. Marodi's mother later told investigators that about a week prior to her death her daughter had told Olejniczak that she was leaving and ending their marriage, according to the warrant. PHOTO: Rebecca Marodi memorial (CAL FIRE ) Authorities had long suspected Olejniczak was out of the country. About an hour after the killing, her vehicle was logged entering Mexico, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The State Citizen Security Force of Baja California said the arrest came as the result of "information exchanges between Mexico and the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stabbing of Marodi is not the first time Olejniczak has been accused of killing a romantic partner. In 2003, she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for stabbing her then-husband to death and was sentenced to 11 years in prison, according to officials. She served the time and was released, after which she met Marodi. ABC News' Amanda Morris and Megan Forrester contributed to this report. Woman suspected of fatally stabbing California fire captain arrested in Mexico originally appeared on abcnews.go.com BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal on Sunday took a jibe at the leaders of the Opposition for their stance over delimitation and accused them of 'politicising' the issue only to safeguard their "political relevance". Highlighting the support extended to all states by the Modi government, Khandelwal stressed that over the past decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured equal development and assistance to every state in India, dismissing any claims of regional bias. "Delimitation is not an issue, but some leaders from the southern states are trying to make an issue out of it because they are losing their identities from their politics. In the past 10 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has equally provided support to all the states of the country," Khandelwal told ANI. Responding to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's statement on delimitation, Khandelwal said, "Pinarayi Vijayan is using delimitation as a weapon to come forward in politics, which is not right." This comes after Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Central government over the issue of the delimitation stating that this sudden process without any consultation is not driven by any Constitutional principle but by "narrow political interests." "Proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies is hanging over our heads. Various reports indicate that the BJP-led Union Government is going ahead with the delimitation process without any consultation. This sudden move is not driven by any Constitutional principle or any democratic imperative. But by narrow political interests," CM Vijayan said during the meeting. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had called a Joint Action Committee meeting to discuss the issue of delimitation on Saturday. Leaders across various states gathered in Chennai to express their concerns with the proposed exercise. The Joint Action Committee on Saturday passed a resolution on the issue of delimitation, expressing concern over the "lack of transparency and clarity" from the Union government. The JAC unanimously demanded greater transparency from the Union government regarding any delimitation exercise and called for the extension of the freeze on Parliamentary constituencies based on the 1971 Census Population for another 25 years. The JAC led by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin urged the central government to "not penalise" the states which have effectively implemented the population control program. Moreover, JAC resolved that the political parties from different states represented in the meeting will bring appropriate Legislative Assembly resolutions on the delimitation issue. "The Political Parties from different states represented in the meeting will initiate efforts to bring about appropriate Legislative Assembly resolutions in their respective States on the issue and communicate the same to Union Government. The JAC will also undertake necessary efforts to disseminate information on the history and context of past delimitation exercises and the consequences of the proposed delimitation among the citizens of their respective States, through a coordinated public opinion mobilization strategy," the resolution read. Additionally, the JAC resolved that MPs will counter any attempts by the Union Government to undertake any delimitation exercise contrary to the principles mentioned above. "The Core Committee of MPs shall submit a Joint Representation on the above lines to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India during the ongoing Parliamentary session," it added. The first meeting of JAC called by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin was attended by various political leaders, including Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das, and Biju Janata Dal leader Sanjay Kumar Das Burma, among others. Stalin said that the next meeting on the delimitation of constituencies will be held in Hyderabad, Telangana. (ANI) The wife of beloved Cal Fire Captain Rebecca "Becky" Marodi was captured in Mexico roughly 100 miles away from the home the couple shared in Ramona more than a month after she allegedly stabbed the veteran firefighter to death in an attack that was captured on the couple's security cameras. Marodi pleaded with her wife, Yolanda Marodi, 53, who is also known as Yolanda Olejniczak, "I don't want to die," in the minutes before her death, according to an arrest warrant. "You should have thought of that before," the knife-wielding attacker growled back, authorities say. Related: Orange County Couple Deported to Colombia After 35 Years in U.S. The surveillance footage shows Olejniczak holding a knife, her arms covered in what appeared to be blood, ordering Marodi back inside the home, the warrant says. Marodi is heard repeatedly asking Olejniczak to call 911 before the two move out of frame. Marodi sustained multiple stab wounds to her neck, chest, and abdomen, authorities said. She was captured in the Baja, California community near a hotel by Mexican authorities and taken into custody in her pajamas. In the days after the grisly slaying Yolanda Marodi allegedly confessed to the crime in a text message to an associate, officials say, writing: "Becky came home and told me she was leaving me. She met someone else We had a big fight, and I hurt her... I'm sorry." Rebecca Marodi was found dead in her San Diego home MondayCAL FIRE Officials said that once they confirmed her identity, she was taken into custody and transferred to the border, "allowing U.S. authorities to proceed with legal action." She was turned over to U.S. Marshals Sunday, San Diego law enforcement officials confirm. On the night Rebecca died, Marodis mother called 911 around 9 p.m., according to the warrant, but by then, Yolanda was gone. The footage showed her loading an SUV with pets and luggage, driving away from the murder scene at 8:22 p.m., and crossing into Mexico less than an hour later, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Deputies arrived within minutes of a 911 call from Marodi's mother, but the fire captain was pronounced dead at the scene despite the valiant efforts of her firefighting colleagues. Yolanda Marodi had already served time in prison for the killing of a former spouse James Olejniczak. In 2004, she pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter after the fatal stabbing of her then-husband, serving time in prison until 2013, according to court records. Stay in the Know! Get the top news from Los Angeles Magazine sent to your inbox every day. Sign up for The Daily Brief below or by clicking here. Dr. James Carter grew up during a time when Black doctors were few and in high demand, particularly in the urban core of Kansas City. As young child he dreamed of becoming a doctor to help heal and care for the Black community. His wife, Nina Carter, met him while she was studying at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the 1960s, where he was the only Black student in the medical program. He shared with her that maintaining faith was essential for him to succeed in such a challenging environment. He always said the lord helped him on every stage of life, said his wife. Especially during his time at MU and would say he worked hard and prayed harder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carter, a family doctor with a private practice that tended to hundreds of patients in the metro died Jan. 28 from Lewy Body Dementia. He was 81. Carter refused to let the challenges and obstacles he encountered in pursuing his lifelong dream to become a physician hold him back. He went on to become a prominent figure in the Kansas City urban core, not only as a doctor but also as a dedicated community leader. His daughter, Christy Harris, says that while losing her father is difficult, she and her sister, Kimberly Tillman, take solace in the decades of work he devoted to the community. He was a caring dad to me and my sister Kimberly, said Harris. He was a man of deep conviction, character and integrity. Dr. James Carter and his wife, Nina Carter. Carter, a native of Kansas City, graduated from Lincoln High School and always prioritized his community. His family believes that Carter treated his patients and the community like his own family, never turning his back on anyone, regardless of how successful he became. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His wife spent years observing him tirelessly work during tumultuous times to restore stability and order to the community. When The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, rather than staying safely at home, Carter took to the streets, striving to calm the situation and help people regain their composure. There were riots here in Kansas City when King was shot and we thought people might destroy everything, said Carters wife. They were burning buildings and he had said I have to go back into the city and talk with them to calm them down. Carter lived his life with the same courage as he fought against systems of oppression that limited Black residents in Kansas City. He played a key role in organizing a protest at the local amusement park, Fairy Land. The park only allowed Black visitors one day a year, and according to Carters wife, he along with other community leaders, went to the park and refused to leave. His wife recalls that this peaceful protest ultimately led to her husbands arrest, along with the others who participated. It was a peaceful demonstration but the park owner still called the cops and they had put them all in a wagon and took them to the police station where they were charged, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His daughter remembers how her father loved his community and was passionate about being of service. He instilled that in his daughters. Dr. James Carter and his wife Nina Carter (Far right) with his daughters Christy Harris and Kimberly Tillman. It was incredible to grow up with him as my father because he was such a great man, said Harris. We would see how people talked to him and listened to him and we were really proud of him. As one of the few Black doctors in Kansas City after the Civil Rights era, Carter established a family practice that provided excellent care to local residents. In addition to his demanding work, he made time to mentor aspiring medical students, ensuring that he inspired and guided the next generation of Black doctors in Kansas City. I think those who knew him will remember him as someone that was always trying to help others no matter what, said his wife. No matter who he spoke to he was offering his words of faith that he would speak and encourage them and words of wisdom to inspire them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is remembered by his wife, Nina Carter; children, Nina, Christy Harris and Kimberly Tillman; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Other Remembrances Terry Yancy, United States Navy veteran and deputy sheriff died Feb. 15. He was 45. Terry Yancy Terry Leron Yancy, United States Navy veteran and deputy sheriff, died Feb. 15. He was 45. Yancy was born in Kansas City on June 23, 1980 to Pearline Yancy and John Conway. He graduated from Westport High School in 1998 and received a bachelors degree in business management at the University of Phoenix. Yancy joined The United States Navy and served for eight years. Upon returning home he became a deputy sheriff for Wyandotte County. He also worked as a juvenile probation officer for Jackson County Circuit Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is remembered by his children, Aaliyah Yasmeen Smith, Naya Carmichael-McClain and TyShine King-Love; mother, Pearline Arterbery; siblings Sydney Arterbery and James L Reed III; along with a host of cousins and friends. Sharon Gill, mother and nurse died March 3 . She was 60. Sharon Gill Sharon Gill, mother and nurse, died March 3. She was 60. Gill was born on July 21, 1964, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Wendell and Mitty Jones. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1982 where she participated in cheerleading and the track team. Gill attended Lincoln University where she developed a love for the healthcare field. Gill was a registered nurse and worked at various hospitals. She is remembered by her children, Jayde Tate, Jay L Gill II; parents, Wendell and Mitty Jones; along with a host of grandchildren, cousins and friends. Teenagers in temporarily occupied territories secretly read Ukrainian literature despite the risks. Source: The Guardian Details: The Guardian uncovered one such underground "book club". Journalists Peter Pomerantsev and Alina Dykhman described it as "one of the most dangerous book clubs in the world". Seventeen-year-old Mariika (name changed for privacy) said that the meetings are attended by no more than three people at a time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before reading, they lock all doors and windows to avoid potential informants reporting them to Russian secret services. Quote from The Guardian: "Informants frequently report anyone studying Ukrainian in the occupied territories to the Russian secret police. Ukrainian textbooks have been deemed extremist possession can carry a sentence of five years. Parents who allow their children to follow the Ukrainian curriculum online can lose parental rights. Teens who speak Ukrainian at school have been known to be taken by thugs to the woods for questioning." Details: It is difficult for teenagers to find books in Ukrainian under the occupation. The Russians removed and destroyed Ukrainian books from several libraries in Mariika's hometown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teenagers rely on online books but must erase their browsing history, as Russians inspect phones and computers. Quote from Mariika: "They dont teach us knowledge at school, but to hate other Ukrainians. Theyve taken down all Ukrainian symbols and have hung portraits of Putin everywhere. History is all about great Russia and how its always been under attack by others." Details: The book club favours Lesia Ukrainkas poetry, particularly the dramatic poem The Boyar Woman, where the protagonist chides a Ukrainian who has fallen under the influence of Muscovy and praises the humiliating peace with the tsar. "Is this peace," she asks, "or a ruin?" The Guardian draws a parallel between this "peace" and the one Trumps administration suggested Ukraine should make with Putin by ceding territories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the reasons why Mariika and her friends continue to gather for the book club is to show that even under occupation, there are people who are fighting for the right to remain Ukrainian. Not all the books read in the underground club are political. There are ordinary stories about the lives of Ukrainians dates, shopping, everyday things. But under the occupation, even these simple stories help to keep in touch with a free Ukraine and feel part of the community, journalists say. Quote from The Guardian: "But still there is no getting away from the all-too-relevant ideas of [Lesia] Ukrainkas writing. One of her main themes was to meditate on the relationship between personal freedom the freedom of the imagination and to define your life and the political freedom of the nation. Whoever liberates themselves, shall be free, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mariikas book club makes those words real every day." Background: Russia has long been destroying Ukrainian books and cultural heritage. In Mariupol, Russians obliterated the central library and removed books from universities and schools. In 2024, the Russians struck Ukraines largest printing house in Kharkiv and destroyed the Lesia Ukrainka Museum in Yalta. The language ombudsman reported that by September 2024, the Russians had damaged or destroyed nearly 1,000 Ukrainian libraries since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Human Rights Watch also reported forced Russification of education in occupied areas. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! YORK COUNTY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) York County deputies apprehend a man who was allegedly wanted for assault, robbery and theft out of Baltimore, officials say. Officials searched the area of Feathers Drive and Aqua Point Drive for Brian Andrew Salina. He is described as 511 and 160 lbs. If you see him, please do not approach him and call 911. 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. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of prolonging the war on Sunday, as representatives from Kiev and Washington gathered in Saudi Arabia to begin the latest round of negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. "Russia is the only one dragging this war out," Zelensky said in his evening video message. "Since March 11, a proposal for an unconditional ceasefire has been on the table and these attacks could have already stopped. But it is Russia that continues all this," he said, referring to a series of Russian drone attacks in recent days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 11, Kiev agreed to a 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the United States if Moscow also complied. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has set several preconditions, including a demand that the West halt all military aid to Kiev. "Without pressure on Russia, those in Moscow will continue to show contempt for real diplomacy and keep destroying lives," Zelensky said. Ukrainian and US representatives met for initial talks in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. "The talks were constructive and informative - we discussed important issues, especially in the energy sector," Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov wrote on Facebook on Sunday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Umerov had earlier said that the talks with US representatives were to focus on measures to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure, and that the Ukrainian delegation included energy experts as well as military representatives from the naval and air divisions. "The work of delegations continues," Zelensky said. "But no matter what we're discussing with our partners right now, Putin must be pushed to issue a real order to stop the strikes because the one who brought this war must be the one to take it back." US mediators plan to negotiate separately with representatives from both Moscow and Kiev in Riyadh starting on Monday. US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg spoke of a "shuttle diplomacy," through which the US delegation hopes to achieve a rapprochement between the two warring parties' positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Ukraine and Russia have already agreed in principle to an initial break in attacks on energy facilities, though it is not yet clear how this should be implemented. Both sides have since carried out large-scale drone attacks. In the ceasefire talks, Kiev is also seeking to protect other types of infrastructure. Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's full-scale invasion for more than three years. President Volodymyr Zelensky visited front-line troops near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast and held a military command meeting in Kharkiv Oblast on March 22, as Russia continues to press on in eastern Ukraine. Zelensky has previously said that Russia is attempting renewed offensives in various parts of the front line, including in Kharkiv Oblast. The president visited the command post of the tactical group "Pokrovsk" and was briefed on front-line developments by acting commander Yurii Madiar. The embattled town has been among the most hotly contested areas of the front, though Zelensky reported on March 15 that the situation near Pokrovsk had "stabilized." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the same day, Zelensky visited the command post of the tactical group "Kharkiv" and was updated about the battlefield situation in Kharkiv Oblast by Commander Viktor Solimchuk. The Russian army has not stopped trying to expand its footholds in the northern areas of the region, Solimchuk said. Zelensky presented soldiers in both areas with medals, including the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi. "I want to thank you for truly bringing Ukraine closer to a lasting and just peace, to victory. We all deeply want this, and every step is important," he said. Zelensky later held a military cabinet meeting in Kharkiv with senior officials in the armed forces and the Presidential Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president and his team discussed key front-line developments and prepared for the upcoming meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia on March 23, the Presidential Office said. Zelensky previously said the delegation would meet on March 24, the same day the U.S. is set to hold separate meetings with Russian delegates. CBS News correspondent Jennifer Jacobs reported on March 21 that a U.S. technical team would meet with Ukrainian officials a day earlier. "If progress is made in Riyadh with Russian team, the U.S. technical team may meet again with the Ukrainians' team later Monday," Jacobs wrote, citing sources familiar with the talks. Zelensky also plans to meet European leaders in Paris on March 27 in a meeting hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: They are Russian-speaking, and there have been referendums, Witkoff parrots Russian propaganda, legitimizing Putins claims in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated, following a conversation with Defence Minister Rustem Umierov, that the ongoing meeting between the Ukrainian and US teams in Saudi Arabia is still under way and "has been quite beneficial". Source: Zelenskyys evening address Quote: "Today marks the second meeting between the Ukrainian and American teams in Saudi Arabia. This time it is more technical involving our military, our diplomats and representatives from the Ministry of Energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I've just spoken with Rustem Umierov, who updated me on the meeting and the progress of the discussions. Our team is working quite constructively, and the discussion has been very beneficial. The work of the delegations is ongoing." Details: Zelenskyy called on the international community to increase pressure on Russia to bring about a real ceasefire. "Since 11 March, there has been a proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, which would have stopped such attacks. But it is Russia that continues all of this. Every night and day, it executes the most cynical strikes. Without pressure on Russia, they in Moscow will continue to treat true diplomacy with contempt and destroy lives," the president said. He stressed that "whatever we are discussing with our partners right now, Putin must be forced to issue a real order to stop the strikes: whoever started this war must be the one to end it". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley. Then-Speaker of the House Frank Chopp gestures toward the gallery above the House floor on the first day of the session at the state Capitol in Olympia. Chopp, the longest-serving House speaker in Washington history and a fierce advocate for health care and low-income housing, has died. He was 71. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times, 2014) BJP member of Parliament Ravi Shankar Prasad has accused Lok Sabha's Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of "disregarding" the rules of the merit system and questioned the qualification of the Congress MP to be appointed as LoP. Prasad's criticism come in the wake of Rahul Gandhi's "merit a flawed concept" remark in a in a discussion with professor Sukhadeo Thorat, a member of the Telangana caste survey panel. The Congress leader discussed the need for a caste census in the interview with Professor Thorat, a well-known educationist, economist, and expert on Dalit issues. Addressing a press conference, Prasad said, "Rahul Gandhi has again made a wise statement. He has said that there is no such thing as a merit system in this country... My first question to Rahul Gandhi is, by what qualification has he become the leader of the opposition?... Where the rules of the merit system have been disregarded, it has been in his appointment." Taking a jibe at the LoP, Prasad said, "Rahul Gandhi does not do his homework. His tutor should be changed who will give him the correct information about India." In his interview with Professor Thorat, Rahul Gandhi criticised India's merit system, calling it "completely flawed" and an "upper-class narrative." The Congress leader had shared the video on the interview on his X post. "There is a completely flawed concept of merit where I confuse my social position with my capability. For anybody to say that our education system or our bureaucratic entry systems are fair to Dalits, OBCs (Other Backward Castes), and tribals - that's just a complete fallacy," Rahul Gandhi said. "The entire narrative is an upper caste narrative. This notion of merit is, actually, itself an unfair idea," Rahul Gandhi added. In a post on X Rahul Gandhi sharing the interview said that the fight of backward classes that began 98 years ago still continues. "The fight for share that began 98 years ago continues. On 20 March 1927, Babasaheb Ambedkar directly challenged caste discrimination through the Mahad Satyagraha. This was not just a fight for the right to water, but also for equality and respect." (ANI) New Delhi: Ahead of A.R. Murugadoss much-anticipated Sikandar, the acclaimed director spills the beans on a possible sequel to his critically acclaimed Ghajini. Moviegoers are in for a double treat as they await the teaser of Salman Khan's Sikandar. Speaking to PTI, Murugadoss said, ''There is a possibility for Ghajini 2. We have something in mind, and we will sit and discuss. If everything goes well, we can do it. I have a basic idea, not a full script. If it is made, it will be made both in Tamil and Hindi as well.'' Hinting at a possible Ghajini sequel, the director added, In Hollywood films, even if the character dies, they will recreate it. Besides, there's always a possibility of a prequel. In Ghajini, we built a character who has memory loss and is a super-rich guy. So, we can play with that. Its an interesting character.'' Talking about Ghajini, the film revolves around Sanjay Singhania, portrayed by Aamir Khan and Kalpana Shetty, played by Asin. Their love story takes a tragic turn when Kalpana's shocking death leaves Sanjay with anterograde amnesia, leading him to seek revenge on those responsible for Kalpana murder. The film was a remake of the director's 2005 Tamil version, which was a box-office hit. It gained nationwide popularity after the success of the 2008 Hindi adaptation. Recently, A.R. Murugadoss spoke about one of the most haunting questions: why did Kalpana die without knowing Sachin's real identity in the critically acclaimed film? addressing this question the director said, ''If Kalpana got to know about the true identity of Aamir's character, we wouldnt be discussing this scene, its been 16 years since the film released, and yet everyone talks about it, as a writer and director I see that as a job well done.'' Earlier, Ghajini producer Allu Aravind expressed interest in making a sequel with the Bollywood star. Meanwhile, director AR Murugadoss' remarks have reignited speculation among fans, as the cult classic continues to leave a lasting impact since its 2008 release. Known for multiple blockbusters, AR Murugadoss has worked with some of the biggest names in the film industry, including Megastar Chiranjeevi in Stalin, Suriya and Aamir Khan in Ghajini (both Tamil and Hindi versions), Thalapathy Vijay in Thuppakki, Akshay Kumar in Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, and now, Salman Khan in Sikandar. The much-awaited trailer of Sikandar is all set to release today (March 23). The film also stars Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi, Prateik Babbar, and Anjini Dhawan in key roles. Sikandar is set to hit theatres on March 28. Sikandar TRAILER Out: Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna Set to Set Theatres on Fire. The much-awaited Sikandar trailer is finally here! Salman Khan took to Instagram, making Sunday an electrifying affair with the grand announcement. Directed and written by the acclaimed A.R. Murugadoss, the trailer promises high-octane action, gripping drama, and an edge-of-the-seat cinematic experience. Watch The Trailer Below! Sikandar's trailer showcases Salman Khan in his signature larger-than-life avatar, delivering intense action. Introduced as 'Rajkot ka Raja,' Rashmika Mandannas character remarks on his frequent run-ins with goons. Assigned to a high-profile case, he arrives in Mumbai with Sharman Joshi and a team to tackle crime and injustice. The action unfolds across diverse settings from rugged landscapes to a gripping sequence inside a plane. Sathyaraj and Prateik Babbar take on negative roles, while Salman and Rashmika's chemistry shines, reinforcing their on-screen appeal. The trailer has ignited excitement, with fans eagerly awaiting Sikandar's grand Eid release. Earlier Director A.R. Murugadoss recently revealed the reason for the trailer's delay, He shared, "We are working on it. The CGI work is going on. The music is going on. So, we have just now finished the shoot. So, all the departments are busy with the craft. We are working on it. We have to deliver the best". The film features a stellar cast, including Sharman Joshi, Kajal Aggarwal, Suniel Shetty, Sathyaraj, Prateik Babbar Anjini Dhawan, and Jatin Sarna in pivotal roles. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Sikandar is scheduled to hit cinemas on March 30. "In an intelligence led operation, Counter Intelligence, Amritsar busts a narco-terror module and apprehends 4 persons and recovers 4 Kg Heroin from their possession," said DGP Gaurav Yadav in a post on X. The arrested persons, Navjot Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh and Aniket have been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. https://x.com/DGPPunjabPolice/status/1903634798163415273 "FIR registered under NDPS Act at PS State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar. Further investigations are on to unveil their forward and backward linkages. @PunjabPoliceInd remains resolute in its commitment to dismantle organized crime and ensure peace and harmony across the state," the post added. Earlier on Saturday, Punjab police arrested 75 drug smugglers and recovered 5.2 kg heroin, 10 kg opium and Rs 2.2 lakhs drugs money from their possession, keeping in line with the war against drugs, "Yudh Nashian Virudh" campaign started on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. This brings the total number of drug smugglers arrested to 2613 in just 22 days. The operation was conducted simultaneously in all 28 police districts of the state on the directions of the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav. Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Senior Superintendents of Police to make Punjab a drug-free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a five-member Cabinet Subcommittee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs. Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 250 Police teams, comprising over 1700 police personnel, under the supervision of 98 gazetted officers, have conducted raids at as many as 536 locations across the state, leading to the registration of 51 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. The Punjab Police, as part of 'De-addiction,' has convinced four persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment. (ANI) New Delhi: As part of the Union Finance Ministrys outreach to increase the countrys tax base, the field formations of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Commissionerate have launched awareness campaigns to increase registration and compliance under the GST regime. As part of this initiative, the Delhi East Commissionerate launched a two-day campaign here over the weekend to engage unregistered manufacturers and traders and help them understand the importance of registering with the GST Department and complying with the provisions of the law. Over the course of the campaign, more than 2,000 queries from traders were addressed by GST officers, who provided assistance with the registration process. The drive proved to be a success, with a significant number of unregistered traders coming forward to voluntarily register their businesses under GST, with more than 100 registration applications being generated on the spot after following due process. GST helpdesks were set up across various local markets to address queries and help in the GST registration process. This initiative received a warm and encouraging response from the local trade community, many of whom were previously unregistered, often conducting their transactions primarily in cash, which has a negative impact on the Indian economy, according to an official statement. As part of the outreach efforts, 200 students from reputed Universities were invited to be GST Ambassadors to create awareness for the two-day campaign. These volunteers were closely monitored and guided by a large team of GST officers comprised of 10 Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners and more than 80 officials The students actively participated in spreading awareness about GST provisions and assisted traders by going shop-to-shop to brief them about the process and benefits. The students undertook door-to-door campaigning and helped conduct a survey to generate leads for GST officers to follow up later. They distributed 7,500 pamphlets published in Hindi and Urdu highlighting the provisions of GST Registration, according to an official statement. A public announcement system, skits, street plays, and mohalla campaigns at different locations were also organised by the National School of Drama (NSD) team so that the people are made aware of the importance of payment of tax to the government as well as consequences of non-payment of tax. The successful execution of this campaign marks a crucial step in increasing GST registration among the unorganised sectors, thereby improving compliance and contributing to the overall growth and stability of the Indian economy, said Pawan Kumar, Commissioner of CGST Delhi East The CGST Delhi East Commissionerate will continue such initiatives and ensure that all sectors of trade are brought into the formal economy, fostering greater transparency, accountability, and economic growth, he added. Mahesh Kumar Rustogi, Director General, Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS), in his address, highlighted the importance of formalisation of the economy in achieving the target of a $5 trillion economy by registering more business entities under the GST network. New Delhi: Public sector banks (PSBs) in India have shown significant financial improvement, as their dividend payouts increased by 33 per cent to Rs 27,830 crore in the financial year 2023-24. This is a sharp rise from Rs 20,964 crore in the previous fiscal, according to government data. Out of the total dividend paid, nearly 65 per cent, or Rs 18,013 crore, went to the government, reflecting its major stake in these banks. In the previous financial year, the government had received Rs 13,804 crore as dividends from the PSBs, including the State Bank of India (SBI). The rise in dividend payouts comes on the back of record profits reported by public sector banks, the data said. In FY24, 12 PSBs collectively earned their highest-ever net profit of Rs 1.41 lakh crore, compared to Rs 1.05 lakh crore in FY23. During the first nine months of FY24 alone, these banks had already earned Rs 1.29 lakh crore in profit. The SBI, Indias largest bank, contributed over 40 per cent of the total PSB profit. The bank earned Rs 61,077 crore in FY24 -- a 22 per cent increase from Rs 50,232 crore in the previous year. Among the fastest-growing banks in terms of net profit, the Punjab National Bank (PNB) recorded the highest growth of 228 per cent, earning Rs 8,245 crore. The Union Bank of Indias profit rose 62 per cent to Rs 13,649 crore, while the Central Bank of India saw a 61 per cent increase, reaching Rs 2,549 crore. Other banks with over 50 per cent profit growth included the Bank of India (57 per cent growth to Rs 6,318 crore), the Bank of Maharashtra (56 per cent rise to Rs 4,055 crore), and the Indian Bank (53 per cent growth to Rs 8,063 crore). This remarkable turnaround in the PSBs financial performance is significant, considering that these banks had recorded massive losses of Rs 85,390 crore in FY18. Ahmedabad: With the Gujarat High Court paving the way for Visavadar assembly bypoll in Gujarat, the AAP on Sunday declared its leader Gopal Italia as the candidate, even as the Election Commission is yet to announce the byelection date. The Visavadar seat in Junagadh district, which has been lying vacant since December 2023 when Bhupendra Bhayani resigned as the AAP MLA and joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The AAP's core team in Gujarat will also meet the party's national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, in New Delhi on Sunday to "prepare a strategy for the upcoming assembly elections under his leadership," the party said without giving details. The Gujarat High Court on March 10 disposed of an election petition filed by BJP leader Harshad Ribadiya in February 2023, challenging (then AAP MLA) Bhayani's victory from the Visavadar seat in the 2022 assembly polls, paving the way for its by-election. The HC disposed of the election petition after Ribadiya, who was defeated by Bhayani in the 2022 election, withdrew the plea. In a post on X on Sunday, the AAP announced the name of its national joint secretary and former Gujarat unit president, Italia, as the candidate for the byelection to the Visavadar assembly seat. Visavadar in Junagadh district was one of the five seats won by AAP in the 2022 assembly election. "An advocate by profession, Italia has been playing an active role for many years for the benefit of farmers. He has fought to improve the deteriorating law and order situation in Gujarat and remove corruption in the system," AAP leader Manoj Sorathia said in a statement. Not only AAP, but the public of Gujarat is also hopeful that Italia will win with a record-breaking majority, he said. Meanwhile, the AAP's core team in Gujarat will meet the party's national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, in Delhi on Sunday to "prepare a strategy for the upcoming assembly elections under Kejriwal's leadership," the party said. Apart from the strategy for the bypolls to Visavadar and Kadi, which was recently vacated due to the death of its sitting BJP MLA Karsanbhai Solanki, and local body elections, the team will also discuss how to "further strengthen and expand the organisation in Gujarat," it said. The Election Commission had conducted by-elections to five out of six assembly segments that fell vacant after the MLAs winning the seats in December 2022 resigned, but decided not to declare a bypoll to the Visavadar seat due to the pending election petition. Ribadiya's lawyer withdrew the election petition on the ground that Bhayani had already tendered his resignation before the competent authority on December 13, 2023, making the petition (against him) infructuous. In October last year, the high court had rejected a public interest litigation (PIL), seeking a direction to the EC to hold a bypoll to the vacant assembly seat of Visavadar. The court had noted the by-election to that constituency cannot be held in view of the pendency of a petition filed by a losing candidate against the winning nominee. Mumbai: Preparations for the 2027 Kumbh Mela in Nashik are progressing at a slower pace than anticipated, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday, describing it as an event of "faith and technology". Speaking at a programme of CII Young Indians in Nashik, Fadnavis acknowledged the challenges in organising the large-scale event but expressed confidence in overcoming them. The chief minister noted that while work on infrastructure is currently behind schedule, the situation is improving. "We started preparations for the Kumbh Mela last year. If we had started the work in 2020, we would have been in a more comfortable position today," he said. Fadnavis credited the efficiency of the team working on the event that has been following a reverse planning strategy and assured that despite the delays, progress was being made, drawing from the experience of the successful Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. "In 2015, Nashik hosted the Kumbh Mela, and after many years, no fatalities were reported. This time, we are looking at a similar model of success and efforts underway to develop Nashik and Triambakeshwar," he said. Describing the upcoming event in Nashik as a "Kumbh of faith and technology", Fadnavis highlighted that the integration of artificial intelligence, crowd management systems, and augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) tools will offer an immersive experience for attendees. "The event will be held across 300 acres, significantly smaller than the 7,500 hectares of Prayagraj," he said. Fadnavis expressed his gratitude to the sadhus and seers for their cooperation in making the event run smoothly despite the challenges. He also discussed the social impact of the Kumbh Mela, citing Prayagraj's 2025 event, where nearly 50 crore people attended, coming together regardless of caste or financial background, united by their faith. "People from across the country attended the Kumbh in Prayagraj, and it changed the economy of Uttar Pradesh. The state's GSDP figures next year will be surprising," Fadnavis said, expressing hope for a similar surge of faith and participation at Maharashtra's Kumbh Mela. The chief minister called for people to connect with Maharashtra in the same spirit, supporting the state's preparations and contributing to the event's success in 2027. JAMMU: Security forces on Sunday launched a major offensive against a group of terrorists, who infiltrated from across the border, in the dense jungles of Kathua district in the Jammu region, officials here said. They said that the operation was launched following an intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists inside a 'dhok' a local term for an enclosure located within a nursery in Sanyal village, approximately five kilometres from the International Border with Pakistan. A police team from the Special Operations Group initiated a search operation after receiving the input and when the personnel entered the area, they came under heavy fire from the terrorists, leading to a gunfight, the officials said. Reinforcements were swiftly dispatched to aid in the operation, as a manhunt was launched to apprehend the terrorists, believed to have infiltrated on Saturday via either the ravine route or through a newly created tunnel. Despite the intense exchange of gunfire lasting nearly half an hour, there has been no report of any casualty, the officials said, adding that at present, the cordon is being strengthened with the help of the additional forces. One of the inputs also suggested that two groups of 5-6 terrorists each infiltrated on Saturday. According to the officials, some village women collecting firewood reported seeing around five terrorists who had sought refuge in the expansive nursery area. A seven-year-old girl sustained injuries and was shifted to a local hospital. However, the circumstances leading to her injury were not clear immediately. Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat is personally monitoring the operations near the encounter site, the officials said. Army's Rising Star Corps (IX Corps) said in a post on X that a joint operation involving police forces and Army troops is currently in progress in the Sanyal Hiranagar area based on the intelligence input regarding the terrorists' presence. District Development Councillor Karan Kumar also said heavy gunfire was heard in the region. Kathua has emerged as a major infiltrating route for Pakistan-based terrorists to reach the higher reaches of Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar districts and further to Kashmir over the past year, which is evident from a series of terror incidents. After carrying out deadly attacks in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch over the past four years, terror activities spread to six other districts in the Jammu region in 2024, leaving a total of 44 people, including 18 security personnel and 13 terrorists, dead. Though the Pir Panjal districts of Rajouri and Poonch witnessed a considerable drop in terror activities in 2024 compared to the previous years, the series of incidents in Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua, Udhampur and Jammu from April-May onwards last year came as a concern for the security agencies. To counter the threat and thwart the attempts of Pakistan-based terror handlers to spread terrorism to peaceful areas, the officials said, the security forces have started relentless operations. According to official data, Doda, Kathua and Reasi districts recorded nine killings each followed by Kishtwar (five), Udhampur (four), Jammu and Rajouri (three each) and Poonch (two) in 2024. Those killed included 18 security personnel and 13 terrorists. This year, Kathua was also rocked by protests after the mysterious death of five people in the remote Billawar tehsil. The bodies of 15-year-old Varun Singh, his paternal uncle Yogesh Singh (32) and maternal uncle Darshan Singh (40) were found in the Ishu nullah in the remote Malhar area in the higher reaches of Kathua on March 8. They had gone missing on March 5 while attending a wedding ceremony. On February 16, the bodies of Shamsher (37) and Roshan (45) were found in Kohag village in Billawar. The post-mortem examination revealed that they were strangulated. Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal addressed his first rally in the national capital since the assembly poll rout earlier this year. Addressing people during the AAP's 'Ek Shaam Shaheedon Ke Naam' event in Delhi, Kejriwal also lashed out at the BJP saying that the party removed pics of Bhagat Singh and Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar from the CM's cabin. Kejriwal also alleged that the free bus rides for women is being stopped in Delhi. "I saw a video in which the conductor was refusing to give a pink ticket to a woman saying that orders have come from above. It will be Modiji's greatness if he does not stop these facilities. Before the elections, Modi Ji had promised to give Rs 2,500/month and gas cylinders to women. But they kept waiting. Modi Ji, if you stop the old facilities also then it will be a betrayal to the people of Delhi," said Kejriwal. Kejriwal further said that the AAP considers Bhagat Singh and Baba Saheb Ambedkar as their ideals. "There are pictures of both of them in our house and in every office of the Delhi and Punjab governments. The first thing the new government in Delhi did was to remove the pictures of both....But they removed the pictures of Bhagat Singh and Baba Saheb and put up pictures of their leaders first...When we put up the pictures of these two, Congress protested that Gandhiji's picture was not put up. However, when the BJP removed the photos of these two, Congress did not say anything. There is a collusion between these two..." he said. The Aam Aadmi Party national convenor further said, "Whatever dreams the freedom fighters had in their minds, not even a single dream of theirs is being fulfilled today... The letters that Bhagat Singh had written from jail had a lot against the British, yet the British used to send them to his comrades. When I was in jail, I wrote a letter to LG that I was in jail, so Atishi should be allowed to hoist the flag. There was nothing wrong with this. I gave a letter to the jail superintendent, but the letter did not reach LG, and I got a show cause notice that how dare I write such a letter. Bhagat Singh had the freedom to write any letter, but I could not write a letter of two lines. You (BJP) are worse than the British..." Newly appointed AAP Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj said while the AAP's victory in the 2015 Delhi Assembly polls was met with celebrations across the city, the BJP's win did not evoke the same response. "Their MLAs are surprised by their victory," he said, accusing the BJP of using police, Election Commission and money power to win the polls. A prominent Muslim body in Bihar announced that it was turning down Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's invitation for 'Iftaar', in protest against his "support" for the Waqf Bill. The Imarat Shariah, which claims to have followers across Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, shared a copy of the letter in response to the invitation for the 'Iftaar' that is to be held at the chief minister's residence on Sunday. "A decision has been taken not to attend the government (sarkaari) Iftaar on March 23... this decision has been taken in view of your support for the Waqf Bill, which threatens to worsen the economic and educational backwardness of Muslims," the letter read. "You rose to power promising a secular rule in which minorities' rights will be protected. But your alliance with the BJP and your support for a legislation that is unconstitutional and illogical, militates against your stated commitments," the Imarat Shariah alleged. Describing the 'Iftaar' organised by the chief minister as "tokenism", it added, "Your government's indifference towards concerns of Muslims render meaningless such formal gatherings." There was no immediate response to the development from Kumar or his party JD(U), which has always banked on a slice of Muslim votes, cashing in on "secular" credentials of the leader. The party shares power with the BJP at the Centre as well as the state, where assembly polls are due later this year. India is extending all possible assistance to Amit Gupta, an Indian citizen from Gujarat's Vadodara, who has been wrongfully detained in Qatar for allegedly stealing data for which there is an ongoing investigation, news agency IANS reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Gupta, a senior employee of the IT firm Tech Mahindra, was detained by Qatari authorities on January 1, his mother Pushpa Gupta told the media in Vadodara. His father said he was detained by Qatar's state security. The Indian embassy in Qatar is aware of the detention of Gupta by Qatari authorities in relation to an ongoing investigation, the people said on condition of anonymity. Insisting that he is innocent, Guptas family asserted that he has been falsely accused of data theft. They are demanding his urgent release and have sought the intervention of the Prime Ministers Office. Without giving details related to the case or charges against the IT Engineer, a resident of Vadodara, people familiar with the matter said, "Our embassy continues to provide all possible assistance in the matter and is closely following the case". The people said the Embassy has been in touch with Gupta's family, the lawyer representing him, and Qatari authorities regularly. Gupta's mother said she had gone to Qatar and met the Indian ambassador there. She quoted the envoy as saying that there had been no "positive response" so far about Gupta's case. BJP MP Hemang Joshi told the media that Gupta had been working for Tech Mahindra in Qatar for the past 10 years. He was detained by Qatari security personnel and taken into custody, Joshi said. "His parents had gone to Qatar for a month and tried to meet him but they did not succeed," the BJP MP added. This is the second instance since 2022 involving the detention of an Indian in Qatar. Eight former Indian Navy personnel, including highly decorated officers, were detained in 2022 and subsequently sentenced to death in 2023. Their sentences were commuted by a Qatari court and they were freed on the orders of the Qatari Emir in February 2024. (With IANS Inputs) Kerala Lottery Results Sunday 23-03-2025 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "AKSHAYA AK-694" Lucky Draw Result today Akshaya AK-694, March 23, 2025. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2025 for "Akshaya AK-694" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Akshaya AK-693 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 70 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Akshaya AK-694 results today. Kerala Lottery Result 23-03-2025 March: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR AKSHAYA AK-694 Draw LUCKY NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKHS IS: AR 707158 LUCKY NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKHS IS: AX 405500 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: AN 439740 AO 120794 AP 237484 AR 248282 AS 601700 AT 273555 AU 489557 AV 204427 AW 269758 AX 506510 AY 124950 AZ 925507 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: AN 707158 AO 707158 AP 707158 AS 707158 AT 707158 AU 707158 AV 707158 AW 707158 AX 707158 AY 707158 AZ 707158 (For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below) LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0151 2116 2253 2516 2940 2942 3089 3341 3347 3422 3949 5321 7061 7674 7764 8755 8815 9103 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE: 0216 1022 1150 2604 3093 6346 9756 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0336 0538 0750 0822 0830 1031 1078 1238 1283 1712 1954 2430 2448 2671 3488 6772 7038 7658 8407 8661 8805 8850 9220 9311 9490 9881 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0125 0176 0335 0405 0412 1301 1365 1603 1662 1804 1869 2373 2534 2600 2617 2678 2733 2971 3012 3059 3261 3346 3379 3408 3485 3795 4232 4371 4381 4455 4546 4555 4703 4708 4719 4913 4927 5127 5245 5264 5449 5482 5618 5679 5718 5771 6023 6265 6558 6587 6889 7024 7194 7307 7375 7439 7443 7460 7850 8025 8099 8305 8390 8391 8560 8956 9130 9148 9173 9639 9731 9804 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: To Be Announced KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 23-03-2025 March TODAY: AKSHAYA AK-694 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS 1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakhs 2nd Prize: Rs. 5 lakhs 3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs. 5,000 5th Prize: Rs. 2,000 6th Prize: Rs. 1,000 7th Prize: Rs. 500 8th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 (NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.) Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Sunday demanded the resignation of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, claiming that the Janata Dal (United) chief's ability to govern has been compromised due to his physical exhaustion and mental unfitness. Recalling the BPSC protests, he claimed that Kumar's mental condition has deteriorated so much that he is unaware of what is happening in the state. "The first person to comment on Nitish Kumar's health was his ally, Sushil Kumar Modi... Since then, many Bihar Ministers have commented on his health. I never made a comment on it till January. But during the BPSC protests, I learned that Nitish Kumar's mental condition has deteriorated so much that he has no clue what's going on in the state," Kishor said during the press conference, ANI reported. Kishor called for Kumar's resignation, claiming that he is physically tired and mentally unfit. He added, "Nitish Kumar is physically tired and mentally unfit. If you want evidence for this, just ask him to name the Ministers in his Council. Nitish Kumar should resign." On Thursday, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav shared a video on microblogging site X of Nitish Kumar at an event in which he seemed to be gesturing and apparently talking at the time when the national anthem was being played. Yadav posted on X, "At least please do not insult the national anthem, Hon'ble Chief Minister. You insult youth, students, women and elderly people every day. Sometimes they clap on Mahatma Gandhi's martyrdom day and mock his martyrdom, and sometimes they clap on the national anthem!" The ongoing protest by Twipra Students' Federation (TSF) has blocked the Assam-Agartala National Highway, causing disruptions and delays for commuters, including schoolchildren and patients. In Tripura, students led by Tripura: TSF students' protest causes disruptions on Assam-Agartala National Highwaythe Twipra Students Union have started an indefinite strike. They are blocking main roads in Agartala and demanding the use of Roman script in the Kokborok language. The blockade has caused inconvenience to travellers including students and patients. Emergency medical services have been affected, ambulances are stuck on the highway. Parents are facing difficulties in taking their children to school. Karan Jamatia, President of Khumlung College Community TSF, questioned why the state government was playing with students' futures and not letting them write the Kokborok language exam in Roman script. "Why aren't we allowed to write and study in Roman script? We're also from Tripura, we have our own language and Roman script, so why can't we use it? I want to ask the state government why they're playing with students' futures," he said. Jamatia said that students faced difficulty in reading the Kokborok language exam in the board exam and said students struggle to read questions because they're not in Roman script. How will they score well? "Our demand is for the Roman script to be used. Many students in Tripura study in English medium schools, so they're used to Roman script from childhood. But in exams, Kokborok language questions are in Bengali script, which is a problem for those who don't know Bengali," he said. Soniya Debbarma a protesting student said that their demand is that the Kokborok language exam be conducted in Roman script instead of Bengali script. "Our demand is for the use of Roman script. In Tripura, many students study in English medium schools and have been learning English since childhood. However, the Kokborok language exam is conducted in Bengali script, which is a problem for those who don't know Bengali and have learned only in Roman script since childhood. They are facing a lot of difficulties, so our demand is that exam questions should be in Roman script," she said. Sahajan Majumdar, a truck driver stuck in the traffic jam said, "Since yesterday, we are stuck in this traffic jam. We have no food, and our situation has become very bad. There are no hotels nearby, and it has been two days. We have no way to cook food." Rakesh Laha, a resident, criticised the student's protest saying there are better ways to protest that don't cause trouble for others and hoped that the state government would resolve this issue soon. "This protest is completely unacceptable. I was taking my daughter to school, and we were delayed. Even after school, we faced the same issue. Patients are suffering as they cannot reach hospitals on time. The way a student wing of a party is protesting isn't right. They've blocked the Assam-Agartala road, which is a lifeline for our state, and ambulances are stuck. Many people are suffering across Tripura. There are better ways to protest that don't cause trouble for others. We hope the government will resolve this issue soon," he said. (ANI) Meerut Murder Case: Muskan Rastogi, accused of murdering her husband Saurabh Rajput with her boyfriend Sahil Shukla in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut, has urged for a government defense counsel, a police official said on Sunday. She also stated that her family will not fight for her as they are "upset" with her. The case pertains to the killing of a Meerut man Saurabh Rajput. According to the autopsy report, his head was severed from the body, both hands were cut off from the wrist and his legs were bent backwards, suggesting an attempt to fit the body in a drum. The cause of death has been attributed to shock and excessive bleeding. Speaking to news agency ANI on the two accused in the murder case, Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla, Senior Jail Superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma said that they demanded to be lodged together or in nearby barracks, but they were told that as per the rules, there is no contact between barracks for men and women. Sharma also revealed that their medical examination had suggested that they were drug addicts and there were withdrawals. "They arrived 3 days ago and they said that they be lodged together or in nearby barracks. They were told that as per the system in jail, there is no contact between barracks for men and barracks for women; and that they both are separate barracks. So, they were lodged separately...During their medical examination, it was found that they were drug addicts...There were withdrawal symptoms, the official said. They are being given medicines for withdrawal symptoms. They are being treated through de-addiction centres and counselling is being given to them; they are also being sent for Yoga and meditation. We are trying to ensure that common inmates stay away from them and not ask about their case again and again. Yesterday, Muskan wanted to meet me, I called her. She said that her family is upset and won't fight her case. So, she be provided with a government Defense Counsel. We are sending a plea to the court because it is the right of the inmate," he further stated. #WATCH | Saurabh Rajput murder case | On accused Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla, Senior Jail Superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma says, "They arrived 3 days ago and they said that they be lodged together or nearby barracks. They were told that as per the system in jail, there is no pic.twitter.com/5vKpgzXEe0 ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2025 Rajput was allegedly drugged and then stabbed to death by his wife and her lover on March 4, his body dismembered and sealed inside a drum with cement. The duo then went on a vacation to Himachal Pradesh, all the while misleading Rajput's family by sending them messages from his phone. The matter was reported to police on March 18, following which Muskan and Sahil were arrested. (With agencies Inputs) Sushant Singh Rajput Suicide Case: After the CBI submitted its closure report on the alleged suicide case of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, a war of words erupted with the MVA allies in Maharashtra Congress and the Shiv Sena attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Attacking the BJP, the Maharashtra Congress said that the probe agencys closure report shows that the saffron partys dirty politics of eating butter from the scalp of the dead has backfired. On the other hand, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut accused the BJP of exploiting the case for political gains and labelled the party as "hypocrites" for making false accusations. Lashing out at the BJP, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant took to social media platform X and said, The BJP misused the actors death to defame the then Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of Congress and undivided NCP and Shiv Sena, and to achieve success in the Bihar elections. Not only this, a zero FIR was registered in Bihar in violation of the CrPC and the case was transferred to the CBI. This also violated the law, said the Congress leader in the post. The CBI has submitted its findings before a special court in Mumbai which will now decide whether to accept the report or order further probe by the agency, the officials said. Three investigation agencies were set up. The world-class Mumbai police were defamed. Lakhs of fake accounts were created overnight on social media and many stories were made up to create a picture of Sushant being murdered and the Maha Vikas Aghadi government suppressing it, he said. Reacting to the cases of Sushant Singh Rajput and his former manager Disha Salian, Sanjay Raut said, "The BJP never misses a chance to defame its opponents. They are hypocrites. The investigations in both cases (Shushant Singh Rajput and Disha Salian case) have repeatedly concluded suicide as the cause of death, yet they continue to push for new petitions." He further attacked the BJP, saying, "If we start digging into BJP's affairs, their truth will be exposed. But such things should not be used as political vendettas to ruin someone's family and life." BJP Hits Back Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Narayan Rane on Saturday claimed that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had instructed his secretary, Milind Narvekar, to call him twice and request that his son, Aaditya Thackeray, not be named in the Disha Salian case. Dismissing the allegation, Raut said, "No such call was made by anyone. There is a limit to lying. Narvekar did not call anyone." The BJP has been attacking Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray in connection with the Disha Salian case after her father said he would move the Bombay High Court seeking a CBI probe into his daughter's death. CBI Probe And Closure Report The central probe agency had taken over the probe from the Bihar police which had registered an abetment of suicide case on a complaint filed in Patna by the actors father K K Singh. In its conclusive medico-legal opinion to the CBI, forensic specialists at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) had dismissed the claims of "poisoning and strangling" made in the case. Bombay HC To Hear Disha Salian Case The Bombay High Court's upcoming hearing on Satish Salian's plea could be a crucial turning point in the case. The court is expected to review concerns surrounding the circumstances leading to Disha Salian's death. Disha Salian, the former manager of Sushant Singh Rajput, allegedly died by suicide on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a high-rise building in Mumbai. The Mumbai Police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) at the time. Six days later, on June 14, Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra residence. While the CBI took over the investigation into his death, the Maharashtra government in 2023 formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe Disha Salian's case. (With agencies Inputs) UP Crime: In a shocking incident in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district, BJP leader Yogesh Rohilla allegedly shot his wife and three children in the Gangoh police station area, officials said. The attack resulted in the death of his son and 11-year-old daughter, while his wife and another child remain in critical condition. According to police reports, the accused, who holds the position of BJP executive member, was apprehended at the scene. The pistol used in the crime has also been recovered. Senior police officials, including Saharanpur SSP Rohit Sajwan, rushed to the spot upon receiving information about the crime. SSP Sajwan revealed that the accused suspected his wife of infidelity, which allegedly led to the violent act. "Yogesh Rohilla shot his wife and three children due to suspicions regarding his wife's character. Two children died on the spot, while the wife and the third child have been admitted to Saharanpur district hospital in critical condition," he said. It has been said that Yogesh Rohilla was under immense mental tension for the last few days though he did not share his condition with his neighbours or anyone in his area. The gruesome incident took place in Sangatheda village, creating a wave of shock and panic among the residents. Police officials, accompanied by a forensic team, have launched an extensive investigation into the case. It is reported that after committing the crime, Rohilla himself informed the police who arrived at the scene and took the accused into custody. Local authorities are conducting a detailed inquiry to uncover further details and ascertain the exact sequence of events. The police are also questioning the accused to gather more information and understand the motive behind the act. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community. The tragic death of two children has sparked widespread concern. The Israel Defence Forces launched a ground operation in Gaza's Beit Hanoun town on Sunday morning, while Hamas confirmed the death of its politburo member in the airstrike, Israeli news agency, Tazpit Press Service (TPS) reported on Sunday. As per the report, during the operation, fighter jets struck several Hamas targets and terror infrastructure sites in the area. Meanwhile, the IDF also warned residents of Rafah's Tel-Sultan neighbourhood to evacuate their homes on Sunday. "The IDF has launched an attack to strike at terrorist organizations. The area you are in is considered a dangerous combat zone," Col Avichay Adraee, the IDF's Arabic language spokesperson posted. "Gush Katif Street is considered a humanitarian route for your use in order to move to the Mawasi area." Hamas confirmed a member of its politburo, Salah al-Bardawil, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Yunis, the report added. In another update, CNN reported that Israel's military carried out multiple waves of airstrikes across Lebanon targeting suspected Hezbollah sites on Saturday. Citing the Lebanese Health Ministry, the report said that at least seven people have been killed, including a child, and 40 others injured in Saturday's strikes. The day's barrages marked the most significant eruption of violence between Israel and Hezbollah since the ceasefire, which brought about an uneasy calm to the border. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that its latest strikes targeted "Hezbollah command centers, infrastructure sites, terrorists, rocket launchers, and a weapons storage facility." It said it was responding to at least five projectiles fired from within Lebanon toward Israel; three were intercepted by the Israeli air force and two did not cross the border. Meanwhile, another Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in a southern Lebanese town, Al Jazeera reported citing state media. "An Israeli drone carried out an air strike this morning, launching a guided missile targeting a car in the town of Aita al-Shaab," near the border with Israel, Lebanon's official National News Agency said as quoted by Al Jazeera. Las Cruces: Three people were killed and 15 were injured during a shooting at a park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Friday night (local time), CNN reported, citing local police. Two 19-year-olds and one 16-year-old were killed in the shooting, which occurred around 10 pm (local time), according to a Facebook post from Las Cruces Police. The victims' identities remain unknown. The people injured range in age from 16 to 36 years old, according to police. No one has been arrested yet in connection with the shooting, but police are "actively following multiple leads," read the post. An altercation between two groups at an "unsanctioned car show" in Young Park escalated to gunfire, Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story said at a Saturday news conference. He added that police have collected handgun-caliber casings from the scene. Story updated the number of people injured to 15, from an original count of 14 in the Facebook post. Seven of the people injured have been sent from local hospitals to El Paso for further treatment, Las Cruces Fire Chief Michael Daniels said at the news conference. Four patients have been treated and released. The status of the other four patients is unknown, he said. "This is a sad day for our community," Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez said at the news conference. "I want to ask the community to gather together, to stand strong and united as we try to heal and face this tragic event that took place in our city," he said. In a Saturday Instagram post, Las Cruces City Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo described the shooting as "a heinous act of violence that will leave our city mourning." "My heart is broken for the victims and families impacted," she wrote. Las Cruces is located on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, around 41 miles north of the US-Mexico border. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on Sunday, remembering their supreme sacrifice for India's freedom. PM Modi took to social media platform X and said their "fearless pursuit of freedom and justice" continues to inspire everyone. "Today, our nation remembers the supreme sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Their fearless pursuit of freedom and justice continues to inspire us all," the Prime Minister wrote, reflecting on their significant contributions to India's independence movement. Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also paid tributes to the three martyrs on, remembering their contributions to India's fight for freedom. "On the martyrdom day of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, I pay my humble tribute to them," he posted on X. He further emphasized the significance of their sacrifices, saying, "Their fearless struggle and supreme sacrifice against injustice and oppression is an example for every Indian." Highlighting the broader impact of Bhagat Singh's revolutionary spirit, Gandhi noted that Bhagat Singh's fight was not only against British colonial rule, but also against casteism and social discrimination. "Bhagat Singh's fight was not just against the British rule but also against casteism and social discrimination. His thoughts on equality and brotherhood will continue to inspire us always," he added. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to X to honour the memory of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, who made the supreme sacrifice for India's independence. Shah shared a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on their contributions to the freedom movement and the values they instilled in the youth of the nation. "I pay my humble tribute to Martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on 'Martyr's Day' by remembering them who made the supreme sacrifice for Mother India," Shah wrote on social media. Shah praised the revolutionary leaders for their unwavering commitment to patriotism, saying, "These great revolutionaries proved through their lives that there is no greater duty than patriotism." He further emphasized their role in inspiring a nation-wide freedom movement, stating, "The sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, who instilled patriotism in the youth with their valor and dynamic thoughts and ignited the nationwide freedom movement, will continue to inspire the countrymen for ages to believe that 'national interest is paramount.'" Earlier, Congress President and Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition Malik Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to the martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on Martyrs' Day. Kharge shared a powerful quote, reflecting the spirit of the revolutionaries, "Main zulmat-e-shab mein le ke nikloonga apne dar-manda caravan ko... sharar-fishaan hogi aah meri, nafas mera shola-baar hoga" (I will emerge from the darkness of the night, carrying my caravan of helplessness... My breath will be a spark, my soul will burn like a flame.) "The revolutionary spirit and thoughts of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev will remain immortal. We pay humble tribute to these immortal martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the motherland," he added. (ANI) The shocking incident where the bodies of a boy and girl were found hanging from a tree in Deer Park, Southwest district, has raised concerns among residents of the area, with some of them questioning the police's suicide theory. Ashok Kumar, a local resident, expressed alarm over the incident and called for strict punishment so that such incidents are not repeated. "Someone said that an incident has happened, so I came here and saw this. If someone has done this to them they should be punished, so that this type of incident does not happen again. This is condemnable and scary, we people also come to this park, we are of age but sometimes people come in here and do things, so we are scared," Ashok told ANI, a regular visitor of the park. Krishna Dutt, another regular visitor to the park, raised doubts about the police's suicide theory, asserting that it seemed unlikely for the two young individuals to have taken their own lives from the tree branch. Krishna Dutt, another visitor, however, has claimed that it is not possible to die by suicide from the tree the two people were found on, "We asked the police, they said that it looks like a suicide, there was a rope kept there. The way they are saying, it doesn't seem possible--suicide by hanging from this, one can see the shape of the tree." Two 17-year-olds, a boy and a girl were found hanging on a tree branch in the Hauz Khas area under the SJ Enclave Police Station on Sunday, Delhi police officials said. A 35-year-old security guard working in the area called the police around 6:30 AM regarding the hanging of a boy and girl. "At 06:31 AM, a PCR call was made by Baljit Singh, R/o Hauz Khas Village, Delhi, age 35 years, working as a security guard in district park, Deer Park, Hauz Khas, Delhi, regarding a boy and a girl hanging on the branch of a tree," read a statement from Delhi Police. The police team, reaching the spot immediately found the two hanging. The police suspected death by suicide, however, further proceedings are underway. "On receipt of the call, police staff immediately reached the spot and found that a boy age about 17 years, wearing a black T-shirt, and blue jeans and a girl is about 17 years, wearing a green dress hanged themselves with the common nylon rope on a branch of a tree," read the statement. The crime team was called for an inspection and the bodies of the two have been shifted to the mortuary, police said. (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid his respects and presented floral tribute to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on the occasion of Shaheed Diwas on Sunday. Visuals show Chief Minister standing with folded hands before the portraits of the freedom fighters, paying his respects. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were prominent Indian freedom fighters who played a crucial role in the struggle against British rule. Bhagat Singh, a revolutionary and one of the most influential freedom fighters is known for his bold acts of defiance, including the bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi in 1929 to protest against oppressive British policies, Bhagat Singh was arrested and later executed by the British. His bravery and ideology continue to inspire generations. Rajguru, a freedom fighter and close associate of Bhagat Singh, was known for his involvement in the assassination of JP Saunders, a British officer responsible for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. He was executed alongside Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev, becoming a symbol of patriotism and sacrifice. Sukhdev was a prominent revolutionary, deeply involved in the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and worked alongside Bhagat Singh and Rajguru in the fight for Independence. He was arrested and executed along with his comrades, leaving behind a legacy of courage and unwavering dedication to India's freedom. Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, describing him as a visionary leader, fierce freedom fighter, and an icon of social justice. In a post on X, PM Modi highlighted Lohia's dedication to empowering the underprivileged and contributing to the building of a strong India. "Remembering Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. A visionary leader, fierce freedom fighter and an icon of social justice, he dedicated his life to empowering the underprivileged and building a strong India," PM Modi said on X. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also honoured Lohia on his birth anniversary, calling him one of the "great personalities" in the political and social history of India. BJP National General Secretary JP Nadda paid heartfelt tribute to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, saying that his work towards the upliftment of exploited, deprived class and social justice will always inspire all of us. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Kiren Rijiju too paid respects to Lohia on his birth anniversary, recognising him as a great freedom fighter. Further, Chief Ministers Vishnu Deo Sai, CM Yogi Adityanath, and Himanta Biswa Sarma also paid tribute to Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. (ANI) The deceased (21) was a final year student of engineering and a resident of Muzaffarpur district. According to the police, she hanged herself from a fan in her girls' hostel room on Saturday. As soon as the college administration came to know about the incident, they informed the district administration after which a team of police and doctors went to the spot. The body of the deceased has been taken to the mortuary for further medical procedures. After the incident, students of the college staged a protest in the premises of the college, demanding a fair investigation in the case. Speaking to ANI, Senior Superintendent of Police of Sheohar, Shailesh Kumar Sinha, stated that they received information about the incident on Saturday at around 8 pm. A team of police and doctors had immediately reached to the spot after receiving the information, the official stated. "We received information at around 8 pm that a student had died. The police and a team of doctors reached here, and it seemed to be a suicide prima facie. We will also speak to family members, and further investigation will be carried out," Sinha told ANI. Soon after receiving the information about the incident, the family of the victim arrived at the college late at night on Saturday. The father of the deceased, Tarakeshwar Prasad Shahi, has demanded a fair investigation into the case. An investigation is underway into the matter. Further details awaited. (ANI) Rahul Gandhi shared a message on X, stating, "On the martyrdom day of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, I pay my humble tribute to them." Gandhi emphasised the significance of their sacrifices and wrote, "Their fearless struggle and supreme sacrifice against injustice and oppression is an example for every Indian." Highlighting the broader impact of Bhagat Singh's revolutionary spirit, Gandhi noted that Bhagat Singh's fight was not only against the British colonial rule, but also against casteism and social discrimination. "Bhagat Singh's fight was not just against the British rule but also against casteism and social discrimination. His thoughts on equality and brotherhood will continue to inspire us always," Gandhi wrote. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi too paid tribute to the freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on Sunday, remembering their supreme sacrifice for India's freedom. PM Modi took to social media platform X and said that their "fearless pursuit of freedom and justice" continues to inspire everyone. "Today, our nation remembers the supreme sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Their fearless pursuit of freedom and justice continues to inspire us all," the Prime Minister wrote, reflecting on their significant contributions to India's Independence movement. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to X to honour the memory of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Shah shared a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on their contributions to the freedom movement and the values they instilled in the youth of the nation. "I pay my humble tribute to Martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on 'Martyr's Day' by remembering them who made the supreme sacrifice for Mother India," Shah wrote on social media. In India, January 30 is recognised as Martyrs' Day, marking the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. Shah praised the revolutionary leaders for their unwavering commitment to patriotism, saying, "These great revolutionaries proved through their lives that there is no greater duty than patriotism." (ANI) The Erasmus Student Network (ESN), Europe's largest student network, organized a Cultural Dinner event in Brussels, bringing together international students to celebrate global cultures and national cuisines. According to Azernews, the event aimed to promote cultural exchange by introducing students to diverse traditions, customs, and gastronomy from around the world. The Azerbaijani-Belgian Student Association IRS, supported by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Belgium, actively participated in the event, showcasing Azerbaijans rich culinary heritage. Guests were treated to Azerbaijani national dishes, while organizers provided insights into Azerbaijans cultural traditions, including Novruz, one of the countrys most cherished holidays. The customs and rituals of Novruz, such as the preparation of traditional sweets and symbolic elements like the Samani (sprouted wheat), were explained to attendees. Adding to the events vibrancy, Azerbaijani national dances were performed during the artistic segment, captivating the audience with their colorful costumes and energetic choreography. The performances, along with enthusiastic presentations, were warmly received by international participants, further enhancing Azerbaijans cultural visibility in Europe. After the Director of a private hospital was shot dead inside her cabin a day ago, the father of the deceased demanded a high-level inquiry into the case, alleging a conspiracy in her death. Speaking to ANI, Rajesh Sinha, father of the slain Asia Hospital director, said, "I saw her only in the ICU. I do not know what has happened. I don't know if she has been shot. I came to know only later that she was shot. She had no dispute with anyone...I demand that the matter be investigated. There should be a high-level inquiry. There should be a CBI inquiry. There seems to be a conspiracy..." Director of the private Asia Hospital, Surbhi Raj was shot dead, informed SDPO Patna City, Atulesh Jha on Saturday. The victim was diagnosed with several gunshot injuries, after which she was referred to AIIMS, where she succumbed to her injuries. The police received information about the incident at around 3.30 pm on Saturday when some staff went to her room and found her in an unconscious state. An investigation has been initiated into the matter. "At 3:30 in the evening, we got information that Surbhi Raj, the director of Asia Hospital, had been shot. When the police team reached there, they were told that when some staff went to the director's room, they found her unconscious and covered in blood. She was shifted to the ICU, where she was diagnosed with multiple gunshot injuries, and from there, she was referred to AIIMS. Right now, the news of her death has come. The police team is collecting evidence from all angles. Investigation is underway", Atulesh Jha said to ANI on Saturday. Further details are awaited. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday paid tribute to political leader and activist Ram Manohar Lohia on the occasion of his birth anniversary, calling him one of the great personalities in political and social history of India. In a social media post on X, Shah wrote, "Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia ji was one of those great personalities in the political and social history of India, who remained dedicated to his principles and values of patriotism throughout his life. Lohia ji's thoughts based on women's education, social equality and political purity are inspiring for everyone. I pay my homage to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia ji on his birth anniversary." https://x.com/AmitShah/status/1903636446785020241 Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, describing him as a visionary leader, fierce freedom fighter, and an icon of social justice. In a post on X, PM Modi highlighted Lohia's dedication to empowering the underprivileged and contributing to the building of a strong India. "Remembering Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary. A visionary leader, fierce freedom fighter and an icon of social justice, he dedicated his life to empowering the underprivileged and building a strong India," PM Modi said on X. Tributes poured in from Union Health Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda and Union Minster of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju. In a social media post on X, Nadda hailed Lohia for the contributions he had made for the upliftment of the exploited and deprived classes. "I pay my heartfelt tributes to the great freedom fighter, founder of Sapt Kranti, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia ji on his birth anniversary. Along with setting high standards of purity and transparency in Indian politics, revered Lohia ji has paved the way for nation-building through his nationalist thinking and work of social empowerment. The work done by him towards the upliftment of the exploited and deprived class and social justice will always inspire all of us," Nadda posted on X. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that his works for the welfare of Amit Shah pays tribute to Ram Manohar Lohia, calls him "one of the great personalities" the poor will always be remembered. Taking to a social media post on X, Rijiju wrote, "Tribute to the great freedom fighter, dedicated to social justice, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia ji on his birth anniversary. Your struggle and your work for the rights of the poor and the deprived will always be remembered." Ram Manohar Lohia was an activist in the Independence movement and a socialist political leader. He was a member of the Praja Socialist Party and the Samyukta Socialist Party. In 1962, Lohia contested against former PM Jawaharlal Nehru from Phulpur, but he lost the election. In 1963, he won the bye-election and became from MP from Farukkhabad. Later in 1967, he won the election from the Kannauj constituency. (ANI) Supreme Court Judge Justice BR Gavai inaugurated the Secretariat of Chief Justice of High Court of Manipur and other Court buildings and projects. At the event, the delegation of the judges met and interacted with the officials present. On Saturday, a five-member Supreme Court Judges' delegation, led by Justice BR Gavai, arrived in Imphal, Manipur. The delegation comprising Justices BR Gavai, Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, MM Sundresh, KV Viswanathan and N Kotishwar arrived in Manipur. The delegation of Supreme Court Judges also visited a relief camp in Churachandpur, Manipur. Justice BR Gavai, the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), on Saturday inaugurated legal services camps and medical camps across all districts of Manipur, as well as new legal aid clinics in Imphal East, Imphal West and Ukhrul districts. After the inauguration, Justice Gavai said that the delegation was here for this event and would transform the legal aid for the benefit. "For the principle of justice and also access to the health care is important. I along with the team assure you that we stand with you. It's our responsibility to work together for the society. The whole nation will come together so that this problem will be sorted," he said. President's Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 under Article 356 of the Constitution, five days after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned from his post. The violence in Manipur between the Hindu Meiteis and the tribal Kuki, who are Christians, erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, 2023. Violence had gripped the entire State and the Central government had to deploy paramilitary forces to bring the situation under control. (ANI) After the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), reportedly, filed a closure report on actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case, former Bihar DGP Gupteshwar Pandey criticized the Mumbai Police's handling of the case, stating that their actions led to 'suspicions' among the public. He, however, refrained from commenting on the CBI's closure report, saying it's a "professional agency". Speaking on the initial investigation into the actor's death, Pandey alleged that the Mumbai Police "did not cooperate" with the Bihar Police team sent to investigate the case. He claimed that an IPS officer he sent for better coordination was quarantined, and the Bihar Police team was turned away after just five days. The then Bihar DGP also clarified that he "never claimed" that the actor was murdered, but only that his death was "suspicious" and wanted a thorough investigation. Speaking to ANI, Pandey stated, "When news of Sushant Singh Rajput's death came, the matter died down within 20 days. After 20 days, his father lodged a case in Patna for the investigation of which a team was sent. But Maharashtra Police did not cooperate. I sent an IPS officer for better coordination. But quarantined him...I don't need to be biased against anyone but during that time, the kind of conduct that was displayed by Mumbai Police caused suspicions in the minds of people in the country." "CBI took over the case and after years...I don't want to say anything. CBI investigated this case, I did not get the chance to investigate. My team was turned away after 5 days and another officer was quarantined for 10 days. So, Bihar Police team did not even get the chance to investigate," he added. Pandey expressed concerns that the CBI might not have uncovered all the evidence or that some evidence might have been 'destroyed'. "There could still be a suspicion that CBI did not get all evidence or maybe some evidence was even destroyed. But I never said that Sushant Singh Rajput was murdered...I just said that it was a suspicious death and it could be investigated properly. Had Mumbai Police handled the case well and held a press conference and answered all questions, Mumbai Police would not have been defamed...I don't want to say anything on CBI's closure report because it is a professional agency. What else can it do if it can't find evidence?" he said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a closure report on the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput in 2020, sources said on Saturday. According to sources, the closure has been filed in a Mumbai Court nearly five years after Sushant Singh's death. Sushant, 34, was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020, which created a huge controversy, with the investigation later being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation. His postmortem report stated the cause of death was asphyxia. The postmortem was conducted at Mumbai's Cooper Hospital. The actor's death sparked a nationwide outcry, with many demanding 'justice' for the late actor. The case was initially investigated by the Mumbai Police before being handed over to the CBI. (ANI) Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has called for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to resign stating that the Janata Dal (United) chief's ability to govern has been compromised due to both physical exhaustion and mental unfitness. Addresing a press conference on Sunday here, Kishor said, "The first person to comment on Nitish Kumar's health was his ally, Sushil Kumar Modi... Since then, many Bihar Ministers have commented on his health. I never made a comment on it till January. But during the BPSC protests, I learned that Nitish Kumar's mental condition has deteriorated so much that he has no clue what's going on in the state." He added, "Nitish Kumar is physically tired and mentally unfit. If you want evidence for this, just ask him to name the Ministers in his Council. Nitish Kumar should resign." Kishor emphasized the severity of Kumar's mental state and suggested that he should step down from his position as Chief Minister. Kishor also said, "The BJP deserves equal blame because it's not possible that the Prime Minister or Home Minister are not aware that Nitish Kumar is mentally unfit." Meanwhile, a poster targeting the Janata Dal-United supremo appeared outside the residence of former Chief Minister Rabri Devi in Patna. The poster read, "The non-serious Chief Minister, Jan Jan Man Adhinayan Jay Hai, Nahi Kursi Kursi Kursi Kursi Jay Hai." Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday shared a video on social media platform X of Nitish Kumar at an event in which he seen to be gesturing and apparently talking while the national anthem was being played. Yadav posted on X, "At least please do not insult the national anthem, Hon'ble Chief Minister. You insult youth, students, women and elderly people every day. Sometimes they clap on Mahatma Gandhi's martyrdom day and mock his martyrdom, and sometimes they clap on the national anthem!" He alleged that the Bihar CM was "not mentally or physically stable" and called his condition a matter of great concern for the State. "PS: Let me remind you that you are the Chief Minister of a big state. You are not mentally and physically stable even for a few seconds and your being in this position in such an unconscious state is a matter of great concern for the state. Do not insult Bihar like this again and again," he added in a post on X. (ANI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu virtually addressed the three-day brainstorming exercise 'Samriddh Himachal 2045' being organised at the Dr Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA). CM Sukhu said that the event was aimed at drafting a 20-year roadmap for the sustainable economic development of Himachal Pradesh through expert seminars and discussions. He said that the government has been working with a clear vision to make Himachal a green energy, self-reliant and prosperous state. He stressed that achieving these long-term goals requires a balanced approach to sustainable development and economic growth and this exercise would help formulate innovative strategies for the future. CM Sukhu said the state government was committed to the holistic development of the state and the budget for the financial year 2025-26 had been prepared with a special focus on strengthening the rural economy, developing the energy sector, promoting tourism and improving infrastructure in education and healthcare sectors. He said that the state government intends to tap hydro potential and also taken up the issue of securing higher royalty in the power projects. He said that the state is a pioneer in natural farming and promoting it further besides dairy development. He added that various initiatives have been taken in all these sectors to strengthen the same and added that Vyavastha Parivartan means heading towards becoming a self-sustained and self-reliant Himachal. Sam Pitroda also joined the session from the USA and gave valuable inputs about achieving the holistic development of the state and shared his perspective on the subject. He lauded the effort of the state government for the initiative and added that he was keen to share his knowledge with the state government for the development of Himachal Pradesh. Chief Secretary, Prabodh Saxena detailed the initiatives of the state government during the last two years. Subject experts, secretaries of various departments, and officers of state government were present in the occasion. (ANI) The Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday summoned the Jama Masjid Sadar chief and the Shahi Mosque Committee chief, Zafar Ali for questioning regarding the violence which broke out in the area a few months ago, Sambhal police officials said. Sambhal's Assistant Superintendent of Police Shrish Chandra mentioned the summons according to sources. The Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) had filed a chargesheet 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 had resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to several others, including officials and locals. According to the charge sheet, there were 159 total accused in the case. It also mentioned that the weapons recovered from the site of violence and other places were manufactured in the United Kingdom, USA, Germany, and Czechoslovakia. Since November of last year, no other incident of violence has been reported in the area, and police also maintained tight security amid the Holi celebrations by carrying out the flag marches. Officials and locals alike celebrated Holi peacefully, along with the Friday namaz for the Muslim community. The Jama Masjid was also covered with a tarpaulin sheet to ensure that no colours or vandalism happen to the mosque. Circle Officer Anuj Chowdhary had led a flag march along with other police personnel to ensure the law and order situation in the district before Holi. Other than police, paramilitary forces also conducted a flag march in Sambhal, whereas the administration is using drones for proper monitoring of the situation in the district. The act of whitewashing the Jama masjid, a regular affair was also done after a court order. Talking about the whitewashing on March 16, Zafar Ali stated that they will try to complete the whitewashing task as per the court orders. The Jama Masjid Sadar Chief stated that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has undertaken the work and appointed all labour. Ali, while speaking to ANI said, "The whitewashing work has begun. Around 9-10 people are working. More people may be put to work if needed. We will try to complete the task as per the court orders. There are 9-10 people assigned by the ASI. Another 10-20 people may be called. The task has been undertaken by the ASI; all the labour has been appointed by them. The work will continue till 5 pm today." (ANI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday highlighted the significance of the 3-day Mega Sabji Expo-2025, which commenced in Karnal, stating that such events offer farmers a platform to explore new agricultural technologies and enhance their income throughout the crop cycle. Speaking at the expo, CM Saini said, "This 3-day Mega Sabji Expo-2025 has been organised here in Karnal. Such fairs provide an opportunity for farmers to learn about new technologies. They benefit from increasing their income in the crop cycle." He further announced the state government's decision to establish three new centres of excellence in Haryana to bolster agricultural development. "We have also decided to open three new centres of excellence in Haryana. We are making efforts in this regard, and our farmers are also getting involved in it continuously," the Chief Minister added. Earlier on Saturday, the Chief Minister launched the state-of-the-art artificial intelligence-powered chatbot 'Sarathi' for the Chief Secretary's office website (http://csharyana.gov.in). A release said this chatbot aims to revolutionize citizen engagement by providing easy access to important government directives, notifications, and circulars published over the years. During the meeting, officers informed the Chief Minister about the chatbot's capabilities. It can process and retrieve information from a vast database of over 17,820 official documents, covering 73,622 scanned PDF pages. Key documents in its knowledge base include directives, agendas, circulars, acts, policies, notifications, and government orders. The Chatbot was developed by HARTRON (Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation Limited), This chatbot is exclusively based on the information contained in the official documents of the website. By providing answers based only on these verified sources, it ensures a high level of accuracy and reliability. It also offers direct links to the relevant documents, ensuring complete transparency and allowing users to verify the original sources themselves, as stated in the release. (ANI) The Assam Rifles, one of the oldest paramilitary forces in India, commemorated its Veterans Day on 23rd March, paying tribute to the courageous men and women who have served the Force with dedication and honour, said a press statement from Assam Rifles on Sunday. The event was held at the Assam Rifles headquarters in Shillong, where senior officials, veterans, and Veer Naris gathered to celebrate the force's legacy and contributions. Veterans Day is a momentous occasion to honour the Assam Rifles veterans who have sacrificed their time, energy and often their lives in service to the nation. The event was marked by a series of events, including a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial, followed by speeches from senior officers highlighting the achievements of the Force and its veterans. Assam Rifles has 97,264 Ex-servicemen countrywide and 587 Veer Naris. These come under the umbrella of ARESA, which is located in all the states. At present, we have 35 ARESA Centres all over India and 3 Pension-Paying Offices (PPO) in Nepal to oversee the welfare of Assam rifles Ex-servicemen. A mega Assam Rifles Ex-Servicemen Rally for Ex-Servicemen of Shillong, Meghalaya, was also conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Directorate General Assam Rifles at Shillong, Meghalaya, on 23rd March 25. The rally elicited participation by more than 118 Ex-Servicemen from all the districts of the State, including Gallantry Awardees, Veer Naris, Widows, and their dependents. It entailed the establishment of Medical camps, an ECHS helpdesk, Banking facilities, and a Grievance redressal cell. The Rally was organised under the theme "Serving Those Who Served Us" to connect with veterans, strengthen bonds with them, and acknowledge their contribution to the country during their prime. Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, DG Assam Rifles, was the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion, the Director General of Assam Rifles lauded the contribution of the veterans and serving soldiers of Meghalaya, who have contributed immensely to ensuring the security and prosperity of the North East and the country. Veer naris, Assam Rifles Ex-servicemen, and Widows were also felicitated on the occasion. Assam Rifles Ex-servicemen Soldiers Association Centres across the country will interact with Ex-Servicemen and distribute sweets. Veterans Day at Assam Rifles serves as a reminder of the organization's rich legacy and reinforces the sense of camaraderie that binds its serving and retired personnel, fostering unity and pride within the Assam Rifles family. (ANI) The Meerut murder case has taken a chilling turn with the postmortem report of Saurabh Rajput, a Merchant Navy officer, revealing gruesome details. According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Meerut, Antriksh Jain, Rajput's body was found with multiple stab wounds, including three on the left side, and cut marks on the neck and wrist. The most disturbing aspect is that both the wrist and neck were severed from the body. "In the postmortem report, the reason was stated as haemorrhage shock and that the left side was stabbed three times with a knife, there were cut marks on the neck and wrist and both the wrist and the neck were separated from the body...," said Jain. The police investigation is ongoing, with all evidence collected and statements recorded from around 10 to 12 people directly linked to the case. The accused, reportedly Rajput's wife Muskan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla, allegedly stabbed Rajput multiple times in the chest before dismembering his body and hiding it in cement-filled drums. "The investigation is going on. We have collected all evidence. We have recorded the statements of all the people connected to this case, from where the girl bought the drum, the medical shop from where she bought the medicine... Statements of around 10 to 12 people have been recorded who have a direct link to this," said ASP Meerut. The police are now waiting for evidence from Himachal Pradesh to reconstruct the crime scene and take remand of the accused. As the investigation progresses, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding Saurabh Rajput's tragic death. "As soon as our team brings evidence from Himachal Pradesh, we will also get the scene reconstructed and take remand of the accused," said Jain. In a recent development, Senior Jail Superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma said that the accused, Muskan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla, who allegedly killed Saurabh Rajput and sealed his body parts in a drum filled with cement, are facing a drug withdrawal system and are being treated through de-addiction centres and counselling in jail. Muskan and Sahil allegedly killed her husband Saurabh Rajput, dismembered his body, and sealed the body parts in a drum filled with cement in Uttar Pradesh's Indiranagar. It was found in the investigation that both of the accused were drug addicts."It was found that they were drug addicts...There were withdrawal symptoms, they couldn't have been accused of drugs in jail. They are being given medicines for withdrawal symptoms. They are being treated through de-addiction centres and counselling is being given to them; they are also being sent for Yoga and meditation," Senior Jail Superintendent Viresh Raj Sharma told ANI. Jail Superintendent Sharma said that both were lodged in separate barracks and there was no contact between them inside the jail. (ANI) Odisha's Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Amar Patnaik on Sunday urged the central government to engage in extensive discussions with all parties before making any decisions on delimitation after attending the Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on delimitation called by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. Patnaik's concerns stem from the potential impact of population-based delimitation on Odisha, which could lead to a loss of both Assembly and Parliamentary seats. The BJD delegation returned to Odisha. Speaking on the issue, Patnaik said, "If population is the only criterion, Odisha will lose both Assembly and Parliamentary seats. The central government must hold detailed discussions and consultations with all parties before making a decision." Odisha's decadal growth has consistently declined, and the state has made significant strides in population control and financial performance. However, Patnaik argues that population should not be the sole criterion for delimitation, emphasizing the need to consider other factors. "Odisha's decadal growth has consistently declined, yet we excel in both population control and financial performance. Population is a factor in financial devolution, but it shouldn't be the sole criterion. There's a compelling case for looking beyond numbers. This issue deeply impacts Odisha and its people, which matters more to Naveen Babu than anything else," he added. A Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting was held on Saturday, attended by various political leaders, including Chief Ministers from several states. The JAC passed a resolution expressing concern over the Union government's lack of transparency and clarity on delimitation. The committee demanded transparency and urged the central government to extend the freeze on Parliamentary constituencies based on the 1971 Census Population for another 25 years. "Any delimitation exercise carried out by the Union Government to improve the content and character of democracy should be carried out transparently, enabling political parties of all the States, State Governments, and other stakeholders to deliberate, discuss, and contribute to it," the resolution passed by JAC read. The meeting was attended by various political leaders, including Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das, and Biju Janata Dal leader Sanjay Kumar Das Burma, among others. "Given the fact that the legislative intent behind the 42nd, 84th and 87th Constitutional amendments was to protect/incentivise States which have implemented population control measures effectively and the goal of national population stabilisation has not yet been achieved, the freeze on Parliamentary constituencies based on 1971 Census Population, should be extended by another 25 years," it added. The JAC led by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin urged the central government to "not penalise" the states which have effectively implemented the population control program. Earlier on Thursday, DMK MPs Kanimozhi, T Siva, along with party MPs, held a protest on the issue of delimitation, in Parliament House premises. (ANI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Governor Arif Mohammed Khan Sunday paid tribute to Bhagat Singh on the occasion of Shaheed Diwas. After paying the tribute, Governor Khan remembered soldiers who laid down their lives for independence while speaking to reporters. "Occasions like this remind us that so many of our soldiers laid down their lives for our independence. The meaning of independence is not limited to freedom from foreign rulers but also understanding our glorious heritage. It is our commitment to work towards making this heritage more glorious," he said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to the freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. PM Modi took to social media platform X and said their "fearless pursuit of freedom and justice" continues to inspire everyone. "Today, our nation remembers the supreme sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Their fearless pursuit of freedom and justice continues to inspire us all," the Prime Minister wrote, reflecting on their significant contributions to India's independence movement. PM Modi also remembered Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, describing him as a visionary leader, fierce freedom fighter, and an icon of social justice. Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also paid tributes to the three martyrs on, remembering their contributions to India's fight for freedom. "On the martyrdom day of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, I pay my humble tribute to them," he posted on X. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to X to honour the memory of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, who made the supreme sacrifice for India's independence. Shah shared a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on their contributions to the freedom movement and the values they instilled in the youth of the nation. "I pay my humble tribute to Martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on 'Martyr's Day' by remembering them who made the supreme sacrifice for Mother India," Shah wrote on social media.' Earlier, Congress President and Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to the martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on Martyrs' Day. Kharge shared a powerful quote, reflecting the spirit of the revolutionaries, "Main zulmat-e-shab mein le ke nikloonga apne dar-manda caravan ko... sharar-fishaan hogi aah meri, nafas mera shola-baar hoga"(I will emerge from the darkness of the night, carrying my caravan of helplessness... My breath will be a spark, my soul will burn like a flame.)"The revolutionary spirit and thoughts of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev will remain immortal. We pay humble tribute to these immortal martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the motherland," he added. (ANI) BJP MP Jagadish Shettar said on Sunday termed the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs from the state assembly for six months as "undemocratic" and urged the speaker to withdraw the order. He also appealed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to initiate the withdrawal of the suspension order. "This suspension was undemocratic... I insist that the speaker withdraw this order and CM Siddaramaiah initiates the withdrawal of this suspension order," said Shettar. According to Shettar, the MLAs were protesting against the 4 per cent Muslim quota bill and the honey trap scam. They claimed the government wasn't responding adequately, prompting a peaceful protest. Shettar emphasized that the protest wasn't against the speaker's post, but rather a call for accountability. "BJP MLAs were protesting particularly against the 4 per cent Muslim quota bill and the honey trap scam. When the government was not properly responding, BJP MLAs started a peaceful protest. There was no protest against the speaker's post...," said the BJP MP. A major controversy erupted in Karnataka after 18 BJP MLAs were suspended on Friday from the state assembly for six months. The suspension was imposed by Assembly Speaker UT Khader, citing disruption of proceedings and creating a ruckus over the 'honey-trap' issue. The House witnessed dramatic scenes as visuals captured marshals physically removing the BJP legislators from the chamber. A Bill was tabled by Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil. Ruckus erupted in the Assembly as BJP MLAs entered the Well of the House and also tore and threw papers at the Speaker UT Khader's chair. The Karnataka state cabinet approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to provide 4 per cent reservation in tenders to Minority contractors. The decision was taken on March 14 in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Cabinet Hall of the Vidhan Sabha. Official sources added that the amendment will be made after the KTPP act is tabled in the ongoing assembly session. However, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has clarified that the state government's decision to provide a four per cent reservation in government contracts is not exclusive to Muslims but extends to "all minority communities and backward classes. "Earlier, State Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that all five to six minority communities will come under this reservation. "BJP always does nonsense things. There is a reservation for SC/ST. Now, we have given reservations to minorities. There are five to six minority communities. All will come under this reservation, not just one community," Ramalinga Reddy said addressing the media. (ANI) Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Sunday honoured the sacrifices of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru emphasising the importance of remembering and learning from their examples. Sirsa's words served as a poignant reminder of the nation's debt to its brave heroes on the occasion of Shaheed Diwas, celebrated on March 23, commemorating the execution of Bhagat Singh, along with his fellow revolutionaries Sukhdev and Rajguru, who were hanged to death in Lahore Central Jail in 1931 for the murder of British police officer John Saunders. "... We exist because of these great martyrs... They have given us the way to live... We should never forget them, and our future generations should always remember them. As long as we remember them, the pride and respect of our country will remain high ...," said Sirsa. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev on Sunday, remembering their supreme sacrifice for India's freedom. PM Modi took to social media platform X and said their "fearless pursuit of freedom and justice" continues to inspire everyone. "Today, our nation remembers the supreme sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. Their fearless pursuit of freedom and justice continues to inspire us all," the Prime Minister wrote, reflecting on their significant contributions to India's independence movement. Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to X to honour the memory of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, who made the supreme sacrifice for India's independence. He shared a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on their contributions to the freedom movement and the values they instilled in the youth of the nation. Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also paid tributes to the three martyrs on, remembering their contributions to India's fight for freedom. "On the martyrdom day of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru, I pay my humble tribute to them," he posted on X. He further emphasized the significance of their sacrifices, saying, "Their fearless struggle and supreme sacrifice against injustice and oppression is an example for every Indian." Highlighting the broader impact of Bhagat Singh's revolutionary spirit, Gandhi noted that Bhagat Singh's fight was not only against British colonial rule but also against casteism and social discrimination.(ANI) He said that the program has restored the continuous and pure flow of the Ganga River, allowing aquatic life to thrive once again. The Namami Gange program, launched in 2014, aims to reduce pollution and rejuvenate the Ganga. Under this initiative, significant improvements have been observed in Uttar Pradesh. "With Namami Gange, the PM has once again offered a clean Ganga to the nation. The Ganga Action Plan came into effect in 1996, but by 2014, Ganga had become more polluted. Pollution levels reached an extent that aquatic life was destroyed. But now, the success of Mahakumbh validates the success of Namami Gange. Aquatic life has revived in Ganga; dolphins can be seen. This shows our respect for our heritage," said CM Yogi while participating in a special program at the Bithoor Mahotsav in Kanpur. "Today Kanpur is being seen as the metropolis of 'New India' combining heritage and development...," CM added further. During the program CM honored participating artists and distributed financial assistance under various welfare schemes. The event also marked the distribution of loans and appointment letters under the CM Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (CM-Yuva). The Bithoor Mahotsav has been a key cultural event celebrating art, heritage, and tourism, attracting artists, performers, and entrepreneurs from across the state. (ANI) Jama Masjid Sadar Chief and Shahi Mosque Committee Chief, Zafar Ali, on Sunday claimed that he did not incite any violence regarding the November 24 Sambhal incident. "I did not incite any violence...," said Zafar Ali while being taken into custody by Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday for questioning in connection with the violence that erupted in Sambhal on November 24 last year. Ali was taken to Chandausi for a medical examination amid heavy security. Following his detention, a group of his supporters staged a protest, demanding his immediate release. The police have yet to issue an official statement regarding Ali's role in the case. Earlier today, Zafar Ali and his son were summoned to the Sambhal Police Station for questioning. Security has been tightened outside the Chandausi Court, where both are to be presented as part of the legal proceedings in the case. Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary said, "There are no new arrangements made... Forces have been deployed to maintain peace... There is peace in the area..." The violence in question occurred on November 24, 2024, when an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team arrived to survey the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, accompanied by a Hindutva mob chanting "Jai Shri Ram." As local Muslims gathered outside the mosque and tensions escalated, police resorted to force and opened fire on the protesters, killing at least four men and several injured, including officials and locals. The Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) had earlier filed a chargesheet 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 12 FIRs and 80 arrests for allegedly pelting stones at police from rooftops. According to the charge sheet, there were 159 total accused in the case. It also mentioned that the weapons recovered from the site of violence and other places were manufactured in the United Kingdom, USA, Germany, and Czechoslovakia. Since November last year, no further incidents of violence have been reported in the area. During Holi celebrations, the police maintained tight security, conducting flag marches to ensure peace. To protect the mosque from any colours or vandalism, a tarpaulin sheet was also placed over the Jama Masjid at that time. (ANI) Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday addressed the controversy surrounding Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma. He clarified that the matter is currently with the Supreme Court, which has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the issue. Justice Varma is facing a probe over cash allegedly recovered from his residence. "This case is with the Supreme Court. It has formed a three-member committee including two High Court Chief Justices and one High Court Judge. Let the committee report come. Then we will talk about this...," Meghwal told ANI here. Notably, sanitation workers have said they found burnt pieces of currency notes near the official residence of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma who is facing a probe over cash allegedly recovered from his residence. "We work in this circle. We collect garbage from the roads. We were cleaning here 4-5 days back and collecting garbage when we found some small pieces of burnt Rs 500 note. We found it that day. Now, we have found 1-2 pieces...We do not know where a fire broke out," Inderjeet, a sanitation worker, told ANI. Meanwhile, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Saturday constituted a three-member committee consisting of Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Karnataka High Court Judge, Justice Anu Sivaraman to conduct an inquiry into the allegations The Supreme Court has released the inquiry report filed by Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay into the controversy involving High Court Justice Yashwant Varma, as per a press release by the Supreme Court. In his report, the Delhi High Court Chief Justice said that he is of the prima facie opinion that the entire matter warrants a deeper probe. The Supreme Court also released the response of Justice Yashwant Varma, who has denied the allegations and said that it clearly appeared to be a conspiracy to frame and malign him. Justice Varma stated that no cash was ever placed in that storeroom either by him or any of his family members, and he said he strongly denounced the suggestion that the alleged cash belonged to them. The room which caught fire and where cash was allegedly found was an outhouse and not the main building where the judge and family reside, he stated. The Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Devendra Kumar Upadhyay, instructed Justice Yashwant Varma to preserve all communication on his phone while acting on the directive of the Chief Justice of India (CJI); this included conversations, messages, and data, as the controversy surrounding him continued to unfold. Justice Varma, in a statement to Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay, refuted the allegations implicating him in the cash recovery incident. According to media reports, a fire at the judge's house inadvertently led to the firefighters' recovery of cash. The cash was found initially by fire tenders when a fire broke out in the judge's residence on March 14. The judge was not present at his house. In another development, Meghwal recently attended a National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) program in Imphal, Manipur, where five Supreme Court judges were also present. During the event, Meghwal discussed the government's plans to expedite peace restoration in Manipur, an issue that has been a topic of discussion in Parliament as well. According to Meghwal, the Home Minister has assured that a proposal for Manipur's future after the President's Rule will be thoroughly discussed in Parliament. "Five Supreme Court judges attended the NALSA programme in Manipur. I was there, too. We spoke at the event about how we are going to fast-track peace restoration (in Manipur). We discussed Manipur in the Parliament too... The Home Minister said that the proposal for Manipur after the President's Rule will be discussed in detail in the Parliament...," he said. (ANI) Upon receiving the alert, fire tenders and officials rushed to the spot and began efforts to bring the blaze under control. "We received information about a fire at a paper factory in Varsola village, about 12 km from Nadiad. We immediately reached the spot with two teams. On arrival, we found the fire was severe, so we called for additional fire tenders from Ahmedabad and Kheda," said Nadiad Chief Fire Superintendent Dixit Patel. He said that the cause of the fire was not clear. "At least 10 fire tenders are currently deployed at the site, and no casualties have been reported," he added. Further details are awaited. Earlier, a fire broke out at a paper mill's waste godown in Kabola village, Aravalli district, on March 18. (ANI) Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Sunday dismissed the Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on the delimitation issue as a "baseless" and "time pass" exercise aimed at maligning the BJP. He confidently predicted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would form governments in Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu in the next elections. Speaking to reporters, Reddy said, "It was totally a baseless meeting. It was a time pass. It was only an attempt to malign the BJP... In the next elections, NDA will form the government in Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu as well." Reddy alleged that the DMK party in Tamil Nadu, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, is "drowning in corruption" and has concocted this conspiracy to deflect public anger. He also claimed that the BRS and Congress parties in Telangana will soon join forces. "DMK party in Tamil Nadu and the Stalin family are drowning in corruption. They hatched this conspiracy to dodge people's anger... The BRS and Congress in Telangana are going to join hands sooner rather than later...," he added. The delimitation issue has sparked concerns among Southern leaders, who believe the process is an attempt to reduce their states' importance. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has written a letter arguing that delimitation should only occur after the next national census, scheduled for after 2026. The JAC meeting, attended by leaders from various parties, was organized to oppose the Central government's delimitation plans. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has announced plans for an all-party meeting to address the issue, emphasizing the need for Southern states to maintain their political significance. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP and BJP OBC Morcha National President K Laxman has launched a scathing attack on the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government. The BJP leader alleged that MK Stalin's government was involved in a liquor scam. Now, the people of Tamil Nadu are fed up with the current government, claiming that the BJP-led NDA alliance has become a stronger force in the southern states of the country. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, the BJP OBC Morcha National President asserted that the people of the southern states believe in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. The NDA will soon come to power in Telangana and Tamil Nadu, adding to its existing stronghold in 21 states. "People are angry with the Tamil Nadu government that has been there for the last 10 years under the leadership of MK Stalin--the government that is sunk in a liquor scam. The BJP is rising in Tamil Nadu; in the last election, the BJP alone got 11% votes. NDA is now becoming a strong force in the South... Congress or any other regional parties cannot face the BJP alone. They also fought against one another, but now they all had a meeting in Chennai as they were afraid of the BJP. But, the people in the South today are with PM Modi... NDA is there in power in 21 states, and soon we will be in power in Telangana and Tamil Nadu..." Laxman told ANI. On Saturday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin chaired the first Joint Action Committee meeting in Chennai over the proposed delimitation issue. The meeting was attended by Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, and other prominent leaders. After the first meeting of the Joint Action Committee on delimitation, a resolution was unanimously adopted which asserts that "any delimitation exercise carried out by the Centre should be done "transparently" and after discussion and deliberation with all stakeholders. (ANI) The body of a woman was found hanging from a tree at a village in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district on Sunday, with her hands tied, police said. Officials have launched an investigation, and four teams have been formed to probe the incident. "Today, at around 7.30 am, a call was received on Dial 112 regarding the body of a woman found hanging from a tree in front of her house in Sariya Gulabpur village. The hands of the deceased were tied," Ballia Superintendent of Police Omvir Singh told ANI. He said that the woman had been alone at home for the past two days as her parents went to Lucknow. Upon receiving the information, local police, area officers, ASP, field units, and other investigation teams reached the spot. The woman's body was later sent for post-mortem examination. The villagers told the police that the woman's parents and one of their relatives had gone to Lucknow for the past two days to get some medicines. However, villagers could not provide detailed information about the incident. "She was alone at her home. Until 4:30 PM yesterday, she was with her cousin," SP Singh said, adding that they will conduct the post-mortem with proper videography. "Four teams have been formed to investigate, and actions will be taken accordingly," he added. Further details are awaited. (ANI) Days after a video clip of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar went viral apparently showing him "gesturing" and apparently "talking" while the national anthem was being played, Congress leader Pawan Khera on Sunday expressed concern over Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's health while also criticizing the state's leadership and the BJP. He questioned the BJP's commitment to the state, alleging that they only prioritise Bihar during election seasons. "We are worried for the health of the Chief Minister, but we are more worried about Bihar. If Bihar has such a leadership, how safe is the state? They (BJP) only worry about any state until the elections. After the elections, they forget Bihar or any other state," Khera told ANI. Khera also questioned the safety of Bihar under its current leadership, citing the recent shooting of a hospital director in Patna as evidence of the state's deteriorating law and order situation. "Why is Bihar in such a condition today that just today, a hospital director was shot in Patna? What vision did they (BJP) have for Bihar?... The way he insulted the national anthem had never happened before," added Khera. This comes after the Director of the private Asia Hospital, Surbhi Raj was shot dead inside her cabin, informed Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Patna City, Atulesh Jha on Saturday. The victim was diagnosed with several gunshot injuries, after which she was referred to AIIMS, where she succumbed to her injuries. Following this, the father of the deceased demanded a high-level inquiry into the case, alleging a conspiracy in her death. He also emphasised the significance of the Congress party, highlighting its widespread support and legacy. Replying to a query about the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections months after the drubbing of the party in the Delhi assembly elections, the Congress leader said, "Can anyone ever ignore the Congress in this country? It is such an old party that has at least one supporter on every street. There is a supporter in every house. How long can we ignore such a party? We will give a reply at the right time...," said the Congress leader. Meanwhile, a poster targeting the Janata Dal-United supremo appeared outside the residence of former Chief Minister Rabri Devi in Patna. The poster read, "The non-serious Chief Minister, Jan Jan Man Adhinayan Jay Hai, Nahi Kursi Kursi Kursi Kursi Jay Hai." Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday shared a video on social media platform X of Nitish Kumar at an event in which he seen to be gesturing and apparently talking while the national anthem was being played. Yadav posted on X, "At least please do not insult the national anthem, Hon'ble Chief Minister. You insult youth, students, women and elderly people every day. Sometimes they clap on Mahatma Gandhi's martyrdom day and mock his martyrdom, and sometimes they clap on the national anthem!" He alleged that the Bihar CM was "not mentally or physically stable" and called his condition a matter of great concern for the State. "PS: Let me remind you that you are the Chief Minister of a big state. You are not mentally and physically stable even for a few seconds and your being in this position in such an unconscious state is a matter of great concern for the state. Do not insult Bihar like this again and again," he added in a post on X. (ANI) Nagpur Police conducted a flag march in the Mahal market area on Sunday as a precautionary measure to maintain peace and stability after curfew was lifted across the city. Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal issued a stern warning against the misuse of social media, urging people to think "a thousand times" before posting anything related to the recent Nagpur violence. "Things are normal here. There is no issue right now, and life is normal everywhere. So far, 13 FIRs have been filed, more than 115 people are in custody, and further action is ongoing," Singal said while speaking to ANI. He urged the public to maintain harmony and refrain from spreading misinformation. "Everyone should respect each other and avoid violence. If you have any information, report it to the authorities so we can take appropriate action. Those who upload or forward misleading content will face strict action. So before posting anything, think a thousand times about its consequences," he added. The flag march was conducted after the curfew was lifted across Nagpur, with restrictions eased in the last four affected areas on Sunday. As per officials, restrictions have been relaxed in Kotwali, Tehsil, Ganeshpeth, and Yashodhara Nagar. The decision was made after law enforcement agencies reviewed the situation. Earlier on Saturday, authorities had lifted the curfew in Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Lakadganj, Sakkardara, and Imamwada. Besides, restrictions were temporarily relaxed in Kotwali, Tehsil, and Ganeshpeth between 7 PM and 10 PM. The clashes in Nagpur on March 17 erupted over demands for the removal of Aurangzeb's grave. Tensions escalated further when rumours circulated that a holy book of a particular community had been burnt during the agitation. However, the situation has now returned to normal, and the curfew imposed in several areas has been lifted. (ANI) Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Sunday that during the recent National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) programme attended by five Supreme Court judges in Manipur's Imphal, discussions were held on ways to fast-track peace restoration in the violence-hit state. The Minister, who was in Manipur's Imphal, also highlighted the efforts of the BJP-led Central government to restore normalcy in Manipur, adding that the issue was also taken up for discussion in Parliament. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme on the 12th anniversary of the establishment of the Manipur High Court, Meghwal said, "Five Supreme Court judges attended the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) programme in Manipur. I was there, too. We spoke at the event about how we are going to fast-track peace restoration (in Manipur). We discussed Manipur in the Parliament too... The Home Minister said that the proposal for Manipur after the President's Rule will be discussed in detail in the Parliament." Earlier, a five-member Supreme Court delegation led by Justice BR Gavai arrived in Manipur's Imphal. The delegation included Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, MM Sundresh, KV Viswanathan, and N Kotishwar. During their visit, the Supreme Court Judges also inspected a relief camp in Manipur's Churachandpur. President's Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 under Article 356 of the Constitution, five days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from his post. The violence in Manipur, primarily between the Meitei and Kuki communities, erupted following a rally by the All Tribal Students' Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, 2023. The violence had gripped the entire state, prompting the Central government to deploy paramilitary forces to bring the situation under control. (ANI) The Delhi Legislative Assembly is set to convene on Monday at 11:00 AM, marking the beginning of its Budget Session. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will move a motion for the election of financial committees, marking an important step in the assembly's financial governance, according to the List of Business of the House. "Smt. Rekha Gupta, Hon'ble Chief Minister to move the following motion: "That the Members of this House do proceed to elect in the manner required under Rule 192(2), Rule 194(2) and Rule 196(2) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly of National Capital Territory of Delhi, nine Members each from amongst themselves to serve as Members of the Committee on Public Accounts, Committee on Estimates and Committee on Government Undertakings beginning from 1st April 2025," the LoB read. Additionally, Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht and Member Om Prakash Sharma will present the First Report of the Business Advisory Committee. This report is expected to provide valuable insights into the assembly's business and legislative agenda. Members Sanjay Goyal and Poonam Sharma will present the First Report of the Committee on Private Members' Bills, according to LoB. This Budget Session is significant, as it follows the recent 2025 Delhi Legislative Assembly election, which saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) return to power after 27 years. Members Surya Prakash Khatri, Mohan Singh Bisht and Raj Kumar Bhatia will continue the discussion regarding water shortage, water logging, sewerage blockage and desilting of drains in Delhi initiated on 3rd March 2025 as directed by the Speaker. The day's proceedings will commence with the National Song, "Vande Mataram," followed by a series of key events. Question Hour: Members will pose starred questions, and the respective authorities will provide replies. Un-starred questions will be laid on the table for future discussion. Special Mention (Rule-280): Members will raise matters under Rule-280 with the Chair's permission, allowing for discussions on pressing issues. Election of Financial Committees: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will move a motion to elect nine members each for the Committee on Public Accounts, Committee on Estimates, and Committee on Government Undertakings. This election will be crucial in shaping the financial governance of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. These presentations and discussions demonstrate the Delhi Assembly's commitment to addressing key issues affecting the national capital territory. The Budget Session is a crucial period in the legislative calendar, during which key financial and policy matters will be discussed and decided upon. The session is tentatively scheduled to run from March 24 to March 28, 2025, with provisions for extension if required. "Tomorrow is the first day of the Budget Session. The budget will be presented on March 25. The CAG report will also be tabled during the budget session," Speaker Vijender Gupta told media here on Sunday. Notably, in the Budget session, the CAG report on the functioning of DTC will be tabled in the House, the Delhi Assembly Secretariat said in a statement. This would be third CAG report which will be tabled on Monday in the House. (ANI) Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Sunday said that the Dental Council of India (DCI) has approved the state government to start the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) programme in the Agartala Government Dental College, according to a CMO statement. Saha said this while addressing a training programme for the Community Health Officers (CHO) of West Tripura, organized by the National Oral Health Programme wing of NHM in association with the IDA, Tripura State Branch, at Pragna Bhavan to commemorate World Oral Health Day 2025. "I am the Chief Minister, but I should not forget my roots as a dental surgeon. We must handle patients with care. The condition of the health department was very bad, but now there has been a major change. We had never thought of opening a dental college. I tried a lot during the previous government before 2018, but they rejected it because I didn't belong to them. I worked hard for the dental college, and now we have opened it as a government dental college. The old style of practice in dentistry has ended, and we are now using new technologies. On this day, we must pledge to acquire all necessary knowledge and provide the best treatment to suffering patients," he said. CM Saha mentioned that the number of oral cancer patients in the Northeast is very high due to the consumption of betel nuts and tobacco. "In my Mukhyamantri Samipesu programme, a majority of the patients who come are cancer patients. We are working towards arranging a mobile van for dental treatment. For dental infrastructure, Rs. 200 crore was sanctioned under the PM DevINE project. We are also planning for MDS in the dental college," CM Saha said in a statement. He further added, "The Dental Council of India has approved this, and we have already received the approval. We have also increased seat capacities and must think about further expansion with a proper plan. We are also introducing super speciality services--kidney transplants have already started, and liver transplants will also be conducted." During the event, Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, Health Director Dr. Sanjib Debbarma, SM Ali, President of the Tripura State Dental Council, IDA State Branch President Partha Roy Chowdhury, and others were present. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Women Commission Vice Chairperson and BJP leader Aparna Bisht Yadav on Sunday lauded the eight-year tenure of the BJP government in the state, highlighting key initiatives and reforms. Speaking to ANI, Yadav said, "There has been an amazing transformation in the past eight years..." She further pointed to specific schemes such as Pink Booths, the women's helpline, and the Kanya Sumangala Yojana, crediting the chief minister for these initiatives aimed at supporting women. "UP CM Yogi Adityanath has done commendable work for women empowerment, law and order, infrastructure... There is a rule of law in UP now... Pink booth, women's helpline, and Kanya Sumangala Yojana are all gifts of the Chief Minister... There has been a paradigm shift in UP's ideology and conservatism...," added Yadav further. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the successful implementation of the Namami Gange project, saying that the success of Mahakumbh 2025 validates the initiative's impact. He said that the program has restored the continuous and pure flow of the Ganga River, allowing aquatic life to thrive once again. The Namami Gange program, launched in 2014, aims to reduce pollution and rejuvenate the Ganga. Under this initiative, significant improvements have been observed in Uttar Pradesh. "With Namami Gange, the PM has once again offered a clean Ganga to the nation. The Ganga Action Plan came into effect in 1996, but by 2014, Ganga had become more polluted. Pollution levels reached an extent that aquatic life was destroyed. But now, the success of Mahakumbh validates the success of Namami Gange. Aquatic life has revived in Ganga; dolphins can be seen. This shows our respect for our heritage," said CM Yogi while participating in a special program at the Bithoor Mahotsav in Kanpur. "Today Kanpur is being seen as the metropolis of 'New India' combining heritage and development," the CM added further. During the program CM honoured participating artists and distributed financial assistance under various welfare schemes. The event also marked the distribution of loans and appointment letters under the CM Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (CM-Yuva). The Bithoor Mahotsav has been a key cultural event celebrating art, heritage, and tourism, attracting artists, performers, and entrepreneurs from across the state. (ANI) "Based on Intelligence Input regarding presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation has been launched by @JmuKmrPolice & troops of #RisingStar Corps on 23 Mar 25 in general area Saniyal #Hiranagar. Operations in Progress," Rising Star Corps, Indian Army informed in a social media post on X. https://x.com/RisingStarCorps/status/1903836106258325551 This comes after a firing incident was reported in Hiranagar area of Kathua during a search operation by security forces. "A firing incident was reported in the Hiranagar area of Kathua after a search operation was underway," the Jammu and Kashmir Police said. Further details are awaited. (ANI) Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday sparked controversy by accusing three leaders, including Somnath Dey, of being involved in the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder incident. Majumdar claimed that Dey was rewarded with a prized posting as Chairman of Panihati Municipality by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly destroying evidence by burning the victim's body. "Three leaders had a role in it (RG Kar Medical College rape and murder). One of these three leaders, Somnath Dey, has been appointed as the Chairman of Panihati Municipality by Mamata Banerjee by giving him a prize posting. This prize posting is because it was on Mamata Banerjee's instructions that they destroyed the evidence by burning the (victim's) body... This is playing with the sentiments of the people of West Bengal," said Majumdar. Majumdar's allegations have led to a protest in North 24 Parganas, where he was joined by BJP workers. The incident has raised questions about the handling of the case and the involvement of political leaders. The RG Kar Medical College rape and murder incident occurred on August 9, 2024, when a 31-year-old female postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead in a seminar room on campus. The case led to widespread protests and outrage across the country, with many demanding justice for the victim. The investigation into the incident was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after the Calcutta High Court expressed dissatisfaction with the police's handling of the case. The CBI has since arrested several individuals, including the main accused, Sanjay Roy, who has been convicted of the crime. Earlier, the supreme court granted the parents of the victim in the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case the liberty to approach the Calcutta High Court, where their plea is already filed. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna allowed the deceased victims' parents to approach the Calcutta High Court, noting that a single judge bench of the High Court is monitoring the case. The top court was hearing a suo moto case in the rape and murder of a trainee doctor, which took place at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Senior Advocate Karuna Nundy represented the victims' parents. As per Nundy, the victims' parents today had sought a clarification from the apex court about their case filed before the Calcutta HC, seeking further probe into the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case. After granting the victims' parents liberty to approach the High Court, the CJI Sanjiv Khanna-led bench disposed of their plea filed before it. On January 29, this year, the parents of the victim in Kolkata's RG Kar rape and murder case withdrew their plea before the Supreme Court seeking a fresh investigation into the incident. The victim's parents had filed the (now withdrawn) plea as an Intervention Application (IA) in the suo motu case, which had been registered by the top court in August last year, a few days after the infamous incident took place. In the January 29 hearing, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna had asked Karuna Nundy whether the top court should proceed with the case, as a plea regarding similar issues had already been filed before the Calcutta High Court. After considering the submissions made in the affidavit filed before it, the Court had warned the senior counsel to be cautious with her arguments, as there is already a conviction against the sole accused (now convict) Sanjoy Roy in the case. The Court had suggested that Nundy withdraw the plea and file a fresh one, noting that the original plea had been filed by the victim's parents before the trial and the conviction in the cases. Following a brief exchange, the parents withdrew the plea, with the liberty to file a fresh one, as per the top court's order. The top court noted that the Calcutta High Court is monitoring the case. Thus, the Court disposed of the case filed before it. On January 20, this year, the Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court convicted and sentenced Sanjoy Roy to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of the victim in the RG Kar rape and murder case. (ANI) The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) has begun preparations for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra to ensure the safety of pilgrims, as per a press statement on Sunday. In collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), a mock drill will be conducted in April to strengthen disaster response mechanisms and enhance coordination among agencies. Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman held a departmental meeting with experts from USDMA, ULMMC, and U-Prepare to discuss all aspects of the mock drill's organization. Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman said that continuous work is being done at the level of the Disaster Management Department and USDMA to effectively deal with possible disasters during the Char Dham Yatra. He said that NDMA has provided a tentative schedule for a disaster-focused mock drill during the Chardham Yatra, which USDMA has started preparing for. He informed that a meeting will soon be held with various districts and line departments to finalize the mock drill preparations. Suman said that under the guidance and able leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority is committed to a safe Char Dham Yatra, and no stone will be left unturned to ensure the safety of the passengers in case of any disaster. He said that departments like the Tourism Department, Traffic Police, Local Administration, Police Administration, Transport Department, UCADA, Public Works Department, Border Road Organization, NDRF, SDRF, Health Department, Animal Husbandry, etc., have an important role in ensuring the safety of the passengers in case of any disaster during the Chardham Yatra. USDMA's effort is to strengthen the mutual coordination between all the departments so that the safety of the passengers can be ensured quickly in case of any disaster during the Chardham Yatra. He directed the experts of USDMA to form various committees for mock drill as soon as possible and to inform the concerned departments by clarifying the role of various line departments during Char Dham Yatra. He said that various line departments and their officers will be informed about the role of which department and which officer is effectively dealing with disasters under the IRS system. (ANI) A large number of passengers gathered at platform numbers 12 and 13 of New Delhi Railway Station due to a delay in the departure of the following major trains. Shiv Ganga Express (scheduled departure at 08:05 PM) departed at 09:20 PM, Swatantrata Senani Express (scheduled departure at 09:15 PM) was already occupying the platform, Jammu Rajdhani Express (scheduled departure at 09:25 PM) was delayed, Lucknow Mail (scheduled departure at 10:00 PM) was also running late, and Magadh Express (scheduled departure at 09:05 PM) had not been placed at any platform until then. The Delhi Police issued a statement into the matter which read, "A large number of passengers had gathered at platform numbers 12 and 13 of New Delhi Railway Station due to a delay in the departure of Shiv Ganga Express, Swatantrata Senani Express, Jammu Rajdhani Express, Lucknow Mail and Magadh Express. Due to the cumulative effect of these delays, heavy passenger congestion was observed at the platforms. The situation turned chaotic and led to a stampede-like atmosphere, resembling the crowd management challenges witnessed during the Mahakumbh arrangements in the past. Necessary crowd control measures had to be promptly taken to avoid any untoward incident. No injuries reported." CPRO of Northern Railway, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, stated that there is always an extra rush at the New Delhi Railway Station on Sundays. The officials enforced the crowd control measures due to which there was proper crowd management. Shekhar added that he reviewed the situation at the present time, and it is normal. "...Today is Sunday, and the evening time is the peak hour time, so there is an extra rush...Extra arrangements have been made for the extra rush...We have enforced crowd control measures...CCTV was also being monitored, and it is still going on...There was proper crowd management...This was the peak traffic hour time and also the weekend therefore there were a large number of people...I have reviewed the situation at present, it is normal...", he said while speaking to ANI on Sunday. As per a statement by the Ministry of Railways, "There was heavy rush but no stampede or stampede like situation at NDLS. Yes, protocol of taking unreserved passengers through holding area is being used." Senior officials like Senior Commandant RPF and Station Director NDLS are available at the station for better management. (ANI) Congress MP Imran Masood on Sunday said that there is an "attempt to bulldoze our religious institutions and religious texts, which will not be tolerated". Masood stated that he had seen everything and read every document as a member of the JPC committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. "We were in the JPC with full preparation. We have seen everything, and we have read everything...There is an attempt to bulldoze our religious institutions and religious texts, which will not be tolerated under any circumstances...", Imran Masood told ANI on Sunday. All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday announced a nationwide agitation against the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill. A statement issued by Mohd Vaquar Uddin Latifi, Office Secretary of the (AIMPLB) said, "Following a massive and successful protest in Delhi on March 17, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has announced a nationwide agitation against the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill." SQR Ilyas, spokesperson of AIMPLB and Convener of the Action Committee Against the Waqf Bill, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Board to all Muslim organizations, civil society groups, and leaders from Dalit, Adivasi, OBC, and other minority communities. "Without the grace of Allah and the united support of these groups, the success of the Delhi demonstration would not have been possible," he said. He also extended thanks to the opposition parties and Members of Parliament who not only participated in large numbers but also firmly rejected the proposed legislation. The statement stated that the AIMPLB's 31-member Action Committee has resolved to adopt all constitutional, legal, and democratic means to "oppose" what it has termed a "controversial, discriminatory, and damaging" bill. "As part of the first phase of the agitation, large protest sit-ins have been planned in front of the state assemblies in Patna on March 26 and Vijayawada on March 29." (ANI) The Embassy of India, Kathmandu celebrated the 23rd Golden Jubilee Scholarship Day on Saturday with the participation of nearly 200 students supported by the scholarship. The second batch of meritorious Golden Jubilee scholars were awarded the Ambassador's Golden Jubilee Scholarship Roll of Honour by Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava. Srivastava in his remarks congratulated the awardees of the 23rd Batch of the Golden Jubilee Scholarship scheme as well as the meritorious students of the Second edition of the Ambassador's Roll of Honour. He encouraged students to strive for excellence in their respective fields and highlighted the vast opportunities available through engagement in India's start-up ecosystem, incubation centres, and other collaborative initiatives. "The prestigious Golden Jubilee Scholarship was established in 2002 to commemorate 50 years of India-Nepal economic cooperation. Over the years, the number of scholarship recipients has increased to 200 annually. More than 3500 Nepali students from all 77 districts of Nepal have benefitted from this scholarship scheme. The current batch of scholarship awardees are from 75 districts of Nepal, with about one-third of the scholars being girls. Three differentially abled students have also been selected this year," the Embassy of India in Kathmandu stated in a release. Each year, India provides approximately 1,500 scholarships to Nepali students across diverse fields, including engineering, medicine, dental science, management, commerce, nursing, ayurveda, dance, theatre, and performing arts. These scholarships provide access to students to educational institutes in India and support them in pursuing undergraduate courses in Nepal, as well as undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes. Since 2001, nearly 40,000 students have benefitted from India's various scholarship initiatives for Nepal. "Educational cooperation, capacity-building, and academic partnerships between India and Nepal continue to deepen the enduring friendship of the two countries, fostering new connections and strengthening people-to-people ties. Scholarships and capacity building programme initiatives form an integral part of India's endeavour to partner in the human resource development of Nepal for progress, knowledge and shared prosperity," the release further stated. Dev Raj Adhikari, Chairperson, University Grants Commission, Nepal; Achyut Wagle, Vice Chancellor, Kathmandu University; Amar Prasad Yadav, Vice Chancellor, Rajarshi Janak University; Biju Kumar Thapalia, Vice Chancellor, Purbanchal University; Dhruba Kumar Gautam, Vice Chancellor, Mid-Western University; Gyanendra Giri, Vice Chancellor, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences; and Sharada Thapaliya, Vice Chancellor, Agriculture and Forestry University graced the Golden Jubilee Scholarship Day celebrations. Deans of various institutes and principals of eminent schools also attended the program. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the Business Today Vucanomics 2025 on the subject 'Diplomacy in the Age of Disruptions'. Jaishankar on Saturday spoke about how India can participate in dialogue with both parties of a conflict, like Israel and Iran, and Russia and Ukraine. "A strategic approach also helps widen options. In the current polarized era, India is among the few that can simultaneously engage Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Iran, the democratic West and the Global South, and the BRICS and QUAD. We have initiated or joined more than 40 different groupings devoted to specific agendas - from renewables and biofuels to disaster resilience and connectivity," he said. The EAM said that even in the case of defence, India ensures a pool of wide range of partners to choose from. He added that 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' applies equally to foreign policy. "Even in a sensitive domain like defence and security, Indian diplomacy ensures that both our armed forces and businesses have the widest possible selection of partners. When it comes to international cooperation, we have also shown the ability to forge different combinations for different domains, be it trade, technology, energy or security. The endeavour, in the final analysis, is to keep as many doors open as possible. I have always maintained that 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' applies equally to foreign policy," he said. Jaishankar, in his address, spoke about the challenges our businesses face in a volatile world. In a post on X, he said, "Pleased to address Business Today Vucanomics 2025 on the subject 'Diplomacy in the Age of Disruptions'. Spoke about the challenges our businesses face in a world undergoing churn. And how our foreign policy facilitates our economic interests abroad while achieving growth and development at home." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1903497793643147347 In his address, he highlighted the importance of trust while advancing trade and technology partnerships. "The importance of trust and strong political relationships in advancing our trade and technology partnerships. Our diverse energy partnerships as well as choices, to meet our development demands." Jaishankar further talked about the role played by the Indian embassies in pursuing commercial interests. "The active role played by Indian embassies in pursuing our commercial interests. The role of concessional financing in enabling access for Indian businesses abroad. The efforts for Indian talent mobility in a global workplace. And in reaching out to Indians abroad when in distress," his post on X said. Jaishankar in his speech also highlighted India's endeavours in promoting tourism and India's connectivity initiatives. "Our endeavours in promoting Tourism, as an economic driver back home. Our connectivity initiatives, globally and in the neighbourhood. And the key role therein for our businesses," his post added the list of highlights. "As we move forward, our diplomacy and businesses must continue to work together as Team India in the quest for a Viksit Bharat and in promoting India's interests globally," his post read.(ANI) Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has warned Hamas that Israel will maintain a permanent presence in parts of Gaza unless the hostages in Gaza are released, CNN reported. The wobbly ceasefire collapsed on Tuesday when Israel bombarded Gaza, shattering two months of calm that also saw dozens of hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, as per CNN. Katz said on Friday that he'd instructed the Israeli military "to seize additional areas in Gaza, while evacuating the population, and to expand the security zones around Gaza in order to protect Israeli communities and IDF soldiers through permanent maintenance of the territory by Israel." "The more Hamas continues its refusal to release the kidnapped, the more territory it will lose to Israel," he added, CNN reported. Katz' comments came as Hamas said it was continuing contacts with mediators to try to re-establish the ceasefire that was in effect between January 19 and Tuesday. Katz said Israel was adhering to the proposal of US President Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff for the release all the hostages, both living and dead, "in advance and in two stages with a ceasefire in between - without endangering Israeli security interests." In a statement on Friday, Hamas said that it was continuing to deliberate on a proposal from Steve Witkoff, United States Special Envoy to the Middle East, who has suggested extending the first phase of the ceasefire-hostage deal through early April, as per CNN. It reiterated its demand for a permanent end to the war, saying it was exploring "various ideas on the table in a manner that aims to achieve a prisoner exchange deal that ensures the release of detainees, ends the war, and secures a withdrawal." The proposal from Witkoff last week would have secured the release of a handful of living hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the extension of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, CNN has reported. Of the 59 hostages still being held in Gaza, fewer than half are still believed to be alive. (ANI) At least four police personnel were killed in an attack in the Nushki district of Balochistan, ARY News reported on Saturday. According to district officials, the firing incident took place in the Gharibabad area where unidentified armed assailants opened fire on a police patrolling van, resulting in the killing of four security personnel. The attackers managed to flee from the spot. Security forces rushed to the scene and shifted the bodies to a local hospital. Balochistan Chief Minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, strongly condemned the attack, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives. In a statement, the Chief Minister expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and vowed to take stringent measures to ensure that those responsible for this attack would face justice. Bugti condemned the attack as a cowardly act and reiterated that such attempts to disrupt the peace and development process in Balochistan would not succeed. He emphasized that the terrorists behind such attacks would find no shelter in the province. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, four labourers from Pakistan's Punjab were shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in the Mangochar area of Kalat district of Balochistan, ARY News reported. According to reports, the victims identified as Zeeshan, Khalid, Dilawar Hussain, and Muhammad Amin, all from Sadiqabad, Punjab. They were attacked by armed men on motorcycles at iftar time, as per ARY News. The labourers died on the spot, while the attackers managed to flee. Police and rescue officials rushed to the scene and shifted the bodies to a local hospital. The victims were reportedly drilling a tube well for a local landowner. Last month, unidentified gunmen killed seven people travelling to Punjab after off-loading them from a passenger bus in the Barkhan district, Dawn reported. Balochistan has witnessed a spate of attacks targeting those hailing from Punjab. In two separate incidents in April 2024, nine people were killed after being forced off a bus near Noshki, while two labourers from Punjab were shot in Kech, as per Dawn. (ANI) Pakistan's Sindh Health Department has confirmed a monkeypox (mpox) case in Karachi, marking the first instance of the disease in the city, ARY News reported on Saturday. The patient, a 28-year-old male resident of Shah Latif Town, contracted the virus after his wife showed symptoms. The patient's wife has a travel history abroad. The man has been placed in an isolation ward to prevent the spread of harmful infections to others. Earlier on January 25, Pakistan reported its first case of viral disease Monkeypox, also known as mpox, in 2025, ARY News reported. The patient, who returned from Dubai on January 24, was identified through screening at the Peshawar airport, according to Pakistan Ministry of Health spokesperson. The patient has been taken to Services Hospital Peshawar for treatment. The latest case takes the total number of mpox cases in Pakistan to 10 since the health emergency was declared, as per ARY News. Pakistan's Ministry of Health has said that effective measures are being taken to protect the people from mpox. The travel history of the patient has disclosed connections to Gulf nations, sparking concerns regarding the virus's spread. Earlier, a passenger travelling from Sharjah showed symptoms of monkeypox during medical screening. According to airport sources, a passenger identified as Javed Ahmed, travelled from Sharjah, has tested positive for symptoms of monkeypox, ARY News reported. Ahmed, a resident of Rajanpur, was taken to isolation ward for precautionary measures. Medical authorities have said the case is alarming and are taking strict precautions. Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the Mpox virus. Even though the natural reservoir of the virus remains unidentified, African rodents and non-human primates like monkey are suspected to harbor the virus and spread it to humans. The disease typically starts with a rash that appears 1 to 3 days following the onset of fever, starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of body. The rash progresses through several stages like vesicles, macules, papules, pustules, and scabs, according to ARY News report. Additional symptoms may include exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes, headache and exhaustion. The incubation period generally lasts from 7 to 14 days, however, it can vary between 5 and 21 days. The illness generally lasts between 2 and 4 weeks. (ANI) Ten children died in Khairpur district of Sindh by measles in two months. Sindh Health Department has said that over 1100 cases of the infectious disease reported in Sindh from January 1st to March 8 this year. In last two months, 550 children reported infected by measles in Karachi, according to the health department. Khairpur district has maximum death toll by measles, where 10 children died of the infectious disease, ARY News reported. Meanwhile, five children died of the infection in Karachi's East district, while one each in Sukkur and Jacobabad districts. The main reason of children's deaths by the infection is avoding vaccination and lack of awareness about the infection, which has been otherwise vaccine-preventable disease, doctors said. "Daily four to six measles patients being reported at government hospitals," hospital officials earlier told ARY News. Hospital officials said that children under five years contract measles and some children with pneumonia caused by measles have been admitted at hospitals. A measles outbreak in Khairpur district claimed lives of seven children within a span of two days, ARY News reported. It is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable infectious disease caused by measles virus. The disease symptoms usually develop 10-12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7-10 days. The symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes. Small white spots may form inside the mouth two or three days after the start of symptoms. A red, flat rash which starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body begins three to five days after the start of symptoms. Common complications include diarrhea, middle ear infection, and pneumonia. On December 31, 2024, Pakistan health department data confirmed the deaths of 132 children in the year with more than 13,000 suspected and 6,670 confirmed cases. Surprisingly, it shows only three deaths in Karachi, Dawn reported. (ANI) Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch's sister on Sunday, through the X account of Mahrang, raised her voice for the release of her sister from prison. As Mahrang remains incarcerated by Pakistani Security Forces, her sister said she will keep providing updates on her situation and encouraged her supporters for the safe release of all Baloch activists. "Hello, everyone, I am Dr. Mahrang Baloch's sister. As long as she remains unlawfully detained by the state of Pakistan, I will be managing this account and providing updates on her situation. Please raise your voice for the safe release of Mahrang Baloch, Beboo Baloch, Bebagar Baloch, and their friends," Mahrang's sister said in a post on X. https://x.com/MahrangBaloch_/status/1903571377564872790 Baloch activist Iqra Baloch has raised concerns about the arrest of Baloch rights leader Mahrang Baloch, who was taken into custody by the police on Saturday morning. Sharing a post on X, Iqra expressed her frustration, stating, "10 hours, and still no information!." https://x.com/BalochIqra55/status/1903429844265828708 "My elder sister, @MahrangBaloch, and my younger sister were taken by the police this morning. 10 hours, and still no information! We have not been given a copy of the FIR. Only hearing she is being held in Hudda District Prison, but we have no right to meet her. @EUPakistan," the post stated. Iqra has sought assistance from the European Union, tagging @EUPakistan in her statement. Earlier in the day, Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, also strongly condemned the arrest and the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters by Pakistani security forces in Quetta. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Lawlor expressed deep concern over reports of the arrest of Mahrang Baloch and several other human rights defenders (HRDs) in Balochistan. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent figure in the human rights movement and a staunch advocate for the rights of the Baloch people, was violently dragged and arrested. Many others were also detained, marking a troubling escalation in the Pakistani authorities' efforts to silence dissent in the region. (ANI) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said they detected 13 Chinese aircraft, eight vessels and two official ships operating around itself as of 6 am on Sunday. As per the MND, out of 13 aircraft, 11 crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. In a post on X, Taiwan's MND said, "13 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 11 out of 13 sortie crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1903612698765771068 Earlier on Saturday, Taiwan detected 47 sorties of Chinese aircraft and seven Chinese vessels until 6 am (local time). As per the MND, out of 47 sorties, 41 crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. In a post on X, MND said, "47 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 41 out of 47 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1903251159906927011 Earlier in the day, Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) issued a strong condemnation of China for supporting illegal fishing activities near Dongsha Islands in the South China Sea, as reported by Focus Taiwan. In a statement, the CGA reported that unusually large clusters of Chinese fishing vessels began appearing near Dongsha on February 15, with at least six motherships and 29 smaller boats observed, Focus Taiwan reported. Although CGA vessels were sent to remove the Chinese boats, Chinese coast guard ships entered Taiwan's restricted waters and attempted to interfere, but their efforts were unsuccessful, according to the CGA. Focus Taiwan reported that, in response to the provocation, the CGA launched an operation on February 26 to enhance patrols around the Dongsha Islands. As part of this operation, the CGA reported stopping and boarding the Chinese fishing vessel "Yueraoyu 23588" on February 26, but the Chinese Coast Guard once again intervened. (ANI) The National Immigration Agency (NIA) of Taiwan has revoked the permits of two Chinese influencers as they advocated for forceful unification, the Taipei Times reported, citing the immigration agency. According to the Taipei Times, which cited the immigration agency, it was noted that the two influencers openly said that Taiwan is part of China and advocated for forceful unification. NIA thus revoked their residence permits after coming to the conclusion that they were openly advocating for China's unification of Taiwan by force. In a statement issued on Friday, the NIA said Xiao Wei and En Qi are required by law to leave Taiwan shortly, but it did not specify the deadline by which they must leave. Taipei Times reported that the NIA decided to revoke their family-based long-term residence permits after consulting with the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), which supervises cross-strait exchanges. The NIA on Tuesday last week revoked the residence permit of another Chinese national, identified by her surname, Liu, who openly advocated on her social media account -- Yaya in Taiwan-- for China's unification of Taiwan by force. The NIA has requested that Liu leave Taiwan by Tuesday -- 10 days after receiving a deportation order. As per Focus Taiwan, the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area says that a Chinese national "may be deported, or ordered to depart within 10 days" under circumstances including "being considered [a] threat to the national or social stability based on sufficient facts." Xiao Wei posted several video clips on her social media page, promoting China's annexation of Taiwan, using messages such as "five-star red national flags of China are seen all over the streets in Taiwan," the NIA said, as cited by Focus Taiwan. Amid this background, En Qi posted video clips on her online account, saying that "the [Chinese] People's Liberation Army demonstrates its strong military strength and adamantly maintains China's sovereignty" and that "Taiwan is an inseparable part of China" the NIA said. Focus Taiwan reported that the NIA said it had intensified investigations into the two Chinese influencers to verify the facts and summoned them to express their opinions during the probes. The NIA said it has decided to revoke the two influencers' residence permits and bar them from reapplying for family-based and long-term residence permits for the next five years after holding consultations with the MAC and other government agencies. The NIA noted that the decision to order the two Chinese spouses to leave Taiwan completely abides by the law and shows Taiwan's determination to protect national security and stabilize its society. (ANI) US special envoy Steve Witkoff said that "the elephant in the room" for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine is the status of Crimea and four mainland Ukrainian regions 'occupied' by Russia, CNN reported. He made the remarks during the interview with podcast host Tucker Carlson. Witkoff also reflected on the 'warming up' of ties between the US and Russia, saying President Putin had commissioned a portrait of Donald Trump and sent it to him. He noted that the administration was making progress "that no one thought was possible" with Russia but that issues of territory still needed ironing out. The four mainland regions were 'illegally annexed' during the conflict. Kremlin has since staged referenda on joining Russia in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, which Kyiv and the international community decried as a propaganda exercise, but which Witkoff claimed was evidence of their desire to split from Ukraine, as reported by CNN. "They're Russian-speaking," Witkoff said of the four eastern regions. "There have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule." Witkoff, who is Trump's Middle East envoy and is also playing a key role in the peace talks with Russia, said the "constitutional issues within Ukraine as to what they can concede... with regard to territory" had become "the elephant in the room" during negotiations. Notably, talks are set to resume Monday in Saudi Arabia, with US officials set to meet officials from both Russia and Ukraine. "The Russians are de facto in control of these territories. The question is: Will the world acknowledge that those are Russian territories?" Witkoff asked. "Can (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky survive politically if he acknowledges this? This is the central issue in the conflict." Zelenskyy stressed last weekend that Ukraine's position "is that we do not recognize the occupied Ukrainian territories as Russian", CNN reported. The Ukrainian President also said that the US raised the issue during talks with Ukrainian delegates in the Saudi city of Jeddah, adding that he hopes the question can be resolved during later peace talks rather than discussions over an initial ceasefire. "It is dragging out the process for a long, long time," he said. He noted that the meeting "got personal," after President Putin "had commissioned a beautiful portrait of President Trump from the leading Russian artist," which Witkoff took home to US President Donald Trump. Witkoff also highlighted that following the assassination attempt against Trump in September, Putin said that he "went to his local church and met with his priest and prayed" for Trump, "not because he... could become the president of the United States, but because he had a friendship with him." The special envoy said that Trump was "clearly touched" by Putin's story and portrait. Witkoff implied that resolving the war in Ukraine could lead to cooperation on a broader range of issues and that the two sides were thinking about "integrating their energy policies in the Arctic," sharing sea lanes, collaborating on artificial intelligence and sending liquefied natural gas "into Europe together." (ANI) The United States has lifted the bounty of a whopping USD 10 million dollars on a major Taliban figure, Sirajuddin Haqqani, after the group released an American citizen last week, Al Jazeera reported. The bounty had been placed for information leading to the arrest of Haqqani, an Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs spokesperson said. Despite the announcement, which was made on Saturday, the FBI still lists the reward on its website, saying Haqqani was "believed to have coordinated and participated in cross-border attacks against United States and coalition forces in Afghanistan," as reported by Al Jazeera. The removal of the bounty comes after the Taliban on Thursday released a US citizen who had been kept in captivity for two years. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that George Glezmann, who was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan for two and a half years, was freed. The Taliban kidnapped George Glezmann, 65, while he was visiting Afghanistan. They freed him following negotiations brokered by Trump's special hostage envoy Adam Boehler, Taliban officials and Qatari officials, according to the New York Post. "George Glezmann is free. George was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan for two and a half years, but now he's on his way to being reunited with his wife Aleksandra. Welcome home, George!" Rubio said in a post on X. Notably, Taliban had previously described the release of US detainees as part of its global "normalisation" effort. Haqqani, the son of a commander from the war against the Soviets, was head of the powerful Haqqani Network, a US-designated "terror group" long viewed as one of the most dangerous armed groups in Afghanistan, as reported by Al Jazeera. He had continued to be on the US radar even after the Taliban takeover. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], March 23 (ANI/WAM): The Emirates Franchise held its second meeting for 2025, chaired by Noor Al Tamimi, Chairperson of Emirates Franchise and Board Member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with representatives from other emirates in attendance. The discussion covered the Franchise's operational plan, finalising bylaws, and setting strategic priorities to enhance its impact on the national economy. Board members, along with the Executive Committee and working groups from each emirate, reviewed progress on the organisation's agenda and highlighted key outcomes from recent discussions. These included identifying challenges within the sector, proposing solutions, and offering actionable recommendations to align UAE franchising with global standards. Emphasis was placed on driving innovation, boosting competitiveness, and creating a platform for collaboration among entrepreneurs, franchisees, and stakeholders to promote sustainable growth. Al Tamimi reaffirmed the Franchise's commitment to empowering the sector as a catalyst for economic diversification and entrepreneurship. "The UAE spares no effort in providing enablers to achieve its economic vision. Our organisation will play a key role in advancing the franchise sector by implementing ambitious initiatives, including a flexible business framework that supports continued growth and prosperity," she said. She also highlighted the importance of protecting intellectual property, raising awareness of franchising rights, and expanding the presence of Emirati brands locally and globally. She also stressed the importance of embracing innovative ideas, fostering a forward-thinking and ambitious business environment, expanding partnerships, and promoting franchising as a tool to strengthen the presence and engagement of entrepreneurs, while providing them with investment opportunities and meeting their needs to help them achieve their goals. Noor Al Tamimi emphasised that one of the main objectives of the franchise sector in the current period is to enhance its operational structure. The goal is to position the UAE as the ideal business environment for supporting and fostering the international growth of local franchises while also attracting global franchises to the UAE's business landscape, further reinforcing its status as a leading global destination for the franchising sector. (ANI/WAM) The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) urged caution for Taiwanese travelling to China, as reported by the Taipei Times. This comes as three more Taiwanese nationals were detained, and one more went missing in China. SEF Secretary-General Luo Wen-chia emphasized that China is not a safe destination due to its lack of democracy, rule of law, and unclear rights and procedures, which make it difficult to predict or address incidents involving Taiwanese citizens. According to Luo, a Taiwanese entrepreneur and his son were arrested in Wuhan under unspecified circumstances, while another Taiwanese national disappeared in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. The family of the missing individual was later contacted by a Chinese prisoner who claimed the person was being held in jail, Taipei Times reported. Additionally, Luo noted an incident where a Taiwanese academic who had been hired by a university in Guangdong saw his housing contract suddenly voided by the school. According to the Taipei Times, Luo also criticized Beijing for failing to uphold the Cross-Strait Joint Crime-Fighting and Judicial Mutual Assistance Agreement, which mandates that Taiwanese authorities be notified when a Taiwanese citizen is arrested in China. He argued that China's refusal to honour this agreement, along with its lack of transparency and disregard for established procedures, undermines its credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of the Taiwanese people. Despite these issues, Luo reiterated that Taiwan remains committed to maintaining an open, constructive, and equal dialogue with Beijing, as President William Lai has emphasised since taking office in May last year. SEF called on Chinese authorities to respect the existing agreements to foster better cross-strait relations. China-Taiwan relations are marked by political tension, with China viewing Taiwan as a part of its territory while Taiwan maintains its sovereignty. Diplomatic ties are limited, and economic exchanges continue despite disagreements. Cross-strait relations are affected by differing political systems, with occasional efforts for dialogue and cooperation. (ANI) Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain has strongly condemned the arrest of Mahrang Baloch, a prominent human rights activist and leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee during a peaceful protest in Quetta. The arrest of Baloch, along with her associates, has triggered widespread criticism, with many viewing it as an unjustified attempt to suppress peaceful activism. Hussain, in his statement, expressed his deep concern over the detention of Baloch and her colleagues, emphasizing that their peaceful activism was carried out within the framework of the law. He called the arrest a direct violation of human rights and an infringement on the freedoms guaranteed by the constitution of Pakistan. According to Hussain, Baloch has been a staunch advocate for the rights of the Baloch people and has tirelessly campaigned for justice, both within the country and on the international stage. "Mahrang Baloch has always raised her voice for justice and human rights through legal and peaceful means. Her arrest is unconstitutional, illegal, and inhumane," Hussain said, adding that it was a blatant effort to silence peaceful voices advocating for the rights of marginalized communities. The MQM leader warned that such actions by the Pakistani authorities would only deepen the divide between the Baloch community and the national establishment. He expressed concern that the arrest of activists like Baloch would lead to further unrest in the region and exacerbate tensions that already exist. Hussain called for the immediate release of Mahrang Baloch and her associates and demanded an independent inquiry into the actions of those responsible for their detention. He also urged the government to respect fundamental human rights and to cease any practices that undermine the rights of peaceful activists. Human rights organizations, political leaders, and activists across Pakistan have rallied behind Baloch, calling for accountability and an end to the harassment of those who seek justice through non-violent means. The situation remains tense as the call for the release of Mahrang Baloch and her associates grows louder. The arrest has also drawn international attention, with calls for Pakistan to adhere to international human rights standards and to protect the rights of its citizens, including those who engage in peaceful activism for social and political change. (ANI) Leading Baloch human rights group Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) shared that a peaceful protest staged in Lasbela saw Pakistani police and security personnel launch a crackdown wherein they opened fire and lobbed tear gas upon peaceful protestors on Sunday. In a post on X, BYC shared the details of the actions committed by the police and security personnel. It highlighted that the crackdown took place early in the morning upon the families of missing persons and BYC activists who, despite the atrocities, remained peaceful. "Crackdown on BYC Lasbela Sit-in: Tear Gas, Firing, and Arrests- In response to the central call of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, the BYC Lasbela Region staged a sit-in at Hub Bawani. Early this morning, police and security personnel launched a crackdown on the protest camp, where families of missing persons and BYC activists were peacefully gathered. They dismantled the tent, fired tear gas, and opened fire, sabotaging the protest. Despite this aggression, the participants remained peaceful. One protester has been arrested." https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1903684759022420083 The actions by security forces come on the heels of the arrest of BYC organiser Mahrang Baloch who was taken by the Pakistani forces on Saturday while participating in a sit-in protest. Human rights organizations, political leaders, and activists across Pakistan have rallied behind Baloch, calling for accountability and an end to the harassment of those who seek justice through non-violent means. The situation remains tense as the call for the release of Mahrang Baloch and her associates grows louder. The arrest has also drawn international attention, with calls for Pakistan to adhere to international human rights standards and to protect the rights of its citizens, including those who engage in peaceful activism for social and political change. (ANI) Protest leaders in Quetta, Balochistan, have accused Pakistani security forces of staging arson attacks on government buildings and private property to justify further crackdowns on peaceful protesters, as reported by the Balochistan Post. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), which has been organizing the demonstrations, claimed in a statement that plainclothes security personnel intentionally set fires to properties and opened fire on civilians on Saturday evening, the Balochistan Post cited. According to the Balochistan Post, the BYC argued that the violence was a deliberate effort by Pakistani authorities to falsely portray the peaceful protest movement as violent. The group condemned the state's actions, calling them a form of terrorism. According to the BYC, operatives in civilian clothes set fire to buildings and shops in Quetta while shooting at civilians to frame the protesters. This accusation follows a day of intense violence, with police and paramilitary forces launching multiple attacks on Baloch protesters. In less than 24 hours, authorities attacked protest sites--especially a major sit-in on Sariab Road--using live ammunition, tear gas, and grenades. Reports indicate at least five fatalities and more than 100 injuries, with many protesters reportedly wounded by gunfire from security forces, the Balochistan Post reported. In the aftermath, dozens of demonstrators, including key BYC leader Mahrang Baloch, were arrested. Eyewitnesses also reported that ambulances were blocked from reaching the injured, and hospitals refused to treat the protesters. Additionally, roads were closed, and door-to-door searches were conducted in various neighbourhoods. In response to recent violence, the BYC announced on Saturday evening that the overnight sit-in in Quetta would be postponed. Senior leader Sibghatullah Shah Ji urged protesters to stay home for their safety, citing escalating threats amid the ongoing crackdown and violence by security forces, the Balochistan Post reported. Shah Ji stressed that their movement continues to be non-violent and called on both supporters and global observers to speak out against what he termed "state brutality." (ANI) The Israel Defence Forces launched a ground operation in Gaza's Beit Hanoun town on Sunday morning, while Hamas confirmed the death of its politburo member in the airstrike, Israeli news agency, Tazpit Press Service (TPS) reported on Sunday. As per the report, during the operation, fighter jets struck several Hamas targets and terror infrastructure sites in the area. Meanwhile, the IDF also warned residents of Rafah's Tel-Sultan neighbourhood to evacuate their homes on Sunday. "The IDF has launched an attack to strike at terrorist organizations. The area you are in is considered a dangerous combat zone," Col Avichay Adraee, the IDF's Arabic language spokesperson posted. "Gush Katif Street is considered a humanitarian route for your use in order to move to the Mawasi area." Hamas confirmed a member of its politburo, Salah al-Bardawil, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Yunis, the report added. In another update, CNN reported that Israel's military carried out multiple waves of airstrikes across Lebanon targeting suspected Hezbollah sites on Saturday. Citing the Lebanese Health Ministry, the report said that at least seven people have been killed, including a child, and 40 others injured in Saturday's strikes. The day's barrages marked the most significant eruption of violence between Israel and Hezbollah since the ceasefire, which brought about an uneasy calm to the border. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that its latest strikes targeted "Hezbollah command centers, infrastructure sites, terrorists, rocket launchers, and a weapons storage facility." It said it was responding to at least five projectiles fired from within Lebanon toward Israel; three were intercepted by the Israeli air force and two did not cross the border. In the most recent update, Al Jazeera cited state media reports which said that Meanwhile, another Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in a southern Lebanese town, Al Jazeera reported citing state media. "An Israeli drone carried out an air strike this morning, launching a guided missile targeting a car in the town of Aita al-Shaab," near the border with Israel, Lebanon's official National News Agency said as quoted by Al Jazeera. (ANI) Notably, Mahatma Gandhi established the Phoenix Settlement, his first ashram-like community, in 1904 in Inanda, near Durban, South Africa. In a post on X, Jaishankar expressed his gratitude, stating, "Privileged to witness the handing over of artefacts and documents related to Mahatma Gandhi by @PST_GDT (Phoenix Settlement Trust-Gandhi Development Trust), South Africa to National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi." Mahatma Gandhi's experiences in South Africa between 1893 and 1914 were crucial in shaping his political ideology, particularly his philosophy of Satyagraha. Faced with racial discrimination and injustice, Gandhi realized that non-violent resistance could be an effective tool for challenging oppressive systems. "Bapu's life and message continue to inspire generations to come," the post added. Mahatma Gandhi's life journey was a remarkable tale of transformation, perseverance, and selfless service. Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India, Gandhi was a key leader in the Indian independence movement against British rule. Gandhi led a 240-mile march from his ashram in Sabarmati to the coastal village of Dandi to protest the British government's monopoly on salt production and the heavy taxation on it. He also led the Quit India Movement, a civil disobedience movement demanding immediate independence for India. He advocated for non-cooperation with the British authorities, urging Indians to withdraw from British institutions, return honours conferred by the British empire, and boycott British-made goods. Tragically, On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse at Gandhi Smriti in Birla's house. Gandhi's death sent shockwaves throughout India and the world, but his legacy continues to inspire movements for justice and freedom across the globe. India observes Martyrs' Day every year on January 30 to mark the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and to honour his contribution towards the freedom of the country. (ANI) Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office on Sunday called on Pakistani authorities to immediately release Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch and all others being detained for exercising their right to peaceful protest. Mahrang Baloch has been in 'unlawful detention for over 38 hours', and denied access to her lawyers and family. https://x.com/amnestysasia/status/1903808256960790625?t=MlBZXYOXu9KiBQViSOD7ow&s=08 In a post on X, Amnesty International wrote, More than 38 hours since Mahrang Baloch's unlawful detention, she is still being denied access to her lawyers and family. There are also worrying reports of continued arbitrary arrests and detentions across Balochistan province," The organisation added, "Pakistani authorities must immediately release Mahrang Baloch and all others being detained for exercising their right to peaceful protest, and refrain from implicating Baloch activists in frivolous cases to unlawfully prolong their detention." Notably Mahrang Baloch was taken into custody by the police on Saturday morning. The international community, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders; Mary Lawlor, also expressed concern over Baloch's detention and called for her immediate release . "Very concerned by reports that Mahrang Baloch and a number of other HRDs have been arrested in Balochistan following a crackdown on Baloch Yakjehti Committee protesters in Quetta," Lawlor wrote, calling attention to the ongoing repression in the region. The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of Baloch activists and their families, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in such cases. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent figure in the human rights movement and a staunch advocate for the rights of the Baloch people, was violently dragged and arrested. Many others were also detained, marking a troubling escalation in the Pakistani authorities' efforts to silence dissent in the region. Notably, Amnesty International is a global human rights organization that conducts research and generates action to prevent and end human rights abuses. The South Asia Regional Office covers countries including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, working to promote and protect human rights through research, advocacy, and support for human rights defenders. (ANI) US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has accused Hamas of sparking renewed fighting in Gaza, rejecting efforts to move forward with an "acceptable deal." Witkoff emphasised that Hamas had the opportunity to demilitarize and accept a bridging proposal but chose not to. "So this is on Hamas. The United States stands with Israel," Al Jazeera reported citing Witkoff's statement on Fox News. "Hamas is the aggressor here." The proposed "bridge" plan aimed to extend the truce into April, allowing time for negotiations beyond the holidays of Ramadan and Passover. According to Al Jazeera, the proposed "bridge" plan for the Gaza ceasefire, presented last week, aimed to extend the truce into April, allowing time for negotiations beyond the holidays of Ramadan and Passover. However, Hamas insists that Israel must abide by the January ceasefire deal, including talks on ending the war permanently in exchange for the remaining 59 captives held in Gaza. "We have positively responded to all the efforts made towards us. It was Netanyahu that has backed down on the agreement. It was Netanyahu who turned a blind eye to it. Therefore, it is Netanyahu, not Hamas or the resistance, that should be pressured to comply." Notably, Israeli's army continues attacks across the Gaza Strip - killing dozens of people in pre-dawn raids, including senior Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil and his wife who were sleeping in a tent, as per Al Jazeera. On Sunday morning, Israel Defence Forces launched a ground operation in Gaza's Beit Hanoun town with fighter jets strucking several Hamas targets and terror infrastructure sites in the area. Meanwhile, the IDF also warned residents of Rafah's Tel-Sultan neighbourhood to evacuate their homes on Sunday. In another update, CNN reported that Israel's military carried out multiple waves of airstrikes across Lebanon targeting suspected Hezbollah sites on Saturday. Citing the Lebanese Health Ministry, the report said that at least seven people have been killed, including a child, and 40 others injured in Saturday's strikes. With the ending to Gaza's fragile ceasefire, the skies of Gaza are clouded with buzzing drones, grinding people down mentally. There is a constant fear of unpredictable attacks because of these sky predators. And with three weeks of no aid coming in, the situation is extremely difficult. People are in survival mode, trying to get their hands on whatever they can. Normally during Ramadan, shops and markets would be full of food. Now, almost nothing is available - and whatever small quantity is there is too expensive. The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has warned that every day that passed without the entry of vital humanitarian aid, including food, into the Gaza Strip brings the besieged territory closer "to an acute hunger crisis". In a post on X, Philippe Lazarrini said no food, medicine, water or fuel had entered Gaza in the past three weeks, saying this was "a tight siege longer than what was in place in the first phase of the war". "The people of Gaza depend on imports via Israel for their survival," he added, noting that "banning aid is a collective punishment on Gaza." Israel has imposed a suffocating siege for the past 16 months and used starvation as a weapon. Even before October 7, 2023, the blockade had been in force across the Gaza Strip for more than a decade. Gaza's Health Ministry says at least 50,021 Palestinians have been confirmed dead and 113,274 wounded in Israel's war on Gaza. Gaza's Government Media Office updated its death toll to more than 61,700, saying thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble are presumed dead. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks and more than 200 taken captive. (ANI) The British Council in partnership with the University of Reading, United Kingdom organised a discussion on author-diplomat Abhay K.'s latest book 'Nalanda: How it Changed the World' on the occasion of Bihar Day. Speaking on the occasion, Caroline Baylon, Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Reading, praised Abhay K's book, saying it significantly contributes to our understanding of Nalanda, an ancient seat of learning. Baylon highlighted how the book showcases Nalanda's intellectual beacon, which illuminated Asia for centuries, and its approach to interdisciplinary learning. "I would like to take a moment to recognise Abhay K's remarkable book that we are celebrating tonight. "Nalanda: How It Changed the World" is truly a significant contribution to our understanding of this ancient seat of learning. Through his meticulous research, Abhay has uncovered how Nalanda served as an intellectual beacon that illuminated much of Asia for centuries," Baylon said. "The book vividly portrays how scholars journeyed thousands of miles across treacherous landscapes, driven by the simple desire to learn and exchange ideas at Nalanda. What makes this work particularly compelling is how Abhay connects Nalanda's historical achievements to contemporary educational challenges. He illustrates how the university's approach to interdisciplinary learning - where astronomy, mathematics, medicine, logic, and philosophy were studied alongside one another - created an intellectual ecosystem that fostered innovation and critical thinking," she added. She noted that the book's exploration of Nalanda's networks of knowledge is particularly relevant today, as it shows how the pursuit of learning has always been a universal aspiration that connects humanity across cultures and centuries. "The book also beautifully captures how Nalanda's open debates and rigorous examination of ideas created a culture where knowledge was constantly refined and advanced. Perhaps most relevant to our discussions today is Abhay's exploration of how Nalanda created networks of knowledge that transcended political and geographical boundaries, demonstrating that the pursuit of learning has always been a universal aspiration that connects humanity across cultures and centuries," she said. Discussing the book with writer and translator, Dhanya Madhavan Nair, Abhay K. highlighted the importance of Nalanda in shaping our modern world through its key contributions such as the birth of the idea and quadrangular architectural plan of university, the concept of zero, algebra and algorithm, Dharma Wheel, interdisciplinary approach to learning, philosophies of Shunyata, Yogachara and Vajrayana, poetic forms such as Doha and Chaupai, Hatha Yoga, among others which are still relevant today. He also discussed the importance of Nalanda's Sariputra, whose stupa, erected by Emperor Ashoka, became the nucleus for the growth and development of Nalanda Mahavihara over centuries and the role of the philosopher Nagarjuna in laying the philosophical foundation of Nalanda Mahavihara. Alison Barret, Country Director of the British Council, thanked Abhay K. for writing the book on Nalanda so that everyone can understand the incredible contribution India has made in the field of global learning by setting up interdisciplinary approach to learning which is really important for in this day and age. She also thanked Dhanya Madhavan Nair for steering the conversation. (ANI) According to data released by the Israeli Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Division, more than 78,000 wounded individuals are currently receiving care, including 16,000 who have been admitted since Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023. Among those wounded, 66 per cent are reserve soldiers, and more than half (51 per cent) are between 18 and 30 years old. Seven percent of the injured are women. Approximately 10,900 are coping with physical injuries, while half of those treated are suffering from psychological trauma. Around 2,900 individuals have sustained both physical and mental injuries. The severity of injuries varies, with 6 per cent classified as moderate and 4 per cent as severe. Seventy-two wounded individuals have undergone amputations and received prosthetic limbs. The Ministry of Defense estimates that the average annual cost of treating and supporting a war-wounded individual is approximately NIS 150,000 (USD 40,300). By 2030, the division is expected to be responsible for about 100,000 disabled IDF veterans, with half suffering from psychological conditions. Additionally, 8,300 individuals who sustained injuries in past conflicts have sought recognition for their disabilities. The first international conference of the ministry's Rehabilitation Division will be held on Tuesday at Tel Aviv University, with the participation of representatives from over 20 countries, including medical and rehabilitation experts from militaries, defense ministries, and health ministries around the world. The upcoming international conference will provide a platform for discussing rehabilitation strategies and strengthening global partnerships in veteran care. At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 59 remaining hostages, 36 are believed to be dead. (ANI/TPS) Baloch activist Iqra Baloch has voiced strong concerns over the arrest of her sister, Baloch rights leader Mahrang Baloch, who was taken into custody by Pakistani authorities on Saturday morning. In a social media post, Iqra described the distressing experience of visiting Hudda Jail, where she was denied permission to meet Mahrang. Recalling a painful childhood memory, she stated, "A visit to Hudda Jail today reminded me of painful memory from childhood when I stood at the same place to see my father behind bars. 18-years ago, it was my father. It is my sister today. Back then, @MahrangBaloch_ was by our side but today, NO! We weren't allowed to meet her." https://x.com/BalochIqra55/status/1903814602158121423 Iqra previously expressed frustration over the lack of information regarding her sister's detention. Posting on X, she stated that both Mahrang and their younger sister had been taken by the police but that the family had not been provided with any details. "10 hours, and still no information! We have not been given a copy of the FIR. Only hearing she is being held in Hudda District Prison, but we have no right to meet her. @EUPakistan," she wrote, seeking intervention from the European Union. International figures have condemned the arrest and the treatment of Baloch activists. Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, criticised the crackdown on protesters in Quetta. She highlighted the detention of Mahrang Baloch and other human rights defenders in Balochistan, stating, "Very concerned by reports that Mahrang Baloch and a number of other HRDs have been arrested in Balochistan following a crackdown on Baloch Yakjehti Committee protesters in Quetta." The arrest has sparked wider concerns regarding the Pakistani authorities' handling of dissent in Balochistan. Mahrang Baloch, a leading voice in the human rights movement, was reportedly dragged and arrested along with several others. (ANI) A Pakistan Day rally organised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday faced "resistance" from law enforcement as it proceeded toward Mazar-i-Quaid, according to a statement from the party, Dawn reported. The rally, led by PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Karachi President Raja Azhar, General Secretary Arsalan Khalid, and other party leaders, commenced from Empress Market and was set to reach Mazar-i-Quaid. However, PTI alleged that multiple barricades were placed along the route in an attempt to hinder the march. The party further claimed that police forces were heavily deployed around the Karachi Press Club and that at Mazar-i-Quaid, officials allegedly used force to disperse demonstrators, leading to several PTI workers being physically restrained. "Heavy police deployment was observed around the Press Club, while at Mazar-i-Quaid, officials allegedly used force to disperse participants, resulting in several PTI workers being manhandled," the statement read. PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh condemned the police action, saying, "We are patriotic Pakistanis, yet we are being stopped from celebrating Pakistan Day. We are carrying national flags, not weapons." He accused the Sindh government of operating under a "dictatorship" led by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and alleged that police were more focused on suppressing PTI than addressing Karachi's growing street crime, reported Dawn. Raja Azhar also criticised the crackdown, questioning, "As Pakistani citizens, do we not have the right to celebrate Pakistan Day?" He further claimed that Bilawal's "illegitimate government" was on the verge of collapse and predicted the downfall of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh. The PTI statement added, "During the rally, participants waved both Pakistani and PTI flags while chanting slogans demanding the release of Imran Khan and criticising the government's policies," as per reports by Dawn. When contacted, South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza stated that the police had cordoned off the Karachi Press Club for "security reasons" by parking buses on Sarwar Shaheed Road and setting up temporary barriers. (ANI) TOKYO, Mar 23 (News On Japan) - Japan is facing a pivotal moment in pension reform as the government prepares to revise its system for the first time in five years. With a shrinking workforce and an aging population, the pension system is under pressure, prompting new proposals that could impact millions. Among the central changes being discussed are the elimination of the so-called "1.06 million yen wall," which limits part-time workers eligibility for the Employees Pension, and the use of Employees Pension reserve funds to bolster the Basic Pension, which serves a broader population. These reforms are creating tension both in the political sphere and among the general public, especially with the Upper House election approaching. Some members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have suggested postponing the reform due to its potentially controversial content, including increased premiums. Concerns about the long-term viability of Japans pension system are not new. The 2007 "missing pension records" scandal, in which 50 million records were unaccounted for, led to public outrage and a major election loss for the LDP. That incident continues to cast a shadow over current pension debates. However, experts argue that todays challenges differ fundamentally. According to social insurance labor consultant Tomoyuki Tokoda, current reforms aim to address real demographic and economic changes rather than administrative failures. He notes that the governments own fiscal projections show that, unless changes are made, pension benefit levels will decline by about 20 percent over the next 30 years. While wages are expected to rise modestly, pensions will not keep pace, leading to a declining replacement rate for retirees. A key component of the debate involves expanding the Employees Pension system to include more part-time and short-time workers by eliminating income and company size requirements. While this could bring more people into the system and potentially strengthen it, there are concerns that it may also lead to behavioral shifts, such as workers limiting their hours to avoid pension deductions. Small and medium-sized businesses could face higher costs, possibly leading to suppressed wages or reduced hiring of full-time staff. On the other hand, integrating more part-time workers into the system may help stabilize the overall pension structure. Another contentious proposal is to redirect Employees Pension funds to support the Basic Pension, which serves self-employed workers and others not covered by employer-based plans. Some salaried workers view this as unfair, questioning why funds they've paid into should be used for others. However, Tokoda points out that the impact would primarily affect high-income earners, while average households would see minimal change. He also emphasizes that the Basic Pension needs urgent support to ensure that all citizens, especially those without stable employment histories, can maintain a basic standard of living in retirement. The reform discussion also includes a potential revision to the in-work old-age pension rule, which currently reduces pension benefits for retirees whose combined salary and pension exceed 500,000 yen per month. The government is considering raising or eliminating this cap to encourage more elderly people to remain in the workforce. Although this could increase income for older workers and address labor shortages, critics worry it could strain pension finances. Tokoda downplays this concern, noting that only a small portion of retirees would be affected, making the overall financial impact relatively minor. Despite these reform efforts, public confidence in the pension system remains fragile. Many younger people are starting to question the high insurance premiums they pay and whether they will receive adequate benefits in the future. This skepticism is further fueled by lingering doubts about the reliability of long-term government projections, particularly as they are based on outdated assumptions such as the "model household"a full-time working husband and a homemaker wifestill being the norm. As more people live alone or in dual-income households, the model becomes less relevant, casting further doubt on the pension systems adequacy. Tokoda urges individuals to take proactive steps to understand their own pension situations, such as reviewing their annual Pension Statement or consulting with local pension offices. While these tools are underutilized, they offer valuable insights into future benefits. He also highlights that Japans last fiscal review did not reveal any unforeseen deterioration in pension finances, which may offer some reassurance. Nonetheless, future risks remain, including the eventual retirement of the so-called "employment ice age" generation, who spent their prime working years in unstable or low-paying jobs and may not have sufficient pension coverage. Ultimately, the pension reform debate reflects broader concerns about economic inequality, demographic shifts, and political accountability. The decisions made in the coming months will affect not just the current generation of retirees, but also future workers whose faith in the system is already wavering. Whether the reforms will succeed in securing a stable pension future for all depends on how effectively the government balances fairness, sustainability, and public trust. Source: MBS A French national of Algerian origin, residing illegally in Morocco, has been arrested in Marrakech Friday for allegedly engaging in reckless driving that endangered road users and for identity fraud. An INTEREPOL database check revealed that the suspect is the subject of an international wanted notice issued by French judicial authorities for his alleged involvement in crimes committed in France. These include organized acts of vandalism against others property, as well as kidnapping, unlawful confinement, hostage-taking, death threats, and acts of violence, the General Directorate for National Security (DGSN) said in a statement. The 28-year-old suspect was arrested for reckless driving in Marrakech, endangering both his own safety and that of other road users. He also refused to comply with police orders and provided a false identity during the identity check, the statement added. French judicial authorities have been notified of his arrest pending the submission of the extradition file. This arrest is part of ongoing efforts to crack down on reckless driving that endangers public safety and reinforces Moroccan security services commitment to tracking down individuals wanted internationally for transnational criminal activities. Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has once again been recognized as the best airline connecting Spain to Africa at the 30th Travelranking awards by specialized magazine Agenttravel. The award was presented on Thursday in Madrid, acknowledging the airlines consistent efforts to enhance the customer experience. Awarded by experts from the travel and tourism industry in Spain, this recognition further strengthens the position of the Moroccan airline as a reference in connectivity between the two markets, Habib Skiredj, the companys regional representative, told MAP. Royal Air Maroc has become the top choice for travelers between Spain and Africa, owing to its strategic route network, fleet modernization, and a service dedicated to comfort and efficiency, he added. With its main hub at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, the airline offers numerous connections to key destinations across the African continent, thus facilitating travel, Skiredj said. The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) underscored the importance of integrating environmental and climate dimensions, including agricultural adaptation, into peace, security, and development strategies in Africa. In a communique issued on Saturday following a meeting on Climate Change: Challenges to Peace and Security in Africa, held recently under the chairmanship of Morocco, the Council encourages investments dedicated to the implementation of relevant African initiatives for the adaptation of African agriculture, as well as projects aimed at the sustainability of natural resources, the stability of human resources and the security of institutional resources as well as other areas of development such as environmental sustainability. The PSC also calls for enhanced cooperation between African stakeholders and international partners in responding to climate-related challenges and underscores the imperative to define African Solutions including on education and employment for youth, improve African research and data collection, develop a Common African Position (CAP) on the Climate change, peace and security nexus, and build a collaborative framework for climate change, peace, and security initiatives. The Council also highlights the imperative to enhance climate change governance by strengthening climate security capacities, ensure inclusivity, focus on marginalized groups, address gender-based violence, and integrate climate-conflict indicators in early warning systems. In this respect, the PSC emphasizes the need to develop knowledge among various stakeholders, including building civil society capacities, use local and traditional knowledge, and ensure an inclusive data collection to this end. The PSC also requests the AU Commission to support and strengthen its collaboration with initiatives aimed at strengthening African capacities to anticipate, prevent and effectively manage the challenges of climate change, notably the African Agriculture Adaptation (AAA) Initiative, the African Security, Stability and Sustainability (SSS) initiative and the three Climate Commissions, namely the Sahel Commission, the Island States Commission and the Congo Basin Commission. It likewise urges the AU Commission to mobilize, in collaboration with partners, the necessary funds to build continental capacity to anticipate, prevent, and manage the challenges of climate change with focus on adaptation projects across the continent. A Swedish national of South American origin, subject to an Interpol red notice was arrested at Tanger Med port on Saturday by the port district police. The individual was subject to an international arrest warrant issued by Swedish judicial authorities for his alleged involvement in an international drug trafficking case. The 40-year-old suspect was apprehended while attempting to leave Moroccan territory aboard a vessel bound for a Spanish port, a security source reported, adding that a check in the Interpol database confirmed that the individual was the subject of a Red Notice. The suspect is allegedly linked to a case of international trafficking of a cocaine shipment seized in Sweden in 2023, the security source said. The individual has been placed in custody pending extradition proceedings, while Swedish judicial authorities have been formally notified of the arrest, awaiting the transmission of the extradition file. This operation is part of ongoing international security cooperation and the sustained efforts of Moroccan law enforcement agencies in tracking individuals wanted globally for transnational crimes. Photo: Brendan McDermid/Reuters Theres a new war within the liberal intelligentsia, and its got to do with a funny word: abundance. Is it good or bad to be abundant? Does it symbolize dynamism or shadow libertarianism? What ills will so-called zoning reform actually fix? Two new books are at the heart of this struggle. One is called, of course, Abundance, by Ezra Klein, the star New York Times columnist and podcaster, and Derek Thompson, a journalist at The Atlantic. The other, Why Nothing Works, comes from Marc J. Dunkelman, a fellow at Brown Universitys Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. All three writers are Democrats or sympathetic to the Democratic cause. All dislike Donald Trump. All want blue cities, blue counties, and blue states from coast to coast. But each man has riled up a certain number of left-leaning Democrats for somewhat similar reasons. One overriding issue is that many on the left are annoyed or even angered that such a debate is happening right now, against the backdrop of Trumps assault on the federal bureaucracy and democratic norms. Why care about abundance when the president is threatening judges and trying to deport legal residents for their political beliefs? Its a fair argument, as is the reality that such an agenda making government better at building and doing isnt an automatic salve for the Democratic woes in the heartland, or anywhere, really. What has become obvious, though, is that the United States, despite its inordinate wealth, is not matching its 20th-century dynamism. Could this government Republican or Democratic run build another interstate highway system? A network of railroads? Could this Department of Defense effectively invent the internet? There will be an America after Trump, and a republic, too, and its worth mulling the greater arc of our nation. Not all issues are bound to electoral cycles, team red against team blue. If we are going to save our climate or guarantee every American an affordable place to live, these debates must be had now. The Klein-Thompson duo argues that an anti-growth mentality has constrained the left for the last several decades. NIMBYism and aggressive regulations have strangled housing supply and innovation. As government support for research and development dried up, science produced fewer societywide breakthroughs. Once, we built whole subway systems in a decade, sent human beings to the moon, and created the internet. Klein and Thompson do blame neoliberalism a long-running retreat from government investment and a foisting of responsibilities on the private sector for this, which should make many progressives nod along. But theyd prefer lighter zoning and environmental laws to speed up growth. Can the Green New Deal come to fruition if NIMBYs can always sue to halt new solar plants and transmission lines? Dunkelmans thesis is similar. For New Yorkers, theres plenty in Why Nothing Works to devour. He begins with the great bete noire of the modern left, Robert Moses, and argues as I have that the master builders legacy is somewhat misunderstood. Or, at least, weve overlearned the lessons of the Moses era. Moses, of course, ran roughshod over much of New York, ramming highways through thriving neighborhoods and thwarting the expansion of mass transit. He behaved like a tyrant and cared little for conventional democracy. Politicians couldnt move him, nor could protest. For 40 years, he was emblematic of an imperial approach to governing, and it was Robert Caros The Power Broker which exposed, finally, many of his excesses. But Dunkelman, with a half-century of hindsight, is able to tell another story: Moses wasnt merely a villain. Harnessing the collective powers of the federal, state, and local governments, he built enormous amounts of public housing and parkland. He transformed the Valley of Ashes of Great Gatsby lore into Flushing MeadowsCorona Park. He dreamed up Jones Beach and Riverside Park. He built Lincoln Center and the United Nations. He finished what was, at that time, the largest suspension bridge on earth. His public-housing developments ensured hundreds of thousands of working-class people could permanently reside in New York, no matter how expensive it became. Under Moses, the government could be unfeeling but it worked. And it was not Moses-style development that triggered New Yorks decline in the 1970s, as Caro strongly intimated. Rather, it was the collapse of the manufacturing sector, white flight, and fiscal mismanagement. The public works Moses left behind were necessary for New Yorks post-fiscal-crisis renaissance. Dunkelman frames American views of governance as a centuries-long clash between Hamiltonians, who argue for stronger centralized authority, and Jeffersonians, who are wary of government overreach. Both, in his view, have a point. In the 20th century, urban planning could go awry, leading to interstate highways obliterating vibrant, walkable downtowns. Ignoring the will of ordinary people had dire consequences. But the trouble began when the Jeffersonians kept winning. Beginning in the 1970s, skepticism of government power began getting baked into both political parties. Conservatives, of course, longed to dismantle the New Deal legacy: They wanted lower taxes, weaker unions, and more influence for private enterprise at the expense of federal oversight. The lefts role in this push is more poorly understood, and Dunkelman is a wonderful guide to this dispiriting stretch of history. Beginning with Watergate, which taught a generation of young progressives to distrust federal power, the left began to favor hamstringing government whenever possible. Numerous new choke points, some of them well-meaning, were invented, from arcane local laws to community boards that could stifle building that alienated locals. Preservationists warred to freeze urban neighborhoods in place, hoping to avoid catastrophes like the obliteration of the old Penn Station but they also, in their zeal for saving the old, helped to ensure these cities would grow less affordable. Building new affordable housing, commuter railways, or any other type of large infrastructure project became far harder in the era of community control. How to make America dynamic again? How to build here like they do in China and Japan, where its routine to throw up new high-speed rail lines every decade? And if we solved these problems, would it be enough? David Sirota, the founder of Lever News and a former Bernie Sanders speechwriter, summed up one stinging progressive critique of the whole project: Abundance being defined as kill zoning laws and corporate regulation but not give everyone decent medical care thats the tell, and youre the mark. Its true that this is not a focus among the advocates of abundance. Relaxing zoning laws wont do anything to bring us universal health care or bolster the social safety net. It may not even, in the short term, do enough to create affordable housing. One of the great divides within the YIMBY movement, which can be folded into the abundance push, is how much regulation should exist around what people pay in rent. Some YIMBYs do back stronger tenant protections and versions of rent control while others, like Klein ally Matthew Yglesias, plainly do not. Yglesias is also skeptical of lifting the federal law that effectively bans the construction of new public housing. Abundance, then, can hold different meanings for different advocates. If the belief is that a robust, efficient federal government should do more to help working-class Americans, then we need a new program of mass home-building like what we saw in the 1930s and 1940s. Without the New York City Public Housing Authority, the largest city in America would probably have an unfathomably large number of unhoused people, the tent cities in the five boroughs making the Tenderloin and Skid Row look like minor, quasi-pastoral encampments. If you believe zoning reform is enough and the government need only get out of the way then how much housing must be built, exactly, for rents to start falling enough that a family making well under $100,000 can comfortably afford a market-rate apartment? Turning New York (or any city) into Tokyo is easier said than done. What abundance advocates do get right is that governments federal, state, and local must do far better. We have fallen a long way from the 20th century; we led the world in building and innovation until we didnt. We are still a remarkably wealthy nation, and we must find a way, as we persevere in this new century, to beat back stagnation. Otherwise, the future is going to be much more frustrating. Photo: Mark Peterson/Redux American men and boys are in trouble, we are told. The internet is replete with tales of controlling husbands and boyfriends who neglect their hygiene and play video games all day. The stories arent purely anecdotal; the data suggest there is a crisis. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2024 that although more women ages 25 to 34 have entered the workforce in recent years, the share of similarly aged working men hasnt grown in a decade. Many young men still live at home with their parents rather than striking out on their own and say they have trouble making friends and finding dates. Their suicide rates are rising, leading some observers to attribute their struggles in part to a lack of purpose or meaning. Young Hispanic men, and really young men in general, they want to feel valued, Rafael Struve of the conservative Bienvenido group told the Associated Press not long after Donald Trump won reelection. A few weeks later, Richard V. Reeves of the nonpartisan American Institute for Boys and Men told the Journal, The sense a lot of young men have is not being sure that they are needed or that they are going to be needed by their families, by their communities, by society. Male loneliness is an opportunity for misogynist influencers like Andrew Tate. He tells millions of followers that masculinity is theirs to reclaim through the brutal oppression of women. Donald Trump offers a less explicit version of the same argument, telling young men that their prospects are threatened by DEI, which he defines as the advancement of women, LGBTQ+ people, and racial minorities. In 2024, young men again drifted right and toward Trump, a trend that helped put the would-be strongman back in the White House. Democrats know they have a problem. During the first episode of California governor Gavin Newsoms podcast, the California Democrat told MAGA star Charlie Kirk that his son is a fan. Others are recalibrating their rhetoric and policies to better address the male plight. Maryland governor Wes Moore has announced a new initiative to help men and boys. On every single indicator we care about, young men and boys are falling off, he told Washingtonian. Last month, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan appealed directly to men and boys in a speech, saying, The last thing any of us wants is a generation of young men falling behind their fathers and grandfathers. The crisis is real, to an extent. Men are in trouble, and that means everyone else is in trouble too. The return of Trump and the growth of misogyny are real political problems for women, for the economy, and for democracy itself. Alas for all of us, the debate over men has become detached from material reality. Men may lack purpose, but that dilemma is not unique to them, as women also struggle for meaning and value. The real culprit is a political economy that renders everyone powerless and insecure. As long as it endures, purpose remains a loose concept, and that allows snake oil to flourish. Sometimes this is literally true: The Black Forest supplement company promises men more than berberine and something called turkesterone. It also advertises community. Together, we can continue to defy the forces that seek to suppress our true nature and empower one another to embrace our inherent masculinity, the website says. Whether a man imbibes Tate or turkesterone, he is taking poison. He needs an antidote, and fast, but he finds it in short supply. The answer to male pain isnt masculinity, but a new political order, where no man or woman is an automaton or object. As analysts like Reeves have argued, it is possible to champion men and boys without sacrificing women and girls to the right-wing. Yet some liberals would rather appease violent masculinity than defeat it. Newsom didnt just interview Kirk; he praised the far-right activist, and attacked trans athletes and woke culture in the same episode. Democrats like him agree that wokeness has gone too far, that trans rights and immigration are destabilizing the country and alienating male voters. In searching for common ground with Trump, they align themselves with the same reactionary forces that sell men hierarchy and call it freedom. Join us, the right-wing says, and you can use slurs. But the liberty to insult others is an ersatz version of the real thing. Nowhere is this clearer than in the Trump administration. On Monday, the Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor railed against immigration during an appearance at the White House, a few months after an Irish court ordered him to pay almost 250,000 to a woman who says he beat and raped her in 2018. At the same time, the administration defended the deportation of more than 200 Venezuelan men on the basis that they were all gang members and abusers of women. Trumps masculinity is bound up with white nationalism, which has long promised white men and white women a measure of power in exchange for their obedience. A man can serve in the military, but if he is Black, he can also expect to see his contributions erased. After the Pentagon temporarily removed a story about Jackie Robinson and his military service from its website, press secretary John Ullyot said in a written statement that so-called DEI programming Divides the force, Erodes unit cohesion, and Interferes with the services core warfighting mission. Some masculinities matter more than others, while imaginary threats hide real predators from scrutiny. There is no freedom here, only levels of tyranny. The right-wing offers men a purpose of a sort but asks him to derive his meaning from the subjugation of others. Its an old bargain. When I was an Evangelical girl in the 90s, thousands of men flocked to the Promise Keepers movement, which offered them camaraderie and fellowship while promoting male authority over women and denouncing homosexuality. When I later entered an Evangelical college, many classmates fawned over John and Stasi Eldredge, a pair of Christian authors who taught complementarian theology, or the idea that men should lead their homes and churches while women lovingly submit to them. In Wild at Heart, his 2001 best-seller, John claimed that men are innately aggressive, and that they all long for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to love. The Christian church had failed men by asking them to deny their true nature, he argued. Every man wants to play the hero, he added. Eldredge did not invent complementarian theology but popularized ideas that I and millions of others had already heard in our church sanctuaries and our living rooms. Now reactionaries of all stripes make similar arguments. In a February piece for The Free Press, the writer Chris Arnade claimed that all men need to feel like the heroif not over the course of their lifetime, then at least every now and then. Most men get their sense of worth from rescuing, protecting, building, solving and for being appreciated for doing so, he added. When society fails to grant them that opportunity, a black market in unapproved, antisocial ones will pop up; these usually involve proving your worth through crime or violence. Arnade blamed liberalism, which, he said, favors the individual over the community and tells men and women that they can create a bespoke identity, like a tailor-made suit, again at the expense of their true natures. Absent from so much contemporary discourse about the crisis of men, and from centuries-old defenses of traditional masculinity, is the labor and purpose of women. Wild at Heart made the incredible claim that slavery was ended through the strength of men. (Who needed Harriet Tubman?) Apartheid wasnt defeated by women, Eldredge added. Arnades notion of heroism is about doing, making, protecting, all of which he associates with masculinity. In real life, women find meaning in the same ways. The work of caregiving is typically carried out by women: by unpaid daughters and granddaughters and by underpaid domestic workers, who are mostly women of color. Changing a diaper is a form of protection and as necessary to society as firefighting, but a woman is rarely called heroic for doing it. Her loneliness and her need to feel valued go mostly unacknowledged. Wanting to be human too, I sought for evidence that I was; but if thats what it took, to make a weapon and kill with it, then evidently I was either extremely defective as a human being, or not human at all, the late Ursula K. Le Guin wrote in her 1988 essay The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction. Thats right, they said. What you are is a woman. Possibly not human at all, certainly defective. Now be quiet while we go on telling the Story of the Ascent of Man the Hero. Perhaps heroism itself is part of the problem. I am an aging, angry woman laying mightily about me with my handbag, fighting hoodlums off, Le Guin wrote. However I dont, nor does anybody else, consider myself heroic for doing so. It is, she added, one of those damned things you have to do in order for society to go on. Our customary definitions of heroism, and with it, our concepts of purpose and meaning, often urge men to commit acts of socially permissible violence or subject themselves to exploitation at work. But many dislike their options. At Liberal Currents, Toby Buckle wrote in response to Arnade that heroic professions are still available to men, if theyre interested. The Army aggressively recruits; really any young man at any point can join. The vast majority dont, Buckle pointed out. Men fantasise about being in combat scenarios but, by and large, dont seek them out. Liberalism never shut men out of these roles, he added, or prohibited them from the stereotypically male pleasures of grilling meat or fathering children with a stay-at-home wife. Society has not feminized nearly as much as the reactionaries claim. Nevertheless, Arnade is right about one thing, if not for the reasons he thinks. Liberalism has failed men as much as it has failed women, though bespoke identity has nothing to do with it. By leaving intact the very political economy that breaks men down, liberals undermine the best and most egalitarian aspects of their political project. Liberal freedom isnt just about finding the life that best suits you, its a grand experiment in us all finding the best ways we can care for one another, Buckle wrote. That admirable vision cant survive in a country in thrall to the almighty free market. Our economic system depends on violence, even celebrates it, a reality that liberalism tries to dodge by inventing friendlier versions of capitalism while society fractures around them. They tell voters they will make it easier to climb the ladder when the problem is the ladder itself. Well-off men like Trump and his allies cling to the highest rungs and beat back every perceived threat with violent force. Men who are not well-off may look up at men who are and think prosperity is only possible through brutality, and they arent entirely wrong. Though men do bear moral responsibility for the way they vote and behave, they are operating within a system that ultimately restricts them. Men can still join the Army, but the pursuit of meaning through violence is a dead end both for men, who risk death, maiming, and moral injury, and for the victims they injure and kill. A man can still go to work and provide for his family, but unless he has a union job, he has few rights and little freedom. Even if he sends emails for a living and makes a comfortable salary, he is at the mercy of an employer who can probably fire him at any time for any reason. Even Eldredge complained in Wild at Heart that corporate policies and procedures are designed with one aim: to harness a man to the plow and make him produce. The male soul, he added, longs for passion, for freedom, for life. If his wage cant pay the rent, or cover a childs medical bill, he might well get angry. Reactionaries will tell him to blame the advancement of women and immigrants, not his boss or the hand of the market. Too often, liberals agree, opening the door for someone like Eldredge or worse. Tate tells men they deserve not just sex but wealth, as if the hustle could save them. Feminists have always argued that patriarchy damages men in addition to women, though it is more reliably fatal for the latter. Tate once said that if a woman accuses him of cheating, Its bang out the machete, boom in her face and grip her by the neck. Shut up bitch. At the softer end of the scale, writers like Eldredge say they reject abuse but add that women prefer the domestic sphere because of God or their biological essence. They are all pushing a trap that will not cure loneliness but increase it. Their advice, if taken, dooms women to male domination and men to lives without friendship and love. As far as Tate is concerned, women and property are viewed simply as financial assets, Zoe Hu wrote in Dissent. There is no marriage or romance, however false and abusive, in Tates world just girlfriends who are allowed to stay with him for extended periods of time. There are no easy solutions to the reactionarys appeal or to liberalisms failures. Misogyny is older than capitalism, and if we burned it all down tomorrow, some men would still beat their wives. Yet no one benefits from the gender debate were having now. When housing and health care are unaffordable for so many, and most workers lack the protection of a union, people will look for security wherever they believe they can find it. Even the wealthy suspect their power is fragile, and the accumulation of riches will never guarantee anyone the meaning we all seek. Salvation does not lie in the hustle or in heroism, but in the hard and unglamorous work of keeping society together. SIGN UP TO GET THIS COLUMN IN YOUR INBOX Sarah Jones covers politics and labor. 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. 11 items in this article 3 items on sale! Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers We write about hundreds of products each week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, weve plucked some of our recent favorites: expert-recommended essentials, life-changing stuff you didnt know you needed, newly launched gizmos, and very good deals we uncovered while trawling through the vast online-shopping universe including a winning pair of gray jeans from Mya Gelbers latest hunt, Vera Bradley stadium bags, and snoafers. A bath gelee that creates a distinctly sexy, almost theatrical blanket of bubbles Saved View New! You can now save this product for later. Badedas Original Bath Gelee $38 $38 Coming from a family of bath enthusiasts, Strategist contributor Emma Firth has tried it all: There have been some minor flirtations with bath salts, essential oils, and glitter-infused bombs, she writes. The one product she always comes back to is this green bath gelee, which creates this distinctly sexy, almost theatrical blanket of bubbles that will last a solid hour. Infused with horse-chestnut extract and glycerine, the potion leaves her skin soft and moisturized enough to skip the post-bath body lotion. (And no, in case you were worried, Firth adds. It wont leave a green stain in your bathtub.) $38 at Amazon Buy $32 at Smallflower Buy Not your run-of-the-mill stadium bag A striped two-seater from Fatboy and Dusen Dusen Saved View New! You can now save this product for later. Fatboy x Dusen Dusen Paletti Set Two-Seat Sofa $2,349 Dusen Dusen is one of those brands that we always have on our radar. So, when it announced its collaboration with Fatboy, it had the Strategist Slack channel abuzz. The launch includes this set of two seats that can be used separately or together as a sofa. If youd like to see the collection in person, youll find it at Dusen Dusens pop-up at the MoMA Design Store in Soho. $2,349 at MoMA Design Store Buy Mood-shifting chocolate bars Saved View New! You can now save this product for later. Fun Guy Flow Chocolate $28 $28 Strategist contributor Laura Neilson learned about kanna during a recent trip to South Africa. The substance a medicinal plant with a lengthy history of uses and benefits, including reduced anxiety, elevated mood, and better sleep and brain health isnt necessarily a wonder drug, meaning it might check some of the boxes but not all of them, Neilson reports after talking to multiple experts. Still, its available in a chocolate-bar version for those looking to try it out as their afternoon pick-me-up. $28 at Fun Guy Buy The latest jeans dispatch from teens Saved View New! You can now save this product for later. Hollister Low-Rise Light Wash Baggy Jeans From $50 From $50 ICYMI, its Jeans Month and this week, we heard from 30 teens about their favorite jeans. Baggy low-rise jeans were the overwhelming favorite, with nearly every teen we spoke to mentioning the style, report Strategist writers Arielle Avila and Bella Druckman. Compared to the high-waisted pants their parents dressed them in when they were younger, they say these baggy jeans are so easy and comfortable that they dont feel like jeans in the stiff, suffocating sense of the word. While just about every mall brand came up during their interviews, Hollisters baggy jeans an especially affordable option were the most popular. From $50 at Hollister Buy and a standout pair of gray jeans from Mya Gelbers latest hunt Saved View New! You can now save this product for later. Zara TRF Mid-Rise Wide Leg Jeans - Anthracite Gray $50 $50 Photo: Retailer For a while now, theres been a noticeable gap in my closet: a pair of gray jeans, writes Strategist contributor Mya Gelber. So you know the drill she went on a hunt for the perfect pair, which she describes as structured denim with minimal stretch, a not-too-oversize straight-leg fit, and a color that was somewhere between faded black and light-concrete gray. She found her winner in these affordable jeans from Zara. They somehow strike the perfect balance: structured yet easygoing, sexy yet polished, she writes. Safe to say these have quickly become my go-to pair of jeans. $50 at Zara Buy Hokas most unhinged shoe yet. Saved View New! You can now save this product for later. Hoka Speed Loafer $185 $185 Theres nothing that gets us going quite like a vaguely orthopedic shoe, says Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla. While weve previously covered mary janes and clogs, this week we examined the snoafer (as in: sneaker-loafer). You might say each pair of snoafers, from the New Balance 1906Ls to Puma Sophyrs, is a conversation starter, but Hokas Speed Loafer is truly a standout with its bulbous Hoka sole and leather tassel. Theyre currently sold out, but if you want a pair for yourself, dont fret: While the original run (pun intended) sold out quickly, a restock is in the works, Pardilla reports. $185 at Hoka Buy The expert-recommended pasta tool thats as fun as its useful A puffer with a pouch for your pooch Saved View New! You can now save this product for later. Riikyu Giant Kangaroo Pouch Cotton Duvet Coat $300 $300 Photo: Retailer It turns out that a lot of the things comedian Margaret Cho cant live without might also appear on her pets (theoretical) lists, too. One such item is this jacket thats designed to carry your pet in your front pocket. All of them are designed to spread the weight of your pet across both shoulders so it doesnt feel heavy, she says. This means she could technically use it to carry her three cats and dog at once, but she told us, My dog doesnt like it when my cats are in there because my dogs like, Excuse me, thats my ride. $300 at Riikyu Buy Approachable barrel-leg jeans from Madewell Saved View New! You can now save this product for later. Madewell The Darted Barrel-Leg Jean From $148 From $148 In the latest installment of our I Tried All The series, Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo went to Madewell, where she tried on as many pairs as possible to get a better sense of how all the different Madewell jeans really fit. Of the 15 pairs she took into the fitting room, this was the pair that she most wanted to wear out of the store. The darts at the knee are such a nice subtle workwearish detail, she says, and perhaps best of all, she adds, I love how my butt looks in these not something I say very often when trying on jeans. From $148 at Madewell Buy Chelsea Handlers nutrient-packed gummy bears Saved View New! You can now save this product for later. Gruns Adults Super Greens Gummies From $67 From $67 When it comes to staying on top of her daily vitamin and mineral intake, comedian and actress Chelsea Handler eats gummy bears. Not the sugary ones from Haribo but these vitamin gummy bears from Gruns, which she says are sweet and they taste delicious, even the sugar-free ones. While the gummies are there for nutrients, she says, Sometimes I have them as dessert, because rather than having something sweet and bad for you, Im like, well, these are good and good for you. From $67 at Amazon Buy From $67 at Amazon Buy get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. 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. The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Despite the potential surplus, there is a push for continued investment in oil and gas fields to ensure global energy security, even as concerns about demand and the energy transition persist. There is considerable uncertainty surrounding oil demand, particularly from China, with conflicting reports and varying projections of supply overhang from different agencies like the EIA, Raymond James, and the IEA. A significant increase in global oil supply is projected for 2025, potentially reaching the highest level in ten years, but this hinges on oil prices remaining at levels that justify production. This year will see the highest amount of new oil supply in a decade, according to data analyzed by Raymond James that showed projected global additions of nearly 3 million barrels daily. But only if the price is right. Bloomberg reported the Raymond James figures, noting projects such as the giant Tengiz field in the Kazakh section of the Caspian Seaone of the largest oil discoveries in modern timesand the Bacalhau field in Brazil, which has an estimated potential of 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Production expansions at Saudi fields will also contribute to the fresh wave of oil supply, the investment bank added. Investors have not fully grasped just how much new supply from projects is on deck in 2025, Raymond James analyst Pavel Molchanov told Bloomberg. The thing is, this supply may get delayed if prices remain as depressed as virtually everyone expects them to remain this year due to the perceived imbalance between supply and demand, and indications of weak demand growth prospects. Reuters Clyde Russell addressed the demand dynamics in a column this week where he argued that projections about Chinas oil demand growth today did not match import figures. The demand projections were quite bullish, he noted, while import figures suggested a weakening. It does, however, bear noting that China was importing crude at record-smashing rates after the end of its pandemic lockdowns. What we are currently witnessing may in fact be a normalization of demand patterns. Whatever the dynamics of Chinese oil imports is a sign of, forecasts for the balance between global supply and demand are all in favor of supply overhang. The only difference seems to be the size of it. According to the latest from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the overhang is going to be around 100,000 barrels daily. According to Raymond James, the overhang is going to be some 280,000 bpd. The most bearish projection comes from the International Energy Agency, which expects a supply overhang of 600,000 barrels daily this year. That new supply might not make it to market in 2025. There are already signs that the oil industry is not in a position to keep boosting production regardless of prices. U.S. industry executives have already indicated there is little appetite for a return to a drill-at-will approach. It is simply uneconomical at current oil prices, according to S&P Globals Daniel Yergin, although Energy Secretary Chris Wight argues that new efficiency gains can make shale profitable even at $50 per barrel. But shale has been more sensitive to international prices from the start because of its higher costs. What about those Saudi fields and their notorious low costs? Saudi Arabia is still bound by its OPEC+ production targets and it has just had to force seven other members of the group to make further production cut commitments to make up for their consistent overproduction. This does not sound like an environment conducive to any substantial production growthunless demand suddenly booms, that is. A sudden boom is rather unlikely, but with the Trump administration making a fresh try to bring Irans oil exports down to zero, supply may yet tighten, making those new output additions Raymond James talked about more likely to materialize. As of January, Irans crude oil exports averaged 1.6 million barrels daily. If sanctions lead to a substantial drop in these, prices might get some breathing spacefor a while. Because that additional supply is waiting in the wings. Last year, new oil output additions came in at 800,000 barrels daily, per data cited by Bloomberg in its Raymond James report. In this context, this years expected output additions look even more impressiveand they also beg the question of why it is necessary to boost production at all if demand is indeed so much weaker than before. The answer was recently provided by none other than the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol. At CERAWeek, Birol said that the world needs upstream investments in existing oil and gas fields to support global energy security. Many saw these remarks as a stark departure from his usual refrain over the past few years, which has focused on the perceived success of the energy transition that would eliminate the need for hydrocarbons pretty soon. Indeed, thats exactly what they were. I want to make it clear ... there would be a need for investment, especially to address the decline in the existing fields, Birol said. There is a need for oil and gas upstream investments, full stop, he added. This is the same man who said four years ago we could stop exploring for new production of oil and gasas of 2021because we would not need them by 2030. This is why this new supply is being developed. Demand projections have recently disappointed, not least because of the almost exclusive focus on China, but the world is still consuming massive amounts of oiland growing, albeit at weaker than post-pandemic rates. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com As reported by independent journalist, Kevin Dahlgren, a local Stumptown coffee shop in Portland uses the advertised code for their bathroom as 1312 which is the much broadcasted symbol of All Cops are Bastards (# corresponds to alphabet). You can see how both 1312 and ACAB have been sprayed all over Portland during the pandemic as shown by this one Reason magazine article. Here is the video from independent reporter Kevin Dahlgren. Consider supporting his work. Stumptown coffee in Portland Oregon using the bathroom code 1312 which is leftist code for All Cops Are Bastards. They are owned by @peetscoffee and generally only hire activists. I often wonder what they would do if they were ever held up and their lives felt threatened? pic.twitter.com/fsuF1qQCxM Kevin Dahlgren (@kevinvdahlgren) March 21, 2025 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: Analysing the the cosmic microwave background in high definition has enabled researchers to confirm a simple model of the universe, ruling out many competing alternatives. Credit: ACT Collaboration; ESA/Planck Collaboration The clearest and most precise images yet of the universe in its infancythe earliest cosmic time accessible to humanshave been produced by an international team of astronomers. Measuring light, known as the cosmic microwave background (CMB), that traveled for more than 13 billion years to reach a telescope high in the Chilean Andes, the new images reveal the universe when it was about 380,000 years oldthe equivalent of hours-old baby pictures of a now middle-aged cosmos. The research, by the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) collaboration, shows both the intensity and polarization of the earliest light after the Big Bang with unprecedented clarity, revealing the formation of ancient, consolidating clouds of hydrogen and helium that later developed into the first stars and galaxies. The team, which includes researchers from Cardiff University, says analyzing the CMB in high definition has enabled them to confirm a simple model of the universe, ruling out many competing alternatives. They presented their results at the American Physical Society annual meeting on 19 March 2025 and submitted them to the peer review process for publication in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. Professor Erminia Calabrese, Director of Research at Cardiff University's School of Physics and Astronomy and a lead author of one of the studies being presented, said, "These new images allow us to reconstruct with high precision the processes that seeded the complex cosmic structures that we see in the night sky and our own planet too. "We've been able to measure more precisely than ever before that the observable universe extends almost 50 billion light years in all directions from us, and contains as much mass as 1,900 'zetta-suns', or almost 2 trillion trillion suns. "Of those 1,900 zetta-suns, the mass of normal matterthe kind we can see and measuremakes up only 100. Three quarters of this is hydrogen and a quarter is helium. "The elements that humans are made ofmostly carbon, with oxygen, nitrogen, iron and even traces of goldwere formed later in stars and are just a sprinkling on top of this cosmic stew. "Another 500 zetta-suns of mass is in the invisible dark matter of an as-yet unknown nature, and the remaining 1,300 are the dominating vacuum energy or 'dark energy' of empty space." A major goal of the work was to investigate alternative models for the universe that would explain the disagreement that emerged in recent years about the Hubble constant, the rate at which space is expanding today. Measurements derived from the CMB have consistently shown an expansion rate of 6768 kilometers per second per megaparsec (km/s/Mpc), while measurements derived from the movement of nearby galaxies indicate a Hubble constant as high as 7374 km/s/Mpc. Using their newly released data, the ACT team confirmed the lower value for the Hubble constant, and with increased precision. "We scanned many classes of models which could give a higher value of the expansion rate but they were not favored by the new data," added Professor Calabrese. 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 new measurements have also refined the estimate of the age of the universe, finding it to be 13.8 billion years old, with an uncertainty of only 0.1%. ACT has been a major research focus for the Cardiff University team with its Astronomy Instrumentation Group involved in the optical layout of ACT since the first instrument design back in 2004. "Our unique filters have enabled the ACT detectors to operate at the sensitivity required to make these tremendous measurements," said Professor Carole Tucker, Astronomy Instrumentation Group, Cardiff Hub for Astrophysics Research and Technology. Work led by Professor Calabrese since 2011 has turned the data into information about fundamental properties of the cosmos. The final data characterization and interpretation presented at the meeting marks the end of four years' work together with Cardiff post-doctoral researcher Hidde Jense. "ACT has been my cosmic laboratory during my Ph.D. studies. It has been thrilling to be part of the endeavor leading to this refined understanding of our universe," said Jense. ACT completed its observations in 2022, and attention is now turning to the new, more capable, Simons Observatory at the same location in Chilethe next major CMB project for the Cardiff team. "It is great to see ACT retiring with this display of results," added Professor Calabrese. "The circle continues to close around our standard model of cosmology, with these latest results weighing in strongly on what universes are no longer possible." Having been denied three years ago, the owner of Hanovers Ashcake Road Landfill is taking a second crack at expanding its footprint and prolonging its use. The surrounding community has been in an uproar over the proposed expansion, saying that the owner promised throughout its nearly 40-year life that it would never be expanded. Residents also worry about the impacts it could have on the water they drink and bathe in. The companys lawyer told Hanovers Planning Commission that the landfill meets or exceeds all regulations around it and that no hazardous materials leave the site. Supporters of the landfills expansion, largely contractors that use it to dump their waste, said the project is critical as the regions landfill space is close to drying up. The new addition would open a 95-acre portion of the 230-acre site for a new landfill pit. The Ashcake Road Landfill is used for construction and demolition materials like lumber, wire, metals paving materials and plastics. It also recycles concrete, wood and steel. The landfill is not permitted to take hazardous materials such as paints, coatings, solvents, liquids or compressed gasses. It currently takes between 94 and 140 loads of waste per day on average, depending on the time of year. That equals around 165 tons of waste per day on average. At its current consumption, the landfill is expected to reach capacity this summer. Planning commissioners narrowly recommended the Ashcake Road Landfill expansion plans by a 4-3 vote. That marks a shift from 2022, when a similar expansion proposal was recommended 6-1 by the Planning Commission, before it was ultimately shot down by the Hanover Board of Supervisors. I myself live within a stones throw of a farm, Ive lived there for 69 years and its been challenging at times, said Beaverdam commissioner Edmonia Iverson, whose district includes the landfill footprint. But businesses come with challenges. Everything comes with challenges. But there are also opportunities as well, and we would like to recognize both. She then called for the vote to recommend the landfills approval. The Ashcake Road Landfill, at 10022 Ashcake Road, was first permitted in 1987. It had an additional county approval in 1990 and a third to add a second borrow pit in 2017. The landfill attempted to make a similar expansion in 2022 that was denied by the county. The area is surrounded by the Brown Grove Community, a historically Black community founded by formerly enslaved people in the late 1800s. Modern descendants have lamented the loss of their community over time. It was bisected to build Interstate 95. Later, the landfill was added as well as the county airport and several industrial uses nearby. Most recently, residents fought unsuccessfully against the construction of a 1.7 million-square-foot distribution center for grocery chain Wegmans. Residents worked with the county on its recently passed comprehensive plan to stave off development in the area. Brown Grove has carried the burden for long enough, said Bonnica Cotman, the ancestor of a community founder. And enough is enough. Cotman said the company has misled the community, promising in 2017 that the then-approved borrow pit would not be used to expand landfilling operations. Several residents from two nearby neighborhoods Cheroy Woods and Mount Hermon Farms also spoke against the project. Their concerns ranged from past promises to the possible impacts on their groundwater. The area does not have municipal water, and all homes use well water. The expansion would move the landfill from about half a mile from Mount Hermon Farms to within 1,000 feet of it. Bottom line is, theyre bringing debris to Hanover County, and I think our citizens deserve better, said Mount Hermon resident Joe Gray, who said he is also a commercial developer. The residents have to live here when all the businesses are gone. We have been dealing with this landfill and now they want 30 more years of it, said another resident. Were going to have a landfill in our community for the rest of our lives. On the opposite side, several owners of local contracting and construction companies spoke in favor of expanding the landfill. Should the landfill be closed permanently, they would have to haul their debris to other sites. There are only three other construction, demolition and debris landfills in the area one in Goochland County and two in Chesterfield County. One contractor who does work in Hanover, Tom Evans, said he would have lost $40,000 on a recent project if the landfill was closed. Others talked about the crisis central Virginia is facing for adequate landfill space. The Central Virginia Waste Management Authority told the Richmond Times-Dispatch last year that the region will be completely void of landfill space within 20 years if nothing changes. The process to open a new landfill takes about 10 years. When it comes to construction, demolition and debris landfills, Ashcake is nearly at capacity, and the Goochland landfill has around nine years of life remaining. That would leave just two construction and debris landfills in Chesterfield for the entire region. Expanding (the number of) landfill facilities is almost impossible, said Beaverdam resident Mike Flagg. Expanding existing facilities makes sense. Andy Condlin, a lawyer for the landfill owner, told supervisors that the landfill is mostly an asset used by the community. He estimated that 60% of the trips are made by people and businesses in the county. He also said any liquid runoff from the site caused by rain over the garbage pile is meticulously captured and fed straight into the countys wastewater system. Condlin added that the facility has faced no violations from the Department of Environmental Quality, or has had to pay fines related to poor environmental practices. Planning commissioners narrowly favored a recommendation that the supervisors approve the project. Chickahominy commissioner Cliff Parker said in a dissenting opinion that he largely disliked the project because residents were promised the landfill would not expand in 2022. Im pro-landfill, Im pro-economics, Im pro-business. I dont want anything to happen to local businesses, he said. But I think to permit something new is the bigger picture here. I can see why it was denied a few years ago. I dont think there is any way in hell the board is going to approve this. Commission Chair Alan Abbott voted against the expansion, saying that the updated comprehensive plan recommended the area for rural residential and agricultural uses, which do not mesh well with the industrial use of landfills. South Anna Commissioner Larry Leadbetter voted in favor of the project, citing the immense need for landfill space in the region. Theres going to be a devastating impact on closing these facilities, he said. Not only that, its a 10-year permitting process. If we started right now, we would still have nowhere to put waste. That is a major concern. Cold Harbor commissioner Frederic McGhee said in a statement that he would be against approving a new landfill, but that it was a good idea to expand something thats already built. The landfill was there when (the Cheroy Woods neighborhood) properties were purchased, McGhee said. We already know there is a need for this landfill and have evidence from things like traffic that there is not an impact from that site. The Board of Supervisors will have to give its final approval at an upcoming meeting in April. Authorities rescue 14 offering sexual services from two Cozumel bars Cozumel, Q.R. Fourteen women, all of legal age, alleged victims of human trafficking in the form of prostitution, were rescued. The women were rescued by personnel from the State Attorney Generals Office during the execution of search warrants at two Cozumel bars Saturday. Investigative police officers assigned to the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Combating Crimes of Human Trafficking in coordination with members of the National Guard, Army, Navy and the Ministry of Citizen Security, executed the court orders simultaneously. At the establishment located on 65th Street in the Industrial neighborhood, officers rescued nine Mexican women. They mingled with the clients, offering them drinks, private dances and sexual services for which they charged up to 1,600 pesos plus 800 pesos for room rent. At the other bar located on the same street, five Mexican women were rescued. They were also offering escort and sexual services to clients, with prices of up to 3,000 pesos for sexual relations plus 1,500 pesos for room rent, as well as up to 1,650 pesos for a bottle of alcoholic beverage. At both locations, officers seized evidence such as logbooks recording the services, as well as delivery notes and condoms. At the end of the investigation, the officers proceeded to affix the seizure seals. Both properties were placed under the custody of this Social Representative. The 14 rescued women were taken to the State Attorney Generals Office to give their statements, which, along with the evidence seized, will be included in the corresponding investigation. Mayor says new signage along Fifth Avenue showcases citys history Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Playa del Carmens main Fifth Avenue shopping street has seen some modern improvements. Mayor Estefania Mercado says the city street now showcases its history with the renovation of signage. A city that prides itself on its history and showcases its roots is a city with identity, said Mayor Estefania Mercado when announcing the renovation of the signage on Fifth Avenue. The old signs were replaced in order to offer an unbeatable urban image of the destination to national and international tourists, she said. Playa del Carmen is not just a destination, its culture, its community, its pride, she said while highlighting the attractiveness of the vacation destinations new image. We have new tourist signage and urban amenities on our Fifth Avenue. We continue to transform Playa del Carmen with identity and a vision for the future, she added. The iconic Fifth Avenue, located in the heart of the city, boasts a renewed urban image that goes hand in hand with the promotion of the Ciudad Playa del Carmen brand and the Lets Playa app, which is being implemented nationally and internationally. With striking colors that reinforce Playa del Carmens identity, the municipal government, through the Ministry of Tourism, launched a comprehensive process of construction and installation of road signs that will serve to guide visitors from all over the world to enjoy the unparalleled beauty of this tourist destination. The Sea Route, for example, is a tourism strategy embodied in the Municipal Development Plan (PMD) 2024-2027 of Mayor Estefania Mercado, whose signage in Mayan, English and Spanish allows tourists to discover the beach, fishing and traditional rituals. The new signage also includes information about the Playa del Carmen History Route. This transformation of Playa del Carmen is part of the commitment of the current municipal administration led by Mayor Estefania Mercado, who works hand in hand with Governor Mara Lezama and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Last week, the municipality was given approval for a name change from the municipality of Solidaridad to the municipality of Playa del Carmen. The move was made to also help with the global identification of the city. Heres the good news about the April 2 screening for Triumph of Hope at the Grandin Theatre: As of Friday, plenty of $15 tickets were available. The locally produced 2024 documentary features harrowing and inspiring first-person accounts of three Western Virginians who were hidden Jewish children in Europe during the spread of Nazism and the genocide that followed. The stars are Regine Archer, Helga Morrow and the late Ayre Ephrath. Triumph of Hope sold out the Grandin Theatre at an earlier screening, Nov. 12. Unfortunately for some, demand for tickets to that show outstripped the supply. Which meant some people who wanted to see it couldnt. Just one was the Rev. George Anderson, senior pastor at Second Presbyterian Church. In November, I just assumed many seats would be available, Anderson told me. They werent, so this time Anderson is taking no chances. Hes already purchased his tickets through the Grandin Theatres website. Lori Strauss, events coordinator for the Roanoke Jewish Federation, was the films executive producer. Shes heard from plenty of others who couldnt get in. Thats why she scheduled a second showing. Last fall, the final ticket sold the day before the screening, Strauss told me recently. People who worked on the movie contacted the theater to get a ticket and couldnt. Steve Mason, a local filmmaker, directed and produced the movie. Roanoke College and some of its students were involved in the film, and last fall, the college held a screening. In January, Triumph of Hope played to about 100 patrons at the Triad Jewish Film Festival in Greensboro. They went nuts, said Strauss, who was present for a post-screening question-and-answer program. Regine Archer, Helga Morrow and Ayre Ephrath all were Jewish children of varying ages in different parts of Europe in the 1940s. Thats when the Nazis exterminated millions of European Jews, along with others the German regime declared unworthy of life. Ephrath, an aeronautical engineer who wound up living at Smith Mountain Lake, didnt live to see the films debut. He died last April. Archer, 99, matriarch of Blue Ridge Beverage Co., and Morrow, 86, a nurse, are still with us. All three of the children were separated from their parents, and hidden by kind and unkind Gentiles as Nazis rounded up Jews and shipped them off to concentration camps. Archer witnessed the British Armys retreat at Dunkirk, one of the low points in World War 2 for the Allies. Ephraths parents lived for months beneath a hay pile, emerging only at night. Morrow and her siblings were passed among host families. One was so abusive she ran away, at 5 or 6. Notably, the survivors stories extend to long beyond the war, and their business, family, professional and humanitarian successes. And thats why many have described a film about Holocaust survivors as uplifting and hopeful. Doug Lindamood, co-owner of Georges Flowers in Roanoke, was one of the folks who managed to snag tickets in November. He told me hes glad he did. I was amazed . . . they survived and came out whole, and with a sense of purpose to help other people, to make sure something like this never happens again, he said. Lindamood added There are so many correlations that could be made about the current political situation in the country. I came into (the November showing) with a heavy weight on my shoulders from the results of the election. And I walked out refreshed, thinking, If they got through this, we can, too. Another Roanoker who had an emotional reaction was Kianna Price Marshall, a mom of five and vice president at United Way Virginias Blue Ridge. I could not stop crying during the movie and then afterward, she said, later describing her reaction as tears of hope and relief. Hearing the struggles of individuals their willingness to help strangers, and be a beacon of hope that was incredibly emotional and almost comforting, Price Marshall said. You walk away with an appreciation of life, the kindness of strangers. In the world were living in, we need that right now. Sherry Davidson was another who caught Triumph of Hope in November. In a nutshell, its one of the most tastefully done documentaries Ive seen, she said. When youre Jewish, you expose your kids to the facts of the Holocaust. Most of those films are so morbid, Davidson added. This was historical but not morbid. It was enlightening but not depressing. It was more speaking to hope. It needs to be shown to John Q. Public. It's a search for a "new normal" for Sioux City native Mike Anderson and his family after their Altadena home was destroyed in the Southern California wildfires two months ago. Mike, wife Wendy and their 8-year-old daughter Lillian are slowly moving forward. "Our biggest news right now is our lot just got cleared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which is good. We now need to follow up and hire a private company to finish the job," Mike said from California. "We're starting to figure out the rebuild process and see what that is like with timing and everything." The couple bought their 1,100-square-foot, three-bedroom, one bath home in 2015. Altadena is an unincorporated area in the San Gabriel Mountains region of Los Angeles County. It is approximately 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, and directly north of the city of Pasadena, California. Their lot was one of the first on the block to be cleared. The couple must hire a private company to finish the site work and deal with potential soil contamination. Possible air and soil contamination is a concern for couples with a small child. The rebuilding will have to wait until other lots nearby are cleared. "It's very rough up there right now. We go up there every few days right now for various things. That's where the disaster recovery center is. It's where we meet with the SBA (Small Business Admission) and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and stuff like that," Mike said. "It's really rough. There are a few points where you cross over, and it looks like a war zone. It's really sad and emotional every time we go up. We obviously don't want to be taking our 8-year-old around that. There are still a lot of questions about the effects on the air and the soil." While the Andersons are committed to rebuilding their mid-century modern home in Altadena, they bought a home to live in for the next couple years in nearby Glendale, California. Mike said they decided to buy because of the volatility of the rental market and to give their daughter a feeling of home. "That's very exciting and overwhelming and scary," he said Glendale is located about 20 minutes from their home in Altadena, on the east side of Los Angeles. Their daughter's school, Oak Knoll Montessori School, which was destroyed in the fire, has secured a new building in Highland Park, California, that will be ready to open in a few weeks. "It has been very hard for her to be in transitional housing for both at home and in school. We've been very lucky," he said. Anderson said the family has had a lot of immense kindness from people. But there have been frustrations with some public entities. The Andersons have qualified for an SBA low-interest loan. Wendy is a creative executive with Riot Games. Mike is an actor, teacher and writer. "Our insurance is not even going to come close to what it will cost to rebuild," he said. The family is part of a class-action lawsuit against Southern California Edison involving possible negligence leading to the fires igniting in the area. They have not received any benefits yet from FEMA. And the rebuilding process is tricky. "It's very hard to get anyone to give an estimate of prices. Prices are in flux. Nobody can quite predict how high they will climb," he said. He has estimates ranging from $450-$1,200 per square foot. Part of the fluctuations in price involve the tariffs placed on lumber imports from Canada by President Trump. "We absolutely are going to rebuild. We love Altadena so much." Rebuilding has its own set of challenges. The county will expedite permitting for "like for like" rebuilds which would grandfather in issues which would now be code violations. The couple is considering ways to use new technology and building techniques for fire safe construction. "I do think we will end up building something similar in size and scope. I don't think we are going to go much bigger than our original footprint. We're looking at a few options there. We liked a lot of things about our little mid-century modern box," Mike said. Mike said it has been a learning experience. "It is going to be a long time. This is not a journey that we are going to be back to normal any time soon and we are just rolling with that." 2025 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #12 Posted on 23 March 2025 by BaerbelW, Doug Bostrom, John Hartz A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 16, 2025 thru Sat, March 22, 2025. This week's roundup is again published by category and sorted by number of articles included in each. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if you spot any clear misses and/or have suggestions for additional categories, please let us know in the comments. Thanks! Stories we promoted this week, by category and number of articles shared: Climate Change Impacts (14 articles) Climate Education and Communication (4 articles) Climate Policy and Politics (3 articles) Environmental groups sound new alarm as fossil fuel lobby pushes for immunity Nearly 200 groups urge Congress to reject fossil fuel industry immunity efforts, fearing long-term damage to climate lawsuits by Dharna Noor, US News, The Guardian, Mar 13, 2025 Nearly 200 groups urge Congress to reject fossil fuel industry immunity efforts, fearing long-term damage to climate lawsuits by Dharna Noor, US News, The Guardian, Mar 13, 2025 Christine Todd Whitman Thinks the EPA Is Going the Wrong Direction The former EPA administrator, a Republican, is offering a third way with a new political party called Forward. by by Steve Curwood & Paloma Beltran, Politics, Inside Climate News, Mar 15, 2025 The former EPA administrator, a Republican, is offering a third way with a new political party called Forward. by by Steve Curwood & Paloma Beltran, Politics, Inside Climate News, Mar 15, 2025 You rely on this agency`s data for weather and climate forecasts. DOGE is decimating its workforce. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plans to cut 20 percent of its workforce, a move the agency's former chair warned will be felt through every component of American society. by Sachi Kitajima Mulkey, Grist, Mar 18, 2025 Climate Science and Research (3 articles) Miscellaneous (Other) (2 articles) 2025 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11 by Barbel Winkler, Doug Bostrom & John Hartz, Skeptical Science, Mar 16, 2025 by Barbel Winkler, Doug Bostrom & John Hartz, Skeptical Science, Mar 16, 2025 Huge new study exposes disparate climate emotions around the worldand their consequences Northern Europeans are the least hopeful. Greeks, Spaniards, and Italians are angry and sad. And, citizens of the Global Southand the United Statesare the most hopeful. by Sarah DeWeerdt, Anthropocene Magazine, Mar 18, 2025 Climate law and justice (2 articles) Farmer`s house in danger from climate change, court told in RWE case German coal giant is one of worlds biggest polluters and should contribute to flood defences, says farmer in Peru by Ajit Niranjan, The Guardian, Mar 19, 2025 German coal giant is one of worlds biggest polluters and should contribute to flood defences, says farmer in Peru by Ajit Niranjan, The Guardian, Mar 19, 2025 Greenpeace`s $660m damages ruling a `wake-up call` to climate movement The North Dakota courts ruling has brought a wave of solidarity against SLAPP lawsuits designed to silence campaigners by Joe Lo, Climate Home News, Mar 21, 2025 International Climate Conferences and Agreements (2 arcticles) Some US Scientists Stick with the IPCC Despite the Administration Pulling Out of International Climate Work A handful of U.S. researchers joined a critical meeting on climate and cities this week in Japan. For me, this process is so important that if I had to self-fund, I would, said one. by Bob Berwyn, Science, Inside Climate News, Mar 15, 2025 A handful of U.S. researchers joined a critical meeting on climate and cities this week in Japan. For me, this process is so important that if I had to self-fund, I would, said one. by Bob Berwyn, Science, Inside Climate News, Mar 15, 2025 Cop30 in talks to hire PR firm that worked for lobby seeking weaker Amazon protections Revealed: Edelman worked for Brazilian trade group accused of pushing for environmental rollbacks in Amazon by Ben Stockton, The Guardian, Mar 17, 2025 Public Misunderstandings about Climate Solutions (1 article) Is offshore wind development harmful to whales and other marine life? by Sabin Center Team, Skeptical Science, Mar 18, 2025 https://sputnikglobe.com/20250323/arrested-istanbul-mayor-suspended-from-duties---turkish-interior-ministry-1121674028.html Arrested Istanbul Mayor Suspended From Duties - Turkish Interior Ministry Arrested Istanbul Mayor Suspended From Duties - Turkish Interior Ministry Sputnik International Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has been suspended from his duties after being arrest on corruption charges, the Turkish Interior Ministry said on Sunday. 2025-03-23T14:27+0000 2025-03-23T14:27+0000 2025-03-23T14:27+0000 events that shaped year 2022 recep tayyip erdogan istanbul turkiye turkish interior ministry turkish constitutional court https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/03/17/1121670646_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_fadf786d39a003fd44ab1d7f349678f4.jpg "Under Article 127 of the Constitution of Turkiye, Paragraph 47 of the law on municipalities, Number 5393, Imamoglu has been temporarily suspended from his duties," the ministry said in a statement published on X. Imamoglu, who is seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main rival in the 2028 presidential race, was detained on Wednesday on suspicion of having links to an organization involved in corruption, bribery and aiding terrorism. The prosecutors' request for his arrest in the terrorism probe was rejected. More than 90 people are under investigation in the case, including several senior officials from the Istanbul municipality, who were also arrested. Turkish broadcaster Halk TV reported that Imamoglu might appeal the arrest. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office intends to appeal the court's decision that rejected the request to arrest Imamoglu in the terrorism case, the Sabah newspaper reported. The final decision is up to the Turkish Constitutional Court. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250323/turkish-court-orders-arrest-of-istanbul-mayor-imamoglu---reports-1121672048.html istanbul turkiye 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 arrested istanbul mayor, turkish interior ministry, arrest on corruption charges Unit 8200, Tel Avivs largest single military unit in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), can be perceived as equivalent to the US National Security Agency (NSA). Unit 8200, Tel Avivs largest single military unit in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), can be perceived as equivalent to the US National Security Agency (NSA). The notorious unit is known for developing the deadly Lavender AI used in targeted assassinations during the Gaza conflict, an investigation by +972 Magazine and Local Call revealed in 2024. The notorious unit is known for developing the deadly Lavender AI used in targeted assassinations during the Gaza conflict, an investigation by +972 Magazine and Local Call revealed in 2024. Graduates of the unit involved in surveillance and high-tech warfare have reportedly infiltrated Israels tech startup scene, especially in cybersecurity. Graduates of the unit involved in surveillance and high-tech warfare have reportedly infiltrated Israels tech startup scene, especially in cybersecurity. ...Nearly 50% of founders whose companies were acquired for over $100 million in the last decade served in the unit [8200], research by VC fund Ibex Investors claims. ...Nearly 50% of founders whose companies were acquired for over $100 million in the last decade served in the unit [8200], research by VC fund Ibex Investors claims. Meta's Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Guy Rosen is a Unit 8200 graduate. Meta's Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Guy Rosen is a Unit 8200 graduate. Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and LinkedIn are all staffed with these ex-intelligence officers, according to open source reporting. Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and LinkedIn are all staffed with these ex-intelligence officers, according to open source reporting. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250323/journalists-from-eight-countries-recorded-ukraines-crimes-in-zaporozhye-region-1121671694.html Journalists From Eight Countries Recorded Ukraine's Crimes in Zaporozhye Region Journalists From Eight Countries Recorded Ukraine's Crimes in Zaporozhye Region Sputnik International Journalists from Indonesia, India, Slovenia, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Georgia and France visited the Zaporozhye region and recorded crimes committed by Ukrainian militants against civilians, a Sputnik correspondent reported. 2025-03-23T07:32+0000 2025-03-23T07:32+0000 2025-03-23T13:31+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia ukraine ukrainian armed forces russian investigative committee high mobility artillery rocket system (himars) indonesia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0d/1117909096_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_505f5ef90dc6bd0aa5a87db15a504751.jpg A group of journalists arrived in the Zaporozhye region and were able to visit such cities as Melitopol, Energodar and Tokmak. The foreigners saw a school bus that had been attacked by a Ukrainian drone strike near the city of Vasilyevka in early 2025. At that time, it was delivering schoolchildren from nearby settlements to Vasilyevka. Journalists also recorded the consequences of HIMARS strikes on apartment buildings and educational institutions in the city of Tokmak. One of them was a boarding school for children. The HIMARS strike was carried out at night, when there were no children there. "It was a shock for me the ruins in Tokmak, where I was, I saw [destroyed] apartments and houses in which there were personal belongings," a journalist from Indonesia, Muhammad Rushmadi, told Sputnik. He noted that he had seen a diary of a little girl there, which reminded him of his daughter. A journalist from India, Manish, who works for TV9 with a reach of about 700 million viewers, was also surprised by the facts of strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on civilian homes and a school bus. Zaporozhye is a region of Russia located in the lower reaches of the Dnepr River. It became part of Russia following a referendum in September 2022. Kiev does not recognize the results of the referendum and continues to shell the region. Currently, more than 70% of the Zaporozhye region is under Russian control, the rest, including the regional center, the city of Zaporozhye, is held by Ukrainian troops. Since March 2023, the city of Melitopol has temporarily become the administrative center of the region. Crimes committed by military personnel and foreign mercenaries of Ukraine's forces in the regions of Russia are documented and investigated by the military investigative departments of the Russian Investigative Committee. Among those who committed such crimes there are convicted persons and those awaiting sentencing. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241113/russian-forces-secure-village-near-zaporozhye-border-strike-key-ukrainian-infrastructure-1120873429.html russia ukraine indonesia 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 zaporozhye region, indonesia, india, slovenia, serbia, the czech republic, kazakhstan, georgia and france, ukrainian militants https://sputnikglobe.com/20250323/kremlin-putin-backs-ceasefire-in-ukraine-but-much-work-remains-ahead-1121672792.html Kremlin: Putin Backs Ceasefire in Ukraine, But Much Work Remains Ahead Kremlin: Putin Backs Ceasefire in Ukraine, But Much Work Remains Ahead Sputnik International Russian President Vladimir Putin supports the US ceasefire proposal for Ukraine, but a lot of work remains to be done before a solution is found, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday. 2025-03-23T11:59+0000 2025-03-23T11:59+0000 2025-03-23T12:09+0000 world dmitry peskov emmanuel macron vladimir putin ukraine russia france https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/01/1112320936_0:106:3265:1943_1920x0_80_0_0_94cb76f524fa1090b130def879587e39.jpg "I want to remind you of what President Putin said: that he certainly supports the idea of a ceasefire. But there are nuances here, questions that we will have to find answers to together. This is a very complex matter and a lot of work remains to be done. We are only at the beginning of this path," Peskov told Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin.Moscow does not know the details of talks that are reportedly underway between Washington and Kiev regarding the transfer of Ukrainian infrastructure under the US control, Peskov said.Peskov said that Zelensky might promise a lot but warned against taking him at his word.The Financial Times reported on Friday, citing two Ukrainian officials, that the US was seeking broader access to Ukraine's critical minerals and energy assets. Washington is reportedly trying to gain control of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.Dangerous Macron's Idea of Nuclear Umbrella Over EuropeFrench President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to extend France's "nuclear umbrella" to Europe sounds very dangerous, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said."We hear statements by Mr. Macron about a 'nuclear umbrella' for Europe, which also sounds very, very dangerous," Peskov told Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin.On March 5, Macron said that Russia had become a "threat" to France and Europe and that he wanted to start a discussion on the use of France's nuclear arsenal to protect the European Union. On Tuesday, Macron said that French nuclear weapons would be stationed at the Luxeuil-en-Bains airbase, near the border with Germany.On Russia-US RelationsRussia and the United States should not let their differences stand in the way of mutually beneficial cooperation, Dmitry Peskov said."We can disagree on something, but it does not mean that we should let it stand in the way of mutual benefits," Peskov said.Peskov called this a commonsense approach. He said that Russia and the US had a lot of potential for the cooperation in various areas and that Russia found US President Donald Trump's remarks deals with Russia and peace in Ukraine very promising."The new administration's stance is obviously different from that of the previous administration... The new administration is talking about peace, the new administration is talking about prospects for economic cooperation, which would benefit everybody... The new administration is talking about deals. Such sentiment is more appealing to us," Peskov said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250321/sudzha-strike-zelensky-slaps-trump-in-the-face-by-subverting-ceasefire-deal-1121663106.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20250320/why-zelensky-cant-be-trusted-ukraine-strikes-russian-oil-facilities-violating-the-ceasefire-deal-1121655694.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20250319/technical-teams-from-us-and-russia-to-meet-in-riyadh-in-coming-days--1121651914.html ukraine russia france 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 russian president vladimir putin, us ceasefire proposal for ukraine, path to ceasefire https://sputnikglobe.com/20250323/nuclear-deal-in-its-current-form-cannot-be-renewed---iranian-fm-1121672454.html Nuclear Deal in Its Current Form Cannot be Renewed - Iranian FM Nuclear Deal in Its Current Form Cannot be Renewed - Iranian FM Sputnik International Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that the nuclear deal could not be renewed in its current form and that Tehran could not return to compliance after making significant progress in its nuclear research. 2025-03-23T09:27+0000 2025-03-23T09:27+0000 2025-03-23T09:27+0000 world middle east abbas araghchi donald trump iran tehran european union (eu) joint comprehensive plan of action (jcpoa) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/10/1120162867_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_7dd225e53f5a13fd3cfa43a4f08283f6.jpg "The JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] in its current form and wording, in my opinion, cannot be renewed. This will not bring any benefit to us because of our significant progress in the nuclear sphere," Araghchi told the Khabar-e Online news agency. Iran signed a nuclear deal with China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and the European Union in 2015, which committed it to scaling back its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The US withdrew from the deal in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, leading to the collapse of the deal. In response, Iran said it would reduce its commitments to the nuclear pact, abandoning restrictions on nuclear research and the level of uranium enrichment. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250115/iranian-president-addresses-trump-assassination-claims-and-nuclear-stance-1121429792.html iran tehran 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 nuclear deal, iranian foreign minister abbas araghchi, nuclear research A festive Novruz event was held in Tbilisi on March 22, bringing together dignitaries, diplomats, and the local Azerbaijani community to celebrate the ancient spring holiday. According to Azernews, the event was jointly organized by Tbilisi City Hall, the Council of Elders of Azerbaijanis in Georgia, and the Mirza Fatali Akhundzade Museum of Azerbaijani Culture. Among the high-profile attendees were Georgias Minister of Reintegration, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, the Chairman of the Sakrebulo, and the ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Turkmenistan. The celebration featured traditional Novruz symbols, folk music, and dances, creating a vibrant atmosphere. One of the highlights was the participation of Azerbaijans Ambassador to Georgia, Faig Guliyev, and Mayor Kaladze in the traditional egg-fighting ritual. The event also included art exhibitions and the symbolic lighting of the Novruz bonfire. Speakers at the event emphasized Novruzs role as a symbol of peace, unity, and friendship, underscoring how the holiday fosters deeper cultural and social ties between Azerbaijanis and Georgians. Guests also enjoyed Azerbaijani cuisine, sharing in the holidays spirit of renewal and togetherness. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250323/over-300-people-detained-after-protests-in-turkiye---police-1121671357.html Over 300 People Detained After Protests in Turkiye - Police Over 300 People Detained After Protests in Turkiye - Police Sputnik International Over 300 people were detained after protests in support of the detained Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in Turkiye on Saturday, one policeman was doused with acid, the country's General Directorate of Security said on X. 2025-03-23T03:25+0000 2025-03-23T03:25+0000 2025-03-23T13:31+0000 world istanbul protests political opposition political prosecution opposition parties https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/03/17/1121671200_0:320:3072:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_d43daaa40c3007430cb7c8dd2bc4e254.jpg "During the protests tonight, 323 suspects were detained. One policeman was attacked with acid," the directorate said. On Wednesday, Istanbul's chief prosecutor's office announced Imamoglu's detention in a case involving charges of corruption, bribery, graft and assistance to terrorist activity. The opposition politician himself said that he "does not intend to give in" to pressure from the authorities. The detention of Istanbul's mayor has sparked mass protests, despite authorities tightening security and banning any rallies or demonstrations in the city through Sunday. Earlier on Sunday night, Turkish prosecutors asked the court to arrest Imamoglu on terrorism and corruption charges, Reuters reported. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250323/turkish-prosecutors-ask-court-to-arrest-istanbul-mayor---reports-1121670584.html istanbul 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 ekrem imamoglu, imamoglu, istanbul mayor, turkish protests, political opposition, political prosecution, political protest, demonstration, protests https://sputnikglobe.com/20250323/situation-in-serbia-unaffected-by-usaid-funding-cuts-yet---deputy-prime-minister-1121671056.html Situation in Serbia Unaffected by USAID Funding Cuts Yet - Deputy Prime Minister Situation in Serbia Unaffected by USAID Funding Cuts Yet - Deputy Prime Minister Sputnik International The cuts in USAID funding have not yet affected the situation in Serbia, the money has already been allocated and is being spent, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin told Sputnik. 2025-03-23T02:22+0000 2025-03-23T02:22+0000 2025-03-23T13:31+0000 world aleksandar vulin serbia usaid color revolution https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/03/17/1121670895_0:232:3072:1960_1920x0_80_0_0_ba66e0d239544e6869e2d5b58fee3cc3.jpg Anti-government protests by students and the opposition have been taking place in Serbia since November 2024. They were triggered by the death of 15 people when a concrete canopy collapsed at the railway station in Novi Sad on November 1. The country's leadership calls on students and opposition forces to engage in dialogue, but this call remains unanswered. The authorities believe that the goal of the protesters is to overthrow the government and the president, and that Western-funded media and organizations are behind their actions. Earlier, he said that since the beginning of 2025 alone, USAID had transferred over $40 million to Serbia. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously said that the United States was officially closing 83% of USAID programs, adding that they spent tens of billions of dollars on purposes that do not meet US interests. serbia 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 protests, serbian protests, protests in serbia, vulin, vucic, serbian students, foreign interference, usaid, us money, color revolution https://sputnikglobe.com/20250323/turkish-prosecutors-ask-court-to-arrest-istanbul-mayor---reports-1121670584.html Turkish Prosecutors Ask Court to Arrest Istanbul Mayor - Reports Turkish Prosecutors Ask Court to Arrest Istanbul Mayor - Reports Sputnik International Turkish prosecutors asked the court to arrest the detained Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on terrorism and corruption charges, Reuters reported. 2025-03-23T03:26+0000 2025-03-23T03:26+0000 2025-03-23T13:31+0000 world istanbul turkiye opposition party political opposition political prosecution https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/03/17/1121670646_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_fadf786d39a003fd44ab1d7f349678f4.jpg On Wednesday, Istanbul's chief prosecutor's office announced Imamoglu's detention in a case involving charges of corruption, bribery, graft and assistance to terrorist activity. The opposition politician himself said that he "does not intend to give in" to pressure from the authorities. The detention of Istanbul's mayor has sparked mass protests, despite authorities tightening security and banning any rallies or demonstrations in the city through Sunday. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250323/over-300-people-detained-after-protests-in-turkiye---police-1121671357.html istanbul turkiye 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 ekrem imamoglu, imamoglu, istanbul mayor, turkish protests, political opposition, political prosecution https://sputnikglobe.com/20250323/us-expects-tangible-progress-from-negotiations-with-russia-in-saudi-arabia-1121674984.html US Expects Tangible Progress From Negotiations With Russia in Saudi Arabia US Expects Tangible Progress From Negotiations With Russia in Saudi Arabia Sputnik International The United States expects tangible progress from the upcoming negotiations with Russia in Saudi Arabia, US President Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said on Sunday. 2025-03-23T15:49+0000 2025-03-23T15:49+0000 2025-03-24T12:10+0000 donald trump vladimir putin volodymyr zelensky russia saudi arabia us talks russia-us talks on ukraine settlement https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/03/10/1121645796_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_9bbb019b9cd7d43218894985f8db4e5f.jpg A Russian-US expert-level meeting will take place in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Monday. The talks are expected to be devoted to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is aimed at ensuring the safety of shipping in the Black Sea amid the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. A US technical team is set to meet with Ukrainian officials in Riyadh this Sunday, a day before the scheduled meeting with Russian officials, CBS News reported earlier, citing informed sources. On March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation with Trump. The Kremlin said that Trump had proposed a mutual cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure by both sides for 30 days. Putin supported the initiative and immediately gave the corresponding order to the Russian military. Volodymyr Zelensky said later that Ukraine would support the proposal to halt strikes on energy infrastructure. Later, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Kiev had attacked an oil depot in Russia's Krasnodar Territory with drones just hours after the conversation between Putin and Trump. 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 united states, upcoming negotiations with russia, trump's special envoy for the middle east, us president donald trump https://sputnikglobe.com/20250323/us-pushes-for-ceasefire-by-april-20-with-no-decision-on-military-aid-1121672990.html US Pushes for Ceasefire by April 20, With No Decision on Military Aid US Pushes for Ceasefire by April 20, With No Decision on Military Aid Sputnik International The White House has not yet agreed to limit military aid for Ukraine as part of the ceasefire agreement, Bloomberg reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the planning. 2025-03-23T12:07+0000 2025-03-23T12:07+0000 2025-03-24T12:11+0000 ukraine us white house aid ceasefire russia-us talks on ukraine settlement https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/04/1120770086_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_af816caae45176f1630e278ee8667ff5.jpg The White House aims to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Ukrainian conflict by April 20, but admits that the deadline could slip, people familiar with the plans said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250321/sudzha-strike-zelensky-slaps-trump-in-the-face-by-subverting-ceasefire-deal-1121663106.html 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 white house, limit military aid, ceasefire agreement The finale at Flamboro Downs on Saturday, March 22 was a complete pari-mutuel refund after two geese caused confusion at the start of the race. As the horses headed into the stretch behind the gate for the start of the ninth race, a pair of mated geese that caused a delay for the start of the third race were back on the track around the wire. According to the AGCO judges report, the starter blew the horn to try to scare the geese off the track, but did not flash the recall lights and did not release the field until after the start. No one pulled up, everyone raced and the race was able to be adjudicated. The judges spoke with the drivers, and they all thought that there was going to be a recall. As a result, the entire race was refunded, and all horses were charted with interference before and after the start. Purse money was paid out accordingly. To view the results from Saturday's card of harness racing at Flamboro Downs, click the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs. (Standardbred Canada) Angus Lee comes from a family known for defending suspects in controversial cases. It was his father who influenced Lees decision to pursue a law career in the first place. Darrell Eugene Lee infamously represented Westley Allan Dodd, the man convicted of raping and killing three young boys in 1989 Vancouver, and helped Dodd secure his wishes to be executed. Now, Angus Lee is handling his own high-profile cases from defending the man accused of killing Longview restaurant owner Grant Handler to people suing the city of Longview. The Vancouver-based attorney said he takes the cases others might shy away from because he believes in providing strong and aggressive advocacy. Were going to fight like hell for our client when they need somebody who is not afraid to fight, he said. Politics aside Angus Lee has represented people from both sides of the political spectrum from those who lost loved ones to police brutality, to those who joined in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack. He helped Joey Gibson founder of the right-wing, Vancouver-based group Patriot Prayer be acquitted of a riot charge in 2019 Portland. According to the cases affidavit, 15 members of the Patriot Prayer were arguing with at least 50 people described as an Antifa group, which escalated to a physical fight. Gibson, said Angus Lee didnt focus on emotions in his case, only facts. Hes not a right or left guy, he said Hes a Constitution guy. Gibson said he had a difficult time finding an attorney; lawyers were hesitant to take on the case due to fear of being blackballed. Quote "We're going to fight like hell for our client when they need somebody who is not afraid to fight." Angus Lee, Angus Lee Law Firm, Vancouver But not Angus Lee, who Gibson describes as a big free-speech guy. He never doubted that the case wouldnt be thrown out, he said. In Cowlitz County, Angus Lee is defending the family of Katelynn Rose Smith in their federal lawsuit against the city of Longview and its officers over the fatal shooting of Smith on New Years Day 2024. The case is still in litigation. He is also defending Ruperto Aguayo, the man accused of murdering Hadler, the owner of Grants at the Monticello, in 2023. A hearing next month is set to reschedule Aguayos trial date. Angus Lee also represented Tiffany Lynn Traufler of Kelso, who filed a lawsuit against the city of Longview, Longview councilmember MaryAlice Wallis, and two police officers after Traufler said she accidentally took Wallis cellphone in 2022 while waiting in line at a Longview grocery store, but was later detained at the Kelso Theater Pub for suspicion of second-degree theft. The case ended with a settlement, in which Traufler was paid $37,500. Another former client was Chad Connors, the former Cowlitz County Superior Court administrator accused of sexually assaulting a child in 2009 and 2011, but whose charges were dismissed in 2022. Upbringing Even as a little boy, while shining shoes at the Clark County courthouse in Vancouver, Angus Lee said he was interested in the law. He attended a Jesuit school in Portland before earning his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Washington. He also served as a Marine in Iraq, where he was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds he sustained during a gunfight, he said. But hes also faced controversies. In 2016, Lee was reprimanded by the Washington State Bar Association for creating what the organization called a conflict of interest while he was a prosecutor in Grant County, though Lee doesnt agree with the outcome. According to bar association documents, Lee requested a deputy prosecuting attorney handle criminal cases that should have been referred to the state Attorney Generals office. Cases that we believe in Despite his regional notoriety, Lees firm is situated in a modest building off Highway 99, across from a Carls Jr. in Vancouver. The office consists solely of him and his wife. Were not a high-volume law firm, he said while lightly whistling his Ss. We take a few number of cases that we care deeply about and we commit. He said the firm receives about 30-50 requests a month from people seeking his legal representation, but only takes about two cases during that time period. Were highly selective about the cases we do take, he said. We take cases that we believe in (and) that we feel require strong and aggressive advocacy to ensure a just result. He estimates he performs, on average, 75-100 hours of pro bono legal work each year, primarily focusing on the First Amendment. Tacoma attorney Mark Lindquist co-counsels on the Smith familys lawsuit with Angus Lee. Lindquist said he never litigated against his colleague and would like to keep it that way. Most civil defense attorneys do not have the trial experience or skills Angus possesses, fortunately, he said. I say fortunately because I litigate against civil defense attorneys. Indonesia unveils largest state-owned special economic zone By Vietnam News Agency Sun, March 23, 2025 | 11:05 am GMT+7 Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has inaugurated a special economic zone (SEZ) in Batang regency, Central Java province, representing a major milestone in the nation's industrialization drive. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto speaks at the launch ceremony of the Batang Industrial Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Batang regency, Central Java province, Indonesia, March 20, 2025. Photo courtesy of Xinhua. The 4,300-ha zone, also known as the Batang Integrated Industrial Area, is Indonesia's largest state-owned SEZ and a key component of the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" initiative between Indonesia and China. At the inauguration ceremony on Thursday, President Prabowo expressed his hope the new SEZ could be Indonesia's Shenzhen, noting that the SEZ aligns with the country's vision of catching up with its neighbors by developing modern industrial estates capable of attracting major investments and generating employment. Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said he was confident that "the synergy between Indonesia and China will further strengthen strategic industrial sectors and attract greater investment". The Clemson University Board of Trustees designated 3,265 acres of the 18,000-acre Clemson Experimental Forest as an ecologically sensitive zone during its fall quarterly meeting. The decision follows nearly a century of systematic exploration and documentation of its biodiversity. Clemson Experimental Forest A sign that says "Clemson Experimental Forest" sits in the green grass by the side of a road. A checklist of the flora of the Clemson Forest assembled using plant specimens collected over six decades shows the forest is home to approximately 1,200 species of vascular plants, including 44 rare species tracked by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and 17 species recommended for tracking. Lorena Endara, curator of the Clemson University Herbarium, an institution that preserves botanical plant specimens from the forest and the region collected since the early 1900s, echoes the voice of many botanists who recognize that the Forests plant diversity is remarkable due to its unique location and history. There are very few places in the Southeast with this biodiversity, Endara said. Its in a privileged place, because were so close to the mountains. The flora of many different regions converges here, which is one of the reasons why its so rich. The primary reason for this is the diversity of habitats in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains compared to the Smokies. While the Smokies have a 4,000-foot elevation gradient and varied soils, the foothills biogeographic history connects them with both the maritime provinces and the Blue Ridge through the Savannah River corridor. Additionally, human activity has influenced plant distributions in the Clemson Experimental Forest through planned or unplanned reintroductions and habitat destruction. Get The Times and Democrat app today Local news has never been this personal. Free to download. Subscribers enjoy unlimited access. The Clemson Experimental Forest has a mixture of plants native to South Carolina. Some may have been part of an experiment or introduced for horticulture and then escaped, while others remain from when people lived in the area, Endara said. Its a combination of factors, but thats what makes it incredible. In 2024, researchers identified three newly verified rare species in the forest, as determined by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources: Polygala senega, Triosteum perfoliatum and Eupatorium altissimum. The Forests role in Clemsons land-grant mission Clemson College began supervising the land in 1939 under an agreement with the federal government. Over nearly 100 years, careful management has transformed the land from depleted row crop farmland to a resource for teaching, research and outreach, as well as a valued community asset. While scientists continue to learn more about the diversity of plant and animal life in the Forest, it also plays a key role in the Universitys land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, fulfilling founder Thomas Green Clemsons vision of a high seminary of learning that would benefit the citizens of South Carolina. A recent survey of Clemson University faculty showed that 18 percent currently use the Forest in their teaching, and 64 percent across all colleges are willing to use it. Thirty-seven classes in forestry, wildlife, ecology, biology and botany currently use the Forest to provide students with experiential learning opportunities and bring abstract concepts to life. Endara, who is also a lecturer in biological sciences, incorporates the Forest into her plant taxonomy lab, where students learn how to identify plants. I bring plants from the field into the lab and use them to show students key identification features, Endara said. These skills will be valuable for their future careers in plant sciences, and they also increase their appreciation for plants. Forestry research and instruction have taken place in the Forest for generations and continue today. Clemson University Provost Bob Jones, a two-time Clemson graduate, earned a Bachelor of Science in forest management in 1979 and a Master of Science in forestry in 1981. I found that exploring that forest was part of my well-being, Jones said. Ive hiked virtually every single mile of every trail in the Forest, and I did that as a student. I remember so much from my experiences learning in the field that when I came back as provost many years later, I revisited those trails, and deep memories came flooding in. As in previous generations, todays Clemson faculty use the Forest to teach students forest management protocols and research new techniques that could benefit the South Carolina forestry industry and the states environment. Research in the Clemson Experimental Forest really spans many different disciplines, said Rob Baldwin, professor and executive director of the Clemson Experimental Forest. We have soils research going on in the Forest. We have wildlife research going on in the Forest. So, there are many, many questions that focus on the Clemson Experimental Forest that Clemson faculty have been engaged with that are important both to people here and to global challenges such as climate change. Don Hagan, associate professor of forest ecology, studies the effects of fire and plant invasions on population, community and ecosystem-level processes in forest ecosystems. He also teaches forestry classes and serves as faculty advisor for the Student Association of Fire Ecology. I use the Forest for research and Creative Inquiry classes, Hagan said. For example, Ill take small groups of undergraduates there to conduct small-scale studies. Its proximity makes it convenient. We also use it for larger, long-term grant-funded studies. We currently have a study in the South Experimental Forest examining the effects of fire on soil and water quality, funded by the Department of Energy with collaborators from around the world. Associate professor of forest operations Patrick Hiesl researches forest operations and engineering, focusing on the cost and productivity of harvesting operations on both small and large forest areas. His work also explores the use of modern technology in forest management. We study the effects of harvesting equipment on erosion, sedimentation in streams and other impacts, Hiesl said. The biggest benefit of using the Clemson Experimental Forest is knowing the ownership isnt going to change anytime soon. We have control over what happens and can experiment in ways that wouldnt be possible on commercial forest land. We dont have to manage a particular stand for maximum profit, so we can ask different questions, implement new practices and push science forward. Balancing uses The Clemson Experimental Forest contains more than 100 miles of trails used for hiking, trail running, mountain biking and horseback riding. With more than 100 miles of shoreline on Hartwell Lake, Issaqueena Lake, Twelve Mile Creek and other water bodies, the public also uses the Forest for outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting. So, while the Forest serves as a hub for teaching and research and contains some of the areas most diverse and rare plant life, it also provides space for refuge, reflection and outdoor recreation. The U.S. Census Bureaus 2023 population growth data showed that most of South Carolinas 46 counties gained population, with Spartanburg and Greenville among the fastest-growing counties. While not in the top 10, Pickens and Anderson counties grew by a combined 3.15 percent. This population growth means the forest is under more pressure than ever before to accommodate the recreational needs of the surrounding community. The folks that use the Forest really do value it, and theyre passionate about what the Forest means to them, Baldwin said. The unique thing about it is that each user group whether horseback riders, mountain bikers, hikers or others deeply cares about protecting and taking care of this resource. When we have places like this close to where we live, even in high-density areas, its very important to have spaces where we can retreat and reconnect with nature. While the Forest is essential to the Universitys teaching and research efforts, its role in recreation and the well-being of the community means Clemson will take steps to improve infrastructure and increase safety for all users. Clemson is in the forever business, and we want the Forest to forever provide these resources to the people of the surrounding communities, Baldwin said. No other important public space I can think of is left for various user groups to self-manage. What we want to do is make the forest a safer place and a more sustainable environment for recreation well into the future. 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. Bilateral trade between Trinidad and Tobago and India reached a record TT$1.2 billion (US$368.96 million) in the last fiscal year, according to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. She disclosed this as she announced that her Government aims to expand exports to tap into Indias market of 1.4 billion consumers, and will pursue a Partial Scope Trade Agreementthe first from a Caricom countrywhile laying the foundation for a new Bilateral Investment Treaty. ON Thursday night, when hosted at the Diplomatic Centre, Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared an experience that has been preserved by the nations diaspora for 180 years. In images that have since gone viral, Modi was seen eating on the leaves of the sohari (Calathea lutea). In a social media post to Angelo Bissessarsinghs Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago Facebook page, Patricia Bissessar said the serving of food on the leaves of the sohari is a practice rooted in Indo-Trinidadian cultural heritage, particularly among the Hindu community. This years Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) results have revealed a concerning learning gap among primary school students, Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath has said. Speaking at a recognition ceremony for the top five performers in the 2025 SEA yesterday at the ministrys head office in Port of Spain, Dowlath said the data will be analysed for better performance moving forward. Last Tuesday, Gwynne Dyer headlined his Express column Stupid old men. You could substitute all sorts of adjectives before the words, old men, to describe the characteristics of the cohort that has had the most influence on the world we inhabit. Greedy, self-righteous, racist, arrogant, selfish, a multitude of negative words readily suit the clique. At first, angrily thinking about the subject of todays column, I was focusing on Caribbean men in leadership positions who have been sleazy lechers, foisting themselves on hapless females and males with impunity. To celebrate Irish-American Heritage Month, here are four books written by Irish authors, recommended by your friends at Pima County Public Library. Like these? Be sure to check out the full list at tucne.ws/1s0j. Visit library.pima.gov for more great reading suggestions and to check out the E-Library. As Tucson surged eastward during the citys post-World-War-II boom, it was the humble ranch house that paved the way. Now, one east-side neighborhood plans to show off its ranch-style roots with a tour dedicated to the housing design that dominated during the 1950s and beyond. They were so ubiquitous, and there were so many different styles of them. You may have lived in one and not known it, said Alfredo Araiza, association president for Palo Verde Park Neighborhood, which is holding the home tour. The April 5 event, called MidCentury Celebrated, will include a historical lecture and guided walkthroughs at four representative ranches in the neighborhood bordered by Broadway, Kolb Road, 22nd Street and Wilmot Road. The ranch-style design made its way to Tucson from California to fill a need for inexpensive housing after the war. The low-slung structures were typically constructed from burnt adobe, brick or concrete and stucco, with rectangular, L-shaped or U-shaped floor plans that included porches and carports or garages under the main roof. They were designed with cars in mind, Araiza said. The houses were set back from the property lines to allow ample space for front, back and even side yards. Large picture windows and sliding glass doors connected the indoor space to the outdoor living areas. The arrangement encouraged neighbors to interact with each other while mowing the front lawn or chatting over a shared side wall, Araiza said. I dont know if that was a conscious thing, but thats what it did. Ranch-style homes could be built relatively quickly, and there were plenty of people available to build and buy them, he said, thanks to all the veterans mustering out of wartime service. The popular and affordable building style soon became a symbol of the post-war American dream. Palo Verde Park Neighborhood Association secretary Rhonda Bodfield said while other home tours highlight spectacular, high-end houses, this one is focused squarely on how basic construction materials and a utilitarian architectural style combined to help build a thriving new middle class. Ultimately the lecture and tour together should help provide a deeper understanding of the era and the factors that shaped Tucsons growth, said Bodfield, who is married to Araiza. The couple moved into their ranch house in Palo Verde Parks Riviera Estates subdivision in 2009. It has four bedrooms, but theyre almost tiny by modern house standards, said Araiza, a Tucson native who grew up in a different ranch-style house near Craycroft Road and Pima Street. Their place near Broadway and Kolb features a number of modifications typical of the durable, adaptable design. The carport has been enclosed and now serves as their dining room, while an addition to the back of the house offers private lodging for guests from out of town. But plenty of original touches remain, including wood paneling, built-in shelves, exposed roof beams and unusual, floor-level lighting in the hallway leading to the bedrooms. An unfinished-wood shelf inside the kitchen pantry still bears the stenciled name of its previous owner: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The home was built in 1960 as part of six different subdivisions that were established between 1952 and 1959 in what now comprises the Palo Verde Park Neighborhood. Builders there offered a number of variations on the ranch-style theme, including such models as the Tucsonian, the Wilmot, the All-Star, the Suburban and the Spacemaker. In ads for Yale Estates, home of the Tucsonian, carpenter-turned-homebuilder Yale Epstein promised that no two houses on a block would feature the same roof lines, exteriors or paint colors. Meanwhile, in the nearby Glen Heather subdivision, developer Robert Lusk was offering a model he called The Royal Scot for $12,750 or, for veterans, a $600 down payment. The post-war developments were established without the sort of race-based restrictions that excluded minorities from living in hundreds of Tucson neighborhoods through the first two-thirds of the 20th century. It was a working-class neighborhood then, and its a working-class neighborhood now, Araiza said. I dont think that the dynamic of the people who live here has really changed. This is not an affluent neighborhood by any means. I think were proud of the fact that were all working stiffs, he said. Today, the Palo Verde Park Neighborhood covers a one square-mile area and includes more than 1,700 homes, 100 businesses and several schools and churches all surrounding the city-owned park that gives the area its name. Were about the size of South Tucson, Araiza said. The neighborhood originally planned to host its ranch-style home tour in the spring of 2020, but the event was called off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event on April 5 starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until 2 p.m. David Leighton, who writes the Street Smarts column for the Arizona Daily Star, will be one of the lecturers. Araiza said they plan to serve Tang and other familiar refreshments and snacks from the 1950s and 1960s. Tickets can be purchased online for $10, with the proceeds going to future events and projects in the neighborhood. The final frontier is becoming a more powerful force in the classroom. Astronomy and space science has been part of curriculums for decades. Shiloe Fontes can remember her first trip to the planetarium, as a second grader at St. Peter and Paul Catholic School in Tucson. There is something so humbling and so fascinating about seeing the sky in a way youve never seen it before, she said. I fell in love. Fast-forward to today, and Fontes is the design manager at Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium on the University of Arizona campus. Fontes indicated there is a lack of knowledge about career paths related to astronomy and space science. The economic opportunity in space is making it imperative for schools to teach it more than they have historically. Theres a reason we teach chemistry and biology right now. The same is happening in space, and its exciting to make everybody feel like they can get in on it, said Michael Paolucci, CEO and founder of online space and Earth science learning platform Slooh. Slooh is an online space and Earth science learning platform, which links to live telescope and satellite access, in an effort to foster hands-on space and Earth science education. In early December of 2024, the company was approved as an educational savings account (ESA) vendor in Arizona. Paolucci said the company is approved for use at Los Angeles Unified School District, Chicago Public Schools and New York City Public Schools, among others. Classroom teachers like Jack Erickson have found ways to use astronomy and space science as learning tools in classes other than astronomy. Erickson is a teacher at Vail Unified School Districts Cienega High School. Since astronomy is not required to graduate, we also try and incorporate some of the earth and space science standards into our physics and biology classes, which all kids are taking, basically. Erickson has students explore kinematics the science of moving objects by looking towards the stars, bringing out students curiosity. It is kind of fun to say, If we follow Elon to Mars, and you know the rocket ship is landing, how much force is going to stop it? Im not opposed to letting the conversation steer, and let them think theyre being off task, but really just having them right where I want. Fontess background is in scientific illustrations science isnt her strongest suit, she said. Fontes said, The idea of STEM is its great because everyone gets interested in science, math, astronomy but a lot of it is worded or aimed at that ultimate career path, which I think makes it difficult to just have a passion for something. I think we forget that scientists have a passion. Fontes also said that the biggest barrier for educators particularly those educating their students at home is often lack of foundational knowledge. This has been a pretty big topic for many of us in the planetarium community. Its a big issue, from what weve gathered, of not being comfortable speaking into the subject matter. No one wants to start talking about a subject where you might get questions, and then you cant answer them. Institutions like the Flandrau Planetarium also help fill that knowledge void. During the 2023-2024 school year, Flandrau Planetarium hosted more than 24,000 children at its exhibits, planetarium presentations and specialty programs, according to a release by the University of Arizona facility. We primarily see public schools; then, private, and then we see homeschool and other non-traditional types of schools come through, Fontes said. For home schools, I think its a little tricky, because I think again thats an area that may feel they dont have the background to talk about the subject. For the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 academic year, 14,057 K-12 students participated in a Flandrau Planetariums programming, with more than half of those coming from low-income, Title I public schools many receiving a free or reduced registration rate. The most popular astronomy-related ESA expense are telescopes, according to the Arizona Department of Education. Since July , the department has approved more than one thousand telescopes and nearly 800 books, including workbooks solely on astronomy. Paolucci said the availability of space science resources has developed over time. The fact that theres now this digital ecosystem enabling students to interact with (astronomy) instruments all over the world and up in space is a game changer. Paolucci said that hes noticed society has become disconnected from Earths place in the universe. Were just not in tune with the reality that were sitting on this rock, floating through space. Anybody who goes to a dark sky park or goes out into the ocean like just see how majestic The Milky Way is. Theres a tremendous benefit to getting all the people of the world looking up into space together in a social way just think of ourselves for a little sliver of our day, as Earthlings. PHOENIX Gov. Katie Hobbs remains free to hang a rainbow flag from her office tower. Republican Rep. Nick Kupper said he has abandoned his bid to make it illegal to display any but a select list of flags from government buildings. He had managed to usher his bill through the Republican-controlled House and was attempting to get approval from the Senate Government Committee last week when he concluded it really didnt matter: It was clear that Hobbs will veto. Kupper told Capitol Media Services there were probably things he could do to pick up more support for his measure only two Democrats voted for it but that it was too late to do further tinkering with the bill this year. He proposed the legislation after Hobbs, a Democrat, hung a gay pride and transgender rights flag her press aide calls it a banner from the balcony of her ninth-floor office at the beginning of Gay Pride Month in June of 2023 and 2024. But Kupper insisted Hobbs action wasnt his reason, at least not specifically. My bill also bans the Confederate, Nazi and Soviet flags, he argued in a social media post. What his measure would have done, Kupper said, is permit only the display of flags and banners on public property that were not controversial, which he said would lower the extreme temperatures on either side of our (political) aisle. The current American flag and any historical version would be allowed. Other permissible flags, according to Kupper, range from the Arizona state flag to those honoring first responders as well as flags of cities, counties and public universities and community colleges. The ban in his bill on everything else on public property drew questions. One dealt with what happens when people drive their vehicles into government parking lots or garages, and it turns out theres a flag on the window thats not on the approved list. Kupper sought to resolve that issue by adding language saying nothing in his measure would deny the civil and political liberties of any person as guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Arizona. Then there was the question of teachers who might display an unpermitted flag on classroom walls, perhaps as part of a lesson. Here, too, Kupper agreed to exempt flags used in any approved educational curricula. Foes were unconvinced, and getting Hobbs signature would have been the ultimate hurdle. Gubernatorial press aide Christian Slater said Hobbs has higher priorities, such as housing costs and funding for public education, than regulating what banners are and are not appropriate Legislative Republicans should join her in that work instead of focusing on ridiculous and superfluous flag bans, Slater said, saying she would have vetoed it. Kupper said he remains convinced there is a version that could pass gubernatorial muster, given enough time. Ill hold it for now so we can have the time to make it the best version we can, he said. Meanwhile, Slater told Capitol Media Services he cannot definitely say whether Hobbs will once again hang out a banner come this June 1. He did say that if there is a banner, it wont be the same one as last year. And, no, its not a question of its design. It takes quite a beating, hanging in the sun and wind, Slater said. He said if Hobbs intends to act this year, it will be a new banner, one that is donated and not purchased with public funds. A disturbing air of normalcy and positivity pervaded the Tucson Festival of Books last weekend. It's usually an atmosphere I enjoy, but as I attended events, moderated sessions and listened to speakers, it bothered me that an urgent issue went mostly unaddressed. People are being arrested for their speech in America and targeted for their dissent. Although several did touch on this in sessions I missed, it wasn't until the last hour, late Sunday afternoon, that I heard speakers point out the elephant striding unnoticed down the U of A Mall. Zoe Bossiere, the author of a "boyhood memoir" of growing up trans in a Tucson-area RV park, and Oliver Radclyffe, author of his own trans memoir, assumed the challenge. "I've made it my mission to not be quiet and to speak up," said Bossiere, whose poignant book is called "Cactus Country." "Whether you're trans or not, you have something to lose." So far, the Trump administration has targeted mostly outgroups like trans people and foreigners. Mahmoud Khalil is a Columbia University graduate and a green-card-holding activist of Palestinian origin, now detained for deportation. Not like you or me, probably. The leaders of national law firms banned from doing work with the government are mostly D.C. Democratic bigwigs. Not like you or me, probably. But as Bossiere and Radclyffe made clear, you shouldn't take any comfort if you haven't been targeted yet by regime efforts to fire, deport, harass or extort undesirables. If you're not a Trump supporter, your turn, our turn, will undoubtedly come. The moves of the last few weeks have shown this Trump administration is nothing like the hapless first one. They have skillfully targeted outgroups and disloyal elites as they clamp down on dissent and gather power, testing its limits like no administration before. "I do think that this administration is trying to consolidate as much power (as possible) for the executive and for Donald Trump," Democratic U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego told me in an interview Thursday, citing efforts such as the attempted abolition of the Department of Education without Congressional approval. "These are actions that can lead to an autocracy, and we have to find ways, where we can, to stop them and try to hold power and hold them accountable." Under pressure to fold The first step is not folding. People at universities such as the U of A and ASU are under special pressure to fold. The Trump administration has targeted campuses, which are bastions of opposition to him and his movement, for a crackdown on dissent and funding. The administration has cut funding for research, the lifeblood of many universities, required an end to diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and labeled people who protest Israel's actions in Gaza as terrorist sympathizers carrying out "illegal protests." Conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism has been a crucial tool. Trump has used it against Columbia University, a school that already had more than 100 students arrested, expelled three this month, fired and forced out two professors and banned student groups Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace. After all that, on March 7, the Trump administration canceled $400 million in federal grants to Columbia researchers, accusing them of "inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students," without offering any fresh evidence. The administration then demanded nine concessions, including expulsion or multi-year suspensions for those who participated in the occupation of a campus building or participated in protest camps. Despite having an endowment of almost $15 billion, Columbia folded this week and accepted the Trump demands. Paul Weiss, a big Democratic-oriented law firm, could have fought the Trump administration's effort to blackball it. The firm has the money and the lawyers. But it also folded to the Trump administration last week and agreed to donate legal services to efforts such as fighting antisemitism, which could put them in the vanguard of fighting free speech on campus. The University of Arizona hasn't been singled out yet. Trump's administration has targeted more elite universities for special scrutiny so far. But ASU is on a list of 45 universities being investigated for alleged race-based discrimination against white and Asian-descended students in graduate programs. And the UA showed a disturbing willingness to give in when it removed the words "committed to diversity and inclusion" from its land acknowledgment this year without even being asked. Campus speech protected Arizona's university campuses should be protected bastions of free speech, thanks to the Goldwater Institute and Republican legislators seeking to protect campus speech for conservatives. In 2016 and 2018, the GOP-led Legislature passed model legislation designed by the institute that offers strong protections. "It is not the proper role of an institution of higher education to shield individuals from speech protected by the First Amendment, including, without limitation, ideas and opinions that may be unwelcome, disagreeable or deeply offensive," one provision of the law says. Another says, "A person who is lawfully present on a university or community college campus may engage in expressive activity, including a protest or demonstration, in any area where the person is lawfully present. Individual conduct that materially and substantially infringes on the rights of other persons to engage in or listen to expressive activity is not allowed and is subject to sanction." People whose free-speech rights are infringed by the universities or community colleges are given the right to sue them and collect damages. When I asked Gallego about Khalil, the former Columbia student activist detained for deportation, the senator put his position this way: "If you're on a student visa, if you're here as a permanent resident, and you're using our nation's First Amendment rights to sustain an opinion, then it shouldn't be something that's used against you." He qualified that by saying people shouldn't be allowed to encourage violence or make it threatening for fellow students to cross campus because of their identities. But the Trump administration has brought no evidence that Khalil did that. Not cowed by threats The threats aren't stopping people like Jocelyn Garcia. She is a third-year law student and president of Students for Socialism. Garcia, 24, is also affiliated with Students for Justice in Palestine. She's pretty much the campus radical people like Trump are warning about and targeting. She and more than 50 others attended a demonstration Tuesday off-campus at Main Gate Square, protesting Israel's breaking of the ceasefire in Gaza that has killed hundreds of people over the last week. We met Friday, and I asked if she's worried about herself in this new era of campus crackdowns by the federal government, with the accompanying pressure on university administrations to sanction people like her. "I'm cautious but not afraid," she said. "Who does it serve if I'm repressing myself? I'm doing the work for them." Oliver Radclyffe, the author of "Frighten the Horses," is carrying the same spirit. A U.S. citizen originally from England, Radclyffe says, he's anxious when he returns to the USA because of the "M" for male on his passport. He used to be female. "Every time I come back, I worry they won't let me back in," he said. But he sees no long-term advantage to scuttling around in fear and accommodation of people who want his existence erased by executive order. "Like Zoe, I'm going to be as loud as possible," Radclyffe went on. "I'm going to keep writing and keep writing till they take me away in handcuffs." Saguaro National Park saw its sixth busiest year in 2024, but dont expect to hear much about that from anyone working there. National Park Service staff have been instructed not to publicize last years record attendance figures, according to an internal memo shared by an anonymous group of current and former agency employees calling themselves Resistance Rangers. There will be no external communications rollout for the 2024 visitation data, the leaked guidance says. Individual parks can add the information to their websites if that is something they normally do, but the memo says the numbers should not be announced with news releases or posts on social media. That marks a departure from previous years, when the agency published and promoted reports on visitation trends and the overall economic impact that parks have on their surrounding communities. The new directive comes as the Trump administration continues to push sweeping reductions to the federal workforce, including at the Interior Department, which oversees the Park Service. The nations parks set a record in 2024 with over 331.8 million total visits, nearly 900,000 more than the previous mark set in 2016. Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco led the way as the nations busiest Park Service site, with almost 17.2 million visits. Saguaro, meanwhile, logged more than 946,000 visits last year, roughly 133,000 shy of its all-time record set in 2021. The eight busiest years in the history of the 92,000-acre park bracketing Tucson have come over the past nine years alone. Retired ranger and park superintendent Bill Wade can think of one obvious reason why administration officials might be reluctant to publicize the overwhelming popularity of national parks: Theyre actively dismantling the park system right now, he said, and they dont want the public to know much about whats going on. Offices targeted On Feb. 14, Trumps Office of Personnel Management ordered the mass firing of more than 24,000 federal employees who were still in their trial or probationary periods with agencies across the government. The Valentines Day massacre, as were calling it, Wade said. Many of those terminated were notified with a form letter stating that they were being fired for poor performance, despite on-the-job evaluations to the contrary, according to the American Federation of Government Employees, which sued to block the purge. Among those dismissed were some 1,710 workers from the Interior Department, court documents show. The following week, Saguaro National Park announced that both of its visitor centers would be closed on Mondays until further notice. Yosemite National Park lost its only locksmith, Mount Rainier National Park lost its only plumber and WrangellSt. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska lost the only pilot assigned to a nearly roadless area covering almost 13.2 million acres, Wade said. How else are you going to patrol that except with an airplane? he said. Its still unclear how many staff members were dismissed from Saguaro National Park. A park spokeswoman referred questions from the Star first to the regional office in Colorado and then to the agencys headquarters in Washington, D.C., neither of which responded with details about the layoffs. Wade said he only knows of six probationary employees who were terminated from their jobs at Park Service sites in southern Arizona two each at Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and Chiricahua National Monument. The actual numbers could be higher than that, and Wade suspects more cuts are on the way. He said he has heard talk of a 30% payroll reduction and additional massive layoffs looming at Interior. Several Park Service offices in Arizona are also on the chopping block, he said, as the General Services Administration moves to cancel federal leases on buildings that house agency administrative staff in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Camp Verde. Rooted in parks Wade said the last time the Park Service faced major cuts like this was 30 years ago, when the Clinton administration set out to reduce the size of the federal government. But that effort involved months of planning and largely top-down workforce reductions from the agencys headquarters and regional offices, with a goal of improving efficiency without impacting park-level services, Wade said. They went through a very calculated process. They used a scalpel approach, where this bunch is using a broadsword or a chainsaw. Though the Trump administration insists it is targeting government bloat and waste, he added, its pretty hard to make that case for an agency that turns every dollar it spends into $15 dollars (in economic benefit). Wades connection to the Park Service runs even deeper than the more than 30 years he worked for the agency. He said he spent his entire childhood at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, where his father worked as a ranger. Today, he serves as executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers, a nonprofit education and advocacy group currently based in Marana, where he lives. The group was launched in 1977 and Wade joined in 1978 to organize conferences and serve as an information network for park rangers across the country. These days, though, were focusing mostly on employee wellness, he said. Were trying to help employees who have been victims of all of this. For example, the associations leadership voted last month to start providing fired workers with financial assistance from the groups Ranger Emergency Relief Fund, which was originally established a few years ago to help park employees impacted by floods, wildfires and other natural disasters. The nations parks were already under-staffed and under-budgeted even before the White House went to work on them, Wade said. Now, they face a real crisis, even as visitation continues to grow. Obviously, its extremely disruptive not only to the people who were terminated but the people who are still working in the parks, he said. They are really in turmoil right now, and theyre afraid that its going to get worse before it gets better. Thats why the association plans to keep advocating for park employees and shining a spotlight on the damage these arbitrary cuts can do, Wade said. I think the only way this is going to get turned around is if people get angry enough about whats going on in the parks. Its got to come from the public. Paid in sunsets Probationary government workers got a reprieve of sorts late last week when a federal judge in California ordered the administration to reinstate those fired at Interior and five other departments. Park Service officials declined to answer questions about how many former employees in Arizona could be rehired as a result of the ruling. Instead, the agencys public affairs office in Washington said in a statement that the Interior Department will comply with the courts order while the White House works through the appeals process. Wade wonders how many of the fired workers will actually return to their old jobs, especially with more budget cuts looming and after the abrupt and insulting way that many of them were dismissed. Then there are the underlying financial and emotional costs that come with being fired and rehired a month later everything from broken leases and lost security deposits to the money spent on moving. Some of them left their parks and returned to where they came from at their own expense, and now they have to go back, also at their own expense, Wade said. But based on the park employees he has talked to and the interviews he has read, he knows that some workers will do whatever it takes to return to their posts. The common statement that Ive heard is, I just lost my dream job, Wade said. You certainly dont jump into this (work) to make any money. When I was in the Park Service, the saying was, We get paid in sunsets. The 1798 law President Donald Trump dusted off to justify the swift deportation of Venezuelan gang members hadnt been invoked since World War II when it was used to justify internment camps for Japanese Americans. More than 100,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry were forced from their homes. Two of the camps were in Arizona and became, for a time, the states third and fourth biggest cities: Gila River, with a population that hit 13,000; and Poston, which held more than 18,000 at its peak. Trumps rare use of the Alien Enemies Act triggered memories of that dark chapter, along with outrage and fear as the president declared that an invasion is underway involving the Tren de Aragua criminal organization. That, according to the White House, provided a legal basis to deny hearings for the 238 migrants flown to El Salvador last weekend in defiance of a federal judge. President Trump is making quite the stretch to make this apply to this situation, said Stuart Streichler, a University of Washington political scientist. Until now, the law had only been used during the War of 1812 and the two world wars. The second president, John Adams, signed the law at a time when the U.S. and France were on the brink of war, and concern was rising about French sympathizers. During World Wars I and II, the Alien Enemies Act was used to justify detention, expulsion and surveillance of immigrants from Germany, Italy and Japan along with American citizens with ancestry in those nations. Less than three months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt invoked the law when he ordered the forced removal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast on grounds they posed a national security threat. Detainees in Poston a remote site 90 miles north of Yuma, just across the state line from California nickname the three subcamps Roast em, Toast em and Dust em due to the insufferable heat. At both Poston and Gila River, multiple families were crammed into small military barracks with no ventilation or insulation. Health care was scarce. Imagine a state in which two of the four largest cities are concentration camps, the poet Brandon Shimoda, grandson of a prisoner, said in a 2017 speech at the Jewish History Museum in Tucson. That was Arizona in the 1940s: Phoenix, Tucson, Poston, Gila River. Marlene Shigekawa, a writer and documentary filmmaker who was born in captivity in Poston, said survivors of the camps are aghast that Trump has invoked the same law that brought their families so much suffering. Its very unsettling for the Japanese American community, Shigekawa said. Many still havent processed what has happened. The act taps into fear. Shigekawa is executive director of the Poston Community Alliance, a nonprofit that preserves the legacy of the camp. She has worked for over 15 years with the Tribal Council of the Colorado River Indian Tribes to preserve historic structures and create educational films. For those of us that have fought hard to educate, it just makes us more enraged and willing to continue the fight, she said. It motivates me to do more, to educate people as we always try to do. The text of the Alien Enemies Act allows its use only in case of a declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government, or any invasion or predatory incursion by any foreign nation or government. By law, only Congress has the authority to declare war. But Trumps proclamation asserts that Tren de Aragua is a terrorist group so entrenched in Venezuelas government as to be part of it. Its members, he asserted, have unlawfully infiltrated the United States and are conducting irregular warfare and undertaking hostile actions against the United States. Critics say the argument is thin. The American Civil Liberties Union and Democracy Forward have challenged Trumps use of the act in federal court. And Trump didnt need to stretch the Alien Enemies Act, Streichler said, because hes got enormous powers to address immigration. Any U.S. president does. He questioned the wisdom of invoking such sweeping powers, citing the lessons of the internment camps. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a law providing $20,000 to each detainee and an official apology for the injustice of the forced displacements and internment. Michael Dekker Tulsa World Business Reporter Follow Michael Dekker 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. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today With prolonged tariffs, University of Tulsa associate professor of economics Jason Walter predicts a recession by the end of the year. If Walter taught Tariffs 101, this would be the first thing he would tell students: "Tariffs are a tax on the entity that is importing the goods, and all taxes create a wedge between consumers and producers. What consumers and producers have to agree upon on the price it now has to be a bigger difference than it otherwise would have been because of that tariff." Walter said he's never had more questions from family and friends than in the past few months since President Donald Trump announced additional tariffs with Canada, Mexico and China. Walter said he quit talking about current events with his students in the international economics course he is teaching at TU. "It got to the point where there is so much going on, it's like, 'OK, we're just going to have to go back to the foundational stuff,'" he said. Long-threatened tariffs from Trump have plunged the country into a trade war abroad, while on-again, off-again new levies continue to escalate uncertainty, The Associated Press reported in a recent timeline story about the issue. Theres also been a sense of whiplash from Trumps back-and-forth tariff threats and responding retaliation, including recently postponed levies for some goods from Canada and Mexico that followed a 30-day pause for the auto industry, the AP reported. Walter outlined several aspects of tariffs to help explain them: Detriments: Fewer goods exchanged. Consumers are going to pay a higher price. Producers may receive a lower price. "From that perspective, it's harmful to both consumers and producers." Benefits: The government will collect tax revenue. But historically, he said, most of the time tariffs are used not to benefit government but for other reasons. "Maybe I want to put pressure on another country to get them to do something. Maybe I want to protect certain industries so that they can further develop. Or if it's a populist approach, ... I don't want to have any job losses." Tariffs do create job losses, Walter added. "The hard part is (free trade) usually creates a lot of jobs, as well. And those are a lot less easy to track, and those (job gains) don't get as much attention as people in a specific industry getting laid off." With free trade, he said, there are often industries that are acutely hurt (by job losses), but many more jobs are created, which are dispersed across the economy; generally, the net effect is greater economic growth and greater employment overall. "Tariffs do just the opposite," he said. "Tariffs are often touted as a means to create or save jobs by bringing back those acutely lost jobs (concentrated benefits); however, they cause job losses that are dispersed across the economy. Generally, the net effect is reduced economic growth and reduced employment overall." Trump has not specified how long the tariffs would last, but Walter said some people think "this is just a price increase that will happen just once." But the additional cost can be passed along at multiple stages of commerce, he indicated. For example, steel or aluminum, which might be processed into something else, in turn might be manufactured into something else. That product then becomes a component on another product that is purchased by a consumer, he said. "All of that gets carried through all of those additional expenses and makes it even worse," Walter said. Bill Knight, owner and president of Bill Knight Automotive and board president of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, said a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico would be unsustainable. He said that with the average cost of a new vehicle between $45,000 and $50,000, a 25% increase through tariffs would translate into an additional cost of roughly $10,000 to $12,000 for the same vehicle. "Who can afford that?" he asked. Likewise, Tulsa-based Melton Trucking Lines Chief Financial Officer Robert Ragan said a reduced flow of goods would not be beneficial for the company. Melton has about 1,400 trucks and delivers more flatbed loads of goods to and from Mexico than any other U.S. trucking carrier. "Obviously, anything that impedes the flow of goods is not productive for our business," he said. Graduating from Tariffs 101 The uncertainty created by not knowing which specific tariffs will be in effect when and for how long for business owners, homebuilders and developers also plays a major factor, Walter said. Only one-third of supply managers in nine Midwest states including Oklahoma expect improving business conditions over the next six months, said Ernie Goss, director of the economic forecasting group at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. "With the way (Trump's) tried to claim that this is going to work out, it seems like he's planning on them being there for a while," Walter said. "I would say if these tariffs don't get removed fairly quickly, we'll be in a recession before the end of the year." The U.S. economy, Walter said, is driven by expectations. "Are you going to want to start a business now, when you have all of these uncertainties?" he asked. "If you are a business, are you going to want to expand it right now? You could be looking at reduced growth, so you're going to be doing less investment yourself." He said people like to think that America has a consumer-based economy, but a lot of its economy is also from business investment. "Those (decisions) are actually much more volatile than consumer spending," he said. "And that's generally what leads us into those recessions and kind of what pulls us out." He added, "Until people feel enough pain to want to speak out about how these (tariffs) are damaging them, that's the only tipping point I can think of. Generally, when we start having a recession, that's when people get more vocal about what's going on." By the numbers The U.S. has an economy of about $27 trillion. Its trade with Canada is about $700 billion per year, and trade with Mexico is about $800 billion a year, said Jason Walter, associate professor of economics at the University of Tulsa. Canada and Mexico have economies of $2.1 trillion and $1.7 trillion, respectively, meaning the amount of trade for both countries with the U.S. is significantly larger relative to their overall economies, he said. "The impact (of tariffs) will be much more significant for Canada and Mexico than it will be in the U.S." Walter said. But consumers here will still pay higher prices for anything that requires commodities like imported steel, lumber and aluminum, such as for housing and cars. Consumers here will also pay more for fruits and vegetables and many other food and beverage items if President Donald Trump's tariffs go into effect next month, Walter said. Has a recession begun? Have Trumps policies increased the likelihood of a recession? Kevin Canfield Tulsa World Reporter Follow Kevin Canfield 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. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The citys Board of Adjustment has an important and thankless job. Its charge: listening to property owners requests for special exceptions or variances to the zoning code and deciding whether to grant them or deny them. The issues that come before the panel known as the BOA everything from modifying a setback requirement, to adding a garage apartment, to increasing the size of a sign are those not expressly allowed in the city's zoning code. So its the BOA, a quasi-judicial body established by the state Legislature decades ago, that makes the call. If an applicant doesnt like the five-member boards decision, it can be appealed to Tulsa County District Court. City Councilor Christian Bengel wants to provide another option an appeal to the City Council that applicants could pursue before taking their cases to district court. At his behest, House Bill 1496 is being considered by the state Legislature this year. The measure, which has already been approved by the House, would give municipalities whose city councils dont hear BOA appeals the option to do so. It does not compel anybody to do anything the way that it's written," Bengel said. The main thing the legislation would accomplish, Bengel said, is to give control over BOA decisions back to local elected officials. BOA members are appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council. Theres a lot of things to take into consideration that this is the right thing to do, and that it returns the power back to the municipalities from the state, Bengel said. We determine what developments go in our city, so municipalities, or the elected body should have the final say before it goes to District Court. Bengel said he and two of his former colleagues on the City Council, Jeannie Cue and Crista Patrick, broached the subject with state lawmakers last year after expressing discomfort with some BOA decisions that affected their constituents. For Bengel, that discomfort was not limited to the BOAs decisions but to remarks made by a board member that he claims politicized the case before them. That one development kind of drove me to see about changing this language, Bengel said. Should the proposed legislation become law, Bengel said, a majority of city councilors would have to give their approval to establishing an appeal process and then determine how it would work. As I told the legislators, I would expect the appeals to be very rare, and that we should set guardrails to determine what cases we would hear from citizens, Bengel said. Joe Westervelt, a longtime developer who has served on the Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission and other city boards and commissions, believes the proposed legislation is not a good idea. "To the mere statement made that there were several commissioners that expressed discomfort in the board's decisions, I would say, correct," Westervelt said. "It's going to happen all the time, and it should in any kind of healthy environment. "Indeed, the Board of Adjustment is one of the initial checks and balances against the over-polititization of our processes. This will have a chilling effect." He also questioned where councilors would find the time to give the appeals the close attention they deserve and by what standards councilors would decide which appeals to take up. "How can you have a new statute that's going to allow a council to pick whichever board decision they want to pick up for an appeal ... that is not the way you write law," Westervelt said. Westervelt also noted that the BOA not only hears residents' appeals, but can be called upon to hear appeals of administrative interpretations of the city's zoning code. "You can't strip them of their quasi-judicial process if they're indeed doing these other functions," he said. "This is exactly what you don't want to happen to the Board of Adjustment. It would be crippling to the city to do something like this, because you truly are fully politicizing zoning." Burlinda Radney, chairwoman of the BOA, said she has been told nothing about the proposed legislation. "We are challenged to strike a balance between use and planning, and so it takes nuance, and it takes patience and it takes communication," Radney said. The Tulsa World is where your story lives. Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Reporter Follow Randy Krehbiel 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. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Republican voters in state House District 71 will decide from among a longtime Brookside resident and two relative newcomers in an April 1 GOP special primary. Early voting will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Tulsa County Election Board, 555 N. Denver Ave. The three-way primary means a May runoff is possible. The ultimate nominee meets the winner of a four-way Democratic primary in a general election; the date will be determined by the need for runoffs. The longtime resident in the GOP primary is attorney Beverly Atteberry, 57, who was previously an HD 71 candidate in 2018 and 2022. Newer on the scene are Heidemarie Fuentes and Tania Garza though Garza has been a Tulsan for more than a decade. Garza, 35, followed her brother to Tulsa from Eagle Pass, Texas, 12 years ago. After eight years in the insurance business, she's now a specialist with Tulsa Remote. With a father in the military, Fuentes, 73, grew up all over the world and spent a good deal of time in California as an adult. Her website, in fact, says Fuentes' "goal is to ensure Oklahoma doesnt go the way of California." Fuentes said California's Democrat-controlled Legislature always backs the state's Democratic governors but that in Oklahoma "we have too many Republicans who are really acting as Democrats." Still, Fuentes said, she would act in the best interests of all constituents, regardless of party affiliation. "I'll be working for the people in general. I love humanity. I love people, and I fully believe we need to learn to work together," she said. "I will be doing everything within my power to get along with people of both sides of the aisle. Special election draws four Democratic candidates for House District 71 Competitive Democratic primaries are few and far between in Oklahoma these days, but an exception is the race to replace Amanda Swope, who took a job in the Mayor's Office. "The bottom line is, I like the idea of being in office and being able to have a say in what comes across," she said. "I may or may not be part of the majority at any given time in opinion, but at least I will have my say and my ability to give my opinion and have a chance of swaying others." Democratic incumbent Amanda Swope's resignation to join the administration of new Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols caught all the candidates by surprise. "I always thought I wanted to be a campaign manager," said Garza. "(But) I have been asked by different friends if I ever thought about running for office. And it wasn't until the special election opened in the district, I was like, 'You know what? I love Tulsa. I moved here to improve my quality of life. It has given me so many opportunities and resources to do that for me, and this is definitely the next step.'" Throughout her time in Tulsa, Garza has been active in Tulsa's Young Professionals, known as TYPros. She thinks those years of networking give her a leg up in this primary. Her professional life has always involved listening to people and matching their needs with solutions, Garza said. She thinks that background would serve her well in the Legislature. "With the parties being as divided and fractioned as they are, it's going to take a person that's willing to have conversations to move things forward (for) the future of Tulsa. When you look at my background, I've already been doing this." Atteberry said she bought her Brookside house in 1993 and has seen the area go through good times and bad. "There's been a lot of growth in the district," she said. "I understand the history of the district." Atteberry said she will be responsive to constituents and stay in touch through social media. She also thinks being a lawyer will help. "The perception is our Legislature is full of lawyers, and that's not true," Atteberry said. "I think that that is probably part of the reason why we have so many of our laws get overturned by the courts. Even conservative courts are overturning stuff passed by our Legislature." She said the Legislature needs "a good balance of lawyers ... to just talk to their fellow (lawmakers about problematic bills) and say, 'Hey, this is why it's not going to pass through the courts.'" HD 71 is essentially the extended Brookside and Riverview areas of Tulsa. The district was formerly a Republican stronghold but has been held by Democrats since 2018. The Tulsa World is where your story lives. Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Reporter Follow Randy Krehbiel 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. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Competitive Democratic primaries are few and far between in Oklahoma these days, but an exception is the fight for the party's nomination in the special election to fill the vacancy in Tulsa's House District 71. Four Democrats are on the primary ballot: Dennis Baker, Amanda Clinton, Hudson Harder and Ben Riggs. Election Day is April 1, but early in-person voting is available 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Tulsa County Election Board, 555 N. Denver Ave. Runoff elections, if necessary, are scheduled for May 13. The general election against the winner of a three-way Republican primary will be in May or June, depending on whether runoffs are needed. The four Democrats seeking to replace Democrat Amanda Swope, who resigned to join Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols' administration, present a variety of ages, experiences and backgrounds. Three candidates to appear on GOP primary ballot for Tulsa's House District 71 Heidemarie Fuentes and Tania Garza both moved to Tulsa from other states. Longtime resident Beverly Atteberry is an attorney who ran for the seat in 2018 and 2022. Riggs, 36, is a high school history teacher. Harder, 24, is a high school social studies teacher who took a different route to the classroom. Clinton, 46, is a communications specialist with experience in politics and tribal government. Baker, 70, is a retired FBI special agent who has been politically active since returning to Tulsa several years ago. Baker believes admittedly long-shot campaigns for the U.S Senate in 2022 and the 1st Congressional District in 2024 gave him a head start in the special election. He said he's already won HD 71 once in last November's CD 1 general election against Republican incumbent Kevin Hern. The experience, Baker said, gave him a better idea of how to operate a campaign and a certain amount of name recognition. "We did an early poll, and it showed that, were voters to vote that day, I would win," he said. "That's a big boost. And I think the only reason that poll would have showed that was the work that we put in, going out, spending two years campaigning, talking dozens of times in places about who I am, what I stand for." What Baker stands for is a pragmatic approach that emphasizes economic issues and what he sees as basic American values. "For me, and for this campaign, I think it's about economic security," he said. "(We should) talk constantly about bread and butter issues, and about whose side Democrats are on and who would benefit if a Democrat is elected, and that boils down to issues like minimum wage and unions and protecting Social Security, protecting Medicare, enabling voters to own their own home all those issues that they're struggling with every day." Clinton is the only woman in the Democratic field and said that the underrepresentation of women in the Legislature is one reason she felt compelled to enter the primary. More broadly, she is critical of the state's leadership and said her experience with tribal governments has been instructional. "I know what real leadership looks like because Ive spent 20 years in tribal governments, connecting people with housing, health care, education and jobs," she said. "When leaders put people first, real progress happens. "At a time when womens rights are under attack and Oklahomas relationship with tribes is hostile, representation matters. This district deserves a leader who not only understands these issues but has the experience, determination, and track record to fight for real change," she said. A U.S. State Department posting was Harder's goal when he graduated from the University of Oklahoma a few years ago, but when that didn't work out and he's glad it didn't, given the agency's current turmoil Harder turned to teaching. He teaches on an emergency certification at Webster High School, and while he enjoys the job he opposes the policies that have put so many like him, people untrained as educators, in the classroom. "It really shows how much this shortage of educators has affected us," Harder said. "Before I was emergency certified, I was an adjunct which doesn't require any college, only a high school diploma. "It shouldn't be as easy as throwing my name in the hat to have 50 principals in my (direct messages) wanting me to teach." In a recent candidate forum, Harder said he answered one call for a substitute fourth grade teacher only to be asked if he could handle preschool. Fortunately, he said, an experienced teacher was also in the room, but he says, "we're failing kids at every level. And not just in the classroom." Riggs grew up in Sand Springs and teaches at Charles Page High School. He, his wife and three young children all live in Tulsa, though, and he says Swope recruited him to succeed her. "Education is in a state of crisis right now, and after having taught for nearly 10 years now I felt like this was a natural progression for being able to help out my neighbors," said Riggs, whose grandfather David Riggs served seven terms in the Oklahoma House. "For me, everything comes back to education," Ben Riggs said. "When trying to resolve an issue, or in this case a crisis, I'm always asking, 'What is the root cause here?' I think a lot of our state's issues are coming from low education outcomes. That's why I got into teaching." Riggs said he also believes his age is an advantage. "At 36, I'm wise enough to adhere to the wisdom of those who've come before me, but I'm also young enough to bridge the gap with those who are looking to come behind me," he said. Extending from just south of downtown to 81st Street along the east bank of the Arkansas River, HD 71 is a traditional Republican stronghold that's increasingly voted Democratic in the past decade. Democrats have held HD 71 since 2018, and the current voter registration slightly favors them over the GOP. Nearly a quarter of the district's registered voters, though, have no party affiliation, and a small share are Libertarians. Ginnie Graham Tulsa World Columnist Follow Ginnie Graham 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. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Once in a while, legislators do something so right, so good that it deserves a viral moment. That happened on March 10 when Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, was presenting House Bill 1389 for passage out of the House. The bill would ensure that health benefit plans cover diagnostic mammograms and supplemental screenings for breast cancer without cost sharing. Provenzano stood, looked up and sharply inhaled a breath to hold back tears. She saw pink garments worn by her fellow lawmakers. That signature color for breast cancer was a silent message of solidarity, a message of support that transcends politics. It was a surprise. Most importantly, it was a show of love for another person in a time of so much hate and division. "The moment was overwhelmingly human," she told me recently. "When I was recognized to speak, I turned to the body and saw dots of pink everywhere ties, shirts, ribbons. I had to take a deep breath and center myself." That centering breath was visible. She got out a "thank you" before reading from prepared remarks to argue for the bill, not looking up so she could stay focused on her words. Rep. Denise Crosswhite-Hader, R-Piedmont, teed up a question to allow for elaboration: "If this were in place, what would it do, say, if their mother had cancer?" Another steadying inhale from Provenzano before answering. "There are many mothers across this state 3,287 women were diagnosed last year in Oklahoma. If this bill can save a mom, I hope you'll consider voting for it." It passed 95-0 with a standing ovation. Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, took the microphone: "Rep. Provenzano, regardless of party lines, I guarantee I can speak for everyone. We all care about you," he said as he pointed in her direction. Provenzano has breast cancer and is undergoing treatment. The tears eventually fell as lawmakers clapped in kindness and encouragement. This bill didn't start with her diagnosis. It started years ago when a constituent asked her for help in making health insurance companies cover diagnostic mammograms. That's what good lawmakers do act on behalf of their constituent needs. Health insurers were covering the routine mammograms, which are low-dose X-rays. But if that screening showed anomalies that could be cancer, some companies wouldn't pay for further tests to get a diagnosis, like MRIs and ultrasounds, or they required cost sharing. Those were costing patients $400 to $1,000 per test. In 2022, she got House Bill 3504 passed, a difficult feat for a Democrat in a super-majority Republican Legislature. Now, 27 other states have similar laws. Last summer, the Susan G. Komen Foundation contacted Provenzano about updating the bill to clarify the language. The foundation provided guidance to the original bill, so Provenzano agreed. In October, her mother's breast cancer returned, and on Nov. 5 (Election Day) she had surgery. Her mother had been treated for breast cancer 10 years earlier. The reoccurrence prompted Provenzano to get genetic testing to see if she had the BRCA gene that her mother carries. The results came back negative just weeks before she was diagnosed with breast cancer on Dec. 11. Because hers is a different type of cancer from her mother's, its likelihood didn't appear on the genetic test. She underwent a mastectomy for Stage 1 HER2-positive breast cancer about two months ago. Because of the early detection, the prognosis is good. She is receiving chemotherapy on days the Legislature doesn't meet. As the session neared, Provenzano worried that her promise to the Komen Foundation would look self-serving. But she is further along in treatment than when the diagnostic tests happen, and breast cancer is the most common type of cancer for women (except for skin cancer). Each year, breast cancer accounts for 30% of new female cancers. One in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. This year, The American Cancer Society's estimates for breast cancer in the U.S. are: About 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women; about 59,080 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ will be diagnosed; and about 42,170 women will die from breast cancer. "So many women; it's breathtaking," Provenzano says. While breast cancer overwhelmingly affects women, about 2,800 men are diagnosed annually about 1% of total breast cancer cases. Men usually don't get diagnosed until later because they don't suspect breast cancer. As Provenzano experienced, early detection is critical. It allows for an improved survival rate and less aggressive treatment options. That's why Provenzano's bill remains important for patient protection. "That day, and every day after that week, I had people come up to me and share their personal stories and fight with cancer themselves or a sister, a mother, a friend. On and on. Some happy; some really sad," Provenzano said. "Some things are bigger than politics. This week, and in that moment, we were all human. (It's) perhaps the most powerful and hopeful thing I've felt in a long time." The Tulsa World is where your story lives. TCN Staff Hyderabad: Telanganas Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is set to host the official annual Dawat-e-Iftar for 2025 at the LBS stadium, with a staggering budget of Rs 70 crore. This has sparked protests controversy, with people asking the government to avoid wastage of funds and use it for minority welfare. Prominent among those are opposing the move are Dr. Lubna Sarwat, Anwarullah Khan and Syed Ismail, who have written to the chief minister urging him not to allocate such a substantial sum from the Minority Welfare Fund for the event. Instead, they call for this amount to be invested in uplifting the minority communities. The activists pointed out that minorities in Telangana are struggling in key areas such as education, healthcare and employment, and emphasised that at this crucial juncture, lavish iftar parties are not what the community needs. Lubna Sarwat and her team have also conducted meetings with other noted individuals, social workers, journalists and like-minded people to push for the cancellation of the iftar event. In their letter to the chief minister, they stated, Lavish extravagant iftar parties are not part of Islam, and the Holy Quran forbids extravagance. The Prophet of Islam never advocated such lavish affairs in the name of religion. They argued that the funds should instead be directed toward more productive initiatives that would benefit the minorities in a meaningful way. A resolution passed by the activists from Hyderabad urges the government to abandon the practices of the previous BRS regime and reallocate the funds in a more constructive manner. The suggested reallocations include increasing the budget for the Telangana Minorities Study Circle (S.H. 29), currently set at Rs 4 crores; strengthening the Center for Education Development of Minorities (S.H. 23), which currently has an allocation of just Rs 3 crores; and enhancing funding for Training and Employment for Minorities (S.H. 06), which is currently capped at Rs 30 crores. While iftar parties hosted by political parties in India are often more about political motivations than religious devotion, in Hyderabad, these gatherings have traditionally been organised by government officials especially the police department to foster good relations with the ulema and other Muslims. These events also aim to ensure law and order while promoting the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, a rich cultural tradition that has long been integral to the region. Such iftar gatherings, initially introduced by the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, continued for many years. Even the late BJP Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, hosted iftar parties. However, since 2014, there has been a steady decline in such events across various states in India, though Telangana has continued to uphold the tradition. In 2015, after the formation of Telangana, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao hosted the first grand Dawat-e-Iftar at the Nizam College grounds. This event was attended by more than 10,000 people from diverse political and religious backgrounds, including common citizens. The Iftar events were also held in other districts at the CMs initiative, as he sought to restore the composite culture of Hyderabad. Under his leadership, around 100 mosques across different constituencies received funds to host their own iftar gatherings. With Congress now back in power in Telangana, CM Revanth Reddy is expected to continue this tradition, with the Dawat-e-Iftar likely scheduled for March 24, 2025. Apart from Lubna Sarwat, the United Citizens Forum (UCF), a social rights group, also wrote to the CM and the Ulema of Hyderabad requesting the cancellation of the event. The president of UCF stated, Fasting in the month of Ramzan is meant to please divinity and attain modesty in all spheres of life. The real problems of the community are not solved by these iftar parties. Instead, communal politicians will label it as Muslim appeasement. The UCF urged the Muslim community to boycott these politically motivated iftar gatherings and focus on addressing the real issues faced by Muslims in the state. Lubna Sarwat also met with the former chairperson of the Minorities Commission, Abid Rasool Khan, who endorsed the activists resolution to cancel the event. Khan wrote a letter to the CM urging him to cancel the extravagant Iftar and redirect the funds to improve the welfare of Muslims. The Welfare Party of India (WPI) in Telangana has also called for a boycott of the Dawat-e-Iftar, pointing out that the state had yet to fulfill its promises to the Muslim community. They also noted the absence of Muslim representation in the Telangana government. It is worth mentioning that Lubna Sarwat was one of the petitioners who filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Telangana government in 2018 for hosting a grand iftar party that cost Rs 66 crores, drawn from the Minority Welfare Fund. A press cum public meeting has been organised on 23rd March afternoon to push further the appeal to the CM, at Somajiguda Press Club. As the scheduled date of the iftar draws near, it remains to be seen whether CM Revanth Reddy will heed the appeals of activists and the public or proceed with hosting the event as planned. Tauseef Ahmad, Sajid Raina/TwoCircles.net Srinagar: As Kashmir valley sleeps beneath a blanket of stillness, a steady rhythm begins to echo through the streets in the early hours of Ramadan. The drumbeats of the Sahar Khans, the traditional drummers, break the silence, serving as the human alarm clocks that awaken Muslims for their pre-dawn meal (sehri). Despite the prevalence of modern technology, these drummers continue to uphold an age-old tradition, symbolising the regions rich cultural heritage and the deep communal bonds that tie its people together. Support TwoCircles Every year, during the holy month, the rhythmic beats of the Sahar Khans resonate throughout the valley, ensuring that thousands of Muslims are up in time for sehri. This practice has persisted for centuries. These drummers have been an essential part of Kashmirs Ramadan rituals for generations. Their primary role is to awaken people for sehri, ensuring they partake in the pre-dawn meal before the fast begins. Armed with drums and resonate voices, they navigate dark alleys, loudly calling out, Waqt-e-Sahar (time for sehri), signalling the community to eat before dawn. Altaf Ahmad, 38, who has dedicated over two decades to this tradition, travels 75 kilometers from his village in Bandipora to Srinagar every Ramadan. We work as labourers throughout the rest of the year, and doing this work during Ramadan also provides a respite from the hard labor that is especially taxing during fasting, he explains. This work is more than just labour for me, I do it for the sake of Allah. Even if only 10-20 people are awakened by my efforts, I know I will be rewarded by the Almighty, says Mohd Anwar, 39, a Sahar Khan from Bandipora. Anwar begins his journey at 3:00 a.m. each night, accompanied by his fellow drummer. Together, they travel more than six kilometers through neighbouring villages, ensuring the community is awake for sehri. Challenges in the digital age In todays digital era, where alarm clocks and smartphone reminders have become ubiquitous, the necessity of the Sahar Khans might seem diminished. Junaid Nazir, a resident of Raj Bagh, says, The loud sound of the drums disturbs people with medical conditions who struggle to wake up for suhoor. It also affects families with newborns, as the noise can frighten the babies. Another drummer, Ghulam Nabi, 38, says, These days, people rely heavily on modern technology. The younger generation claims Sahar Khawani (calling for pre-dawn meals) is outdated, but it remains an integral part of our tradition. We will keep it alive. People now ask us not to disturb them in the middle of the night. Nowadays, everyone sets an alarm on their phone, but there are still some who wake up to the sound of the drum, he adds. Contrary, Talib Bashir, 29, says he does not need to listen to the drumbeats. I dont need to hear the drumbeats to wake up. I set an alarm half an hour before the Fajr Azan and wake up to eat my pre-dawn meal. Despite these challenges, many Kashmiris continue to cherish and uphold this tradition. Mohammad Sultan, a 70-year-old resident of Downtown, hails the Sahar Khans as heroes. The drummers add to the zeal and zest of the holy month. These drummers are an integral part of the centuries-old Ramadan tradition in Kashmir. Community support, respect The support for Sahar Khans within the community remains profound. Beyond the spiritual rewards, these drummers often receive tokens of appreciation from the community at the end of Ramadan. Many offer gifts, food or money to the Sahar Khans as a gesture of gratitude for their efforts. We dont ask for money from people. This is work for which we will be rewarded on the Day of Judgment, says Mohammad Altaf, one of the drummers. As society becomes more digitalised, the sound of the Sahar Khans drums stands as a powerful reminder of resilience, spiritual faith and community unity. As dawn breaks over the valley, the beats not only offer a wake-up call but also remind everyone of the enduring strength of tradition amidst change. In this way, the sacred thread of Ramadan remains vibrantly alive in the hearts of Kashmiris. Aradhna Pandey, TwoCircles.net Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): The Bishop House in Varanasi, also known as the Red Church, is more than just a building of bricks and stones. It is a living symbol of humanity, resonating with the melody of love and unity. Each year, this historic church hosts an event that transcends religion and caste, becoming a celebration of shared culture, love and harmony. This year, once again, it organised a grand iftar gathering, where people of different faiths came together to join Muslims break their fast and showcase an exemplary spirit of mutual respect and togetherness. Support TwoCircles The Bishop House holds historical significance beyond its Christian roots. It represents the shared culture of Varanasi, bringing together diverse communities for centuries. The church walls echo with the legacies of Premchand, Kabir and Sant Ravidas, nurturing the spirit of secularism. The iftar gathering at the Red Church became a unique occasion, sending out a powerful message: as the walls of religion crumble, humanity only grows stronger. A tradition of 40 years The iftar gathering at the Red Church is not a new initiative. It has been a long-standing tradition for almost 40 years, fostering interfaith harmony. After a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the event resumed in recent years with great enthusiasm. Participants described the event as a powerful symbol of shared culture. At the conclusion of the gathering, a chant filled the air, adding to the inspiration: Where conch shells sound and azan is heard, when it comes to unity, let it be India! A model of harmony Though renowned for its historical importance, the true identity of the Bishop House lies in its open-hearted philosophy. While it remains a prestigious centre for the Christian faith, it has never built barriers based on religion, instead serving as a symbol of love and acceptance for all communities. The iftar held here during Ramadan demonstrates that love belongs to no one religion. The event was more than just a meal; it was a message that India does not merely survive on its diversity it thrives in it. Maulana Abdul Batin Nomani, the Mufti-e-Banaras, was specially present to lend dignity to the gathering. Bishop Eugene Joseph led the event, highlighting its significance. The culture of Varanasi has always been one of unity and love. This city has always carried the message of brotherhood, and todays event is a continuation of that tradition. It is a matter of pride that Muslim brothers gathered in the courtyard of the Red Church to break their fast. This holy month of Ramadan teaches us patience, faith, and love. We hope that the festival of Eid will also be celebrated with the same joy and brotherhood, said Maulana Batin, addressing the crowd. Bishop Joseph described the iftar as a powerful symbol of Varanasis shared culture, saying, This event is not just about breaking the fast, but about colouring ourselves in the hues of humanity. Our goal is to spread the message of mutual love in society. Ramadan is not only for Muslims; it is a month of patience, service, and dedication. When we sit together for a meal, it becomes the most beautiful form of religious unity. Humanity is above religion Dharmvir Singh, the head priest at Nichibagh Gurudwara, viewed the iftar gathering not just as a meal but as a golden opportunity to foster mutual love, respect, and brotherhood. He appreciated the hospitality of the Red Church, saying, This event promotes religious harmony and shows that love and brotherhood are the true identity of any society. Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us to serve beyond caste and creed. The act of Hindus and Sikhs serving food at the iftar embodies this very spirit. Socialist leader Athar Jamal Lari called the gathering a celebration of brotherhood. Humans have erected walls of religion, but love, compassion, and service can erase these boundaries. The sense of belonging shown during the iftar sends a message to the world that humanity is the greatest religion. It inspires us to adopt values of unity, equality and humanity, which are essential for building a peaceful and prosperous society. Dr. Munija Khan, an activist, emphasised, When the world is burning in the fire of religious extremism, it is crucial to send a message of love and harmony from Varanasi. This gathering shows that diversity is our strength, not our weakness. At a time when attempts are being made to divide people by erecting religious walls, the Red Church stands as a beacon of light, sending a message to the entire country that true worship, true devotion lies in love, compassion and unity. Father Anand remarked, Fasting is not just about enduring hunger and thirst; it is a month to strengthen the spirit of humanity. When we sit together, relationships grow stronger. This event saw people from Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian communities come together, sending a message of mutual love and brotherhood. During the iftar, Hindus and Sikhs served food, which became an example of social unity. Activist Haji Ishtiaq stated, Iftar is not just for Muslims, it is a lesson for anyone who believes in love, peace, and brotherhood. Varanasi is proving once again that it is not just a city of temples and mosques, but a city of love, unity, and humanity. During Ramadan, Muslims help the needy through Zakat (charity) and Sadqa (almsgiving). Inviting the poor and the helpless to iftar and sharing a meal fosters a spirit of cooperation and charity in society. A canvas of shared culture Educator Mohammad Arif described the event as a confluence of values. Iftar is not just a religious ritual, but a bridge of mutual love. The message of unity and brotherhood should reach every home and heart. The tradition of iftar is a symbol of brotherhood, cooperation, charity, and respect for cultural diversity in society. Activist Farman Haider remarked, Varanasis culture is inherently one of unity. This city breathes shared culture, and the iftar at the Red Church is a living example of that. The iftar at Bishop House once again proved that Varanasi is a centre for harmony and coexistence. This event became a symbol not only of religious tolerance but also of mutual love and respect as the foundation for a strong society. (Aradhna Pandey is an independent journalist.) Asad Shaikh, TwoCircles.net New Delhi: Amidst the spiritual practices of Ramadan, there lies a powerful act of compassion zakat (charitable giving). More than just a religious obligation, this act of wealth purification brings hope and transformation to those who need it most. It is a practice of sharing a portion of ones wealth, not just as charity, but as a means of uplifting others and reducing the deep inequalities that persist in society. For millions, zakat is a lifeline whether it is the hope of a new beginning, the opportunity to support a family or simply a path to rebuild a shattered life. It goes beyond monetary exchange, it is about compassion, solidarity and the collective power to heal communities. Support TwoCircles Each year, Muslims across the globe donate 2.5 percent of their accumulated wealth to support those in need, from family members to the broader community. For many, the impact of zakat is life-changing, offering hope and opportunities for a fresh start. Across India, several inspiring stories reveal how zakat has not only provided immediate relief but has sparked lasting transformations in the lives of individuals and families. Success stories The life of Tarannum, a resident of North-East Delhis Chand Bagh locality, took an unexpected turn in 2024 when both she and her husband lost their jobs. Struggling to make ends meet, she turned to the Khair Foundations Rozgar Project, which helps people start small businesses with zakat funds. With a small financial support, she opened a beauty parlour, a venture that has not only lifted her family out of financial hardship but also improved their living conditions. Today, Tarannum stands as a beacon of hope for others, demonstrating how zakat can transform lives through the power of small, meaningful investments. A resident of Loni in Uttar Pradesh, Mohammad Rafiq faced an uphill battle to support his family of four. After the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his livelihood, he was unable to find stable work. But everything changed when he received a battery-operated rickshaw from Khair Foundation, funded by zakat. This modest gesture allowed him to restart his life, earning enough to support his childrens education and contribute to family expenses. He not only regained his financial independence but also gained the confidence to look ahead with hope for a brighter future. Mohammad Rashid, who lives in the citys Nizamuddin area, was struggling to make ends meet. Unable to find stable employment, he reached out to the Khidmat-e-Awamm Youth Committee, which, with the support of zakat donations, helped him set up a momo stall. This small business has been a lifeline, providing him with a steady income to support his family. For the past 7-8 years, we have been channeling zakat funds to help individuals like Rashid, says Martin Faisal, president of Khidmat-e-Awamm. Each donation is a step toward social change, ensuring that those in need are given the tools to stand on their own. The devastating anti-Muslim riots in Delhi in 2020 left Mohammad Wakeel with nothing. His home at North-East Delhis Shiv Vihar and business were destroyed, and he even suffered an acid attack. But his story did not end there. With the help of the Miles 2 Smile Foundation, supported by zakat funds, he was able to start a general store in his area. This store has since become his primary source of income, pulling him out of the depths of despair and giving him a new beginning. Danish Khan, who has been with Miles 2 Smile for five years, explains, Zakat is about more than just relief it is about empowering individuals to become self-sufficient, so they can eventually pay it forward and help others in need. Zakats potential to bridge gap Zakats potential to alleviate poverty and reduce economic inequality is immense. According to Indian Express, the total amount of zakat given during Ramadan can range from Rs 10,000 to 40,000 crores. If used effectively, these funds could dramatically improve the economic conditions of marginalised communities, especially in impoverished Muslim areas. Sohail Saifi, founder of the NGO Sophia, has witnessed the profound impact of zakat firsthand. Through his initiative Saifi Count, he has helped 50 economically disadvantaged individuals in Delhis Mustafabad region become financially stable over the past two years. He believes that zakat can be a game-changer for society if it is distributed wisely and reaches those who need it most. The correct use of zakat can bring about meaningful change in every section of society, he says. It is essential that we ensure these funds reach the right people, in every locality and district. Global impact, local change Zakat is not just a local or national phenomenon it is a global movement. Muslims across the world contribute to this powerful act of charity, and the key to its success lies in ensuring that funds reach the right hands. When zakat is used strategically, it can break the cycle of poverty, improve lives and create lasting social change. As Ramadan continues, the stories of individuals like Tarannum, Rafiq, Rashid and Wakeel remind us of the impact that zakat can have, not only on individual lives but on communities as a whole. With every donation, it helps to build a stronger, more compassionate society, one act of kindness at a time. Sami Ahmad, TwoCircles.net Patna: Eight major Muslim organisations have not only boycotted the iftar gathering hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday but also urged fellow rozedars (fasting Muslims) to refrain from attending it in protest against the Janata Dal (United) support to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Bill is set to be presented for passage in the Parliament during the ongoing Budget Session. Support TwoCircles The iftar was organised at Kumars official residence in the state capital. The Muslim organisations leading the boycott include the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), the Imarat-e-Shariah, the Jamiat Ulema Hind (both Arshad Madani and Mahmud Madani factions), the Jamiat Ahl-e Hadees, the Jamat Islami Hind, Khanqah Mujibia, Patna, and Khanqah Rahmani, Munger. These organisations, along with others, have raised concerns that since the Narendra Modi government at the Centre heavily relies on Kumars 12 Lok Sabha MPs, he holds the leverage to pressure the central government into withdrawing the controversial bill. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured only 240 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, and Prime Minister Modis position could have been compromised had Kumars JD(U) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of Chandra Babu Naidu not supported him. In an open letter to CM Kumar, these organisations strongly criticised both him and his party for supporting the bill, which, they claim, is at the forefront of the BJPs agenda. The letter expressed concern that the bill threatens to exacerbate the economic and educational backwardness of Muslims, a situation highlighted in the Sachar Committee report. The organisations accused Kumar of betraying his promise of secular governance, claiming that his alliance with the BJP and support for the Waqf Bill represents a breach of his prior commitments. The letter further stated, You rose to power promising a secular rule in which minorities rights were protected. But your alliance with the BJP and your support for a (proposed) legislation, which is unconstitutional and illogical, is a clear contradiction. The organisations stated that if the bill is passed, Kumar and his party would be held accountable for the negative impact on the Muslim community. In August of last year, Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh, a Member of Parliament from the JD(U), publicly supported the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha. Muslim leaders met both Kumar and Singh to present their concerns, but these efforts proved futile. To mitigate the fallout, senior JD(U) leader and Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary attempted to assure the Muslim community that Kumar was committed to their rights and that their concerns would not be harmed. However, his assurances did little to alter the partys official stance on the bill. Originally proposed in August 2024, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill led to widespread protests, prompting the Modi government to refer it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Several Muslim organisations submitted detailed memorandums opposing the bill to the JPC, headed by BJPs Jagdambika Pal. However, the organisations now claim that their objections were disregarded and the committees report was shaped according to the BJPs wishes. Despite multiple attempts to convince Kumar that the bill is both anti-Muslim and unconstitutional, Muslim organisations were reportedly denied opportunities to meet with him. Sources suggest that Kumar is now surrounded by individuals with strong ties to the BJPs policies and that these advisers discourage direct meetings with Muslim religious leaders. There are also unverified reports claiming that Kumars health may be affecting his decision-making capabilities. The boycott of the iftar party gained significant traction on social media, though local Hindi newspapers largely ignored it. A few Urdu newspapers also failed to cover the protest, but the call to boycott received widespread support within the Muslim community. Syed Nashoor Ajmal Nushi, the state convener of the All India Muslim Majlis Mushawarat (Registered), Bihar, spoke with TwoCircles.net, stating that the Muslim communitys opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill mirrors their resistance to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). The call to boycott Nitish Kumars iftar is a strong message not only to his party but also to the Modi government. This boycott has received support across the state, and those who back this draconian bill will be called out and boycotted nationwide, he said. Nushi further emphasised that the Muslim community fears that the bill would allow the government to seize waqf properties and vowed to oppose it vehemently. He also announced that a large-scale protest or dharna would be held on March 26, with political parties outside the NDA coalition expected to participate. This protest will send the strongest message to Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi: they must withdraw this bill, he said adding, Nitish Kumar still has an opportunity to regain the support of the Muslim community by withdrawing his partys support to the bill. A federal judge in San Antonio has ruled that the state of Texas ID requirements for mail ballot applications are unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez on Thursday found that the provisions in the states 2021 voter security law SB1 discriminate against voters with disabilities. Mail-in voters are principally people over the age of 65 and people with disabilities. Since the law was enacted, many voters reported having their ballots rejected because they didnt provide an ID number, or the number they provided did not match the one the state had on file. The problem with that is that many Texans have more than one department of public safety ID number, said Victor Genecin, an attorney with the NAACPs Legal Defense Fund. So the first hurdle for a voter whos applying for an absentee ballot is they may not know which number is in the election system. And even if they do know which number is in the election system and they put it in correctly, the election system may not have the number right. Genecin cited testimony at trial, where the Texas Secretary of State conceded that more than 650,000 registration records in their system were incorrect. He added that expert testimony at the trial estimated that more than 2 million people were unable to vote due to the ID restrictions. The ruling ordered the Texas secretary of state to remove the requirements from mail-in ballot applications. However, the ruling came just weeks before Texas municipal elections, so they will remain in effect through May 3. The judge also struck down provisions of SB1 that require those who assist voters to swear an oath under penalty of perjury. Normally when somebody says to you, would you help me? you either step up to help them or you dont. But you dont say, you know, whats wrong with you? Why do you need help? You just help, Genecin said. And so the idea that people who are disabled must explain why theyre unable to vote without assistance is offensive in itself. Genecin added that part of the oath is that the assister must swear to be understanding that if the voter turns out not to be eligible for assistance, then the vote could be invalidated. So it puts the assister in the position of having to evaluate whether the voter is eligible for assistance, and the word eligible is not defined anywhere in the statute, he said. The state of Texas was expected to appeal. Opponents of SB1 applauded the decision and called it a victory for voters with disabilities. It truly is such a victory for voting accessibility, and it affirms that our electoral system must protect and prioritize the right of every voter to be able to participate fully, said Elsie Cooke-Holmes, International President and Board Chair of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a co-plaintiff in the case. It really does provide an opportunity for the 3 million plus voters with disabilities in Texas to be able to exercise their rights to vote without undue hardship. It ensures that their voices will be able to be heard, and that their votes will actually count. Judge Xavier Rodriguez ruled last fall that the state of Texas could no longer investigate voter assistance efforts as a criminal act. The state of Texas has appealed that ruling. Cooke-Holmes said her organization sees momentum in the challenge to SB1. We know the fight is not over. We are going to continue to advocate for policies that eliminate all forms of voter suppression, she said. SB1, which was passed in the wake of President Donald Trumps claims of voter fraud without evidence following the 2020 election, also limited early voting hours, banned 24-hour voting, eliminated drive-thru voting centers, limited multiple drop-off locations for mail ballots, limited the distribution of mail-in ballot applications and expanded the authority of partisan poll watchers. HA NOI The 34th Vietnam International Trade Fair (Vietnam Expo 2025), an annual event organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will take place from April 2-5 at the Hanoi International Centre for Exhibition (ICE). According to the organiser, this years expo will feature a dedicated zone for electronics, machinery, and supporting industries. A highlight of the event will be a supporting industry pavilion, co-organised with the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Ha Noi Association for Key Industrial Products (HAMI), gathering reputable domestic manufacturers. Exhibitors will not only showcase products but also demonstrate production capabilities, fostering connections between Vietnamese businesses and foreign investors. The pavilion will feature leading Vietnamese firms such as Viet Phap SHAL Aluminum, Hoang Vu Stainless Steel, Vinacomin, and Vnsteel Thang Long, alongside international manufacturers from the Republic of Korea, China, and Belarus, and others. The event will also host key seminars on green transition and supply chain development, including discussions on exports to the EU, AI applications in cross-border trade, and sustainable industrial growth. Notably, the Supply Link programme will facilitate one-on-one business matching between 10 foreign direct investment (FDI) firms and 100 Vietnamese suppliers in the supporting industry. Viet Nam currently has around 3,100 mechanical engineering firms, accounting for 30 per cent of the countrys processing and manufacturing enterprises. However, supporting industries remain underdeveloped, with only 500 enterprises involved, just 0.2 per cent of Viet Nam's total businesses. Additionally, over 30 per cent of firms still rely entirely on manual equipment, with less than 10 per cent utilising automation or robotics, posing challenges for the efforts toward green transition. VNS HCM CITY Vingroup, Viet Nams largest private corporation, has proposed a US$4 billion metro line spanning 48.5km to link District 7 with the Can Gio coastal urban area. The plan, submitted to the HCM City Peoples Committee, aims to enhance connectivity between the city centre and Can Gio, identified as a key urban railway route. The line will start at Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard in District 7 and end near a 39-hectare site in Long Hoa Commune. Designed as a double-track elevated system, it will accommodate 30,000 to 40,000 passengers per hour in each direction. The project is estimated at VN102.4 trillion (over $4 billion) and will utilise a public-private partnership model. Vingroup plans to begin the investment preparation phase this year, with construction expected to start in 2026 and operations by 2028. Can Gio, located 50km from downtown HCM City, is renowned for its mangrove forests and cultural heritage, making it a target for tourism development. The metro project aligns with HCM Citys goal to complete seven metro lines by 2035, totaling 355km, with an overall investment of over $67 billion. VNS On March 1, Viet Nam officially established the Ministry of Ethnic Minority and Religious Affairs by merging a ministry-level committee in charge of ethnic affairs with a sub-ministry-level committee responsible for religious matters. This move, announced at a ceremony in Ha Noi, reflects the countrys broader efforts to streamline its bureaucracy while addressing the intertwined needs of ethnic minorities and religious communities. Heres a breakdown of what this new ministry entails, why it was created, and what it means for the country. What is the Ministry of Ethnic Minority and Religious Affairs? The Ministry of Ethnic Minority and Religious Affairs was established by merging the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs, a ministerial-level body, with the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, which was formerly under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The new ministry takes on a dual mandate: managing state policies on ethnic affairs and religious beliefs and overseeing related public services. It is headquartered at 349 oi Can Street, Ha Noi, and is led by Minister ao Ngoc Dung, a former Minister of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs. It was officially launched on March 1, 2025, following a parliamentary resolution passed in February. How is the new Ministry structured? The ministry comprises 13 departmental-level units, down from the 16 units under the former Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs. This reduction reflects deliberate efforts to streamline operations. This structure includes nine units assisting the minister in state management functions and four units supporting public service management. Staffing totals 998 personnel, including five ministry leaders, 79 department-level leaders, and 914 employees. Compared to its predecessor, the ministry has abolished four units, including the Department of Ethnic Minorities, while absorbing the Government Committee for Religious Affairs. Previously a directorate-level body with 14 subordinate units under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs has been re-organised as a department-level entity with seven units in the new ministry. What will the Ministry do? The Ministry of Ethnic Minority and Religious Affairs has a broader mandate than the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs it replaces. Its responsibilities include managing state policies on ethnic affairs across Viet Nam and overseeing religious beliefs and practices, a role inherited from the Government Committee for Religious Affairs. This dual focus aims to enhance the material and spiritual well-being of Viet Nams 54 ethnic groups, particularly its 53 minority groups, while further promoting the freedom of beliefs and religions. Why was it created? The establishment of the ministry serves two key purposes: Streamlining government operations: Viet Nam has been working to reduce administrative overlaps since the Communist Partys Resolution 18 in 2017, which called for merging agencies with similar functions. The new ministrys 13 units represent a reduction from the combined 17 units of its predecessor bodies, aligning to cut the number of ministries from 22 to 17 during the 2021-2026 term. Unified policy on ethnic and religious affairs: Ethnic identity and religion are closely linked in Viet Nam, especially among minority groups. A single ministry is intended to ensure cohesive policymaking, avoiding inefficiencies and lack of coordination that arose when these areas were managed separately. At the launch ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised that the ministry reflects the Party and States growing focus on ethnic and religious affairs. "The goal is to strengthen unity among ethnic groups and religions, contributing to the countrys overall development," he said. How did this come about? The ministrys creation is the culmination of years of planning: 2017: The Communist Party of Vietnams Resolution 18 set out a vision to restructure agencies with overlapping tasks. December 2023: A national conference proposed transferring the Government Committee for Religious Affairs to the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs as a precursor to forming a unified body. January 2025: The Partys Central Committee endorsed a plan to reduce the number of ministries, including establishing the Ministry of Ethnic Minority and Religious Affairs. February 2025: At an extraordinary session, Viet Nams National Assembly passed Resolution 176/2025/QH15 formalising the ministrys creation. March 1, 2025: The ministry was officially launched. Whats next for the Ministry? The government has assigned the ministry with specific tasks for 2025: Education: Partnering with the Ministry of Education and Training to build more boarding schools for ethnic minority students, reducing the need for children to trek dozens of kilometres to school. Religious Development: Drafting a plan to foster religious growth. Ethnic Policies: Strengthening policies on culture preservation, leadership training for ethnic minorities, and support for community leaders. Viet Nams 53 ethnic minority groups make up about 14 per cent of its 100 million people, many living in remote areas with distinct cultural customs and religious practices. By unifying ethnic minority and religious governance, the ministry aims at a more integrated approach to development, one that could reduce inequality and boost national unity. As the country enters "a new era of the nations rise", balancing these priorities will be key to its social and political stability. VNS BINH PHUOC Binh Phuoc has become a dynamically developing province in the southeast region with the provincial Party Committee as well as the people, making comprehensive progress in all aspects. That was the message from President Luong Cuong on Sunday morning while attending a ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of liberation in Binh Phuoc (March 23, 1975 - March 23, 2025). The province received the First Class Labour Medal during the ceremony. Proudly and emotionally recalling the years of hardship but bravery, fierceness but glory, the President emphasised that the ceremony was an opportunity to look back at the strong development path of the province. It is a steadfast, indomitable land, rich in revolutionary and heroic traditions, which has been rising strongly over the past 50 years - from a fierce battlefield, heavily devastated by war and poverty in the past, it has now become a land full of vitality, dynamism and striving for integration. Reviewing the heroic history during the years of struggle for national independence of the army and people in Binh Phuoc, President Cuong affirmed that the An Loc-Binh Phuoc Victory had a particularly important strategic significance, preparing for the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign, contributing to the historic victory of Spring 1975, completely liberating the south and unifying the country. After 50 years, we understand more deeply the great significance and significance of the victory," he said. "This is not only a victory, but also a symbol of the indomitable spirit, the iron will and the belief in the victory of the local army and people as well as the army and people of the whole country. It is a 21-year long journey of resistance, the result of efforts of many generations of soldiers and people who passed away to gain freedom. Not only achieving outstanding economic achievements, Binh Phuoc is also a bright spot in cultural and social development, people's lives are constantly improving. Per capita income increased sharply whereas the poverty rate decreased to nearly one per cent. Health and education systems were invested synchronously. Digital transformation and administrative reform were strongly promoted. As a gathering place of 41 ethnic groups, Binh Phuoc always focuses on preserving traditional cultural values while promoting the spirit of solidarity for mutual development. The President affirmed that the values of peace, unity and development today are built from the contributions and sacrifices of yesterday. That is the motivation for each Binh Phuoc citizen to continue to rise up, be creative, and strive together to build a prosperous and modern province, worthy of the heroic tradition that generations have worked hard to cultivate. President Cuong suggested that Binh Phuoc Province strongly promote its heroic tradition, along with the bravery, intelligence, will and determination, spirit and strength of the people, of the great national unity, to join the whole country in entering a new era. It is an era of rising up and developing richly and prosperously for the beloved Vietnamese people. At the ceremony, President Cuong awarded the First Class Labour Medal to Binh Phuoc Province, a noble reward of the State, recognising its outstanding achievements in socio-economic development, contributing to the cause of building socialism and defending the Fatherland. VNS LUXEMBOURG Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh has expressed Viet Nam's wish for collaboration with Luxembourg in the development of financial centres in HCM City and a Nang City while paying a working visit to the Grand Duchy from March 20 to 22. At a meeting with Minister of Finance Gilles Roth on March 21, Binh emphasised that the primary objective of his visit was to learn from Luxembourg's experience to build financial centres in the two cities, hoping that Luxembourg, as Viet Nam's strategic partner in green finance development, will share expertise and support the Southeast Asian country in such areas as financial market, green finance, fintech management and crypto assets. The Deputy PM described the development of the centres as a strategic move, creating motives to lure resources and bolster the countrys economy. He asked for Luxembourg's assistance in legal framework making, human resources training, investment policy development, and facilitation of Luxembourg investors participation in Viet Nam's financial market. Roth said that Luxembourg wants to further strengthen the relations with Viet Nam. He committed to providing maximum support and taking concrete steps to support Viet Nam's efforts to build the financial centres. He praised Viet Nam's potential and reliable financial infrastructure while noting four critical factors for an efficient financial centre, namely a strong and flexible legal system, supervisory bodies, high-quality human resources and investment from both public and private sectors. The minister also recommended the financial centres focus on the pillars of banking system, insurance, investment funds, and technologies like fintech, AI and crypto assets. Both concurred in carrying out cooperation measures and working towards the signing of a memorandum of understanding on developing international financial centres in Viet Nam. The same day, Binh held a meeting with Luxembourg Deputy PM and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Xavier Bettel, who laid stress on the close Viet Nam Luxembourg relations, consolidated by high-level visits, and affirmed the desire to elevate the ties to a new level. Deputy PM Binh highlighted the progress of bilateral cooperation across various fields, especially through regular delegation exchanges and impressive bilateral trade growth. Trade revenue between the two countries reached US$26 million in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 44 per cent. Viet Nam wishes to further enhance partnerships with Luxembourg, particularly in priority areas like building international financial centres, green finance, green energy and high technology. He recommended the two countries continue promoting mutual visits at all levels and capitalising on the EU Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to facilitate exports. He also called for Luxembourgs support for the European Commissions early removal of the 'yellow card' on Vietnamese seafood. Meanwhile, Bettel proposed Viet Nam consider providing more favourable entry conditions for Luxembourg citizens. Binh underscored that the development of the financial centres in Viet Nam will create a new impetus for the countrys socio-economic development, helping deliver on the goal of becoming a developed country by 2045. Bettel spoke highly of Viet Nam's decision and pledged to support by sending experts to help with training as well as enhancing cooperation in the fields of green finance and green energy. The two officials also discussed some international and regional issues of mutual concern, including conflicts in global hotspots, the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) issue, and free trade. On this occasion, Deputy PM Binh extended an invitation to his host to visit Viet Nam, and Bettel gladly accepted. Also on March 21, Binh toured the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE) and met with its board of directors to discuss financial cooperation. LuxSE CEO Julie Becker emphasised the sustainable relationship between the two countries' stock markets and pledged continued support for Viet Nam's financial market development, particularly in helping Vietnamese enterprises access international capital sources. Binh praised LuxSE's cooperation in bond issuance, market upgrade, and human resources training. He expressed his hope for Luxembourg to provide stronger assistance to help Vietnamese enterprises list and raise capital in international financial markets. The two sides also discussed the establishment of the international financial centres in HCM City and a Nang City. Becker perceived that Viet Nam holds the potential to become an important regional financial centre, affirming LuxSE is ready to support human resources training, share experience, and provide policy advice to promote the development of Viet Nam's financial market. During his stay, Binh also met with President of the Chamber of Deputies Fernand Etgen to discuss collaboration in legislation and many other fields. Besides, he had working sessions with the Luxembourg Financial Sector Supervisory Commission (CSSF), the Luxembourg for Finance (LFF), along with financial corporations of the country. The Deputy PM expressed his hope that the Luxembourg sides will share experience and cooperate with Viet Nam to develop modern financial centres meeting international standards. He also called on more than 1,400 members of the LFF, including prestigious investors, banks, investment funds, and insurance companies, to come and seek cooperation and investment opportunities in Viet Nam. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Government will create the best possible conditions for Luxembourg enterprises to do business in Viet Nam. Director General of the CSSF Claude Marx affirmed support for Viet Nam in building the international financial centres through sharing experience in financial supervision and management. Meanwhile, LFF CEO Tom Theobald expressed strong support for Viet Nam in the work, saying the LFF and financial firms of Luxembourg stand ready to share expertise in building and operating international financial centres. VNA/VNS BINH INH Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Saturday asked the south-central province of Binh inh, known as the land of traditional martial arts, to carry forward its martial spirit to grow rapidly and sustainably. At a working session with the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee as part of his trip to the locality, the PM commended the provincial Party organisation, authorities, armed forces, and people of Binh inh for their efforts in achieving significant results. The leader noted that the year 2025 would bring more challenges than opportunities. Meanwhile, the country must carry out many important tasks, including commemorating major national anniversaries, organising Party congresses at all levels in the lead-up to the 14th National Party Congress, restructuring the political system and administrative units, striving for the 8 per cent growth target as a foundation for double-digit growth in the following years. He urged Binh inh to implement concerted and drastic measures for rapid and sustainable socio-economic development, while simultaneously promoting cultural and social progress, and ensuring social welfare, security, and national defence. The leader emphasised strong determination, great efforts, and decisive actions, with clearly defined responsibilities, tasks, and timelines, saying people must be placed at the centre. PM Chinh requested radically reorganising the administrative apparatus in Binh inh Province, and securing consensus and unity about the work within the Party, the entire political system, and the community. He urged successful organisation of Party congresses at all levels ahead of the 14th National Party Congress, alongside administrative restructuring efforts. The Government leader underscored that Binh inh should aim for double-digit growth in the coming years by assigning specific targets to the commune, unit, and business levels, renewing traditional growth drivers, and promoting new ones while pushing ahead with making the three strategic breakthroughs of institutional reform, infrastructure development, and human resources training. Binh inh must capitalise on both internal and external resources for socio-economic development, the PM stated, asking for strengthening public-private partnerships through various models, including "public leadership with private governance" and "private investment with public use", which should benefit the State, the people, and businesses while prohibiting personal motives, corruption, negative phenomena, and wastefulness. He asked the province to join hands with the rest of the country to complete major national projects as well as prepare for strategic ones in the future. He also directed the province to focus on building a strong Party organisation and political system, enhancing the leadership capacity of local Party organisations and members, ensuring national defence, security, social order and safety, enhancing external relations and international integration, and promoting anti-corruption measures, among others. Regarding the localitys proposal related to Phu Cat Airport development, transport connectivity, wind power development, overlapping mineral planning, and cultural heritage preservation, PM Chinh agreed to resolve the issues and assigned specific tasks to relevant ministries and agencies. He emphasised that the Government supports the province through mechanisms and policies, but the locality must be self-reliant to move forward, with a focus on public-private partnerships to mobilise social resources for development. According to Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Pham Anh Tuan, in 2024, Binh inh fulfilled 20 out of 21 set targets, with a positive economic transformation. Its GRDP grew by 7.78 per cent, ranking 26th nationwide and 6th in the north central and central coastal region. Its economic scale ranked 25th nationwide and fifth in the region, with per capita GRDP reaching VN86.1 million (US$3,360). Various sectors experienced strong growth, notably industrial production, which stood out with a 12.07 per cent increase, exceeding the target. The province welcomed 9.7 million tourists, surpassing the plan by 67 per cent, while state budget revenue reached VN16.57 trillion, up 30.9 per cent. Substandard housing elimination During his working visit to Binh inh, PM Chinh also called for enhanced efforts to eliminate substandard houses and accelerate infrastructure development. Inspecting Binh inh's performance in eradicating temporary and dilapidated houses, the Government leader highlighted the locality's remarkable progress in constructing and repairing over 4,000 homes for policy beneficiaries and the impoverished. He asked the province to expedite work on the remaining 300 substandard houses. The locality must strive to basically complete the elimination of substandard houses by April 30, 2025, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification. In the afternoon, PM Chinh attended an inauguration ceremony for the Phu Phong Dam project on the Con River in Tay Son District. The project, with a total investment of VN738 billion ($28.8 million) sourced from Central and local budgets, was completed on September 30, 2024, three months ahead of schedule. At the event, he laid stress on the significance of the structure to the locality, stating it not only prevents floods and stores water for the irrigation of 465ha of agricultural land but also supports production, business activities, and aquaculture. In addition, the dam supplements groundwater sources and utilises water flowing downstream to generate 2.9MW of electricity. He commended the efforts made by the local administration and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in studying and proposing the construction of the dam, asking the province to fully capitalise on and encourage local residents to maintain the structure. During the working visit, the PM inspected the construction of the North-South Expressway project in Binh inh. At the Son Trieu Tunnel construction site, the Government leader was briefed on the Hoai NhonQuy Nhon and Quy NhonChi Thanh sub-projects, spanning a total of 134km through Phu Yen and Binh inh provinces. Accordingly, the land clearance work and over 70 per cent of the workload of both projects has been completed. It is expected that by September 2, 110km will be built, with the remaining over 20km finished one month later. He commended the efforts of investors, local authorities, and contractors, urging them to maintain the work spirit to keep the project on schedule, enhance quality, adhere to technical and aesthetic standards, and ensure safety and environmental protection, aiming for the full completion of the North-South Expressway by 2025. The PM urged primary contractors to collaborate with and support subcontractors and local businesses, enabling them to grow, gain experience, and participate in other projects in the future. On the occasion, PM Chinh offered incense and flowers at the Quang Trung Museum and the Tay Son Tam Kiet Temple, paying tribute to national hero Quang Trung (Nguyen Hue) for his significant contributions to the national construction and defence. VNA/VNS HA NOI President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will pay a state visit to Viet Nam from March 27-29, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on March 23. The visit will be made at the invitation of State President Luong Cuong. VNA/VNS HA NOI The Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) have always stood side by side, demonstrating solidarity and mutual support, said Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and Vice President of the Lao National Assembly Sounthone Xayachak. In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency in Vientiane, she highlighted close cooperation between the two parties and its significance to each country's revolutionary cause, emphasising that Laos and Viet Nam take great pride in their long-standing relationship. Since the founding of the Indochinese Communist Party, the revolutionary paths of the two nations have been inseparably linked, with both countries fighting side by side against common enemies and always ready to make sacrifices for one another. Laos and Viet Nam also share a deep sense of pride in the fact that their ruling parties originated from a common root, the Indochinese Communist Party founded by late President Ho Chi Minh in 1930. Over the decades, the two parties fought shoulder to shoulder against foreign invaders, ultimately achieving complete victory in 1975. Since Laos' liberation that same year, the two Parties, States, and people of both nations have continued to uphold their tradition of solidarity and mutual support. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the LPRPs founding and the 50th anniversary of Laos National Day, as well as Viet Nams upcoming 50th anniversary of national reunification, Xayachak expressed her profound gratitude and deep respect for the Laos-Viet Nam combat alliance. She paid tribute to the sacrifices made by Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, known as "Uncle Hos soldiers", who devoted themselves to supporting the Lao revolution and regarded Laos as their second homeland. The Vice President reaffirmed her commitment to working closely with Vietnamese comrades to preserve and strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, and peoples of Laos and Viet Nam for generations to come. She extended her best wishes to the Party, State and people of Viet Nam, expressing her hope for their continued success in building a strong, prosperous, and equitable Viet Nam, as well as in the successful organisation of the 14th National Congress of the CPV. VNA/VNS SINGAPORE The official visit to Viet Nam by Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong from March 25-26 holds great significance, especially in the context that the two countries have recently upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, according to Vietnamese ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh. In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Singapore, Anh said the trip demonstrates the interest and importance that Singapore attaches to its cooperation with Viet Nam. As it takes place just over a week after Viet Nams Party General Secretary To Lam's trip to Singapore, it is also a step toward implementing the perceptions and agreements reached by the two countries' high-ranking leaders during Lams visit, he stated. Regarding Viet Nam-Singapore relations, the diplomat affirmed that there are many areas Singapore seeks to promote with Viet Nam, such as food security and energy security. Given Singapores small land area and limited natural resources, while Viet Nam has a large market and abundant natural resources, Viet Nam can provide significant support in ensuring food and energy security for Singapore. Anh pointed to potential projects in the fields of offshore wind energy, food and foodstuffs, and data centres and those at Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs). Financial centre development is also a sector that Viet Nam is eager to develop, and Singapore has extensive experience in this field, the ambassador said, believing that Singapore is willing to cooperate with Viet Nam in this sphere, bringing mutual benefits to the bilateral relationship. Another aspect Viet Nam can look forward to from Singapore is support in training and capacity building - not only for strategic-level leaders but also for professionals, civil servants, and students. Singapore is a world-class training hub, and its close geographical proximity to Viet Nam makes this cooperation highly beneficial. It will meet Singapores expectations while also addressing Viet Nams needs, he emphasised. The two countries can also strengthen their collaboration within the framework of ASEAN, as both are active and dynamic members who view ASEAN as a common home for maintaining peace and stability, he added. To further develop the bilateral relations on par with the two countries potential and advantages, the diplomat stressed the importance of policy coordination, as both Viet Nam and Singapore are highly active and responsible members of the global community and ASEAN. Many regional and global issues require the joint efforts of both countries, along with other ASEAN members. The leaders of Viet Nam and Singapore frequently meet and engage in discussions at regional and multilateral forums. Therefore, maintaining open exchanges to align policies and establish a common stance on regional and global issues is extremely important, Anh stressed. The ambassador highlighted the need for close coordination and cooperation in implementing the key aspects and projects under the comprehensive strategic partnership, and dedicating sufficient resources to ensure concrete execution and tangible benefits. VNA/VNS HA NOI Viet Nam saved 448,000 kWh of electricity, equivalent to approximately VN942.2 million (US$36,800), during Earth Hour 2025 on Saturday evening, according to the National Power System and Market Operation Company (NSMO). Earth Hour is a global environmental initiative aimed at raising awareness about energy conservation and climate action. Launched in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 with over two million participants, the campaign has since expanded to nearly 200 countries and territories, engaging billions worldwide. In Viet Nam, Earth Hour is jointly organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Viet Nam and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, attracting participation from all 63 provinces and cities. The state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has been an active supporter, facilitating the campaigns implementation. This year marks the 17th year Viet Nam has taken part in the initiative. Building on past successes, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has launched the "National Energy-Saving Movement for Earth Hour 2025" under the theme "Green Transition Green Future". This initiative extends beyond electricity conservation to promoting sustainable energy production, renewable energy use, and energy-efficient technologies, enhancing both economic and environmental benefits. To maximise impact, the ministry called on local authorities and EVN to conduct awareness campaigns throughout March, encouraging individuals, organisations, and businesses to switch off unnecessary lights and devices during Earth Hour. Leveraging digital platforms, EVN has intensified its Earth Hour outreach via social media and online channels such as websites and Zalo, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Using diverse content formats, including infographics, images, and videos, the campaign aims to engage a wider audience and amplify its message. EVN has directed power companies nationwide to promote electricity conservation at customer service points and corporate offices. Consumers were encouraged to participate by turning off non-essential lights and appliances during Earth Hour on March 22. VNA/VNS By Van Chau If you are looking for a place to have peace, poetry, live closer to nature and experience the simple life of farmers, then the Miet Thu region in the southern province of Kien Giang is a perfect choice. Coming to Miet Thu covering two districts of An Minh and An Bien, you will first notice that many houses are made of trees and leaves. Thatched houses in Miet Thu are very typical, carrying the ancient tradition to suit the terrain, climate and weather conditions of the region. The leaves used for roofing are from nipa palms. This plant is strong, and adapts to both fresh and brackish water environments. These nipa palm leaves are relatively durable against changes in weather and climate typically seen in the tropical monsoon region in the South. In the dry season, a layer of nipa leaves covers the house, providing very good insulation. On hot sunny days, when you step into these houses, you will immediately feel a cool breeze as if cooled by an air conditioner. I have heard many stories about nipa-leave-roofed houses from my grandmother and mother. However, when I came to Miet Thu, I was still surprised by the excellent insulation of these houses thatched with nipa leaves," Tran My Lan, a tourist from HCM City, said. "When I returned to HCM City, the question kept ringing in my mind as to why such a rustic house could have such magical qualities. I plan to build a similar house in the city." Perhaps because of the benefits these houses bring in, even when life improves and many houses are made of new materials in the Miet Thu area, people still build an additional thatched roof for afternoon naps as a kind of cool house. If the leaves used to build the house are carefully selected, on average, new leaves will only need to be replaced every five years. When travelling in Miet Thu, tourists can choose to stay in these houses instead of staying in motels or hotels. The people here are very hospitable. They are very willing to welcome you and usually they will not charge any fees. In addition to the thatched houses, the means of transport of the people here is also very special. Because this place is crisscrossed with canals, the main means of transport for the locals is a small wooden sampan. Even after more than three centuries of development and improved transport infrastructure, the boat is still considered a creation of the ancient Miet Thu people and is still popular. The experience of sitting on a sampan and gliding on the cool water and enjoying the fresh air in the nipa and cajuput forests of Miet Thu will be an unforgettable experience for visitors. When I first got on this boat, I was a little scared because the boat was moving on the water at a fairly fast speed and the boat seemed quite small for an American like me," Jack Tomson, from the US, said. "But then the fear turned to excitement as the boat moved quickly on the water, making cool drops of water fall on my face, a very refreshing feeling. In addition to experiencing the daily life of the locals, visitors should not miss exploring U Minh Thuong National Park. U Minh Thuong National Park Trinh Minh Chau, a 52-year-old tourist from Binh Duong Province, loves the park so much that he and his family come here once a month. "My family and I can fish, breathe fresh air and listen to the songs of hundreds of species of birds," he said. Living and working in a busy province like Binh Duong makes me and my family face air pollution, noise and stress. To reduce stress and be able to live closer to nature, my family and I often come here to relax and recharge." The parks name U Minh means darkness and is a mystery to some. It is so called because of the lack of sunlight due to the dense vegetation. Even locals sometimes find the park difficult to navigate. Separated by the Trem and Cai Tau rivers, the park has two main areas called U Minh Thuong (Upper Park) in An Minh District of Kien Giang Province, and U Minh Ha (Lower Park) in Ca Mau City of Ca Mau Province. U Minh Thuong, covering an area of 21,000 hectares, has a core area of 8,000 hectares. It is home to many rare and endangered bird species. There are a total of 187 bird species, 39 amphibian species, and 34 fish species. Considered the richest region in the Mekong Delta in terms of flora and fauna, with more than 243 plant species, U Minh Thuong has 32 mammal species, including hairy-nosed otter. Currently, to attract tourists to experience nature, the U Minh Thuong management board has started to provide services for tourists, including fishing, nature exploration and sightseeing. Now, all accommodation services and boat tours, as well as souvenirs for tourists are available. The experience of sitting on a boat on the intricate canals of the park is a popular choice for many tourists. Meanwhile, for others who are passionate about fishing, the experience of fishing in the forest is an experience that is difficult to find elsewhere. The park has around 60 kinds of freshwater and brackish-water fish, as well as wild boars, monkeys, weasels, snakes, turtles and pangolins, many of which are listed in the Red Book. Visitors are also allowed to cook food themselves or order ready-made food at the edge of the forest. The most popular dishes are grilled fish, grilled snake with water lily, grilled field rats, and young lotus leaves. However, when visitors enter the forest, all cooking is prohibited. Visitors are also prohibited from bringing fire-making tools into the park. In addition, visitors can also take part in more adventurous activities including exploring flooded cajuput forests where people can fish or hike to the former barracks of the South Viet Nam Liberation Front armed forces. Besides activities associated with nature, visitors should not miss the culinary experience with the typical characteristics of the Miet Thu region as well as the Mekong Delta in general. Delicious dishes Miet Thu has a dense canal system and vast rice fields, so the cuisine here is also closely linked to rivers and rice fields. Snakehead fish smoked inside a burning mound of rice straw, grilled field rat or coconut worms are dishes that tourists should try when coming to Miet Thu. Most dishes in Miet Thu are not seasoned with too many spices and the preparation is very simple but extremely unique. Smoked snakehead fish is one of those dishes that is almost unseasoned but is prepared very uniquely. The fish is first prepared and washed with unrefined salt and rinsed, and is then pierced with a stalk of lemongrass which removes odour and adds a wonderful aroma. The fish is placed upright on the ground and covered with straw, then lit on fire for about 20-30 minutes. After removing the straw, the black skin of the fish is scraped off. Then, the fish is sprinkled with scallion oil, rolled in lotus leaves with crushed peanuts, vegetables and aromatic herbs. The whole fish roll is then wrapped in rice paper. Because the fish is not cooked with conventional utensils but is cooked directly with burning straw, the cook needs to have experience to know how much straw to use to make the fish done properly. This requires an experienced cook. Dipping sauce made of sweet and sour tamarind and fish sauce is served with the dish, which is said to represent the soul of the Miet Thu countryside as well as the Mekong Delta. Another specialty is field rats grilled in clay pots. Rats live in rice fields and eat only herbs and rice, so their meat is firm and fragrant. Diners say the dish tastes like wild deer meat. After removing the intestines, skin and claws, the rats are marinated with lemongrass and chili for 15 minutes and placed on a special hook in a clay pot and grilled for an hour under burning straw. The meat is served with a mixture of salt, pepper and lime juice as well as green bananas, tomatoes, cucumbers and Vietnamese mint. This dish may seem a bit intimidating to first-timers. But if you can take the first bite, you won't be able to stop. Miet Thu is about 280km from HCM City and about 50km from central Rach Gia City in Kien Giang Province. You can take a bus for only VND250,000-450,000 (US$10-15), drive a motorbike or fly. As for accommodation, if you want to learn about agricultural life in Miet Thu, choose a homestay where the host will show you how to harvest rice, catch fish with nets, tend vegetables and catch ducks. VNS TOKYO Many rice producers plan to raise production volumes by an increase in cropping area this year to cope with the ongoing shortage of rice supply. The Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry has announced the total rice cropping area in 2025 will be increased by 23,000ha from the previous year to a total of 1.282 million hectares. Rice produce will be increased in Hokkaido, Niigata Prefecture and 17 other prefectures, a substantial rise from five prefectures in the previous year. As rice prices, which had remained level for many years, continue to rise, rice farmers have shown a willingness to increase production. If harvest conditions are comparable to an average year, the total production volume of rice to be harvested in 2025 will likely be 6.91 million tonnes, up 120,000 tonnes from the previous year. This may result in an elimination of the current rice shortage. The government also plans to increase production volumes of rice for export. The governments goal is ambitious, aiming to raise the total export volume in 2030 to 350,000 tonnes, which is about an eight-fold increase from 46,000 tonnes in 2024. If rice supplies in the nation remain low, the government aims to supply this rice to domestic markets instead of as exports. Some food service companies and retailers have begun using imported rice. Matsuya Foods Holding Co., an operator of a major gyudon beef rice bowl restaurant chain, switched to using a blend of domestic and imported rice in some of the chains restaurants starting in May last year. The company faced difficulties in trying to secure the necessary volume based on domestically produced rice alone. Yoshinoya Co. has also used a blend of domestically produced and imported rice since Spring 2023. Among retail companies, Seiyu Co. has sold rice produced in Taiwan (China) since November last year. Aeon Co. has also suggested the possibility its chain stores will sell rice produced overseas. A tariff of JPY341 per kilogramme is imposed on rice imported by private companies outside of the governments import quota. US-made Calrose brand rice is about JPY500 per kilogram, including the tariff. Compared with Koshihikari brands, sold at JPY900 of per kilogram in Tokyos 23 wards in February, the price of Calrose is relatively low. THE JAPAN NEWS/ANN For Azerbaijanis living far from their homeland, the traditions of Novruz continue to hold deep significance. Renowned Azerbaijani artist Heyran Mustafa-Zade recently celebrated this cherished holiday by hosting a special presentation on Azerbaijani culture and history for a local audience in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The event was held at the "Cerebrum" Association, which supports individuals with brain injuries. This organization, which takes into account the life challenges faced by people with various diagnoses, regularly organizes seminars and presentations on a wide range of topics for its members and their families. The timing of the presentation, coinciding with the Novruz celebrations, was no coincidence. Heyran Mustafa-Zade specifically chose this date to highlight the symbolic significance of the holiday and to introduce the rich cultural heritage of Azerbaijan. Titled "Azerbaijan A Country Full of Patterns," the presentation was structured into four sections. Attendees were given a thorough introduction to Azerbaijans history and natural beauty, its vibrant culture and arts, as well as the contrasts that define its way of life. The final segment of the presentation was dedicated to the Novruz holiday itself. Following the interactive part of the event, guests were treated to traditional Novruz sweets, which further enhanced the festive atmosphere. Heyran Mustafa-Zade is an Azerbaijani artist living and working in Prague. She is the founder of the "Heyranam" Art Center and actively participates in exhibitions across the Czech Republic and beyond. Currently, the artist is preparing for her third solo exhibition in Prague, scheduled for July. We extend our best wishes to Heyran for her continued creative success as she continues to share Azerbaijani culture with the world. Irreversible sight loss risk grows as thousands languish on Welsh waiting lists This article is old - Published: Sunday, Mar 23rd, 2025 Tens of thousands of people at the greatest risk of irreversible sight loss are languishing on waiting lists for too long, with services woefully under-resourced, a committee heard. The Senedds health committee took evidence from clinicians, charities and patients as part of a short inquiry into ophthalmology in Wales on March 20. More than 80,000 patient pathways which include those waiting for multiple treatments were waiting too long for sight-saving treatment in January, according to the latest data. Russell George, who chairs the health committee, asked about prevention given half of all sight loss is avoidable with early detection and timely treatment. Ansley Workman, director of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Cymru, welcomed a new national clinical strategy but warned of a lack of commitment. Frightening Theres no investment, theres no timeline, she said: And that timeline needs to be at pace and the reason for that is people are going blind in Wales now, so it is a matter of urgency. In its written evidence, RNIB Cymru voiced concerns about the lack of a significant investment and direction from ministers in Cardiff Bay. The charity warned: Without this, Wales eye care waiting lists will continue to rise as will the number of patients needlessly losing their sight while waiting for NHS treatment. Ms Workman raised underreporting of the scale of harm befalling patients in Wales, with shockingly low reports despite 80,000 patient pathways being over their clinical target. Senedd members heard powerful stories from patients who shared their frightening experiences of living in constant fear of losing their sight. Under-resourced Rhianon Reynolds, clinical lead for ophthalmology within the NHS Wales Executive, pointed to the development of the national strategy but warned of a lack of support to drive change. The consultant ophthalmologist said: We can put the blueprint in place but without investment its going to be difficult to show significant change. Ms Reynolds, who is president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in Wales, told Senedd members that ophthalmology is the biggest outpatient speciality in the NHS. But she said: We are often perceived as a small speciality because we dont have inpatients, so were often not overly prioritised in terms of how we are funded. Ms Reynolds warned: In terms of consultant ophthalmologists we are woefully under-resourced in Wales right across the board. Some areas are like a desert. Ceilings falling in She added: Even if we had more secondary care clinicians, we dont have the space. Ms Reynolds, who works at Aneurin Bevan health board, raised fundamental problems with the estate, citing examples of ceilings falling in and plants growing through the walls. On the 8.5m roll-out of the OpenEyes patient record system, which began in 2021, she explained that Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) is responsible for the project. She told the committee: We dont have it across all the health boards, its available in Cardiff, its potentially being rolled out to other health boards. Last week, health secretary Jeremy Miles escalated intervention arrangements at DHCW due to serious concerns about its ability to deliver major programmes. Huge frustration Asked if roll-out of OpenEyes is being prioritised, Ms Reynolds said: No, I dont think it is. She told the committee a digital transformation is required, saying: Its a huge area of frustration for us, with services still receiving letters rather than digital referrals. Ms Reynolds said Wales is well below the Royal Colleges recommendation of 3.2 ophthalmologists per 100,000 people, with around 1.9. In terms of the consultant workforce, were extremely under-resourced, she warned, adding that there is not a much-needed workforce plan in place. Wales has the lowest numbers of consultant ophthalmologists of any part of the UK and, across Europe, only North Macedonia has fewer, according to the RNIBs evidence. Clunky Owain Mealing, chair of Optometry Wales, warned of clunky integration between primary optometry and hospital services, with fax machines and paper records still in use. Andrew Pyott, a consultant ophthalmologist at NHS Highland, undertook a 2021 review on eye care services in Wales which described the situation as serious and fragile. He said: The biggest driver is for cataracts services, thats what patients often see as a priority for them many who are languishing on long waiting lists, with an impact on their daily lives because they can no longer drive or, in some cases, keep down employment. Asked about agreements for patients to be treated in England, he told the committee that Welsh taxpayers are effectively subsidising Bristols training programme. Prof Pyott said: It would be much better for the Welsh taxpayer to be preparing the next generation of vitreoretinal surgeons for your country. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter Senedd Members hit out at UK Government plans to cut benefits This article is old - Published: Sunday, Mar 23rd, 2025 Sweeping 5bn cuts to benefits will have a devastating impact on disabled people in Wales, Senedd members warned. Sioned Williams, Plaid Cymrus shadow social justice secretary, raised concerns about UK Government proposals for the biggest shake-up of the welfare system in a generation. She said: We have higher rates of disabled people of working age and five of the UKs 10 local authorities with the highest rates of economic activity because of long-term illness. The impact of these unprecedented cuts to disability benefits on Wales will be devastating. Disability charities have called the plans immoral, unethical, shortsighted. Ms Williams told the Senedd people on personal independence payments (Pip) could lose support of between 4,200 and 6,300 a year, according to the Resolution Foundation. Huge impact During topical questions on March 19, she raised the Bevan Foundations warning that the cuts will have a huge and concerning impact on the 275,000 people in Wales receiving Pip. She said Disability Wales has cautioned that the cuts will leave many people considerably worse off, with Mind saying the reforms could exacerbate a mental health crisis. Ms Williams added: The Child Poverty Action Group said it would undermine efforts to tackle child poverty, Trussell says it will undermine Labours promises to cut food bank use, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said it will make it harder for people to qualify for support. She pointed to Oxfam Cymrus calls for Welsh ministers to demand UK colleagues tax the wealthiest in society to combat poverty and improve equality. Addressing the Welsh Government benches, she said: This cut to the income of Wales poorest citizens is what you and your government spent the past 14 years denouncing. Devastation Ms Williams asked: What contingency measures are you considering to mitigate the devastation that is soon to be unleashed by these cuts? Jane Hutt said the Welsh Government would carefully consider the implications of proposed reforms and respond to a consultation to ensure disabled peoples voices are heard. The social justice secretary said the first minister has written to Liz Kendall, the UK work and pensions secretary, asking what analysis has been done on the impact of cuts in Wales. She told the Senedd: It is important that we do all we can within our powers to support people in Wales and we will continue to do so. We want to make sure that people who can work are able to find employment and receive the support they need. But we agree the social security system needs to ensure its effectively supporting people into work but offering an effective financial safety net for people who are unable to work. Ballooning bill Ms Hutt said the Welsh Government would soon publish a ten-year plan on disability rights, aiming to remove barriers and make long-term positive change. Altaf Hussain, the Conservatives shadow equalities secretary, welcomed the move to tackle the ballooning welfare bill and place the system on a more sustainable footing. Dr Hussain said: Health-related benefits for people of working age reaches a staggering 71bn a year, far more than we spend on the police and defending our nation. It has been clear for some time that reform is no longer optional. Ms Hutt stressed the need to influence the proposals through the consultation and raised a forthcoming four-nations meeting with the Department for Work and Pensions. Extreme poverty She said: Its been set up to discuss areas of mutual interest such as how to reform the benefits system and to ensure that work always pays. This is where we can contribute. Ms Hutt pointed to proposals for a right to try principle, so work does not lead to an immediate reassessment nor an award review. Labours Alun Davies called for a clear focus on eradicating poverty and reducing inequality. All government policy, in Wales and the UK, should be driven by that objective, he said. Plaid Cymrus Mabon ap Gwynfor accused Labour of pushing more austerity. He said: We have a Labour party in Wales that is so servile, so lacking in backbone that they will not stand up to these people in London who will force people into extreme poverty. Weve heard Save the Children say today already that if we think child poverty is poor in Wales at the moment, it will get worse. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter The Washoe County coroner has identified the man who died after stealing several cars and leading police on a chase last Saturday. The medical examiner says 28-year-old Marcus Gifford of Roseville, California died after shooting himself in the head. ORIGINAL STORY: The Reno Police Department got a call of an armed carjacking at 1800 Silverada Boulevard around 7:30 a.m. on March 22. Officers determined the suspect had left the scene after trying to steal someone's car at gunpoint but was unsuccessful. The suspect also matched the description of the suspect of an armed kidnapping out of Roseville, California that was reported the day before. Investigators later learned the suspect had got inside another car after the attempted carjacking and had the second victim drive him to Sparks. While in Sparks, the suspect stole another car and drove off in it. Nevada State Police ended up finding the car near Brierley Way in Sparks. The pursuit by NSP and Reno Police ended when the suspect crashed into a tree on Sutro Street, north of Selmi Drive. When officers were trying to get the suspect to surrender, the suspect shot himself and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No other people were inside the stolen car. It was confirmed that the suspect was the same suspect in the armed kidnapping out of California. The suspect's identity is not being released until the next of kin has been notified. The Reno Police Department is leading the investigation and the Sparks Police Department will be investigating the incidents that happened in Sparks. Reno Police say there is no threat to the community and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Reno Police Department's non-emergency line at 775-334- 2677, or report an anonymous tip to secret witness by calling 775-322-4900. Truckee Meadows Community College Veterans Services and the Vietnam Veterans of America Sierra Nevada Chapter 989 are partnering to host a Remembrance Day Ceremony. The ceremony takes place on Saturday, March 29 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. at the Truckee Meadows Community College Student Center, located at 7000 Dandini Boulevard in Reno. The doors open at 1:00 p.m. This event is open to the public, and is designated a non-political event. The featured guest speaker at this year's ceremony is 1975 Vietnam refugee Colonel Jackson T. Doan, Commanding Officer at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, CA. Attendees can also expect a wreath placing ceremony, with four wreaths escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders, and a display with special ruck sacks of dog tags representing Nevada's fallen from the wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Learn more about the Veterans Services department at TMCC by visiting the TMCC website. Duke forward Cooper Flagg brings the ball down court against Mount St. Mary's during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. AP Despite a scary-looking ankle injury just over one week ago, Cooper Flagg helped the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils cruise past their first-round matchup of the NCAA Tournament. Flagg and the Blue Devils will now face the No. 9 Baylor Bears in the Sweet 16. This heavyweight matchup between Duke and Baylor in the Round of 32 will take place on Sunday at 2:40 PM EST on CBS. On Saturday, the latest March Madness odds have Blue Devils (-750) were heavy 12-point favorites over the Baylor Bears (+550), and the point total was 143.5. Keep reading below for our Duke vs. Baylor predictions and best bets for this Round of 32 matchup and the best March Madness betting sites. Duke vs. Baylor predictions and best bets for Round of 32 *Note: Odds are based on the best value our experts find while writing; check lines closer to game time to ensure you get the best odds. The Baylor Bears most significant issue has been on defense in recent years; they have ranked 107th and 72nd in adjusted defensive efficiency (KenPom) in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The 2024-25 campaign started similarly, with the Bears giving up 101 points to Gonzaga in their season opener. However, Baylor has been a much more focused defensive team in recent weeks, holding their past five opponents before Mississippi State to just 38.5% field-goal shooting and 30% from 3-point land. This improvement has allowed the Bears to remain competitive in games against elite competition like Texas Tech and Houston despite the fact they have shot the ball horribly in that stretch. Additionally, this will be the first time that Duke has faced a non-ACC team (not counting Mount Saint Marys) in quite some team, and, as we have seen, that conference has been mediocre this season. For the point total, I like the over at 144. The Bears' offense can score points, even against this stifling and versatile Duke defense. On the other end, Baylor has been better, but it will not have an answer for Flagg and company, so the Over and Baylor +12 will be my plays. Duke vs. Baylor moneyline odds analysis The Duke Blue Devils are a super heavy moneyline favorite at -800 odds on DraftKings. Conversely, the Baylor Bears are significant +550 underdogs despite their recent improvements on the defensive end of the floor. Why Duke could win as the favorite Best odds: -750 at Fanatics Cooper Flaggs ankle injury has hardly phased him. Even though he was rolled off the floor in a wheelchair against Georgia Tech only nine days ago, Flagg returned for the teams Round of 64 matchup and dominated in just 22 minutes of play. Duke didnt skip a beat with Flagg back in the lineup, posting 93 points on 50% shooting against Mount Saint Marys. And the Blue Devils certainly took their foot off the gas in the second half. According to Kenpom.com, Duke is the only team in the country that ranks in the top four in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiencies. The Blue Devils also have the highest adjusted efficiency margin since 2002, the first year KenPom tracked these metrics on his site. Baylors 57th-ranked defense will have difficulty holding Duke to a reasonable offensive output. Why Baylor could win as the underdog Best odds: +550 at BetMGM The Baylor Bears have not met their lofty expectations entering the 2024-25 season. They only grabbed a No. 9 seed despite being the eighth-ranked team in the preseason AP Poll. However, Baylor still has a high-octane attack led by star freshman VJ Edgecombe and veteran forward Norchad Omier; the Bears have the 16th-ranked offense and excel on the offensive glass (27th in offensive rebounding percentage). Recently, Baylor has also found a way to win some tight games or, at least, keep them within striking distance despite poor shooting. Entering their game against Mississippi State, the Bears had shot just 41% from the field and 29% from 3-point range over their past five games (3-2) but had only lost to Texas Tech and Houston by a combined six points. The primary reason for Baylors competitive play over the past few weeks has been its drastic improvement on the defensive end of the floor. It has held its opponents to roughly a 38/30/72 shooting split in that stretch. If the Bears can get hot from deep and continue to play defense at their current level, they have a shot to upset Duke. A man shot in south Birmingham has died, the second victim to die after multiple Friday night shootings in the city. Police on Saturday identified the victim as Dorian Jackson. He was 20 and lived in Birmingham. Just after 9:35 p.m. Friday, South Precinct officers were dispatched to the 200 Block of Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard on report of a person shot. Officers arrived on the scene and were alerted to Jackson lying in a backyard in the 300 Block of Iota Avenue suffering from a gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel arrived and transported the victim to UAB where he died Saturday morning. Officer Truman Fitzgerald said two additional victims, an adult female and a 12-year-old boy showed up via private vehicle at Princeton Baptist Medical Center. The boy suffered life-threatening injuries, Fitzgerald said. The preliminary investigation suggests the three victims traveled to the location to meet someone when they were all shot, possibly while inside the vehicle. No arrests have been made. Less than two hours earlier, 36-year-old Curtis Holt Jr. was killed in gunfire that also seriously injured another person. That shooting happened shortly after 8 p.m. in the 3500 block of Hemlock Avenue. According to Birmingham Fire and Rescue radio communications, one person sustained several gunshot wounds to the chest, and the second victim was shot in the leg. Fitzgerald said officers arrived on the scene and found both gunshot victims inside a home. BFRS transported both men to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Holt was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later. The condition of the second victim was not immediately known. Fitzgerald said the preliminary investigation suggests a family member of both victims shot them and then fled the scene. BPD Tactical Unit officers took the suspect into custody in west Birmingham within two hours of the shooting. Homicide detectives interviewed him, and he is being held at the Birmingham City Jail pending the filing of charges. After going one month without a homicide, Birmingham had three in six days. On March 15, 27-year-old Lemijamin Watters was found shot to death at the intersection of Avenue E and 16th Street in Ensley. So far this year, there have been 19 homicides in Birmingham. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 30, including the 19 in Birmingham. As of March 22, 2024, there had been 31 homicides in the city and 39 countywide. Anyone with any information in any of the slayings is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. The Alabama Spelling Bee was held at UAB on March 22, 2025. Photo Courtesy of Susan McDougal. Alabama Spelling Bee Fourth grader Snigdha Pati won the Alabama Spelling Bee on Saturday with the word jurisprudence. Pati, who attends Deer Valley Elementary School in Jefferson County, defeated students from 49 other counties in the state. Students from fourth through eighth grades, including last years winner Ayden Nguyen, competed for five rounds at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Its a good day thats important for the kids, said Susan McDougal, Executive Director of Alabama Spelling Bee. When they come to register in the morning, theyre so nervous but I tell them were in it together - were not competing against each other, were competing against the dictionary. Pati will travel, expenses paid, to Washington, D.C. for the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 27. The Alabama State Spelling Bee is sponsored by the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation. The bee is also supported by Scripps, as well as hundreds of schools across the state. This year about 775 schools participated, McDougal told AL.com. Before COVID, that number was closer to 900. McDougal would like to see more schools sign up in the future, saying students learn a lot from spelling bees. The kids that tend to excel in spelling bees, really excel in life, McDougal said. They study hard, they learn about different languages, about public speaking and how to conduct yourself. Its more than just the spelling. A fox that later tested positive for rabies recently attacked and bit a hunter in Lowndes County, prompting a warning from Alabamas State Public Health veterinarian. The incident happened in Burkville. The fox repeatedly attacked and bit the hunters shoes. The fox was subdued, captured and sent for testing to the Alabama Department of Public Health laboratory. The hunter has begun receiving the post-exposure prophylaxis series of treatment. This is a good reminder as the warmer months get underway to remember to vaccinate your animals and to report any strange-acting wildlife, said Dr. Dee W. Jones, the State Public Health veterinarian. Since foxes are communal animals which can increase the likelihood of transmission, it is possible that additional foxes within this geographical proximity may be infected, Jones said. Jones noted that in the spring, more animal movement seems to result in an increase in positive rabid animal cases. He said that additional testing is being performed on the fox to determine the strain of rabies. He said it is expected to be the raccoon strain, the primary reservoir of rabies in terrestrial animals in Alabama, including this area of Lowndes County. Instances of wildlife species attacking people is not common, but it does happen because of the altered mental states the virus causes in the animal, Jones said. Alabama state law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks of age and older be current with rabies vaccination. Although there are animal rabies vaccines that last for one year or three years, the first rabies vaccination is only good for one year, regardless of which vaccine a pet receives. Vaccinating animals reduces the risk of rabies infection should an exposure occur; thus, vaccinations help protect animals, as well as their owners and caretakers. Rabies prevention is multifaceted. It involves people taking precautions with wildlife, making sure their pets are current on rabies vaccinations, and always reporting an animal bite or other exposure to their medical provider or ADPH. In addition to vaccination, area residents are advised to take the following precautions to avoid possible exposure to rabies: Do not allow pets to run loose; confine them within a fenced-in area or with a leash. Do not leave uneaten pet food or scraps near your residence. Do not illegally feed or keep wildlife as pets. Do not go near wildlife or domestic animals that are acting in a strange or unusual manner. Caution children not to go near any stray or wild animal, regardless of its behavior. For more information about rabies and prevention, please contact ADPH at (334) 206-5969 or visit the Rabies section of ADPHs Infectious Diseases website. A man died on Saturday in an all-terrain vehicle crash in Lee County, according to state troopers. Randy G. Looney, 69, of Valley in Chambers County, was fatally injured when the 2020 Kawasaki 800G side-by-side ATV he was driving left the road and struck a tree, according to Lt. Jeremy J. Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The accident happened at about 5:20 p.m. Saturday. Looney was not using a seat belt and was pronounced dead on the scene, troopers said. The crash happened just off Lee County 361, approximately 10 miles south of Valley. No further information was available. Troopers continue to investigate. Antski Williams, executive director of the Crescent Cultural Community Center in Birmingham's West End, is giving young people a safe space amid the city's homicide crisis. Alaina Bookman This is another installment in AL.coms series Beyond the Violence," which explores solutions that could make Birmingham safer, healthier and happier. Sign up for the newsletter here. Antski Williams said he lost much of his childhood to violence, pain and poverty. Now he is dedicating his life to giving Birmingham youth a safe space to learn, grow and thrive. At the Crescent Cultural Community Center, a nonprofit located in Birminghams West End, Williams, executive director, can often be found talking to the young people who visit about making good decisions. He is a father figure and role model to many local youth, using his own experiences to steer them in the right direction. The Crescent Cultural Community Center, and those who work for it, have become a bright spot in a community that has experienced devastating gun violence. I was really a heathen and I really was cultured here by all the ancestors, and the energy and the community thats here, Williams said. We want our goodness to jump on other people. The positive energy that the people release here, stays here and you can feel it when you come. Our goal is to improve the quality of the community by enriching and empowering individuals. When people walk in, they tell us instantly, Theres no place like this. Antski Williams story: I was one of them Williams grew up in the Ensley neighborhood. He moved around Birmingham a lot as a child and teen, from Germany, to the Cooper Green housing authority community, to the Inglenook neighborhood, to West End, to Hoover. By eighth grade, he had joined a gang. Williams said trauma shaped his childhood. I allowed pain and poverty to shape my decisions, Williams told the Birmingham Times . I was banging with anybody who would bang before gangs even really came to Birmingham. I went to juvenile [detention] every year [from ages 12 to 17] for stealing cars, robbery, and attempted murder because I was letting poverty shape my choicesI was just the classic, bad project kid. As a young adult, he served seven years at several Alabama Department of Corrections facilities, where he learned of the death of his first daughter, 2-year-old, AneJah. Williams said he helps young people now because he needed that kind of mentorship when he was younger. I was one of them. It was straight because I was justice impacted myself. I was ashamed of myself, low self-esteem. I was one of those kids that needed a mentor, needed a big brother. I joined gangs. I was in the projects. I earned my way to prison. So when I got out...it was all about going back to the street where I came from, Williams told AL.com. Thats how I got into what Im doing now. I can relate. Birmingham saw a tragic, record-breaking year of homicides in 2024 . Children, teens and adults who are impacted by poverty and community violence may need additional resources and safe spaces to heal and thrive. Thats where the Crescent comes in. The Crescent Cultural Community Center impact: We care Antski Williams stands under African nation flags hung in the Crescent Cultural Community Center Alaina Bookman African nation flags greet all who enter the Crescent, a space for fellowship among community members of all backgrounds. The center is colorful and inviting with spaces to learn in every nook and cranny. Alongside running the Crescent, Williams is also a program manager for RESTORE, a Jefferson County Family Resource Center juvenile re-entry program . Twice a week, young men who are involved in the juvenile justice system participate in RESTORE workshops at the Crescent where they discuss goal setting, accountability, healthy relationships, conflict resolution and how to express their emotions with mentors like Williams. Young men also frequent the Crescent as part of a high school and college fraternity program. Every week, they diligently file into the building, uniform with white shirts and black pants, to learn a new step routine and discuss the importance of brotherhood. The center works with 19 community partners to host block parties, West African drum and dance classes, yoga and community service initiatives. Community members can also receive resources and assistance through the centers workforce development program, maternity and funeral services. At the Crescent Cultural Community Center, local youth can learn to grow vegetables in the centers greenhouse. Alaina Bookman Local youth learn to grow vegetables in the centers greenhouse, fix cars and bikes in the garage, participate in a music enrichment program in the studio and hone their barber skills in the salon. The centers mission, Williams said, is to empower the community through education, social enrichment, resources and raising awareness. Imagine if we werent herewith this being a high crime area for drugs, for violence. But we are here doing what we are doing. This is a credible, safe space, and we have a reputation for uplifting the community, Williams said. Were promoting brotherhood and unity, and thats what the Crescent embodies. Walter Umrani, director of the Crescent, used his retirement savings to buy the community center. Now, he helps community members take care of their warrants. We expect people to have a better, more productive life from the services we provide for them and the great mentorship that we have, Umrani said. Bennie Hurst leads the centers music enrichment program . He said the key to the centers success comes from listening to community members. What we did is we actually reached out to the people and gained insight. In order to know how to serve, you gotta ask, What do you need? Hurst said. You have to ask the people what they need, and then we can be accountable for the work that they receive. From March 2024 to February 2025 the center impacted the lives of more than 10,000 community members through programming, services and financial assistance. 3,599 young people were served through community engagement 1,920 young people participated in the youth civic afterschool program 2,265 people participated in community social events hosted by the Crescent 1,440 people received grief support and repast assistance 600 people participated in greenhouse workshops 208 people participated in community wellness workshops 453 people received in-kind goods and services So far this year, more than 1,000 people have visited the center. While the center is able to help people throughout the community, it still faces limitations. The building needs central air conditioning and heating, commercial bathrooms, new flooring, additional funding for programming and salary for staff members. We need to be able to do more than pray for you, more than just offer you a safe space to sit down until we close the door. We need to have some funding, Williams said. We look around in the city and see nobody has these numbers of this type of impact or this type of engagement in the community, Williams said. Thats how we win. We care enough to ask and we care enough to listen. The Rev. Kevin Thomas has been pastor of a church in Tuscaloosa. First United Methodist Church First United Methodist Church of Birmingham today revealed who its next senior pastor will be. The Rev. Kevin Thomas, pastor of Forest Lake United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, will become the new senior pastor of First United Methodist of Birmingham, effective July 1. Thomas has a bachelors degree from the University of Alabama and earned a master of divinity degree from Memphis Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Asbury Theological Seminary. He has been in pastoral ministry for 30 years, the last decade at Forest Lake. This is a time to strengthen our roots, deepen our commitment to one another and fully embrace our mission of being an open place for all to worship, grow and serve, said Janet Voorhees, chair of the staff parish relations committee. The Rev. Stephanie York Arnold, the first woman senior pastor at First United Methodist Church of Birmingham, stepped down from that role in February to take a CEO-level post at a denominational agency. Arnold, who had been on staff at First United Methodist since 2010 and senior pastor since 2018, accepted a job as general secretary of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women of the United Methodist Church, effective March 1. I remember after my first encounter with Kevin feeling as if I knew I wasnt alone, Arnold posted today on social media. I had an ally and was in the presence of someone who would speak up when they felt injustice was taking place. Time after time since then I have seen Kevin rise to the occasion to advocate for otherspeople of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, etc. He does so always with compassion, humility and wisdom." See more clergy appointments here. When the Brahmins of Boston and Concord declared Christianity unfit for human consumption, well over a century ago in New England, they remade mankind into creatures of innate goodness and light, believing that as Ben Franklin had put it people could live anywhere there is freedom. And the evidence? In America, especially since 1960, it confirms an increasing lack of freedom. This prompts some essential questions with no honest answers yet. Are the orthodox in society free to reject any ideology (such as radical leftism) that threatens their faith? If not, how can they live in freedom? If their faith singles out the evil of sin, how can they live freely where sin is not even recognized? Yesteryears Brahmins and todays leftists continue to act as though sin does not exist. This is not simply a semantic quibble over what is acceptable and what is unacceptable, a loophole as wide and deep as a black hole. It is a chasm between those who believe in God and those who do not believe in God. True Christians cannot be free where their beliefs are censured, excluded, and attacked. Franklins dictum regarding freedom runs into a wall where freedom is willfully denied something weve all experienced in great measure during the Covid Inquisition. The fact is that freedom-loving people have been up against freedom-hating people for over a century in America. Up until the current raging political storm over sanity and justice in society, the newest Brahmins have gotten away with burying religious and cultural realities under a rug of multiculture and diversity read compliance and exported that process to every corner of the earth, punishing rogue regimes that dont comply. The progress of myopic globalists to make the world better is revealed in todays pathologic mess the world is in. Champions of watered-down culture and watered-down faith in God have succeeded in making the world an environment for resentment, violence, and injustice in the name of progress. The progress in reeducating people and resetting societies according to Godless prescriptions has indeed made the world a better place fit for robots. Such post-human existence can appeal only to the insane: Earths environment is not fit for fake beings. Returning to the past (and present) freedom-trashing leftism that makes writers like those on American Thinker sound off, I pick on the romantic notions of armchair idealists who delight in planning the world for us. I ask modern Brahmins to their face: What part of the innate goodness of man is reflected when progressive educators and media magnates impose a Woke Gospel on everyone that kills their spirit of cooperation and creativity? What part of inner light shines when you, me, and everyone else is told what to believe, how to think, how to talk, and how to behave? What part of freedom is in operation when those who would live on their own terms (within lawful limits) are denied that liberty? Where is the precious freedom to live, when even life is put on the chopping block? All in the name of progress, of course. This is just a hint of how far off the rails are they who preach enlightenment through diversity that in fact denies diversity, inclusion that lets Satanists and others with evil intent through the gate, equity that denies equality of choice and opportunity. To ignore or gloss over real differences among people in the interest of merging people into a unified society is to submerge them in the interest of lording over them. This was never the aim of this nation. Its founders respect for differences is at the heart of E pluribus unum out of many, one the principle that inspired their thinking and actions, in the name of God. Those who believe that America was never a religious nation need to search the abundant historical evidence available on independent search engines. America indeed began as a Christian nation. But a blinding trust in the power of man led too many to put all their faith in human beings, forgetting where they come from, a constant habit. How easy it is to forget that by his actions man proves capable of as much evil as good in the world! The pivot between good and evil wisely recognized by this nations founders is enduring attention to Judeo-Christian imperatives. Unadulterated Christianity underscores the need for obedience to the Word of God, our Creator, revealed to Christs disciples and communicated to the world with the Gospel. This requires all who call themselves Christian to follow Christs teachings. This mandate of faith is consistent with mans fallen nature, demonstrated in the corruption he permits out of gain or fear. Todays remnant of real Christians remains politically and socially at the mercy of Godless magnates of power, including those who profess to be Christian but do not heed the Gospel. That so many of them are in positions of influence and authority makes many think that America is still a religious country. That is true only when applied to faith in Marxism, Evolutionism, Secular Humanism, and other movements and disciplines that begin by excluding or rejecting God. The core of faithful Christians is not small, it is true, but they have yet to face down liberals, progressives, and pastors who seek enlightenment in their crania instead of in the One who gave them their brains and faculties. Such astounding waste of human energy and show of arrogance has led too many to forget that Judeo-Christianity made possible a civilization with no equal in benefit to humanity. May those who never surrender who keep the faith in God with the tenacity of the faith in life begin to witness the success of their vigilance, as power moguls begin to rouse from their sleep and get back to the job of serving humanity. Image: Free image, Pixabay license. Its time for President Trump to stop playing nice. Iraq, a country weve invested trillions in over the past two decades, owes us. The reconstruction, the security operations, and the countless lives lostall funded by American taxpayers. Yet, while weve spent this immense sum on their recovery, Iraq continues to sit on one of the worlds largest oil reserves. Its time to call in the debt. This is not about charity. This is about fairness. The American people have sacrificed enough for Iraqs supposed freedom. We removed Saddam Hussein and opened the door for Iraq to govern itself. But in doing so, we allowed Iranian-backed militias to seize control. These same militias now pose an existential threat to American lives and interests in the region. Iraqs oil wealth should be used, at the very least, to start paying back the debts incurred by our intervention. Iraq owes America, and its time to make them pay. Image: Marines at the Second Battle of Fallujah. Public Domain. (And the story behind the photo.) The American people have bled for Iraq, but now the bill is due. No more handouts, no more one-sided sacrifices. The U.S. must leverage its power to extract payment from Iraqpayment for the lives lost, the treasure spent, and the future security weve provided. President Trump must make it clear: Pay up or be left to deal with the consequences alone. The Cost of Freedom and Stability Over 4,500 American soldiers died in Iraq. Tens of thousands more were injured, both physically and mentally. The U.S. taxpayers have shelled out over a trillion dollars to stabilize Iraq, rebuild its infrastructure, and remove the threat of terrorism. But despite all that sacrifice, Iraq remains a battleground for Iranian influence, a country where militias funded by Tehran still operate with impunity, attacking American interests and destabilizing the entire region. Iraq has shown time and again that it cannot stand on its own. We removed Saddam Hussein. We defeated ISIS. We gave them the chance at a new future. And what do we get in return? The same enemy we fought againstmilitias backed by the Iranian regimecontinuing to harm American interests as we stand by, once again playing the role of rescuers. Its time to recognize the brutal truth: Iraq will cease to exist as a stable state without U.S. support. They need us more than we need them. The only question is whether we continue to pay for their failures, or if we finally demand what we are owed. The Power of Leverage: Iraq Has No Other Choice This isnt about charity; this is about leverage. The U.S. controls Iraqs future, whether they want to admit it or not. The billions of dollars in Iraqi oil revenues are stored in New York accounts, under U.S. jurisdiction. We control the flow of money. We can force them to pay. If they refuse, we cut off their access to their own resources. Its that simple. President Trump needs to issue a clear ultimatum to Iraq: Pay your debt, or face the consequences. No more excuses, no more free rides. Theyve drained our resources, but now its time to collect. Whether through direct payments or a structured repayment plan, the message must be clearthey have to pay. The Iraq-Iran Connection This isnt just about Iraq, its about a bigger game. Iranian-backed militias in Iraq continue to target American personnel, using U.S. weapons provided by the Iraqi governmentmoney that the U.S. is inadvertently funding through aid. By allowing Irans proxies to operate freely, Iraq is not just endangering its own future; its putting American interests at risk, and thats unacceptable. If Iraq continues to tolerate these militias, it risks losing our support altogether. It must understand that we are no longer in the business of sacrificing American blood and treasure to protect them from the consequences of their own decisions. They must pay, and if they refuse, theyll have to face the consequences alone. Pressure on Ukraine and Iraq: The Parallel The situation in Iraq mirrors what has been happening in Ukraine. Just as the U.S. has pushed Ukraine to meet certain demands before receiving additional aid and support, we should apply the same level of pressure on Iraq. Ukraine was forced to sign critical agreements on rare mineral resources, a deal that should have benefited the U.S. as much as it benefited Ukraine. The pressure the U.S. placed on Ukraine to adhere to these terms should be a model for how we hold Iraq accountable for its role in destabilizing the region and threatening U.S. interests. If we can apply such pressure on Ukrainedespite its dire situationthen why should we not use the same leverage to hold Iraq accountable? Iraq depends on the U.S. more than Ukraine does. Iraq, with all its fragile stability, certainly has even more to lose. Just like we pressured Ukraine into action through aid restrictions and other tools, we can apply the same tactics to Iraq. Whether its freezing their assets, halting military cooperation, or cutting off access to international funds, we have the power to make Iraq comply. The U.S. holds the cards and now is the time to play them. The Time is Now Iraq has no other choice but to pay. With American leverage, we can force them to settle their debt to the U.S. and its people. No more free rides. No more endless sacrifices. President Trump has the opportunity to deliver a final blow to Irans influence in Iraq and end the cycle of U.S. intervention without repayment. Weve already paid the price in blood and treasure. Now its time for Iraq to settle the bill or face the consequences. The activist lawyer playbook is well-worn, but we get a case study in legal acrobatics every so oftena perfect example of just how far theyll go to manipulate the system and shield their radical clients from consequences. Enter Mahmoud Khalils attorney, who reportedly demanded by phone to see his arrest warrant before he was taken into custodya move that was less about legal rights and more about buying time for a friendly judge to intervene. ICE wasnt playing along. When Khalils lawyer tried to dictate the terms of the arrest, the ICE agent didnt debate or delayhe just hung up. Imagine thatlaw enforcement is doing its job instead of entertaining the latest legal gimmick from an activist lawyer trying to run interference. Legal Gymnastics: The Lawyers Stalling Tactic Khalils legal team did what activist lawyers always do when their client is about to face the consequences: She unsuccessfully tried to stall the arrest with procedural theatrics. According to his attorney, Amy Greer, she demanded to see a warrant before ICE could detain himas if law enforcement needed her personal approval to do their job. And the agent said they revoked that too, said Greer. The agent hung up when she said she needed to see a warrant before Khalil could be detained, according to Greer. This is not how the legal system worksand Greer knows it. She wasnt speaking to a judge or agency counsel; she was speaking to a law enforcement officer executing an arrest. ICE agents dont debate arrests over the phone with activist attorneys. Their job is to enforce the law, not entertain real-time legal challenges from lawyers hoping to create a procedural roadblock. If Greer had an actual legal argument, she knew the proper place: in a courtroom, not an ICE agents ear. But, of course, she didnt want a legal battleshe wanted a delay. Had the agent indulged her, she would have rushed to a sympathetic judge, filed an emergency motion, and gummed up the works long enough for the media to rebrand Khalil as a political prisoner and potentially stop Khalil's detention in its tracks. Instead, ICE did what every federal agency should take notes onthey hung up and went about their business. Delay, Delay, Delay This wasnt some good-faith request for procedural transparency. In the world of activist lawfare, delay is everything. Every extra hour, every frivolous motion, every all-caps Twitter meltdown about fascismits all part of the activist lawfare strategy: stall, obstruct, and shield radicals from facing the consequences. But ICE stuck to the mission, picked Khalil up, and sent him to Louisianaat least for now. No judicial order precluding his detention, no street-clogging campus protests stopping enforcementthis time, at least initially, the system worked as it should. Yet, thanks to an activist judge, his next stop might be a New Jersey courtroom. Attorneys Dont Get to Preempt Arrest Warrants Khalils lawyer acted like law enforcement needed her permission to enforce an arrest warrant. Spoiler alert: They dont. An arrest warrant is for law enforcement to execute, not for an attorney to review and challenge in real-time. If she wanted to contest it? Fine. That happens after the fact, in court, not before the arrest, not as some stall tactic, and certainly not as a way to game the system. Criminal defense attorneys dont get to referee law enforcement in real time. Industrial Scale Obstruction of Enforcement Left-wing activist attorneys have turned obstruction into an industrial-scale operation. Their playbook is simple: bury every deportation in legal clutterdelaying motions, media tantrums, last-minute courtroom theatricsuntil the system collapses under its own weight or is effectively paralyzed until they can win the next election. Weve seen it time and again: Judges issuing last-minute orders to block deportations after ICE has already executed a warrant. Sanctuary cities stonewalling federal immigration authorities, giving radicals months of lead time to vanish. Well-funded legal groups are launching media blitzes and whipping up outrage to pressure courts and bureaucrats into submission. This is lawfare in its purest formnot law as a path to justice, but as a weapon against the law itself. As a lawyer, Id be remiss if I didnt acknowledge that many attorneys are simply doing their job, zealously advocating for their clients, as they should. But this is something else entirely. This isnt zealous advocacy, thoughits gaming the system to shield radical activists from enforcement of laws that are nearly as old as the Constitution. Moreover, the level of orchestration here is becoming impossible to ignore. Were seeing habeas corpus turned into a procedural battering ramnot to contest illegal detention, but to drag cases into federal court where activist judges can meddle in immigration enforcement. But thats a conversation for another day. ICE Didnt BlinkAnd Thats a Good Thing For once, a federal agency refused to play defense. Khalil was picked up, detained, and shipped off to Louisiana before his legal team could turn his arrest into a circus. Still, the show must go onbut the headliner is now performing exclusively for an audience of ICE agents, fellow detainees, and a legal defense team working overtime to spin him into a martyr. And just like that, one of Columbias most notorious agitators is no longer a campus problem. Memo to law enforcement: Do your job. Hang up the phone. Let the activist lawyers rage on MSNBC while you enforce the law. Charlton Allen is an attorney, former chief executive officer, and chief judicial officer of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. He is the founder of the Madison Center for Law & Liberty, Inc., editor of The American Salient, and the host of the Modern Federalist podcast. X: @CharltonAllenNC Image: Free image, Pixabay license. Democrat leaders like Senator Chuck Schumer message thinly veiled threats of violence to their (increasingly small) number of followers. They are responding in counterproductive ways like torching and defacing Tesla cars and trucks, vehicles most likely owned by Democrats who believe in the climate change fairy tale and want to reduce CO2 emissions. The logical response of Democrat owners is to blame and leave the party that provokes this nonsensical criminal behavior. Even if you are brainwashed enough to think Elon Musk, who opened up the internet for free speech, rescued astronauts Biden left parked in space for months and is working free round the clock to reduce waste, fraud, and inefficiencies to prevent national bankruptcy, is an evil monster, why target Tesla owners? I suppose thats too logical an argument for the vandals to grasp. The administration has now tagged such conduct domestic terrorism -- which it is, as was the summer of love BLM vandalism for which there had been no real consequences for the perpetrators. Three people have been arrested and face sentences upon conviction of from 5-20 years, depending on their actions. It's not the only countermeasure the Trump team unleashed this week. Nor is the administration the only force acting to bring consequences to the lawless left. ATTACKING ACADEMIC LAWLESSNESS Sitting atop mountains of endowments and further enriched by billions of dollars in federal grants, contracts, and soaring, extravagant tuitions made possible by federal student loan funding, Columbia University nevertheless found out that it is not above countermeasures to rein them in. Our richest, once most prestigious colleges and universities have arrogated to themselves the right to ignore, if not promote, illegal discrimination against students and faculty, serve as Marxist, anti-American, anti-Israeli breeding grounds, and are at the forefront of denying women athletes the opportunities promise of Title IX. Columbia University, which was, perhaps, the worst offender, was threatened with a $400 million cut in federal funds. This week, it quickly capitulated and promised to do more than was even demanded of it by the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. As Novi Zhukovsky details, it will put the far-left Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African studies departments under direct administrative supervision. It will enforce existing disciplinary policies and abolish the biased Judiciary Board, placing disciplinary processes instead in the Office of the President of the University. It will implement rules to prevent classroom disruptions and ban masked protesters. It will develop a plan to hold student groups that violate school rules accountable, adopt a formal definition of antisemitism, and empower internal law enforcement. In addition -- though not ordered to do so -- it pledges to adopt a policy of institutional neutrality and offer a free K-12 curriculum designed to foster open inquiry and deal with antisemitism. Perhaps more importantly, it plans to expand intellectual diversity among faculty -- it will appoint new faculty with joint positions in the Institute for Jewish Studies and the Departments of Economics, Political Science, and School for International and Public Affairs. I expect that this shift will not be confined to Columbia. The Trump Administration pulled $175 million in funding from the University of Pennsylvania because of its policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in womens events. It threatened to pull funding from Universities in Maine for its policies on transgender athletes. Governor Janet Mills registered her unwillingness to change them, but this week, Maine universities agreed to comply with Trumps Executive Order banning men from womens sports. (It seems even insane academics arent insane enough to choose to go broke defending those policies.) PUNISHING LAW FIRM MALFEASANCE Its no secret that because of the political inclination of its partners and major clients and the promise of substantial government contracts, several big law firms actively sued to halt Trump and his initiatives and sometimes, like Perkins Coie, participated in Democrat party actions to thwart him by seeding the Russian collusion hoax. Another big firm, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, this week acknowledged wrongdoing by a former partner, Mark Pomerantz, who actively engaged in the lawfare against Trump. It has pledged to provide $40 million in free pro bono work for causes of the presidents choosing and the White House stepped back from its Executive Order setting consequences for the firm. As for Perkins Coie, the president withdrew the firms security clearances, and it has sued. The D.C. judge assigned to hear the case is Beryl Howell, formerly the Chief Judge of the District. This week the Department of Justice filed a detailed pleading in support of its motion seeking Howells recusal from the matter. It documents the judges open disdain for and hostility to the President and his supporters. (Its a pity the J6 cases were not televised so more people could have seen when it really mattered the bias of the court, but if you read this pleading, youll have a good idea of how unbalanced this court has been. Heres a representative sample:) b. This Courts Conduct in this Case Simultaneously with filing its complaint in this case, Plaintiff filed a motion for a TRO. See ECF No. 2. Within 24 hours of the complaint being filed, this Court conducted a hearing on the TRO and ruled from the bench, granting the requested relief. See ECF No. 21. During the course of the hearing, a number of exchanges took place between the Court and Defendants counsel regarding the activities of Perkins Coie attorneys and the 2016 election -- specifically their involvement in the procurement and distribution of the report by Fusion GPS. ECF No. 22, Hearing Tr. at 3135, 4950. This report has now been fully discredited, and the role of Perkins Coie attorneys in the distribution of this report was a centerpiece of the Durham Investigation. Yet this Court stated: I know the President has just -- you know, based on reading these papers, he was upset about that in 2016; he was so upset about this still he filed a lawsuit against Perkins Coie and others in the Southern District of Florida that was dismissed in rapid order. He keeps bringing it up. Its like he doesnt want any of us to forget Fusion GPS. He doesnt want any of us to forget that -- any of this. He really has a bee in his bonnet about it. ECF No. 22, Hearing Tr. at 49:2250:5 (emphasis added). As seen in the above exchange, issues of the Durham Investigation, the Fusion GPS report, and the Mueller Report are central to the EO. The Courts condescending remark that President Trump had a bee in his bonnet about Fusion GPS demonstrate a concerning and dismissive approach to the entire Durham Investigation -- an Investigation that touched on the Courts role in the Mueller Report and one in which members of the Plaintiffs firm played a primary and essential role. The entire Fusion GPS fiasco is a lamentable part of this nations history. As demonstrated through comments in this proceeding, other judicial proceedings, and in the public, observers 6 Case 1:25-cv-00716-BAH Document 34 Filed 03/21/25 Page 7 of 8 might reasonably have concerns about the Courts impartiality in this matter. Recusal is warranted to ensure these proceedings fair and free from concerns about impartiality. Perkins, Coie and Paul, Weiss are but two of the big law firms which have acted as arms of the Democratic party. Here's a list of nine of them, including some of their partisan actions and actors. STRIPPING AWAY THE NGO VEIL Another significant development this week was not the result of any action by the administration, but it is welcome and long overdue. Greenpeace, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), that bills itself as an outfit working to protect the environment, was ordered by a North Dakota jury to pay $660 million in damages to Energy Transfer, a pipeline company, for its conduct in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in 2016 and 2017. Notably, the case shows how outfits like Greenpeace operate: They disseminate false statements and disinformation to smear their targets; they transmit the same to lenders and investors to damage the targets business relations, and worse, they knowingly coordinated with, supported and fundraised for more radical groups that engaged in unlawful acts of trespassing, property destruction and violence while contending their role in those protests were minor. In this case, its engagement in illegal conduct was documented -- it sent direct action trainers who instructed protesters in illegal tactics; they knowingly coordinated with direct action groups which engaged in vandalism and violence. The case should stand as a template for lawsuits by similarly injured targets by mainstream left-wing NGOs that provide money and cover for radicals. Today, we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Patrick Henrys Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death Speech, which he delivered in the Virginia House of Burgesses on March 23, 1775. A speech had vision, courage, and foresight and should be ringing from the lips of statesmen and patriots today. Patrick Henry was a man of deep faith, so his remarks appeal to spiritual courage and trust in God as the foundation for fighting against tyranny. Here are a few segments that are as applicable today as they were when spoken 250 years ago, particularly as we engage in what can be seen, through Donald Trumps executive actions, as a Third American Revolution in the ongoing fight for liberty. On the topic of freedom and slavery and having open debate: The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Over the last decade, debate was stifled, law-making was hidden from the publics eyes, and the media obfuscated the truth. But it is a new day, and corruption is being exposed at every turn. We need to be bold and courageous and state clearly once again that our rights do not come from the government but from Godand that the purpose of government is to protect those God-given rights. Not doing so will result in a government that enslaves us. On the topic of wanting to avoid issues, sweep things under the rug, and hope it all just goes away: It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth -- to know the worst and to provide for it. Today, most Americans completely adhere to the primary values of personal peace and affluence, with a philosophy that can be summed up as just keep me comfortable and dont give me something too hard to do and quit bothering me. Many act as if Liberty is too much trouble. However, a new generation of patriots is waking up. These patriots support a president who is willing to do the work to return liberty to the American government. On the topic of perseverance and courage in the face of a fight that is already underway: The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it. It is now too late to retire from the contest.. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! Americans are waking up to something they long failed to recognize: The very life of our country is at stake because a constantly growing and encroaching government has meant we are losing liberty daily. Henry provides in a succinct fashion the three tools that every patriot needs to gird up with for the battles ahead. We must be vigilantthat is watchful, examining carefully, digging deeper, not taking things at face value, not letting political leaders off the hook, but holding them accountable, knowing and holding fast to the Constitution, and forcing our government leaders to comply to it. We must be active. We cant just phone it in. Instead, we need to be willing to exercise our rights to fight for liberty and connect with others doing the same. We must be brave. We need to take heart Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. On the topic of coward pastors and coward leaders: Gentlemen may cry, Peace! Peace!but there is no peace. Like all the Founders, Henry knew his Bible. This is a reference to Jeremiah when he is chastising the pastors of the day for being deceitful and unengaged. The pastors should have been warning their flocks that they were violating Gods law. Instead, they pretended everything was fine: From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. Peace, peace, they say, when there is no peace. Just one verse later, Jeremiah offered the remedy to these ills. That is to return to God and His ways. to return to His ways: This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, We will not walk in it. Henry made the same argument in Virginia that Jeremiah made in ancient Israel and offered the same remedy. That remedy applies just as well today: Return to the core principles, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution (including the Bill of Rights), and overarching Biblical principles (the Ten Commandments is a good start). On the topic of Relying on God: Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The Founders believed that there is a sovereign High King of the Universe who rules over the affairs of men and we turn to this Divine Providence for His aid. We have been born for such a time as this. Those who have faith in something greater than the government have the courage to fight because they know that their rights spring not from the government but from God. Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death: Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! We are, as noted, in a Third American Revolution. However, unlike those in 1776 and 1865, todays warriors have not taken up arms. Instead, weve used speech and the ballot box to place into the Oval Office a man who believes in liberty. Our fight is to support him. This is one more stage in our centuries-long fight to restore freedom and liberty. Of course, just as Americans discovered when achieving a beachhead at Normandy in WWII to fight back against leftism (Hitler was a socialist), we still have the tough work of advancing liberty across the continent, for libertys enemies are fighting back. However, if we heed Patrick Henrys words, we will have a guide in this battle. Public domain. Craig Seibert is the director of the Christian Civics Training Initiative. www.ChristianCivicsTraining.org and a Coach Mentor for www.PatriotAcademy.com and the www.ServeGodDefendLiberty.com movement. To dig deeper into Patrick Henrys remarks on this 250yr anniversary day go here. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sat in a frigid jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama. Outside, the nation burned with division, unrest, and injustice. He had no legal defense, no allies beside him, and no certainty about the future. But he had one thing: the Word of God in his heart. In his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail, King repeatedly quoted Scripture, grounding his case for justice not in opinion but in the moral authority of Gods Word. He quoted or alluded to more than 50 biblical passages, drawing on his extensive knowledge of Scripture from memory. Now, imagine a public-school classroom where students study Dr. Kings words but are not allowed to read the book that inspired them. This illustrates the hypocrisy we face. American schools are expected to teach and uphold justice, yet they actively undermine the foundation of Kings moral argument. However, the larger issue is that research indicates that keeping the Bible out of schools negatively impacts students. The Bibles Proven Power to Change Lives Research from the Center for Bible Engagements Power of 4 study, which examined over 400,000 people, found that casual Bible reading doesnt change lives. But engaging with Scripture four times a week or more does. Those who did saw significant improvements in mental health, decision-making, and moral behavior -- including lower levels of loneliness, anger, substance abuse, and pornography use. While the study analyzed individuals of all ages, its findings suggest that younger people -- who are increasingly grappling with depression, anxiety, and identity confusion -- would likely experience similar benefits. The research found that individuals who engage with the Bible regularly experience 30% less loneliness, 32% fewer anger issues, and a 60% decrease in feelings of spiritual emptiness. Additionally, pornography use declined by 62%, substance abuse by 57%, and gambling by 74%, while participation in faith-sharing increased by 228%. If a secular program yielded these results, every school in America would adopt it. However, since its the Bible, they are compelled to ignore its benefits. And heres the key takeaway: engaging with Scripture four times a week isnt just helpful -- its essential. Anything less, and people see no measurable difference compared to those who never read the Bible. So, why are American schools being asked to restrict access to a book that has demonstrated its ability to transform lives? Oklahoma: A National Tipping Point The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently issued a temporary stay on the state superintendents directive to place Bibles in public schools. This means the directive is on hold but has not been canceled -- the legal battle is still ongoing. Meanwhile, these same schools promote ideological curricula on gender identity and revisionist history while obstructing voluntary Bible programs. Public schools are used to promote radical ideologies, alter history, and mislead children about reality -- yet the Bible is deemed too dangerous? The lawsuit against Oklahomas Bible directive is part of a more significant movement to erase biblical influence from American education. Parents argue that the state is interfering with their right to direct their childrens upbringing. Teachers fear losing their jobs if they fail to comply with the Bible directive. Activists claim that spending state funds on Bibles violates church-state separation, but they have no problem with taxpayer dollars funding secular progressive curricula. If Oklahoma falls, other states will follow, ensuring that the next generation never hears the biblical truths that built this country. This battle isnt just about one state; what happens in Oklahoma will set a precedent for the entire country. The Bibles Role in America: An Inconvenient Truth Regardless of how much secular activists attempt to rewrite history, they cannot erase the truth: the Bible has shaped this nation. Our legal system, human rights and even the concept of justice itself are deeply rooted in biblical principles. John Adams once wrote, Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. The Founding Fathers recognized an important truth that we are forgetting: a nation without biblical morality cannot sustain freedom. Even Oklahomas top education official, Ryan Walters, defended the Bibles inclusion in schools not as a religious mandate but as a historical necessity. Biblical principles shaped the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the civil rights movement. If our schools are serious about teaching history and moral courage, why are they erasing the very book that guided leaders like Dr. King? The Bible Isnt Being Pushed -- Its Being Kept Out Lets be clear: no one suggests that schools should force students to read the Bible. However, many schools currently restrict Bible literacy programs, prohibit formal instruction on its historical influence and reject efforts to provide students with voluntary access to Bibles in classrooms -- all while allowing secular ideologies to dominate the curriculum. Instead, schools are asked to promote confusion and moral relativism while prohibiting essential moral instruction. They claim to promote diversity while perceiving biblical values as a threat. Activists true reason for opposing Bible instruction is not related to funding. It is about eliminating biblical influence from public education -- by any means necessary. How You can Help The battle for biblical literacy isnt coming -- its already here. If we dont act now, our children will grow up in a nation where biblical truth is forgotten. This is our moment. Speak up, get involved, and safeguard biblical literacy before it vanishes entirely. Speak up at school board meetings. Demand that schools allow Bible literacy programs and uphold religious freedom. Support policies that protect students rights. Contact lawmakers and advocate for policies ensuring students can access the Bible in schools. Prioritize biblical literacy at home. If schools cant teach the truth, parents must. Commit to engaging with Scripture regularly as a family. The Choice is Ours We have removed the Bible from schools, and we are witnessing a generation fall apart. How much longer will we allow this to continue? But this is not the end of the story -- if we act now, we can restore biblical truth to our nation. We can raise a generation grounded in faith, strengthened by wisdom and unshaken by confusion. We can revive an education system that teaches truth instead of ideology, stability instead of chaos, and morality instead of relativism. This is our moment. History will remember our choices. Dr. Stephen Cutchins brings over 20 years of leadership experience in education and ministry across four states. He has been actively involved with Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES) for more than 16 years and now leads the Center for Innovative Training, Truth That Matters, as Executive Director. In addition to his role at SES, Dr. Cutchins serves as Teaching Pastor and Multi-Site Specialist at Upstate Church in South Carolina, recognized by Outreach Magazine as one of the top 10 fastest-growing churches in the nation. Dr. Cutchins has coached leaders nationwide through the North American Mission Board and is a sought-after speaker for churches, conferences, and events nationwide. As the founder of The Cutchins Institute, LLC, he leads a team specializing in executive coaching, consulting, and counseling services. An accomplished author, Dr. Cutchins has written and contributed to several books, including works published by Thomas Nelson Publishing. Image: Pixabay Last week, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkeys Islamist president, arrested a political rival. That sparked several days of protest, and, today, its seemingly culminated with protestors invading the presidential palace. The big question is whether this ends with a brutal response or the end of Erdogans reign. Obviously, I have no answer to that question, but I can provide a little, very superficial background to help make some sense of whats happening in Turkey today. Todays Turkey is the remnant of the once formidable Ottoman Empire, which, at its peak in 1683, before it was beaten back at the Gates of Vienna, controlled vast swaths of central Europe and the Middle East for hundreds of years: Image by Chamboz. CC B-SA 4.0. By 1914, the Ottoman Empire was a weak shadow of its former greatness. It signed its death warrant when it sided with the Germans at the start of World War I. At wars end, the winning parties sliced up the former Ottoman territories, creating borders without regard for tribal loyalties, thereby initiating many of the problems we see today in the modern Middle East. In 1923, after beating back the WWI powers that sought to control entirely the rump of the Ottoman Empire, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk became president of the newly designated Turkish Republic. Once in power, he embarked on a secularizing program. Under the regime Ataturk established, Turkey was a conservative country with Muslims, but it was not a Muslim country. All that changed once Erdogan consolidated power. The 71-year-old Erdogan has been involved in Turkish politics for almost fifty years, beginning when he joined an anti-communist student group in 1976. He allied that with joining the Islamist National Salvation Party, which lasted until a 1980 military coup in Turkey dissolved all major political parties. When parties were reinstated in 1983, Erdogan went right back to becoming involved in Islamic nationalismthat is, returning Turkey to its Muslim roots. He was politically successful, rising from office to office while always pushing for Muslim nationalism. His base was conservative Muslims anxious to turn back the clock on secularizing reforms. From 1994-1997, Erdogan was Mayor of Istanbul. That stint ended when he was convicted for trying to sneak Islam back into Turkish politics. As with so many revolutionaries, that didnt stop Erdogan. He went right back to pushing for Muslim nationalism, eventually becoming a party leader. In 2002, Erdogans party won the majority of seats in Parliament, making him the prime minister. Then, in 2014, Erdogan won the presidency and has held the office since then. Over the years, Erdogans rule has become increasingly authoritarian (moving from relatively liberal in his early premiership to tyrannical as he consolidated power), and hes been a thorn in the side of both America and Israel. Famously, when he was still mayor, Erdogan said, Democracy is like a train: when we reach our destination, we get off. Erdogan got off that train hard and fast last week when the judiciary, which he controls, ordered the arrest of his top opponent in the upcoming presidential elections. This is, of course, a familiar totalitarian practice. Weve seen it recently in Brazil and Romania, and if the Democrats had had their way, we would have seen it in America. The Turkish people erupted in massive street demonstrations, which were met with hundreds of arrests. The crowds are impressive: #TurkeyWatch: Another day, another MASSIVE anti Erdogan protest in Turkey. Thousands packed the streets of Eskisehir, southeast of Istanbul. The protestors send a loud message: PRES. ERDOGAN IS NOT WANTED.pic.twitter.com/WwwNapOh0a Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) March 23, 2025 Huge protests are taking place in Istanbul tonight after the arrest of Mayor a prominent opposition leader to Turkish President Erdogan. About 1 Million people are protesting in the streets right now against President Erdogan. pic.twitter.com/nqQMTvEO4V Barbarik (@Sunny_000S) March 20, 2025 Things may have escalated again today, for there are unconfirmed reports that protesters actually made their way into the presidential palace: Hundreds of protestors have been arrested in Turkey as tens of thousands demonstrate in the streets for the fourth consecutive day. Some have now entered Erdogan's Istanbul palace. pic.twitter.com/k29EiBDtgV Samantha Ettus (@samanthaettus) March 23, 2025 Things may have escalated again today, for there are unconfirmed reports that protesters actually made their way into the presidential palace: If that report is true, its a signal that Erdogans hold on power is extremely tenuous. It remains to be seen how far the military and police will back him. Its also not clear at this point if hell hold firm, back down a bit, or simply cut and run. And what about Ekrem Imamoglu, who seems to have a huge following and could take away Erdogans presidency should Erdogan retreat and allow an actual election? He is, apparently, popular and charming. People in Istanbul like him because hes cleaned up the Golden Horn, given milk to children, provided education scholarships, and upgraded the citys decaying infrastructure, all of which is good, populist stuff. Hes also criticized both Hamas and Israel, which is a rare level of even-handedness from a Muslim leader. Frankly, I have no idea whether Imamoglu would be better for America than Erdogan. Its quite possible that he wont be worse. And that is my super-quick, incredibly shallow rundown of a deeply complex man living in a complicated region that sits now, as it has for centuries, at the center of the divide between East and West, North and South. Image: X screen grab. Ive amused myself today by reading reviews of the new Walt Disney movie, Snow White. It seems to me that the House of Mouse may finally have made a movie so bad that its killed the incredible studio that Walt Disney started so long ago. From every corner, left, right, and center, the critics reviews are in, and even the good reviews are badand honestly, it couldnt have happened to a more deserving studio. Whats most interesting about the reviews isnt the weird AI dwarves, the fact that the queen really is stunningly more beautiful than Snow White, or that the new songs are banal poperas (pop+opera=popera). Instead, its that the movie seems to have erased the most important part of Snow Whites character, which is her radiant goodness. (Disclosure: I havent seen the movie and dont intend to. Im basing this on myriad reviews about the movie, as well as suffering through the promos.) The original Snow White is an exquisite movie. It has some of the most beautiful animations youll ever see, with each moment in the film a work of art. Right from the beginning, when Snow White is wishing at the well, the stones texture, the pink blossoms, and the rippling water are visual magic. The songs are lovely, too, and eminently singable. That last is important. No song is some popera sludge that requires professional pipes to warble. While every kid can easily sing Hey, Ho! Its off to work we go, it takes someone with serious chops to belt out Frozens anthem, Let It Go. Listening to tuneless little girls taking their turn at the song is...um, painful. And then, of course, theres the movies message, which is very old-fashioned but should be immensely importantnamely, that selfless, cheerful goodness is its own reward. Snow White is good not because she has an agenda but because she is intrinsically deeply kind and anxious to see the best in everyone and everything. What so many miss is that this level of goodness is not weakness; instead, it has a profound power. This is a message that modern Hollywood is incapable of grasping or even pretending it understands. Thirty-one years ago, Hollywood came out with a version of Louisa May Alcotts Little Women, which was a beautiful-looking movie that hewed to the plot outlines of the original book. However, what the writers, producers, and actors couldnt grasp was that the entire book is about Jo learning to master her selfish impulses in favor of selflessness. Only when she achieves self-mastery does she gain true happiness. The Disney studio once understood this principle, but thats no longer true. For modern Disney (a studio staffed at the upper-management level and in the stars trailers with fabulously well-compensated people), pure virtue is inconceivable. Virtue can derive only from hewing to a leftist agenda that involves embracing the class struggle. Or, as Peter Suderman wonderfully writes, the concept of fair has morphed from both white and beautiful to something remarkably like the Marxists beloved equitable: The movie goes to great lengths to demonstrate that the queen isn't fair because she's not a socialist. I am not kidding. The film doesn't quite use that word. But early in the film, Snow White encounters a handsome thief named Jonathan in the castle. Jonathan is the leader of a group of bandits who live in the woods and survive by stealing food. He feels justified in stealing because he and other ordinary people have very little while the queen has a lot and she won't share. This isn't just a generic lesson in being kind. Later, after Snow White takes up with seven computer-animated dwarfs in the forest, one of the dwarfs explains that the bandits in the woods are "only there because of the queen's greedy economic policies, which forced them there into a liminal space where ethics are harder to define." This might not be a precise word-for-word quotethe line gets spat out so fast I am not certain I transcribed it exactly rightbut it's pretty close. This is a movie about how stealing is justified because of the evil queen's economic policies. She's not fair, you see, because her privilege and selfishness have impoverished ordinary people. It's Snow White by way of Occupy Wall Street. (Read his whole brilliant review here.) Suderman wasnt the only one struck by the fact that Snow White can only manifest goodness through political activism. An X user named Steph Anie had a very profound comment about how the studio handled Grumpy and Dopey in the new movie: I love Grumpy. He's my favorite dwarf because of his character growth in the OG movie. I'll never forgive Disney for stripping him of his storyline and giving it to Dopey because they thought Grumpy was too misogynistic and sexist. Grumpy was Snow White's favorite dwarf, and she pic.twitter.com/DbrJMKszZU Steph Anie (@mynerdyhome) March 21, 2025 I love Grumpy. He's my favorite dwarf because of his character growth in the OG movie. I'll never forgive Disney for stripping him of his storyline and giving it to Dopey because they thought Grumpy was too misogynistic and sexist. Grumpy was Snow White's favorite dwarf, and she taught him kindness. Dopey was the least problematic because he was always very childlike and never spoke. Instead of keeping that childish nature- they made him a moral rebel Shes right. By denying Snow White the chance to tame Grumpy, Disney ate away at the movies moral heart, which is quite literally right out of Proverbs 15:1-2: A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger. At the Disney studios, the Bibles values (which were Walts guiding lights) have given way to Das Kapital. Disneys huge budget sort of live-action Snow White has garnered more rotten tomatoes than fresh ones from critics whose livelihood depends on some degree of honesty. Thats how it got a 44% score, which is equivalent to an F. And while its true that non-critics gave the movie a 72% score (a C-), the greatest likelihood is that only Democrats who want to support Disney, the shrewish Rachel Zegler, and the movies woke message have bothered to see it. If even those citizen activists cant get excited, you know its bad. And heres the thing: they may not understand that the movies beating hearttrue, non-activist virtueis missing, but even they get that something is very wrong. Image by Grok. Something happened to me in 1978 that caused me, a politically disinterested twenty-something, to say to myself, If I ever become President, the first thing I would do is fire the entire State Department down to the third level. Now, 47 years later, Donald Trump has acted on that prescientbut politically uninformedstatement and is taking my wish into the entire administrative state. So, what happened to drive that long-ago political wish? I was assigned to live and work on the West African coast in 1978 as the coastal director for my employer, which operated global cargo shipping lines. I worked with our commercial shipping clients and politicians and ministers in the respective national governments all along the coast from Dakar to Kinshasa. For example, I knew and worked with William Tolbert of Liberia, and my last meeting with him was less than 36 hours before his assassination and coup in April 1980. Image by Andrea Widburg, using AI. Ex-pats were encouraged to register with the American Embassy and let them know they would be living in-country in case they needed to reach us during a crisis. The Embassy in Abidjan was my original stop. I quickly learned that staffers were important, dont you know? Just ask them. I got invited to Thursday movie nights, when they deigned to let civilian Americans watch movies from the traveling diplomatic bag circuit and eat popcorn. But during one slightly beer-soaked Abidjan movie-night conversation with a couple of the staff who were climbing the ladder of success within State (a posting to the Court of St. James in London, or Elysee Palace in Paris being the gold ring career destination), the mask slipped. Although I was politically unengaged at that point in life, we chatted about how they handled a new American Presidential administration and potential changes in foreign policy from one to the other. They made a blanket statement: We dont care who the President or Secretary of State is; we have our own global goals within the foreign mission corps, and those agendas never change. They cant tell us what to do. We wouldnt listen anyway. That was the moment when I formed my wish that, if I were president, the first thing I would do is fire the entire State Department down to the third level. Twelve years ago, when I became a serious student of The Big Picture of globalism and its effects on America, the pieces started falling into place. Ive tracked modern Marxism from the Frankfurt School rehabilitating it in the 1920s to Gramscis Long March through the institutions in the 1930s. Ive studied the administrative state that Woodrow Wilson planned, one that would see specially selected, self-styled elites placed in agencies that are unaccountable to voters, all while freely spending money that Congress handed them and making regulations that carry the force of law. Looking at this history, one begins to understand just how we got into this spaghetti web of waste, fraud, and, most importantly, abuse of our freedoms in support of their globalist, progressive agenda. President Trump is in the beginning stages of doing what I dreamed of 47 years ago. He is dismantling the entire administrative state that I glimpsed in 1978 but didnt fully recognize then. And I predict the incoming flak over the target will only get worse as this embedded Gordian Knot fights back against the Deep States loss of power. Unfortunately for them, Trump is using the same solution as Alexander did in the original legend: cutting the knot, not trying to unravel it. And he needs all our support and prayers as he continues this Augean task. Lewis Dovland is a passionate observer of Americas future direction with a focus on exposing the Big Picture end goals of the progressive Marxist movement and administrative state and how we can prevail. Email at Lewis.Dovland@gmail.com The far left has always engaged in the politics of projection, but now the truth is coming out with their latest fascistic actions. Have you ever wondered why the far left is so obsessed with fascism and National Socialism to the point that they regularly project these pejoratives on the pro-freedom community? Its all about maintaining their tattered old big lie, a falsehood running on fumes these days. Its to the point that you cant even get a rise from leftists on the subject when it was only a few years ago that they were full of bluster if you dared point out that the Nazis were leftists. These days, they avoid the issue, hoping that, like Russia Collusion, if they just keep quiet about their old lies, they can bolster the credibility with their newest. For the far left, everything is working against them these days. Their old lies are falling apart, they dont make any sense in the current political climate, and worst of all, they are acting like leftists as always, committing fascistic actions that would be right at home in any collectivist authoritarian state. But its popcorn time for those of us on the pro-freedom right, so lets review how bad its become for the far left. Lets start with the fact that their big old lie is disintegrating before our very eyes, in that fascism is socialism with a capitalist veneer being the best definition of the term. In recent years several books and videos have come out that eviscerate one of the lefts biggest and oldest lies: outright denying that a National Socialist German Workers' Party was a National Socialist German Workers' Party. Even though Rudolf Jung, the man considered to be the Karl Marx of National Socialism openly stated in the 2nd Edition of the Book National Socialism Its Foundations, Development, And Goals, published in 1922: (T)he partys now more clearly-defined socialist character was also reflected in the adoption of its new name. Or that the original Social Justice Warrior stated on several occasions Ich Bin Sozialist -- I Am A Socialist. The books that have come out recently have thoroughly destroyed this lie, to the point that you rarely see leftists seriously trot it out anymore. We have well-researched books such as Killing History: The False Left-Right Political Spectrum, Hitlers National Socialism with a Dad Saves America video podcast with the author, and equally researched videos that also systematically dismantle the lefts big lie, including one that is 5 hours long entitled: Hitler's Socialism | Destroying the Denialist Counter Arguments. This was followed up by a shorter version that is only 43 min long entitled: Hitler's Socialism: The Evidence is Overwhelming. With a lie with more holes than a hunk of Swiss cheese, leftists have taken to the keep quiet tactic, hoping against hope that no one will notice and blow away their colossal bluff completely. But then theres the fact that their current accusations dont even make any sense. Everyones favorite gaslighter and senator, Adam Schiff, took to the Jimmy Kimmel show to complain that President Trump is a dictator, supposedly because hes attempting to downsize the federal bureaucracy. Rep. @AdamSchiff tells Kimmel: And we have to band together. We have to speak out. We have to push back. We have to show courage. The dictator wannabes the only way to defeat it is by standing strong & saying, basically, Screw you, I wont be intimidated. pic.twitter.com/EpluMLxuOB Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 21, 2025 What kind of a dictator is working hard to shrink the size and power of the federal government? Leftists should realize that doesnt make any sense. The popularity of the un-Democratic party is sinking like a stone, and that could be one reason why. Because no dictator in history has ever tried to shrink the size of their government and diminish their power base, but they cant seem to figure that out. The problem for them is that the New York Times said the quiet part out loud with this auspicious headline: With Orders, Investigations and Innuendo, Trump and G.O.P. Aim to Cripple the Left. 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. As is the case with every collectivist or fascistic state, they exploited the government to fund their astroturf operations, and now that its threatened, theyre losing their minds. But worst of all for the far left, they are finally going full Nazi committing fascistic actions that would be right at home in any collectivist authoritarian state, as outlined by AT contributor Ned Barnett: Todays Real Nazis Are In America, But Theyre Not Who You Think: Kristallnacht Musk 2025. For those without a clear understanding of what the Third Reichs Nazis 1.0. Kristallnacht was, and what todays Kristallnacht against Elon Musk and his companies is all about consider the original Kristallnacht, and consider what todays far-left Nazi 2.0.s are doing to Tesla. Except for the religious overtones of what the original Nazis did during Kristallnacht v.1.0, it's remarkably similar. Does this massive and at least semi-official victimization sound familiar? If youve been watching the firebombing of Tesla cars and trucks, as well as Tesla dealerships, it should sound familiar. All their projection and accusations based on their ridiculous big lie are being blown away by their fascistic actions, and Sasha Stone very appropriately stated Embrace Your Inner Fascists, Democrats. Its time. The Democrats lost their minds so thoroughly and completely over Trumps win in 2016, that they decided this was now their country and everything in it belonged to them. They amassed an unprecedented alignment of power, uniting government with all cultural and corporate institutions. It was all for one and one for all. You know, like the very definition of fascism? All sticks bundled together as one! A fasci! ... It would be communism, except the left needs to be seen as better, superior, smarter, more kind, more decent -- not equal to everyone else. No, they dont believe that. Fascism, thats the answer. Now that weve dispensed with the lefts big lie, it can be seen that the collectivist ideologies of communism and fascism both belong on the left side of the political spectrum. And that to aptly prove this point to everyone, the far left is running around acting as they always love to project. Now that theyve gotten in touch with their inner Camicia Nera or Blackshirt as in Benito Mussolini Squadre dAzione, maybe they can embrace their collectivistic non-religious faith and stop projecting it on the pro-freedom right. D. Parker is an engineer, inventor, wordsmith, and student of history, former director of communications for a civil rights organization, and a long-time contributor to conservative websites. Find him on Substack. Were in the middle of a Twilight Zone episode. The left has lost the plot. pic.twitter.com/2fXvPMXDA7 Arlin (@Arlin4US) March 21, 2025 Image: @Arlin4US, via X, shareable meme No, not President Trumps unitary power. Im referring to the lefts belief in its unitary power. Our democracy is not about democracy in the same vein that our truth is not about truth. The lefts interest is about not democracy, but power. If voting works to their advantage, they support the vote. When the people denounce their legislative and executive candidates, they fall back on their activists in the Judicial Branch. There is much discussion of Unitary Executive Theory since President Trumps inauguration and the administrations rapid-fire executive orders and the myriad of injunctions, stays, and temporary restraining orders 46 according to the N.Y. Times. In American law, the unitary executive theory is a Constitutional law theory according to which the President of the United States has sole authority over the executive branch. These stays and restraining orders, mind you, are being issued by judge-shopped district court judges. To this end, these district court judges have all but halted the ability of the president to execute his policies policies that he ran on, overwhelmingly supported by the American people. It is reasonable to think that some of the presidents executive orders may run contrary to established law, but to have all of the presidents E.O.s get challenged by these judges exhibits a degree of resistance to Trump rather than fealty to the law. Does the president have the authority to deport criminal illegal aliens, ban trans persons from serving in the military, fire government employees, curtail government waste, fraud, and abuse? The Deep State is an entrenched power, burrowed within every crevice of the government. Its denizens are not going to relinquish their power and authority without a fight. The question for us: Are we a representative republic, or are we but mere vassals put to the wheel, to fund our continued enslavement to an ever-expanding, all-powerful state? Chuck Schumer made his opinion heard on this matter when he said; The Republican Party is a different kettle of fish than it used to be. And thats why were fighting them so hard. They are controlled by a small group of wealthy, greedy people. And you know what their attitude is? I made my money all by myself, how dare your government take my money from me? I dont want to pay taxes. Or I built my company with my bare hands, how dare your government tell me how I should treat my customers, the land and water that I own or my employees? They hate government, governments a barrier to people, a barrier to stop them from doing things, they want to destroy it. We are not letting them do it, and were united. Chuck is upset with you wanting to keep your earnings, or to keep the government from dictating how you run your business or wishing to limit the depth and breadth of government. When he says were united, hes referring to the totality of the radical activist left his recalcitrant congressional colleagues, radical activist judges (referenced above), lying media, and the astroturf rioters shouting down congresspersons at town halls, swatting conservative media personalities and firebombing Teslas. Donald Trump is advancing the policies that he ran on, and that the American people gave him a mandate to pursue. If the radical left is able to thwart this mandate, then our Republic is dead. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Sir Michael Caine is among the most beloved movie superstars on celluloid. It is not just his star power and his outstanding acting skills. Sir Michael is known to be a friendly interviewee and a fine raconteur who often narrates experiences during his times of struggle that could serve as inspiration not just for aspiring actors but for any human in general. One such story he told concerned the problem of success in acting. One of the problems with being an actor is that the work and the earnings aren't constant, but the bills are always. This is why actors, even those who have found success, sometimes settle for roles that seem beneath their talent. Audiences often wonder, "Wasn't he nominated for an Oscar during the '90s? Why is he playing second fiddle on a third rate T.V. show?" The answer is survival. They have to support themselves and their loved ones and they aren't trained for anything else. At times, actors accept parts for survival that end up defining them for the rest of their careers and that ends all opportunities of superstardom. Harrison Ford is among the rare actors who understood the perils of accepting poorly authored roles; he hence took a break from acting when he didn't receive great offers. Patience paid off, and he signed on to play Han Solo in Star Wars, the role that made him a superstar. Sir Michael famously told of his struggle to find stable acting work with this story: Back then, Caine restricted his attention to work in the theatre because film and even television seemed beyond the realms of possibility. But at first, things didn't quite work out for him; he suffered rejection after rejection, which caused great dejection. His lowest point came when he auditioned for the part of Bill Sikes in the theatrical adaptation of Oliver Twist. Sikes was from the same part of London as Caine, and also spoke with a cockney dialect like Caine. So Caine assumed it was a part he was born to play. Oliver Twist is and remains very popular in the U.K., which meant that the play would continue for years and provide Caine a much-needed stable income. But to his great dismay, he was rejected. The makers told Caine he didn't sound or look like a cockney and certainly didn't fit their vision of what Sikes would be. Caine pleaded with them to give him an opportunity and said he could change his appearance to their vision to suit the part, but the humble requests fell on deaf ears. Caine was understandably very distraught. He even began to doubt his career choice. If he couldnt convince the makers of that play that he could play a part that was close to his roots -- what chances did he have with other parts? But life had another plan for Caine. In 1962, Caine auditioned for the role of Private Henry Hook in the epic adventure Zulu (1964). Caine was extremely nervous during his screen test, and hence the results were appalling. The film's auteur, Cy Endfield, met with Caine at the bar at the Prince of Wales theatre and told him that it was the worst screen test he had ever seen. A dejected Caine thanked him and began walking away. The production was leaving for South Africa shortly and had yet to cast the role of Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, the upper-class officer. Bromhead was the second lead in the picture. Caine later said, "My entire movie career is based on the length of the bar at the Prince of Wales theatre because I was on my way out and it was a very long walk to the door. And I had just got there when director Endfield called out: 'Come back!' and offered him the part of Bromhead. Caine said that he was fortunate that Endfield was American, adding that "no English director would've cast me as an officer, I promise you, not one," because these directors simply couldn't see a working-class actor play an aristocrat. Americans, though, were a different story. They took Caine's cockney accent for a fancy English one, not being cognizant of distinctions in English accents nor having any sense of England's class system. Caine rose to the occasion and delivered a sterling performance -- the role made him a star. A few years later, in 1964, he signed on to play the British spy, Harry Palmer, in an adaptation of Len Deighton's popular novel The Ipcress Files. The character was supposed to be an anti-Bond. Ian Fleming's more famous James Bond was fantasy-based idea of a spy -- i.e., he travelled to exotic locations, battled megalomaniac comic-book villains, and used outlandish gadgets. Palmer, though, was bespectacled; he also possessed and displayed many characteristics of a working-class government bureaucrat. Palmer shopped at the supermarket and pleaded with his boss for a salary increment when he was handed a new assignment. Like Bond, he did have a way with the ladies, but his modus operandi was different. Caine played Palmer as a dedicated spy but with a dark sense, an undercurrent of insubordination and a subtle disdain for the upper class, i.e., most of his superiors. You always had a sense that Caine's Palmer was secretly scoffing at the pomposity of the English gentry. Caine was signed on to play Palmer in three films. This role made Caine a global superstar and earned him a great salary. He played many great roles, such as the titular character in Alfie (1966), for which he was nominated for an Oscar. He also had major success with the caper Gambit (1966) and the heist comedy, The Italian Job (1959). Some years later, during the '70s, Caine was driving past the very theatre and noticed the production of Oliver Twist from which he was rejected was still playing. It had, as he has estimated when he auditioned, become a huge success. Caine then noticed that the actor who got the part from which he was rejected was still playing Sikes. Caine immediately realized that if he has secured the part, he would have had to sign a contract which preclude any other employment opportunities such as he did get in The Ipcress Files. Caine also realized that he would probably develop a reputation after playing the murderous, convincing, and thieving Bill Sikes and would never be cast in any lead or even likable parts such as that of Palmer or Alfie. Caine grew from strength to strength in the subsequent decades, winning two Oscars and being nominated six times. He appeared in numerous blockbusters and amassed a handsome fortune. This was an important life lesson he received: The lesson was to never despair when what seems like a lifetime opportunity slips away. Life usually has a better plan; one just has to keep fighting and never lose hope. It is natural to feel momentary heartbreak, but one must rise and prepare for the next battle. For religious people, a lost opportunity can be seen as a divine plan. The Almighty purposefully denied you the opportunity that you thought would change your life for the better because the Almighty knows best and has something special planned for you. For some, this may seem like stating the obvious; for others, it may seem fantastical or like a silly 'inspiring' quote your annoying relative sends you on WhatsApp when he wishes you good morning. But a slight abandonment of cynicism and a retrospective look back at life will make you realize it is true. Image: YouTube Screen shot Recently, I found something in a box of memorabilia an Aug. 3, 1979 Michigan Daily, the student newspaper of the University of Michigan. Why do we save old newspapers or magazines? Why did I save this one? Maybe its because, in 1979, I was back on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, working on a new minor, after graduating in 1973 with a major in English and a minor in psychology in the School of Education. I was a high school teacher, and the certification rules in Michigan required that a teacher take additional credit hours to maintain certification. Rather than working toward a Masters degree, which would make me more expensive in the tight 1970 economy, I chose to obtain a second minor in journalism. On Page 3, student reporter Patricia Hagen wrote a long article called Education Department: Boon or Blunder? Now, 46 years later, lets see what those Hagen interviewed had to say about a proposed Department of Education by then-president Jimmy Carter. David Heebink, assistant to the University (of Michigan) president, and University Prof. Wilbur Cohen, who served as Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), in 1968, say they are uncertain of the merits of another department. ... Were pretty dubious about it, but we could live with it, Heebink said. The article goes on. Cohen said the proposed department wont help the University of Michigan one iota. The 1979 article further quoted Cohen as saying that the proposed department was a completely political move by President Carter to win the votes of the National Education Association members. The new department would cost more, said Cohen. Conversely, Rep. Carl Pursell (D-Ann Arbor) and Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich) are strongly in favor of establishing the cabinet-level unit. Pursell claimed that the proposed new department would be a big step forward in terms of efficiency. Notice that none of the politicians or professors interviewed in 1979 talked about the possibilities of improving student test scores or graduation rates. In the ensuing 46 years, taxpayers have spent billions. Students, sadly, have gained nothing. Barbara Kalbfleisch is retired. She enjoys photography and is an accredited Shutterstock contributor, specializing in editorial photography. Image via Pxhere. Have you heard of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS)? If not, thats unsurprising. It is a 230-employee agency that supposedly mediates disputes between unions and businesses, but that mediation is voluntary. Its headquarters is a nine-story building on K Street in DC, which houseswait for it60 employees. Where are the other 170? Its yet another agency that thought it was independent. It wasn't. Most FMCS employees worked from home. I put worked in quotes because if you thought the USAID or other federal agencies thus far exposed by DOGE were corrupt, you aint seen nothin yet. Graphic: the FMCS in perhaps a more honest time. Mediator Class Portrait 1947. Wikimedia commons.org. Public Domain. Luke Rosiak at The Daily Wire explains: FMCS seemed, quite clearly, to exist for the benefit of those on its payroll, and not much else. One employee told me: Let me give you the honest truth: A lot of FMCS employees dont do a hell of a lot, including myself. Personally, the reason that Ive stayed is that I just dont feel like working that hard, plus the location on K Street is great, plus we all have these oversized offices with windows, plus management doesnt seem to care if we stay out at lunch a long time. Can you blame me? Actually, yes I can, and so will you as you read on. Top FMCS official George Cohen used a recreation and reception fund to order champagne and $200 coasters for his office, and to purchase artwork painted by his wife. The tiny agency commissioned paintings of its top employees as one employee told me, like they were reigning kings or somethingIve never seen anything like it before. It spent $2,402 retouching the portrait of someone who briefly held the top job in an acting capacity. Oh, it gets soooo much worse: *Using their government credit card, one employee leased a BMW. *The IT director used his for his wifes cell phone bill, cable TV at several homes and a subscription to USA Today. *Another employee used his card to rent a storage unit and charged $18,000 in jewelry, and when he left the agency, destroyed the records. *When another employee retired, he incorporated a company and another employee gave him $85,000 via a FMCS credit card ostensibly for a call center, w hich the company didn't have. *The FMCS spent $30,000 for employee anniversary trinkets. *Offices were huge and luxurious, there was a gym for employees outfitted with a $1000 TV, a $560 stereo and a nearly $4000 ice maker. *A top agency official earned $174,000 per year but listed his duty station as Iowa, which allowed him to have his living and food expenses paid in DC, where he actually lived and worked. *A HR honcho supposedly lived in DC, but actually lived in Wisconsin, getting higher cost-of-living pay. *Many FMCS execs didnt live in or around DC. A CFO, before the telework era, only came into the office twice a week, but left by 2:00 PM. *The agency had a branch officein Honolulu. *Its employees often traveled to exotic destinations, supposedly to find business for the agency, which suggests there was no real work to be had. *One executive traveled to Italy and Switzerlandfirst class of coursewhere she had a business meetingvia video chat. She flew to Tunisia and an island off the Geogia coast and got mileage when she drove to her Maine vacation home. *And like most such agencies, FMCS gave $63,000 to a hospital that went bankrupt, $51,000 to a childcare company for government licensing fees(?!), and $57,000 to another company to strengthen of culture of continuous improvement to drive us to world class excellence. And those are only the high points. This too, will be unsurprising: What surprised me most about my FMCS investigation was what happened afterward: nothing. An inspector general made a referral to the FBI, but there were no prosecutions. Instead, President Barack Obama nominated a chief subject of the investigation to the top job. Keep in mind these are allegations, and Ive not seen them elsewhere confirmed, however, considering what weve learned about the workings of the federal government in only two months, its likely they are, if anything, understated. Fortunately, President Trump has shut down the FMCS, and like so many agencies about which Americans have never heard, this one went down with a whimper, not a bang. It's also likely no one, not unions, not businessesother than FMCS employees used to defrauding taxpayers by living kingly lifestyleswill miss the dedicated public servants of the FMCS. There are, however, two potentially worthwhile lessons: Donald Trump and DOGE cant be sufficiently praised for ridding us of such parasites, and we still aint seen nothin yet. On a different subject, if you are not already a subscriber, you may not know that weve implemented something new: A weekly newsletter with unique content from our editors for subscribers only. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. In a tragic and deeply concerning turn of events surrounding a measles outbreak in Texas, Childrens Health Defense (CHD) revealed the truth about a childs tragic death at a Lubbock, Texas hospital. Journalists not only failed to properly investigate the case, but instead engaged in fear-mongering and speculation, resulting in a narrative contrary to the facts of her death. Most news outlets reported that the child died from measles or complications associated with the viral illness. These same media outlets further speculated that the girls death was due to the fact that she was not vaccinated, with particular emphasis placed on her Mennonite background, Mennonites being a community allegedly known for being under-immunized or partially immunized. One example of such reporting came from NBC News. Rather than conducting an in-depth investigation, NBC News reported that the 6-year-old girl was the first child to die of measles in two decades, framing her death as a consequence of the anti-vaccine movement ... turning the girl and her family into propaganda, an emotional plank in the misguided argument that vaccines are more dangerous than the illnesses they prevent. To help allay fears and clarify the situation, the parents of the deceased child granted CHD access to their daughters medical records. These documents revealed that although the child had contracted measles, the disease itself was not the cause of her death. Renowned physician Pierre Kory, M.D. examined the documents, putting to bed the widely reported cause of death. In a March 19 CHD interview with CHD.TV host Polly Tommey, Dr. Kory, along with other medical experts Brian Hooker and Ben Edwards, provided a significantly different account, calling out a series of catastrophic failures by the hospitals medical team. Medical error has been recognized as one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Kory lamented that the medias portrayal of the girls death as an inevitable consequence of the measles virus is not only misleading, but also overlooks the critical role that medical mismanagement played in this case. Rather, it was the failure to recognize and treat the secondary infection that led to the childs rapid decline, something that could have been avoided had the medical team followed established guidelines for treating complications associated with viral illnesses. The childs worsening condition was primarily due to a grievous medical error. Kory found that the hospital failed to administer the appropriate antibiotics at the correct time, allowing an untreated infection to spiral into shock, ultimately leading to the childs death. In his interview, Dr. Kory outlined the series of events that led to the tragic outcome: Ive done medical case reviews for malpractice lawyers for a good part of my career and this case was tragic and really had nothing, I shouldnt say nothing to do with measles, but she did not die of measles by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, she died of pneumonia. But it gets worse than that, because she died of a medical error, and that error was a completely inappropriate antibiotic. It was an insufficient antibiotic. Dr. Kory further explained that the child died of mycoplasma, a common organism found in community-acquired infections. He expressed his frustration, stating: Mycoplasma is extremely common, and this case is infuriating because the child died from receiving an inappropriate antibiotic. Its in every guideline for infectious disease that for a hospitalized patient, you need to administer two antibiotics one from the beta-lactam class (like penicillin or cephalosporins), which they did correctly, but you must also pair it with an antibiotic from a different class, such as a macrolide or quinolone. They did neither of these things. Kory continued: And the tragedy is that mycoplasma is an organism that doesnt have a cell wall. Penicillins and cephalosporins work by disrupting the organisms cell wall. But if you dont have a cell wall, you need a different mechanistic antibiotic, which is azithromycin, which interrupts the protein synthesis and messes with the formation of proteins in the ribosome. ... You put them on two antibiotics to cover all the possibilities. The hospital also allegedly failed to follow some of the required standards for treatment with antibiotics, a failure that led to complications and death. Kory continued, When I order that antibiotic, that antibiotic has standards. It should arrive within at least two hours, and from my review of the records, the antibiotic was ordered at approximately 11:00 P.M., and as far as I can tell, it was not administered until 9:00 A.M. the next morning. It was actually written to start the next day. So not only did you have several days delay of decline without the appropriate antibiotic, but then when they realized that they were missing the appropriate antibiotic, it took them, as far as I can tell, 10 hours to administer it. And by that time, she was already on a ventilator. And approximately 24 hours later, actually less than 24 hours later, she died rather catastrophically because she was declining. She was in a state of shock. Kory added, and she needed medicines to maintain her blood pressure. Suddenly her blood pressure crashed, and she arrested. That kind of suddenness in an infection suggests some other cardiac event. In a child like that, with that amount of inflammation, infection, and disturbances in the bloodstream, I can only surmise that she died of a catastrophic pulmonary embolism. But by the time that happened, theres not a lot you can do. Brian Hooker, CHDs chief scientific officer, also reviewed the records, confirming Korys findings. He shared the following timeline of the girls tragic death: We know that the little girl that passed away, she actually was recovering from the measles. Her measles rash was fading. She had seen a pediatrician beforehand who gave her cough syrup and recommended Tylenol. But after the rash was fading, she was having problems with a cough and was breathing. Then the parents took her into the E.R. They took her into the E.R. on a Saturday night and saw a resident there who gave the little girl antibiotics. About two and a half days later, she was not progressing, she was getting worse, and she ended up in ICU, and then, about 36 hours later, then she died. Image via Pixnio. In the last two weeks, we have seen numerous acts of violence and vandalism across the country. First came the coordinated attacks on Teslas, Tesla dealerships, and charging stations. The second is the rash of swatting, targeting conservative voices. In the midst of these attacks, we saw outrage from conservatives. The Tesla attacks were often aimed at innocent vehicle owners; many of whom bought their EVs to reduce their carbon footprint. In a twist of irony, the radical progressives that set the fires did more damage to the environment than the vehicles ever caused. Going after a highly successful American business in an attempt to put them out of operation not only is pure folly, it puts thousands of employees at risk. The argument put forth is that Elon Musk is a Nazi; a convenient lie that is the core of their narrative. He has been the face of DOGE and the administrations long-overdue cost-cutting measures. They want to hurt him, either physically or financially. It was so bad that some networks didnt even cover his rescue of the stranded crew from the ISS simply because they didnt want him to get any hint of positive media coverage. What we saw from the Democrats was pathetic yet entirely expected. Rather than condemn acts of violence, they actually encouraged them. Tim Walz went online, celebrating the negative impact on Tesla stock, despite the fact his states pension plan owns a great deal of shares in it. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett has used her platform to all but encourage more violence, even calling for Elon to be taken out. The left-leaning legacy media barely reported the swatting attempts, and the Tesla vandalism they called protests. Sooner or later, someone is going to be killed, either in a swatting gone wrong, or as a result of the vandalism. Conservatives care about that, and are hoping for a de-escalation of the Lefts rhetoric. What they are getting is either silence or calls for more of the same activities. Silence is the same as permission. None of this should come as a surprise. During the George Floyd riots, the legacy media referred to those wanton acts of violence as peaceful protests, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Now the same media is turning a blind eye to these events. When they are confronted, they all point to the same thing, January 6th. Its a logical fallacy to make such a comparison. Both parties were outraged by January 6th and condoned what happened. To date, only a handful of Democrats have spoken out against what has been happening in the last two weeks. To frame this properly: Elon Musk is an employee of the Federal Government as an advisor to the President. The attacks against his products and facilities are an attempt to coerce him, force him to do something different. By definition, the use of violence to achieve those goals is terrorism. If this were done to a Supreme Court Justice or a cabinet head, there should be public outrage. Instead, because it is Musk, it deemed acceptable behavior. The swatting calls against conservatives are acts of intimidation designed to force their targets into silence. It is the natural progression of the woke mentality, to go from harsh language to acts of violence. There is little doubt that these efforts are funded and coordinated, which makes them susceptible to RICO laws. In the Tesla attacks, these are clearly terrorism. In the case of swatting, there are several laws that come into play, all felonies. The Department of Justice must take action and make examples of those involved in these crimes. The irony of these criminals calling their targets Nazis demonstrates the failure of the education system at providing a proper education. When you see attacks on Tesla dealerships, it hard to divorce those images from the German Nazis Kristallnacht. The Lefts approach to this is why their polling numbers are tanking. People are seeing this and wondering if such people should be in leadership roles. Blaine Pardoe is a New York Times Bestselling and award-winning author canceled by one of his publishers in 2022. His conservative political thriller series, Blue Dawn, is the story of the violent overthrow of the government by radical progressives. His new series, Tenure, is about a Punisher-like hero that goes after the woke. He also authors the bestselling military science fiction series, Land&Sea. Image: AT via Magic Studio Critics say cash-for-political access is a blight on Australias democracy. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP As you decipher how the federal budget may alter your life on Tuesday night, your politicians will be raking in the cash by wining and dining donors and lobbyists in Canberra. This years budget night fundraisers often concealed from the general public could be something of a final hoorah. New laws capping campaign spending will soon make these budget night soirees less important, at least financially. Tickets will have to be publicly disclosed as gifts, meaning there will be a record of those who sipped champagne with politicians and filled the party coffers. But these changes wont apply until 2026. For now, the show goes on. This year, Labor is charging donors $5,000 a head to attend its federal budget dinner at an undisclosed Canberra location. The event will be attended by the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and his ministry (one can only hope with that fee) after the budget speech in the lower house. As a thanks for their financial loyalty, members of Labors business forum can attend for a discounted entry fee of $4,000 a head; not a huge discount for those whove paid more than $100,000 for a top tier membership. Related: Newsroom edition: can Dutton and Albanese get voters to listen to them? - podcast Liberal politicians and staffers get their own fundraising fun on Thursday night when Peter Dutton delivers his budget reply speech. Guardian Australia has seen at least five separate Canberra-based events for sale with tickets ranging from $500 to $5,000. Liberal backbench MPs Alex Hawke and Simon Kennedy are both holding events at a function room at Manuka Oval, with Hawke charging $500 for a single ticket while Kennedys event offers tickets for between $500 and $5,000. Retiring MP Paul Fletcher will be joined by the Bradfield candidate, Gisele Kapterian, for a Canberra dinner event. Liberal members can join for $1,000 a head while non-members must fork out $2,000. If travelling to the bush capital is too much of a stretch, the former prime minister John Howard will join the Liberals Bennelong candidate, Scott Yung, for a three-course dinner on budget night. Its a bargain at just $220 a head. Genuine engagement or a chance to feel important? Earlier this year, many lobbyists and donors openly joked about the budget night fundraisers. Almost no one expected they would go ahead. But then ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred upended any chance of an early election. Political staff and advisers have mixed reactions to these events, ranging from contempt and disdain to mild enthusiasm. One former senior Labor figure speaking on the condition of anonymity described budget night fundraisers as a waste of time and money for anyone hoping for a genuine engagement. You pay $5k for a seat at a table and when the minister eventually shows up, hes exhausted, they said. The cynic said the events were simply about filling up the partys coffers before an election. But one former Liberal figure said the events were incredibly valuable and five grand for access to a minister that can make decisions its not that much money. Face-to-face interactions with Canberras most powerful politicians was important for businesses and lobbyists to build long-term relationships, a former Labor chief-of-staff added. No ones forcing people to attend these events. They choose to do so, they said. Related: Labor braces for weak woke week as Advance steps into the light | Josh Butler and Dan Jervis-Bardy Lobbyists views varied too. One budget night veteran, who declined to be named, said there was very little hard lobbying conducted by anyone vaguely competent on the night itself. If you want the government to spend more money on your client, then the literal worst possible place to be is in Canberra on budget night, when ministers will tell you about all the decisions theyve already made, the operative said. But Im sure there will always be some who turn up and think, Here is how I can get my way. Generally speaking, lobbyists go to these events because it makes them feel important. They know that if they take their clients and the minister comes over, drops their name, theyll get stars in their eyes. A former state Liberal staffer said people who turn up to these events could sometimes get preferential treatment in a ministers diary at a later date. Or they might get the 10.30am spot in the diary, and not the 7am one, they said. Cash-for-access a blight on our democracy Outside those attending the soirees, the view is less benign. Transparency advocates have long argued the practice undermines democracy and encourages the countrys richest to spend big on elected politicians for access and influence. In October 2022, the Labor government banned political fundraising events in the bookable areas of Parliament House, including public areas such as the Great Hall and function rooms. However, the rules do not cover parliamentarian offices or the rooms reserved for political parties use in the taxpayer-funded building a loophole used by some politicians in last years federal budget. The independent ACT senator, David Pocock, said the practice was inappropriate no matter where the event was held. Politicians are elected to represent their communities and should be accessible to everyone, not just those with the biggest bank accounts, Pocock said. The new laws dont take effect for some years yet but will be in operation by the next federal election sometime in 2028. By then, each ticket bought over the disclosure threshold $5,000 would be publicly disclosed. Those under that threshold will remain anonymous. Alice Weidel does not exactly have the sociodemographic characteristics youd expect from an AfD voter. Photograph: Filip Singer/EPA Alles fur Deutschland, (everything for Germany) was once a Hitler-era rallying cry. It was more recently adopted by Bjorn Hocke, a high-ranking member of Germanys far-right Alternative fur Deutschland at party rallies, for which he was prosecuted. Then in August last year the slogan popped up at events attended by Alice Weidel, the partys co-leader, but in a subtly modified form Alice fur Deutschland. The party printed blue cardboard hearts bearing the slogan and distributed them to members, who held them up at rallies to show their approval. The 46-year-old has been credited with being the driving force behind the AfDs success in last months election. In a seismic result, the party doubled its vote share to 20.8% . For the first time since the second world war a far-right party is now the second largest force in parliament. When the newly elected Bundestag convenes for the first time on Tuesday, it will take up no fewer than 152 out of 630 seats as the main opposition force in the new parliament, where Weidel has vowed to do battle with her opponents at the dispatch box. The AfD is now firmly anchored as a peoples party, Weidel declared on election night, pledging to hunt the other parties in government and promising to shift up two gears. Under her watch the AfD has attracted donations from German millionaires, and in the run-up to the vote she was praised by Elon Musk, who repeatedly hailed the AfD on his X platform as the only party capable of saving Germany, where he hosted her for a tete-a-tete in which they appeared to downplay the Nazi era, even appearing on screen at the AfDs final pre-election rally. In many respects her backstory and home life make her an improbable figurehead for a radical anti-immigration party that is under surveillance by security authorities for suspected extremism. A Mandarin speaker who has previously lived in Singapore and Hong Kong, she lives in Switzerland with her Sri Lanka-born wife and their children. On the campaign trail she was unable to answer a question about how many people live in the constituency she represents. Her relationship puts her at odds with the AfDs own policies on the family unit, which it defines in strictly heterosexual terms. The party explicitly rejects other definitions and has campaigned for the abolition of same-sex marriage. She does not exactly have the sociodemographic characteristics youd expect from an AfD voter, said Andreas Busch, a political scientist at Gottingen University, who contrasted her with the partys other co-leader, Tino Chrupalla, a painter-decorator by trade. Chrupalla, Busch said, was rather more pedestrian, down-to-earth and has no intellectual pretensions. One AfD supporter told the Guardian they werent interested in Weidels lifestyle but instead judged her on her messaging and her ability to address our concerns, and makes us feel counted. Asked for her own view, Weidel has previously said she did not see skin colour and that Im not queer, Im just married to a woman who Ive known for 20 years. With her trademark cream polo necks and pearl necklaces, Weidel has undoubtedly lent a different air to a party led by ageing male professors and economists when it was founded in 2013 as a Eurosceptic alternative to the conservative CDU. Image, say analysts, counts for a lot: even as the party has moved ever further to the right on immigration and Islam, Weidel has helped somehow to detoxify it in the eyes of some voters. She is often smiling at the same time as having very aggressive rhetoric, said Busch, who added that she had at times maintained a dangerous ambiguity in order to expand the AfDs electoral appeal. On the one hand, she has enthusiastically adopted the use of the term remigration, a highly controversial but nebulous far-right concept that is usually understood to mean the mass deportation of foreign-born people even if they are naturalised citizens. But at the same time as using this term, she says of course we need migration, Busch said. Its that creative ambiguity which allows her to appeal to different parts of the electorate. Its dangerous but also electorally attractive. Less ambiguous has been her embrace of AfD figures who were once shunned for their extremism. She has said she wants to make Hocke who has two convictions for knowingly using Nazi language at a political event one of her ministers. And last month she welcomed Maximilian Krah and Matthias Helferich who were sidelined over remarks they made relating to the Nazis into the AfDs parliamentary group. Deike Diening, a Spiegel journalist who spent months shadowing Weidel in the run-up to the election, said she had worn two hats simultaneously, staying in the partys top ranks by tolerating and even courting the partys most radical right wing while also remaining the comparatively friendly face of the party for the broad public. Having emulated the electoral gains of other women on the far right in Europe, most notably Marine Le Pen in France and Giorgia Meloni in Italy, Weidel now faces the challenge of piloting the party in opposition towards its ultimate goal of victory in the next election in 2029. Busch said: Shes mainly interested in gaining power and that is where her main challenge now lies. The question is will she keep the AfD focused on resentment, continuing its fundamental opposition role, or is she ultimately interested in some sort of power perspective, which would require her to tone down the rhetoric? In the short term, Weidel has little hope of breaking through the firewall erected by the other mainstream parties to block the AfDs entry into government. But if another unwieldy, quarrelsome coalition fails to get Germany back on track, her party will be waiting in the wings next time round. Usha Vance will travel to Greenland with her son - Brendan Smialowski/Getty The wife of US vice-president JD Vance will visit Greenland this week as Donald Trump continues his campaign to acquire the island. Usha Vance will join a delegation of several senior Trump administration officials travelling to the island on Thursday. Mike Waltz, the US national security adviser, will join the second lady in what has been billed as a private visit, the Financial Times reported. Credit: X/@RapidResponse47 Usha Vance will travel to Greenland with her son and a United States delegation to visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersua, Greenlands national dogsled race, the White House said. Mrs Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity, it added. Since returning to office, Mr Trump has insisted he wants the US to take over Greenland and even refused to rule out the use of force to get it. The strategically located Arctic island, which is rich in mineral resources, is vital to international security, the US president has argued. Asked by White House reporters earlier this month about taking over the island, Mr Trump said: I think it will happen. Mrs Vances visit comes after Donald Trump Jr toured Greenland in January on a personal day trip. According to polls, most Greenlanders support independence from Denmark but not annexation by Washington. During his first term in power, Mr Trump raised the idea of buying Greenland from Denmark but officials from both territories said it was not for sale. Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, said on Sunday the visit cannot be seen independently of the public statements that have been made by Mr Trump. We want to work with the Americans, Mr Frederiksen told the Sermitsiaq newspaper. But it must and shall be a cooperation based on the fundamental values of sovereignty and respect between countries and peoples. This is something we take seriously, she said. The dialogue with the United States regarding Greenland will take place in close coordination between the Danish government and the future Greenlandic government. England paceman Jofra Archer recorded the most expensive spell in Indian Premier League history after being smashed for 76 in his four overs. Mohit Sharma held the previous IPL record of 73, from last year, but Archer suffered at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad trio of Travis Head, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen. Head hit a six and four fours as Archers first over went for 23, although his second only cost a mere 12. 1st over (5th): 4, 6, 0, 4, wide, 4, 4 - 23 runs 2nd over (11th): 1, 1, 4, 1, 1, 4 - 12 runs 3rd over (13th): 6, 6, 1, 1, wide, 6, 1 - 22 runs 4th over (18th): 5nb, 1, 4, 4, 4, 1, 4 - 23 runs However, Ishan clubbed three sixes in his third over with the final six balls going for 19, although there were also four byes conceded off a full toss no-ball in a chaotic conclusion to his spell. As a result, the Rajasthan Royals conceded 286 the second-highest score in IPL history. However, Archers IPL landmark which included four sixes, 10 fours and just one dot ball was well short of the world record belonging to Gambias Musa Jobarteh, who conceded 93 against Zimbabwe in October. Owen Cooper in Adolescence The Netflix series Adolescence has been deservedly much-praised, both for the performances by Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty reunited after the similarly lauded A Thousand Blows and for the young actor Owen Cooper. The 14-year-old debutant gives an astonishing performance as Jamie, a schoolboy accused of killing his schoolmate Katie. The shows director Philip Barantini told Variety that he just absolutely blew me away. Actors train for years and years and still cant really master what Owen has mastered, which is basically just being in the moment and listening and being truthful. Cooper is now surely destined for a long and successful acting career, but the same cannot be said of all child actors, who often find the transition to mature adult roles difficult. For every Natalie Portman and Christian Bale, there is a Mara Wilson or Haley Joel Osment. It has not helped that show business has had the old adage never work with children or animals (apparently coined by WC Fields, who loathed both) in place for the best part of a century. It has also stymied child actors that, for decades during Golden Age Hollywood, they were either presented as tooth-rottingly sweet and winsome, or alternatively played by performers several years too old. Perhaps most notoriously, Judy Garland was 16 when she was cast as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz: L Frank Baums original conception of the character was as someone of around 10 or 11. There was, naturally, a darker side to all this, too. Graham Greene attracted opprobrium when he wrote in the magazine Night and Day, of the 9-year-old Shirley Temple in the film Wee Willie Winkie: Infancy is her disguise, her appeal is more secret and more adult. Already two years ago she was a fancy little piece [now] her neat and well-developed rump twisted in the tap-dance: her eyes had a sidelong searching coquetryHer admirers middle-aged men and clergymen respond to her dubious coquetry, to the sight of her well-shaped and desirable little body, packed with enormous vitality, only because the safety curtain of story and dialogue drops between their intelligence and their desire. It was strong stuff the outcry resulted in Greene fleeing to Mexico but he had also hit on an undesirable truth, namely that the children presented on screen were self-aware adults in miniature, and therefore as much objects of fantasy to the depraved as the more conventional stars of the day were. Shirley Temple with Victor McLaglen, her co-star in Wee Willie Winkie - Getty This presentation has gradually shifted in cinema, especially over the past half-century. To watch the work of Temple and her male counterpart Mickey Rooney is to take a strange and unenjoyable step back into an unremitting cutesiness, the cinematic equivalent of Kids say the funniest things. And British cinema was no better, either. Celia Johnsons children in the otherwise peerless Brief Encounter are so loathsome that it seems bizarre that she doesnt abandon the spoilt, entitled horrors for a chance of true happiness with Trevor Howards sensitive doctor. Yet as soon as talented child actors were allowed to be natural sometimes under the tutelage of brilliant directors, and sometimes through happy circumstance they thrived on screen, and the results have been much more enjoyable to watch. Here, then are 15 of the greatest child performances ever given (in chronological order). 1. Jean-Pierre Leaud, The 400 Blows, 1959 At a time when both American and British cinema were all too happy to lean into the idea of the child as either cutesy mascot or prematurely wise sage, Francois Truffauts masterly account of the travails of the youthful and rebellious Antoine Doinel, a Parisian schoolboy in constant conflict with his family and teachers, proved revelatory. As played by the young, untrained Jean-Pierre Leaud, Doinel is a naturalistic and wholly fascinating figure, an every boy who, through Truffauts poetic direction, gradually comes on to assume dimensions far beyond his straitened circumstances, building up to the films famous closing shot. Such was Truffauts affection for both actor and character which he freely admitted was a semi-autobiographical version of himself that Doinel later returned in four further short and feature films that the director made. 2. David Bradley, Kes, 1969 Ken Loach may have long since slid into self-parodying agitprop, but his masterly adaptation of Barry Hiness novel managed a rare combination of humour, pathos and social realism, all anchored in first-time child actor David Bradleys heartbreaking performance as 15-year-old Billy, a no-hoper living in an equally hopeless South Yorkshire mining town. His life is enlivened by his unlikely friendship with a tame kestrel, which brings light and interest into his grim existence for the first time, until tragedy eventually strikes. David Bradley, left, in Kes - Getty Bradley not to be confused with the well-respected character actor best known for his performance as Argus Filch in the Harry Potter films is so unaffected and natural that watching him feels like observing an exercise in documentary realism, to unforgettable effect. 3. Jodie Foster, Taxi Driver, 1976 Jodie Foster has for so long been part of Hollywoods A-list as actress and director alike that it still comes as a shock to return to Martin Scorseses masterly Taxi Driver and see her on-screen as Iris: the 12-year-old child prostitute who Robert De Niros increasingly deranged eponymous cabbie Travis Bickle decides to make it his mission to rescue from the degradation that she faces. Foster had been acting in Disney films for years, and had worked with Scorsese in his 1974 picture Alice Doesnt Live Here Anymore, but she wanted to take on more mature, challenging roles. Well, they dont get much more mature and challenging than her performance here, which catapulted her into the glittering career that she has enjoyed ever since. The role also led John Hinckley Jr to become obsessed by her, after watching the film multiple times. After he failed to contact her, he attempted to assassinate then-President Ronald Reagan to impress her, meaning that there is a good argument for describing it as the most consequential of all the films on this list. 4. Danny Lloyd, The Shining, 1980 It took an exceptional child actor to embody the character of the clairvoyant Danny in Stanley Kubricks adaptation of Stephen Kings novel, and after a long and exhaustive search, Kubrick and his assistant Leon Vitali found him in the form of the six-year-old Danny Lloyd. He had no previous acting experience, but managed to embody intense concentration for long periods, and incredibly was not made aware of the horrors depicted on screen. Jack Nicholson and Danny Lloyd in The Shining - Getty There is a persistent story that he believed he was making a light-hearted comedy, and was shocked when he finally was allowed to see the finished film. The unusual approach paid off magnificently. Lloyd is by turns chilling, sympathetic and otherworldly, brilliantly conveying the sense of a child facing supernatural powers and terrors far beyond his understanding and imagination. He gave up acting almost immediately afterwards, though Mike Flanagan persuaded him to return for a brief, totemic cameo in the belated sequel Doctor Sleep. 5. Henry Thomas, E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, 1982 It is almost unfair to single out one child actor from Steven Spielbergs eternal fantasy classic. Amidst a supporting cast that includes a very young Drew Barrymore, Robert MacNaughton and future Brat Pack star C. Thomas Howell, however, it is Henry Thomas (who, coincidentally, would also appear in Doctor Sleep) as the young Elliott Taylor who stands out. Spielberg has always had a rare gift for directing children, and in Thomas he found perhaps his finest ever child star. The actor showed considerable chutzpah by turning up for his audition dressed as Indiana Jones the previous years Raiders of the Lost Ark had been an enormous hit and Spielbergs faith in him and the rest of the young cast was rewarded by their beautifully modulated and often very funny performances. The filmmaker so enjoyed the experience of making E.T. for many people, still his finest film with Thomas and the others that he later commented that it made him want to start a family of his own. There can be little higher praise. 6. Christian Bale, Empire of the Sun, 1987 Spielbergs knack for spotting talent was again demonstrated a few years later when he cast the young Welsh actor Christian Bale in the pivotal role of Jim Graham in his WWII epic Empire of the Sun, based on JG Ballards autobiographical (and atypical) 1984 novel. Now that Bale has gone on to become an A-list star, and an Oscar winner to boot, it is almost a shock to come back to his early performance here, as he plays someone who has to grow up very, very quickly in the grim surroundings of a Japanese internment camp. Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun - Getty Spielberg surrounds Bale with a starry, largely British cast Nigel Havers, Miranda Richardson, Leslie Phillips, as well as John Malkovich and a young Ben Stiller which would be painful if his young lead was not up to the job. Thankfully, Bale shows a preternatural stillness and intensity here, which would later make him magnificent as Bateman and Batman alike. 7. Macaulay Culkin, Home Alone, 1990 As Kieran Culkin collected his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor this year, his elder brother Macaulay might have been forgiven for looking on with a sense of wry envy. After all, for a period in the early Nineties, he was the biggest child star since Rooney and Temple, all thanks to the extraordinary success of the abandoned-boy comedy Home Alone and its subsequent (and funnier) sequel. Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone - Alamy Culkin Sr soon became a whipping boy for the jealous and his career subsequently plummeted, which is why its salutary to go back to his first two performances as the accidentally neglected Kevin Mac Allister and enjoy a masterclass in pitch-perfect comic timing, in which he displays the deadpan physical humour of Charlie Chaplin but in a pre-pubescent boys body. His natural charm and likeability even allow him to get away with acts of appalling (if cartoonish) violence which, by the sequel, feel less like a child defending his home and more like a budding psychopath taking revenge on criminals: a switch that Culkin deals with extremely entertainingly indeed. 8. Anna Paquin, The Piano, 1993 When Anna Paquin won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her brilliant performance in Jane Campions The Piano, she was not the youngest recipient of the award she was 11, just a year older than Tatum ONeal, who had won for Paper Moon two decades before but it was undoubtedly one of the most challenging roles that a child had ever taken on, let alone won such deserved recognition for. Holly Hunter and Anna Paquin in The Piano - Alamy Paquins character Flora is the daughter of Holly Hunters mute pianist Ada, exiled to New Zealand for an arranged marriage to a man she has never met, and the childs inadvertent betrayal of her mothers romantic involvement with another man (with echoes of LP Hartleys great novel The Go-Between) forms the emotional fulcrum of the picture. Paquin has gone on to a fine and distinguished career since, including her work in the X-Men films, but nothing has quite equalled the sophistication and sadness of her performance here. 9. Natalie Portman, Leon, 1994 Like Bale and Foster, Natalie Portmans status as an A-list star is unlikely ever to be challenged, which makes her first on-screen appearance in Luc Bessons classic thriller all the more fascinating. Playing Mathilda, the only surviving member of a family wiped out by Gary Oldmans deranged and corrupt DEA agent, Portman forms a bond with loner hitman Leon (Jean Reno), who, initially reluctantly, agrees to help her take revenge on Stansfield and his cohorts. The queasy undertones of the relationship between the two made more explicit in the extended directors cut, in which Mathilda unsuccessfully asks Leon to take her virginity are difficult to take, but Portmans careful, nuanced and very moving work is a clear indication of where her hugely distinguished career would later go. And managing to hold ones own against Reno, at his most laconic, and Oldman, at his most manic, is quite the accomplishment, too. 10. Victoire Thivisol, Ponette, 1996 Of all the films on this list, Ponette will probably be the least familiar to readers, despite being a much-acclaimed, award-winning French picture that is regarded as one of the most accomplished films of the Nineties. Particular attention went to Victoire Thivisols performance as the eponymous Ponette, a four-year-old child who is unable either to comprehend or to move past the death of her mother in a car crash. Victoire Thivisol in Ponette - Alamy It might be thought almost impossible to elicit any kind of performance from a four-year-old and Thivisol is by far the youngest actor on this list but nonetheless she manages to convey a wide spectrum of emotions and feelings that makes this a particularly heartbreaking film to watch. Credit must of course go to writer-director Jacques Doillon who has subsequently been accused of impropriety by some of the actresses who appeared in his films but it is Thivisols fascinating work here that will endure. 11. Haley Joel Osment, The Sixth Sense, 1999 I see dead peoplethey dont know theyre dead. Extraordinary, really, to see how M. Night Shyamalans masterly chiller hid its biggest twist in plain sight, and equally extraordinary to see how its supremely accomplished child star Haley Joel Osment so elegantly and affectingly conveyed the turmoil of being besieged by spectral apparitions. Osment was already an accomplished child actor when Shyamalan cast him in the film he was Forrest Gumps son, for instance but the 10-year-old offers a performance entirely devoid of any kind of cutesiness or affectation, instead being, by turns, frightening, frightened and lonely. Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense - Alamy Osment was nominated for an Oscar, which he should have won, but instead the pointlessly sentimental Academy gave the award to Michael Caine for his pointlessly sentimental work in The Cider House Rules. Caine at least had the good grace to say, as he accepted the trophy, Haley Osment, what an astonishingwhen I saw you, I thought, thats me out of it. Strangely, Osment never went onto anything as big since. A self-parodying supporting role in the excellent The Kominsky Method may be his highest-profile part since. 12. Abigail Breslin, Little Miss Sunshine, 2006 Many of the roles on this list whether intentionally or otherwise flirt with the idea that their young stars are being exploited in some way for the audiences delectation, or horror. But only one had the chutzpah to make that potential exploitation its truly riotous centrepiece. The family relationship comedy-drama Little Miss Sunshine feels for much of its length like a standard-issue mid-2000s independent picture, with its too-quirky characters (Steve Carells depressed, gay Proust scholar) feeling more like ideas than real people. Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine Yet Alan Arkins riotous, Oscar-winning performance as a debauched pensioner, who takes his granddaughter Olive under his wing en route to the eponymous California beauty pageant in which she is appearing, is more than matched by the 10-year-old Abigail Breslin as Olive. The film initially invites its viewers to feel appalled at the premature sexualisation of the pre-teen girls at the pageant, and then, with a brilliant, hilarious coup de cinema, turns these ideas completely on their head with a sequence in which Olive, tutored by her now dead grandfather, performs an outrageous striptease that shows up the whole tawdry affair for the grotesque charade it is. Breslin was Oscar-nominated, and probably should have won; she lost to Jennifer Hudsons mighty singing in Dreamgirls. 13. Saoirse Ronan, Atonement, 2007 So established is Saoirse Ronan as one of the most interesting and intelligent actresses working today that its almost a shock to realise that her breakthrough role in Joe Wrights Ian McEwan adaptation Atonement was released in cinemas less than two decades ago. Ronans character Briony dominates the films stronger first half, in which she (like Paquins Flora in The Piano) becomes inadvertently involved in a grown-up love affair, in this instance between Keira Knightleys haughty aristocrat Cecilia and the working-class Cambridge graduate Robbie (James McAvoy). Saoirse Ronan in Atonement - Alamy Ronan beautifully conveys a combination of malice, uncomprehending shock at the thoroughly grown-up passions that she is witness to and burgeoning personal awakening. It says a vast amount for her brilliant, Oscar-nominated performance that you are deeply disappointed when she vanishes, replaced by Romola Garai and Vanessa Redgrave as the older incarnations of the character. 14. Quvenzhane Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild, 2012 If you were disappointed by the anodyne recent version of the evergreen musical classic Annie, then at least you may have enjoyed its star Quvenzhane Wallis, who projected a sorely needed energy and grit that the rest of the film lacked. Wallis was far better used in the fantastical 2012 picture Beasts of the Southern Wild, in which she played the six-year-old Hushpuppy, who comes to believe that she is living amongst giant prehistoric animals, named aurochs. Wallis who was cast for her ability to read convincingly, scream mightily and burp on command is entirely convincing in a challenging and difficult role, and was rewarded by being the youngest performer ever to have been nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars, at the age of nine. As the New York Times film critic AO Scott said of Wallis, [she] has a smile to charm fish out of the water and a scowl so fierce it can stop monsters in their tracks. Both are used mightily throughout this modern-day classic. 15. Jude Hill, Belfast, 2021 Although Kenneth Branagh isnt usually rated alongside Spielberg as a director of children, hes always excelled at getting top-notch performances from his young stars. Theres a youthful Christian Bale in his 1989 Henry V for instance, and even his flop Artemis Fowl had a hugely likeable appearance by Ferdia Shaw in the title role. Yet it is in Branaghs autobiographical, black and white drama Belfast that he elicits his finest work from the youthful Jude Hill, playing the nine-year-old version of the writer-director, named Buddy in this picture. Jude Hill in Belfast - Rob Youngson / Focus Features Although the film is set against the backdrop of The Troubles, it is a cheerful and vivacious picture, rather than a depressing and dour one, and Hills charming, optimistic performance sets the tone for the richness of the on-screen bildungsroman that is depicted here. Hill was nominated for, and won, countless awards for his appearance here. Still only 14, and quietly building an impressive and eclectic career, he is a young actor who is undoubtedly worth watching. Honourable mentions Taxpayers are now footing a 41,000 bill for each asylum seeker according to the Institute for Public Policy Research think tank - PA/James Manning Migrants will be housed in hotels and temporary accommodation for years to come, the Treasury has admitted. A document published by the Office for Value for Money, a recently created part of the Treasury, said global instability meant the use of hotels was likely to continue. The assessment will come as a blow to the Government, which pledged in its manifesto to save the taxpayer millions by ending the use of hotels for asylum seekers. The document, published earlier this month, stated: Demand for short-term residential accommodation across all of the cohorts is likely to remain over the coming years, given other pressures on housing supply, and risks presented by global instability. The Treasury is targeting spending on migrant hotels in an effort to find 4 billion of savings. Shortly after the election, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, claimed a 4.6 billion overspend on migrant hotels formed part of a 22 billion black hole ministers had inherited from their Conservative predecessors. The document said that the Governments commitment to build 1.5 million homes a year in England by the next election would help reduce the need to house asylum seekers in hotels. Companies contracted to find hotels for migrants have made record profits in recent years, leading to accusations of profiteering, it added. Taxpayers are now footing a 41,000 bill for each asylum seeker, up from 17,000 in 2020, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research think tank. There are 8,000 more asylum seekers living in hotels than when Sir Keir Starmer pledged during the election campaign to end asylum hotels, saving the taxpayer billions of pounds. Putting a migrant in a hotel costs 145 per night, compared with 14 for dispersal accommodation such as large houses, bedsits and flats across different local authorities. More than 38,000 migrants are in hotels, costing the Home Office 5.5 million a day. A further 65,707 migrants are in dispersal accommodation. It comes after the Home Offices top civil servant admitted migrants will need to be housed in hotels for four more years. Sir Matthew Rycroft, the Home Offices permanent secretary, said the departments overarching aim was to exit hotels by the end of the Parliament, which is due at the latest by August 2029. A government source told the Times that companies were exploiting the small-boats crisis for profit. They said: Following the Covid pandemic, the last government bolted on hotel supply to the old contracts which were not designed for this purpose, and which have allowed the three major providers to rack up massive profits working within contracts not designed to manage that level of spend. The source said that in the longer term, the Government was considering how to replace these contracts with proper long-term arrangements with a much closer focus on managing spend and performance. A government spokesman said: The cost to the taxpayer for short-term residential accommodation has skyrocketed, after the Government inherited an asylum system under unprecedented strain, with thousands stuck in a backlog without their claims processed. We are absolutely committed to ending the use of hotels, and since coming into government have taken immediate action to restart asylum processing to begin closing hotels, have surged the number of returns, removing more than 19,000 people with no right to be in the UK, and established the Border Security Command to dismantle the gangs driving this trade. The Office of Value for Money will work with departments, local government and the private sector to tackle these problems, ensuring a more strategic, co-ordinated approach that delivers better value for the taxpayer. MSCs spending power could provide a major boost to Felixstowe - Joe Giddens/PA Italian shipping magnate Gianluigi Aponte pulled off one of the transport deals of the decade with his $23bn (18bn) agreement to buy 45 ports from Hong Kong billionaire Sir Li Ka-shing. The acquisition, announced this month, will establish Apontes Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) as the worlds biggest ports operator continuing the rise of a once obscure company that last year overtook Danish rival Maersk to become the number one shipping line. The purchase, backed by US investment house BlackRock, includes two key ports on the Panama Canal, and in so doing will effectively remove the vital link between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans from Chinas sphere of influence. It came weeks after Donald Trump complained that ownership of the ports by Sir Lis Hong Kong-based Hutchison Group meant the canal was under de facto Chinese control, and indicated that he planned to address the situation. Gianluigi Apontes MSC will soon become worlds biggest port operator - Thomas Samson/AFP Press coverage has largely focused on the Panama Canal portion of the deal given its link to Trump. However, the transaction will also impact the UK, with the Port of Felixstowe, Britain biggest, among the clutch of ports set to change hands. The transaction comes at a challenging time for the 175-year-old complex at the mouth of the River Orwell in Suffolk, as it struggles to add capacity while suffering from a relative lack of investment compared with faster-growing rivals. The takeover has sparked hopes that Felixstowes publicity-shy new billionaire owner could revive its fortunes. Mr Aponte, 84, was born in Sorrento and worked as the captain of a Naples to Capri ferry before buying his first cargo vessel in 1969 and founding MSC the following year. The company moved its base to land-locked Switzerland in 1978, adding the cruise arm for which it is best known among the wider public a decade later and making a first foray into port operations in 2000. In the last few years it has even opened its own cargo airline. The growth trajectory has seen Mr Apontes personal fortune swell to $37bn, according to Forbes, almost exactly the same as Sir Lis. While Mr Aponte remains MSCs owner and chairman, the company has been led for a decade by his son Diego, who said of the Hutchison deal that it represented a very viable investment. That qualified almost as verbose for MSC, which has a long history of eschewing public pronouncements. The family and MSC executives almost never give interviews, while the groups financial results were not made public until 2022, when documents relating to a bid for a rail company revealed that it had that year generated a net profit of 36bn on 86bn in turnover. MSCs to bring back Felixstowes spark Businesses that depend on Felixstowe are hopeful that MSCs spending power will provide the port with a new lease of life following the takeover. Mark Ling of ICE Transport, based in nearby Ipswich, says Felixstowe is a little bit like the port where time stood still, having had no major infrastructure upgrades since 1982. The lack of investment has been clear in recent years. Felixstowe saw ships diverted to other ports during Covid as its limited facilities filled up with containers, and again in 2022 when it was rocked by its first strikes in three decades. MSC will hopefully bring spark and drive and energy to the port, Ling says. David Rowe, Felixstowes mayor, says the towns livelihood largely depends on the health of its docks and complained that inadequate road and rail links were costing it 200m a year in lost trade. The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce believes the takeover will be neutral to positive in terms of its impact on container volumes, bolstering the case for the Government to invest more in the rail links connecting Felixstowe with the Midlands and North. The routes have long been plagued by bottlenecks. A spokesman for MSC said the company was cheered by the positive reception from the UK to the takeover but declined to comment on its plans for the port. While Felixstowe has been treading water, London Gateway port, located 50 miles along the coast in Essex, has been rapidly expanding ever since opening in 2013 on the site of the former Shell Haven refinery near Thurrock. A further 1bn investment appeared to be at risk last year after owner DP World threatened to pull the plug. That came after Louise Haigh, then a Labour minister, criticised another of its businesses, P&O Ferries, for firing 800 staff by text message in 2022. Sir Keir Starmer ultimately issued an apology to DP World and the Dubai-based company unveiled the plan at the Prime Ministers investment summit in October. Former transport secretary Louise Haigh called P&O Ferries a rogue operator - Ian Forsyth/Getty Images Europe The Gulf company said on Friday that work on adding two more 1,300-foot berths at London Gateway would begin in May, creating 1,000 construction jobs and 400 permanent ones. The new berths will allow the port to accommodate six of the worlds largest container ships at any one time. Ernst Schulze, DP Worlds UK chief, said he was confident of overtaking Felixstowe even before the expansion. Container numbers at London Gateway are to be buoyed by Maersks transfer of key Asian and Middle Eastern sailings from the Suffolk port. ICEs Ling suggested Maersks defection, which came about after the Danish firm created an alliance with Germanys Hapag-Lloyd, showed management at Felixstowe had been asleep at the wheel. With the alliances first vessel docking at London Gateway last Thursday, Schulze said he expects the port to become the UK number one by container numbers either this year or next. Whether MSC will be leading a fightback at Felixstowe is not yet entirely clear, however. While the deal has been announced it has not been completed, and Sir Li is under increasing pressure from China to walk away from the sale. Analysts have suggested that Hutchisons exit from ports to focus on other industries in a portfolio that also spans retail, telecoms and utilities makes sense. Beijing, though, has pushed back against the transaction, with official media accusing President Trump of manipulating the situation in order to gain an advantage over China in an escalating trade war with the US. A spokesman for Felixstowe was unavailable to comment. A huge fire knocked the North Hyde substation offline on Thursday night. Heathrows subsequent closure affected at least 200,000 passengers around the world. Photograph: Maja Smiejkowska/PA There was enough power for Heathrow to remain open during the entire period it was shut down on Friday, the head of National Grid has said. Speaking for the first time since a fire forced North Hyde substation to close, the National Grid chief executive, John Pettigrew, said two other substations that served Heathrow were working and could have supplied the airport with all the power it needed to remain open. There was no lack of capacity from the substations, he told the Financial Times. Each substation individually can provide enough power to Heathrow. Asked about Pettigrews comments, Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, said on Monday that the problem was wider than just the amount of power available, and that the need to temporarily close the airport was set out to her by its chief executive. He explained to me that there were significant problems in terminals two and four, and given that they had to turn everything off and reboot all the systems, that was their judgment as to why they said that they would close the airport until midnight on Friday night, she told Sky News. In the event, they were able to get power back up, and they did have planes landing from about 4pm on Friday. There were also backup generators, Alexander said, but these were designed to protect the critical systems within airport, and not to power the entire airport. The government has ordered an investigation into the closure of the airport, which returned to normal business on Sunday. The shutdown is estimated to have cost the airline industry 60m to 70m and disrupted the journeys of more than 200,000 passengers around the world. Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, said the government was determined to properly understand what happened and what lessons need to be learned, in regard to the incident at Heathrow and the UKs energy resilience for critical national infrastructure. Related: Heathrow fire: transport secretary says shed struggle to sleep after report airport boss went to bed amid crisis But Pettigrew said two substations were always available for the distribution network companies and Heathrow to take power. He added it was a question for Heathrow as to why it took the action it did. Losing a substation is a unique event but there were two others available, he said. So that is a level of resilience. In response to Pettigrews comments, a Heathrow spokesperson said: As the National Grids chief executive noted, he has never seen a transformer failure like this in his 30 years in the industry. His view confirms that this was an unprecedented incident and that it would not have been possible for Heathrow to operate uninterrupted. Hundreds of critical systems across the airport were required to be safely powered down and then safely and systematically rebooted. Given Heathrows size and operational complexity, safely restarting operations after a disruption of this magnitude was a significant challenge. On the day of the fire, Heathrows chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, said the airports backup systems worked the way they should and told reporters outside the airport that the power supply at Heathrow was a bit of a weak point. The next day he told the BBC that although the airport had other substations, to switch to them takes time, and he was proud of how Heathrow workers had responded to the fire. The situation was not created at Heathrow airport and we had to deal with the consequences, he said. I dont know of an airport that has backup supply that can switch on in minutes to the magnitude of what we experienced yesterday. The same would happen in other airports. Pettigrew said all three transformers at the North Hyde substation were damaged by the fire, which firefighters have said burned 25,000 litres of cooling oil. This included one transformer that is a backup and located further away from the other two. He added that the cause of the blaze was not yet known, as the site was still too hot for full forensic work, and third-party involvement was not ruled out. I cant remember a transformer failing like this in my 30-plus years in industry, Pettigrew said. Metropolitan police counter-terrorism officers initially led the investigation, but the force said the fire was not believed to be suspicious. London fire brigade is now leading the inquiry, which will focus on the electrical distribution equipment. Asked why the site, built in the 1960s, was designed in a way that meant a single fire could knock out all three transformers, Pettigrew said: You have to build substations in the space available, and obviously you do all you can to mitigate the risks. But that is something that clearly I think an investigation will look into a bit further. Anti-salmon farming protestors at Verona Sands in southern Tasmania on 17 March. There is visceral anger in the community about Labors plan to rush through laws to protect the salmon industry from a legal challenge linked to its impact on the endangered Maugean skate. Photograph: Ethan James/AAP Australias leading environment organisations have abruptly suspended advertising campaigns attacking the Coalitions plan to introduce nuclear power and are instead funding ads accusing Anthony Albanese of signing the death warrant of an endangered species. The shift from criticising Coalition to Labor policy on the cusp of an election campaign was agreed by the bosses of green groups including the Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenpeace and WWF Australia at what campaigners described as an emergency meeting on Saturday. It reflects widespread anger within the environment movement about Albaneses plan to rush through legislation this week with Coalition support to protect the salmon industry from a long-running legal challenge over its impact on the endangered Maugean skate. One person at the meeting said the mood was apoplectic over what was seen as a rushed government plan to weaken national environment law. They said it followed the prime minister having intervened to shelve a commitment to create a national Environment Protection Agency in this term of parliament. The campaign is notable in part because environmental organisations would prefer that Labor is returned to government, whether in minority or majority, to a Peter Dutton-led Coalition taking power. Many of the anti-nuclear ads have also supported Labors renewable energy policies. Related: RSPCA revokes Huons accreditation after video showing live salmon being dumped in Tasmania An Australian Conservation Foundation social media ad posted on Saturday said: Australias next extinction is imminent and our PM is signing the death warrant. Not on our watch. A Greenpeace Australia Pacific ad said: Albanese goes all out for species extinction. The chief executive of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, David Ritter, said there was visceral anger in the community about a change to nature laws to prioritise an industry over scientific concerns about the skate, which had survived for more than 60m years. He said environmental advocacy groups agreed to a coordinated advertising approach to ensure that the prime minister grasps the seriousness of the situation, after direct lobbying failed. Like many other groups, Greenpeace has immediately refocused campaign effort to ensure the Australian public is aware of what the prime minister is proposing to do and the impact it would have not just on the Maugean skate, but setting an incredibly bad precedent giving special treatment to a harmful and polluting industry, he said. In our own advertising, this issue has taken priority over gas and nuclear policy, for now. Ritter said campaigners believed it was not too late for Albanese to change course. The bill should be dumped and a strong re-commitment should be made to deliver strong nature law reforms, and an independent watchdog to enforce them, within the first 12 months of government if reelected this year, he said. Other conservation group leaders told the government the suspension of their anti-nuclear advertising was open-ended. Some were reconsidering where they would dedicate resources during the campaign. The government plans to amend the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act to end a formal reconsideration by the environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, into whether an expansion of fish farming in the harbour in 2012 was properly approved. The industry, Tasmanian Labor MPs and state Liberal government have lobbied for the change. The reconsideration was triggered by a legal request in 2023 from three environmentally focused organisations. An environment department opinion released under freedom of information laws suggested that it could lead to salmon farming having to stop in the harbour while an environmental impact statement was prepared. Guardian Australia has learned the legislation would prevent reconsideration requests by third parties in some cases in which developments had been deemed not a controlled action meaning they had not needed a full federal environmental assessment. It would apply when the development was ongoing or recurring, had been under way for at least five years before the request was made, and was subject to state or territory oversight. A government spokesperson said on Sunday the proposed change was a very specific amendment to address a flaw in the EPBC Act. We wont stand by and let workers lose their jobs because of a broken law. Under existing law, an industry could be shut down overnight when an environmental assessment commences. That is not acceptable to the government or to the community. We want to see laws which provide better environmental protections and faster decision-making. We remain committed to that. We will consult on specifics in a second term with the states, business and environment groups. The Maugean skate has been listed as endangered since 2004. Concern about its plight escalated last year when a government scientific committee said numbers in the wild were extremely low, and that fish farming in the harbour was the main cause of a substantial reduction in dissolved oxygen levels and should be scaled back or removed to save the species. It recommended the species be considered critically endangered. A separate report by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies last month said surveys suggested the skate population was likely to have recovered to 2014 levels after crashing last decade. It stressed the need for continued monitoring. Sgt Surendrakumar Tamling has been dismissed from the Army after a hearing at the military court in Catterick, North Yorks A British Army sergeant left in charge of military money in Cyprus stole 8,500 and gambled it away at a casino, a court martial heard. Sgt Surendrakumar Tamling, 43, raided an Army post office safe while trusted with its key and lost it all, it heard. The soldier, who had a blameless career of 22 years and was due to retire next year, did not think he would get caught because he thought this time I am going to win, the judge revealed. The married father of two teenage children has been dismissed from the Army at the military court in Catterick in North Yorkshire. He is a gambling addict who took the money to try to pay off his debts, a panel was told. The court martial was told Sgt Tamling stole military money while stationed in Cyprus as a postal and courier operator . The service is responsible for running the Armys post office, handling money, and delivering mail to soldiers. Sentencing, Assistant Judge Advocate General Andrew Smith told how Sgt Tamling was the only person with access to the safes key between Feb 16 and 19 of last year. Not a sophisticated offence On Feb 18, he accessed the safe where the money was and helped [himself] to [a] large sum of money in euros, the judge added. It was not a sophisticated offence. There was only you who could have done it, so what does stand in your favour is first of all when confronted you pleaded guilty, and you accepted what you had done and secondly you did not try and cover this up and suggest that anybody else might be responsible. He added it was absolutely inevitable that you would be caught for stealing the money. And in your own mind, and we know now that you have got a gambling addiction, you no doubt took the view well, I am not going to get caught because as all gamblers who are committed and addicted gamblers think well, this time I am going to win. And, you say, and there is no reason to suggest otherwise, that you took that money and you went to a casino and gambled it thinking you were going to win and pay off all your debts. But, of course, you did not, you lost that money as well. Sgt Tamlings colleagues were very, very concerned, the judge revealed. You admitted what you had done, you were very upset about it and, as I say, you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity before this court. Your wife, your friends, everybody who knows you have, and we understand why, stood by you on this occasion but you really cannot let them down again going forward. Sgt Tamling was told to pay back the total sum he stole 8,572 and given an eight-month sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work. Havovi Anklesaria, who has worked at the prestigious Trinity College for 30 years, wanted to take three months off at the start of the year - IR_Stone A University of Cambridge librarian sued for race discrimination after not being allowed to take an entire term off to go to India, a tribunal heard. Havovi Anklesaria, who has worked at Trinity College for 30 years, wanted to take three months off at the start of the year instead of over the summer. When her bosses refused, she turned down a permanent position at the institution and took the university to an employment tribunal, claiming race discrimination and victimisation. Her case was dismissed after a judge found the university had acted flexibly in trying to accommodate her desire to have extended breaks in India. The tribunal, held in Cambridge, heard that Ms Anklesaria began working in the library as an evening and weekend desk supervisor in 1994. She worked on various casual contracts which enabled her to travel back to India between mid-December and mid-April every year, using the time to care for her parents and visit other family members. In 2017, the college changed its HR process and, instead of being listed as a continuing employee, she began to be issued with P45s between contracts. This meant that during the pandemic she was not eligible to be furloughed because she was not on the payroll at the time the scheme was introduced. In 2021, Trinity College began offering permanent desk supervisor contracts and gave one to Ms Anklesaria, which would have enabled her to take three months off during the summer holidays. However, she did not accept the contract because she wanted to be able to take her standard break at the start of the year, encompassing the entirety of the Lent term. University acted with flexibility The tribunal found permanent employees were unable to take extended time away during term time. It concluded that the contract was not discriminatory because Ms Anklesaria had been offered a permanent post with flexibility, just not at the time of year she wanted. Rebecca Freshwater, the employment judge, said: [Ms Anklesaria] was, ultimately, offered a permanent and flexible contract. It was not one that she found acceptable. She would have been able to take breaks from work and move away for travel purposes, just not during an entire term. [Trinity College] worked to find solutions for the claimant that included flexibility. [Ms Anklesaria] was offered a contract that would have permitted her to have a break of 3 months over the summer. [She] did not accept this because, in her view, she ought to have been offered a permanent contract that enabled her to take the same breaks from work that she had done under the casual contracts. Trinity College was founded by King Henry VIII in 1546. It is the largest Cambridge college and the richest of any of the Oxbridge colleges. The college is also well-known for its famous alumni including Sir Isaac Newton, Bertrand Russell, Lord Byron and six prime ministers. The Australian actress says she misses the late 80s when she could party and no one was being recorded - Gareth Cattermole/Getty Image The Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett has called for the Oscars to be taken off air so that celebrities can party in private. The star suggested that televising the awards show ruins it for the actors and actresses who [want to] just have a great party. Blanchett, 55, told the comedy culture podcast Las Culturistas: I say, I know its blasphemy, [but] go back to the day when it wasnt televised. Bring that back and just have a great party where people can just let go. She added: The industry is so scattered and at such a point which I think potentially could be exciting or could really be depressing, but its at a pivot point, and so we need to gather together and celebrate what it is that we do, without it having to have any public-facing. The 2025 Oscars ceremony reported a five-year high for total TV viewership, with 19.7 million watching in the US, as well as a 19 per cent improvement on its rating among adults aged 18-49, which rose from 3.92 to 4.54 Blanchett told podcast co-hosts Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang that for celebrities there are so few spaces that you can go now where you are private, and without the risk of being recorded on someones phone. She added: Thats what I loved about the late 80s. Going to all of the dance parties in Sydney for Mardi Gras. People were just there. They were so present, you know, they were just together, collectively, having a great time. It was non-aggressive. No one was being recorded. No one cared what anyone did. The 97th Annual Academy Awards had a US viewership of 19.7 million, the highest figures for five years - PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP Rogers and Yang then explained the viral TikTok trend of lip readers who garner millions of likes and views for analysing celebrity conversations during televised award shows. Yang said: But now it feels like that chasm between that kind of event, that ideal, is widening from the thing thats very common now at an awards show where youve got lip readers, youre being photographed. Rogers explained the trend, which went viral last year as people attempted to interpret Timothee Chalamet and girlfriend Kylie Jenners conversation at the Golden Globes, saying: It looks like it could be exactly what theyre saying, in a way thats a little bit odd. Yang added online lip-readers make Hollywood events feel more treacherous for celebrities, to which Blanchett agreed. Blanchett continued: I mean, the fashion is great, and all of that stuff. Well find out in the end who won or who didnt win. But it would be so nice [if] that happened behind closed doors. [It would be] absolutely a very different evening. Blanchetts comments come amid a recent backlash to cancel culture in Hollywood where celebrities are dropped by fans over offensive things they have said or done. Holding the Oscars and other large Hollywood award shows behind closed doors would mean that live controversies would not be broadcast, including the infamous incident of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards. The first televised Oscars was the 25th ceremony held in 1953. Blanchett has won two Academy Awards, including best supporting actress in The Aviator in 2005 and best actress in 2014 for her role in Blue Jasmine. Ministers have ordered an urgent probe into the substation fire which forced Heathrow airport to close for 15 hours on Friday as experts claimed the remarkable meltdown had embarrassed Britain on the global stage. The travel plans of up to 300,000 passengers were cast into disarray on Friday after the blaze at a single west London substation grounded more than 1,300 flights between Europes busiest airport and locations across the globe. While the airport declared itself fully operational once again on Saturday with hundreds of extra airport staff rallied to facilitate an additional 10,000 passengers travelling through Heathrow more than 100 flights were cancelled, including those travelling to New York and arriving from Dubai. Heathrow would typically expect to facilitate 600 flights on Saturday. Passenger aircraft operated by British Airways on the tarmac at London Heathrow airport on 21 March (Getty Images) After counter-terrorism officers were initially called in to lead the investigation into the fire, police confirmed on Saturday that the blaze was believed to be non-suspicious and said the London Fire Brigade would instead lead a probe focusing on electrical distribution equipment. Criticism of the situation has since intensified, with Labour peer Toby Harris who leads the National Preparedness Commission, which campaigns to improve resilience saying: Its a huge embarrassment for the country that a fire in one electricity substation can have such a devastating effect. Jason Bona, owner of supply chain firm PS Forwarding, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme the incident made Heathrow a laughing stock in the global freight community. It is a clear planning failure by the airport, said Willie Walsh, a former British Airways chief who now leads the global airline body IATA and has long been a fierce critic of Heathrow. Vowing that the government is determined to do everything it can to prevent a repeat of what happened at Heathrow, energy secretary Ed Miliband said on Saturday evening he had ordered the grid operator to urgently investigate the outage. A view of the North Hyde electrical substation on Saturday, after the fire was extinguished (Maja Smiejkowska/PA Wire) In conjunction with regulator Ofgem, Mr Miliband commissioned the National Energy System Operator (Neso) to carry out the independent probe to properly understand what happened and what lessons need to be learned regarding energy resilience for critical national infrastructure, both now and in the future. Neso is expected to report to Ofgem and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero with its initial findings within six weeks. Welcoming the investigation, Heathrows chief executive Thomas Woldbye vowed to support every effort to understand the causes and impacts of the fire and said his staff were committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure a thorough investigation to help strengthen the airports future resilience. Heathrow chair Lord Paul Deighton further confirmed on Saturday evening that former transport secretary Ruth Kelly, who is an independent member of the airports board, will undertake a review of the airports crisis management plans. The London Fire Brigade warned its own investigation to establish the exact cause of the fire at the Hayes high-voltage substation could take weeks. Deputy commissioner Jonathan Smith said: The fire involved a transformer comprising 25,000 litres of its cooling oil fully alight. This created a major hazard owing to the still live high voltage equipment and the nature of an oil-fuelled fire. The travel plans of up to 300,000 passengers were cast into disarray on Friday following the fire (PA) After the fire in Hayes knocked out both the substation and its backup, Heathrow was left with only two remaining grid supply points to fall back on. While these two supply points are capable of powering the airport, Mr Woldbye said this was only after a complex process that involved reallocating supplies and resetting systems across the airport, which took most of Friday to complete. Firefighters will maintain a small presence at Hayes in the coming days to ensure any remaining hotspots within the electrical equipment are fully extinguished. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: Heathrow is a massive airport that uses the energy of a small city, so its imperative we identify how this power failure happened and learn from this to ensure a vital piece of national infrastructure remains strong. Whilst Heathrow is back to business, some disruption is expected over coming days as things get back to normal so I encourage anyone travelling to check with their airlines and plan their journeys. The Heathrow Express service will also be running a reduced service on Sunday (Getty Images) In a double blow for travellers, that disruption will also extend to rail travel to and from the airport. The Heathrow Express announced it will be out of action for upgrade work on Sunday morning. A Heathrow Express spokesperson said: A gentle reminder: Due to planned railway upgrade work, Heathrow Express will be running a reduced service on Sunday, 23 March, with no service before 9.12am. With British Airways whose main hub is Heathrow saying it expected around 85 per cent of its schedule to proceed on Saturday, chief executive Sean Doyle warned of a huge impact on all of our customers flying with us over the coming days. However, Virgin Atlantic said it was planning to run a near-full schedule on Saturday with limited cancellations. Air India said it had restarted flights to and from Heathrow and expected to operate as per schedule. As some passengers described nightmarish bids to reach their intended destinations on Saturday, others praised Heathrow and their airlines handling of the situation. Passengers queue at a check-in desk at Heathrow Terminal 2 in London (Maja Smiejkowska/PA) Holidaymaker Tim Kolb, who travelled from Dallas, Texas, said: I thought I was going to be there delayed two days, but I went over yesterday. It was organised well. In fact, they had several planes leaving within an hour of each other to Heathrow. Mr Woldbye apologised to stranded passengers and defended the airports response to the situation, saying the incident was as as big as it gets for our airport and that we cannot guard ourselves 100 per cent. Aviation experts said the last time European airports had experienced disruption on such a large scale was the 2010 Icelandic volcanic ash cloud that grounded some 100,000 flights. Heathrow and Londons other major airports have also been hit by other major outages in recent years, most recently by an automated gate failure and an air traffic system meltdown, both in 2023. With the travel industry facing the prospect of a financial hit costing tens of millions of pounds and a likely fight over who should foot the bill, Mr Woldbye responded to questions about who would pay for the disruption on Friday. There were procedures in place, he said. [But] We dont have liabilities in place for incidents like this. Thomas Woldbye says other airports would have suffered similar problems to Heathrow after a power outage Heathrow airports chief executive has said he was not aware of any airport that has a backup supply that can switch on in minutes to the magnitude of what we experienced yesterday. The same would happen in other airports, Thomas Woldbye added. Experts told The Telegraph, however, that some of Heathrow airports rivals have two or more external power feeds, and as many as seven times the number of backup generators. Mr Woldbye defended the airports response after an electricity substation fire knocked out power at the London airport as well as its main back-up generator, closing it for most of Friday before some flights began to arrive and take off later in the evening. The airport said it was fully operational on Saturday, but delays continued. The shutdown has raised serious questions about the reliability of one of the UKs most critical pieces of infrastructure, and has led to accusations that Heathrows power back-up falls significantly short when compared with other airports that see similar levels of traffic. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the worlds busiest, spent $100 million to build 20 back-up generators after it lost power in 2017. Aviation experts said that the power cut demonstrated a lack of imagination in Heathrows disaster planning, and warned that the UKs other main airports needed to urgently review their own systems. A plane takes off from Heathrow on Saturday as smoke continues to rise from the fire-hit electricity substation - Carlos Jasso/Reuters Marco Chan, a senior lecturer in aviation at Buckinghamshire New University, said the impact of the fire suggested Heathrow had been relying on just one external power feed when its main system went down. Other busy travel hubs including Singapores Changi, South Koreas Incheon, Dubai International and Amsterdams Schiphol airports, have two or more. Such a disruption raises serious questions about how much built-in resilience is actually in place at Heathrow, Mr Chan said. Its unfortunate that the fire occurred at the substation responsible for stepping down electricity to a usable level, he added. Based on what weve seen, it suggests Heathrow may rely on just one external power feed or that the backup systems may not be structurally independent enough to maintain operations during a major outage. For one of the worlds busiest airports, thats a vulnerability that needs urgent review. Opened in 1946 as the London Airport before changing its name to Heathrow in 1966, the airport is significantly older than others that cope with similar levels of traffic. Dohas, Istanbuls and Abu Dhabis airports all have power systems within the vicinity of the airport, rather than several miles away, as is the case with Heathrow, said Paul Charles, chief executive of The PC Agency, a travel consultancy. This appears to make those airports more secure and better protected energy-wise, he said. Mr Charles said it has been established that Heathrow has multiple power sources but was over-reliant on the substation. Its secondary power source, meanwhile, was also located away from the airport, making it equally vulnerable to losing power. Heathrow is the fourth most active airport in the world. Disruption continued at Heathrow on Saturday because of the knock-on effects of Fridays closure - Belinda Jiao Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport installed its 20 back-up generators to power the travel hub in the event its main system fails. The decision came after an electrical fire broke out in a tunnel underneath the airport in 2017, wiping out both the main power and its backup for 11 hours and costing the airport around $50 million. Several other US airports are also pursuing on-site power and microgrid technologies as a way to protect against grid outages. John F Kennedy International Airport in New York is constructing a 12-megawatt energy system consisting of 13,000 solar panels on the terminal roof, which will make it the largest solar array at any airport in America. It will be able to operate independently from or connected to the main power grid. The development was ordered after an electrical panel failure led to a small fire in 2023, disrupting flights and forcing the terminal to close. Dallas Fort Worth International, the worlds second-busiest airport, is building its own electrical power resources because of concerns over power issues with the Texas grid. The plans include the construction of a new utility plant and a solar-powered microgrid. Urgent reviews needed Prof Jose Holguin-Veras, director of the Center for Infrastructure, Transportation, and the Environment, told The Telegraph Heathrows power outage was due to a failure of imagination. Substations are so reliable, theyre easy to take for granted having one of the busiest airports in the planet reliant on one substation, I think that was a mistake, he said. Prof Holguin-Veras said he thinks most major airports in the US have multiple substations and the managers of critical infrastructure in the US have taken steps to mitigate against technical issues such as those experienced by Heathrow. Mr Charles said Britain was a pioneer in air travel but must now start thinking hard about preventing such a disaster from happening again. Gatwick, Luton and other airports need an urgent review of their power systems, he said. On a July afternoon in 1985 two cars pulled up in a remote Russian lay-by in a cloud of dust as a dishevelled figure emerged from the bushes. After a cursory exchange the man clambered into the boot of one the vehicles and they quickly drove off. The man, sweating with fear in the boot of the Ford Sierra, was Colonel Oleg Gordievsky, a high-ranking KGB officer who had for more than a decade been passing the most closely-guarded secrets of Soviet intelligence to Britains MI6. But now he was on the run after falling under suspicion as a traitor and the pick-up in the lay-by, close to the border with Finland, marked the final stage of an audacious operation to spirit him out of the country to safety. Oleg Gordievsky (right) with thriller writer Frederick Forsyth (David Cheskin/PA) It began four days earlier when, in a prearranged signal, Mr Gordievsky appeared outside a bakery in Moscows Kutuzovsky Prospekt clutching a distinctive carrier bag from Safeway supermarket. A man walking past him in the street eating a Mars bar and carrying a Harrods bag was the sign that his message had been received. Operation Pimlico was under way. Under the elaborate escape plan, he had to give the KGB surveillance officers monitoring his flat the slip and head for the rendezvous point some 500 miles away, taking trains and finally hitchhiking. Meanwhile MI6s Moscow station chief, Raymond Asquith, and his deputy, Andrew Gibbs, were preparing to drive in the same direction, taking their wives and Mr Asquiths 15-month-old daughter on the pretext that Mr Gibbs wife needed medical treatment in Finland. The two intelligence officers were operating under diplomatic cover and the plan was predicated on the assumption that, under the Vienna Convention, their embassy cars would not be subjected to search. It almost came to grief however when, as they left Leningrad, they found they were being ostentatiously tailed by the KGB. Only at the last minute were they able to briefly lose them and pull off into the lay-by undetected. But they still had to negotiate the border crossing. After a nerve-shredding wait in which the two wives sought to distract the guards sniffer dogs by discreetly scattering crisps and changing the babys dirty nappy, they were finally waved through. A blast of Sibeliuss Finlandia on the car stereo told Mr Gordievsky, still in the boot, that he was finally safe. Had he remained in Russia he would almost certainly have been executed. Oleg Gordievskys reports helped Margaret Thatcher prepare for her first meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev (left) (Martin Keene/PA) That MI6 was prepared to go to such lengths to get him out was a testament to the importance officials attached to the man widely regarded as the most significant spy of the later Cold War years. In the early 1980s he was able to warn the West that fears among the paranoid Soviet leadership of a surprise Nato nuclear attack had brought the two sides perilously close to war, prompting US President Ronald Reagan to dial down his anti-Russian rhetoric. His intelligence was subsequently crucial in guiding Margaret Thatcher in her early contacts with the reformist Mikhail Gorbachev, whose ascent to power helped bring the Cold War to a close. Born on October 10 1938 in Moscow, the son of a committed communist and officer in the NKVD (predecessor of the KGB), Oleg Antonovich Gordievsky had always appeared destined for a career in Soviet intelligence. After studying at the prestigious Moscow State Institute of International Relations, where he showed an aptitude for languages, in 1961 he was recruited into the KGB following in the footsteps of his older brother, Vasili. US President Ronald Reagan dialled down his anti-Soviet rhetoric after Oleg Gordievskys warnings (PA) In 1966, he was given his first foreign posting, operating under diplomatic cover out of the Soviet embassy in the Danish capital, Copenhagen. The young spy found his first taste of Western freedom intoxicating, while the crushing of the Prague Spring by Russian tanks in 1968 intensified a growing disillusion with the Soviet system. Danish intelligence, sensing a potential defector, attempted to recruit him but the approach failed. Nevertheless, when he returned to Copenhagen for a second posting, the Danes alerted MI6 in case it could be more successful. A series of apparently chance meetings, including one at a badminton court, followed, in which the KGB man was tentatively sounded out. In 1974, he finally agreed to work for MI6, going on to pass a stream of invaluable intelligence about the KGBs organisation and operations to his MI6 handler in monthly meetings held in a safe flat. That came to an abrupt end in 1978 when he was recalled to Moscow following his divorce from his first wife, a fellow KGB officer, and subsequent remarriage. At that point the case went cold, it being considered too dangerous to maintain contact in the Russian capital. So there was delight in MI6 headquarters when it emerged three years later that he was being posted to London. When Mr Gordievsky slipped out of the Russian embassy and found a phone box to call the secret number he had been given in Copenhagen he was answered by recorded message from a familiar voice welcoming him to London. Contact had been resumed. Oleg Gordievsky is made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and Saint George by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in October 2007 (Martin Keene/PA) Meetings with his new handler, future MI6 chief John Scarlett, took place in an anonymous safe flat in Bayswater, not far from the embassy where he was now based. Among the intelligence he passed on was a clumsy attempt by a disaffected MI5 officer, Michael Bettany, to pass information to the Soviets, which could potentially have led to his own unmasking if it had not been foiled. More alarmingly he revealed details of an elaborate KGB plan, codenamed Operation Ryan, to monitor Western nations for any signs of preparations for the surprise nuclear attack the ageing Soviet leadership was convinced they were plotting. They ranged from counting the lights on at the Ministry of Defence for evidence that staff were working late into the night to indications that blood supplies were being stockpiled. It came to a climax in November 1983 when the Russians put their nuclear forces on stand-by amid fears that an annual Nato wargaming exercise codenamed Able Archer 83 was cover for an actual attack. Mr Gordievskys reporting convinced alarmed British ministers they had come dangerously close to catastrophe, a warning passed on to Mr Reagan, whose denunciation of the Soviet Union as the evil empire had done much to stoke the Kremlins paranoia. MI6 meanwhile was quietly promoting Mr Gordievskys career, passing him chickenfeed, genuine but ultimately insignificant intelligence with which to impress his KGB superiors. The Bettany case also provided an excuse to expel the KGB rezident, head of station, enabling Mr Gordievsky to move up to deputy, giving him more access to secret material. It paid off the following year when Mrs Thatcher invited Mr Gorbachev, seen as the up-and-coming man in Moscow, to visit London. Mr Gordievsky was charged with preparing briefings for the Russian, which he did, guided by MI6, effectively enabling them to set the agenda for the talks. The result was seen as a huge success by both sides, with Mrs Thatcher famously telling Mr Reagan that Mr Gorbachev was a man they could do business with, and winning Mr Gordievsky promotion to rezident. It was an astonishing coup. In the embassy, however, his success sparked jealousy among his KGB colleagues while, unbeknown to him, in Washington a disaffected CIA officer, Aldrich Ames, began selling the agencys secrets to the Russians, threatening him with discovery. KGB and MI5 double agent Oleg Gordievsky (left) and codebreaker Alan Stripp pit their wits over a game of Mastermind at the Cabinet War Rooms (Neil Munns/PA) In May 1985, the day after Amess first meeting with the Russians, Mr Gordievsky was unexpectedly summoned back to Moscow. Rather than choosing that moment to defect, he agreed to go in the hope that he could carry on spying for MI6. It was a decision that very nearly cost him his life. In the Russian capital, his mistake quickly became clear and that he was under suspicion. He was taken out of the city to a safe house where he was drugged and questioned but apparently did not confess. Nevertheless, he realised time was running and the moment to activate his escape plan had finally come. In MI6, where many, Mr Asquith included, doubted it could succeed, there was huge relief when the news came through that he had made it safely across the border. For Mr Gordievsky, however, there was the anguish of leaving his wife, Leila, and their two young daughters in Moscow. When the government sought to secure permission for them to join him in London, the Russians, stung by the humiliation of his successful escape, refused. Mrs Thatcher, who had taken a close interest in his case, retaliated by expelling every KGB officer in the UK. It was only in 1991, with the Soviet Union on the point of collapse, that the family was finally reunited, but by then the years of separation had taken their toll and the marriage soon ended. In his absence, Mr Gordievsky was sentenced to death in Russia for treason. Meanwhile, he established a new life, living in a safe house in London, writing a number of books and being received by Mrs Thatcher in Chequers and Mr Reagan in the Oval Office. In 2007, the former KGB officer was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II, being made a Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and St George (CMG) in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. It was, the press noted, the same honour held by the fictional superspy James Bond. Liam and Noel Gallagher have been photographed together (Johannes Leonardo/Adidas/PA) (Getty Images) The time has come for the much anticipated return of Oasis. In just days, the thousands of people who queued to get their hands on the golden tickets will be in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff watching the brothers reunite for the first time in decades. The band will begin their worldwide tour - hitting places like London, Berlin, Canada, the US and Australia - playing what they have promised is back to back hits. Theyve not made our list - but who are the best bands ever? So far in the 2020s, only one rock band has had a UK number one single and you might be surprised to learn it was the Beatles. But rock has still dominated the festival stage in recent years. Arctic Monkeys have been among the few British rock bands to headline the Pyramid Stage in recent years. Bands from the same era including Bloc Party, Foals and Courteeners have yet to reach that level. Meanwhile, more recent acts such as Wolf Alice, The Vaccines and The Snuts have all had number-one albums but havent broken into rocks top tier. Of course, there are bright spots: Sam Fender while not a band is now playing stadiums, and Irelands Fontaines D.C. seem poised to follow suit on the back of their massive 2024 album Romance. Exciting new acts such as The Last Dinner Party, English Teacher and Wet Leg (who famously quoted Arctic Monkey singer Alex Turners rock and roll, eh speech while accepting their Brit Award in 2023) show promise. However, its been a while since the UK produced a truly globally dominant rock band. The shifting music landscape and how people consume music today probably play a role in this. But for aspiring musicians looking for inspiration, here is a greatest-hits collection of what this country has already produced. 20. Joy Division Joy Division co-founder and bassist Peter Hook (Rex) Its incredibly rare for a band to make such a lasting impact in such a short time. Joy Division became one of the most influential bands of the late 1970s, despite frontman Ian Curtiss life being tragically cut short at 23. Their music helped define the post-punk era and their legacy endures. 19. Bring Me the Horizon Oli Sykes of Bring Me the Horizon performs during day two of the 2014 Download Festival at Donington Park (PA) On the heavier end of the spectrum, Sheffields Bring Me the Horizon have evolved their sound over the years but never lost their energy and spirit. Even though frontman Oli Sykes now sings rather than screams about his emotions, the bands intensity remains unchanged. After experimenting with more pop and ballad-like elements, their seventh album, Post Human: Nex Gen, marked a return to their metal roots, albeit with a modern twist that moves away from their deathcore origins. Bring Me the Horizon have headlined major festivals such as Download and Reading & Leeds, and they would make a bold yet electrifying choice to headline Glastonbury. 18. The Jam The Jam featuring from left, Rick Buckler, Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton (Polydor Records) Paul Weller and the Jam produced some of the most urgent and essential rock albums of the 1970s and sparked an entire style movement. The mod revival, in which the band played a pivotal role, ignited a whole subculture, and highlighted their influence. Everyone wanted to look like them, and everyone wanted to buy their records. 17. T. Rex T. Rex were a British rock band led by Marc Bolan, known for pioneering glam rock in the early 1970s with hits including Get It On and Ride a White Swan (Getty Images) Marc Bolans hugely influential rock act started as a pastoral psychedelic folk group. They released four albums under Tyrannosaurus Rex before shortening the name. They reinvented themselves as glam rock behemoths and released several incredible singles such as Ride A White Swan, Get It On, Metal Guru and Children of the Revolution. Sadly, Bolans career was cut short following his death in a car accident in 1977 but his musical legacy lives on. 16. Roxy Music Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry (Rex) Roxy Music are fondly remembered by fans as one of the most eccentric and unusual rock acts of the 1970s, with their self-titled debut album hailed as one of the best British debuts of all time. The group introduced Bryan Ferry, one of the era's most captivating frontmen, and Brian Eno, one of the most influential electronic artists, who would later produce renowned records for the likes of Talking Heads, U2 and Coldplay. 15. The Who Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who (Getty Images) They might be best known by many for providing the CSI themes these days, but The Who are undoubtedly one of the best British rock bands ever. Pete Townshend proved himself to be one of the most expressive British songwriters of the 1960s and 1970s, while Roger Daltrey was one of the most commanding frontmen of the era. They were among the first British bands to introduce the concept album, with 1969s hugely successful Tommy. Whos Next is considered one of the great UK rock albums, and the band continues to resonate with their generation five decades on. 14. Black Sabbath Black Sabbath lead singer Ozzy Osbourne (Getty Images) Ozzy Osbourne teamed up with fellow Brummies Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Tony Iommi in the late 1960s to form the hugely influential Black Sabbath and pretty much invented heavy metal. The group released era-defining classics including Paranoid, War Pigs and Iron Man, and defined British rock music more than most bands before or since. 13. Blur Alex James and Damon Albarn of Blur perform at Wembley Stadium in July 2023 (PA) So much is made of the Blur vs Oasis rivalry that ran throughout the height of Britpop, and its certainly true that they were two of the most important bands of the decade. Blurs impressive back catalogue boasts a wealth of indelibly British songwriting with some of the wittiest lyrics of the 1990s, and some of the simplest (see Tender). Damon Albarn would go on to create music with Gorillaz and pursue several other intriguing projects. However, Graham Coxon was the real star and remains one of the most criminally underrated British guitarists of the 20th century. 12. Queen Queen in concert with singer Freddie Mercury and guitarist Brian May (Getty Images) No one put on a show quite like Queen. Freddie Mercurys unmatchable live performances and the bands incredible sense of spectacle made them one of the most celebrated live acts the UK has ever seen. The masters of bombast and excess, Queen created some of the most widely known and popular music of the 1970s and 1980s. Mercurys premature death in 1991 shocked the music world but the bands legacy is as strong today as ever. Queen continues to perform with Adam Lambert as their lead vocalist in a touring partnership known as Queen + Adam Lambert, bringing their hits to new generations of fans. 11. The Verve The Verve headline Glastonbury in 2008 (PA) Thanks to inter-band tensions, the world has been treated to only four Verve albums, with the band having fallen out, made up, fallen out, made up, and (apparently definitively) fallen out again. In their on-again, off-again years, the Wigan Britpop outfit were a cultural force, with their 1997 album Urban Hymns becoming one of the best-selling albums ever in the UK, and The Drugs Dont Work hitting number one in an era when that was still possible for a British band. Renowned DJ Zane Lowe has called The Verves Bittersweet Symphony the national anthem of England. 10. Coldplay Coldplays Chris Martin achieves another top 10 on this list (PA) Chris Martin predicted back in the late 1990s that his band, Coldplay, would be so big but he couldnt have imagined the scale of their success. Across 10 studio albums (and counting), the band have changed their tone to reflect the trends of the day, while at the same time developing a signature, stadium-filling sound. While the recent offering of Moon Music was far more pop than the indie rock of X&Y, Coldplay deserve their place on this list love or hate them. 9. The Clash The Clash released a succession of classic albums between 1977 and 1985 (John Ingham, courtesy Anthology Editions) From the angsty exuberance of their self-titled debut to the ambitious genre-bending efforts of London Calling and Sandinista, The Clash released a succession of classic albums between 1977 and 1985. The band stood up for admirable causes, famously performing at Rock Against Racism and embracing Left-wing politics in their writing. Forget the Sex Pistols, The Clash are arguably the greatest punk band the UK has ever produced. 8. The Cure Robert Smith of The Cure performs during Lollapalooza 2013 at Grant Park on August 4, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois (Getty Images) Robert Smith's The Cure were one of the most renowned British bands of the 1980s and 1990s, holding a special place in the hearts of music fans countrywide. From the stark and intense nature of albums such as 1982s Pornography, to the more flamboyant and playful records including Wish, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, and Disintegration arguably the bands masterpiece Smith and his bandmates crafted some of the best alternative British music of their generation. 7. Arctic Monkeys Arctic Monkeys headline Glastonbury in June 2023 (PA) Another group changing their sound dramatically over the years, Arctic Monkeys have played by their own rules even down to their choice of name, which frontman Alex Turner has admitted to disliking. Breaking through with their dont believe the hype era of Whatever People Say I Am... Sheffields finest have dabbled in G-funk era tones with their 2013 album AM, and their most recent 2022 album The Car explored a more lounge pop sound. The Monkeys have come and gone in recent years, with increasingly long gaps between albums. However, like Turners thoughts on rock and roll, the band always find their way back through the sludge. 6. The Smiths The Smiths remain one of the greatest bands Britain has ever produced (Library image) They might have inspired more terrible student bands than any other artist, but the Smiths remain one of the greatest bands Britain has ever produced. Morrisseys unmistakable vocals and the chime of Johnny Marrs beautiful guitar playing made them one of the most distinctive bands of the 1980s, and a hit with indie fans ever since. Its almost scary to think that Marr formed the Smiths, released four incredible studio albums and quit the band all by the time he was 24: a staggering achievement at such an early age. 5. The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones pose for a portrait in 1964. From left, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts (Getty Images) Undoubtedly one of the most influential British rock bands of all time, the Rolling Stones could easily top any list of famous British rock groups. Childhood friends Mick Jagger and Keith Richards formed a legendary musical partnership in the 1950s before forming the Stones with Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, and Ian Stewart. The group expanded upon their early covers of tracks by blues legends Howlin Wolf and Chuck Berry to create more expansive sounds, yet kept blues rock at the heart of their music. The reductive Beatles vs Stones argument will always persist among music fans, but the swagger and sheer riffage on display in classic Stones albums such as Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street are impossible to ignore. 4. Pink Floyd Dave Gilmour from Pink Floyd performs at Live 8 in Hyde Park on July 2, 2005 (Getty Images) The Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, Wish You Were Here... the list of classic albums goes on. Pink Floyd have created some of the most accomplished and successful UK rock music ever made, always maintaining a distinctively British sense of eccentricity and idiosyncrasy. The prog-rock legends are among the most commercially successful British bands ever. David Gilmour remains one of the most revered guitarists of his generation too. 3. Radiohead Lead singer of Radiohead Thom Yorke at Glastonbury 2003 Radiohead could have carried on making albums including The Bends and OK Computer and become the best British band of all time in the late 1990s. However, they challenged themselves to change their sound, and with Kid A (2000), they showed the benefits of never standing still as an artist. They're a great band that refuse to settle but still manage to create weird and wonderful music. They're beyond doubt one of the very, very best British rock bands of all time. 2. Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin are known for their powerful sound, genre-blending style and renowned albums such as IV and Physical Graffiti (Getty Images) Led Zeppelin, rock monsters of the 1970s, are considered among the best and heaviest rock bands ever. The four members Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham and Jimmy Page are regarded as some of the best musicians of their generation, with their combined talents creating memorable tracks and albums that continue to influence rock music today. Songs including Communication Breakdown are often credited with pioneering heavy metal. Regardless of whether one subscribes to that view, the band's impact and status as British rock gods remains untouchable. 1. The Beatles The Beatles are unlikely to be toppled as the best British band (press handout) Battle-hardened in the clubs of Hamburg, the Fab Four transformed from squeaky-clean pop sweethearts to rock giants during their career, producing some of the best rock music ever made. They constantly pushed boundaries, taking their sound to places you'd never think possible an together with pioneering producer George Martin, used the studio as an instrument like never before. Their story and music are legendary, and they remain untouchable as the best British rock band of all time. Volodymyr Zelensky visited Ukraines front-line Donetsk region on Saturday Volodymyr Zelensky visited troops defending the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk on Saturday, as diplomats from Kyiv and Moscow prepared for ceasefire talks on Monday. In a trip designed to boost front-line morale, the Ukrainian president presented medals to teams of drone operators fighting to hold the key transport hub. The city has been the main focus of the Russian push in the Donbas region since the autumn, but in recent weeks there have been signs of a Ukrainian push-back. Part of that has been down to an increased use of drones, which has compensated for Ukraines disadvantages in terms of troop numbers and artillery. Mr Zelensky wrote on X: I visited the command post of the Tactical Group Pokrovsk and met with the commanders of the Drone Line, which united the finest unmanned systems units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I received a report on the defence of the Pokrovsk direction, the operational situation, and the progress of the missions. I honoured our warriors with state awards. Mr Zelenskys visit came ahead of talks scheduled in Saudi Arabia for Monday. Rather than meeting face-to-face, the teams from Kyiv and Moscow will convene separately, with US officials acting as relays between the two sides. Shuttle diplomacy The so-called practice of shuttle diplomacy is a common first step when convening talks between warring nations. Last week, Vladimir Putin rejected a joint US-Ukraine proposal of a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, instead suggesting to halt aerial strikes on energy infrastructure. Hours later, Russian forces carried out strikes on the power grid around the Donbas city of Slovyansk, prompting questions over the sincerity of Putins commitment to the talks. Further doubts have been raised over Putins choice of envoys for the Saudi meeting, which includes a prominent spy chief as well as diplomats. Sergei Beseda, a long-time agent of Moscows FSB security service, is on a Western sanctions list. Grigory Karasin, a Russian diplomat who will be Mr Besedas negotiating partner at the talks, told Russian TV this weekend that the pair would be pursuing a combative and constructive approach. Mr Karasin said: We are going with the mood to fight for the solution of at least one issue. Ceasefire proposals The talks will aim to fine-tune details for a cessation of strikes on energy infrastructure and on naval assets in the Black Sea. Donald Trump has been hoping to get Putins agreement to a much more significant ceasefire along the 600-mile front line, but that has so far proved harder than Washington appears to have anticipated. Russia has insisted that any such agreement must first be linked to much more long-term commitments to curb Natos presence on its western borders, and for Kyiv to commit never to join the alliance. Neither Ukraine nor its Western allies are willing to make such promises. And although Ukraine is under pressure on the front lines, military sources have said there is no imminent risk of collapse, meaning that Kyiv is unlikely to accept a ceasefire on unfavourable terms. Meanwhile, a family of three was killed in a Russian drone attack that hit buildings in the south-eastern city of Zaporizhzhia on Friday night, Ukrainian officials said. One of the victims was a 14-year-old girl. Ivan Fedorov, Zaporizhzhias regional governor, wrote on Telegram: The bodies of the daughter and father were pulled out from the rubble. The doctors fought for the mothers life for more than 10 hours, but unfortunately, they failed to save her. Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraines first deputy prime minister, wrote on X: Russian terrorism continues to destroy families all over Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia fired 179 exploding drones and decoys at Zaporizhzhia, some of which were intercepted. At least 12 people were reported to be injured. 03:40 PM GMT Thank you for following Well be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict. 03:08 PM GMT Kyivs Ohmatdyt paediatric hospital We reported earlier that Czech President Petr Pavel visited Ukraines largest childrens hospital on Saturday (see post at 14:22). In July 2024, the hospital sustained major damaged when it was struck by a wave of Russian missile strikes. Two people were killed. Russia denied targeting the hospital, saying it had been hit by fragments of a Ukrainian air defence missile, while Ukraine said it had found remnants of a Russian cruise missile. Rescuers work at Ohmatdyt Childrens Hospital that was damaged during a Russian missile strikes, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv - REUTERS A woman comforts a child outside the paediatric facility - REUTERS 02:22 PM GMT Pictured: Czech president visits childrens hospital in Kyiv Czech President Petr Pavel visited Ukraines largest childrens hospital on Saturday, according to Kyivs minister of health. Viktor Liashko took Mr Pavel on a tour of the Ohmatdyt paediatric hospital in Kyiv, calling it a place of rescue for young patients with the most complex diseases. Czech President Petr Pavel, accompanied by Ukraines Minister of Health Viktor Liashko, visited the Ohmatdyt childrens hospital in Kyiv on Saturday The Ohmatdyt childrens hospital in Kyiv 01:26 PM GMT Watch: Zelensky visits troops in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the border of Ukraines embattled eastern Donetsk region on Saturday (see post at 10:01 am for more). 11:56 AM GMT Russia hopes for progress at Saudi talks, says negotiator We reported earlier that Russian and Ukrainian delegations will hold separate peace talks with the US in Saudi Arabia on Monday (see post at 9:41 am). Moscow has now said it is hoping to achieve at least some progress, Russian negotiator and senator Grigory Karasin told state media on Saturday. Mr Karasin added that he and fellow negotiator, FSB advisor Sergey Beseda, had a combative and constructive mood ahead of the talks. 11:36 AM GMT Family of three killed in Russian drone strike on Ukraine We reported earlier that a Russian drone killed a family of three including a 14-year-old girl in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia in an attack on Friday night, despite Moscow agreeing to a limited ceasefire (see post at 9:31 am). The attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia, which also wounded 12 people, underlined Russias intention to continue aerial strikes 48 hours before both countries are set to hold talks on ending the war. Russia fired more than 200 exploding drones and decoys in the latest wave of overnight attacks. Regional head Ivan Fedorov said that residential buildings, private cars, and social infrastructure facilities were set on fire in the attack, with officials in the Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions reporting that fires broke out due to the falling debris from intercepted drones. Ukraine and Russia have agreed to a limited ceasefire after US President Trump spoke with both leaders this week, though it is not yet clear when it might take effect and what targets would be off limits. Ukrainian president Zelensky told reporters that technical talks in Saudi Arabia this weekend would seek to resolve what types of infrastructure would be protected under the agreement. Mr Zelensky has said hed like railways and ports to be protected, as well as energy infrastructure. Rescue workers clear the rubble of a residential house destroyed by a Russian drone strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine - AP Police officers carry the body of a person killed by a Russian drone strike in Zaporizhzhia - AP 11:24 AM GMT Putin is not a bad person, says Trumps top negotiator Donald Trumps lead negotiator has said Russian president Vladimir Putin is not a bad person. Discussing his two previous meetings with Putin, the US special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said that he liked him. I think he was honest with me. Its a complicated situation, this war, and all the components that led to it. You know, its never just one person whos right, he said. Speaking on Tucker Carlsons YouTube show, Mr Witkoff said that Putin had criticised the Biden administrations refusal to enter in talks to resolve the war. President Putin said to me at our first meeting: How do we resolve a conflict with the head of a major nuclear power if we dont establish trust and good relations with each other?, said Witkoff, adding that Putin said he hadnt spoen to former president Joe Biden in three and a half years. Mr Carlson, a conservative American political commentator, described Mr Witkoff as the most effective American diplomat in a generation. Steve Witkoff has no background in diplomacy but has turned out to be the most effective American diplomat in a generation. Here's how he's trying to resolve the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. (0:00) What Witkoff Has Learned as Trump's Global Negotiator (4:10) Negotiating With pic.twitter.com/7AUh4gvwke Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) March 21, 2025 10:50 AM GMT Pictured: Ukrainian drone attack in Rostov, Russia An apartment building was damaged after an overnight Ukrainian drone attack on Russias Rostov. Local authorities said two people were injured and taken to hospital for treatment. There was damage to six apartments in the 24-storey building. A view of the damaged building after the Ukrainian drone attack in Rostov, Russia - Anadolu 10:01 AM GMT Watch: Zelensky visits Ukraines Donetsk region Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited the border of Ukraines embattled eastern Donetsk region on Saturday. I thank all our defenders. Honour to all fallen heroes, he wrote on X, alongside footage of himself meeting soldiers and visiting makeshift memorials at the regions administrative border. I thank everyone who helps Ukraine and supports us against Russias three-year-old invasion. I thank all our defenders. Honor to all fallen heroes. I thank everyone who helps Ukraine and supports us. pic.twitter.com/X5FEmf8xKh Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) March 22, 2025 09:54 AM GMT Pictured: one year since Crocus City Hall concert People gathered around 145 chairs symbolising the number of victims of the attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow, during a memorial concert on the eve of the first anniversary of the attack , in Donetsk, a Russian controlled region of Ukraine. The Islamic State (IS) group said it was behind the attack. People gather around 145 chairs symbolising the number of victims of the attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow - REUTERS The Islamic State said it was behind the attack that killed 145 people in March 2024 - REUTERS 09:41 AM GMT Upcoming peace talks in Saudi Russian and Ukrainian delegations will hold separate peace talks with the US in Saudi Arabia on Monday. A senior Ukrainian official told AFP it hopes to secure at least a partial ceasefire to stop air and naval attacks. 09:31 AM GMT Family of three including 14-year-old killed by Russian drone A Russian drone killed a family of three including a teenage girl in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia in an attack on Friday night. The bodies of the daughter and father were pulled out from the rubble. The doctors fought for the mothers life for more than 10 hours, but unfortunately, they failed to save her, Zaporizhzhia governor Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram. The attack comes despite Moscow agreeing to a limited ceasefire after talks with US president Trump. Russia has once again violated the ceasefire and killed a 14-year-old child in Zaporizhzhia with a Shahed, President Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said, referring to the Iranian-style exploding drones that Moscow has deployed throughout the war. The strikes on Zaporizhzhia wounded 12, including a nine-month-old baby, Ukrainian officials said. Credit: X/@ZelenskyyUa 09:22 AM GMT Hello and welcome to our live coverage Were bringing you the latest updates from the Ukraine war. Rear view of two police officers in hi-viz jackets Police face being dragged into a fresh two-tier justice row over plans to review bias against young black people. Chiefs have told their forces they must become anti-racist in a report that claims black people are criminalised and adds that it is not enough for officers to be merely not racist. The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), which represents senior officers, announced an initiative to tackle race issues in policing following the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. In an update report to be issued next week, the NPCC embraces the adultification bias theory, which claims black juveniles are viewed as adults when they come into contact with the criminal justice system. Adultification bias can be understood as a form of racial prejudice in which children of minority groups, particularly black children, are viewed as being more mature or older than they really are, the report reads. It adds the NPCC is gathering evidence to review whether police are guilty of the bias towards witnesses, victims and those who are stopped and searched. Unwavering commitment to racial equity The report also endorses racial equity and Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, the chief executive of the College of Policing, writes in its foreword that the NPCC has an unwavering commitment to it. Racial equity is described as requiring police to interact with communities according to their specific needs, circumstances and experiences, with understanding that these will be racialised. It does not mean treating everyone the same or being colour blind [racial equality], the report adds. The language has provoked concerns that officers are being told to treat criminals differently if they are from an ethnic minority. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said on Saturday: If the rule of law means anything, its that everyone is equal before the law. These guidelines tear that to shreds by explicitly instructing officers to treat minorities differently. This will only add to the growing perception we have two-tier justice under Two-Tier Keir. The report goes on to outline that every police force in England and Wales is committed to anti-racism and racial equity. It is not enough for us to not be racist or to claim not to be racist, it reads. Anti-racism demands that we are proactive, which is consistent with our legal duties and code of ethics. Maturity matrix The report calls on forces to make improvements in the likelihood of people being criminalised by the police and refers to plans for a new maturity matrix that will assess forces progress in delivering anti-racism. The matrix will use 14 metrics including black officers career progression and whether forces police according to the needs of black people to produce league tables of the most anti-racist forces. It is black communities experience of policing, not the views of the police, that will judge forces maturity, the report reads. Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, the chairman of the NPCC, admits in the report that it focuses disproportionately on black communities instead of all ethnic minorities. He writes that this is necessary because of the scale of trauma and distrust that generations of people from the black community feel towards the police. The report is endorsed by Dame Diana Johnson, the policing minister, who writes in a foreword that she will hold police leaders to account for delivering an anti-discriminatory police service. In particular, I am keen to work with police leaders and front-line officers on our efforts to strengthen anti-racism training, and to address ongoing disparities, for example, in the use of powers like stop and search and in the misconduct system, she writes. Mr Stephens said: People from black communities have the lowest levels of confidence in the police, are under-represented in our workforce and are more likely to experience police powers such as stop and search or use of force. Recent independent inquiries by Baroness Louise Casey and Lady Elish Angiolini have also urged our service to renew its efforts to address racism and discrimination. This historic and ongoing mistrust between the police and black communities risks, for example, people not reporting things to the police if they are in trouble or not aiding our efforts to catch criminals. Explaining or reforming race disparities and addressing mistrust with black communities will mean we are more effective at fighting crime and protecting all communities. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has asked counter-fraud experts to lead an investigation into the university loans system over fears students are claiming millions of pounds with no intent to study. Ms Phillipson directed the Public Sector Fraud Authority to help co-ordinate the response to the allegations and support the investigations already under way. It follows a Sunday Times probe which reports thousands of students with no academic intent are suspected of fraudulently claiming hundreds of millions of pounds from the countrys university loans system. The newspaper said most of the students under scrutiny are thought to be at franchised universities, which are colleges paid to provide courses for established universities. There is a concern of potential organised recruitment of Romanian nationals in particular to enrol on courses, the newspaper said. The Sunday Times said the Student Loans Company (SLC) spotted suspicious applications involving fake documents and address duplication, and franchised colleges are enrolling students who cannot speak adequate English. Writing for The Sunday Times, Ms Phillipson said: Todays revelations of major misuse of public money and potential fraud by students in franchised universities deal a hammer blow to the integrity of higher education in this country. They point to one of the biggest financial scandals in the history of our universities sector. They demand the firmest action. She added that franchising in some institutions has become less about expanding access and more about meeting expanding overheads for hard-up universities, and said the system also lacks necessary guardrails against abuse. Ms Phillipson said the Office for Students should have provided these guardrails. She said she has asked the Public Sector Fraud Authority to co-ordinate immediate action across the system to halt this growing threat. Ms Phillipson said: The Student Loans Company has been working with law-enforcement agencies to investigate the prevalence of some Romanian students at certain institutions, but not enough care was taken to join the dots of wider abuse taking place across the system and to slam the door shut on widespread abuse. But todays revelations demand that we must go further and faster to protect the public purse. I will not tolerate a penny of taxpayers money being misused. Ms Phillipson said she will also bring forward new legislation at the first available opportunity to ensure the Office for Students has tough new powers to intervene quickly and robustly to protect public money, in addition to the stronger remit I have given it to monitor university finances. A Department for Education spokesperson said: We will stop at nothing to protect public money; any misuse of student loans is an insult to hard-working students striving for better opportunities. Our plan for change will restore trust in our universities. We have already taken clear action to crack down on rogue franchise operators to tackle fraud and well go further. We will overhaul regulation so the Office for Students (OfS) better-protects taxpayers money. In the meantime, we have asked the OfS to clamp down on franchising. The Education Secretary has asked the Public Sector Fraud Authority to help co-ordinate the cross-government response to these extremely concerning allegations and support the investigations already under way. Where misuse or fraud is found we have powers to claw back payments and we wont hesitate to use them. We will bring in tough new laws to ensure the OfS can quickly stop bad actors gaming the system once and for all. The Student Loans Company has blocked student finance payments after similar concerns were previously identified, it is understood. Susan Lapworth, chief executive of the OfS, said: The public must have confidence that taxpayers money in the form of student loans is well spent with genuine students attending high-quality courses that lead to good outcomes. This must include basic expectations such as students attending regularly and being proficient in the English language. The type of sharp practices alleged by this investigation are entirely unacceptable. They represent shocking misuse of public funding and take advantage of genuine students who are not getting the education they deserve. Labour will miss its manifesto pledge to fix a million potholes per year - PAUL ELLIS/AFP Sir Keir Starmer will force town halls to publish their plans to tackle potholes or risk losing crucial funding. For the first time, every council in England will be told they must report the number of potholes filled, with their share of road funding at stake if they fail to comply. The Prime Minister said that that fixing the nations broken roads was essential for economic growth. It comes after a new report suggests Labour will miss its manifesto pledge to fix a million potholes per year. The Asphalt Industry Alliance said last week that the cost of restoring Britains roads back to a good condition had reached 16.8 billion, a record high. Sir Keir said: The broken roads we inherited are not only risking lives but also cost working families, drivers and businesses hundreds, if not thousands of pounds, in avoidable vehicle repairs. Fixing the basic infrastructure this country relies on is central to delivering national renewal, improving living standards and securing Britains future through our Plan for Change. He added: British people are bored of seeing their politicians aimlessly pointing at potholes with no real plan to fix them. That ends with us. Weve done our part by handing councils the cash and certainty they need. Now its up to them to get on with the job, put that money to use and prove theyre delivering for their communities. From mid-April, a 1.6 billion highway maintenance fund will be will be allocated to councils to tackle potholes. But Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, has decided that a third of this money will be contingent on councils meeting specific requirements. To get the full amount, all councils in England must publish annual progress reports, on their websites, by the end of June, detailing how much they are spending, how many potholes they have filled, roads conditions and how they are minimising disruption caused by road works. They will also be required to outline plans for long-term preventative maintenance and address the challenges posed by wetter winters, which exacerbate pothole damage. By the end of October, councils must also demonstrate that local communities have been consulted on where repairs should take place. Local authorities that fail to meet these conditions will see 25 per cent of their share of the 500 million funding withheld. The public deserves to know how their councils are improving their local roads, which is why they will have to show progress or risk losing a quarter of their funding boost. Ms Alexander will also announce 4.8 billion for the improvement of motorways and major A roads. She said: After years of neglect, were tackling the pothole plague, building vital roads and ensuring every penny is delivering results for the taxpayer. The Telegraph has launched a nationwide campaign, Fix Our Potholes, to demand local authorities fix their roads and improve conditions for motorists, businesses and emergency services. In January, The Telegraph revealed record numbers of pothole-ridden roads were being left unrepaired. Up to 82 per cent of the miles of local roads flagged as in need of maintenance were ignored by councils last year, the highest number since records began in 2008. A separate Telegraph analysis found Conservative-run councils fixed five times more road last year than Labour councils. The 50 Tory-controlled Local Highway Authorities in England that submitted data to the Department for Transport fixed 68 miles of roads on average in 2023-24, according to Telegraph data. Labours 78 councils, meanwhile, repaired just 14 miles worth of roads putting them behind the 13 Lib Dem local authorities, which managed to fix 27 miles on average. Figures from the RAC show drivers encounter an average of six potholes per mile in England and Wales, with pothole damage costing an average of 600 per vehicle. The AA reports that 96 per cent of drivers consider fixing potholes a top priority. Edmund King, president of the AA, said: Getting councils to show value for money before getting full funding is a big step in the right direction, as it will encourage a more concerted attack on the plague of potholes. At the same time, local authorities can share best practice, so others can learn what new innovations and planned maintenance techniques have worked for them. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she accepted free tickets to see Sabrina Carpenter live because it was the right thing to do from a security perspective. The Chancellor said she and a family member went to a concert a couple of weeks ago with tickets that werent tickets that you were able to buy. Asked about the Espresso singers show on the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ms Reeves pledged to declare the value of her tickets. Her visit to Londons O2 Arena, first reported in the i newspaper earlier this month, followed a row over ministers accepting freebies and a change to the Ministerial Code with new guiding principles on when gifts and hospitality are acceptable. Sir Keir Starmer last year received several gifts from prominent Labour donor Lord Alli, including multiple pairs of glasses to the value of 2,485, work clothing worth 16,200 and accommodation worth 20,437.28. The Prime Minister later paid back more than 6,000 worth of gifts which he received after entering Number 10 last year, including four Taylor Swift tickets from record label Universal Music Group totalling 2,800, two from the Football Association at a cost of 598, and four to Doncaster races from Arena Racing Corporation at 1,939. Ms Reeves said: I went with a member of my family to see a concert a couple of weeks ago. I do now have security, which means its not as easy as it would have been in the past to just sit in a concert, although that would probably be a lot easier for everyone concerned. So, look, I took those tickets to go with a member of my family. I thought that was the right thing to do from a security perspective. The Chancellor later added: These werent tickets that you could pay for, so there wasnt a price for those tickets. Obviously, Ill declare the value of them but they werent tickets that you were able to buy. Facing questions about clothing donations last year, Ms Reeves told the BBC that while she accepted the gifts in opposition, it was not something she planned to do as a Government minister. The Chancellor took a family member to see Sabrina Carpenter (Lucy North/PA) The Ministerial Code allows ministers to accept tickets but they should attend functions and events in a ministerial capacity, including those where hospitality may be offered. This is primarily a matter of judgment for ministers who are personally responsible for deciding how to act and conduct themselves. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith defended himself for accepting tickets for him and his wife to attend the Bafta awards in February, worth 4,000, from NBCUniversal International. I think thats quite different its an awards show, if you like a celebration of an industry, creative industries, its one of our largest industries. Its one of our biggest exporters, he told BBC Radio 4s Westminster Hour of the Bafta awards. And I was there and a lot of ministers and people from different parties were there as well but its by nature of sort of an awards thing, not Andrew charging off to see Taylor Swift or something and obviously that was all disclosed. Mr Griffith also accepted ski passes and guiding for two people in Davos, Switzerland, worth 973, according to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards register of members financial interests. He took part in the 69th annual British-Swiss Parliamentary ski week alongside other MPs, the document suggests, and accepted hospitality worth an additional 324. I paid all other costs, he added in the declaration. He told the BBC that going and engaging with Swiss Parliamentarians, which by the way helps get a Swiss services financial deal, thats going to create lots of jobs in our economy for a big part of the sector. I dont think people want politicians who sit entirely in a Westminster bubble and never get outside of that. A Conservative Party spokesperson said: The Shadow Business Secretary attended both events alongside Labour politicians including one with Labour ministers and the Business and Trade Secretary. A Tory source said: There is a big difference between accepting hospitality and Lord Alli giving millions to the Labour party in return for a Downing Street pass. This is nothing more than mudslinging by Labour HQ to desperately try and distract from the fact they have been forced into holding an emergency budget this week. Blower cartoon Every commitment a Labour government makes will be based on sound money and economic stability. The first line of the strong foundations chapter in the Labour Party Manifesto 2024 has not aged well. To paraphrase Mike Tyson, promises are easy until reality punches you in the face. The Government is facing its Tyson moment. Wednesdays Spring Statement, second only in importance to the Autumn Budget, will bring grim news on the economy and public spending. The Chancellors promise of growth, growth, growth has yet to materialise, and the only stability markets can discern is that of the graveyard. The Office for Budget Responsibility, the states economic watch-dog, will downgrade the countrys economic outlook, as predicted after a Budget which increased taxes on wealth-creating businesses, the opposite of a growth agenda. The rich, who pay most of the tax in the UK, have left in their thousands. Borrowing is 20 billion higher than predicted last autumn and is costing more to service. Purchasers of UK debt are still nervous that the wrong person is in Number 11 and are pricing lending costs accordingly. Yields on 10-year bonds have increased since the arrival of the Labour Government. Shes shot, one investor tells me of the Chancellor. That Budget was a disaster and our memories are long. To hit her iron-clad fiscal rules, Rachel Reeves will have to present a re-forecast to Parliament, voters and sceptical businesses. A chief executive of a private business presenting to his or her board would rightly be sweating. What is remarkable is that the Chancellor is coming back to Parliament in the middle of a spending review and is having to change the spending envelope for that review to meet her fiscal rules, Rupert Harrison, the leading economist and former chief-of-staff to George Osborne, told me. That is pretty unprecedented it may have happened in the 1970s and the IMF crisis but not since then. Labour MPs are restless. Cuts in disability benefits have already been announced and a report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, a favourite think-tank of the Left, says that living standards for families will fall by 2030, trapped in a toxic mix of rising housing costs, falling real earnings and frozen tax thresholds. The question being increasingly asked is what is Labour for?. Reeves has yet to find the answer. As promised before the election, she will insist there will be no return to austerity whilst also announcing significant cuts to civil service numbers. The pledge will be kept by the finest of margins a small increase in overall government spending rather than the real-term cuts in the era of Osborne and David Cameron. Such austerity-lite hides a myriad of rocks. Defence and health have already been earmarked for significant increases, which will mean reductions elsewhere. We will only know the destination of the scalpel when the Spending Review is announced later in the spring or early summer. Anyone betting against tax rises in the Budget in the autumn should start hedging. The Government has zig-zagged its way to the present position, creating confusion. Since it came to power on the well worn New Labour promise of no increases in income tax, national insurance and VAT the facts have become its enemy. It expressed surprise that the public finances were in a very bad state, despite warnings to the contrary. In response, and with no public preparation, it announced a cut to winter fuel allowances for pensioners. It also agreed generous pay rises for public sector workers, with no concomitant requirement for reform. Public sector productivity is still below pre-Covid levels. Politicians continue to throw good money after bad, creating perverse economic effects. Increased public sector activity drove the 0.1 per cent rise in GDP in the last three months of 2024, an unsustainable position. As Margaret Thatcher noted, governments do not make profits and the state has no source of money other than money which people earn themselves. More productive private sector activity is contracting, beaten back by tax rises and declining confidence. On a GDP per person calculus, the UK is already on the edges of recession. Taxes that should be coming down are travelling in the opposite direction, with changes announced last autumn due to take effect in a matter of weeks. The combined impact of the national insurance rise on businesses totals 24 billion a year, money which would be better spent employing people and investing. The lowering of the threshold at which national insurance is paid is startlingly bad policy, just at the time the government is demanding firms help solve the sickness benefits crisis. Systematically they are making most entry-level jobs more expensive, for example retail and hospitality, a leading business advisor tells me. It is pernicious and will mean fewer jobs being created and fewer maintained. The Federation of Small Businesses, which represents thousands of firms on which growth relies, has seen confidence drop precipitately. Its last Small Business Index of 2024 revealed that employment growth was down and revenue growth flat. At the Spring Statement, small businesses will be looking for the Government to show it understands their concerns and that it is prepared to act on practical issues, so that they can grow, Craig Beaumont, executive director at the FSB, told me. Farms and family businesses, hit by changes in inheritance tax, are responding by reducing employment and investment. The Lefts great political trick of the 2010s was defining austerity as a social ill, rather than an efficiency drive that released economic growth and re-invigorated global investor confidence. The Conservatives also revealed that they could not be trusted to deliver functioning public services. It is time for a reset, what might be called the New Austerity. The state can indeed be a facilitator, but it does not have the skill or breadth to beat the market signals of price and demand. In his seminal work, The Fatal Conceit: the Errors of Socialism, Friedrich Hayek says the creation of wealth is not simply a physical process and cannot be explained by a chain of cause and effect. Public servants are not wealth-creation soothsayers. If Reeves is truly brave, and wants to be a history-defining Chancellor beyond the happenstance of her gender, then she should be the politician who understands the smaller state narrative from the Left. Businesses will thank her. As will the voters who rely on the public services she so ardently wants to improve. Tate Modern, built in the shell of a defunct power station on the south bank of the Thames, with the Millennium Bridge spanning the river across to St Pauls Cathedral. Photograph: Alamy Opening night at Tate Modern, 25 years ago this May, was the kind of party that defines an era. Stars of the arts world and politics, including prime minister Tony Blair, attended. All of them were dwarfed by a giant spider Louise Bourgeoiss visiting sculpture perched on the gangway over the vast, packed Turbine Hall. For Alex Beard, particular joyous moments still stand out, but not just from the evening: It was a remarkable night, but I most clearly remember the first morning, 12 May, when I walked around outside, really early doors, and saw people lining up right around the building. I talked to the first person in the queue, who told me this was something theyd been waiting for all their life, recalls Beard, who was deputy director of Tate. The queen had officially opened the building with the words, I declare the Tate Modern open, adds Beard, remembering how Nicholas Serota, the director and the driving force behind the venture, discreetly winced at the monarchs use of the definite article. This was simply Tate Modern. The last gallery proposed for London was in 1936, so this one took a long time coming, says Beard, who now runs the Royal Opera House. There were worries about funding, and a moment when we discovered some asbestos in the Turbine Hall, but our most spectacular inaccuracy was in the projection of business for the first year. We thought there might be two million visitors, and it was more than double that. Last week, the gallery, built inside the brick hulk of a former power station on the south bank of the Thames in London, revealed plans to mark its anniversary with a birthday weekender of events. It will host a free celebration of visual art, live music and performance, running from 9 to 12 May. Bourgeoiss spider will be back, as it was in 2007, and in honour of an eventful quarter-century, a trail of 25 art works is being installed around the galleries, featuring modern art landmarks such as Andy Warhols images of Marilyn Monroe and Salvador Dalis Lobster Telephone. Art historian Tim Marlow, director and chief executive of the Design Museum, feels that another party is justified. Tate Modern has utterly changed the face of Londons museums. We didnt have a separate museum for modern art and it pretty quickly gained status, up alongside Moma [the Museum of Modern Art in New York] and the Pompidou [in Paris], even if there are some questions about its collections. It has helped London become one of the greatest cities in the world rather than the dysfunctional capital of a lost power Alex Beard It is, Marlow believes, everything Tate wanted it to be, although the original Tate Britain on the other side of the river may have suffered at its expense. Tate Modern was the result of a series of things happening, not just one key moment, says Beard. There was the lottery money, of course, then all those YBA graduates of Michael Craig-Martins at Goldsmiths College, as well as Charles Saatchi collecting at Boundary Road, and then all the new technology, turning us into a more visually aware nation. All that came together to create a gallery that could further energise what was going on. But the chill March wind also brings sobering news. Tate, the parent organisation, is now in serious survival discussions with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It is banking on central government coming to the rescue while it looks for a financially viable model. The most recent annual report also reveals that trustees have approved a deficit budget for this financial year. So while Tate Modern may have held on to its high place in the annual popularity rankings for British visitor attractions, released on Friday, it does face a dilemma. The Tates four galleries have jointly lost 2.7 million visitors in five years, according to Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (Alva) figures. Tate Modern is in fourth place with 4.6 million visitors, 3% fewer than last year and 25% down on 2019. Only Windsor and the Natural History Museum lie between it and the British Museum, in the top spot again. Its neighbour up the river, the Southbank Centre, also celebrating 25 years since it was significantly overhauled, lies just behind in fifth. Related: Tate cuts 7% of workforce in effort to reduce funding deficit from pandemic As some other attractions return to pre-pandemic visitor levels, the original site, Tate Britain, is still down 32% on 2019, though up a bit on last year. The financial lifeline discussions and visitor figures come after recent reports outlining plans to cut staffing numbers by 7%. Alvas director, Bernard Donoghue, suspects that Tate has been heavily dependent on overseas visitors, and so is being hit by the comparative lack of Chinese tourists since the pandemic. Tate points out that 2019 was a record-breaking year as Tate Modern pushed the British Museum out of first place in Britain for the first time in nine years on the Art Newspapers annual survey of international museums and galleries. The success was chiefly down to the appeal of its acclaimed 2018 Picasso exhibition. Alison Cole, a former editor of the Art Newspaper who now directs the Cultural Policy Unit, a new thinktank, believes that renewal and money to carry it out is now vital: Tate is not alone in facing these issues, and it has to manage many sites in terms of attracting visitors. Its hard to continually reinvigorate yourself; it is a question now of renewal. Many institutions are feeling their age since that big museum expansion at the turn of the millennium, not only in terms of deteriorating buildings but also flagging staff morale when finances are under strain. Coles thinktank would like to see a temporary switch in the way lottery funds are distributed, in an effort to help these great organisations put themselves on a sustainable footing. The first Tate Gallery at Millbank was founded in 1897 by the sugar magnate Sir Henry Tate to champion British art. Away from the action in a residential area and with a limited collection of foreign and modern works, it wasnt until the 1980s that it became a prominent feature of the art world. Its creation of the Turner prize in 1984 brought it and the modern art world much needed publicity and controversy. Then the appointment of Serota as its director four years later changed its fortunes. Right from the beginning, on a crisp, two-sided application for the job, Serota laid out his vision, says Beard. He has got the most fantastic 60,000ft view of the role art plays in society and also knows how to get things done, with incredible attention to detail. Now in the hot seat as chair of Arts Council England, Serota is becoming accustomed to less enthusiastic praise, after criticism of the organisations most recent round of cuts. Children and young adults were at the heart of the new Tate Modern gallery from the get-go, explains Beard. The idea was to avoid the atmosphere of a reverent temple to the arts. The entrance into the Turbine Hall was that liminal space between the city and the museum and part of the whole philosophy. It established what was so different about Tate Modern. It was genuinely groundbreaking in its relationship with the city. The bridge over to St Pauls was conceived really early on and it caused a great opening up of the river. Its ridiculous to think you couldnt walk along it easily then. It has helped London develop its confidence, to become one of the greatest cities in the world, rather than the dysfunctional capital of a lost power. The two sides of the river have since reached a fairer balance, putting the Thames back at the centre of the city. I was recently on the Southbank and it was heaving, says Marlow. Before, there was a sense that all the arts happened north of the river. Now it is a vibrant cultural corridor. And it seems incredible that a city with so much major art being produced in it didnt have a separate museum for modern art until 2000. A protester dressed in a Turkish flag confronts riot police on Friday near Istanbul city hall after the arrest of mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Photograph: Yasin Akgul/AFP/Getty Images When demonstrators gathered at Istanbuls city hall last week in outrage at the arrest of mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, 26-year-old Azra said she was initially too scared to defy a ban on gatherings. As protests grew on university campuses and in cities and towns across Turkey, she could no longer resist joining. I saw the spark in peoples eyes and the excitement on their faces, and I decided I had to come down here, she said with a grin, standing among tens of thousands that defied a ban on assembly to fill the streets around city hall on Friday night. Despite the crowds, Azra feared reprisals and declined to give her full name. Many demonstrators were masked in a bid to defy facial recognition technology and fearing the teargas or pepper spray sometimes deployed by the police. Others smiled and took selfies to celebrate as fireworks illuminated the night sky. The arrest of the mayor of Turkeys largest city in a dawn raid last week was a watershed moment in the countrys prolonged shift away from democracy. Opponents of president Recep Tayyip Erdogan fear it is a move to sideline the sole challenger capable of defeating him in upcoming elections, expected before 2028. Early on Sunday, prosecutors requested the formal arrest and jailing pending trial of Imamoglu, who was being held pending a court decision. On Saturday, protests in support of Imamoglu erupted in Istanbul where flares and stones where thrown at police, who responded with pepper spray while in Ankara, the capital, police used water cannon and tear gas on demonstrators. The interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, said 323 people had been detained in connection with an investigation into the Istanbul municipality on Saturday night, following protests. Earlier, he said: There will be no tolerance for those who seek to violate societal order, threaten the peoples peace and security, and pursue chaos and provocation. During the week, Imamoglu and more than 100 other people including municipal officials and the head of the mayors construction firm were served detention orders and accused of embezzlement and corruption charges the mayor denies. He also denies terrorism charges levelled at him over collaboration with a leftwing political coalition prior to local elections last year, which saw major losses for Erdogans Justice and Development party (AKP). Justice minister Ylmaz Tunc attempted to rebuff any suspicion the charges against Imamoglu and others from the opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) were politicised. Attempting to associate judicial investigations and cases with our president is, to say the least, an act of audacity and irresponsibility, he said. Within days, what began as protests in response to Imamoglus detention has grown into something more. This is bigger than Imamoglu. Its about a fight for democracy, law and equal rights, said Azra as demonstrators massed around her. The Turkish president has long sought to retake Istanbul from opposition control, fuelling protesters joy at defying a ban on gatherings in the city where Erdogan began his political career as mayor. Standing outside a metro station as hundreds of cheering people poured into the street, breaking into anti-government chants and banging on the escalators, another protester, named Diler, called the demonstrations a response to the pressure that has built up over years. There are problems with the economy, with education, with the health system, she said in a nod to the economic crisis that has seen the cost of living soar. We are fed up with this government. Supporters of the mayor said 300,000 people joined the demonstration in Istanbul on Friday night, while video showed protesters taking to the streets and clashing with the police in major towns and cities across the country. Turkish interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said 343 people were detained across nine cities after taking part in demonstrations. Turkish authorities ratcheted up their attempts to quell the growing protests, including blocking traffic across two bridges leading to city hall in Istanbul and locking down several thoroughfares nearby with lines of riot police. Erdogan voiced his increasing displeasure at calls to demonstrate by the head of the opposition, saying: Turkey is not a country that will be on the street it will not surrender to street terrorism. Despite the domestic outrage at Imamoglus detention, the international response remained muted. The clearest reaction was financial, with estimates that the Turkish central bank spent a record $11.5bn propping up the lira the day after Imamoglus arrest as investors fled and the currency plunged in value. Reactions elsewhere were far less impactful. A spokesperson for the UN secretary general said they hoped the normal rules for due process will be followed, while US state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Washington will not comment on the internal decision-making processes of another country. US president Donald Trump and Erdogan spoke by phone just days before Imamoglus arrest amid reports the Turkish leader is seeking a meeting at the White House in the coming months. US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff told rightwing pundit Tucker Carlson in an interview that Trump and Erdogans conversation was transformational, adding: I think theres just a lot of good, positive news coming out of Turkey right now. The international climate has Erdogan feeling very confident, said Gonul Tol, an analyst with the Washington-based Middle East Institute. The president of the United States is undermining democracy there, meaning the US is looking inward. He just doesnt care what other foreign autocrats are doing to their people. Those things are really impacting a global climate where autocrats think they can do whatever they want. European leaders previously quick to criticise Erdogan, such as French president Emmanuel Macron, have yet to voice objections to events in Turkey amid expectations they could increasingly look to Ankara to supply peacekeepers in Ukraine. With Trumps return to the White House and his shift towards Russia on Ukraine, the Europeans are panicking and trying to boost defence, said Tol. In this climate where Europe feels it has to defend itself against Russia alone, theres more talk about engaging Erdogan. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen became the highest-ranking official to offer any criticism, stating Turkey must protect democratic values, especially the rights of elected officials. Soner Cagaptay, a biographer of Erdogan and an analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said such statements were not likely to prompt any change in policy. There are unlikely to be any meaningful actions to follow; there will be no sanctions or disinviting Erdogan to summits, declining to include Turkey in future planning. There will be no concrete repercussions, because of the way Turkey has positioned itself in this new global arena as an important power, he said. Related: This is about injustice: crowds defy ban to protest over Istanbul mayors detention The CHP is expected to push ahead with declaring Imamoglu its candidate for president this weekend, after a symbolic primary vote. Those outside city hall were insistent the Istanbul mayor should remain the oppositions candidate, even if this means his running from prison. Cagaptay said despite the lack of international criticism, the push to nullify Imamoglu could still backfire. Erdogan was briefly jailed in the 1990s while mayor of Istanbul, galvanising his support and fuelling his run for national politics. He entered jail as a mayor and exited as a national hero, said Cagaptay. Erdogan is betting this wont happen [now] due to state capture, his control of institutions and the media, and hes not worried about international criticism. Wikipedia Geniuses in the kitchen Food transcends boundaries, connecting us through time and social strata. Even iconic figures, despite their fame, held onto cherished culinary favorites. We've compiled 25 recipes that reveal the personal tastes of historical luminaries, from Emily Dickinson's beloved coconut cake to Johnny Cash's hearty family chili. Editor's note: Some of the recipes below are word-by-word transcripts of original handwritten letters. Left: Wikipedia/ Right: kaorinne/iStock 1. Agatha Christie's fig and orange scones It turns out that when she was not writing mindboggling novels, The Queen of Mystery was a whizz in the kitchen. There's no mystery when it comes to Agatha Christies fig and orange scones they are totally delicious. Agatha Christie's fig and orange scones with Devonshire cream recipe 1 large egg cup buttermilk 1 tablespoon grated orange zest 2 cups all-purpose flour cup sugar 1 teaspoons baking powder teaspoon baking soda teaspoon ground cardamom teaspoon salt cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small chunks 1 cup fresh figs, chopped into half-inch pieces Preheat the oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and set it aside. Whisk together egg, buttermilk, and orange zest in a small bowl. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, and salt in a medium bowl. By using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs. Spread chopped figs evenly over the salad and toss lightly. Buttermilk mixture should be added to the flour mixture and stirred until clumps form. Avoid overmixing. Knead the mixture once or twice on a floured countertop. Form a half-inch-thick circle. Using a biscuit cutter, cut the dough into eight slices, like a pie. Place on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Eat warm with an enormous amount of cream. Left: Wikipedia Right: NataBene/iStock 2. Al Capone's secret spaghetti recipe Al Capone was a known gourmand. The notorious gangster was known to swap the Tommy gun for a saucepan every now and then and cook his secret pasta sauce. According to his descendants, the mobster stashed away secret Italian sauce recipes discovered in the 1920s when the police raided his warehouses in search of bootleg booze. Al Capone's Secret Spaghetti Recipe 2 tsp. salt 1 tbsp. vegetable oil 1 cup parsley leaves cup walnut pieces 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 1 lb. fresh or dried spaghetti 2 cup extra-virgin olive oil cup grated Parmesan cheese Salt and freshly ground pepper cup chopped or sliced tomato for garnish In a large pot, bring four quarts of water to a boil. Add the salt and vegetable oil. Add the spaghetti slowly, allowing the water to boil continuously. Cook until the noodles are tender, about 10 minutes. Chop and blend the garlic, walnuts, and parsley, then pour all of the olive oil slowly into the mixture. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and cup of the Parmesan cheese and blend again. Twist a mound of spaghetti on each plate. The sauce should be ladled in the middle of the plate, moist enough to coat the spaghetti when tossed for presentation tableside. Sprinkle each dish with the additional Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and diced tomato. Left: Wikipedia Right: National Archives 3. Queen Elizabeth II's drop scones Queen Elizabeth II was a pro at making Scottish pancakes. The monarch sent President Dwight D. Eisenhower her personal recipe for drop scones after he visited Balmoral in 1959. In addition, the Queen sent a note with some additional information, explaining the recipe served 16 people, the pancakes tasted great with syrup, and mixing the batter was a bit challenging. Queen Elizabeth II's drop scones recipe 4 teacups flour 4 tablespoons caster sugar 2 teacups milk 2 whole eggs 2 teaspoons bicarbonate soda 3 teaspoons cream of tartar 2 tablespoons melted butter "Beat eggs, sugar, and about half the milk together, add flour, and mix well together adding remainder of milk as required, also bi-carbonate and cream of tartar, fold in the butter." Teacups were akin to of an American standard cup. From there, the batter would have been dropped onto a skillet, and the scones were browned on both sides. Left: Wikipedia Right: bhofack2/iStock 4. Marilyn Monroes Turkey-and-stuffing recipe While its difficult to imagine the elegant blond bombshell chopping celery stalks, a handwritten recipe penned by Marilyn Monroe on letterhead from an insurance company suggests that she not only cooked but did so with poise and with flair. Marilyn Monroe's Turkey-and-stuffing recipe For the Stuffing Sourdough French bread soak in cold water, wring out, then shred For chicken giblets boil in water 5-10 mins Liver heart then chop 1 whole or onion, chop & parsley / four stalk celery, chop together following spices put in rosemary Thyme, bay leaf, oregano, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, Grated Parmesan cheese, 1 handful 1/2lb 1/4lb ground round put in frying pan brown (no oil) then mix raisin 1 cups or more 1 cup chop nuts (walnuts, chestnuts, peanuts) 1 or 2 hard boiled eggs chopped mix together To Prep the Bird Salt & pepper inside chicken or turkey outside same and butter Sew up clamp birds put chicken or turkey in 350 oven Roasting chicken 3or 4lbs or larger Cooks 30 min to 1lbs Brown chicken or pheasant (vinegar, oil, onion, spices) let cook in own juice Add little water as you go glass vinegar put in when half done Cooks 2 hours Put potatoes Mushroom button canned Peas fresh Left: Wikipedia Right: VeselovaElena/iStock 5. Emily Dickinson's coconut cake According to Emily Dickinson Museum The kitchen appears to be one of the rooms where [Emily] Dickinson felt most comfortable, perhaps most at home. But the many drafts of poems written on kitchen papers tell us also that this was a space of creative ferment for her, and that the writing of poetry mixed in her life with the making of delicate treats. The coconut cake recipe is one of those instances where Dickinson blended her two great skills: baking and poetry. Emily Dickinson's Coconut Cake Recipe 1 cup coconut 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar cup butter cup milk 2 eggs teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar Dickinson left no instructions for how to prepare the cake, but there is a modern approximation of her recipe on NPR. Left: Wikipedia Right: Library of Congress 6. Rosa Parks's pancakes Heres a breakfast for champions. When civil right activist Rosa Parks died in 2005, among the papers she left behind was a bank envelope with a handwritten recipe for Featherlite pancakes. The recipe calls for a good deal of peanut butter, something Parks loved, according to her niece Deborah Ann Ross. Rosa Parks's Featherlite peanut butter pancakes recipe 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoon baking powder teaspoon salt 2 tablespoon sugar 1 egg 1 cups whole milk cup peanut butter 1 tablespoon shortening, melted, or any neutral oil, like canola As for the recipe itself, Parks only writes, "Combine with dry ingredients; cook at 275 on griddle." Left: Wikipedia Right: MUSEUM ERNEST HEMINGWAY, CUBA 7. Ernest Hemingway's favorite burger There's no surprise that "Papa" loved his food, as he described it in detail in his novels, and he was just as particular about his chow in real life. Hemingway's favorite burger recipe was released in 2020 by the Hemingway Letters Project at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. And it's something else. Ernest Hemingway's favorite burger recipe 1 lb. ground lean beef 2 cloves, minced garlic 2 little green onions, finely chopped 1 heaping teaspoon, India relish 2 tablespoons, capers 1 heaping teaspoon, Spice Islands sage teaspoon Spice Islands Beau Monde Seasoning teaspoon Spice Islands Mei Yen Powder 1 egg, beaten in a cup with a fork About cup dry red or white wine 1 tablespoon cooking oil Break up the meat with a fork and scatter the garlic, onion, and dry seasonings over it, then mix them into the meat with a fork or your fingers. Let the bowl of meat sit out of the icebox for 10 or 15 minutes while you set the table and make the salad. Add the relish, capers, everything else, including wine, and let the meat sit, quietly marinating for another 10 minutes if possible. Now make your fat, juicy patties with your hands. The patties should be an inch thick and soft in texture, but not runny. Have the oil in your frying pan hot but not smoking when you drop in the patties, and then turn the heat down and fry the burgers about four minutes. Take the pan off the burner and turn the heat high again. Flip the burgers over, put the pan back on the hot fire, then after one minute, turn the heat down again and cook another three minutes. Both sides of the burgers should be crispy brown, and the middle pink and juicy. Left: Wikipedia Right: New York Public Library 8. George Washington's small beer Small beer was a colonial favorite partly because it was cheap. Washington, ever the practical man, came up with a recipe for small beer that would have been a hit at the first Fourth of July party. George Washington's small beer recipe 1 large sifter of bran hops 3 gallons of molasses 1 quart of yeast Take a large sifter full of bran hops to your taste. Boil these three hours. Then strain out 30 gallons into a cooler, put in three gallons molasses while the beer is scalding hot, or rather drain the molasses into the cooler and strain the beer on it while boiling hot. Let this stand until it is little more than blood warm. Then put in a quart of yeast. If the weather is very cold, cover it over with a blanket and let it work in the cooler 24 hours. Then put it into the cask [and] leave the bung [hole] open [until] it is almost done working. Bottle it that day [or] week it was brewed. Left: Wikipedia Right: allenginsberg.org 9. Allen Ginsbergs cold summer borscht While sweating the days away in his apartment, the American poet Allen Ginsberg came up with a recipe that was a real refreshment during the hot New York city summers: a cold borscht. Allen Ginsbergs Cold Summer Borscht Recipe Dozen beets cleaned & chopped to bite size salad-size Strips Stems & leaves also chopped like salad lettuce All boiled together lightly salted to make a bright red soup, with beets now soft boil an hour or more Add Sugar & Lemon Juice to make the red liquid sweet & sour like Lemonade Chill 4 gallon(s) of beet liquid Serve with (1) Sour Cream on table (2) Boiled small or halved potato on the side (i.e. so hot potatoes dont heat the cold soup prematurely) (3) Spring salad on table to put into cold red liquid 1) Onions sliced (spring onions) 2) Tomatoes sliced bite-sized 3) Lettuce ditto 4) Cucumbers ditto 5) a few radishes Left: Wikipedia Right: ALLEKO/iStock 10. Nancy Reagan's persimmon pudding In the '80s, the Reagans brought California chic and polish to the White House. Nancy Reagan, the homemaker-in-chief, threw dishes impressive enough to be served at special events at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. One of these recipes was the First Lady's sophisticated persimmon pudding with brandy whipped cream sauce. Nancy Reagan's persimmon pudding recipe cup melted butter 1 cup sugar 1 cup flour, sifted tsp. salt 1 tsp. ground cinnamon tsp. nutmeg 1 cup persimmon pulp (3 to 4 chopped nuts (optional), ripe ones) 2 tsp. baking soda 2 tsp. warm water 3 tbsp. brandy 1 tsp. vanilla 2 eggs, slightly beaten 1 cup seedless raisins Stir together the melted butter and sugar. Resift the flour with salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then add to the butter and sugar mixture. Add the persimmon pulp, solids dissolve in warm water, brandy, and vanilla. Add the eggs, mixing thoroughly but lightly. Add the raisins and nuts. Put this in a buttered, steam-type covered mold and steam two and a half hours. Flame at the table with brandy. Left: Wikipedia Right:Carlos Valle/iStock 11. Pablo Picasso's omelet tortilla Nicoise Pablo Picasso was as passionate about his food as he was about his art. In 1964, the Spanish-born painter shared with food columnist Ninette Lyon one of his favorite recipes omelet tortilla Nicoise. The recipe is now reprinted by Vogue, and you can add it to your culinary bucket list. Pablo Picasso's omelet tortilla Nicoise recipe 6 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion 4 peppers, red and green 3 tomatoes 2 tablespoons wine vinegar 8 eggs Salt and pepper In a flat-bottomed frying pan, heat oil gently and add the onions. After five minutes, add the peppers. Mix and cook gently for a few minutes, then slip in the tomatoes. After mixing and seasoning, cover pan and let simmer over a low flame for one hour. Vegetables should not stick. Uncover the pan, pour in the wine vinegar, and let cook until liquid is reduced. Beat the eggs in a bowl. Pour over the vegetables, stir, and let the omelet cook gently without touching it. When set, put a big plate over the pan and flip the omelet onto it, before adding it back into the pan. Cook till golden over a higher flame. Cut the omelet tortilla and serve with garlic aioli. Left: Wikipedia Right: nickyp2/iStock 12. George Orwell's Christmas pudding In 1945, the same year the visionary author George Orwell released "Animal Farm," he penned a less popular piece on British cuisine called "British Cookery," where he states, "Cheap restaurants in Britain are almost invariably bad, while in expensive restaurants the cooking is almost always French or imitation French." In addition to his analysis of British cuisine, Orwell shared a few of his own recipes, including this version of the classic British Christmas pudding George Orwell's Christmas pudding recipe 1 lb. each of currants, sultanas, and raisins 2 ounces sweet almonds 1 ounces sweet almonds 1 ounces bitter almonds 4 ounces mixed peel lb. brown sugar lb. flour lb. breadcrumbs teaspoonful salt teaspoonful grated nutmeg teaspoonful powdered cinnamon 6 ounces suet The rind and juice of 1 lemon 5 eggs A little milk of a pint of brandy, or a little beer Wash the fruit. Chop the suet, then shred and chop the peel. Stone and chop the raisins, and blanch and chop the almonds. Prepare the breadcrumbs. Sift the spices and salt into the flour. Mix all the dry ingredients into a basin. Heat the eggs, mix them with the lemon juice and the other liquids. Add to the dry ingredients and stir well. If the mixture is too stiff, add a little more milk. Allow the mixture to stand for a few hours in a covered basin. Then mix well again and place in well-greased basins of about eight inches diameter. Cover with rounds of greased paper. Then tie the tops of the basins over the floured cloths if the puddings are to be boiled, or with thick greased paper if they are to be steamed. Boil or steam for five or six hours. On the day when the pudding is to be eaten, reheat it by steaming it for three hours. When serving, pour a large spoonful of warm brandy over it and set fire to it. Left: Wikipedia Right: Library of Congress 13. Thomas Jefferson's ice cream While Thomas Jefferson did not introduce ice cream to the United States, despite a popular claim, he can be credited with the first known ice cream recipe recorded by an American. Jefferson also popularized the famous dessert when he served it at the Presidents House in Washington. Thomas Jefferson's ice cream recipe 2 bottles of good cream 6 yolks of eggs lb. sugar Mix the yolks and sugar. Put the cream on a fire in a casserole... When near boiling, take it off and pour it gently into the mixture of eggs and sugar. Stir it well. Put it on the fire, again stirring it thoroughly with a spoon to prevent its sticking to the casserole. When near boiling, take it off and strain it through a towel. Put it in the Sabottiere (an early ice cream maker). Then set it in ice an hour before it is to be served. Put into the ice a handful of salt. Put salt on the cover lid of the Sabottiere and cover the whole thing with ice. Leave it still half a quarter of an hour. Then turn the Sabottiere in the ice 10 minutes. Open it to loosen with a spatula the ice from the inner sides of the Sabottiere. Shut it and replace it in the ice. Open it from time to time to detach the ice from the sides. When well taken, stir it well with the spatula. Put it in molds, justling it well down on the knee. Then put the mold into the same bucket of ice. Leave it there to the moment of serving it. Left: Wikipedia Right: Grandiflora/iStock 14. Sylvia Plath's lemon pudding cake Sylvia Plath found great comfort and escape in baking. She was a famous devotee of 1950s The Joy of Cooking, and wrote Lady Lazarus while baking the cookbooks lemon pudding cake. Her own recipe is nearly identical to that of Joy of Cooking, but rather than regular milk she uses buttermilk for a little less fat and more tang. Sylvia Plath's Lemon pudding cake recipe 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus more for ramekins 1/4 cup flour Zest of 1 lemon 1 cup reduced-fat buttermilk 1/4 cup lemon juice 3 egg yolks 4 egg whites 1/4 teaspoon salt Powdered sugar and fresh berries, for garnish 1. Preheat oven to 350F. Set six 6-ounce ramekins in a small roasting pan, butter them lightly, and dust them with granulated sugar. 2. Combine the remaining 2/3 cup granulated sugar, flour, and lemon zest in a medium bowl. Mix buttermilk, lemon juice, and egg yolks together in a large bowl. Whisk dry ingredients into wet ingredients until combined. 3. Beat egg whites with salt until soft peaks form in a small bowl or the bowl of a standing mixer. Fold into lemon mixture gently. Divide batter evenly among ramekins and fill roasting pan with hot water until it reaches halfway up ramekins. Tent with foil. 4. Bake 20 minutes. Once the cakes are golden and firm to the touch, remove the foil and continue baking for another 20 minutes. Transfer ramekins to a rack and let cool 15 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edges and invert onto plates. Garnish with powdered sugar and berries. Left: Wikipedia Right: dirkr/iStock 15. Elvis Presley's peanut butter sandwich recipe The King loved his food big and greasy. So, it's no surprise that this calorie monster was his favorite recipe. Elvis Presley's peanut butter sandwich recipe 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened 2 slices white bread 2 tablespoons peanut butter 1/2 large ripe banana, sliced lengthwise into 4 thin pieces 4 slices bacon, cooked 2 tablespoons honey Spread peanut butter on the other side of each slice. Add banana slices. Top with bacon slices and drizzle with honey. Place the remaining slice of bread, buttered side up, on top. Left: Wikipedia Right: U.S National Archives 16. Jimmy Carter's plains special cheese ring This cheese ring, named after Carter's birthplace Plains, Georgia, is a great easy treat to toss together at your next gathering. Carter served this dish at the White House on many occasions during his four years in Washington. Jimmy Carter's plains special cheese ring recipe 1 lb. grated sharp cheese 1 cup finely chopped nuts 1 cup mayonnaise 1 small finely grated onion Black pepper Dash of cayenne Mix all of the ingredients, then mold with your hands into the desired shape. Place in the refrigerator until chilled. Left: Wikipedia Right: prathmesh pardeshi/iStock 17. Roald Dahl's frozen homemade Kit-Kat cake Unsurprisingly, the creator of "Willy Wonka" and "Charlie and The Chocolate factory," had a sweet tooth himself. Roald Dahls favorite creation was a dessert he deemed Kit-Kat Pudding. The recipe is pretty simple: You just need to unwrap some Kit-Kats, layer them with whipped cream in between, and freeze them. It's like an ice cream sandwich made with Kit-Kats. Left: Wikipedia Right: svariophoto/iStock 18. Audrey Hepburns spaghetti al Pomodoro When she would finish her breakfast at Tiffanys, the petite diva would go home and cook her favorite spaghetti, al Pomodoro, a recipe she learned while living in Italy. Legend has it Hepburn ate this dish every week. Audrey Hepburns spaghetti al Pomodoro recipe 1 small onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 carrots, diced small 2 stalks celery, diced small 2 large cans (28 oz. each) peeled Italian Roma tomatoes 1 large bunch fresh basil, washed 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 lb. spaghetti pasta Salt to taste Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese Left: Wikipedia Right: Julio Ricco/iStock 19. C.S. Lewis cinnamon bourbon rice pudding Surprisingly enough, the creator of Narnia didn't have a sweet tooth. C.S Lewis would instead swap the M&Ms and Kit Kats for a "no nonsense bowl of rice." Here's his take on a classic rice pudding, jazzed up with bourbon and cinnamon. C.S. Lewis cinnamon bourbon rice pudding recipe 6 cups whole milk, divided 3 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 3/4 cup basmati rice 1 egg, lightly beaten 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1 tablespoon bourbon Heat 5 1/2 cups of milk, sugar, and salt in a large saucepan until just warm and sugar has dissolved. Add vanilla seeds and bean pod to milk. Cover, remove from heat, and let sit for 30 minutes. Turn the stove to medium-high heat and return the saucepan to the heat. Cook rice in milk until it comes to a light boil, stirring constantly, 10 to 15 minutes. Reduce heat to a low simmer. Stir occasionally until mixture thickens and rice is soft, about 35 minutes. Add egg and remaining 1/2 cup milk to mixture. Cook an additional 3 minutes. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and bourbon after turning off the heat. Serve warm. Left: Wikipedia Right: aga7ta/iStock 20. Gary Cooper's buttermilk griddle cakes Garry Cooper, the most authentic cowboy of Old Hollywood cinema, had his own version of breakfast for champions. His recipe for buttermilk griddle cakes, which he learned from his mother, Alice Cooper, appeared in a vintage paperback cookbook, Favorite Recipes of the Movie Stars. Gary Cooper's buttermilk griddle cakes recipe 1 cup buttermilk cup sweet cream 1 egg, well beaten 2 tbsp cornmeal 1 tbsp butter, melted 1 tsp baking soda tsp salt 2 cups flour Butter and maple syrup for topping Mix ingredients in order given. Drop by spoonfuls on a greased hot griddle. Cook on one side and when puffed, full of bubble and well cooked on edges, turn and cook on other side. Serve with butter and maple syrup. Left: Wikipedia Right: Adrienne Saldivar/iStock 21. Mamie Eisenhower's sugar cookies Mrs. Eisenhower donated this recipe during her husband's term in office to a church cookbook of cookie recipes. Mamie Eisenhower's sugar cookies recipe 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 2 egg yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 tablespoon cream or milk Cream butter and mix well with sugar. Add beaten egg yolks. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add this mixture to the above alternating with cream. Add vanilla and chill for one hour. Roll and cut. Sprinkle with sugar before baking in a moderate oven ( 350 to 375 Fahrenheit) for 10-12 minutes. Left: Wikipedia Right: azgek/iStock 22. Bob Hope's lemon pie recipe This was Bob Hopes favorite lemon pie, and he got the recipe from his mother. Bob Hope's lemon pie recipe 1 1/3 C. Sugar 6 Tbsp. Cornstarch Dash of Salt 1/14 C. Boiling Water 3 Eggs, separated and beat the egg yolk 1/3 C. Lemon Juice 2 tsp. Lemon Rind 2 Tbsp. Butter (or margarine) 7 oz. Marshmallow Creme 9" Baked Pie Shell In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Stir constantly as you gradually add the water and bring to a boil. Cook for one minute until thickened. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into beaten egg yolks, and return to the hot mixture. Stir constantly for 3 minutes over medium heat. Add lemon juice, butter, and lemon rind. Pour the mixture into the cooled pastry shell. To form soft peaks, beat egg whites with a dash of salt. Gradually add the marshmallow creme. Continue beating until stiff peaks form. Spread over lemon filling, sealing to the edge of the crust. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool before serving. Left: Wikipedia Right: bgsmith/iStock 23. Johnny Cash's "old iron pot chili The Man in Black's chili is hearty, rustic, and big. Cash kept his family-style chili recipe a secret until his mother, who was writing a cookbook, asked him to share it. Johnny Cash's "old iron pot chili recipe 1 + 2/3 pound sirloin steak 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 package chili seasoning 1 teaspoon chili con carne seasoning Chili powder (to taste) Cumin (to taste) 1 white onion (chopped) 1 14 ounce can whole tomatoes 1/3 can tomato paste 1 4 ounce can chopped chili peppers 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon chopped sage 1 teaspoon chopped thyme 1 15.5 ounce can kidney beans tablespoon sugar Salt and pepper to taste In a large pot, heat the oil. Add steak to pan after it has been chopped into squares. Add chili seasoning, chili con carne seasoning, chili powder, and cumin. Cook for 5 minutes. Add onion, whole tomatoes, tomato paste, chili peppers, garlic powder, onion powder, sage, thyme, kidney beans, sugar, salt and pepper. Cook for 20 minutes on medium heat. Add additional spices to taste and water if the chili gets too thick. Remove from heat and serve with cheese on top. Left: Wikipedia Right: Oleksandr Sytnyk/iStock 24. Katharine Hepburn's brownies recipe Just like Katharine Hepburn herself, her recipe for chocolate brownies is a no-fuss classic. Katharine Hepburn's brownies recipe cup cocoa cup butter (1 stick) 2 eggs 1 cup sugar cup flour 1 cup chopped or broken-up walnuts or pecans 1 teaspoon vanilla Pinch of salt Heat oven to 325 degrees. In a saucepan, melt butter with cocoa and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. Whisk in eggs, one at a time. Stir in vanilla. Add sugar, flour, nuts, and salt to a separate bowl. Add to the cocoa-butter mixture. Stir until just combined. Pour into a greased 8 x 8-inch-square pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Do not overbake; the brownies should be gooey. Let cool, then cut into bars. Left: Wikipedia Right: Merinka/iStock 25. Sir Francis Drake's mojito According to a legend, Sir Francis Drake brewed an unusual beverage to boost the spirits of his crew when they were laid up with scurvy near Havana. The drink was then renamed "El Draque," eventually becoming the modern mojito. Sir Francis Drake's Mojito recipe 1 lime 2 ounce white rum 6 mint leaves 2 tsp. sugar Mix ingredients together in a cup. This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said his "Fighting Oligarchy" tour is an attempt to stand up to President Donald Trump's agenda. "I'm trying to make it clear to the people throughout the world and throughout our own country, that the American people are not going to sit idly by and allow Trump [to] establish an oligarchic form of government where Musk and other billionaires are running our government," Sanders said in an exclusive interview with "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl during the tour's Denver stop. "We're not going to sit back and allow him to form an authoritarian form of society, undermining the Constitution, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and undoing what the, you know, what the Founding Fathers of this country did in the 1790s, separation of powers, making sure that no one person had an extraordinary amount of power, and that is precisely what Trump is trying to do," he added. Sanders' "Fighting Oligarchy" tour, which he is conducting alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is making stops in both right- and left-leaning districts. The rallies have attracted thousands of people, but the Denver appearance brought in the largest crowds so far, with 32,000 attendees. Sanders said it was the largest rally he's ever hosted -- bigger than the rallies on his two presidential runs. MORE: Democrats launch billboards asking public to demand town halls from GOP representatives Here are additional highlights from Sanders' interview: On the government becoming an oligarchy Sanders has warned for years of the dangers of billionaires having influence in the government. Asked if those dangers have changed, Sanders replied, "I think anybody who is not dumb, deaf or blind is seeing precisely what is happening -- Trump's inaugural, right behind them three wealthiest guys in America. You know, Lincoln talked about a government of the people, by the people, for the people, remember? Well, we got a government of the billionaire class, by the billionaire class and for the billionaire class." On the Democratic response to Trump Karl: So we're about 60 days into the Trump era, the second Trump era. How would you grade the Democratic Party's response? Sanders: "Well, I would take us back even two years before that, before Trump was elected, and saying that it saddens me that when the Democrats had control of the Senate, they did virtually nothing for working people. I have to say that I'm a member of the Democratic Caucus as an independent, so I'm not going to lie to you and tell you otherwise. Since then, do I think the Democrats have been effective in rallying the American people in stopping Trump's movement toward oligarchy and authoritarianism? No, I don't." PHOTO: Bernie Sanders sits down for an interview with ABC News' 'This Week' Co-anchor Jonathan Karl in Denver. (ABC News) MORE: Schumer defends vote to avert shutdown and his position as Senate Democratic leader On how Democrats can slow the Republican agenda Karl: So, realistically, Republicans control the House. They control the White House. They control the Senate. So what, realistically, can be done? Sanders: Well, for major pieces of legislation, you still need 60 votes in the Senate. And let's be clear, and we -- we have picked many of the spots that I've gone to in Wisconsin, in Iowa, in Michigan, have -- we -- we chose them carefully. Those [districts] have Republican congressmen who won by small margins. Right now, I don't know what the number is. I think if two or three Republicans out of 200 and whatever it is, 18 or whatever they got, choose not to support giving tax breaks to billionaires and cutting Medicaid and education, we can defeat this big supplemental bill, the beautiful bill that Trump wants to see passed." On critiquing the Democratic Party Karl: You said that the passage of this bill, the continuing resolution, was a, absolute failure of Democratic leadership. Who are you talking about? Sanders: Well, [Sen. Chuck] Schumer is the leader of the party, and it should not have happened, period. No question about it But the bottom line, it's not just Chuck Schumer. It's not just Chuck Schumer. It is, you've got a Democratic Party in general that is dominated by billionaires, just as the Republican Party is, that ... operates under the leadership of a bunch of inside-the-Beltway consultants, very well paid, who are way out of touch with the 32,000 people who are here today." On Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez As Karl started to ask about Ocasio-Cortez being the future of the Progressive Caucus, Sanders jumped in, saying, "We have one of the untold stories of what's going on in current American politics, is that in the House of Representatives, you have dozens and dozens of strong, smart, disciplined, hard-working young people in the Progressive Caucus. And, you know, way back when, when I first came to the Congress in the House, I helped form the Progressive Caucus. We had five people in it at that time. Now, they got close to 100, so you got a whole lot of good people. Alexandria is extraordinary. I am so impressed by her work in Congress and her, just, she inspires young people all over the country." Americans won't let Trump 'establish an oligarchic form of government': Bernie Sanders originally appeared on abcnews.go.com An attorney resigned from the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, posting a sharply critical resignation letter that called on the company to stand up to President Trump amid a crackdown on law firms. Rachel Cohen, an associate at the firm, shared a strongly worded conditional notice of resignation with her colleagues on Thursday evening. She shared a screenshot of the letter in a LinkedIn post that went viral and has been reposted 1,145 times as of Saturday evening. Please consider this email my two week notice revocable if the firm comes up with a satisfactory response to our current moment, Cohen said in the email to her colleagues at the firm. In the LinkedIn post, she said this moment is existential. If being on this career path demands I accept that my industrybecause this is certainly not unique to Skaddenwill allow an authoritarian government to ignore the courts, I refuse to take it any further. As I have said before, others stand to lose far, far more than a paycheck, she said. Cohens resignation was issued just hours after the Trump administration reversed an executive order that had removed the security clearances of attorneys at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. This reversal followed the firms commitment to provide $40 million in free legal services for cases that represent the full spectrum of political viewpoints of our society. The executive order aimed at Paul Weiss was a response to the actions of a former employee, Mark Pomerantz, who had previously served as a prosecutor overseeing the Manhattan District Attorneys investigation into Trumps alleged financial offenses. In yielding to Trumps demands, the firm conceded that Pomerantz had engaged in misconduct. On social media, critics say the law firm has given in to a shakedown by Trump. But the firms chair, Brad Karp, defended the deal he struck in an email to all employees, per the New York Times. The Hill reached out to Skadden 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. As European countries issue new warnings about travel to the U.S. amid the Trump administrations immigration crackdown, some cruise passengers are becoming concerned about their travel plans. For Canadians with plans to cruise from U.S. departure ports, the reports of European and Canadian tourists being turned away and even detained at airports and border crossings are unsettling. Related: More countries are now telling their citizens not to travel to the U.S. Canadian lawmaker Charlie Angus, a member of Canada's parliament, held a news conference on March 20 urging Canadians to avoid all travel to the U.S. What concerns me is the targeting of Canadian citizens who are crossing the border to work or to visit, Angus explained. We have seen too many stories of citizens being pulled out of airport lines and being fingerprinted and deported as though they were criminals. Although Canadians are taking these threats seriously, some dont want to call off cruise vacations that theyve been looking forward to, even though they leave from U.S. ports. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Some Canadian Disney Cruise Line passengers are worried that they won't be able to make it through border crossings to get to the ship. Image source: Daniel Kline/ComeCruiseWith.com Canadian Disney cruise passenger seeks reassurance on U.S. travel One Canadian Disney cruise passenger recently turned to the DCL community on Reddit for advice on the worrisome U.S. travel situation. With the UK and Germany both issuing formal travel advisories to the US, Canada is close to doing the same thing, and more countries will be doing the same I am starting to get really worried about my upcoming cruise in July, Reddit user Minimum-Landscape120 posted. Please reassure me because I really don't want to cancel. But at the same time, I want to be realistic. While a number of passengers who commented in the thread noted that the cruisers concerns are valid, a few suggested that tourists traveling for a short-term trip with proper documentation and proof of a booked return trip likely wont be severely scrutinized. Related: Carnival Cruise Line makes plea amid Americas growing divisions Another Canadian Disney cruiser explained that this is why they havent changed their U.S. travel plans. Canadian. Leaving for Florida next month. Still going, Jitsoperator shared. To my understanding, if you are coming for tourist stuff, U.S. is ok with that. Its if you are coming for a longer stay and dont have your story and documents in order thats the trouble. For other Canadian Disney cruisers, the promise of a magical vacation at sea isnt worth the stress of crossing the border to get there. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Some Canadian Disney cruisers are altering their vacation plans Some Canadian Disney cruisers have opted to cancel their cruises and vacation elsewhere amid the uncertainty and rapid deterioration of U.S. Canada relations. We cancelled ours (we are Canadian) that was booked for September with all the nonsense and rhetoric going on, and booked an all-inclusive in Jamaica instead, DarthKavu shared. Even with doing some excursions in Jamaica, and flights vs just the cruise (no flights, excursions, etc.) we saved about $1500 and don't have the added stress that we'll get stopped by the gestapo for being non-American. Nothing against the American people, just the regime currently tearing the country apart. Other Canadian travelers have decided to stick with Disney Cruise Line but move their bookings to ships sailing far from the U.S. Related: Trade war takes aim at cruise line stops in Canada Im Canadian and had a cruise on the Disney Magic leaving from Galveston for March break next year. I ended up changing my reservation to the Disney Adventure in Singapore, Raccoonboots explained. I just didnt feel like having anxiety about it for the next year. After I changed it, I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders and I can feel excited about my trip again. Some Canadians say their reason for changing vacation plans comes down to a desire to no longer spend their money in the U.S. Its not just a safety issue for me as a Canadian. I simply dont want to support the US economy. Canadians staying home en masse sends a message and hits them where it hurts (money), ReserveOld6123 explained. That said, I would also feel potentially unsafe. Its not worth the stress. There is a big world out there. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Morgan County Sheriff's Office; Courtesy of Lily Stewart Lily Stewart The University of Georgia student who went viral for her smiling mugshot earlier this month has been arrested again. Lily Stewart was arrested on charges of obstruction of a law enforcement officer and loitering/prowling on Sunday, March 23, according to Athens-Clarke County online records. TMZ was the first to report the news. Per the county's website, Stewart, 20, was initially booked at 5:26 a.m. local time after being arrested by the UGA Police Department. She has since posted a total bond of $4,000 and was released from police custody shortly before 11 a.m. The Clark County Sheriff's Office, UGA and the UGA Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for more information. An attorney for Stewart, Stephen Morris, said they had no comment. Getty Stock image of police cruiser lights Related: How College Student's Smiling Mug Shot Went Viral and What Her Parents Think (Exclusive) Stewart first went viral earlier this month, after her March 8 mugshot was seen by millions across the internet. At the time, she was arrested on suspicion of speeding in excess of the maximum limits. Before her arrest, Stewart was on her way to a party in Milledgeville, Ga. that a fraternity was throwing at Georgia College & State University. She told PEOPLE days later that she was "hitting 85 [mph] in the 55" zone, before a Georgia State Patrol car issued her a speeding ticket. She was then pulled over for going the same speed only moments later. Stewart was subsequently taken to jail and paid a $440 bond at the time. The woman's mugshot which shows her smiling with a blowout and pearl earrings later circulated online. As Stewart explained to PEOPLE, she gained thousands of new social media followers and plenty of internet comments as a result. I look like a basic white girl, and I am, she said, adding, I think it's hilarious. One of them was like, We know she has a monogram rain jacket which I do. There are some beautiful mug shots. I don't think mine's particularly stunning, Stewart added. I actually think it's a bad photo of me. If you see me in person, I don't really look the same as I do in that mug shot. I don't think it's a great photo of me. 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. Following Stewart's arrest earlier this month, Morgan County Sheriff Tyler Hooks explained that the student "could have hurt herself or someone else," and he added that he hopes she learned a "lesson." As for her past speeding issue, Stewart said her attorney got it taken care of," and she is now taking a defensive driving course, completing 20 hours of community service and writing a paper about the dangers of speeding. Read the original article on People By Dedi Hayun and James Mackenzie TEL AVIV/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet approved a no confidence motion against the attorney general on Sunday, in its latest move on officials deemed hostile to the government, defying protesters who took to the streets for a sixth day. After the vote, Justice Minister Yariv Levin called on Gali Baharav-Miara to resign, saying "substantial and prolonged differences of opinion" prevented effective cooperation between the government and its chief legal adviser. The vote against the attorney general, who has frequently clashed with the government over the legality of some of its policies, came days after cabinet sparked mass protests by approving the removal of Shin Bet intelligence agency chief Ronen Bar, after Netanyahu lost confidence in him. Tens of thousands of Israelis have joined demonstrations over the past week, as anger at the removal of Bar, whose agency has been investigating corruption allegations linking Qatar with Netanyahu's office, has merged with fears for Israeli hostages after a resumption of the bombing campaign in Gaza. Final dismissal of Baharav-Miara, a former district attorney appointed under previous prime minister Naftali Bennett, could be months away. Bar's dismissal, approved by cabinet despite objections from the attorney-general, has been held up for two weeks by a temporary injunction from the Supreme Court. But the moves against the two officials have drawn accusations from protesters and the opposition that Netanyahu's right-wing government is undermining key state institutions. At the same time, families and supporters of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza have vented their anger at what many see as the government's abandonment of their loved ones. "All they want is power and they are sacrificing the kidnapped and the values that the State of Israel was built on, that we value life and morality," said Sharon Huderland, who joined a march on Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem. "He's breaking down, crushing the legal system, and we have to fight to get our country back," she said. Signalling the risk of a wider protest that could draw in Israeli institutions, the leadership of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem said that it would shut down the university if the government defied Supreme Court rulings on the dismissals. ACCUSATIONS Earlier this month, Levin began moves to dismiss Baharav-Miara, accusing her of politicizing her office and obstructing the government. On Sunday, he said he would consult with a committee responsible for appointing the attorney general and bring a proposal for her dismissal. "A way to restore trust no longer exists," he said in a statement on Sunday. "This situation seriously harms the functioning of the government and its ability to implement its policy." In practice, any step to remove the attorney general is likely to face administrative hurdles and an appeals process that could delay it for months. Although they have different priorities, the protest groups built on mass demonstrations before the Gaza war against the government's moves to curb the power of the Supreme Court. "We must come here and protest till Bibi goes home and we'll save our democracy, and bring back all the hostages," said protestor Einat Shamri in Jerusalem. Netanyahu, who has been battling a trial on corruption charges that he denies, said at the time the overhaul was needed to rein in judicial overreach that was intruding on the authority of parliament. But protesters said it was an attempt to weaken one of the pillars of Israeli democracy. Late on Saturday, Netanyahu issued a video statement defending the dismissal of Bar and rejecting accusations that the sacking was aimed at thwarting a Shin Bet investigation into allegations of financial ties between Qatar and aides in the prime minister's office. Instead, he said, the Shin Bet probe was designed to delay Bar's expected resignation over intelligence failures that allowed the devastating attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 to take place. Netanyahu has rejected the accusations in the so-called "Qatargate" affair as an attempt to undermine his government for political reasons while Qatar has dismissed it as a "smear campaign". (Additional reporting by Steven Scheer; editing by Clelia Oziel and Giles Elgood) Maya Ernest - Getty Images "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." As the oldest sibling to Mary-Kate and Ashley, Elizabeth Olsen doesnt get nearly enough credit for her personal style. True, her younger sisters may have dedicated themselves to their own label, The Row, but the oldest Olsen sister is proving her sartorial strength on the press tour for her latest film, The Assessment. On Thursday, the actor stepped out wearing a demure, all-black look that was all business. Braving the indecisive New York City weather, Olsen layered a turtleneck underneath a crisp matching suit. Not to be mistaken for one of her sisters, she debuted a bold brunette hairstyle with warm honey highlights, letting her blunt bangs accessorize her outfit. Michael Stewart Later that same day, Olsen ditched her monochromatic ensemble in favor of a much brighter one. For a private New York City screening of her sci-fi thriller, she changed into a navy-blue gown, the material of which offered a nice sheen when photographed. Up top, the dress flaunted scrunched sleeves and a roomy bust, while an empire waist cinched the silhouette before turning into a pleated skirt. To round out her look, the His Three Daughters actor opted for a stunningly simple pair of black heelsperhaps from her sisterss brandtaking care to show off the designs extended square toes. TATIANA KEVYCH On Friday, Olsen quite literally let her hair down for the weekend. She paired her brunette locks with a casual yet cool outfit, relying on tried-and-true staples including black jeans and chunky matching boots. A gray crewneck sweater and a brown wool jacket wrapped up her ensemble nicely, with the minimal pieces invoking a familial resemblance. Elizabeth may not co-sign her younger siblingss Olsen tuck, but chic style definitely runs in her blood. You Might Also Like Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince William is back in his military fatigues! The Prince of Wales visited British troops stationed in Estonia on Friday, March 21, in an effort to emphasize the countrys support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations (NATO) operations in the region. William visited the Tapa military camp, located just over 120 miles from Estonias border with Russia. The Prince of Wales was photographed speaking to troops, inspecting military vehicles and even riding on a tank while dressed in fatigues. The trip was the heir to the thrones first to the country. He visited with the Mercian Regiment, the group of soldiers he leads as Commander-in-Chief. Approximately 900 British troops are stationed at the camp. Prince Harrys Military Career: From Enlistment and Retirement to Invictus Games and Beyond William also visited the Freedom School, which supports students in Tallinn. Its been a very difficult few years for you guys, he said during the visit, according to Vanity Fair. Everyone sees that. What I love is the Ukrainian resilience is everywhere. You are all very smiley and very strong and very spiritual people. And honestly, that comes across everywhere. Chris Jackson/Getty Images The Prince of Wales served in the UK military for nearly eight years full-time after he graduated from the University of St. Andrews and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He was commissioned as a British Army officer in December 2006, and later joined the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) as a second lieutenant. In May 2024, King Charles passed the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to his oldest son in a somewhat controversial move that was seen as a slight against Williams brother, Prince Harry. Photographs taken at the Army Aviation Center at the time showed the duo smiling hand-in-hand as William accepted the title. Its believed that Harry would have received the honor instead if he and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, had not stepped back from senior royal duties in March 2020 and moved to the United States. Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images Royal expert Christopher Andersen blasted the decision in May 2024. Prince William Through the Years: His Royal Life, Fatherhood and More All he wants to do is have some sort of part-time role, take up some of the slack here now that both the King and the Princess of Wales are battling cancer, he told Us Weekly at the time. They do not want to have anything to do with Harry or Meghan, and it bothers me to see this because it seems such a missed opportunity for them to use this crisis. He continued, The royal family is very good at exiling people and saying, youre dead to me and Im afraid thats whats happening. BlackRock (BLK) CEO Larry Fink orchestrated the Panama Canal port takeover that made President Trump happy, but the cost may be an angry Xi Jinping. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that the Chinese leader is not happy with a $22.8 billion deal giving a BlackRock-led investment coalition control of two key ports on either end of the vital shipping lane currently owned by Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison. CK Hutchison, which is controlled by the family of 96-year-old Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, didnt seek preapproval from Chinese government leadership, according to the Wall Street Journal. What's more, Chinese leaders hoped to use the ports as a bargaining chip with the Trump administration as part of larger talks between the two countries, the Wall Street Journal reported. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, meets with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink in Beijing on Dec. 5. (Yin Bogu/Xinhua via Getty Images) (Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images) Other signs of displeasure emerged in articles and commentary published in pro-Beijing newspaper Ta Kung Pao, arguing that Chinese ships would now face restrictions in the canal and accusing CK Hutchison of "prioritizing profit over everything, disregarding national interests and national righteousness." The deal deserves "serious attention," Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, added earlier this week, without directly criticizing CK Hutchison. 'Taking it back' The rumblings from Beijing add a new layer of complications to what appeared to be a big win for BlackRock's Fink, who himself reached out to the White House after Trump alleged Chinese interference in the canal and said he wanted to "take it back." Fink argued to the White House that there would be no need to forcibly take the ports if BlackRock were to arrange a purchase on its own. Trump referenced the deal during his address to Congress earlier this month while still reiterating that "my administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal" and "taking it back." It's not immediately clear what steps Hong Kong or Beijing could take to block the transaction, which isn't yet final and still requires consent from various regulators. The companies hope to sign a definitive agreement by April 2. President Trump, right, talks with China's President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in 2017. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese authorities are examining the deal closely. Bloomberg said the review includes any signs of security breaches or antitrust violations, while the Wall Street Journal said officials have been told to see what Beijing can do to hinder the deal. BlackRock's stock price would likely "see a little hit" if the pact falls through, according to CFRA analyst Cathy Seifert, but the bigger threat would be to the credibility of BlackRock's newly bolstered infrastructure group. Last year, BlackRock paid $12 billion to buy private equity firm Global Infrastructure Partners a major investor in energy, transportation, and infrastructure projects and GIP was part of the consortium that agreed to buy the ports at either end of the Panama Canal. "There may be some pressure for this group to spin out or announce another deal to sort of regain some marketplace credibility," Seifert added. The deal negotiated by BlackRock and GIP involves much more than just the Panama ports it includes a total of 43 ports in 23 countries. Fink, speaking at a Houston energy conference earlier this month, said there were some misconceptions about the deal as reported in the press. One was that BlackRock itself was buying the entire canal. "My kids called me and said, 'BlackRock bought the Panama Canal? Can we go on it?' And I said, 'We did not buy the Panama Canal.'" He also said the "far left" and "far right" didnt mention that there were many other ports in the deal, including six along the Suez Canal. "They mentioned we bought two" the ones along the Panama Canal. Those two ports, he said, represent 4% of the total value of the transaction. He noted that ports do offer a great business for BlackRock, which will now have 100 in its portfolio if this deal goes through. They can produce returns of 15% to 16%, he said. "Even with tariffs and other things, it means the ports will be quite active," he said. Read more: The latest news and updates on Trump's tariffs 'Superman' This is not the first time CK Hutchison or Li Ka-shing, nicknamed "Superman" for his business prowess in Hong Kong, have faced criticism from Beijing. When Li served at the conglomerate's helm in 2015, CK Hutchison faced backlash for diversifying its business to European assets. That's where the bulk of its revenue now currently comes from, according to Nikkei. Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing in 2018. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) In an earnings statement on Thursday, CK Hutchison did not mention the ports deal but said that "geopolitical and trade tensions have ... risen significantly." Victor Li, chair of CK Hutchison and son of Li Ka-shing, said in a statement Thursday accompanying the earnings release that the environment for CK Hutchison's businesses could be "both volatile and unpredictable" this year. David Hollerith is a senior reporter for Yahoo Finance covering banking, crypto, and other areas in finance. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance House Republicans who faced hostile crowds and viral confrontations at town halls in their districts are defending their decision to hold the events despite recommendations from House GOP leaders to avoid them. I think that was able to show folks that Republicans can and should stand our ground, Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) said. Edwards, at his Asheville town hall last week, faced boos and a swarm of protesters who were angry about his support for President Trump, and about cuts pushed by Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). I went toe-to-toe with the progressive left, all 12 rounds. I believe that there were some media vehicles out there that helped me communicate effectively the things that we were doing. I would certainly do it again, Edwards told The Hill in an interview. House Republican leaders had warned members earlier this month that coordinated activists and protesters would derail the events, and argued that members could reach more constituents and voters with live-streamed or tele-town halls instead. Protests are exactly what happened at the town halls for several Republicans who chose to face in-person crowds during a week-and-a-half break from Washington, with progressive groups like Indivisible and local Democratic groups encouraging activists to turn up at the events. Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.), despite calling for civility at the start of the event and talking about his focus on the national debt, also faced boos at a raucous town hall this week. In addition to concerns about Musk and DOGE, attendees accused him of not doing enough to support Ukraine, though Flood noted that he voted for previous aid packages to Ukraine and his belief that the country should not give any land to Russia. Flood told The Hill that he had already planned to host a town hall before leaders advised them not to, and did not want to go back on that despite expecting pushback from a vocal minority. I think even those folks that disagree with my position, theres value in them having the chance to tell their member of Congress what they think and to watch me listen and then have me respond, Flood said. And the congressman found the event valuable himself. The most valuable thing I took away from the 90 minutes was there were a lot of questions about the Veterans Administration, Flood said, adding that he is planning to sit down with the House Veterans Affairs chairman, visit the VA hospital in his district, and build more relationships with those who can help with veterans issues. It was on my radar, but not the way its going to be, because there was a real focus on veterans issues. Utah Republican Reps. Celeste Maloy and Mike Kennedy also faced a hostile crowd at a joint town hall this week. Local reporters at KUTV documented attendees disrupting, booing and flashing their middle fingers. When the political temperature is hot, I dont think the solution is to stop engaging with constituents, Maloy said in a statement. I am willing to have tough conversations on issues that are hardly ever black and white. I want to continue doing town halls, and Im willing to show up and listen and answer questions. I hope the public will keep engaging as we move forward together. In Asheville, Edwards got questions about the Trump administrations firing of federal workers. At one point, a veteran who, the congressman noted, ran in the Democratic primary for Congress in 2022 shouted at Edwards and was escorted out of the event. Edwards said that while the advice from leadership was well-intentioned, he felt it was important to hold the town hall in part to talk about relief efforts from the hurricane that devastated his district last year but also because he is proud of what Republicans are doing. We should not shy away from talking about those accomplishments. We should stand out front and be very proud of them, help eliminate some of the misinformation in the rumor thats out there, even if we know that were going to get some disagreement, Edwards said. It was not only Republicans whose town halls got rocked over the recess period. Progressive activists also confronted Democratic lawmakers at the recess events. Police shut down an event for Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) after a clash with pro-Palestinian attendees. Republicans who braved the crowds at in-person town halls were overwhelmingly in safe red districts, with little risk of the viral confrontations directly affecting their reelection chances. One of those is Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), who pushed back on a booing crowd and defended DOGE at another town hall this week. Tim Murtaugh, an advisor to Hageman, noted in a statement that both Trump and the congresswoman were elected with support of around 70 percent of the voters in the state. The people of Wyoming quite obviously support Trump and Hageman, but Democrat partisans are trying to create the illusion that theres some sort of popular uprising happening. Newsflash: theres not, Murtaugh said, adding: The spectacles at these town halls are astroturf theyre meant to create viral moments and news stories just like this one. Those viral moments and news stories are certainly frustrating to Republicans nationwide, though, as activists seek to keep the pressure up in the public square and seek to portray what Trump and Republicans are doing as deeply unpopular. Even vulnerable members who avoid in-person confrontations may not avoid bad press. The Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, House Democrats campaign arm, launched an effort to host Peoples Town Halls in competitive districts with Republican lawmakers. While Flood and Edwards both stand by hosting their in-person town halls, both of them said that the decision to host a town hall is up to each member and how they think they can most effectively represent their district. But Flood said a lack of town halls does not mean a lack of engagement. It doesnt matter if theyre having town halls or not. I mean, theyre showing up to nursing homes and theyre being protested, Flood said. Theyre encountering and engaging people that are protesting them wherever they go. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Arturo Holmes/Getty Joe Gatto in 2024 Just days after a woman accused Joe Gatto of sexual assault, a former employee has come forward about her negative experiences with the comedian. On March 20, a TikTok user, who goes by joozyb, accused the Impractical Jokers star, 48, of sexually assaulting her when she was 19 in a series of now-deleted videos, allegations which Gatto has denied. Now, a second woman a source who previously worked for Gatto during his time on Impractical Jokers claims that the comedian exhibited unwanted behaviors that she described as sexual harassment. When reached on Sunday, March 23, a rep for Gatto referred PEOPLE to the comedian's previous statement to Page Six in response to joozyb's allegations. The March 22 statement said: I have used poor judgment and as a result have violated the trust of the people I love most. But anyone who knows me at all knows full well that I wouldnt assault anyone. (The second complainant did not allege that she was assaulted.) Working on myself is an ongoing process, the statement continued, and I am now going to take some time away from the public eye to focus my energies where I need to. The second woman tells PEOPLE that she first met Gatto at one of his live shows when she was 15, and claims that as soon as she turned 18, his behavior shifted, becoming very flirtatious. (She was employed by the comedian prior to his departure from Impractical Jokers, which he announced in late 2021.) Before she started the job in August 2019, just after graduating from college, one of the comedians previous employees allegedly warned her that she perceived him to sometimes be flirty and handsy. The employee also told her that Gatto often tells inappropriate jokes, and advised her to shut it down immediately if he did anything creepy, the source claims. And she says she quickly learned why the warning was issued. During her time working for the Impractical Jokers star, the source alleges, he occasionally inappropriately grabbed her and asked for back massages. She also claims Gatto once invited her to his room, or asked her to cuddle. Gatto also made frequent inquiries into her sex life, she alleges. Johnny Louis/Getty Joe Gatto The source also says Gatto would brag often about being in an open relationship with his wife, Bessy a claim she now suspects was false. (The couple, who share two kids, split in 2021 after eight years of marriage, and later got back together.) Gatto privately responded to her posts on social media to tell her shes hot, and acted possessive, getting jealous when she would post photos of her actual boyfriend, she claims. When she rejected his advances or refused to flirt back, Gatto would be rude to her the following day at work, the source claims, noting that she felt as though she always had to work to keep him at ease, fearing she could lose her job. This was part of a larger pattern of alleged emotional manipulation, according to the source, which continued until she left his employment in August 2021. The source also claims that the comedian once grabbed her upper thigh while the two were in a hotel elevator during a work trip. In response, she moved across the elevator, while Gatto allegedly told her he knew that he would make her uncomfortable during the trip. During another work trip, the source alleges, Gatto insisted his employees come back to his room to drink, despite publicly claiming to be sober in interviews (and frequently boasting that hes never had a sip of alcohol before, per the source). Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. David Becker/Getty Joe Gatto in 2024 And in the office, which was actually a two-bedroom apartment, Gatto frequently joked about bringing girls up the freight elevator so they would not have to go through the buildings lobby something the source says reminded her of joozybs TikTok testimony. In since-deleted TikToks, joozyb alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Gatto while he was in Milwaukee for a show in September 2023. She claimed that Gatto sent her instructions on how to get to his hotel room, and somebody led me to the elevator" before the alleged assault occurred at the hotel, leading to bruising on one of her buttocks. While she did not go into detail about what allegedly occurred next between her and Gatto, joozyb claimed that "some stuff happened." If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. Read the original article on People River Callaway/WWD via Getty; January Jones/Instagram January Jones at the Brunello Cucinelli Dinner in December 2024; January Jones at the airport in March 2025 January Jones is airing out her frustrations with an airline after her flight was delayed more than 16 hours. On Sunday, March 23, the Mad Men alum, 47, shared a screenshot on her Instagram Stories of flight-delay details that showed a 16-hour-and-25-minute delay for her trip. Alongside the image, Jones tagged United Airlines and asked the company to "do better." "A couple $15 food vouchers isn't gonna cut it," she added over the image. "Our 7:30p [flight] last night still hasn't left." January Jones/Instagram January Jones shares message on her Instagram Stories Related: January Jones Ditches Her Famous Blonde Bob for Honey-Toned Messy Bun in New Photo Jones then shared a follow-up image of what appeared to be herself resting on the floor of an airport with her head on a bag. "Is there still a secretary of transportation? Can't remember what's left," she wrote with the photo, referring to the government changes that have occurred since Donald Trump took over as president earlier this year. Sean Duffy, a former reality TV star and a former U.S. representative for Wisconsin, was confirmed as Trump's transportation secretary in January. When contacted for comment by PEOPLE, a United Airlines spokesperson said Jones' flight was operated by regional airline SkyWest. A representative for SkyWest told PEOPLE in a statement that the flight was operating as United Express and "was delayed overnight due to a mechanical issue." "A new aircraft has been assigned and we are working to get customers to their destination as quickly as possible," the spokesperson continued. "Passengers were provided with meal vouchers and compensation. We apologize for the inconvenience." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. January Jones/Instagram January Jones shares message to Instagram Stories Related: January Jones Shares Rare Photo of Son Xander to Celebrate His 13th Birthday: 'Bday Boy Is a Teen' SkyWest states on its website that it will "do our best to keep you informed about the status of your flight when there is an operational irregularity," also providing meal and overnight accommodations when flights are canceled "due to factors within our control." Other airlines including JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and Delta are among those committed to providing "meal cash/vouchers" if customers wait three hours or more for a new flight, per the Department of Transportation. Read the original article on People Neilson Barnard/Getty John-Michael Sudsinw (left) and Joel Kim Booster Joel Kim Booster and his partner John-Michael Sudsina want their wedding to be remembered as the party of a lifetime. During a recent appearance on the Grindr Presents: Who's the A------? with Katya podcast, the 37-year-old actor, writer and producer shared that one of the main reasons why he and Sudsina decided to get married is because they want to "throw a party" and an epic one at that. "Yes, I could throw any kind of party I want, and it doesn't have to be connected to the wedding," he admitted to host Katya. "But I do want it to be a production. And I'm in a place in my life where I'm lucky enough where I can make it a production." Related: Joel Kim Booster on Being a Hollywood Multi-Hyphenate: 'I Have Skill Sets to Do It All' (Exclusive) When it comes to celebrating the big day, however, the couple's would-be guests will have to be a bit patient. "I think it's probably going to be one or two years [until the wedding], only because of the nature of my work. It's very hard to plan in advance for something," Booster explained. The Fire Island star also opened up about his relationship with Sudsina, sharing how the pair who announced their engagement in August 2024 had a revelatory moment during a deep conversation one night. "My assumption for so long was I would meet someone, I would fall in love with that person. I would be in love with that person forever and that's that. But we talked one night and we realized that in the three years that we've been together, both of us have changed in a lot of different ways," Booster explained. Joel Kim Booster/Instagram Joel Kim Booster (left) and John-Michael Sudsina Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "And what I realized, and what both of us realized, is that I'm so excited to fall in love with the next iteration of him as well. And then the iteration after that, and our joke is that iteration four will suck, but we'll ride it out until iteration five," he continued, noting that the conversation opened the two up to the idea of marriage. "Once we realized that it wasn't about stasis, it was about making a commitment to grow together and putting in the work to make sure that we maintain that, I think it was like, well, why not just pull the trigger and make these promises in front of our friends like, we're going to work so that you don't end up in another one of these f------ things," Booster said. Jerod Harris/Getty Joel Kim Booster (left) and John-Michael Sudsina The Loot star said he believes Sudsina whom he met through mutual friends during a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is "endgame" for him. "So I do think that we want to make that statement in front of our friends," he noted. "When you tell all your friends, you're doing something as a way of accountability to actually do it." In addition to throwing a wedding, the pair hope to start a family, Booster revealed. "Part of the reason we decided to get married at the time, and this is now a little up in the air, is we decided we wanted to have kids," Booster told Katya, noting, "I was not super interested in kids for a long time, but being in love with this person, I am sort of like we would collaborate on something really cool. I think we'd make something really awesome together." Read the original article on People Getty Images Salsa macha is a hot commodity right now. Jars of the oil-based salsa have become a common sight at taquerias, restaurants, and grocery stores across the United States over the past few years. But the tasty topper, known for adding crunchy texture and spicy-nutty flavor to tacos, eggs, and other savory foods, has deep roots in Mexican cuisine. To find out more about the condiment and why it deserves a spot in your refrigerator, we chatted with Rene Gonzalez Mendez, the owner of Pinche Salsa, a maker of jarred salsa macha, and the executive chef of Xiquita Restaurante y Bar, a restaurant specializing in Mexico City cuisine in Denver, Colorado. What Is Salsa Macha? Getty Images Salsa macha is a salsa primarily made with oil and finely chopped garlic, seeds, and dried peppers, such as morita, chipotle, arbol, and ancho chiles. It is only made in three states of Mexico: Veracruz, Chiapas, and Oaxaca, says Mendez, who was born and raised in Mexico City. The exact origins of salsa macha are unknown, but it likely originated in the Veracruz region, where the Indigenous Totonac people traditionally created a paste of dried chilies, sesame seeds, and salt that eventually evolved into the oil-based salsa we know today. Salsa macha is a blend of pre-Hispanic and Spanish cuisine, Mendez says. Dried chillies and seeds have been used by Mexico's Indigenous people for centuries, while olive oil was introduced by Spain. Mendez founded Pinche Salsa, to share the culture of his homeland after working in restaurants for more than 25 years. He makes and sells three types of salsa macha online: mild Grasshopper, spicy Chile Morita, and extra spicy Red Chile Pepper. Theyre all handmade with combinations of chiles, sesame seeds, peanuts, garlic, and other ingredients fried in canola oil (including crunchy grasshoppers, a widely used ingredient in Mexican cuisine). Pinche Salsa reflects the salsa that I grew up eating in Mexico, Mendez says. My father's side of the family is from Veracruz, Mexico, and I wanted the world to have a small taste of such a beautiful place. Related: I Asked 5 Chefs for Their Favorite Store-Bought Salsa, and Now Im Editing My Shopping List How to Make Salsa Macha? Getty Images To make your own salsa macha, you need dried peppers such as ancho (mild and sweet) or guajillo chiles (fruity and smoky) or chile de arbol (extra hot), often available at Mexican grocery stores or international markets. You can really use any combination of chilesbut choose a mixture that has the flavor profiles you want for your salsa macha. For example, for a super-spicy condiment, look for chile de arbol peppers. The peppers are often toasted to wake up their flavors, then ground with chopped garlic and an assortment of nuts and seeds (common options include sesame seeds, pepetas, and peanuts) in a molcajete (a Mexican version of a mortar and pestle) or a food processor. Afterward, the ingredients are carefully cooked in a hot neutral oil just until theyre toasted. Mendez uses canola, but other recipes call for vegetable, grape seed, or olive oil. Some salsa macha recipe variations feature oregano, sugar, salt, or vinegar, while others call for cooking all of the ingredients in oil first before throwing the salsa into a food processor. Mendez advice for making your own salsa macha? Always use the best quality ingredients and make it with love, he says. Whats the Difference Between Salsa Macha and Chili Crisp? Allrecipes Salsa macha is often even referred to as Mexican chili crisp because it has a similar appearance to the beloved condiment with Chinese roots, typically composed of dried chiles, Sichuan peppercorns, and other aromatics such as garlic and scallions. But while theres some overlap in some of the ingredients used in Chinese-style chili crisp and salsa machathink: fried garlic, chiles, and oilthe condiments have very different flavor profiles. Depending on the recipe, chili crisp tends to have ultra-savory, umami-rich flavors (and a tongue-tingling effect, if Sichuan peppercorns are present), while salsa macha is often nutty, smoky, and fruity. What Do You Eat with Salsa Macha? The versatility of salsa macha extends beyond Mexican dishes. Mendez says it goes well with all savory foods, from pasta and pizza to tacos and garnachas (fried corn tortillas crowned with meat, beans, cabbage, salsa, and cheese). Drizzle salsa macha on your scrambled eggs, a halved avocado, or corn on the cob. You can also whisk the condiment into salad dressing, slather a little on your turkey sandwich, or brush it on roasted veggies. I even eat it on sushi, Mendez says. Best Salsa Macha Products Mark Antonation If you dont want to make your own salsa macha, dont worry! There are tons of jarred salsa macha products available online and at retail stores such as Walmart, Target, and Kroger. Here are a few to keep in mind: Pinche Salsa : Mendezs salsa macha comes in three heat levels. I love the Chile Morita, whose smokiness and heat is balanced by the nuttiness of sunflower and pumpkin seeds and peanuts. SOMOS Mexican Chili Crisp : This salsa macha contains almonds and avocado oil in lieu of the typical peanuts and vegetable oil. Grand Luchito Mexican Crunchy Salsa Macha : Handmade in Mexico, Grand Luchitos version is sweetened with dark agave syrup to balance out the heat of dried chiles. Tia Lupita Foods Mexican Chili Crunch: The Tia Lupita brand offers two types of salsa macha: one studded with sweet-tart cranberries and another packed with lots of peanuts. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES The Republicans may have complete control of Congress, but President Trump still has a major roadblock to carrying out his agenda the courts. The lower courts blocked more of Trumps executive orders in his first two months of office than they did for other recent commanders in chief during their entire terms. The lower courts have slapped at least 15 national injunctions against Trump so far this year. That drastically outpaces the six against former President George W. Bush during his entire presidency and the 12 against former President Barack Obama and the 14 against former President Joe Biden for their whole time in office, too, according to a tally from Harvard Law Review. The lower courts have slapped at least 15 national injunctions against President Trumps admininstration so far this year. Getty Images If the current pace holds up, its on track to top the total 64 nationwide injunctions Trump faced during his first term in the White House. In his first term, Trump signed 220 executive orders, a figure in line with the other three presidents, according to the American Presidency Project. He has signed more than 90 since the start of his second term, the Federal Register says. In the past, lower court rulings were more tailored to the case before them. But in recent years, the courts have become increasingly comfortable making their injunctions take effect nationwide. Such injunctions have hamstrung Trumps efforts to end birthright citizenship and a whole host of other policies hes pursued. Ana Gioia/NY POST DESIGN Trumps administration has used the injunction against his birthright citizenship in an effort to petition the US Supreme Court to rein in the lower courts increasing use of such blocks. The Supreme Court gave critics of the Trump administrations petition until April 4 to defend the injunction, indicating that justices do not feel like theyre in any particular rush to settle the issue. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch have been fiercely critical of lower courts overusing nationwide injunctions and overstepping their power generally. US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts criticized Trumps suggestion that lower court judges should get impeached for holding up his agenda. via REUTERS Earlier this month, Alito penned a scathing dissent backed by Justices Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh over a decision not to nix a lower court ruling compelling the Trump administration to unfreeze $2 billion in US Agency for International Development funding. Does a single district-court judge who likely lacks jurisdiction have the unchecked power to compel the Government of the United States to pay out (and probably lose forever) 2 billion taxpayer dollars? Alito groused in his dissent. The answer to that question should be an emphatic No. Its not entirely clear if Alito and Gorsuch could convince the rest of the high court to thwart such nationwide injunctions. Right now, the main recourse for the Trump administration is to appeal to a higher court and eventually the Supreme Court. But that takes time and money. Some of Trumps allies have mused about simply defying court orders. Vice President JD Vance has meanwhile openly accused some judges of making illegal rulings, and Trump has floated the idea of impeaching jurists who get in his way. That notion drew a rare rebuke 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 chief justice wrote in a statement last week without mentioning Trump by name. The normal appellate review process exists for that reason. US District Court Judge James Boasberg is reviewing whether the Trump administration defied his order about booting accused migrant gangbangers to prisons in El Salvador. The Washington Post via Getty Images Trump downplayed Roberts criticisms and has publicly suggested that he wont defy the courts. US District Court Judge James Boasberg is currently probing whether Trump defied his 14-day injunction barring flights to El Salvador to stash alleged Venezuelan gangbangers in prisons there. Several flights went off after Boasberg gave the order. Critics such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have warned of a constitutional crisis if Trump defies such court orders. Trump has also attempted to hit back at some lawyers and law firms that have stonewalled his agenda. Hes used executive actions to yank their security clearances and cut off government contracts. Late last week, Trump directed US Attorney General Pam Bondi to explore ways the administration can sanction firms and lawyers who slap frivolous lawsuits against the US government. The former US Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia who was found dead Saturday morning had been in charge of some of the biggest cases targeting leaks in the CIA and Russian nationals carrying out fraud in America. Officials are investigating Jessica Abers cause of death after the 43-year-old was discovered unresponsive at her home by Alexandria Police Department officers just before 9:20 a.m. Saturday morning. Prior to her resignation in January as President Trump took office, the Biden-nominated attorney saw one of her biggest wins in court when ex-CIA analyst Asif Rahman, 34, pleaded guilty to leaking top secret documents about Israels plan to strike Iran last year. Jessica Aber was found dead at 43. DOJ Officials are investigating Jessica Abers cause of death. X/Jessica Aber The high-profile case saw Rahman posting documents detailing Israels October strike on Telegram, forcing the Jewish state to hold off on the retaliatory attack against Tehran. Aber had slammed Rahmans actions as a violation of his oath, his responsibility, and the law, as she said the leak placed lives at risk, undermined U.S. foreign relations, and compromised our ability to collect vital intelligence in the future. Aber also led the case against Eleview International Inc., a Virginia-based company whose two senior executives were accused of running three different schemes to illegally transship sensitive American technology to Russia, according to the Department of Justice. Aber was also involved in the DOJs unprecedented indictment against four Russian soldiers who allegedly committed war crimes against an American living in Ukraine. YouTube/United States Attorneys Executives Oleg Nayandin, 54, and Vitaliy Borisenko, 39, were accused in November of illegally shipping out more than $6 million worth of goods, including telecommunications equipment, to Russia through ports in Turkey, Finland and Kazakhstan as a means to bypass US sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. The case came just two months after Aber secured indictments against two Russian nationals accused of fraud and money laundering. Sergey Ivanov and Timur Shakhmametov, who had a $10 million reward for their arrests, were allegedly behind one the largest money laundering operations online that catered to major cybercrime marketplaces and ransomware groups, and to prolific hackers responsible for some of the largest data breaches targeting critical U.S. financial infrastructure, according to the Secret Service. U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, speaks with reporters during a news conference at the Department of Justice, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. AP Along with taking on the fraud and leak cases, Aber was also involved in the DOJs unprecedented indictment against four Russian soldiers who allegedly committed war crimes against an American living in Ukraine. The victim, who was not identified, was kidnapped from his home in the Kherson region and savagely beaten, tortured and subjected to a mock execution, according to the DOJ. The defendants were identified as commanding officers Suren Seiranovich Mkrtchyan, 45, and Dmitry Budnik, and two lower-level soldiers identified in the indictment only by their first names, Valerii and Nazar. We are proud to be at the forefront of the Justice Departments effort to hold perpetrators of war crimes violations accountable in Ukraine and will continue to pursue them, Aber said at the time. The Biden-nominated attorney saw one of her biggest wins in court when ex-CIA analyst Asif Rahman, 34, pleaded guilty to leaking top secret documents about Israels plan to strike Iran last year. AP Born and raised in Virginia, Aber graduated from the University of Richmond in 2003 and earned her law degree at the William & Mary Law School in 2006. Before being named US Attorney for EDV, she was an assistant US attorney in the district since 2009. She then served as counsel to the assistant attorney general for the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice from 2015 to 2016. Aber touted that her time in government was dedicated to restoring public trust in law enforcement, with the official notched more than 50,000 miles in her Hyundai as she drove around Virginia to speak with local residents, she told the Washington Post in January. In one of her final LinkedIn posts, Aber shared a lovely photo of the US attorneys at a 2024 conference that was signed by then-AG Merrick Garland. It was lovely, though, to receive this surprise in the mail, she wrote. Good memories. The current US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia mourned the shocking loss in a statement issued Saturday afternoon. We are heartbroken beyond words to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague, US Attorney Jessica Aber. She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being, the statement from US Attorney Erik Siebert read. The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic, added US Attorney General Pamela Bondi. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time. A nurse tricked a woman into thinking she had terminal cancer and injected her with a fatal dose of insulin so that she could try to claim a possible $1.5 million life-insurance policy, Utah cops say. Registered nurse Meggan Randall Sundwall, 47, injected pal Kacee Lyn Terry, 38, with the lethal dose over the summer, according to newly surfaced police documents. A registered nurse convinced a pal she had terminal cancer and then injected her with a fatal dose of insulin, cops say. PhotobyTawat stock.adobe.com Investigating cops found more than 28,000 texts between the women that showed Sundwall had a fixation with helping her friend commit suicide. The text exchanges which dated back to December 2019 included messages detailing different ways Meggan would kill herself if she was Terry, and of Meggan offering to help [her friend] die, police said. The messages also allegedly included discussions about Sundwalls apparent financial woes and how being the beneficiary of Terrys life-insurance policy would fix everything. It was not immediately clear if Terry even had a policy, although Sundwall apparently believed she did and that the nurse was set to score a $1.5 million payout from it. Terrys family expressed relief after learning of Sundwalls arrest, saying they believed she was trying to kill her for years. The morning of Aug. 12, Sundwall sent her a text asking, Do you want to take some promethazine when I get there so that you are asleep when this is happening? according to KUTV. Police were called to Terrys home after her uncle said he found her unresponsive and gasping for air as if she were drowning. Sundwall told investigators she had been alone with Terry all morning and that she had been suffering for several hours that day. Paramedics reportedly discovered a diabetic needle at the scene. When Terry who was not a diabetic arrived at the hospital, her blood sugar level had plunged to 14. Blood sugar levels can become lethal at 40 or less. The victim who was not diabetic nor suffering from cancer had a blood sugar level of 14 when she was rushed to the hospital. A level of 40 or less is considered life-threatening. Sherry Young stock.adobe.com Sundwall also claimed that Terry had signed a do-not-resuscitate order and said she didnt want to go to the hospital. A search warrant revealed that Terrys sister had told hospital staff she had been suffering with leukemia for years. Its unclear whether Sundwall told Terrys family she had cancer. Terry died Aug. 15. Her sister said she moved Kacee out of the shared apartment and into her grandfathers house where she lives now due to Kacee complaining about Meggan bringing insulin home and trying to talk Kacee into treatments to help end her suffering, the warrant stated. But after her autopsy, Terrys family received the shocking news that she didnt have cancer or any other underlying health issues and no DNR order was ever found. The same doctor also said Sundwall was not her power of attorney, according to KSL. The Office of the Medical Examiner confirmed Terrys cause of death was an overdose of probable exogenous insulin, promethazine and other drugs, according to the outlet. After Terrys death, Sundwall allegedly deleted more than 900 texts from her phone and conducted a search for her life-insurance policy. Sundwall was arrested and booked into Utah County Jail on charges including first-degree aggravated murder and third-degree obstruction of justice. Amy Schumer has had a "really good experience" with a new weight-loss drug. Amy Schumer has opened up about her weight-loss journey The 43-year-old star previously confessed to having a difficult time with Wegovy, the popular weight-loss drug - but Amy has recently adopted a new drug called Mounjaro and she's been much happier with the results. The Hollywood star said on Instagram: "Three years ago, I tried Wegovy. I was puking, I couldnt handle it. "I dont know if theyve changed the formula, whatever. But anyway, I went on this Telehealth meeting with Midi Health, and it was cheap. I wanted to try it myself cause I wanted to recommend it to my friends who are nurses and teachers." Amy noted that the clinic "put [her] on estrogen and progesterone". She continued: "I realised I was in perimenopause and my symptoms from being perimenopausal have disappeared." The actress has seen a marked change in her appearance since she adopted the new drug. She said: "My hair is fuller, my skin is better, I have more energy, I want to get down more, if you know what I mean. Im talking about sex. So thats been great and Mounjaros been great." Amy is keen to be open and honest with her followers about her weight-loss journey. The movie star explained: "Look, its not covered by insurance unless you have diabetes or like severe obesity, which most of the internet thinks I have. But Im having a really good experience with it and I wanted to keep it real with you about that." Amy has actually been so impressed by Midi Health that she's decided to invest in the company. The actress said: "Midi Health. I liked it so much and I had such a good experience that I invested in the company." John keeble - Getty Images Just when I thought recall notices were slowing down, the Food and Drug Administration struck again. Im still not over my favorite coffee creamer getting recalled or my go-to sparkling water. And now, my cheese is infected? I cant take it anymore. ICYMI, on March 19, the FDA issued a Class II recall notice for Great Lakes Cheese Co. Inc., the manufacturer of Aldis branded cheeses. This recall affects the 12-ounce Happy Farm's Colby Jack Deli Sliced Cheese, which was found to be potentially contaminated with stainless steel fragments, according to the notice. The cheese was sold in four statesConnecticut, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvaniaand has an expiration date of July 13 and 14, 2025. The products UPC number is: 4061463330840. So far, 400 casesaround 4,800 individual packetshave been recalled, though no illnesses have been reported. The recall was initially initiated in early February but recently turned into a Class II notice, which means 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, according to the FDA. If youve recently purchased Aldis Happy Farm cheese, its best to throw it out or return it to the store for a refund. Dont eat it, even if it looks okay. (Trust me, its not worth the risk). And while there have been a lot of recalls lately, dont be afraid to grocery shop. Sure, these notices are scarylike, omg food can be contaminated with metals and we wouldnt know. But to be fair, the FDA is doing its job by finding problematic food and recalling it from the shelves. So, take a deep breath and trust that safety protocols are in place. And in the meantime, keep an eye out for any recall notices. You Might Also Like Emily Haley, a Maryland physician assistant, saved the life of Dr. Jacquelyn Lacera when she suffered a medical episode midflight and needed a defibrillator shock, avoiding tragedy right after her Hawaiian honeymoon. A physician assistant saved the life of a doctor when she suffered a medical episode midflight and needed a defibrillator shock, avoiding tragedy right after her Hawaiian honeymoon. Emily Haley jumped into action when speakers on her overnight American Airlines flight called for medical assistance to save Dr. Jacquelyn Lacera, 61, who was suffering from arrhythmia, WBAL TV reported. As Laceras condition quickly deteriorated, Haley decided to use a defibrillator to steady the doctors heartbeat, a frightening but necessary action to save the family physician. Dr. Jacquelyn Lacera was coming back from her Hawaiian honeymoon when she suffered heart complications midflight. NBC Maryland physician assistant Emily Haley sprung to action and gave Laceras heart a shock with a defibrillator to save her life. NBC We talked about it, and I said, I think I need to shock you. I said, I dont have a choice. And, she said, Lets do it,' Haley recalled. She looked at me, I looked at her, and I said, Do it,' Lacera added. That was the most painful thing Ive ever been through. The ordeal began about one hour into the Feb. 5 flight, with the recently-married Lacera suddenly falling ill and racing to the restroom, where she started vomiting and suffering heavy chest pains. After checking Laceras vital signs, Haley and the doctor concluded that she had some type of arrhythmia, which refers to an irregular beating of a persons heartbeat. Lacera, a family doctor based in California, said she was grateful for Haleys quick thinking and presence on the plane. NBC The doctor praised Haleys quick thinking during such a tense situation miles above the ground. Its amazing. God put her in that situation, and she did everything right, Lacera said. It was wonderful. Following the medical episode, Lacera said she reached out to lawmakers calling on them to push airlines to improve medical supplies after experiencing first hand the lack of proper equipment on board her plane. Our pilots and flight attendants complete rigorous and regular training to support the customer in need and any onboard medical professionals who lend their expertise, and importantly, quickly and safely divert the aircraft when needed, American told the Baltimore Sun. Key to their response is the onboard emergency medical kit that includes all FAA-required equipment, material and medications exceeds those requirements, the airliner added. LONDON It was a spectacular thing to wake up to: Heathrow, one of the worlds busiest airports, shut down and plunged into darkness. More than a thousand flights grounded, another hundred already in the air diverted to other cities or turned back to where they came from, in a crisis that snarled travel around the world. The shutdown was caused by a fire at an electrical substation 3 miles away that supplied much of the airports critical services. British police have said there was no initial indication of foul play, and the London Fire Brigade has taken over the investigation from counterintelligence officers, as the fire is now being treated as non-suspicious. But in the absence of information immediately after the fire, Britains raucous tabloids were ablaze with speculation about Russian sabotage: If Russia was behind Heathrow fire, is that an act of war? The Telegraph wondered in an op-ed headline. British radio presenter Nick Ferrari asked listeners jokingly whether anyone had seen Russian President Vladimir Putin. On social media, users pointed to patterns of sabotage by Russia, while others argued the fire was part of a broader strategy of hybrid warfare. The North Hyde Electricity Substation in London caught fire last week, shutting down Heathrow Airport. It is not difficult to see why people might jump to such conclusions. The number of Russian sabotage attacks, many of them carried out in European NATO countries, nearly tripled between 2023 and 2024, after quadrupling between 2022 and 2023, according to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. Transportation and critical infrastructure, the CSIS report said, are some of its primary targets, and its main weapons and tactics have included explosives, blunt or edged instruments, and electronic attacks. Russia has denied accusations that it is orchestrating a sabotage campaign across Europe. In an article published by the London-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Oleksandr Danylyuk, a former adviser on defense and intelligence for Ukraine, said sabotage was getting a higher priority in Russia, with the European intelligence community reporting that a new unit, the 236th Specialist Training Center, had been created to seriously scale up sabotage operations. According to CSIS, roughly 27 % of the known attacks were against transportation targets, another 27% were against government targets, and 21% were against critical infrastructure, including the electricity grid, pipelines and undersea fiber-optic cables. On Friday, the Kremlin knew more accusations would be coming. Shortly after the scale of the Heathrow disruption unfolded, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russias Security Council and a former president, addressed U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on X: Im looking forward to Russia being blamed for the Heathrow fire. What are you waiting for, Starmer? A British official told NBC News on Friday there was no indication of Russian involvement. But H.A. Hellyer, a senior associate at RUSI, said he wasnt surprised that people jumped to conclusions about Russian sabotage at Heathrow. The disinformation and misinformation environment that were in leads a lot of people to assume that when bad stuff happens like this, theres going to be some sort of Russian fingerprint, because there have been so many Russian fingerprints in the past, he told NBC News. The increase in attacks appeared to be tied to an increase in military assistance from European governments to Ukraine, according to the CSIS report, with many targets having links to Western aid to Ukraine, such as companies producing or shipping weapons and other supplies. The report also noted that there were no recorded incidents in countries that did not provide significant aid to Ukraine, like Serbia or Hungary. Richard Moore, head of MI6, has previously described Russias actions as a staggeringly reckless campaign intended to sow fear about the consequences of aiding Ukraine and challenge Western resolve. The timing of the Heathrow fire, which followed weeks of increased British support for Ukraine as Starmer sought to step in as U.S. backing receded, added fuel to the speculation. However, Matthew Savill, the director of military sciences at RUSI, said while the timing may appear suspicious, covert action takes time to plan and prepare. Implementing a plan and executing it at a few days notice is not easy, he said on X. That doesnt mean its impossible of course! The Associated Press has documented at least 59 incidents in which Russia, its proxies or its ally Belarus were blamed by governments and officials for acts across Europe ranging from cyberattacks and propaganda campaigns to sabotage, espionage and assassinations, much of it aimed at entities supporting Ukraine. Last year, Western security officials said Russia was behind a plot to plant bombs on cargo planes in Germany and the U.K. as part of a wider sabotage campaign to start fires aboard aircraft bound for North America. According to NATO, Russia was behind a plot to kill the head of a German arms manufacturer supplying weapons to Ukraine, while European authorities are also investigating damage to undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, with Finnish officials detaining a ship suspected of being part of Russias shadow fleet. In the United Kingdom, a Russian dissident was poisoned in 2018 with the military-grade nerve agent Novichok, and earlier this month, three Bulgarians were found guilty of running a Russian spy ring from a British seaside resort. The ongoing sabotage by Russia has created an environment where Russias adversaries feel uncomfortable and anxious and slightly paranoid. Theres an old saying in the movies, Hellyer said. I might be paranoid, but it doesnt mean that not everybodys out to get me. Savill warned that even if Russia had nothing to do with Heathrow, the mere perception of vulnerability has strategic consequences. If you look vulnerable, you are less resilient, he posted on X. And that reduces the cost of action against you, limiting the deterrent effect you can achieve. The CSIS report suggested Russias covert sabotage activities in Europe aimed to erode public support for Ukraine by creating fear and uncertainty. For now, however, public support for Ukraine remains high. A 2024 European Union survey indicated strong backing for the E.U.s response to the Russian invasion, with 89% supporting humanitarian aid, 84% in favor of welcoming refugees and 72% approving sanctions on Russia. Jiyeon Lee, Taehee Kim and Junghee Kim have been missing for more than a week after driving through a winter storm on their road trip between the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. - Coconino County Sheriff's Office Three members of a South Korean family visiting the United States have been missing for more than a week after driving through a winter storm while on a road trip between the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, according to Arizona officials. Jiyeon Lee, 33, Taehee Kim, 59, and Junghee Kim, 54, were last known to be traveling in a rental car on Interstate 40 on March 13, according to the Coconino County Sheriffs Office. The vehicles GPS data indicated the rental car was last on the interstate westbound around 3:27 p.m. that day, coinciding with a fatal pileup accident on the same interstate during a winter storm, according to a release from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. A fatal crash on westbound Interstate 40 on March 13 involved multiple vehicles caught on a road that was covered in snow and ice, according to Arizona DPS. - Arizona Deparmtent of Public Safety The crash happened around 3:27 p.m. on westbound Interstate 40 near milepost 159.5 in Williams, Arizona. It involved multiple vehicles that were engulfed in flames including some that burned for more than 20 hours at extreme temperatures on a road covered in snow and ice, DPS told CNN Saturday. Authorities are still working to identify possible human remains from the crash and meticulously examine the vehicles and related evidence, DPS said. The release says that multiple passenger vehicles were rear-ended, pushing them into, and in some cases, underneath crashed tractor-trailers. The fatal accident involved 22 vehicles and 36 drivers and occupants, resulting in at least two fatalities and injuries to 16 people who were transported for medical care, DPS said. It is not known if this (rental) vehicle was involved in the accident, the sheriffs office investigating the familys disappearance noted. The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles is working with the Coconino County Sheriffs Office to locate the family of three, CNN affiliate KPNX reported. Anyone who has had contact with the family since March 13, or has knowledge of their whereabouts, is asked to call the Coconino County Sheriffs Office. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON Louisiana last year sent two Black representatives to Congress for the first time in almost three decades under a congressional map being challenged as unfair to the states non-Black residents. The Supreme Court on Monday will hear that challenge in the latest case that could affect how states can consider race when creating legislative maps. The outcome will also determine if Democrats or Republicans have the advantage in the disputed district in the 2026 midterm elections, which will decide control of the closely divided House. The challenge to the congressional map by non-Black voters tests the balancing act states must strike in complying with a civil rights law that protects the voting power of a racial minority while also not discriminating against other voters. Civil rights group fear the court could rule in a way that could undermine voting protections. Lawyers for Louisiana, who are defending the map, say the Supreme Court needs to either be clear about the breathing room states are supposed to have to balance competing requirements or they should not require states to try to do both. Otherwise, the state said, Louisiana and other states will remain in the impossible situation of getting sued for not including enough majority-Black districts and then sued again for adding one. This hamster wheel will not stop spinning, Louisianas lawyers told the court. First map challenged for diluting the Black vote The dispute started after Louisiana drew new boundaries for its six congressional districts to account for population shifts following the 2020 Census. The map included only one majority Black district despite the fact that the states population is about one-third Black. Civil rights advocates challenged the map under a provision of the Voting Rights Act aimed at preventing the dilution of power of the Black vote. A Baton Rouge-based federal court and the Louisiana-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said it seemed likely that Louisiana could create a second majority-Black district in a reasonable way. Second map challenged as racial gerrymandering But when the GOP-controlled legislature then created a map with two majority Black districts one of which crosses the state diagonally a divided panel of federal judges sided with a group of self-described non-Black voters who argued the map was unconstitutional because voters race was the main consideration. The state asked the Supreme Court to intervene. The court last year kept the map in place for 2024 and later agreed to settle the underlying dispute. Pamela Evans steps out of the voting booth at the J.S. Clark Elementary School voting site in Shreveport, Louisiana, on November 5, 2024. The congressman elected from the new district, Rep. Cleo Fields, is a Democrat and the voters challenging the boundary lines say a racial quota cost the state a Republican seat in a narrowly divided Congress. Why, in the 2020s, would Louisiana racially balkanize new areas of a State where Black population is flatlining, integration is succeeding, and the record lacks evidence of voting harms to Black voters? lawyers for the challengers wrote. That map could not have been drawn without an overwhelming focus on race, they argued in filings that noted Justice Brett Kavanaugh has suggested that Congress ability to authorize race-based redistricting cannot extend indefinitely into the future. Kavanaugh made that comment in 2023 when he and Chief Justice John Roberts joined the courts three liberals in rejecting an argument for color-blind boundaries in Alabama and elsewhere. Louisiana says race was not the driving factor In the Louisiana case, both the state and civil rights advocates argue the challengers failed to show race was the primary factor behind the new lines. The map balanced several political and policy goals, they say, including protecting House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, as well as joining communities with shared interests along the Red River. While the state redrew the lines in response to the initial court challenge, its still possible to create a second majority-Black district without race being the predominant factor the test the Supreme Court re-affirmed in the 2023 decision about Alabamas congressional districts, they contend. And if its not possible, Louisianas attorneys wrote, the Supreme Court should clearly say so. Louisiana's 2019 'I voted' sticker by Tony Bernard Civil rights group worry Supreme Court could undermine protections Thats an argument that concerns Marina Jenkins, executive director of the National Redistricting Foundation, one of the groups that backed the challenge to the initial map that had only one majority-Black district. Jenkins worries the court could use this case as a backdoor way to undermine the vote dilution protections of the Voting Rights Act, even though those protections were upheld two years ago. She said voters in Mississippi, Georgia and Texas are also trying to get the protections enforced. The idea that you have to be completely blind to race is simply not the way that the court for decades has approached this area of law, she said. That would be a head spinning reversal of its own precedent and decades of constitutional law on this question. Luis Fuentes-Rohwer, who teaches about civil rights and legal history at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, said the Supreme Court could decide it would be moving to fast to get rid of that section of the Voting Rights Act this year. But the writing is on the wall, he said. Since 2013 when the Supreme Court struck down a different, and key, section of the Voting Rights Act as unconstitutional, Fuentes-Rohwer said, the question has been not if, but when. A decision is expected by the end of June. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court to debate claims of racial gerrymandering in Louisiana President Trump The Trump administration is dispatching a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East as tensions over the Houthis attacks on vessels in the Red Sea intensify. Military officials are directing the USS Carl Vinson to head toward the Red Sea and have extended the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike groups stay there by at least a month. Thats the second instance during the past six months that the US has deployed two carrier strike groups to the Middle East at the same time. President Trump ordered the strike against the Houthis while competing in a tournament at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla. The White House / X Its also the first time President Trump has had two carrier strike groups in the region since getting sworn back into office in January. The show of force comes as tensions have flared with the Houthis, a Yemen-based terror group, who have carried out sporadic attacks on ships traversing the Red Sea. Last weekend, Trump ordered military strikes against Houthi outposts that the group later claimed killed 53 and injured 98. In response, the Houthis vowed to continue their attacks on Red Sea shipping until Israel pulls out of the Gaza Strip. The group had escalated its attacks on shipping after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre against Israel. Houthi forces, who overthrew Yemens Western-backed government in 2015 following the outbreak of civil war the previous September, currently hold most of the territory in the countrys west and along the Red Sea coast. Following the strikes against the Houthis, Trump issued multiple public threats against Iran, a key backer of the US-designated terror organization. Houthi fighters have vowed to keep up their attacks even as President Trump cracks down on the US-designated terror group. AFP via Getty Images 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 ominously warned on Truth Social Monday. In a follow-up threat, Trump vowed Wednesday that the Houthis will be completely annihilated. The USS Carl Vinson is currently partaking in training exercises in the East China Sea exercises alongside the Japanese and South Koreans. The USS Harry S. Truman was used to carry out strikes against the Houthis last week. AP The Post reached out to the Defense Department for comment. The Houthis have long been part of Irans proxy network, which also included the former Bashar-al Assad regime in Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas. Irans proxy network has taken a beating over the past year and a half. Assads regime imploded late last year and Israel has decimated top leadership in both Hezbollah and Hamas. With Post Wire Services By Valerie Volcovici and Nathan Layne WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Trump administration officials on Sunday defended their use of extraordinary war powers to deport scores of Venezuelan migrants despite a judge blocking the move and Venezuela denying U.S. officials' assertions that the deportees were gang members. "It's modern-day warfare, and we are going to continue to fight that and protect American citizens every single step of the way," Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on the "Sunday Morning Futures" program. Bondi said the Trump administration's decision to deport 137 Venezuelan migrants last weekend to El Salvador was justified because they were members of Venezuela's feared Tren de Aragua gang and posed a safety risk. Venezuela's interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, said on Friday, however, that none of the Venezuelans deported by the U.S. to El Salvador were members of the gang, which Washington has declared a terrorist group. Relatives and immigration advocates for some of the men have also denied any links. The administration used the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law, to deport the migrants on the grounds that they were committing violent crimes and sending money back to Venezuela. White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on CBS' "Face the Nation" program, without citing evidence, that Tren de Aragua was a proxy of the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. "The alien sedition act fully applies because we have also determined that this group is acting as a proxy of the Maduro regime," Waltz said. "Maduro is deliberately emptying his prisons in a proxy manner to influence an attack on the United States." U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said on Friday he would continue to probe whether the Trump administration violated his order temporarily blocking the use of the act for deportations after it failed to turn around two flights carrying the Venezuelans. The Trump administration is facing a March 25 deadline to respond to his request for more details on the deportations. Some legal scholars view the situation as an escalation in President Donald Trump's confrontation with the judiciary and say it raises concerns of a looming constitutional crisis. Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, told ABC News' "This Week" program that he would not defy Boasberg's order but reiterated that the Trump administration would continue its arrests of migrants they deem dangerous. "We're going to continue to arrest public safety threats and national security threats," Homan said. "We will keep targeting the worst of the worst." Bondi criticized Boasberg for interfering with the Trump administration's agenda. "This is an out-of-control judge, a federal judge trying to control our entire foreign policy," she said. On Friday, Boasberg told a justice department lawyer at a hearing that he could not recall ever having heard government lawyers address him in the way the administration had in this case. He did not specify what language he took issue with. Bondi also stepped up her critiques of other federal judges who she accused of trying to stymie the president's policies. "We are in court every day, fighting against these activist judges. We're not going to stop. Many of them should be recused from these cases," Bondi said. "They will be recused from these cases." (Reporting by Valerie Volcovici, Nathan Layne and Phil Stewart; editing by Ross Colvin, Paul Simao and Nia Williams) Traveling with pets can be stressful. Many pet parents would say that this is the rule. However, there are always exceptions. Case in point: just look at these incredibly well-behaved, adorable British shorthair cats, Louie and Todd, as they make their way through airport security like no big deal in this video. We know that a lot of pet parents say that their furry little children are good boys, but Louie and Todd really personify that phrase in a way that is undeniably impressive. Just click the link here to see how two pet pros handle getting through airport security in this astounding video. Instagram user louieandtodd, who posted this video, commented that they have been training these adorable kitties to be comfortable in crowded, public places like this since they were four months old. Related: British Shorthair Cat 'Betrays' Mom When Automatic Feeder Goes Off and People Can't Stop Laughing They added that they had done most of this training by taking them to the increasingly busy parts of downtown Chicago. Doing so has desensitized Louie and Todd to noisy environments, which allows them to be comfortable while traveling. Interestingly, they added that both kitties love shopping malls and similarly love airports. This kind of makes sense since an airport probably looks like a large shopping mall to them. Many people in the comment section remarked about how these cats were so chill when going to the airport. Also, everyone thought they were adorable. Advice for Flying With Pets Dealing with getting the required documentation and making a reservation for your fur child to fly can be daunting. Dealing with any airlines pet requirements and their safety during the flight can be equally stressful. In order to make sure that your pet has the best flying experience possible, it is a good idea to do research on each airline's pet policy and record. Additionally, talking to airline staff prior to your flight can help things go smoothly. Other steps you can take to make sure that your pet has a smooth flight is taking them to the vet to make sure that they are in good health to fly. There are many airlines that require pets to have a veterinarian-issued health certificate within 10 days of the flight. It is also a good idea to know where you can take your pet to relieve themselves before and after takeoff at the airports that youre flying into and out of. Having a good chew toy on hand for your pet can also help them deal with the pressure that will build up in their ears during takeoff and landing. A good chew toy can help your pet relieve any discomfort they are feeling in their ears. Conclusion Since your four-legged best friend will be spending plenty of time in a kennel or a travel carrier during the flight, it is a good idea to get them accustomed to spending time in it well in advance of your flight. As you can see, Louie and Todd have no issues getting into their travel carriers on command. In fact, both of these good boys are happy to hop right on into their travel carriers as soon as their dad takes them through TSA. They seemed equally comfortable sleeping in their travel carrier throughout the flight. As Instagram user louieandtodd noted in the comment, a lot of training went into getting these kitties comfortable to travel this way. An encouraging sign for any pet parents who want to fly with their fur babies. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. William Shatner has celebrated his birthday the same way for "many years". William Shatner is celebrating his 94th birthday The 'Star Trek' actor turned 94 on Saturday (22.03.25), but Shatner doesn't intend to change the way he celebrates his birthday. He told PEOPLE: "For the last many years, I have celebrated my birthday by working on a very successful charity called The Hollywood Charity Horse Show. We have been doing it for 35 years and raised millions of dollars for children and veterans." Shatner also plans to spend some quality time with his family on his birthday. The actor shared: "My family is taking me to Las Vegas for dinner and a show, and then back to Los Angeles. "Its going to be a family experience in that wonderful, entertaining city. Im really looking forward to it." Shatner has already taken to social media to thank fans for their birthday messages. The veteran film star wrote on X: "As I begin my 95th journey around the sun today I want to take a minute to thank everyone for the birthday wishes! I am overwhelmed at the amount of love I have received. My best, Bill (sic)" In 2023, Shatner released a documentary called 'You Can Call Me Bill', which explored his life and career. The film star previously explained that the documentary was his "way of reaching out" to his loved ones. He told Variety in 2023: "I've turned down a lot of offers to do documentaries before. But I don't have long to live. "Whether I keel over as I'm speaking to you or ten years from now, my time is limited, so that's very much a factor. "The sad thing is that the older a person gets, the wiser they become and then they die with all that knowledge. And it's gone." by Giorgio Bernardelli Born in German-speaking countries, today more than half of the missionaries belonging to the institute founded by Arnold Janssen are from Asia, and are also on the frontline in the existential peripheries of Europe today. Now the institute is being called to reflect on mission in today's world at an international conference In Rome from 27 to 29 March. Rome (AsiaNews) - He had earned a reputation as an educator in the schools of the diocese of Munster. Then, in 1873, he founded a magazine, The Little Messenger of the Heart of Jesus, which - like ours, founded in the same period - brought news from the missions into people's homes. But Father Arnold Janssen had one regret: unlike what had happened in France, Italy and other European countries, in Germany there was no Institute that sent missionaries throughout the world. In 1875 he would realise this dream by founding the Society of the Divine Word, the Verbite Institute. Today Father Janssen is considered a saint by the Catholic Church and his missionary family is one of the most present worldwide. But those beginnings were not at all easy: Germany at the time was deeply marked by the Kulturkampf, the cultural battle waged against Catholics by the German government, including the imprisonment and physical expulsion of priests and religious. In such a delicate situation, it was a missionary from the then Lombardy Seminary for Foreign Missions, the Institute that in 1926 would become PIME, that encouraged Father Janssen. Father Timoleone Raimondi after taking part in the first unfortunate and apparently unsuccessful experience of the Milanese missionaries in Melanesia had become the apostolic vicar of Hong Kong and in 1874, during a visit to Germany, strongly supported the idea of a German missionary Institute. It was also thanks to him that, in 1875, Father Janssen was able to inaugurate his missionary house in Steyl, just across the German border, in the Dutch diocese of Roermond. It was a place for training missionaries to be sent to the East: the first two, Johann Baptist Anzer and the future saint of the Ladins Joseph Freinademetz, at the suggestion of Bishop Raimondi, were sent to Hong Kong to work with the Milanese missionaries and prepare for their service in Shandong, China. But the house in Steyl also quickly became an exceptional point of attraction for many lay people who wanted to support the missionary apostolate. One hundred and fifty years later, how relevant is the charisma of the Divine Word Missionaries? And on what frontiers are these missionaries today witnessing to the Gospel? This will be discussed at the end of this month at an important international conference on mission in today's world, promoted by the Society of the Divine Word and held in Rome from 27 to 29 March at the Gregorian University. And in view of this event we also asked Father Anselmo Ricardo Ribeiro, a 51-year-old Brazilian missionary with experience in Chiapas and in his homeland, who has been leading the Institute of the Divine Word as Superior General since last summer. Father Janssen, he comments, said that the proclamation of the Gospel is the first and highest form of charity. This is why he worked so hard to get the Church to send missionaries to bring the good news of Jesus to places where it was not yet known. Times change, of course, but this insight is still very relevant today, even for many frontiers. From where and to where? From the beginning there was a strong idea of an international community of missionaries from German-speaking countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands..., continues the superior of the Divine Word Missionaries. Today it has taken on a multicultural dimension: we come from 76 different countries and carry out our ministry in 77 nations on all five continents. Living the mission together, coming from different realities, is part of our DNA." Nowadays, only 15% of the Verbites are of European origin: new vocations come mainly from Asia, the continent where Christians are a small minority. Half of our missionaries were born there, confirms Father Ribeiro. The largest group is that of the Indonesian brothers, who number 1,575. Then come India, the Philippines, Vietnam, while another 680 grew up in African countries. This plurality of origins is a challenge for us. But it is also a sign for today's world. A testimony called to make the Gospel present on many particularly hot frontiers. I am thinking of our missionaries who are in both Ukraine and Russia, comments the Superior General. But I also have in mind Cuba, where I was recently on a visit: I encountered a country that in many respects today is literally a land of first proclamation. Or to the situations that are still waiting to fully experience the challenge of inculturation. However, I also look to Holland, the land where Father Janssen established our first house in Steyl and which has given us so many missionaries: we now have Indonesian, Indian, Ghanaian and Congolese brothers who live their apostolate here on many existential frontiers. One of them, while carrying out his service in a hospital, found himself in front of a Catholic who asked him for Communion saying: Father, it's the last one I'll receive: I've asked for euthanasia. What does it mean to be a missionary in these situations? We are constantly called upon to ask ourselves this question. What does today's Europe represent for a missionary coming from Asia? The culture shock is strong, admits Father Ribeiro. Generally we come from contexts where Christians are certainly a minority, but where religious identity remains very strong. On the contrary, in Europe we find ourselves immersed in secularised societies, where it is not enough to open the church door for people to come: in today's cities, for many people, our gestures no longer mean anything. And this doesn't only apply to the West: even in a country like South Korea, for example, many young people no longer think about getting married or see the idea of a family as an obstacle to their career. So what can we do? It's about going out, reaching out to those who are alone, coming to terms with many wounds. Get closer to show, despite all our limitations and fragility, that there can be a different life. Show that the Gospel of Jesus has a hope to bring. Talk to today's world. With missionaries who often belong to Generation Z themselves: there are still many young people in the Verbite novitiates, in Asia alone there are currently more than 600 in formation. What do they bring to your congregation? They come from a context that prefers experience to rationality, they are much better at using the digital environment than we are, replies the superior general. They are fortunate in that they still have family experience behind them, which can become a valuable testimony among their peers. As can their deep sense of the sacred, a dimension that has been lost in the West. The challenge, on the other hand, is to help them grow in generosity, in a cultural context in which we are all much more self-centred". With a compass that remains clear: the reference to the Divine Word, that is, looking to Jesus as the Word of God made flesh, which Father Janssen wanted in the very name of the Institute. The biblical apostolate is a fundamental aspect of our ministry, says Father Ribeiro. Which means, first of all, listening to the Word of God in our communities, and then sharing it with others in everyday life. ECCLESIA IN ASIA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN ASIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SUNDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. 23 March 2025 13:26 (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. Central Bank of Azerbaijan reveals the amount of foreign direct investments from Azerbaijan to Ukraine in 2024 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! 23 March 2025 12:27 (UTC+04:00) The Azerbaijan House in Salzburg, Austria, hosted a festive Novruz celebration, bringing together Azerbaijanis from different regions of the country, Azernews reports. According to the Austrian Azerbaijani Society, the event aimed to preserve and promote Azerbaijans national values. The societys chairman, Farid Azizov, highlighted that Novruz is one of the oldest holidays inherited from ancestors, symbolizing unity, friendship, and solidarity. He emphasized the importance of Azerbaijanis abroad keeping their traditions alive and passing them on to future generations. Guests enjoyed a beautifully decorated Novruz table featuring semeni, painted eggs, candles, and traditional Azerbaijani sweets, including baklava, shekerbura, and gogal. The event also showcased national dances, mugham performances, and folk songs, while children and youth took part in traditional Novruz games, such as egg fights and entertaining competitions. Speakers at the event underscored the significance of Novruz for the Azerbaijani people, noting that such gatherings strengthen unity among compatriots. The celebration concluded with commemorative photos capturing the festive atmosphere. 23 March 2025 09:58 (UTC+04:00) The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyans remarks about previous COP meetings, calling them completely unfounded. Azernews reports that the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry issued a statement in response to Mirzoyans interview with the Brazilian newspaper Folha, where he claimed that little attention has been paid to the needs of the Global South and developing countries at past COP summits. The ministry dismissed these claims, stating: It seems that the Armenian Foreign Minister is completely unaware of the climate negotiations held within the framework of the COP. It is known that significant decisions have been made for the Global South in the field of combating climate change at all COPs so far, the statement added, emphasizing that Mirzoyans remarks are disrespectful not only to the hosts of COP29, but also to all previous COPs. Regarding COP29 in Baku, the ministry highlighted that it was a turning point in global climate diplomacy and one of the most successful COPs both in terms of the level of organization and the results achieved. Key achievements of COP29 include: The Baku Climate Finance Target Decision, which tripled the annual $100 billion climate finance commitment to $300 billion and set a new $1.3 trillion target from all funding sources. The adoption of the Paris Agreement Credit Facility, enabling Global South countries to benefit from carbon market mechanismsa breakthrough that had remained unresolved for nearly a decade. The launch of the Loss and Damage Fund, a critical financial mechanism for developing nations. The ministry stressed that these accomplishments were the result of the dedicated efforts of the COP29 presidency. Looking ahead, the statement underscored the importance of implementing COP29 outcomes and preparing for COP30 in Belem, expressing hope that it will also be another breakthrough in climate negotiations. 23 March 2025 11:10 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on the occasion of Pakistan Day, Azernews reports. "Esteemed Mr. Prime Minister, My dear Brother, On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I sincerely congratulate you and your brotherly people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Pakistan Day, extending my best wishes. The current level of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan strategic partnership and our cooperation, which is enriched with new content day by day, is a source of great satisfaction. Our successful joint activities in the economy, transport, logistics, energy, investment, defense industry, and several other areas of mutual interest are among the key factors determining our ties. At the same time, the alignment of our positions on international issues and our mutual support serve as a clear expression of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan brotherhood, contributing to the fundamental interests of our countries and peoples. We attach exceptional importance to the comprehensive development of our relations, which are built on strong foundations such as common cultural values and solidarity, stemming from the deep affection, respect, and trust between our brotherly peoples. The intensity of high-level visits, meetings, and contacts is a clear indication of the dynamic growth of our cooperation. I highly appreciate our productive meeting held in an atmosphere of mutual trust, understanding, and sincerity during your state visit to Azerbaijan last month, as well as the exchange of views and discussions we had. The agreements we reached on the future directions of Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations in various fields, along with the numerous documents signed during the visit, will contribute to further expanding the scope of our bilateral agenda and realizing our economic and trade potential in different areas. I am confident that the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, strengthened by the time-tested brotherhood and unity of our peoples, will continue to grow and deepen through our joint efforts. On this significant day, I wish you good health, happiness, and success in your endeavors, and the brotherly people of Pakistan everlasting peace, prosperity, and well-being," the letter said. 23 March 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) British Prime Minister Keir Starmers proposal for an international force to support a ceasefire in Ukraine has been criticized by Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who dismissed it as a posture and a pose. Witkoff argued that the idea stemmed from a simplistic view held by Starmer and other European leaders who believe they must act in the same manner as Winston Churchill. According to BBC, in an interview with Tucker Carlson, a journalist known for his pro-Trump stance, Witkoff praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him "super smart" and stating that he didnt view Putin as a bad person. Witkoff, who had met with Putin just ten days prior, described the Russian leader as gracious and upfront, adding that Putin had prayed for Trump after the assassination attempt against him last year. Additionally, Witkoff shared that Putin had commissioned a portrait of Trump as a gift, which the former president reportedly appreciated. During the interview, Witkoff reiterated several Russian viewpoints, such as the claim that Ukraine was a "false country" and questioned when the world would officially recognize the territories occupied by Russia in Ukraine. Witkoff, who is leading US ceasefire negotiations with both Russia and Ukraine, struggled to name all five regions of Ukraine that have been annexed or partially occupied by Russian forces. When asked about these regions, he only mentioned four, failing to correctly identify the five: Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea. He referred to the Donbas region, which includes parts of Luhansk and Donetsk, but left out the other regions. 23 March 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Billionaire Elon Musk took his campaign to reduce U.S. federal government spending to a new level on Friday, holding an unusual top-level meeting at the Pentagon. Musk called for the prosecution of any Defense Department officials responsible for leaking what he called maliciously false information about his visit. Musk, who holds several defense contracts with the U.S. government, met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for an 80-minute discussion. This was Musks first such engagement at the Pentagon, which manages a significant portion of the federal budget. It remains unclear whether U.S. generals participated virtually in the meeting. A report from The New York Times stated that Musk was supposed to be briefed on confidential war plans related to China, but both Musk and former President Donald Trump denied this. Musk referred to the report as pure propaganda and demanded legal action against those who leaked the information. On social media, Musk posted, "I look forward to the prosecutions of those at the Pentagon who are leaking maliciously false information to NYT. They will be found." In response, a New York Times spokesperson said that leak investigations are designed to suppress communications between journalists and their sources, ultimately undermining the role of a free press in uncovering important information. Hegseths chief of staff released a memo later in the day, calling for an investigation into unauthorized disclosures of national security information, which could potentially involve the use of polygraph tests. After the meeting, Trump commented at the White House, stating that the U.S. would not disclose potential war plans to anyone, especially not a businessman. He also hinted that Musks business interests in China might create a conflict of interest. Elon has businesses in China, and he would be susceptible, perhaps, to that, Trump remarked. Hegseth clarified that their discussion with Musk focused on innovation and improving efficiencies, denying any discussion of war plans with China. Following the controversy over the leaked report, a planned meeting between Musk and the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon was called off. Musks involvement with military plans would represent a significant expansion of his role, especially as a key advisor to Trump in efforts to reduce U.S. government spending. 23 March 2025 12:08 (UTC+04:00) The Istanbul Criminal Court has ordered the arrest of the citys mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, following allegations of aiding a terrorist organization. According to Azernews, the court approved the prosecutors request for Imamoglus detention. The Istanbul General Prosecutor's Office had previously issued a detention order against seven suspects, including Imamoglu, Deputy Secretary General of the Istanbul Municipality Mahir Polat, and Sisli Mayor Resul Emrah Sahan. The charges relate to alleged support for the PKK/KCK terrorist organization. The prosecution states that a so-called "city consensus" initiative was formed ahead of the March 31 municipal elections to strengthen the PKK/KCKs influence in major cities, particularly Istanbul. According to the investigation, PKK/KCK leaders Cemil Bayk and Mustafa Karasu allegedly issued directives through media affiliated with the organization, guiding their supporters in electoral strategies. The prosecution claims that Imamoglu allied with the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK), which is described as an umbrella organization for the terrorist group, as part of this "city consensus." Law enforcement has since conducted simultaneous operations against HDK members across multiple cities, including Istanbul, leading to ongoing detentions. The investigation further revealed that certain individuals elected to municipal councils under the Republican People's Party (CHP) and several appointed mayors have alleged connections to the terrorist group. Among those implicated are Mehmet Ali Calskan, head of the Reforms Institute, and individuals identified as having facilitated recruitment for the organization in previous years. The legal proceedings continue as authorities further investigate the alleged connections between the suspects and the PKK/KCK. The United Kingdom, Germany, and France have pledged to exert influence on the United States regarding the issue of lifting sanctions on Iran, Azernews reports, citing Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as he said in an interview. "We are negotiating with the three European countries based on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to reach the same formula, as well as to strengthen trust in the nuclear program and lift Western sanctions. These sanctions are in the hands of the Americans, not the Europeans. The Europeans say they will fight the Americans on this issue," he said. Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned Saturday that Moscow reserves the right to respond, including "symmetrically," if Ukraine continues attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Zakharova accused Ukraine of violating a US-brokered understanding that aimed to prevent attacks on energy facilities. "Despite the agreement, which Kiev seemed to have officially supported, treacherous attacks on Russian territory continue," she said, describing the Ukrainian government as a "Nazi regime" and alleging it also targets civilian sites. Want to be on trend with your wedding flowers? Google searches have revealed the UK's hottest flowers choices. And with most flower types seeing an increase in searches year-on year, Brits are digger deeper into floral knowledge. Here are the most-searched blooms across the UK in 2024: Wedding Flowers Roses and Sweet Pea 135,000 average monthly searches each Hydrangeas 110,000 average monthly searches Peonies 90,500 average monthly searches Sunflowers and Tulips 74,000 average monthly searches each Chrysanthemums and Orchids 60,500 average monthly searches each Finding the right flowers for your wedding can be a daunting task. From out-of-season sweet peas to overpriced orchids, building your dream floral arrangements can be challenging. But theres plenty of advice you can get online. With 8,100 average monthly searches online for bridal bouquet in 2024 and 14,100 for wedding flowers, many UK brides-to-be are searching for the perfect flowers for their special day. Amy Jenkin, Group Marketing Manager at Lake District Country Hotels, providers of wedding venues in the Lake District, says: Flowers, whether as table centrepieces or part of your bouquet, are a central piece of any wedding. Especially here, in the Lake District, we see plenty of beautiful flower arrangements coming through our doors. But did you know buying flowers in season not only gives you the best, most vibrant bouquet but also could save you money? Spring The spring season will go from 20th March to 20th June this year, providing plenty of beautiful blooms and sunshine for those outdoor weddings that arent too hot! There are plenty of flowers to pick from when it comes to spring, so youre in luck. Some of the popular flowers that come into bloom include tulips, peonies, and crocus. But other, more unique floral options include snowdrops or primrose. Orchids can be a great choice in spring too. And whilst some varieties of orchids can flower multiple times per year, spring is one of the best times to select them, autumn too. Tulips are a great addition to any bouquet if youre wanting something soft and romantic for the day. At the same time, yellow and white crocus flowers are a must for a spring wedding representing cheerfulness and youthfulness for you and your partner. Summer The summer season will last from 20th June to 22nd September this year, bringing its abundance of flowers fit for any summer-time wedding in the sun. There are flowers to suit everything from bold to elegant, so there will be something to suit your style! Some of the most popular wedding flowers bloom this month: sweet pea, roses and peonies. These flowers are fragrant, beautiful, and bloom in the sun - making them the perfect addition to any summer-time centrepiece or bouquet. Theyre the central statement and can represent anything from friendship to passion. Hydrangeas are another great summer flower blooming, which would be a big, bold, and beautiful addition to any bouquet. If youre looking for big and bold, sunflowers are another unique but stunning addition. These sturdy flowers can brighten any large venue or even fit right in with any outdoor wedding. Autumn Autumn is predicted to last between 20th-22nd September and 21st December this year. You can expect cooler weather, falling leaves, and a beautiful auburn backdrop for any wedding day. While there might be some rainfall, it is important to remember that rain on a wedding day is good luck! And just because the weather is getting cooler doesnt mean youre out of luck when it comes to flowers. In fact, plenty of floral favourites still bloom during this time. Roses, a robust and dependable flower, can still bloom later in the year and so make the perfect addition to any bouquet and centrepiece. From an elegant white rose to a playful yellow, theres plenty of choice when it comes to finding a rose that suits your personality and wedding decor. Other flowers that bloom in autumn include marigolds and chrysanthemums, which can be a sweet addition to fill out your floral arrangements. Chrysanthemums are said to represent happiness and long life, making them the perfect good luck charm for the occasion. Winter Winter is expected to arrive on 21st December and end on 20th March 2025. Weddings in winter are special, with warm venues and even a snow day if youre lucky. And finding the right bouquet isnt too difficult during this time. A winter bouquet can be made up of a number of flowers, such as all-year-round roses (including a Christmas rose) and carnations, which last late into the autumn. But it can also include some more seasonal elements such as primrose, pansies, or snowdrops. Using a collection of flowers and foliage can create a stunning wildflower bouquet, which can add a rustic or minimalist look to your wedding. Amy Jenkin adds: You might even add other arrangements into the mix, like a more seasonal holly or mistletoe arrangement for your venue. These can make show-stopping table runners that every guest will enjoy, tying the yuletide into your occasion. Youve got your wedding date ready, but not sure what flowers are best for the occasion? Finding in-season flowers can help you save money and add a special element to your wedding. Not only will your bouquet look fuller and brighter, but youll be able to easily buy the same flowers every anniversary! by Natalie key for www.femalefirst.co.uk 23 March 2025 18:35 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The UK is exploring the possibility of deporting migrants who have been refused asylum to the Balkan countries, Azernews reports. "According to plans under consideration, asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected could be sent to migration centers in the Western Balkans and other third countries," reports have said. Sources told The Times that the UK government intends to discuss this plan with Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia, exploring the potential for deporting migrants to these countries. Notably, the government has ruled out sending asylum seekers to Rwanda, despite the previous British administration's push for a controversial plan to deport illegal migrants to the African country. Additionally, The Times reports that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is interested in collaborating with other European nations that are considering the creation of migration centers in third countries. According to these sources, the UK government also plans to compensate host countries for each deported migrant, a move that is expected to help secure cooperation from these nations. This development highlights a growing trend in Europe where countries are seeking to externalize their migration management, often in exchange for financial incentives. However, the idea of creating such centers in the Balkans has raised concerns about the potential human rights implications and whether these countries have the infrastructure and resources to handle an influx of migrants. This is a situation worth monitoring, as it could shift the dynamics of Europe's migration policies and significantly affect the lives of thousands seeking asylum in the region. Beaufort County has a weak solar "farm" ordinance, but no wind turbine ordinance. We do not have any wind turbines now but they have started to appear in NC counties northeast of us. This is important because wind turbines can cause physical and economic harm to citizens living near them and to wildlife, especially birds. Appellate courts in at least three countries as well as several US states have recognized the liablity of wind companies for harm to citizens living nearby. Just last week, in the latest case, the High Court in County Wexford, Ireland, a wind farm company admitted liability after a 12 day hearing for noise, vibration, and shadow flicker causing a couple to be unable to live in their home a kilometer away from a wind farm. The court will now decide the couple's damages. They are seeking money damages for loss of use of their home, money damages for health impacts, and an injunction to shut down the wind farm. https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2025/03/14/wind-farm-owners-admit-liability-to-nuisance-claims-made-by-wexford-couple/ Legislation is now pending in Arizona to ban wind turbines within twelve miles of property zoned as residential, which would ban them from 90% of the state. https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2025/03/14/wind-farm-owners-admit-liability-to-nuisance-claims-made-by-wexford-couple/ In Europe, conservative Bavaria imposes the greatest setback from residential property, which is ten times the height of the turbine. For the current generation of turbines, that means more than two kilometers. This restriction was imposed beginiing i 2016. https://stopthesethings.com/2016/05/26/german-wind-farm-backlash-begins-bavarias-high-court-confirms-2km-setback-rule/ A significant police presence was in place as crowds began to arrive An anti-immigration rally (left) and an anti-racism rally (right) gathered outside Belfast city hall (Photos: Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) An anti-immigration demonstration and counter-rally took place in Belfast city centre this afternoon. A poster titled Time to Rise has been circulating online calling for peaceful protests against mass, illegal unvetted immigration and the dangers it is bringing to our communities. Meanwhile, a leaflet for a separate rally entitled Our Belfast: Free from racism said all were welcome at a peaceful community gathering at city hall at 1pm. Politicians from People Before Profit, Sinn Fein, SDLP and the Green Party addressed the anti-racism rally, while a mixture of Union flags and Irish tricolours were displayed on the anti-immigration side. Our reporters are in the city this afternoon to bring live updates: One man was also arrested on suspicion of assisting unlawful immigration by the Home Offices Criminal and Financial Investigation team More than 30 men including a 16-year-old - have been arrested in a dawn operation by Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers at a construction site in Belfasts Titanic Quarter. In a major co-ordinated operation on Wednesday, March 19 officers, supported by the Belfast Harbour Police, swooped the site acting on intelligence of illegal workers operating for a sub-contractor inside the premises. It led to the arrest of 35 Romanian men and one 16-year-old, who had been employed by a sub-contractor. Offences ranged from working in breach of visa conditions to illegal entry in the UK with no permission to work. One man was also arrested on suspicion of assisting unlawful immigration by the Home Offices Criminal and Financial Investigation team. Those arrested have agreed to leave the United Kingdom and return to their home country or been placed on strict immigration bail conditions - and are now required to report regularly to the Home Office. The 16-year-old boy has been referred to the relevant authorities for further investigation and support. The visit forms part of the governments surge in enforcement action to tackle illegal working in all its forms under the Plan for Change. The Home Office said January was a record-breaking month for disrupting illegal working activity, with 828 visits recorded across the UK compared to 556 the year before, and 609 arrests. Not only does illegal working undermine our immigration system and economy, but its inextricably linked to extremely poor living conditions, inhumane working hours and below minimum wage. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: Were cracking down on those who attempt to flout the rules by ramping up our enforcement activity right across the UK. Under the Plan for Change, this government is going further and faster with more visits, arrests and returns of those with no right to be in the country, to finally restore our immigration system. My message is clear: illegal workers, and those who employ and exploit them, will be caught and they will face the full force of the law. The Home Office said in many cases, those who end up working illegally are sold lies about their ability to live and work in the UK, when in reality they often face squalid living conditions, minimal pay and inhumane working hours, as well as the threat of arrest and removal if they are caught. It is ramping up its enforcement action to ensure there is no hiding place from the law and rogue employers also face the full consequences, including fines of up to 60,000 and, in serious cases, a prison sentence. Paul McHarron, Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Northern Ireland lead, said: I hope these arrests demonstrate our commitment to clamping down on illegal workers and non-compliant employers. Not only does illegal working undermine our immigration system and economy, but its inextricably linked to extremely poor living conditions, inhumane working hours and below minimum wage. This must be stopped, which is why were increasing our enforcement activity to tackle this illegal activity in all its forms. Id like to thank our partners agencies for their support in delivering this operation. Belfast joyrider jailed for rampage after posing for photo in car hed just hijacked Career criminal led the police on high-speed chase months before surviving INLA hit Decky Collins poses in a stolen car Sunday Life Reporter Sun 23 Mar 2025 at 08:00 A notorious criminal posed for pictures in a stolen car on the night he went on a roads rampage around the Co Down countryside. Motorcycling Andrew Irwin reveals his target for a successful weekend as he looks to get British Superbike season back on track East Belfast man jailed as partner given suspended sentence A shamed healthcare worker is standing by her paedophile husband despite him being jailed for sexually abusing a schoolgirl. Linda Sale wept as William Sale was caged for 14 months last Thursday for two counts of indecent assault on his victim, who was aged between 11 and 13 at the time. Princess Beatrice cried "tears of relief" when her daughter Athena was born. Princess Beatrice has opened up about her latest pregnancy The 36-year-old royal's baby girl was born several weeks premature in January, and Beatrice has admitted to feeling an enormous sense of relief. In an essay for British Vogue, the princess - who has Sienna, three, and Athena, two months, with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi - wrote: "I was very fortunate to be monitored closely by a medical team and Im extremely aware of how lucky I am. "This is a driving force in me to do as much as possible to help where I can. Athena arrived healthy, a few weeks before her due date. She was so tiny it took more than a few weeks for the tears of relief to dry and for life with our healthy baby to feel real. Her feet were so small almost the same size as the paws on one of my older daughters soft bunnies." Beatrice revealed that her baby girl is now "doing really well". However, the princess is determined to support other women who are going through similar experiences. She shared: "Im extremely pleased to let you know Athena is now doing really well, I have a few more answers as to what happened, but still no precise explanation. "Looking back over those months of sheer worry, I am filled with a sense of determination that more can be done to help others find answers to those questions around the complications that can lead to preterm birth questions that defined my days (and nights) during pregnancy." Buckingham Palace announced the birth of baby Athena in late January. The Palace said at the time: "Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are delighted to announce the safe arrival of their daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi, born on Wednesday, 22nd January, at 12.57pm, at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. "The baby was born weighing four pounds and five ounces. "Their Majesties The King and Queen and other members of the royal family have all been informed and are delighted with the news." The early 19th century barn, whose last residents were bats, is now headed to Egremont, where it will be restored in preparation for a new life and a new owner who cant wait to figure out exactly what to do with it. 'Fear in the community.' ICE detains at least 10 in Berkshires on Wednesday Most of the arrests happened in Pittsfield and Lenox. But two men were also pulled off their worksite in Monterey. This week, federal agents disappeared at least 10 people across the county. The Berkshires deserves to know why. We say at least because there has been alarmingly little transparency or basic information from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the sweeping raids that have put our communities on edge in recent days. What we now know comes from concerned residents who witnessed these ICE detainments and are grappling with the same lingering questions we are. The Eagle has confirmed that at least 10 people were detained by immigration authorities, with at least six being sent to the Plymouth County Correctional Facility, the only detention center listed by ICE in the state. Rumors swirl about more possible ICE activity throughout the county rumors about the scope and nature of this operation that will continue to proliferate without some basic forthcoming facts from federal immigration authorities regarding this surge of enforcement in the Berkshires. Without those facts, many in this community are left to wonder whether these federal law enforcement agencies were more concerned with a show of force than true public safety. Local and state law enforcement apparently were not involved in Wednesdays raids. In fact, most local leaders seemed to be blindsided. Berkshire County Sheriff Thomas Bowler told The Eagle his office wasnt notified that federal agents were active in the county. Pittsfield Police Chief Thomas Dawley said ICE called the station on Wednesday morning as a courtesy to let them know about the agencys presence, but the agency did not provide information about which individuals or businesses may have been involved. The police chief in Monterey only found out about ICEs presence in that small South County town when someone walked into the station to report two brothers missing from the landscaping job they were working on Brett Road. Responding local officers later learned the pair had been detained by ICE, with the towns police log noting the missing mens vehicles, equipment and personal items were still at the site. This week saw the most federal immigration enforcement activity in the Berkshires since November, when two undocumented Berkshire residents awaiting trial on local charges were detained by ICE and removed from the county. Recently, we raised issues of fair and speedy justice with those cases, as the Trump administrations priority of hastily deporting undocumented immigrants could mean these men never face trial for serious charges they have not been convicted of. As we argued then, the concern about due process is not just for the individuals detained but for the local communities in which they reside. But at least in those cases, we knew who the detainees were and the criminal activity they were suspected of committing. Not so now, as Berkshire communities are left to pick up the pieces of these raids and try to figure out how many people have been swept out of the county, who they are and, most importantly, why. Minimum ethical standards compel ICE to be forthcoming about these details. We worry whether that will be the case any time soon. As of press time Friday, the agency had not yet returned multiple messages and requests for comment or even simply confirmation on the multiple arrests in Berkshire County days earlier. As President Donald Trump pursues the massive deportations he promised on the campaign trail, other recent immigration enforcement operations suggest this administration is willing to trample civil liberties, human rights and basic decency to fulfill that campaign promise to the base. Last week, the Trump administration summarily sent more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants to a prison in El Salvador. It did so without normative due process, invoking the Alien Enemies Act the first time an American president invoked this authority intended for wartime against a non-state actor. It also did so in defiance of a judges order, which has landed the Trump DOJ in a legal standoff with a federal court. While the Trump administration claimed the hundreds of deportees were members of a notorious gang, lawyers and loved ones of many of the migrants say the evidence linking them to the gang is thin. We might never know the full story of that evidence that the government is citing to whisk hundreds of migrants not back to their country of origin but to a Terrorism Confinement Center known for abuse. Thats why due process is so critical. Some might react to the recent headlines about ICE in the Berkshires and wonder why they should care about federal agents picking up criminals or enforcing immigration law. How do we know theyre criminals? How do we even know who has been removed from their homes or places of work if the federal government wont be transparent about exactly who has been detained and why? According to state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, who represents Pittsfield in the Statehouse, concerned citizens have come to her with alarming accounts of the character and consequences of these raids. She told The Eagle that one source characterized ICEs local activities as looking for certain individuals and whether or not they found them, they picked up people along the way. She also said she heard of at least one Pittsfield child who no longer has parents at home after the events of this week. Our neighbors, regardless of immigration status, deserve due process and so do the communities in which they reside. Right now, the Berkshire community is being robbed of its due process to know why some of our neighbors were snatched off our streets by federal agents this week. What are these detainees charged with, if anything, and why are they being targeted? Those are simple questions for which ICE needs to provide some answers. Else, the Berkshires has become home to another sad example of the federal governments vast power being used more for shock and awe than safety and justice. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. Scotlands former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has thanked her supporters after she was cleared in a police investigation. Speaking in her first comedy appearance, Ms Sturgeon along with her friend, Scottish crime writer Val McDermid mentioned the investigation into the SNPs finances coming to an end and no action being taken against her. Advertisement The former first minister was told on Thursday that she had been cleared along with former party treasurer Colin Beattie. The former first minister appeared with Val McDermid in Glasgow. Photo: Jane Barlow/PA. On the same day, Ms Sturgeons estranged husband and former party chief executive Peter Murrell appeared in court charged with embezzlement. Appearing at the Kings Theatre in Glasgow as part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, the former first minister joked the last two years had been interesting. I just wanted to say, the last few years I wouldnt have got through without some really good pals Val and (her wife Jo Sharp) certainly chief amongst them, but also others. Advertisement But also without so many of you, people Ive never met who come along to things like this and send me messages of support. So I just wanted to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all your support. Ms Sturgeon later joked she had to edit McDermids opening remarks which are believed to have referred to the investigation quipping: You can take the girl out of politics, but you cant take politics out of the girl. The pair were joined by fellow crime writer Chris Brookmyre, as well as comedian and writer Ashley Storrie. Advertisement As well as a brief discussion about politics and how they met, they also joked about baseless social media rumours of a relationship between the two of them. Entertainment ITV and BBC could not afford to make Adolescence,... Read More The author also quipped that Ms Sturgeon should have ransomed the late Queen Elizabeth IIs body to secure a second referendum on independence. You should have held on to her and said you dont get the Queen back until you give us another referendum, she said. A seemingly exasperated Ms Sturgeon quickly sought to change the subject. More than 30 people, including a teenage boy, have been arrested during an operation by the UK Home Office in Belfast. The arrests are a result of a dawn operation by immigration enforcement officers at a construction site in the historic Titanic Quarter on Wednesday. Advertisement The British Home Office said it was supported by Belfast Harbour Police in sweeping the site for illegal workers operating for a sub-contractor inside the premises. The interception led to the arrest of 35 Romanian men and one 16-year-old boy who had been employed by a sub-contractor. Offences ranged from working in breach of visa conditions to illegal entry in the UK with no permission to work. One man was also arrested on suspicion of assisting unlawful immigration by the Home Offices criminal and financial investigation team. Advertisement Those arrested have agreed to leave the UK and return to their home country or been placed on strict immigration bail conditions and are now required to report regularly to the Home Office. The Home Office said the 16-year-old boy has been referred to the relevant authorities for further investigation and support. UK minister for border security and asylum Dame Angela Eagle said: Were cracking down on those who attempt to flout the rules by ramping up our enforcement activity right across the UK. The British Home Office said it acted on intelligence for the action at the major construction site. Advertisement It said illegal working visits are up 38 per cent since the election as part of the UK governments surge in enforcement action against illegal working under the plan for change. The minister added: Under the plan for change, this Government is going further and faster with more visits, arrests and returns of those with no right to be in the country, to finally restore our immigration system. My message is clear: illegal workers, and those who employ and exploit them, will be caught, and they will face the full force of the law. Dame Angela Eagle warned illegal workers that they will be caught (Lauren Hurley/PA) In many cases, those who end up working illegally have been lied to about their ability to live and work in the UK. Advertisement Often, they face inhumane working hours, low pay and extremely poor living conditions. The Home Office also says illegal workers face the threat of arrest and removal. Rogue employers could face fines of up to 60,000 and prison sentences for serious cases. Paul McHarron, immigration compliance and enforcement Northern Ireland lead, said: I hope these arrests demonstrate our commitment to clamping down on illegal workers and non-compliant employers. Advertisement Not only does illegal working undermine our immigration system and economy, but its inextricably linked to extremely poor living conditions, inhumane working hours and below minimum wage. This must be stopped, which is why were increasing our enforcement activity to tackle this illegal activity in all its forms. Id like to thank our partners agencies for their support in delivering this operation. In the coming months, the Home Office said the Government is planning to introduce new counter terror-style powers to identify, disrupt and smash people smuggling gangs. A 61-year-old man has appeared in court charged with possession of 10.6 million worth of cocaine. Michael Murphy, with an address in Co Waterford, appeared before a special sitting of Gorey District Court on Sunday evening. Advertisement Detective Garda Sean Lane, of Waterford Garda Station, told the court that Murphy had been arrested in connection with the seizure of the drugs on March 18th. The detective said the arrest came as part of an intelligence-led operation. Some of the seized cocaine (An Garda Siochana) Murphy, the transport manager of Herriot Haulage Limited which is registered in Co Waterford, was arrested at 10.30am and taken to Waterford Garda Station. While an initial search of the vehicle proved negative, the detective told the court, the truck and trailer was taken to Dublin Port where it was subjected to an X-ray. Advertisement An anomaly was discovered within the refrigerated unit part of the trailer. Detective Garda Lane said that after a further deep search assisted by the stolen motor vehicle investigation unit and the dog unit, a sophisticated concealment operated through a hydraulic mechanism was detected. A Garda van arriving at Gorey District Court (Cillian Sherlock/PA) Cocaine, which was verified by Forensic Science Ireland, weighing 152kgs and worth 10.65 million was discovered. Gardai also discovered phones, tools, bags and GPS tracking equipment. Some of the GPS equipment was located near the concealment of drugs. Advertisement Investigators believe the drugs were loaded in Spain and transported to Ireland on behalf of several organised crime groups. Murphy who appeared in court wearing brown shoes, a black hooded fleece and black pants was charged under caution on Saturday night with possession of the cocaine as well possession with intent to sell or supply the drugs In reply to the charge of possession of cocaine with intent to sell or supply, Detective Garda Lane said Murphy said: I understand the charge. Gardai said further charges may be recommended on submission of an investigation file to the Director of Public Prosecution. Advertisement He said that during searches of properties as part of the operation, a dog unit discovered a sophisticated portable signal jammer. He said this was a counter-surveillance device used by the military which was unknown to common folk and was believed to be used to aid criminality. Gorey District Court (Cillian Sherlock/PA) Detective Garda Lane said there were no conditions whatsoever that would alleviate the concerns of gardai on bail. Murphys solicitor Chris Hogan said his client was a widower, residing with some of his five children who were professionals. He said Murphy, whose exact address cannot be reported for legal reasons, had a business with 10 employees and was in the course of setting up other business interests. Advertisement He said he has strong ties to the jurisdiction, that he was a businessman with his family here. Mr Hogan asked if the garda accepted that Murphy had strong ties to this jurisdiction. Detective Garda Lane said he did accept that but added it was the belief of An Garda Siochana that he had ties to other jurisdictions. Mr Hogan asked if it would alleviate his concerns if Murphy signed on at a garda station or obeyed by a curfew. The representative of An Garda Siochana said it would not. Judge Kevin Staunton said: The defendant is a 61-year-old man and his family are here to support him, which can on occasion give the court some encouragement. He lives with his family locally and he has ties to the jurisdiction. So, I understand Mr Hogans argument. The judge said he understood the argument that he is not a person likely to flee, given his business and family interests in Ireland. However, he added that he had concerns arising from the evidence from Det Gda Lane. He said the amount of cocaine involved was very significant. Given the consignment of drugs, it is a serious offence by any stretch of the imagination. In conclusion, he added: The concerns of gardai are well founded and I must refuse bail. Murphy is allowed to appeal against the refusal of bail. He was remanded in custody to appear again via videolink at Waterford District Court on Tuesday. Two inmates were sentenced this week for violently attacking a fellow prisoner at a federal jail in downtown San Diego, reportedly under orders from a Mexican Mafia gang leader. Jonathan Barba received 51 months in federal prison, and Abraham Gomez-Rodriguez, 37, for their roles in the assault. According to court documents, the incident occurred on March 27, 2024, at the Metropolitan Correction Center. Barba approached the victim from behind and repeatedly stabbed him with a metal shank, while Gomez-Rodriguez restrained the victim to prevent him from escaping or defending himself. When the victim finally broke free and ran, Gomez-Rodriguez chased and struck him several more times. The victim suffered stab wounds to his abdomen, neck, head, and dangerously close to his eye, requiring hospitalization. Both Barba and Gomez-Rodriguez admitted afterward that they carried out the attack to please another inmate named "Alex," a "shot caller" within the Mexican Mafia, per Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. Barba, 32, from Victorville, has prior convictions involving domestic violence and drug trafficking. Gomez-Rodriguez, 26, from Imperial Beach, was previously convicted for drug distribution. Haden emphasized, "Violence has no place in our correctional facilities. We'll use every legal tool we have to keep inmates safe and hold offenders accountable." Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi praised the FBI San Diego Violent Crime Task Force and MCC Special Investigations Unit for their swift investigation, saying, "We'll continue working closely with our partners to protect the integrity of our correctional institutions." According to CalMatters, a nonpartisan and nonprofit news outlet, the number of people dying in California jails has increased over the last ten years, despite a notable decrease in imprisonment rates. San Diego County has one of the highest jail death rates in California. From 2006 through 2020, 185 people died in San Diego county jails. In 2021, the county's jail system reached a record high of 18 deaths. Additionally, in recent years, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) introduced a policy that places inmates from different rival gangs in the same housing and yard areas to encourage rehabilitation and reduce segregation. Criminal justice advocates cited an uptick in violence following the policy change, arguing that it endangers inmates by forcing them into potentially hostile environments without adequate safeguards. Originally published on Latin Times Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty has warned that the Irish whiskey sector "could soon be on the rocks" due to rising trade tensions driven by the United States. She urged the European Commission to "continue taking a calm, strategic approach in response to stop further sectors being targeted". Advertisement Irish exports are once again at risk of being caught in the middle of a trade war that we did not start and will not benefit from, Ms Doherty said. Tariffs on whiskey would hit Irish producers hard, especially our local distilleries that rely on the US as their biggest market. We dont want Irish businesses to become trade war casualties. Ms Doherty acknowledged that a proposed 50 per cent tariff on goods traded between the EU and the US from April 1st will not be happening, following reports that president Donald Trump had threatened retaliation with tariffs as high as 200 per cent. This delay is a relief for Irish producers but it is only a delay, she said. Advertisement Tariffs are good for nobody. They damage relationships, disrupt jobs, and are extremely difficult to unwind once theyre in place, Doherty continued. We need a strategic, measured response not a move that could do long-term harm to key sectors like Irish whiskey. We must stand together and ensure that the proposed tariffs do not succeed in dividing and conquering the EU Member States. Ms Doherty has called on the European commissioner for trade, Maros Sefcovic, to engage in urgent dialogue with US counterparts and to ensure that small EU exporters are spared as much as possible and that any trade war does not last for a long time. As NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore reunite with their families this week after spending nine unexpected months in space, we have begun to wonder: what exactly happens to the body in space? When astronauts leave Earths atmosphere, they encounter more than just the complexities of space travel; they also face significant changes to their bodies due to the unique conditions of space. Advertisement From muscle atrophy to shifts in vision, here are some of the surprising effects of zero gravity Height NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson spent 675 days in space (NASA/Joel Kowsky/PA) Peggy Whitson, known for being the first woman to command the International Space Station twice, and for holding the record for most cumulative days in space by an American astronaut, happily shared that one of the perks of going to space is a growth spurt. Talking to BBC Global last year, the astronaut and biochemist explained: Without gravity, when you get into space your spinal cord actually relaxes. You dont have gravity pushing all your vertebrae together, and then when you go into space you get taller, slightly I grew about about half an inch/three quarters of an inch. However, this effect is only temporary. Advertisement Unfortunately I didnt get to stay taller, because as soon as I got back within 24 hours you shrink back down, gravity does that to you, added Whitson. Bones and muscles In the weightless environment of space, bones and muscles weaken due to reduced gravity, which can lead to bone density loss and muscle atrophy. On orbit, we lose 1% of our bone mass in a month if we dont do anything about it, Whitson told the BBC. So, its almost 10 times or a little bit more accelerated in space and our muscles are the same way. Therefore, astronauts have to combat these effects with exercise. Advertisement In order to counteract some of these negative effects, in particular the bone loss, we have what is called a resistance exercise device, said Whitson. Normally on earth they would recommend that you lift weights, and of course there is no weight in zero gravity, so you have to work against a resistance. Koichi Wakata, Expedition 38 Flight Engineer (FE), exercising on the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (Koichi Wakata/NASA/PA) If you know you are losing bone mass at 1% per month, youre very motivated to do the exercise, and its about 45 minutes to an hour everyday of resistive exercise. Vision Some astronauts experience changes to their eyes and vision during spaceflight, a phenomenon known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), according to the NASA website. Although the exact cause is unknown, some researchers suspect the fluid shifting towards the head, caused by microgravity in space, could be an underlying cause of SANS. Advertisement Some astronauts report worse vision (Alamy/PA) In space there is a headward redistribution of body fluids and that can raise intracranial pressure, the pressure around the brain and the eyeball, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Dr Robert Thirsk told CBC News. The eyeball is normally spherical in shape, but for some of us, the increased pressure on the back end of the eye pushes the eye in and can change the focal length of our eyeballs. So, I became farsighted during my time in space. Thank goodness for most of us, these vision changes reverse once we get back home after several weeks or months. Heart Spending time in space can negatively impact the heart and circulatory system due to microgravity, leading to changes in heart muscle function, shape and potentially increased risk of cardiovascular issues. The heart is impacted in space (Alamy/PA) Since the whole body is exposed to micro-gravity, the heart doesnt need to pump around as much blood as it used to on Earth, and the cardiovascular system deteriorates, Angelique Van Ombergen, lead for life sciences at the European Space Agency explained on a YouTube Short. Advertisement There is also radiation that can cause DNA damage, which can increase the risk of cancer and cause cardiovascular degeneration. Astronauts counteract these effects through daily physical activity while working and/or through exercising. Astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, STS-64 mission specialist, working out on the treadmill device on the space shuttle Discoverys middeck (NASA/PA) Immune system According to NASAs website, when in space, many factors such as physiological stress, disrupted circadian rhythms, radiation, microgravity, and other spaceflight factors can alter an astronauts immune response. T-cells, a type of white blood cell, play a vital role in protecting the body from infections. An investigation called T-Cell Act in Ageing by NASA was the first time scientists were able to show that gravity makes a difference in the activation of the T-cell. 3D rendered illustration of T-cells in the immune system (Alamy/PA) Their results revealed that specific genes within T-cells showed down regulation a decrease in cell response when exposed to microgravity. This combined down regulation in the genetics of T-cells leads to a reduction in the bodys defence against infections during spaceflight in various ways. Astronauts also face higher radiation exposure in space than on Earth, which can damage immune cells and disrupt immune function, potentially leading to increased risks of infections and other health problems. New Canadian prime minister Mark Carney and his Conservative opponent have kicked off their election campaigns against the backdrop of a trade war and annexation threats from US president Donald Trump. Mr Carney announced there will be a five-week election campaign before the vote on April 28. Advertisement The governing Liberals had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Mr Trump declared a trade war. Mr Trump has repeatedly said that Canada should become the 51st US state and he acknowledged on Friday that he has upended Canadian politics. Mr Trumps almost daily attacks on Canadas sovereignty have infuriated Canadians and led to a surge in Canadian nationalism that has bolstered Liberal poll numbers. Mr Carney has said the government in a time of crisis needs a strong and clear mandate. Advertisement The next election will be one of the most consequential in our lifetimes, he posted on social media overnight. The election campaign for 343 seats or districts in the House of Commons will last 37 days. While other parties are running, the Liberals and the Conservatives are the only two that have a chance to form government. The party that commands a majority in Parliament, either alone or with the support of another party, will form the next government and its leader will be prime minister. Advertisement Mr Carney replaced Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January, but remained in power until the Liberal Party elected a new leader on March 9 following a leadership race by the governing party. Former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau (Aaron Chown/PA) The opposition Conservatives hoped to make the election about Mr Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged. But after decades of bilateral stability, the vote is now expected to focus on who is best equipped to deal with Mr Trump. Mr Trump put 25% tariffs on Canadas steel and aluminium and is threatening sweeping tariffs on all Canadian products as well as all of Americas trading partners on April 2. Advertisement Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservatives, is Mr Carneys main challenger. The party and Mr Poilievre were heading for a huge victory in Canadas federal election this year until Mr Trumps near-daily trade and annexation threats derailed them. Mr Poilievre said he will stand up to Mr Trump, but Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, a conservative ally, said in an interview Mr Poilievre would be very much in sync with the new direction in America. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre (Chris Tanouye/The Canadian Press via AP) I will insist the president recognises the independence and sovereignty of Canada. I will insist he stops tariffing our nation, Mr Poilievre said as he launched his campaign. Mr Poilievre said he does not respect the treatment that he has meted out to our country. Advertisement I know a lot of people are worried, angry and anxious. And with good reason as a result of the presidents unacceptable threats against our country, he said. You are worried about your job and the sovereignty of our nation. And you are angry at the feeling of betrayal that these unacceptable words and tariffs have made us all experience. I share your anger and I share the worry about our future. Mr Carney still has not had a phone call with Mr Trump and that might not happen now until after the election. Mr Trump mocked Mr Trudeau by calling him governor, but he has not yet mentioned Mr Carneys name. Mr Carney, 60, was the head of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis. In 2013, he became the first non-citizen of the United Kingdom to run the Bank of England helping to manage the impact of Brexit. Mr Poilievre, 45, for years the partys go-to attack dog, is a career politician and firebrand populist who says he will put Canada first. He vows to defund Canadas public broadcaster and he will not allow media onboard his campaign buses and planes. Gerard Depardieu will not just be facing two women who accuse him of sexual assault when he walks into a Paris courtroom on Monday. Frances most famous male actor will also be confronting a nation long criticised for failing to address sexual violence particularly when committed by its most powerful figures. Advertisement Depardieu, 76, is accused of assaulting a set dresser and an assistant director during the 2021 filming of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters). While more than 20 women have publicly accused him of sexual misconduct, this is the first time one of those cases has gone to trial. It is also the most prominent post-MeToo case in France, testing whether a country famed for its culture of seduction is prepared to hold its cultural titans accountable. Gerard Depardieu (Mike Egerton/PA) Prosecutors say Depardieu trapped one of the women with his legs before groping her waist and breasts in front of witnesses. Advertisement In an interview with investigative outlet Mediapart, the 54-year-old set dresser said Depardieu shouted on set that he couldnt even get it up because of the heat, then told her: Come and touch my big parasol. Ill stick it in your (nether regions). She said he then grabbed her forcefully and had to be pulled away by bodyguards. A second woman, a 34-year-old assistant director, alleged she was groped both on set and in the street. The plaintiffs identities have not been disclosed to protect alleged victims of sexual violence. Depardieu has denied all allegations. Advertisement In an open letter published in Le Figaro in October 2023, he wrote: Never, but never, have I abused a woman. To think that I have hurt someone or made them feel uncomfortable is intolerable to me. He added, I have only ever been guilty of being too loving, too generous, or of having a temperament that is too strong. His lawyer, Jeremie Assous, called the case baseless and said Depardieu who recently underwent a quadruple bypass and has diabetes will attend the two-day trial, reportedly with breaks scheduled to accommodate his health condition. France has often been ambivalent even resistant toward the MeToo movement. Advertisement While Hollywood saw powerful men fall swiftly and publicly, the French film industry was slower to respond. Some dismissed MeToo as an American export incompatible with French values, citing concerns over free expression and what they viewed as an erosion of flirtation culture. Roman Polanski, convicted in the United States of unlawful sex with a minor and accused by several other women, continues to live and work in France with near-total impunity. Despite international outcry, he remains a decorated figure in French cinema. His 2020 Cesar Award for Best Director for An Officer And A Spy prompted several women, including actress Adele Haenel, to walk out of the ceremony in protest. Yet the industry offered little institutional pushback, highlighting a deep-rooted reluctance to confront abuse when it involves revered cultural figures. Advertisement In February, director Christophe Ruggia was convicted of sexually abusing Haenel when she was a child. The actress, who had already quit the film industry in protest, has become one of the countrys most prominent voices on abuse. Judith Godreche, an actor and filmmaker, has also emerged as a leading figure. In February 2024, in a televised testimony, she addressed a French parliamentary commission, accusing directors Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon of sexually exploiting her as a teenager allegations both men deny. This is not about desire or love, she told politicians. It is about power. It is about a system that enables silence. That same commission has called major actors and producers including Jean Dujardin to testify. Several reportedly requested that their appearances be held behind closed doors. Anouk Grinberg, a respected actor who appeared in Les Volets Verts, has publicly supported the plaintiffs. She described Depardieus behaviour as vulgar and disturbing, saying she felt a sense of shame on set. At the time of the alleged 2021 assaults, Depardieu was already under formal investigation for rape. In 2018, actor Charlotte Arnould accused him of raping her at his home. That case is still active, and in August 2024, prosecutors requested it go to trial. Over a career spanning five decades, Depardieu starred in more than 200 films, including Cyrano De Bergerac, Jean De Florette, Green Card, and The Man In The Iron Mask. But his off-screen controversies have long made headlines, from drunk driving to urinating in the aisle of a plane. More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the territorys Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Sunday, as new Israeli airstrikes killed at least 26 Palestinians overnight, including a Hamas political leader and several women and children. Israels military also sent ground troops into parts of the southern city of Rafah as thousands of Palestinians fled after new evacuation orders. Advertisement Palestinians have been ordered to evacuate the region again after ceasefire talks collapsed (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Israel ended the latest ceasefire last week with a surprise wave of strikes that killed hundreds, and it has launched ground incursions in northern Gaza. It says it is targeting militants. Late on Saturday, Israels Cabinet approved a proposal to set up a new directorate tasked with advancing the voluntary departure of Palestinians in line with US President Donald Trumps proposal to depopulate Gaza and rebuild it for others. Israel renewed strikes on Gaza, killing 19 people including a senior Hamas leader (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) Palestinians say they do not want to leave their homeland and rights groups have said the plan could amount to expulsion in violation of international law. Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said the new body would be subject to Israeli and international law and co-ordinate passage by land, sea and air to the destination countries. Advertisement Palestinians could be seen walking along a dirt road and carrying their belongings in their arms, a recurring scene in a war that has forced most of Gazas population to flee, often multiple times. Its displacement under fire, said Mustafa Gaber, a local journalist who left Tel al-Sultan with his family. Palestinians inspect the rubble of a structure hit by an Israeli bombardment (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) In a video call, he said hundreds of people were fleeing as tank and drone fire echoed nearby. There are wounded people among us. The situation is very difficult, he said. Advertisement Amal Nassar, also displaced from Rafah, said: The shells are falling among us and the bullets are (flying) above us. The elderly have been thrown into the streets. An old woman was telling her son, Go and leave me to die. Where will we go? The Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said it lost contact with a team of medics responding to the strikes. Spokeswoman Nebal Farsakh said some were wounded. There was no immediate comment from Israels military, which says it only targets militants. Israel blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in densely populated areas. Advertisement Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations (Leo Correa/AP) Hamas said that Salah Bardawil, a member of its political bureau and the Palestinian parliament, was killed in a strike in Mawasi that also killed his wife. Bardawil was a well-known member of the groups political wing who gave media interviews over the years. Hospitals in southern Gaza said they had received a further 24 bodies from strikes overnight, including several women and children. Residents said tanks had advanced into an area of the southern city of Rafah as the military ordered it evacuated (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) Gazas Health Ministry said 50,021 Palestinians have been killed in the war and more than 113,000 have been wounded. That includes 673 people killed since Israels bombardment on Tuesday shattered the ceasefire. Advertisement Dr Munir al-Boursh, the ministrys general director, said the dead include 15,613 children, with 872 of them under one year old. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up over half the dead. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 fighters, without providing evidence. People take part in a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) The ceasefire that took hold in January paused more than a year of fighting ignited by Hamas October 7, 2023 attack into Israel, in which militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostage.Most captives have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. In the latest ceasefires first phase, 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others were released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces pulled back, allowing hundreds of thousands of people to return to what remained of their homes. There was a surge in humanitarian aid until Israel cut off all supplies to Gaza earlier this month to pressure Hamas to change the ceasefire agreement. The sides were supposed to begin negotiations in early February on the ceasefires next phase, in which Hamas was to release the remaining 59 hostages 35 of them believed to be dead in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. People take part in a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas after the second phase of ceasefire negotiations fell apart (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) Those talks never began. Israel backed out of the ceasefire agreement after Hamas refused Israeli and US-backed proposals to release more hostages ahead of any talks on a lasting truce. Hundreds of Israelis gathered outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office in Jerusalem on Sunday to protest his handling of the war and his attempt to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet internal security service. One protester, Avital Halperin, said: Im worried for the future of this country. And I think it has to stop. We have to change direction. Israels cabinet passed a measure on Sunday creating 13 new settlements in the occupied West Bank by rezoning existing ones, according to Bezalel Smotrich, Israels finance minister, who is in charge of settlement construction. This brings the number of settlements, considered illegal by the majority of the international community, to 140, said anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now. They will now receive independent budgets from Israel and can elect their own local governments, the group said. Iran-backed Houthi rebels have resumed attacks against Israel despite recent US strikes against them (AP) World Six killed as Israel hits back at Lebanon after ro... Read More In a separate development, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are allied with Hamas, launched another missile at Israel overnight. The Israeli military said it was intercepted, and there were no reports of casualties or damage. The Houthis resumed attacks on Israel after it ended the Gaza ceasefire, portraying them as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians. Trump ordered the renewal of U.S. strikes on the rebels last week over its previous attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. The rebels have said they are trying to blockade Israel, but most of the ships they have targeted have no connection to the conflict. New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will run in an Ottawa area district as he seeks to join parliament for the first time, two officials familiar with the matter said. It comes a day before Mr Carney triggers an early general election before a vote on April 28. The election will take place against the backdrop of a trade war and sovereignty threats from US President Donald Trump. Advertisement Mark Carney, second right, speaks to steel workers after touring the ArcelorMittal Dofasco steel plant in Ontario (Nathan Denette /The Canadian Press via AP) The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak publicly, said Mr Carney will run to represent the suburban Ottawa area of Nepean. The election campaign for 343 seats or districts in the House of Commons will last 37 days The party that commands a majority in the House of Commons, either alone or with the support of another party, will form the next government and its leader will be prime minister. Mr Carney replaced Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January, but remained in power until the Liberal Party elected a new leader on March 9 following a leadership race by the governing party. Mr Carney, sworn in as Canadas 24th prime minister on March 14, has said the government in a time of crisis needs a strong and clear mandate. Advertisement The governing Liberals had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Mr Trump declared a trade war. President Donald Trump attends the finals at the NCAA wrestling championship in Philadelphia (AP/Matt Rourke) Mr Trump has repeatedly said that Canada should become the 51st US state and he acknowledged on Friday that he has upended Canadian politics. What Mr Trump has not said is that the almost daily attacks on Canadas sovereignty have infuriated Canadians. That has led to a surge in Canadian nationalism that has bolstered Liberal poll numbers. The opposition Conservatives hoped to make the election about Mr Trudeau, whose popularity declined as food and housing prices rose and immigration surged. Advertisement But after decades of bilateral stability, the vote is now expected to focus on who is best equipped to deal with Mr Trump. Mr Trump put 25% tariffs on Canadas steel and aluminium and is threatening sweeping tariffs on all Canadian products as well as all of Americas trading partners on April 2. Mr Carney still has not had a phone call with Mr Trump and that might not happen now until after the election. Mr Trump mocked Mr Trudeau by calling him governor, but he has not yet mentioned Mr Carneys name. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre speaks during a news conference in Ottawa (Chris Tanouye/The Canadian Press via AP) Mr Carney, 60, was the head of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis. Advertisement In 2013, he became the first non citizen of the United Kingdom to run the Bank of England helping to manage the impact of Brexit. Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservatives, is Mr Carneys main challenger. The party and Mr Poilievre were heading for a huge victory in Canadas federal election this year until Mr Trumps near-daily trade and annexation threats derailed them. Mr Poilievre, 45, for years the partys go-to attack dog, is a career politician and firebrand populist who says he will put Canada first. Advertisement He attacks the mainstream media and vows to defund Canadas public broadcaster. Pope Francis returned home to the Vatican from hospital on Sunday after surviving a five-week, life-threatening bout of pneumonia, making a surprise stop at his favourite basilica on the way home before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery. The motorcade carrying the 88-year-old pope entered the Perugino gate into Vatican City, and Francis was seen in the front passenger seat wearing nasal tubes to give him supplemental oxygen. Advertisement During the trip home from Gemelli hospital, Francis took a slight detour to visit the St Mary Major basilica, where his favourite icon of the Madonna is located and where he always goes to pray after a foreign visit. Francis did not leave the car, but handed a bouquet of flowers to the cardinal to place in front of the Salus populi Romani icon, a Byzantine-style painting on wood that is revered by Romans. Earlier, before he left the hospital, the pontiff thumbs up and acknowledged the crowd after he was wheeled out onto the balcony overlooking Gemellis main entry, where hundreds of people had gathered on a brilliant Sunday morning to say goodbye. Pope Francis has spent five weeks in hospital (Riccardo De Luca/AP) I see this woman with the yellow flowers. Brava! a tired-looking Francis said. He gave a weak sign of the cross before being wheeled back inside. Advertisement Chants of Viva il papa! and Papa Francesco erupted from the crowd, which included patients who had been wheeled outside just to catch his brief appearance. His blessing came minutes before he was discharged from the hospital. Doctors, who announced his planned discharge at a Saturday evening news conference, said he should refrain from meeting with big groups of people or exerting himself, but that eventually he should be able to resume all his normal activities. His return home, after the longest hospitalisation of his 12-year papacy and the second-longest in recent papal history, brought tangible relief to the Vatican and Catholic faithful who have been anxiously following 38 days of medical ups and downs and wondering if Francis would make it. Advertisement Today I feel a great joy, said Dr Rossella Russomando, a doctor from Salerno who didnt treat Francis but was at Gemelli on Sunday. It is the demonstration that all our prayers, all the rosary prayers from all over the world, brought this grace. Hundreds gathered outside the hospital to catch a glimpse of the Pontiff (Andrew Medichini/AP) At the Vatican on a brilliant spring Sunday, pilgrims flocked as they have all year to St Peters Basilica to participate in the 2025 Holy Year. They swarmed St Peters Square and progressed through the Holy Door in groups, while big TV screens in the square were turned on to broadcast Franciss hospital greeting live. No special arrangements have been made at the Domus Santa Marta, the Vatican hotel next to the basilica where Francis lives in a two-room suite on the second floor. Advertisement Francis will have access to supplemental oxygen and 24-hour medical care as needed, though his personal physician, Dr Luigi Carbone, said he hoped Francis would progressively need less and less assistance breathing as his lungs recover. Faithful and pilgrims gather in St Peters Square at The Vatican to follow a live broadcast from Romes Gemelli hospital (Gregorio Borgia/AP) While the pneumonia infection has been successfully treated, Francis will continue to take oral medication for quite some time to treat the fungal infection in his lungs and continue his respiratory and physical physiotherapy. For three or four days hes been asking when he can go home, so hes very happy, Dr Carbone said. The Argentine pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli on February 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened. Advertisement Doctors first diagnosed a complex bacterial, viral and fungal respiratory tract infection and soon thereafter, pneumonia in both lungs. Dr Sergio Alfieri, the medical and surgical chief at Gemelli who coordinated Franciss medical team, confirmed that Francis was still having trouble speaking due to the damage to his lungs and respiratory muscles. But he said such problems were normal, especially in older patients, and predicted his voice would eventually return to normal. Francis is said to be in good spirits ahead of his discharge from hospital later on Sunday (Riccardo De Luca/AP) The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, declined to confirm any upcoming events, including a scheduled audience on April 8 with the King or Franciss participation in Easter services at the end of the month.But Dr Carbone said he hoped Francis might be well enough to travel to Turkey at the end of May to participate in an important ecumenical anniversary. Francis is also returning to the Vatican in the throes of a Holy Year, the once-every-quarter-century celebration scheduled to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome this year. The pope has already missed several Jubilee audiences and will presumably miss several more, but Vatican officials say his absence hasnt significantly impacted the numbers of expected pilgrims arriving. Only St John Paul II recorded a longer time in hospital in 1981, when he spent 55 days at Gemelli for minor surgery and treatment of an infection. At least seven people were killed, including a five-year-old child, after Russia launched a barrage of drones targeting Kyiv overnight on Sunday, according to local Ukrainian officials and emergency services. The attack on the Ukrainian capital came ahead of ceasefire negotiations in Saudi Arabia, in which Ukraine and Russia are expected to hold indirect US-mediated talks on Monday to discuss a pause in long-range attacks targeting energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. Advertisement A resident cleans up the damaged apartment in a multi-storey house after a Russias night drone attack (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) The Ukrainian delegation is expected to meet with US officials in Saudi Arabia a day ahead of the indirect talks, Ukrainian President Voldoymyr Zelensky said. Ukraine is planning to send technical teams to discuss the details of the partial ceasefire. Russia launched 147 drones across Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Ukrainian air defences shot down 97 and 25 others didnt reach targets due to Ukrainian countermeasures. The attacks also struck Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa and Donetsk regions, as well as the capital, Kyiv. Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Ukrainian delegation to Saudi Arabia will meet US officials ahead of talks (Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva via AP) Extended sounds of explosions were heard in the early hours of the night as the air raid siren blared for over five hours. Russian drones and debris from shot-down drones, which were flying at lower altitudes to evade air defences, fell on residential buildings. Ukraines Kyiv City Military Administration said three people were killed and 10 others were injured. Two residential buildings in the district of Dnipro caught fire due to falling drone debris, according to Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko. Advertisement A fire broke out on the top floors of a nine-storey building, killing one woman, the State Emergency Service said. Ukrainian Emergency Service said firefighters put out a fire after a drone hit an apartment in a multi-storey building during Russias drone attack in Kyiv (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) In the district of Podil, a fire broke out on the 20th floor of a 25-storey building. In Holosiivskyi, fires broke out in a warehouse and office building, killing one person, according to the State Emergency Service. Elsewhere, four people were killed in Russian attacks on Ukraines Donetsk region, regional Governor Vadym Filashkin said, including three people who died in a strike on the frontline Ukrainian town of Dobropillya. In a statement on social media, Mr Zelensky said attacks such as the one in Kyiv were a daily occurrence for Ukraine. Advertisement This week alone, more than 1,580 guided aerial bombs, almost 1,100 strike drones and 15 missiles of various types were used against our people, he said. New solutions are needed, with new pressure on Moscow to stop both these strikes and this war. Also on Sunday, Russias Ministry of Defence said it had shot down 59 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 29 over the region of Rostov and 20 more over southwestern Astrakhan. In Rostov, one person was killed and a car caught fire due to the Ukrainian drone attack, according to the areas temporary governor, Yuri Slyusar. A court formally arrested the mayor of Istanbul and key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan early on Sunday and ordered him to be jailed pending the outcome of a trial on corruption charges. Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was detained following a raid on his residence earlier this week, sparking the largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade. Advertisement It also deepened concerns over democracy and the rule of law in Turkey. His imprisonment is widely regarded as a political move to remove a major contender from the next presidential race, currently scheduled for 2028. Government officials reject accusations that legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated and insist that Turkeys courts operate independently. The prosecutors office said the court decided to jail Imamoglu on suspicion of running a criminal organisation, accepting bribes, extortion, illegally recording personal data and bid-rigging. Advertisement A request for him to be imprisoned on terror-related charges was rejected. Istanbuls Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has been jailed on corruption charges (Emrah Gurel/AP) Interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Sunday that 323 people were detained the previous evening over disturbances at protests. Largely peaceful protests across Turkey have seen hundreds of thousands come out in support of Imamoglu. However, there has been some violence, with police deploying water cannons, tear gas, pepper spray and firing plastic pellets at protestors in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, some of whom hurled stones, fireworks and other missiles at riot police. Advertisement The formal arrest came as his opposition Republican Peoples Party, or CHP, began holding a primary presidential election to endorse Imamoglu as its presidential candidate despite the arrest. The party has also set up symbolic ballot boxes nationwide called solidarity boxes to allow people who are not party members to express their support to the mayor. People cast their ballots in a Republican Peoples Party polling station during a symbolic election to show solidarity with Istanbuls Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu after he was arrested (Huseyin Aldemir/AP) Fusun Erben, 69, said at a polling station in Istanbuls Kadikoy district, said: This is no longer just a problem of the Republican Peoples Party, but a problem of Turkish democracy. We do not accept our rights being so easily usurped. We will fight until the end. Advertisement Speaking at a polling station in Bodrum, western Turkey, engineer Mehmet Dayanc, 38, said he feared that in the end well be like Russia, a country without an opposition, where only a single man participates in elections. In a message posted on social media, Imamoglu called on people to show their struggle for democracy and justice to the entire world at the ballot box. He warned Mr Erdogan that he would be defeated by our righteousness, our courage, our humility, our smiling face. Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, a fellow member of Imamoglus CHP, criticised the lack of confidentiality in the proceedings, telling reporters: Honestly, we are embarrassed in the name of our legal system. Advertisement We learned from television pundits about the allegations that even lawyers did not have access to, showing how politically motivated this whole ordeal has been, he said. The mayors arrest marks an escalation of a government crackdown on opposition figures and dissenting voices. Before his detention, Imamoglu had already faced multiple criminal cases that could result in prison sentences and a political ban. He was also appealing a 2022 conviction for insulting members of Turkeys Supreme Electoral Council. The arrest of the citys mayor sparked protests and demonstrations (Khalil Hamra/AP) Earlier in the week, a university nullified his diploma, citing alleged irregularities in his transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus some 30 years ago. The decision effectively bars him from running for president, since the position requires candidates to be university graduates. Imamoglu had vowed to challenge the decision. Imamoglu was elected mayor of Turkeys largest city in March 2019, in a major blow to Mr Erdogan and the presidents Justice and Development Party, which had controlled Istanbul for 25 years. Riot police clash with protesters during a demonstration against the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu (Francisco Seco/AP) Mr Erdogans 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 the CHP made significant gains against Mr Erdogans governing party. Second lady Usha Vance plans a trip to Greenland, the self-governing, mineral-rich territory of American ally Denmark that Donald Trump has suggested the United States should take control over. Ms Vance will leave on Thursday and return Saturday, according to her office. Advertisement Ms Vance and one of her three children will be part of a US delegation set to visit historical sites, learn about Greenlandic heritage, and attend the Avannaata Qimussersu, Greenlands national dogsled race. The race features around 37 mushers and 444 dogs and offers what Ms Vances office described as a remarkable display of speed, skill, and teamwork. The statement said that Ms Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity. People take part in a march ending in front of the US consulate in Greenland (Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) Media outlets in Greenland and Denmark reported that during her trip this week, Ms Vance would be accompanied by President Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz. Advertisement The White House and the National Security Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Mr Trump had mused during his first term about buying the worlds largest island, even as Copenhagen, a Nato ally, insisted it was not for sale. Since returning to the White House, Mr Trump has repeatedly said that the US will come to control Greenland while insisting he supports the idea for strategic national security reasons not with an eye toward American expansionism. I think we will have it, Mr Trump said of Greenland shortly after beginning his second term on January 20. Advertisement The US already has a military base on Greenland and the presidents son, Donald Trump Jr, visited it in January. During a recent Oval Office meeting with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, Mr Trump said Denmarks very far away from Greenland, and questioned whether that country still had a right to claim the worlds largest island as part of its kingdom. A boat landed there 200 years ago or something. And they say they have rights to it, Mr Trump said. I dont know if thats true. I dont think it is, actually. Advertisement All five parties in Greenlands parliament issued a joint statement last week rejecting Mr Trumps remarks. Denmark has recognised Greenlands right to independence at a time of its choosing. Beyond his focus on Greenland, Mr Trump has refused to rule out military intervention in Panama to retake that countrys canal, said that Canada should be Americas 51st state and suggested that US interests could assume control of the war-torn Gaza Strip from Israel and redevelop it as a Riviera-like seaside resort. Pope Francis will make his first public appearance on Sunday with a blessing and a wave from Rome's Gemelli hospital where he was admitted on Feb. 14 with breathing problems. The 88-year-old pontiff has been battling pneumonia in both lungs after being hospitalized. "Pope Francis intends to wave and offer a blessing from the Agostino Gemelli hospital in Rome after Angelus prayers," The Vatican said Saturday. The pope has missed the Angelus prayers for five straight weeks for the first time since his election in March 2013. The Angelus prayers are normally recited by the pope at midday (1100 GMT) every Sunday. The pope has made public appearances from the Gemelli hospital earlier -- on July 11, 2021, he recited the Angelus prayer from his balcony on the 10th floor of the hospital following colon surgery. The current hospitalization is the longest in Francis's papacy and has raised questions over who might lead the busy schedule of religious events leading up to Easter, the holiest period in the Christian calendar. The Vatican's press office on Wednesday said that no definite decisions had been taken yet in that regard. The Vatican also said Wednesday that Francis had suspended the use of an oxygen mask, adding that his clinical condition was "improving". For most of the pope's hospital stay, including critical stages, the Vatican was publishing daily bulletins on the health of Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man. Despite Francis's improvement, speculation abounds that he could step down due to his fragility, following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Benedict XVI. On Monday, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin told reporters that he had noted an improvement in Francis' health during a visit. But asked whether the conversation had turned to the pope's resignation, he replied: "No, no, no, absolutely not." Catholics and others worldwide have been praying for his speedy recovery. Many have been leaving flowers, candles, and notes for Francis outside the Gemelli hospital. Perry launched an appeal, and as CBD reported last year, though the pop star was in Australia while the hearing was under way, she didnt even show up at the courtroom, much to her opponents dismay. But the full court of the Federal Court subsequently sided with Perry on appeal, ordering the cancellation of Taylors trademark. The loungewear designer is now seeking special leave to appeal to the High Court, which will hear the application on April 11. Taylor has repeatedly described this matter as a David v Goliath legal fight. Next month, itll be the last chance for David to get the last laugh. Jobmaker By now, even were getting sick of the joke about former prime minister Scott Morrison having more part-time post-political jobs than secret ministries. But what are we to do when Scomo keeps adding miscellaneous filler roles to his CV? The latest is a gig on the strategic advisory board of Wellington Advocacy, a Canadian lobbying firm, which the former PM revealed to his LinkedIn followers last week. Thats number eight, for those counting. The links between Australia and Canada are strong, and I am looking forward to supporting even closer investment and business connections, Morrison wrote. We wonder how all Morrisons new friends in the MAGA-verse feel about that. The firms tagline on its website is We Help You Win, so who better to sign up than the guy responsible for the Liberal Partys great 2019 miracle? More recently, Morrison led the party to its lowest seat share in the House of Representatives since 1946. Scomo contains multitudes, we guess. Fire sale For about five minutes last year, Comedor, a well-reviewed Mexican eatery in a refurbished warehouse on the fringes of Camperdown Park in Newtown, was one of the hottest tables in town. But Comedor won its first Good Food hat almost as quickly as the whole project unravelled. First, the restaurants plans to build a kiosk over the park stoked outrage among locals unhappy about anyone daring to commercialise a patch of public space used by teenagers to get drunk and do nangs. Then came the reports in this masthead that Comedors owner, former lawyer Walter Shellshear, had a record of alcohol-fuelled behaviour, underpaying staff and threatening to kill and deport employees. Shellshear denies those allegations, but the restaurant has remained closed since December. Its website has been taken down completely and is devoted to posting Comedors old payroll records, in response to the largely fictitious claims about Comedor. According to a message on the site: Comedor remains temporarirly [sic] closed as we work on new and exciting projects. But those projects certainly wont be happening on Australia Street because it looks like Shellshear is selling up. A listing for the reimagined Newtown warehouse appeared on real estate agency Colliers last week, spruiking one of Sydneys most prized restaurant and small bar opportunities. For the sake of anyone employed at the new business, we hope the future owners take Comedors demise as a cautionary tale of how not to run a restaurant. Winner winner Our southern siblings at The Age wiped the floor at the Melbourne Press Clubs Quill Awards on Friday night, taking home a record 14 gongs. Predictably, The Ages Building Bad investigation into the CFMEU, helmed by Nick McKenzie, Ben Schneiders and The Australian Financial Review reporter David Marin-Guzman, walked off with the Gold Quill. Advertisement Exclusive Eating outJust open We want people to eat with one hand: Porcine and P&V teams open French-inspired wine bar LAvant Cave will expand on Porcines whole beast approach in the kitchen while letting diners select wine from P&Vs extensive bottleshop collection. Scott Bolles March 24, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share After spending the past four years under the same roof on Oxford Street in Paddington, two of Sydneys hottest hospitality venues are combining their talents to open a wine bar. Chefs hatted bistro Porcine, known for its whole beast approach to cooking meat, and its downstairs neighbour, P&V Merchants, a bottleshop selling natural and independent wines, will open LAvant Cave this week in the rear courtyard of the terrace on the ground level. Pigeon liver Melba toast will be one of the snacks on the menu at LAvant Cave. The two have dabbled before, with Porcine supplying a terrine here and there to P&V, but the flatmates are now all-in on the joint venture. Were off the sofa and into the bedroom, Porcine chef Nicholas Hill joked about the professional partnership. LAvant Cave opens on Friday, March 28, inspired by wine bars in France such as P&V co-owner Mike Bennies Parisian favourite, LAvant Comptoir, in the 6th arrondissement. Hill has his own Parisian influences, including wine bars with great food but no knives and forks inspiration for the new venues snack-driven menu. Advertisement P&V has operated a wine bar to differing degrees out of the wine shop and cute courtyard behind it. When P&V first opened, it was just cheese and charcuterie, Hill said of its food menu. Then there were outside chef collaborations, and we always did bits and bobs. LAvant Caves opening menu taps the French wine bar pitch. Pigeon liver Melba toast is on a line-up that sweeps garlic snails, pork and Armagnac pate with duck fat toast, and trout rillettes. Crumbed scallop with sauce gribiche. Its a wine bar, but we want people to be able to eat with one hand, Bennie said of the food brief that he and business partner Louise Dowling gave the Porcine team. Hill obliged with a croque monsieur on toasted brioche. The collaboration will also expand Porcines whole beast approach in the kitchen. Hill explained they will cook different cuts of pork upstairs in the restaurant and use the neck and shoulder for the terrine at LAvant Cave. Advertisement In a week when Potts Point piano bar The Hook announced it would close its doors on Sunday, March 23, Bennie said the rapidly expanding Sydney bar market is not only competitive, but experiencing the sort of cost-of-living pressures felt across the economy. People are still going out, but average spend is down about 30 per cent, Bennie said. I think people want a distinct experience. There have been a lot of bars emerging, he said. You have to have a differential advantage, to use [business] gobbledygook. P&Vs competitive advantage is its extensive range of wines, and its bottleshop-wine bar pitch, where you can grab a bottle of wine from the shelf or fridge. Diners do the same at Porcine. Hill joked that his customers have to pass through the P&V gift shop before they have a chance to look at the Porcine wine list. Advertisement While corkage may seem a tad steep ($25 a bottle at P&V and LAvant Cave, and $35 a bottle at Porcine), Bennie said the system offered relatively good value. A bottle of wine youd normally pay around $200 for in a restaurant is only $125 at LAvant Cave, Bennie said. Its our first full collaboration with Porcine. We want to sophisticate it up a bit we think thats what Paddingtons about. Open dinner Thu; lunch and dinner Fri-Sun 268 Oxford Street, Paddington, @lavant_cave Advertisement Thousands of ads spruiking Botox and dermal fillers have breached Australias health advertising laws, a revelation that comes as the medicines watchdog urges people to come forward if they have experienced complications from cosmetic injectables. Advertising regulations prohibit the use of terms such as wrinkle-reducing injections, dermal fillers or colloquial names such as tox or Brotox (Botox treatment targeted at men) that could be seen to be promoting prescription-only medicines or substances. Cosmetic industry researchers Michael Fraser and Maddison Johnstone from Operation Redress. Credit: Paul Harris It is also illegal for websites promoting cosmetic injectables to publish the price of treatments. Reporting by this masthead over the past two days has exposed concerns about patient safety within the booming injectables industry, with some doctors issuing scripts via telehealth in consultations that sometimes last under one minute. Just over 15 years ago, when plans for a metro line to the far stretches of north-western Sydney existed only in documents and government notices, one Sydney father was paying closer attention than most. Nick Wageners twin daughters, Imogen and Elly, were not even born, but as he inspected open homes across Sydney with his wife, he was calculating how they might commute to Monte Sant Angelo Mercy College in North Sydney. Elly and Imogen Wagener enjoy the ride to school on the metro, thanks to their parents foresight. Credit: James Brickwood We bought [our house] on the basis the metro was being built. That was part of the decision-making, he said. My wife wanted the girls to go to Monte because my wife went to Monte. Police believe a website claiming it can ship high-powered firearms, including military machine guns and golden pistols, to every Australian city anonymously is a scam targeting wannabe gangsters. The website, which the Herald has chosen not to identify, claims to stock illegal weapons including the M16 military assault rifle, priced from $6500 to $10,000, and the Kalashnikov AK-47 for $12,000. A website claiming to see an M16 military rifle for up to $10,000 to anonymous Australians is being investigated by police. A gold Desert Eagle handgun, which shoots massive .50 calibre rounds, is listed on the website for $15,000. YOU DO NOT NEED A FIREARM PERMIT to purchase a firearm here, the website says. A few years back, I decided my next car would be a Tesla. The purchase was still some time off my trusty hatchback was still pretty new and there were some questions about how to charge a Tesla in my unit complexs shared car park. But, in principle, the decision had been made: when it came time to get a new car, it would be electric. And, it would be a Tesla. Yes, you did see what you thought you saw. Credit: Eric Lee/NYT Then Elon Musk went all red pill. His transformation from would-be world saviour to fascistic DOGEbag was slow but clear, even before that salute (and yes, it was exactly what it looked like). Brisbane State High School has so much pulling power that four out of five high schoolers living in its catchment suburbs of West End and Highgate Hill will receive a state school education instead of independent or Catholic. As Brisbane City Council pushes for taller, higher-density developments on the Kurilpa peninsula, school P&Cs warn of the pressure adding more residents will have on schools, green space and transport. Last year, Brisbane State High School had 3521 students, despite a maximum capacity of 3000, with 45 per cent living outside its catchment but gaining entry via academic, sport or cultural selective entry. Four in five high schoolers living in West End and Highgate Hill choose to attend their local government high school over an independent or Catholic school. Credit: Dan Peled The lure of the top-performing GPS state school is such that many families buy or rent a home in West End just to secure entry. The debate over work from home is rapidly becoming a war over the lived experience of hundreds of thousands of Australians. Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are already engaged in the battles playing out every day in the nations homes, along its congested roads, in trains and trams filled to the brim and in expensive but increasingly empty workplaces. One-third of us work from home at least some of the time. Credit: iStock The Coalition, with plans to axe up to 36,000 federal public servants, wants all bureaucrats back at their work stations, with Dutton accusing many of refusing to go back to work. Its part of its assault on everything Canberra, even if less than half of all public servants live in the nations capital. Labor is stretching the Coalitions position on public servants to the working rights of all Australians. At the weekend, it claimed forcing people back into their cars to make a daily commute into the office would set them back up to $5000 a year just in transport and car parking costs. U.S. and Ukrainian officials were meeting in Saudi Arabia on Sunday for talks on a partial ceasefire in the war with Russia, with Washington hoping for "real progress" but the Kremlin warning of "difficult negotiations" and a long journey to peace. US President Donald Trump is pushing for a rapid end to the three-year war and hopes talks in Riyadh, which will see US officials hold separate technical-level discussions with delegations from Ukraine and Russia could pave the way to a breakthrough. Despite both sides proposing different plans for temporary ceasefires, attacks have continued unabated. A Russian strike on the Ukrainian capital killed three civilians overnight while Ukrainian drones killed two in Russia, officials said Sunday. Originally scheduled to take place simultaneously to enable shuttle diplomacy -- with the US going back and forth between the delegations -- the talks on a partial truce are now taking place one after the other. The meeting between the Ukrainian team, led by defence minister Rustem Umerov and the Americans got underway in Riyadh on Sunday evening, Umerov said on Facebook. "The agenda includes proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure," he said, adding the teams were "working through a number of complex technical issues." Talks between the US and Russia were set for Monday. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff voiced optimism that any agreement struck would pave the way to a "full-on" ceasefire. "I think you're going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that you'll naturally gravitate to a full-on shooting ceasefire," he told Fox News. But the Kremlin on Sunday downplayed expectations of a rapid resolution, saying talks were just beginning. "We are only at the beginning of this path," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state TV. He said there were many outstanding "questions" and "nuances" over how a potential ceasefire might be implemented. Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a joint US-Ukrainian call for a full and immediate 30-day pause, proposing instead a halt in attacks only on energy facilities. "There are difficult negotiations ahead," Peskov said in the interview, published on social media. Peskov said the "main" focus in its talks with the United States would be a possible resumption of a 2022 Black Sea grain deal that ensured safe navigation for Ukrainian farm exports via the Black Sea. "On Monday, we mainly intend to discuss President Putin's agreement to resume the so-called Black Sea initiative, and our negotiators will be ready to discuss the nuances around this problem," Peskov said. Moscow pulled out of the deal -- brokered by Turkey and the United Nations -- in 2023, accusing the West of failing to uphold its commitments to ease sanctions on Russia's own exports of farm produce and fertilisers. A senior Ukrainian official previously told AFP that Kyiv would propose a broader ceasefire, covering attacks on energy facilities, infrastructure and naval strikes. Both sides launched fresh drone attacks on the eve of the negotiations. Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone attack killed three civilians in Kyiv, including a five-year-old girl and her father. AFP reporters in the capital saw emergency workers treating the wounded in the early hours of Sunday in front of damaged residential buildings, hit in the strike. Deadly strikes on the well-protected city are rarer than elsewhere in the country. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 147 drones at the country in the latest barrage. Zelensky urged his country's allies to put fresh pressure on Russia. "New decisions and new pressure on Moscow are needed to bring an end to these strikes and this war," he posted on social media on Sunday. Russia said it had repelled nearly 60 Ukrainian drones overnight. Officials said one man was killed in the southern Rostov region of Russia when his car was set alight by falling drone debris and a woman was killed in the Belgorod border region, also by a drone attack. Ukraine's army said it had captured a small village in the eastern Lugansk region, a rare battlefield success for Kyiv's struggling army. Moscow heads into the Saudi talks amid a rapprochement with Washington under Trump that has boosted confidence in the Kremlin. Peskov said on Sunday that the "potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in a wide variety of spheres between our countries cannot be overstated". "We may disagree on some things but that does not mean we should deprive ourselves of mutual benefit," he added. 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 A towering minaret soars over the thronged metropolis, like a brick, stone and tile sentinel immediately above the citys frenetic souk heaving with wartime humanity. Below that sacred skyscraper seemingly every nationality is represented either behind or before goods-laden market stalls, nudging and weaving their way through what passes for its central passageway or loitering over coffee at al fresco Parisian-style corner cafes. Humphrey Bogart, Claude Rains, Paul Henreid and Ingrid Bergman at Ricks Cafe in a scene from Casablanca. Credit: Alamy This is the stirring opening scene of Casablanca, the classic 1942 film which some consider, along with Citizen Kane, the greatest film made. But, as astonishingly accomplished as the opening black-and-white shot is, the viewer, as time goes by, must remember this: a kiss may well be just a kiss and a sigh may just be a sigh, yet when it comes to Tinsel Town the fundamental myths almost always apply. Casablanca, the Moroccan city, not the movie, has since the release of Casablanca, the film not the city, struggled to meet the impossible expectations of visitors. As you may be aware, not a single scene of Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, was shot on location in what is now Moroccos largest and most important city. Advertisement Frankly, Bergman and Bogies masterpiece is a bit bogus, since Casablanca was filmed entirely on a Warner Bros Burbank California backlot, with the unforgettable final airport scene shot at a Los Angeles aerodrome. Its in the real Casablanca that I find myself ashore from my cruise ship, Viking Saturn, on a days visit as part of Viking Cruises 16-day Malta, Morocco & the Mediterranean, en route from stops at the equally exotic North African ports of Tunis and Algiers. While it is often dismissed by its critics as Moroccos least compelling and least romantic city, struggling in comparison to Marrakesh, Fes and Tangier, Im more than willing to give Casa, as its citizens affectionately refer to it, the benefit of my doubt. In my wanderings, I wonder, perhaps sacrilegiously, what if George Clooney and Cate Blanchett were cast in those celebrated leading roles in a remake filmed not on that Burbank backlot but entirely in Casablanca itself? Location one: The Old Medina Casablancas compact old medina. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto To be fair to Hollywood, which is no easy task, it would have been an impossibility to shoot on location, even before the US entry into World War II, as French Morocco was controlled at the time by the French Vichy government, a notorious puppet regime of the Nazis. Advertisement After the fall of France to Germany in 1940, Casablanca, the largest Atlantic port in Africa, became a shadowy transit point for refugees escaping a war-torn Europe to the still-neutral Americas. It was this tense and then-topical intrigue that directly informed the celebrated screenplay of Casablanca. I can detect no tension or intrigue when at 8.30am on the day of my visit to Casablanca I enter the citys Old Medina, or city, via its northern entrance, composed of the remnants of the citys 18th-century fortifications. Narrow, haphazard laneways of the Old Medina. Credit: Getty Images As far as I can tell, Im the sole Western tourist here (take that, Marrakesh) within the narrow, haphazard laneways, the walls of buildings daubed sparingly but fetchingly with bold primary colours. One of the major landmarks of the Old Medina, which dates to the 7th- century Berber era, is the two-star blue and white-painted Hotel Central. A working remnant of Moroccos French colonial era and as faded as any Hollywood fade-out, you can envisage a scene in which Cate, in the Ilsa Lund role, emerges down the twisting, crescent-shaped stairway to greet a waiting George as Rick Blaine. Advertisement Further along, it is not only tourists who are conspicuously absent from the souk but most of its night-owl market traders, clearly in no hurry to open to the public. Its a far cry from that frantic opening scene of Casablanca, but even with a visit to the souk, overshadowed by the high-rise office blocks of Moroccos contemporary commercial capital, you get the picture. Location two: The modernist core Modern residential buildings among numerous styles of architecture in Casablanca. Credit: Getty Images No sooner have I taken a seat at an al fresco table at Cafe de France, one of Casablancas most famous coffee shops, than Im receiving an involuntary shoeshine from a lurking middle-aged man scratching for a dirham, to which I oblige. The cafe is right in front of the Place des Nations Unies (United Nations Square), nowadays traversed by Casablancas gleamingly modern trams, and around the corner from what is known locally as the magnificent street of seven architectural styles. Row after row of whitewashed office and apartment buildings stretch along either side of Boulevard Mohammed V, a staggering showcase of early 20th- century architectural schools from art nouveau to art deco and neo-Moorish to streamline moderne. Advertisement Here in this elegant though these days slightly shabby precinct you can readily imagine Bogarts imaginary Rick would have had an apartment behind one of the filigreed facades. Tucked away off this monumental main drag is the 1929 art deco Cinema Rialto, its name proudly emblazoned in scarlet-coloured sign writing against an off-white curved facade. Location three: Ricks Cafe Ricks Cafe in Casablanca. Credit: Alamy In an effort to inject some Casablanca-like romance to Casablanca, someone, rather cleverly, dreamt up the idea of recreating the famed Ricks Cafe Americain from the film never shot there. Like the film itself, Ricks has been a major hit, but since its menu doesnt feature a single Moroccan dish, Ive elected to respectfully give it the flick in favour of lunch at the exclusive La Grande Table Marocaine on the 23rd floor of the newly opened Royal Mansour Casablanca luxury hotel. The hotel is a reimagining of old Casablanca, too, the 1952 Hotel El Mansour having once occupied the site. Advertisement However, a passengers video that Dutch media published appears to show the boat at speed when a large wave hit it, seemingly washing the person with the camera overboard. Seconds earlier, the passengers can be heard saying, Im getting nervous and Ive never seen this in my life. Blight, 39, a Melbourne-based senior member of insolvency firm Cor Cordis, was one of four Australians on the boat, according to the passenger manifest. Cintamani Tam Warrington and Gabe Hijniakoff remain in a Bali hospital with serious burns from fuel or other chemicals. Lisa Bell who local police believe is Blights cousin and has already returned to Australia was treated for bruising. The manifest also lists two Americans, two Dutch people and three Estonians. Anna Blight was killed when a snorkelling boat capsized off Bali. Credit: Cor Cordis The Estonian mother said she believed the boat got into trouble about 10 or 15 minutes into the journey from Sanur. [The captain was] driving extremely fast and people were screaming like, Stop this, stop this, please dont drive so fast, she said. Instead, the crew played music and showed them pictures of fish, she said. When the boat capsized, the passengers were thrown violently around the vessel and into the water. There was a lot of blood, and she worried about sharks. The day before, a diving website published news of a rare great white shark sighting at Nusa Penida. She said she found a floating life jacket and put it on her husband because he was weak with injuries. Police have released this image of the capsized boat in the waters off Nusa Penida. Credit: AP He just laid still and floated in the lifejacket. He floated away from the boat. At one point, he floated so far away I couldnt see him and I thought he was dead, she said. I couldnt find my daughter, I didnt know where she was. It turned out she was trapped inside the body of the flipped boat. After about 20 minutes of her believing her daughter was also dead, the girl emerged a long way from the boat. The mother swam to her she was blue from the cold and wrapped her in her arms. Loading The girl would later describe hearing an Estonian language voice telling her to take a deep breath and swim out from under the boat. It was definitely not me I didnt know where she was. It was definitely not my husband. But a voice told her what to do, the mother said. Survivors were rescued by a passing boat, but not all of them could fit. The Estonians waited in the water for about an hour before being retrieved by a different vessel, she said. By this time, her husband, a doctor, had regained consciousness and paddled back to his family. They were taken to a beach, where a construction crew building a half-finished elevator up the cliff fired it up and took them to the top. If they didnt do this I dont know how we were going to be rescued, she said. People were so kind. A local lady drove through a big storm with her scooter to bring my daughter and me some dry clothes. The boat capsized at 8.32am on Friday, Bali time. It was late afternoon by the time they got back to Bali and to a hospital, where the doctors and nurses were excellent, she said. The mother, heartbroken at her daughters unwarranted guilt at not saving Blight, said she would seek trauma counselling for her as soon as they returned to Estonia. She said that none of the surviving passengers were OK. Were all injured. After three days, I can still taste the chemicals. Gabriel Hijniakoff (Gabe), and Cintamani Warrington (Tam) are stuck in Bali with serious burns. Credit: GoFundMe Wayan Murah from the Nusa Penida police said the boat captain, who had one year of experience, said the weather was good at Sanur and that was why he was driving fast. We have questioned the boat captain and two crew, Wayan said. We are having trouble trying to interview the passengers. The cousin of Anna Maree [Blight], Lisa Bell, left the country so soon, before we had a chance to interview her. We have asked the Australian consulate to assist with contacting her family. Murah said police would cross-check the allegations of speeding and failure to provide life jackets. An Indonesian fisherman who reviewed the Dutch video of the incident told this masthead that the waves were four to five metres high enough to trigger a local weather warning. He said even someone with his experience would only go to sea when the waves were one to two metres. By Cillian Sherlock, PA The Government is winning the battle on housing, a Cabinet minister has claimed. The Central Bank has projected that the Government will miss its own housing targets by a wide margin for the next three years, having also underdelivered in 2024. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said he would contest strongly that the Governments housing plan was failing. He said the Government had met its targets at scale in 2023 and 2022. On RTEs The Week in Politics, Mr Burke said: Im trying to explain exactly what were doing and how we are winning this battle. He added: Were starting to turn the tide. Its going to take time. Absolutely, it will take time, I have no doubt in that. Sinn Fein TD Mairead Farrell. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. The comments were immediately criticised by Sinn Fein TD Mairead Farrell, who described the minister as out of touch. On the same programme, she said: Im just absolutely shocked at what the minister just said that theyre winning the battle in terms of housing. They are losing the battle. And the biggest losers in this are the people who are indirectly impacted by the housing crisis that has festered and gotten worse under Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Meanwhile, Housing Minister James Browne accepted there is a challenging situation around housing delivery, but maintained it was very early to be discussing projections on final figures for the year. Housing Minister James Browne. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. He refused to say whether the Central Bank projections would turn out to be accurate, and said: Only time will tell whether the reports are right or wrong. Asked how Government could deliver on its housing target of 41,000 homes this year when Irish water agency Uisce Eireann says it only can connect 35,000, the minister said the body would be provided with additional funding and that a National Development Plan would be set out in the summer. He added: Im confident that everything that can be done to maximise the delivery houses will be done. Mr Browne identified a collapse in apartment building in Dublin as a key driver of challenges around overall delivery. He said: Where a lot of those predictions that we wont meet our targets, I think are based around the issue with delivering those apartments in Dublin. Housing outside of Dublin, generally speaking, is moving along, relatively speaking, on target. We have to do something quite radical to get those apartments going again. Speaking to RTEs This Week, Mr Browne said this included commencing the Planning and Development Act as quickly as possible. He said this would change who could object to the building of apartments and streamline judicial reviews. Outside of regulations, the Fianna Fail minister also said there was a need to take action on domestic and international financing. Asked if tax breaks for developers remained on the table, Mr Browne said: I think they have to be examined. Everything has to be on the table. Senior Fine Gael figures including Tanaiste Simon Harris and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe had argued previous tax break schemes for developers were expensive and damaged the economy. Mr Browne said nobody is proposing that the tax breaks of the past would make a comeback, instead pointing towards the broader regulatory regime around taxation. A U.S. warship has been deployed to help "to restore territorial integrity at the U.S. southern border," according to the U.S. Northern Command. The destroyer USS Spruance departed Naval Base San Diego on March 22 to support operations at the southern border. The deployment will focus on combating maritime-related terrorism, weapons proliferation, transnational crime, piracy, environmental destruction and illegal seaborne immigration. "USS Spruance's deployment as part of U.S. Northern Command's southern border mission brings additional capability and expands the geography of unique military capabilities working with the Department of Homeland Security," said Gen. Gregory Guillot, Commander, U.S. Northern Command. "With Spruance off the West Coast and USS Gravely in the Gulf of America, our maritime presence contributes to the all-domain, coordinated DOD response to the Presidential Executive Order and demonstrates our resolve to achieve operational control of the border," he said. The Spruance returned in December from a deployment to the Indo-Pacific and Middle East three months ago. During that five-month deployment the Spurance was part of efforts to "degrade Houthi capabilities, defend U.S. forces, and sailed alongside allies and partners to promote security, stability and prosperity." The Spruance deployment is part of President Trump's increased focus on southern border security. The president last week deployed the USS Gravely, a guided-missile destroyer, to assist with border security and interdiction efforts, Stars and Stripes reported. Originally published on Latin Times CO CARLOW landowners are to be offered hassle-free support to create more space for nature on their land, having been selected as one of only six counties in the country for the project. The Hares Corner, an innovative biodiversity initiative by the non-profit organisation Burrenbeo Trust, in conjunction with Carlow County Councils biodiversity officer, is being rolled out this year to landowners across the county, following successful pilots during 2023 and 2024. Inspired by the term The Hares Corner an old farming expression for an awkward section of a field, which wasnt intensively farmed and so was left to nature (often referred to as gearrog in parts of Carlow) the aim of this project is to help create habitats that have proven benefits for biodiversity, for climate-action and for the wellbeing of participants. The Hares Corner project offers landowners (farmers and non-farmers, businesses, sporting organisations, schools and community groups) practical support to carry out simple but impactful actions for nature, such as creation of a wildlife pond, a native mini-woodland, a wildlife hedge, a heritage mini-orchard with apple trees from Irish Seed Savers Association and/or a bespoke plan for nature for their site. This support is offered in the form of materials mixed species of native trees and heritage apple trees; micro-funding towards machinery costs for pond digging; professional services such as a hydrologists visit to help plan a pond, or an ecologists visit to plan for nature and guidance. The Burrenbeo Trust are world class exemplars in delivering practical conservation actions, so were delighted to bring their expertise to Carlow through the Hares Corner project and we hope as many landowners as possible will take up the opportunity, said Shane Casey, biodiversity officer for Co Carlow. The Hares Corner initiative will be funded through the Heritage Councils Local Biodiversity Action Plan Fund, the National Parks and Wildlife Service's Local Biodiversity Action Fund, and Carlow County Council. Applications are now open see www.burrenbeo.com/thc. Breaking News Would you like to receive our breaking news news? Signup today! e-Edition Subscribers e-Edition Only - $39.00 Year This is the exact replica of our weekly printed paper. Great for searching archives! General Interest Imported List: General Interest Thanks to John Shearer for his excellent article on the Coca-Cola legacy and all the families have contributed to our community. He also mentioned the Pearson family residence at the corner of McCallie and Central where some of the families lived.Dr. Pearson was a dentist who worked out of the home and his wife, Betsy, was the French teacher at Chattanooga High School. I had her for two years and she was one of the most popular teachers at the school. She always had a smile on her face and was ready to help the struggling students (like me) with our school work.Well, what we didn't know until about 20 years after graduating was this jovial, fun-loving teacher, when she was 18, served in the French-Belgium Resistance.This group rescued Allied pilots shot down over Nazi-occupied territory and helped them get to the English Channel to return to England and resume their flying missions.After the war she was presented the "Medalle de la Resistance" for her espionage work. For her heroic actions during the war Mme. Pearson was selected as a Charter Member of the CHS Hall of Fame.Douglas JonesChairman CHS Hall of Fame Committee A mass shooting at a car show in Las Cruces, New Mexico, has left three people dead and 15 injured, according to law enforcement. The shooting occurred at Young Park on Friday night. Attendees of an unsanctioned car show called the police a little after 10 pm to report gunshots and victims, reported K Fox 14. A dispute between two rival groups occurred near the parking lot of Young Park located at 850 S. Walnut St, devolving into gunfire. Multiple individuals from the two groups brought weapons to the park, and began shooting manically. Police shared that the deceased victims include a 19-year-old man, an 18-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy. However, law enforcement is yet to release their names. The other victims of the shooting range from 16 years old to 36 years old. Police recovered 40-60 bullet casings from the scene. Handgun casings were recovered from various locations in the park, but no rifle casings were located. "This is a huge crime scene with lots of moving parts," said Las Cruces police chief Jeremy Story. "This horrendous, senseless act is a stark reminder of the blatant disregard the people of New Mexico have for the rule of law and order," Story said. "It's also a reminder of the utter lack of fear of accountability in New Mexico. As angry as I am right now, this news conference will not be political. There will come a time to talk about the failures that led to this tragedy and so many others. Now is not that time." Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez expressed his condolences to the families of the casualties. "We need to stand strong. Come together. Help us to heal," the mayor said. "As with all acts of gun violence in our city and beyond, my heart is broken for the victims and families impacted. This was a heinous act of violence that will leave our city mourning," wrote mayor pro tem and city councilor for District 4 Johana Bencomo to social media. Originally published on Latin Times On March 18, 2025, President Trump joined the White House Faith Office and faith leaders nationwide for a prayer gathering in the Oval Office in Washington, D.C. | Photo Credit: Facebook/ The White House Evangelical Christian leaders from across the country gathered to pray with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. The meeting was led by Paula White-Cain, Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office and Trumps longtime spiritual advisor, who facilitated the gathering on Wednesday. Photographs from the event showed several faith leaders placing their hands on Trump as they prayed. Among those in attendance were the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Pastor Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Pastor Travis Johnson of Pathway Church in Alabama, David Barton of WallBuilders, former presidential candidate Gary Bauer, and William Wolfe, the executive director of the Center for Baptist Leadership. Rodriguez, who serves as a faith advisor to the White House Faith Office and participated in Trumps first inauguration in 2017, offered a prayer for the president. The prayer included the following sentiments: With gratitude and humility, we pray for President Trump. You assigned him, you appointed him, you anointed him for such a time as this. We ask You to cover him with the blood of Jesus, empowering him to advance an agenda of righteousness and justice, truth and love." He continued, "Protect him from all evil as he undergirds our nation with the firewall of our Judeo-Christian value system. Fulfill Your purpose in his life. Rodriguez also expressed hopes for Americas future through Trumps leadership, invoking the scripture of Isaiah 58:8: Salvation will come like the dawn. Wounds will quickly heal. Godliness will lead us forward as the glory of God will protect us from behind. In Jesus' name, Amen. During Trumps first term in office from 2017 to 2021, the White House held numerous briefings and prayer events with Evangelical leaders, including Rodriguez, Franklin Graham, James Dobson, and others. Notably, in August 2018, the White House hosted a state dinner inviting over 100 Evangelical leaders. Trump announced the creation of the White House Faith Office during a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast shortly after taking office. He identified its purpose as helping to combat anti-Christian bias. The Office will be affiliated with the Domestic Policy Council and led by a Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office, supported by additional positions deemed appropriate by the President. The White House Faith Office is responsible for consulting with experts and faith leaders to gather information and making recommendations to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, regarding changes to policies and practices that impact faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship. Bishops enter to lead the opening worship service at the United Methodist Church (UMC) General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 23, 2024. | Mike DuBose/UM News The United Methodist Church (UMC) and the Global Methodist Church (GMC) are currently facing significant disputes over control of church properties in West Africa, prompting Liberian lawmakers to mediate between the two denominations. Earlier this month, the Liberian Senate held an official hearing that brought representatives from both bodies together, overseen by the Joint Senate Committee on Internal Affairs, Judiciary, Claims, Human Rights & Petitions, and Defense, Security, Intelligence & Veteran Affairs, according to reports from The Liberian Investigator. An additional hearing between the parties is anticipated soon, as noted by Sen. J. Gbleh-bo Brown of Maryland County, who serves as the acting chair of the Internal Affairs Committee. At last year's UMC General Conference, delegates voted to remove several rules from the Book of Discipline, including the bans on same-sex marriage, the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals, and funding for LGBT advocacy groups. They also eliminated a statement declaring that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. These changes led to the departure of approximately 7,500 mostly conservative congregations from the UMC over disagreements with progressive leadership on LGBT issues, many of which have since joined the GMC, which was established in 2022 as a conservative alternative. In Liberia, same-sex marriage is not legally recognized, and the government enforces criminal penalties against homosexuality. After the UMC approved the changes to its policies in June 2024, Liberian Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. stated that his regional body would retain traditional standards regarding marriage and ordination. Despite this, many within the Liberian Annual Conference have chosen to break away from the UMC and align with the GMC. This breakaway group is led by the Rev. Jerry Kulah, who claimed that Quire had previously agreed that the regional body could leave the UMC if the rules on LGBT issues were changed. Earlier this month, Kulah and several supporters were arrested and temporarily jailed after confronting UMC members at a church building that GMC members assert rightfully belongs to them. Due to the UMC's changes to the Book of Discipline, the Cote d'Ivoire Conference, which had approximately 1 million members and was one of the largest regional bodies in the denomination, voted last year to leave the UMC. In the past few months, violence has erupted between UMC and GMC members in Nigeria due to a legal dispute over the ownership of properties and assets in the Nigerian Episcopal Area. A Christian teacher in the United Kingdom, Glawdys Leger. | Photo Credit: Christian Concern A UK Christian teacher, Glawdys Leger, who claimed that identifying as LGBT is a sin, has lost a High Court challenge against her firing. A professional conduct panel deemed her remarks unprofessional. High Court Justice Beverly Lang dismissed Leger's appeal on Thursday, asserting that the panel's findings constituted a justifiable and proportionate sanction for her unacceptable professional conduct. Lang also concluded that there was no breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Leger, a modern languages teacher, was dismissed from Bishop Justus Church of England School in Bromley in May 2022 following comments made during a presentation to year-seven students in February 2022. The lesson, part of a human rights curriculum, included a PowerPoint on LGBT topics and protected characteristics, covering gender identities such as pansexual, asexual, intersex, and transgender. During the lesson, Leger expressed her Christian beliefs and explained why she felt LGBT ideology contradicted those beliefs, stating that identifying as LGBT is not fine and a sin. She claimed that God should be before LGBTQ+ and remarked that people will always be seen by God as having their birth gender, describing trans-identified individuals as just confused. A complaint was subsequently filed by a student who documented her remarks, leading to Leger's suspension in March 2022 and her eventual dismissal two months later for making inappropriate comments to students. In December 2023, the Teaching Regulation Agency published the panels findings, which did not prohibit her from teaching again. Leger argued in the High Court that her statements required more context and that publishing the results violated her privacy, contending that the school's mandate for a broad curriculum did not apply to her as an individual teacher. According to the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which represented Glawdys Leger, the teacher objected to the content of year-seven lessons incorporated into religious education classes. The CLC claims these lessons included what they describe as extreme content on gender identity with themes that begin to suggest to children that humans can be born in the wrong body. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the CLC, remarked that Leger cared deeply about the children in her care and wanted to teach them about the tolerance and hope that is found in the Christian faith, adding, For that, she has been punished and even risked loss of her license to teach. Home News Christians in Syria facing death threats, denied pay, fearful of what's coming next: watchdog Syria's Christian community is fearful for the future following a wave of violence that left over 1,000 people dead earlier this month, as a watchdog group reports that starvation is being used as a weapon and Christian workers are reportedly being denied pay. The sectarian violence between Assad loyalists and opponents in Latakia and Tartus left more than 1,300 Syrians dead in under 72 hours, with multiple bloody skirmishes killing dozens more. While reports indicate that Christians weren't the primary targets, many are embedded within the communities that were attacked. The violence has only exacerbated concerns among Syria's Christians, some of whom have already faced "intensified discrimination," particularly after the Assad regime fell in December. 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 situation for many Christians in the region has been devastating already," Brian Orme, who was recently named CEO of the persecution watchdog organization Global Christian Relief, told The Christian Post, citing reports of Christians having their wages cut. The armed Islamic alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is attempting to use starvation as a weapon by refusing to pay Christian workers, Orme stated. There are also reports of suicide bombers preparing to attack churches and Christian cemeteries being overturned. Survivors have also reported getting threatening phone calls in the aftermath of the recent violence, with the callers vowing to wipe out Christians next, Orme said. He added that many of the Islamist groups in the region view Christians as "infidels" and don't think Syria has a place for them. GCR is working with its partners on the ground to provide emergency aid and long-term support to Christians in Syria. These partners include individuals within the Evangelical and Orthodox churches that GCR has known for years and trusts to evaluate what Christians in the area need. The recent violence is proof that Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is not in control of his military forces, Orme asserts. While Sharaa, a former leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has condemned the violence and demanded accountability, Orme dismissed this as nothing more than "lip service." GCR has been involved with relief efforts in the area since December, according to Orme. At the time of the interview, the group's partners had just started to disperse the latest aid delivery, which included food, clean water and sometimes shelter. For security reasons, Orme could not provide too many details about the aid deliveries to Syria. He emphasized, however, the impact of Christians in the West praying and giving on behalf of their persecuted brothers and sisters in Syria. "It reminds those Syrian believers that they are not alone," Orme said. "They haven't been forgotten. There is hope in Christ, and we're trying to do this together." GCR urges the United States and other Western governments to approach international policies with "persecution in mind." Orme doesn't want the Trump administration to give "a pass" to governments that persecute Christians. A potential consequence for Syria that Orme suggested was sanctions. However, he stressed the need for caution because sanctions could make things worse for Christians who are already experiencing starvation or suffering from a lack of resources. "It's going to require a lot of discernment for our leaders right now," the ministry leader said. "There needs to be a dialogue, but that needs to include a discussion of Christians in the country. I think there need to be consequences when that's not upheld." Home News Israels DM Katz threatens annexation of Gaza territory unless Hamas releases hostages Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel would begin annexing territory in the Gaza Strip and evacuating its population if Hamas does not release the remaining Israeli hostages in captivity. I have instructed the IDF to seize additional areas in Gaza, while evacuating the population, and to expand the security zones around Gaza in order to protect Israeli communities and IDF soldiers through permanent Israeli control of the territory, Katz said. The more Hamas continues its refusal to release the hostages, the more territory it will lose to Israel, he added in a statement on Friday. 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 Katz thereby confirmed a report by Channel 12 last week, according to which Israel for the first time threatened to annex areas as a means of pressuring Hamas. The statement was sharply criticized by Merav Michaeli, chairwoman of the Knesset subcommittee on IDF readiness and member of the far-left "The Democrats" party. Michaeli said that Katzs threat would escalate the existing conflict, endanger the hostages, and continue to strengthen Hamas. Katz also vowed that the new operation in Gaza, which Israel has dubbed Strength and Sword, would continue with increasing intensity. At the same time, he noted that Israel remains willing to adhere to the latest proposal by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, without endangering Israeli security interests. The defense minister further threatened to use all military and civilian means of pressure including evacuating the Gaza population to the south and implementing U.S. President [Donald] Trump's voluntary transfer plan for Gaza residents. The IDFs top brass, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, as well as recently dismissed Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, convened for a security assessment at the IDF Southern Command on Friday, following the recent expanded military operations. On Thursday, the IDF announced that troops began conducting ground activity in the area of Shabura in Rafah, after other units began operating in the Netzarim Corridor and northern Gaza. As part of the activity, the troops dismantled terrorist infrastructure. Simultaneously, IDF troops are continuing ground activity in northern and central Gaza, the army stated. Israeli troops also detonated the building of the former Turkish hospital in northern Gaza, which was being used by Hamas as a command and control center. In other operations, the military said its forces continued to eliminate several high-ranking Hamas operatives. The IDF said it killed the terrorists Rashid Jahjuh, head of the General Security Forces of Hamas, and Ayman Atsalih, head of the Khan Yunis sector within General Security Forces. Hamas General Security Forces, which was led by Rashid Jahjuh, is a covert central unit within Hamas. Among other responsibilities, the unit is responsible for exposing collaborators, safeguarding Hamas senior members and assets within Gaza and abroad, and suppressing opposition to Hamas' rule, the IDF reported. Additionally, it operates to produce intelligence assessments that enable senior Hamas officials to plan and execute terror attacks against the State of Israel. Jahjuh also oversaw Hamas propaganda efforts aimed at shaping public opinion in Gaza. In an additional strike, the IDF said it eliminated Ismail Abd al-Aal, a central terrorist in the Islamic Jihad's Weapons Smuggling Unit. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News Kids of ISIS terrorists make beheading gestures amid threat of caliphates return in Syria Children of ISIS terrorists in detention camps in northeast Syria have been observed making beheading gestures, shouting threats and taunting guards, raising fears of the Islamic States potential resurgence. This comes as Kurdish forces warn that the threat from the terror group is escalating inside and outside these camps amid the regions ongoing instability. The sprawling al Hol and Roj camps, housing over 55,000 detainees, are primarily home to women and children associated with ISIS. The children, many of whom have spent their entire lives in captivity, exhibit violent tendencies, mimicking the radicalized behavior of their parents, Sky News reports. According to Syrian Democratic Forces commanders, the camps have become breeding grounds for the next cubs of the caliphate as ISIS continues to exploit the power vacuum left in the wake of Bashar al Assads overthrow last year. 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 Kurdish troops tasked with securing these facilities are facing daily incidents of violence including stabbings, bombings and smuggling attempts. Commander Kane Ahmed, who oversees al Hol camp, told the media outlet that ISIS-linked cells outside the camps were actively aiding detainees. They smuggle weapons into the camps and orchestrate escapes using tactics such as hiding individuals in hollowed-out delivery truck seats or utilizing waterways. Security forces frequently recover weapons, improvised explosives, and other contraband during raids on detainee tents. The detainees, including women loyal to ISIS, openly express their allegiance to the group, with chilling declarations such as ISIS is coming back and We love the Islamic State. When the Sky News crew visited, children in the camp, some as young as 6 years old, made beheading gestures. Despite reinforcements to the perimeter fences and 24-hour surveillance, Ahmed admitted that security remains insufficient, warning that the international community must step in to prevent ISIS from regaining strength. The al Hol camp alone houses about 22,000 children, accounting for more than 60% of its population. Many of these children, born to ISIS militants, have been deprived of normal childhoods, living in dire conditions and exposed to extremist ideologies. Without access to proper rehabilitation or psychological support, experts fear these children are at risk of becoming radicalized, perpetuating the cycle of violence and terror. Compounding the issue is the withdrawal of significant U.S. aid under the Trump administration, which has left the Kurdish-led forces struggling to manage the camps. The international community, including the European Union, has expressed alarm over the deteriorating conditions, Politico reported. EU officials held an emergency meeting last week to address the crisis, which included concerns about the security risks posed by ISIS-linked detainees, some of whom are EU citizens. The camps have come under scrutiny for their harsh conditions, with allegations of human rights abuses, including torture and violence. While the detainees are not formally charged with crimes, many were either members of ISIS or fled the group during its reign of terror. The lack of a clear strategy for addressing these detainees, particularly the children, has left a dangerous void. Human rights organizations have long called for comprehensive rehabilitation programs to counter the growing risk of radicalization within the camps. In recent months, the EU has attempted to mitigate the crisis by pledging financial support to the new Syrian government while grappling with its own challenges related to repatriating European nationals from the camps. However, many member states remain reluctant to welcome back individuals linked to ISIS, citing security concerns. The lack of international consensus on how to address the detainees has further complicated efforts to stabilize the region. Home News Most Americans reject claim that church is irrelevant: survey A new survey has found wide generational differences in socialization patterns of churchgoers as most Americans reject the idea that the church has become irrelevant. The Barna Group released a State of the Church report in conjunction with Gloo on March 13. The data included in the report is based on interviews conducted with 1,532 adults in the U.S. between Feb. 4-26. One finding from the survey revealed the level of social interaction churchgoers participate in when attending services. A majority of those surveyed (57%) said they talked to clergy before, during or after services. That number rises to 61% among millennials while dropping to 57% among Gen Xers. Just over one-half (55%) of baby boomers said they talk to a pastor when visiting church, while one-half (50%) of Gen Zers said the same. 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 Overall, 53% of churchgoers interact with other attendees when going to church. There is a large generational difference in socialization patterns with other congregants. Among boomers, 73% engage in conversation with other congregants. That figure dropped significantly to 32% among Gen Z. Just under one-half (49%) of millennial churchgoers said they usually talk to other attendees at church, along with 56% of Gen X churchgoers. Exactly one-half of churchgoers (50%) reported they usually talk with a church staff member while at church. A majority (57%) of millennial respondents engage in this practice, while less than half of baby boomers (48%), Gen Zers (47%) and Gen X respondents (44%) said the same. One-third (33%) of those surveyed reported usually talking to church volunteers when they go to church. Conversations with church volunteers were most frequently reported among millennials (42%), followed by Gen Z (32%), baby boomers (26%) and Gen X (25%). A majority of all adults do not agree that Church is not relevant in todays world, with 41% responding that they definitely disagree with the statement and 24% telling pollsters they somewhat disagree with it. The remainder either somewhat (22%) or definitely (13%) agreed that Church is not relevant in todays world. Among practicing Christians, an overwhelming majority (79%) definitely disagree with the notion that the church has become irrelevant, followed by 9% who somewhat disagree with the assertion, 9% who definitely agree with it and 4% who somewhat agree. A much smaller percentage of non-practicing Christians (39%) definitely disagree that the church has become irrelevant. An additional 28% somewhat disagree with the assertion, while 23% somewhat agree and 9% definitely agree. On the other hand, a plurality of non-Christians (32%) somewhat agree that the church has become irrelevant, while 26% definitely agree. Twenty-two percent definitely agree that God has become irrelevant, while those who definitely disagree constituted 20% of the sample. The report also included preliminary estimates about church attendance in the U.S. and compared them with additional data based on responses collected from 126,450 adults between 2000 and 2024. Weekly church attendance has experienced a gradual decline over the past two decades, but recent Barna data tracking shows signs of hope. Attendance peaked at 48 percent of U.S. adults in 2009, declined to 27 percent by 2017 and stood at 28 percent by 2024, the report stated. However, preliminary data from 2025 suggests a potential uptick in weekly church attendance to approximately 32 percent, the report added. Since 2022, men have consistently shown higher weekly attendance rates than women, reversing a long-established pattern (30% of men vs. 27% of women attending weekly as of 2024). From 2000 to 2015, women attended church at higher rates than men, then from 2016 to 2021, men and women attended at about the same rate. Preliminary estimates from 2025 show the gender gap in weekly church attendance continuing to widen, with 40% of men going to church every week compared to just 28% of women. Home News This week in Christian history: missionary society founded, Oscar Romero assassinated, Samuel Seabury consecrated Throughout the extensive history of the Church, there have been numerous events of lasting significance. Each week marks anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births and notable deaths. Some of the events drawn from over 2,000 years of history might be familiar, while others might be unknown to many. 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 following pages highlight anniversaries of memorable events that occurred this week in Christian history. They include the founding of the Womans Foreign Missionary Society, the assassination of Oscar Romero, and the consecration of Samuel Seabury. Home News Travel: Visiting Turkey 1,700 years after the Nicene Creed was adopted Its hard to imagine Christianity without the Nicene Creed. Regular churchgoers will surely know all or some of the words I believe in one God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth even if they dont know the origin of whats recited almost every Sunday by most Christians worldwide. Seventeen hundred years ago, what became the defining statement of Christianity was adopted in Nicaea (present-day Iznik, Turkey). Back then, Iznik was an outpost of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine the Great in what used to be called Asia Minor. 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 Constantine, who in 313 legalized Christianity, convened a council of more than 300 bishops between May and July 325 to debate and settle major issues, including the Arian heresy, that were rocking the church. In short, Arianism held that Jesus Christ was merely a creation of God and, therefore, not divine. In response, the council affirmed the holy, most blessed and undivided Trinity; that is to say, the belief in one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. While supplemented with additional text at a subsequent council in 381 and later translated and retranslated, one of the most widely used English versions with its 227 words remains basically unchanged to this very day. In the following centuries, the council under Constantine became known as the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. For context, the Great Schism that divided Christendom into the Latin West based in Rome and the Orthodox East based in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) didnt happen until 1054. Meanwhile, 1,192 years passed before Martin Luther commenced the Reformation. While the church is no longer one united church, Protestant, Roman Catholic and Orthodox denominations can find unity despite their many differences because of the creed emphasizing Jesus, the only-begotten Son of God. The 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed is even more noteworthy because in a remarkable coincidence this year all Christians will celebrate Easter on the same day (April 20) for the first time since 2017. As I discovered when I visited last month, Turkey or Turkiye, as the name of the country has been spelled since 2022, has arguably the most extensive Christian history outside the Holy Land. In fact, Holy Scripture says it was in Antioch (present-day Antakya) where Christians were first called Christians. Of course, Turkey today is not a Christian country. Five hundred and seventy-two years after the Ottomans conquered Constantinople the last vestige of the Roman Empire official Turkish government statistics record 99% of the population as Muslim. Whether all those Muslims practice their faith is another question. As with anywhere, religiosity can and does vary by region, though Im told the number of Turks who regularly go to mosque for Islamic prayers is well under half the population. Its true that Turkey has become less secular in recent years, though the widespread consumption of alcohol, particularly Turkeys well-regarded wines, might surprise some visitors. In a practical sense, Turkeys Muslim identity means that many of the ancient churches were converted into mosques at the time of the Ottoman conquest and later into museums upon the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the constitutionally secular Turkish republic have once again become mosques. This has caused controversy as many believe former Christian churches should be museums. The most famous of these mosques is Istanbuls Hagia Sophia with its magnificent blend of architectural styles. I didnt find its restoration as a mosque to be that big of an issue. After all, Roman Catholics might have similar complaints about the churches and cathedrals in England and elsewhere in Protestant Europe that were expropriated at the Reformation. Regardless, non-Muslims can still visit in a way that balances historical, architectural and artistic interests with the religious interests of Muslims. One real issue for devout Christians on a pilgrimage is the lack of places to worship. While there are Anglican, Lutheran, Evangelical Protestant, Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches in Istanbul, that isnt the case elsewhere in Turkey. Iznik is one such place without a church, despite its history. Supposedly, there are plans to build a space where Christians on a pilgrimage can reverently say prayers or celebrate the sacrament of the mass, eucharist, holy communion or Lords supper. Still, I saw nothing to indicate that something would be built before the expected wave of visitors later this year. One of those expected visitors is Pope Francis. Last year, the Vatican announced the bishop of Rome would join Archbishop Bartholomew I, the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, in Iznik for commemorations on May 24-25. As of this writing, its unclear if the visit will proceed as planned, as the pope has been hospitalized since mid-February, though he was discharged from the hopsital on Sunday. If you go So many civilizations and cultures have left their mark on this country at the crossroads of East and West. Getting here is easy since flag-carrier Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline. Istanbul is the most-populated city with around 15.7 million inhabitants, but it hasnt been the capital since the Ottoman Empire collapsed after its defeat in World War I. Faruk Pekins 600-page Istanbul: Secrets of the City is the best English language guidebook for pre-trip reading. Three or four days is the absolute minimum for Istanbul. Book a room at the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet if you can afford it. Otherwise, the JW Marriott with its sweeping views of the Bosphorus is recommended. Plan on a half-day at the magnificent Hagia Sophia and then another half-day at the former churches of Hagia Irene (still a museum, not a mosque) and Kariye Mosque, the latter of which has some of the most exquisite Christian frescoes and mosaics that Ive ever seen; another day to wander the Grand Bazaar and people watch over coffee or a glass of Turkish wine at cafes and restaurants; and one or two days to see major museums, including Topkapi Palace, the Archaeology Museum and Basilica Cistern. Also, dont overlook the Patriarchal Cathedral Church of St. George, the seat of the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople. This is the Orthodox equivalent of Canterbury Cathedral for Anglicans and the Vatican for Roman Catholics. Most tourists who make the two-hour journey from Istanbul to Iznik, a smallish city facing Lake Iznik and surrounded by olive groves, arrive by tour bus and stop for a couple of hours before continuing to their next destination. Not spending time in the place where the Nicene Creed was adopted is incredibly foolish, especially for anyone on a religious pilgrimage. If you go, spend at least one or two nights. That will give you time at the major attractions: the excellent Iznik Museum; the partially submerged ruins of a basilica-style church thought to have been used at the council in 325; Hagia Sophia, a sixth century church-turned-mosque-turned-museum-turned-mosque that hosted the Second Council of Nicaea in 787; and ancient city walls with their impressive gates dating to the Romans. For a hotel, both the Eleia Hotel and Limnades Hotel are recommended. One of the more noteworthy group tours is sponsored by the Anglican and Eastern Churches Association, which promotes Anglican-Orthodox ecumenism and unity. Jointly led by the Most Rev. Nikitas Loulias, Orthodox archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, and the Right Rev. and Right Hon. Lord Chartres, former Anglican bishop of London, the pilgrimage from April 28 to May 7 is still bookable through Tutku Educational Travel. Another commemorative event is the Nicea Conference from Oct. 22-25 in Istanbul with the Rev. Al Mohler, a prominent Southern Baptist theologian, and other Evangelicals. Solo travelers or couples with some knowledge of history probably dont need a guide, especially in Istanbul. With that said, a guide in Turkey is money well spent. Turkish guides are among the best in the world, thanks to high education requirements and rigid testing. Dennis Lennox writes a travel column for The Christian Post. Two passengers on a United Airlines flight have filed a federal lawsuit alleging that a pilot forcibly removed one of them from a bathroom and made antisemitic remarks during a flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston, Texas, on Jan. 28. Yisroel Liebb and Jacob Sebbag filed the lawsuit in New York on Wednesday against United Airlines, the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). According to the lawsuit, the incident began when Liebb experienced constipation and went to the bathroom shortly after the flight took off. After 20 minutes, a flight attendant asked Sebbag to check on Liebb, and he relayed the situation to the flight crew. Approximately 10 minutes later, the lawsuit alleges that a pilot yelled at Liebb from outside the bathroom, demanding that he leave immediately and ordered Sebbag to force him out. The situation escalated when the pilot allegedly broke the bathroom door's lock, forcibly pulling Liebb out of the bathroom with his pants still around his ankles. The lawsuit further claims that the pilot made antisemitic remarks, saying "Jews act" in reference to the two men, both of whom were wearing "traditional Jewish garb." After the confrontation, both passengers were escorted back to their seats. The lawsuit states that the pilot made threats of arrest and continued to make disparaging comments about their religion. Upon landing in Houston, Liebb and Sebbag were handcuffed and escorted off the plane by CBP officers, one of whom allegedly told them, "this isn't county or state, we are homeland, you have no rights here." Both men are American citizens. The plaintiffs claim they experienced significant delays, physical injuries, emotional distress, public embarrassment, and discomfort as a result of the incident. They also state that Liebb feels sexually violated and embarrassed due to the public exposure in the bathroom. Additionally, the lawsuit asserts that the detainment caused both passengers to miss a connecting flight to New York. While United Airlines provided them with a flight the next day, the lawsuit argues that the costs of food and lodging in Houston far outweighed the value of the new flight. The lawsuit seeks damages for the physical and emotional harm caused by the incident and the alleged mistreatment by airline and government officials. BROOK PARK, Ohio Disorderly conduct: West 130th Street An intoxicated Cleveland man, 53, was arrested at about 5:30 p.m. March 8 after he misbehaved at Extra Space Storage, 4976 West 130th. An Extra Space Storage worker called police and said the man had confronted him for some reason. The worker told the man to leave the property, but the man refused. The worker locked himself inside the business. When police arrived, they recognized the man from a previous incident that day. He had been disorderly on Brookpark Road just west of West 130th Street. The man had yelled at police, who ordered him to leave the area. The man was unsteady on his feet outside Extra Space Storage. Police didnt understand what he was saying. Missing property: Sheldon Road A Brook Park woman called police at about 7:30 a.m. March 2 and said an urn of ashes was missing from The American Legion Post 610, 19944 Sheldon. The urn of ashes was present during a March 1 celebration-of-life ceremony at the post. After the ceremony, the woman noticed that the urn was missing. The woman suspected a family member of taking the urn. Making false statements: Ashland Drive A Pennsylvania man, 23, was arrested at about 11:30 p.m. March 10 after he misidentified himself to police outside a noisy and smokey Ashland home. Police were called to the home for a noise complaint. The caller heard loud music and screaming outside the house. There was also a bonfire in the backyard. When police arrived, a small fire was burning in a backyard firepit. A woman, 22, admitted she and her live-in boyfriend were listening to music and burning a fire. The Pennsylvania man, a visitor to the home, gave police a name but said he didnt know his Social Security number. He walked inside of the house. The womans boyfriend then stepped out of the house and told police the mans real name. The man returned to the yard and told police he misidentified himself because he was trying to be funny.. The man also said he lied about his identity because he wasnt sure the police were who they said they were. Operating a vehicle under the influence: Holland Road & Hardin Drive A Parma Heights woman, 60, was arrested at about 2 a.m. March 9 after she was caught driving drunk at Holland and Hardin. Police pulled over the womans Hyundai because she driving without headlights. She denied drinking alcohol, saying that she had only consumed soda. When police asked the woman from where she was driving, she said, From down the road. She changed her story several times, saying she had been at a bar, a karaoke place and a friends house. The woman failed field sobriety tests. Operating a vehicle under the influence: Brookpark Road A Parma man was arrested at about 1 a.m. March 12 for driving drunk near Holy Cross Cemetery, 14609 Brookpark. Police noticed the mans Lincoln MKC traveling southbound on West 150th Street approaching Brookpark. The windows in the sport-utility vehicle were excessively tinted. The man seemed to be speeding as he approached a red light on West 150th at Brookpark. Then he abruptly slowed down and stopped at the light. Police checked the SUVs license-plate number and learned that the mans drivers license had been suspended in 2015 due to drinking. He also had been convicted several times for OVI. Police stopped the SUV near Holy Cross. He denied drinking but smelled like alcohol. He failed field sobriety tests. CLEVELAND, Ohio High school students on Saturday got a taste of how their political leaders in Washington, D.C., take on pressing issues of the day. In this case it was gun violence, the leading cause of death for children in the country. Ohio school districts that teach cursive believe that it helps students' literacy. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com COLUMBUS, Ohio -As children increasingly are exposed to screens from an early age, some Ohio students still learn to write with a flourish and maybe getting added literacy benefits. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce recently updated its five-year-old guidance for school districts that want to teach handwriting and cursive. Some districts in Northeast Ohio are following it. In fact, some schools never stopped teaching penmanship, although its importance has ebbed and flowed in the past 25 years. Recent research has shown that, while schools must also teach keyboard typing, handwriting is essential to literacy. It forces students to slow down, think about word spelling and sentence structure especially important when artificial intelligence in text messaging apps and word processors suggests words and spellings and question whether the word theyre about to write precisely conveys what theyre trying to communicate. Once children master handwriting, they dont have to worry about letter formation and spacing, which frees them up for higher-level thinking and communication skills, according to a summary of the research DEW provides in the handwriting guidance. The more easily you are able to write, the more time and energy that you have to actually focus on the generation of the text that youre putting down on paper, said Liesl Huenemann, DEWs assistant administrator or English language arts, in a January interview. Whether penmanship is on the rise in Ohio is unclear. DEW hasnt surveyed districts to determine which use it. The states guidance outline why and how to teach handwriting, but it doesnt require it. Districts that use it, however, said it helps students become stronger readers and writers. Handwriting is especially helpful since Gov. Mike DeWine and the legislature mandated schools use the instructional approach known as the science of reading, which emphasizes phonics, letter sounds and vocabulary, in hopes of boosting students testing scores. READ MORE: Science of reading: Ohio schools changing approach to teaching literacy this year Handwriting is also championed in professional materials DEW gives to teachers on dyslexia, said Kristin Clark, Lakewood City School Districts elementary coordinator of teaching and learning. Theres such a link and close correlation between handwriting and learning to read, she said. The Ohio Department of Education, they require districts to complete the dyslexia modules and science of reading modules. In both of those sets of modules its like an extensive professional learning experience in both of those sets they talk about the role of handwriting and how students writing individual letters and spelling words has been shown to reinforce those skills of letter naming, phonemic (sound) awareness and word reading. READ MORE: Ohio schools required to begin screening students for dyslexia risk next year Cursive in the books In 2019, state Sen. Andrew Brenner, a Delaware County Republican who was then serving in the Ohio House, sponsored a bill that became law with then-Rep. Marilyn Slaby, a Summit County Republican, to require state education officials create handwriting guidance. Brenner said he wishes the bill would have mandated cursive in all schools. But to get the bill passed, the legislation made handwriting instruction optional because opponents called it an unfunded mandate, he said. The science behind it is that the kids are connecting the action of putting letters down, whether its cursive or anything, said Brenner, who has a masters degree in education and now chairs the Ohio Senate Education Committee. But theyre connecting the letters to the sounds and the words. Its getting them to pull it all together so theyre actually able to learn how to read and learn how to write. After the bill became law, state education officials created handwriting guidance. The guidance puts handwriting under English language arts. The most recent update, which occurred in November, aligns the research to the science of reading. Another update is soon expected, in which DEW will provide districts a list of textbook publishers that have supplemental materials for handwriting, said Huenemann, of DEW. The state has an approved list of textbooks that districts must choose for the science of reading. Some offer cursive instruction, while others dont. Unlike math and English, cursive is not a learning standard in Ohio. Learning standards outline what students need to learn by grade. However, there is a standard that students write legibly, said Melissa Weber-Mayrer, DEWs chief of literacy. How its working in schools Districts, such as Lakewood and Westlake, begin teaching cursive in third grade and continue on into fourth grade. Solon City School District teaches it in second grade and continues to practice it through third grade. Most districts do not grade penmanship, because its not a state learning standard. However, students get feedback on their work. Westlake City School District never stopped teaching cursive, although the level of focus it receives has risen and receded over the years, said Amanda Musselman, the districts associate superintendent. Its giving them such a valuable life skill, in addition to just your basic motor skills, she said. Behind a screen, were used to typing. Were used to texting and using our thumbs. We still have to teach fine motor and life skills, both of which are embedded in cursive handwriting. Fine motor skills develop when a student learns to grip a pencil or pen, write within the lines of a paper, or trace letters. Students move their arms when writing, practice good posture and hold the paper as they write, she said. These physical practices may be taken for granted by adults, but they all must be learned to prepare students for other physical activities they need as they get older, she said. Reading cursive Students who cant read cursive will struggle to read important historical documents, such as the Declaration of Independence. Beyond its practical applications, the ability to both write and read cursive is essential for studying foundational documents and historical writings, connecting our students with our shared heritage, said Tamara Strom, Solon City School Districts spokeswoman. Shaker Heights City School District never abandoned cursive, and John Moore, the director of curriculum and instruction, said in hindsight that was a good decision. Mainly because of the things were finding with the science of reading, the science of writing, brain research about processing when writing. I feel pretty good about those developments. I think in another way our district has had a long-standing commitment to, I dont want to say to the classics but we have a commitment to tradition, excellence in every form. Cursive is a part of this commitment of being able to access all kinds of reading, all kinds of writing, and a real commitment to primary research, he said. For students who struggle Anne Trubek, an author who founded Cleveland-based Belt Publishing, wrote in her 2016 book, The History an Uncertain Future of Handwriting, that cursive will inevitably be phased out. For students who struggle to properly form the letters, Trubek wrote that would be good news. Trubek wrote that her own son had to stay inside during many recesses as a child to work on handwriting. Homework and writing assignments provoked anxiety, and he came to believe he was a bad writer because he struggled with handwriting. I feel for any student assessed on his intelligence based on the quality of his penmanship, she wrote. Laura Hancock covers state government and politics for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com. New customers check in at Rise dispensary in Lakewood to shop for marijuana products for the first time as Ohio began the sale of recreational marijuana Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. Legislative proposals now pending at the Ohio Statehouse would alter who benefits from the tax on marijuana sales -- taking most of the revenues voters had earmarked for cities that host dispensaries like Lakewood and diverting to other recipients. That's wrong, the editorial board writes today. John Kuntz, cleveland.com In his proposed 2025-27 state budget, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine wants to change how the revenue produced by Ohio Adult Use Cannabis Tax is spent. Part of what the governor wants to do would further squeeze Ohios local governments, already on short rations due to state-aid cutbacks and unfunded mandates that the General Assembly has piled on cities and villages, including Greater Clevelands communities. DeWines plan would chop-and-channel how 2023s State Issue 2, the voter-proposed law legalizing and taxing adult-use marijuana, required the resulting marijuana-tax revenue to be ladled out. Voters set a 10% tax rate when they passed the statewide initiative. They earmarked 36% of the marijuana taxs resulting proceeds for the Ohio cities, villages and townships that house marijuana dispensaries. DeWines plan would eliminate that and other voter-set earmarks of marijuana-tax receipts. The state Budget Office estimated in 2023 that the share of marijuana tax revenues that would annually flow to Ohios host localities would total about $71.9 million. (Other voter-set earmarks of marijuana tax revenue: 36% for social equity and jobs programs; 25% to combat substance abuse; and 3% to Ohios Division of Cannabis Control and the Ohio Department of Taxation.) Contrary to what voters decided, DeWine wants instead to spend marijuana-tax revenue to help fund county jails; public health and safety programs; police and Ohio Highway Patrol training; safe-driver training; and drug task forces. Cleveland.coms Leila Atassi recently highlighted examples of the potential impact on Greater Cleveland communities in a column, noting that state officials are holding onto $10.9 million in marijuana tax revenue that was promised to cities like Lakewood, Cleveland, Akron and others. Thats particularly ironic, and arguably insulting, to Lakewood voters, she noted: More than 80% of [them] helped legalize recreational marijuana in Ohio in 2023, she wrote. Statewide, in 2023, 57.2% of the Ohioans voting on the adult-use-marijuana proposal voted yes. Voters initiated and passed the ballot issue because the GOP-run General Assembly had continually failed to act on the idea a voter decision that some legislators still seem to have a hard time accepting. Its unclear if the governors fellow Republicans, who have commanding state Senate and Ohio House of Representatives majorities, have significant interest in reallocating proceeds of the marijuana tax away from host local governments. But earlier this month, Rep. Brian Stewart, an Ashville Republican, introduced House Bill 160, an omnibus marijuana bill that would reduce host communities share of marijuana tax revenue to 20%, not the 36% voters set. And the 20% payout would only be in effect for five years beginning July 1. After that, the community payments would end. HB 160 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Its prospects for passage are uncertain, but Stewart chairs the Houses state-budget-writing Finance Committee, giving him significant clout with fellow House members. Senate Bill 56, a Senate-passed omnibus marijuana regulatory measure now pending in the House that is sponsored by state Sen. Steve Huffman, a Tipp City Republican, retains the voter-initiated laws 36% for municipalities with marijuana dispensaries. Of course, all bets are off as to the hurry-up, secretive, House-Senate conference thatll craft a final budget just before Ohios July 1 fiscal deadline. After all, its legislative stealth or, more typically, legislators unresponsiveness to voters, that stoked 2023s marijuana ballot issue. This is why the Ohio Constitution guarantees Ohioans the right to propose, by petition, amendments to the Ohio Constitution, or new state laws. The difference is that a voter-proposed constitutional amendment may only be rolled-back or rewritten by another voter-approved constitutional amendment. Not so, a voter-passed statute -- which is why what the voters decreed in 2023s Issue 2 is legally up for grabs by the legislature, if lawmakers wish to amend it. But penalizing communities this way is not a wise move. Rolling back what 2.23 million Ohio voters decided: That, in effect, is what DeWine, in his executive budget proposal, and Stewart in his bill want legislators to do. Lawmakers should leave the local-government earmark in place. Doing otherwise would demonstrate contempt for Ohio voters. And theres already more than enough of that to go around. About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. Video footage shows the moment Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil is taken into custody in front of his eight-months pregnant wife. (ACLU/TNS) TNS TNS If it were up to me, I would put in jail every sandal-wearing, scruffy-bearded weirdo who burns the American flag. But I am not king. So said the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in reference to Gregory Lee Johnson, the protester who burned the American Flag at the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas. Johnsons resulting arrest made him the central figure in the Court decision that designated flag-burning as constitutionally protected free speech. The conservative icon Scalia reluctantly joined the Courts four liberals and cast the deciding vote when the Johnson v. Texas appeal finally arrived in the Supreme Court in 1989. He made the above comment in a 2015 speech in Philadelphia, evidence that the result still nettled him but as Justice William Brennan wrote in the opinion Scalia joined, Punishing desecration of the flag dilutes the very freedom that makes this emblem so revered, and worth revering. While its not difficult to imagine what Scalia might have wanted to do with Mahmoud Khalil today if it werent for that pesky Constitution that he was sworn to support and defend, he would have found himself on the horns of a similar dilemma. So are we all. Many I hope most of us wish Khalil would just go away. But the challenge is figuring out how to accomplish that without running afoul of the Constitution and its guarantee of free speech and due process. Khalil, of course, is the former Columbia University grad student whose unrelenting criticism of Israel and defense of Hamas has made him the face of pro-Palestinian protest at the college that has been at the center of student unrest following the brutal Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas against Israeli civilians. As a result of his activism and support for Hamas, he became the first target of President Donald Trumps vow to rid the country of terrorists and terrorist supporters. On March 8, he was arrested in his New York apartment, imprisoned and quickly transferred to a federal detention center in Louisiana, where he remains. Khalils journey to his current situation has been circuitous. News reports reveal that he is an Algerian citizen of Palestinian descent who was born in 1995 in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, later fled the unrest in that country for Lebanon and ultimately gained enrollment in the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia in January 2023. He married an American citizen whom he had met in Lebanon 13 years earlier, and secured a green card last year. After Oct. 7, he quickly joined the front lines of the protests, eventually becoming a lead negotiator in support of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), an organization that has celebrated the attack it calls Operation Al-Aqsa Flood as one of the greatest moments of Palestine resistance. Khalil stepped out of the spotlight as Columbia quieted last summer, but campus mayhem ramped back up in January when protesters stormed into a classroom, resulting in the expulsion of two Barnard College students. When students and others took over the Columbia library March 5 in protest of that decision, Khalil was back shouting into a megaphone, which put him once again in the administrations crosshairs and culminated in his arrest three days later. As he sits in Louisiana, controversy swirls around him regarding the First Amendment and due process rights that seem to have been trampled. Even though he is not a citizen, he is in the country legally on a green card and therefore afforded the same legal rights on those issues as anyone else. It would be easier to judge, of course, if the government had actually charged him with something, which as yet it has not at least not publicly. The major argument involves the First Amendment, with Khalils defenders insisting that he is being punished because he has said things the government (and lots of other people) dont like. But Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has taken [the] point on the case, insists that is not true. This is not about free speech, Rubio told interviewers last weekend, claiming it is instead about immigration law. If you tell us, when applying for a student visa Im a big supporter of Hamas, a murderous, barbaric group that kidnaps children, that rapes teen-age girls, that takes hostages, that allows them to die in captivity, that returns more bodies than live hostages if you told us all these things when you applied for a visa, we would deny your visa. He went on to say that if you got a green card as a result of that visa, and your above sympathies became clear, your green card could be revoked and you could be deported. With all due respect to Secretary Rubio, that sounds an awful lot like punishing a person for an odious opinion to me. And in addition, its not at all clear how much latitude the government has in denying citizen rights once a person has a green card. Immigration law indicates that its a lot easier to deny issuing one than it is to revoke one once issued. Thats the bar the administration will have to get over, if and when it decides to charge Khalil and give him a hearing. It doesnt mean he wont ultimately be deported for his activities, but his due process rights must be observed. The irony of Khalil being protected by rights in a country he seems to hate that would not be afforded him in the country he defends does not escape me. But thats the situation were in. So I feel Antonin Scalias pain. If it were up to me, Id deport every antisemitic, Hamas-supporting protester who disrupts classes, defaces buildings and harasses Jewish students. For the record, Id also like to punch any sandal-wearing flag-burner in the nose. But unfortunately, like Scalia, I am not king, either. We dont have kings in this country. We have a Constitution. In the case of Gregory Lee Johnson, the Constitution was not on my side. We will have to wait and see whether the same is true of Mahmoud Khalil. Ted Diadiun is a member of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. To reach Ted Diadiun: tdiadiun@cleveland.com Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions, comments or corrections regarding this opinion article to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. I have been generally supportive of the right to protest if it doesnt include burning, looting and infringing on the rights of others. I question the effectiveness of random pop-up protests other than for the self-satisfaction of participants. Protests have taken place in our country before we even became one. On Dec. 16, 1773, fed-up American colonists in Boston told Great Britains King George III what they thought of his tax on tea by dumping 342 chests of it into the harbor at Griffins Wharf. It was the first major act of defiance leading up to the Revolutionary War and the formation of our new nation. In the summer of 1787, delegates from 12 of 13 states met at a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia to amend the ineffective Articles of Confederation. After intense debate, the delegates decided to scrap the Articles and instead draft a new constitution. The intent was to create a stronger, more clearly defined central government. That concept was met with pushback from the Anti-Federalists because it reminded them of the government they had just overthrown, and it lacked a basic Bill of Rights. By the fall of 1787, most delegates signed the Constitution and it was sent on to the states for ratification, where it needed nine of 13 votes. Massachusetts suggestion of ratify now, amend later brought the holdout states into the fold. Anti-Federalists continued to push for amendments to the Constitution that more clearly defined individual rights and freedoms. James Madison drafted 19 amendments that were whittled down to 12, of which 10 were ratified by the required number of states. On Dec. 15, 1791, almost 18 years to the day of the Boston Tea Party, these ten amendments became the Bill of Rights. The powerful First Amendment guarantees the freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and the right to petition the government. It does not protect all types of expression such as incitement of violence, true threats and fighting words. Interpretation of this amendment has been hotly debated for centuries, including over Vietnam War protests of the 1960s and pro-Palestinian demonstrations in American cites and on college campuses more recently. I was a high school student when protests against the Vietnam war began. I remember hearing a lot of old men in Washington claim we were fighting the spread of Communism. It disturbed me to see students fighting with police during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. My views on that war changed greatly after becoming an adult. In college, I remember campus rallies and protests organized by political science professors at otherwise conservative Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Ironically, Miami was where the first real disturbance took place on an Ohio campus, a few weeks before the May 4, 1970, tragedy at Kent State. That April, the Butler County sheriff brought in dogs to remove students who had occupied the campus Naval ROTC building. Fast forward to the pro-Palestinian protests that have taken place recently, especially on Ivy League campuses over the past year. Some university presidents lost their jobs after not giving clear answers during direct congressional questioning. These protests and occupations were offshoots of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas atrocities against Israeli youth attending a music festival and residents of kibbutzes near the Gaza Strip, violence tied to centuries-old religious and territorial disputes. I question how many American-born students really understand what they are doing, other than being part of some cause. These protests led to the recent arrest of Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil. He entered this country on a student visa, is now married to an American and has a green card; they are expecting their first child soon. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is attempting to revoke his green card and deport him. The American Civil Liberties Union argues that Khalil is entitled to due process. Any demonstrator or group impeding the rights of others or making them feel unsafe, especially because of their religion, is asking to be arrested, expelled or deported. They have forfeited their First Amendment rights regardless of citizenship, green cards or visas. At least Khalil did not hide his face with a keffiyeh, unlike some born here engaging in those protests. Hamas Oct. 7 massacres of Israelis and other Jews during a sneak attack represented the greatest mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. Some defenders of Palestine criticize the way Israel has retaliated by leveling buildings in Gaza and killing thousands of people. Most of us have not lived in a country where our nearby enemies want our nation eradicated and all its people dead. I find it difficult to be overly critical on the way Israel has fought back every time something like this has happened since 1948. Robert Paulson, the former Republican mayor of Solon, writes an occasional Plain Dealer/cleveland.com column from the political middle. (Photo by David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com) Fifty-five years ago, fresh-faced college freshmen like me arrived on Miami of Ohios campus just months after that springs war protests and building occupation. Administrators warned that any repeat performance would result in the university being closed and sending all of us home. There was no such thing as negotiating with students. Those in charge of our higher learning institutions today need the same backbone when it comes to taking firm disciplinary action, including expulsions and loss of student visas for the worst offenders. Bob Paulson, the former Republican mayor of Solon, writes an occasional column from the middle. To share ideas and feedback with Bob Paulson: bobpaulsonPD@gmail.com Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com At least 44 people have been killed in an attack on a mosque in the village of Fonbita in the Kokorou region in southwestern Niger, according to the country's interior minister. Minister Toumba noted that the attack, in which 44 people were killed and 13 others were injured, 4 of them seriously, was carried out by groups affiliated with the ISIS terrorist organization. The government has declared 72 hours of national mourning starting today in response to the attack. Binance CEO Richard Teng says the Trump administration has been a "fantastic" reset for the cryptocurrency industry. "It's an extremely different environment that we're operating in," Teng told CNBC on Tuesday. In the span of 16 months, Binance has gone from a political outcast to a possible power broker in Washington. Once the poster child for regulatory defiance Binance was slapped with a record $4.3 billion settlement with regulators and forced to oust billionaire founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao the crypto exchange is now navigating a dramatically friendlier political landscape under President Donald Trump's second administration, Teng said. "We've benefited from this shift," said Teng, who was appointed Binance's CEO in November 2023. Teng's comments come as the crypto exchange is in talks to have the Trump family take a financial stake in the company, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal earlier this month. That same day, Bloomberg reported that World Liberty Financial, a Trump-linked crypto bank that has not yet launched, is engaged in talks with Binance to launch a dollar-pegged stablecoin. If such deals were reached, it would mark a staggering reversal for a company that was once a pariah in Washington. Teng, a soft-spoken former regulator, was careful with his words when addressing the reports. "I believe both World Liberty Financial as well as CZ himself have tweeted and denied the reports," said Teng, who runs the exchange's operations outside the U.S. As for the rumors about a Trump stake in Binance.US, Teng demurred. ".US and .com are quite different animals, right?" he said. "They have different sets of shareholders, different boards of directors, and different CEOs running the show." Binance structured the two exchanges as independent entities in response to regulatory scrutiny, aiming to ring-fence its U.S. operations from the broader international business. Still, Teng is bullish on what the new political environment means for crypto. "We went from four years of Operation Choke Point 2.0 to now you have a very pro-crypto, pro-AI president," he said. While Binance.com doesn't operate in the U.S., he said, "We have benefited from all these pro-crypto policies." Choke Point 2.0 is how industry insiders refer to an alleged crackdown by legacy banks on digital asset firms during the Biden administration. Teng described a rapid global expansion that brought Binance from 170 million to 265 million users in just one year. "We have received a lot of approaches from different governments around the world," Teng said, citing regulatory progress in Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Brazil, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates. Binance is now licensed in 21 jurisdictions, and its influence extends well beyond the reach of any one country. That includes sovereign wealth funds, some of which are starting to quietly allocate to crypto, Teng said. Mark Carney, the newly elected leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, addresses supporters in a victory speech after the official announcement of the 2025 Liberal Leadership race results at Rogers Centre, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on March 9, 2025. Artur Widak | Nurphoto | Getty Images New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday called a snap election for April 28, saying he needed a strong mandate to deal with the threat posed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who "wants to break us so America can own us." The comments showed the extent to which relations between the U.S. and Canada, two long-time allies and major trading partners, have deteriorated since Trump imposed tariffs on Canada and threatened to annex it as the 51st state. Although the next election was not due until October 20, Carney is hoping to capitalize on a remarkable recovery by his Liberal Party in the polls since January, when Trump began threatening Canada and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation. Upon being sworn in as prime minister on March 14, Carney had said he could work with and respected Trump. On Sunday, however, he took a more combative approach. "We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty," Carney told reporters after the Governor General - the personal representative of King Charles, Canada's head of state - approved his request for an election. "Our response must be to build a strong economy and a more secure Canada. President Trump claims that Canada isn't a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen." Canadians hold an "Elbows Up" protest against U.S. tariffs and other policies by U.S. President Donald Trump, at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, Ontario, Canada March 22, 2025. Carlos Osorio | Reuters The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Carney's remarks. Trump on March 6 delayed a broad 25% tariff on some Canadian goods for 30 days. He has since imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and threatened reciprocal tariffs on additional goods, including Canadian dairy and lumber, on April 2. Laying the groundwork "The polling suggests that the number one concern that Canadians have right now is the potential negative fallout of Donald Trump and the threatened tariffs," said Nik Nanos, chief data scientist and founder of pollster Nanos Research. Carney is "probably setting the groundwork for something a little more strident on April 2nd," Nanos said. Carney, a former two-time central banker with no previous political or election campaign experience, captured the Liberal leadership two weeks ago by persuading party members he was the best person to tackle Trump. Now he has five weeks to win over Canadians. On Sunday, Carney proposed cutting the lowest income tax bracket by one percentage point. Polls suggest the Liberals, who have been in power since 2015 and badly trailed the official opposition Conservatives at the start of the year, are now slightly ahead of their rivals. "We moved from an election where people wanted change to an election that's really much more about leadership," said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. "The ability of the Conservatives to attack the Liberals has been greatly diminished because people are focused on the here and now and the near-term future, not on what happened over the last 10 years," he said by phone. The Conservatives have sought to portray Carney as an elitist who plans to continue the Trudeau-era policy of high government spending. They also accuse him of being less than clear about how he transferred his personal financial assets into a blind trust. Carney bristled last week when asked about the trust, and accused the reporter asking of engaging in "conflict and ill will." The prickly reaction could give hope to the Conservatives that Carney might stumble during what will be his first campaign. Key to any victory will be a good performance in the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec. Carney had trouble at one press conference when asked to respond in French, first misunderstanding the question and then answering in English. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, on the other hand, speaks flawless French and is a seasoned politician who has fought seven elections. Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre speaks at a campaign election rally in North York, Ontario, Canada March 23, 2025. Carlos Osorio | Reuters Maybe it is worth waiting for stocks like Wynn Resorts , names so cheap that they can't be explained. On Friday, I spent a considerable amount of time with Wynn CEO Craig Billings at his incredible hotel, the gem of the Las Vegas strip, talking about his business and its cockamamie stock price. Wynn's valuation makes no sense. The market capitalization is roughly $8.8 billion. It has $2.4 billion in cash and a manageable amount of debt. You probably couldn't build Wynn's gorgeous properties in Vegas the Wynn and Encore next to it today for $8 billion. But these Vegas hotels aren't even the most important properties of the chain. There's Wynn Macau, which was originally built for mass Chinese gambling in the tourist hub. It cost $1.2 billion and opened in 2006. A huge Encore was added in 2010. The $4.2 billion Wynn Palace at the Cotai Strip opened in 2016, and is supposed to be a mecca for high rollers in Macua. Plus, Wynn is building a crown jewel, a $3.9 billion beachfront property in Dubai that's going to have 1,500 rooms. As of this week, the Wynn Al Marjan Island is more than halfway done, on its way to 70 floors. It's the only casino in Dubai and it will remain that way for many years to come. And lastly, Wynn purchased a very small casino in London that will serve more as a planted flag to tell Londoners that the UAE will soon be open for business and they should plan their next holiday there. (The company in 2022 sold and leased back its Encore Boston Harbor, a luxury hotel and casino that has provided a consistent return since opening in 2019). Together, you're talking about roughly $10 billion of real estate in hotel and casinos generating immense profitability that you are getting for free if you buy this stock. It should matter, right? Not so fast, because there is a catch. We did this once already. That's right: We bought Wynn Resorts for the trust and it failed us. We lost money. It was infuriating and we moved on. Nothing ever materialized and it just kept going lower and lower as China turned out to be a bust for so many American companies. Even more infuriating, you could have gotten an incredible double if you had bought Chinese companies instead of American companies who do business in China. That you could have had in Alibaba . Wynn CEO Billings is a very smart business person and he knows that there's a tremendous disparity between what the company has put into these incredible income-producing properties and what they are worth now versus the piddling price of the stock. He did not demur, like so many other CEOs who say that the price of the stock isn't what he's thinking about. He's thinking about it alright and it rankles him, as it should. But he and I agreed that there's only so much you can do. Yes, you can buy shares and the company's buyback is fairly voracious because it makes sense to put some of the money toward the stock. But you also want to invest in the business, and expect that investor sentiment will eventually change. Which brings me to the point of the anecdote. Craig and I discussed the notion that perhaps the market's fixation on the Tech Titans has kept investors finding Wynn. It's an intriguing position, one of no empirical evidence, but certainly a consideration. The megacaps did have tremendous mindshare. They still do, but now in a negative way. Here's what I am hoping can happen. If Wynn stock had shed $10 billion dollars in market cap during the Biden administration, you would expect it to attract a suitor. But the only companies that would be interested in buying Wynn would be hotels and casinos. And had one tried to buy Wynn, I'm sure the deal would have been challenged by the Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Justice simply because it would represent consolidation that could lead to more consolidation that could somehow harm those who want to have a good time gambling. Don't sneer. It's true. The FTC in particular was that pathetic. It twisted and turned just to block deals for the sake of blocking deals. I have to believe the Republicans now leading these agencies will think that the shareholders have rights that should matter as long as the merger isn't anticompetitive. In this new world, either management creates value for shareholders or someone else does. Or maybe Wynn just says enough is enough, we are going to take this private. The sum of the parts is that outsized versus the market cap. People don't realize how much the Biden administration's intransigent agencies may have played a role in investors avoiding stocks like Wynn. If a company knew its attempt to acquire would be blocked or held up, that company did nothing. So management had nothing to fear. And fear is a palpable trait when it comes to bringing out value, as I knew all too well from my years at TheStreet. We did so much good to stay independent. We bought back stock. We offered a dividend with a good yield for as long as we could. We tried endless initiatives, all because we wanted to get the stock up so we could remain independent and could profit from that status. We lost and we got taken over by someone anyway. This Wynn irony that the more you put into a company the less its stock responds is something that I think, sadly, was unique to the Biden administration. That's why I think that if I had to do it over again for the trust, I would still consider it, but only if I were more positive about China. But I will tell you what I am positive about in the wake of the FTC changes and the low valuations of companies like Wynn: Goldman Sachs . Unlike the Oppenheimer analyst who downgraded it last week, I think it is inconceivable that stocks with clear valuation disparities to the businesses underneath them will stay that way. We might be back to the way capitalism used to be: either you bring out value or someone else will. We purchased additional shares of Goldman on Wednesday. But let's ponder this Magnificent 7 quandary. Did people invest in these stocks Microsoft , Meta , Alphabet , Tesla , Amazon , Nvidia and Apple to the exclusion of other stocks, meaning that they only wanted the biggest and the best and weren't interested in the smaller and the best? Or was it all self-fulfilling? Could it just because they were always going to be allocated money from index funds, each according to its ever-increasing size? Or did we just think that these companies were unstoppable? And because there would be no M & A, there could be no real value creation with an outfit like Wynn. And without M & A, they weren't interested in the sum of the parts? Maybe it's all part of the ennui we feel because, once again, we have become so focused on the negatives a recalcitrant Federal Reserve, big unknown tariffs, and an erratic Commander in Chief (even as some insist it's all a style of negotiating) that we have forgotten what good investing might be about. I saw the unwillingness to learn new stories and to get enthused about opportunities all week. Admittedly, it was a Fed meeting week, but it was still the same old drill that happened during the Biden years. The people who are Fed-focused, and Fed-focused only, no doubt sold stock because they had to be discouraged about the drumbeat of stagflation and the anonymous chatter from Fed officials that things are going the wrong way. If you are focused on the Fed, you want for nothing. You can get around-the-clock Fed. There are people who seek clues to the Fed's next move rather than insights about what companies might do well regardless of tariffs and even if there is the possibility of stagflation. Then there's the group of people who decide to invest only when the coast is clear. They don't want to buy when the futures take everything lower, and they don't buy when the markets are flying because they feel they missed the move. The coast is never clear anyway. Lastly, there are the people who hate Donald Trump, and for them every opportunity is a selling opportunity because they don't know what he will do next. But think about what I was screaming about on "Squawk on the Street" Friday morning to my friend Sara Eisen? I was saying that we have all become prisoners of negativity because we don't think anything can go right. It's so bad now that we hunt for bad as an excuse not to invest. Thursday night, for example, FedEx reported a quarter in which it bemoaned a slowdown in industrial activity. Was anyone shocked at that? To me, what was shocking was the incredible amount of money FedEx made without snaring nearly as much revenue as we expected. I said to myself, "What happens if things get better?" But from the looks of that free-falling stock, I was pretty lonely in my optimist's view. Or take my meeting on Wednesday with the Home Depot people at the company's annual meeting for store managers. Here's a stock that is so heavy and so "for sale" at every turn you can't even imagine why anyone would buy it except that's precisely what you are supposed to be doing at this point in the cycle. Unless the Fed decides to start raising rates, Home Depot is the quintessential retailer to own. I think I am going to be right buying it here. Not all at once. It's too heavy. There is stock for sale everywhere. You buy Home Depot down in pyramid style, where you get bigger as you go lower and you get yourself a terrific position in Home Depot for when things get better. Not if, when. But the people I hear and see today? They only want to buy Home Depot when things have already gotten better. To me, that's a ticket to paying $450. It's hard to pin down how much of this negativity can be laid at the feet of Trump. Is he the reason why shares of Micron rally 6% at night and then fall apart in the morning? Is he why Nike stock rallies $3 then falls $9 from that level? I don't think so. But he does seem to be behind a lot of the gloom that makes you want to join sellers when a stock shifts direction fast. I know that this Trump is very different from the previous one. This one is about extracting something from everyone. It's sometimes difficult, if not painful, to watch. In the end, though, you have to remember that he doesn't want stagflation and he will not be so bullheaded to mandate it. He doesn't want a recession and, hopefully, the job market stays strong and the tariffs don't jack everything up in price. However, some things are beyond my understanding. We have a partnership with Canada that, somehow, has become toxic. We are tackling DEI intransigence versus focusing on cutting our $36 trillion in debt. We are exacting tribute from the hapless Paul Weiss law firm for harboring someone who the President says had a vendetta against him. These almost random lash outs create a runaway train level of fear among many investors who don't know what to expect. So they use Trump as a reason for selling whenever others are selling. Their investing mantra sounds something like this: "As long as this Trump is president, I am going into gold or Europe or Asia, anywhere but the US." And that, in the end, is what's really happening. Anything that he says that is contrary to his new self, like when he said there could be flexibility to his tariff obsession, creates the equivalent of a buying panic. I don't want to think that investing not Fed navel-gazing, but investing is a casualty of this White House. But for many, it's the real reason why Wynn, along with so many other stocks just like it, are ignored or go begging. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, speaks with reporters during a news conference at the Department of Justice, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Washington, as Attorney General Merrick Garland, left, and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, look on. Former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica Aber was found dead in Alexandria on Saturday morning, police said. She was 43. Police discovered Aber's body while responding to a report of an unresponsive woman around 9:20 a.m., the Alexandria Police Department said in a statement. Police did not indicate whether they believed the death was suspicious and said the medical examiner's office would determine the cause and manner of death. "As a matter of protocol, an investigation is underway surrounding the circumstances of her death," police said. Aber resigned as U.S. attorney on Jan. 20, the day President Donald Trump was inaugurated. She was appointed by President Joe Biden on Aug. 10, 2021, and was then confirmed by the Senate. Aber had been an assistant U.S. attorney for the district since 2009 and was deputy chief of the criminal division before being named U.S. attorney, her department biography says. U.S. attorneys are political appointees and can be removed at the will of the president. Trump in February said on Truth Social he "instructed the termination" of all the remaining U.S. attorneys under Biden. The U.S. attorney for the district, Erik S. Siebert, said he and the office were heartbroken over Aber's death. "She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being," he said in a statement. "She loved EDVA and EDVA loved her back," Siebert wrote. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi also expressed her condolences, saying, "The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic." "Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time," Bondi said. British Airways crew members arrive at terminal 5 at Heathrow on March 21, 2025 in London, England. Peter Nicholls | Getty Images London's Heathrow Airport resumed full operations on Saturday and ordered a probe into how it dealt with a power outage that shut Europe's busiest air hub for almost a day as airlines warned of further delays and cancellations. British Airways , whose main hub is Heathrow, said it had operated around 90% of its schedule on Saturday and promised a "near-full" schedule for Sunday after chief executive Sean Doyle on Friday warned the "huge impact" would last days. The airport, the world's fifth-busiest, had been due to handle 1,351 flights on Friday, flying up to 291,000 passengers. But the fire at a nearby electrical substation forced planes to be diverted to other airports and many long-haul flights returned to their point of departure. Britain's energy ministry said on Saturday it had commissioned the National Energy System Operator to carry out an urgent investigation into the outage that raised questions about the resilience of the country's critical infrastructure. watch now Heathrow said it had tasked an independent board member, former transport minister Ruth Kelly, with undertaking a review of the airport's crisis-management plan and its response to the incident with the aim of boosting resilience. Aviation experts said the last time European airports experienced disruption on such a large scale was the 2010 Icelandic volcanic ash cloud that grounded some 100,000 flights. "It has been absolutely insane", said Amber Roden, a U.S. citizen getting married in three days' time, after a number of her relatives had their flights cancelled. Two relatives who were halfway to London from Atlanta had to turn around and go back, she said. Two others will not make it to the UK until the day of the wedding, which she has been planning for two years. The vast majority of scheduled morning and early afternoon flights departed successfully on Saturday, with a handful of delays and cancellations, Heathrow's departures website showed. "We don't expect any major amount of flights to be cancelled or delayed," Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye told BBC radio. The airport has hundreds of additional staff on hand to facilitate an extra 10,000 passengers travelling through the airport, a spokesperson said in a statement. People walk past a departure board displaying Singapore Airlines SQ318 flight to London Heathrow as cancelled at Singapore Changi Airport in Singapore on March 21, 2025. Roslan Rahman | Afp | Getty Images But airlines were still left dealing with disrupted schedules and the tens of thousands of passengers whose journeys had been interrupted. Virgin Atlantic said on Saturday that it was planning to run a near-full schedule with limited cancellations. Air India said it had restarted flights to and from Heathrow and expected to operate "as per schedule". Fire not suspicious Several passengers travelling to Heathrow from London's Paddington Station were still nervous. "I'm just hoping that when I get there, I can actually go," said university professor Melissa Graboyes, who said she was repeatedly checking the status of her flight to Toronto. Police said that after an initial assessment they were not treating the incident as suspicious, although inquiries remained ongoing. London Fire Brigade said its investigations would focus on the electrical distribution equipment. Firefighters douses flames of a fire that broke out at a substation supplying power to Heathrow Airport in Hayes, west London on March 21, 2025. Benjamin Cremel | Afp | Getty Images Jason Stevens is used to dealing with travel headaches. As the CEO of Wayfairer Travel, which plans six-figure luxury vacations and trips for Fortune 500 CEOs and ultra-wealthy clients, he's helped customers solve problems from finding last-minute access to deluxe ski locales to getting travelers to their African safari after they accidentally boarded the wrong flight. Stevens himself is a seasoned traveler, having been to all seven continents and "most major cities." His experience helps him and his team make sure their clients have the best trip money can buy. And while the average cost of a Wayfairer Travel vacation is more than $30,000 with some vacation packages clocking in at more than $200,000 Stevens says you don't need to be a high-powered CEO to have a great vacation. Instead, he says there are three "common sense" things anyone can do to make sure their next vacation is as good as it can be. 1. Look after your luggage Oatawa | Istock | Getty Images Few things can derail a vacation like your baggage not being on the carousel when you arrive at your destination. For peace of mind, Stevens tosses a tracker, like an Apple AirTag, into his checked bag before embarking on a trip. "I often transfer on long-haul flights," he tells CNBC Make It. "I like to know that [my bag] made the first leg and then I can see it being loaded onto the aircraft for the second leg." In the event that your bag gets lost in the shuffle, having a locator in it can help airline employees track it down. Stevens gave the example of a friend of his whose bag never made it from his connection in Istanbul to his flight to Bangkok. By telling airline workers where to look, he was able to get his belongings faster. "If you don't have that level of visibility, they'll just go into the standard process," he says. "But if you've got the visibility, they use a different process. You actually get a higher level of service for the recovery of your luggage." And no matter what, Stevens recommends packing a day or two's worth of clothing into your carry-on bag. "[Your missing bag] can come a day later or sometimes two days later, if it's not lost," he says. "Travel with some basic amenities and a change of clothes." 2. Be smart about how you spend Julpo | E+ | Getty Images Before going on an international trip, do your homework about whether or not your destination takes U.S. dollars. "You'd be amazed at how many countries still accept U.S. dollars with a big smile on their face," he says. But keep in mind that just because a country accepts your dollars doesn't mean they can provide change. Don't expect a cabbie in Bangkok to be able to give you change for a $50 or $100 bill on an $8 ride from the airport. If you plan on not using local currency, bring small denominations to make your life easier. Even better, he says, set up a multi-currency card, such as Wise, before you leave so that you can pay for everything without worrying about exchange rates or transaction fees. "The minute you've left your home and gone to an international country [with a multi-currency card], you've saved money immediately," he says. 3. Get off the beaten path Guido Cozzi/atlantide Phototravel | Corbis Documentary | Getty Images Chinese Premier Li Qiang (R) greets Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla from a delegation led by US Senator Steve Daines before a meeting held in the Fujian Room at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 23, 2025. U.S. Republican Senator Steve Daines met Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing with a group of seven American executives on Sunday, following an annual business summit in the Chinese capital attended by top foreign CEOs. Daines was accompanied by Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, Cargill CEO Brian Sikes, Boeing Global Senior Vice President Brendan Nelson, and other executives at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, according to a foreign media pool report. Daines' trip marks the first time a U.S. politician has visited China since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January. Beijing is seeking high-level dialogue with the new administration, with hopes of reaching a deal to avert further tariff pressure from Washington. Daines, a staunch supporter of Trump and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was heavily involved in negotiations over U.S.-China trade during Trump's first term, and has made multiple trips to China as a senator. He lived in Guangzhou and Hong Kong in the 1990s while working as an executive for Proctor & Gamble , which he referenced in his opening speech. "Collectively, these seven companies have over 275 years of experience of doing business in China," Daines said as he introduced the American CEOs, according to a pool transcript. "These companies have each been here decades, growing the businesses, contributing significantly to growing the businesses and creating success." Beijing has been trying to attract foreign investment to offset U.S. tariff pressure and its slowing domestic economy. The U.S. executives were granted an audience with Li Qiang, who will not meet separately with other foreign CEOs at the China Development Forum for the second year in a row. The annual closed-door meeting with the premier was traditionally viewed as a summit highlight by foreign CEOs, who saw it as an opportunity to air their concerns. When psychologist Robert Biswas-Diener told his friends he was writing a book on listening, they were confused. "It was a real head-scratcher for them," he tells CNBC Make It. "I'm a huge talker and I am not naturally a great listener." In Biswas-Diener's upcoming book "Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection," which he co-authored with positive psychology professor Christian van Nieuwerburgh, he wants to teach readers that just because a skill isn't second-nature, doesn't mean you can't cultivate it. "Listening is just full of really learnable skills," he says. And honing it can pay off both professionally and personally. After all, listening is a great tool for influencing people, navigating conflict, and soothing relationship skirmishes. If you want to sharpen your listening skills, here is a three-step guide to get you started. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick walks with Tesla CEO Elon Musk on the South Lawn, at the White House, in Washington D.C. U.S., March 14, 2025. After his election, Donald Trump told NBC News that "we're not touching Social Security," other than to make it more efficient. But Elon Musk, who now wields enormous power in his role cutting government spending, has recently made comments critical of the program that are coming into conflict with Trump's promise and worrying members of the president's own party. Those concerns have prompted some Trump allies to question whether the billionaire should continue to do so many media interviews, four people familiar with the matter told NBC News. A particularly problematic remark came during Musk's conversation with media personality Joe Rogan in late February, in which he described Social Security as "the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time." A couple of weeks later, the billionaire once again went after Social Security, this time in an interview with Fox Business host Larry Kudlow. Musk, when discussing entitlement spending he deemed wasteful or fraudulent, said the program was "the big one to eliminate." Musk pointed to a 2024 report from the Government Accountability Office that estimated the entire federal government could lose between "$233 billion and $521 billion annually to fraud." "The waste and fraud in entitlement spending, which is most of the federal spending, is entitlements, so that's the big one to eliminate," he said. A Trump adviser acknowledged that they were aware of "outside concern" around Musk's comments. Trump allies including some on Wall Street, in corporate America and Congress have conveyed to the White House and even the president directly that Musk either has to be taken off air or needs to be more scripted. A White House official who, like others in this article, requested anonymity to speak candidly, said they were sympathetic to the views of some Republicans who see Musk's comments on Social Security as potentially problematic and worrying to some senior citizens. "Of course they don't want their Social Security cut," the person said. "So if they hear something on the news that Elon Musk is saying, that we should do something with Social Security of course there might be some concerns. But the only concern they have to worry about is what the president of the United States is saying and what he's doing. We haven't touched Social Security. We're not going to touch Social Security." The White House official said Musk's personal opinions about Social Security have no impact on Trump's policies. "At the end of the day, President Trump has full trust in Elon Musk's decisions," the official said. "The reality is everything that Elon is doing when it comes to Social Security is just to improve it." "Any American receiving Social Security benefits will continue to receive them," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. "The sole mission of DOGE is to identify waste, fraud, and abuse only DOGE has already identified billions of dollars in savings for American taxpayers, and President Trump will continue to direct this effort until our government is truly for the people, and by the people." A Republican lawmaker who was not familiar with the calls to the White House said Musk's disparagement of Social Security has unnerved people nevertheless. "It does need to be reformed," the lawmaker said. "Without reforming Social Security and Medicare, both programs will collapse and take the government down with it. But the last thing we need to talk about is disparaging the system. It's not a Ponzi scheme, it's just an entitlement program that needs to be reformed." "The more of these Musk interviews, the more discussion we'll have. I think the entire 2026 campaign will be a referendum on Musk" if the billionaire's poll numbers continue to drop, this person added. "You will see ad after ad with the chainsaw." Musk and his U.S. DOGE Service have taken a chain saw to plenty in the federal government, including the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of Education. But Social Security is a tougher target. Long known as the "third rail" of American politics, the popular retirement and disability program has now been hit by Musk's downsizing effort as DOGE closes some Social Security offices and curtails telephone services moves that even Republicans are beginning to push back on. Meanwhile, Democrats are salivating as Musk opens a new political front that pops in their own polling. "Social Security is the most successful government program in American history," said Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., the top Democrat on the Budget Committee. "It's an earned benefit that people paid into over their entire lives. If Elon and Trump go after it, I promise you this will be their undoing." The Democratic firm Blueprint tested 20 different political messages about Musk, and the four that were most "concerning" to registered voters were all about Social Security. The top two were about Musk's proposals to fire Social Security Administration employees and dismantle phone services. By contrast, voters said the messages least concerning to them were about his personal life, such as Musk fathering children with five different women. The survey was conducted last week and released Thursday. Policy experts close to the White House said despite Musk's rhetoric and proximity to the president, Trump remains sensitive to the political risk of touching Social Security. He's been so unequivocal about maintaining benefits that even administration officials who would like to retool or cut the program are not challenging his edict. "Even beyond the president, the White House itself has made crystal clear that they're not touching Social Security," one former Trump White House official said. Another former top Trump aide also said given Musk's prominent role in the administration, the administration needs to consistently remind voters of Trump's own promise not to cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits and that Musk's opinions are not the official policies of the Trump administration. But the former official said Trump may be more amenable to tweaks that can be sold as eliminating waste, fraud and abuse a sentiment the president hinted at in falsely asserting to a joint session of Congress that millions of dead people are receiving Social Security checks. That assertion came after Musk promoted similar misinformation online. The billionaire White House adviser has also claimed hundreds of billions of dollars in Social Security payments are being funneled to undocumented immigrants framing that could appeal to Trump. Musk's promise to cut between $1 trillion and $2 trillion in federal spending is virtually impossible without touching entitlement spending. And while Trump insists he wants to root out fraud, that's unlikely to dent the program's spending. The Social Security inspector general found that improper payments from fiscal year 2015 to 2022 totaled less than 1% of benefits paid over that time and most of those were overpayments. The rhetoric has been matched with policy shifts at the agency even though Trump's pick to serve as commissioner has yet to be confirmed. Leland Dudek, the acting commissioner, recently outlined his vision in a lengthy memo to staff members, talking up exploratory efforts to incorporate artificial intelligence into its phone services and enhance its anti-fraud efforts. The agency is also moving forward with a plan to no longer allow beneficiaries to change their bank information over the phone, necessitating a visit to the office or the creation of an online account which Social Security employees told NBC News would make it more difficult for some elderly recipients to maintain their benefits. Already, Dudek and the Social Security Administration have had to backtrack on a couple of unpopular decisions after public outcry. The agency scrapped plans to end phone service for filing disability and retirement claims entirely, The Washington Post reported. Dudek also rescinded and apologized for an order that would have no longer allowed parents in Maine to sign up for their newborns' Social Security numbers at hospitals, instead having them register at federal offices. The one-two punch of office closures and new limits on phone service have drawn concerns across the political spectrum. On Thursday, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., described the choice to close a Social Security hearing office in his district as "a slap in the face to thousands of my constituents who rely on these services." "This office handles over 2,000 backlogged cases and conducts hundreds of in-person hearings every year," Lawler, who represents a swing district, added in a statement. He said it was "completely unacceptable" to tell his constituents that they need to travel farther to receive the same service. Other Republicans are publicly warning Musk and DOGE to tread lightly when slashing Social Security employees, as that carries negative impacts for seniors. "First, we are not going to cut Social Security benefits. Secondly, we need to be so cautious [about] how we cut the workforce because customer service is inadequate now as it is," Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., who represents an Omaha-based swing district and is a perennial Democratic target, told NBC News. "Our goal needs to be improving the customer service. I know this firsthand. We had a death on our family and it has been hard to get someone to stop the payments." Yet amid those concerns, Republicans said they did not remember Social Security being a subject of conversation in private meetings with Musk. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said he did not recall Musk bringing up Social Security with senators during the billionaire's closed-door meeting with them last month. A senior Senate GOP aide echoed Cramer, saying he did not think Musk "has really addressed Social Security much with senators at all." Social Security employees who spoke with NBC News, meanwhile, said Musk's entitlement rhetoric and the administration's recent moves have them increasingly concerned the administration will move to privatize Social Security. "The stuff that [Musk is] saying is untrue, and he must know that what he's saying is untrue, but he's saying it to move the needle and turn public sentiment against Social Security so that privatization or vastly downsizing the workforce will seem like a good idea," said one employee at the agency, who requested anonymity out of fear of reprisal. A second Social Security employee said wait times are increasing for services, and employees are telling people to try and get any bank information changes in as soon as possible. This person noted that elderly Social Security recipients who might not be tech-savvy and live far from a Social Security office are going to be most affected by the changes. "It's going to prevent people from getting their benefits," this person said, adding that the effort amounts to "a very stealthy, very covert hostile takeover." Nancy Altman, the president of the advocacy group Social Security Works, argued that the Trump-Musk moves to slash and overhaul the Social Security Administration can do grave harm to benefits even if Congress doesn't act to change the program. "What I see happening is that Donald Trump gets the politics, which is why he flooded the swing states with flyers saying he wouldn't cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid," Altman said. "So what is happening is an effort to undermine Social Security from within with the idea that the benefits could be disrupted. It's with the endgame, certainly, of outsourcing and privatizing the administration of it." Altman said giving Musk's "DOGE teenagers and 20-year-olds in control of the Social Security Administration" access to seniors' personal data creates data safety concerns that leave the program vulnerable to hackers and scammers "a con artist's dream," she said. She argued that new rules requiring in-person office visits to register could mean that seniors who are disabled or immobile don't end up getting benefits. And she warned that the removal of Social Security Administration workers will lead to weaker customer service and longer wait times for benefits. At a time of division for Democrats, the battle to prevent Trump and Musk from shrinking the Social Security Administration is a unifying force. At a press conference Tuesday in Brooklyn, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., faced questions about his disagreements with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on the GOP funding bill, but he said they're united on protecting Social Security. "We all align on the fights that are in front of us on behalf of the people that we represent here in Brooklyn and New York City and across the country," Jeffries told reporters. "And that's saving Medicaid, saving Social Security, saving Medicare all of which Elon Musk and Donald Trump and the Republicans, they want to take a chain saw to Medicaid. They want to take a chain saw to Social Security." First-term Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., who flipped a competitive district last fall, said she's hearing from constituents who are anxious about Social Security changes, office closures and potential impacts to their benefits due to Musk's actions. "Maybe it's good for billionaires like him, but it isn't good for my constituents," Bynum said. "And we have an unelected billionaire trying to cut what we know is an essential program for millions of Americans." Police officers use pepper spray on a demonstrator wearing dervish clothes, during a protest on the day Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was jailed as part of a corruption investigation, in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 23, 2025. Murad Sezer | Reuters A Turkish court on Sunday jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival, pending trial on corruption charges in a move that inflamed the country's biggest protests in more than a decade. The decision to send Imamoglu to jail comes after the main opposition party, European leaders and hundreds of thousands of protesters criticised the actions against him as politicised and undemocratic. As the courtroom developments unfolded, there were signs that the mayor's troubles were galvanizing opposition against Erdogan's government, which has run Turkey for 22 years. Nearly 15 million Republican People's Party (CHP) members and non-members, who made up the vast majority, streamed into polling stations nationwide to either elect or endorse Imamoglu as its candidate in a future presidential vote, the party said. The non-member vote more than 13 million, according to the CHP could indicate that Imamoglu, 54, enjoys wide public support beyond the party faithful. The party's chairman said it showed the need for early elections. Protesters clash with Turkish anti riot police as they use tear gas and water cannons during a demonstration following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, in Ankara on March 21, 2025. Adem Altan | Afp | Getty Images Imamoglu has denied the charges he faces as "unimaginable accusations and slanders" and called for nationwide protests on Sunday. "We will rip away this coup, this dark stain on our democracy, all together," he said. Footage showed him being taken to Silivri prison in a police convoy after the ruling. The mayor of Turkey's largest city was also removed from duty, along with two other district mayors, the interior ministry said. The government denies that investigations are politically motivated and says courts are independent. Turkey's vice president, Cevdet Yilmaz, and Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan sought separately to calm market jitters that sparked a sharp selloff in Turkish assets since Imamoglu was detained last week, and that analysts expect to accelerate after his jailing. A nationwide ban on street gatherings was extended on Saturday for four more days but protests, scattered skirmishes with police and some detentions continued in major cities on Sunday, the fifth night of mostly peaceful anti-government demonstrations. The court said Imamoglu and at least 20 others were jailed as part of a corruption investigation, one of two opened against the two-term mayor last week. It said he was arrested for "establishing and leading a criminal organization, accepting bribes, embezzlement, unlawfully recording personal data, and rigging public tenders in connection with a financial investigation." The jailing caps a months-long legal crackdown on opposition figures and the removal of other elected officials from office, in what critics called a government attempt to hurt their election prospects. Six of the CHP's 27 municipal mayors in greater Istanbul are now under arrest a year after municipal elections in which opposition parties handed Erdogan's AK Party its worst-ever electoral defeat. The CHP opened party polling stations Sunday to non-members to cast "solidarity votes" for Imamoglu, who was the only name on the ballot for presidential candidate. CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel said the high turnout in the primary elections 14.85 million total ballots cast for Imamoglu was a strong rebuke to what he called a "coup attempt." It called "Erdogan's legitimacy into question and makes an early election inevitable," he told crowds at a municipal headquarters in Istanbul. "If they believe they can compete with us, with Ekrem Imamoglu, then let them call for an early election." No general election is scheduled until 2028. People wave flags and chant slogans during a protest in front of the municipality headquarters in support of arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. Chris Mcgrath | Getty Images News | Getty Images But if Erdogan, 71, who has led Turkey for 22 years, is to run again, parliament would need to back an earlier election since the president will have reached his limit by that date. Imamoglu is leading Erdogan in some opinion polls. Market turmoil Protesters at the Anti-Donald Trump and anti- @elonmusk protest at the @Tesla showroom in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. are dancing to music while waving signs that say F**K THESE NAZI CARS. Its like Zumba, but Marxist pic.twitter.com/adZNqcslK9 Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) March 22, 2025 Hundreds of protesters gathered outside a Tesla dealership in Washington on Saturday March 22, waving signs and dancing in opposition to CEO Elon Musk. The demonstration was in response to Musks role in leading efforts to reduce the federal workforce.Cars honked as they passed the crowd, which displayed signs featuring Musks image, the Reuters reported. The billionaire CEO was appointed by President Donald Trump to oversee cuts to the federal government, which employs thousands in the nations capital.Musk leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has cut over 100,000 jobs from a federal civilian workforce of more than 2 million. The department has also pushed for a freeze on foreign aid and the cancellation of programs and contracts."We are coming out with joy and showing other people that they're not alone," said protester Melissa Knutson.According to Reuters, demonstrations were also held in Los Angeles and internationally, including Toronto, where some Canadians pledged to boycott US goods following new tariffs on Canadian products.Meanwhile, Tesla owners have been trading in their vehicles at record rates this month, according to Edmunds data. The companys stock has dropped nearly 50% since January after initially surging following Trumps election, with investors optimistic about relaxed regulations for Teslas robotaxi rollout.The Trump administration reported this week that arsonists have targeted Tesla dealerships and charging stations, though no violence was reported at Saturdays protest. UTAH State to ban fluoride in drinking water SALT LAKE CITY Utah will become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, despite widespread opposition from dentists and national health organizations. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox was set to sign legislation that bars cities and communities from deciding whether to add the mineral to their water systems. Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water has long been considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century. Government researchers have found that community water fluoridation prevents about 25% of tooth decay. The ban comes weeks after federal health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has expressed skepticism about water fluoridation, was sworn into office. Utah lawmakers who pushed for a ban said putting fluoride in water was too expensive. Its Republican sponsor, Rep. Stephanie Gricius, acknowledged fluoride has benefits, but said it was an issue of "individual choice" to not have it in the water. Cox said that like many people in Utah, he grew up and raised his own children in a community that doesn't have fluoridated water. More than 200 million people in the U.S., or about 63% of the U.S. population, receive fluoridated water through community water systems. A Utah teenager who urged lawmakers to pass the bill described suffering a medical emergency when the fluoride pump in Sandy, Utah, malfunctioned in 2019, releasing an excessive amount of the mineral into the drinking water. The fluoride sickened hundreds of residents and led many in Utah to push for its removal. Out of the 484 Utah water systems that reported data to the CDC in 2024, only 66 fluoridated their water, an Associated Press analysis showed. The largest was the state's biggest city, Salt Lake City. WYOMING State expands ultrasound requirement CHEYENNE Women planning pill abortions in Wyoming will need to get an ultrasound after lawmakers overrode the governor's veto of the law. The March 5 22-9 vote by the state Senate followed a 45-16 vote by the House a day earlier to override. In vetoing the bill, Republican Gov. Mark Gordon questioned whether it was reasonable and necessary, especially for victims of rape and incest. Lawmakers cited concerns about women's well-being in voting to override the veto and cleared the two-thirds majority requirement. The new requirement, which takes effect right away, was criticized by abortion rights advocates. Wyoming is the first state to explicitly outlaw pill abortions, though that and other abortion bans over the past three years are on hold pending a case before the Wyoming Supreme Court. Under Wyoming's new law, pregnant women planning pill abortions will have to drive potentially long distances to get an ultrasound and have it documented. They would have the opportunity but not be required to view the image of the fetus at least 48 hours before a pill abortion. Existing state law already requires abortion providers to offer an ultrasound to women getting abortions. Pregnant woman who do not get an ultrasound will not be penalized under the new law, however. Instead it is medical providers who face up to $9,000 in fines and six months in jail for not arranging it. But there are few if any active abortion providers left. In February, the state's only full-service abortion clinic stopped providing any abortion care, surgical or medicinal, after Gordon signed a bill requiring such facilities to be licensed as surgical centers. Property tax relief bill signed Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon on March 4 signed a bill providing 25% property tax relief for homeowners. The legislation provides a 25% property tax exemption for the first $1 million of a single-family home's value with no sunset date. This act, coupled with the bills I signed last year, responds to the call for property tax relief, Gordon said Now the practical impacts of this legislation will need to be navigated by our cities, counties, special districts and citizens." The exemption takes effect immediately, with an owner-occupied requirement beginning in the second year. Republican Rep. Jayme Lien called it a win for Wyoming residents and added that she looks forward to working on property tax reform in the interim. Casper City Manager after Napier on said the final version of the bill is better than the initial language in the bill but that Casper the second largest city in the state will still have to review its budget. Earlier versions of the bill proposed a 50% property tax exemption for the first $1 million of a single-family home's value. Casper estimated its loss from the new law and previously enacted caps to be $1.865 million but that noted that the total impact is unknown. NEW MEXICO Nuclear waste staff wont face cuts ALBUQUERQUE Federal officials backtracked on plans to cancel a lease for office space in New Mexico where dozens of U.S. Department of Energy employees who oversee the nation's only underground nuclear waste repository are based. The move came March 7 after U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez and other members of the state's congressional delegation raised concerns, noting the importance of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant to the nation's multibillion-dollar effort to clean up tons of waste from decades of bomb-making and nuclear research. The office building in question also houses contract workers involved in operations at the underground facility outside of Carlsbad. The Energy Department confirmed in a statement to The Associated Press that the General Services Administration had revoked its prior notice to exercise termination rights for multiple department facility leases, including the office building in Carlsbad. The department said the move ensures "that these mission-critical operations continue without disruption." Vasquez said the initial notice to terminate the lease as part of the Trump administration's efforts to shrink government spending was reckless and shortsighted. Carved out of an ancient salt formation about half a mile deep, the subterranean landfill received its first shipment of radioactive waste in 1999. Nancy Cartwright has made enough money playing Bart Simpson to buy as many elephants and all-syrup Squishees as she pleases. But over the course of her career, the actress has lent her voice to a ton of other projects, including classic shows such Animaniacs, Rugrats and Kim Possible, as well as less-than-classic shows like the Saturday morning cartoon adaptation of Problem Child that nobody remembers. But perhaps most surprisingly, it was Cartwrights voice that traumatized a generation of kids in the iconic 80s family film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. For those who dont remember, or who have actively suppressed the memory, when the evil Judge Doom is explaining his plan to control the toon population using a lethal toxic substance known as Dip, he demonstrates its effects with a helpless animated shoe. And we were all forced to watch as the poor little guy is slowly, painfully dissolved into nothing but a puddle of blood red goop. Don't Miss Just let us know where to forward the therapy bills, Disney. Even worse, Disney tried to turn this waking nightmare into a fun board game for the whole family to enjoy! Advertisement Well, it turns out that the shoes voice was actually provided by Cartwright. The Simpsons didnt debut until 1989, a year after Who Framed Roger Rabbit hit theaters, but she was already voicing Bart in The Simpsons shorts that aired as part of The Tracey Ullman Show. Cartwrights shoe didnt have any lines, but its terrified whimpering is arguably what makes the scene so upsetting. Advertisement To prove that she did indeed voice the doomed shoe, last year Cartwright posted a video to her TikTok account in which she recreated the haunting performance. Advertisement Incidentally, Cartwright isnt the only person associated with The Simpsons who worked on a Roger Rabbit project. Artist Bill Morrison, who was a key figure in the creation of the Simpsons comic series, also drew some artwork for later Roger Rabbit shorts, apparently with the help of Roger himself. Advertisement So why wasnt Cartwright credited for her work in this massive blockbuster? Likely because she didnt actually have any dialogue. While this may seem like an oversight in retrospect, Cartwright was far from the biggest star to go uncredited in the film; Kathleen Turner, who provided the voice of Jessica Rabbit, similarly received no credit. Although, reportedly, this was because Turner herself requested anonymity and refused screen credit as the voice of Jessica Rabbit. Advertisement The shoe scene will no doubt be the saddest of Cartwrights career unless, of course, The Simpsons ends with Sideshow Bob getting his way. The Muppets big-screen adventures tend to feature great villains, from Tim Currys Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island, to Kermits evil doppelganger Constantine in Muppets Most Wanted, to oilman Tex Richman in 2011s The Muppets although the latter was obviously only created as part of the Muppets secret communist agenda, at least according to Fox News. The very first Muppet movie, appropriately titled The Muppet Movie, pitted Kermit the Frog against a Col. Sanders-esque fast-food magnate named Doc Hopper, who wanted Kermit to be the face of his fried frog leg franchise. Hopper, who slaughtered countless frogs that never even got the chance to learn the banjo and/or produce a TV variety show, is an irredeemable crook. But that wasnt always necessarily the plan. According to Jim Henson: The Biography by Brian Jay Jones, Henson and fellow Muppeteer Frank Oz got into a slight dustup over the portrayal of Hopper. Specifically, Henson believed that Hopper, at his core, wasnt a bad guy and that, throughout the course of the story, his character should have been redeemed in some way. Advertisement The redemption arc wasnt just an interesting potential plot point, it was seemingly a part of Hensons creative mission statement. Even the most worldly of our characters is innocent, Henson told The New York Times in 1979. Our villains are innocent, really. And its that innocence that I think is the connection to the audience. Oz, who Jones notes was nearly as cynical as Jim was idealistic, responded by calling the idea bullshit, and in the end, that pithy argument ultimately won. Plus, it would have been a little hard to redeem Hopper after he hired an apparent Nazi scientist to experiment on Kermit. Advertisement Henson and Ozs debate was seemingly represented in the climax of The Muppet Movie when, for a brief moment, were led to believe that Doc Hopper might have had a change of heart, following Kermits earnest speech about the value of dreams and the importance of friendship. But instead of letting the Muppets go, he instead instructs his goons to kill em. Thankfully, a genetically-enhanced Animal saves the day. Advertisement Advertisement Hensons suggestion may seem quaint in retrospect, especially since so many subsequent Muppet movies have featured bad guys, one of whom was literally named Badguy. Advertisement But its perhaps worth noting that one of the best Muppet movies, if not the best, involved a seemingly villainous character who ends up being redeemed by the end of the movie: The Muppet Christmas Carol. Advertisement Then again, Ebenezer Scrooge never tried to eat Bob Cratchits family. The owner of a healthy snack company has hit out at Holland & Barrett for 'copying' his idea - and he's staged a taste test to prove it. Giuseppe Baidoo, 34, the founder of Gusto Snacks, claims the UK wellness giants launched an identical version of his dried apple crisps, shortly after trying them at a food festival in 2022. However a spokesperson for Holland & Barrett has rebutted the claims, saying they 'believe the allegations are without foundation'. Gusto Snacks was founded in 2020 and sells air dried apple crisps made from wonky - also known as non-aesthetically pleasing - fruit. In the last few years the brand has been the recipient of various awards and grants from Santander, Shell LiveWire and Virgin. The aspiring entrepreneur, who was born to Ghanaian parents before moving to Italy, insists the similarities between the two products are glaring, such as being 'dried not fried' and using 'wonky fruit' to save the planet from food waste. Holland & Barrett currently stock 'Apple Chips' made with '100 percent fruit - air dried, not fried', which the brand says was officially launched in September 2023. Planning for their Apple Chips, as well as other fruit and vegetable-based snacks began in 'early 2022', with the 'development of our own brand Apple Chips beginning in Autumn 2022, well before discussions with Gusto began', a spokesperson told FEMAIL. But Giuseppe claims a Holland & Barrett representative 'ghosted' him after promising to pass Gusto Snacks to a company buyer following a meeting between the brands at Bread & Jam festival in Islington, north London in October 2022. The owner of Gusto Snacks, Giuseppe Baidoo, 34, has hit out at Holland & Barrett for 'copying' his fruit snack idea (Pictured: Giuseppe Baddoo with samples of his company's fruit snacks) Giuseppe claims the UK wellness giants launched an identical version of his dried apple crisps, shortly after trying them at a food festival in 2022 According to documents seen by FEMAIL, another Holland & Barrett rep later stated that their buyer never received them, and in 2023 said they were 'launching something similar' and could not stock 'branded alternatives'. Giuseppe insists all efforts to make good on the alleged verbal deal have since been futile. The husband and father-of-one recently camped outside a Holland & Barrett store to challenge passers-by to a taste test between the competing fruit bites - and he claims Gusto Snacks came out on top. In a video posted to Instagram, Giuseppe said he sported a 'thief' costume - a black and white stripy top, black beanie hat and matching face covering - during the mission. 'A supermarket copied my products so I dressed like a thief... but let me give you the backstory' he said. 'A few months ago I met with Holland & Barrett at a trade show, they liked our products so we left them some samples. 'We followed up with a meeting to discuss marketing and how we would launch in their stores. 'During the meeting we asked if they had any feedback on the samples we sent them, but the person on the call said they never received them... hmmm very suspicious'. The husband and father-of-one recently camped outside a Holland & Barrett store in London, where he accused the brand of copying Gusto Snacks apple crisps Gusto Snacks was founded in 2020 from Giuseppe's kitchen, and sells air dried apple crisps made from wonky - also known as non-aesthetically pleasing - fruit Holland & Barrett currently stock 'Apple Chips' made with '100 percent fruit - air dried, not fried', and which officially launched in September 2023, says the brand The businessman - who launched Gusto Snacks from his home kitchen in London in 2020 - said he decided to drive to Holland & Barrett's head office, situated in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, to deliver a second batch of samples. 'We contacted them again' he continued. 'They ghosted us this time. Yes, we didn't hear anything back. 'Fast forward they emailed us saying they were creating their own version of our own product and refused to collaborate'. Though Giuseppe admits Gusto Snack's multicoloured packaging is markedly different from Holland & Barrett's green and white wrapper, he insists their similarities on the other hand are striking. 'They [Holland & Barrett] are air dried, not fried - and at the back they claim to be using wonky fruit. Again, that's what we do. 'Really Holland & Barrett? Really? You save fruits from going to waste like us? Really?' Taking to Instagram, the businessman claimed a Holland & Barrett representative 'ghosted' him after promising to pass Gusto Snacks to a company buyer following a meeting between the brands at Bread & Jam festival in Islington, north London in October 2022 Giuseppe is pictured here working on Gusto Snacks from his home kitchen. The photo was allegedly taken circa 2020 Alleged email correspondence between Gusto Snacks and Holland & Barrett seen by FEMAIL reveals a row dating back to 2022. Giuseppe told FEMAIL that Gusto Snacks applied to take part at emerging food and drink brands festival, Bread and Jam the same year. It was a dream come true for Giuseppe when his startup was selected to pitch to Holland & Barrett at the fare on October 14. But he said a decision by Holland & Barrett to send a product developer instead of a buyer to their meeting left him 'confused'. He continued: 'We were unsure why the buyer was not present, but the product developer assured us that she would pass our product on to the buyer upon returning to the office'. He added that their employee enquired if Gusto Snacks would be interested in 'white labelling'. White labelling is when the producer of a product sells their merchandise on to another company or marketer who then rebrands it as their own. 'We respectfully declined' said Giuseppe. 'We are a small brand and need our products and logo to be displayed on shelves to grow our audience. 'She [the Holland & Barrett rep] acknowledged this and assured us that she would get back to us'. But according to the Gusto Snacks CEO, things suddenly went 'quiet' and it would be almost a month before he heard from Holland & Barrett again. Planning for their Apple Chips, as well as other fruit and vegetable-based snacks began in 'early 2022', with the 'development of our own brand Apple Chips beginning in Autumn 2022, well before discussions with Gusto began', revealed a Holland & Barrett spokesperson After repeated email attempts to confirm the verbal agreement made at the meeting, a manager finally replied, claimed Giuseppe. And what he heard next was heartbreaking. In November 2022, he was informed that Holland & Barrett didn't 'recall' seeing the samples - but they accepted the offer of a second batch if Gusto Snacks was happy to oblige. Giuseppe said this time around the goods were delivered to Holland & Barrett's head office 'in person' to 'ensure they didn't get lost again!' It was music to the businessman's ears when the company sent an email acknowledging receipt of the second batch. Happy with this, Giuseppe said he followed up with an email to arrange a further meeting about the collaboration launch, marketing, a budget, and other details. According to documentation, a Zoom meeting was arranged for January 16 2023. But after the meeting, things appeared to reach stalemate again. Giuseppe alleged he revealed Gusto Snacks' cooking process to Holland & Barrett before their version was launched, which included the 'air dried, not fried' method Though Giuseppe admits Gusto Snack's multicoloured packaging is markedly different from Holland & Barrett's green and white wrapper, he insists their similarities on the other hand are striking 'They went quiet again.... in 2023, they came back and confirmed that they had done something similar' said Giuseppe. An email from Holland & Barrett in August 2023 confirmed the worst for Giuseppe - the brand revealed they were launching 'something similar' from their 'private label'. 'Therefore currently we are not looking for any branded alternatives to supplement our range' a manager continued. 'It's a great product however, and I will reach out if our position changes'. Giuseppe said he later visited a Holland & Barrett store where he noticed a packaged snack containing 'several similarities' to Gusto Snacks' apple crisps. Holland & Barrett currently sell a 20 gram bag of 'Apple Chips', which on the packaging reads: 'made with 100 per cent fruit', 'air dried, not fried'. And on the back, a green box contains the information: 'The apple chips are made using wonky fruit, it uses the core, pips, skin, the lot'. Giuseppe said he revealed Gusto Snacks' cooking process to Holland & Barrett before their version was launched, which included the 'air dried, not fried' method. Giuseppe said he discovered Holland & Barrett's Apple Chips for the first time while browsing in one of their stores He also stated he had 'clear proof' that Holland & Barrett 'lied' and tried to 'cover up' their actions, and that when another publication reached out to them for a comment, they failed to mention to their discussions with Gusto Snacks in 2022. 'Its unfortunate because, as a start-up, we work hard, and it costs us money to be dragged around like this, only for our products to be copied' said Giuseppe. But a Holland & Barrett spokesperson says they believe his 'allegations are without foundation'. 'Holland & Barrett takes all allegations seriously and is committed to transparency and fairness, but we believe these allegations are without foundation' said the brand in a statement. 'The planning for our new food range, including fruit and vegetable-based crisps began in early 2022 with the development of our own brand Apple Chips beginning in Autumn 2022, well before discussions with Gusto began. 'Our product, made with 100 per cent apple, is one of many types of apple crisps available in the market, and was developed independently as part of a broader food range we launched in September 2023'. The brand went on to say they regret that Gusto Snacks are 'disappointed we chose not to list their product and did not have a positive experience', as well as over any frustrations caused. 'Our relationships with our suppliers are very important to us, and we continue to remain committed to working collaboratively with our partners now and in the future' they concluded. Determined to flag a message to the corporation, Giuseppe donned what he called a 'thief' costume - a black and white stripy top, black beanie hat and matching face covering - to protest outside one of their stores and challenge customers to a taste test Giuseppe says he's now taking matters into his own hands. 'I don't like giving up easy' he said in an Instagram post. 'In the last couple of months little did they know I've been dressing like a thief' he continued. 'What I did was take their products and my products and went in front of their shops'. Determined to flag a message to the corporation, Giuseppe donned what he called a 'thief' costume - a black and white stripy top, black beanie hat and matching face covering - to protest outside one of their stores. In a video he can be seen dressed in the get up while standing outside a Holland & Barrett store in London, where he held a placard saying 'snacks so yummy they copied in a hurry'. Attached to the bottom of the sign were three Gusto Snack flavours including Chilli Twist and Mango and Passion Fruit Twist. 'I asked their own customers to vote for which one was the best' he explained. 'I think that is fair right?' 'I think so far 200 people have voted for Gusto Snacks and only two people have voted for Holland & Barrett copied products. 'I'm sure those two [people] probably work for them' he joked. He ended the video by launching a challenge, where he beseeched the wellness giants to stock Gusto Snacks if votes for their apple crisps reached 2000. And despite his dispute with the brand, he remained hopeful the two companies could still collaborate and directed UK viewers to a link on his Instagram page to get involved. 'I just need help in order to make this thing happen' he persisted. Giuseppe launched Gusto Snacks from his kitchen in 2020 after noticing large amounts of food waste while working with the Italian national service years prior. He told FEMAIL: 'I worked with various charities to rescue surplus food from supermarkets and fresh produce from farmers, redistributing it to those in need. 'This experience gave me first-hand insight into the scale of food waste and inspired me to take action. So, when I moved to the UK, I wanted to do something meaningful for our planet'. The name Gusto means 'taste' in Italian, which Giuseppe chose to 'encourage people to try the wonky fruit we save'. He eventually raised enough funding to expand the business and moved production to Poland where he could upscale the manufacturing. Today, his products can be found stocked on the high street and purchased online from Amazon. Gusto Snacks is Giuseppe's second company after launching a now-defunct drinks business in 2018. A Tesco shopper has branded 'greedy' after pretending to swipe a full basket's worth of a new viral bakery item. Nneka, from London, took to TikTok to share a clip of herelf clearing shelves of the retailer's new cinnamon-bun tear-and-share treat - sparking outrage among dozens of social media users. The sweet treat costs 3.75 for one tub, and has already amassed a cult following online, with many complaining they have struggled to get their hands on it due to its popularity. But Nneka appeared to have hit the jackpot at her local Tesco branch, where she filmed herself stashing away armfuls of the frosted treats into a shopping basket. The social media user managed to stow away at least 10 tubs of the treat, much to the horror of passing customers. 'My cousin would've cussed me because I never find one,' a fellow shopper remarked as they passed by Nneka and her heaving shopping basket. They even asked if she would 'save one' for her, which she appeared to do. Having posted the video to her social media, Nneka was similarly hit with a barrage criticism from viewers who called her 'selfish' and 'greedy' for 'taking the p***' because of the huge volume of buns she put in her basket. Nneka, who is from London , took to TikTok to share clip of her clearing shelves of the retailer's new cinnamon-bun tear-and-share, sparking outrage among dozens of social media users The sweet treat costs 3.75 for one tub and has already amassed a cult following of bun lovers, with many complaining they have struggled to get their hands on the treat due to its popularity Commenting on the clip, which has now amassed 1.2 million views and 1,500 comments, several described the shelf sweep as 'greedy'. 'Why can't people buy a normal amount of something, do you really need that many cinnamon buns,' one lamented. 'What sort of selfishness is this?' another asked. A third pointed out: 'Those expire within like 3 days no way someone can consume that much within that time period surely you have to be sharing it.' 'Are you reselling them or what?' one more lighthearted comment read. Others said the behaviour was a display of 'gluttony', with one writing: 'You dont need all that this is why we cant have nice things.' 'But why do you have to take everything tho,' another protested. 'Its gets to a point, we are not in the pandemic anymore,' another complained. Elsewhere, several asked 'are you well' in response to what appeared to be a huge haul of the cinnamon treats. Commenting on the clip, which has now amassed 1.2 million views and 1,500 comments, several described the shelf sweep as 'greedy' But in a later video, Nneka claimed that she had never actually purchased 10 tubs of cinnamon buns. In a clip of her plating up one of the treats, she said: 'It's even the fact that you guys thought I bought all those cinnamon buns, like, are you guys okay? 'You're asking if I'm okay but are you okay?' she asked jokingly. 'To be fair, there probably is someone out there who would do that. But there's a reason why the video ended where it ended not at the checkouts, you idiots.' The Tiktokker describes herself as a 'baker' on the app. She frequently posts videos of her enjoying lavish meals with her partner and whipping up professional looking cakes. The supermarket sent sugar addicts into a frenzy when the cinnamon treats hit shelves earlier this month. The retailer has described the product on their website as a: 'Soft sweet bun with cinnamon filling, topped with soft cheese icing. 'Swirled with cinnamon filling and hand iced for a sweet & sticky sharing treat. This delectable Cinnamon Tear & Share bun can be eaten hot or cold, and enjoyed with family and friends.' The sharing buns have been popular across the board with customers, and currently boast a 4.2 star rating on the Tesco website. The supermarket only suggests hanging onto the buns for a two days with a '2+' sign on the label to indicate how long they will keep. The freshly baked treat has proved so popular that a number of influencers have complained online about struggling to find the treats. Many have praised the 'delicious' treat and implored fellow foodies to try it out for themselves. Several have suggested munchers should microwave the buns for the most delicious result. Princess Eugenie has marked her 35th birthday today with a sweet snap of her and her two young sons. In the heartwarming photo posted on Instagram, the royal is seated at a picnic table with August, four, and Ernest, two. The princess, who is the youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, is smiling widely in the picture and looking straight at the camera. Her little boys are sat across the table with their backs turned to the photographer. Dressed in pale blue jeans and a black, pinstriped jacket with pockets on the front and epaulettes fastened to the shoulders, Princess Beatrice's sister looks happy and at ease in the domestic setting. The toy diggers nearby and the plates of food set before August and Ernest suggest the three were enjoying an al fresco lunch in the grounds of their Old Windsor home when they were caught on camera, presumably by Eugenie's husband and the boys' father, Jack Brooksbank, 38. While their eldest son, August, is dressed in pale jeans and a navy hoodie, the couple's youngest, Ernest, is wearing a blue tracksuit featuring Mickey Mouse. Although August's face is completely obscured, Ernest's profile is visible in the picture, leading royal fans to note his resemblance to his mother, an art director at the Hauser & Wirth gallery. Princess Eugenie is pictured with her two sons, August (left), four, and Ernest (right), two The daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Eugenie is married to Jack Brooksbank, 38 Royal fans commented on the physical similarity between Eugenie and her youngest son, Ernest One fan commented: 'Happy birthday. Enjoy your day. Your younger one looks like you even from the side. Love the little bench and table too.' Someone else agreed: 'Gosh your youngest looks so much like you even from the side'. A third fan acknowledged Eugenie's philanthropic work, writing: 'A very happy birthday to you, Princess Eugenie! Thank you for all that you do for the ocean'. The photograph, which amassed almost 26,000 likes at the time of writing, attracted a number of other comments, the vast majority of which were celebratory in tone. March has been a fun-filled month for Eugenie, with her attending Cheltenham Festival's 'Style Wednesday' 10 days ago along with cousin Zara Tindall and Queen Camilla. The three royals joined a rather chilly Cheltenham for day two of the festival - traditionally dubbed Ladies Day but renamed last year after the show announced they would hand out fashion awards to both men and women. The now-named, gender-neutral Style Wednesday sees punters go the extra mile to impress with their glamorous ensembles - and those representing the royal family certainly did not disappoint. The three royal women appeared to be matching, all wearing various shades of burgundy in a display of unity, while first cousins Eugenie and Zara posed for photos together. Cousins Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall gave Cheltenham Festival a very royal welcome on Wednesday Queen Camilla appeared in beaming spirits as she arrived in a more muted display, with a thick tailored dress Meanwhile King Charles's niece Zara Tindall shared a passionate smooch with her husband Mike as they arrived at the event. The royal equestrian, 42, opted for a Laura Green AW25 wool pinstripe suit with leather detailing and a pop of colour, as a burgundy turtleneck peeked through her blazer alongside a Strathberry bag - with a stunning fascinator to match Eugenie's. Princess Eugenie, 34, joined by her husband Jack Brooksbank, was on the same royal style memo as Zara, donning a double-breasted blazer in the same colour as Zara's high-neck, and adding a Tudor-style hat. The pair were spotted deep in conversation as they made their way to the course. Their aunt Queen Camilla, 77, appeared in beaming spirits as she arrived in a more muted display, with a tailored coat paired with a burgundy leather bag and stunning faux fur-rimmed hat from Lock&Co. Camilla looked elegant for her surprise visit, adding her double pansy brooch to her coat, and black suede boots - believed to be from Russell and Bromley. Eugenie was also greeted by James Haskell, a known close pal of Mike, and who went public with his new Big Brother star girlfriend Sara McLean after his split from Chloe Madeley last year. Speaking about the weekend, Mike said: 'Cheltenham is so far so good. Tuesday was a horrible day for me as a punter, but it was a good day for the bookies, for sure. Mike, Zara, Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank all posed for the cameras at Cheltenham First cousins Zara and Eugenie appeared to be having a catch-up as they attended Style Wednesday Eugenie was greeted by James Haskell, a known close pal of Mike, who went public with his new Big Brother star girlfriend Sara McLean Queen Camilla was reunited with Princess Eugenie, Laura Lopes and Natalie Pinkham 'Today, I've been hosting a table in The Green Room, so I haven't been paying attention to any gambling. There's a great atmosphere in here, it's a great place to come. 'I've had a little wander around the course, and it's a great atmosphere at Cheltenham. The shopping goes off the charts anyway. 'I think Cheltenham always has a good vibe about it. It has always got people who genuinely love watching the horses and are here for the right reasons. And you sort of feel that in the atmosphere. 'I haven't been into the Royal Box, so I cannot give you any insight about the Queen. 'Zara is good. We obviously love this week. It's a big week in our calendar. We just love being here. I think it takes more organisation this week than the rest of the 11 months of the year. But we love it. We are here every day. 'It was a nice experience getting the train to Cheltenham from Paddington on Tuesday, and seeing all the people who were heading up from London. I'm supposed to be at the Continental Tyres Schools Cup on Thursday, but work commitments here mean I have to send James [Haskell] and Alex [Payne] instead to support that with our podcast [The Good, The Bad & The Rugby].' According to the festival's website, Style Wednesday 'celebrates both the thrill of racing and the art of fashion', with attendees interpreting the dress code in a multitude of colourful ways. Some made a statement with bold headpieces in bright colours while others donned mini skirts with long boots, showing a hint of leg, despite snowfall in Cheltenham in the early hours of Wednesday morning. A 16-year-old girl who went to the doctor with a bad cough received a devastating cancer diagnosis just weeks later. Daisy first went to the GP in March 2023 where she was prescribed antibiotics for a suspected chest infection. She also found small lumps on her head which continued to get worse and led the teenager from Derbyshire to visit A&E after she started having trouble breathing. After carrying out a chest X-ray and blood tests Daisy was sent home with a stronger prescription of antibiotics. Just three days later she was called back to A&E where her 'worst nightmare' was confirmed - Daisy was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. 'I was in shock. I never in a million years thought it could happen to me. My mum was also in shock and I cried into her arms,' Daisy told Derbyshire Live. The then-16-year-old immediately started treatment at the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre, where she swapped going to school and spending time with her friends for intense chemotherapy and weekly lumbar punctures. 'Like any other 16-year-old, I loved being independent and do things like going on walks with friends or going on runs, so when I could no longer do that, it really affected me,' she said. Daisy (pictured) was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia three weeks after she went to the GP and was diagnosed with a chest infection Daisy is encouraging people to back Teenage Cancer Trust's Only Young Once campaign which raises awareness of being diagnosed with cancer as a teenager or young adult Daisy had side effects such as losing her hair and feeling sick which massively lowered her confidence. During her time in hospital, Daisy was supported by Niamh - a Teenage Cancer Trust's youth support coordinator- who introduced her to other teenagers going through cancer treatment. Praising the youth support coordinator, Daisy said that her cancer defined her for a time but Niamh saw her as 'someone outside of my cancer diagnosis'. Daisy is encouraging people to back Teenage Cancer Trust's Only Young Once campaign which raises awareness of being diagnosed with cancer as a teenager or young adult a critically important and formative time of your life. She added that while her cancer milestones were not ones she expected to have Daisy still recognises them as milestones and is proud of the progress she has made so far. With the help of the cancer trust, she has taught herself to walk and write again and has learnt 'valuable life lessons that most 1617-year-olds dont even realise until later on in their life'. Daisy is continuing to have monthly small doses of chemotherapy and daily chemotherapy orally to help ensure her leukaemia doesn't return. Her treatment is due to finish at the end of June and she is grateful to be cancer free. The then-16-year-old started treatment at the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre (pictured), where she swapped going to school and spending time with her friends for intense chemotherapy and weekly lumbar punctures Kate Collins, chief executive at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: 'Every day seven young people in the UK are told they have cancer. This is at a time when they feel like their life is just getting started. 'A cancer diagnosis cancer can tear young people's lives apart and threaten to take memories, milestones and futures away. Without the right support, cancer when you're young can have a devastating impact on the rest of your life.' 'At Teenage Cancer Trust, we provide specialised care and support to help young people get through cancer and rebuild their lives after treatment. Helping young people hold onto who they are and who they want to become - in the face of cancer.' Leukaemia is a cancer the white blood cells. The two main types of white blood cells are monocytes and granulocytes, which come from myeloid stem cells lymphocytes, which come from lymphoid stem cells. Daisy had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia which is most common in young people. Common symptoms can include feeling really tired all the time, feeling dizzy, headaches, breathlessness, pale skin, frequent infections and bruising easily. Young people with colon cancer are 'significantly' more likely to die from heart problems than the general population, experts warn. Researchers found people with colorectal cancer were 16 percent more likely to die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) - a group of heart conditions like heart attack and high blood pressure - than those without colon cancer. In patients diagnosed with colon cancer within the last two years, their risk more than doubled. However, the link was most devastating in young patients, who are increasingly being ravaged by colon cancer. Colon cancer patients under the age of 50 were nearly 2.5 times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than their peers. While the researchers do not know why there is a link between colon cancer and mortality from CVD, they suggested aggressive cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation could damage the heart, leading to an increased risk of conditions like heart attack. Younger people are also more likely to need more intense cancer treatments, as they are at a higher risk of being diagnosed at later stages due to a lack of screening and attributing symptoms to more benign causes. Based on their findings, researchers called for increased research and surveillance on cardiovascular outcomes in young patients with colon cancer, especially within the first two years after diagnosis. Rates of colorectal cancer in Americans under 50 have risen over the past two decades. This graph shows the latest year for which data is available Data shows that heart attack cases are on the rise in young people Your browser does not support iframes. Dr Ahsan Ayaz, study author and an internal medicine resident at Montefiore St Luke's Cornwall Hospital in New York, said: 'Based on our findings, the two-year period after a colorectal cancer diagnosis is a critical period when patients need aggressive care to improve cardiovascular outcomes. 'For example, there should be an aggressive approach to control cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension. 'There is also a need for coordination between oncology teams and primary care teams, because most of those risk factors are managed by primary care providers.' Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the US and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates 154,270 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year, and 52,900 will die. In the UK, 44,063 cases are diagnosed per year, and the nation experiences 16,808 deaths every year. And since the 1990s, early-onset colon cancer has increased by 50 percent, and rates are expected to double between 2010 and 2030. The new study, which will be presented later this month at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session, looked at data from 630,000 patients in the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. While some warning signs are easy to spot such as severe chest pain others are more vague and hard to pinpoint Your browser does not support iframes. All patients were diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 2000 and 2021. The patients' exact ages are unknown. Cardiovascular mortality was defined as deaths from heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, tears or aneurysms in the aorta, or atherosclerosis - a buildup of plaque in the arteries. The researchers found colorectal cancer patients overall had a 16 percent increased risk of dying from cardiovascular causes. It's unclear what demographic they used as a control group. Their likelihood of dying from these conditions was highest in the first two years after their colorectal cancer diagnosis, increasing to 45 percent during this period. Colon cancer patients under age 50 were 2.4 times more likely to die of cardiovascular issues than people in the same age group who did not have cancer. Additionally, researchers concluded that Black colorectal cancer patients had a 74 percent increased chance of dying from cardiovascular issues, and white men were at a 55 percent increased risk. Dr Ayaz suggested the racial disparities could be due to socioeconomic issues, location, and access to care, but added that more research on this is needed. The researchers said the increased risk among colon cancer patients could stem from heart damage linked to cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, called cardiotoxicity. Bailey Hutchins of Tennessee, pictured at left, died of colon cancer earlier this year at age 26. Monica Ackermann of Australia, pictured at right, was just 31 when she was diagnosed with colon cancer These treatments may lead to inflammation, scarring, and other forms of heart damage that makes it more difficult for the heart to function properly. Colon cancer also results in widespread inflammation that can spread to the heart, making it more prone to damage. Additionally, the risk of cardiovascular death may be greater in younger people because they need more aggressive treatment, which could increase their chance of cardiotoxicity. A separate study published earlier this year looking at 25,000 adults with colorectal cancer in Denmark found patients under 50 were more likely to be diagnosed at later stages, meaning their cancer was more prone to spreading. Later-stage cancer often requires more aggressive combinations of surgery, chemo, radiation, and immunotherapy, all of which can contribute to cardiotoxicity. Dr Ayaz said: 'For therapies that are newer, there is not a lot of data on the side effects and toxicities, but evidence is emerging that they cause cardiovascular toxicity.' The team is planning to conduct additional research on cardiovascular mortality in colon cancer patients receiving different types of treatment. If you have ever worried you don't look approachable enough or wanted to look more so this could be the solution. Cosmetic medicine experts are offering a specific package of procedures to help rid people of a 'resting b*tch face'. The term, also shorted to RBF, describes an unkind, sullen or scowling expression a person may have on their face when relaxed, without intending to. And world-leading plastic surgeons now claim there are rising numbers of patients coming forwards seeking help to correct the accidental scowl plaguing them. The problem, they believe, may be linked to increasing numbers of people using slimming jabs, and losing weight rapidly. Also dubbed 'Ozempic face' the look is typified by sunken eyes, gaunt cheeks and sagging skin. Speaking at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery's annual meeting in Austin, Dr David Turer, a plastic surgeon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, told MailOnline he was seeing an uptick in patients complaining they suffer from an RBF. He added: 'There is a real surge in demand more generally too for cosmetic surgery because of GLP-1s [weight loss jabs].' Dr Michael Somenek, a Washington-based facial plastic surgeon, added: 'It all stems from loss of support to the face, particularly below the lower lip, where you lose volume, you lose support, and the corners of the mouth start turning down. Resting B*itch Face, also known as RBF in short, was coined to describe a less than approachable facial expression when someone's face is simply resting. Pictured, actress Kristen Stewart who in 2017 admitted she 'completely' has an RBF The trend, they believe, may be triggered by so-called 'Ozempic face', an unintended by-product of weight loss jabs collectively known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1s typified by sunken eyes, gaunt cheeks and sagging skin 'You then develop a very drawn look that almost conveys a sense that you're just not happy when you're resting, you're not showing any animation to your face. 'Other people interpret it as a sad, and in some cases even angry characteristic. 'The other thing that's really crazy with GLP-1 resting b***h face, is that aside from the volume loss, skin quality the luminosity, the radiance of the skin has really taken a hit.' Figures also suggest the issue has become more common in the last year alone. In its annual trends report, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery last month revealed that facial plastic surgeons reported a 50 percent rise in the average number of fat grafting procedures performed in 2024. This trend, the Academy noted, was 'likely fuelled by patients addressing "Ozempic Face"' who wanted to restore lost volume and sculpt or tighten different areas of the face. 'The thing about Ozempic face and RBF is that we used to just associate volume loss and skin laxity with more mature patients,' Austin-based aesthetic plastic surgeon Dr Johnny Franco, told MailOnline. 'Now we're seeing it in people in their 20s, 30s, you just see so many people with it. Your browser does not support iframes. Dr Somenek said: 'I also think neuromodulators, like Botox, can be used to target the lower third of the face focusing on specific muscles' 'The other thing that I think is interesting is that there's so many ways to treat it, if you can be proactive about it early. It's much easier than later.' New techniques include biostimulators a group of injectables, that experts say herald a 'new frontier in anti-ageing medicine'. Unlike dermal fillers, which inject volume into the face, biostimulators work by stimulating cells known as fibroblasts to continue producing collagen and elastin. This helps the skin to naturally produce its own volume. 'By treating patients with biostimulatory products like Sculptra, we've seen some remarkable responses by just restoring some of that lost volume in the mid-face,' Dr Somenek said. 'I also think neuromodulators, like Botox, can be used to target the lower third of the face focusing on specific muscles. 'There's a particular muscle called the DAO, but it really stands for depressor anguli oris. 'That can be a very strong muscle in some individuals that draws the corners of their mouth down. Your browser does not support iframes. 'So when you see that and you inject that and release it, it actually lifts up the corners of the mouth quite nicely.' Such treatments can be done is as little as one lunchtime, taking 15 to 30 minutes and costing a few hundred dollars or pounds, Dr Somenek added. Other experts, however, recommend combining a mix of treatments including skin tightening energy devices that use radiofrequency energy, as well as targeted fillers. 'But you've got to be really careful, because people don't want to be overfilled,' Dr Franco noted. 'We're really focused on repositioning the face, rather than refilling it.' For patients, however, who have undergone far more significant weight loss with the jabs and suffer severe skin laxity, there are 'no non-surgical devices that are going to be effective, even filler', Dr Turer told MailOnline. 'Those patients often just need a face and neck lift, often with a face lift fat grafting as well.' Fat grafting involves harvesting fat from one area of the body like the abdomen or thighs during a small liposuction procedure, and injecting it into areas of the face that have lost volume. 'Comprehensive facial rejuvenation with the facelift and fat grafting can probably go on anything from $20,000 (15,000) to hundreds of thousands dollars, depending on the surgeon,' said Dr Turer. At least half a million NHS patients and some 15 million in the US are now thought to be using the jabs, which can help patients lose up to 20 per cent of their bodyweight in just a few months. Doctors in the UK have also long told how they are treating increasing numbers of slim women who end up in hospital after falsely telling online chemists they are overweight to pass eligibility checks. Under official guidelines, only patients who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 35 and at least one weight-related health problem like high blood pressure, or those who have a BMI of 30 to 34.9 and meet the criteria for referral to a specialist weight management service, should be prescribed Wegovy. Chemicals hidden in everyday cosmetics, from lipsticks to face creams and even sunscreens, could be behind a surge in debilitating gynaecological conditions, world-leading experts claim. These toxic substances are often added as ingredients to the products to enhance texture and durability, or used in their packaging. They are also found in everything from plastic bottles, to clothing, furniture and paint. And scientists who studied their effects on the human body say they are deeply concerned by what they have found. Collectively known as endocrine disruptors, the researchers claim these compounds can interfere with the bodys hormone balance, which is vital for growth, metabolism, fertility and mood. And they now insist that the public and health chiefs must take their concerns often dismissed by the mainstream medical community as scaremongering seriously. These are chemicals that were exposed to every day, used in products that are ubiquitous in our daily routines, says Dr Kevin Osteen, Professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, who has spent decades studying endocrine disruptors. Theyre in food packaging, plastic bottles and even the products we wash with and put on our skin and studies have shown, time and time again, they are interfering with our hormonal systems. Were ignoring this at our own risk. If we dont do anything, were going to see a tsunami of problems. Celebrities including Dolly Parton have spoken in recent years about living with endometriosis Studies have linked endocrine disruptors to diabetes, obesity, developmental problems and some cancers. Now experts say they could be behind the rise of incurable reproductive disorders. Cases of endometriosis a condition where tissues that normally line the womb grow outside of it, causing pain and potentially infertility have risen from just over 3.4 million globally in 1990 to 190 million today. Meanwhile, the number of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) a hormonal disorder that causes irregular or heavy periods, weight gain and sometimes excess body hair has doubled in Britain over the past two decades alone. Many doctors attribute the rise to greater awareness of the conditions, leading more women to recognise symptoms and seek diagnosis. Celebrities such as model Alexa Chung, 41, and Dolly Parton, 79, have spoken in recent years about living with endometriosis, while Victoria Beckham, 50, and actress Dame Emma Thompson, 65, have both revealed their struggles with PCOS. There are more patients asking their GPs for help, and thats partially due to people having a better understanding about what is and isnt normal menstruation, said Dr Giada Frontino, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with the Phoenix Hospital Group in London. But its also to do with pollution and contaminants and additives in our food. And there are likely many other things we dont know about that are also triggering these conditions. One of the UKs foremost PCOS specialists, Professor Adam Balen, at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, agrees: Ive seen a massive spike in the number of cases coming to me our waiting list used to be three months, now its a year. Both endometriosis and PCOS can run in families. But there are other things that can promote their development and a major one is exposure to environmental toxins. This can be industrial pollution, microplastics and chemicals used in fertilisers. But its also what you use yourself cosmetics, creams absorbed through the skin, what you keep your food in. Exposure can even impact unborn children. There are three types of chemical that are of primary concern. The first, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, is an umbrella term for thousands of synthetic compounds added to cosmetics. PFAS are found in products such as cleansers, moisturisers and sunscreens. A recent BBC investigation revealed numerous popular make-up brands widely sold in the UK contain PFAS sometimes listed as PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, in ingredients lists. Then there are bisphenols the most well-known being bisphenol A or BPA which are chemicals used to make rigid plastics. The European Commission in December banned the use of BPA in all food contact materials including water bottles, drink can lining and food containers. It was removed from baby bottles in 2011 after studies suggested the compounds were leaking into milk or formula. However they are still permitted for use in cosmetic product containers and packaging. Third, and most concerning, say experts, are phthalates, also known as plasticisers. As well as making plastics more flexible and durable, they increase the risk of breast cancer and have been directly linked to causing developmental delays for children exposed to them in the womb. Phthalates are contained in many plastic toys and even medical devices. Theyre also used in nail polish, perfumes and hair products, to enhance scent. In fact, a 2022 study by the US Food and Drug Administration found that nearly three-quarters of a random selection of skin and haircare products contained these chemicals a figure likely to be similar in the UK. At the Burns Laboratory at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Professor Katie Burns has spent years studying the impact of phthalates on endometriosis and what she has discovered has changed her lifestyle completely. Victoria Beckham and Dame Emma Thompson have both revealed their struggles with PCOS We know that some women are naturally more susceptible to endometriosis genetically, she tells the MoS. But what were seeing is that certain chemicals in the environment are making women who are not genetically susceptible develop it. Dr Burns research has revealed bisphenols interfere with the way the hormone oestrogen functions in the body, worsening endometriosis symptoms. However phthalates and PFASs, she explained, could cause the condition to develop in women who arent predisposed to it. Dr Burns adds: Phthalates may be listed under acronyms such as DBP, DEP, or DEHP, but they are often simply marked as fragrance. Cosmetic firms say the exact make-up of their scents is commercially sensitive information, but they are also likely reluctant to name them due to regulatory concerns if they do. These are chemicals that will stay in the body for a long, long time, hidden in fatty tissue. They impact the immune system, and in some women we believe this may trigger reproductive problems and endometriosis. A growing body of research in recent years has linked these chemicals to hormonal disorders from undescended testicles in men to womb growths known as fibroids in women. And while its hard to draw a firm link between endocrine disruptors and reproductive disorders without deliberately exposing women to these chemicals, there is evidence that theyre connected. A 2023 review of more than 20 studies found a strong association, and in 2021 the University of Granada concluded that using cosmetic products containing these chemicals increased the likelihood of developing endometriosis due to their ability to mimic or block certain hormones. Phthalates in particular have been linked to the condition including by researchers at the University of Fujian in China, who found endometriosis patients had a significantly higher concentration of these chemicals in their urine than women without the condition. They found increased exposure to phthalates raised the risk of developing endometriosis by as much as 850 per cent. Model Alexa Chung, pictured at Paris Fashion Week this month, has also spoken about her experience with endometriosis And cosmetics are only the tip of the iceberg. Dioxins are a group of toxic compounds released when plastics degrade or are incinerated. They disrupt both the immune and hormonal systems, research suggests. Studies have found dioxins polluting the air, water and soil and these then make their way into animals and enter the food chain. Dr Osteen, along with his colleague Dr Kaylon Bruner-Tran, found that healthy lab animals exposed to dioxin developed severe endometriosis. They had trouble getting pregnant, and when they did, often miscarried. Some even died due to complications from the condition. And their offspring, and even subsequent generations, also had similar health problems. We realised that dioxin must be altering how the body processes progesterone and oestrogen, Dr Bruner-Tran told the MoS. Its not surprising that a number of endocrine disorders are getting worse. But Dr Annice Mukherjee, consultant endocrinologist and visiting professor at Coventry University, believes the massive increase in reproductive issues is more complicated. Increased awareness, rising obesity rates, a more sedentary lifestyle all of these things could also be contributing to a rise in cases of endometriosis and PCOS, she says. The endocrine disruption theory is more difficult to prove because there are so many contributing factors. Its still too early to definitively know how these chemicals are impacting reproductive health, but I share the concerns of other experts. The goal, say Drs Burns and Osteen, is that more awareness about endocrine disruptors will help people learn to avoid them. But they acknowledge theres not much that can be done without Government regulation. Instead, they say, consumers should look for products and food that is free of endocrine disrupting chemicals. Dr Burns says she avoids anything scented from cleaning products to laundry detergent. She also only buys all-natural skincare products. For years, people have said that the rise in reproductive health conditions is due to increased awareness around them, or the fact that women are having babies later, she says. But there are so many layers of things that were being exposed to and our levels of exposure are only getting worse. We need more people to understand what a massive problem this is. Experts say patients should look out for products that contain BPA as well as other bisphenols, such as BPS and BPF, which are thought to have a similar effect on the body. Bisphenol-free products will be labelled as no bisphenols used. Cosmetic packaging is often made from polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET, or other non-BPA plastics. This is indicated by a stamp, with the letters PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP or PS below a triangle. There may also be a number. If you see 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 in the triangle, the product is BPA free. The number 3, or the letters PVC, indicate BPA-type plastic. If you see 7, you wont be able to determine whether it has BPA or not. Dr Bruner-Tran, warns: We all need to be aware of our exposure. Thats the only way we can begin to protect ourselves. Billions of doses of ground-breaking Covid vaccines have been dished out globally since the early days of the pandemic. They have, without doubt, saved many millions of lives. But a highly controversial claim has been thrust into the spotlight: some of the jabs cause cancer. President Donald Trumps health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, has raised safety concerns and Floridas surgeon general, Dr Joseph Lapado, said they are not appropriate for use in human beings. The state of Iowa has already moved to enforce an outright ban. In the UK last month, broadcaster Piers Morgan declared on his YouTube show that hed had lunch with one of the top cancer experts in Britain who warned hospitals were reaping a whirlwind in the world of cancer as a result of the vaccines. So how seriously should we take these claims, considering just how many of us have had multiple of these jabs? Overwhelmingly, mainstream doctors, global medicines regulators and world vaccine experts say there is no cause for concern. But here we look at the claims and the evidence so you can make up your own mind... Broadcaster Piers Morgan giving the thumbs up as he was given a Covid vaccine Q) Surely this is a conspiracy theory. Wouldnt doctors be raising the alarm if it turned out the vaccines which almost all of us have had cause cancer? A) Well, a handful of doctors in the US, UK and Australia have raised concerns about mRNA Covid vaccines. Rolled out for the first time during the pandemic, they work in a different way to other vaccines. It introduces a piece of genetic code into the body to make it produce proteins. These proteins then help prime the immune system to recognise and destroy the virus. However, some doctors say they have seen a troubling rise in the number of aggressive, untreatable cancers since the vaccine rollout. Angus Dalgleish, a professor of oncology at St Georges, University of London, says he began seeing cancer returning in patients whod been successfully treated for melanoma in early 2022 and they all recently had Covid boosters. Colorectal surgeon Dr T. James Royle says that he has seen an increase in incurable stage-four colorectal cancer those that affect the colon or the rectum with it returning in patients he considered cured. He also links it to the Covid vaccines. There are also case reports in medical literature of patients developing lymphatic cancers after vaccination. But, equally, there are patients whose tumours shrunk after getting the jabs. And Cancer Research UK, which has world-renowned specialists on its books, says there is no good evidence of any link between the jabs and cancer. Some experts point out that if they did cause cancer, there would be a huge rise in cancers of the soft tissue or bone in the shoulder, where the jabs go in, which has not materialised Q) I have read that more and more people are getting cancer now. If it isnt vaccines, whats going on? A) It is too early to say from official data. NHS Englands cancer diagnosis data has only been revealed up to 2022, and there was a spike in 2021 likely driven by cases which werent diagnosed during the pandemic. And the truth is that rising cancer rates highlighted in recent headlines particularly in the under-50s have been escalating since 1990. Significantly they arent rising as fast in older people a group that have had more jabs than most, thanks to the booster programmes. Some experts also point out if they did cause cancer, there would be a huge rise in cancers of the soft tissue or bone in the shoulder, where the jabs go in, which has not materialised. Data from the UK regulator, the MHRA, suggests just 0.0008 per cent of the 500,000 reports of side effects from the Pfizer jab, and 0.0004 per cent of reports linked to the Moderna jab, relate to cancer. Q) Wed never used mRNA-type vaccines before Covid. Were they rushed through before we knew they were safe? A) While mRNA jabs had been in development for decades, the pandemic was the first time they were used. And its true they were rolled out at a faster pace than usual, and some largely anticipated minor side effects did emerge such as headaches and nausea. Myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle, was a risk for one in 10,000, particularly young men, and thrombocytopenia, which can cause blood clots, was also seen very rarely. However, the blood clot risk was significantly more serious for those who had the AstraZeneca vaccine, which did not contain mRNA it has been linked with 71 deaths in the UK. No such link has ever emerged between the mRNA jabs and cancer despite over ten years of animal trials. And Cancer Research UK points out that mRNA technology is being used to develop new jabs that are showing promise in actually preventing lung, ovarian and other types of cancer. We have mRNA in abundance in all of our cells so theres nothing that will do us any harm, says Stephen Griffin, professor of cancer virology at the University of Leeds. Q) Doesnt the vaccine contain a monkey virus that causes cancer? A) The mRNA vaccines do contain a tiny amount of DNA from a monkey virus called SV40, which is used in the manufacturing process. The virus causes cancer in monkeys and other mammals but, crucially, not in humans. And the fragment of the viruss DNA which is used is not the part that causes cancer. It has also been used for decades to manufacture other vaccines such as insulin for type 1 diabetes, polio jabs and hepatitis vaccines and no increased risk of cancer has ever been found. Professor Griffin says you could inject yourself with SV40 and not get cancer. Professor Angus Dalgleish says he began seeing cancer returning in patients whod been successfully treated for melanoma in early 2022 and they all recently had Covid boosters Q) Ive heard that the vaccines can change your DNA. Is this true? A) No. Theres no evidence that mRNA vaccines can change your DNA. For this to happen, mRNA would have to enter the central part of our cells known as the nucleus, which contains DNA, and then merge with it to cause genetic changes. Some small laboratory studies do suggest mRNA can enter the nucleus. But the scientists carrying out these studies say this does not prove it happens in vaccinated people or that it would have an effect on someones DNA if it did. Even if mRNA did get into the nucleus of a cell which isnt impossible that doesnt guarantee it gets incorporated into chromosomal DNA, says Professor Robin Shattock, an expert in vaccine technology at Imperial College London. Professor Griffin points out that every time our immune system fights an infection, our bodies end up littered with bits of viral or bacterial RNA and DNA. If this was always getting incorporated into our own DNA, wed all be gelatinous blobs, he says. Q) So we can rule out a link with cancer, then? A) Not completely. There are some questions we still dont have the answers to. There is some evidence, for example, the spike protein the body produces in response to mRNA vaccines can potentially bind to genes known to suppress cancer. These genes include p53, BRCA1 linked to ovarian, breast and prostate cancer and MSH, linked to bowel cancer. But the spike protein from Covid infection also binds to them, Professor Shattock says. 'People are looking to see if Covid itself could be driving up cancer cases, but there are no conclusions. Ultimately, we dont know. After Amy Griffin narrowly lost a school election aged 12, one of her favourite teachers, Mr Mason, stopped her in the hallway. 'You're the real leader of this school', he reassured her. His comment made Amy felt better about not winning. 'I pulled my shoulders back, standing up straighter.' She tucked Mr Mason's words away in her memory, and got on with the rest of her life. Or at least, she thought that was what happened. But, as her devastating memoir The Tell shows, the human brain can completely blot out life's most horrific memories. It wasn't till years later, when she was undergoing psychedelic-assisted therapy, that Amy, now 48, realised that those words of Mr Mason's had in fact been cunningly chosen. Using them was his way of exploiting her and grooming her. Amy Griffin at an event to promote her new memoir The Tell earlier this month in New York 'The body keeps the score.' Bessel van der Kolk coined that expression as the title of his 2014 book about trauma recovery. No truer five words were ever spoken. In Amy's case, her body certainly kept the score, while her mind did its utmost to forget it. For the next three decades, Amy seemed to need to exhaust and punish her body, and she had no idea why. She became an obsessive runner: so addicted, so self-punishing, that she ended up needing three operations on her back. She moved to New York, where she became a journalist, carried on running and swimming, and took up yoga. 'It felt like something was chasing me,' she writes, 'a monster of some kind.' She married a delightful, genuinely kind man called John, and they had two girls and two boys. As well as striving to be 'a brilliant Manhattan mum', she started her own investment firm for women. People said she had 'the perfect life'. She thought, 'I don't even know what perfect means.' Then one day her ten-year-old daughter said to her: 'I feel like I don't know you. You're nice but you're not real.' Amy went out for a swim 'and I screamed at the bottom of the pool'. It was then that John suggested she have psychedelic-assisted therapy, which requires taking a small amount of MDMA in pill form. It promises 'a day with the you that you have forgotten'. John had researched and undergone that very therapy, and it had helped to open up his own memories. Amy was resistant to the idea, but decided to give it a go. And, five minutes into her eight-hour session with a therapist called Olivia, she said, 'Why is he here? Mr Mason, from my middle-school' The horror came flooding back. 'The glass case of denial had been shattered.' She remembered the school toilets in which the sexual abuse happened, how Mason had tied her hands behind her back with a blue bandana, and said to her, 'If you tell anyone, I'll rip your teeth out.' Four years later, when she was 16, he came up to her in the school car park and said, 'One more time, for old time's sake?' and she'd gone along with it, because 'he had power over me; he was the keeper of my greatest shame'. Remembering it, she convulsed with rage, wailing on the floor of her marital Manhattan bathroom. Some scientists are sceptical about psychedelic-assisted therapy. A paper published last year in Nature said that psychedelics can sometimes provoke false memories: 'they do not necessarily prefer accuracy'. But Amy's memories are so physically specific that they have a real ring of accuracy about them. Amy Griffin with her husband John at the 2024 Met Gala From then on, she shifts to trying to bring Mason, who is not a registered sex offender, to justice. This book does not bring the 'good' ending or closure that Amy or we hope for. For her experiences to have any clout in the judicial system, she knows they'll need to be corroborated by others who suffered something similar from Mason. She has a clear memory of Mason putting his hand on the shoulder of a girl called Claudia. She meets up with her, and describes what happened. On hearing it, Claudia almost tries to lean away. But she denies that any such thing happened to her. 'Was she tightening up because there was something she, too, couldn't face?' Amy wonders. Then she receives an anonymous postcard with a mysterious message from one of the old schoolmates she tracked down: 'I didn't have it in me to tell you the truth.' It's too late, anyway, to bring the man to justice. Time has run out under the statute of limitations. It's deeply frustrating. Has life got better or worse for Amy since she allowed herself to revisit her past and unearth the truth? Horrifying though the truth of what happened to her is, she knows now that 'in running away from it [the trauma], I was also running from the best things life has to offer freedom and happiness and real relationships with the people around me. You can't have light without the darkness.' Sen. Bernie Sanders abruptly ended his sit-down interview with ABC News. The Vermont independent left This Week host Jonathan Karl stunned when he refused to answer whether he thinks his progressive partner in the House Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez should run for the Senate. Sanders said the interview was 'nonsense' after Karl pushed him if AOC should replace Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer after he voted for the Republicans budget to avert a government shutdown. After trying to shut down the line of questioning, the firebrand senator stood up in the middle of the interview and stormed out of the room a moment that was caught on camera as Karl urged Sanders not to cut it short. No longer on-camera, Sanders called the discussion 'inside the beltway stuff' and suggested there are bigger fish to fry then speculating over the future of the leadership in the Democratic Party. The senator then conceded and allowed Karl to get in one last, non-AOC-related question that centered around his political future. Sen. Bernie Sanders left his ABC News interviewer stunned when he abruptly tried to cut his sit-down short when he was asked twice about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Sanders called it 'beltway stuff' and said it was 'nonsense' to ask if she should challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer for his Senate seat amid calls for him to step down from leadership Sanders, 83, did rule out the possibility that he would be in that picture of another presidential bid, noting that he is old and tired. While in the interview Sanders did place the blame on Schumer for allowing the continuing resolution to pass last week, he didn't go so far as to back the calls for him to be primaried. 'You said that the passage of this bill, the continuing resolution, was a, 'absolute failure of Democratic leadership.' Who are you talking about?' Karl prompted Sanders. 'Well, Schumer is the leader of the party, and it should not have happened, period. No question about it,' he replied. 'But, you know, when we talk about Democratic leadership, we're talking about the Democratic Party in general, you know,' he added. 'It's not just Chuck Schumer. It is you've got a Democratic Party in general that is dominated by billionaires, just as the Republican Party is.' Meanwhile, other Democrats, including AOC, have much harsher words for Schumer. Some are demanding he step down from leadership and are promoting calls for a more progressive Democrat to challenge the minority leader in his next primary, which isn't until 2028. Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were on their 'Fight Oligarchy' tour at the time of the interview taping Sanders sat back down to end the interview after ABC News host Jonathan Karl said he had one more, non-AOC-related question Schumer told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday that he will not be stepping down and defended his vote to avoid giving President Donald Trump and 'first buddy' Elon Musk even more power by shutting down the government. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez kicked-off a joint 'fighting oligarchy' tour, which included a stop in Denver, Colorado over the weekend where 34,000 attended a massive rally against President Donald Trump and billionaire 'first buddy' Elon Musk. 'You're out there with the AOC today,' Karl said in a pre-recorded interview that aired Sunday morning. 'Do you see her as a future of the progressive ' Karl began to ask before he was cut-off by Sanders who praised all of the young leadership in the House Progressive Caucus. 'We have one of the untold stories of what's going on in current American politics, is that in the House of Representatives, you have dozens and dozens of strong, smart, disciplined, hard-working young people in the Progressive Caucus,' Sanders said. 'Alexandria is extraordinary,' he said. 'I am so impressed by her work in Congress and her just, she inspires young people all over the country.' 'Would you like to see her join you in the Senate?' Karl followed-up. This was enough to make Sanders want to stop the interview as he quipped: 'Right now we have, as I said, just a whole lot of people in the Congress. OK, Jonathan, thanks.' At this point, Sanders got up from his chair and walked off camera. An aide walked into the background of Karl's shot as Sanders got up from his chair before returning to it to sit down and end the interview cordially Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is facing increased calls to step down but he's not folding to the pressure and told NBC News on Sunday that he's not 'repeating the mistakes' of former President Joe Biden by refusing to quit 'Wait, I got one more. This is an important ' the ABC News host said, pleading for Sanders to let him finish the interview. 'No, I asked you No, you want to do nonsense, do nonsense,' Sanders replied. He then berated Karl with: 'I don't want to talk about inside the beltway stuff.' 'I was just asking you about AOC because she was out there with you,' Karl said. 'Well, you know, fine, but I don't want to talk about this what was the last question?' Sanders asked. Sanders came back into frame as Karl said it would be easier to ask him if he was still sitting down in front of the camera. 'I want to ask you about your future,' Karl said. 'You ran for president twice, this is the biggest crowd you've ever seen. Are we going to see you run again? What's your future?' 'No,' Sanders said, simply. 'Right now I'm very proud that the people of the state of Vermont sent me back to the Senate with 63 percent of the vote.' 'Right now I'm Vermont's senator. That's what I do. And I'm very happy to do it,' he said. 'I am 83 years of age. So and I'm tired,' he chuckled. Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. Ms J.K. writes: Being a novice investor in gold, I started off with Solomon Global by buying one gold coin from them in 2021 for 1,359. Last August, seeing how well it had done, I told the firm I wanted to get on to the housing ladder in a year or two. They told me about their buy-back guarantee. Unless the gold price fell they forecast a gain of up to 24 per cent, so I invested 11,364 in four more coins. Last November, the firm said my 11,364 had grown to 12,115, but when I asked to sell, they offered only 11,595 for all five, which had together cost me 12,723. Tony Hetherington replies: It would be hard in recent times to invest in gold and fail to make a profit. But Solomon Global did its best to hand you exactly this result. Even your short-term investment several months ago should show a decent profit, with gold up from 1,950 an ounce to about 2,330 when you decided to sell. You wanted to buy your first home before stamp duty changes in April land you with a tax bill. But you were shocked to be facing a loss. Priced out: Gold should be a safe investment option when done properly When you asked how this could happen despite rising gold prices, you were told it was because Solomon Global would incur costs to market your coins again. This was not what you were told last November, when its salesman said: 'For your portfolio, I would include coins that are both valuable and easy to sell, allowing you the flexibility to cash out earlier if needed for the property you would like to buy.' After I contacted Solomon Global, the firm asked you to bring the five coins to its London office. When you arrived, you were asked to send me an email which Solomon Global had helpfully written for you. In it, you admit that you were 'confused' about the terms on which you bought four 'graded' coins last year. The email written by Solomon Global for you says: 'I now recall a conversation with them where they explained that graded coins are typically only recommended for those looking to hold for at least four years. This has made me question whether I had fully understood everything from the outset.' And the email ends by telling me: 'I no longer need any assistance.' You were embarrassed to have to send me the email, but don't worry! It was so obviously not written by you that it was actually amusing. Solomon Global refunded the money you invested last year, with no profit, despite the tale that your 11,364 had grown to 12,115. And you were given 2,300 for your original 2021 gold coin, allowing you a profit of 941. If the name Solomon Global rings bells, it is because I reported last year that the Advertising Standards Authority banned one of its adverts for failing to make clear that gold investment was unregulated. I warned that one salesman, who had used several aliases, was a known rip-off merchant named Clive Mongelard who failed to obey a 2020 court order to repay 1.2million to investors he cheated; instead he declared himself bankrupt. And the email that Solomon Global drafted for you was prepared by owner, Scott Wilson, who is really Scott Assemakis, whose record includes an 11-year ban on running a limited company, imposed in 2013 after he played a big role in a 7 million land investment scam. Against this background, I'm pleased that you emerged with a modest profit. WE'RE WATCHING YOU A police probe into allegations of fraud by art investment firm Smith & Partner Ltd has been shut down, despite investors claiming they were cheated out of millions of pounds. Since 2022, The Mail on Sunday has repeatedly warned against the company, which went into liquidation in July 2023. Liquidators know of more than 1,000 victims, and say claims exceed 15 million. Smith & Partner sold limited edition art prints, advertising that one client had received a 64 per cent profit later revealed to be an 'inside deal'. Thorough probe: A police investigation into allegations of fraud by art investment firm Smith & Partner Ltd has been shut down It claimed to be regulated by the Fine Art Trade Guild, but in fact it expelled Smith & Partner, which was run by Luke Sparkes, 33, who offloaded it for 10 shortly before it collapsed. He is said to have received 5.9 million. In 2021 he paid 2.25 million for a six-bedroom home in Cheam, Surrey. The Mail on Sunday provided information to the police. At least 60 investors told how they were cheated. This week police said they carried out a thorough probe, and added: 'After assessing all the information available and following every viable line of enquiry, the threshold for charges was not met. 'All complainants were informed. There were no arrests. Officers will continue to investigate if new information comes to light.' Liquidators are pursuing civil court claims against Sparkes. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. Investment fund Trojan Global Equity has a simple mission: to generate stellar capital returns for its investors by taking long-term stakes in some of the world's strongest companies. It does this by investing in just a smattering of businesses (28 at the moment), most of which are familiar names to investors. The likes of Alphabet, Meta and Microsoft in the United States all members of the 'magnificent seven' fraternity are included. These sit alongside a clutch of UK and European big brands. Among them are London Stock Exchange Group, Dutch drinks giant Heineken and Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche. There are no holdings in Asia. It is an investment strategy that doesn't require constant portfolio trading. The key to its success is in identifying quality companies and then sticking with them through thick and thin, albeit shaving or adding to individual holdings when appropriate. Unlike many other funds, portfolio changes are as rare as hen's teeth. It works rather well, judging by the long-term returns it generates for investors. Over the past five and ten years, the 592 million fund has delivered respective gains of 82 and 195 per cent. To put these numbers into perspective, the average returns of its international equity peer group are 83 and 119 per cent. The fund's philosophy is best articulated by co-manager Gabrielle Boyle, who last week was in the US on an intelligence gathering exercise: meeting representatives from companies the fund is invested in, looking at potential investment opportunities, as well as seeing investors (the fund's catchment area is international). Boyle explains: 'Our starting point is to grow our investors' capital over time. We try to achieve this by identifying businesses that generate and will continue to generate great amounts of cash year in, year out. 'We do our homework on them, invest when the price is right and then own them with conviction. 'At the end of the day, we want to own strong businesses which have resilient balance sheets and are underpinned by growth forces.' It's a modus operandi which means Boyle and her fellow co-manager George Viney do not get phased when periods of stock market volatility prevail as has happened recently in the US. 'We have confidence in what we hold in the fund,' says Boyle. 'When the market and economic backdrop is difficult, we're not deflected in our belief that the companies we hold will prevail and continue to grow their cash flow.' In the past month, the fund's price has slipped 7 per cent. The most significant portfolio change in recent times, says Boyle, was early last year when a stake in US medical tech company Becton Dickinson was sold with the proceeds invested in Spanish holiday tech group Amadeus. Holdings in Alphabet, Fiserv (an American tech company specialising in the financial services sector), US software giant Intuit and Microsoft have all been a feature of the fund for at least the past ten years. Trojan Global Equity is one of 14 funds and trusts run by investment house Troy Asset Management. The business manages assets in excess of 11billion of which global equity is one of four investment strategies it specialises in. The others are multi-asset, UK equity income and global equity income. The fund's annual charges total 0.86 per cent. In marketing literature, it is referred to as Trojan Global Equity (Ireland) in recognition of where it is domiciled. This allows the fund to court an international as well as a UK clientele. Christopher Nieper is a 21st Century version of a Victorian benevolent capitalist. His profitable family fashion business is based in the struggling Derbyshire town of Alfreton, which has more than its fair share of social problems including young people without work. Rather than stand by, Nieper took on a failing school and turned it around. Not a single 18-year-old left last year without a job or a place in further education. He believes he has a formula that would help end the scourge of NEETS that's young people Not in Education, Employment or Training. Shockingly, there are almost a million British youngsters in this predicament, which Nieper describes as a 'terrible time bomb'. He says: 'The cost to the economy is unsustainable not just in welfare payments, but in lost productivity, unfulfilled potential, and the long-term damage caused by early unemployment.' Nieper wants a meeting with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and senior Treasury officials to propose a tax rebate for firms taking on apprentices to alleviate the crisis. High hopes: Christopher Nieper with students at the flourishing David Nieper Academy in Alfreton Based on work commissioned from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), he is proposing a tax break for employers that hire an apprentice, allowing them to offset the equivalent of two days in every week's pay against their bill. Official data shows nearly 1 million young people aged between 16 and 24 are classified as being not in education, employment or training. Nieper's intervention carries authority. His father David set up the family business in 1961 and the company still makes its clothes in Alfreton, defying the trend among fashion firms to switch to lower wage operations overseas. The business began sponsoring a local school, one of the UK's worst performing, nine years ago. Now the David Nieper Academy is highly successful. It had no NEETs among those leaving at age 18 last year. Among that cohort, 100 per cent secured jobs, apprenticeships or further education places. The figure for 16-year-old leavers was 98.5 per cent. And he says: 'This success can be replicated nationwide.' If the Government fails to tackle the NEET problem, he warns, 'we risk entrenching another generation of wasted potential, economic stagnation, and social decline'. 'But if we succeed,' he adds, 'we can unlock untapped talent, drive economic growth, and ensure the UK remains competitive on the world stage.' The latest figure for NEETs equates to one in seven of those aged 16 to 24 being 'on the scrapheap' sparking fears of a sharp decline in work ethic among younger generations. Modelling by the CSJ suggests Nieper's plan would initially cost the Government 10,166 a year for a full-time apprentice on 25,400 a year. However, after five years, the think-tank argues a typical youngster would have added a net 59,500 to the national coffers in terms of tax paid and savings on welfare. Over five years, if the number of NEETs is reduced by 52 per cent, the equivalent of returning to pre-Covid unemployment levels, the public purse could gain up to 23 billion. Those figures are by nature speculative but there is widespread agreement on the gravity of the problem, which is being exacerbated by a rise in the minimum wage for apprentices. This is due to jump 18 per cent to 7.55 an hour from next month, making it more expensive for firms. Businesses have also complained that the apprenticeship levy, a 0.5 per cent tax on companies with an annual pay bill of over 3 million, is not effective. They say it does not incentivise them to hire young people. Money raised from the levy goes into a pot. But the money can only be used on very specific types of training and many employers therefore find they cannot access the cash. Nieper says: 'It's not surprising there are nearly one million young people already on the scrapheap.' Jamie Cater of manufacturing industry body Make UK says the Government's success in tackling NEETs would rely on 'better support' for providers of apprentice training. He adds: 'There has been a 42 per cent decline in engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships in less than a decade. 'Much of this is accounted for by a decline in entry-level apprenticeship opportunities for young people.' He says this often arose because the funding for education providers for apprentices is 'inadequate'. Fears of a catastrophic loss of work ethic among the young are also mounting. A stark report from the Department for Work and Pensions reveals that 1.2 million 16-to-24-year-olds say they suffer with a work-limiting health condition. Accountant PwC released figures showing one in four 18-to-24-year-olds say they had considered quitting the workforce. Poor mental health and low confidence were cited as key factors. Around one in ten people, equivalent to 4.4 million Britons, are said to be actively considering giving up on work. Official figures show 9.3 million people, a fifth of the working-age population, were classed as 'economically inactive', not working or looking for a job, at the end of last year. This included 2.8 million who were out of work due to long-term sickness, a large proportion of which is mental health related. It is also a reminder of the challenge facing Labour as it tried to reduce the UK's ballooning benefits bill despite resistance from some backbench MPs ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement on Wednesday. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall last week unveiled plans to cut benefits in a bid to save 5 billion a year by the end of the decade. Katie Johnston, Local and Devolved Government Leader at PwC, says: 'This is a bold move which will no doubt attract criticism, but highlights the complexity of the Government's challenge in preventing extended inactivity among those most at risk. 'Employers and the Government must address the very real risk that many people currently in work may leave the workforce and become dependent on benefits.' David Lammy met the chairman of HSBC to quiz him over the bank freezing nearly 1 billion of pension savings owed to British nationals from Hong Kong, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. This newspaper has obtained an email sent in August from the deputy director of the Foreign Office's China department to a senior British diplomat in Hong Kong. The message said that the Foreign Secretary had 'raised [the blocked savings] with Mark Tucker' at a meeting between them. The email shows that the row has escalated to the top level of government. HSBC is under growing pressure to face MPs and explain its refusal to pay out the savings owed to people who fled Hong Kong to escape a crackdown by the authorities in Beijing. The bank is declining to hand over the money on the orders of the Chinese government. The email added that Catherine West, minister for the Indo-Pacific region, was 'keen to take up' the issue with the bank, which has its headquarters in the UK but makes most of its money in Asia. HSBC's chief legal officer Bob Hoyt held a follow-up meeting with Foreign Office officials in September to discuss how the issue could be resolved. Showdown: Foreign Secretary David Lammy and HSBC chief Mark Tucker Our revelations will ramp up pressure on the Government to find a solution so that victims can gain access to their savings. Phil Brickell, a Labour member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee urged ministers to act. 'Real, hard-working people in the UK are being unfairly denied access to their own money.' The Foreign Office confirmed to The Mail on Sunday that the pensions issue had been raised with the Hong Kong government but did not elaborate on the details. 'We continue to raise this issue with the Hong Kong government and Chinese government. We have urged them to facilitate early drawdown of funds as is the case for other Hong Kong residents who move overseas permanently and have made clear such discrimination is unacceptable,' a spokesman said. HSBC is sitting on 978 million of savings owed to tens of thousands of Hong Kongers living in the UK after they escaped a crackdown on pro-democracy activists by China. Exiles say HSBC's decision to freeze their savings has left their finances in a precarious state. The bank claims it cannot pay out the money due to a decision by Chinese officials in 2021 not to accept British National (Overseas) passports for identification. This stopped tens of thousands of savers from withdrawing their pensions early if they resettled abroad. But campaigners and MPs want the bank and the Government to push for that decision to be reversed, arguing it has no basis in law. Tory grandee Lord Patten, who served as the last British governor of Hong Kong before the city was handed over to China in 1997, is also backing the campaign. A HSBC spokesman said: 'Hong Kong legislation sets the conditions under which a member may withdraw his or her pension benefits. The conditions for early withdrawal are a matter of law and are not set by the trustee company.' He was once one of Britain's highest-paid bosses. But Frederic Vecchioli has seen his pay slashed by more than 12 million after shares in the self-storage group he runs fell off the shelf. In what is believed to be one the biggest pay cuts of its kind, the chief executive of Safestore got by last year on just 615,000 after a lucrative but controversial bonus scheme paid out nothing. That's quite a come down from the 13 million he pocketed in 2021. Vecchioli took home 500 times more than his typical employees that year, meaning he made more in half a working day than they did all year. It led to Safestore being dubbed Britain's most unequal quoted company. Safestore's shares tanked as housing market activity declined. It does well when more people move home and have to store their stuff. Money's too tight to mention: Safestore's shares tanked as housing market activity declined The company admitted it had got it wrong on Vecchioli's package, which has been tweaked so it is less dependent on the vagaries of the stock market. But his salary still rose by 18 per cent this year to 665,000. Vecchioli's pay is now 20 times that of an average worker at the firm, which is a low ratio by the standards of a FTSE 250 company. An Essex mother who has spent more than a year fighting for a place for her three-year-old son at a special school has said the battle has made her 'physically and mentally ill'. Sinead Woods, 36, of the village of Great Wakering, Essex, told MailOnline: 'Every day, every minute that I have off, I'm researching and fighting and trying to get him to a school.' Her son Nathan, three, has 'high, high, high needs', the mother-of-two explained, including severe autism and global development delay, with the latter seeing him significantly behind on all key skills leaving him with a mental age of about one. He is also non-verbal and has little to no sight in one eye, severe sensory processing disorder, social anxiety, bowel issues, hypermobility, a weak core, fine motor issues and Pica, a disorder marking consumption of non-food items. He wears nappies, cannot feed himself and often refuses to walk so is frequently pushed in a pram. But after Ms Woods applied to three special schools for him, which were all full, Nathan has now only been offered a place at a mainstream school for September which several medical professionals have said would not be suitable for him, in letters seen by MailOnline. In fact, children's charity NSPCC agreed with Ms Woods, when she contacted them, that sending Nathan to mainstream school is a safeguarding issue. She has separately called it 'torture'. So, she appealed in January and now has a tribunal date set for May 2, which she hopes will see the issue resolved. Essex County Council has also 'reconsulted' two of the special schools she applied to which she should hear back about soon. But she said her battle has become bigger now a fight for every family struggling to get special needs support: 'I feel so passionate about this now. I've never done anything kind of big or legal or whatever but I feel so strongly about this now. I don't just want to fight this for Nathan I want to fight this for every child that's like Nathan.' An Essex mother who has spent more than a year fighting for a place for her three-year-old son Nathan (pictured) at a special school has said the battle has made her 'physically and mentally ill' Sinead Woods (right, with husband Chris Woods, left), 36, of the village of Great Wakering, Essex, told MailOnline: 'Every day, every minute that I have off, I'm researching and fighting and trying to get him to a school' More than 1.6million students in England had special educational needs by the end of last academic year, according to government figures. This was 101,000 more pupils than the previous academic year, 2022-23. But only just over 160,000 students were able to attend special schools last academic year, 2023-24. Roughly two-thirds of special schools are at or over capacity, according to the latest Department for Education (DfE) figures from May 2023, which are still being finalised so 'should not be considered definitive'. And Ms Woods knows how widespread this issue is only too well. She knows a lot of other families in the same situation as her of being unable to get a special school space via a local autism charity called Little Heroes that supports the Woods family: 'Every single one of us is in the same boat. 'Not one of us has got our child into a specialist school and they're all very, very high needs, like Nathan.' Having spent well over a year visiting, researching and applying to schools, and gathering all relevant documentation on Nathan's health, she explained the stress this has had on her family: 'I'm literally fighting every single day and if I'm not actually physically emailing people or whatever, I'm doing my research. 'It's on my mind all the time because I'll do anything in my power to get him into a specialist school.' Ms Woods (pictured with Mr Woods, daughter Ciara, five, and son Nathan, three) said she knows that sending Nathan to a mainstream school is not right for him, explaining, 'There's no way that he could cope' Her health has suffered from the stress of it all: 'It's literally made me physically and mentally ill.' Listing Nathan's health issues, and adding he is currently in the process of getting diagnostic tests for a neurogenetic condition, his mother said: 'That's probably all I can think of off the top of my head but there's probably several more!' But despite his high needs, it still took a long time to obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for Nathan, a legal document for children with additional needs, which identifies those needs and what support should be given to meet them. It is required, in most cases, to attend a special school. The application for Nathan's EHCP was put in in February 2024 but the Woods family only got it nine months later, in November. By law, it should take 20 weeks. With the EHCP finally on their side, they applied to three specialist schools for Nathan: 'They all came back and said that they hit, obviously, the criteria, but they're oversubscribed.' It meant Nathan's only offer of a school place was at a mainstream institution. Ms Woods said she knows this is not right for him, explaining, 'There's no way that he could cope in a mainstream school and I had letters confirming, from several doctors, that he won't cope in mainstream and that he needs a specialist'. Firstly, she said that at the particular school he has a place at, it has been determined he would not be taught by a qualified teacher 'let alone a qualified special needs teacher' but instead a learning support assistant (LSA), or teaching assistant, outside the classroom. Bullying is a concern too, the mother-of-two said: 'We all know what it was like going to school. He's going to be the child that's in nappies, not talking, banging his head off the wall. You're throwing him into the lion's den'. Pictured: Nathan, right, with sister Ciara, left His EHCP also says he needs to be taught in 'a large space' with classroom staff who can all use Makaton, the mixture of signs, speech and written words used for those with communication difficulties. The mainstream school's staff are currently not trained in this. According to Section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014, local authorities must secure the educational provision specified in an EHCP. He cannot understand simple verbal communication, she said: 'Even if I turned around to him now and said, "Nathan, do you want a sweet?", I don't know if he knows what I'm saying but he doesn't respond to what I'm saying.' And his needs would just be too high both for him to be supported at breakfast club or after-school club while she worked, or for him to engage in enrichment activities like school plays, arts and crafts or class days out. Bullying is a concern too, she added: 'We all know what it was like going to school. He's going to be the child that's in nappies, not talking, banging his head off the wall. 'You're throwing him into the lion's den. He'd be in a pram, not able to feed himself, have an adult with him at all times.' Ms Woods said she knew the staff at the mainstream school have 'hearts of gold' and were doing their utmost to prepare for the eventuality of Nathan attending: 'The mainstream school has been amazing... I cannot fault them whatsoever 'I know that they would do the best that they could [to look after Nathan].' Nathan's needs are so high that she knows the mainstream school just would not work for him: 'Personally, as his mother, I feel it's a form of torture' But even so, Nathan's needs are so high, she knows the school just would not work for him: 'Personally, as his mother, I feel it's a form of torture, putting him in there, because no one's going to be communicating the way that he can.' But it would also be a challenge for the school and other children there, she added: 'It's such a strain on the mainstream school because what they've said is they are already over their percentage of additional needs children and they don't have the funding, they don't have the space, they don't have anything like that.' The mother-of-two said: 'You've got to think of the other kids. Having to listen to kids getting so distressed, Nathan headbutting the floor.' The special school Ms Woods would like her son to go to, by contrast, has year groups based on needs, rather than age, making it easier for staff to give children the support they require. It has speech and occupational therapists onsite, as well as physiotherapists, and after-school and holiday clubs well-equipped enough to give Nathan the care he needs so Ms Woods could continue to work to support the family. It also has a swimming pool onsite, a godsend as it has been impossible to find swimming lessons for disabled children locally, Ms Woods said. But if Nathan cannot go there, and she chooses to homeschool him instead, she would not get local authority financial support for this an unfortunately common outcome for homeschooled children with special needs. The upheaval for the family would be huge if they had to resort to this and it is already affecting them, she said. Before the tribunal date was confirmed, she handed in her notice at work, thinking it likely she would have to homeschool preferable to the family, compared to a mainstream institution. The upheaval for the family (pictured) would be huge if they had to resort to this and it is already affecting them, she said Ms Woods giving up work and her wage to homeschool Nathan would have a knock-on effect, she said: 'There's no way we would be able to keep our home. We would have to sell and either try to get a council house or just downsize.' In the 2023-24 academic year, tribunals upheld the local authority's decision only 1.3 per cent of the time the lowest instance of this figure on record, according to Ministry of Justice figures. Ms Woods's chances of winning her tribunal look good but it has been a fight to get there, one that has affected the entire family's life. Her other child Ciara, five, has been massively impacted by the whole process: 'Simple things like doing her homework can be difficult because [her brother Nathan] could be screaming, having meltdowns. She doesn't get to have playdates.' But Ms Woods said proudly, 'Ciara is such an amazing big sister. She looks after him and she has such a hard childhood but she never complains. 'It breaks my heart. Yesterday, all she wanted was cuddles and she said, "I never get to have proper cuddles because Nathan needs you", and I was thinking, "Jesus!".' She added: 'She is amazing. Even things like, he'll come over and he'll give her a headbutt and she understands that he's not doing that out of naughtiness. So, she'd never retaliate, she'd never get angry, she'd still go up and give him a hug.' On the day Ms Woods spoke to MailOnline, Ciara was so excited to get some quality time with her mum while her brother was at nursery: 'What she's so looking forward to is when she finishes school, we're going to have a movie on the sofa and I get to give her a cuddle.' It has really affected her other child, five-year-old Ciara (right), too: 'Simple things like doing her homework can be difficult because [her brother Nathan] could be screaming, having meltdowns. She doesn't get to have playdates' Ciara has joined the fight to support her brother Nathan too last year, when she was only four, she did a sponsored silence, raising more than 3,000 for Little Heroes, the autism charity that supports the family. And in Autism Awareness Week last year, Ciara brought in storybooks her mother had bought her to explain autism to her in a child-friendly way and volunteered to speak to her class for two days about the condition. Ms Woods said: 'I feel like when she's older, she's going to be a force to be reckoned with.' Her daughter's patience is a much-needed consolation for the mother-of-two who fears that sending Nathan to mainstream school marks a violation of his human rights. She said: 'I'll go as far as to go to the [European] Court of Human Rights because I feel so passionate about this.' Ms Woods said: 'Me and my husband are always stressed. It's hard enough having a child with very complex needs and that can't talk. He gets so frustrated. 'And there's days here when he doesn't sleep, there's times where he's just screaming consistently, headbutting the floor, headbutting us. So, that is stressful enough without the stress of trying to just get him his basic human rights met.' Now with the support of the NSPCC behind her, she concluded: 'Personally, when it comes to, say, the mainstream school they mean for Nathan, I think it is a real safeguarding issue and I don't think it should be legal.' A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: 'We are unable to comment on individual cases, however we are committed to working with schools and families to ensure suitable placements can be secured for children. 'The pressures on the SEND system are recognised as a national challenge and improving our local SEND system remains our priority. We are implementing different opportunities without compromising on the quality of the service offered.' The NSPCC was approached for comment but it is understood they cannot share details of particular cases as the discussion took place via the confidential helpline service. A grief-riddled Nevada mother has revealed chilling theories behind her 24-year-old daughter's unsolved murder. Kimberly Briggs, 53, is still looking for answers eight years after her only daughter, Brittney Briggs, 24, was found beaten and strangled to death inside of her Las Vegas home while her three-year-old daughter Nadine was asleep in another room. Kimberly has since conjured a myriad of theories as to what happened to her daughter on the night of February 9, 2017, suspecting local law enforcement could have been more thorough in their investigation. Speaking of her daughters investigation, Kimberly said: Im sure there had to have been DNA or something under her nails because you dont just strangle a person without them fighting back. There had to be something that [police] could have used, something they could have looked further into. The shattered mother believes her daughters killer could have been someone she knew. She revealed that the family discovered strange messages from a man who seemingly posted on Facebook details about Brittney's death before they were revealed by cops. There are so many pieces that they never seem to be concerned with, the distraught mother told the DailyMail.com. Kimberly Briggs, 53, is still looking for answers eight years after her only daughter, Brittney Briggs (left), 24, was found beaten and strangled to death inside of her Las Vegas home while her three-year-old daughter (right) was asleep in the other room Nearly a decade later, the Briggs family seeks answers, and justice, for their only daughter as Brittneys mother believes her daughters case did not receive the consideration it deserves.' Pictured: Brittney Briggs' family (left to right) Austyn Schaffner, Kimberly Briggs and Jon Schaffner The distraught mother has since hatched other theories, her daughter, a recently hired tax preparer for Universal Tax, had just begun dating a man in the weeks leading up to her death. There was her new boyfriend. She had only been with him probably two to three weeks, Kimberly said. Yet, when Kimberly probed detectives, she claims they brushed her suspicions off. The detective was saying Oh, hes really broken up. He wants to know if he can plan the funeral, she recalled, What!? NO! she replied, appalled at the suggestion. She then suggested a third scenario, mentioning a member of Brittneys church. There was one creepy guy that she knew from church that struck me as odd, she said. After sifting through her daughters Facebook and other social media pages she discovered an eerie post he shared the morning Brittney's body was found. Kimberly has since conjured a myriad of theories as to what happened to her beloved daughter Brittney (pictured) on the night of February 9 Pictured: Kimberly Briggs with her then-three year old daughter, Nadine About 6.30am the morning her body was found, he had posted on Facebook about how one of his best friends had been strangled, she said. But that information wasnt even put out. That information wasnt even public, we didnt even know at the time. And her autopsy was not done until the next day, on Sunday afternoon. Continuing to put her mind to the test, theorizing all types of scenarios about what may have happened on that fateful night, Kimberly recalled another guy Brittney had gone out with years prior. Another guy she had gone out with a handful of years prior, you know, on one date, he kind of struck me as the stalker type, she said. I didnt really think he was capable of all that, but to me he struck me as a little slow something was definitely off. Creepy, but harmless I guess is what I would call it. Your mind goes all over the place when youre really trying to think about every last thing that COULD have happened. Him too, Kimberly felt detectives could have paid a closer look into. When I told that to the detective, all I got was He has an alternative lifestyle and I thought I dont know what that means and I dont even care I just want answers. She had also recalled her granddaughter's disturbing statement to the police. Though only three-years-old at the time, Nadine told police there was someone in her room covering her head with a blanket the night her mother died. The young mother was found dead inside her home on Spindrift Court near Lake Mead Boulevard and Mount Hood Street on the morning of February 10, 2017 The friend arrived at her Las Vegas home, with kids in tow as Brittney was scheduled to babysit according to Kimberly, however once she arrived she found the door wide open. Pictured: Brittney's home in Las Vegas appeared to be ransacked when police arrived on February 10, 2017 The house appeared to have been ransacked, with the culprits stealing Brittney's cell phone, debit and EBT cards. Pictured: Brittney's home in Las Vegas appeared to be ransacked when police arrived on February 10, 2017 'She told us stories about somebody being in her room that night telling her to keep the covers over her head and be quiet. Her explanation leads me to believe that there are two people involved,' Kimberly theorized. 'It is heartbreaking when we would hear Nadine, how she would talk about how mommy looked that she wouldnt wake up.' Over eight years have passed and the Briggs family continues to hope for answers to their daughter's incomprehensible death. The grieving family continues to speak out, advocating for justice for their beloved child, a young single mother who appeared to have just found her footing and was on a path to success. 'From the beginning we felt like authorities were disinterested, writing us off like another "welfare case,"' Kimberly exclusively told the DailyMail.com. You see stories about rich people and influencers get more attention, and that is really what I am feeling like maybe if we had more money to hire an investigator, maybe if we lived in the ritzier part of town, or if Brittney wasnt on state aid, maybe her case would get more attention, she said. Instead, I feel as though it was just written off like Well thats another welfare case, case closed. Continuing to put her mind to the test, theorizing all types of scenarios about what may have happened on that fateful night, Kimberly recalled another guy Brittney had gone out with years prior. Pictured: Brittney Briggs The young mother was found dead inside her home on Spindrift Court near Lake Mead Boulevard and Mount Hood Street on the morning of February 10, 2017. She was discovered by a friend who had stopped over after not hearing from Brittney. The friend arrived at her Las Vegas home, with kids in tow as Brittney was scheduled to babysit according to Kimberly, however once she arrived she found the door wide open. The house appeared to have been ransacked, with the culprits stealing Brittney's cell phone, debit and EBT cards. 'I want to hold her,' Kimberly told KNTV in 2017. 'I just want to see her again.' Las Vegas Metropolitan Police say they saw no signs of trauma when they found Brittney's body, but the coroner later discovered the 24-year-old had been strangled. According to the Clark County coroner, the woman had several hemorrhages around her neck. Pictured: Brittney Briggs as a young girl, her mother Kimberly's favorite photo of her daughter 'Nadine is precious and doesn't deserve to have lost her mom. She just keeps talking about seeing her mommy face down on the couch,' Kimberly told the outlet. Pictured: Brittney Briggs and her daughter, Nadine 'Nadine is precious and doesn't deserve to have lost her mom. She just keeps talking about seeing her mommy face down on the couch,' Kimberly told the outlet. 'I've never seen anything like this around here happen, not even really a break-in, so it's a shock to all of us,' James Bass, who lives next door to Briggs' home, told KNTV at the time. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police say they saw no signs of trauma when they found Brittney's body, but the coroner later discovered the 24-year-old had been strangled. According to the Clark County coroner, the woman had several hemorrhages around her neck. Neighbors said Briggs moved in about four years prior to her death. 'Since I moved in 10 years ago, I feel safe with the neighbors and we're just all kind of creeped out by it,' Chery Hope, another neighbor told the outlet. 'So sad, she was too young. So sad.' Around the time Briggs moved into the home, she met Maria Cane. Cane would grow to become one of her closest friends and the godmother to her daughter. 'All kind of things are running through my mind right now and my heart just breaks for Nadine, for the baby, for my goddaughter,' Cane said. Cane claimed she has no idea who might have killed Brittney, but that she was very talkative and friendly, even letting friends live with her. 'She started the online dating thing and... she was trusting with everybody and that was something I was working with her about,' Cane added. 'We are unsure what the motive behind this senseless crime is,' Lieutenant Ray Spencer of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement LVMPD later concluded that Brittney, who often sold items online such as clothes, trinkets and other miscellaneous things, may have been victimized by one of her customers. 'We are unsure what the motive behind this senseless crime is,' Lieutenant Ray Spencer of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement. 'However, we learned that Brittney sold clothes, trinkets and other items online. Things the killer may have taken with them.' DailyMail.com has reached out to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for comment. Any information regarding Brittney's case can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers Nevada, (702)385-5555. A broke punter is accused of 'stealing' $160 worth of lap dances from a strip club after he failed to produce the money to pay for them. John Elberson, 39, was arrested at 1.41am on March 11 at his home in Apollo Bay, Florida, about 10 minutes after he fled the club. He went to Reign Ladies and Gentlemen's Club in nearby Clearwater, across the water from Tampa Bay, and had several lap dances from strippers. But when he finished, he told staff he 'did not have the funds to pay for the services he received' and left without settling his bill, the complaint alleged. Police wrote on the complaint that Elberson appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, but hadn't taken any drugs. The complaint accused him of 'intent to appropriate the property' and called the lap dances 'the property of Reign Ladies and Gents'. John Elberson, 39, (pictured with his very forgiving girlfriend Brittney Parks-Hutchinson) is accused of 'stealing' $160 worth of lap dances from a strip club Elberson went to Reign Ladies and Gentlemen's Club (pictured) and had several lap dances from strippers - without the money to pay for them Elberson was charged with petty theft and languished 12 hours in jail before the Pinellas County Circuit Court released him without bond. The father-of-five initially drew the ire of his longtime girlfriend Brittney Parks-Hutchinson, who posted an enraged meme on social media hours later. 'Forgive and forget? Nah... f**k that bulls**t, they knew exactly wtf they were doing,' it read. But by March 15 she had cooled down. 'No matter what we love each other period s**t happens life happens but when you know you know,' she wrote next to a photo of them together. The club claims to be the biggest in Clearwater with 7,000sqft of floor space, including a 'Private Sky Box' and VIP rooms Elberson made use of. 'Prepare to be amazed as we introduce you to a nightlife experience like no other,' its website boasted. Elberson was charged with petty theft and languished 12 hours in jail before the Pinellas County Circuit Court released him without bond The club claims to be the biggest in Clearwater with 7,000sqft of floor space, including a 'Private Sky Box' and VIP rooms Elberson made use of 'Every detail has been meticulously designed to create an ambiance that exudes elegance and sophistication. 'From the lavish furnishings to the dazzling chandeliers, every corner of our venue radiates an air of exclusivity.' Local media called it one of the best places to celebrate St Patrick's Day or New Year's Eve. Kim Crespi had what she would describe as the perfect life. She had a husband she adored: David, a gentle giant of a man, devoutly religious, a loving father, and a proven star in the world of finance. Kim and David had five healthy, happy children - Jessica, 17, and Dylan, 13 (to Davids first wife, also called Kimberly, who had died of brain cancer); Joshua, nine; and two precious five-year-old twin girls, Tessara and Samantha. The family lived in a spacious house in a neighborhood they all loved, nestled in the suburbs of the booming banking capital of Charlotte, North Carolina. No one, least of all Kim, ever suspected that the richly textured tapestry of a life that they had lovingly woven together for 11 years could be cut to ribbons in less than 40 minutes. In the time it took for her to go for a haircut, David - who had been prescribed a cocktail of Ambien, Trazadone, Prozac and Lunesta for his depression - stabbed the twins in a frenzied psychotic episode, killing them both, then calmly called 911. Reports showed they had 32 wounds. They told me that I left a knife in one of my children David later told a Danish documentary team, choking up. They told me that I left a knife in one of my children David later told a police interviewer Kim left the twins for less than 40 minutes, while she went for a haircut A few days after the tragedy, Kim decided to try journaling as a way to help her cope with the loss of her girls A few days after the tragedy, on January 20, 2006, Kim decided to try journaling as a way to help her cope - starting with how she first learned about the horror that awaited her on the way home from the salon. Her heartbreaking journals are now published for the first time in the new book Medication, Mental Illness, and Murder: What Really Killed the Crespi Twins by family friend Edward L. Jones III. A very distraught police officer on my right tells me that my girls are dead, that their father has confessed, and that he is in custody, writes Kim in her first entry. I want to see Sam and Tess. I want to hold them. Has this police officer seen the girls? Is he sure? Can I talk to David? What brought him to do this? A police detective on my left tells me that I have to be both the mom and the dad for my other three children. Indeed, the next task that awaits is to tell their surviving children - all of whom were at school when the tragedy happened. The last time I saw them, all of us - including Sam and Tess - were in my van and I was taking Jessie, Dylan, and Josh to school. On our way to Jessicas high school, I tell them that it is time for all of us to step up because Dad isnt sleeping, and he is depressed. We all need to work together to get through this. They all agree. Kim and David had five children - Jessica, Joshua, and Dylan, as well as Tess and Sam When I tell them that Dad has killed Sam and Tess, they are in shock. No one saw this coming' Kim had to break the terrible news to their other three children Dylan, Jessica, and Joshua I say, Its a good thing that dad isnt violent when hes depressed. The rest of the day is filled with painful police interviews - the family still reeling in disbelief. 'When I tell them that Dad has killed Sam and Tess, they are in shock. No one saw this coming... None of them can remember a single time when their father has ever hurt them, physically or emotionally. This isnt the dad they know.' Then comes the darkest part of the day - the moment no parent should ever have to endure. 'The detectives have been crying; I see their red eyes... they describe to me how Sam and Tess die. The girls play hide and seek with their dad. They both hide in the pantry in the kitchen. When David finds them, they run out together and David tries to kill both of them on the kitchen floor. I am told that Sammie dies saying, Daddy, you are hurting me. Tessa runs upstairs to hide in her favorite spot, her dads closet. David finds her and drags her into our bathroom. I am told that she dies crying, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy! The inescapable facts of what happened in the Crespi household roughly between 12.05pm and 12.37pm on January 20, 2006, are these. Just minutes after Kim left for her haircut, David, who was at home on medical leave, agreed to play hide-and-seek with his twins. As the children were finding their hiding places, David walked over to the kitchen counter, removed two large knives from the butcher block, and arranged them on the worktop. He found the girls in the pantry. David then took each of them by the arm, dragged them onto the kitchen floor, grabbed one of the knives from the counter, and tried to slaughter both little girls simultaneously. Both girls were buried in the same coffin on January 24, 2006 In July 2006, David was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison He started by stabbing Samantha repeatedly in the back and the chest. He stopped only when he thought Samantha had ceased breathing. While David was focused on killing Samantha, Tessara wrested herself free, and ran upstairs to hide. Once David was finished with Samantha, he returned to the kitchen counter, picked up the second knife, and walked upstairs. He found Tessara hiding behind some clothes in his walk-in bedroom closet, pulled her out, dragged her into the nearby master bathroom, pinned her down on the ceramic tiles, and stabbed her multiple times - again in the chest and the back, never in the face - until it seemed clear to him that she, too, was dead. Afterward, David took off his bloodstained clothes and left them in a pile in his upstairs closet. He then washed up, changed into clean clothes, and at 12.37pm he picked up his cell phone and dialed 911. In Kims journal dated March 2, 2006, she wakes early and is drowning in grief for her daughters, but also guilt and compassion for her husband. It is 4.30am, and I woke up with a headache. I miss my little girls so much. I wonder if I could have done anything more for David. I tried, many people around me tried, but we need more awareness. This issue is huge, and people need to know that they are not alone. On April 8, she is finally allowed to visit David in prison - it's the first time she's been able to see him since the death of the twins. She writes: I just love David when I see him. I apologize for not getting better care for him. He says there are no words for how sorry he is. We cry and the glass between us is okay. Less than a month later - after first being told the DA would be seeking the death penalty - she learns that instead David has been offered a plea bargain of life imprisonment without parole for first degree murder for both girls. They will make no concession for the drugs he was prescribed. And in July 2006, he is sentenced to two consecutive life terms. Then in August, a milestone arrives that Kim has waited for and dreaded in equal measure - the day that would have been Tess and Sam's first day at kindergarten. It is beautiful outside, but I am so sad inside. It is a day that I have thought about for years - the day that Jessica was going off to college, Dylan was starting high school, and Joshua was running into the elementary school, looking out for his twin sisters as they started kindergarten. Sam and Tess in kindergarten For years, David and I cried when we thought about this day. Then today, it happened, and nothing seems to be able to take away the pain. David had no prior history of violence, before the devastating events of January 2006. But he was not the first - nor was he the last - person to commit an appalling crime while prescribed a type of antidepressant known as SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor). Andrea Yates drowned her five young children in the bathtub at their home in Texas. She was taking Effexor and Remero Lindsay Clancy strangled her three young children before slashing her wrists, stabbing herself in the neck, and throwing herself off a roof Eric Harris, who killed his classmates at Columbine in 1999, was taking the SSRI Luvox at the time David was not the first - nor was he the last - person to commit an appalling crime while prescribed a type of antidepressant known as SSRI Last year, doctors said that antidepressants may have pushed Trump shooter Thomas Crooks over the edge. And Eric Harris, who, along with Dylan Klebold, opened fire at Columbine High School in 1999, killing 12 of their fellow students and a teacher, was taking the SSRI Luvox at the time. Prior to that, he had been prescribed Zoloft. In 2001, Andrea Yates drowned her five young children in the bathtub at their home in Texas. She was taking 450mg of Effexor a day - twice the maximum recommended dosage - and 45mg of Remeron. And in January 2023, Lindsay Clancy strangled her three young children before slashing her wrists, stabbing herself in the neck, and throwing herself off the roof of their two-story home in Massachusetts. Like Kim, Lindsay's husband Patrick has forgiven his wife. As for David, he was weaned off all medication in prison and returned, by all accounts, to his old self - the man his family and friends knew and loved prior to the tragedy. He has now been medication-free since 2008. For many years, Kim actively campaigned to raise awareness about the lethal side-effects of antidepressants. However, now cruelly crippled by Parkinson's disease, she can no longer walk, cook, eat, or go to the bathroom without help. She has not been able to write in her journal for years. She no longer has the manual dexterity to finger her beloved rosary beads. Kim and Davids life savings have been all but exhausted by lawyers bills and medical expenses. To help defray expenses, Joshua temporarily sacrificed his once promising accountancy career to serve as his mothers live-in caregiver. But Kims health needs ultimately exceeded Joshs capacity to help his mother. Meanwhile, David Crespi is in a dark place. Due to the overload of dangerous criminals in North Carolinas maximum-security prisons, some of those criminals have been shipped to Davids medium-security facility. Consequently, David feels increasingly threatened. He has stopped calling Kim and other people who love him. He has discontinued writing the dozens of letters he used to send out monthly to more than 400 supporters in America and around the world, including me. He has evidently concluded that he will never leave prison alive and be able to help Kim and his surviving children. And yet, Kim persists in holding on to hope that her beloved husband will at last be released from prison and walk into her, Jessica, Dylan, and Joshuas loving embrace. During the years Kim was able to write in her journal, she had dreams of someday turning her entries and other reflections into a book. One of the last things she wrote was this possible closing passage: 'This is our story as well as I can tell it. We have learned much on this journey so far and I think there is value in sharing it with you. 'We were given extreme grace to look beyond the fear, to love, and to try to understand why this tragedy happened to us. 'Our story has been reported in the media, but it is quickly subverted by powerful entities that stand to lose billions of dollars if victims are in any way empowered to tell their stories. 'I now know that the medication caused the psychosis which propelled David to take the lives of our much adored five-year-old twin daughters. 'It was not mental illness or a lack of the proper diagnosis. It was the serious side-effects that can occur to anyone taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or taking a combination of an SSRI with other medications that have additional side- effects - especially when the medication is begun, when it is stopped, or when the dosage is adjusted. 'If we had been made aware of the warning signs of psychosis, our precious little girls could have been saved. 'The sadness can be overwhelming. But be strong. Be courageous. 'Look with love beyond the fear and the horror and we will stop this madness together.' Excerpted from Medication, Mental Illness, and Murder: What Really Killed the Crespi Twins by Edward L. Jones III is published by Rowman & Littlefield, March 25 Allie Carter was hunting for waterfowl at a wildlife park in Indiana in October 2015 when her life was irreversibly changed by a cruel twist of fate. The 25-year-old was shot in the foot with her own shotgun as her chocolate Labrador retriever, called Trigger, stepped on the firearm and set it off. Carter survived, but had to be treated at two hospitals for injuries to her foot and toes before she was released. The story reverberated around the world within hours, becoming one in a shockingly long line of unfortunate mishaps involving guns and man's 'best friend'. In some cases pet owners have lost limbs from careless accidents. In others, owners have been tragically shot dead by their pets. From hunting mishaps to kitchen nightmares here are some of the unfortunate accidents involving dogs and guns. Canine kills owner on a hunting trip A father from Turkey was shot and killed by his dog after his pet stepped on the trigger. Ozgur Gevrekogulu, 32, was killed at the end of a hunting trip to Turkey's Samsun province in November 2022. Mr Gevrekogulu was loading equipment into the boot of his car after when his dog jumped on the back of a friend stepping on the trigger of a shotgun shooting him in the stomach,according to the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet. He died from the bullet wound before paramedics could arrive at the scene. Tragically, he had just become a father two weeks earlier. At the time of the shooting, Mr Gevrekogulu's hunting company was taken into custody before they were subsequently released. Ozgur Gevrekogulu (pictured with a dog), 32, was killed at the end of a hunting trip to Turkey's Samsun province in November 2022 Tragically, Mr Gevrekogulu had just become a father when he was shot dead Russian man shot by dog from the back of his car A Russian man was shot and killed by his dog while trying the pet out of his car in a freak accident. Sergei Terekhov, 64, had travelled to the remote Russian region Saratov for a hunting trip with his brother in January 2018. Mr Terekhov was letting his two Estonian hounds out of his car when one dog jumped on him triggering the shotgun that was resting against his knee pointed towards him. After he was shot in the stomach his brother rushed to drive him to a hospital but Mr Terekohov died on the way there. Speaking at the time, investigator Alexander Galanin said: 'A pretty experienced hunter died. 'He was sober and had a gun licence. Everything was in order. It was an accident.' Sergei Terekhov, 64, had travelled to the remote Russian region Saratov for a hunting trip with his brother in January 2018 when his dog set off his shotgun Pit bull shoots owner after jumping on bed A man in Tennessee was shot by his pet dog after it jumped on the bed to wake him up and accidentally set off his gun. He had been asleep in bed with his girlfriend and a firearm by their side when the bizarre incident occurred in the earlier hours of the morning of March 10. After the gun went off, the couple flew into a panic and called for help. When police arrived, the victim said that his girlfriend had left with the weapon. Emergency services arrived and cleaned his wound before he was transported to a nearby hospital. Luckily, the man's injury was non-critical and the bullet only grazed his upper thigh. The couple refused to share their identities, but the man's girlfriend spoke with local media about what happened. 'The dog is a playful dog, and he likes to jump around and stuff like that, and it just went off,' she said. She told the outlet that she was asleep when the pit bull jumped on the bed, startling her when the gunshots woke her up. The woman recalled the shocking moment she heard gunshots and awoke to the pit bull accidentally firing at her boyfriend. The victim's dog, Oreo, left the incident unscathed and the couple said they could laugh about it since no one was seriously injured. The house where a man in Tennessee was shot by his pet dog after it jumped on the bed to wake him up and accidentally set off his gun Rottweiler-mix leaves man with 'gaping hole' in his ribs A man was left with a 'gaping hole' in his ribs after his pet Rottweiler-mix got his paw caught in the trigger of his gun. Tex Harold Gilligan was driving with his three dogs to the New Mexico desert for a jackrabbit hunting trip in November 2018. However before Mr Gilligan even reached his destination a shot was fired by his pet pooch Charlie. Charlie, a 120 pound Rotweiller-mix, was sitting in the front seat when his paw got caught in the trigger of Mr Gilligan's gun which he accidentally set it off. Tex Harold Gilligan (pictured) was left with a 'gaping hole' in his ribs after his pet Rottweiler-mix got his paw caught in the trigger of his gun Charlie (pictured) who shot Mr Gilligan leaving with with a punctured lung and three broken ribs Speaking to ABC News at the time, Mr Gilligan said: 'It went through my ribs my lung and busted up my collarbone on the right side.' 'I had a gaping hole, you know, and a lot of blood there too.' He then called 911 and was airlifted to the hospital shortly afterwards. Despite being in a critical condition, with a punctured lung and three broken ribs, Mr Gilligan was more concerned about the welfare of his precious pets. The three dogs were taken to a county shelter following the shooting, but Gilligan asked that his pups be removed from 'doggy jail' as soon as possible. To protect he beloved Charlie, Mr Gilligan at first told the authorities he shot himself by accident before later admitting Charlie was the culprit. '[Charlie] did not mean to do it.' 'He's a good dog,' he said. The three dogs were taken to a county shelter following the shooting, but Gilligan asked that his pups be removed from 'doggy jail' as soon as possible Hunter found dead after pet stood on rifle Joseph Smith from Wichita was found dead near the remote hamlet of Geuda Springs in January 2023. Authorities found the 30-year-old in the passenger seat of his truck with his hunting gear and rifle. In the back of the car, they said, was a dog. The Sheriff's office said teams arrived within minutes of a call and started CPR life-saving measures. But Smith sadly soon succumbed to his injuries. The sudden death of the plumber in a rural area, population 194, during a weekend hunting trip attracted national headlines. But it was conclusion police arrived at that shocked most. Joseph Austin Smith was shot and killed with one round from his own rifle after his dog stepped on the firearm and discharged it, they said. Joseph Smith (pictured), 32, from Wichita was found near the hamlet of Geuda Springs, 50 miles south of Wichita and home to 194 people just north of the Oklahoma border. Sheriffs believe he died at around 9:40am The Kansas hunter who was found dead Saturday after he was accidentally killed when a dog stepped on the trigger of his rifle has been identified and remembered as a musician, plumber and family man Man forgives dog for blasting off his hand A French man had part of his right hand blown off after his pet dog leapt up at him setting off his firearm. The victim, known as Rene, was shot while on a deer hunting drip in the Dordogne in September 2012. Two of the hunting dogs ran off ahead but the third, the youngest, stayed close to his master, Rene told French news magazine Le Point. He said: 'He jumped on me to give me a cuddle, I think. 'As he jumped, he put a paw on the gun.' He was flown by air ambulance to a hospital in Bordeaux where he had to have the hand amputated. Despite the grisly outcome of the shooting, Rene does not blame his pet pooch and instead said he was to blame for not applying the safety. 'It wasn't the dog's fault - and he's adorable!' he said. Dogs taking part in a hunt (stock image). A French man had part of his right hand blown off after his pet dog leapt up at him setting off his firearm during a deer hunt Man shot by his pet after the dog 'stepped on a rifle's trigger' A man in Russia was shot by his dog after the pet 'stepped on a rifle's trigger'. The man, who was not named, was shot by his dog - named Karat - whilst on a hunting trip in Russia's Perm region in November 2015. He was taking a break from hunting with three other men when the dog jumped on the rifle on the ground shooting the hunter dead. The Moscow Times, an independent Russian media organisation, reported that the owner of the rifle could have been charged with causing death by carelessness if it was found the safety rules for handling firearms were violated. However, the man's widow said she didn't want anyone charged and instead appeared to blame the dog who she refused to let back into her home. It's not only man's best friend who have shot their owners Away from dog-related shoot ups, there have also been instances where other pets and animals have turned the trigger on people. In 1934 Charles Alfred Broomhead, a 23-year-old from Sydney, was shot in the back by a monkey during a circus performance. The monkey, known as Tarzan, was performing a trick with a rifle where he shot a balloon. Instead of popping the balloon, Tarzan shot too wide and hit Mr Broomhead who was outside the ring. He was rushed to hospital where his gunshot wound was treated. In another instance, a man's pet cat shot him after the feline knocked his gun off the kitchen counter causing it to fire. Joseph Stanton was cooking in his kitchen at his home in Iron county, Utah, in March 2005 when his cart shot him. Mr Stanton was taking to hospital where he was treated for his gunshot wounds. A 'tsunami' of British boys are turning to misogyny amid an increasing 'pool of rage' seething among young male teens, education experts have disturbingly claimed. In a bleak assessment of the nation's youth, educators say classes are increasingly being threatened by boys with 'toxic' views on women, sex and relationships. So insidious is the so-called 'manosphere' culture, male children - some as young as 10 - are openly rebelling against female teachers in classes, it has been claimed. While others as young as eight are regularly watching hardcore porn that teaches them to 'dehumanise women' and normalises performing degrading sex acts on them. 'I worked with a boy who said to me "Sir, do you really have to choke a woman for sex?"... It makes my blood run cold,' one former teacher last night told MailOnline. The news comes in the wake of the gripping Netflix drama Adolescence, in which a 13-year-old boy stabs his female classmate to death for not liking him after viewing such harmful misogynistic content online. The four-part series, starring Stephen Graham and Ashley Walters, has now sparked a fierce debate on whether enough is being done to tackle the 'lethal' online content children are being exposed to. 'What we have seen in Adolescence isn't fiction, it's a reality,' said education expert Michael Conroy, who is the founder and director of Men At Work. 'The risk of lethality is already there.' 'Netflix's Adolescence isn't fiction, it's reality', education experts have warned. Pictured is Erin Doherty as Briony Ariston as she is confronted by troubled teen Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) Adolescence stars Stephen Graham (left) as the father of troubled teen Jamie who is accused of murdering a 13-year-old girl in an attack inspired by the misogynistic 'manosphere' Mr Conroy, whose firm trains childcare professionals how to combat sexism in boys, said teachers were increasingly facing 'horrifying' misogynistic abuse at the hands of young male pupils. The 57-year-old, who was previously a teacher for 16 years, said children were being inadvertently sucked into the online 'manosphere' culture while on social media. Manosphere is a term for websites, social media influencers and blogs that promote masculinity, misogyny, and opposition to feminism, with supporters of the movement insisting women are to blame for all the challenges faced by men. He said he had come across 'dozens of experiences' of female teachers being told by boys as young as 11 'your opinion doesn't matter because you're a woman' or storming out of lessons yelling 'I don't need to listen to you, you're a woman!'. 'The manosphere tells boys they're under the attack,' Mr Conroy said, adding: 'I heard very recently from a very posh school where there was an evidence of a pool of rage among their older boys. 'Teachers there said if they tried to raise topics about better behaviour with girls, they get such an instant reaction the boys just kick off.' Two of Britain's biggest education unions agreed, and have warned the problem was 'increasing' and had become so severe, it was now 'jeopardising' schools. Laying the blame on 'toxic' social media influencers like self-confessed misogynist Andrew Tate, Dr Patrick Roach of teaching union NASUWT told MailOnline: 'Childrens safety, and the safety and wellbeing of teachers, is being jeopardised by the actions of misogynist online influencers.' Owen Cooper has won plaudits for his portrayal of the the troubled teen at the heart of the Netflix's hit drama, Adolescence Thomas Michael, a safeguarding officer at a West Midlands secondary school, said teachers were now struggling to cope with the rise in gender-based hate by pupils, some as young as 11 or 12. 'Things are getting worse,' the 36-year-old said. 'It was never perfect or a utopia where male behaviour was impeccable... [but] we had been making headway recently with the outlook to feminism and me-too movement. 'We have now taken a nose-dive with the likes of Andrew Tate who is the tip of the iceberg of the problem. 'It's got to the stage were female staff are now being intimidated and threatened by boys. Some secondary school lads are big - you might have a Year 8 who is already 6ft and if they're willing to get in your face, it's scary and jarring for female staff.' The father-of-three has helped run courses for some 60 schools across the UK in an effort to combat the rise of sexist students. He claimed children were being forced into 'brain-rot' content by social media algorithms, which 'rapidly force horrendous, misogynistic content' upon them. 'Kids should be banned from social media,' he added. 'Growing up we were always warned of stranger danger and to be wary. 'Now we have gone completely the other way now... Parents will let their children stay in their rooms with their devices, which have access to the world and every single dangerous stranger who wants to speak to them.' Teachers fear young boys and male teens are becoming increasingly more threatening and sexists towards female teaching staff. Pictured is Owen Cooper as his character Jamie explodes with rage at his psychologist, Erin Doherty (Briony Ariston) on Netflix's Adolescence Education experts are worried that the content some young boys see on social media is fuelling a rise in violent sexism in Britain's youth (pictured is a scene from Netflix's Adolescence) There are reports that youngsters are increasingly being radicalised by the 'toxic' views of online influencers like Andrew Tate. Tate, who was recently freed from home arrest in Romania before amid sex trafficking claims - which he denies - has an army of followers, with many fans being young men or teenage boys. The 38-year-old former professional kickboxer, who grew up in Luton as a boy and is now living in America with his brother Tristan, came to public attention when he was booted off the reality show Big Brother in 2016. He likes to pose with a cigar in front of flash cars and private jets, and often dispenses dubious advice to young men. But it is Tate's extreme misogyny which has gained him notoriety, prompting fears that boys and young men are being radicalised by his views. Tate has previously said women are partly responsible for being raped and that they 'belong' to men. And his influence is increasingly being felt in schools, with boys reportedly being more sexually aggressive, pinning girls to the walls to kiss them or taking their girlfriend's phones to control them. 'There seems to be an increased need for boys to control girls,' Lisa McCall, deputy headteacher at Wales high school in Rotherham told the Guardian. Controversial influencer Andrew Tate (left) is a self-confessed misogynistic. Teachers and education unions have warned his content online is watched by many young boys and teens Owner Cooper playing 13-year-old Jamie Miller (right), glares at his psychologist in episode three of Netflix's thought-provoking drama, Adolescence 'Theres an expectation from boys that girls are going to do what they tell them to do.' While Mr Michael added staff could 'pinpoint' the increase in shocking behaviour among children to the 'rise in popularity in the likes of Andrew Tate and others that have led to the change in behaviours'. It's a problem that has already been noticed overseas. Teachers said they had been threatened with rape, asked for nude photos, physically intimidated, and having their classes disturbed by young male students moaning sexually during class even in primary school, a survey of Australian teachers found. Australian researchers added that 'while sexual harassment in schools isnt a new problem... teachers are now describing something different: an escalating culture not only of sexual harassment, but of language and behaviours expressing belief in male superiority and other misogynistic views'. In the UK, dozens of children have already been referred to the anti-terror scheme, Prevent. Between March 2023 and 2024, at least 162 children were referred to the programme over 'school massacre' concerns. While 54 were sent to it for expressing support for the incel movement, a term for men who are involuntary celibate, and who blame women for this. Among those referred to the Prevent included Southport serial killer, Axel Rudakubana, who murdered three young girls and tried to kill eight other children last summer. Evil loner Rudakubana went on a knife rampage after bursting into a children's dance party in July when he was 17. He was jailed for a minimum of 52 years in January for the carnage, which claimed the lives of Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. Rudakubana had been referred three times between 2019 and 2021 over his violent views, but was deemed unsuitable for intervention. Southport killer Axel Rudakubana (pictured) was jailed for a minimum of 52 years for the murder of three young girls and attempted murder of eight other children and two other adults Bebe King, six, (pictured) was one of the three girls murdered in the Southport attacks last July Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, (pictured) was also one of the girls killed by Axel Rudakubana Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, (pictured) was the third murder victim of Rudakubana killing spree Earlier this month, prosecutors warned violent misogyny promoted by the likes of Andrew Tate had fuelled a former soldier's rape of his ex-girlfriend and murder of her along with her mother and sister. Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford was this month handed three whole life orders after slaughtering BBC star John Hunt's wife and two daughters. The 26-year-old thug subjected the three women to a terrifying five-hour ordeal last July, raping and murdering Louise Hunt, 25, with a crossbow at her family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire. On the same day, he fatally stabbed her mother Carol, 61, eight times and shot dead her 28-year-old sister Hannah with the crossbow. During his trial, prosecutors revealed Clifford had been searching YouTube for 38-year-old Tate's podcast the day before he carried out his heinous attack on the Hunts. He binged on up to 10 of the controversial influencer's videos on the eve of the triple murder, and had previously watched one of Tate's videos involving drugging animals 'because it's funny', the court heard. Prosecutors argued the 'violent misogyny promoted by Tate' was the same kind that 'fuelled both the murders and the rape', committed by Clifford. John Hunt (left) is pictured with his family Carol (right), Amy (second left) and Louise (second right), who were murdered by former soldier Kyle Clifford (below) Kyle Clifford (pictured left and right, in his police mugshot) raped and murdered his ex-girlfriend Louise, 25, and killed her mother, Carol, 61, and sister Hannah, 28 Alison Morgan KC told the court Clifford's interest in the 'widely known misogynist' helped to explain why he became so 'incandescent with rage' after Louise ended the relationship. The situation comes amid broader concerns about the number of young Britons accessing sickeningly violent material online, which has increased in recent years. According to research by communication regulator Ofcom, nine per cent of internet users aged 13 to 17 had seen content depicting or encouraging violence or injury. While in June 2024, 68 per cent of users aged 13 and over said they had encountered at least one potential harm in the past four weeks, the same proportion as reported in June 2023 and in January 2024. Teachers in the UK have increasingly reported problems with misogynistic pupils and violent pupils, teacher's union the NASUWT said. Dr Patrick Roach, the union's general secretary, told MailOnline: 'We have received increasing reports of sexist and misogynist abuse and harassment in schools. 'Childrens safety, and the safety and wellbeing of teachers, is being jeopardised by the actions of misogynist online influencers. Louise (left), Hannah (centre) and Carol (right) were murdered in their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, last July The knife packaging is pictured in a photo issued by police 'It is wholly unacceptable that safety and dignity are being put at risk and lives blighted by sexist and misogynist abuse.' Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, added: 'Teachers are witnessing an impact from the likes of Andrew Tate on both boys and girls which is harmful. 'Children are influenced by their peers and what they see online, and content that is free to view and easily accessible has become increasingly violent and sexist. 'This is having a noticeable negative impact on what is now regarded as acceptable behaviour towards girls and female teachers. 'Social media companies need to be much better regulated and required to remove harmful content far faster. 'There should also be the time in the school curriculum for a greater focus on social learning and developing positive attitudes. Children and young people need to able to think critically about the harm misogynistic content does to us all. The Government is already taking action to stamp out violence against girls and women and has issued guidance to educators on how to recognise and tackle signs of 'incel ideology' in young boys. And the Online Safety Act is now forcing social media platforms to remove content where it is illegal, including violent material and content promoting stalking, extreme pornography, revenge porn, and controlling or coercive behaviour. Speaking to MailOnline, education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'Ive heard first-hand from teachers that the rise of dangerous influencers is prompting a crisis in the radicalisation of young boys which is why our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade is so vital. 'These vile, misogynistic views are not innate, they are learned, so through our review of the relationships, sex and health curriculum well be taking robust action to better help young people understand healthy relationships, consent and misogyny, and have produced a new guide for teachers on recognising the signs and intervening early on incel ideologies. 'But this behaviour is not limited to the classroom; the evidence is increasingly clear that we shouldn't be allowing children unrestricted access to harmful content, which is why we are bringing in much wider protection for children with the Online Safety Act.' Brits will be offered a 150 gadget that will keep the Wifi on even during a power cut. The move comes as Britain prepares to replace its landline network with a fully digital internet service by 2027. But, unlike the existing phone lines that date back to the Victorian era, the new digital lines need a power supply. This means that vulnerable people, including the two million who rely on analogue phone lines for their telecare devices such as personal alarms, who could be at risk in the event of an outage. Power cuts are far from rare. A 2023 report by UKPower revealed nearly 66 per cent of Brits have experienced a local outage, with 23 per cent reporting such incidents almost annually. While the UK's electricity network was relatively stable in 2024, major events like Storm Darragh caused significant disruption with around 70,000 Brits experiencing a power cut. To help people in future blackouts, Vodafone has developed a state-of-the-art battery back-up box that will provide power to a Wifi router for up to seven hours. Vodafone has developed a state-of-the-art battery back-up box that will provide power to a Wifi router for up to seven hours A woman on a landline phone (stock image). Brits eligible for the battery pack will need to be dependent on their landline to make emergency calls or have low or no mobile coverage. People who use a telecare alarm or device will also be able to use them. These new devices will be given free of charge to all their vulnerable customers before the Big Switch-Off in 2027. And, in a rare collaboration, Vodafone will be supplying the unit to BT and other rival broadband and phone suppliers. Brits eligible for the battery pack will need to be dependent on their landline to make emergency calls or have low or no mobile coverage. People who use a telecare alarm or device will also be able to use them. Telecoms and Data Minister Chris Bryant said: 'Innovative solutions such as Vodafone's broadband battery backup can provide peace of mind to landline dependent customers, ensuring they don't lose connectivity when they need it most. 'Since stepping into office, I have made it my utmost priority to work with telecoms companies to put safety at the centre of the migration from analogue to digital landlines, and it is great to see the industry going to lengths to maximise tech innovation to boost safeguards for vulnerable people.' Traditional wi-fi battery backups for are big, heavy, difficult to set up, and work for an absolute maximum of two hours. The new and lightweight Vodafone box is just four inches by 2.5 inches and can provide power for between four to seven hours, depending on the type of router. Developed by Vodafone and Wire Technologies, it far exceeds regulations, which require telecom firms to keep landline-dependent customers connected to vital essential services such as medical assistance, communication with support networks, and emergency information for up to one hour during a power cut.com firms so that they too can adhere to the stringent conditions set out by Ofcom. Telecoms and Data Minister Chris Bryant (pictured) said: 'Innovative solutions such as Vodafone's broadband battery backup can provide peace of mind to landline dependent customers' Landline cabes in Essex. In less than two years Britain will replace its landline network with a fully digital internet service Vodafone will be offering them wholesale to other tele For some, remaining connected can be a lifeline during emergencies, and it is crucial that the most vulnerable are not isolated or cut off from essential resources at these times. This will become even more evident by January 2027 when traditional PSTN landlines are phased out and replaced by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) services instead, meaning broadband will be the only fixed connection coming into the home. The device also features a unique emergency mode, which automatically reserves 25 per cent of the battery's runtime. This is particularly useful for those who experience a power cut unknowingly overnight and require reliable connectivity first thing in the morning. The product will also be made available for sale to private users at a cost of 150. Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director, Vodafone UK, said: 'At Vodafone, we are committed to ensuring our customers stay connected no matter the circumstance. 'Our innovative Broadband Battery Backup device for WiFi, offering an industry-leading 4 to 7 hours of connectivity, is a testament to that promise. 'As we manage various power cut episodes across the country and approach the significant PSTN switch off in early 2027, we recognise the vital importance of safeguarding landline-dependent customers. Storm Darragh hits Hereford in December 2024.The storm caused significant disruption with around 70,000 Brits experiencing a power cut 'That is why we are proud to work with other leading telcos to ensure everyone has access to a robust solution which delivers peace of mind and uninterrupted connectivity.' KCOM will use the devices to provide a longer-life battery for 'at risk' customers who have their voice service migrated and delivered via the full fiber network. While not providing full internet connectivity because of the way KCOM's network is configured, the devices will provide up to 12 hours emergency cover for voice calls in the event of a power cut or similar event. Vodafone Business will also be making the Broadband Battery Backup available to business customers in the near future. New customers will be asked if they are landline dependent and if so the will be sent the battery pack. Existing landline dependent Vodafone Broadband customer will have already received their device in the post. The battery is simple to set up but those who need help can request an engineer visits to switch the device on. A cruise ship passenger who jumped to her death in the middle of the Tasman Sea left handwritten notes instructing her luggage be returned to her only son. The American woman had been crippled by grief over the loss of her daughter when she climbed over a railing as the Majestic Princess sailed from New Zealand to Australia. She had repeatedly threatened to take her own life during one of her regular cruises, stating before each departure that her latest voyage would also be her last one. An inquest into the mother's disappearance commenced at the NSW Coroners Court at Lidcombe on Wednesday and lasted barely an hour. Deputy State Coroner David O'Neil issued a non-publication order preventing the woman being identified and Daily Mail Australia will refer to her as Ms C. Ms C's son watched proceedings via an audio-visual link from the US, having provided detectives with as much background information as he could about his mother. The court heard Ms C's daughter died in 2006 and she had spent the next year suffering severe depression. In 2014 she required a knee replacement. That surgery was bungled and both Ms C's knees and hips subsequently had to be replaced, causing her intense and ongoing pain. A cruise ship passenger who jumped to her death from Majestic Princess in the middle of the Tasman Sea left handwritten notes instructing her luggage be returned to her son in the US. Majestic Princess is pictured She walked with a cane - later two - and eventually needed a motorised scooter. Deputy State Coroner David O'Neil said Ms C's mental health continued to decline and she gradually withdrew from her family. 'She spiralled into depression and told people that she didn't want to live anymore,' Mr O'Neil said. 'The grief coupled with the physical pain that she was in caused her to experience suicidal ideation.' In 2017, Ms C's son moved closer to her home but she found it difficult to accept further assistance. For the last years of her life Ms C's greatest joy came from cruising the oceans. Mr O'Neil heard Ms C loved lounging by the pool and delighted in the prospect of going to sleep and waking in another country - 'every day being an adventure'. But she would also play mind games by regularly telling her son she would take her life while on one of her cruising adventures. The American woman had been crippled by grief over the loss of her daughter when she climbed over a railing as Majestic Princess sailed from New Zealand to Australia. The ship is pictured in Sydney 'She would often tell him before departing on cruises that it would be her last and she would not return,' Mr O'Neil said. Ms C's final trip was on Majestic Princess and she had been on board for three months when in January last year the ship set off on a 14-day journey from New Zealand to Sydney. Majestic Princess is a British-registered Royal-class ship operated by Majestic Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation. The 330m vessel has 19 decks and capacity for 3,560 occupants, including 1346 crew. The ship made headlines in November 2022 when an estimated 800 passengers and crew contracted Covid-19 following a 12-day tour of New Zealand. For her trip, Ms C was booked into a premium state room with a balcony - cabin D218 - on the port side of Deck 9 and became a familiar sight on her red scooter. Due to visa requirements, Ms C was required to disembark and not return to the ship when it reached Circular Quay on January 18. Ms C was not happy she could not continue sailing but on the evening of January 16 asked a crew member for disembarkation tags for her luggage. About 8pm on January 17 a cleaner knocked on her cabin door and when there was no answer went inside to tidy the room. 'Ms C' was booked into a premium state room with a balcony - cabin D218 - on the port side of Deck 9 and became a familiar sight on her red scooter. A Majestic Princess cabin is pictured The cleaner noticed Ms C's passport was on the dresser and her tagged bags were in a wardrobe. Also on the dresser was Ms C's Ocean Medallion, a casino chip-sized wearable disc which passengers can use to open doors and pay for services on Princess Cruises. Majestic Princess docked at Circular Quay's Overseas Passenger Terminal about 7am the next day but Ms C did not leave the vessel. About 8.30am a crew member entered Ms C's cabin and found the room just as it had been the previous evening. Handwritten notes attached to each piece of Ms C's luggage requested that her belongings be returned to her son and stated he would pay for the cost. With no sign of Ms C a search began but failed to find any sign of the missing passenger. At 4pm the next day Majestic Princess's captain informed police that CCTV cameras had captured Ms C jumping overboard. She had climbed over a railing at 1.10am on January 17 and jumped into the Tasman Sea halfway between New Zealand and Australia. Majestic Princess (above) made headlines in November 2022 when an estimated 800 passengers and crew contracted Covid-19 following a 12-day tour of New Zealand The court heard expert evidence that she would not have survived the first minutes after she landed in 46 knot winds and a 2m to 2.5m swell. A search after Ms C was reported missing would have been futile as it would have had to cover a 13,000 nautical mile area. Police established Ms C had ordered a large meal after making a restaurant booking for 5pm on January 16 and left about 7pm on her scooter. About 10.30pm she went to the ship's reception area on Deck 5 to rectify her account being overcharged for drinks and stayed there 15 minutes. About two hours later, at 1.04am on January 17, records showed her cabin door being opened from inside the room. She was seen on CCTV getting out of a lift with her walking stick and making her way to the promenade deck on the starboard side, two levels below her cabin. Further CCTV footage showed Ms C place her cane on a cabinet, climb over a railing and plunge into the water. Mr O'Neil said it was not possible to determine her precise cause of death because her body had never been found. Majestic Princess is a British-registered Royal-class ship operated by Majestic Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation She could have been killed upon impact, suffered a medical episode in the water, or been taken by a marine predator. 'What is clear is that [Ms C] intended to end her own life,' Mr O'Neil said. 'She had a history of expressing that she would take her own life during a cruise on a ship. '[Ms C] made quite deliberate arrangements in relation to her belongings even to the extent of indicating payment by her son. 'Her actions leading up to and jumping from the ship were clearly intentional.' Detective Senior Constable Phillip Taylor, the officer in charge of the investigation into Ms C's death, had only communicated with her son via phone or email until he stepped into the witness box. At the end of his evidence, the detective offered his condolences to Ms C's only surviving child on behalf of the NSW Police Force and thanked him for his help. 'Thank you for your investigation and keeping me up to date all the way,' the son responded. Mr O'Neil closed the hearing by adding his condolences to Ms C's family, particularly her son. 'Thank you for the assistance you provided,' he said. 'You have had a lot to deal with in losing your sister and now your mother.' A father whose dog was savagely attacked by a Belgian Shepherd three times its size is facing a 12,000 vet bill after his pet had to have multiple surgeries - then tragically be put down. Joshua Sonuga, 33, was out last Thursday with his four-year-old dog Bobby, a Poodle and Bichon Frise cross, when he spotted a man in a balaclava walking a large dog off the lead. The Roe Green Loopline route, near Salford, was mostly empty at 3.05pm, with Mr Sonuga aiming to miss the school run 10 minutes later. Putting Bobby on the lead before he could run up to the dog, Mr Sonuga hung back a few minutes to give the walker time to move forward. As soon as he and Bobby became visible round a bend, the Belgian Shepherd, Bruno, ran up to them from 100 yards away and sunk its teeth into Bobby's back. Mr Sonuga later discovered that the man, claiming to be a dog trainer, had picked up the Shepherd from its owners less than an hour earlier and had ignored instructions to keep him on the lead. Just six days later Bobby, unable to survive his injuries, had to be put to sleep at the vet surgery. Mr Sonuga told MailOnline: 'I can't believe it. I didn't react quickly enough. I can't stop crying. Bobby, a four-year-old Poodle and Bichon Frise cross, pictured in a blue bow tie Bobby, Joshua Sonuga and his two-year-old son cuddling in bed Bobby at the vet after the attack, which resulted in two surgeries and a lung infection 'I don't discriminate against big dogs. Some have run up to Bobby at full pace then stopped to sniff him. This one didn't do that. 'Because Bobby loved to run up to dogs, I put him on the lead as soon as I saw the man. I had a funny feeling - the guy was wearing a balaclava. 'The dog jumped up, grabbed Bobby, bit him on his back and shook him hard like how dogs do with a teddy.' With Mr Sonuga screaming at the man to intervene, he responded by saying it wasn't his dog. 'I said "do you think I care if it's not your dog? Grab him!" 'So he did grab him then, but nothing me or him did stopped the dog from savaging Bobby, I think it just got bored.' Mr Sonuga described how when the Shepherd eventually let go of Bobby and was put back on the lead, it looked 'remorseful'. 'It sounds crazy but the dog looked devastated at what it had done. It should have been kept on the lead, it was fine when it was restrained.' Vets suggested that Bobby, pictured at the vet after the attack, would not survive from his injuries Bobby and Mr Sonuga's son shared a close bond (Pictured here on the stairs in Joshua's home) Bobby at the vet following surgery after his severe injuries from the dog attack which eventually led to him being put down Mr Sonuga admitted he became irate, shouting 'you've just killed my dog' as the man apologised. At this point people were stopping to see what had happened and an onlooker asked if anyone needed help. Mr Sonuga, in shock, was unable to formulate a reply, but eventually a stranger drove him to a nearby vet where he was transferred to another medic due to the seriousness of Bobby's injuries. 'They told me it was going to cost between four and six grand,' Mr Sonuga said. 'I knew I had insurance so I thought it was okay.' Bobby went into surgery and, after three different vets suggested to Mr Sonuga that he might not survive his injuries, they broke the news that his medical bill was at 8,000. Mr Sonuga has since set up a GoFundMe page in the hopes of raising the necessary money to cover the bill. Bobby had another operation and sustained a chest infection from the bite. Mr Sonuga's son pictured with Bobby at the vet after the brutal attack Mr Sonuga and Bobby pictured outside in the sun Mr Sonuga described Bobby as his son's 'best mate' who slept by his cot each night Each day he remained in care cost Mr Sonuga 800 more, he said. 'It just kept going up. I was told it was going to cost 14,000 to save his life. 'I love him more than anything, he's my little lad's best mate, he even slept by his cot. 'But if I had been told at the beginning it was going to cost ten grand more than my insurance covers, I would have had to put him to sleep before. 'It wouldn't have been a moral decision on my part - I physically don't have the money. 'My mother's a childminder and my father's medically retired, we don't have that money in the family.' Immediately after the attack, the masked man 'put all the blame on the owner', Mr Sonuga said. 'But he was just lying. He said he'd only had the dog yesterday, so I asked him why he was walking it off the lead after one day. Mr Sonuga and Bobby taking a selfie in bed Since the attack, the social media account linked to the trainer, K9 Kartel, has been deleted Mr Sonuga had Bobby since he was a puppy 'Then he said he'd only just got the dog that day and that the dog had bitten through the lead, which it hadn't. It was back on the lead as we were talking.' Having taken the dog walker's number, Mr Sonuga asked for the owner's name to give to his insurance company. And when he made contact with the owners themselves, Mr Sonuga discovered that they had advertised the Belgian Shepherd online for rehoming. The dog walker, claiming to be a trainer of family protection dogs, had responded to the advert. When the family asked about his social media, he responded by saying that both his social media accounts and his dog training website were closed for maintenance, as seen in texts shared with MailOnline. Since the attack, the social media account linked to the trainer, K9 Kartel, has been deleted. When picking Bruno up from his home, the dog trainer ignored advice to come in a car or a van to avoid the 'reactive' dog responding badly to a train. Mr Sonuga said of the owners: 'They have been so apologetic, they were very upset, but sorry isn't good enough. It's not going to cover the vet bill and my dog will never come home.' Mr Sonuga's son and Bobby pictured together in the back seat of the car Bobby pictured in his bandages following the attack Bobby pictured on the day of the attack when walking on the Loopline route According to Mr Sonuga, the owners contacted him the evening of the attack to inform him that Bruno, the Belgian Shepherd, had been put down. They even gave details of a 600 bill associated with putting him to sleep and collecting his ashes. 'At first I thought it wasn't the owner's fault but now I think they share a lot of the blame,' Mr Sonuga said. 'They should have insured the dog if they knew it was capable of that. 'If Bobby had been off the lead and run over to the dog and been savaged, that would have been my fault, but that didn't happen. He didn't stand a chance.' Mr Sonuga expressed concern about what might have happened if the dog had been on the path at the busy school run just minutes after the attack took place. 'I say this as a dad, this happened at five past three, and I've been doing that route with Bobby for years - those lines are rammed with school kids ten minutes later. 'It could have been really bad. If it wasn't for Bobby getting it at five past, I dread what would have happened at quarter past, especially with young kids who aren't aware of danger.' Mr Sonuga did not have high hopes for Bobby's future, and feared the vets were 'stringing him along'. 'I visited him, I was there, I saw the attack and the size of the wound, I couldn't see how he was going to survive that.' And he urged dog owners with reactive or sensitive dogs to get their dogs insured, to save others in a similar position from the staggering vet bills he faces. A DHL plane explodes in mid-flight. A bomb detonates at a US military base in Germany. Hackers hijack US Treasury emails. Undersea data cables linking America and Europe are ripped apart. It sounds like the start of a Hollywood thriller. But according to a frightening study by a top US think tank, these stealth attacks are already being planned and executed by Russia against the US and European powers. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) says Russia's 'shadow war' aims to pressure the West to curb its support for Ukraine. Last year, strikes on transportation, infrastructure, and other targets across Europe jumped threefold, the center says. America sits thousands of miles from where the attacks occurred, but report author Seth Jones says Moscow has already unleashed cyber chaos on the US and has started to target US military bases and infrastructure in Europe. For some, Russia's escalating cyberattacks on NATO members mark an early phase of what could snowball into a full-blown conflict, stoking fears of World War III and an apocalyptic frenzy of nuclear launches. The 19-page report comes as President Donald Trump negotiates with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over ending the war in Ukraine. Trump appears much more open to working with Moscow than his predecessor Joe Biden. While there's a chance that reaching a Russia-Ukraine peace deal eases tensions and leads to fewer stealth attacks by Russia in Europe, many analysts fear it will serve to embolden Putin to become more aggressive. Such worries are held by many, including members of the Republican Party, which until recently took a more hawkish approach to its Cold War-era foe and appeared more willing to fund European military defenses. Russian agents plotted to cause explosions at the US military base in Grafenwoehr, Germany, where it trains Ukrainian fighters The alarming tally of Moscow's covert attacks comes as US President Donald Trump seeks to cut a peace deal with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin Jones, a former Pentagon official, says covert Russian attacks across Europe and on US interests there have risen sharply, but are calibrated to avoid a full-blown confrontation - for now. 'We're not close to World War III - these actions are designed to intimidate, coerce, deter, and cause fear. They're not causing millions of dollars of damage or large numbers of deaths,' Jones told DailyMail.com. 'The bigger concern is some kind of Russian victory in Ukraine, creating an environment with a wider arms race.' He describes a sharp uptick in stealth Russian attacks in Europe since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022, prompting NATO members to boost arms and cashflow to the embattled nation. It's one of the first reports to quantify the scale of Moscow's covert campaign, which targets undersea cables, warehouses, and railways. It found that Russian attacks in Europe quadrupled from 2022 to 2023 and then tripled again from 2023 to 2024. Among them was a plot last year to put incendiary devices in packages on cargo planes headed to North America, including one that caught fire at a courier hub in Germany and another that ignited in a warehouse in England. In another, Finland in December seized a Russian oil tanker that was suspected of using its anchor to damage a power cable running between the Nordic country and Estonia, two Russian neighbors with tense relations with Moscow. People who have been killed as part of the covert campaign, such as a former Russian helicopter pilot in Spain, were mainly defectors, the report said. But in a sign of escalation, Moscow last year plotted to kill the boss of a German arms maker that supplies Ukraine. US installations in Europe have also come under the crosshairs. Three men, all German-Russian nationals, were charged in December by German authorities with spying on US military bases in the country for Moscow. Covert Russian attacks on transportation, infrastructure, and other targets across Europe jumped threefold last year Russian operatives plotted to put incendiary devices in packages on cargo planes headed to North America Finland seized a Russian oil tanker that was suspected of using its anchor to damage a power cable in the Baltic Sea That alleged plot involved causing explosions and blazes at Grafenwoehr, where the US trains Ukrainian forces. Closer to home, Russian hacking units - with names like Cozy Bear and Midnight Blizzard - have launched a series of cyberattacks, including targeted spear-phishing emails to individuals in government, academia, defense, and other sectors. One of them breached software made by Texas-based SolarWinds, giving hackers access to emails at the US Treasury, Justice and Commerce departments, and other agencies. Researches found that roughly 27 percent of the documented attacks in Europe were against trains, vehicles, airplanes and other transportation targets, while another 27 percent were against military bases, officials, and other governmental targets. The rest were aimed at pipelines, undersea fiber-optic cables, electricity grids, and industrial targets, such as defense firms. Often, attacks were directed at people and companies involved in supporting Ukraine's war effort. They're carried out by Russia's military intelligence service, the GRU, and other spy agencies, which enlist locals to carry out attacks. They use a 'shadow fleet' of commercial ships to drop anchor and tear up undersea cables. There are signs Moscow has scaled back its covert attacks since Trump returned to the White House in January, reversing US policy by making diplomatic overtures to Russia. That shift led to a tense exchange between Trump and and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office last month, after which the US cut military and intelligence support to Kiev. Russia's top targets in Europe were transportation and government Russian hacking units, with names like Cozy Bear and Midnight Blizzard, have launched a series of cyberattacks on the US The US slapped sanctions on GRU officer Valery Korovin for allegedly interfering in the 2024 election Three men, all German-Russian nationals, have been charged with spying on US military bases in Germany for Moscow Russian spies have used everything from explosives to blunt or edged weapons in their attacks Jones says he supports Trump's diplomatic outreach, but questions whether Putin is serious about peace or buying time, as Russian forces press for gains in eastern Ukraine and carry out stealth attacks elsewhere. 'I'm not going to hold my breath for the Russians to suddenly change from the malign actor we've seen them as, in instances like sabotage in Europe, to suddenly being a benign one,' he said. Likewise, Steve Sestanovich, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a US envoy to the ex-Soviet Union from 1997 to 2001, says it will take more than diplomacy to improve Russia's behavior. 'It's one thing for Trump to encourage Putin to think he might, by changing his policies, be welcomed back into international polite society,' Sestanovich told DailyMail.com. 'It's quite another to make him think he can do so without changing them.' DailyMail.com reached out to Russian diplomats in New York City and Washington for comment. A 'devastated' Swansea community has said it would be an 'injustice' to build a 40million theme park - which boasts a zip-wire, gondola, sky-swing, luge and open top bar - on rustic Kilvey Hill. Even though the development would cause 'significant harm arising from landscape and visual impacts' according to a council report, the plans were approved by Swansea Planning Committee. The park, proposed by the New Zealand-based global tourism company Skyline Enterprises Ltd, has been backed by the Welsh Government, who have given 4million alongside Swansea's Council's contribution of 8.4million in an attempt to bring tourism into the area. Jane Britton, who has lived on the hill that looks over the city for the last 20 years, has had to go to the doctor over her decimated mental health caused by the constant dread the park will be built. 'It has taken over my life,' the 62-year-old said before pausing, her eyes tearing up, 'it all comes out now because people don't realise the impact that it has, but it's huge.' 'I know I look okay right now because I wear a mask, but when everybody's gone, my mental health is' she trailed off. Ms Britton has lived on Kilvey Hill for the past 20 years, having kept horses there since she was a teenager and was one of thousands of children to plant a tree during the Swansea Valley Project on Kilvey Hill in 1972 because the land was black from the copper mines. 'This hill is really special to so many people and we've watched it grow up. It was supposed to be my dream home and something that was precious has now been scratched and tarnished.' Jane Britton, 62, said her mental health has been destroyed over anxieties that the theme park will be built Kilvey Hill, which overlooks Swansea, was designated as a 'quiet area' by the Welsh Government to help improve local 'well-being' Skyline have proposed a 40million theme park on Kilvey Hill with a zip wire, gondola, open top bar and luge Ms Britton's niece Lucy said she felt 'so desperate' and could see how much the 'thoughtless and inconsiderate' proposal was affecting everyone else that she decided to reach out to Sir David Attenborough for help. She told the wildlife presenter that the hill is 'home to a diverse ecosystem teeming with wildlife' and each part of the hill 'works in harmony and encourages new growth and life to thrive'. Building on it would be a 'catastrophe' and and even though 'everyone is trying so much to save Kilvey Hill, our efforts seem futile'. 'We feel incredibly helpless as we are fighting against giant corporations and councils,' she added. Sir Attenborough replied ('we were all jumping around, screaming, it was crazy,' Lucy laughed) with the advice to contact her local representatives. Cllr Rob Stewart has insisted that the scheme will 'provide a significant boost to our tourist offering', supposedly contributing 84million to the local economy. He said the development will bring over 300 jobs during construction and more than 100 during operation. But local Ben Houghton dismissed these numbers, saying that the construction jobs are likely given to Kiwis shipped in to work on the project and the creation of '100 low-paying jobs in one of Wales' poorest areas is meaningless'. Lucy Hoskins (centre) said she felt 'so desperate' that she decided to reach out to Sir David Attenborough for help (pictured with mum Clare Hughes and sister Jasmine) When locals have raised concern about the development to the council they said they were ignored Skyline conducted a noise assessment test for the area but locals had ridiculed the approved result, saying it would be impossible for the park to meet current 'quiet area' guidelines The Welsh Government have given 4million alongside Swansea's Council's contribution of 8.4million in an attempt to bring tourism into the area The development is expected to bring 84million to the local economy and create more than 100 jobs Wales has been plagued with a history of unsuccessful bids to improve tourism. More than 1.6million was invested into a proposal for a leading martial arts centre in Llangollen in 2013 that never opened - Senedd's Public Accounts Committee said this money was wasted by the government's procedural failures. A Bala heritage centre was closed three years after opening, despite 3.4million invested by the Welsh Government. And a supposed world class race-track near Ebbw Vale never took off, with 7million funded by the Welsh Government that they will never get back from the Circuit of Wales project. Cllr Joe Hale has condemned Swansea Council's decision to give the plans the green light, saying it was 'unforgivable to trade our clean environment for 30 pieces of silver' and that the development 'goes against everything that we should be doing as a council'. 'We are handing our heritage over to foreign owners who can do what they want with our only green space on this side of Swansea,' he added. 'These people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.' Mike Phippen, who lives just below where the development would be, believes the 'white elephant' would 'spoil our way of life completely'. Ben Houghton said the council are 'picking and choosing' which rules they want to follow Mike Phippen's property borders the huge development and says the house he was meant to spend the rest of his life in will be 'spoilt' 'Kilvey Hill is supposed to be a place for people's well-being, where they can go and escape to and leave the stresses of daily life down below.' The retired Royal Mail manager said his concerns were similarly ignored by the 'biased' council: 'There's been no communication at all, none whatsoever. I must have sent 10 letters of complaint to various departments but nothing - it's dreadful.' The 77-year-old further highlighted what he sees as the hypocrisy of the council after he was denied planning permission for a small outbuilding outback because it was considered a visual impact while his son's dog-boarding business was limited by how many hounds he could house over noise concerns. Kilvey Hill was registered by the Welsh Government as a 'Quiet Area', a legally protected zone that was installed to protect local residents' 'well being' by offering respite to the bustling everyday life. Although there was a noise study, the Skyline project was deemed suitable for the Quiet Area's rule that insists 'at least 75 per cent of Kilvey Hill must remain below 65dB to preserve its tranquillity' (about as loud as the hum of a fridge). Mr Houghton argued that it was 'obvious' the instalment of the activity rides would push noise levels above legal limits and Mr Phippen is convinced he would hear the screams from the sky-swing by his property. 'They are just picking and choosing what they want,' Mr Houghton said. Mr Phippen said this development is 'all about making money and bringing tourism but they haven't thought of the infrastructure and the facilities that are here now, which need improving before that'. Richard 'Blod' Williams was born on the hill and uses it to move across Swansea with his horses One environmental campaign group asked what Swansea Council were 'trying to hide' by the 'deliberate obstruction of access to public objections' 'You're taking an important place away from a community by London-ifying it and we don't want that here', one local said Swansea is repeatedly considered one of the most deprived areas in Wales and taking away this free resource would be an 'injustice', according to residents He claimed that Cllr Rob Stewart implied 'we'd deal with the problems that arise from the park afterwards' but this was compared to a 'horse bolting a stable door'. 'We've already got a traffic problem and now they expect to take an extra 1500 cars? It's ridiculous.' His neighbour, Richard 'Blod' Williams was born on the hill and uses it to move across Swansea with his horses but believes this would come to an end if the park was built. He rode his horses to a council surgery one day just to show them 'I'm real, they're real' and how he would be impacted if the 'concrete jungle' was made. 'We've been treated terribly,' he sighed. Ms Britton, who has a visual impairment, said the council 'point blank refused' to release paper copies of their documents at various points - 'why should I have been left out at every stage of the way?' When neighbours printed out copies for Ms Britton, they felt that the council was also trying to overwhelm them with documents by forcing them to read a 2,200 page document in under a week if they wanted to contribute to a local planning meeting. Ms Britton said she was then cut off during her two minute presentation to the Planning Meeting and her camera moved away from her face on the broadcast link, which she believed was an attempt to silence her. 'I don't think I've been treated personally with respect. I don't think the community has been treated with respect' 'I was excluded from the neighbour consultation, I was excluded from the hydro-geological report, and I was excluded from the noise assessment. And when I stood up at the meeting and said all this to them and panned the camera away from me, it just felt like a slap in the face,' she said. 'This was the straw that broke the camel's back - I just knew I couldn't rely on them anymore.' Ms Britton's sister, Clare Hughes, added that 'the sheer frustration of it is overwhelming because they just wont talk, why won't they just be transparent?' 'Why won't you just be upfront about it? Why aren't you including us?' Cllr Rob Stewart has said that he had previously offered to discuss Ms Britton's situation but she insists this was not made before the planning meeting. Ms Britton said: 'I don't think I've been treated personally with respect. I don't think the community has been treated with respect.' But Swansea Council have insisted that 'all material planning considerations were taken into account when determining the application'. They added: 'As the developer, the planning application and supporting information were provided by Skyline. 'I've just come up here to sit and look at the view in silence after a busy day and now I might not be able to do that anymore' 'The council acted properly in its due diligence and consideration of the information provided.' The Welsh Government confirmed that a call-in request was made too late for a review to be made by the government. 'Responsibility for the grant of consent, and the reasoning for it, rests with the Council' and the decision can only be challenged in court, they said. The Welsh Government added 'if anyone considers there were procedural mistakes made by Swansea Council, they can seek to challenge the decision through the courts'. One local who made unfounded claims that the councillors were accepting 'brown paper bags' online was said to have been contacted about their 'defamatory' statements and was 'threatened'. Another 'well-respected member of the community' has said she has been similarly 'bullied and intimidated' after raising her concerns. The 545 complaints lodged with the council over the park have since been removed from the planning documents website, in an 'unprecedented and deeply concerning move'. 'The deliberate obstruction of access to public objections raises the question, what is Swansea Council trying to hide?' one environmental campaign group asked. Kilvey Hill is used by over 60 communities and has been integral to the well-being of the community, locals said Cllr Stewart's further claims that the 'fantastic' adventure park attraction would 'improve biodiversity and ecology' was also met with ridicule by locals. Swansea Friends of the Earth (SFE) strongly condemned Swansea Council for its 'blatant lack of fairness and transparency in determining the planning application'. They accused the council of 'failing to act with impartiality, disregarding due process and failing to uphold the Nolan Principles of Public Life, which demand integrity, accountability, and openness in decision-making'. They believe the council had already made their decision - made 'evident' by their decision to help fund Skyline's development - and only listened to residents as a 'formality'. 'Public voices simply do not matter' to the council, they added. Neil Jones, from SFE said 'the council has been allowed to mark its own homework on a project that they supported from the beginning'. 'Then, in some cases, it seems they have actually claimed that the dog has eaten it anyway. This undermines faith in the fairness of the whole process.' Swansea Council also failed to do proper, detailed ecological surveys and ignored concerns that Kilvey Hill was home to Wales's rarest and most endangered butterfly, High Brown Fritillary, SFE claimed. Several locals have had planning permission denied for stables and outbuildings because it would interfere with the landscape Kilvey Hill is home to buzzards, kestrels, jays, and nuthatches as well as Wales's rarest and most endangered butterfly, the High Brown Fritillary 'I know I look okay right now because I wear a mask, but when everybody's gone, my mental health is' Ms Britton said, tearing up The species is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the lack of an investigation would be 'grossly negligent'. The Environment Centre similarly believed that 'it is massively important to keep and preserve these green and natural spaces in the east side of Swansea'. Mr Phippen shared that Kilvey Hill is home to 'wonderful nature and wildlife that live on the hill like red kites, a family of buzzards, kestrels, jays, and nuthatches that nest here every summer who migrate all the way from Africa'. 'They're special and fly 3,000 miles to nest here, if we destroy the hill I'm worried they won't come back.' 'It would be an act of vandalism to build here,' Ms Britton added, echoing the sentiments a mum of two autistic children. Her family use the green space as a sanctuary - losing it would be 'devastating'. Paul Sweeney, 43, has been coming up the hill for years and was 'really, really, really angry' about the plans. The scaffolder from Bon-y-maen felt the money was misplaced as people 'won't come back to the park once they tried it once' and 'should have been invested into improving the city itself'. Paul Sweeney said he was 'really, really, really angry' about the plans while Andrew Martin said 'we don't need a big bar up here' Andrew Martin, 43, responded that people visit Kilvey Hill 'for the birds, for the nature and the peace and quiet - we don't need a big bar up here.' Cameron Parker said it was 's**t' that the park would be built on Kilvey Hill and was frustrated there wasn't more awareness made about the extent of the plans. 'I've just come up here to sit and look at the view in silence after a busy day and now I might not be able to do that anymore,' the 21-year-old said. 'You're taking an important place away from a community by London-ifying it - it's completely capitalistic and we don't want that here.' Chris Lewis, 70, who had extensive experience working with banks, believed that there was 'far from a strong business case for this thing'. He added that since it was first announced in 2017, the pandemic and cost of living crisis has changed the world we live in and the need for a park like this. 'Wales is a relatively poor area - when people come to Swansea to see the bays they often bring their own food. No one will spend the amount of money needed to go up the hill.' 'This is a socially deprived area, people can't afford to go places these days, but this is where they play because it's free,' Ms Britton added. Chris Lewis, 70, who had extensive experience working with banks, believed that there was 'far from a strong business case for this thing' (pictured with wife Janet Roberts-Lewis) Skyline have been contacted for comment but have previously said the project would cover 'approximately 10% of Kilvey Hill and allow free, unhindered access to continue while making the hill more accessible'. Danny Luke, from Skyline Enterprises, has also said: 'Extensive environmental assessments have been carried out with our South Wales-based partners, the environmental dimension partnership, in collaboration with Natural Resources Wales to ensure the site would be sustainably developed, contributing to greater biodiversity at the site.' The tourism company has come under fire in its own country over a casino they own allegedly failed to comply with the the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act over a five-year period. Skyline said in December they were working to 'resolve these matters as quickly as possible'. And one of their restaurant facility's in Queenstown caused a landslide that forced 41 people to evacuate their homes after heavy rains caused rocks and shingle to tumble down the hill. Skyline said they were 'dismayed and very sorry' and was working with the developer to fix the problem in 2023. The long queue of shoppers waiting to pay for their goods at a busy supermarket was emphatic proof that a call to boycott self-service checkouts is gathering support. Next to the line of customers was a completely empty self-service area containing seven computerised check-out terminals. The scene, at Bridgwater's Marks and Spencer in a bustling retail park, is exactly what a community group in the town has been calling for. Bridgwater Senior Citizens' Forum last month demanded shoppers avoid the growing use of self-service checkouts and use staffed tills instead to protect jobs and preserve 'human interaction'. The group said it believes automation is replacing workers and damaging customer service. And it appears the vast majority of locals in the Somerset town have responded by boycotting the technology and are standing in line to be served by a human. Few summed up it up better than retired publican Irene, 74, who said: 'I know I could be through checkout in a matter of minutes if I went to the self-service area, but you really can't beat being checked out by an actual human being. 'Not only does it keep people in employment, but it's wonderful for the shopper to speak to the person that is serving them, rather than tapping keys on a soulless computer. Kirsty, 31, (pictured) who works as a chef, said: 'I think it's really important to pay people to work at the checkouts' Andy, 67, (pictured) who worked in finance and IT at supermarket giant Sainsbury's and Debenhams said: 'I do prefer to use a staffed till because we humans are social animals and I think we benefit from speaking to each other' Bridgwater Senior Citizens' Forum last month demanded shoppers avoid the growing use of self-service checkouts and use staffed tills instead to protect jobs and preserve 'human interaction' Next to the line of customers was a completely empty self-service area containing seven computerised check-out terminals 'I'm in here today and there's just one person on a checkout till with a long line of customers, yet the self-service area is empty. I think that tells you everything you need to know. 'I really do hate this idea of a self service checkout and as far as I'm concerned and many of my friends I will never use them because it's important to me to be engaging with a real person when I spend my money. 'It was the same when I run a pub. There is no way any of my customers would like to have been served by a robot. They'd rather have stayed at home. 'I hope everybody gets behind this campaign so that the supermarkets start opening up more lanes for people to be checked out by members of staff. We all need social interaction, whatever we're doing. I accept that sometimes when the place is busy it can take a bit longer, but it's a price worth paying.' Mother and daughter Sharon, 56, and 31-year-old Kirsty both said they prefer to be served by a person. Kirsty, who works as a chef, said: 'I think it's really important to pay people to work at the checkouts. We have very high employment in Bridgewater and if all the supermarkets fill the checkouts with computers and make the staff redundant, it will only worsen this crisis. 'Keeping people in employment is important and let's face it, the supermarkets make more than enough money to be able to keep them on.' Mum Sharon, 56 agreed. 'I would and often do join a queue of 10 or 11 people in order to pay for my goods at a staffed checkout, rather than use these wretched self-service checkouts. It keeps people in a job and I urge everybody to get behind this boycott.' Retired NHS practice manager Marion, 80, (pictured) who worked until she was aged 78, said it was vital to keep people in employment and wishes the self-service checkout system had 'never been invented' Bridgwater Senior Citizens' Forum last month demanded shoppers avoid the growing use of self-service checkouts (pictured) and use staffed tills instead Not everybody agrees. When Kevin Truman (pictured) ran 10 convenience stores in Bridgewater before retiring a few years ago, he admits he would have replaced checkout staff with self service terminals 'in a heartbeat' Retired NHS practice manager Marion, 80, who worked until she was aged 78, said it was vital to keep people in employment and wishes the self-service checkout system had 'never been invented'. She said: 'Where will we be as a society if we keep replacing people with machines? It shouldn't just be about profits. Shopping is to some extent a social experience and when I shop I like to chat to the cashiers. 'At the end of the day I'm a customer and I'm paying money, and I think the supermarkets should respect our wishes when we spend in their stores. You won't catch me using a self service checkout system.' But not everybody agrees. When Kevin Truman ran 10 convenience stores in Bridgewater before retiring a few years ago, he admits he would have replaced checkout staff with self service terminals 'in a heartbeat'. He said: 'When you're in business, it's all about the bottom line, despite what anyone tells you, and if you can save money by installing self-service checkouts, you would be a mug not to. 'I understand the argument about keeping people in jobs, but when you're in business your responsibility is to keep the company afloat and maximise profits. 'When I rang my convenience stores this technology was still at an early stage so I didn't bother with it, but if I was in business still, I'd be using them today, without a doubt. 'It's just the onward march of technology and people have to embrace it. There's no point moaning about it. This technology is here and it is only going to be increasing in its use. 'Young people don't care about using it because they've grown up with this kind of technology and I think the older generations need to accept it too.' But Andy, 67, who worked in finance and IT at supermarket giant Sainsbury's and Debenhams said 'a balance' was needed. He said: 'I can see both sides of this argument. I actually don't mind using the self-service checkout because it has the advantage of being quick, as long as it's working. 'But on the other hand I do prefer to use a staffed till because we humans are social animals and I think we benefit from speaking to each other. 'Perhaps an answer to this problem would be to keep the option of the self-service checkout area, but maybe open a couple more staffed tills so that people don't have to queue for so long. 'I would also love to see the supermarkets bring back packing assistance. I used to love going to the supermarket and having someone bag my purchases up quickly, efficiently and neatly. It made the whole checkout so much more enjoyable. Glen Burrows, a member of the Bridgwater Senior Citizens' Forum, said the issue goes beyond technology He said: 'I just want us to get back to shopping being part of a human community service and not a robotic experience' Asda has pledged to increase staffing at traditional checkouts, and upscale chain Booths has eliminated self-checkouts entirely 'It feels now like there are too few staff, but when businesses like supermarkets have been loaded up with so many additional costs, not least this government's recent introduction of extra national insurance payments, in addition to rising energy costs and everything else they have to find money for, is it really any surprise supermarkets are becoming more reliant on self service checkout systems? 'At the end of the day when costs go up, the business has to recover those costs by either increasing prices or reducing outgoings, such as staff wages. It is just an inevitable reality of business in the modern age.' But young people in Bridgwater are supporting their older townsfolks' campaign and joining the boycott. Ollie, 19, said: 'My grandad told me about it and it made me think differently about technology. I can see where business and AI are heading and I don't feel comfortable putting people out of work so I'm queuing for a staffed till from now on. I don't even care if it takes longer. 'Most of the self service checkouts break down and you end up calling for assistance anyway.' Forum chairman Ken Jones said the group's campaign is not about older people struggling with technology but about promoting employment and social ties. 'More and more supermarkets are replacing staff with machines, and we must help to reverse the trend,' he said. Mr Jones added: 'The knowledge and advice of retail staff is invaluable, but we also value human interaction above machines and artificial intelligence. 'Just saying hello to someone makes you come back, especially in dark days of winter. 'The feelgood factor, you can't put a price on it can you?' However, retailers argue self-service tills reflect changing consumer habits and offer speed and convenience. Kris Hamer, director of insight at the British Retail Consortium, said: 'The expansion of self-service checkouts is a response to changing consumer behaviours, which show many people prioritising speed and convenience. 'Many retailers provide manned and unmanned checkouts as they work to deliver great service at low cost for their customers'. But Glen Burrows, a member of the Bridgwater Senior Citizens' Forum, said the issue goes beyond technology. 'For a lot of people, shopping is about communication, about getting out and about we don't want it to be a soulless experience between one person and a machine,' she said. 'I just want us to get back to shopping being part of a human community service and not a robotic experience. 'We're quite right to say we don't want to go down that road. If enough people feel strongly, supermarkets will get the hint'. The trend has prompted some retailers to reconsider their self-checkout strategies. Morrisons' CEO Rami Baitieh admitted the company may have 'gone a bit too far' with self-checkouts. Asda has pledged to increase staffing at traditional checkouts, and upscale chain Booths has eliminated self-checkouts entirely. In April 1944, prime minister Winston Churchill had a lot on his plate. Chief among his many worries was, of course, the direction of the fight against Nazi Germany as war continued to rage. It is therefore remarkable that he found the time to intervene in a matter that was, on paper, well beneath him. In a furious memo to his home secretary, Herbert Morrison, he demanded to know why 'the Witchcraft Act, 1735, was used in a modern Court of Justice.' For what reason, he added, had the courts been occupied with this 'obsolete tomfoolery'? His fury was directed at the case of Scottish medium Helen Duncan, who had been arrested three months earlier while conducting a seance in Plymouth. Dozens of people claimed to have spoken to dead loved ones with the help of Duncan, who would ultimately be convicted of fraud at the Old Bailey and then jailed. But as four-part BBC programme Paranormal: Britain's Last Witch reveals from tonight, Duncan's case is far from straightforward. Presenter Sian Eleri is left horrified when she listens to a chilling recording of one of Duncan's seances, where the medium voices a male 'spirit'. Medium Helen Duncan was convicted under the 18th century Witchcraft Act in 1944 And she also discovers how Duncan, who was investigated by MI5, was heard speaking in both Spanish and German in seances, even though she allegedly could not speak either language. But most chilling of all was an account of how she appeared to know of the sinking of British battleship HMS Hood in 1941, before the Admiralty had been told of the loss. Duncan was born into a poor working class family in the town of Callander, Stirlingshire, in 1897. Her father, Archibald Macfarlane, was a roof slater. Both he and his wife Isabella were devout Christians. The medium's alleged abilities manifested themselves very early. When she was nine, she predicted the death of a local doctor. She claimed in her journal that she told the medic, who she was 'extremely fond' of, not to drive to the nearby Loch Lubnaig. He refused to heed her warnings and set off. The medic then lost control of his car and was killed in the crash. Duncan wrote: 'Had the doctor accepted my warnings, he would have lived.' In a furious memo to his home secretary, Herbert Morrison, Winston Churchill demanded to know why 'the Witchcraft Act, 1735, was used in a modern Court of Justice' Winston Churchill's memo to home secretary Herbert Morrison, on April 3, 1944 The youngster's chilling pronouncements made her an outcast among fellow school pupils. 'There came a time when my classmates absolutely refused to have anything to do with me,' she wrote. 'They were scared of me. What is this gift of second sight? It is the power of being able to peer back into the past and forward into the future. 'I believe I was born with it.' Duncan began working as a medium at the behest of her husband Henry, who she married in 1916. The couple had eight children, six of whom survived into adulthood. Her first seances were held at home, and she soon attracted a significant following. Duncan wrote of the seances in her diary, recounting 'many disturbing instances'. Presenter Sian Eleri is shocked when she listens to a recording of one of Duncan's seances One of the images of Duncan allegedly producing an 'ectoplasm' during a seance under controlled conditions A report in the Daily Mail during Duncan's trial at the Old Bailey Describing one, she said: 'We had been sitting only five minutes when suddenly there was a sound. 'There was the catapulting of books, my sewing machine began to move. 'My husband jumped up and shone an electric torch. Immediately the torch was extinguished and the sound of movement and breathing were heard. 'Two gentlemen felt a cold, clammy hand pass down the back of their heads and around their neck. 'All the sitters ran from the house. All present had felt something evil had come into their midst.' At her most popular, she was said to be earning around 4,000 a week in today's money. Although for the most part sceptical of any notion that Duncan may have been genuine, Ms Eleri is shocked to read reports of how the medium voiced 'spirits' speaking in German and Spanish. As her following increased, so did the authorities' attention on her. The 'substance' produced by Duncan looked remarkably like fabric. Sceptics believed it was cheesecloth In November 1941, very soon after the sinking of battleship HMS Barham, she carried out a seance in which she claimed to have made contact with a sailor who was among the casualties. At the time of the seance, the news of the sinking had not been made public. Duncan's supporters claim that she knew of the sinking because she really had communed with the spirit world. But sceptics believe that she more likely heard about the sinking from bereaved relatives. Harder to explain was Duncan's knowledge of the sinking of HMS Hood in May 1941. Brigadier Roy Firebrace, head of military intelligence in Scotland, learned of the catastrophe when he attended one of the Scot's seance's in Edinburgh. He later told how a spirit called Albert that had been summoned by Duncan had appeared and claimed that a 'great British battleship' had just been sunk. Astounded, Firebrace contacted the Admiralty. Helen Duncan (pictured left with a co-defendant outside the Old Bailey in 1944) was sentenced to nine months in jail under the Witchcraft Act of 1735 'After the seance, I returned to my headquarters and as soon as I got back I heard on the private line from the admiralty in Scotland the news that HMS Hood had been sunk,' he wrote. 'But at the time of the seance, the Admiralty had no knowledge whatever of the sinking of the ship. 'So you understand from the point of view of the authorities, Mrs Duncan was a somewhat dangerous person.' In January 1944, the authorities, who are said to have possibly been worried that Duncan could reveal sensitive information before the crucial D-Day Normandy landings, decided enough was enough. Chief Constable Arthur West, who was in charge of the police prosecution, would tell the BBC decades later: 'Oh they wanted her out of the way because she was a danger.' Duncan was arrested with three others during a seance in Plymouth. She was initially charged under section 4 of the Vagrancy Act of 1824, which was generally used to convict fortune tellers and mediums in cases of fraudulent activity. But the authorities then decided to prosecute her under the Witchcraft Act. In 1941, Duncan held a seance in Portsmouth where she claimed to have made contact with a sailor who had died aboard HMS Barham (pictured) This carried the heavier penalty of a prison sentence. The medium and the three audience members arrested with her were accused of pretending to 'exercise or use human conjuration that through the agency of Helen Duncan spirits of deceased persons should appear to be present'. The trial was the focus of intense media attention. While prosecutors insisted she was a fraud, her defence tried to prove Duncan was genuine. They went as far as calling 44 witnesses. Some professed to talking to and even seeing dead relatives via Duncan. Among her backers were a nurse, a wing commander in the RAF and a magistrate. Duncan's lawyer even voiced her offer to produce Albert - her spirit guide - at her trial, but the jury declined. The medium had said in her opening statement: 'I am charged as a fraud and an impostor and a cheat. The Daily Mail's report when Duncan was found guilty 'But brave people against public opinion will give evidence of continuity of life, that people supposed to be dead were not dead at all.' However, working against her were the seances she had performed under strict test conditions in 1933, under the watchful eye of scientist Harry Price. He took photos of Duncan's supposed 'ectoplasm' - the supernatural substance that is said to emerge from a medium during a seance. The 'substance' produced by Duncan however looked remarkably like fabric. Price believed it was cheesecloth. In the face of the evidence against her, the jury found her guilty and she was sentenced to nine months in prison. Churchill's fury that such old legislation had been used to convict a medium in time of war was evidenced in his memo to Morrison. Dated April 3, 1944 it read: 'Let me have a report on why the Witchcraft Act, 1735, was used in a modern Court of Justice. 'What was the cost of this trial to the State, observing that witnesses were brought from Portsmouth and maintained here in this crowded London for a fortnight, and the Recorder kept busy with all this obsolete tomfoolery, to the detriment of necessary work in the Courts.' Duncan was persuaded to hold another seance in 1956. Above: The Daily Mail's report after police broke up the gathering In his reply, Morrison insisted that he was not told about Duncan's prosecution and added that nor should he have been. 'I have no authority to direct that a prosecution for a criminal offence shall or shall not be taken, and it would be improper for me to attempt to interfere in a particular case with the prosecuting authorities,' he wrote. When she was released from prison, Duncan vowed she would never hold a seance again. But her trial had raised her profile further, meaning she was more in demand than ever. She was persuaded to hold a seance at the home of physiotherapist John Timmins in Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, in November 1956. It would be her last. Police caught wind of the meeting and raided the property to try to find evidence that Duncan was a fraud. They did not find what they were looking for, but the raid took a toll on her health. Her supporters believe that the rush of ectoplasm back into her body when police shocked her out of her trance caused the burn marks that were found on her chest. Five weeks later, she died. Duncan's granddaughters firmly believe that she was genuine. Four of them, including UK-based Anne, Sheila and Helen, speak in the series. All three believe in the existence of the spirit world, whilst Helen even claims to have the abilities that were professed by her grandmother. Anne says in the first episode: 'One should be very careful at seances. You have opened a door to allow a spirit to come through. 'At the end of a seance, you must make sure that that door is closed, because if it is left open, anything can come through. Anything.' In the final episode, Ms Eleri agrees to take part in a seance led by Helen to try to communicate with Duncan's spirit. The bizarre scene does not appear to fully convince the presenter. She concludes: 'Wherever the truth lies. One thing is for certain, the authorities saw her and her alleged powers as a threat.' In 2008, the Scottish Parliament rejected a bid to pardon her. But a long-running campaign to clear her name is still being pursued. One of her chief supporters is former criminal lawyer Graham Hewitt. He says in the BBC series: 'If you look at this evidence, through the witnesses, I think you will see she did not pretend. 'She had abilities which the ordinary man in the street may not understand.' The first episode of Paranormal: Britain's Last Witch, airs at 9pm on BBC Three. EXCLUSIVE Celebrity chef Opel Khan and his wife of 28 years have agreed to accept strict restraining orders taken out by police to protect them from each other. The 12-month apprehended orders were issued weeks after a French woman at the centre of Khan's split with Julie Miller admitted she did not know if he was the father of her newborn child. Khan has also been dealing with the collapse of his restaurant empire as debt collectors circle and he defends legal action over accusations of wage theft from some of his staff. The TV personality has closed his Sydney restaurants including French-themed Metisse, pasta diner Acqua E Farina in Potts Point, and Bistronomie in Surry Hills. Separate AVO applications naming Khan, 56, and Ms Miller, 52, as persons in need of protection came before Sydney's Burwood Local Court for the first time in January. Ms Miller, who until recently used Khan as her surname, arrived with her right arm in a cast that day and stayed on the floor below the court room while her matter was mentioned upstairs. Khan waited in a nearby coffee shop for several hours and left the court precinct on foot before the AVO police are seeking to protect Ms Miller was adjourned. After her husband was gone, Ms Miller sat down in the same cafe and later began to weep when asked about what had happened between her and Khan. Celebrity chef Opel Khan (above) and his wife of 28 years have agreed to accept strict restraining orders taken out by police to protect them from each other Julie Miller (right) arrived at court with her arm in a cast when police sought AVOs against both her and estranged husband Opel Khan. It is not suggested caused the injury to Ms Miller's arm 'No comment,' Ms Miller said while being comforted by two supporters. It is not suggested Bangladeshi-born Khan caused the injury to Ms Miller's right arm. The AVO applications were back before Burwood Local Court on March 6 when final orders were imposed. Both Khan and Ms Miller were legally represented but only Ms Miller was present in court. The orders were made by consent without Khan or Ms Miller making and admissions of wrongdoing. For the next 12 months they are legally bound not to assault, threaten, stalk, harass or intimidate each other. The estranged couple has given varying versions of the state of their marriage since being approached about rumours their relationship was over in January. Bangladeshi-born Khan initially claimed he and Ms Miller were 'very much together' in a video call he made to Daily Mail Australia alongside his wife. But he conceded their marriage had been rocked by claims of an affair after an anonymous woman got in touch with Ms Miller and claimed she was his secret lover. Opel Khan has also been dealing with the collapse of his restaurant empire as debt collectors circle and he defends legal action over accusations of wage theft from some of his staff 'A woman contacted my wife claiming to be my mistress,' he said. 'I was at a dinner with five or six females and a photo was sent to my wife insinuating things. 'Now people are making up all kinds of rumours that there is a baby on the way. None of this is true. People in the Bangladeshi community are against me.' It is not suggested there is any truth to the claims made against Khan. Days later, Ms Miller told Daily Mail Australia: 'We are not together and are divorcing.' Ms Miller, who wished to set the record straight on her marriage, said she had heard allegations of infidelity by her husband from a mystery informant. 'I got contacted by someone I didn't know, it wasn't a female though,' she said. 'No female has contacted me as far as I know.' Khan subsequently backtracked on his previous claims he and Ms Miller were still a couple. 'I never said we were together or living together,' he said this time. Celia Huppe-Fournier (above), a retail assistant turned restaurant adviser to Khan, said she gave birth to a daughter on December 19 and did not know if Khan was the father Matters were further complicated when Celia Huppe-Fournier, a retail assistant turned restaurant adviser to Khan, said she had given birth to a daughter on December 19. The young first-time mother told Daily Mail Australia she did not know who was the father of her child. 'I'm not sure about that,' she said when asked if it was Khan. 'I have no idea.' Ms Huppe-Fournier described her current relationships with Khan as 'amicable' and said they were closed friends. 'I am friends with him but only talk sometimes,' she said. 'My mum is here to help me, so [Khan] took us for dinner when she landed. We went for, like, Indian food - no, Bangladeshi food.' Ms Huppe-Fournier was adamant she was navigating parenthood as a single mother. 'With Opel I don't want to get too involved,' she said. Julie Miller (above), who wished to set the record straight on her marriage, said she had heard allegations of infidelity by her husband from a mystery informant. She is pictured outside court 'I don't want to ask him for anything, I'm very independent since I've been in Australia. I don't rely on other people.' Ms Huppe-Fournier explained she met Khan through luxury watchmaker Panerai where she once worked as a retail assistant and he was a brand ambassador. 'I resigned and he wanted me to help open another bistro, a French restaurant,' she said. Khan closed his Opel Group hospitality website in October, telling Good Food he was bowing out of the restaurant sector due to rising food costs. Last May, Khan replaced his upmarket Khanaa restaurant in Surry Hills with Bistronomie, a venue he marketed as hosting affordable eats for the tough times. But the doors have now closed on the whole empire. Khan also scrapped plans to open a second Bistronomie outpost in the ill-fated Potts Point venue that previously housed the Gastro Park and Antipodean restaurants. A young Aboriginal woman has blasted Acknowledgement of Country and claimed the ceremonies are 'made up' and not representative of Indigenous Australian culture. Kiescha Haines Jamieson was asked on social media whether the formal observation is an 'actual traditional practice' or if it is a 'modern white saviour thing'. 'It is a made up protocol by Reconciliation Australia,' she claimed. 'It's not culture. It's not our way.' Acknowledgement of Country is a relatively recent practice, emerging during the 1990s in what the Keating Government called 'the Reconciliation Decade'. A series of organisations were introduced to help advance Indigenous-state relations, and the practice was formalised through one of those branches. Yawuru man Pat Dodson, a former Labor senator, was chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, which helped bring it about. 'The work of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation encouraged strangers to recognise country, then, as people got stronger, the welcome developed,' he said. Acknowledgement of Country is delivered by non-Indigenous people or organisations to recognise traditional owners. It differs from a Welcome to Country, which is a ceremony that is performed by a traditional owner to formally welcome visitors to their land. Ms Jamieson said the Acknowledgement has now been 'institutionalised to make people think that it is our culture'. Some social media users agreed with Ms Jamieson and questioned why they were being practised. 'It's made up protocol,' one user said. 'Finally someone with the guts to tell the truth,' a second said. Others disagreed and defended the Acknowledgement of Country. One commenter said it is a traditional thing for their mob but 'not as grand as it's shown on TV'. Kiescha Haines Jamieson was asked on TikTok whether the formal observation is an 'actual traditional practice' or if it is a 'modern white saviour thing' 'It's not really a welcome, it's more like [a] way to notify the spirits and ancestors that mob are travelling,' they said. Another added: 'You don't speak for all mobs and you don't speak for mine.' Yawarllaayi/Gomeroi elder Barbara Flick Nicol told NITV in 2020 that there has been a protocol for thousands of years among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to welcome and acknowledge visitors. 'It's always been something that we did as a people, understanding and observing the fact that when you are in somebody else's country, that you acknowledge them,' she said. Ms Flick Nicol, who has worked within the Aboriginal health and legal fields for years, said she remembers councils started raising the Aboriginal flags in council officers after the Mabo decision in 1992. 'I noticed that in NSW people started to formally acknowledge traditional owners when they held meetings or conferences,' she said. 'That was when it became really the thing to do.' Much of the criticism around Acknowledgement and Welcome to Country ceremonies centres on people seeing them as subversive, an attempt to undermine modern Australia and non-Indigenous people's place in it. Much of the criticism around acknowledgement and Welcome to Country ceremonies centres on people seeing them as subversive (stock image) But former federal politician and Wiradjuri woman Linda Burney, who was a member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation when the Acknowledgment was formalised, said in October that its growth was organic. 'It wasn't strategised or planned. Once it got out to civic life it was something that people saw as an important way to tell the truth of the Australian story,' she said. 'Some years down the track it became a very formal part of Australian life, being done at gatherings of big corporations, union gatherings, religious ceremonies, and all parliaments across Australia.' Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung man Tiriki Onus, who leads the Wilin Centre at the University of Melbourne, said the acknowledgment 'helps us to reconcile some of the more unsavoury parts of our shared history'. 'The act of acknowledging country and seeing oneself as part of the stories of the place can contribute a lot the society we build going forward,' he told the ABC. EXCLUSIVE She's made headlines for her brazen pursuit of finding a sugar daddy in one of Australia's wealthiest suburbs, but long before Shianne Foxx launched an OnlyFans career, she was a small-town country girl who dreamed of working with livestock. The ad - displayed on the side of a truck - featured the content creator kneeling on a bed with the message 'Are you rich, old and lonely? I'm looking for a sugar daddy', followed by her name and a phone number. Photos of the billboard went viral after angry residents in the upmarket suburb of Mosman, in Sydney's north shore, reacted furiously to the shameless stunt. But Daily Mail Australia can now reveal Foxx's real name is Shianne Mason, a former puffer-clad schoolgirl from Finley, population 2,455, in the NSW Riverina region. The former Finley High School student was a member of an agricultural program that saw her show cows, and she also played on the school's AFL team. In 2021 the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation described Shianne as a 'proud indigenous woman' when awarding her a $1,000 scholarship to help with her tertiary education. 'Shianne Mason believes a career in agriculture will allow her to help shape her community and the future of regional NSW,' it added. Ms Foxx is a tradie who works in the mines and an OnlyFans creator Shianne, pictured as a schoolgirl in Finley, previously worked in the mines before starting an OnlyFans account However, her higher education was short lived after dropping out of university six months into her high school teaching course. She then moved to Mudgee in regional NSW and spent four years working in the mines before briefly moving to Newcastle. Last year she moved to Sydney and has been doing casual labouring and landscaping while trying to grow her OnlyFans content on the side until she came up with this week's headline-grabbing stunt. 'This month it has made just over $100,000,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I still like working and being on site with the boys, even if I just do that part time going forward maybe. 'I'm not one of these girls who can just sit around doing nothing, taking pics all day. I like being busy and getting my hands dirty.' She previously said that hiring the mobile billboard cost her $2,000 - although the company behind the truck deny renting it to her - and claims it has paid dividends. 'I've had 300 messages and 2,000 calls... [including one from] a rich guy with one leg,' the tradie said 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 former Finley High School student was a member of an agricultural program that saw her show cows Shianne Mason (pictured second from the right on a school trip) is described as a 'proud indigenous woman' when she was awarded a $1000 scholarship to help with tertiary education Photos of the billboard went viral this week despite speculation it had been digitally edited Her 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'. The plot thickened on Thursday when Mobile Marketing Australia, the company that owns the billboard, claimed the image had been photoshopped. 'We've got no idea who [Ms Foxx] is,' an employee told Daily Mail Australia. 'We had a job on with a different client and then they've used photos from that day and fiddled around with it and turned it into something else.' Editor at Marketing-Interactive Matthew Eaton told Daily Mail Australia that Ms Foxx had likely swindled the public. 'She's a marketing maestro this chick. Hats off to her, she's just duped everyone. The whole thing is weird,' he said. 'I'm just shocked that no-one picked up on this. Everyone was talking about it but no-one really bothered to check. 'You can't be sure what it all is which is why it's so intriguing. She's an OnlyFans creator so she obviously knows what she's doing.' She played on the school AFL team, and later joined a women's rugby league team in Mudgee Ms Foxx (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia that hiring the billboard had cost her $2,000 Despite confirming it wasn't real, Mobile Marketing Australia said it wouldn't be taking the matter any further. 'We won't be taking any action. We're just going to let it blow over because that's what will happen,' an employee said. 'We don't want to waste our time with it. 'It's one of those things with these sorts of people who do these things. It's going to give them a little bit of attention then they're going to get over it.' On Thursday afternoon, Ms Foxx uploaded a bizarre video to Instagram, asking for forgiveness from the Mosman community. 'I'd like to formally apologise to the residents of Mosman,' she said. 'It was not my intention for myself to find a sugar daddy and bring shame on your suburb on such an international scale. 'To minimise the spotlight that is solely on Mosman I will now be extending my search to surrounding suburbs including Neutral Bay, North Sydney, Northbridge and potentially Willoughby although I'm unsure if the average income there meets the criteria that I'm looking for. 'I am open to the possibility of Kirribilli although the houses seem quite small.' Ms Foxx pleaded with Mosman mayor Ann Marie Kimber to make her feel welcome. 'I would also like to ask the residents of Mosman to stop petitioning Mayor Kimber to ban me from the suburb,' she continued. 'I have an annual pass to Taronga Zoo which I would hate to see go to waste. I particularly like the giraffe experience. 'I am still filtering through all the applications for my potential sugar daddy but I would like to refine my search to men who are over 60, have a waterfront home and also no immediate family or children.' EXCLUSIVE A twisted male model has admitted to having sex with an animal, as well as a series of child sex abuse offences. Cody Asplet, 27, from Sydney was charged with 92 offences allegedly carried out between 2022 and 2024. On Friday, he pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court to just six offences in a deal with police prosecutors that saw most of the charges withdrawn. Tuning in from his home in Sydney, Asplet pleaded guilty to a charge of bestiality, using a carriage service to menace and a variety of child sex charges ranging from possession and accessing child to advertising to transmit the vile material. Asplet will now front the County Court of Victoria in August for a pre-sentence plea hearing. He faces more than a decade behind bars if sentenced to the maximum jail term. Asplet will remain free in the community on bail until his next hearing when he must travel to Melbourne and face the music. During a hearing last month, the court heard an Instagram page belonging to Asplet - which had 13,000 followers before he deleted it - reportedly featured him in pictures with an array of different dogs under his care. Cody Asplet, 27, from Sydney has admitted to having sex with an animal The offending occurred in Melbourne before Asplet moved back to Sydney. His offending had been kept secret for almost a year until last month when a court-imposed gag order on the case - put in place to protect the secrecy of the Australian Federal Police investigation - was lifted. More than 1,000 pages of evidence was submitted to the court as part of the brief of evidence. Police alleged then that Asplet 'intentionally penetrated an animal' on or before November 29, 2023 in South Melbourne. He has now admitted penetrating one animal. His Instagram page had been littered with images of dogs that he had in his care over recent years, including Kelpies, Dachshunds, Labradors, Huskies and German Shepherds. The court previously heard Asplet was a member of an online group where users would share illicit child abuse material, the Herald Sun reported at the time. The group was infiltrated and users charged as part of investigations by AFP and the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team, which included federal and state detectives. According to Asplets online modelling profile, he had been working in the industry since the age of 18. Cody Asplet, 27, from Sydney was charged with 92 offences following an AFP investigation Cody Asplet admitted to a bestiality offence in Melbourne Word of the allegations against Asplet enraged the community, with some sharing his image online as a warning to others. 'Don't forget this name and this face,' one angry Australian posted online after Asplet's secret was revealed. 'Thankfully police have removed this grub from society, now we can only pray the court keeps him away in his cage so he doesn't hurt animals or children.' Asplet will appear in the County Court of Victoria in person during his next hearing. Yorks historic charm is under threat as bottomless brunches and an all-day drinking culture risk turning the ancient city into a 'mini-Magaluf,' furious locals and business owners have warned. The city, famed for its iconic Minster, ancient Roman walls, and charming cobbled streets, is being increasingly overrun by rowdy revellers, including throngs of stag and hen parties. Concerns emerged in a council consultation on York's licensing policies, with pub owners warning how former nightclubs and bars had transformed into all-day party venues, offering unlimited Prosecco and breakfast cocktails. One long-standing publican told officials: 'The emergence of party bars operating throughout the day and into the early hours reflects a concerning trend, particularly as these venues are often run by large operators with a focus on volume rather than quality. 'This raises questions about Yorks reputation as a destination that offers something distinct and refined compared to other cities.' The licensee of 50 years warned: 'I sincerely hope York does not invite this kind of all-day party bar culture - offering breakfast through to last orders at 2am - resembling destinations like Magaluf. 'Yorks charm lies in its historic appeal, unique character, and vibrant but balanced nightlife. 'Allowing the proliferation of such venues risks undermining these qualities and creating long-term issues for both residents and visitors.' Furious locals and business owners fear their beloved York is becoming a 'mini-Magaluf' overrun with drinkers and rowdy revellers York was once famed for its ancient Roman walls and charming cobbled streets but it has now become home of the hen party Nightclubs and bars in the city have 'transformed' into all-day drinking venues offering unlimited Prosecco and breakfast cocktails A council review of licensing policies has already highlighted an increase in bars offering bottomless brunches, which provide unlimited drinks and food for a set period. The landlord, who was unnamed, told the consultation how bottomless brunches 'often bring with them a brash and loud atmosphere that detracts from the historic and cultural appeal of Yorks city centre'. Officials have also raised concerns about the rise in pre-loading where visitors arrive in the city already intoxicated leading to a surge in antisocial behaviour. Figures reveal more than half of all violent crimes in York city centre are alcohol-fuelled, with 1,005 incidents recorded between April 2023 and March 2024. Police recorded 5,629 alcohol-related, anti-social behaviour incidents in the city centre. Another publican told the council 'The city centre on a weekend is not always a pleasant place to be. 'Indeed, many 'locals' do not frequent the town at all on these days and this is really not the attitude the good people of York should be holding.' More than half of all crime in York is thought to be alcohol-related, with 1,005 incidents recorded between April 2023 and March 2024 Locals have admitted they refrain from heading into the city centre at the weekend due to 'unbearable' rowdy revellers York has become one of the UK's most popular visitor destinations with more than nine million people venturing up north in 2023 Landlords have told town officials to 'wake up', arguing that tourists are not visiting the city for its history, but to get drunk 'York is about history, culture, and good pubs - not turning into a stag do free-for-all', said one resident It is estimated that the city is home to around 200,000 people and has been described as a place where 'ancient walls surround incredible local businesses' Ann Wheatley, 70, was among many York residents who admitted they had stopped going into the city at weekends, describing the throngs of revellers as 'unbearable'. She said: 'I've been saying for ages people have no money yet the bars are chock-a-block. 'If you drive through the city there will be stags and hens all over the road. 'The place gets overrun with drunks. 'There are too many eateries and too many bars and I think York is at risk of losing its identity. 'I've been here for 11 years and I've noticed the decline. It's a city based on tourism and students and residents need to be more at the forefront.' York officials are considering introducing a European-style tourist tax that could see visitors pay an nightly extra fee on hotel rooms The historic Yorkshire city has even been dubbed Britain's 'mini-Magaluf' with scores of drinkers heading north for their stag and hen dos Parents have become reluctant to take their children into town on the weekend because the city has become 'intimidating' The impressive York Minster is one of city's main historical landmarks and has been at the heart of the city since the seventh century Rachael Bruford (pictured) feels that her hometown cannot be enjoyed anymore due to the prevalence of stag and hen parties Rachael Bruford admitted that she no longer ventures in to York city centre 'unless I really have to'. The mortgage and protection adviser, 42, said: 'York is an incredibly special place and whenever people hear I am from York they talk about what a lovely place it is. 'Of course I agree, but I do feel that it cannot be enjoyed fully anymore due to the prevalence of stag and hen parties. 'I'm very reluctant to even take my two young children into town at weekends and it's a shame that York cannot be enjoyed by everyone for its historical charm. 'You only have to watch the hoards of people arriving from the station to see that they are not exactly here to appreciate it as the gorgeous city it is. 'Whilst I welcome visitors, it does at times feel intimidating and that the locals are missing out in favour of big groups here to drink as much as possible.' Local Shane Shayner (pictured) said that his home city is about 'the Minster or the city walls' but tourists don't seem to care Mick and Rachel Smith (pictured), who had just come back from Benidorm, laughed off comparisons between York and Magaluf Some locals, however, have said that they are 'not put off' by how busy York is on the weekend Shane Sayner, 47, a cleaner born and raised in York, added: 'York is no longer for the residents - its all for students and tourists. 'A lot of them come here not for the culture or the history, but just to get blind drunk. 'They don't care about the Minster or the city walls - they're bothered about bottomless brunch and a cheap pint. 'York is about history, culture, and good pubs - not turning into a stag do free-for-all.' York has become one of the UKs most popular visitor destinations. More than nine million people visited in 2023, including 1.7million who stayed overnight. In response to the consultation on how council determines licensing applications, one landlord told town hall officials to 'wake up'. They said: 'Lots of tourists on a weekend particularly are not visiting York for the history, they are visiting to get drunk. 'This within itself is not a problem and indeed it keeps our licensed venues ticking over; but it's poorly managed. Becky Shaw (pictured) who runs a luxury candle firm in York, said she doesn't have a problem with tourists in the city City of York Council stated in a report it was working with venues to tackle issues including antisocial behaviour Other locals have claimed that tourism is helping to 'sustain' the city 'If we are to attract even more of this clientele then the council must wake up and address this to make it safer for visitors.' At the Keystones pub, near the city's historic Roman walls, Mick and Rachel Smith laughed off the comparison with Spanish party island capital Magaluf. Mick, 61, said: 'We've just come back from Benidorm - York is nothing like that. 'If we didn't have the bars and the pubs, the place would be a ghost town. 'York couldn't survive without tourism. We don't use the bars ourselves but they employ local people and keep them in jobs.' Rachel, 46, added: 'I think York offers something to everyone, whether that's history, culture or a night-out, and that's not a bad thing.' Becky Shaw, 29, who runs luxury candle firm The Ambient Company, based in the Shambles market, agreed. She said: 'I don't have a problem with it. In the summer there's a really nice vibe with people sat outside having a few drinks. 'I'd still come into York for a night out, 100%. I'm not put off by how busy it is. 'Tourism sustains this city and if people want to spend their money in the bars and the pubs, then what's the issue?' York is planning to introduce a European-style tourist tax that could see visitors pay a nightly extra fee on hotel rooms. The extra cash could be used by the Labour-run council towards maintaining the city and preserving its historic attractions. City of York Council stated in a report it was working with venues to tackle issues including antisocial behaviour. Beaten, bloodied and handcuffed to a radiator, Itay Kashti truly believed he was going to die. Trapped in the middle of the Welsh countryside 200 miles from his loved ones, his panicked thoughts immediately turned to his family. 'I just remember thinking about my children and my wife, telling myself, 'I must be with them,' ' the 45-year-old recalls with a shudder now, seven months later. 'It's not as if I am a soldier, or a fighter, or an activist. You see my workspace here. Is this a place that provokes this kind of ordeal?' It most certainly is not. A gentle and creative man, Itay is chatting to me from his music studio in north London with his piano, drum kit and treasured guitar ('It's a Martin,' he tells me proudly a prestigious brand of acoustic guitar) to hand. He is a music producer, and it is clear that he would much rather be discussing his work with stars including Earl Slick, a guitarist for David Bowie and John Lennon, who was in his studio just a few days before we meet. How did an innocent creative like this come to be beaten and cuffed to a radiator in rural Wales of all places? His ordeal marks one of the most chilling acts of anti-Semitic violence in the UK, and the fact it hasn't had more national news coverage is alarming to say the least. For Itay, an Israeli who came to the UK 18 years ago, was targeted by a jihadi gang who lured him to Carmarthenshire for a 'music retreat'. The retreat, he learned too late, did not exist. When he arrived at the remote Welsh cottage, he was attacked by three masked men armed with imitation pistols who threatened to kill him if he did not comply with their demands. He escaped only because the taxi driver who had taken him there had helped him in with his bags and, seeing the violence, escaped to raise the alarm. Itay Kashti in his studio with his beloved Martin acoustic guitar - which he managed to escape with during his ordeal Mr Kashti was lured to this remote Airbnb cottage in the Welsh countryside 'That man was a Muslim,' Itay says. 'And I owe him my life.' Last week his three attackers were each sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to eight years and one month. The court heard that Faiz Shah, 23, Mohammad Comrie, 23, and Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime, 20, were trying to extort money with the elaborate kidnap plan. But there is no question the attack was also religiously motivated and its perpetrators not afraid to kill. 'I have no doubt that the victim was targeted due to his Jewish heritage,' said Judge Catherine Richards, adding that the plot was 'motivated by events taking place elsewhere in the world'. Little wonder that Itay compared the attack to his 'own personal October 7' a reference to the Hamas massacre in Israel 18 months ago. Now, with his attackers behind bars, he has agreed to tell his full terrifying story to The Mail On Sunday. The horrifying plot began to take shape last summer when Shah, Comrie and Ogunnubi-Sime met online and started planning the kidnap on the encrypted messaging app Telegram. Why they chose to target Itay is one of the many question marks still looming over this case. They claimed Itay had attended pro-Israel marches and profited from West Bank settlements both of which are untrue. He claims that he grew up in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, and his only 'activism' was playing guitar at a march for victims of the Hamas attacks. Elijah Ogunnubi-Sime, 20, met his accomplices online and started plotting the kidnapping on messaging app Telegram Faiz Shah, 23, from Bradford, said they should kill Mr Kashti if necessary Mohammad Comrie, also 23 and from Leeds, was jailed for eight years and one month along with his fellow kidnappers 'Each one of us has 100 per cent faith in Allah, so we cannot fail,' wrote Ogunnubi-Sime in one message. 'No remorse for a man like this, he ain't just some Jew doing it for the [money], he actually loves this s***.' Itay, of course, knew none of this last August when he received an email from someone called Lucas Winslow, who claimed to work for Polydor Records. Itay was intrigued by the idea of a music retreat, and called to chat about logistics. It was explained that a group of musicians would be involved and all instruments and recording equipment would be provided. Itay would only have to bring himself and the organisers would arrange all the travel. He had gone to similar retreats before, and was motivated by the 'creative possibilities that come with collaboration'. He recalls: 'The guy I spoke to was young and even at the time I thought he sounded a little green, but at no point do you ever think, 'I'm walking into a kidnap plot here.' Who would? I make music.' Around 10am on August 26, Itay was picked up from his home by the taxi, as arranged. It was later established that the driver of the Mercedes who would prove to be so important in his rescue was not involved in the plot, and had simply been hired for the considerable fare. The journey to the cottage, near the small town of Llanybydder, would take about five hours. 'I realised from the driver's dress and appearance that it was likely he was Muslim, and just a few miles down the road he asked where I was from,' Itay recalls. 'I smiled and said 'why ruin it?' because I am cautious talking about my background. Not that I am ashamed of it, but in the current climate 'But this guy said he had a hunch I was Israeli, and we did end up chatting. It was a good connection, actually. It's not every day you get that kind of space and time for a conversation, and it was a good conversation.' There were several comfort stops on the way, but the pair arrived at the remote Airbnb about 3.30pm. It was sheer luck that Itay asked the driver to come in with him: 'There was a key code thing and I wasn't sure about how it worked. I was also concerned about whether we were in the right place. I thought, 'If this guy leaves, I'll never get an Uber.' ' Itay had been expecting more participants to be there, but there was an eerie silence as he let himself in. 'It felt weird,' he recalls. 'It wasn't what I was expecting.' One of the imitation pistols used to threaten Mr Kashti The gang bought sinister face-masks - one of the aspects of the attack Mr Kashti found particularly chilling Mr Kashti was handcuffed to a radiator during the attack - but managed to negotiate them over the pipe to escape He and the driver were inside for only about 30 seconds before hell was unleashed. 'Three men, masked and covered head to toe, leaped on me and started hitting me on the head,' Itay recalls. 'One of them had one of those Anonymous masks on the sort you see in horror films. That was one of the most chilling things for me. 'I remember kicks to my head, punches. From the corner of my eye I saw the taxi driver being hit too, but I lost sight of him after that. I don't know for sure how he managed to escape but I guess it was because he was a bit closer to the door and bigger than me.' There was shouting, shoving, chaos. Itay was aware of handcuffs being placed on him. He was made to lie face-down. 'So much of it is a blur and it happened so fast. It was surreal because it was an ordinary holiday cottage with a small television and a sofa and a table, and there was this faint afternoon light coming in. 'I was kicked again when I was on the ground. I was aware of so much bleeding, facially. Blood was running. And I thought, 'This is it. This is the end of me.' 'Later, I discovered that my contact lenses had been knocked out, so they must have hit me with some force.' He has relived this moment in counselling sessions, and says he tries hard not to think of the 'what ifs'. But in between thinking of his children and his wife, he had 'flashes of October 7' as you probably would if you are Israeli-born and it dawns on you that you are a hostage. Two or three minutes passed before Itay realised he could get to his feet. 'They had put the handcuffs over a pipe attached to the radiator, but only at one end. I could work the handcuffs over it.' Free of the radiator, he saw his phone on a table. 'They'd emptied my pockets but the phone was there. I grabbed it and my guitar and stumbled out. I was limping, half-blind. One eye was completely closed. I must have looked like Sylvester Stallone in Rocky.' Where were his attackers? It was established during the court case that they had fled, presumably realising the taxi driver would raise the alarm. It was at this point, Itay acknowledges with a wry smile, that the plot descended almost into farce. Indeed, there is some dry humour in his retelling as he shrugs: 'I can't believe I am saying this but, as I said to a friend the other day, only Jewish and Israeli people get kidnapped and say they are lucky.' The gangsters were apprehended, after the police helicopter was scrambled in of all places a field full of cows. Meanwhile, after escaping on to the remote road by the cottage, Itay frantically waved to a passing motorist, who saw him but drove on. 'I discovered later that this person called the police, but thought I was signalling for them not to stop because there was some danger,' he says. He ended up hiding behind a bush, still clutching his guitar ('I grabbed it on the way out it is a Martin') and managed to call his wife. 'She said, "are you joking?", but when she realised I wasn't, she called the police and gave them my location, which I'd managed to WhatsApp to her.' He and the taxi driver as well as the passing motorist also alerted the emergency services. Within 20 minutes, officers were at the scene. With his long, dark curls, there is a touch of Kiss frontman Gene Simmons about Itay, and he says he was suddenly aware that his eccentric rock-star look might not be his greatest asset here. 'I was very self-conscious at that point. I know that in appearance I might seem strange to people and I have a foreign accent, too. I was badly bruised and bloodied and I was carrying a guitar. It looked odd.' Did the police in Wales grasp that they were dealing with a jihadi attack? Clearly not, at that point. 'I mentioned October 7. They were very curious and said, 'What happened on October 7?' I said, 'Do you know the Gaza war? They said, 'Of course.' I was a bit bewildered.' It was only after his attackers had pleaded guilty that Itay discovered the full extent of the plot. It emerged that Shah, Comrie and Ogunnubi-Sime from Bradford, Leeds and London respectively had bought face-masks, gloves, gags, cable ties and the drug ketamine, and rented the remote cottage using a fake ID. They had warned each other to conceal the 'Islamic angle' of their plot, and Shah said they should kill him if necessary: warning: 'I am not going to pen [jail] without his bread [money] or his soul.' Itay remains completely at a loss as to why they chose him. 'I am not rich,' he says. 'If it was about money, with respect, they could have found a much better target. I drive a 2012 Nissan Juke. Hardly a Bentley!' Nor had he been an activist or agitator, he insists: 'I'm a musician. Even if I have opinions, I feel there is a time and place for them. I am not confrontational. I am a gentle, nice person. I do not get into trouble like this.' His wife, who rushed to Wales that night, was 'traumatised' by the attack. Even today, he is still shaken not just by the physical attack, but by what it represents. 'You know, I haven't suffered from anti-Semitism since I came here,' he tells me. 'My parents, family and friends [back in Israel] asked before if I had felt it and I said, 'Honestly, no.' 'Maybe it is here, muted, unspoken, but I never felt it. 'Then you realise that something like this can happen to you specifically because of your background. You are basically being shrunk. You are not a person any more you are an Israeli and a Jew. It's like a lower degree of human in those people's eyes. 'It's chilling, and it has forced me to ask whether living in the UK was the right choice.' Was it? He considers the taxi driver who saved his life, the motorist who called for help, and the justice system that put his attackers behind bars. 'I think, on balance, yes, I did make the right choice. There are enough people in this country who know right from wrong.' In the freezing, snow-laden streets of Leningrad, families carried dead relatives almost mummified by brutal temperatures of minus 43C down the stairs of darkened tenement blocks. Some noticed just how light these corpses, ravaged by hunger, were as they loaded them on sleds and dragged them along the road like bin bags to mass collection points. Starving gravediggers did not have the strength to break the frozen winter ground and so mechanical diggers created vast gaping pits, accommodation for thousands of anonymous cadavers. There had been so many fatalities throughout the city in the space of weeks that the dead had to queue up to be buried, their bodies stacked like logs. One such body was that of a handsome, dignified woman in her 30s. It was assumed that she had, like so many others, died of starvation. Her name was Maria Ivanovna Shelomova Putina the mother of Vladimir Putin. Yet according to one account on that silent street of tall 19th century terraced apartment buildings, under a dark indigo sky, neighbours heard the faintest of moans coming from among the dead. A pair of shoes poking out from the pile of motionless flesh were seen to twitch. Miraculously, after surviving on starvation rations for months, Putin's mother was not dead and neighbours pulled her clear of the surrounding bodies. An estimated 1.5million soldiers and civilians alike died in the hellish apocalypse that was the Siege of Leningrad the most murderous blockade in history. Vladimir Putin's mother survived the siege after narrowly avoiding being buried alive. Pictured: Putin aged five with his mother Maria Ivanovna This Second World War siege, which lasted some 900 days, from 1941 to 1944, illustrated how resilient humankind can be when faced with the darkest extremes of want and suffering. Indeed, for many inside the city including the Putins it changed their understanding of human nature itself. And, in some ways, the spectre of all that suffering casts its shadow over Russia, and the wider world, to this day Just look at the nightmare landscapes of war in Ukraine as troops fight to the death over every inch of territory and the scale of the suffering that Putin and his forces have inflicted upon the civilian population, writes Sinclair McKay Pictured: Vladimir Putin as a toddler on the lap of his mother Maria Shelomovam and his grandmother Maria Putina was one of the lucky ones. An estimated 1.5million soldiers and civilians alike died in the hellish apocalypse that was the Siege of Leningrad the most murderous blockade in history. This Second World War siege, which lasted some 900 days, from 1941 to 1944, illustrated how resilient humankind can be when faced with the darkest extremes of want and suffering. Indeed, for many inside the city including the Putins it changed their understanding of human nature itself. And, in some ways, the spectre of all that suffering casts its shadow over Russia, and the wider world, to this day. Just look at the nightmare landscapes of war in Ukraine as troops fight to the death over every inch of territory and the scale of the suffering that Putin and his forces have inflicted upon the civilian population. Leningrad's ordeal began weeks after Hitler's forces invaded Russia in the summer of 1941. That winter of starvation still commemorated by the city and Vladimir Putin every year in huge ceremonies remains almost beyond comprehension. Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of a breakthrough in the siege of Leningrad Valdimir Putin's mother and father enjoyed going to the theatre in the late 1930s to see the city's much-loved comedian Arkady Raikin the one man in Russia with an apparent licence to poke fun at Soviet officialdom. Pictured: Vladimir Putin, right, poses for a photograph with his parents Maria and Vladimir Putin in 1985 During the siege of Leningrad mothers with infants suffered the agony of not even being able to express milk: one was even driven to cut her arm open to let her baby suck the blood. In some cases with fathers away fighting, and their sickly mothers forced to fill the vacancies in factories young children were adopted by the authorities. Pictured: Maria Shelomova 17 October 1911 - 6 July 1998 As the three million troops assembled for Operation Barbarossa rampaged across the steppes of eastern Europe burning, maiming and slaughtering as they went hundreds of thousands of German soldiers in Army Group North encircled the proud, beautiful city that we now once more know as St Petersburg. The city with its amazingly colourful baroque palaces, churches with golden domes and winding canals was a product of the vision of Tsar Peter the Great, who had it hewn from frozen marshlands at the tip of the Baltic Sea in 1703. It was intended to be Russia's 'window on the West'. St Petersburg was soon famed internationally for its ballet, rich poetry, and exquisite music. This remained the case after the 1917 Russian revolution, when it was renamed Leningrad. And even through the terror of Stalin's purges in the 1930s when thousands of innocents were wrenched from their homes in the dead of night and consigned to slave labour camps, or simply murdered there was also, incredibly, boisterous comedy. With her husband, Vladimir Spiridonovich (pictured) , fighting with the Red Army outside the city who eventually sustained injuries from a grenade blast to his legs, Maria Putina was one such mother who had her child removed. Pictured: Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin 23 February 1911 - 2 August 1999 Valdimir Putin's mother and father, incidentally, enjoyed going to the theatre in the late 1930s to see the city's much-loved comedian Arkady Raikin the one man in Russia with an apparent licence to poke fun at Soviet officialdom. But by the Second World War, the city was also one of the centres of the Soviet Union's vast armaments industry: tanks and planes were assembled in vast cathedrals of manufacturing. Hitler at first planned to conquer Leningrad. But then he decided it would be better if the city and its people were simply wiped out. The Wehrmacht occupiers in the countryside that surrounded it cut off all the supply routes that served as St Petersburg's veins and arteries the roads and the railways thus isolating it from the rest of Russia. Every night, the Luftwaffe launched terrible bombing attacks that devastated apartment blocks and factories, leaving citizens disorientated with sleeplessness. At a commemoration service at a St Petersburg cemetery a few years ago, Putin said: 'I don't know where my own brother is buried, whom I never saw, never knew.' He spoke of how his mother had been 'laid out with the corpses'. Pictured: Destruction caused by Russian bomb strikes on Kostiantynivka on March 21 One such bombing raid in September 1941 destroyed the vast timber-framed warehouses that held the city's stockpiles of non-perishable food: everything from pasta to lentils to sugar. From that point onwards, the hunger began. That winter of starvation still commemorated by the city and Vladimir Putin every year in huge ceremonies remains almost beyond comprehension. As the dark days of December arrived in 1941, such daily rations as there were involved heavy black bread: little more than a handful for factory workers, less for other citizens. These rations shrank as the weeks wore on some receiving a portion the size of a playing card to see them through 24 hours. In order to secure that tiny daily ration, citizens had to start queueing at bakeries at 4.30am. The lines were already snaking down the streets. We cannot make any assumptions about how his mental landscape of the world, and of war, was formed, although it is impossible not to wonder, writes Sinclair McKay. Pictured: Ukrainian firefighters put out the fire at a storehouse following a Russian attack in Odesa on March 21, 2025 Occasionally there were whispered rumours of black market horse-meat: desperate mass brawls would break out. Once loving families, in communal apartments shared with other families, became snarling enemies: screaming and swearing. Toddlers scrabbled instinctively between floorboards with tiny fingers in the hope of finding dropped dry grains of rice. Children and parents alike suspected each other of taking more than their fair shares. The snows came and, after the Nazis bombed the power stations, the city was plunged into stuttering darkness. The people had to break up furniture and bannisters for fuel to burn. The mental changes caused by brains slowly being starved were accompanied by what seemed the most uncanny transformations. Despite the hunger, bellies swelled (a condition known as oedema, where the body can no longer process waste fluid, and it builds up around the organs). Flesh would darken in patches; as if the blood itself was too apathetic to move properly. Some people became yellow, others purple; some turned mint green. How could a man with such an intimate knowledge of what the First World War poet Wilfred Owen called 'the pity of war' go on to inflict such a nightmare upon so many women and little children in Ukraine?, asks Sinclair McKay. Pictured: Residents stand in front of a damaged residential building following bomb strikes on the city of Kostiantynivka on March 21 Gums would recede and bleed. Eyes would appear to become larger. Then there were 'the ants'; this was the alarming sensation that there were insects moving around beneath the flesh: the quivering results of the body beginning to consume itself. Adults caught sight of themselves in mirrors and recoiled with horror. Mothers with infants suffered the agony of not even being able to express milk: one was even driven to cut her arm open to let her baby suck the blood. In some cases with fathers away fighting, and their sickly mothers forced to fill the vacancies in factories young children were adopted by the authorities. With her husband, Vladimir Spiridonovich, fighting with the Red Army outside the city who eventually sustained injuries from a grenade blast to his legs, Maria Putina was one such mother who had her child removed. There was a belief that the Communist state could provide more regular nourishment in special institutions. It could not. Leningrad's ordeal began weeks after Hitler's forces invaded Russia in the summer of 1941. This image shows damaged houses on Pushkarhaya street after a German raid during the battle of Leningrad In early 1942, the Putins were given the tragic news that their toddler son Viktor had died of diphtheria. In most other cases, the cause was hunger. Little Viktor who would have been Vladimir Putin's older brother was one of uncountable numbers of toddlers consigned to those mass burial pits. Elsewhere, with only the barest scraps entering the city via cargo planes (the Luftwaffe had mastery of the skies), Leningrad's scientists had to find a way of bulking out bread with edible cattle-feed. People boiled leather belts and briefcases down and drank the broth. They stripped walls for the wallpaper paste. Families were looking at domestic pets in new ways. Children would return home to find beloved Irish setters a breed first popularised by Tsar Akexander II had been killed to make stew. One family caught and grilled their pet cat. 'It was very tasty,' confessed their young son. At night, men went out into the frozen darkness to catch rats: their blood was warm, they had flesh. They were best served fried. In early 1942, the Putins were given the tragic news that their toddler son Viktor had died of diphtheria. Vladimir Putin Jr was born into a city of mass graves and he never did find out where his older brother was laid to rest Most desperate were the refugees from the countryside who had raced into the city ahead of the murderous Nazi advance only to find that, without a ration card, they had no access to food. This was a death sentence. Bodies occasionally started going missing. Some who stole corpses or cut human flesh off the many cadavers that lay where they had fallen in the city's streets were mothers whose only desire was to keep their children alive. But in some tenement blocks, there were even darker stories. Murderers who stalked their victims through the snow, before stabbing them, hacking their bodies apart and eating their flesh. Such instances would later be hushed up. Yet the siege also demonstrated another facet of human nature: an extraordinary capacity for invention. The city lies close to Lake Ladoga, a vast freshwater inland sea. And in the depths of that harsh winter, it froze over so thickly that convoys of trucks were sent across the ice from the unoccupied east of the country. Negotiating the featureless landscape of the frozen lake was made possible by young women who stood holding red flags at regular intervals to show the way. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visits a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine in Donetsk region on March 22 Ukrainian rescuers working at the site of a drone attack in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, late 21 March 2025 The convoys brought supplies across a 35-mile ice road and on their return journeys took evacuees. Not surprisingly, it became known as 'The Road of Life'. Come the spring, Red Army fightbacks restored some of the city's supply lines. The ruthless Wehrmacht bombing and shelling continued but many thousands of the most vulnerable were evacuated and rations for those who remained were returned to levels sufficient to maintain human life. By the summer of 1942, the city's Philharmonic orchestra was ready to stun the world with the most amazing show of defiance. The St Petersburg composer Dmitri Shostakovich had written his Seventh Symphony especially for the besieged city. The musicians had spent the winter starving and exhausted but they played as if their lives depended upon it. The symphony was broadcast, via radio, around the world and was even heard by the Wehrmacht soldiers entrenched around the city. Years later, two of them, by then East German citizens, told the conductor Karl Eliasberg that they could not believe the brutalised city could summon such beauty. The siege continued for another 18 months but the tides of war had turned. The Red Army finally forced the Wehrmacht into retreat in January 1944. With a million civilians killed in Leningrad, how could the survivors ever find any kind of peace? Pictured: Ukrainian members of the armed forces listening to a concert In 1952, Maria Shelomova Putina, 41, and her husband Vladimir, now a railway worker, welcomed a new child. Vladimir Putin Jr was born into a city of mass graves and he never did find out where his older brother was laid to rest. At a commemoration service at a St Petersburg cemetery a few years ago, Putin said: 'I don't know where my own brother is buried, whom I never saw, never knew.' He spoke of how his mother had been 'laid out with the corpses'. We cannot make any assumptions about how his mental landscape of the world, and of war, was formed, although it is impossible not to wonder. We must also remember that millions of his fellow St Petersburgers did not grow up to become despotic war-mongers. In fact, some later psychological studies found that siege survivors called Blokadniki had unusual levels of empathy. But the siege cemented an element of paranoia in Putin's understanding of the world and history. The puzzle remains: how could a man with such an intimate knowledge of what the First World War poet Wilfred Owen called 'the pity of war' go on to inflict such a nightmare upon so many women and little children in Ukraine? Saint Petersburg by Sinclair McKay (Penguin, 25), will be published on 10 April. Sinclair McKay 2025. To order a copy for 22.50 (offer valid to 05/04/25; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. Like all good nurses, Jennifer Melle projects a mixture of benevolence and calm authority. Patients greet her warmly as she glides around St Helier Hospital in Carshalton, Surrey, dispensing smiles and soothing words. For as long as she can remember, nursing was her chosen profession. As a schoolgirl newly arrived from Uganda, she was told by her father that Britain was a place where she could fulfil her dreams. Taking nothing for granted, she worked hard, gratefully seizing every opportunity. Now aged 40 and a mother of three, she is universally liked and respected. Not once in her 12-year career has she received a complaint. That, at least, was the case until one day last year when a burly 6ft-plus convicted paedophile, shackled to two prison escorts, shuffled into Ms Melles ward and loudly complained about a urinary problem. Legal reasons prevent Patient Xs identification, though why this person, who was jailed for grooming young boys, is afforded such protection will doubtless confound many. Not least because that night, in a fit of rage, Patient X screamed racist abuse at Ms Melle calling her the N-word three times. She says: It was terrifying. Id never been called that word before. And I thought I was going to be attacked. At one point Patient X lunged towards her, straining against chains. The whole thing the terrible racial abuse, the aggression, which all happened in front of patients and staff left me traumatised. And I was only trying to help. It is what happened next, though, that truly beggars belief. One might imagine that on hearing that one of its black employees was on the receiving end of possibly the most insulting and inflammatory slur in the English language, the diversity-obsessed NHS would back her to the hilt. Instead, her bosses decided she was in the wrong. Jennifer Melle was subjected to racial abuse by a prisoner who had groomed young boys In the eyes of Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals Trust, the greater sin was that Ms Melle had referred to Patient X who was born male but now identifies as a woman as mister and he during a phone call with a doctor. It was this which prompted Patient Xs aggressive outburst. Afterwards, Ms Melle was investigated and disciplined and, having been labelled a potential risk to the public, now fears losing her job. She wonders what happened to the England of fair play of which her father once spoke. After being given a final warning by the trust, she received a letter from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) last month saying it was investigating concerns about her fitness to practise because she referred to a patient in a manner inconsistent with their gender identity. Yet it is one of the ironies of this case that Patient X had exploited gender identity by posing as a teenage girl online to incite under age boys to perform sex acts. Ms Melle says: I was put at risk, but I am being treated like a criminal. Sadly, if you put your head above the parapet and speak truthfully on these issues in the NHS, the risk is that you will be knocked down, punished severely and demoted. The message to me during the investigation was that I should put up with extreme racism and deny biological reality and my deeply held Christian beliefs for the sake of inclusivity. Culture wars excesses abound and to some extent we have grown inured to them. But Ms Melles experience, say campaigners, is on a whole new disturbing level. Last night there were demands for urgent government intervention. In an unprecedented legal action, meanwhile, Ms Melle is suing the hospital trust for harassment, discrimination and human rights breaches. It is, of course, a case in which the NHS once again risks being accused of sacrificing common sense on the altar of gender ideology, and follows that of eight nurses from Darlington who took their trust to court after being forced to share a changing room with a biological man who identifies as a woman. There is also the ongoing case of the nurse suspended after complaining about a trans medic using her female changing room. Sandie Peggie was put under a disciplinary investigation for a year by bosses at Victoria Hospital, in Kirkcaldy, Fife, after she objected to sharing the facility with Dr Beth Upton. No doubt other battles lie ahead. With so many contradictory voices fighting to be heard, it is easy to see why many find the transgender debate difficult to navigate. Even judges were issued with official advice last month. They were warned it is now extremely inappropriate to refer to male rapists who say they identify as women by their preferred pronouns. Yet as it stands criminals are free to pick their gender because the Government refuses to force police to record biological sex. It is a muddle, says Ms Melle. I just call people by their first names, that is my way round this. That is indeed how she planned to address Patient X whose preferred name a girls name was written on the white board above her hospital bed on May 22. That day Ms Melle was working a night shift. The previous day she and her colleagues learned that Patient X was arriving for treatment from a mens prison. Ms Melle was shocked to learn of the patients crimes but resolved to deploy the same courtesy, professionalism and care as she would with anybody else. St Helier Hospital, where Ms Melle referred to Patient X who was born male but now identifies as a woman as mister and he during a phone call with a doctor In the event, she wasnt assigned to Patient X and the start of her shift proved uneventful. At 10pm however a colleague, in some distress, approached Ms Melle saying that Patient X wanted to self-discharge. X was shouting and upsetting other elderly and vulnerable patients on the ward, says Ms Melle. A doctor was called for guidance but had not yet responded. As the senior nurse on the ward, Ms Melle decided to take charge. When her colleague finally got through to the doctor, Ms Melle asked to speak to him, taking the call in the corridor just outside Patient Xs room. Overhearing the conversation, Patient X began screaming in protest at Ms Melles use of the word mister. The prisoner shouted: Do not call me mister, I am a woman! Ms Melle says the conversation with the doctor needs to be placed in context. Even if she was prepared to use alternative pronouns, she says it would have been absurd because the discussion related to a catheter for a male which needed to be removed. This was a real-life medical scenario that required accurate terminology to avoid any doubt between medical professionals, she says. Finishing the call, she stepped inside Xs room and found the patient pacing up and down. Ms Melle politely said: I am sorry I cannot refer to you as her or she, as its against my faith and Christian values but I can call you by your name. She then began to relay the doctors advice, but was met with escalating abuse. Imagine if I called you n*****?, Patient X screamed. How about I call you n*****? Yes, black n***** Ms Melle warned that if the vile abuse persisted, she would have to call security. X lunged at me, getting really close, a few feet away, before the guards intervened, she says. Patient X then tried to follow her, shouting: I want your name and NHS number, and I am going to report you to the police for homophobia. Though profoundly distressed by the confrontation, Ms Melle, later forced herself to return to Xs room with painkillers which calmed the patient down. It is worth noting here that a white colleague had also referred to Patient X as a male but was not abused for doing so. At the end of her shift, Ms Melle found herself still shaking as she travelled home on the bus. As she replayed the incident in her mind, a colleague who had taken over her shift rang her mobile to say that Patient X had been shouting for her and threatening to make an official complaint. On her next shift, Ms Melle was taken aside by a ward manager and asked to make a statement. She explained she was still feeling traumatised. But the manager insisted that she still had to respect equality and diversity. Ms Melle was investigated and disciplined and, having been labelled a potential risk to the public, now fears losing her job Ms Melle said she had no issues with peoples sexuality but asked where the respect was for her Christian beliefs and said that she could not deny biological reality. But an investigation later concluded that the [NMC] code of conduct outlines that in order to treat people as individuals and to uphold their dignity nurses should avoid making assumptions and should recognise diversity and individual choice. The code further states that nurses should not express your personal beliefs (including political, religious or moral beliefs) in an inappropriate way. Therefore, although [Ms Melle] felt unable to identity Patient X using the preferred pronouns due to her religion... it could be perceived that [Ms Melles] actions couldbe seen as a potential breach of the code. She was accused of not respecting the patients preferred identity and told her actions and behaviour had fallen short of the trusts value of respect. Summoned to a disciplinary hearing in October, Ms Melle was given a final written warning and referred to the NMC. After the incident, she was denied overtime which has affected her financially. With her career, livelihood and reputation now at serious risk, she says she was faced with no alternative but to file a legal claim. She says that the NHS has unlawfully interfered with her rights under the European Convention on Human Rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Ms Melle, who says she has never previously had any issues with transgender patients, says: I am devastated by how I have been treated and believe I am being institutionally abused, harassed, bullied and racially discriminated against. Ever since I have expressed my Christian beliefs under extreme pressure, I have been a marked woman. I do not feel supported following the racial abuse and threat of physical violence I received from the patient. I remained professional throughout and always treat each and every individual with dignity and respect. My conduct throughout this incident and during my career has been fully compliant with the code. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting her case said: The NHS appears to remain captured by transgender ideology to the point it is prepared to back a convicted paedophile, who was clearly very disturbed and shouting racist comments, over the Christian nurse. We thought we had seen it all when it comes to controversial legal cases on these issues, but what Jennifer is experiencing at the hands of this ideology is off the scale and on a whole new disturbing level. Jennifer loves Jesus and is a talented nurse who should be supported and protected, not investigated and silenced. The trust cannot force compelled speech on their staff and an urgent U-turn and apology is needed. We would ask Wes Streeting, as Health Secretary, to investigate what is happening here. He is already involved in the Darlington nurses case, and has previously said he is horrified by how they are being treated. Its time for Government intervention on this matter. Its time for the Government to stop equality and diversity policies being weaponised in the NHS to punish innocent nurses just doing their job. We will stand with Jennifer for as long as it takes for her to receive justice and with any other nurses who are discriminated against due to this dangerous ideology. An Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust spokesperson said: These matters are still subject to ongoing internal proceedings, so it wouldnt be right for us to comment further. The world is changing in front of us and The Mail on Sunday readers can see it. Vladimir Putin represents a serious threat to our national security. Global uncertainty is pushing up borrowing and European countries are having to spend more on defence. Britain is a strong country. I know we can overcome the challenges we face but we need a government that responds to the changing world. A government that will usher in a new era of security, stability and renewal. Weve all seen what happens when you have a government that chooses instability over security. Higher bills, higher rents, higher mortgage rates and normal working people paying the price. A price theyre still paying for the damage the Conservatives did to our countrys sound reputation for managing the public finances. Thats why the first line of our manifesto was to restore economic stability. People up and down the country put their trust in us because they knew we would never play fast and loose with the public purse. They trusted that we wouldnt put their household finances at risk. That trust was rightly hard- fought and must be earned every single day. I make no apology for keeping an iron grip on the countrys finances. There is nothing Labour about working people paying the price of economic irresponsibility. The Chancellor is expected to announce deeper than expected cuts in her Spring Statement on Wednesday Rachel Reeve's 25 billion Budget raid on employers National Insurance last year hit business confidence and strangled growth, causing government borrowing costs to soar Stability must come first. And on that bedrock of stability, we will get our economy growing. It wont be easy. It will require us to do things differently, like taking on the blockers and slashing the red tape that has had a stranglehold on our economy. We are already reforming the planning rules left to fester for years to build the 1.5 million homes we desperately need. Were fast-tracking 150 major infrastructure projects and investing in our roads, rail and energy infrastructure to unlock private investment. But none of this is possible without the engineers, brickies, sparkies and chippies to get the work done, and we are facing a massive shortage. We need tens of thousands of skilled construction workers to get this country building again and deliver our target of 1.5 million homes by 2029. To make matters worse there are more than 35,000 job vacancies, over half of which cant be filled because of a lack of required skills the highest rate of any sector. Just as we got into the weeds of a broken planning system that is holding this country back, now we are going to crack the lack of skilled construction workers as well. We need to inspire the next generation in Britain to take these well-paid jobs that offer a career for life while helping to build millions of homes to transform communities and provide security for families up and down the country. Defence expenditure has already been boosted by cutting the foreign aid budgets, while a 5 billion cut to benefits was announced just last week Flatlining growth means that the Treasury is closer to 5 billion in debt but the Chancellor expected the economy to be in credit by 10 billion at this point By investing more than 600million over this Parliament we will train up to 60,000 more construction workers. And we need the best in the business, the men and women who have spent decades working on building sites, to pass on their skills to the next generation of construction workers. That is why we are launching a new Further Education Teacher Industry Exchange scheme to get industry experts upskilling the next generation, as well as boosting funding for training providers. And our plan will deliver additional industry placements, establish Technical Excellence Colleges specialising in construction, launch new foundation apprenticeships and expand Skills Bootcamps to boost construction and drive economic growth. Its a plan that will unleash the new generation of British construction workers, building the houses and infrastructure we need, getting Britain building again. For too long, we have been trapped in a spiral of decline: low growth and low wages, insecure work, rising bills, soaring immigration and a soaring welfare bill. Too many people feel left out from or forgotten by the system. And the prize on offer is an economy that is more productive, more energetic, and capable of delivering on the priorities of the British people. Because its only by securing that economy of the future that we can deliver on our Plan for Change and put security in peoples lives and start a new chapter of national renewal. Five years ago, as our country reeled under the Covid-19 pandemic, the scientific interventions of Patrick Vallance made him a household name. As the Governments chief scientific adviser, he played a pivotal role in shaping Britains response to the pandemic, flanking ministers at Downing Street news conferences as they shut down the country and forced citizens to stay at home. His calmness reassured Britons amid the most devastating public health crisis for a century. Diary extracts later given to the Covid Inquiry revealed Lord Vallances scathing private criticism of Tory politicians, whom he had accused of being useless and cherry-picking data to support their actions during the pandemic. But he was welcomed back into Whitehall after last years election, with Sir Keir Starmer handing him a peerage and a senior Government post as science minister. Some hailed Vallances appointment as a stroke of genius, given his undoubted expertise and wide-ranging experience as an academic, medical researcher and senior executive at global pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline. But Starmers move was far from smart. For Vallances appointment was politically foolish and deeply alarming given his role in a shocking conspiracy that has undermined public trust in the scientific community, which The Mail on Sunday has been unravelling for five years. Indeed, as more evidence emerges to suggest the heads of Western funding bodies in grim alliance with the Chinese dictatorship tried to dupe the public over Covid-19s origins, his position looks untenable. Vallance has set out with admirable clarity how science is reliant on debate, evidence and open methodology. It needs to be rigorous. It needs to be transparent, he told a conference just three years ago. And at the height of the pandemic, as the global death toll mounted, he declared rightly that openness is one of the guiding principles of science. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a press conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus pandemic with chief medical officer Chris Whitty (left) and Chief scientific officer Sir Patrick Vallance (right) in 2020 While Vallance has admitted that establishing the viruss true origins is vital to protecting the planet from future pandemics, the investigation into its cause has been stymied by a disturbing trail of wilful deceit and state secrecy The Mail on Sunday was the first newspaper to raise fears that Covid could have originated with a lab leak and highlight ties to US funders How different when it comes to examining his own role in a crucial scientific quest the search to discover the cause of the Covid pandemic which erupted in China, leading to at least 20 million excess deaths and crippling global economies. Certainly, openness is the last word that comes to mind. While Vallance has admitted that establishing the viruss true origins is vital to protecting the planet from future pandemics, the investigation into its cause has been stymied by a disturbing trail of wilful deceit and state secrecy. When questioned on this issue by MPs just two years ago, Vallance firmly dismissed the hypothesis that Sars-CoV-2 the virus that causes Covid might have escaped after being engineered in a lab, claiming that its biology does not look like that. He insisted that the concept of a designed virus was very, very, very unlikely. It was a strangely emphatic stance given some unusual features of the disease that had sparked concerns among other experts. And indeed, when Covid erupted in a city that was home to a secretive laboratory with the worlds biggest repository of bat coronaviruses which took its database offline shortly before the pandemic was detected, had known safety concerns and was conducting risky research that boosted the infectivity of coronaviruses. The Mail on Sunday was the first newspaper to raise fears that Covid could have originated with a lab leak and highlight ties to US funders. Yet Vallance insisted that, from all the evidence I have seen, Covid was a zoonotic disease one that can be transmitted from animals to humans. He told MPs it was most likely that transmission had taken place at Wuhans wet markets where wild animals were on sale. When pressed further, he replied dismissively that he had joined some discussions about the viruss origins in early 2020 but that he was not interested in this rather secondary issue. Yet evidence has emerged through leaks, US Congressional investigations, books and a barrage of Freedom of Information inquiries that suggests Vallance had been deeply involved in top-level discussions around its cause. Indeed, as scientists began to grapple with this strange new disease rocketing around the world, it was Vallance who informed Britains intelligence agencies about strong suspicions the virus had come out of a laboratory. This snippet was disclosed in Spike, the 2021 book by Sir Jeremy Farrar, a fellow member of the Governments pandemic advisory group who was then the director of Europes biggest medical research charity, the Wellcome Trust. He is now the chief scientist at the World Health Organisation (WHO), the body which floundered so woefully during the crisis. Vallance insisted that Covid was most likely that transmission had taken place at Wuhans wet markets where wild animals were on sale. Above, researchers work in a lab of Wuhan Institute of Virology Gain-of-function experiments that boost the infectivity of diseases to give scientists insights into their behaviour, was being carried out on bat coronaviruses in Wuhan, aided by US cash, amid shockingly low biosecurity The P4 laboratory at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province. The Chinese biosafety laboratory was accused by top US officials of being at the origin of the coronavirus pandemic, as researchers investigate viruses that live in bats Then on February 1, 2020, Vallance joined a teleconference on the viruss origins led by Farrar in conjunction with former US presidential adviser Anthony Fauci and Francis Collins, then head of the National Institutes of Health, the worlds biggest biomedical research funding agency. Like Vallance, these influential figures, who all held huge control over research funding, were firm supporters of controversial gain-of-function experiments. These boost the infectivity of diseases to give scientists insights into their behaviour, supposedly to help safeguard the world against future epidemics. Such research was being carried out on bat coronaviruses in Wuhan, aided by US cash, amid shockingly low biosecurity. Despite the fears of several participants including Farrar that the virus had originated in a laboratory, the discussion led to a strategy that dismissed the idea of a lab leak and branded its proponents conspiracy theorists. This approach proved effective at stifling debate and promoted the now debunked wet-market theory then aided by patsy science journals, weak politicians and supine media. At the core of this strategy was an influential article, published in the journal Nature Medicine a month later, that refuted the origin being linked to any laboratory-based scenario. Written by four of the call participants and one additional expert, it has been accessed online more than six million times and was even cited by Fauci in the White House. Yet it has emerged that the statement was directed by Farrar. Indeed, the lead author had admitted in private messages sent to fellow authors on the Slack platform that a lab link was so friggin likely and even discussed the possibility of genetic engineering one month after publication. When the BBC asked about his involvement, Vallance admitted that he had attended a meeting organised by other people that led to a scientific paper on the viruss origins. But he insisted that it was not part of his role to investigate this crucially important issue. Yet released emails suggest Vallance had joined a preparatory call with Farrar and Fauci two days before the key teleconference. And after the discussion which the 13 participants were told was being held in total confidence Farrar asked Vallance to dial straight back in to join him, Fauci, Collins and his Wellcome Trust deputy for a private follow-up conversation. One week later, an email from Farrar to Victor Dzau, head of the US National Academy of Medicine, stated that Tony, Patrick, myself and a close-knit group have been looking at [the origins issue] for the last ten days and might have some information to share. Indeed, as scientists began to grapple with this strange new disease rocketing around the world, it was Vallance who informed Britains intelligence agencies about strong suspicions the virus had come out of a laboratory When I sought to obtain Vallances emails, minutes and notes on this issue under the pathetically weak British Freedom of Information rules, I was sent 32 emails with almost every word blacked out by his officials. Such state secrecy exposes the hypocrisy of Vallances talk about transparency. It is also contemptuous towards British taxpayers and a world that must understand the pandemics cause to guard against future catastrophes. I also attempted to obtain emails exchanged by Andrew Rambaut, an evolutionary biologist at Edinburgh University, who was one of the Nature Medicine authors. I was rebuffed by his bosses after 27 months and an appeal on the grounds that their release might endanger the physical or mental health or safety of an individual. Bear in mind that Rambaut had told his fellow authors in messages that the truth is never going to come out (if escape is the truth) as they prepared the Nature Medicine statement. Once you lose the market as the origin, all bets are off, he added ominously. Earlier this month, The Mail on Sunday published my interview with Robert Redfield, who headed the key US public health body when the pandemic erupted. He accused Fauci of orchestrating a cabal of experts to push a debunked theory of zoonotic spillover. Redfield, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, claimed that the group sought to distract focus from US federal funding for gain-of-function research which had been banned in America between 2014 and 2017 and called the wet market a red herring. The world-renowned virologist who was furious at being excluded from the secret discussions said he is now 100 per cent convinced Covid-19 was the result of bat virus researchers becoming infected at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Having seen much of the US intelligence on this issue, he also claimed that Western security services had colluded in the cover-up to protect agents inside Chinas military-linked laboratories. Redfields statements were reinforced by explosive revelations in the MoS last weekend that former MI6 chief Sir Richard Dearlove had told Downing Street early in the pandemic that the virus was engineered in Wuhan and that Vallance had allegedly crushed his claim. Vallance declined to respond directly to questions from this newspaper. His spokesperson pointed to an interview on BBC Radio 4 last week in which the minister was asked if he was too quick to dismiss the lab leak theory. As more evidence emerges to suggest the heads of Western funding bodies in grim alliance with the Chinese dictatorship tried to dupe the public over Covid-19s origins, his position looks untenable I was very clear right from the beginning that there were three real possibilities. One is that it was a designed virus. Second is that it was a natural virus that got into a lab and leaked from a lab, and the third is that it was a natural virus that spilled over from animals, which has been the normal thing in previous pandemics and is still probably the most likely of those three possibilities. But all three are possible. Meanwhile, in Germany, the parliamentary oversights committee has called on the government to share the findings of their spy agency after claims that former chancellor Angela Merkel covered up a bombshell report suggesting an 80 to 95 per cent certainty of a lab leak. This report was only shared with US intelligence and a handful of scientists in December. The following month, Americas CIA said Covid is more likely to have leaked from a Chinese lab than to have had a natural origin, joining the FBI and Department of Energy, which runs advanced biology labs, in adopting this view. The German revelations have sparked a political furore, and two of the nations most prominent experts have shifted their stance on the issue. We must now seriously consider that the lab leak hypothesis is at least as credible as a natural spillover, said Lothar Weiler, who headed their main public health body during the pandemic. Epidemiologist Alexander Kekule, one of Europes top biosecurity experts, said he now believes it is more likely the virus came from a lab. If Sars-CoV-2 was manipulated or studied in a laboratory, it could explain its unusual features, he said. Kekule argued that the market theory was definitely a fabricated story and complained that a group of scientists condemned the laboratory theory as a conspiracy theory which did a disservice to serious causal research. He added: It has long been known that China does not properly control its biolabs and there have already been several accidental virus outbreaks from labs there. Earlier this year there was an intriguing interview with Germanys most prominent virologist who has supported the wet market line in which he called for China to prove the disease really came from animals. Speaking to the Die Tageszeitung newspaper, Christian Drosten confessed: The more time passes, the more sceptical I become. The professors words were highly significant since he advised both Germany and the European Union on the pandemic and was among the group of scientists participating in the February 2020 teleconference led by Farrar and Fauci. He was also one of 27 experts alongside Farrar who signed a notorious Lancet letter drafted days after the meeting that praised Chinas rapid, open and transparent sharing of data and attacked conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid-19 does not have a natural origin. The letter was later found to have been organised by British zoologist Peter Daszak, who ran the New York-based non-profit organisation EcoHealth Alliance, which channelled US taxpayer dollars to Wuhan scientists. Americas CIA said Covid is more likely to have leaked from a Chinese lab than to have had a natural origin, joining the FBI and Department of Energy, which runs advanced biology labs, in adopting this view Last week, emails emerged from Daszak suggesting that he had submitted the letter to the influential journal at Farrars request and that they even tried to get it signed by Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the WHO. Drosten also pointed to the shocking discovery that Wuhan scientists and EcoHealth Alliance had sought US defence cash in 2018 to create viruses containing the defining feature of Sars-CoV-2: the spiked furin cleavage site that helps the virus bind so effectively to cells in human tissues and is not found on hundreds of the most similar coronaviruses. The scientists submission for funding was rejected as too risky but its top bat researcher refused to reply when asked if they had pushed ahead regardless. The public is rightly asking if Chinese scientists might have worked on it anyway, Drosten said. I have doubted that for a long time. But recently I have sometimes had a bad feeling. These shifts underscore how the lab leak case has grown stronger with each new slice of evidence that comes to light while those backing the theory that it originated in wild animals have failed to find a species that transmitted the disease from bats to humans. This comes despite an intensive search by Chinese authorities, who have tested samples from at least 80,000 animals. The saga exposes two entwined issues. There is the ongoing search for the viruss origin, which remains unproven despite the substantial body of evidence suggesting it escaped from a lab. But there is also the disturbing cover-up conspiracy seemingly led by the Chinese dictatorship in collusion with Western scientists, including a man now back at the heart of Britains Government. As Vallance rightly points out, science should be rigorous and transparent. So he needs to come clean on his own role in this alarming scandal or get out of government given his seemingly shameful failure to live up to his own fine words. A toy thief in Washington was arrested for stealing $10,000 worth of Legos from a local toy store after a weeks-long investigation. Police announced on Friday that they finally located Caylan Andrew Guerra, 32, who was accused of allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of Legos from Sasquatch Bricks Toy Store in University Place on February 13. For over a month, investigators combed through tips and surveillance video which led them to a storage unit just a mile away from the store, according to Pierce County Sheriff's Office public information officer Carly Cappetto. When officers arrived, the suspect was passed out in his car outside of the storage facility. Body camera footage revealed multiple officers surrounding the car and demanding the alleged toy thief exit his vehicle. 'Step out of the car or we're going to take you out of the car,' one of the officers threatened. 'Get your hands out of your pocket!' another officer held. The first officer then threatened to break the window if he didn't exit his vehicle. After several seconds, one of the officers shattered the driver's seat window and pulled Guerra out of his car. Pierce County Sheriff's Office in Washington announced that after over a month of investigating a burglary at a local toy store, they finally caught the suspect Body camera footage revealed the chaotic moment police officers found the suspect, Caylan Andrew Guerra, 32, asleep in his car outside of a storage facility Sasquatch Bricks, a toy store in University Place in Washington was burglarized on February 13 and over $10,000 worth of Legos was stolen 'The suspect had an extensive history for property crimes and weapons violations so deputies did not want to waste time getting him detained,' Officer Cappetto said. Cops handcuffed Guerra and informed him that he would be charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, obstructing a law enforcement officer, and possession of a stolen firearm. Officers also discovered firearms, drugs, scales, and small baggies when they searched the storage unit. The stolen Legos were uncovered hiding in the rafters. A police report also revealed that one of the firearms was reported stolen, there were large amounts of methamphetamine, two bags of Fentanyl, and stolen debit and credit cards. 'Here is a HUGE shoutout to the University Place Investigator for piecing all this together and finishing this Lego set. Hopefully this suspect will stay in prison this time,' Cappetto added in a press release. Guerra has an extensive criminal record including driving with a suspended license, criminal mischief with a deadly weapon, and stolen property trafficking. Cappetto told Dailymail.com that Guerra was arraigned on Friday and his bail was set at $175,000. Guerra allegedly stole the massive amount of Legos by breaking into the store in the early hours of the morning and fleeing the scene in a U-Haul. When deputies finally arrived, the suspect was gone and the store was in disarray. After the suspect refused to get out of his vehicle, one officer broke a window and police forcibly removed him from his car and arrested him In addition to the Legos, stolen firearms and illegal drugs were recovered from the storage facility Officers are continuing to investigate criminal activity potentially linked to Guerra, including the stolen U-Haul. Guerra has pleaded not guilty to the crimes and is scheduled for a court hearing on April 15. Shockingly, this is not the first Lego-related theft this month. A suspect named Michael Ivory Fletcher, 23, was arrested on March 4 in California for multiple counts of second-degree commercial burglary. Fletcher was accused of stealing $25,000 worth of merchandise from a Target in Martinez, which is about an hour West of San Francisco. The suspect stole Lego products across multiple counties in the area between August 2024 to February 2025. 'Fletchers actions followed a similar method of entering a store alone, filling up a shopping cart of LEGO products, and exiting with the stolen merchandise in a matter of minutes,' Ted Asregadoo, a spokesperson for the district attorney's office wrote in a press release. Police are still investigating the case and attempting to link the suspect to other crimes, including drug charges Deputies found the stolen Legos hiding in the rafters of the storage facility and arrested the suspect on March 20 Legos have become the center of multiple high-level theft crimes due to their high-resale value Legos are typically thought of as building blocks for kids that send shooting pains through your leg if you step on one, but it's not uncommon for the toys to be the center of theft. They have a high return value because some sets can become rare special edition releases. A study from the Higher School of Economics in Moscow revealed in 2021 that unopened Lego sets have an average annual return of 11 percent on the resale market. Considering the toy's resale value and the high price points for collector's editions, it's no wonder thieves have set their sights on toy stores. The Barefoot Investor has vowed to never give up on cash after spending a week refusing to use any other forms of payment. Scott Pape revealed he forced himself to follow a seven-day trial period where he would only use cash to pay for everything. The financial guru revealed the setbacks of not using a debit or credit card came to a head when he attempted to pay for a burrito at a fast food restaurant. The teenage takeaway assistant told him the venue did not accept cash. When he told her he didn't have a card, she spent 10 seconds looking at him, trying to figure out what was going on. 'I wanted to tell her that I was doing an experiment of using only cash for a week, and that I was in fact a successful financial expert,' Mr Pape wrote in his column for The Daily Telegraph. He also wanted to tell her that he was very hungry. 'But I didn't do any of those things. I just stood there like an idiot,' he said. Finance expert Scott Pape (pictured), also known as the Barefoot Investor, has come out strongly in favour of cash, despite a week long experiment that left him hungry and frustrated She then asked, in a pitying tone, if there was someone he could call. He told her he didn't have a phone with him. 'And even if I did my wife wouldn't help.' He left without his burrito, the attempted transaction having failed. Mr Pape's experiment left him with so many coins in his pocket that his four-year-old asked, 'Why are you jingling like Captain Feathersword, Daddy?' He said the sheer weight of them gave him a pain in his back and got him wondering how much it costs to make these now little used coins. So he called up the Royal Australian Mint and promptly got the run around. When finally, days later, her got on to an executive from the Mint, he was told 'Your request is currently with the privacy department because it's commercial in confidence.' 'Commercial in confidence? Who the hell are you competing with, the Vietnamese dong?' he joked, but the executive didn't find it funny. 'We don't give (information about coin production) out,' she added, in case he hadn't got the message. Mr Pape said cash (pictured) fan is a great visual aid for teaching children the value of money According to Reserve Bank figures, though, in the 12 years to 2022, cash transactions in Australia dropped from more than 60 per cent to just 13 per cent. The end result is that the Mint makes far fewer notes and coins, which has led to a lot less business for Armaguard, who take the currency to banks. Mr Pape took his quest to find how much it costs to make coins and note to Andrew Leigh, the minister responsible for the Mint. But an adviser in Mr Leigh's office was just as unhelpful as the Mint. 'If the Mint won't tell you, we can't tell you. What the Mint says is gospel', he was told. Mr Pape replied that 'No, your Minister is God and he writes the gospel. And I think taxpayers have a right to know how much our coins are costing us.' 'What was your name again? Is this for a podcast? How many followers do you have,' the adviser asked. 'I'm the Barefoot Investor. Look me up,' he said. Mr Leigh sent him a text the next day, saying 'Scott, I'm sorry the Mint wasn't able to get you the figures you were after. 'As you'd appreciate, the Mint makes the call themselves on issues like disclosing costs.' Spending seven days without using bank cards led to a teenage takeaway assistant standing in front of him, holding his burrito, shaking her head But Mr Pape didn't 'appreciate' that highly paid bureaucrats think they're too important to answer to the people who pay their salaries. He wrote in his newsletter that not only is he a huge fan of cash, he believes it's worth the cost to taxpayers to keep it in circulation. The Barefoot Investor explained that our currency is part of Australia's national identity and our security. He explained that Sweden's move towards being a cashless society means they've got 'the lowest amount of physical cash floating around of any countries in the world'. But their government is now having second thoughts. Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, in November 2024, the Swedish Ministry of Defence sent every household a brochure called 'If Crisis or War Comes'. It advised citizens to withdraw and use cash regularly, keeping at least a week's worth on hand, because if cybercriminals or warring nations interfere with digital payments, tapping your card won't work. Another reason Mr Pape is a cash fan is because it's a great visual aid for teaching children the value of money. His final reason is that 'because the people who really run Canberra the Australian Taxation Office despise cash, since it can't be tracked,' he wrote. 'They want every payment to be electronic so they can suck up all that data and feed it through their AI supercomputers to track our every financial move.' He added that the bureaucratic runaround he had been given this week 'is exactly why we should never surrender cash'. The family of a couple injured in a freak snorkelling boat accident in Bali that left an Aussie woman dead claims details around the incident have been downplayed. The Sea Dragon 2 was travelling from the port of Sanur to a popular dive site at Manta Point, near the tiny island of Nusa Penida about 8.30am on Friday morning. Local police spokesperson Agus Widiono said a freak wave hammered the boat before a second large surge overturned the vessel. Some 13 people, including 11 Australian tourists, were on board with Melbourne executive Anna Maree Blight dying two days after celebrating her 39th birthday. Gabriel Hijniakoff, 29, and his partner Cintamani 'Tam' Warrington were treated for burns and required urgent medical attention. Mr Hijniakoff's sister-in-law Olivia Hijniakoff has launched a GoFundMe where she aired chilling claims about the accident. 'The details of the incident are still to be confirmed, as media outlets and local reports have been INACCURATE and down played by initial reports through local authorities,' she wrote. 'Though what we do know is that Gabriel and Tam were involved in a serious accident, resulting in sustaining serious injuries, a road to recovery and furthermore a difficult situation in getting them home with the loss of their travel documents/electronic devices. Brisbane couple Gabriel Hijniakoff and Cintamani Warrington are undergoing treatment in Bali for extensive injuries they suffered when the snorkeling tour boat capsized Ms Blight's fellow passengers, 11 Australian tourists, and the tour boat's two local crew, spent more than an hour clinging to the capsized vessel before being rescued on Friday 'The gravity of such events and injuries unfortunately do sustain long term effects and further treatment.' Ms Hijniakoff said they were still waiting to receive full details of how the Sea Dragon 2 managed to find itself overwhelmed in heavy waters. 'On March 21, 2025, while on a much-needed holiday in Bali, Gabriel and Tam's trip turned into a nightmare,' she wrote. 'While travelling from the port on the east coast to Nusa Penida for a day of snorkelling, tragedy struck. She said Ms Warrington was in particularly precarious state and suggested her injuries could have been caused by prolonged contact with the petrol - or other chemicals - that spilled out as the boat was capsized. 'Tam's injuries are particularly severe, as she has sustained extensive chemical burns?/burns to a large portion of her body,' Ms Hijniakoff said. 'She is currently undergoing urgent surgery and is currently receiving medical treatment in Bali after a tireless fight from abroad. 'Unfortunately, she is unable to speak due to the pain and her condition remains critical. Financial services director Anna Maree Blight died in a freak snorkelling boat accident off the coast of Bali just two days after celebrating her 39th birthday on the tropical resort island 'Gabriel, too, has sustained significant injuries and they were only able to begin medical treatment nearly 24 hours after the incident. 'Both were left stranded on the boat for an extended period along other passengers and did not receive timely medical attention or transfers. 'To make matters worse, they lost crucial personal belongings, including their phones, passports, and wallets, making it even harder to arrange medical transfers and recovery efforts. 'Gabriel and Tam's situation has become an emotional and financial burden, and the road ahead will be a long and challenging one.' Local police said the Mr Hijniakoff and Ms Warrtington had suffered burns to their upper thighs, but they attributed their injuries to heat from the engine. They were treated at Griya Medical Clinic before being flown to Denpasar. Mr Hijniakoff's brother, Jacob, said the couple - who had been in Bali for about a week - had managed to contact family back home via WhatsApp as they waited to be rescued. 'They were out on the boat for an hour or two until they actually got picked up, and then they were stranded on the island for a while - they couldn't get back to the mainland until later that night,' he told the Courier Mail. Mr Hijniakoff had been enjoying a 'much-needed holiday' in Bali when disaster struck 'They are undergoing treatment there and then trying to get back to Australia. 'He just wants to get back to Australia and be with his friends and family (and) get Tam the help she needs.' Local police spokesperson Mr Widiono said the Sea Dragon 2 tour boat had stopped on the Badung Strait, which separates Nusa Penida from Bali, at the time and that a number of its passengers had already been in the water snorkelling. 'However, when the boat reached Klingking waters, a large wave suddenly hit the boat,' a police statement said. 'The captain attempted to avoid the wave and reduce the engine speed, but something struck the boat's engine, making it difficult to control.' The 12 survivors, including two local crew and the severely injured tourists, managed to cling to the tour boat for more than a hour before being saved from the turbulent seas by the sister vessel, Sea Dragon 1, and nearby fast ferry the Axe Stone. Ms Blight's body was recovered during the rescue and taken to the Sanglah Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The damaged boat was recovered and towed back to Toya Pakeh Harbor at Nusa Penida. Ms Warrington and her partner are now desperately fighting severe burns The operators of the Axe Stone fast ferry said the boat's captain had raced to the scene to help rescue passengers from the ocean after being altered to accident. Although the sea was choppy, they added the did not believe there was anything particularly dangerous about the waters on Friday morning. 'The report from the captain is the waves were rough and it was rainy,' a spokesman said. 'For that area to do activities on the ocean is pretty fine.' The operators of the Sea Dragon snorkelling trip are still to comment publicly on the tragedy. Sanglah Morgue forensic doctor Nola Margaret Gunawan told the Courier Mail newspaper that authorities were awaiting the arrival of Ms Blight's family. 'At this point I don't know yet if an autopsy will be performed, I am still waiting for the process from the police and also the family request,' Dr Gunawan said. 'I have to wait for identification from the police and the family.' She said it was too early to determine a cause of death. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing consular assistance to her family. 'We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,' the spokesperson said. 'The department is also providing consular assistance to the two other Australians. 'Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.' Tourist boat accidents are common in Indonesia with the vessels often overcrowded and having poor safety regulations. The Iowa college student who was the last person to see University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki before she disappeared on a beach in the Dominican Republic has finally arrived back home. Joshua Riibe, 22, returned to his familys home in the small town of Rock Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday afternoon, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. His mother Tina Riibe exclusively told DailyMail.com that her son has been hit hard by Konanki's disappearance, and he has returned home in hopes of resting and recovering from the tragedy. 'It was a really sad situation. Josh is resting up right now,' she said. Tina added that her family's thoughts are with Sudiksha and her loved ones, and said she would 'not give any interviews at this time out of respect for her family.' She refused to comment if Josh was going back to St. Cloud State University where he is a senior studying land surveying. We are keeping that to ourselves right now. Its been a long travel,' she added. Sitting on the doorsteps of their three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, purchased for $119,000 in 2015, was a large box from famed Chicago pizzeria Lou Malnatis. Tina Riibe, the mother of Iowa college student Joshua Riibe, told DailyMail.com he is back home resting after being questioned over a missing University of Pittsburgh student Riibe, 22, returned to his familys home in the small town of Rock Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday afternoon. He is seen in court in the Dominican Republic, where he was questioned as a person of interest, but has not been accused of being involved in Konanki's disappearance Sudiksha Konanki was on a spring break getaway with a few of her friends when she vanished on March 6, and Riibe is believed to have been the last person to see her alive Sources told DailyMail.com that after Joshua was briefly detained in Puerto Rico because of an issue of not having a departing stamp from the Dominican Republic on his newly issued passport, he spent the night in an airport hotel and flew back to the mainland the next day. Riibe's return home comes days after he broke his silence on Konanki's disappearance. The 22-year-old was the last person to have been seen with Konanki before she went missing from the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana in the early hours of March 6. Following Konanki's disappearance, Riibe found himself at the center of the chaotic case and had his passport confiscated, forcing him to stay in the Dominican Republic under strict supervision. Riibe was captured on surveillance video with Konanki and a group of her friends walking to the beach in Punta Cana around 4 am on March 6. Her friends left two hours later to go back to their room, leaving Riibe and the med student alone on the beach. Last Monday, Riibe was seen with investigators at the beach where Konanki was last seen, and he told NBC News at the time: 'I'm just trying to help them out.' 'The ocean is a dangerous place,' he added. Riibe was seen talking to law enforcement at beach next to the Riu Republica Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic last Monday The med student from Virginia was last seen with Riibe, who she was alone with on the beach after her friends left Riibe was captured on surveillance video with Konanki and a group of her friends walking to the beach in Punta Cana around 4am on March 6 Riibe came under suspicion after reportedly giving various versions of his drunken night out with Konanki, but provided more insight in a further interview with investigators before he returned to the US. The former wrestler said he and Konanki were 'in waist-deep water, talking and kissing a little,' according to a transcript of Riibe's discussion with police obtained by NBC. He went on to claim a wave crashed and whisked them both out to sea. In other reported retellings, Riibe said he had gone back to his hotel room and that he fell asleep on the beach. Riibe's family explained the conflicting accounts as being the result of a different translator being present at each of three police interviews. In his last interview, Riibe said he and Konanki got swept out to see, saying: 'I kept trying to get her to breathe, but that didn't allow me to breathe all the time, and I swallowed a lot of water.' Riibe, contrary to what he has previously stated, alleged he was able to bring Konanki to safety before she actually went missing, according to the reported transcript. 'When I finally reached the ground on the beach, I held her in front of me. She wasn't out of the water, she was knee-deep and walking at an angle out the water,' he explained. The former wrestler said he and Konanki were 'in waist-deep water, talking and kissing a little,' according to a transcript of Riibe's discussion with police 'The last time I saw her, I asked if she was okay. I didn't hear her reply because I started vomiting all the water I had swallowed. After vomiting, I looked around. I didn't see anyone. I thought she had grabbed her things and left.' He refused to answer some questions, with officers probing him over how they could be sure what he was saying was truthful. Riibe was asked about what he told his close friend about Konanki and what he thought about her disappearance. Investigators also questioned if he knew if Konanki was able to swim, if she made any gestures or cries in the sea, if he called the cops or told the hotel, if he had told his friends about what happened and how he felt about the situation. To all of those questions, he said: 'My lawyers advise me not to answer that question and I follow their advice', before going silent. Investigators in the Dominican Republic said they believe she drowned, and while they have questioned Riibe, they have not said he is suspected of any crime. Kim Soo Hyun is set to attend a fan meeting in Taiwan, which will be his first public appearance since being accused of allegedly trying to hide a girlfriend when his supposed relationship with fellow actress Kim Sae Ron came to light. According to Taiwanese media ET Today, via KoreaBoo, the retailer chain 7-Eleven will host the event on March 30 at the Kaohsiung Cherry Blossom Festival. Kim's participation had been uncertain following the fallout from the relationship allegations, which led to the suspension of several brand endorsements. Industry sources speculated that canceling his appearance could have resulted in a financial penalty of about $900,000. Fifty police officers are set to patrol the festival site, and authorities in Taiwan are gearing up for tighter security. Law enforcement reps noted that this presence falls under normal crowd control, not a special arrangement predetermined by the event. However, the above has led to speculation about possible disturbances because of the large turnout expected for the fan event. The police said they are ready to maintain public order and respond to any disorderly conduct if necessary. The Media Response and Public Scrutiny Kim is attending a time of high criticism from the Taiwan media and the Taiwanese at large. It will be an event that observers will be watching closely to see what effect the scandal has on his career and his perception of public opinion. While his agency has refrained from releasing an official statement on the controversy, Kim Sae Ron's family has reportedly also been hit with legal action after the incident. It is still to be seen whether this fan meeting will bring Kim back into the public's good graces or worsen the situation. President Donald Trump has threatened new actions against lawyers and law firms that bring immigration lawsuits and other cases against the government that he deems to be unethical. Trump said in a memorandum to US Attorney General Pam Bondi that lawyers were helping to fuel 'rampant fraud and meritless claims' in the immigration system. He directed the Justice Department to seek sanctions against attorneys for professional misconduct. The order also took aim at law firms that sue the administration in what Trump, a Republican, called 'baseless partisan' lawsuits. He asked Bondi to refer such firms to the White House to be stripped of security clearances, and for federal contracts they worked on to be terminated. Legal advocacy groups sounded the alarm on Saturday following Trump's directive. Ben Wizner, a senior lawyer at the American Civil Liberties Union, said the commands sought to 'chill and intimidate' lawyers who challenge the president's agenda. Trump has separately mounted attacks on law firms over their internal diversity policies and their ties to his political adversaries. 'Courts have been the only institution so far that have stood up to Trump's onslaught,' Wizner said. 'Courts can't play that role without lawyers bringing cases in front of them.' The ACLU is involved in litigation against the administration over immigrant deportations, including the expulsion of alleged Venezuelan gang members. President Donald Trump has threatened new actions against lawyers and law firms that bring immigration lawsuits and other cases against the government that he deems to be unethical In a memorandum to US Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump said lawyers were helping to fuel 'rampant fraud and meritless claims' in the immigration system, and directed the Justice Department to seek sanctions against attorneys for professional misconduct The Trump administration has been hit with more than 100 lawsuits challenging White House actions on immigration, transgender rights and other issues since the start of the president's second term. Legal advocacy groups, along with at least 12 major law firms, have brought many of the cases. A White House spokesperson, Taylor Rogers, said 'President Trump is delivering on his promise to ensure the judicial system is no longer weaponized against the American people.' The memorandum specifically directs Bondi to assess lawyers and firms that have brought cases against the government over the past eight years. Law firm Keker, Van Nest & Peters, which is working with the ACLU in an immigrant rights case against the administration, said in a statement that it was 'inexcusable and despicable' for Trump to attack lawyers based on their clients or legal work opposing the federal government. Representatives from other prominent law firms that are representing clients in cases against Trump's administration, including Hogan Lovells, Jenner & Block, Perkins Coie and WilmerHale, have not yet commented. Trump issued executive orders this month against law firms Perkins Coie and Paul Weiss, suspending their lawyers' security clearances and restricting their access to government buildings, officials and federal contracting work. The president also last month suspended security clearances of lawyers at Covington & Burling, in each case citing the firms' past work for his political or legal opponents. Trump targeted DC law firm Paul Weiss because of its former partner Mark Pomerantz, who oversaw an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorneys office into Trumps finances The Keker firm on Saturday called on law firms to sign a joint court brief supporting a lawsuit by Perkins Coie challenging the executive order against it. Paul Weiss on Thursday struck a deal with Trump to rescind the executive order against it, pledging to donate the equivalent of $40 million in free legal work to support some of the administration's causes such as support for veterans and combating antisemitism. Lawyers are bound by professional ethics rules that require them to investigate allegations before filing lawsuits and not deceive the courts. Imposing disciplinary sanctions on lawyers who violate such rules falls on the court system, not federal prosecutors, though prosecutors can charge lawyers with criminal misconduct. Lawyers at some companies and law firms skewered Paul Weiss online for capitulating to Trump. Marc Elias, a former Perkins Coie partner and a top lawyer for Democrats, assailed the Paul Weiss agreement in a social media calling it 'a stain on the firm, every one of its partners, and the entire legal profession.' In an internal email to its lawyers, Paul Weiss Chairman Brad Karp defended the agreement, saying it was in line with the firm's principles, including a commitment to remaining politically independent. The firm, with more than 1,000 lawyers, major financial and technology industry clients and longstanding Democratic Party ties, would be free to focus on its client work now that the executive order had been rescinded, Karp said. Karp's email included a copy of the agreement with Trump that said the firm would hire and promote lawyers based on merit. The agreement circulated by Trump on Thursday had additional language, saying the firm agreed it 'will not adopt, use, or pursue any DEI policies.' Legal experts said Trump's orders against Paul Weiss and another big firm, Perkins Coie, marked an unprecedented attack on their ability to do business. The order against Perkins Coie was 'life-threatening' to the firm, its lawyer said last week in that firm's ongoing lawsuit against the administration. The memorandum specifically directs Bondi, a longtime Trump loyalist, to assess lawyers and firms that have brought cases against the government over the past eight years Numerous lawyers, including some with links to Paul Weiss, took to social media to criticize the deal. Molly Coleman, a former Paul Weiss summer associate and current executive director of the People's Parity Project, called the move 'unbelievably shameful' and said Paul Weiss had 'failed to find the courage the moment requires.' 'Embarrassed to be associated with this firm today,' a lawyer who previously worked at Paul Weiss, Cindy Chang, wrote in a LinkedIn comment that was later deleted. Paul Weiss may be dealt a setback in recruiting young lawyers because of its apparent retreat from diversity commitments that have spread through law firms in recent years, and are now under attack from Trump, some lawyers said. 'This is a generation that expects to see diversity and inclusion in the workplace,' said Nikia Gray, executive director of the National Association for Law Placement. Some lawyers aligned with Trump faced professional discipline over claims that they violated legal ethics rules in challenging Democrat Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election win over Trump. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who later was an attorney for Trump, was disbarred in New York and in the District of Columbia over baseless claims he made alleging the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Lawyers for Civil Rights, a legal advocacy group suing the administration over deportations, called the sanctions threat hypocritical saying Trump and his allies 'have repeatedly thumbed their noses at the rule of law.' Labours Angela Rayner is back together with her soulmate boyfriend and former MP Sam Tarry, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. The Deputy Prime Minister has finally made her controversial on-again, off-again relationship official three years after it was first made public having declared the Corbynista Mr Tarry as her partner in the register of ministers interests. But their rekindled love may come as less happy news for Sir Keir Starmer, who sacked Mr Tarry as a shadow transport minister in July 2022 after he gave an unauthorised TV interview from a picket line during rail strikes. And the pair came under fresh scrutiny last year when it emerged Ms Rayner, 44, had failed to declare that she took Mr Tarry, 42, on a holiday to New York which was paid for by the multimillionaire Labour Party donor Lord Alli. The couple spent five days over New Year in Lord Allis 2.5million Manhattan apartment. Ms Rayner previously told a fundraising event that Mr Tarry is one of the most kind-hearted, amazing individuals I know and hes also my soulmate. Their relationship was unwittingly made public at the start of 2022 when Mr Tarry, who was at that point married to a paediatric consultant, was pictured leaving Ms Rayners flat one morning with her. He was shown with untied shoelaces and what appeared to be a toothbrush in his coat pocket. The Deputy Prime Minister has declared former MP Sam Tarry as her partner in the register of ministers interests Ms Rayner previously told a fundraising event that Mr Tarry is one of the most kind-hearted, amazing individuals I know and hes also my soulmate Mr Tarry was ousted as the Ilford South MP at the last election after a bitter local battle which saw him deselected as a Labour candidate Then in November 2023 it was reported the pair had split, but it is not clear when they got back together. Ms Rayner did not declare the relationship in the November 2024 register of interests. Having been ousted as the Ilford South MP at the last election after a bitter local battle which saw him deselected as a Labour candidate, clues as to what Mr Tarrys next venture is have been kept to a minimum. That was until Ms Rayner publicly declared last month that her partner is a public affairs consultant who advises the Night Time Industry Association. Mr Tarry was previously a vice chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Night Time Economy and recent online posts by the Night Time Industry Association (NTIA) have thanked the former politician for working tirelessly behind the scenes. The NTIA is an influential organisation which represents and campaigns on behalf of bars and nightclubs. In recent months it has been calling for government intervention to bolster nightlife and the night-time economy. The Labour Party declined to comment. This is the moment a plane came crashing down in a massive fireball at an air show in South Africa leaving the pilot dead. Video shows spectators watching on as the plane came towards them. It then started to turn and slowly slip in the air before plummeting towards the ground. The aircraft then fell out of sight behind some buildings as it came lower and lower. Seconds later, a massive explosion could be seen over the tops of the structures it fell behind. Black smoke rose into the air in a shocking plume. Organisers of the West Coast Air Show said a fatal accident occurred involving the Impala Mark 1 aircraft. It was piloted by highly respected South African test pilot James O'Connell. This is the moment a plane came crashing down in a massive fireball at an air show in South Africa leaving the pilot dead Video shows spectators watching on as the plane came towards them Seconds later, a massive explosion could be seen over the tops of the structures it fell behind The crash happened at the West Coast Air Show in Saldanha, a town about 70 miles north of Cape Town, on Saturday. According to Elowayne Gouws, the director of West Coast Medical Rescue, the pilot died on impact. It burst into flames in front of more than 2,000 spectators, abruptly ending the event. Tragic photos on social media show the jet just hours before it crashed. The man who took the photo posted: 'Heartbreaking afternoon. 'I took these photos of this Impala aircraft just hours before it tragically crashed at the West Coast Air Show. 'My deepest condolences to the pilot's family. May he rest in peace.' A statement posted on social media by the organisers of the show read: 'It is with profound sadness that the organisers of the West Coast Airshow confirm a fatal accident involving James O'Connell, a highly skilled and respected test pilot from South Africa. Black smoke rose into the air in a shocking plume 'Mr O'Connell was performing a routine display intended to demonstrate the capabilities of the Impala Mark 1 - a beloved warbird with deep historical significance for many South Africans. 'It was especially a huge moment because the Impala has not been seen performing at air shows for many years. 'The manoeuvres were being executed as part of the official air show programme, witnessed by thousands of spectators. 'Eyewitness accounts report that the aircraft appeared to be under control during most of the display. 'However, during one of the final manoeuvres, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude and entered a steep dive before making contact with the ground. 'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with James's family, loved ones, and everyone affected by this very tragic event.' Gouws, the director of West Coast Medical Rescue, told News 24 that medics arrived at the scene within two minutes 'and found the wreckage engulfed in flames'. The centuries-old early morning reveille call signalling the beginning of the Army's working day may be under threat after military scientists found recruits need a lie-in to help them cope with the rigours of basic training. Top brass asked experts to look at the training schedule to assess what changes could be made to improve pass rates and tackle the Army's manning crisis. After a study lasting several months, the boffins found that the would-be soldiers needed up to ten hours sleep if they are to pass through the rigours of boot camp. It is all a far cry from the more traditional approach when recruits went to bed late after training and were expected to rise as early as 5am, with their sergeant major such as the one portrayed by Windsor Davies in the 1970s TV comedy It Ain't Half Hot Mum barking orders from dawn till dusk. Now Army scientists have found that they perform better, learn more and are less likely to have disciplinary issues if they get up to ten hours kip a night. They were asked to study sleeping patterns in a bid to reduce 'wastage' when recruits drop-out of basic training without completing the course. In some cases, wastage was as high as 45 per cent and the finger of blame is now being pointed at a lack of sleep. The centuries-old early morning reveille call signalling the beginning of the Army's working day may be under threat after military scientists found recruits need a lie-in to help them cope with the rigours of basic training. (file image of recruits training in in Lympstone) Top brass asked experts to look at the training schedule to assess what changes could be made to improve pass rates and tackle the Army's manning crisis (file image) It is all a far cry from the more traditional approach when recruits went to bed late after training and were expected to rise as early as 5am, with their sergeant major such as the one portrayed by Windsor Davies (pictured) in the 1970s TV comedy It Ain't Half Hot Mum barking orders from dawn till dusk Room-mates chatting into the early hours, too much time spent scrolling on phones and the temptation of video games mean recruits are often sleep deprived while undergoing hard physical training. The scientists discovered that Parachute Regiment rookies got better quality sleep and fewer disciplinary issues when they were allowed to lie in longer in the mornings. The experts also found that an extra hour in bed reduced anxiety, stress and drop-out rates. Almost every aspect of recruit training is tightly controlled, with Army orders stating that lights out must be at 10pm with troops being woken at 6am. Dr Alex Rawcliffe, of the Army Recruit Health and Performance Research Team, told Soldier Magazine: 'There's the idea in the military that restrictive sleep can be used as an effective stressor. 'While that may have legitimacy in certain situations, there is no evidence to suggest any positive effects in training. Now Army scientists have found that they perform better, learn more and are less likely to have disciplinary issues if they get up to ten hours kip a night (file image) 'Sleep is critical to the health, wellbeing and performance of recruits, yet its importance can be under-appreciated.' Army sergeant majors are often the ones responsible for ensuring troops get out of bed and are on parade on time, but now even they are becoming converts. Warrant Officer Class One Jamie Weaver, a Para and the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion in Catterick, North Yorkshire, said: 'We all need three things to survive food, water and sleep. 'So if you are training to survive, you must prepare your body with sleep. 'Giving recruits so little sleep, then wondering why they aren't learning, is not the right approach. 'Some struggle academically anyway, then we are depriving them of the thing that aids learning. You can't give someone three hours per night then wonder what they are achieving on day three the answer is not very much.' An Army spokesman said: 'We are looking at how we can integrate the results of research to ensure that soldiers get good quality and sufficient sleep, which will enhance their health, performance and wellbeing.' Donald Trump's special envoy has been accused of 'regurgitating Kremlin propaganda' and told to apologise to Ukraine's people. Steve Witkoff was labelled 'a disgrace' and 'out of his depth' over his comments about Ukraine giving up its territory. Mr Witkoff, 68, a billionaire property developer with no diplomatic experience, has been representing the US in visits to Moscow as part of Mr Trump's efforts to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine. In an interview with ex-Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, Mr Witkoff floundered trying to name the Russian-occupied districts of Ukraine Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Luhansk. He also said the regions were 'Russian-speaking' and that 'there have been referendums where the majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule'. His comment refers to Kremlin-organised votes six months after Russia's invasion in 2022, not recognised by Western countries and denounced as a sham. Last night cross-party politicians responded with fury. Labour MP Neil Coyle said: 'Many people in Florida and Texas speak Spanish but it would be idiotic and offensive to claim that they belong to Spain. Ukrainian territory belongs to the Ukrainian state alone.' Donald Trump's special envoy has been accused of 'regurgitating Kremlin propaganda' and told to apologise to Ukraine's people Steve Witkoff (pictured) was labelled 'a disgrace' and 'out of his depth' over his comments about Ukraine giving up its territory Mr Witkoff, 68, a billionaire property developer with no diplomatic experience, has been representing the US in visits to Moscow as part of Mr Trump's efforts to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine Liberal Democrat Sarah Green, who is on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine, said: 'Witkoff doesn't care about Ukraine's sovereignty. He's more comfortable repeating Putin's propaganda than supporting Ukraine's heroic fighters and civilians.' And Dr Bob Seely, a former Tory MP and author of an upcoming book on Russian warfare, said: 'Witkoff is very clearly out of his depth and breathtakingly ill-informed. He doesn't know the names of the areas that he's talking about. 'Saying the Ukrainian people want to be part of Russia it is an absolute disgrace. 'He makes no mention or recognition of the fact that in territories occupied by Russia the treatment of the Ukrainian citizens, whatever language they speak, has been appalling. 'This man is simply regurgitating Kremlin propaganda. He should apologise to Ukrainians, and maybe talk to some Ukrainians who are dealing with the aftermath of the Russian invasion.' Liberal Democrat Sarah Green (pictured), who is on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine, said: 'Witkoff doesn't care about Ukraine's sovereignty. He's more comfortable repeating Putin's propaganda than supporting Ukraine's heroic fighters and civilians' Mr Witkoff said of the Russia-controlled territory: 'The elephant in the room is there are constitutional issues in Ukraine as to what they can concede to, with regard to giving up territory. 'The Russians are de facto in control of these territories. 'The question is, will the world acknowledge that those are Russian territories? Can Zelensky survive politically if he acknowledges this?' He also appeared to mix up Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, with the Eastern territories of Ukraine occupied since the 2022 invasion. Mr Witkoff, a friend of Mr Trump's, was appointed as Middle East envoy but has since visited Russia twice to negotiate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. In the interview he also praised the relationship between Mr Trump and Vladimir Putin. He said the Russian president had prayed for Mr Trump at a church in Moscow following the assassination attempt on him last July. He also said Putin had presented him with a portrait of Mr Trump by a Russian artist, which Mr Witkoff then delivered to the US President. Last week Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle to a limited ceasefire after Mr Putin had rejected a 30-day full ceasefire 'He was touched by it,' he said. 'This is the kind of connection that we've been able to re-establish, through, by the way, a simple word called communication. 'President Putin had commissioned a beautiful portrait of President Trump, from the leading Russian artist, and asked me to take it home to Mr Trump. 'It was such a gracious moment, and [he] told me his story about how when the President was shot, he went to his local church and met with his priest and prayed for the President. 'Not because he was the President of the United [States]... but because he had a friendship and he was praying for his friend.' Dr Seely said: 'The Russian negotiating team is highly professional and their tactics are very aggressive and controlled. 'But you have these hotshot property guys walking into a world they just don't understand. 'Ukraine has been invaded twice, in 2014 and 2022. No one in the occupied regions was given a choice, just the military oppression of the Russian State.' Last week Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle to a limited ceasefire after Mr Putin had rejected a 30-day full ceasefire. One of Australia's best known restaurateurs has spoken out for the first time after untested allegations were made against his son. Maurice Terzini, who founded the internationally renowned Bondi Icebergs restaurant in Sydney in 2002, said he will stand by his son Sylvester, 32. His statement on Instagram followed reports in the Sydney Morning Herald claiming Slyvester engaged in sexual misconduct over several years, which Sylvester has vigorously denied. 'Allegations that have been made about one of my family members are devastating claims that have no place in our venues, industry or society,' Mr Terzini, 60, said. 'There are private health matters concerning one of my family members, where professional counsel has been sought.' Maurice Terzini, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, will support his son while an internal investigation is carried out. 'As a father, my priority has always been my children,' he said. 'In this storm, my mother reminded me that sometimes as parents we act with the best intentions, but sometimes we are challenged. Maurice Terzini (right), who founded the internationally renowned Bondi Icebergs restaurant in Sydney in 2002, said he will stand by his son Sylvester, 32 (left) Terzini founded the internationally renowned Bondi Icebergs (pictured) restaurant in Sydney in 2002 'All parents face times of family uncertainty.' According to the reports, at least nine women have made claims of sexual misconduct against Sylvester Terzini, who has denied the allegations. His father said that given his profile in the hospitality industry, he had become collateral damage. 'The allegations are not ones against me directly yet the inferences have been hurtful and damaging to my reputation,' Maurice Terzini said. 'The spotlight on me, and that which comes from running one of the most recognised restaurants in the world, carries with it an obligation to ensure that I communicate truthfully with my much-loved industry and the community.' Mr Terzini also denied claims made in the Sydney Morning Herald that he knew about the complaints made against his son, who has worked in several of his restaurants. 'On a personal level, as a father and an employer, I have for decades done my best to provide genuine care and opportunities to all of those around me and within my businesses,' he said. Maurice Terzini (pictured) has spoken out for the first time after untested allegations were made against his son 'There have been false references and damaging questions raised publicly about me. 'For those who know me, they know that under no circumstance would I ever intentionally ignore violent behaviour or cover up issues within any of my businesses.' Mr Terzini said the restaurant industry he had been a part of for more than four decades still supported him. 'It is with genuine gratitude that I extend my thanks to all of those in the industry and beyond who have reached out to me over the past week which has been a particularly devastating time for me, my family and for those closest to me,' he said. A fire broke out at Disney's Epcot theme park in Orlando, Florida on Saturday afternoon sending crowds fleeing in panic. Thick black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky behind the iconic Eiffel Tower at the park's French Pavilion as the fire continued to grow in intensity, blotting out the Florida sun. Authorities say the incident happened when a walk-in cooler in the backstage area suddenly caught fire and led to the evacuation of the 'Remy's Ratatouille Adventure' ride. Within minutes, the peaceful illusion of a Parisian afternoon was shattered. Video shot from one of the park's cable cars showed dozens of people being forced to leave one of the most popular rides while others who had been sampling croissants, watching street performers and eating in the restaurant also had to leave. The cooler ignited without warning, sparking a blaze that was visible across much of the park. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The fire took place during Spring Break, one of the busiest few weeks of the year. While the blaze did not spread to guest areas, its proximity to the public and the sheer volume of smoke caused alarm. A fire broke out at Disney's Epcot theme park on Saturday afternoon sending crowds fleeing in panic. The iconic Eiffel Tower replica that defines Epcots France can be seen on the left Thick black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky backstage at the park's French Pavilion The fire led to the evacuation of the 'Remy's Ratatouille Adventure' ride Disney say the fire was extinguished by around 7:20pm by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District fire department, but by then dozens of visitors had pulled out their phones to capture the surreal moment and posted the shocking footage to social media. Disney reassured guests that all safety protocols were followed, and emergency services responded within minutes. Authorities said no one was injured in the fire but many guests were clearly rattled by what they had witnessed. For many, the event cast a shadow over what was meant to be a carefree family vacation. 'Its out now, but it was a scary moment for a minute!' wrote one visitor on X. Firefighters and cast members acted swiftly, with several backstage crews reportedly evacuating employees from nearby food prep and storage areas. No additional information has been provided as to how or when the fire started. Later in the evening guests reported that things seemed under control and that the fire had been extinguished. Thick smoke could be seen across the World Showcase lagoon from as far away as the UK and Canada (exhibits!) Clouds of smoke could be seen drifting across the World Showcase Lagoon at the very heart of the park The smoke could be seen billowing into the sky from some distance away The incident has raised questions about infrastructure and behind-the-scenes safety at the Walt Disney World Resort, particularly during peak seasons when pressure on staff, facilities, and utilities is at its highest. Park officials have been quick to downplay the severity of the incident, assuring guests that the fire was contained. Epcots France Pavilion, which has become even more popular in recent years thanks to the addition of Remys Ratatouille Adventure and new dining additions, was partially cordoned off as the situation was brought under control. By nightfall, the smoke had cleared, and Disney resumed normal operations, with no public mention of ride closures or evacuations in official channels. Passengers traveling on a cable car were able to capture the shocking sight from up above Disney say the fire was extinguished shortly afterwards but social media has several videos showing smoke rising into the sky Thick smoke could be seen blotting out the landscape during the fire on Saturday afternoon The fire occurred during the World Showcase section of the Epcot theme park Epcot, one of four major theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, is known for its innovative blend of technology and global culture. On weekends, especially during Spring Break, it can see attendance swell to over 100,000 guests. Epcot hosts millions of guests each year and features 11 national pavilions in its World Showcase, making the parks international section a major draw for tourists. The France Pavilion is one of its most picturesque, featuring romantic architecture and a miniature Eiffel Tower. Horror footage captured the moment gunfire broke out at an unsanctioned street car show in New Mexico, killing three teenagers and injuring 15 others. The shooting unfolded Friday night at Young Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, as a vehicle wildly drove in circles around a group of people. A bystander could be heard yelling 'he has a gun', before the crowd scrambled to safety as bullets rang out across the park. Authorities said at least 50 bullets were fired in the spree, and witnesses were seen hiding under vehicles and sprinting for lives as shots continued firing. No suspects have been arrested over the mass shooting, with unnamed victims described as a 16-year-old boy, a 17-year-old, and an 18-year-old. Separate footage showed witnesses running through a parking lot as the sounds of several guns could be heard, and investigators said the shooting was believed to have been sparked by an altercation between two groups who fired at each other. Police said they believe the two groups had tensions prior to Friday night's shooting, and many of the injured were bystanders caught in the crossfire. Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story said at a press conference on Saturday: 'We know that there was some type of ill will between these groups prior to last night.' Horror footage captured the moment gunfire broke out at an unsanctioned street car show in New Mexico where three teenagers were shot dead and 15 other people were injured The shooting unfolded Friday night at Young Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, as witnesses were seen hiding under vehicles and sprinting for lives as shots continued firing No suspects have been arrested over the mass shooting, and and investigators said the shooting was believed to have been sparked by an altercation between two groups who fired at each other One of the deceased victims was reportedly shot at the head and pronounced dead at the scene along with another victim, while the third passed away later at the hospital. Seven of the fifteen surviving victims were treated at the scene and seven were raced to hospitals, with the injured ranging in ages from 16 to 26. Chief Story said it remains unclear what caused the altercation between the two groups, and estimated the number of people at the unsanctioned car show at over 200. 'This is a huge crime scene with a lot of moving parts, it will take time to process it thoroughly and reopen everything,' Story said at the press conference on Saturday. Cops added that although they have not yet made any arrests over the mass shooting, they are following 'multiple leads.' Images of an attendee at the car meet holding an AR-15 style rifle circulated on social media after the shooting, and Story said that while the images were concerning, the person was found to not have been involved in the incident. In the footage, a bystander could be heard yelling 'he has a gun', before the crowd scrambled to safety as bullets rang out across the park Police said that the shooting at Young Park comes as the area has been 'troubled with crime' in recent years Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story (pictured) said unsanctioned car shows have 'become an issue' in the area as cops face a crimewave Story said that the shooting at Young Park comes as the area has been 'troubled with crime' in recent years. He said unsanctioned car shows have 'become an issue', with the car meets at Young Park reportedly emerging every week. Story slammed New Mexico officials for a lack of funding for the police department as he described the shooting as an example of 'the utter lack of fear of accountability in New Mexico.' The state's governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement that she was moving resources to bolster the investigation into the shooting, which she said left her 'heartbroken and horrified.' Lujan Grisham criticized the state legislature for failing to step in amid 'the disturbing rise in violent crime in Las Cruces', which she branded a 'public safety crisis.' 'The indiscriminate nature of this shooting is both shocking and unacceptable, but sadly not surprising,' the governor said. Officials locked down the area around Young Park following the shooting as the investigation continues. Former British Army soldier Daniel Khalife received a 'hero's welcome' and was congratulated by inmate for his dramatic escape after he arrived at HMP Frankland. The 23-year-old spy sparked a nationwide manhunt after fleeing Wandsworth Prison in September 2023 by clinging to the underside of a food lorry. After three days on the run, he was eventually spotted riding a stolen mountain bike along a canal towpath in Northolt, west London - about 14 miles away from the prison. In November 2024, Khalife was found guilty of his prison escape as well as spying for Iran. Earlier this month, Khalife was moved from scandal-hit Wandsworth Prison in south London to HMP Frankland, dubbed 'Monster Mansion' in County Durham. On his arrival at his new jail, he is said to have been met with cheers and back-slapping from fellow inmates. A source told the Mirror: 'Khalife was brought and got a hell of a reception when he arrived on his wing. They were patting him on the back and treated him like a legend. It was a hero's welcome. The other prisoners were cheering and clapping. They love him because of how he escaped. 'It made the prison authorities look stupid. So all these killers and armed robbers were treating him like a conquering hero. They ignored the fact he is a convicted spy and what he was doing for Iran and against British soldiers.' Former soldier Daniel Khalife spy sparked a nationwide manhunt after fleeing Wandsworth Prison in September 2023 by clinging to the underside of a food lorry Earlier this month, Khalife was moved from scandal-hit Wandsworth Prison in south London to HMP Frankland, dubbed 'Monster Mansion' in County Durham (pictured from above) In November 2024, Khalife was found guilty of his prison escape as well as spying for Iran They added: 'Some of the other inmates have been helping him out. It's a massive contrast to how a lot of people are treated when they arrive at Frankland. 'But he is not popular with a Muslim gang on his wing, perhaps because he was in the Army.' The 23-year-old was jailed for 14 years and three months at Woolwich Crown Court in London last month and ordered to pay 10,000 towards prosecution costs. Khalife was in the British Army when he 'exposed military personnel to serious harm' by collecting sensitive information and passing it to agents of Iran. He was paid in cash and told handlers he would stay in the military for 25-plus years for them. In September 2023, Khalife escaped from category B prison HMP Wandsworth in South West London by clinging to the underside of a food delivery truck. He was caught on a canal towpath by a plainclothes detective days later after a major search. Prosecutors in his trial said Khalife played 'a cynical game', claiming he wanted a career as a double agent to help the British intelligence services, when in fact he gathered 'a very large body of restricted and classified material'. Khalife was sentenced to six years for committing an act prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state, and another six years - consisting of five years in prison and one on licence - for eliciting information about members of the armed forces. The judge also passed a sentence of two years and three months for the jail break. Last November, jurors at Woolwich Crown Court found that Khalife had breached the Official Secrets Act and the Terrorism Act. He was cleared of carrying out a bomb hoax and had already admitted during his trial to escaping from Wandsworth prison. Justice sources said he had been moved to Frankland as it is ultra-secure and inmates are categorised based on their risk to the public, staff and other prisoners. MailOnlnine has approached the Prison Service and the Home Office. The Ministry of Justice said they do not provide statements on individual prisoners or individual cases. Amanda Knox claims she was groped by a prison guard while locked up over the killing of British student Meredith Kercher. Meredith, 21, who was studying at Leeds University, was found stabbed to death in her bedroom of the apartment she shared with Knox in the Italian hilltop town of Perugia on November 2, 2007. American student Knox, 20 at the time, and her Italian boyfriend Sollecito, who was 23, were arrested four days later and went on to be convicted at trial twice. Both convictions were overturned due to a lack of any evidence linking them to the crime and the pair were ultimately exonerated by Italy's highest court in 2015. Police also arrested Rudy Guede, who ran a local bar. His bloody fingerprints and DNA found at the crime scene ensured his conviction for murder, and he served 14 years of his 30-year prison sentence behind bars. Knox, now 37, said she was groped by a guard in a bathroom, who grabbed her by the waist and tried to kiss her while she was locked up. She spent four years in jail in Perugia, Italy. She told The Sun: 'He interrogated me about my underwear, my sex life, and propositioned me for sex'. She said another officer asked her for sex while she was locked up and she was forced to strip naked for a search by a male doctor. Amanda Knox was falsely convicted of Meredith's murder and served four years in prison Meredith Kercher, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was killed just three months after moving to Italy for a study abroad programme at Perugia's prestigious university (pictured: in an undated photo released in November 2007) 'A male doctor minutely examined my neck, my hands, my genitals and pointed out details for a photographer, reassuring me that they were only looking for signs of sexual violence,' she said. 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 Italy's 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. Knox is seen in this picture arriving at court in Perugia in January 2009 after she was charged with the murder of Kercher Meredith Kercher was found behind the locked door of her bedroom, in the apartment she shared with two young Italian women and Amanda Knox She added: 'There's always this subtext, like 'Look at Amanda living her life while Meredith is dead'.' 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. The defamation conviction was upheld by Italy's highest court over her comments about Lumumba. 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. A prominent socialite has been accused of crashing her SUV into parked cars, including a Tesla, and assaulting a cop while drunk in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, who was once on a shortlist for a series of Real Housewives of Sydney, was driving around Bellevue Hill in a black Range Rover when she crashed at 7pm on Friday. 'Emergency services were called to Riddell Street, Bellevue Hill, following reports of a two-vehicle crash,' a NSW Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia. Officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command were told an SUV had crashed into a parked Tesla. 'The driver of the SUV - a 54-year-old woman - was subject to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result and was arrested for the purposes of a breath analysis,' the spokesperson said. 'After being arrested, the woman allegedly assaulted a police officer.' Jacobs Fennell was taken to Waverley Police Station where she was charged with refuse to submit to breath analysis, assault police in execution of duty and not give particulars to owner of damaged property. The mum-of-two had been expected to face Parramatta bail court on Sunday but police released her on bail on Saturday evening. Vanessa Jacobs Fennell (pictured), who was once on a shortlist for a series of Real Housewives of Sydney, was allegedly driving in a black Range Rover when she crashed The South Africa-raised Jacobs Fennell is due to appear before Waverley Local Court on April 1 instead. At the time she was hoping to make it to the Real Housewives of Sydney cast, Jacobs Fennell was described as 'a charity fundraiser who has been on committees for Sydney Children's Hospital and Murdoch Children's Research Institute'. She was married to private equities banker Tom Fennell, but they split up about five years ago. They have two children together. Jacobs Fennell reportedly didn't make the final cut for the Real Housewives of Sydney due to tensions with another cast member. A former US Attorney who served under President Joe Biden was found dead Saturday morning at her home in Alexandria, Virginia. Jessica D. Aber, 43, stepped down on January 20 after being appointed to one of the most high-profile federal prosecutorial posts in the country by Joe Biden. She assumed the role as the top prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia in 2021. Alexandria police confirmed that officers responded to a call early on Saturday morning but are withholding further information pending notification of Aber's family. No cause of death has yet been released. Aber, a longtime federal prosecutor, rose through the ranks of the Justice Department, eventually becoming one of the few women ever to lead the prestigious Eastern District of Virginia, known widely in legal circles as EDVA. The district is no ordinary post as it encompasses Northern Virginia, the Pentagon, Langley, the Port of Norfolk, and the corridors of federal power in Richmond. It is a nerve center of legal activity involving terrorism, espionage, public corruption, and corporate crime. As US Attorney, Aber led a team of roughly 300 lawyers and staff, prosecuting some of the nation's most sensitive and consequential cases. Jessica D. Aber, 43, a former US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia who served under President Joe Biden was found dead overnight at her home in Alexandria, Virginia Aber, 43, stepped down from one of the most high-profile federal prosecutorial posts in the country earlier this year to make way for a successor under the Trump administration During her tenure, she made a point of highlighting transparency, fairness, and rebuilding trust in law enforcement during a time of national reckoning over police violence and institutional accountability. In one of her final interviews before stepping down, Aber told The Washington Post that she logged over 50,000 miles on her Hyundai car, traveling the length of Virginia to meet with students, communities, and local leaders. 'We follow the facts and the law, trying to do it in an entirely apolitical way,' she said. In her resignation letter, Aber said working as a U.S. attorney was 'an honor beyond measure.' 'I am deeply grateful to senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and to President Biden for the opportunity to lead this office and to Attorney General Garland for his steadfast leadership,' Aber said in January. 'I am proud of the work we have done with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to enforce the law and build community trust.' Her former colleagues are also grappling with the enormity of the loss. 'Jess was brilliant, but far more important was her sense for justice, her humanity, and her ability to change the world in a positive way even during her brief time with us,' said US District Judge M. Hannah Lauck, for whom Aber once clerked. 'My clerk family has lost its rock, and I have lost a friend. She was a gold soul and I am proud to have known her.' 'She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor,' said Erik S. Siebert, her interim successor. 'She is simply irreplaceable as a human being. We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world. She loved EDVA and EDVA loved her back.' Aber, a longtime federal prosecutor, rose through the ranks of the Justice Department, eventually becoming one of the few women ever to lead the prestigious Eastern District of Virginia, known widely in legal circles as EDVA U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is flanked by former Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite and former US Attorney Jessica D. Aber of the Eastern District of Virginia in a photo from June 2023 Aber is seen alongside attorney Chris Kavanaugh from April last year Raj Parekh, who preceded Aber as acting US attorney and later served as her top deputy, described her as a woman devoted to public service. He recalled how, even during the chaotic early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aber volunteered to drive from Richmond to Alexandria weekly to help with short staffing. 'Jess's life and legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of those who had the special privilege of working with her,' Parekh said. Aber was known for her warmth, her humility, and even her culinary talents - she once won an award at the Virginia State Fair for her chocolate chip cookies. 'Her bright smile, infectious laugh, and relentless humility and grace will never be forgotten,' said Joshua Stueve, a former Justice Department spokesman who worked closely with Aber for a decade. 'I remember her warmth, her compassion, her humor, and the unfailing kindness she showed to everyone around her.' Before rising to the top job in the district, Aber had already carved out a distinguished career in federal law enforcement. Attorney General Pamela Bondi paid tribute to Aber on Saturday evening 'She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor,' said Erik S. Siebert, her interim successor Former colleagues and acquaintances paid tribute to Aber on social media After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond in 2003 and her law degree from the William & Mary School of Law in 2006, she clerked for then-Magistrate Judge Lauck in Richmond before joining the US Attorney's Office. Earlier this year she said one of her proudest achievements was the 2023 criminal conviction of Siemens Energy Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of the German conglomerate, for corporate espionage. The company pleaded guilty to stealing trade secrets from competitors General Electric and Mitsubishi. Beyond the $104 million penalty, Aber emphasized that the criminal conviction sent a louder message in an age where deferred-prosecution deals had become the norm. A Melbourne man has slammed his insurer after he was forced to cough up $30,000 for life-saving surgery following a heart attack while in Thailand. Steven Stenton was about to have a second emergency operation when he was told he couldn't have the surgery until he paid almost $30,000 for the previous procedure. The staff brought a credit card machine with them into the ICU to show they meant business. 'He was on his phone moving $30,000 off our mortgage in the few minutes before his second procedure,' his wife Katie Bennett-Stenton told The Age. 'I was already so worried about him and whether he was going to live.' She said her husband, whose trip was a Father's Day gift from his wife and children, had no previous ill health and paid about $200 for the travel insurance from 1Cover. He had previously used a different travel insurance provider, but switched to 1Cover because it sponsors St Kilda, the AFL team he supports. Ms Bennett-Stenton flew to Bangkok last Monday when she found out her husband had a heart attack and already had one life-saving operation. Steven Stenton (pictured) was about to have a second emergency operation when he was told he couldn't have the surgery until he paid almost $30,000 for the previous procedure She said the insurer knew about the heart attack since her husband was admitted to hospital last Sunday and should have covered his medical expenses. 1Cover has since said Mr Stenton is no longer out of pocket and has approved the full costs incurred prior to his release from hospital. 'We paid for comprehensive medical insurance, which they describe on their website to be unlimited overseas medical assistance with 24/7 emergency medical assistance to assist you in stressful circumstances,' Ms Bennett-Stenton said. She thought the insurer would tell her to focus on her IT professional husband, and that they would sort out the financial side of things, but that was not the case. On the day of the second surgery, Ms Bennett-Stenton said 1Cover agreed to pay, but insisted she sign 'a disclaimer to say that they would cover the costs for the moment, but if it turned out to be a pre-existing condition, that we would repay it'. But even though she signed the waiver before the second procedure, the family still had to pay $30,000 to the Thai hospital for the first surgery. The second operation then turned out to lot more complex than the surgeons initially thought it would be, which led to the hospital 'badgering' the couple for another $50,000. Though 1Cover did finally pay the $50,000, the family was told they would need to get the $30,000 back from the hospital, which could take more than a month. Ms Bennett-Stenton said the insurance difficulties were 'a nightmare on top of the nightmare of my husband having a heart attack in a foreign country'. Steven Stenton (left) and Katie Bennett-Stenton (second right) are pictured with their children in Byron Bay in northern NSW She said she was 'livid that we've been put through all this undue extra stress' and that the pressure was 'unconscionable'. Though they were able to move $30,000 from their mortgage to cover the cost, Ms Bennett-Stenton said: 'That's a hell of a lot of money, and so many people wouldn't have access to that, and what would have happened then?' She wrote on Instagram that she was unhappy with the insurer's service, but when a friend replied in support, they got a message from 1Cover's account saying: 'It would be appreciated if you would kindly refrain from commenting on situations you have very little insights on'. Her friend replied back, saying 'Wow that's rude. You might need to get a new social media manager. 'I just got back from an overseas trip and glad I didn't use your services. I'll be reporting this message.' The same 1Cover Instagram account later sent a message saying it was sorry. 'I sincerely apologise for the first message. That wasn't supposed to have sent, I am not part of the social media team and inadvertently sent that.' She wrote on Instagram that she was unhappy with the insurer's service, but when a friend replied in support, they got a message from 1Cover's account (pictured) The friend replied to 1Cover that they thought their response was 'rude' 1Cover then replied to say that the previous message had been sent 'inadvertently' Mr Stenton is now out of the Thai hospital and he and his wife hope to get home to Port Melbourne in about a week. Despite the ordeal, Ms Bennett-Stenton told The Age that her husband's 'treatment has been so great'. 'But you know, Aussie families trust when they do the right thing and buy comprehensive insurance that they'll be looked after.' 1Cover says the full and final costs were approved by the insurer prior to Mr Stenton's discharge from hospital. 'Customers health and safety is always our number one priority. We pay tens of thousands of claims a year for customers who are overseas, and who have no difficulty with the necessary process,' chief operating officer Natalie Ball said. 'Unfortunately, when insurers are informed after the surgery has been performed, we find ourselves starting on the backfoot. '1Cover provided a Guarantee of Payment to the hospital immediately upon the hospitals request, which was prior to the customers second scheduled surgery. 'No charge was made on the customers credit card. A hold similar to those made by hotels when booking accommodation was placed. 'It is standard practice for certain hospitals to require a credit card upfront or a guarantee of payment from the insurer prior to treatment. 'Steves ordeal highlights the importance of having travel insurance with a reputable insurer such as 1Cover.' Scientists have finally uncovered the reason behind mysterious red tides washing up on Florida's coastline. The blood-red waves have been known to be both destructive to the environment and costly for local officials, but the exact cause had baffled researchers. But for the first time, scientists have identified almost a dozen viruses associated with the red tide events, and found they are triggered by a massive growth in algae. The color of the tides is fueled by water currents and nutrients in the sea, as well as rising sea temperatures, that combine to turn the algae red. Authorities have been forced to close a number of beaches in recent years, with the red tides known to cause health issues in fish, birds and even humans. Jean Lim, a postdoctoral researcher at the USF College of Marine Science, hailed the findings as a breakthrough that could allow researchers to predict when the events will spark up again. 'We know that viruses play an important role in the dynamics of harmful algal blooms, but we havent known what viruses might be associated with Karenia brevis blooms,' she said, per The Independent. 'Now that weve identified several viruses in red tide blooms, we can work to determine which viruses might have an influence on these events.' Scientists have finally uncovered the reason behind mysterious red tides washing up on Florida's coastline, linking them to almost a dozen viruses that interact with algae. The same phenomena is seen in Argentina in February 2025 Florida experiences red tide events almost every year, and generally occur in the late summer and early fall off the central and southwestern coasts of the state, which can affect hundreds of square miles Florida experiences red tide events almost every year, and generally occur in the late summer and early fall off the central and southwestern coasts of the state, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission which partnered in the study. The blooms tend to last between three to five months and can affect hundreds of square miles, the commission found. They can cost authorities millions of dollars to remedy, and were most recently found last month stretching across over 200 miles from Tampa Bay to Key West. The study identified the organism responsible for the red tides as Karenia brevis, which were collected during past red tide events. To find the viruses, the researchers reportedly used a technique called viral metagenomics, which analyzes the sample's DNA. The blood-red waves have been known to be both destructive to the environment and costly for local officials, but the exact cause had baffled researchers until a recent study made the connection with the viruses The study was published in the American Society for Microbiology's journal mSphere, and experts reportedly hope to determine how exactly the viruses affect organisms to turn tide blooms red. Establishing that link would allow scientists to accurately predict when the destructive events could occur in the future. One of the authors of the study, Shen Jean Lim, explained to The Independent: 'For example, an increase in the number of viruses found in a sample might suggest that a red tide bloom is about to begin, or that it is going to end.' The woman accused of murdering her hero fire chief wife in an horrific stabbing attack has been captured in Mexico following a month-long manhunt. Mexican authorities announced on Saturday that 53-year-old Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olenjniczak, was taken into custody near a hotel while still in her pajamas. She was captured in the Ferrocarril neighborhood of Mexicali, Baja California in connection with the brutal stabbing death of her wife, Cal Fire Captain Rebecca 'Becky' Marodi. Authorities say Olenjniczak was found loitering in the vicinity of the hotel when she was identified and detained. After confirming her identity and an outstanding warrant, she was promptly handed over to authorities to be extradited back to the US. It was just over a month ago on February 17 in Ramona, San Diego County, California that deputies responded to a radio call for an assault with a deadly weapon. When they arrived they found beloved 49-year-old Captain Rebecca Marodi unresponsive in her own home and suffering from multiple stab wounds. Despite the desperate efforts of deputies and responding Cal Fire paramedics - her own colleagues - Marodi was pronounced dead at the scene. Mexican authorities announced on Saturday that 53-year-old Yolanda Marodi, also known as Yolanda Olenjniczak, was taken into custody near a hotel while still in her pyjamas, in Mexicali, Baja California SoCal fire captain Rebecca Marodi, 49, was found dead from multiple stab wounds inside her Ramona, California home last month. Her wife Yolanda Marodi, 53, has been arrested as the prime suspect in her murder Police on both sides of the southern border had been searching for Yolanda Olenjniczak in connection with Marodi's murder In the days that followed, the public learned how the suspected killer was not a stranger or an intruder, but her own wife. The pair had been married for just over two years, but what may appeared to have been a committed and stable relationship had unraveled with the final moments captured by their home's own security system. An arrest warrant laid bare the final moments of Captain Marodi's life. At around 8pm that evening, security footage allegedly captured Olenjniczak chasing her wife across their patio. In audio recorded during the same scene, a woman's voice - believed to be Marodi's - is heard pleading: 'Yolanda! Please I don't want to die.' 'You should have thought about that before,' Olenjniczak is alleged to have replied. Video footage later showed her standing over Marodi with a knife in her right hand and blood visible on her arms. Within minutes, the footage then shows her gathering up her pets, loading luggage, and speeding away in a silver Chevrolet Equinox. As investigators dug deeper into Olenjniczak's background, a disturbing pattern emerged. California Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi, 49, was stabbed to death in her own home last month Marodi was due to retire later this year after more than 30 years with CalFire Yolanda had previously pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of her ex-husband in October 2000 Police allege she stabbed her wife, Fire Captain Rebecca Marodi, 49, inside the Ramona home they shared on February 17 The Ramona, California home where Fire Captain Rebecca 'Becky' Marodi was murdered Yolanda, left, previously served time in jail in 2000 for fatally stabbing her ex-husband James J. Olejniczak Jr., 26, as they were getting a divorce In 2004, she was convicted of voluntary manslaughter after fatally stabbing her then-husband. She served 11 years in prison for that crime and was released. More than two decades later, she now stands accused of yet another fatal stabbing. Three days after Marodi's death, Olenjniczak sent a text message to an associate confessing to a confrontation. 'Becky came home and told me she was leaving me. She met someone else We had a big fight, and I hurt her... I'm sorry,' the message read, according to the arrest warrant. Captain Rebecca Marodi was a force of nature in the California firefighting world, dedicating more than 30 years to Cal Fire, much of it in Riverside County. She began as a volunteer in Moreno Valley and steadily rose through the ranks, gaining admiration, respect, and making lifelong friendships. Marodi, who served for 30 years with Cal Fire, was one of the thousands of firefighters who battled the deadly Eaton Fire in January Marodi's firefighter colleagues carried her out of her home in a flag-draped casket She had recently helped battle the Eaton Fire during January's deadly wildfires and was planning her long-awaited retirement later this year. 'The tragic loss of Captain Marodi is mourned by her family, friends, and her Cal Fire family,' the department said in a statement. John Clingingsmith, Cal Fire Riverside County public information officer and a longtime friend paid tribute to her. 'She was always very positive,' he said. 'Always had a smile on her face. It didn't matter what the situation was. 'I think that's one of the things everybody has been talking about - her smile, her laugh, and just the fact that she was always there.' Pro-Palestine activists have been captured hurling vile slurs at police and chanting anti-Semitic slurs at a rally in Melbourne's CBD. Hundreds of protesters weaved their way through the city on Sunday afternoon, unfurling Palestine flags and shouting hate-filled, racially-charged epithets. In one video uploaded on the Islamic Council of Victoria's Facebook page, scores of protesters can heard chanting 'all zionists are terrorists' while one is seen marching with a sign that declares 'Zionist kid killers be gone'. Protesters where also seen hurling disgusting insults at police while clashing with officers during fiery exchanges throughout the day. 'You f***ing racists c***s,' one activist can be heard yelling at police in a clip uploaded to X by Rebel News Australia reporter Avi Yemini. 'You f***ing racist pig, you need a f***ing Porsche through you on the f***ing Eastern Road, you f***ing pig.' The comment is a reference to the devastating incident in which truck driver Mohinder Singh mowed down four police officers on the city's Eastern Freeway on April 22, 2020. A court found Singh had been high on drugs when he smashed his 19-tonner semi into the officers, who had pulled over Porsche driver Richard Pusey for speeding at the time. Pro-Palestine protests have hurled disgusting slurs at police while clashing with officers during a rally in Melbourne's CBD on Sunday afternoon Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King and constables Josh Prestney and Glen Humphris all died at the scene. Singh was later sentenced to at least 18 years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of culpable driving causing death, three charges of drug trafficking and one of possessing drugs in Victoria's Supreme Court. Pusey, who now identifies as a woman, sparked outrage across the country after sharing vision he had film of the officers dying and sentence to 10 months in jail. after being found guilty of using a carriage service to cause offence. It is the latest in a series of ugly protests over the Gaza-Israel War that that have ignited division in the streets the Victorian capital. On January 12, grassroots group Lions of Zion hosted a demonstration in Melbourne CBD against a wave of anti-Semitic attacks across major cities, including a synagogue in Sydney which was vandalised with a large red Swastika and words 'Hitler on top'. At the same time, a procession of pro-Palestine demonstrators were parading through the CBD from the State Library of Victoria. Footage showed the moment the two groups clashed with the pro-Palestine group heard yelling, 'Go back to Germany'. Victoria Police officers lined the streets of the CBD as that pro-Palestine rally marched through and managed to keep them separated from Israel supporters. The latest incidents comes after pro-Palestine demonstrators clashed with anti-Semitism protesters in the Victorian capital on January 12 Several commenters questioned why those yelling 'go back to Germany' weren't charged by police. 'Why are they not arrested for disorderly conduct, inciting violence,' one wrote. 'S**t's getting a bit too real now. I'm done with this,' another said. Large gatherings in support of either Palestine or Israel have become common in large cities since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, triggered by Hamas' attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. However, Australia Jewish Association Chief Executive Officer Robert Gregory claimed increased violence against Jewish communities has limited their ability to participate in demonstrations. 'The streets of Melbourne CBD have been abandoned to a hate mob of anti-Israel activists for well over a year,' he told Daily Mail Australia in the wake of the January rally. 'Many Jewish people no longer feel comfortable venturing into the CBD while these rallies take place. 'The ugly verbal abuse directed at the Jewish people should be condemned by all. 'Racist taunts of "go back to Germany" are intended to remind Jewish people of the Holocaust carried out by Germany and to intimidate the Jewish community. Victoria Police have repeatedly urged anyone with information on those responsible for racist attacks to come forward, saying that sort of conduct would not be tolerated. A woman who went on an Indonesian boat tour was left astonished by the 'lack of safety measures' before another Australian lost her life on board the same vessel. Anna Maree Blight, 39, died when the Sea Dragon 2 capsized while sailing between the port of Sanur, south Bali, and the Manta Point snorkel and dive site near Penida Island. Two other Australians suffered severe burns in the accident which occurred about 8.30am local time on Friday. Their family left a cryptic message about the incident online in the days after the freak wave slammed the boat. Melbourne woman Stephanie, 27, said she had made the same trip on the Sea Dragon 2 one day prior to the accident. She alleged the company did not offer life jackets to passengers on board despite the strong currents on the day. She also raised concerns over the lack of pre-departure safety demonstrations. 'When we reached the snorkelling spots, they showed us where to go but then pointed a couple of metres away and warned us that it was extremely dangerous for us to swim there,' Stephanie told the Herald Sun. Australian tourists, and Sea Dragon 2s two local crew, spent more than an hour clinging to the capsized vessel before being rescued on Friday Melbourne executive Anna Marie Blight, 39, lost her life in the capsizing event The Melbourne nurse said the currents appeared to be pulling water towards sharp rocks and cliff faces. 'There were absolutely no safety procedures other than "follow them". We were never even offered life jackets or shown where they were,' she said. Stephanie said she felt uneasy to learn of Ms Blight's death. 'It absolutely poured down (with rain) the night before she went out, we thought how dangerous it looked out there,' she said. She was surprised the boat left port for Friday's fateful voyage. Ms Blight had celebrated her 39th birthday two days before she was killed in the boating accident. The finance executive was pronounced dead in Sanglah Hospital. There were 13 people, including 11 Australian tourists, on board with Ms Blight. Gabriel Hijniakoff, 29, and his partner Cintamani 'Tam' Warrington were treated for burns and required urgent medical attention. Local police spokesperson Agus Widiono said a freak wave hammered the boat before a second large surge overturned the vessel. A man wanted in relation to the discovery of a body found wrapped in a plastic tarp and dumped in a paddock has been charged with murder. James French, 24, evaded police since they discovered his alleged associate John Birch, 39, at a property in Glenorie, northwest Sydney, on March 14. French was seen allegedly jumping a fence on Old Northern Road on the same day and was wanted for questioning. About 2pm on Sunday, tactical officers arrested French while he slept in a car at a home in Glenorie, before charging him with murder later in the evening. The Hills Police Area Commander Superintendent Naomi Moore said they found French at a home they previously searched. 'It's an address that's known to us and known to him,' she said. 'Today it was part of our follow-up, we went there and located him in a vehicle sleeping on the property. Superintendent Moore said French was tired and that police even fed him before they began questioning. The body of John Birch was discovered half-buried on a Sydney property James French, 24, has been charged with John Birch's (pictured) murder 'When he's ready, we will offer him an opportunity to be spoken to,' Superintendent Moore said earlier. Birch was reported missing by family the night before his body was found. A family member then directed police to the location of his body on March 14. At the time, two men, aged 24 and 34, and a woman, 35, were arrested and taken to Castle Hill Police Station but later released. A post-mortem examination of Birch's body suggested he had died from a blunt force injury. Superintendent Moore thanked the local community for their patience after police combed the sleepy suburb. 'There's been reports of this person camping in backyards,' she said. 'The community were no doubt in fear.' French was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Monday. Heathrow boss Thomas Woldbye went back to bed to make sure he was 'well rested' rather than work through the night as a fire raged through a power substation, it emerged last night. He was at an event in central London when the power first went out at 11pm on Thursday, prompting him to return to the airport west of the capital. When the scale of the incident became clear, senior leaders were split into two 'gold commands'. In the early hours of Friday, it was decided that Woldbye's command group would go to bed. His deputy Javier Echave was left in charge and he took the final decision to close the airport, sending a notice to air crew at 1.44am. Woldbye resumed work by phone at 7.30am and was in his office at Compass House, Heathrow's head office, shortly after 9am. Insiders told the Sunday Times that the decision for Woldbye to go to bed was taken on safety grounds. It was felt vital that the person at the top was well-rested to make clear decisions. Sean Doyle, chief executive of British Airways, and Shai Weiss, the Virgin Atlantic boss, were reported to have worked through the night from their headquarters. Heathrow boss Thomas Woldbye went back to bed to make sure he was 'well rested' rather than work through the night as a fire raged through a power substation Heathrow bosses were facing questions about how a small fire shut down one of the world's biggest airports. Pictured: The fire at Hayes electrical substation Doorbell footage has emerged of the moment a huge fireball erupted into the sky from the nearby power substation A Heathrow spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We do not recognise the description of proceedings as set out in the Sunday Times. 'We have a robust crisis protocol that ensures we have experienced leaders able to take key decisions having had adequate rest - without compromising passenger or colleague safety by being too tired. 'This protocol was followed so that Thomas, and his whole senior leadership team, were exactly where they were supposed to be during an incident of this scale. Under round-the-clock leadership, teams across Heathrow were able to fully reopen in 24 hours and deliver an extended schedule on Saturday. 'While we are sorry that passengers and customers were impacted by the closure of the airport on Friday, our performance in safely accommodating over 250,000 passengers on Saturday shows that the correct decisions were taken at the right time. 'While some commentators spread ill-informed misinformation, we will focus on serving our passengers.' Woldbye yesterday lauded Heathrow's response to the crisis as he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he was 'personally quite proud' with how the airport coped. Nearly 300,000 passengers were affected by the meltdown, which led to the cancellation or delay of more than 1,350 flights. The fire It resulted in unprecedented scenes, grounding flights for most of the day and exposing a major vulnerability in the country's infrastructure. Dramatic images show flames tearing through the substation as smoke billows into the night sky Tens of thousands of travellers are still stranded across the globe today after a blaze at an electricity substation cut power to the airport. Pictured: A tearful stranded couple at Heathrow T5 Your browser does not support iframes. Meanwhile, doorbell footage has emerged of the moment a huge fireball erupted into the sky from the nearby power substation. In another development, it was revealed that UK power bosses had claimed that a stoppage like the one that crippled Heathrow would happen only once every 346 years. The Sun on Sunday reported that a National Grid report from 2023 calculated the overall reliability of the country's supply was 99.999997 per cent. It equates to the probability of a one-minute outage happening once in 5.8 years and a one-hour cut once in 346 years. The unprecedented shutdown of Britain's busiest airport grounded flights for most of the day and exposed a major vulnerability in the country's infrastructure. A probe into the disaster was being led by counter-terrorism police, while Westminster sources blamed human error. Some 120 transatlantic services were forced to turn round in mid-journey. Passengers on flights from Singapore and Perth were diverted to Paris before taking buses to London. As eight long-haul British Airways flights finally took off on Friday night, analysts criticised the airport, the busiest in Europe, for its inability to rely on backup power. Last night, a probe into the disaster was being led by counter-terrorism police, while Westminster sources blamed human error. Pictured: Firefighters douse the remainder of a fire that broke out at a substation supplying power to Heathrow Airport in Hayes, west London The smouldering North Hyde electrical substation Your browser does not support iframes. A firefighter helps putting out a fire that broke out at a substation supplying power to Heathrow Airport -- March 21, 2025 Some 120 transatlantic services were forced to turn round in mid-journey. Passengers on flights from Singapore and Perth were diverted to Paris before taking buses to London Willie Walsh, director-general of global airlines body IATA and a former head of British Airways, said Heathrow had once again let passengers down. 'Firstly, how is it that critical infrastructure of national and global importance is totally dependent on a single power source without an alternative,' he said. 'If that is the case as it seems then it is a clear planning failure by the airport.' Phil Hewitt, director of energy analysis firm Montel Group, said: 'This potential lack of resilience at a critical national and international infrastructure site is worrying. 'An airport as large and as important as Heathrow should not be vulnerable to a single point of failure.' Heathrow has its own biomass power plant and diesel backup generators, but they can power only essential safety systems, such as lighting and exit doors. The airport's electricity usually comes from three substations, each of which has a backup transformer. In the case of the damaged North Hyde substation, in west London, its backup transformer was also lost in the fire, which started shortly before midnight on Thursday. Within hours, theories were swirling that sabotage, possibly even by Russia, may have been the cause. Despite the involvement of counter-terror officers, Scotland Yard said it was 'not treating this incident as suspicious, although enquiries do remain ongoing'. 'Various specialist investigators continue to examine the scene and it is expected to take some time before full assessments can be completed,' a spokesman said. The Politico website said those 'familiar with the investigations' were pointing towards a mistake by an electrical engineer sparking the fire. 'It's always a cock-up rather than conspiracy,' a source said. Blog Archive: Jul 2025 (25) Jun 2025 (150) May 2025 (155) Apr 2025 (9) Mar 2025 (149) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) A British marketing boss is facing years in jail in the Philippines after his wife allegedly caught him in bed with his mistress. Mateo Bradford, 27, was arrested after his wife Esiel suspected his infidelity and followed him to a rented flat where she spotted him entering with another woman. Esiel quickly called the police, and officers from the country's Women and Children Protection unit raided the apartment, where they found the couple in bed. Adultery is illegal in the Philippines, punishable by up to four years in prison. The marketing boss was charged and made his first court appearance in Cebu, central Philippines, on Saturday. His 24-year-old mistress was also arrested. He did not enter into a plea, and he will make another appearance next month. Esiel told the Sun that she had no regrets over calling the police on her husband. 'He's not giving any support to our son. He spends all his money on his mistress buying her gifts like shoes and bags and paying for a car for her. Mateo Bradford (pictured) was arrested after being caught in bed with another woman His wife Esiel (pictured, left) called the police on her husband The couple got married in 2023 'I want him convicted and jailed - what he and his mistress did to me has caused me stress and depression. 'He hasn't given us any support for three months. I will never forgive him.' Esiel told officers: 'Though we have arguments, it never crossed my mind to separate from him. 'I was so shocked when I discovered he was having an affair. I didn't think he could do that to me.' Bradford, from Solihull in Birmingham, moves to the Philippines in 2020 after visiting relatives in the country. He got a job in sales and recruitment after leaving school, and made his way up in the world before ending up as the head of sales and marketing for an Australian training firm. After arriving in the Philippines, he met his wife and had a son with her. Bradford said in an online post following his 2023 wedding: 'Reflecting on this beautiful journey, I've learned two invaluable lessons - empathy and passion. 'As I return to work after an amazing honeymoon, I now realise these lessons are also invaluable in another area of my life: my career.' The Philippines is one of the few countries where adultery is still a criminal offence. While men face just four years in prison if they are caught cheating, women face up to six years in prison. On top of this, husbands can only be penalised if engaged in a long-term arrangement with another woman, while women can be jailed for being caught just once. Vision of a prominent socialite allegedly assaulting a police officer has emerged after a wild night in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, who was once on a shortlist for a series of Real Housewives of Sydney, was driving around Bellevue Hill in her black SUV when she allegedly crashed into a parked car, about 7pm on Friday. Footage from the arrest showed two officers frogmarching her from the scene. The socialite had not yet been cuffed as police escorted her and, at one point, she appeared to try to free her arm from an officer's grip then allegedly slap the officer. The 54-year-old was taken to Waverley Police Station where she was charged with refusing to submit to breath analysis, assaulting police and property damage offences. The mother-of-two spent Friday night in a police cell and was bailed on Saturday to front court next month. 'Emergency services were called to Riddell Street, Bellevue Hill, following reports of a two-vehicle crash,' a NSW Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia on Friday. Officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command were told an SUV had crashed into a parked Tesla. Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, 54, was arrested after her Range Rover allegedly swiped a parked Tesla on Friday Jacobs Fennell, who was once on a shortlist for a series of Real Housewives of Sydney, was allegedly driving in a black Range Rover when she crashed 'The driver of the SUV - a 54-year-old woman - was subject to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result and was arrested for the purposes of a breath analysis,' police said. 'After being arrested, the woman allegedly assaulted a police officer.' The South Africa-raised Jacobs Fennell is due to appear before Waverley Local Court on April 1. Jacobs Fennell was described as 'a charity fundraiser who has been on committees for Sydney Children's Hospital and Murdoch Children's Research Institute'. She was married to private equities banker Tom Fennell, but they split up about five years ago. They have two children together. She was hoping to make it to the Real Housewives of Sydney cast but reportedly didn't make the final cut due to tensions with another cast member. Vladimir Putin inflicted a night of drone terror on Ukrainian capital Kyiv killing a girl aged five and her father. At least three were killed and ten wounded amid multiple thunderous explosions in residential districts. A desperate victim was seen on video screaming for help in an incinerated flat after a Russian strike on a block of flats. 'There's a man burning alive in an apartment. It's a nightmare,' said an onlooker. One victim of the Putin hell was only 11 months old. A major fireball explosion was seen in the yard of one residential high-rise. The sickening attacks hitting civilians involving swarms of drones came as negotiators from both sides are due to meet on Monday in Saudi Arabia for US-brokered talks to discuss a ceasefire. The brutal strikes appeared to be aimed at weakening resolve in the Ukrainian capital ahead of the Riyadh negotiations. Vladimir Putin inflicted a night of drone terror on Ukrainian capital Kyiv killing a girl aged five and her father At least three were killed and ten wounded amid multiple thunderous explosions in residential districts The sickening attacks hitting civilians involving swarms of drones came as negotiators from both sides are due to meet on Monday in Saudi Arabia for US-brokered talks to discuss a ceasefire As the onslaught was underway, one Telegram channel posted: 'There is chaos in the sky of the capital right now.' Mayor Vitali Klitschko said: 'A massive enemy drone attack on Kyiv.' Fires were reported in high rise apartment blocks around the city as an air raid alarm lasted more than five hours from the Shahed drones. Air defences shot down 97 of the 147 drones targeting Ukraine, but in Kyiv these triggered explosions and fires as they hit buildings. One woman died after drone debris ignited a fire in Dniprovskyi district and another person was killed in the Holosiivskyi district. The night attacks hit Kyiv, and the Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa and Donetsk regions. It was the second night in succession that Russian strikes had wiped out a father and daughter. The previous night in Zaporizhzhia, a Russian strike on tragic innocent civilians killed Ulyana-Hrystyna Malenko, 17, and her Roman Malenko, 41. Fires were reported in high rise apartment blocks around the city as an air raid alarm lasted more than five hours from the Shahed drones Air defences shot down 97 of the 147 drones targeting Ukraine, but in Kyiv these triggered explosions and fires as they hit buildings The night attacks hit Kyiv, and the Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa and Donetsk regions Hours later her mother Olga Malenko, 38, died in hospital after being pulled alive from the rubble. An elder daughter Viktoria was not at the family home when the drone struck. Ukraine targeted Russia with drones, with one person in a car reported dead in Rostov region. An oil refinery was the target of strikes in Volgograd and Astrakhan. The Russian defence ministry reported 59 drones were destroyed overnight. New explosions were reported at key Russian oil exporting point Kavkazskaya as flames shot hundreds of feet into the sky. This facility was originally hit on Wednesday and has been ablaze since then, damaging Russian oil supply lines. Pope Francis is set to be discharged from hospital this morning following a five-week long battle with double pneumonia, doctors have said. The Pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14 having suffered a severe respiratory crisis at the Vatican. He was later diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs and said to be in 'critical condition' at a number of points as millions across the world prayed for his good health. But on Sunday, the 88-year-old Pontiff will at last be discharged, doctors who have been treating him revealed yesterday. He will need at least two months to recover, however, from what has been a serious illness. News that the Pope will return to the Vatican came on the same day it was announced that the leader of the Catholic Church is set to make his first public appearance since his hospitalisation. Yesterday morning, the Vatican announced that Francis would greet well-wishers outside the Gemelli Hospital with a wave at around noon today. 'Pope Francis intends to wave and offer a blessing from the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome after Angelus prayers,' the Vatican said. Pope Francis will today be discharged from hospital after a long battle with double pneumonia in Rome The Pope has spent five weeks recovering from a respiratory crisis at Rome's Gemelli Hospital People walk on the day of Pope Francis' first public appearance in five weeks from a window of the Gemelli Hospital, at the Vatican, March 23, 2025 Following his discharge, the Pope will reportedly need to 'relearn to speak' after using oxygen throughout his stay at hospital. 'The Pope is doing very well, but high-flow oxygen dries everything out,' Cardinal Victor Fernandez, the Vatican's chief doctrine official said yesterday. 'He needs to learn how to speak, but his overall physical condition is as it was before.' Close advisers to the Pontiff said that he was in 'good humour' and 'recovering well' on Friday evening nevertheless, with Cardinal Pietro Parolin admitting the enamored Pope will 'need some time' to recover fully. Earlier this week, the first photo of the Argentinian Pope since his Valentine's Day hospitalisation was released. The photo showed the Pontiff celebrating Holy Mass in the chapel of the tenth floor apartment in Rome where he has been treated. A statement from the Vatican said: 'This morning [16 March] Pope Francis concelebrated the Holy Mass in the chapel of the apartment on the 10th floor of the Policlinico Gemelli.' The Pope's appearance this morning will be the first sighting of him in public for more than five weeks. The appearance at around noon will not be the Pope's first greeting to the public from the Gemelli Hospital, however. Doctor Sergio Alferi (pictured), who has been treating the Pontiff, announced yesterday that Francis is set to be discharged from hospital It was announced on Saturday that Francis will greet well-wishers with a wave on Sunday at noon The first picture of the Pope since his February 14 hospitalisation was released earlier this week Millions across the world have prayed for the good health of Pope Francis amid a health battle which saw him in 'critical condition' A woman is seen in prayer in Vatican City earlier this month. Pope Francis has been hospitalised since February 14, when he was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital In July 2021, he recited the Angelus prayer from a balcony on the medical institution's 10th floor following colon surgery. But he has never previously been hospitalised for this long during his papacy, and while his reappearance will be greeted with relief by followers, questions remain over who might lead the busy schedule of religious events leading up to Easter, a highlight of the Christian calendar. The Vatican press office said on Wednesday that no definite decisions had yet been taken in that regard, adding that the Pope's clinical condition was 'improving' and he was no longer using an oxygen mask. A daily bulletin on the health of the Pope has been published by the Vatican throughout his battle in hospital. Francis had part of one lung removed as a young man and, despite his improvement, speculation abounds that he could step down due to his fragility, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Benedict XVI. On Monday, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's second-ranking official, told reporters that he had noted an improvement in Francis's health during a visit. But asked whether the conversation had turned to the Pope's resignation, he replied: 'No, no, no, absolutely not.' Catholics and others worldwide have been praying for the Pope's speedy recovery, with many leaving flowers, candles and notes for him outside the Gemelli hospital. A number of leading cardinals too held prayer services at the Vatican to pray for the Pontiff's good health, with thousands gathering on a daily basis to recite the Rosary Prayer. Even as he remained in hospital, the Pope expressed his gratitude for the widespread support he has received. The Pontiff too continued holding almost nightly phone calls with Palestinian Catholics in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In updates on X posted during his hospital stay, the 88-year-old also wished his best to Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and Kivu in early March. Rachel Reeves has come under fire for accepting an expensive freebie as she prepares to axe thousands of jobs. The embattled Chancellor admitted that she and a family member took 600 seats in a corporate box at a Sabrina Carpenter concert this month. It came as Ms Reeves confirmed she will cut Whitehall running costs by 15 per cent, which could result in the loss of 10,000 civil service jobs. The concert tickets revelation risks reviving the anger that erupted last year when it emerged the Prime Minister and his Cabinet were enjoying lavish freebies including clothing and concert tickets. Ms Reeves was last year forced to vow not to accept any clothing as Chancellor after it was revealed she had taken 7,500 for outfits while in opposition. Sir Keir Starmer, who received 32,000 for clothes from Labour donor Lord Alli, had to pay back thousands of pounds in gifts, including tickets to see Taylor Swift. Ms Reeves yesterday defended taking the VIP tickets at the O2 in London on security grounds, claiming she could not sit with other fans because she requires close protection as a senior minister. 'I do now have security which means it's not as easy as it would've been in the past to just sit in a concert, although that would probably be a lot easier for everyone concerned,' Ms Reeves told the BBC. Asked if she paid for the tickets, she replied: 'Obviously I'll declare the value of them, but they weren't tickets that you were able to buy.' But she faced a backlash including from within her own party at a time when she is also being accused of ushering in a new era of austerity in order to balance the books. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said accepting the freebie at the O2 Arena for her and a 'family member' was the right thing to do' Ms Reeves accepted free tickets to watch pop star Sabrina Carpenter - who opened for Taylor Swift in the US leg of the Eras Tour - in a corporate box The box used by Ms Reeves for the gig earlier this month is believed to belong to AEG, which also owns the long-term lease for the O2 Arena (pictured) Mish Rahman, a member of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee until last year, called the Chancellor 'Scrounger Reeves', asking how she could justify her free tickets as her fiscal rules hit 'the most vulnerable'. The damaging row broke out at the start of a crucial week for Ms Reeves recently voted the least popular Cabinet member in a survey of Labour Party members as she prepares to deliver her Spring Statement on Wednesday. Dubbed an 'emergency Budget' by the Tories, it will see the Chancellor set out her response to a new economic forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility watchdog that is expected to halve its growth projection for the coming year. Labour MP Rachael Maskell told the Mail it was 'indefensible' that Ms Reeves who is paid about 160,000 a year accepted the free tickets. She said: 'Those who live in poverty will rightly question, as they struggle to get by, why those who are cutting their lifeline are in receipt of handouts. Not to recognise the inequity in this goes to the heart of the problem.' Labour peer Lord Sikka added: 'Cleansing British politics is a necessary condition for building a good society. That requires criminalising the receiving and giving of all political donations in any form.' Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood said: 'It is shocking that Rachel Reeves has been partying in a VIP box at a pop concert, as families across the country suffer the consequences of her economically illiterate decisions. 'Keir Starmer told the country that his Government's addiction to freebies was over, and now his Chancellor is having to defend taking yet another freebie. 'Reeves should be focusing on undoing the damage she's done to the economy ahead of her emergency Budget rather than living it up in a VIP box.' Ms Reeves denied that her proposed civil service cuts represented a return to austerity. But Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Fran Heathcote warned: 'After 15 years of underfunding, any cuts will have an impact on front-line services. You can't cut your way to growth.' And Dave Penman of the FDA, which represents senior mandarins, said increased use of technology such as artificial intelligence was 'not going to deliver the sort of savings that are being cut here'. Sir Keir was also among a slew of top politicians to receive free tickets and hospitality to Taylor Swift's gigs in London last summer. He later paid back more than 6,000 worth of gifts and vowed - together with Deputy PM Angela Rayner and Ms Reeves - not to accept any further donations for clothing. Asked about the Sabrina Carpenter concert on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ms Reeves - who earns around 160,000 as Chancellor - said: 'I went with a member of my family to see a concert a couple of weeks ago. PM Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria attended a Taylor Swift gig at Wembley Stadium last June 'I do now have security, which means it's not as easy as it would have been in the past to just sit in a concert, although that would probably be a lot easier for everyone concerned. Civil service cuts explained Who is at risk from cuts? Of the more than 540,000 civil servants up from 456,000 in 2020 some 10,000 jobs are expected to go. Politically impartial, civil servants work in central government departments such as the Home Office. Police officers, teachers and NHS workers are not civil servants because they are not employed by government departments. How much will this save the Government? Rachel Reeves wants to save at least 1.5 billion and up to 2.2 billion each year until the end of the decade. It will be up to individual departments to decide where job losses fall. Will the cuts affect public services? The Chancellor says she wants to give the public more value for money. But unions say the cuts could lead to worsening services. Where will the savings go? The Government hopes that the billions of pounds saved by the cuts in administration costs can be targeted at frontline services. This could mean more teachers and police officers. Advertisement 'So, look, I took those tickets to go with a member of my family. I thought that was the right thing to do from a security perspective.' The Chancellor added: 'These weren't tickets that you could pay for, so there wasn't a price for those tickets. 'Obviously, I'll declare the value of them but they weren't tickets that you were able to buy.' It is understood the declared value of the hospitality will be around 600, although similar tickets for the gig were said to be changing hands for higher prices. It has been claimed that Ms Reeves received security advice that she could not attend the gig in the general admission areas of the venue. Sir Keir has continued to accept box tickets to Arsenal football games after being told he can't sit in the stands with regular fans due to security concerns. The PM has been a long-time season ticket holder at the north London club. In her interviews this morning, the Chancellor tried to play down Labour fears of 'austerity' despite admitting 'hard' decisions are coming in the Spring Statement. She was forced to deny crushing economic activity since the election by hiking taxes and talking down the country's prospects. She also rejected warnings from a think-tank that living standards are set to fall over this Parliament - potentially smashing another of Keir Starmer's pledges. Ms Reeves confirmed that the Civil Service will be asked to find more than 2billion in cuts to admin budgets, saying that likely means 10,000 jobs going. She wants to save at least 1.5billion and - and up to 2.2billion - each year until the end of the decade. There are more than 540,000 civil servants - up from 456,000 in 2020. Politically impartial, civil servants work in central government departments such as the Home Office. Police workers, teachers and NHS workers are not civil servants because they are not employed by government departments. It will be up to individual departments to decide where job losses will fall. However, the Treasury is thought to need far bigger savings to offset tumbling growth forecasts. The hole in the public finances could be as much as 15billion, even after proposals were unveiled to cut 5billion off benefits. The Chancellor says she wants to give the public 'more value for money'. But unions say the cuts could lead to worsening services. The government hopes that the billions of pounds saved by the cuts in 'administration costs' can be targeted at frontline sevices. This could be more teachers and police officers. Challenged on Sky News over the sluggish economic performance, Ms Reeves said: 'We do need to do more. Growth is the number one mission of this government. We're turning things around, but it takes hard work and there are no shortcuts to get there.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Borrowing figures on Friday showed 132billion was racked up in the year to February - 20.4billion more than the Treasury's OBR forecast as recently as October Ms Reeves was asked about reports that the Office for Budget Responsibility could slash the growth forecast by as much as half and how seriously her fiscal headroom had been hit. 'I'm not going to pre-empt the Office for Budget Responsibility's forecast, but the world has changed,' the Chancellor told Sky News' Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips 'We can all see that before our eyes and governments are not inactive in that we'll respond to the change and continue to meet our fiscal rules. 'But we're also shaping the new world, whether that's in the defence and security realm, or indeed on the economy. 'I promised at the general election to bring stability back to the economy.' Pressed on a report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation predicting a huge drop in living standards by the end of this parliament, Ms Reeves said: 'I reject that and the Office for Budget Responsibility will set out their forecast this week. 'Living standards in the last parliament were the worst ever on record. 'I'm confident that we will see living standards increase during the course of this Parliament, what we've already seen in these last few months of the Labour Government is a sustained increase in living standards.' Ms Reeves pointed to cuts in interest rates, saying 'wages are rising faster than inflation'. 'That was not the case in the previous parliament, which was the worst on record for living standards, but are you saying 'do we need to do more to grow the economy, to address the cost-of-living crisis?' she said. 'Absolutely we do. That is why we are reducing bureaucracy and regulation, it's why we are reforming the pension system to bring more money into the economy and so much more.' Pope Francis has this morning appeared on his hospital balcony before being discharged following an extraordinary five-week long battle with double pneumonia. The Pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14 having suffered a severe respiratory crisis at the Vatican. He was later diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs and was said to be in 'critical condition' several times as millions across the world prayed for his good health. But on Sunday, the 88-year-old was at last discharged, as hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital and Vatican to catch a glimpse of Francis in what has become his first public appearance in five weeks. The leader of the Catholic Church spoke from a wheelchair on the 10th-floor papal suite, simply saying: 'Thank you, everyone. I can see a woman with some yellow flowers. How good!' before bidding goodbye to hospital staff who have been caring from him since he fell sick. The woman in the crowd, named Carmela Vittoria Mancuso, was seen beaming with a bouquet of yellow flowers. She had been visiting the outside of the hospital on a daily basis to pray for the good health of the Pope. Francis appeared to make the sign of the cross to the roaring crowds before he was taken back into his room. A white Fiat then arrived outside the hospital to transport the Pontiff back to the Vatican where he will begin his recovery. He returned at around noon. Doctors yesterday revealed he will need at least two months for this, however, after enduring the serious illness. Pope Francis appears at a window of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Sunday, March 23, 2025 People watch Pope Francis appearing from a window of Gemelli Hospital during his first public appearance in five weeks, on a big screen in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, March 23, 2025 The Pope appeared in public for the first time in five weeks as crowds gathered to witness the moment The leader of the Catholic Church spoke from a wheelchair on the 10th-floor papal suite, simply saying: 'Thank you, everyone. I can see a woman with some yellow flowers. How good!' The woman, named Carmela Vittoria Mancuso, reportedly went to the hospital daily to pray for the Pope Pope Francis gestures as he appears at a window of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome The Pope thanked everyone from his balcony before he was taken back to his room People stand outside Agostino Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Francis was hospitalised, in Rome, Italy, 23 March 2025 The Pope has spent five weeks recovering from a respiratory crisis at Rome's Gemelli Hospital Nuns watched Pope Francis during his first public appearance in five weeks, on the day of his discharge from Gemelli Hospital People walk on the day of Pope Francis' first public appearance in five weeks from a window of the Gemelli Hospital, at the Vatican, March 23, 2025 Pope Francis speaks during his first public appearance in five weeks, on the day he is set to be discharged from Gemelli Hospital, in Rome, Italy, March 23, 2025 The Pope was seen leaving the hospital in a white Fiat after speaking publicly as he waved at onlookers Francis personal doctor, Luigi Carbone, said: 'For three or four days hes been asking when he can go home, so hes very happy', as per France24. Yesterday morning, the Vatican announced that Francis would greet well-wishers outside the Gemelli Hospital with a wave at around noon today. 'Pope Francis intends to wave and offer a blessing from the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome after Angelus prayers,' the Vatican said. Following his discharge, the Pope will reportedly need to 'relearn to speak' after using oxygen throughout his stay at hospital. 'The Pope is doing very well, but high-flow oxygen dries everything out,' Cardinal Victor Fernandez, the Vatican's chief doctrine official said yesterday. 'He needs to learn how to speak, but his overall physical condition is as it was before.' Close advisers to the Pontiff said that he was in 'good humour' and 'recovering well' on Friday evening nevertheless, with Cardinal Pietro Parolin admitting the enamored Pope will 'need some time' to recover fully. Earlier this week, the first photo of the Argentinian Pope since his Valentine's Day hospitalisation was released. The photo showed the Pontiff celebrating Holy Mass in the chapel of the tenth floor apartment in Rome where he has been treated. A statement from the Vatican said: 'This morning [16 March] Pope Francis concelebrated the Holy Mass in the chapel of the apartment on the 10th floor of the Policlinico Gemelli.' The appearance at around noon was not the Pope's first greeting to the public from the Gemelli Hospital, however. Pope Francis arrives at The Vatican City, Sunday, March 23, 2025, after being released the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome after 38 days where he has been treated for bronchitis and bilateral pneumonia People watch Pope Francis appear from a window of Gemelli Hospital during his first public appearance in five weeks People reacted as Pope Francis made his first public appearance in five weeks, on the day of his discharge from Gemelli Hospital, as they watched it on a big screen Pope Francis waves as he arrives for his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, February 12, 2025 Men are seen on the phone behind the windows of the Gemelli hospital where Pope Francis made his first public appearance before being discharged from the hospital as he was hospitalised with pneumonia for five weeks, in Rome on March 23, 2025 Doctor Sergio Alferi (pictured), who has been treating the Pontiff, announced yesterday that Francis is set to be discharged from hospital It was announced on Saturday that Francis will greet well-wishers with a wave on Sunday at noon The first picture of the Pope since his February 14 hospitalisation was released earlier this week Millions across the world have prayed for the good health of Pope Francis amid a health battle which saw him in 'critical condition' A woman is seen in prayer in Vatican City earlier this month. Pope Francis has been hospitalised since February 14, when he was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital In July 2021, he recited the Angelus prayer from a balcony on the medical institution's 10th floor following colon surgery. But he has never previously been hospitalised for this long during his papacy, and while his reappearance will be greeted with relief by followers, questions remain over who might lead the busy schedule of religious events leading up to Easter, a highlight of the Christian calendar. The Vatican press office said on Wednesday that no definite decisions had yet been taken in that regard, adding that the Pope's clinical condition was 'improving' and he was no longer using an oxygen mask. A daily bulletin on the health of the Pope has been published by the Vatican throughout his battle in hospital. Francis had part of one lung removed as a young man and, despite his improvement, speculation abounds that he could step down due to his fragility, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Benedict XVI. On Monday, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's second-ranking official, told reporters that he had noted an improvement in Francis's health during a visit. But asked whether the conversation had turned to the Pope's resignation, he replied: 'No, no, no, absolutely not.' Catholics and others worldwide have been praying for the Pope's speedy recovery, with many leaving flowers, candles and notes for him outside the Gemelli hospital. A number of leading cardinals too held prayer services at the Vatican to pray for the Pontiff's good health, with thousands gathering on a daily basis to recite the Rosary Prayer. Even as he remained in hospital, the Pope expressed his gratitude for the widespread support he has received. The Pontiff too continued holding almost nightly phone calls with Palestinian Catholics in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In updates on X posted during his hospital stay, the 88-year-old also wished his best to Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan and Kivu in early March. Britain is making a last-ditch bid to dodge Donald Trump's latest tariffs salvo as Rachel Reeves insisted trade with the US is already 'balanced'. Mr Trump has christened April 2 'Liberation Day', vowing to impose 'reciprocal' levies offsetting those of all trading partners. The EU appears to be the main target, with the president raging that the bloc was created to 'screw' America. However, the UK could also be hit as Mr Trump has complained that VAT is unfair - despite being a general sales tax and not focused on imports. The UK currently imposes 20 per cent VAT on most goods and services. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) previously estimated that tariffs of that scale could knock 0.4 percentage points off UK economic growth for the next two years - equivalent to around 24billion. Keir Starmer has already failed to carve out an exemption from US levies on steel imports, with fears of job losses. Giving TV interviews this morning ahead of the Spring Statement, Rachel Reeves (pictured) said Donald Trump was 'right' to be concerned about unfair trade - but argued that the UK was not a culprit Mr Trump has christened April 2 'Liberation Day', vowing to impose 'reciprocal' levies offsetting those of all trading partners Giving TV interviews this morning ahead of the Spring Statement, the Chancellor said that Mr Trump was 'right' to be concerned about unfair trade - but argued that the UK was not a culprit. 'I believe in free and open trade. Last time that Donald Trump was President of the US trade and investment flows between our countries grew,' she told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme. 'President Trump is rightly concerned about countries that run large and persistent trade surpluses with the US. 'The UK is not one of those countries, we have balanced trade between our countries.' Pressed on whether America would spare Britain from the charges, Ms Reeves pointed to Keir Starmer's recent visit to the White House. She said the governments were trying to thrash out a wider trade arrangement that would deal with tariffs. 'Let's see. Our PM Keir Starmer had a really good meeting in the White House with president Trump a couple of weeks ago.. let's see how that progresses over the next few days,' she said. Ms Reeves said she wanted to see 'barriers to trade come down' not just with the US but with the EU. The Chancellor refused to say whether the UK is considering changing or ditching a tax on tech companies as part of a pact to avoid US tariffs. Keir Starmer has already failed to carve out an exemption from US levies on steel imports, with fears of job losses Pressed on whether America would spare Britain from the reciprocal charges, Ms Reeves pointed to Keir Starmer's recent visit to the White House She said there were discussions 'around a whole range of things' with the US related to tariffs. 'But we will continue to operate on that principle that you should pay taxes in the country in which you operate.' Challenged if she might tweak the digital services tax, Ms Reeves said: 'You've got to get the balance right and those discussions at the moment are ongoing. 'We want to make progress. We do not want to see British exporters subject to higher tariffs and we want to see trade barriers fall right across the world.' Politicians and campaigners are in disbelief after a 10,000 grant was handed out for a project to 'decolonise' Welsh cakes. Arts Council of Wales, which receives Government and lottery funding, gave a researcher 9,952 in 2023 to spend a year on research work entitled 'Decolonising the Welsh Cake'. The classic Welsh sweet treat is made using simple ingredients of sugar, fat and currants and has been a teatime favourite across Wales since the second half of the nineteenth century. But the seemingly inoffensive scone-like bakes - traditionally made on a bakestone griddle - have found themselves at the centre of an unusual row. The researcher posted on X to explain the nature of the project: 'I used the term "decolonising the Welsh cake" because of the contested notion of colonialism and cultural imperialism within Wales as a result of English rule and influence.' One website linked to the researcher also said the project would explore the history of sugar in Welsh cakes. But Welsh politicians and campaign groups have blasted the project, with shadow secretary of state for Wales Mims Davies telling the Sun: 'This is another total waste of money.' The Conservative MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield continued: 'We should all be proudly celebrating and supporting Welsh heritage, not having the taxpayer fund, along with lottery players, an organisation that is shelling out thousands of pounds to fund these bonkers leftie ideological attempts to tear it down.' Politicians and campaigners are in disbelief after a 10,000 grant was handed out for a project to 'decolonise' Welsh cakes (pictured, file photo) Welsh politicians and campaign groups have blasted the project, with shadow secretary of state for Wales Mims Davies (pictured) saying: 'This is another total waste of money.' Member of Welsh Parliament for South Wales Central Andrew RT Davies (pictured) took to X to express his dismay at the Welsh cake project, saying: 'This is a disgraceful waste of taxpayers' cash. Labour Senedd ministers owe us an explanation' She said the move was a 'direct result' of the Welsh government's Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan (ArWAP), published in June 2022 after consultation since early 2020. The plan sets out 'changes required to deliver on our commitment to make Wales an anti-racist nation by 2030', according to the latest version of the ArWAP, last updated in November. Member of Welsh Parliament for South Wales Central Andrew RT Davies took to X to express his dismay at the Welsh cake project. The leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd said: 'This is a disgraceful waste of taxpayers' cash. Labour Senedd ministers owe us an explanation.' Campaign group DOGE Wales also slammed the move, telling MailOnline this project was one of several funded by nearly 3.7million of Arts Council money to 'satisfy' the ArWAP - which they discovered following a Freedom of Information request, seen by MailOnline. The group said: 'While our Welsh NHS is on its knees, taxpayers' cash is being wasted on projects like this. 'It's one of 3.7million in grants handed out by the Arts Council to satisfy Welsh Government's Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan. The leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd said on X (pictured): 'This is a disgraceful waste of taxpayers' cash. Labour Senedd ministers owe us an explanation' The researcher posted on X (pictured) explaining: 'I used the term "decolonising the Welsh cake" because of the contested notion of colonialism and cultural imperialism within Wales as a result of English rule and influence' Despite the grant for the year-long project being given out in 2023, campaign group DOGE Wales has been unable to source the study online, asking the researcher directly on X today to share it with them (pictured): 'Our followers are keen to see if it represents value for money' In a previous post (pictured), they said: 'What exactly does it take to "decolonise" a Welsh cake? We're not entirely sure' They added in another post (pictured) to the social media site: 'You paid for it. It sounds like a bad joke - but it's real...' 'Scrap this divisive scheme and focus on fixing our public services.' Despite the grant for the year-long project being given out in 2023, the group has been unable to source the study online, asking the researcher directly on X today to share it with them: 'Our followers are keen to see if it represents value for money.' In a previous post, they said: 'What exactly does it take to "decolonise" a Welsh cake? We're not entirely sure.' They added in another post to the social media site: 'You paid for it. It sounds like a bad joke - but it's real... 'Let that sink in: at a time when thousands of Welsh patients are stuck on the longest NHS waiting lists in mainland Britain and when thousands of children leave primary school unable to read, this is where your cash goes.' The cash came from National Lottery money given to the Arts Council and allocated by them to the Creative Steps funding scheme, for people and groups who have 'experienced barriers' to getting grants. An Arts Council of Wales spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Whilst we do not respond to anonymous social media accounts, we are happy to provide more information on our Creative Steps fund which has supported 113 individuals and organisations throughout Wales. 'The aim of the Creative Steps fund is to support individual artists and organisations who have experienced barriers to accessing our funding in the past. The cash for the Welsh cakes project came from National Lottery money given to the Arts Council and allocated by them to the Creative Steps funding scheme, for people and groups who have 'experienced barriers' to getting grants. Pictured: File photo 'This may include support with their professional, business and/or organisational development. 'We firmly believe it is crucial to support these individuals and organisations as part of our commitment to increase the diversity of work being created, funded and celebrated in Wales.' The researcher was contacted for comment. Pete Hegseth goaded a judge after she blocked President Trump's executive order banning transgender people from serving in the military. The Defense Secretary suggested that US District Judge Ana Reyes should report for active duty since she is 'now a top military planner'. It came after Reyes issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Pentagon from enforcing Trump's executive order which she branded 'unabashedly demeaning' to trans people. 'Since 'Judge' Reyes is now a top military planner, she/they can report to Fort Benning at 0600 to instruct our Army Rangers on how to execute High Value Target Raids,' Hegseth wrote on X. 'After that, Commander Reyes can dispatch to Fort Bragg to train our Green Berets on counterinsurgency warfare.' The executive order issued on January 27 said that, 'expressing a false 'gender identity' divergent from an individual's sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service'. It demanded the Department of Defense revise its pronoun policies and medical standards for the military. 'Beyond the hormonal and surgical medical interventions involved, 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,' the order read. Pete Hegseth goaded a judge after she blocked President Trump's executive order banning transgender people from serving in the military. The Defense Secretary suggested that US District Judge Ana Reyes should report for active duty since she is 'now a top military planner' In her determination, Reyes said the language used was 'unabashedly demeaning'. '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. '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.' She pointed out there is a 'cruel irony' in 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'. She added that the defendants, 'have not shown they will be burdened by continuing the status quo pending this litigation, and avoiding constitutional violations is always in the public interest.' Judge Reyes delayed her ruling to allow the Trump administration to appeal, which it plans to. In her preliminary injunction, Reyes said the language used was 'unabashedly demeaning'. Pictured: Transgender troops past and present 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 clash between Hegseth and Reyes is the latest example of the Trump administration attempting to undermine the judiciary. The president was recently admonished by Chief Justice John Roberts after he threatened to impeach judge who ruled against migrant deportations. The executive order will affect almost 5,000 transgender troops, according to military estimates. 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. Ed Miliband is expected to block a bid to ban the government from buying solar panels feared to have been made with slave labour. The government is poised to vote against a Lords amendment to the Great British Energy Bill when it returns to the Commons on Tuesday. The change would prevent taxpayer money being used to buy products from a company where there was 'credible evidence' of modern slavery in its supply chain. The move comes amid mounting disquiet over the involvement of China in the Net Zero drive, such as the supply of wind turbines and solar panels. Alongside security issues, there have been long-standing concerns over Beijing's use of forced Uighur labour. Ed Miliband (pictured on a visit to China this month) is expected to block a bid to ban the government from buying solar panels feared to have been made with slave labour There has been disquiet over the involvement of China in the Net Zero drive, such as the supply of wind turbines and solar panels (file picture) Last month peers backed the cross-party amendment by 177 votes to 127, majority 50, despite the government arguing that there were already enough safeguards. On Friday Mr Miliband unveiled GB Energy first project, an 180million investment installing rooftop panels on 200 school buildings and almost as many NHS sites. But when asked where the solar panels will come from he conceded that some will come from China, which is responsible for an estimated 80 per cent of total global supply. Quizzed as to why British ones were not being used, Mr Miliband told LBC radio: 'Our solar panel industry has not got this kind of share of the market.' When asked if they will come from China or Russia, he said: 'Some of them will be, they'll be from different countries, but that's why we've got to build our domestic industry.' It is understood Mr Miliband raised forced labour concerns on his recent visit to China, and work is ongoing 'across government' on the issue. The change agreed by peers to the GB Energy Bill triggered a round of parliamentary 'ping-pong', where legislation is batted between the two Houses until agreement is reached. The proposed law would establish a state-owned limited firm, backed with 8.3billion of public cash, that would be tasked with investing in and developing clean energy projects as part of the drive to tackle climate change and meet the UK's net zero emissions target. Human rights campaigner Lord Alton of Liverpool, the independent cross-bencher who championed the amendment, said last month: 'British labour will never be able to compete with slave labour or with industries that are heavily dependent on cheaper and dirtier energy. He added: 'This amendment puts it to Parliament 'Do we want a slavery free green transition or are we content to allow the Government's objectives to be achieved through forced labour in a state accused by the House of Commons of genocide?' 'It should be inconceivable that the UK which did so much to end the scourge of slavery around the world would today accept or be willing to turn a blind eye on products made by a state with an imposed system of forced labour.' But energy security minister Lord Hunt of King's Heath said at the time: 'My understanding here is that Great British Energy would already have a range of tools in place to support its efforts to identify and tackle human rights' abuses in its supply chain.' He added: 'With these tools I am assured and confident Great British Energy will not ignore credible evidence of modern slavery and human rights abuses.' Eleanor Lyons, the government's independent anti-slavery commissioner, posted on X last week supporting the amendment Shadow Net Zero minister Andrew Bowie told The Telegraph: 'This week the Conservatives will challenge Labour to change the law to ensure that GB Energy can provide no financial assistance where evidence of modern slavery exists. 'Will Red Ed do the right thing, and back us, or will he kowtow to China like his comrade Rachel Reeves?' Eleanor Lyons, the government's independent anti-slavery commissioner, posted on X last week: '10 years since the Modern Slavery Act passed there are more victims identified than ever before. 'The Govt should let the Great British Energy Bill be amended to protect human rights and reduce the risk of public procurement of goods made by forced labour.' A UK Government spokesman said: 'No industry in the UK should rely on forced labour, and through Great British Energy we have a clear plan to build the supply chains needed to support a new era of clean homegrown power, bringing jobs and investment. 'This is in addition to initiatives like the Clean Industry Bonus which will incentivise clean energy manufacturing and stronger domestic supply chains across our industrial heartlands. 'We are also working across government to tackle the issue of forced labour in solar supply chains, and the relaunched Solar Taskforce is focusing on developing supply chains that are resilient, sustainable and free from forced labour.' A young mother died from sepsis when medics failed to treat her for the infection for nine hours. Sharzia Bibi, 28, only started receiving antibiotics for the deadly condition after its discovery during emergency surgery at Wythenshawe hospital, in Manchester. The mother-of-two had been admitted to a hospital ward hours earlier after complaining of crippling stomach pain and bleeding. Despite displaying symptoms of sepsis, including a high heart rate and decreased functional ability, doctors thought her condition may have been linked to a water or pelvic infection. Sharzia was meant to be given oral antibiotics but didn't receive them for nine hours and when she did they were not suitable for her incorrect diagnosis. She also should have been monitored every four hours but hospital staff didn't assess her for more than nine hours. However, following concerns about her condition, Sharzia underwent emergency surgery - where she was then diagnosed with sepsis - and was then transferred to intensive care and put on intravenous antibiotics. Sharzia then suffered a cardiac arrest and died in November 2023. Hassan Naseer, 30, pictured with his wife Sharzia Bibi, 28, who died in November 2023 from sepsis when medics failed to treat her for the condition for nine hours Sharzia Bibi's sons Subhan, four, and Abbas, two. Hassan says that all three of them 'will never get over' her death Widower Hassan Naseer, 30, has now spoken out for the first time about Shariza's death and says that he was given 'no indication' that his wife had sepsis when she was in hospital. He said: 'When I took Sharzia to hospital she was in excruciating pain but at no point was I given any indication she had sepsis. 'The impact of her death on our family has been immense. Sharzia was an exceptional wife, mum, and daughter-in-law. 'Our lives changed forever from the moment she was taken from us far too soon. 'As a young family we had so many hopes and dreams for the future that we'll never get to fulfil.' Hassan has been left to bring up the couple's sons, Subhan, four, and Abbas, two, and says that all three of them 'will never get over' Sharzia's death. He added that he wants to highlight what happened, so other families don't have to go through the same thing. Hassan, of Levenshulme, Greater Manchester, said: 'As a single dad, I'm taking care of the children and am worried about their future. 'I don't think we'll ever get over losing Sharzia in the way we did. 'It's hard not to feel angry that I've lost my beautiful wife and that the kids have lost their amazing mummy. Sharzia only started receiving antibiotics for the deadly bug after its discovery during emergency surgery at Wythenshawe hospital, in Manchester The mother-of-two had been admitted to an hospital ward hours earlier after complaining of crippling stomach pain and bleeding Despite displaying symptoms of sepsis, including a high heart rate and decreased functional ability, doctors thought her condition may have been linked to a water or pelvic infection 'I'll always make sure that the children will know about their mum, how much she loved them and how proud she was of them, but it's not the same as having her in their lives. 'It's too late for Sharzia but by speaking out I hope we can highlight the human cost of care issues so others don't have to go through what we have. 'I wouldn't wish the pain our family continues to experience on anyone.' Following Sharzia's death, her family instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate and secure answers. The Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Wythenshawe Hospital, admitted liability for Sharzia's death in a civil claim brought by Irwin Mitchell. They admitted that were it not for the failures in care, on the balance of probabilities, Sharzia would not have died when she did. A separate inquest into Sharzia's death at Manchester Coroner's Court concluded that Sharzia died of 'neglect' following 'gross failures' in her care. Coroner James Lester-Ashworth recorded a narrative conclusion on Tuesday, March 18, making six findings of gross failings in Sharzia's care which amounted to neglect. Her father Khalad Sahid, 55, says it's difficult to think that his 'beloved daughter' would still be alive if she 'got the care she deserved.' He said: 'Sharzia was my beloved daughter and will be missed dearly. 'She's left behind two beautiful boys who are now aged two and four as well as her devastated husband. Following Sharzia's death, her family instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate and secure answers The Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Wythenshawe Hospital, admitted liability for Sharzia's death in a civil claim A coroner this week recorded a narrative conclusion, making six findings of gross failings in Sharzia's care which amounted to neglect 'For me as a father, this is beyond words. The findings of the coroner demonstrates that Sharzia didn't receive the basic medical care that she so desperately needed. 'The trust failed her repeatedly and in so many ways. 'It's difficult not to think that Sharzia would still be alive had she had been given the care she deserved.' Speaking after the inquest, specialist medical negligence lawyer Sarah Sharples said: 'This is a truly tragic case which has left Sharzia's family devastated. 'Understandably her loved ones have had a number of questions about Sharzia's care and whether more should have been to help her. 'Our own legal investigations, which resulted in the trust admitting liability in a civil claim, and the inquest which concluded Sharzia died of neglect, have sadly validated those concerns. 'Nothing can ever make up for what's happened, but we urge the Trust to reflect on this case and ensure patient safety is upheld at all times so other families don't have to endure a similar trauma. 'Sharzia's death is a stark reminder of the dangers of sepsis and how early detection and treatment are key to beating it.' A Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: 'We wish again to extend our condolences and sincere sympathies to Mrs Bibi's family at this incredibly difficult time. 'The Trust has conducted a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mrs Bibi's sad death, and we apologise that our care fell short of the high standards to which we aspire. 'We are committed to providing the best care possible for our patients. 'We will be reviewing the coroner's conclusion carefully to ensure further learning for the trust is addressed and applied to our ongoing efforts to improve our patient safety, quality of care and experience.' Two heroic plain clothes police officers pounced on a phone snatcher in central London at night before returning the device to its rightful owner. In dramatic footage of the encounter, one of the apprehenders shouts for the thief to put his hands behind his back as he is handcuffed on the pavement. The cornered robber protests 'I can't breathe' to which the policeman responds 'shut up mate', adding 'you robbed someone's phone, this is what happens'. Moments later more officers turn up in uniform while the phone snatcher sits defeated against a piece of scaffolding. Police are then able to spot the victim and flag him down before returning the lost device. Many people have taken to social media to greet the 'excellent news'. One person said: 'My mobile phone was snatched from my hands in 2023 and had family photos which I lost forever. I have no sympathy for phone thieves.' Another added: 'Good work from the police. Credit where credit's due - more police presence required in cities in the UK where theft runs rampant.' Two heroic plain clothes police officers pounced on a phone snatcher in central London at night before returning the device to its rightful owner In dramatic footage of the encounter, one of the apprehenders shouts for the thief to put his hands behind his back as he is handcuffed on the pavement The cornered robber protests 'I can't breathe' to which the policeman responds 'shut up mate', adding 'you robbed someone's phone, this is what happens' The successful arrest comes amid a Metropolitan Police crack down on London's phone theft epidemic. A Met Police spokesman said: 'On Sunday, 23 March at 03:14hrs police were called to Berwick Sweet, W1 following reports of a phone theft. 'Officers on plain clothed patrol in Londons West End attended the scene and arrested a male on suspicion of robbery and possession of stolen property. He was later taken to a central London police station where he was questioned and bailed. 'We are aware of a video circulating of this arrest. The male attempted to avoid arrest and was appropriately restrained. The officers clearly ensured his, the publics, and the safety of other officers at all times. 'The phone was returned to the victim and enquires continue.' Since October 2020, instances of the crime in the capital have been steadily increasing. Between October 2023 and September 2024, a shocking 66,528 phones were stolen in London. But in recent months, 'various operations' deployed by the police force involving monitoring CCTV footage, increasing officers' awareness and 'employing' traffic units and surge teams have brought about a decrease in phone theft. A 27 per cent drop was recorded in November 2024 while a 43 per cent decrease was achieved the following month. The force has been using plain-clothed officers and phone-tracking data to gather intelligence and hunt down the smartphone snatchers. During a week-long blitz aimed at tackling the epidemic, more than 1,000 stolen phones were seized and 230 people arrested. In one case, officers were able to take down a gang of thieves who, over an 18-month period, were caught handling more than 5,000 stolen phones in a crime spree totaling 5.1million. Despite such successes, however, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, London's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, stated there is 'more to do.' The successful arrest comes amid a Metropolitan Police crack down on London's phone theft epidemic She said: 'As the criminal demand for high-value mobile phones continues to grow globally, the Mayor and I are clear that companies must go further and faster to make it harder for stolen phones to be sold on, repurposed and re-used illegally. 'We'll continue to work with leading mobile phone companies, the Home Secretary and Met leaders to find innovative solutions to end the scourge of mobile phone crime. 'The success in tackling phone thefts comes after the Met moved out of special measures last month, following major improvements in many areas of service to London. 'These include responding more quickly to emergencies and strengthening neighbourhood policing to better respond to communities' concerns, including tackling theft and robberies.' The Met says anyone who has lost or had a phone stolen should use the national mobile phone register so recovered handsets can be restored, via the Police National Mobile Property Register. A passenger on a United Airlines flight claimed he was forcibly dragged from an airplane bathroom with his pants down by a pilot who broke the lock of the door for taking too long. Yisroel Liebb, 20, was on the first leg of his journey home to New Jersey with the airline, but was led away in handcuffs when they landed in Houston after a humiliating ordeal caused him to be ripped from the airplane bathroom with his genitals exposed. Liebb said he suffered physical injuries, extreme emotional distress and anxiety, and in the complaint obtained by The Independent, he added that he felt 'sexually violated and embarrassed after having been publicly expose in the nude.' The passenger said he had got up from his seat to use the toilet about half an hour into the journey from Tulum, Mexico to Houston, where he was then scheduled for a connecting flight to New York. Around 20 minutes later, a flight attendant woke up Liebb's neighbor and fellow traveler Jacob Sebbag to check on Liebb. Sebbag, 21, knocked on the door and asked if Liebb was alright, to which he replied that he was 'experiencing constipation' and would be out shortly, The Independent reported. The complaint states that 'Sebbag relayed this to the stewardess and returned to his seat.' Yet, 10 minutes later the pilot approached Sebbag and asked that he join him to 'once again try and get Liebb out,' the complaint added. Yisroel Liebb, 20, was on his way home to New Jersey with United Airlines but was led away in handcuffs when they landed in Houston after a humiliating ordeal caused him to be ripped from the airplane bathroom with his genitals exposed 'The pilot became visibly enraged, broke the lock on the door and forced the door to the bathroom open, pulling Liebb out of the bathroom with his pants still around his ankles, exposing his genitalia to Sebbag, several flight attendants, and the nearby passengers on the plane,' the complaint continued The pilot, however, 'began yelling loudly at Liebb, demanding that he leave the bathroom immediately,' before 'loudly demanding that [Sebbag] force Liebb out of the bathroom,' the complaint stated. Liebb responded that he was 'okay, that he was finishing up, and that he would be out momentarily,' it furthered. 'The pilot became visibly enraged, broke the lock on the door and forced the door to the bathroom open, pulling Liebb out of the bathroom with his pants still around his ankles, exposing his genitalia to Sebbag, several flight attendants, and the nearby passengers on the plane,' the complaint continued. Liebb, according to the complaint, quickly pulled his pants back up to his waist but had injured his head and legs when they smacked into the door frame of the bathroom. 'With Sebbag leading Liebb, the pilot proceeded to repeatedly push the [two] back to their seats while making threats of getting [them] arrested and making scathing remarks about their Judaism, and how "Jews act,"' the complaint furthered, the outlet reported. The two Orthodox Jewish passengers were robed in religious attire at the time of the incident. As they landed in Houston, Customs and Border Patrol Officers boarded the plane ordering all passengers to stay in their seats before approaching the two passengers and placing them in handcuffs, the complaint said. 'While being escorted form the plane, Liebb stated that the [two of them] have a legal right to know why they are being detained,' but the 'CBP agents... responded that "this isn't county or state, we are Homeland [Security], you have no rights here,' the complaint furthered. The pilot, however, 'began yelling loudly at Liebb, demanding that he leave the bathroom immediately,' before 'loudly demanding that [Sebbag] force Liebb out of the bathroom,' the complaint stated 'While being escorted form the plane, Liebb stated that the [two of them] have a legal right to know why they are being detained,' but the 'CBP agents... responded that "this isn't county or state, we are Homeland [Security], you have no rights here,' the complaint furthered The two passengers were then allegedly placed in a detention facility inside the terminal. Liebb alleged that after becoming annoyed with his question's, one of the officers tightened Liebb's handcuffs 'to the point that he verbally spoke out against the pain.' The complaint said that Liebb 'pleaded' with the officer and pointed out he was 'cooperating fully' and insisted he was 'not a threat.' It further alleged that the two passengers were put into separate cells and handcuffed to tables, while they and their luggage were 'subjected to intrusive, unconsented, unwarranted and unreasonable searches.' Both were released without charges but missed their connecting flight back to New York which took off whilst they were still detained, The Independent reported. They were rebooked for free the next day but had to pay for food and a hotel during the delay 'essentially negating the price of the complimentary flight.' Both also claim they suffered 'severe wrist pain' which 'persisted for days afterward' due to the handcuffs being placed on too tightly. The two passengers are seeking damages to be determined at trial, in addition to attorney's fees. United Airlines did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. Palestinian group Hamas confirmed Sunday that one of its senior leaders has been killed alongside his wife in southern Gaza. Salah al-Bardawil, 65, and his wife were killed in a camp in al-Mawasi, near Khan Yunis, according to the Palestinian Islamist movement. He is the third member of the political bureau to be killed since Israel resumed air strikes on Tuesday, after Yasser Harb and Essam al-Dalis, the head of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip. Bardawil, born in the Khan Yunis refugee camp, joined Hamas when it was founded in 1987, serving as a spokesman before rising through the ranks and being elected to the political bureau in 2021. He spoke against security cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, and supported armed struggle against Israel. Detained by Israel in 1993 and interrogated for 70 days, according to Hamas, Bardawil was also arrested several times by the security forces of the Palestinian Authority. In the flare-up since last week, Hamas has also announced the deaths of interior ministry head Mahmud Abu Watfa, and Bahjat Abu Sultan, the director general of the Internal Security Services. Hamas sources said on Sunday that Mohammed Hassan al-Amur, the bodyguard of slain leader Yahya Sinwar, was killed in an overnight strike on his home in Khan Yunis. Salah al-Bardawil, 65, and his wife were killed in a camp in al-Mawasi, near Khan Yunis Palestinians inspect the destruction at the site of the assassination of Hamas political leader Salah al-Bardawil and his wife in their tent in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, on March 23, 2025 Bardawil, born in the Khan Yunis refugee camp, joined Hamas when it was founded in 1987 Sinwar, known as the architect of the horrific October 7 attack was killed on October 16 after being hunted by intelligence services and the Israeli Defence Forces for over a year. The 61-year-old - dubbed the Butcher of Khan Younis - was finally taken out apparently by chance after an hour-long firefight of trainee soldiers on a routine operation in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip. The strike sent a shock wave across the region - with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declaring at the time: 'Hamas is alive and will remain alive.' During the fierce battle, two militants fled to one building while Sinwar - whose identity was not known by the Israelis until much later - escaped to another. In a graphic display of the intensity of the encounter, the Hamas leader was found with electric cable tied in a makeshift tourniquet around his arm, which was wounded by shrapnel from a small missile or tank shell. An autopsy later found his death was caused by a single gunshot to his head. It was not known who fired the bullet or what kind of weapon was used to deliver the fatal blow. After the dust had cleared, Israeli soldiers realised the body found in the rubble of the now-blown apart building bore a striking resemlance to Sinwar. They cut off one of his fingers to confirm his identity. According to the Israeli military, Sinwar had been forced out of the underground lair where he was cowering as they covertly closed off streets and blew up tunnels in the area. Hamas has been considerably weakened by the deaths of many of its leaders, both inside and outside the Gaza Strip, since the start of the war triggered by its deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The head of Hamas's political wing, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in Tehran on July 31, 2024, in an explosion claimed by Israel. The architect of the October 7 massacre and Israel 's most wanted man, Sinwar was killed in October after being hunted by intelligence services and the Israeli Defence Forces for over a year. Pictured: Sinwar in December 2022 The haunting moment visibly bloodied Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was identified as a terrorist by an IDF drone just seconds before he was assassinated by Israeli forces in Gaza IDF soldiers carry Sinwar's body out of the wrecked building on a stretcher The top political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in July in a stunning Israeli strike in Iran Haniyeh, who had escaped the horrors of the war in Gaza while residing in Qatar, had travelled to Iran to attend the inauguration of new Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian in July. But Israel appeared to seize the chance to hit Haniyeh, attacking his residence in Tehran and killing the Hamas leader along with a security guard. The assassination, confirmed by both Hamas and Iranian authorities, marked the first high-profile killing since October 7. Hamas political bureau member Musa Abu Marzuk vowed at the time: 'The assassination of leader Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act and will not go unanswered.' Haniyeh was widely considered Hamas's political chief and has been a prominent member of the movement since 1980. He also briefly served as Palestinian prime minister after being appointed in 2006 but was dismissed a year later after Hamas ousted rival Fatah Party. Haniyeh was elected head of Hamas's political bureau in 2017 and the US Department of State designated him a terrorist in 2018. He left the Gaza Strip to seek refuge in Qatar in 2019 and has presided over the political machinations of the group from afar ever since. He was said to maintain good relations with the heads of the various Palestinian factions - including rivals to Hamas - to consolidate Hamas' power base in Gaza, and was very much the international face of the group, travelling from Doha to Tehran and Ankara to maintain strong ties with regional allies. It is the gut-punching, heart-wrenching new Netflix series winning acclaim from critics and viewers alike - especially for stars Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper. The four-part crime drama Adolescence tells the story of a youngster played by Cooper, now 15, who is arrested for a schoolgirl's murder - and the show has been breaking streaming records. Among those struck by the series after its release earlier this month has been Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who told how he was tuning in with his children. And along with widespread praise for the writing and performances, there has also been plenty of admiration for the hour-long, single-shot filming of each episode. Eagle-eyed fans have been showing their own attention to detail by highlighting some of the canny references and camera cleverness involved throughout. Insights from behind the scenes have also been shared, as interest surges in the programme broadcast by US-based streaming giant Netflix after being made through a collaboration between American and British production companies. Graham, 51, whose previous starring roles have come in movies including This Is England and TV dramas Line Of Duty and Peaky Blinders, co-created and co-wrote Adolescence with award-winning playwright Jack Thorne. The new drama's success has also thrown the spotlight on teen sensation Cooper, now filming alongside Barbie star Margot Robbie - while neighbours in Warrington, Cheshire, described him as a 'lovely lad' who would do anything for them. MailOnline takes a look at some Adolescence details you might have missed... Streaming giant Netflix answered questions on X, formerly Twitter, about filming methods Each of the hit crime drama series' four episodes feature a single rolling shot The cinematography involved in Adolescence's one-shot episodes has attracted plenty of praise. And streaming service Netflix which broadcast the show has provided behind the scenes details about just how such dramatic effects were conjured. Director Philip Barantini used his unconventional approach in each of the four episodes, meaning one camera followed the action continuously for each entire hour. Netflix took to X, formerly Twitter, to answer questions from fans - including how the series ended the second episode, when the camera glided from a school to the crime scene in one seamless take. The streaming platform's post explained: 'The DOP (director of photography) carries the camera and follows a school pupil to the traffic lights with a wide shot as she goes at the end of the school day. 'Before she crosses the road, a team attach the camera to a drone, which then flies a distance of 0.3 miles across the site to the murder scene, where it comes down to a camera operator and team of grips who smoothly catch the camera and transition into a close shot of Stephen Graham. Easy.' The voice of schoolgirl victim Katie was heard during the drama series' closing scene Actor Stephen Graham is among those receiving critical acclaim for the new Netfix series The series' final episode closes with an emotional rendition of the song Through the Eyes Of A Child, sung by Aurora, which describes the loss of a 'childlike soul'. The haunting track includes the first and only time that viewers hear the voice of stabbing victim schoolgirl Katie's voice in the drama. The 13-year-old female pupil is played by actress Emilia Holliday. Speaking in an interview with Netflix's Tudum, show director Philip Barantini revealed he heard the song around the time writer Jack Thorne sent him the script - and immediately knew it needed to be in the series. Barantini explained: 'I couldnt stop thinking about it. Its just absolutely incredible. 'The voice in the score is Katies voice. Katie is a part of the whole series. Her presence is always there.' Eagle-eyed viewers spotted a clue in the wall in Adolescence's opening moments A moment just minutes in to the first episode of Adolescence has been pinpointed by viewers as a crucial clue to central character Jamie's fate. TikTok users have shared a clip in which police burst into Jamie's family home to arrest him for murder while the boy played by Owen Cooper is in bed. The schoolboy looks scared as officers surround him and he places his hand on the wall, where part of the wallpaper has come off - with suggestions from some viewers that the mark resembles a knife. One wrote on the video, 'Foreshadowing. Did anyone else notice?', adding: 'This cannot have been an accident. The level of detail in this show made it a masterpiece. #adolescence #owencooper #netflix #cinematography.' Comments in response have included: 'The rip in the wallpaper is like a knife and its as if he is holding it. It amazes me how so many people let this show go right over their heads.' Another added: 'And the very last scene when the dad is on his bed is like the knife in his back.' Teenage star Owen Cooper has spoken about the drink he had during a key interview scene Owen Cooper has described the drink he had during the filming as 'minging' Adolescence star Owen Cooper has also spoken out about what he called a 'minging' detail from filming the hit Netflix show. He opened up about a scene in the third instalment of the series, in which his character Jamie is interviewed by a psychiatrist depicted by Erin Doherty - and appeared to be sipping from a cup of hot chocolate during the discussion. Yet in a real life interview about making the show, Cooper recalled: 'That was minging, that - that was horrible.' When asked by Doherty, 'What, the actual drink?', the teenager replied: 'Yeah, it wasn't hot chocolate 'cause it had to get changed. It was making the floor sticky or something for the cameraman.' Doherty responded by saying: 'Oh, yeah, and I remember in one of them it spilt all over the table. I could see people in the cameras that could see into the room like quickly trying to clean it up, so by the time the camera came back in. Right, okay, so they had to change it.' Cooper added: 'Aw, it was disgusting.' Actor and co-writer Stephen Graham improvised a line in Adolescence's teddy bear scene Stephen Graham - who plays youngster Jamie's dad Eddie - is seen breaking down in tears in his son's room while tucking a teddy bear into his bed Graham 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) In the final moments of the fourth instalment, creator and writer Stephen Graham - who plays youngster Jamie's dad Eddie - is seen breaking down in tears in his son's room while tucking a teddy bear into his bed. He then tells the cuddly toy, 'I should have done better' - and yet this line was not actually meant to be delivered, according to the original script. The crime drama's director Philip Barantini has since told Tudum: 'We rehearsed it, and it was great. 'But I just felt like theres something about him tucking in Jamies teddy. 'This is the only thing that Eddies got that he can touch thats malleable, that Jamies cuddled, and Jamies been with. And then Stephen made it his own.' Netflix's outlet Tudum also added that Stephen was originally supposed to 'get inside Jamies bed and pull the covers over his body, like he was an avatar for his imprisoned son'. Owen Cooper, 15, has been widely praised for playing Adolescence's central character Jamie The crime show, written by Stephen Graham (pictured) and Jack Thorne, has broken streaming records after its release on Netflix earlier this month The teddy bear scene and Stephen Graham's unexpected extra line was not the only moment of improvisation across the series, teenage star Owen Cooper has revealed. The youngster told of a striking four-word comment from the Netflix series that was also completely off script. The fact that episodes were shot in one continuous sequence meant that the cast had to think on their feet as they went on. And that happened during one scene featuring Owen and co-star Erin Doherty, playing a child psychologist who had to write a profile on the character Jamie ahead of his trial. In a recent guest appearance on BBC1's The One Show last week, Cooper said: 'In episode three, it was the second take of the day - we do two takes a day. So it was the second take and you know I was tired, so a yawn came to me. 'Then Erin did an amazing line - she said, "Am I boring you?", so that took me back and it made made me smile because it wasn't in the script. I wasn't expecting that at all, so it took me back a little bit, but it was amazing.' A montage of children appeared at the start of Netflix drama Adolescence's second episode Top Boy actor Ashley Walters takes on the role of DI Luke Bascombe in hit series Adolescence Co-stars and critics alike have praised Owen Cooper - pictured, right, with Stephen Graham) An 'eerie' montage of children appeared on screen as the second episode of Netflix hit series Adolescence began. The children are actors from the show but their inclusion has prompted speculation online about what could be the meaning of the pictures. A commenter on Reddit asked: 'Does anyone know the meaning behind the pictures of the kids in the intros for Adolescence? I found it so eerie with the soundtrack but I cant see how they link to the actual show.' Responses included suggestions such as: 'I think its supposed to highlight the innocence of children and how vulnerable they are to corruption and manipulation.' Another viewer posted: 'The writer wanted to depict a series of crimes that happened in England where young boys were going around stabbing young girls. 'I believe that those photos are photos of the victims and perpetrators from real life.' Stephen Graham's actress and producer wife Hannah Walters (right) is seen appearing in Adolescence in a scene with Fatima Bojang (left) Stephen Graham (left) and Hannah Walters (right), pictured here at a special screening for Adolescence in London on March 12, met while training as actors and married in 2008 Hannah and Stephen's romance began not on a Hollywood set, but in the draughty drama halls of Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance, in Sidcup, Kent Stephen Graham not only starred in both also co-created and co-wrote Adolescence - which also had key involvement both off and on screen by his actress wife Hannah Walters. She plays a pivotal role in their joint production company Matriarch Productions - though many viewers might have missed the fact she had a brief on-screen cameo during the series. The actress and producer, 48, appeared in episode two as Mrs. Bailey - a teacher at Bruntwood Academy who reprimands Katie's grief-stricken best friend Jade, played by Fatima Bojang, for punching Ryan, who was performed by Kaine Davis. The couple's previous collaborations have included the multi-BAFTA-nominated film Boiling Point in 2021, with Hannah both on screen and as executive producer. That movie like each episode of Adolescence - was filmed in one single take. Graham and Walters first met when training as actors as Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance in Sidcup, Kent, and wed in 2008. Chuck Schumer isn't backing off defending his decision to vote for the Republican's budget bill despite widespread condemnation from his party and calls for him to step down from Democratic leadership. The Democrat's Senate leader joined a small group in the party last week who voted for the GOP spending bill to avert a government shutdown. Schumer defended the decision, claiming that his party has no leverage and warning a shutdown would 'allow DOGE to shift into overdrive' and give President Donald Trump 'the keys to the city, state and country.' Still, his reasoning wasn't enough to dissuade furious members of his party from launching an all-out war of words against the Democratic leader. The 74-year-old lawmaker says he is not repeating the mistakes of former President Joe Biden, who refused for months to step aside when Democrats were worried about his viability for reelection. He rejects any claims that he is no longer on the pulse of the party and that his vote was intentional and out of conviction to stop something worse from happening than a government shut down. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is facing increased calls to step down but he's not folding to the pressure Schumer says he voted to avoid the government shutdown because he doesn't want to hand total executive powers to President Donald Trump and DOGE leader Elon Musk to allow their cuts to go even further 'Leader Schumer, are you feeling pressure to step down?' NBC Meet the Press host Kristen Welker asked the Senate Minority Leader. 'Look, I'm not stepping down,' the New York Democrat insisted. 'And let me just say this, Kristen I knew when I cast my vote against the government shutdown that it would be that there would be a lot of controversy. And there was.' 'But let me tell you and your audience why I did it, why I felt it was so important,' he went on. Schumer then listed how a shutdown would be '20 times worse' than passing the GOP-backed continuing resolution bill, which keeps the government funded for the next six months and averts a shutdown. He said that Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) would end SNAP, gut mass transit and eliminate Medicaid, Social Security and veterans benefits. 'Under a shutdown, the Executive Branch has sole power to determine what is, 'essential.' And they can determine without any court supervision,' Schumer detailed. 'The courts have ruled it's solely up to the executive what to shut down. With Musk, and DOGE, and Trump, and this guy [Russell] Vought as the head OMB, they would eviscerate the federal government.' He said that under a shutdown, DOGE and Trump would be emboldened by how the federal government is able to survive and operate for that short period of time with limited staff and agencies. While it's true that there are select essential services, agencies, departments and staff that work through a shutdown, it's a temporary accommodation when budgets do not pass on time and usually leads to a massive backlog once it fully reopens. Schumer claims that Musk and Trump would give more tax breaks to their billionaire friends while cutting what Democrats claim are essential government services funded by taxpayer dollars. 'It would [be] devastating,' the leader said. 'There's no off-ramp. Who determines how long the shutdown would last? Only those evil people at the top of the Executive Branch in the Trump administration.' Schumer told NBC Meet the Press host Kristen Welker on Sunday that he is not repeating the mistakes of former President Joe Biden by refusing to fold to pressure to step down Schumer has been under fire since Thursday when he announced on the Senate floor he would vote for the Republican House spending bill to avert the government shutdown Schumer's actions have led to calls from Democrats for him to be primaries by someone even more progressive like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). But with a Democratic Party already struggling with relatability and identity among the American voting bloc, others are warning not to go even further left. As the 2026 midterms approach, Democrats are concerns that if they lean more into the progressive movement of the party they will be hard pressed to win back a majority in either the House or the Senate. Schumer has served in the Senate since 1999 and in a variety of leadership roles within the party since the early 2000s. Before that, he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for New York's 9th, 10th and 16th districts at different times between 1981 and 1999. More recently in his career, Schumer was instrumental in urging Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race when Democrats felt he could no longer beat Trump and that he didn't have the 'fight' in him to lead the party any more. 'I've had conversations with Democrats, Leader Schumer, who say this moment feels very similar,' Welker divulged in her Sunday interview on Meet the Press. 'Are you making the same mistake that President Biden did?' He shot back: 'No, absolutely not. I did this out of conviction.' 'In my caucus, we have a disagreement as to, you know, some people voted one way, some people voted the other,' he added. 'But we've all agreed to respect each other because each side saw why the other side felt so strongly about it. And our caucus is united in fighting Donald Trump every step of the way.' 'It was a vote of principle, you know?' he added. 'Sometimes when you're a leader, you have to do things to avoid a real danger that might come down the curve.' 'I did it out of pure conviction as to what a leader should do and what the right thing for America and my party was. People disagree.' The View hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin took aim at Schumer during his appearance on the show last week for backing the Republican bill In addition to Schumer, nine other Democrats voted to advance the continuing resolution bill. This includes Sens. Dick Durbin (ill.), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), John Fetterman (Penn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.), Gary Peters (Mich.), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) and Angus King, a Maine independent who caucuses with Democrats. Only Shaheen and King voted yes on the underlying funding bill. Cortez Masto echoed Schumer's concerns about handing Trump and Musk more power to gut the federal government. She also noted that a shutdown would place thousands of federal workers on unpaid furlough in the meantime. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was the only Republican who voted in opposition of both the procedural and final votes for the funding bill. Elon Musk has been mercilessly mocked online after footage emerged of the billionaire playing with his cutlery during an exclusive dinner with President Donald Trump. The Tesla CEO and Trump's newly-appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency was captured on video balancing eating utensils on his fingertip while seated next to the President at his Mar-a-Lago estate. In the clip, which has gone viral across multiple platforms, Musk appears completely absorbed in his silverware balancing act while Trump engages in conversation with other guests at the lavish Florida gathering on March 15. The footage shows the tech mogul, 53, intently focused on the strange utensil trick and seemingly showing off his 'skills' to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt who appears to be awkwardly observing. He is seated alongside Shivon Zilis, director of his Neuralink company and mother to four of his children - who seems unamused by her baby father's shenanigans as Sinead O'Connor's 'Nothing Compares 2 U' plays in the background. The videographer can be heard in the background saying: 'Elon, what the heck are you doing?' In another clip of the same moment, the video pans to reveal Trump seated to Musk's right while the billionaire continues his cutlery balancing trick. Musk later clarified on X, formerly Twitter, that 'A fork and two spoons balanced on the tip of my finger.' The footage shows Musk, 53, seemingly showing off his utensil trick to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt who appears to be awkwardly observing. He is seated next to Shivon Zilis, mother to four of his children - who seems unamused by his shenanigans In the clip, initially shared by @DaoKwonDo on X which has gone viral across multiple platforms, Musk appears completely absorbed in his silverware balancing act while Trump engages in conversation with other guests at the lavish Florida gathering on March 15 'I also did that kind of thing when I was 5,' one user replied to his post. Social media users have been ruthless in their assessment of the bizarre behavior, with one Twitter user writing: 'I bet this hits so hard if you're seven.' Another user commented: 'The dude's so weird,' with many other echoing the sentiment. 'He probably thinks this makes him look like an engineer,' one chimed in. Another commenter said: 'He's hoping someone will pay attention to him. 'Hey! That looks neat! Man, you're so cool!' It's so painfully transparent.' 'Me at 6 years old' another joked. According to reports, the seats allegedly went for a staggering $1 million contribution per guest. This is not the first time Elon's mental state has been called into question - with many hoping that he would tone down the antics and act with a little decorum now that he is in the White House fold. Musk has admitted regularly using ketamine, a horse tranquiliser and powerful anaesthetic that's become popular among recreational drug users for its hallucinogenic side-effects and the trance-like state it produces. Musk has said he gets it on prescription from 'an actual, real doctor', even though in the US, it is a controlled substance and is only approved by the federal government as an anaesthetic. Experts say the drug can lead to unpredictable behaviour and that, at higher doses, disassociation, a condition in which the user feels detached from their body and surroundings. On top of that, Elon is an uber-workaholic who happily sleeps in his office. A 2023 biography revealed he would sometimes get so over-stressed he would stay awake all night and end up vomiting with anxiety. His already heavy workload as the boss of various companies including car maker Tesla, rocket manufacturer SpaceX and his social media platform has been increased by his government work. Donald Trump admitted that potential conflicts of interest prevent him from showing Elon Musk the Pentagon 's plans for a hypothetical war with China The president disputed claims by the 'fake news' that Musk was being allowed a glimpse at plans for a hypothetical battle ahead of the 'First Buddy' being invited to the Pentagon on Friday This comes as Trump admitted that potential conflicts of interest prevent him from showing Musk the Pentagon's plans for a hypothetical war with China. The president disputed claims by the 'fake news' that Musk was being allowed a glimpse at plans for a hypothetical battle ahead of the 'First Buddy' being invited to the Pentagon on Friday. The head of the Department of Government Efficiency even suggested he was going to hunt down the 'leakers' who suggested he was getting a look at top secret plans. Trump held a press conference with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Friday where he was asked why Musk wouldn't just be shown such information. 'Certainly, you wouldn't show it to a businessman who is helping us so much, paying a big price for helping us cut costs... but Elon has businesses in China and he would be susceptible to that.' He ultimately said that Musk's visit was to do with finding potential 'waste, fraud and abuse' at the Pentagon. Trump also suggested he wants as few people as possible to see plans for a war he doesn't want to ever happen. 'I don't want to show it to anybody, you're talking about a potential war with China. I deal with these people all the time. I don't want anybody seeing potential war with China.' The Pentagon will subject staffers to lie detector tests to weed out anyone leaking to the media. The Department of Defense said it plans to use polygraph tests in a memo published on Friday. It comes after a report appeared in the New York Times, that stated that Department of Government Efficiency lead Elon Musk would be briefed on any plans in the event of a war with China. President Trump refuted the claims, stating that he would not show the plans, 'to anybody'. Musk did then meet Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for an hour on Friday. Despite disavowing the report, the Pentagon has decided to look inward for the possible leak. 'The use of polygraphs in the execution of this investigation will be in accordance with applicable law and policy,' DOD Chief of Staff Joe Kasper wrote. 'This investigation will commence immediately and culminate in a report to the Secretary of Defense.' The Pentagon will subject staffers to lie detector tests to weed out anyone leaking to the media. Pictured: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth It comes after reports emerged in the New York Times which said President Trump would brief Elon Musk on any plans in the event of war with China The president denied the reports, although Hegseth did meet with Musk on Friday Kasper added that anyone found in violation of the strict secrecy requirements would be criminally prosecuted. It comes after the Department of State announced it would be asking staffers about leaks to the media during polygraph tests. 'We have identified two leakers of information here at the Department of Homeland Security who have been telling individuals about our operations and putting law enforcement lives in jeopardy,' Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a video on X earlier this month. 'We plan to prosecute these two individuals and hold them accountable for what they've done.' The Department of Justice also announced its own probe in to leaks after reports emerged in the New York Times about its use of the Alien Enemies Proclamation ostensibly to tackle the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. 'We will not tolerate politically motivated efforts by the Deep State to undercut President Trump's agenda by leaking false information onto the pages of their allies at the New York Times,' Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said. 'The Alien Enemies Proclamation is supported by fact, law, and common sense, which we will establish in court and then expel the TDA terrorists from this country.' Legal experts have raised concerns over the use of the 18th-century wartime law to deport hundreds of immigrants, most of them Venezuelans, to a prison in El Salvador has led to a showdown with the judiciary. The DoD said the use of polygraph tests would be, 'be in accordance with applicable law and policy' Human rights advocates say the proclamation has been used to target ordinary Venezuelans who have no links to the gang. The proclamation issued by Trump argued that the wartime law applied because the gang that originated in Venezuela is 'perpetrating an invasion' of the United States. Most lawyers have dismissed that argument and noted that the government has not produced evidence to prove the men are gang members. The men were flown out of the US before they could meet with their attorneys. A row over what really lies underneath the Pyramids of Giza has exploded, after one of Egypt's top ancient history experts slammed claims that there is an 'underground city' beneath them was 'fake news.' A team of Italian researchers claimed they uncovered giant vertical shafts wrapped in 'spiral staircases' and a massive limestone platform containing two enormous chambers with descending channels resembling pipelines. During a news briefing released last week, the researchers said a water system had been identified beneath the platform, located more than 2,100 feet below the Khafre Pyramid, with underground pathways leading even deeper into the earth. The team used radar pulses to create high-resolution images deep into the ground beneath the structures, the same way sonar radar is used to map the depths of the ocean. But the claims were harshly dismissed by Dr. Dr Zahi Hawass, Egypt's foremost expert on the ancient world, who told The National they were 'completely wrong' and lacking any scientific basis. He said: 'The claim of using radar inside the pyramid is false, and the techniques employed are neither scientifically approved nor validated.' The Italian team believes there is 'an entire hidden world of many structures' more than 2,000 feet below the water system 'When we magnify the images [in the future], we will reveal that beneath it lies what can only be described as a true underground city,' said Corrado Malanga from Italy's University of Pisa in a statement translated to English. A view of Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the seven wonders of the world, in Cairo, Egypt on February 25, 2025 A team of Italian researchers claimed they uncovered giant vertical shafts wrapped in 'spiral staircases' and a massive limestone platform containing two enormous chambers with descending channels resembling pipelines The claims were harshly dismissed by Dr. Dr Zahi Hawass, Egypt's foremost expert on the ancient world Your browser does not support iframes. The scientists' work, which has not been peer-reviewed by independent researchers, has also suggested that 'the Pyramid of Khafre might conceal undiscovered secrets, notably the fabled Hall of Records.' The Hall of Records is a legendary concept often linked to ancient Egyptian lore. It is believed to be a hidden chamber beneath the Great Pyramid or the Sphinx, containing vast amounts of lost wisdom and knowledge about the ancient civilization. Hawass was backed up by Professor Lawrence Conyers, a radar expert at the University of Denver who focuses on archaeology, who told DailyMail.com that it is not possible for the technology to penetrate that deeply into the ground, making the idea of an underground city 'a huge exaggeration.' However, he suggested that it is conceivable small structures, such as shafts and chambers, may exist beneath the pyramids, having been there before the pyramids were built, because the site was 'special to ancient people He highlighted how 'the Mayans and other peoples in ancient Mesoamerica often built pyramids on top of the entrances to caves or caverns that had ceremonial significance to them.' The work by Malanga, Filippo Biondi from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, and Egyptologist Armando Mei was previously discussed only in an in-person briefing in Italy. The project's spokesperson, Nicole Ciccolo, shared a new video of them discussing the research that has yet to be published in a scientific journal, where they would need to be analyzed by independent experts. The team focused on the Khafre pyramid, one of three pyramids of the Giza complex. The other two are Khufu and Menkaure. The team claimed they discovered eight cylinder-shaped structures below the Khafre, which travel more than 2,100 feet below the pyramid's base. They identified spiral structures on the sides of the shafts Pictured is a scan of the shafts underneath the pyramid. The vertical shafts are about 33 to 39 feet in diameter, located at a depth of at least 2,130 feet. The team suggested that the structure could be supporting the pyramid During the press briefing, the team explained that they sent radar signals from two satellites, positioned about 420 miles above Earth, into the Khafre Pyramid, allowing them to analyze how the signals bounced back. Pictured are hidden structures identified inside the pyramid The team claims this scan shows a 'vast city' hiding beneath the pyramid (shown in luminous colors) All three were built 4,500 years ago on a rocky plateau on the west bank of the Nile River in northern Egypt, and were constructed in the name of a pharaoh. The vertical shafts identified underneath Khafre were about 33 to 39 feet in diameter, located at a depth of at least 2,130 feet. The team suggested that the structures could be supporting the pyramid. 'We did calculations and saw that the Khafre Pyramid is incredibly heavy, and to hold it up, it needs a solid foundation. Otherwise, it will sink,' Malanga said. Ciccolo also noted that the cylinder structures appeared 'to serve as access points to this underground system.' Donald Trump's Middle East envoy and key peace negotiator has mocked Keir Starmer's peacekeeping plan for Ukraine as 'Churchill-like posing' and praised Putin as 'super-smart'. Steve Witkoff, 68, criticised Britain and France's plan to send peacekeepers to Ukraine in order to prevent another Russian invasion if a ceasefire agreement is made. The envoy, who is a billionaire property developer with no diplomatic experience, said: 'I think there's this sort of notion of, we've all got to be like Winston Churchill.' Speaking to former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson on his YouTube channel, Mr Witkoff said peace could be achieved through diplomacy instead of fighting to the end. He has been representing the US in visits to Moscow as part of Mr Trump's efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine. During the interview, Witkoff regurgitated multiple Russian claims, including calling Ukraine 'a false country' and asked when the world would recognise occupied Ukrainian territory as Russian. One of Mr Witkoff's key beliefs is that Putin has already got what he wanted in Ukraine. He said he thought it was 'preposterous' that Putin wanted to 'march across Europe' - despite the Russian leader saying he wanted to do exactly that. Steve Witkoff, 68, criticised Britain and France 's plan to send peacekeepers to Ukraine in order to prevent another Russian invasion if a ceasefire agreement is made Donald Trump 's Middle East envoy and key peace negotiator has mocked Keir Starmer 's peacekeeping plan for Ukraine as 'Churchill-like posing' and praised Putin as 'super-smart' Emmanuel Macron, Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky and other officials attend the European leaders' summit to discuss European security and Ukraine, at Lancaster House in London on March 2 Putin has said he wishes to bring back the Russian Empire and roll back Nato from Eastern Europe to return Moscow's influence to the Soviet-era. Despite this, Witkoff said: 'Why would they want to absorb Ukraine? For what purpose? They don't need to absorb Ukraine. 'They've gotten, they've reclaimed these five regions. They have Crimea, and they've gotten what they want. So why do they need more? 'Putin is a very smart guy... He's a super smart guy.' He appeared to mix up Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, with the Eastern territories of Ukraine occupied since the 2022 invasion. Mr Witkoff said of the Russia-controlled territory: 'The elephant in the room is there are constitutional issues in Ukraine as to what they can concede to, with regard to giving up territory. 'The Russians are de facto in control of these territories. 'The question is, will the world acknowledge that those are Russian territories? Can Zelensky survive politically if he acknowledges this?' Ukrainian rescuers working at the site of an overnight drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 23 amid the ongoing Russian invasion Steve Witkoff (pictured) was labelled 'a disgrace' and 'out of his depth' over his comments about Ukraine giving up its territory Last week Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle to a limited ceasefire after Mr Putin had rejected a 30-day full ceasefire Mr Witkoff, a friend of Mr Trump's, was appointed as Middle East envoy but has since visited Russia twice to negotiate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Describing Russia as 'reclaiming' the five regions is incorrect as they are in fact part of Ukraine. Putin's armies do not fully control the five entire regions as they were halted in their tracks by the Ukrainian army in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kherson. Ukrainian soldiers have held off the Russian army by pioneering drone warfare and killing up to 250,000 of Putin's men. Mr Witkoff floundered even just trying to name the five regions of Ukraine either annexed or partially occupied by Russian forces. He said: 'The largest issue in that conflict are these so-called four regions, Donbas, Crimea, you know the names and there are two others.' The five regions - or oblasts - are Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Crimea. Donbas refers to an industrial region in the east which includes much of Luhansk and Donetsk. He also said the regions were 'Russian-speaking' and that 'there have been referendums where the majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule'. His comment refers to Kremlin-organised votes six months after Russia's invasion in 2022, not recognised by Western countries and denounced as a sham. Mr Trump's envoy praised Putin and even told Tucker Carlson he 'liked' the Russian leader. 'I don't regard Putin as a bad guy. He's super smart,' he said. After meeting him just 10 days ago, Mr Witkoff said Putin had been 'gracious' and 'straight up' with him. He said the Russian president told him he had prayed for Mr Trump after his assassination attempt last year. Liberal Democrat Sarah Green (pictured), who is on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine, said: 'Witkoff doesn't care about Ukraine's sovereignty. He's more comfortable repeating Putin's propaganda than supporting Ukraine's heroic fighters and civilians' Donald Trump's special envoy has been accused of 'regurgitating Kremlin propaganda' and told to apologise to Ukraine's people He also said Putin had presented him with a portrait of the US president by a Russian artist, which Mr Witkoff then delivered to him. 'He was touched by it,' he said. 'This is the kind of connection that we've been able to re-establish, through, by the way, a simple word called communication. 'President Putin had commissioned a beautiful portrait of President Trump, from the leading Russian artist, and asked me to take it home to Mr Trump. 'It was such a gracious moment, and [he] told me his story about how when the President was shot, he went to his local church and met with his priest and prayed for the President. 'Not because he was the President of the United [States]... but because he had a friendship and he was praying for his friend.' Mr Witkoff was labelled 'a disgrace' and 'out of his depth' by MPs over his comments about Ukraine giving up its territory. Labour MP Neil Coyle said: 'Many people in Florida and Texas speak Spanish but it would be idiotic and offensive to claim that they belong to Spain. Ukrainian territory belongs to the Ukrainian state alone.' Liberal Democrat Sarah Green, who is on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine, said: 'Witkoff doesn't care about Ukraine's sovereignty. He's more comfortable repeating Putin's propaganda than supporting Ukraine's heroic fighters and civilians.' Labour MP Neil Coyle (pictured) said: 'Many people in Florida and Texas speak Spanish but it would be idiotic and offensive to claim that they belong to Spain . Ukrainian territory belongs to the Ukrainian state alone' Dr Bob Seely (pictured), a former Tory MP and author of an upcoming book on Russian warfare, said: 'Witkoff is very clearly out of his depth and breathtakingly ill-informed' And Dr Bob Seely, a former Tory MP and author of an upcoming book on Russian warfare, said: 'Witkoff is very clearly out of his depth and breathtakingly ill-informed. He doesn't know the names of the areas that he's talking about. 'Saying the Ukrainian people want to be part of Russia it is an absolute disgrace. 'He makes no mention or recognition of the fact that in territories occupied by Russia the treatment of the Ukrainian citizens, whatever language they speak, has been appalling. 'This man is simply regurgitating Kremlin propaganda. He should apologise to Ukrainians, and maybe talk to some Ukrainians who are dealing with the aftermath of the Russian invasion.' Dr Seely said: 'The Russian negotiating team is highly professional and their tactics are very aggressive and controlled. 'But you have these hotshot property guys walking into a world they just don't understand. 'Ukraine has been invaded twice, in 2014 and 2022. No one in the occupied regions was given a choice, just the military oppression of the Russian State.' Last week Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle to a limited ceasefire after Mr Putin had rejected a 30-day full ceasefire. Mr Witkoff's comments come after US Vice President JD Vance insulted dead British soldiers by describing the UK as 'some random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years.' The US is set to hold separate talks in Saudi Arabia with Ukraine and Russia about a ceasefire during planned meetings across Sunday and Monday. Ahead of those talks, Ukrainian authorities said Russia had launched drone attacks on Kyiv overnight in which three people died, including a five-year-old child. Officials said that eight people had been injured. Russia also killed a family of three on Friday when they struck the southern city of Zaporizhzhia. On Sunday, Russia's ministry of defence said it had shot down 59 Ukrainian drones across a various regions in the south as well as in Crimea. The Estonian government has announced a 100 million military aid package for Ukraine. This was reported by the Estonian Ministry of Defense. The assistance was formed by transferring a list of necessary equipment to Tallinn, which will be purchased from Estonian defense companies. The list includes unmanned aerial vehicles, land and sea drones, medical equipment, and other equipment manufactured in Estonia. Do YOU have a story? The multi-millionaire founder of Pret A Manger has already received three points on his driving licence for speeding - a few weeks after getting it back after a six-month ban. Julian Metcalfe, 65, sold the business for 364million and went on to establish another High Street success - Japanese fast food giant Itsu. The Old Harrovian, who splits his time between a manor house in Oxfordshire and a property in South Kensington, appeared at City of London Magistrates' Court. He pleaded guilty to driving his 120,000 black three-litre hybrid electric Mercedes Benz over the speed limit in Upper Thames Street, near Southwark Bridge, on September 1 last year. Prosecutor PC Steven Reid told the court it was 1.44pm when Metcalfe was caught on a speed camera driving at 29mph in a 20mph zone. Ironically, the following day Metcalfe appeared at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court, where he was disqualified for six months after receiving six penalty points for using his mobile phone while driving. Julian Metcalfe, 65, has appeared at City of London Magistrates' Court (pictured) Metcalfe sold Pret A Manger for 364million and went on to establish another High Street success - Japanese fast food giant Itsu Metcalfe was caught on a speed camera driving at 29mph in a 20mph zone That brought him to a total of twelve penalty points - triggering an automatic six-month ban under the totting regulations that only expired around the beginning of this month. 'He has totted so now has a clean licence,' said PC Reid. 'The previous offence was when he was caught using a mobile phone so he totted out then. 'So, Mr Metcalfe, as far as I can see, has a clean licence.' Metcalfe, who was unrepresented and wore a dark grey suit, blue shirt and gold-coloured tie did not address the magistrates. Bench Chair Simon Mansfield announced that Metcalfe would be fined 146, with 110 costs and ordered him to pay a 58 victim surcharge. He also received three penalty points. 'I can pay that today,' said father-of-three Metcalfe, who co-founded Pret A Manger in 1984 with college friend Sinclair Beecham and sold it in 2018. His grandfather Edward was best man to newly-abdicated Edward VIII at his marriage to Wallis Simpson. A baby bassinet company sparked outrage after allegedly demanding its product back following the death of an influencer's newborn child, as she was left unable to 'deliver content.' Influencer Brooklyn Larsen unexpectedly lost her newborn baby boy Rocky in November of last year, however, beforehand she had received a $1700 SNOO bassinet from Happiest Baby, arranging to create content featuring the item. Now, the brand has faced backlash from social media users berating the company for their allegedly insensitive handling of their partnership with the influencer. 'Boycott Happiest Baby. Case closed,' one user commented. 'Telling her management "Hey, we will take it back if having it there is too much on her" is different than demanding it back 6 times lmao they messed up and now they're doing damage control,' another said. Brooklyn's sister, Kenna Bangerter, posted on Instagram that she was 'super disappointed' in the brand during the 'unimaginable time' her sister is experiencing. 'Namely @happiest_baby - who sent my sister a baby bassinet after my sister said she would tag them in content with her newborn baby. after sending an email regarding the content she wasn't able to send - because her baby passed away - they demanded she send the bassinet back. the empty bassinet, still sitting next to her bed,' Bangerter wrote. The influencer's sister claimed the brand demanded the bassinet back because she didn't 'deliver the content.' Influencer Brooklyn Larsen unexpectedly lost her newborn baby boy Rocky in November of last year, however, beforehand she had received a bassinet from Happiest Baby who then allegedly demanded the SNOO back 'Namely @happiest_baby - who sent my sister a baby bassinet after my sister said she would tag them in content with her newborn baby. after sending an email regarding the content she wasn't able to send - because her baby passed away - they demanded she send the bassinet back. the empty bassinet, still sitting next to her bed,' Bangerter wrote Now, the brand has faced backlash from social media users berating the company for their allegedly insensitive handling of their partnership with the influencer. 'Boycott Happiest Baby. Case closed,' one user commented 'I want you to think about why she couldn't deliver the content. I'm absolutely disgusted by a BABY brand who promotes support for moms & babies - that doesn't have the decency to give her the space to grieve the bassinet she never got to fill,' Bangerter continued. 'It's all business for brands like these, you know? I used & have promoted this company for years & now I feel regretful I ever did,' she added, praising companies who have supported her sister despite being unable to deliver content during her grief. The brand commented a statement on Instagram and said: 'We were devastated to learn of Rocky's passing. In December we sent flowers to Brooklyn's home, and shared our condolences in a note to her manager (with whom we communicated). Content was never a consideration, and at no time did we mention anything about content or obligations since her loss. 'We offered her team (not her directly, to respect her privacy) to set up a courier pickup to help alleviate a potentially painful trigger. In our experience, some grieving families prefer to have certain items removed from their homes. 'Our entire mission is to support families, and it pains us to know that Brooklyn's experience with us did not reflect that. We have apologized directly to Brookyln for any additional hurt we may have caused. The well-being of families is and always will be out utmost priority.' However, Bangerter commented on a TikTok video and claimed, 'SIX e-mails demanding the bassinet back isn't an offer...' One user commented on TikTok that the company's 'apology' was 'basically saying the sister is lying and overreacting.' 'Some people may want to remove things when they grieve, but if she wanted to remove/return it, Im sure she would have told the company. they should have let her make that decision, not made it for her,' another said. Brooklyn's sister, Kenna Bangerter, posted on Instagram that she was 'super disappointed' in the brand during the 'unimaginable time' her sister is experiencing. The influencer's sister claimed the brand demanded the bassinet back because she didn't 'deliver the content' Another user wrote: 'I'm sorry 6 EMAILS? 6??? all bc they "wanted to help remove potential triggers for her" like they would know how she was feeling??' 'As someone who lost a child this is so wrong I still have ALL my daughter[s] stuff untouched not all grieving parents get rid of stuff after passing,' another wrote. Brooklyn posted on Instagram a series of photos and a long heartfelt message of her baby boy Rocky's funeral. 'Two months without our boy, Rocky. Two months of sleepless nights and more tears than Ive ever cried. Two months spent wondering what milestones he wouldve hit by now and how many rolls hed have on his precious body,' Brooklyn wrote. 'Two months of trying to explain to Rome why his little brother passed just hours before he was in my arms, while still grappling with that reality myself. Two months of asking, why us? Why him? The ache hasnt gotten any lighter.' Happiest Baby commented with two white hearts, which one user responded with, 'a heart but send the bassinet back? shame shame on you guys.' A Marine veteran and federal air marshal has been accused of scamming $70,000 worth of flights by faking military deployments. Dior Jay-Jarett, 29, used his job as an airline baggage handler to snag 130 flights after claiming military leave, according to prosecutors. They claim the alleged scheme allowed him to jet first class to the likes of London, Las Vegas and Dublin, as well as travel standard class to Mexico and the Caribbean. Prosecutors claim The New York City native then bragged on Facebook about a trip to Cabo San Lucas at the airline's expense. 'Out of the 13 countries I have visited this year so far, this has been my favorite solo trip,' a post apparently from his Facebook account reads. Jay-Jarett finagled the flights and time off work by showing the airline fake deployment documents signed by a retired military official, according to a newly unsealed criminal complaint. The filing states that Jay-Jarrett conducted the scam between 2021 and 2024, first starting just a week after he completed his baggage handling training with the unnamed airline. Jay-Jarett was on active duty with the US Marine Corps from December 2013 until November 2022, when he was medically retired at the rank of Staff Sergeant. Marine veteran and federal air marshal Dior Jay-Jarett, 29, has been accused of scamming $70,000 worth of flights by faking military deployments Prosecutors say this Facebook post shows Jay-Jarett bragging about a trip to Mexico which was taken after he made up a fake military deployment However, he failed to inform his employers about his retirement, prosecutors claim. 'By remaining on supposed long-term military leave at Airline-1, Jay-Jarett remained entitled to travel benefits including the ability to take unlimited, free flights on Airline-1, alongside ticketed family members or travel companions,' the complaint reads. During his time with the airline, he also picked up work as as a Loss Prevention Lead at a sporting goods store and US air marshal while on military leave from his airline position. 'I believe Jay-Jarrett may have maintained an extended military leave at Retailer-1 in order to benefit from the stores employee discount,' Special Agent Aaron Greenberg said. 'Because Jay-Jarrett continuously worked multiple, fulltime, and higher-paying jobs between 2021 and the present, I believe he never intended to actually begin work as a baggage handler at Airline-1.' Greenberg asserts that Jay-Jarett also used his expired military status and work as a federal air marshal to jump the line and carry a handgun through airport security. He allegedly became worried after he was stopped by a TSA agent who expressed concern. 'Later that day, Jay-Jarett texted his girlfriend that I think I just walked into a trap, explaining that he had been asked to provide Airline-1 with the paperwork he had completed,' the complaint states. ay-Jarett, 29, used his job as an airline baggage handler to snag 130 flights to places including Mexico (pictured) after claiming military leave, according to prosecutors They claim the alleged scheme allowed him to jet first class to the likes of London , Las Vegas and Dublin, as well as travel standard class to Mexico and the Caribbean among others. Pictured: An image taken from a post where the accused bragged about one such trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 'I understand these messages to indicate, in sum and substance, that Jay-Jarett feared that any subsequent Airline-1 investigation would inevitably discover that Jay-Jarett was actually working fulltime as a Federal Air Marshal and was not in fact deployed with the Marine Corps or eligible for military leave from Airline-1.' The complaint also details how the accused allegedly became evasive when his girlfriend sent him text messages questioning the excessive air travel. Jay-Jarett admitted to failing to notify the airline he had retired and to falsifying military records, the complaint states. He is charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A group of fringe anti-Zionist Israeli activists have burned the country's flag during a pro-Palestine march through London. The Neturei Karta were seen leading a column of protestors through central London today during the annual during the annual al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) rally in support of the Palestinian people. A group of the protestors were spotted holding up the white-and-blue flag before setting it alight. The group, made up of Hasidic Jews, held signs at the protest that read 'Jews worldwide condemn unending Israeli brutality' and 'Judaism condemns the state of Israel and its atrocities', among many others. This isn't the first time the group has caused outrage. Last week, a mass of Orthodox yeshiva students an Israeli-government funded school were condemned for singing songs in which they refused to join Israel's army. It comes after Hamas confirmed Sunday that one of its senior leaders has been killed alongside his wife in southern Gaza. Salah al-Bardawil, 65, and his wife were killed in a camp in al-Mawasi, near Khan Yunis, according to the Palestinian Islamist movement. He is the third member of the political bureau to be killed since Israel resumed air strikes on Tuesday, after Yasser Harb and Essam al-Dalis, the head of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip. Bardawil, born in the Khan Yunis refugee camp, joined Hamas when it was founded in 1987, serving as a spokesman before rising through the ranks and being elected to the political bureau in 2021. A group of fringe anti-Zionist Israeli activists have burned the country's flag during a pro-Palestine march through London A group of the protestors were spotted holding up the white-and-blue flag before setting it alight The group, made up of Hasidic Jews, held signs at the protest that read 'Jews worldwide condemn unending Israeli brutality' and 'Judaism condemns the state of Israel and its atrocities' He spoke against security cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, and supported armed struggle against Israel. Detained by Israel in 1993 and interrogated for 70 days, according to Hamas, Bardawil was also arrested several times by the security forces of the Palestinian Authority. In the flare-up since last week, Hamas has also announced the deaths of interior ministry head Mahmud Abu Watfa, and Bahjat Abu Sultan, the director general of the Internal Security Services. Hamas sources said on Sunday that Mohammed Hassan al-Amur, the bodyguard of slain leader Yahya Sinwar, was killed in an overnight strike on his home in Khan Yunis. Three teenagers were arrested after a gang of youths crashed a birthday party at a school and stabbed two teenagers. It has been reported that more than 50 youths armed with knives and machetes ran into Elm Park Primary School's hall, in Havering, Essex, at around 9pm on Saturday. The fighting allegedly lasted until 11pm before three teenagers were arrested on suspicion of assaulting emergency workers. The police also confirmed that two teenagers, aged 19 and 16, were taken to hospital with non-life threatening knife injuries. While the officers who clashed with the youths were treated at the scene by the London Ambulance Service. Footage from the scene shows dozens of children fleeing the hall screaming, as individuals at the back of the room can be seen raising weapons above their heads. One local resident told the Havering Daily: 'It was total chaos. We saw between 40-50 youths, running through the streets. 'We think they had knives as they were seen dropping weapons in people's drive ways and running away. Three teenagers were arrested last night after a gang of youths crashed a party inside a school hall and stabbed two teenagers Scenes from outside the school where children were spotting fleeing onto the street outside 'They were attacking the police and there were so many of them that the police had to just disperse them. We couldn't believe what we saw. They were all aged 16 and over and they were not from here. 'Our road is normally so quiet, things like this don't happen here. This is why we are all so shocked at what has happened. 'We saw the police running after the youths, but due to the large number of them, the only choice they had was to disperse them. 'Our road was closed off for ages due to this and we were told that a serious incident had happened.' One mother claimed her daughter, 15, has also been taken to hospital after being attacked on a train by the same mob of youths who ran from the party. Her mother told the Havering Daily: 'She had gone to a party that was supposed to have correct security but it didn't and it all went wrong. 'As she ran scared from the event, she told me the fire exit wasn't accessible and that as she got on the train, other youths followed and more fighting began. 'My daughter was attacked on the train and more fights took place. It was awful. Over a hundred youths got on and they were still fighting and doing gas balloons. My daughter is still in hospital.' More than 50 youths armed with knives and machetes ran into Elm Park Primary School's hall, in Havering, Essex, where a sixteenth birthday party was being hosted at around 9pm on Sunday Around 50 to 60 yobs armed with knives ran into Elm Park Primary School's hall, in Havering, Essex, where a sixteenth birthday party was being hosted at around 9pm on Sunday A Met Police spokesperson said: 'Police were called shortly after 21:00 on Saturday, 22 March to reports of a fight involving a group on Calbourne Avenue. 'Officers attended before engaging with a number of teenagers who became aggressive toward them. 'Three teenagers were arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault on emergency workers. They were taken to an East London police station. They were bailed to return for questioning later today. 'The officers were treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service medics and do not require hospital treatment. 'Separately, two individuals, including a 16-year old male and a 19-year old male sustained suspected knife injuries and were taken to hospital where their injuries were deemed neither life changing nor life threatening. They continue to assist police with their enquiries 'An investigating into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.' Anyone with information is urged to call 101 or message @MetCC on X, giving the reference 6940/22March. Information, including photos or videos, can also be easily uploaded to our dedicated appeal page. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a snap election - saying he needed a strong mandate to deal with the threat that Donald Trump's tariffs pose to the economy. Unelected Carney, who was made leader of the Canadian Liberal party after Justin Trudeau stepped down, is attempting to sweep the polls and capitalize on the recovery the party has made in recent weeks. The next election was not due until October 20, but it will now go ahead before the end of next month on April 28, Carney announced on Sunday. Carney took a swipe at Trump during the speech - saying that the GOP leader has caused the most significant 'crisis of our lifetimes' and threatened Canadian freedom. This is in relation to Trump's desire to make the country the US's 51st state. 'We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty,' Carney said. 'There is so much more to do to secure Canada. To invest in Canada, to build Canada, to unite Canada. That's why I'm asking for a strong positive mandate from my fellow Canadians. 'I've just requested that the Governor General dissolve Parliament and call an election for April 28th, and she has agreed,' Carney told reporters after the Governor General - the personal representative of King Charles, Canada's head of state - approved his request for an election. Carney, a former two-time central banker with no previous political or election campaign experience, captured the Liberal leadership two weeks ago by persuading party members he was the best person to tackle Trump. Although the next election was not due until October 20, Carney is hoping to capitalize on a remarkable recovery by his Liberal party in the polls since January Carney took a swipe at Trump during the speech - saying that the GOP leader has caused the most significant 'crisis of our lifetimes' and threatened Canadian freedom. This is in relation to Trump's desire to make the country the US's 51st state Now he has five weeks to win over Canadians. Polls suggest the Liberals, who have been in power since 2015 and badly trailed the official opposition Conservatives at the start of the year, are now slightly ahead of their rivals. 'We moved from an election where people wanted change to an election that's really much more about leadership,' said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. 'The ability of the Conservatives to attack the Liberals has been greatly diminished, because people are focused on the here and now and the near term future, not on what happened over the last 10 years,' he said by phone. The Conservatives have sought to portray Carney as an elitist who plans to continue the Trudeau-era policy of high government spending. They also accuse him of being less than clear about how he transferred his personal financial assets into a blind trust. Carney bristled last week when asked about the trust, and accused the reporter asking of engaging in 'conflict and ill will'. The prickly reaction could give hope to the Conservatives that Carney might stumble during what will be his first campaign. Key to any victory will be a good performance in the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec. Carney had trouble at one press conference when asked to respond in French, first misunderstanding the question and then answering in English. Your browser does not support iframes. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, on the other hand, speaks flawless French and is a seasoned politician who has fought seven elections. Laura Stephenson, a politics professor at Western University in the Canadian city of London, said Carney's inexperience might not be that important given the Trump factor. 'There's a different kind of comparison that's being made right between the leaders and what are they going to be able to do,' she said. 'I have a feeling we're going to see a little more grace extended than is usually given to politicians during this campaign.' An online Angus Reid poll of 4,009 people released on Monday put the Liberals on 42 percent public support and the Conservatives on 37 percent. Angus Reid said the margin of error was around 1.5 percent, 19 times out of 20. Second Lady Usha Vance is leading a delegation to Greenland on Thursday. The trip appears to be part of the continued effort from President Donald Trump to purchase the arctic territory from Denmark. In a quick video on the upcoming trip posted to social media, Mrs. Vance said she hopes the U.S.-Greenland relationship 'will only grow stronger' in the future. Those officials joining her on the trek include National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who are both expected to tour a military base in Greenland during their visit. Vance, meanwhile, will be bringing her son to the Avannaata Qimussersu dog sled race during their weekend in Greenland, of which they will return from to the U.S. on Saturday. The second lady also disclosed that the U.S. is a sponsor of the race where 444 dogs and 37 mushers will compete. Usha Vance is leading a delegation to Greenland, where she will spend the weekend and attend a dog sled race amid the Trump administration's efforts to acquire the arctic territory from Denmark Vance and her son are attending the Avannaata Qimussersu national dogsled race in Greenland The official trip without husband and Vice President J.D. Vance follows her solo trip to Italy earlier this month, when she led the U.S. delegation to the Special Olympics World Winter Games. The Greenland visit also comes after the president's eldest son Donald Trump Jr. flew to the capital city of Nuuk to drum up support for his father's offer to buy the autonomous island territory from Denmark. Vance said in her video on the trip that besides the race, she is also 'coming to celebrate the long history of mutual respect and cooperation between our nations, and to express hope that our relationship will only grow stronger in the coming years.' 'I look forward to meeting many of you soon and to learning from you about your beautiful land, culture and traditions,' she concluded. The White House statement on the trip also highlights the relationship, stating: 'Ms. Vance and the delegation are excited to witness this monumental race and celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity.' During Don Jr.'s visit earlier this year, the first son met with pro-Trump Greenlanders. Greenland is rich with natural resources and is a strategic location important for military and national security purposes in the arctic region. With a land mass of 836,330 square miles and a population of only 55,775 as of March 9, 2025, Greenland is the least densely populated country in the world. Denmark has expressed it has no interest in selling its very strategic and natural resource-rich land to the U.S. And Trump has repeatedly said that he would not use force to take it and instead Greenland's people and government would need to decide if they wanted to become part of the U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are both expected to tour a military base in Greenland during their visit with Vance. Pictured: New York Air National Guardsmen conduct a mission with Danish Military in Greenland on November 9, 2021 Donald Trump Jr. visited Nuuk, Greenland in January with a few of President Donald Trump's close allies, including conservative personality Charlie Kirk Don Jr. was greeted by Greenland's pro-Trump residents during his trip meant to drum up support for hjis father's efforts to acquire the autonomous island territory 'As I made clear during my Joint Address to Congress, the United States strongly supports the people of Greenland's right to determine their own future,' Trump wrote on social media earlier this month. 'We will continue to KEEP YOU SAFE, as we have since World War II,' he assured. 'We are ready to INVEST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to create new jobs and MAKE YOU RICH.' But Trump doubled-down on his offer for the island to be brought into the fold of the U.S. 'And, if you so choose, we welcome you to be a part of the Greatest Nation anywhere in the World, the United States of America!' Trump has also expressed interest in taking control of the Panama Canal and making Canada the 51st U.S. state. Members of a car theft gang responsible for stealing nearly 1million worth of vehicles have been jailed after bragging about their crimes on social media. Between 2022 and 2023 the five men targeted luxury SUVs, motorhomes, cars and motorbikes in and around Coventry in the West Midlands. Their offences included car key burglaries and carjackings, with the defendants charged with a total of 47 separate offences. Tyrone Henn, 23, Jason O'Farrell, 20, Deacon Cumberbatch, 19, and Kian O'Shea, 19, were convicted for their parts in the spate of thefts earlier this month. Now, the fifth defendant, Keegan Judge, 18, can be named after a court order restricting his identification was lifted. In total the five thieves stole vehicles worth over 800,000 but were caught after posting some of the purloined cars and motorbikes on their social media accounts. Officers from Coventry Local Policing Area examined hours of mobile phone footage and hundreds of pages of messages the thieves sent to one another during the course of their offending as the team pieced together the identities of those involved. The perpetrators also posted photographs and videos on social media - including shots of a number of stolen vehicles. A shot posted by the Coventry car theft gang on social media showing them in possession of a stolen vehicle Four of the members of the Coventry car theft gang were convicted for their crimes earlier this month: (l-r) Tyrone Henn, 23, Jason O'Farrell, 20, Kian O'Shea, 19, and Deacon Cumberbatch, 19 A fifth defendent Keegan Judge, 18, can now be named after a court order restricting his identification was lifted Messages sent from Henn to the other members of the group were found in which the 22-year-old complained at the low share of the money generated following one of the thefts. Henn complained that splitting 2,000 from a theft five ways only left him with 400 from the group's ill-gotten gains. Throughout their offending, the group even contacted the people whose cars they had taken offering to sell them back. The five were all arrested following extensive enquiries in Coventry throughout 2023 and 2024, with O'Farrell, O'Shea and Judge pleading guilty on the second day of their trial. Cumberbatch originally pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea at court to guilty. Henn also pleaded not guilty, but was convicted on February 12 at Leamington Crown Court. Henn was jailed for 10 years and six months, with a 12 year driving ban and O'Farrell was jailed for 10 years and five months, with a 14 year driving ban. Cumberbatch received six years and nine months, with a 10 year driving ban and O'Shea was handed a three years and nine months jail sentence, with an eight year driving ban. Four of the Coventry thieves pose with stolen motorcycles - shots such as these helped West Midlands Police to track their identities A shot of the thieves' possessions confiscated by police show numerous sets of car keys, scanning devices - and prohibited weapons such as knuckledusters A close-up of the knuckledusters found by police when they raided the car theft gang When police finally raided the gang they found them in possession of scanning devices used to check on a vehicle's vital systems - which may have been used to illegally obtain access The youngest of the men, Judge, was jailed for four years and five months, with a nine year driving ban. Chief Superintendent Paul Drover, commander of Coventry Local Policing Area, said: 'These five young men were among the most wanted offenders in Coventry and were responsible for a staggering amount of offences. 'The thefts, burglaries and carjackings this group carried out had a devastating impact on the victims, not just financially, but mentally. 'During the investigation we really saw how brazen they all were and their casual attitude towards their offending. 'Officers from teams across the Coventry LPA, especially from our Investigations department, played a huge part in identifying and bringing in these five. 'All the officers involved can be rightly proud of the work they have put in to secure this result. 'Taking these five prolific offenders off the streets will send out a strong message about how seriously we take vehicle crime.' Kevin O'Leary has delivered a brutal prediction for people who have taken to the streets to purposely set Teslas ablaze. The outspoken Shark Tank star issued the six-word warning that those who set vehicles alight: 'Will rot in hell in prison.' O'Leary, 70, tore into the criminals responsible for the shocking acts of destruction on Wednesday's episode of 'CNN NewsNight.' 'When you set a car on fire, you should go to jail. You're a criminal,' he said bluntly. 'And I don't think we have to talk about it in any other context,' the business tycoon added. The multi-millionaire entrepreneur showed zero sympathy for the perpetrators and issued a warning to anyone considering joining in on the action. 'All those cars have cameras in them, and those dealerships have cameras. You're beyond being stupid when you do that,' he explained. 'You're going to spend five to 20 years in prison.' He then went on further, suggesting the most severe penalties could apply. Kevin O'Leary, 70, tore into the criminals responsible for the shocking acts of destruction on Wednesday's episode of ' CNN NewsNight' The outspoken Shark Tank star warned those setting electric vehicles alight that they'll 'rot in hell in prison' 'If they get them on terrorism-which I think is a stretch-there will be no parole, no shortened sentence, he said. 'They'll rot in hell in prison for 20 years,' he continued. 'And frankly, as far as I'm concerned, that's okay,' he added. When pressed about potential 'protest' motivations behind the incidents, O'Leary shut down the suggestion immediately. 'What protests? You're a criminal,' he fired back. 'Nothing to do with politics, nothing to do with Tesla.' The businessman's comments come amid increasing reports of Tesla vehicles being targeted by arsonists. Recent surveillance footage that has emerged has captured the perpetrators in the act. There have been more than a dozen acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles, dealerships and charging stations since President Donald Trump's inauguration, according to police and local reports. Four Tesla Cybertrucks were set ablaze overnight at a storage lot in Seattle's industrial SoDo neighborhood. Seattle police are investigating if the blaze was an act of arson Adam Matthew Lansky, 41, was arrested last Tuesday, March 4, after he allegedly threw molotov cocktails at a Tesla showroom in Salem, Oregon, on January 20 A Tesla showroom in Salem, Oregon, was shot at with an AR 15-style rifle in February. Suspected vandal Adam Matthew Lansky, 41, is also accused of causing major damage at the same store with molotov cocktails in January. Similarly, four Tesla Cybertrucks were set ablaze overnight at a storage lot in Seattle's industrial SoDo neighborhood, KING-TV reported. Officials say at least two vehicles were severely damaged in the fire. Last week, a man accidentally set himself on fire while trying to burn down Tesla chargers to protest Musk, according to police. Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, allegedly burned three Tesla chargers in a South Carolina parking lot and also apparently inadvertently set his clothes with Molotov cocktails on fire on March 7. He spray-painted in red 'long live the Ukraine' and 'f**k Trump on the pavement next to the charging stations Friday near an outlet mall in North Charleston, according to police. Clarke-Pounder then ignited an unidentified material stuffed into beer bottles and began to throw the bottles at the stations, police said. Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, set himself on fire while trying to burn down Tesla charges in South Carolina, according to officials Firefighters quickly moved the vehicles from the fence to stop the blaze from spreading. They also took precautions to limit fire hazards caused by the Cybertrucks' damaged lithium batteries While doing so he caught the clothes on his back on fire, then ran from the parking lot, witnesses told police. Fire crews cut power to the charging stations shortly after the attack and no one was injured, per officials. Investigators collected the beer bottles while firefighters cut the power to the chargers and put out the blaze. A California mom has been accused of stabbing her 11-year-old son to death in a hotel room following a Disneyland vacation. Saritha Ramaraju, 48, is charged with murder over the death of Yatin Ramaraju, which took place the day he was supposed to be returned to his father's care. The youngster was found with his throat slashed and several stab wounds to his body inside a room at La Quinta Inn & Suites in Santa Ana on March 19. His mutilated body was discovered surrounded by souvenirs from his trip. Ramaraju had bought three-day passes for Disneyland for herself and her son as part of a custody visit, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. But on the day they were due to check out, police ended up making the grim discovery. Officers were called to the scene at 9.12am after Ramaraju dialed 911 and told the operator she had murdered her son and ingested an unknown substance, according to the DA. Santa Ana police arrived at the motel and arrested Ramaraju on suspicion of murder. Saritha Ramaraju, 48, is charged with murder over the death of Yatin Ramaraju at La Quinta Inn & Suites in Santa Ana She is accused of stabbing her 11-year-old son to death in their hotel room following a Disneyland vacation It appeared her son had been dead for several hours before their arrival, prosecutors said. A large kitchen knife was found inside the motel room which the authorities say was purchased the day before. Ramaraju was taken to the hospital where she was discharged the next day. She was booked into Santa Ana Jail on charges of murder, child endangerment, torture and aggravated mayhem. The DA later announced that Ramaraju is now facing one count of murder and one felony enhancement of personal use of a weapon for the knife. She and her husband divorced in 2018 after she moved out of state. 'The life of a child should not hang in the balance between two parents whose anger for each other outweighs their love for their child,' said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. Investigators said his mutilated body was discovered surrounded by souvenirs from his trip The murder took place at the end of the three day custody visit, the Orange County District Attorney's office said. Pictured: A memorial at the murder site 'Anger makes you forget who you love and what you are responsible for doing. The safest place for a child should be in their parents' arms. 'Instead of wrapping her arms around their son in love, she slit his throat and in the cruelest twist of fate removed him from the very world she brought him into.' A Scottish holidaymaker was left with horrific burns after a violent gas explosion demolished a three-storey guest house in the Italian capital of Rome yesterday. The incident happened around 8:30am in the Monteverde area of the city and an immediate search was launched by firefighters for anyone trapped inside. Italian press named the casualty who was staying at the guest house as Grant Paterson. He was rescued conscious from the debris a short time later with serious injuries including 70 percent burns to his body and rushed to the nearby to Sant Eugenio hospital. He was visiting the city from his home in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, and is believed to have arrived there a week ago. Posts on his Facebook page showed he had previously visited the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain. The 54-year-old posted last Monday: Arrived in Rome, trains planes, buses and foot... Accommodation is beautiful. This should be a good week... if I dont get killed in some ungodly way... Its understood Mr Paterson was due to return home to Scotland on Monday. Grant Paterson is said to be critically ill in hospital in Rome following a suspected gas explosion Officials are investigating the blast in a three-story building in Monteverde, Rome Emergency services rescued a Scottish tourist, named locally as Grant Paterson, from the rubble following an explosion on Sunday morning The Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, spoke to reporters yesterday from the scene of the blast and said he had ordered a full investigation. He added: The explosion seemed to have been caused by a gas leak, possibly from a gas cylinder, but investigations will clarify the causes. The injured person was a guest at a lodging facility that is currently under investigation, which appears to be a regularly registered bed and breakfast. The ongoing inquiry aims to assess the safety and legality of the establishment. The injured man has injuries consistent with an explosion due to a gas leak. We are taking every possible precaution in regards to neighbouring buildings that could be at risk. The important thing is that fortunately there are no fatalities, even if unfortunately one person is seriously injured. Local police set up an exclusion zone round the blast site yesterday and evacuated neighbouring buildings as a precaution. Despite initial fears no other victims were believed to be trapped in the rubble though the wall of a nearby villa was also damaged in the explosion. Its understood that the guest house where Mr Paterson was staying is a former stables which had been converted. Local residents spoke of a noise like a bomb going off yesterday. One said: We were still in bed when we heard a huge noise. My mother got scared and ran to the terrace. We immediately realized it was an explosion, not something like a car crash because of the smoke rising shortly after. Eyewitnesses also reported a strong smell of gas following the explosion which collapsed the first and second floors of the guest house. Media reports say Mr Paterson has undergone an emergency operation and is on a ventilator. A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office said: We are providing support to the family of a British national who is currently in hospital in Rome. A woman in Southern Colorado was arrested after her 54 dogs allegedly mauled her dementia-stricken elderly mother to death. Jessica Hoff, 47, has been arrested and charged with criminal negligence resulting in death and 54 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, following the gruesome death of her mother LaVonne Hoff, 76. Hoff allegedly left LaVonne home alone with Hoff's dogs during the day while she ran errands. Her mother was later found unresponsive by law enforcement on February 3. Pueblo County Sheriff's Office responded to a call to Hoff's home at 5.30pm and found 'several dogs loose inside the home along with at least a dozen more dogs in cages.' LaVonne Hoff's autopsy revealed her death was a result of a dog attack, sheriffs said in a press release. Sheriffs added that LaVonne reportedly had dementia and required 24-hour care. Detectives learned that while LaVonne Hoff was left alone, she was attacked by the dogs that were loose in the home, sheriffs said. The investigation led to the search of the home and another property Hoff owned in Colorado City, finding a total of 54 dogs and seven birds in her possession. Jessica Hoff, 47, has been arrested and charged with criminal negligence resulting in death and 54 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, following the gruesome death of her mother LaVonne Hoff, 76 Hoff (pictured right) allegedly left her mother LaVonne Hoff (pictured right) alone with her dogs before her mother was mauled to death by the dogs Hoff is currently being held in Pueblo County Jail on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled for her initial court appearance on March 27 'The dogs and birds were found living in unsanitary conditions and several of the dogs were in poor health,' the release said. The animals were seized by the Sheriff's Office who worked with Animal Law Enforcement. Hoff is currently being held in Pueblo County Jail on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records. She is scheduled for her initial court appearance on March 27, according to court records. An illegal Iraqi migrant has avoided deportation from the UK after claiming he had lost his phone and identity documents. The man, who allegedly left Iraq while facing arrest for exam fraud, claimed an 'agent' had thrown away his ID and phone, meaning he would not be able to get in touch with family members if deported. Speaking at an immigration tribunal where he was granted anonymity, the man reportedly said he could not remember his family's phone numbers, which would prevent him from getting help to replace his identity cards and return to Iraq. He had been allegedly threatened with arrest in Iraq before fleeing to the UK after being caught delivering test papers to students before they sat an exam. And he has since had his appeal to remain in the UK accepted by the Home Office even though there were 'inconsistencies' in his story. One major 'inconsistency' flagged at the tribunal was the Iraqi claimed his ID card had been thrown away while he travelled to the UK, but he had previously told immigration authorities that he left it behind in Iraq. Though his initial plea to avoid deportation was upheld by an upper immigration tribunal due to faults being found in the first judge's analysis of the case, the man's appeal will reportedly be heard again by a new tribunal. While studying in Iraq, the man took a part-time job delivering packages for business clients who 'appeared to be wealthy and drove cars with tinted windows', according to The Telegraph. Stock Image: Speaking at an immigration tribunal where he was granted anonymity, the Iraqi claimed an 'agent' had thrown away his ID and phone, meaning he would not be able to get in touch with family members if deported He has since had his appeal to remain in the UK accepted by the Home Office even though there were 'inconsistencies' in his story Stock Image: The man reportedly said he could not remember his family's phone numbers, which would prevent him from getting help to replace his identity cards and return to Iraq After one particular drop-off, he is said to have been informed by one businessman that the police were looking to arrest him after he was caught on CCTV dropping off a package. Reportedly confused, he asked why he should be concerned for simply doing his job and was told the box contained papers for the following day's examinations. The Iraqi, reportedly scared he would be blamed for supplying students with the answers and thus committing fraud, fled to the UK after spending time with human rights organisation Ashti. In the first hearing claiming refugee protection, the court is said to have found further contradictions in his story, including how long he said he had spent with the human rights group. These inconsistencies came amid the other claims his phone and documentation had been thrown away. Notably, any Iraqis who arrive to the country without the documentation this man claimed to have lost, face arrest and interrogation on arrival. His plea for protection in the UK was rejected by the lower tribunal due to the alleged flaws in the story, with the judge also saying deportation would not breach his rights in Article eight of the European Convention on Human Rights. But the upper tribunal believed there were errors in the judge's ruling, particularly over the Iraqi's time spent with the human rights group. Upper Tribunal Judge David Kelly said the migrant's appeal against deportation should be reheard due an over-analysis on the inconsistencies in his story - which he claims influenced the court's decision over whether he would face arrest in Iraq. This comes as another blow for Labour looking to deport illegal migrants, after it was reported that there are a record 41,987 outstanding immigration appeals, with the majority of these on a human rights basis. MailOnline has approached the Home Office for comment. Armed police swarmed a quiet street this afternoon after a schoolboy and his mother were mauled by a dog. The eight-year-old boy and his mother were injured after a vicious dog attacked them on a residential street in Manchester. They were rushed to hospital this afternoon and the dog was detained at the scene on Haverfield Road, Blackley. After reports of the attack, armed police, the Greater Manchester Police dog unit and emergency services flocked to the road. Greater Manchester Police said: 'At approximately 2.30pm today we received reports of a dog attack on Haverfield Road, Blackley. An eight year-old boy and his mother were injured after being attacked by a dog on Haverfield Road, Blackley (pictured) After reports of the attack, armed police, the Greater Manchester Police dog unit and emergency services flocked to the road 'An eight-year-old boy and a woman were taken to hospital with injuries, not believed to be life-threatening. 'Armed Response Vehicles and GMP Dog Unit were deployed, and the dog has been safely detained.' Cordons were put in place and a number of police vehicles and ambulances were seen in the area. Emergency services remained at the scene for a number of hours following the incident. If theres anything Scottish politics could do with more of, its troublemakers. Bolshy mavericks, radical dissenters, and cussed curmudgeons - the sorts of free-spirited characters who give heartburn to the whips and background to the hacks. The ones who insist not only on thinking - a novel activity in itself at Holyrood - but on thinking for themselves. So Fergus Ewings decision not to stand for the SNP at next years election would be a matter of real regret if not for his hint that he might contest the poll as an independent. Ewing is Old SNP royalty, the Old SNP being the era in which the party was distracted by the fringe issue of Scottish independence and had yet to embrace its destiny as the party of shutting up women and shutting down refineries. Following in the footsteps of his mother Winnie, and in the good company of his sister Annabelle and his late wife Margaret, for a quarter-century he has been the sonorous-voiced, prickly-mannered, ruddy-jowled face of Ewingism, that alliance of nationalism to business, rural interests and social conservatism. For many years, Ewing was tolerated by a left-leaning hierarchy that didnt particularly like him but understood instinctively that a national party had to be a big-tent party. Then, during the Nicola Sturgeon years, the hierarchy came under the control of a pseudo-left whose chief priorities were identity, intersectionality and illiberalism - all the i words bar a somewhat important one. The broad tent narrowed to fit the circus of an SNP government that talked self-determination but legislated self-identification, that saw Scotlands oil as a source of shame. Fergus Ewing has been a critic of the SNP Government and will not stand for the party during next year's Holyrood election Fergus Ewing, his mother Winnie (left) and late wife Margaret were of Old SNP royalty A carnival of luxury opinions in which Sturgeon presided as ringmaster, her MSPs trapezed from one modish policy to the next, and Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater were ably cast as the clowns. There was no place for Fergus Ewing in the New SNP, whose ideological Torquemadas prided themselves on the enforcement of total conformity. He was denounced and briefed against. When Slaters deposit return scheme collapsed spectacularly, she wasnt fired, he was suspended for failing to back her in a confidence motion. As I write this column, his Wikipedia page has been altered to describe him as a Tartan Tory. Ewings colleagues rankled at his dismissal of the Greens as wine bar revolutionaries and shifted uncomfortably every time he urged the SNP to keep its many promises to upgrade the A9 and A96, fatal accident blackspots that have claimed many lives in his patch, including friends of his. Political turncoats often claim their party left them rather than the other way around, but in Ewings case this is plainly what has happened. His every policy position that puts him on the fringes of the SNP today was thoroughly mainstream ten years ago. Hes not a turncoat, hes a rebel on behalf of decades of Nationalist orthodoxy. The Scottish Parliament has no glory days to hark back to, but things were less worse when there were still a few troublemakers sleeking through its Robert Delaunay corridors, on their way to plot, gossip, settle scores and forge alliances. Women like Margo MacDonald, Margo the Untameable, the most independent mind ever to set foot in the place, with a personality as sincere as it was mercurial. Men of conscience like Dennis Canavan. I doubt there are as many as three issues on which he and I would agree, but his integrity was unimpeachable and his personal fortitude unfathomable. What MacDonald and Canavan had in common was that, having been trouble-makers one too many times, they found themselves out on their ears with their respective parties and forced to stand as independents. Going independent in British politics usually means youre never heard from again, but not with MacDonald and Canavan. The voters liked their bloodymindedness and their principles and opted to be represented by them rather than their former parties approved candidates. A parliament worth the name needs its independent minds, unbought and unbowed, mouthing off here and getting it wrong there, but driven by a democratic spirit and the instincts of an individual. People who dont just trouser the salary, say the line, and vote the way theyre told, but follow their conscience and let the electorate judge the wisdom of their course. Parliamentarians whose only business managers are their constituents. Fergus Ewing already has one foot in this tradition. He should go all the way and put his case to the people as an independent, a single-issue candidate who compels the Scottish Government to put road safety and human life in the driving seat and finally fulfil its pledges on A9/A96 upgrading. Some centre-left folk I otherwise agree with might scold me that Ewing is - horror of horrors - right wing. For one, if Fergus Ewing is your idea of a right-winger, never, ever meet the voters. I regularly encounter sweetly smiling grandmothers who express more enthusiasm for hanging and flogging than Albert Pierrepoint and the Marquis de Sade. For another, Holyrood is a left-liberal monoculture in which former public sector staffers nod along to former NGO staffers. A bit of viewpoint diversity wouldnt go amiss. Some Unionists would object that Ewing is still a separatist. To which I say: so what? Half the population supports independence. Id rather the case be made by a person of intelligence and integrity than by yet another careerist Natborg. Scotland shouldnt go independent, but Fergus Ewing should. A 23 PRESCRIPTION FOR A HEALTHIER NHS The doctor, it seems, will not see you now. GP representatives say practices across Scotland can no longer afford to recruit medics. Dr Iain Morrison, who chairs BMA Scotlands GP committee, says Scotland is in the perverse situation of training doctors who then go looking for alternative work or emigrating to work in other countries because there are no jobs here. I dont blame the doctors. Medicine is their vocation and if their own country wont give them jobs, its only natural that theyd go overseas looking for work. But what a lamentable, ludicrous state of affairs. Pay your taxes in Addiewell to send a GP to Adelaide. The Scottish Government spends 1.3billion annually on general medical services, but that falls far short of what is required. If we want good quality GP care available when we need it, we will have to fund it properly. We could try hiking taxes, but theyre already the highest in the UK, and hike them to what exactly? At some point, returns will only diminish. Besides, raising the money from general taxation means people who seldom trouble their GP foot the bill for frequent flyers. No one wants to hear it but the only way forward is to start charging for GP appointments. Its a common practice around the world, even in the social democratic Nordic countries. In Sweden, patients pay up to 300 krona (roughly 23) per visit, which seems like a reasonable baseline. Obviously there would have to be exemptions, as there currently are with dentist fees, but the principle stands. Charging would allow GP practices to hire more doctors and offer more consultations, while discouraging missed appointments and ending the dreaded 8am dash. GP fees wouldnt be popular, but theyd be more popular than allowing the primary care system to collapse, and thats the direction in which were heading. It was a mysterious flying object which attracted a record number of watchers on a flight tracking website. Some thought it might have been an escaped weather balloon while others felt the sight was something more sinister. But it has now emerged the balloon belonged to an intrepid German adventurer who was flying to England and then onwards to Scotland in a hot air balloon. Thrill seeker Kolja Packared fulfilled a long-held desire to visit Scotland as he touched down near Edinburgh earlier this week. He and fellow-traveller Wuzi Wagner made a 44-hour journey through the skies from Burgkirchen an der Alz, in Bavaria, southern Germany. Along the way, their trip became one of the most watched on the flight tracking website Flightradar24. Kolja Packared and Wuzi Wagner made a 44-hour journey from Bavaria to Scotland Kolja Packared and Wuzi Wagner touched down near Edinburgh following their epic flight Nonplussed Brits also watched in wonder as the hydrogen-filled balloon floated high above their towns and cities. The pair had planned to take off from Burgkirchen and travel across France and Belgium before crossing over the Channel to reach England. However, as 42-year-old aircraft engineer Mr Wagner told the BBC, their aim after that was merely to go up north as far as possible. As it turned out, they made it all the way to Scotland, landing at the National Museum of Flight in East Lothian on Wednesday afternoon having travelled more than 860 miles. The flight from Germany took the men 44 hours. Picture: FLIGHTRADAR24 Mr Packard, 51, said travelling to Scotland had been a long-term ambition, adding that he and Mr Wagner were looking forward to some sightseeing before returning to mainland Europe by ferry. Alongside a series of pictures from their sky-high journey, Mr Packard wrote: We have crossed the border to Scotland! A long-held dream. Their journey was also mirrored to an extent by their chase crew, who drove from Germany to Scotland to support the effort. The pair were sustained during the long-distance trip with bread, cheese, cereal bars, and water. The journey was part of the pairs preparation for a long-distance gas balloon competition this year. Mr Packard is the current world record holder after flying for more than 100 hours last year and hopes to secure an even longer journey time at this years event. A Michigan man who allegedly left a note on a teenager's car offering to pay her for sexual favors was arrested because he foolishly left his own phone number on the message. Thomas Mellick Hensler, 38, received a call from the cops not long after he allegedly left the note on the 17-year-old girl's car. The victim was at a Target in Auburn Hills on March 18 when she returned to the parking lot to find a 'suspicious' note pinned to her vehicle. Police described the communication as, 'sexually explicit and soliciting in nature'. The teen reported it to the police, who used the number supplied to contact Hensler, of Clarkston, who they determined was still inside a car in the parking lot. Police said they found what they believe to be methamphetamine inside his vehicle. Hensler was arrested and lodged at the Oakland County Jail. The next day Oakland County Prosecutor's Office authorized felony charges of child sexually abusive activity, using a computer to commit a crime and drug possession. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald told Mid Michigan Now that police had received reports from other parents about similar incidents. Thomas Mellick Hensler, 38, allegedly left a note on a teenager's car offering to pay her for sexual favors and was arrested after he left his phone number on the message The victim was at a Target in Auburn Hills on March 18 when she returned to the parking lot to find a 'suspicious' note pinned to her vehicle 'Multiple parents have since reported their children found similar notes on their cars with the same phone number,' she said. 'If you believe your children were targeted in this way, please contact your local police. 'We take every incident seriously because we need to know if this was serial behavior.' Hensler was arraigned the same day he was charged at the 52-3rd District Court in front of Magistrate Holt. Holt set his bond at $25,000 cash/surety, with no 10 percent allowed. If Hensler posts bond, he is ordered to wear a GPS tether and is prohibited from returning to the Target or having any unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18. He is due back in court on March 27 before Judge Asadoorian. If convicted on all counts, Hensler could spend up to 50 years in jail. An NYPD sergeant in the detective bureau is under investigation by the FBI for allegedly spying for the Chinese government, sources exclusively tell DailyMail.com. Zhu Jiang, who serves in a unit that investigates healthcare fraud and has access to highly sensitive information, has been suspended without pay from the department, a police spokesman confirmed. Jiang, who is Asian, serves out of the Jacob K. Javitz Building at 26 Federal Plaza, which houses the FBIs New York field office and is a couple blocks away from police headquarters. He joined the NYPD in 2013 and has previously served in the organized crime investigative division and in various detective squads in Brooklyn, records show. He earned $169,000 last year. DailyMail.coms attempts to reach Jiang were not successful. Zhu Jiang, who serves in a unit that investigates healthcare fraud and has access to highly sensitive information, has been suspended without pay from the department, a police spokesman confirmed Jiang, who is Asian, serves out of the Jacob K. Javitz Building at 26 Federal Plaza He was featured in a Chinese language piece in the Epoch Times in 2016 when he was announced as the NYPDs neighborhood coordinator for Eighth Avenue in Brooklyn after a spate of robberies in the area that targeted people of Chinese ethnicity. He got the post because he was one of the few NYPD officers who spoke the Fuzhou dialect of Chinese which is prevalent in that area.. Sources tell DailyMail.com that he is being investigated for espionage on behalf of China. One source said Sunday that he has not been charged or taken into custody. Jiang is the second NYPD officer to be suspected of spying for China in the past 12 months. Lt. Steven Li was fired in May last year, the New York Post reported. Li was working in the Internal Affairs Bureau when he put a Chinese official in touch with a woman he knew. The official, Sun Hoi Ying, was in the United States as part of Operation Fox Hunt, a program to persuade fugitives to return to China. The woman, identified only as Huang, who was being targeted by the Chinese government for allegedly embezzling money from a state-owned company and buying properties in her homeland with the proceeds. In the end, the NYPD decided Li was not acting as a Chinese agent but found him guilty of making false statements and failing to report an FBI probe into him. Horrifying footage has captured the moment a tradie was taken by surprise and shot by a mystery gunman while attending a fake callout. Victoria Police believe the 49-year-old was lured to a property on Denys Street at Fawkner, in Melbourne's north, under the pretence of providing a quote for a job. The targeted attack happened on October 3, 2024, with police releasing new footage of the incident on Monday as they continue to hunt for the gunman. The gunman was seen in the video wearing black and white sneakers, black track pants and a hoodie as he ran up behind the tradie. The tradie turned around and saw the gunman who stopped three metres from him, raised his firearm and shot him. A bullet hit the tradie's left ankle and then travelled through the flesh and bone and hit his right foot. He was heard screaming out in agony as the gunman ran to his getaway car and made his escape. A witness said the gunman was of African appearance, about 182cm tall, with a slim build, dark hair and brown eyes. The horrific moment a tradie was shot while attending a job has been caught on shocking CCTV footage (pictured) A witness said the gunman was of African appearance, about 182cm tall, with a slim build, dark hair and brown eyes. Digital composite image pictured The tradie was rushed to hospital with serious injuries, which he is still being treated for almost six months later. The gunman's getaway car is believed to be a 2018 white Mercedes Benz GLC43 with cloned plates reading 1NB7FC. The vehicle has not yet been located. Police believe the address the tradie was asked to attend was randomly chosen and the incident is not connected to anyone living on that street. They have released a digital composite image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries. Anybody with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A stunning sorority girl whose glamorous mugshot went viral last week has been arrested a second time. University of Georgia student Lily Stewart, 20, was arrested by university police on misdemeanor charges of obstruction of a law enforcement officer and loitering/prowling early Sunday morning, TMZ reports. She was initially booked into jail at 5.26am, but quickly posted a bond of $4,000 and was released by custody shortly before 11am, according to records obtained by PEOPLE. A new mugshot released shows her in a blue prison uniform with her blonde, curly hair parted down the middle. She was once again smiling brightly in the photo. It remains unclear what led to her arrest on Sunday, but it comes just days after her earlier mugshot picture sent the Internet ablaze with suitors coming out of the woodwork to compliment the sorority girl on her looks. 'They done locked up miss America,' one comment read. In that case, Stewart was apprehended for speeding in excess of maximum limits on March 8, when she was on her way to a fraternity party at Georgia College and State University. She had been caught driving at 84mph in a 55mph zone, according to a deposition. University of Georgia student Lily Stewart, 20, was arrested a second time on Sunday morning But the arrest only came after she was pulled over for driving too fast a second time that night, she admitted in an interview with the New York Post. 'The officer saw me while he was driving the opposite direction,' she recounted. 'He was like, "You're speeding" and he was super friendly, and I was super friendly, and he wrote me a ticket. 'As soon as I got back in the car, I pulled out and accidentally started speeding again. By the time I caught myself, he pulled me over and arrested me.' She went on to explain that the road she was driving on is a quiet country road where it is easy to lose track of speed, and added that the area was 'completely empty.' Under Georgia's Super Speeder law, drivers can be fined an extra $200 for traveling over 75 mph on two-lane roads or 85 mph on highways. In some areas of the state fines for speeding can be up to $1,000, and unpaid fines can result in license suspension. However, Stewart's attorney told TMZ that he has since had the speeding charge dropped after he informed the prosecutor that Lily was being targeted by online trolls who made some vile comments after her mugshot went viral. It comes just days after her first mugshot - for speeding - went viral She has said she was only apprehended in the March 8 incident after she was pulled over a second time, but her lawyer has now gotten the prosecutors to drop the speeding charges against her She now just has to take a defensive driving course, complete 20 hours of community service and write a paper about the dangers of speeding. Yet Stewart initially seemed to have a sense of humor about her viral photo, posting a TikTok with her favorite internet reactions. 'Guilty of stealing my heart, your honor,' one of them read. 'I guess being pretty is a crime now,' another lovestruck man commented. Some even offered to pay her bail for the speeding incident, she has said as she dismissed the compliments. 'I look like a basic white girl and I am,' Stewart told PEOPLE of her now-viral photo. 'I think it's hilarious. One of them was like "We know she has a monogram rain jacket" - which I do. 'There are some beautiful mugshots, I don't think mine's particularly stunning,' she continued. 'I actually think it's a bad photo of me,' Stewart admitted. 'I don't really look the same as I do in that mugshot. I don't think it's a great photo of me.' Stewart seemed to have a sense of humor about her viral photo, posting a TikTok with her favorite internet reactions The college girl has said she was only alerted to the internet attention by her mother, who called her while she was in class to tell her that a Facebook post of her mugshot had over 500 comments. 'I understand - it's surprising that I got arrested for speeding and my mugshot - I was smiling because I always smile for a photo,' said Stewart, who is in her second year at the University of Georgia - where she is a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. But Morgan County Sheriff Tyler Hooks, who was involved in her initial arrest, said he hopes she doesn't go viral once again. He told PEOPLE he believes Stewart was acting 'like the laws don't apply to her' when she was caught speeding earlier this month, noting that she 'could have hurt herself or someone else.' 'We should never glorify this type of behavior,' the sheriff said. 'I hope she doesn't get the attention like she did last time.' He added that he hopes Stewart has now learned her 'lesson.' A sewage worker was reportedly sacked over a post calling Hamas 'disgusting terrorists' on an internal staff site. Severn Trent Water (STW) immediately suspended Damon Joshua, who was then dismissed without notice following a disciplinary hearing. In the post, which included an image of the Israel flag, Mr Joshua wrote: 'One year ago our valued partners and friends, Israel, were horrifically attacked by a group of violent and disgusting terrorists. 'I can say the vast majority of STW's employees stand in solidarity with our Jewish, Israeli and Zionist colleagues against the evil of Islamist terror.' The post was taken down by managers after other staff complained 'the terminology was very derogatory' and 'is very one-sided', it was reported. Mr Joshua told The Sunday Telegraph: 'It happened in a matter of hours. I made the post at 7.50am. A sewage worker was reportedly sacked over a post calling Hamas 'disgusting terrorists' on an internal staff site Severn Trent Water (STW) immediately suspended Damon Joshua, who was then dismissed without notice following a disciplinary hearing In the post, which included an image of the Israel flag, Mr Joshua wrote: 'One year ago our valued partners and friends, Israel, were horrifically attacked by a group of violent and disgusting terrorists. Mr Joshua said: 'How could it be one-sided or derogatory to oppose a terrorist? Surely this is only one-sided' At 1pm I got called to a meeting room. My manager and her manager were there and I was suspended... They used the word 'derogatory' for the words I had used to describe a terrorist organisation, which shocked me. How could it be one-sided or derogatory to oppose a terrorist? Surely this is only one-sided.' Mr Joshua appealed his dismissal for gross misconduct but was unsuccessful. A Severn Trent Water spokesman said: 'This is a complex employee relations case and it's important to be clear that this is not the whole story nor an isolated incident.' A company director with a taste for supercars is being investigated by Trading Standards over an alleged clean-air-zone payment scam fleecing motorists. Christopher Miller runs a firm behind suspected 'copycat' websites that charge inflated fees to drive in cities with low-emission zones such as Birmingham, Sheffield, Bristol and Bath. He uses sponsored ads on Google to ensure they appear prominently when drivers search for official payment pages. But they have no connection to council portals, and drivers have claimed the money is not paid to the authorities. Alleged victims said they only discovered this weeks after paying Miller's firm, when they are hit with a fine by the council for failing to pay the charge. On social media, Miller, 41, boasts of holidays in Abu Dhabi and Las Vegas, and flying over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter. In the past 18 months he has shown off cars such as a Porsche Boxster, Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari Spider. Chris Hill, lead officer at Trading Standards Wales, said his team had been investigating Miller for a year and forced several of his websites to be removed. Christopher Miller (pictured), 41, uses sponsored ads on Google to ensure his 'copycat' websites appear prominently when drivers search for official payment pages Christopher Miller (pictured) runs a firm behind suspected 'copycat' websites that charge inflated fees to drive in cities with low-emission zones But he added: 'As soon as they go, they pop up as something else with a slightly different name. I think we're looking at tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds.' In its terms and conditions, Miller's SKM Group warns it is not an official payment portal and charges a 'service fee for assisting you in the application and payment of driving in a Clean Air Zone (CAZ)'. But many motorists have complained about being fined after unwittingly paying CAZ charges using SKM Group. One told the Mail how she was fined after paying the now defunct SKM Group site cleanairzones.online 14 when she drove in Birmingham in October. She said: 'Miller's site was the number-one result on Google, and when I entered my registration it correctly identified my car there was no reason to believe it was anything but legitimate. I had no idea the genuine fee is 8. 'I was in a hurry to pay... so I didn't read the small print. But who does?' She only realised her money hadn't gone to the official site when a 60 fine arrived. 'Miller's website had vanished and the phone number on my receipt was dead,' she said. She reported him to Trading Standards and a day later her 14 was refunded. She said: 'Someone from SKM giving his name as 'Mark' called from a withheld number. A motorist told the Mail how she was fined after paying the now defunct SKM Group site cleanairzones.online 14 when she drove in Birmingham in October (file image of a low emission zone sign) He insisted their sites weren't a scam, tried to play it down as a simple oversight and offered to cover my fine.' SKM Group is registered to a farm on the edge of Swansea, but the Mail spoke to Miller at the semi-detached house in Canterbury he shares with his girlfriend. After pulling up in a red Ferrari without a front number plate, he denied any wrongdoing, saying: 'We have nothing to worry about.' He accepted 'some issues' had left customers 'disgruntled', but mostly after they put the wrong city into his payment page, and such errors were always refunded. Later, he emailed: 'We clearly state in our terms and conditions as well as on our website that we are not an official government payment portal but instead provide a paid assistance service. Our fees are clearly disclosed before any payment is made. 'SKM Group Ltd provides a genuine service. We have clear evidence to support that payments are passed on, refunds are issued, and fines are covered by our business where appropriate. 'We strongly refute any claims of fraudulent activity or wrongdoing. Our company operates legally and ethically, and we comply with all relevant regulations. 'We are fully cooperating with any inquiries and are confident our business practices stand up to scrutiny.' Google said it removed any ads that violated its strict policies. Donald Trump wants Russia and Ukraine to agree a ceasefire by Easter Sunday, following the resumption of peace talks yesterday. The religious festival falls on the same date in the Western and Orthodox church calendars this year, adding to the significance of the date. That means the US has just under a month to achieve a truce before Sunday, April 20. The timetable was revealed as negotiations began again yesterday in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh. It also followed a night of intense Russian bombing of Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The dead included a five-year-old and the wounded an 11-month-old baby. Since peace talks began Russia has appeared intent on dragging out the process and yesterday was no different. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov predicted that negotiations would prove 'difficult'. Ukraine's defence minister Rustem Umerov said yesterday they were 'working through complex technical issues. Our delegation includes energy experts as well as military representatives.' The next stage is expected to centre on safe passage for vessels through the Black Sea. Donald Trump (pictured) wants Russia and Ukraine to agree a ceasefire by Easter Sunday, following the resumption of peace talks yesterday Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov (pictured) predicted that negotiations would prove 'difficult' Any negotiations on a ceasefire deal are expected to be complex and difficult In Riyadh, US officials will meet separately with Russian and Ukrainian representatives over the next few days. Discussions are expected to include how to monitor a 30-day truce on strikes against energy sites that was agreed last week. It came as leading British political figures pronounced the end of the Special Relationship between the US and the UK. Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood said the UK could no longer rely on America for support against Putin. And Lib Dem defence spokesman Mike Martin said the British strategy of bridging the gap between the US and Europe was 'in tatters'. They spoke out after President Trump's peace envoy Steve Witkoff said he 'liked' Russian president Putin. Witkoff also dismissed the UK-led bid to support Ukraine as 'a posture and a pose'. Mr Ellwood said: 'Witkoff continues to promote the White House's pro-Russian stance. That tells Europe we can no longer rely on our closest security ally.' Shadow Armed Forces minister Mark Francois added: 'If a ceasefire is what the US really desires they may find credible threats of more sanctions on Russia are more effective than compliments.' Mr Witkoff, a former real estate lawyer, had no diplomatic experience before being chosen by Mr Trump as Special Envoy to the Middle East in November 2024. He said: 'I don't regard Putin as a bad guy. He's super-smart' (Vladimir Putin is pictured above) Discussions are expected to include how to monitor a 30-day truce on strikes against energy sites that was agreed last week Mr Witkoff, a former real estate lawyer, had no diplomatic experience before being chosen by Mr Trump as Special Envoy to the Middle East in November 2024. In the interview, he could not remember the names of specific provinces in eastern Ukraine where the fighting has been most intense, saying: 'I don't regard Putin as a bad guy. He's super-smart. 'The largest issue in that conflict are these so-called four regions, Donbas, Crimea . . . you know the names and there are two others.' In another development, Sir Keir Starmer said he came under White House pressure to criticise Volodymyr Zelensky after the Ukrainian president's disastrous meeting with Mr Trump in the Oval Office last month. However, he added that he has a good relationship with Mr Trump and understands 'what he is trying to achieve'. A bid to deport an Albanian criminal has been overturned on human rights grounds as his son has a learning disability. Blendi Axhami came to the UK clandestinely a decade ago. His son was born here in 2017. Years later it emerged that Axhami had been given eight years' imprisonment in his home country for an undisclosed offence and the Home Office attempted to kick him out of the UK. But he has won a legal challenge as his son who lives with his mother and is cared for by Axhami only once a week is being treated 'as if he is autistic' while awaiting final diagnosis, the Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber heard. Court papers show Axhami first applied for permission to stay in Britain after his son's birth but did not declare his criminal conviction. His background emerged after he was arrested twice in 2021 once for possession of Class A drugs. His application for further 'leave to remain' was refused by the Home Office in 2022, but Axhami launched an appeal. Lower Tribunal judge Angharad Lloyd-Lawrie ruled that his son 'would face considerable distress' should Axhami leave the UK. Blendi Axhami has won a legal challenge as his son who lives with his mother and is cared for by Axhami only once a week is being treated 'as if he is autistic' while awaiting final diagnosis, the Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber heard The Home Office appealed against the ruling to the Upper Immigration Tribunal, but judge Elizabeth Ruddick dismissed it in January Lower Tribunal judge Angharad Lloyd-Lawrie ruled that his son 'would face considerable distress' should Axhami leave the UK The Home Office appealed against the ruling to the Upper Immigration Tribunal, but judge Elizabeth Ruddick dismissed it in January. The case is the latest in a long line of troubling rulings from the immigration courts over the last 15 years, most of which involve the ECHR. Earlier this month the Daily Mail revealed how a Jamaican criminal jailed for 20 years for a horrific manslaughter dodged deportation using human rights laws, Other cases include another Albanian criminal who avoided removal after claiming his son had an aversion to foreign chicken nuggets, and a Pakistani paedophile who successfully argued deportation would be 'unduly harsh' on his own children. A Home Office spokesman said it 'fought this case right the way through the tribunal system... Foreign nationals who commit heinous crimes should be in no doubt that we will do everything to make sure they are not free on Britain's streets'. Martin Bashir's interview with Princess Diana was viewed by over 20 million people and made headlines across the globe. At the time, it was hailed as a journalistic triumph. Speaking candidly about her mental health ('I didn't like myself'), her fling with Captain James Hewitt ('I was in love with him'), as well as confirming Prince Charles' affair with Camilla ('There were three of us in this marriage'), the 54-minute interview was the final nail in the Wales' relationship. Less than a month later, divorce papers were filed upon Queen Elizabeth's advice. However, an investigation led by retired judge Lord Dyson in 2021 found that Bashir had spun a web of deceit in order to manipulate the Spencer family and gain access to the Princess. The inquiry found that Bashir showed Earl Charles Spencer forged bank statements that falsely suggested individuals were being paid to keep the Princess under surveillance. Alarmed, Charles introduced the journalist to his sister Diana. When questioned by BBC bosses, Bashir denied that he had shown the forged documents to anybody. Bashir also played on Diana's paranoia 'that she was being spied on', according to the inquiry, by telling her she was being watched by MI6. He also showed her an 'abortion receipt' suggesting that Charles and the royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke had an affair. Thanks to journalists at the Daily Mail and The Sunday Times, Bashir's lies were eventually revealed. On this day in 1996, the BBC's Tim Gardam was telephoned by the Mail on Sunday who were investigating how Princess Diana was introduced to Bashir. Prompted by the journalists, Gardam questioned Bashir again and he folded, admitting that he had in fact shown the fake bank statements to Earl Spencer to draw the seemingly vulnerable Princess into his confidence and to secure the bombshell interview. But royal author Tina Brown, who was a close confidante of Diana, believes the Princess had 'no regrets' about the interview - despite it casting a long shadow over her sons Prince William and Prince Harry. Princess Diana speaks to Martin Bashir in November 1995 The Princess spoke candidly about her mental health and her affair with Captain James Hewitt, as well as confirming the then-Prince Charles' affair with Camilla Diana's statement that 'there were three of us in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded' was covered extensively by the press (Pictured: Daily Mail coverage, November 21, 1995) Writing in her book The Palace Papers, Brown said: 'There is no doubt that the deplorable Martin Bashir successfully exploited Diana's lonely mistrust of all around her. But the princess was fully complicit - and satisfied with everything she said on Panorama.' Brown suggests that the princess spoke to British-Pakistani businessman Gulu Lalvani after the notorious interview and said: 'I'm glad I did it, I know the family didn't like it, but I'm glad.' Lalvani recalled that the princess didn't have a bad word to say about Bashir and realised the interview served her purpose, allowing her to frame herself to the British public as a betrayed woman, before the increasingly inevitable divorce from Charles. Opinion polls in the wake of the interview showed support for the princess at 92 per cent. 'She had the public in the palm of her hand,' writes Brown. Although Bashir eventually admitted that he had shown Charles Spencer the forged bank statements, he maintained Diana did not see them. In her own words, Diana assured the BBC: 'Martin Bashir did not show me any documents, not give me any information that I was not previously aware of. 'I consented to the interview on Panorama without any undue pressure and have no regrets concerning the matter.' The word 'no' was underlined, as was her name. Despite Diana's pragmatic reasons for doing the interview, her son Prince William seems to have been unable to forgive the BBC for its behaviour over the Bashir saga. In 2021, William issued a grave address on camera where he could not quite hide the fury that still haunted him. The Prince and Princess of Wales at Buckingham Palace after their wedding at Westminster Abbey on July 29, 1981 Bashir used forged bank statements (pictured) to falsely suggest individuals were being paid to keep the Princess under surveillance In his inquiry, Lord Dyson found that Bashir deceived Earl Spencer (pictured) into introducing the journalist to his sister by showing him forged bank statements The BBC's Tim Gardam was telephoned by the Mail on Sunday who were investigating how Princess Diana was introduced to Bashir. (Pictured: The Mail on Sunday's coverage on April 7, 1996) Diana's handwritten letter to Martin Bashir after the 1995 Panorama interview Bashir resigned from the BBC in May 2021, citing health reasons The prince said: 'This Panorama programme holds no legitimacy and should never be aired again. It effectively established a false narrative which, for over a quarter of a century, has been commercialised by the BBC and others. 'Our mother was an incredible woman who dedicated her life to service. She was resilient, brave, and unquestionably honest.' Prince Harry added: 'The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life.' Mr Bashir apologised for the forged documents, stating 'it was a stupid thing to do and was an action I deeply regret', but insisted that 'the bank statements had no bearing whatsoever on the personal choice by Princess Diana to take part in the interview'. He resigned from the BBC in May 2021, citing health reasons. In 2022, the BBC paid about 200,000 to royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke and admitted she was subjected to 'baseless' smears by Bashir. Both brothers received 'unconditional apology' letters from the BBC over Bashir's conduct and the 25-year cover-up and they promised to never show the interview again or license it to be used by another broadcaster. Despite this, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex used snippets of the interview in their explosive Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, which aired in November 2022. Midway through the first episode of the series, clips are shown of Princess Diana speaking to Bashir. William (pictured watching the Women's Singles final at Wimbledon with Diana) was left in floods of tears after he watched the interview as a 13-year-old at Eton Following 2021 report, Prince William demanded a boycott of the 1995 interview and blasted Bashir's 'false claims' which fuelled his mother's 'paranoia and isolation' of her final years Prince William's full statement following the Dyson Inquiry into the Bashir interview in 2021 'I'd like to thank Lord Dyson and his team for the report. It is welcomed that the BBC accepts Lord Dyson's findings in full, which are extremely concerning. That BBC employees lied and used fake documents to obtain the interview with my mother, made lurid and false claims about the royal family which played on her fears and fueled paranoia, displayed woeful incompetence when investigating complaints and concerns about the programme, and were evasive in their reporting to the media and covered up what they knew from their internal investigation. 'It is my view that the deceitful way the interview was obtained substantially influenced what my mother said. The interview is a major contribution to making my parents' relationship worse and has since hurt countless others. 'It brings indescribable sadness to know that the BBC's failures contributed significantly to her fear, paranoia and isolation that I remember from those final years with her. But what saddens me most is that if the BBC had properly investigated the complaints and concerns first raised in 1995, my mother would have known that she'd been deceived. 'She was failed not just by a rogue reporter but by leaders of the BBC, who looked the other way rather than asking the tough questions. 'It is my firm view that this Panorama programme holds no legitimacy and should never be aired again. It effectively established a false narrative which for over a quarter of a century has been commercialised by the BBC and others. 'This settled narrative now needs to be addressed by the BBC and anyone else who has written or intends to write about these events. In an era of fake news, public service broadcasting and a free press have never been more important. These failings, identified by investigative journalists not only let my mother down and my family down, they let the public down too.' Advertisement Before the clip is shown, Harry, speaking about his mother's struggles with press intrusion, says: 'I think she had a lived experience of how she was struggling living that life. She felt compelled to talk about it. 'Especially in that Panorama interview. I think we all now know that she was deceived into giving the interview. But at the same time she spoke the truth of her experience.' Sources close to William at the time said he would have been 'furious' that his brother appeared to ignore his plea that the Panorama interview never be aired again. Robert Lacey in his book Battle Of Brothers: William, Harry And The Inside Story Of A Family In Tumult, revealed how young William was impacted by the interview. He wrote that Diana did not initially consider how it would impact her boys, and according to Simone Simmons, the Princess's confidante and faith-healer, it took a phone call from William's Eton housemaster, Dr Andrew Gailey, to prompt the Princess. At the time of the notorious interview, William was in his first weeks at Eton, which had a notorious bullying culture where prefects could pour a bucket of raw eggs and Worcestershire sauce over the heads of younger boys who made a mistake. His housemaster Gailey had read the advance publicity in the newspapers and phoned Diana to tell her it was 'imperative' that she should come to explain things to William, face to face. In another phone call the next day, Gailey effectively ordered Diana down the M4 motorway to talk to her son. Princess Diana, Prince Harry, Prince William and Prince Charles on William's first day at Eton in 1995, two months before the bombshell interview The boyfriend in question was the dashing Captain James Hewitt (pictured at the Royal Berkshire Polo Club in 1991), William and Harry's riding instructor She caught William briefly after the school's Sunday Service to say: 'I didn't want it to catch you by surprise.' Recalling the short conversation with Royal biographer Tina Brown, paparazzo Mark Saunders told royal biographer Brown: 'After a few more moments, he walked away from Diana, making no attempt to kiss her or say goodbye. 'I watched in amazement as she got into the car and drove off, leaving a sad William watching from the doorway.' Afterwards, she drove on to Ludgrove, Harry's prep school half an hour away, to deliver the same message to him. William went down to his housemaster's study shortly before 8pm that Monday to sit alone and watch as Panorama's revolving globe and percussive theme music made way for the close-up of his mother's wide eyes as she fired off her broadside of embarrassing accusations. He later told a classmate that as soon as he saw his mother's face appear on screen for the interview, he was overcome with dread. Before the 58 minutes ended, William was weeping, according to Robert Lacey. His housemaster Gailey told Diana that he found her son slumped on the sofa, his eyes red with tears. The prince managed to pull himself together to rush back to his room - but when, an hour later, Diana telephoned on the house phone, he refused to take her call. A 2021 investigation into the interview found Bashir had used 'deceitful behaviour' by falsifying documents to convince Diana to take part in the programme William felt a mixture of humiliation and fury that she had denigrated his father and had mentioned Hewitt. 'He hated the idea of everything being on television,' recalled Simmons. 'And he knew his friends would poke fun at him, which they did. 'He felt she made a fool of herself - and of him.' When it comes to royal protocol, there is a seemingly endless list of rules to remember. Heirs must travelling separately from the King. No one should ever walk ahead of the monarch. And when it comes to lunch, shellfish is always off the menu. But one of the most surprising rules is reserved for women and involves the way they sit. Female members of the Royal Family are expected to do so with their legs together and/or crossed at the ankle. The Duchess of Sussex was known to have trouble remembering this instruction and often crossed her legs instinctively. A clip has recently resurfaced of Meghan sat with Prince Harry and the late Queen at the Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace in June 2018. She is seen crossing her legs at the knee before correcting herself and slanting them to the side. The apparent etiquette faux pas caused royal fans to accuse Meghan of being as 'disrespectful' towards the Queen. Meghan crossed her legs while sat with Prince Harry and the Queen at the Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace in June 2018 Meghan is pictured with her legs to the side in a position called the 'duchess' or 'Sussex' slant. This is used by female royals when sitting for a long period of time to maintain 'poise and posture' The event was one of Meghan's first engagements with both Harry and the late Queen. Elizabeth II's Young Leaders Programme celebrated the achievements of young people from across the Commonwealth, which was incredibly important to the Queen. She relished her role in binding its nations together. Earlier the same month Meghan attended an opening of a new bridge across the River Mersey in Cheshire - her first joint engagement with the Queen. Footage which circulated on social media showed her stepping out in front of the monarch, breaking one of the most important - and easily remembered - royal protocols. Despite the error, the Queen and Meghan seemed to get on well and the duchess was photographed making the Queen laugh. Although conversations with the Queen are usually private, Harry later revealed in his 2023 memoir Spare that the pair bonded over their love of dogs. The Queen and Meghan seemed to get on well at the Cheshire event in June 2018 Despite often opting for the duchess slant, Catherine is seen with her legs crossed during a visit to Wales in February 2017 Meghan is seen with her legs crossed in 2013 before becoming a royal And in another sign of their growing friendship, Meghan wore a pair of delicate pearl earrings, given to her by the Queen. Meghan would later wear these earrings to the Queen's funeral in September 2022. The following month, she spoke about her relationship with Elizabeth II in an interview with US magazine Variety, where she said: 'I've reflected on that first official engagement that I had with her, how special that felt. I feel fortunate. 'And I continue to be proud to have had a nice warmth with the matriarch of the family.' The legs-to-the-side position is known in royal circles as the 'duchess' or 'Sussex' slant and is used by female royals when sitting for long periods of time to maintain 'poise and posture'. It is a position favoured by Catherine, Princess of Wales. According to a former butler of King Charles, the duchess slant is also a way of preserving modesty when wearing a skirt or a dress. It is also meant to make legs look longer and more elegant, as well as making sitting in heels more comfortable. Royal etiquette expert Myka Meier told People that crossing her legs at the knee is one of the biggest etiquette mistakes a lady can make. Of the duchess slant, Myka said: Its sophisticated, protects vulnerabilities and looks fabulous in photos. There is no formal, written rule stating that women in the Royal Family are banned from crossing their legs while sitting. And although it may frowned upon, many have done so in the past. Princess Diana is seen crossing her legs during an event at the Red Cross headquarters in Washington in June 1997 Even the late Queen herself was photographed crossing her legs. Princess Elizabeth is pictured with King George and her sister Margaret on the grounds of Windsor Castle in July 1946 Catherine, Princess Diana, and even the late Queen have all been photographed sitting cross-legged in photos. Queen Elizabeth, a 'front row pro', preferred to sit with her feet on the floor and knees aligned, but not quite touching. Diana would often have her knees and ankles together and feet on the floor, slanting her calves at a 45-degree angle. Royal family members are taught etiquette and traditions by household staff from a young age but as Meghan married into The Firm at 36, she had not been brought up to understand all of the rules and customs. Meghan had to learn how to give a proper royal handshake, to stand up when the monarch does and to avoid any PDA (public displays of affection). Her training also included how to behave on royal engagements and learning about the intricacies of palace life. One small but bustling Midwest city has the fastest rising home prices in America. The American Midwest is experiencing an unexpected housing boom with three of the five fastest-growing property markets in the nation. Milwaukee topped the charts with a staggering 20 percent year-over-year price surge recorded in February, according to surprising new data released by real estate brokerage Redfin. This pushed the median home sale price to $330,000 - the largest increase among America's 50 most populous metro areas. Detroit and Cleveland also featured in the top five hottest markets, with prices jumping 12.5 percent and 10 percent respectively. It occurred despite a nationwide cooling in buyer demand that saw home sales drop 6.2 percent compared to last year. Katie O'Keefe, owner and broker at Dream Realty, told the DailyMail.com she's noticed a massive increase of demand in the local market - completely changing the common practice of buying houses. O'Keefe - who has been in the industry for more than two decades - described a market so competitive that buyers are regularly waiving what were once considered essential safeguards just to secure properties. Milwaukee had the fastest rising home prices in America The American Midwest is experiencing an unexpected housing boom with three of the five fastest-growing property markets in the nation 'Common practice now is to have buyers remove what were very typical contingencies like inspections and appraisals just to win the home,' she told the DailyMail.com. 'I have been in the industry over 20 years and the past few years we have seen a huge increase in demand,' she said. 'We are seeing multiple offers, over asking offer amounts, homes under contract in days - sometimes hours!' the realtor veteran added. She explained that the market is now tight, due to lack of inventory. Detroit has experienced the largest inventory decline among major metros at 6.7 percent fewer listings than last February. 'Years ago, I could search for a buyer and send a list of 30-50 available options. Now there may be three to five homes available,' she said. O'Keefe said this is a great time for sellers. 'We don't see any change in the near future. Great for sellers. More important than ever for buyers to be represented by an agent who has experience.' Katie O'Keefe, owner and broker at Dream Realty, told Dailymail.com she's noticed a massive increase of demand in the local market - completely changing the common practice of buying houses Milwaukee topped the charts with a staggering 20 percent year-over-year price surge in February, according to surprising new data released by real estate brokerage Redfin This pushed the median home sale price to $330,000 - the largest increase among America's 50 most populous metro areas Despite the surges, the Midwest remains America's most affordable region for homebuyers. Detroit maintains the lowest median sale price of any major metro at $180,000, with Cleveland following as the second most affordable at $217,750. Meanwhile, nationwide housing inventory climbed 10.7 percent year over year to reach its highest level since June 2020, early in the Covid-19 pandemic. And the data shows no signs of cooling in sight for the booming Midwest regions. 'Today's housing market is weird,' said Desiree Bourgeois, a Redfin Premier real estate agent in Detroit. 'Some homes are attracting bidding wars like it's 2020 again, while others are sitting on the market for weeks with no action.' She described recently witnessing a property receive 10 competing offers, eventually selling for $50,000 above asking price with the buyer waiving their appraisal contingency. Detroit and Cleveland also featured in the top five hottest markets, with prices jumping 12.5 percent and 10 percent respectively Despite the surges, the Midwest remains America's most affordable region for homebuyers This is a risky move that leaves purchasers vulnerable if a property doesn't value as high as their offer, she explained. 'Oftentimes, it's move-in ready homes in desirable areas that draw competition,' she said. The bizarre market conditions come as nationwide home prices rose just 3.2 percent to $425,421 - the slowest growth recorded in six months. The price of homes in other former 'affordable housing havens' are also skyrocketing, according to Redfin's numbers. In Cleveland, Ohio, home sale prices rose 15 percent in the year to December 2024 - the most of any of the 50 biggest US cities. Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Miami and Chicago all also saw double digit increases year-over-year. In the year to December, home prices rose in all of the 50 most populous metropolitan areas. This is the first time this has happened since May 2022. The price of homes in other former 'affordable housing havens' are also skyrocketing, according to data from Redfin The typical home in one of America's largest cities now costs $427,670, according to Redfin. 'Places that have long been known as affordable places to live, like Cleveland and Milwaukee, are now seeing double-digit price increases - and that's after home prices skyrocketed during the pandemic,' said Redfin senior economist Elijah de la Campa. 'Affordable housing havens have become harder and harder to come by; even places that saw some price relief last year, like Texas and Florida, are now seeing prices tick back up.' The mystery of an 'underground city' beneath Egypt's pyramid deepens as scientists have shared new details about what may lie more than 4,000 feet below the surface. A team of Italian researchers claimed they uncovered giant vertical shafts wrapped in 'spiral staircases' and a massive limestone platform containing two enormous chambers with descending channels resembling pipelines. During a news briefing released Saturday, the researchers said a water system had been identified beneath the platform, located more than 2,100 feet below the Khafre Pyramid, with underground pathways leading even deeper into the earth. The team used radar pulses to create high-resolution images deep into the ground beneath the structures, the same way sonar radar is used to map the depths of the ocean. While the bombshell claims have been dismissed by other experts as 'false' and 'exaggerated,' the team believes there is 'an entire hidden world of many structures' more than 2,000 feet below the water system 'When we magnify the images [in the future], we will reveal that beneath it lies what can only be described as a true underground city,' said Corrado Malanga from Italy's University of Pisa in a statement translated to English. The scientists' work, which has not been peer-reviewed by independent researchers, has also suggested that 'the Pyramid of Khafre might conceal undiscovered secrets, notably the fabled Hall of Records.' The Hall of Records is a legendary concept often linked to ancient Egyptian lore. It is believed to be a hidden chamber beneath the Great Pyramid or the Sphinx, containing vast amounts of lost wisdom and knowledge about the ancient civilization. The mystery of an 'underground city' beneath Egypt's pyramid deepens as scientists have shared new details about what lies more than 4,000 feet below the surface. Your browser does not support iframes. Professor Lawrence Conyers, a radar expert at the University of Denver who focuses on archaeology, told DailyMail.com that it is not possible for the technology to penetrate that deeply into the ground, making the idea of an underground city 'a huge exaggeration.' However, he suggested that it is conceivable small structures, such as shafts and chambers, may exist beneath the pyramids, having been there before the pyramids were built, because the site was 'special to ancient people He highlighted how 'the Mayans and other peoples in ancient Mesoamerica often built pyramids on top of the entrances to caves or caverns that had ceremonial significance to them.' The work by Malanga, Filippo Biondi from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, and Egyptologist Armando Mei was previously discussed only in an in-person briefing in Italy this past week. The project's spokesperson, Nicole Ciccolo, shared a new video Saturday of them discussing the research that has yet to be published in a scientific journal, where they would need to be analyzed by independent experts. The team focused on the Khafre pyramid, one of three pyramids of the Giza complex. The other two are Khufu and Menkaure. All three are believed to have been built 4,500 years ago. They sit on a rocky plateau on the west bank of the Nile River in northern Egypt, and were constructed in the name of a pharaoh. The vertical shafts identified underneath Khafre were about 33 to 39 feet in diameter, located at a depth of at least 2,130 feet. The team suggested that the structures could be supporting the pyramid. 'We did calculations and saw that the Khafre Pyramid is incredibly heavy, and to hold it up, it needs a solid foundation. Otherwise, it will sink,' Malanga said. Ciccolo also noted that the cylinder structures appeared 'to serve as access points to this underground system.' The team claimed they discovered eight cylinder-shaped structures below the Khafre, which travel more than 2,100 feet below the pyramid's base. They identified spiral structures on the sides of the shafts Pictured is a scan of the shafts underneath the pyramid. The vertical shafts are about 33 to 39 feet in diameter, located at a depth of at least 2,130 feet. The team suggested that the structure could be supporting the pyramid During the press briefing, the team explained that they sent radar signals from two satellites, positioned about 420 miles above Earth, into the Khafre Pyramid, allowing them to analyze how the signals bounced back. Pictured are hidden structures identified inside the pyramid Below the shafts, the team identified two massive rectangular enclosures, each measuring approximately 260 feet per side. According to the researchers, each of these enclosures contain four shafts that extend from the top and descend downward. During the briefing, the team showed an image created by the pulses that captured the Khafre Pyramid on the surface along with the shafts. The image also included 'a complex, luminous structure with distinct vibrations,' which they believe is 'an actual underground city.' 'The existence of vast chambers beneath the earth's surface, comparable in size to the pyramids themselves, have a remarkably strong correlation between the legendary Halls of Amenti,' Ciccolo said. Malanga and Biondi published a separate peer-reviewed paper in October 2022 in the scientific journal Remote Sensing, which found hidden rooms and ramps inside Khafre, along with evidence of a thermal anomaly near the pyramid's base. The team claims this scan shows a 'vast city' hiding beneath the pyramid (shown in luminous colors) Pictured are the researchers involved in the work: Armando Mei (left), Nicole Ciccolo (second left), Filippo Biondi (second right) and Corrado Malanga (right) The new study used similar technology but benefited from satellites orbiting Earth. During the press briefing, the team explained that they sent radar signals from two satellites, positioned about 420 miles above Earth, into the Khafre Pyramid, allowing them to analyze how the signals bounced back. The signals were then converted into sound waves, enabling them to 'see' through the solid stone. This method helped map hidden underground structures in 3D. The readings were completely consistent, ruling out any chance of misinterpretation due to sound reflections,' said Malanga. 'Since each satellite observes from a different angle, their results must align for us to consider the data reliable,' he added. 'If something appears in one satellite's scan but not the other's, we know it is a false signal or an artifact.' A former American Airlines boss has revealed the real reason why the firm terminated a passenger's 'lifelong' first-class plane ticket - after the frequent flier cost the company millions. Steven Rothstein, a businessman from Chicago, purchased an exclusive 190,000 AAirpass ticket in 1987, which granted him unlimited first-class flights for life. In addition to the AAirpass, Rothstein also splurged a further 115,000 for a companion pass, allowing him to travel with a guest. At the time, Rothstein was 37 years old and considered the AAirpass to be a savvy investment, given his frequent business trips. Over the following two decades, Rothstein flew approximately 10,000 times, travelling more than 30 million miles. His extensive flying habit, reportedly cost American Airlines a staggering $21 million (16 million). The businessman's former wife, Nancy, told reporters at the time that Rothstein 'got on a plane like most people get on a bus'. Despite his regular and lavish travel, Rothstein's golden ticket came to an abrupt end in December 2008. Steven Rothstein, a businessman from Chicago, purchased an exclusive 190,000 AAirpass ticket in 1987, which granted him unlimited first-class flights for life Speaking to the Guardian in 2019, he recalled the moment he was informed of the termination. He said: 'I went to the ticket counter, checked in my luggage for London, walked to the gate... and just as I was walking on the plane, they handed me a letter terminating the AAirpass. 'Why did they let me go to the gate? Why didnt they tell me up front, which would have been the nice thing to do?' But Rothstein's journey didn't end there: American Airlines soon launched a legal battle against Rothstein, claiming he had abused the scheme by making a series of 'speculative bookings' for non-existent passengers. According to the airline, Rothstein booked 14 flights under names such as 'Bag Rothstein' and 'Steven Rothstein Jr', which they argued violated the terms of the AAirpass. In defence, Rothstein maintained that the only rule he was ever told to follow was that he could not allow anyone else to use the AAirpass. He also claimed he turned down offers from people willing to pay him thousands of dollars a week for the privilege of using it. The stockbroker's wife and daughter also argued he had 'never used a computer' and that 'every single reservation he ever made was made with an American Airlines paid employee'. American Airlines soon launched a legal battle against Rothstein, claiming he had abused the AAirpass scheme by making a series of 'speculative bookings' for non-existent passengers American Airlines went on to accuse several other flyers of breaching their contracts by either offering strangers a seat reserved for their companion, or keeping it empty for more space (stock image) Rothstein explained: 'When I bought the AAirpass, they made it very clear: the only rule was that I couldn't give anybody else the AAirpass. And those were the days before they took identification from passengers.' American Airlines went on to accuse several other flyers of breaching their contracts by either offering strangers a seat reserved for their companion, or keeping it empty entirely for more space. Rothstein hit back against the travel giant's accusations by countersuing, accusing the company of violating the terms of the ticket by revoking it. However, the dispute was eventually settled out of court and the pass has since been discontinued. Bob Crandall, American Airlines' chairman and chief executive between 1985 and 1998, later told the Los Angeles Times that the pass, launched in 1981, was originally imagined to 'be something that firms would buy for top employees'. He added: 'It soon became apparent that the public was smarter than we were.' It comes after budget airline Wizz Air launched a new 'all you can fly' deal for just 426-a-year with customers able to jump on unlimited flights. The subscription service, priced at 499 (426) for a short time in August 2024, allows passengers to fly as far as the Maldives for a flat fare of 9 per hop. Advertisement Married At First Sight's Alessandra Rampolla has sensationally called out groom Teejay Halkias for sending 'mixed signals' to his wife Beth Kelly. The sexologist, 50, didn't hold back during Sunday night's final Commitment Ceremony, tearing into Teejay after Beth bravely revealed they had been intimate despite his ongoing claims that he needed a deeper emotional connection before engaging in sex. 'You say there's a connection issue,' Alessandra began, narrowing her eyes at the groom. 'But did you not think that she would take reintegrating sex into the relationship as a signal that you are feeling connected with her?' Teejay appeared caught off guard, admitting, 'I don't think I thought about it like that at the time.' He went on to explain his actions, claiming he believed Beth had given him the 'green light' and that he wanted to satisfy that part of their relationship, hoping it might lead to something deeper. Married At First Sight's Alessandra Rampolla has sensationally called out groom Teejay Halkias (right) for sending 'mixed signals' to his wife Beth Kelly (left) The sexologist, 50, (pictrured) didn't hold back during Sunday night's Commitment Ceremony, tearing into Teejay after Beth bravely revealed they had been intimate despite his ongoing claims that he needed a deeper emotional connection before engaging in sex But Alessandra wasn't buying it. 'Yes, but there is a big difference in the type of sexual connection she was referring to,' she snapped back, unimpressed. A clearly rattled Beth opened up about the emotional whiplash she's experienced since the confusing encounter, telling the experts: 'I don't know where it went wrong, because to me it feels like you kind of flipped a switch.' Alessandra stepped in once more, determined to get to the truth. 'I think it's very confusing because of the mixed signals and miscommunication that have clearly been going on,' she said firmly. Then, with all eyes on Teejay, she delivered the ultimate question: 'I want to know why you have been dishonest with Beth?' The moment left viewers and Beth stunned, as the groom struggled to defend himself. It comes after Beth took a swipe at Teejay after their disastrous Homestays in Brisbane on Tuesday night. 'You say there's a connection issue,' Alessandra began, narrowing her eyes at the groom. 'But did you not think that she would take reintegrating sex into the relationship as a signal that you are feeling connected with her?' 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.' 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. It comes after Beth took a swipe at Teejay after their disastrous Homestays in Brisbane on Tuesday night '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.' '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. 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 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.' 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. 'When I felt like my feelings couldn't pass a certain point, I told Beth. Was it a s*** situation? Absolutely.' 'Watch out,' former queen-pin of the rap game Lydia Harris says. 'I'm coming for my money.' Harris, the woman who helped run Death Row Records, is suing Snoop Dogg, Marion 'Suge' Knight and music giants Universal Music Group, Time Warner and Interscope Records over a $107million judgement, DailyMail.com can reveal. Harris, 61, married Death Row co-founder Michael 'Harry-O' Harris and helped run the record label famous for producing Tupac Shakur, Dr Dre and Snoop's music while her husband served a decades-long prison sentence. In 2005, the same year she and Harry O got divorced, she won a $107million default judgment against infamous Death Row boss Suge Knight and the companies behind the record label, after claiming he screwed her out of her share in the lucrative business. But she has never been able to collect. Now Harris is trying a different tactic: suing the giant record labels and big hip hop figures who she claims were in on Suge's scam. Lydia Harris is renewing her 20-year-long legal battle again Death Row Records and Marion 'Suge' Knight (right). Michael 'Harry-O' Harris (left) is also a co-founder and Lydia's ex-husband Lydia filed her lawsuit on Tuesday against Snoop Dogg (center), Suge (middle left) and music giants Universal Music Group, Time Warner and Interscope Records over a $107million judgement, DailyMail.com can reveal Lydia helped run Death Row Records while her husband served a 17-year sentence. She won the judgment against Suge and the companies behind the record label in 2005, after claiming he screwed her out of her share in the lucrative business 'For over 20 years, I've fought for what's rightfully mine. What started as a vision turned into betrayal, silence, and exclusion,' Lydia told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview. 'While others reap the rewards, myself and my family who should have benefited, have been left with nothing.' Harris has an adult daughter, LyDasia, with Harry O. 'This isn't about resentment; it's about justice. I've dedicated years of my life and I refuse to let my contributions be erased,' she added. 'I respect everyone involved, but respect doesn't mean silence. 'I'm ready for a resolution. I'm ready to be paid what I'm owed. It's time for fairness, for truth, and for justice.' Her lawsuit, filed in a Texas federal court on Tuesday, accuses Snoop, Suge, Universal, Time Warner and Interscope Records of 'fraud on the court, civil conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and abuse of legal process.' Lydia Harris told DailyMail.com that Suge and his lawyers tried to wriggle out of the enormous judgment by claiming that Harry-O signed a release effectively forgiving the debt Lydia posing at Death Row Records with Warner Bros record executive Mo Ostin (bottom left), DJ Battle Cat (bottom center), talent manager Benny Medina (third in from left) and rapper Dana Dane (third in from right) She accused the record labels, executives and rap stars of 'refusing to produce financial records', 'submitting fraudulent and misleading legal filings', and 'engaging in bad-faith legal tactics' Lydia posing with defense lawyer David Kenner who has represented Snoop Dogg and Suge Knight Harris also named 'Time Warner' among the defendants in her lawsuit, which is an ancestor of current media giant Warner Bros. Discovery. Time Warner was renamed 'WarnerMedia' and bought by AT&T in 2018, then later became 'Warner Bros. Discovery' after it was spun off from a merger with Discovery Inc in 2022. Harris alleges 'a deliberate and orchestrated conspiracy' by Interscope Records, Time Warner, Universal Music Group, Death Row Records and others to defraud her of the $107million court-ordered judgment from 2005. She accused the record labels, executives and rap stars of 'refusing to produce financial records', 'submitting fraudulent and misleading legal filings', and 'engaging in bad-faith legal tactics'. The legal filing adds that they 'willfully obstructed judicial discovery, refused to comply with court orders and engaged in fraudulent legal maneuvers to evade accountability.' Harris, who now lives in Sugar Land, Texas, told DailyMail.com that Suge Knight and his lawyers tried to wriggle out of the enormous judgement by claiming that Harry-O signed a release effectively forgiving the debt. Harry-O was sentenced to 28 years in prison in 1987 for kidnap and attempted murder. It was while he was behind bars that he co-founded Death Row. In total he served 33 years before his sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump on the last day of his first term in the White House. The legal filing adds that the defendants 'willfully obstructed judicial discovery, refused to comply with court orders and engaged in fraudulent legal maneuvers to evade accountability Suge and his associates filed for bankruptcy tactically to shield Death Row's assets and play a shell game with the record label's huge profits, Lydia claims. But she said she never signed any release, and that she is still owed the cash pile. Knight and his associates filed for bankruptcy tactically to shield Death Row's assets and play a shell game with the record label's huge profits, she claims. Lydia also claimed that her lawsuit will include 'new documents' that purportedly show Time Warner and Universal bosses knew about Suge's alleged underhand tactics, and took part in hiding the $107million from her. However, it appears she has struggled to find the right lawyer for her case, filing the new lawsuit 'pro se', representing herself without an attorney. Lawyers may have been put off by her previous spats with her own counsel, having accused former reps Wasserman, Comden & Casselman of misrepresenting her in the original lawsuit. The Death Row case is one of the longest-running on the Los Angeles court's books. One attorney previously involved in the case, Peter Ezzell, said he has 17 boxes of documents on the case which has 'gone on through generations' since Harris sued Knight in 2002. In the quiet corner of Lincolnshire which was been Amanda Mealings home for decades, there is plain disbelief over the Casualty stars conviction in court this week for driving while high on cocaine. Neighbours had heard about the car accident which left both Mealing and the theatre nurse and local councillor she crashed into injured, but no one had realised their celebrity resident had been involved. As one put it: We all know Amanda and her family live in the village but had no idea until now that she was involved in that dreadful crash. Another said: We had heard that a local councillor had been badly hurt but didnt know she was the driver that caused it. Its quite a shock and rather alarming because she was driving in the morning while high on drugs. And its not just locals who are astonished that the low-key actress should have ended up in this humiliating predicament. One long-standing friend says: It is shocking news. She is the last person you would have thought this of. I have known her for over ten years and she has always been particularly proud of her sobriety. Shes also been doing so well as a director recently. This is a real shame. Colleagues on Holby City and Casualty remember she would routinely show up for a 7am on set call having already done a cleansing session of hot yoga at dawn. And they recall that it was actually rather a joke that clean-living Amanda would bring her own cafetiere on set. Amanda played consultant Connie Beauchamp from 2004 to 2021 in Holby City and Casualty Yet one associate this week described the 57-year-old mother of two to me as lovely but troubled and as her lawyer outlined at her court case, Mealing has being going through a particularly difficult period in an already turbulent life. Indeed, while the character she played - consultant Connie Beauchamp from 2004 to 2021 - suffered trials including a helicopter crash and drug dependency, it seems that Mealings off-screen tribulations have been just as dramatic, and tragic. Solicitor Lloyd Edwards explained to the court this week that Mealing had been battling through a divorce from her film producer husband Richard Sainsbury as well as grieving over the death of her father, her dog, and her best friend - believed to be comedian Paul OGrady - at the time of the accident in January last year. She also has blood cancer and has been unable to work. On the night before the incident she went to a friends house where she took cocaine. After the accident the following morning, she was found to have 18mcg of cocaine in her blood, the legal limit being 10mcg. She also had in excess of 240mcg of benzoylecgonine (the chemical that cocaine is broken down into by the body) almost five times over the legal limit of 50mcg. Mr Edwards is clear that this is something which Mealing bitterly regrets. He told the court emphatically: She doesnt take drugs and certainly will never take drugs again. He said: My client pleaded guilty to drug driving at the very first opportunity. Its something which shes deeply ashamed of. Shes got no previous convictions. Shes not somebody who takes drugs at all. She tells me her brother died of the drugs overdose when he was 18. And she says herself, I should have known better, but 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, and within a short space of time, her father died, she had to put her dog down, and her best friend had died. It was deeply, deeply upsetting. She had gone round to her friends and she accepts that at that meeting, she took some cocaine. She doesnt know why she did that. Its a matter of huge regret to her even now. And the next day, she drove home, so because shes not experienced with drugs, shed no idea that those drugs were still in her system. She certainly wouldnt have driven if shed known that. Shortly after 10am, her black Mini was on the wrong side of the carriageway on the A1175 at Hop Pole, near Stamford in Lincolnshire when it collided with a Skoda driven by nurse and local councillor Mark Le Sage who was on his way to work. An ambulance was called for Mr Le Sage, who suffered cuts and bruises, but this was cancelled as it attended another emergency. He took himself to A&E for treatment. An air ambulance was called for Mealing and paramedics worked for over two hours to try and stabilise her at the scene. She suffered a head injury, a broken wrist and a broken clavicle. Mr Edwards said: She suffered a significant head injury and a broken clavicle but most seriously of all, her blood sugar level was alarmingly low. Ive got the ambulance report from the paramedics. They attended within five minutes and what they say is that the BM [level of blood sugar] was taken as low, she was very drowsy throughout and proving only slightly responsive to medication. Mr Le Sage said he was no longer able to continue in his job as a theatre nurse after the crash due to problems with his sight and hearing and pain in his legs, neck, shoulder, back and hip In fact, they were so alarmed that the air ambulance was called. So, all the notes indicate that they thought she was suffering from a hypoglycaemic attack and there were references to that being the probable cause of the accident. She was interviewed by the police three days later. She has very strong feelings about the way the officer conducted that. She doesnt feel she should have been interviewed then. She had a big bang to the head and she was, she thinks, suffering from concussion. She was very remorseful about what happened in the accident. She still remains that, and so she was anxious to help. She quite clearly didnt know what happened. So shes speculating that she must have done something to cause the accident... she suspects that she was unconscious. Mealing 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. Mr Le Sage said he had been severely affected by the crash, and was no longer able to continue in his job as a theatre nurse due to problems with his sight and hearing and pain in his legs, neck, shoulder, back and hip. He said that he had flashbacks and nightmares about the crash. Mr Edwards said the actress didnt accept he was injured to that level and adds that she has collected a dossier of Facebook posts from Mr Le Sage to support her point. For now, she isnt speaking about the incident. It looks possible that the case will come to court again this time perhaps in the form of a civil case for damages from Mr Le Sage. Her estranged husband Richard Sainsbury was at their farmhouse this week and said: If she wants to talk about it, that is up to her, but had nothing to add. Neighbours in their quiet village say that they havent seen her for many months. One local woman said: The family are often seen out and about but no one has seen Amanda for many months. We believe she has split up from her husband but not sure if she has moved out of the house which they have been busy renovating. Amanda's solicitor explained to the court this week that she had been going through a divorce from her film producer husband Richard Sainsbury at the time of the crash Her many supporters in the London media world hope that she makes some sort of a comeback, when she is well enough and once she has put this difficult episode behind her. Shes very close to TV producer and Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies and considers chef Andi Oliver as her sister. Since leaving Casualty in 2021 she has been moving from acting into directing, including an episode of the BBC TV series Waterloo Road. One recent great source of sorrow was the death of Paul OGrady from sudden cardiac arrhythmia in March 2023 hes understood to be the best friend her solicitor referred to in court. OGrady was the godfather to both of her sons. She called him the gatekeeper of my secrets, adding: There was nothing Paul didnt know - the deepest, darkest secrets about me, and he wouldnt tell anyone else. I knew I wouldnt get any kind of judgment from him. I still go to call him. Something funny or infuriating will happen, and I reach for my phone. After he died she adopted his dog Rufus Elvis OGrady, who was part of the doggy guard of honour at his funeral. This dog died in early 2024 after years of ill-health, shortly before her car accident. Heartbroken, Mealing wrote on Instagram: RIP Rufus. Thank you for loving me. Mealing overcame the upheaval of discovering, aged 30, that she had been adopted as a baby, after a chance remark by a tipsy cousin at a family wedding. She said: Id always felt I didnt fit in, I looked different to the rest of my family. Suddenly it all made sense. I had no serious cause for complaint. The actress's black Mini was on the wrong side of the carriageway on the A1175 at Hop Pole, near Stamford in Lincolnshire, when it collided with a Skoda My parents had given me this charmed life full of opportunities. Ive certainly never felt unloved. Research led her to a birth sister, Claire, who had also been adopted, and eventually into contact with her birth mother, Joyce, who had moved to the US after having both girls. She telephoned her birth mother and discovered that she had been longing for that call. She said: Mum had avidly followed my career from the other side of the Atlantic - she had a big scrapbook full of newspaper cuttings on all the programmes Id been in. Legally she hadnt been allowed to make contact - she said this was the call shed waited for all her life. A model for Biba, Joyce had both girls with her poet and activist boyfriend. There were also three half-siblings from his subsequent relationships. Four years later, Mealing was diagnosed with breast cancer, just 24 hours after giving birth to her second son, Otis. Her older son, Milo, was three at the time. She had been aware of a small lump in her breast when pregnant, but ignored it. She said: I definitely thought it could have been mastitis. But a large part of it was that ridiculous thing where I thought, If I dont go to the GP, they cant tell me its breast cancer and therefore I can pretend its no. But if Id done something about it at the time, I may not have had to endure what I did. Its ridiculous. I played with my life. I gambled. It must have been three months. And it went from being a pea-sized lump to a mass. It was huge. I remember seeing the mass when I had my ultrasound and I knew. It was like the air just went out of me. I got very angry at the cancer. I thought, How dare you do this to me when my newborn baby is just hours old? I wont let it happen. She had a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Five years after she had completed her treatment she was diagnosed with PTSD. Her sister in law and a close friend, both diagnosed with breast cancer at around the same time, did not survive. Mealing has needed therapy to cope with survivors guilt which led to panic attacks and depression. The experience of cancer has given her a titanium self-reliance. In an interview a few months before the accident she remarked: Life happens. Its a journey and only you go through it. You can have all the love and support around you but youre the only person that travels with it. Additional reporting: Tracey Kandohla Christine Quinn put her fantastic figure on display while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with her new boyfriend, Texas businessman Thomas McGarrity, 51. The former Selling Sunset star, 36, split from her husband, tech entrepreneur Christian Dumontet, 46, last year. The native Texan stunned in a zebra print bikini as well as a black one piece with racy cut outs and sheer fabric throughout the suit. Her long blonde hair was down and wind blown, giving her a fresh faced appeal without the makeup she usually wears. The reality TV star filed for divorce from Dumontet in April 2024 after he was arrested at their LA house for assault with a deadly weapon in March last year. Speaking for the first time, Christine recalled how she was 'stripped from her entire life overnight' while opening up about her five year relationship with Dumontet. Christine Quinn put her fantastic figure on display while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with her new boyfriend, Texas businessman Thomas McGarrity, 51 The blonde beauty appears to have a type as the man she was with sported a similar hairstyle, facial hair and coloring as her ex The former Selling Sunset star, 36, split from her husband, tech entrepreneur Christian Dumontet, 46, in April 2024 In an interview with People, an emotional Christine explained: '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. And it was dehumanizing.' '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 couple met via a mutual friend in early 2019, got engaged on Valentine's of the same, year, and got married later that year in December. 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 statement. Adding of their divorce, Christine continued: 'I made a vow, and I really didn't want to break that. 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.' The native Texan stunned in a zebra print bikini as well as a black one piece with racy cut outs and sheer fabric throughout the suit Her long blonde hair was down and wind blown, giving her a fresh faced appeal without the makeup she usually wears Christine and Thomas were spotted enjoying a PDA in their beach cabana Christine and Christian share three-year-old son Christian Georges. The tech entrepreneur was arrested in March 2024 on assault with a deadly weapon after officers said he threw a trash bag with glass in it at Quinn, but missed and hit their son. 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. He has denied hitting their son and claimed an argument began over their dogs urinating on some of his personal belongings, TMZ reported at the time. Christian claimed that he had picked up a bag of trash and tossed it against a wall, but his wife and son were never hit. In April, the Selling Sunset alum was granted a temporary restraining order against Christian, and just days later, he filed for divorce while also requesting for sole custody of their son. In October, a Los Angeles court judge has granted Richard also known as Christian Dumontet mental health diversion in his criminal case, per Us Weekly. The reality TV star filed for divorce from Dumontet in April 2024 after he was arrested at their LA house for assault with a deadly weapon in March last year Speaking for the first time, Christine spoke about how she was 'stripped from her entire life overnight' while opening up about her five year relationship with Dumontet A source informed the outlet he will have to undergo therapy sessions for one year, as well as do community service labor and pay restitution. If Christian maintains positive feedback and reports throughout the year, his misdemeanor case could possibly be dropped. In court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Quinn attended a hearing on September 24 and contested the judge's ruling. In October of last year, a Los Angeles court judge granted Dumontet a mental health diversion in his criminal case, per Us Weekly. The reality star has also claimed her estranged husband reached out to some of her family members - including her father. She alleged that Richard asked them to pass along a message to her to say he wanted to have 'a simple, friendly conversation' which could 'make a night and day difference.' It was also claimed that only five minutes after the September 24 court appearance, Quinn received a message from an unknown 'burner' phone - and the text had told her to 'chill out.' Christine's attorney, Jacqueline Sparagna, told Us Weekly after the judge ruling, 'We hope Mr. Dumontet takes advantage of this opportunity to get the help he so clearly needs.' Christine seen with ex-husband Christian Dumontet In an interview with People , an emotional Christine explained: '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. And it was dehumanizing' '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' Christine and her ex Christian (not pictured) share three-year-old son Christian Georges And Richard's lawyer, Alexandra Kazarian, responded to Quinn's claims in a statement and said, 'The depths of Ms. Quinn's delusion are once again on display.' 'Her wild and unsubstantiated allegations have not stopped and her lack of credibility is best understood when read in conjunction with the unprecedented public statement by LAPD that her claims of hotel room bugging and alleged surveillance by Christian were unfounded.' Kazarian added, 'The reality is that Ms. Quinn enjoyed complete financial and personal independence during the marriage while spending upwards of $30,000 a month of his money.' 'And is now facing a divorce without a prenup, and having to repay the community assets with the millions she made during the marriage.' Kim Kardashian and her children are allegedly worried that Kanye West is 'sinking further down' mentally amid the former couple's dramatic feud, it is claimed. Their battle of wills burst into the public eye last week after Kanye disregarded Kim's objections and dropped a song featuring their 11-year-old daughter North along with Diddy, who is awaiting trial on charges including sex trafficking. Sources then claimed Kim ended one of North's visits with her father because self-described misogynist Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan were going to be present. The alleged episode with the Tates - who are facing charges in Romania including human trafficking and sex with a minor - is said to have prompted Kim to call an emergency custody hearing. Kanye aimed a string of scathing rants at Kim on X this week, attacking her parenting and complaining that a white woman is in 'control' of his 'black children.' Now a source has alleged that Kanye, who maintains he was incorrectly diagnosed with bipolar disorder, is 'obviously not taking his meds, if he was we wouldnt be here,' according to Page Six. Kim Kardashian and her children are allegedly frightened that Kanye West is 'sinking further down' mentally amid the former couple's dramatic feud, it is claimed 'Its not getting any better, hes not a well person, hes sinking further down and hes not acting rationally. Theres so much negativity - I dont think he can come out of this,' the insider continued. Kim is said to be considering applying for full custody of the four children she shares with Kanye - North, 11, Saint, nine, Chicago, seven, and Psalm, six. 'North loves him. I cant speak for the other kids, but North is definitely Yes girl,' said the insider. 'But it must be scary for Kim.' The rapper, 47, continued his streak of shocking posts on Thursday, seemingly bashing his former collaborators Future and Ty Dolla Sign, as well as his ex touring mate Kendrick Lamar. He also shared scandalous social media posts about Jay-Z and Beyonce's children, leading the superstar couple to allegedly discuss legal retaliation. Kim has had her own difficulties with her ex, after he released a new song featuring vocals from their daughter North, along with the jailed rap mogul Diddy, who is currently facing sex trafficking charges and multiple sexual assault lawsuits. He has vehemently denied all of the charges and allegations. Kim has lately been dealing with attacks from her ex-husband Kanye West over their parenting and custody arrangement. On Tuesday, the Runaway rapper explained that he didn't want their daughter North West, 11, working with Playboi Carti when her father had been excluded from the project. 'White women not letting me see my kids or even have say so of where they go to school and controlling my kids name and likeness,' West added later. 'Celebrities only speaking up to diss me for wearing a red hat'; Kim and North seen in LA in April 2024 Kanye and Kim are pictured in 2019 'I decided North wont be doing any songs with Carti,' West said. 'How it look for me to get left off the album and then he ask Kim to have vocals from my daughter.' He added, 'I dont a f*** about none of this industry s*** and how its a skims line in the first place and I dont give a f*** what no comments.' 'White women not letting me see my kids or even have say so of where they go to school and controlling my kids name and likeness,' he added later. 'Celebrities only speaking up to diss me for wearing a red hat.' He continued: 'So a white women has control over the name and likeness of my Black children and then speaks to carti about putting my daughter on a song with him.' Kanye also claimed he hadn't seen his nine-year-old son Saint in six weeks. After a fan suggested that he contact Kim's mother Kris Jenner about spending time with his children, he dismissed the idea. Sources close to Kim alleged she and Kanye had an emergency custody hearing last week after she ended a visitation because Andrew and Tristan Tate were allegedly set to show up West then said he would be turning to the court system: 'Its time go and get full custody which will me [sic]. 'Taking them out of the hands of disney sierra canyon pawn celebrity parents and the kardashian klan and mama kriss who signed for the sex tape,' he continued. 'I'm not the crazy one here. I'm they father. I'm controlling what they watch what they wear and where to go to school,' West added. TMZ previously reported that Kim was considering going to court to request full custody of their four children, after Kanye allegedly ignored their joint custody agreement. Things took an even uglier turn on Tuesday with West's insulting X posts about his ex-wife. Following his baseless claims, sources close to Kardashian alleged that she and West had had an emergency hearing over North last week. Sources said she had ended her daughter's visitation with her West after security guards allegedly alerted her that the right-wing provocateur's Andrew and Tristan Tate were going to be arriving at the same event. The brothers who have been denounced for their open defenses of misogyny were charged with rape, human trafficking and forming an organized crime group to sexually exploit women in Romania in 2023. The Tate brothers were charged with rape, human trafficking and forming an organized crime group to sexually exploit women in Romania in 2023, but they returned to the US in February with help from the Trump administration. They have denied the charges; seen March 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada While they were held in the country, British police also obtained an arrest warrant as part of an investigation into rape, human trafficking, and allegations of sex with minors and money laundering. The Tate brothers have denied all charges and allegations leveled against them, and they were allowed to return to the US late last month after the Trump administration interceded. DailyMail.com has reached out to West for comment. So far, the rapper's bizarre, bridge-burning rants on social media have no end in sight. Advertisement Amy Schumer appeared on Instagram on Friday to share her experience with the diabetes and weight loss drug Mounjaro. Engaging her 12.7 million followers, the 43-year-old comedic actress who attended Love Rocks benefit concert earlier this month praised the brand, adding that it's worked out better than its competitor Wegovy. Earlier this year she also revealed that similar drug Ozempic did not agree with her. 'Three years ago, I tried Wegovy,' Schumer said in a social media video. 'I was puking, I couldnt handle it. I dont know if theyve changed the formula, whatever. But anyway, I went on this Telehealth meeting with Midi Health, and it was cheap. I wanted to try it myself cause I wanted to recommend it to my friends who are nurses and teachers.' She said the virtual care clinic 'put me on estrogen and progesterone because I realized I was in perimenopause and my symptoms from being perimenopausal have disappeared.' Schumer noted, 'My hair is fuller, my skin is better, I have more energy, I want to get down more, if you know what I mean. Im talking about sex. So thats been great and Mounjaros been great.' The star added with a touch of humor, 'And, look, its not covered by insurance unless you have diabetes or like severe obesity, which most of the internet thinks I have. Amy Schumer appeared on Instagram on Friday to share her experience with the diabetes and weight loss drug Mounjaro 'But Im having a really good experience with it and I wanted to keep it real with you about that.' In conclusion, she shared, 'Midi Health. I liked it so much and I had such a good experience [that] I invested in the company.' In January Amy appeared on The Howard Stern Show, where she discussed how using Ozempic negatively affected her health. Schumer had to stop the once-weekly injection after suffering from extreme nausea and vomiting. 'I have this gene GDF15 which makes you extremely prone to nausea, which is why I was so sick during my pregnancy,' the mother-of-one said. The star shares five-year-old son Gene with husband Chris Fischer. 'So, I tried Ozempic almost three years ago and I was like, bedridden. I was vomiting and then you have no energy. But other people take it and they're all good,' she explained. Although she shed 30 pounds while taking the drug, the entertainer said that it prevented her from being able to play with her son. She praised Mounjaro, adding that it's worked out better than its competitor Wegovy. Earlier this year she also revealed that similar drug Ozempic did not agree with her Amy recently slipped into a snug-fitting, baby blue and navy rugby dress for Love Rocks NYC benefit concert Schumer and husband Chris Fischer pictured in February 'I lost 30 pounds so quick. I looked great and I couldn't lift my head off the pillow, so what's the point?' she noted. Also on Friday, Amy shared that she and her husband are selling their multi-million dollar Brooklyn home. Sharing photos of the home via Instagram, she captioned, 'Brooklyn heights 2 parking spots. Backyard. 4 bedrooms... 1 block from Brooklyn bridge park and all the schools are so close. Will miss it so much and loved our 3 years here. Quite safe and beautiful.' In a Stories post, she reiterated, 'Selling our apartment after three perfect years. Brooklyn Heights heaven.' Rita Ora flashed a glimpse of her incredibly toned abs while heading to a workout in sun-soaked Sydney on Sunday. The songstress, 34, showcased her gym toned physique in a skimpy red bralet and shorts while wrapping a sarong around her tiny waist. Rita completed her casual look with sandals and shielded her eyes behind a pair of chic oval shades as she made her way to the yoga studio. She swept her curly hair into a ponytail and accessorised with of gold jewellery while gazing at her phone. Rota's outing comes after she gave a rare insight into her marriage to film director, Taika Waititi, 49, in an interview with Hunger magazine. The hitmaker wed the movie director, 49, in 2022 and credited their strong friendship as they key component to their romantic relationship. Rita Ora, 34, flashed a glimpse of her incredibly toned abs while heading to a workout in sun-soaked Sydney on Sunday The songstress showcased her gym toned physique in a skimpy red bralet and shorts while wrapping a sarong around her tiny waist Telling the publication: 'Taika and I are basically just best friends and we wanted to just live in that element for ever, I guess.' For the shoot Rita looked sensational as she showcased her gym toned physique in a string of abs-flashing outfits from her SS25 Primark collection. She posted up a storm in a skimpy fringed co-ord before donning a quirky sheer shirt which boasted a denim bib and teamed with oversized jeans. Elsewhere in the interview Rita spoke about her latest album On You & I and how her marriage to Taika, which she said was a 'big step', helped inspire it. She said: 'I felt like it was really necessary to be an open book I wanted to introduce people to where I'm at in my life now like a diary'. 'I think music is all about being as honest as you can be All you can do is be yourself and hope that there's somebody out there who can connect or relate' The couple wed in a secret ceremony in August 2022, after Rita bucked tradition and popped the question. Their low-key Los Angeles ceremony wasn't confirmed by the couple until a year later, which Rita told Grazia they 'winged with zero planning'. Rita completed her casual look with sandals and shielded her eyes behind a pair of chic oval shades as she made her way to the yoga studio She swept her curly hair into a ponytail and accessorised with of gold jewellery while gazing at her phone It comes after she shared are insight into her marriage to Taika Waititi, 49 After years of not being in the right relationship during her 'messy twenties', Rita said that when she got together with Taika it felt 'right and safe'. Reflecting on her past, she told the publication last year: 'My love life has been colourful, to say the least. But how wicked is it that we can make those choices for ourselves?. She added: 'I was groggy all the time [during her twenties]. I wanted to feel awake and that my brain was switched on.' Sam Thompson enjoyed a boozy night out with pals Pete Wicks and Marvin Humes after his and ex Zara McDermott's celebrity friends began 'taking sides' amid her new romance with Louis Tomlinson. The I'm A Celeb winner, 32, took to his Instagram Stories on Saturday evening as he hit the town looking smart in stylish black suit. Pete, 37, was also suited and booted and shared a mirrored selfie before the pair headed out to dinner and later caught up with Sam's former I'm A Celeb campmate Marvin, 40, Newly-single Sam flashed a huge smile while enjoying his meal and held up his beer before later sharing a hug with the JLS star. Former Love Island star Zara, 28, dated The I'm A Celeb winner, 32, for five years before they split in December. She is now thought to be dating One Direction star Louis after the pair were spotted enjoying a romantic evening overnight in Sussex. Sam Thompson (R) enjoyed a night out with pals Pete Wicks and Marvin Humes (L) amid his split from Zara McDermott on Saturday It comes after his and ex Zara's celebrity friends began 'taking sides' after she embarked on a new romance with Louis Tomlinson However, after being together for five years, Zara and Sam have a lot of mutual friends, who are now reportedly 'stuck in the middle' amid the drama. A source told The Sun: 'It's really hard as the friendship groups were combined for five years and everyone was so supportive. 'But now they've been torn apart and people are having to take sides. Some people have chosen Sam, others have chosen Zara - and some people are stuck in the middle.' Louise was cynical about Zara but did warm up to her. Pete was always close to Zara, so the split is hard for him too.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Zara, Sam, Pete and Louise for comment. Zara and Pete also have a close friendship, with Pete previusly admitting it was Zara who pushed him to do Strictly Come Dancing. She previously said of the friendship: 'The three of us have a very odd relationship, but it's very amazing. 'He's literally my brother, my best friend. He's Sam's brother and his best friend. Me and Sam are together, so, I love them both very much in different ways. Newly-single Sam flashed a huge smile while enjoying his meal and held up his beer before later sharing a hug with the JLS star Pete, 37, was also suited and booted and shared a mirrored selfie before the pair headed out to dinner and later caught up with Sam's former I'm A Celeb campmate Marvin, 40 Former Love Island star Zara, 28, dated The I'm A Celeb winner, 32, for five years before they split in December (Seen in March 2024 with Sam) 'It's a strange dysfunctional family. It works so well because we are all so different, the three of us, that we... just anything that any of us is faced with, like we're all there for each other. It's so lovely. 'And I know it sounds a bit weird to be best friends with your boyfriend's best friend - the whole trio.' Zara and Pete also made a slew of hilarious TikToks as they spent time together while Sam was in Australia on I'm A Celeb. Meanwhile, one fan took to Louise's Instagram comments to address how she will move forward with her friendship with Zara, writing: 'Hope you don't just drop Zara'. Louise appeared to make a defiant statement about her friendship with Zara by liking the comment. Sam and Zara regularly made fun TikTok videos with Louise and her partner Ryan Libbey and the group also travelled together on lavish holidays. And last month, Louise and Sam took to the BRIT Awards red carpet together, narrowly missing an awkward run-in with ex Zara. It comes just after Zara's eye-watering income was 'revealed' as she ' became a millionaire' amid the split. She is now thought to be dating One Direction star Louis after the pair were spotted enjoying a romantic evening overnight in Sussex However, after being together for five years, Zara and Sam have a lot of mutual friends, who are now reportedly 'stuck in the middle' amid the drama Sam and Zara regularly made fun TikTok videos with Louise and her partner Ryan Libbey and the group also travelled together on lavish holidays It has now been revealed by The Sun that Zara's post-Love Island endeavours have seen her rake in huge amounts of cash, reportedly 1million. From reality TV to presenting hard hitting BBC documentaries, the former policy adviser's media career has seen her 'become a millionaire'. Zara has appeared in various reality TV programmes after finding fame on the ITV dating show in 2018 - where she struck up a romance with Adam Collard. The pair split soon after, but Zara later started dating Made In Chelsea's Sam and appeared on the London-based show as his girlfriend. In 2021, Zara presented her first documentary for the BBC, Revenge Porn, and a collection of films followed focusing on topics such as the dark side of party island Ibiza and eating disorders. Then two years later she was selected as one of the celebrities to compete on the 21st series of Strictly Come Dancing. Her impressive career so far has paid out, with The Sun reporting her company Zara Nicole McDermott Ltd has 300,000 in it. The publication reported that Zara has paid out around 170,000 in corporation tax between 2022 and 2023, which indicates her income was around 1million. And following her split from Sam at the end of last year, Zara has bagged herself her own London property thought to be worth 500,000. Jesinta Franklin celebrated her son Rocky's fourth birthday on Saturday. The model, 33, shared a never-before-seen throwback photo of her husband Lance 'Buddy' Franklin with their son Rocky to mark the milestone. The image saw Buddy holding his newborn son shortly after they welcomed him into the world. 'I always spend the eve of the kids birthdays looking at photos and crying,' Jesinta captioned the image. 'Nothing will ever top the feeling of meeting your baby for the first time. Your world changes forever.' Jesinta and Buddy are also parents to five-year-old daughter Tullulah. Jesinta Franklin (pictured) has celebrated her son Rocky's fourth birthday on Saturday The model, 33, shared a never-before-seen throwback photo of her husband Lance 'Buddy' Franklin with their son Rocky to mark the milestone It comes after Jesinta recently shocked her fans by revealing the very surprising name she used before becoming famous. The glamorous AFL WAG shared a photo to Instagram which captured her maiden name printed on an award she received from her university days. The model's hyphenated maiden name, which she used in her childhood, was printed on the award: 'The 2009 winner of the Collegiate Scholarship for academic excellence is awarded to Jesinta Campbell-Hogg.' Jesinta captioned the photo with some amusing words: 'The things you find while spring cleaning. @BondUniversity.' The Miss Universe Australia 2010 winner studied journalism at Bond University on the Gold Coast in 2009, prior to beginning her career as a fashion model. The stunner was born in 1991 to parents Valerie Campbell and Andrew Hogg and in 2019 she revealed the surprising reason she combined their two last names. 'Mum was always a modern woman and decided to keep her surname. Dad's last name is Hogg and I didn't want to be Jesinta Hogg... so I took both,' she told The Sydney Morning Herald. Upon commencing her career as a model, Jesinta dropped the Hogg and was known as Jesinta Campbell. Jesinta married former Sydney Swans star Buddy in November, 2016 Jesinta married former Sydney Swans star Buddy in November, 2016. He has since waved goodbye to his $10million Sydney Swans contract after a legendary career in AFL. Jesinta said in August 2023 that her husband has now turned his focus to fatherhood after retiring from sports. 'It was so sudden, so it's just about family time basically. I've got a lot of work on so it'll be daddy care,' she told the Herald Sun at the time. Married At First Sight's producers have pulled off their most twisted challenge yet. The controversial task, titled 'Is the Grass Greener on the Other Side?', will be the focus of this week's episodes. I previously reported it wreaked havoc on the few remaining couples, and was even described as 'sickening' by show insiders. The task sees the brides and grooms given a choice of staying with their original partner, or exploring a new connection with a scientifically 'better' match. But it was a trick question - because anyone who agreed to meet their 'back-up' option automatically failed the challenge in the eyes of the relationship experts. Now I can exclusively reveal which participants took the bait, and what happened after they made their 'deal with the devil'... Awhina's match: Tim King Married At First Sight's producers have pulled off their most twisted challenge yet. (Pictured: Dave Hand and Jamie Marinos) The controversial task, titled 'Is the Grass Greener on the Other Side?', will be the focus of this week's episodes. I previously reported it wreaked havoc on the few remaining couples, and was even described as 'sickening' by show insiders. (Pictured: MAFS experts, from left, Alessandra Rampolla, Mel Schilling and John Aiken) Awhina Rutene, herself a disability carer, was paired with Tim King, an NDIS worker from the Gold Coast. On paper, the two made perfect sense, sharing similar career paths and values. But was there chemistry? I spoke to Tim this week and he explained how he ended up as Awhina's 'back-up' after previously being scouted as a main cast member. He tells me, 'I was supposed to be an original contestant but my bride bailed, so I went off to Europe. Then they called me back as an intruder groom, but two days before I was meant to go on, I got a call saying they went with another guy. 'I was called back again when my original bride decided to come back, but I was still in Europe, so they found a replacement groom for her.' After these false starts, he got the call to be a back-up in the 'Grass is Greener' task. Tim insists that while he 'hit it off with Awhina', he wasn't on the show to steal anyone's wife and so offered a sympathetic ear. 'She was nice, but she wasn't my type. I just played a counsellor role. I didn't want to be the homewrecker,' he tells me. Awhina Rutene (left), herself a disability carer, was paired with Tim King (right), an NDIS worker from the Gold Coast Tim insists that while he 'hit it off with Awhina', he wasn't on the show to steal anyone's wife and so offered a sympathetic ear Beth's match: Oisin Scully Beth Kelly had a very different experience. She was paired with Irish personal trainer Oisin Scully, who works at the popular Sydney gym Acero, which is owned by celebrity fitness guru Jono Castano and his ex-wife Amy. While Oisin was eager to make an impression, Beth wasn't entirely convinced. Oisin, like Tim, was one of the applicants who came close to being a main cast member this season but, for various reasons, didn't make the cut. While Awhina and Tim got along well and had similar values, Beth, whose husband is Teejay Halkias, found Oisin 'arrogant' and wasn't shy about telling him so. 'There was no spark. She thought he was full of himself,' a source tells me. Beth wasn't seriously looking for a new man when she agreed to the task, insiders say. 'She just wanted to open Teejay's eyes and make him appreciate her more.' Beth Kelly (left) was paired with Irish personal trainer Oisin Scully, whom she found 'arrogant' Oisin, like Tim, was one of the applicants who came close to being a main cast member this season but, for various reasons, didn't make the cut Teejay's match: Tara-Lee Preston Teejay was paired with Sydney sales consultant Tara-Lee Preston, a fiery redhead who soon made him reconsider his loyalty to Beth. Unlike some of the other matches, Teejay and Tara hit it off effortlessly. A production source reveals: 'Teejay was loving the chemistry he had with his back-up match. They just vibed instantly. 'He had more spark with Tara in one day than he had with his actual bride in weeks.' Teejay Halkias (left) was paired with Sydney sales consultant Tara-Lee Preston (right), a fiery redhead who soon made him reconsider his loyalty to Beth Paul's match: Hannah Paul Antoine's back-up was a woman named Hannah. She has been the most elusive of all the intruders in the Grass is Greener challenge. I don't even know her last name. What I do know is she gave Paul a hard time on their date when she grilled him about why he was even there if he insisted he was 'happy' with his wife Carina Mirabile. Paul insisted he was just 'curious', but Hannah wasn't buying it. 'She called him out straight away. She told him, "If you were happy, you wouldn't be here,"' my source reveals. Carina, who didn't agree to take part in the task, was not impressed when she later learned about Paul's 'curiosity'. 'She felt betrayed,' adds my insider. 'This challenge tore them apart.' Paul regretted his decision almost instantly, I am told. His choice would have dire consequences for his relationship with Carina, who rightly considered it 'emotional cheating'. Paul Antoine (pictured arriving on his date) was paired with a woman named Hannah, who grilled him about why he was even there if he was 'happy' with his wife Carina Mirabile Paul regretted his decision almost instantly. His choice would have dire consequences for his relationship with wife Carina Mirabile (right), who rightly considered it 'emotional cheating' '[Carina] felt betrayed. This challenge tore them apart,' says an insider Adrian's match: Maxi Adrian Araouzou was matched with Afrikaner wannabe influencer Maxi, and it seems like there might be something between them. The two have been liking each other's photos on Instagram since filming wrapped, sparking speculation their pairing may have worked out after all... Adrian Araouzou (left) was matched with Afrikaner wannabe influencer Maxi (right), and it seems like there might be something between them What happens next? A production insider tells me the challenge was devastating for certain marriages. 'We lined up potential matches for everyone - essentially a Plan B,' my source says. 'The participants were asked if they wanted to meet their back-up It was f**ked-up because even happy couples were strongly encouraged to "explore their options". 'This twist ruined marriages. Some ended things right then and there. It was heartbreaking to watch.' The task was introduced in the early hours of the morning, with participants separated and forced to make the decision alone, without knowing what their partner had chosen. 'Once they made their choice, they had no idea if their partner had said yes or no,' the insider adds. 'It created chaos. The whole thing was designed to rattle them, and it worked. Some people said no without hesitation, while others decided to meet their back-up and instantly regretted it. 'Even for those who didn't regret it, it caused massive trust issues with their partner. It really tested who was truly committed to the process and who was willing to risk it all.' Who else said yes? Controversial duo Jacqui Burfoot and Ryan Donnelly and bride Jamie Marinos also 'failed' the challenge in the eyes of the experts by agreeing to meet their back-ups. In a humiliating twist, Jamie's back-up stood her up on their date, leaving her embarrassed and regretting her decision to leave Dave Hand. Sources also reveal Dave was 'absolutely disappointed' in Jamie's choice to meet her back-up, even though he didn't show up in the end. I can confirm the only participants who refused to take part in the task were Carina, Dave, Jeff Gobbels and Rhi Disljenkovic. Controversial couple Jacqui Burfoot (right) and Ryan Donnelly (left) also failed the challenge in the eyes of the experts by agreeing to meet their back-ups In a humiliating twist, Jamie Marinos' (pictured) back-up stood her up on their date, leaving her embarrassed and regretting her decision to leave Dave Hand Experts defend the task MAFS expert John Aiken has defended the task. He told me in a previous interview the challenge was necessary to push the participants out of their comfort zones. 'At Married At First Sight, we're always looking for ways to challenge the participants and see how deep their commitment runs,' he said. 'This task was about forcing them to confront the idea of temptation and whether they truly believe in the match they've been given.' Despite the fallout, expert John Aiken (left) defended the decision. He told me in a previous interview the challenge was necessary to push the participants out of their comfort zones Sexologist Alessandra Rampolla echoed his sentiments, adding: 'It's always fascinating to see how people react when faced with difficult choices. 'The task wasn't about breaking couples apart - it was about seeing who was willing to fight for their relationship and who wasn't.' The brutal aftermath With trust shattered, relationships in turmoil and some couples calling it quits entirely, MAFS' most ruthless final task is no doubt one of the most shocking twists in the show's sordid history. And with weeks left in the experiment, there's no telling what chaos will unfold next. NEW TO MAIL+? READ MORE MAFS EXCLUSIVES FROM ALI DAHER: Annie Knight has lashed out after a troll harassed her mother online. The adult content creator, 28, who is close to her mum, shared some of the disgusting comments a detractor left all over her mother's social media page. 'You are a very poor excuse for a mother. Whatever your husband did to your daughter as a child has maimed her for life. She is a deranged sex addict who targets young boys, shame on you' one comment read. Annie shared the cruel post to her Instagram Stories and replied in her caption: 'Comments on my mother's posts... people are so deranged. 'My mum is happy because I'm happy For the first time in my life. If you don't support your daughters in the same way, you're a s mother.. good luck to your poor daughter'. Last year, Annie, who has styled herself as Australia's 'most sexually active woman', explained how close she and her mum are when they shared a video of themselves enjoying a holiday in New York. Annie Knight (pictured) has lashed out after a troll harassed her mother online The adult content creator, 28, who is close to her mum, shared some of the disgusting comments a detractor left all over her mother's social media page. Pictured with her mother The OnlyFans model hit back and defended the woman who brought her into the world, saying she has been nothing but loving and supportive of her controversial career choice. In the video, Annie initially uploaded, she and her mother shared their experiences travelling through The Big Apple in North America. Grinning ear-to-ear, the mother-daughter duo posed for the clip numerous times, with some critics slamming the pair in the comments. One person wrote: 'So that's Mummy! The one who raised you and paid all the school fees for a young Catholic girl to attend Loreto? Is she happy with your career choice? And why aren't you being railed there and then?' Another said: 'Her mum is just enjoying the money I think. She does not care how the money is made. I have to say I am shocked that the mother does not have a problem with the way her daughter earns a living. I have a daughter who is 18. I would be horrified.' Annie refused to take the criticism lying down as she screenshotted the two comments and shared them to her Instagram Stories, naming and shaming them for all her followers to see. 'I just want to address this. My mum supported my career long before I was earning the money I am now. I don't just give my mum money?' Annie wrote. 'She's never ever asked me for anything. She loves me because she's my mum and she sees how happy, strong, intelligent, driven and successful I have become doing my current work. Annie shared the cruel post to her Instagram Stories and replied in her caption: 'Comments on my mother's posts... people are so deranged' Last year, Annie, who has styled herself as Australia's 'most sexually active woman', explained how close she and her mum are when they shared a video of themselves enjoying a holiday 'She's in a huge transitional period in her life and I've taken her on this trip to remind her that life is good and to help her find herself again. 'She has given me SO MUCH my while life and all I've ever wanted is to one day give back to her in some way because I know how hard she's worked to give me everything she has.' It comes after the adult star recently revealed plans to sleep with 1,000 men in 2025. The sex worker, who claimed she slept with 600 men in 2024, unveiled her controversial plans to 'get railed by 1,000 people in total', including 'taking 500 virginities' in a social media post last December. At the time, the model said she would be taking applications online for suitors to help hit her goal. Jimmy Carr has shrugged off the backlash he's received over his more controversial comedy, as he insisted that 'there's a real functionality' to making jokes about 'terrible' events. The comedian, 52, has found himself embroiled in controversy several times over the years for making quips about 9/11 and the Holocaust, previously admitting he was 'a dab hand at [being cancelled] now.' But in a new interview, he has insisted with comedy where it is today that 'it feels like you can do whatever you want now'. Jimmy admitted that his edgier jokes were 'slightly playing with fire', but that his 'intention' behind them was the most important thing, believing that they could be used as a way to 'make sense of' difficult topics. Speaking to The Times about the criticism to his quips, he said: 'Intention is important. With me, its clear what the intention of the evening is. But the way it can get reported is as if youre shouting jokes through someones letterbox at 9am. I subscribe to the benign violation theory that jokes are benign violations. You take a violation, no matter how extreme, but make it benign by joking about it. 'Jokes can be a way to make sense of stuff. Think about how we use humour in our lives when something terrible happens, never mind on stage. There is a lot of laughter around grief, death and disease. Theres a real functionality to it. It makes something OK.' Jimmy Carr has shrugged off the backlash he's received over his controversial comedy, as he insisted that 'there's a real functionality' to making jokes about 'terrible' events (seen 2019) The comedian, 52, has found himself embroiled in controversy several times over the years for making quips about 9/11 and the Holocaust, previously admitting he was 'a dab hand at [being cancelled] now' The host went on: 'Its slightly playing with fire, but you dont choose your sense of humour. It chooses you. Its like sexual taste. Some like it spicy, others prefer milder stuff. But you dont fake a laugh.' He added that he felt that 'it's slightly a golden age, at the moment, for comedy', referencing Peter Cook's impression of then Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in 1960s, before the abolishment of theatre censorship in 1968. Jimmy has previously defended his more controversial quips, insisting there shouldn't be any topic that people can't make jokes about, saying it was like declaring 'a disease is too terrible to treat'. Appearing on The Development by David Podcast in April, he said: 'Two dummies on Twitter go, "Oh I didn't like that! Oh we shouldn't joke about that! That's too terrible to make jokes about!" 'The one thing that affects you is the bad thing is it? All the other stuff is fine? Saying something is too terrible to joke about is like saying a disease is too terrible to treat.' While he added that he doesn't engage with the critics, arguing that jokes 'are like magnets, they attract some people and repel others'. He said: 'I try not to engage. I try as best as I can to go it's absolutely valid that people don't like some of my jokes. 'Jokes are like magnets, they attract some people and repel others. Some people are repelled by my sense of humour, they do not like it and they don't come to the shows, or watch the Netflix specials. Jimmy has previously defended his more controversial quips, insisting there shouldn't be any topic that people can't make jokes about, saying it was like declaring 'a disease is too terrible to treat' 'But when the new Netflix drops a clip will go up online and it will show up in someone's feed and they'll watch it and go, "Ban this filth, this joke is so terrible I've got to send it to everyone I f***ing know." But you gotta rightsize that.' He recalled: 'I remember James Corden was very sweet last time I got cancelled. He phoned me and went, "What's happened? No, I'll tell you what's happened. You told a joke and some people didn't like it. That's it. Let's go get lunch".' In his 2022 Netflix special His Dark Material, Jimmy faced backlash after he joked that the deaths of 'thousands of Gypsies' at the hands of Nazis had been one of 'the positives' of the Holocaust. He said: 'When people talk about the Holocaust, they talk about the tragedy of 6 million Jewish lives being lost to the Nazi war machine. But they never mention the thousands of Gypsies that were killed by the Nazis. 'No one ever wants to talk about that, because no one ever wants to talk about the positives.' He then explained why he thought it was a 'good joke', saying that it was 'f**king funny', 'edgy as all hell' and because it had an 'educational quality'. The joke caused widespread backlash and prompted a debate about racism and free speech. Fellow comedian David Baddiel slammed the joke as 'racist' and 'inhumane', saying: 'You can obviously tell a Holocaust joke that is cruel and inhumane and mean-spirited and racist. In his 2022 Netflix special His Dark Material, Jimmy faced backlash after he joked that the deaths of 'thousands of Gypsies' at the hands of Nazis had been one of 'the positives' of the Holocaust (pictured) 'Or you can tell one that targets the oppressors, or draws attention to the fundamental evil of it, or shines and light on the humanity of the victims. 'It's not the subject matter of the joke that counts, it's the specifics of the individual joke. Clearly, Jimmy Carr's was the former.' He added that while 'Jimmy is a close friend of mine and a brilliant stand-up in general' it 'makes no difference to how I feel or think about this specific joke.' Elsewhere, Irish traveller and bare-knuckle boxer Paddy Doherty said the 'disgusting' joke was an insult to the 1.5million gypsies exterminated in death camps. He told the Sunday Mirror: 'That wasn't a joke. He's talking about mass murder being a positive would he be allowed to say this about black people killed by the Ku Klux Klan? There's a level you don't go to. More than a million of my people were killed.' However, Jimmy insisted he would never start apologising for offending anyone with his jokes and predicted that he would be cancelled again in the future over his comedy. He said: 'It won't be the last time, it's coming around again I'm sure. But as soon as you start defending jokes and start apologizing, you're just in a world of pain. 'I've got a plan, there's a bit on the new special where I talk about this. I say look, you can't go round apologising for jokes, they're jokes. The joke caused widespread backlash and prompted a debate about racism and free speech and fellow comedian David Baddiel (pictured) slammed the joke as 'racist' and 'inhumane' 'So what I'm going to do, the next time I get cancelled, the next time I upset people with a joke, I'm going to say on the day the news story comes out and I've rehearsed this, I'm going to say', before adopting a mocking voice: "I'm sorry!"' He went on: 'And the people that are offended are going to say, "You don't really mean that apology" and I'll say, "So you're saying I can say something and not mean it? Now you're getting it!" But it's true right? It's f***ing joke!' Jimmy also expressed his thoughts on cancel culture as a whole, calling it 'crazy Maoist f***ing bull***'. He said: 'I don't mind people criticizing the jokes I'm pretty up for people going "yeah I don't like it, I don't like that kind of sense of humour." Fine! But cancel culture is about trying to cancel the individual not criticize the idea. 'So if you try and cancel the individual and then if you say anyone that defends that individual you're blackened by the same thing, that becomes a very different kind of crazy Maoist f***ing bull***. I'm not interested in that at all.' However, he said that he didn't agree that cancel culture was getting bigger, and instead insisted that you could get away with much more taboo topics in modern comedy than before. He reasoned: 'I don't think it has, I think we've got much better. I think actually if you look at the basket of things you couldn't say 30 years ago and the basket of things you can't joke about now, I'd take the the basket now. 'I don't think there's much you can't joke about now, I think it's an illusion. I mean my tour is going great, I've got a Netflix special... what cancel culture?' Cafe owners were left in shock after a huge award-winning Hollywood star stopped by for a coffee while they took a break from filming their next hit production. Attempting to keep a low profile with a rugged looking beard and a beany, Jason Statham, 57, was spotted visiting Poppies cafe in Enniskerry, Ireland on Thursday. Sporting a very casual ensemble featuring a blue cardigan, baggy jeans and brown suede shoes, Jason look almost unrecognisable as he popped in to the local business for a break from filming his next blockbuster. Jason, who was named the highest-paid Brit in Hollywood last year raking in 32million, flashed a huge smile as he posed with the owners, Fiona and Laura, for a sweet picture, which they later posted to Instagram. Alongside the post of the acting legend, Poppies penned: 'A big thanks to @jasonstatham for choosing the magical village of enniskerry for his latest blockbuster. It was an absolute pleasure - esp for @fiona.bourke2 and @lauramac_donald.' Locals and fans of the star were delighted to see him visiting the cage as he has been spotted in many locations in Enniskerry - including a salon. Cafe owners were left in shock after Jason Statham stopped by a cafe while he took a break from filming in Enniskerry, Ireland on Thursday Jason was named the highest-paid Brit in Hollywood last year, and left the locals in Enniskerry in awe as he paid a visit to the cafe (pictured) Enniskerry Hair and Nail Boutique shared an update, and wrote: 'Preparations underway for filming tomorrow in Enniskerry! We're so excited to hear that Jason will be in [the] village tomorrow.' And they later posted a photo of Jason, and wrote: 'The best view in the village.' Jason has had his fans in awe throughout 2025 as he also appeared in first fashion campaign together with his fiancee Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Model Rosie, 37, cut a sophisticated figure in a series of outfits including a v-necked thin white dress with cut-out sleeves, adding large brown boots. She then changed into an all-white ensemble featuring a turtle-necked folded long-sleeve jumper and white trousers, as the runway icon let her blonde locks loose for the shoot. Rosie also modelled an all-brown v-neck top in a snap where she was joined by Jason, 57. The Hollywood star looked laid-back in a thick brown shirt over a stone T-shirt, adding some beige trousers to the outfit. 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' Locals have been eagerly following Jason while he is in Ireland filming his latest project, with a local hair and nails boutique also shared a snap of the star Jason has had his fans in awe throughout 2025 as he also appeared in first fashion campaign together with his fiancee Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (pictured in January) In December, The Fast & Furious star dutifully accompanied his Victoria's Secret model Rosie wife on a shopping trip in London, stepping in to place a protective arm around his long-term girlfriend whenever they were approached by passers-by. The low-key British couple, who live in Los Angeles, first began dating in 2009 after meeting at a party in London and experiencing what Rosie called 'instant chemistry'. They became engaged in 2016, and have a son Jack, seven, and daughter, Isabella, two. Speaking about their plans to marry after Jack was born, Rosie said: 'I think the time will come. It's also not a huge priority for us.' She has also addressed the couple's 20-year age gap, saying: 'His knowledge and strength are really inspiring and attractive, and that can come with a man who's had a bit of time.' Jennifer Coolidge is taking advantage of the boost The White Lotus gave to her career to boost something else too - her love life. 'Look, I got a lot of benefits out of Stiflers Mom believe me,' she told The Sunday Times about the upside being the object of teenage obsession in the raunchy 1999 comedy America Pie. 'They might be over now, but once in a while you still get a Stiflers Mom thing,' she admitted. Two seasons playing the quirky Tanya on the Emmy winning The White Lotus has resulted in a new kind of suitor for the 63-year-old actress. Her performance in the satire of the ultra-rich earned her global recognition, winning awards at the Golden Globes, Emmys, Critics Choice Awards, and SAG Awards. 'Even though I play a complete weirdo in The White Lotus, cute guys come up to me. And this is far better than American Pie because people were really sad about Tanya falling off a boat.' Jennifer Coolidge, 63, is taking advantage of the boost The White Lotus gave her career to boost her love life as well; Pictured in Los Angeles in October 2022 'These men like you better because they feel that you went through something. That show really upped my game!' She explains how by sharing an anecdote about a guy she met in New Orleans. 'It was a few years ago and he had a T-shirt on that his belly came out of, plus red cowboy boots. He was 4ft 11in and he said, "Would you like to go out?"' she said. 'And, well, there was nothing wrong with him, but you have this idea that Brad Pitt or whoever will sweep you off your feet, and then it was that little' she paused before sharing, 'and White Lotus changed that for me. Its not just that little guy any more.' Coolidge reveals that her career stalled for a long time because she was in pursuit of a man. 'I wanted this guy that I was obsessed with. I wanted him to like me, so I went completely off-track. I wasted a lot of time and that moment passes. And, God, if I could live my life over again, I wouldnt have done what I did,' she said. 'Actually I dont want to say it was just one guy,' she clarified. 'It was guys and, well, everyone wants certain things in their life at a certain time. I was trying to have relationships with men who were unavailable, or there are guys out there who really hate women deep down and I certainly dated them.' Coolidge first rose to fame as the sexy Stiffler's mom in the raunchy 1999 comedy American Pie. 'Look, I got a lot of benefits out of Stiflers Mom believe me,' she told The Sunday Times After playing the quirky Tanya on The White Lotus for two seasons, and winning two Emmys for her work, the actress said she is now attracting a different kind of suitor 'Even though I play a complete weirdo in The White Lotus, cute guys come up to me. And this is far better than American Pie because people were really sad about Tanya falling off a boat,' she said The Boston native seems to regret not finding love at an early age. 'I have friends that went to their prom in the last year of high school, found a guy, fell in love with him and still have that guy,' she explained, 'I havent had that luck it has never been the right person.' The Riff Raff star, who splits her time between Los Angeles and New Orleans, admits 'its kind of limited out there.' Explaining how, Coolidge said, 'I feel like Im a horse in the corral and I havent found a male horse that matches up with what I got,' she jokes, adding,' I feel like I need to go into some other corrals.' At this juncture, the A Minecraft Movie star is considering expanding her horizons. 'European men like the idea of sleeping with an older woman more than Americans do. Somebody youd expect to be skilled and sexy,' she explained. 'Its not the American fantasy, but lots of European films are about young guys with an older woman,' she said. 'I think I have to go overseas then!' At 63, dating, Coolidge admits is still limited for her, in the US. 'European men like the idea of sleeping with an older woman more than Americans do,' she said, 'I think I have to go overseas then!'; Pictured in New York on March 6 Jennifer's performance as Tanya in the satire of the ultra-rich earned her global recognition, winning awards at the Golden Globes, Emmys, Critics Choice Awards, and SAG Awards. Despite the show's past success, its third season has faced criticism, with fans and critics calling it 'slow' and 'boring' due to its leisurely pace. Viewers have called for the return of fan-favorite Jennifer, whose over-the-top antics as Tanya brought levity to the cerebral satire. However, many others have come to the show's defense, even going as far as to accuse naysayers of having low attention spans. Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt took some time to have a fun night bowling at Lucky Strike in Beverly Hills. The reality TV stars stepped out with their eldest son Gunner, seven. The Hills alums kept it casual with Heidi, 38, in red leather pants and a short-sleeved black top. Spencer, 41, who is his wife's biggest fan, wore a black and white t-shirt with Heidi's face on it with gray jeans. They appeared to have the spacious bowling alley to themselves. In one snap, the Laguna Beach alum held up an orange bowling ball, in another she posed playfully at the base of one bowling lane. Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt took some time to have a fun night bowling at Lucky Strike in Beverly Hills In one snap, the Laguna Beach alum held up an orange bowling ball, in another she posed playfully at the base of one bowling lane The outing provided a brief respite for the couple who are still dealing with the loss of their home and all of their belongings in the LA fires that swept through the Pacific Palisades in January. Last week, the couple enjoyed a 'free' vacation at a luxurious beach front vacation home in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. According to Newsweek, the vacation was a gift from entrepreneur David Oancea. He gifted the family 'a $100,000 vacation at the sprawling 40,000 sq ft, 13-bedroom beachfront property,' the site claimed. While at the resort Heidi was filming the music video for her new single, I'll Do It featuring Pitbull. All proceeds from the viral track will go to help Los Angeles residents rebuild from the city's wildfires. The 38-year-old reality star and her husband are parents to sons Gunner, seven, and two-year-old Ryker. They were devastated when the blazes destroyed their home. And while the blonde beauty thinks it 'sounds silly' to admit, she is upset at the loss of her favorite outfits because of the memories they hold. The reality TV stars stepped out with their eldest son Gunner, seven The Hills alums kept it casual with Heidi, 38, in red leather pants and a short-sleeved black top Spencer, 41, who is his wife's biggest fan, wore a black and white t-shirt with Heidi's face on it with gray jeans They appeared to have the spacious bowling alley to themselves She told Vogue in her first interview with the high-profile outlet: 'You know, I'm very conflicted with it. It sounds silly, but I was so sad about losing my clothes. 'They're just things, but they're things that I spent 15 to 20 years collecting. Things I wore to a special place, with special people. 'There's a lot I can't replace. Shoes I perfectly curated, like a pair of black pumps or boots. I keep telling myself, I rented them in this life! 'I only grabbed two pairs of jeans, and I'm such a jean girl. I had a new pair of Paige jeans that just make me feel like me,' she said. The former Hills star has bought a few new items which made her feel 'so much better', but she can't help but look back on her old favorites. She added: 'I went to Marshalls the other day and I bought a bunch of discounted sweaters. They're good quality, about $20 dollars, but they make me feel so much better. 'I'm still looking back at TikToks and seeing, like, a sweater I wore and reminiscing.' Montag and Pratt have a long way to go to earn the money so they can rebuild their $2.5M home as they did not have insurance on the dwelling. The outing provided a brief respite for the couple who are still dealing with the loss of their home and all of their belongings in the LA fires that swept through the Pacific Palisades in January Last week, the couple enjoyed a 'free' vacation at a luxurious beach front vacation home in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Heidi and Spencer said they want to make a reality show about 'rebuilding' their community. The couple lost their $2.5 million home in the Pacific Palisades fire and admitted they are 'ready' to let cameras back into their lives to give a glimpse in how they and their neighbors are starting afresh. Asked if they would consider another reality show, Heidi told Vogue: 'Well, you never know...It's Hollywood. 'There's always something. We're ready for it. We'd hope to even do something about rebuilding the town and showing our community. But I'm also balancing the music, being a mom.' Mrs Hinch has revealed her newborn son Vinnie is suffering with colic and silent reflux in a worrying health update, she shared in an Instagram on Sunday. The cleaning guru, aka Sophie Hinchliffe, 35, admitted she has been 'in the think of it' and has 'not stop pacing the floors' with nerves and worry. Colic is when a baby cries a lot but there's no obvious cause. It's a common problem that should get better by around 3 or 4 months of age, according to the NHS. Reflux is when a baby brings up milk, or is sick, during or shortly after feeding. It's very common and usually gets better on its own. She wrote: 'I learn something new in the parenting world every single day. But something I was very lucky not to experience with either Lennie or Ronnie was colic, silent reflux or allergy/ intolerance symptoms. 'And it's a whole different story with Vinnie. I'm in the absolute think of it right now, it's non stop pacing the floors, nerves and worrying. Mrs Hinch, 35, has revealed her newborn son Vinnie is suffering with colic and silent reflux in a worrying health update, she shared in an Instagram on Sunday The cleaning guru, aka Sophie Hinchliffe admitted she has been 'in the think of it' and has 'not stop pacing the floors' with nerves and worry 'Yes the zero sleep is hard but it's not that, it's seeing your baby clearly uncomfortable and wanting to take that away from them. 'As a mummy it's so hard and then the anxiety levels multiply into the thousands! 'Everything I'm reading online points to either colic or maybe even silent reflux, allergy etc. 'I've booked an appointment for Tuesday to try and get some answers but to the parents going/ gone through this. 'Gosh it's so hard for so many reasons isn't it. It really is an exhausting circle that goes round and round with no certain fix?!' Last week, Sophie was rushed to hospital with a blood clot in her leg, just three weeks after giving birth. Sophie took to her Story to film a video from her hospital bed explaining what had happened. Dressed in a hopsital gown, she told the camera: 'I'm not really sure where to start with this week guys. Last week, Sophie was rushed to hospital with a blood clot in her leg, just three weeks after giving birth The cleaning guru, aka Sophie Hinchliffe, 35, took to her Story to film a video from her hospital bed explaining what had happened 'I've actually bumped into quite a few followers in hospital. So I just thought I'd update you a bit because I share a lot with you here. The good, the bad and the ugly. 'Anyway to cut a long story short, I had a blood clot in my groin, pelvis, leg area. I haven't had one since 2018 and then another one decides to hit me three weeks postpartum. What a 12 months it's been.' She got emotional as she continued: 'But I can only imagine what's going on in this hospital above me, below me, and I'm just, I'm not moaning. 'I'm just sort of updating because I bumped into some really lovely followers in A&E. They were helping me, they were like Soph what are you doing here?' 'I was like girls I think I've got a blood clot in my leg. I was right. But keeping positive, the operation went well. They managed to go in through my leg. They didn't go in through my neck in the end. Sophie explained: 'They hoovered out the blood clot, hoovered my stents out, they've literally hoovered me which is ironic isn't it. 'I think I've still got quite a lot of painkillers or anaesthetic in my system because I'm probably not making much sense but I've had a few messages saying Soph, why are you in the hospital?' She reassured: 'I just wanted to say I'm alright, all good. I can hopefully go home tomorrow. I can go home tomorrow, they've said I can and I cannot wait to smell my boys. Pick up Vinnie, that newborn smell. Sophie welcomed her third child with her husband Jamie in February and announced the news in a sweet Instagram post The cleaning guru, aka Sophie Hinchliffe, announced in a sweet Instagram post on Thursday that she welcomed her third child with husband Jamie on Tuesday 'Oh my God, I swear I'm getting withdrawal symptoms from him like, my boobs.' Sophie added that she's had a 'lovely Facetime' with her boys and should be back home in her 'newborn bubble' tomorrow. In another clip, she said: 'Can I add, to the followers that I bumped into, can I just say thank you? What a lovely bunch of people you are. And I was right. Because I was put through thr CT scan, had all that done. 'They said there's no blood clot, you can go home. I went home. My leg got bigger and bigger so I came back to a different hospital. 'They scanned me and said we need to operate, you've got a big blood clot. How mad is that?' The social media star admitted: 'And that's playing on my mind really bad. What if I didnt' come back? Do you know what I mean, just trust your gut guys.' Sophie then shared a sweet clip of one of her sons running towards here and emotionally quipped: 'Hurry up tomorrow when I'll be back home to this. 'Just a reminder. ALWAYS trust your gut. You know your own body. Goodnight everyone. Lots of love xx.' Captioning the post, she wrote: 'Welcome to the world. Vinnie Alan Barker Hinchliffe. Born 18th February at 12:21pm, 6lb7oz' She later shared a sweet video of Jamie walking through the hospital as they headed home with their newborn Sophie welcomed her third child with her husband Jamie in February and announced the news in a sweet Instagram post. The cleaning guru shared adorable photos of the new tot just minutes after his delivery, while revealing his cute name. She later shared a sweet video of Jamie walking through the hospital as they headed home with their newborn. Captioning the post, she wrote: 'Welcome to the world. Vinnie Alan Barker Hinchliffe. Born 18th February at 12:21pm, 6lb7oz. 'Our beautiful little heart healer entered the world In the month we needed him most, February. 'February is my Dads birthday month my birthday month And now, its our Vinnies 'The signs, the comfort ,the joy, you really are just everything we have needed and more Vinnie. Now its time to meet your beautiful big brothers, and start the next chapter in our Hinch story '@mrhinchhome I love you beyond words ILYD , I feel you Barker always xx' The influencer, who goes by Mrs Hinch on social media, are already proud parents to sons Ronnie, five, and Lennie, three In September 2024, Sophie sobbed in an emotional social media video a s she appealed to her fanbase for support during her ongoing battle with grief after losing her father (Mrs Hinch and her father pictured together) In a separate video she shared on her stories, walking out of the hospital, she wrote: 'Home time'. The couple are already proud parents to sons Ronnie, five, and Lennie, three. In September 2024, Sophie sobbed in an emotional social media video as she appealed to her fanbase for support during her ongoing battle with grief after losing her father. She said: 'When youve been through something like this, its a bit like an out of body experience. 'The world looks different, feels different, smells different, just everything is different,' she said in her stories in August. Sophie announced her father's death on Instagram in May, writing that he 'passed suddenly but so peacefully whilst he slept. 'My life, our whole world, has been turned upside down. A deep unimaginable pain I cannot put into words.' Advertisement Former Married A First Sight star Lucinda Light has admitted she had ulterior motives when signing on to the Channel Nine 'experiment.' Light, 44, starred on the 2024 iteration of the hit reality series and failed to find everlasting love with groom Timothy Smith. Speaking to the Herald Sun, Lucinda admitted she used the show to promote her work as a celebrant, public speaker and MC, as well a way to find love. 'I'm still dying to meet that person of my life and I fell into that fantasy they would hook me up,' she said. 'I also did have ulterior motives to get eyes on my celebrant business so guilty as charged.' Lucinda added that she didn't have much time for the reality show that catapulted her to national attention. Former Married A First Sight star Lucinda Light has revealed she had ulterior motives when signing on to the Channel Nine 'experiment' 'It doesnt uplift me. Everyone puts their head on a chopping block, otherwise if you just want love youd go on Tinder. Youd have to be mad to go on a show like that,' she said. 'Why would you do it to yourself? It started maybe with wholesome ridgy didge stuff but its changed and it can make or break lives, it really can.' Aside from her celebrant career, Lucinda has parlayed her MAFS fame into sold out speaking tours across the UK. She has also teamed up with Geordie Shore's Vicki Pattison to co-host a new reality series for Channel 4 in the UK. The reality star is also set to release her first book, Shine Your Light, next month. 'The last six weeks have been incredible,' Lucinda told Daily Mail Australia in November. 'I've been over in Europe shooting a television show for Channel 4 UK that I absolutely loved. 'The role they gave me is just so me. After that, I toured all over the UK and Ireland, connecting with people, sharing stories - it's been a blast.' 'I also did have ulterior motives to get eyes on my celebrant business so guilty as charged,' she said Speaking to the Herald Sun, Lucinda revealed she used he show to promote her work as a celebrant, public speaker and MC, as well a way to find love Lucinda's book, Shine Your Light, is set to release on April 2, but if fans were hoping she would be spilling the beans about her time on the hit show, they'll be disappointed. Described as a guided journal, her new book aims to help readers deepen their emotional intelligence. 'It's about transforming people's lives, equipping them emotionally, and offering tools to navigate life,' Lucinda explained. 'It's been the best project, working with Harper Collins. I love writing, and I've got so much to share after years in the self-development field.' On top of this, Lucinda has partnered with Intrepid Travel to host a Find Your Light: Daintree & Cape Tribulation Adventure tour. 'We're unplugging from devices for seven days and immersing ourselves in nature,' she revealed. 'There'll be meditation, yoga, emotional intelligence talks, snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef, and nourishing local food. It's about resetting, nourishing, and connecting.' She also revealed that her decision to sign on to the reality show was quite a spontaneous one. 'It doesnt uplift me. Everyone puts their head on a chopping block, otherwise if you just want love youd go on Tinder. Youd have to be mad to go on a show like that,' she said Lucinda added that she didn't have much time for the reality show that catapulted her to national attention 'It felt like a giant slap from the cosmos to do something wild. I was living a very quiet life and was very underwhelmed by my dating prospects,' Lucinda admitted. In a surprising twist, the reality TV bride confessed that she had never actually seen an episode of MAFS before signing up. 'My truth is I haven't really watched television or plugged into that world for a few years,' she said. Despite her lack of familiarity with the show's notorious reputation, Lucinda took the plunge, only to discover that it was a steep learning curve. 'It became the greatest crash course in human behaviour I've ever taken,' she quipped, reflecting on her time in front of the cameras. Speaking to The Age in February, Lucinda said that her time on MAFS had made new relationships difficult, recalling a recent date. 'We had a wicked night and there was good chemistry, but I think it was too much for him,' she said. 'I might have done a number on myself because very few guys would take me on after MAFS. It could be a problem, but I am still holding space for a man.' Altnagelvin Theatres and Recovery Teams bid a fond farewell to their wonderful colleague Marian McGrath who doffed off the scrubs for the last time on February 25 2025 after an incredible 52 years dedication to nursing! Paying tribute to an incredible colleague and mentor Rowena Craig, DESU Theatres Ward Sister said: Marian started her nurse training over 50 years ago on 5th Jan 1973. "She has worked in theatres since qualifying as a staff nurse and has witnessed many a change over the years. Marian often reminisces about working through the troubles and the vast changes in surgical procedures witnessing the fantastic advances in technology. For many years Marian was our night duty Queen/ Mother and Aunty M to many. She led us in each and every emergency situation that came to our door. She managed, supported and taught us all whilst still finding the time to make tea for the relatives of our patients. I often wonder just how many nurses Marian has trained over her career. But have no idea where to even start! She done this while raising a family of four girls and one boy, working opposite her husband Aiden who was a radiographer in Altnagelvin Hospital (they met at the hospital and romance blossomed from there). Rowena continued: Marians life has been shaped by the trust in more ways than one. Marian gave up her nights and opted for a post in DESU recovery in 2010. Where she worked until her retirement. One of Marians colleagues Sister Geraldine Ward described Marian as a true lady, she has mothered us, been our friend and a true example of what a nurse should be and I can confidently say this is how Marian treated each and every one of the staff in theatres over the past five decades. Jonah Atos, International Nurse Coordinator at the Western Trust and colleague of Marian described her first introduction to working at Altnagelvin Hospital she said: I have worked with Marian for over 23 years. Being a new Internationally Educated Nurse from the Philippines I joined the team in operating theatres at Altnagelvin Hospital and Marian was the most welcoming colleague. "She exudes warmth, enthusiasm and was delighted to have me in her team. She has shown care, respect and empathy to her colleagues and patients alike. Marian is well organised and takes great pride in her nursing profession. I think that is why she has worked so diligently for the past five decades because of her innate care and compassion for others. Her patients simply love her. I am so proud to know and work with Marian. "She is one of the most amazing nurses I have had the privilege to have met. She is the Trusts very own Florence Nightingale and the lady with the lamp during night shifts in Theatres. Wishing you a long, happy and healthy retirement we will miss you immensely. Rowena added: As we celebrated Marians retirement it was noted that all staff had happy memories of working with her and just how much she will be greatly missed. READ NEXT: Natural Hazards issue Yellow Wildfire Warning for Northern Ireland On behalf of Altnagelvin Theatres and Recovery Teams it is my privilege to say thank you Marian for an amazing 52 years of dedication across our theatre departments and to each and every one of us. You are the longest serving member of staff in Theatres and possibly one of the longest serving members of staff in the Western Trust. "Your knowledge, skills, wisdom, support, love, care and hard work has shaped our individual journeys. You have engraved a lifetime of cherished special memories in us all. What a achievement! We wish you, Aiden and your family good health and happiness for the future. Enjoy you well deserved retirement. Staff and pupils got a surprise on Thursday morning last when the Childrens Commissioner dropped in to officially open Holy Child Primary Schools new The Thrive Hive - a dedicated space designed to support the well-being and educational needs of the schools neurodiverse children. The sanctuary offers a safe and supportive environment where pupils can learn, grow, and flourish. On arrival at the school doors, the Commissioner was met by Principal, Pat Concannon and Head Pupils Caydn Wright and Daisy McGilloway before the school choir showcased the songs they recently presented at the Peace Proms in Belfast. Indeed, the Childrens Commissioner was notably impressed by their harmonious melodies, particularly their renditions in Irish and expressed heartfelt admiration for their talent. Then it was on visits of some of the new sensory rooms within the school which pupils are making good use of. He also met with staff and pupils in various classrooms on his way to The Thrive Hive. IN PICTURES: Holy Child Primary Schools new The Thrive Hive officially opens On arrival, he was greeted by five years-old Hannah Collins, who is one of the first pupils of The Thrive Hive who welcomed and questioned the Commissioner on who he was, why he was there and how they would conduct the ribbon cutting and unveiling of the plaque. Speaking on the opening and welcoming the Commissioner, Pat Concannon, Principal said she was delighted that Mr. Quinn took the time to come and visit the school, open The Thrive Hive and meet the School Council and address the assembly. "The Childrens Commissioners visit today marked a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment for all our students at Holy Child. He graciously officiated the opening of our Thrive Hive, a dedicated space designed to support the well-being and education needs of our neurodiverse pupils." She continued: "A huge congratulations also to our own Student Council who supported the commissioner in delivering this message." Mrs. Concannon explained how Thursdays visit also served as a reunion, as Mr. Quinn had previously played a pivotal role in advocating for the removal of the schools outdated huts from the grounds of Holy Child. "His collaboration with the Department of Education was instrumental in this progress, and he expressed delight upon witnessing the advancements made since his last visit in June. We are profoundly grateful for his continued support and advocacy, which have significantly contributed to the enhancement of our educational facilities. "Mr. Quinns visit was a testament to the power of community and the shared commitment to nurturing the potential of every child. We extend our deepest gratitude to him for his unwavering dedication to the children and young people of Northern Ireland," she concluded. Speaking after Fridays event, Childrens Commissioner Chris Quinn, said: "I was truly honoured to open The Thrive Hive at Holy Child Primary School in the Creggan, a beacon of support for neurodiverse children. This space embodies our collective commitment to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive in an environment tailored to their needs. It is inspiring to see how schools like Holy Child are leading the way in inclusivity and understanding. "During my visit I also had time to speak with the pupils about their rights and their knowledge of this area was inspiring. It was also fantastic to see the work that has been carried out since my last visit to ensure the pupils are Holy Child have a safe, secure environment to learn." Far-right elements will not be allowed to 'spread its hate' in Derry. That was the message at an anti-racism rally held in the city centre this afternoon. Demonstrators staged a rally in Guildhall Square after a planned anti-immigration rally was due to held there. A poster titled Time to Rise had been circulating online calling for peaceful protests against mass, illegal unvetted immigration and the dangers it is bringing to our communities. Rallies were planned for Derry and Belfast, however organisers of the protest cancelled the Derry event on Friday evening. In a statement, purportedly from the organisers, to Derry Now stated the event was cancelled due to safety concerns. The statement read: "It is was anger and regret that we announce our peaceful demonstration in Guildhall Square, Derry/Londonderry has been cancelled. "We the silent majority have attempted to organise a peaceful event to show the strength of feeling against the imposition of unvetted males into our communities. "The violent radical left have done everything to create a confrontation in order to serve their NGO masters. "We are not prepared to call our people on to the streets to potentially face violence from these bullying traitors." At Sunday's anti-racism rally, demonstrators heard from the Mayor of Derry, Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr, People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin and United Against Racism's Davy McAuley. Cllr Harkin told those gathered that it is "vital" to stay united against people seeking to spread hate. "We want to build a city that is welcoming to all people," he said. "We don't want to be divided by hate. We don't want people to come here and stir up trouble. "We don't want anything that we seen in Belfast and Dublin in recent years to happen in this city. It should never happen again in any city, town or village on this island. "But it's important that we stand together. It's important that we unite and it's important that we build this type of unity." Mayor of Derry, Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr said if people have 'genuine concerns' about services, then she would join with the public to protest at Stormont to 'fight for all of our rights'. "To scapegoat immigrants because of a lack of action from our government to serve all of us, is not genuine and it is disgusting." She added: "For anyone with any concerns about a lack of housing, come let us march together because that is what this city built - to fight for its rights of its people." United Against Racism's Davy McAuley described the planned anti-immigration rally as a 'deliberate attempt' to bring a 'Tommy Robinson British far-right vibe' to Derry. "They don't know Derry, the people doing this. They really don't," Mr McAuley said. "We are not going to stand for any of that nonsense." See Derry Now's Facebook page for footage of the anti-racism rally. Upwards of 2,000 people assembled in Derrys Guildhall Square for the Stop Genocide in Gaza rally organised by the Derry - Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (DIPSC). The rally on Sunday afternoon marked International Quds Day - an annual event expressing support for Palestinians which takes its name from al-Quids, the Arabic name for Jerusalem. Addressing the crowd, Catherine Hutton, DIPSC chairperson said 600 people, mostly women and children, were slaughtered in Gaza in Israels Ramadan massacre on Tuesday. Stop the Genocide in Gaza rally in Derrys Guildhall Square Under cover of darkness, like cowards, Zionist terrorists rained down US bombs on sleeping families, said Ms Hutton. Derry 'Stop Genocide in Gaza' Quds Day rally - @DerryNow digital report thread. Upwards of 2,000 people assembled in Derrys Guildhall Square for the Stop Genocide in Gaza rally organised by the Derry - Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (@ipsc_derry). The rally marked pic.twitter.com/1YKcRV93qr Catherine McGinty (@CathMcGin_Tea) March 23, 2025 Entire family groups were wiped out. There are still many bodies trapped under the rubble and thousands more injured. Before this massive attack, Israel had imposed a total siege on Gaza for the past 18 days - no food, fuel, or humanitarian aid has been allowed to enter. UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) said on Friday there is a maximum of six days worth of flour left in their stores. There are 2.2 million people in Gaza, so the levels of starvation are massive. Stop the Genocide in Gaza rally in Derrys Guildhall Square. That was just the beginning. The genocide has now accelerated and is becoming industrial, just like the Nazis when they exterminated millions of Jews in the Holocaust. So too, Israel is openly saying it will annex Gaza and exterminate those who dont forcibly leave. One difference between the Nazi Holocaust and the genocide in Gaza is that it has been live-streamed to each of us in an endless reel horrors, each one more barbaric than the one before. Not one person can say they didnt know. Even the biased coverage of BBC, Sky and ITV couldnt completely ignore the magnitude of Israels crimes against humanity, said Ms Hutton. Davy McAuley of United Against Racism - Derry and North West said everyone present in the Guildhall was united against the horrors being visited upon our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza once more. Stop the Genocide in Gaza rally in Derrys Guildhall Square. He added: After starving the people of Gaza for weeks, legally preventing aid to get to desperate people, the sickest regime of the 21st Century has sought once more to bomb children from the air. No buildings for shelter. Nowhere to hide or to run. The most vulnerable people on Earth are left at the mercy of one of the most corrupt, disgraceful, evil b******s to ever draw breath. We witness this horror and the huge death tolls and our hearts ache. We cry for the children of Gaza because we are empathetic beings. We are made human by our care and our compassion. These values shape our lives, our city and our sense of justice. Values of ordinary, decent people, all around the World that make the ruling classes tremble. For their wealth and power and their futures are all based on their counter-humanity values. While we try to stop war, they bring endless war. They profit from death, destruction and raw hatred. The billionaires like Musk and Trump tell us we must forgo the values instilled in us from our parents and our community, and instead we should worship at the altar of greed and spite, said Mr McAuley. Saoirse ONeill from Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign Mid Ulster said it had never been more important for all corners of the island to stand up for the people of Palestine. This past week, we have seen the supposed ceasefire broken. The humanitarian aid promised never materialised. Instead of water and blankets, medical aid and tents, the men, women and children of Palestine received bullets and bombs, she added. More than 500 were killed in 24 hours under the wrath of our Western leaders, Keir Starmer and Donald Trump. Just days before, while students in the US were having their civil rights trampled on, for standing up for humanity, Micheal Martin brought shame to every single one of us with his humiliating display in the White House. Closer to home, it was disgraceful to see the motion in Mid-Ulster to boycott the White House fall yet again. When Motaz was here in August, he expressly asked us to stop the weapons manufacturing in Ireland. Across the North, including Moyola Engineering in Castledawson, Invest NI is still not coming clean on the companies it funds to supply components to war planes. Are these companies creating parts for war planes that are raining down bombs on Gaza? If so, Caoimhe Archibald and her Department are complicit in using public money for genocide, said Ms O Neill. Speaking about Quds Day, Adam McGinley from BDS Strabane said this year marked the 46th year since the event was first held in 1979. He added: This year Quds Day is happening amidst an ongoing genocide in Gaza and a full blown campaign of ethnic cleansing in the Occupied West Bank. Armed colonial settlers and troops are running rampage, invading, looting and attacking Palestinian towns and villages, with the international community turning a blind eye or being actively complicit in the slaughter. Monday, at the start of this week, marked the 14th day since Israel blocked life-sustaining humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza and the 7th Day since Israel has cut off all electricity and drinking water in the strip, where some two million Palestinians still reside. Even after all these patent war crimes, we have all watched as Israel, in full sight of the World, and with the full backing of the new US administration under Donal Trump, resumed its bombing and massacring of Palestinian men, women and children, said Mr McGinley. Caroline White of the Palestine Solidarity Society in Letterkennys Atlantic Technical University said: Today, on Quds Day, we stand in global unity with Palestine. Concluding the Rally, Annie Ward from IPSC Inishowen said: In Gaza there is a genocide In Gaza children of primary school age dont bat an eyelid at the marble white corpse of a baby, lying on the kerb, waiting on someone to claim her. In Gaza, babies freeze to death in tents, while their parents are obliterated by carpet bombing. Stop the Genocide in Gaza rally in Derrys Guildhall Square. In Gaza, grandfathers wail as fathers register both births and deaths in one go. This is a genocide and our governments are complicit. Those attending the rally then marched across Guildhall Square, up Waterloo Street, into the Diamond and Back down Shipquay Street. March 22, 2025: Russia wants to end the Ukraine War via negotiations with the United States. This will work if done from a position of strength. The current Russian situation is weak and getting weaker. Russian forces in Ukraine are stalled and too weak to launch another offensive, even a small one. It will get worse. The Russian economy is starting to collapse in some or many areas because of disinvestment. Existing capital and human infrastructure like railroads, pipelines, refineries, chemical plants, skilled workers, etc. need constant new investment for rebuilding and training of new workers in addition to adequate maintenance just to continue at existing production levels. None of those have happened at adequate levels, or not all in many cases, since the war started three years ago. This is due to overuse notably for the rail system, corruption and the expected consequences of Russian industries being run by Putin-appointed gangster kleptocrats primarily interested in their immediate personal income, as opposed to shareholder representatives trying to maintain capital value. Russias economy has been slowly run down over the past twenty years by its gangster kleptocracy. This process has been vastly speeded up by the Ukraine War. Plus recent Russian negotiations with allies and other foreign countries have not gone well. These nations, especially those bordering Russia, can see who is weak, and it isnt NATO or Ukraine. Russia is weakened by years of economic sanctions and a collapse of morale at home. Russian men are avoiding military recruiters and others are fleeing the country. Hiring North Korean soldiers was a short term solution because most of these foreign troops soon became casualties or disappeared. Ukrainians are fighting for their homes and families while only Russian leader Vladimir Putin sees any purpose for Russia in the war. Putin can demand action but, if his soldiers will not or cannot act, there is no movement on the battlefield. Putin is running out of excuses for this dismal performance and still insists he is negotiating from a position of strength. Before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Putin and his associates believed they were at war with western nations, especially NATO and the United States. NATO nations were not really aware of this Russian attitude, even after Russia invaded Ukraine. The official Russian interpretation of the situation is that Ukraine is under the control of the Americans. For that reason, Russian propaganda directed at Russian civilians portrays Ukraine as a puppet state controlled by the United States. Russian leaders are dismayed that when Russia threatens the United States for one reason or another, the Americans ignore them. Russian leaders get the impression that the Americans dont take them seriously. There are reasons for that and the most obvious one is the rampant corruption in Russia. The government is particularly concerned about the extent of corruption in the military. This alone should have prevented the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The invasion was ordered to proceed by Vladimir Putin despite the poor state of the Russian military. Russian troops stumbled forward into Ukraine and suffered such heavy losses that the invasion force was withdrawn and the survivors sent to eastern Ukraine to reinforce troops in Luhansk and Donetsk provinces. Ukraine appealed to NATO for military aid and the response was impressive. Over 100 billion dollars worth of weapons soon arrived, followed by billions of dollars worth of economic aid. The Americans provided Ukraine with satellite photos of what the Russians were up to. It was later discovered that the Russians had no similar satellite services. The Ukrainians had a better picture of what was happening on the ground than the Russians did. It got worse when the Ukrainians got Starlink communications kits. This gave them far better and more reliable communications than the Russians had. Some Russian troops got hold of black market Starlink gear and got past the security system to discover what they were missing. For Russian soldiers who knew about this, it explained why the Ukrainians always seemed to know more about what was going on in the combat zone and were able to act more quickly to deal with opportunities. Putin saw all this as an American ploy to embarrass him and show the Russian military that their boss was unable to supply them with anything similar to what the Americans were providing to the Ukrainians. This was true but Putin warned Russians that they were dealing with an American colossus that was determined to destroy Russia. The reality was that United States leaders, military and political, didnt consider Russia or the Russian military very formidable. This was all revealed in Ukraine. Putin yearned for the pre-war times when he could portray the Russian military as a mighty force that was not crippled by corruption and incompetent and corrupt leadership. The United States did not pay much attention to Russia. Instead the Americans are fixated on China and its new aircraft carriers and a fleet that is larger, in number of ships than the U.S. Navy. Putin also ignores the Chinese. He should because the Chinese are talking about taking back most of the Russian Far East province and renaming cities like Vladivostok with their original Chinese names like Yongmingcheng. This was a Chinese city that had been in this location for over a thousand years until the Russians forced China to surrender the territory to them in 1859 and renamed Yongmingcheng Vladivostok. China wants its stolen territories back and Putin fears that while Russia is busy in Ukraine the Chinese might make a move. Putin notes that Western nations do not speak out against China regaining the territories taken by Russia 166 years ago. The Chinese have long memories and the Russians dont, until it is too late. Putin may not be paranoid and he is correct about the terrible situation Russia is in. At the same time Putin is forced by his generals to pay attention to what NATO nations bordering Russia are up to. Poland and the Baltic States welcomed American troops who visited and agreed with the U.S. proposal to build an American base in Poland. To eastern Europe NATO members, especially the Poles, this is a great idea. Putin sees it as an old Russian nightmare come to life. The median house price for houses sold with the Dundalk Eircode A91 in January 2025 was 325,000, according to figures released by the CSO (Central Statistics Office) in their Residential Property Price Index report. The county wide median house price for Louth now stands at 325,000. Of the 63 houses sold in Dundalk in January, 28 were to first time buyer owner-occupiers; 29 to former owner-occupiers and 6 were to non occupiers. Forty-two of these houses were existing builds while twenty-one were new homes. The median price of the new houses sold was 390,000 and the median price of existing houses sold in January was 278,000. In Drogheda, the median price of residential properties sold in A92: Drogheda in January 2025, was 355,000. Of the 117 houses sold in Drogheda in January, 63 were to first time buyer owner-occupiers; 48 to former owner-occupiers and 6 were to non occupiers. Sixty-five of the houses sold were new houses and fifty-two were existing. The median price for the new houses sold was 387,801 while for existing houses it was 315,000. Nationally, in the 12 months to January 2025, house prices in Dublin rose by 7.9% while apartment prices increased by 6.1%. The highest house price growth in Dublin was in Fingal at 9.5% while Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown saw a rise of 6.4%. Read Next: Gardai in Louth investigate burglary in Dundalk Outside Dublin, house prices were up by 8.9% and apartment prices rose by 5.0%. The region outside of Dublin that saw the largest growth in house prices was the Border (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, and Sligo) at 12.7%, while at the other end of the scale, the Mid-East (Kildare, Louth, Meath, and Wicklow) saw a 5.8% rise. Households paid a median or mid-point price of 359,999 for a residential property in the 12 months to January 2025. The highest median price paid for a dwelling was 662,349 in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, while the lowest was 180,000 in Leitrim. The most expensive Eircode area over the 12 months to January 2025 was A94 'Blackrock' with a median price of 743,500, while H23 'Clones' had the least expensive price of 133,000. Labour finance spokesperson and Louth TD Ged Nash and has urged government and regulators to call telecom companies that are rising prices to task. Deputy Nash said: The Labour Party has consistently highlighted the need to address the enormous gouging of consumers going on over the past number of years. As the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) today calls for a crackdown on telecoms companies hiking prices mid-contract, its time to see real action and teeth from Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. Under Fine Gael and Fianna Fail families are struggling with the permanently increased cost of living and higher bills. This government and the relevant regulators need to put hard-pressed consumers first, for a change. Labour has set out a clear plan to make wages go further. Little has been done by successive Fine Gael Fianna Fail coalitions to tackle price gouging or the high costs of services in Ireland which is why Labour has called for a detailed action plan to address this once and for all. With the spotlight on telecoms companies today, more than ever we need to see real reform to ban automatic annual price increases in service contracts. The tail is wagging the dog here, and its time for this Government to intervene. Tackling the high price of mobile phone contracts for example is just one of the many areas that this government needs to address to end the enormous cost of living in Ireland. Even the Tories in the UK banned the sort of annual price increases our regulator green lights on-the-nod for global telecoms giants as a matter of course, here. We need to see action from Government to make grocery prices lower, by giving the CCPC greater powers to regularly assess prices, the groceries market and make pro-consumer interventions." Read Next: An Bord Pleanala refuses new development in Ardee The Louth TD also said people need to see the loyalty penalty thats rampant in many kinds of utility contracts end. We need to tackle the high cost of insurance which continues to impact negatively on business in Ireland. We need to bring down household bills by reducing electricity prices to the European average, and implementing a street by street retrofitting plan ana carrying out a major, independent review of the reasons why prices are so high. The Labour Party will never be shy of constructive solutions to end the rip-off of consumers and demand a greater balance between the interests of working people and small businesses and big businesses that betray all the signs of effective monopolies with their pricing strategies. Local Sinn Fein TD Joanna Byrne has said that government assertions that they are tackling the housing crisis and adequately fighting to end homelessness, is far from the reality on the ground in Louth. Speaking in the Dail on the Sinn Fein motion regarding the Tenant-In-Situ scheme, Deputy Byrne said: In January 2024 there were 172 Adults accessing emergency accommodation in Louth, and in January 2025 that had jumped to 232 Adults accessing emergency accommodation in Louth. That is a 35% increase in those needing emergency accommodation in Louth, in just a year. By any definition or metric, that paints a picture of abject failure to tackle homelessness in Louth by this government. The Tenant-In-Situ scheme had helped people who were given notice to quit an opportunity to stay in the home they had rented for years and in some cases even for decades. As a former Louth County Councillor & Chair of Louth County Councils Housing SPC, I know the impact and real-life positives of The Tenant-In-Situ Scheme had for those lucky enough to be approved. But for some reason, this scheme that has actually delivered, for those few lucky enough to be approved, and allowed people to stay in their homes, has been suspended since the end of last year, due to the failure of Government to agree the funding and targets for 2025, with hundreds of applications left pending without a decision due to lack of funding. Deputy Byrne said that the requests by tenants who have been served notice to quit by their landlords, who want to sell the property, are coming in thick and fast, daily and weekly. She continued: This decision by government will cost the taxpayer more in the long run as those that will have to leave their homes will most likely end up in emergency accommodation. Read Next: Louth TD demands crackdown on telecom price hikes The social housing tenant-in-situ scheme is a vital homeless prevention scheme which is why we in Sinn Fein introduced our motion, to try and bring it back, properly funded and ready to go. A 35% increase in those needing emergency accommodation in Louth alone in just a year, shows how badly it is needed. No one can stand over an increase like that. I will continue to push the government to tackle the homelessness crisis in Louth and I will always support legislation that can actually tackle the crisis. Cllr Ciaran Fisher has welcomed recent maintenance work at the Ramparts River in Dundalk, but has said that action needs to be taken, or it will clog up again. The Independent councillor said that it's great to see ducks and moorhens returning to the Ramparts on the back of some much needed maintenace work. Nature is healing! The cutting back of vegetation and removal of sediment and rubbish was much needed. Cllr Fisher continued, however, it will clog up again unless a regular maintenance plan is put in place or unless the recommendation from the TidyTown supported survey to improve the water flow are finally enacted. He explained, the Rampart River has a low gradient and a wide channel that results in a build up of sediment, which leads to vegetation growing that chokes up the channel. READ NEXT: Louth pupils celebrate all things Irish for St Patrick's Day An engineering survey conducted in 2022 proposed narrowing the channel in places using berms to improve the river flow at a cost at the time estimated to be around 250,000. Cllr Fisher added that, The Ramparts should be an asset running through our town, not an eyesore and I am fully behind unlocking its potential. All of our countries have experienced being part of Russia, being occupied by Russia, or being invaded by Russia, said Ukrainian ambassador Gerasko Larysa. She was in Cork this week as one of six Eastern European ambassadors who spoke in UCC as part of a panel discussion entitled Russian Aggression: Lessons Learned. Five of those ambassadors were from EU member states, and Ms Larysas country has repeatedly expressed a strong desire to become part of the union. Ms Larysa spoke with The Echo in Corks Clarion Hotel on Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by Estonian ambassador Kairi Kunka, Polish head of mission Artur Michalski, Finnish ambassador Leena Gardemeister, Lithuanian ambassador Jonas Grinevicius, and Latvian ambassador Juris Stalmeistars. It had been only a fortnight since US president Donald Trump and his vice-president, JD Vance, in the full glare of the worlds media, subjected Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a public humiliation in the Oval Office. Mr Trump has long avoided criticism of Vladimir Putin and has been slow to accept that Russia was the aggressor in invading Ukraine. The Polish head of mission in Ireland, Artur Michalski, was unequivocal: The people of Ukraine are victims of this war, and Russia is the clear aggressor, and I think we should avoid the situation that this line would be somehow blurred. There were noncommittal smiles when the ambassadors were asked if Donald Trump had overturned in two months what has been, for eight decades, the world order. Eventually the Ukrainian ambassador replied. Two weeks ago, Ukrainian president Zelensky was subjected to a public humiliation in the Oval Office Ukraine wants peace, she said. And, you know, together we will be more strong, and of course we have to be united with US partners, with European partners, in order to stop the war, and in order to bring a just and lasting peace. We hope that the US will be a strong partner on this path. It is 11 years since Russia first began its partial invasion of Ukraine, and three years since the full-scale invasion in February, 2022. What is the national mood in Ukraine now? Are people downcast? People are strong, people are brave, Ms Larysa said. Yes, people are tired, thats true, but they are strong. We are strong. We defend ourselves. We are fighting for our existence. If we lose, our country will stop existing. As of today, seven million Ukrainians left the country. In the worst scenario, 90% of Ukrainians will leave the country, because we know how it will be under Russian occupation. Russia has stolen almost everything, everything that they could steal. They have deported 20,000 Ukrainian children, 20,000 confirmed cases, the true figure is higher, she claimed. RENEWED INTEREST With growing alarm in Europe at the realisation that the US may no longer be the guarantor of global security that it perhaps once was, Irish neutrality is being discussed with renewed interest. At the same time, the Government has spoken of plans to remove the so-called triple lock, which prevents the deployment of more than 12 Irish troops overseas without the approval of the Government and the Dail, and a United Nations mandate. Ms Larysa said that while Ireland did not supply any lethal aid to the Ukrainian war effort, her country was grateful the non-lethal assistance it has provided, including expertise in de-mining. Expert opinion suggests it will take at least 50 years to clear Ukraine of Russian mines, she said. Each and every EU country needed to contribute to European security, the Latvian ambassador, Juris Stalmeistars, said. And not just the EU, but pan-European, with the UK being part of that, and I think there is the emergence of a coalition of the willing, willing to defend democracy, to defend all the values that we share, but I think that it is very important that Ireland doesnt [just] defend its neutrality but it defends its people and economy and society, he said. And, of course, when we look at Ireland, the first thing that comes to mind is the critical infrastructure, undersea cables, the resilience of your economy as being the hub for data centres or tech companies. I think economic resilience is very important, to diversify your investments or trade relationships, and then comes energy security, and we very much welcome Irelands plan to go ahead with an LNG terminal, Mr Stalmeistars said. Talking from our own experience, how we managed to change over a couple of years from full dependence on Russian gas and electricity, now we have zero gas imports from Russia, we are synchronised with the centre of Europe, and I think this is a good example that Ireland can look at. CYBER ATTACK Ireland was also vulnerable to cyber-attack, he said, such as the 2021 attack on the HSE. Geographic distance from Russia meant nothing in the modern world, Estonian ambassador Kairi Kunka said. You are very close. It is the 21st century and they dont know borders, she said. Ms Larysa added: From time to time, you can see Russian submarines not far from West Cork, so you are very close. If Russian aggression went unchecked, she said, Moldova might be Putins next target, or the Baltic states or anywhere. Ireland will probably have to really reflect on the notion of what is neutrality, Lithuanian ambassador Jonas Grinevicius said. When it was conceived a hundred years ago, you cannot really compare the situation and circumstances these days to a century ago. You joined the European Union 50-plus years ago and since that the EU has evolved considerably, you definitely want to reflect on that. The triple lock is your internal debate, we dont want to dwell on that, but I think the Taoiseach put it very well, and the Tanaiste. Why would you want to give some permanent members of the UN Security Council a veto on your actions? A double lock is OK, because then you exercise your sovereignty with your government and parliament, but the triple one looks like an excuse not to do much on the international arena. Finnish ambassador Leena Gardemeister said the immediate priority had to be a just and viable peace in Ukraine. European security is on the line and we must stand united in supporting Ukraine in every country, in every way that we can, and Europe needs to be at the table for any negotiated peace, she said. When we are talking about peace in Ukraine, we are talking about peace in Europe. Recruitment is underway for more driving testers, a Cork TD has been told, as he said in the Dail on Thursday that people in Cork are waiting 10 months for tests. Independent Ireland leader and TD for Cork South West, Michael Collins, told Tanaiste Simon Harris that his office has been inundated with requests from constituents seeking assistance in expediting their driving tests. These are mostly young people and they are waiting 10 months or more for a driving test. Many of these have secured job offers but are unable to accept them due to the lack of transportation in rural Ireland, said Mr Collins. We do not have a frequent bus service, the Luas, or regularly available taxis, as urban areas do. Our young people are effectively stranded without access to a car and their parents work schedules often do not allow for logistical support. We were informed that additional testers would be deployed, yet I am not aware of any new testers in Skibbereen, West Cork, he added. Mr Collins then suggested temporarily converting driving instructors into testers. Surely this would be a feasible solution, or does the Government have a long-term strategy that is being considered to prevent such backlogs from occurring in the future? Immediate and effective measures are required to address this backlog and support our constituents in their daily lives, he said. The Tanaiste thanked him for raising the issue and the suggestion he offered, saying: There is no doubt that this is a serious issue. Mr Harris explained that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has been providing increased test slots compared to 2023, but added: Let us not fool ourselves. I fully accept that a serious challenge exists. The waiting time is meant to be 10 weeks. That is the commitment that was given but in some parts of the country I hear that it can be up to 22 weeks, on average, for many people. The good news is that we are in the process of trying to employ extra testers, he added. Mr Harris said the department had sanctioned an additional 70 permanent driver testing posts, which would bring the permanent numbers to 200, a doubling of the number of posts since 2022. As a quid pro quo, the RSA has been asked to put in place a plan to restore waiting times to 10 weeks. I am told that recruitment is under way for those extra testers. I am told that 300 applicants have been brought through to the final assessment stage, Mr Harris added. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has told a Cork city councillor that no significant resurfacing works will be done on any national roads in the city this year, due to funding constraints. Sinn Fein councillor for Cork citys southwest ward, Joe Lynch, had asked for a section of the N22 Carrigrohane Rd, from Leemount to Grassland Agro, to be resurfaced. He was told by a spokesperson for TII: Given the level of funding allocated to TII for 2025 by the former minister for transport, it is unfortunately not possible this year for TII to fund any significant resurfacing works on national roads in Cork city. As an interim measure, TII will liaise with Cork City Council to discuss options for small-scale interventions on the N22 Carrigrohane Rd from Leemount to Grassland Agro. Mr Lynch has described the response as laughable, saying that anyone who travels the road will be well aware of the dreadful state of the road surface where he had requested resurfacing. He said: It is an embarrassment, and dangerous, frankly. As the N22 is a national road, Transport Infrastructure Ireland are responsible for funding its upkeep. They have acknowledged the poor condition of the road surface previously, saying that a section of the N22 Carrigrohane straight is included in TIIs five-year pavement programme. Instead of funding badly needed resurfacing works, however, we have a laughable response, stating that no funding will be provided for any resurfacing works on Cork citys national roads in 2025; with TII pinning the blame on the former minister for transport. Mr Lynch highlighted the importance of national roads, saying that they form an integral part of the citys road network, linking most of Corks suburbs with the city centre. For not one red cent to be made available for their upkeep in 2025 is not acceptable, and is another example of Cork being left behind when it comes to infrastructural investment. We have a Cork Taoiseach, and it is high time he started to ensure that we get our fair share of funding for crucial roads and infrastructure projects, Mr Lynch said. British Prime Minister Keir Starmers proposal for an international force to support a ceasefire in Ukraine has been criticized by Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who dismissed it as a posture and a pose. Witkoff argued that the idea stemmed from a simplistic view held by Starmer and other European leaders who believe they must act in the same manner as Winston Churchill. According to BBC, in an interview with Tucker Carlson, a journalist known for his pro-Trump stance, Witkoff praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him "super smart" and stating that he didnt view Putin as a bad person. Witkoff, who had met with Putin just ten days prior, described the Russian leader as gracious and upfront, adding that Putin had prayed for Trump after the assassination attempt against him last year. Additionally, Witkoff shared that Putin had commissioned a portrait of Trump as a gift, which the former president reportedly appreciated. During the interview, Witkoff reiterated several Russian viewpoints, such as the claim that Ukraine was a "false country" and questioned when the world would officially recognize the territories occupied by Russia in Ukraine. Witkoff, who is leading US ceasefire negotiations with both Russia and Ukraine, struggled to name all five regions of Ukraine that have been annexed or partially occupied by Russian forces. When asked about these regions, he only mentioned four, failing to correctly identify the five: Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea. He referred to the Donbas region, which includes parts of Luhansk and Donetsk, but left out the other regions. March 22, 2025: Desperate to find more justifications for its war in Ukraine, Russia has turned to its small surviving Cossack community to inspire military age Russian men to serve in the military. This is part of a desperate effort to find more manpower for their depleted forces in Ukraine. Russia made a deal with the Cossack leadership to persuade the millions of Ukrainian and Russian Cossacks living in Russia to support the Russian war effort in Ukraine. Prior to 2024 Russia had not sought to recruit Cossacks. This was part of an effort to maintain and improve good relations with Cossacks in Russia. So far this year over 50,000 Cossacks have served in the Russian forces in Ukraine or the forces gathered to push Ukrainian forces out of Russias Kursk province. The Ukrainians have their own small Cossack community, but Cossack traditions have a bigger role in Ukrainian identity than for Russian national identity. The Ukrainians entered Kursk in August 2024. Russia is also using 12,000 North Korean mercenaries for the Kursk counterattack. As of March 2025, the Ukrainians are still in Russia but rapidly losing ground. Russia has not tried to compel mobilization of its Cossacks into the army, as that could antagonize Cossacks in general and possibly cause loyalty problems with Ukrainian Cossacks living in Russia. There are over five million Ukrainian and Russian Cossacks living in different parts of Russia. Both Ukrainian and Russian Cossacks consider themselves Cossacks first. Russian officials understand that and since late 2023 have persuaded over 20,000 Cossacks to fight in Ukraine. Russia hopes to recruit more because Russia is running out of Russian soldiers. The Cossacks and their leaders are aware of the high Russian casualty rate in Ukraine. That makes it difficult to persuade more Cossacks to fight in Ukraine. When Russia first invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the Ukrainian response was Cossack in the way Cossack tactics were used successfully against the Russian invaders. These 21st Century Ukrainian Cossacks performed like the first Cossacks did 500 years ago, traveling light and using whatever weapons they could carry and use on foot or on horseback. The 2022 Ukrainian used pickup trucks and cars for transport and a lot of NATO supplied anti-tank weapons to supplement the Ukrainian made ones. The original Cossacks were most effective at raiding and restricting the movements and capabilities of a larger force. Cossacks would raid supply columns and force the enemy to use more troops for guard duty and larger reconnaissance patrols. Cossacks could weaken a larger force and reduce its offensive capabilities. Its not surprising that these modern Cossacks would emerge in Ukraine during the 2022 invasion. This sort of speedy improvisation by a largely recent volunteer force of civilians is one reason the Russians have been losing. The Ukrainians know what they are fighting for while most of the Russian troops who initially invaded were unaware they were invading Ukraine. That changed when hastily organized and armed Ukrainians began ambushing them with anti-tank weapons, superior tactics and reliable communications. Initially most Russian troops were unsure why they are invading Ukraine while the Ukrainians were defending themselves any way they could. Now Russia is trying to create its own Cossack force. Such neo-Cossacks, in the form of small, mobile motorized forces, were first developed by the British during World War II in North Africa. German and Italian forces established airfields and supply storage sites out in the desert that were lightly guarded because any ground force would be spotted from the air before it got near. To get around that Britain developed the Long Range Desert Group or LRDG consisting of small units of a dozen or so men in wheeled vehicles modified for off-road use in desert terrain. The troops were volunteers trained to use these vehicles and navigate in the desert. While raids on remote airfields and supply depots were the most dramatic operations, the most valuable role of the LRDG was collecting information on enemy strength, dispositions and movements. This often involved monitoring enemy traffic on the coastal roads, which were the primary traffic route in North Africa. Out of this came the British Special Air Service or SAS commandos, and a maritime version, the Special Boat Service or SBS. After World War II other nations based their special operations forces on the British model. American special operations forces and similar commando groups in other NATO countries are also able to operate in the Cossack fashion and regularly train that way based on their experience of the Ukrainian Cossacks. While NATO has donated over $100 billion military and economic aid to Ukraine, the Ukrainians have shared their combat experiences with NATO as well as details of new weapons Ukrainians have designed and built. The war in Ukraine is the first war between technological equals since World War II. Thats over 60 years with much change in weapons or tactics. Now, in less than three years the war in Ukraine has revolutionized how wars are fought and established the parameters for 21st Century warfare. Cork county councillors have been told that no stray horses were euthanised last year for the fourth year in a row, as a national report identifies critical gaps in Irelands system of identifying horse owners. There were 33 stray horses collected in 2024, five in Cobh, five in East Cork, 18 in Kanturk/Mallow, two in Fermoy, one in West Cork, and two in Bandon/Kinsale according to the councils Environment Divisional Committee report. Four of these were subsequently reclaimed, all in Kanturk/Mallow, and the remaining 29 were rehomed at rescues or charities. No horses were euthanised, and none were at the pound as of the end of 2024. The lack of euthanised horses was welcomed by councillors at the southern committee meeting held during the week. The figure is in line with 2023, when 41 stray horses were collected, 12 reclaimed and 29 rehomed, with no horses euthanised that year either, or in 2022, when 22 were seized or 2021 when 24 were seized. The last year horses were euthanised was in 2020, when four of 35 stray horses seized were subsequently euthanised, a considerable reduction from 10 years ago when 118 of 155 horses seized were euthanised in 2015, 159 of 176 in 2014, and 147 of 227 in 2013. A spokesperson for the Cork County Council told The Echo that the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine contribute to a local authority up to 375 for each horse that is seized and later euthanised. A contribution of up to 200 is made for each horse that is rehomed, and no contribution is paid to a local authority if a horse is reclaimed, with this amount recouped from the department on a quarterly basis. This means that 5,800 would have been claimed from the department last year, though the year previous, costs were 95,305 for the same amount of horses rehomed, meaning the same payout would have been issued despite it covering just 6% of costs. REPORT It comes as a recently published report identifies issues with the ability to track down owners of horses in Ireland. The department commissioned Professor Paddy Wall, a veterinarian and equine scientist, to conduct a comprehensive review of Irelands equine traceability system. He noted that systems have evolved significantly since the 2013 horse meat scandal, with the introduction of a central database and an equine census. However, while he said that these developments represent substantial progress, there are critical gaps that must be addressed. It is a legal requirement that the owners name must recorded in a horse passport and that any change of ownership be updated, and when a horse changes ownership, currently it is the buyer, not the vendor, who is legally required to notify authorities. But this system is fundamentally weak, Mr Wall said: There has been little to no enforcement, resulting in widespread non-compliance. Horses often pass through multiple owners without any updates to the records. Without accurate, and enforced, recording of changes in ownership, it becomes nearly impossible to determine who is responsible for a horses welfare, health, and public liability at any given time. Agriculture minister Martin Heydon said: Professor Wall has presented an excellent report calling for effective reform of our equine identification system. I look forward to implementing these recommendations. James Cox Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come. Dail speaking rights row rumbles on Somehow, the Dail speaking rights row is still ongoing. Opposition disrupted the election of Taoiseach Micheal Martin over the row in January, and it continues to delay the formation of Dail committees and other business. The long-running speaking row is over Government's attempts to secure speaking time for Regional Independent TDs, led by Michael Lowry, who support the Coalition. Opposition parties are united in their condemnation of this. The Government used its majority on the Dail Reform Committee to push through proposals to change Dail rules to allow speaking time for the TDs, which they say would be separate to Opposition time. In response, the Opposition has withdrawn the Dail 'pairing' arrangement. The arrangement saw TDs agree not to participate in Dail votes to allow for a Minister or Government TDs absence. On Friday, Opposition parties outlined plans to enter an amendment to the Governments motion to change Dail rules, which the Sinn Fein leader said will solve the row over speaking rights. The leaders of the Opposition are seeking an urgent meeting with the Taoiseach to resolve the dispute. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, Labour leader Ivana Bacik, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian OCallaghan, People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett and Independent Ireland founder Michael Collins sent the letter on Sunday. The opposition leaders write: Your commitment placed on the record of the Dail on 23rd January must be honoured. Your commitment that any change to standing orders would be done in agreement with the Opposition was accepted in good faith. It is disappointing and unacceptable that you have moved away from this agreed position. Last month your representatives at the Dail Reform Committee collapsed the process that was under way to resolve these issues. You are now attempting to force through a motion bringing unprecedented changes to standing orders, which will turn democracy on its head. The Combined Opposition has tabled an amendment which would facilitate appropriate speaking opportunities for government TDs, including the Michael Lowry Group. Our proposal is a fair and reasonable compromise which crucially preserves the normal democratic processes of the Dail. You cannot be in government and opposition at the same time, these democratic distinctions must be recognised and accepted by government for our system to work. We look forward to your immediate response. Public anger at speaking rights row Taoiseach Micheal Martin was told the Dail speaking rights row was an "affront to Irish democracy" and asked "is this the start of a dictatorship?". Mr Martin previously claimed the public "aren't excited" about the speaking rights row. However, messages to the Taoiseach, seen by BreakingNews.ie following a Freedom of Information request, show the public are very angry about the issue. The messages, sent on are after January 22nd when the Dail was suspended as opposition TDs protested over the matter and blocked the nomination of the Taoiseach, were all critical of the Government. The messages, sent on are after January 22nd when the Dail was suspended as opposition TDs protested over the matter and blocked the nomination of the Taoiseach, were all critical of the Government. They supported the Opposition's efforts to block the move and their "rightful indignation". On the evening of January 22nd, one person wrote: "I think it's utterly farcical that TDs who support the Government are attempting to speak on Opposition time. "I fully support attempts to disrupt proceedings today as this cannot stand." A message on the morning of January 23rd read: "Micheal, is this the start of a dictatorship? You're deliberately taking away the democratic rights of the Opposition by cutting down their speaking time. The Independents who helped you form government have no place on the opposition benches taking time away from your actual opposition. "This is an affront to Irish democracy. The painting of the opposition parties (Sinn Fein, Labour, Social Democrats etc) as the bad guys in this scenario is a deliberate projection on your part to avoid accountability for your shady dealings." McGregor's unlikely Aras bid The fallout from Conor McGregor's controversial White House meeting with Donald Trump, in which he pushed unfounded claims about immigration, is still ongoing. McGregor has claimed he will use the meeting with the US president as the platform to launch his own bid for the presidency. However, it is highly unlikely McGregor will secure enough nominations to get on the ballot. To become a presidential candidate, candidates must secure the backing of at least 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities. The election will take place on a yet to be confrimed date before November. According to the Irish Daily Mail, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will announce their candidates soon and intent to block McGregor's bid. Garron Noone deactivates social media accounts after immigration video Garron Noone has deactivated his social media accounts following backlash over a video in which he discussed immigration. The Mayo man became a TikTok/Instagram sensation with his sketches and catchphrase "follow me, I'm delicious". Noone normally discusses light topics in his videos. However, he said he had been asked to discuss immigration by his followers after Conor McGregor's controversial White House meeting with Donald Trump. Noone has since deactivated his accounts. He had a sizeable following including 1.7 million people on TikTok alone. While some people are still criticising Noone over the video, fellow social media influencers have defended him online, along with some politicians. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane said: "Its sad to see Garron Noone has deactivated his social media accounts. I love his content & he is as decent as he is funny. There is not a racist bone in his body & nor is it racist to talk about immigration. Even if we do so a little clumsily. Hopefully we see him back soon." Aontu TD Peadar Toibin wrote: "The engine of democracy is the competition of ideas. The best ideas percolate to the top and become policy. The silencing of majority views by a minority is authoritarian & damages that democracy. Garron Noone is a fine comedian & should be allowed speak." Abroad US president Donald Trump on Friday took away security clearances for former vice president Kamala Harris, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and others in his latest move against his Democratic opponents. The Republican president, who has also revoked the security clearance for former president Joe Biden, defeated Ms Clinton in the 2016 presidential election and Ms Harris in last year's election. In the UK, chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to cut 10,000 civil service jobs amid ongoing efforts to slash debt from the Labour government. Sunday, March 23, 2025 Until just a couple of years ago, there existed something called a rules-based world order. In that universe, it was widely thought that nuclear weapons were a threat to humanity. Nations were therefore discouraged from possessing or acquiring them. A few major powers already had those dangerous munitions but they were thought to be responsible actors and so were allowed to hold on to theirs. To stop the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, the nations of that rules-based world adopted the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in June 1968. It came into force in March 1970. The NPT recognized the U.S., China, the Soviet Union, the U.K. and France as the major powers that could safely possess nuclear weapons. It banned all other countries from developing them. Despite that, Israel, India, Pakistan and North Korea have their own nuclear arsenals. They are not signatories to the NPT. When the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991, Russia took its place on the UN Security Council. That is how Russia acquired the questionable major power label that it deceives itself with today. Ukraine, one of the newly independent nations that had been part of the USSR, had nuclear weapons in its territory. In furtherance of the objectives of the NPT, the U.S. convinced Ukraines leaders to relinquish their countrys nuclear arsenal. Ironically, Ukraine was asked to ship the munitions to Russia to be dismantled. In exchange for the abandonment of their nuclear weapons, and for helping to keep the entire world safe, the U.S., the U.K. and France promised the Ukrainians that they would come to their defense if they were attacked in future. Russia had always been the potential attacker that the Ukrainians were afraid of. But the concerns they expressed to the Clinton administration at the time were dismissed. Russia issued some vague pledges to respect Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Ukraine was then pressured into signing the Budapest Memorandum, the agreement that formalized the transfer of Ukrainian nukes to Russia. Russias illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 was a clear violation of the Budapest Memorandum. The U.S. and its allies did react to that breach by imposing some sanctions on Russia. But the overall response was quite tepid. That insufficient pushback is what later emboldened Vladimir Putin to launch the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The foolishness that has been on display in Ukraine these past three years would never have started had the country not been forced into giving up its nuclear weapons in 1994. At the time of the Soviet Unions dissolution, Ukraine had about 2,000 strategic nuclear warheads, the third-largest arsenal in the world. Russia is said to currently have about 5,580, while the U.S. reportedly has a little over 5,000. For perspective, the U.K. and France are said to have 225 and 290, respectively. Those numbers show what a major nuclear power Ukraine could have been. Putin would not dare touch the country if those missiles were still on Ukrainian soil today. In the past, some pundits have said that Ukraine was too poor in the 1990s to be able to maintain that nuclear arsenal so it was not wrong to ask for its dismantlement. That is nonsense. North Korea is one of the poorest nations in the world but no one is making that argument about them. Anyone who has closely followed the Ukraine war these past three years would know that the Ukrainians are among the most ingenious people on the planet. Ukraine is also an extremely wealthy country in terms of natural resources. If they had their nuclear weapons, they would have been free of Russian interference, and would most likely be quite prosperous economically today. It is mind-boggling how they have managed to sustain economic activity inside the country under such heavy bombardment. In her recent interview on BBC World News America, the current Ambassador of the European Union to the U.S., Jovita Neliupsiene, a Lithuanian, spoke about some of the benefits her country has enjoyed from being a NATO member. She said that Lithuanias GDP has quadrupled since 2004, when it joined the alliance. Freed from Russian domination and interference, the small Baltic nation has been able to devote its full attention to economic development. That is what every Ukrainian today is aspiring to with the fight for NATO and EU memberships. It was shocking to see President Trump and his vice president publicly berate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last month. His sin was that he had not been sufficiently grateful for the support that the U.S. has provided to Ukraine in the last three years. I wonder whether the president and others in his administration ever factor any of the stipulations of the Budapest Memorandum into their thoughts as they craft their Ukraine policy. They cannot pretend to be unaware of the agreement. They could perhaps argue that the security assurance provided therein wasnt supposed to mean unlimited U.S. spending. But they cannot hide behind that excuse because we forced the Ukrainians into signing a bad deal. Zelenskyy and his compatriots have learned hard lessons from acquiescing to that leaky agreement three decades ago. That is why he was insisting on security guarantees during that Oval Office meeting. For that, he was accused of being disrespectful to the president. That is absurd. And lets face it. We may have given a lot to Ukraine, but much of that assistance has been ineffective. We gave them ammunition to defend themselves but then severely restricted how they could use them, essentially tying their hands behind their backs. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told his followers to show meekness. During the homily, he issued the following command (in Matthew 5:39): But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. This sounds a lot like what many people have been asking the Ukrainians to do over the last three years. But even the Great Teacher himself would have been mad as hell if he had been in Zelenskyys shoes in the Oval Office that day. In the initial weeks after Russias invasion, I heard many people in the Global South say that what was happening in Ukraine did not concern them. I was flabbergasted. It was instantly evident that Russias aggression had ended the world as we knew it before then. Almost overnight, it became acceptable once again for strong nations to use force to redraw national borders. With that return to medieval times, countries had no choice but to divert precious resources to militarization in order to safeguard their independence. For poorer countries in particular, the consequences of the Ukraine-Russia war will be extremely dire for a long time. Many of them have habitually relied heavily on foreign aid to survive. But with most of the traditional benefactors now primarily focused on rearming quickly to counter the Russian threat, this assistance will soon dry up. The U.K. drastically slashed its foreign aid budget recently. Germany and the other major European donors already have, or are expected to follow suit. Stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons was supposed to be in the interest of the whole world. But as Ukrainians have painfully learned, their country made a huge sacrifice and their reward is naked aggression against it by a bully. Even more galling, a large part of the global population watches on and shrugs its shoulders. That attitude of indifference has all but ended cooperation on some of todays most critical issues, such as the fight against global warming. There was a lot of talk in recent years about rich countries contributing funds to help poorer nations mitigate the effects of climate change. That collaboration is practically over. Today, if you inhabit an island nation being threatened by rising sea levels, or a country constantly suffering from severe droughts that make farming impossible, all indications are that you are going to be on your own. The trillions of dollars that countries like Germany, the U.K. and others in Europe will be spending over the next several decades to rearm themselves could have been far better spent on pressing human needs. Education and healthcare for the indigent around the world are urgent issues begging for attention and money. Building infrastructure in poor countries is another. Estonia, the small Baltic nation that is one of the countries at greatest risk of Russian aggression because it shares a border with the bully, has just announced that it will spend 5 percent of its GDP on defense. What a shame. Thinking about the incalculable harm that the Budapest Memorandum has inflicted on Ukraine, and the way in which it has fundamentally changed the world for the worse, I consider it to be one of the worst agreements ever signed in history. It was a terrible idea and should never have been dreamed of. The damage it has done to Americas credibility on the global stage is also likely to be permanent. Present and future generations, not only in Ukraine but here in America and places around the globe, will endure the effects of this tragedy for a long time. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday called early elections for April 28, pledging to defeat Donald Trump's drive to annex the United States' huge northern neighbor. Carney, a former central banker, was chosen by Canada's centrist Liberal Party to replace Justin Trudeau as prime minister, but he has never faced the country's broader electorate. That will now change as Carney brought parliamentary elections forward several months from October. He made it clear that the barrage of trade and sovereignty threats coming from the US president will be the focus of his campaign. "I've just requested that the governor general dissolve parliament and call an election for April 28. She has agreed," Carney said in a speech to the nation, referring to King Charles III's representative in Canada, a member of the British Commonwealth. In power for a decade, the Liberal government had slid into deep unpopularity, but Carney will be hoping to ride a wave of Canadian patriotism to a new majority. "I'm asking Canadians for a strong, positive mandate to deal with President Trump," Carney said, adding that the Republican "wants to break us, so America can own us. We will not let that happen." "We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty," Carney said. "Our response must be to build a strong economy and a more secure Canada," he added, pledging not to meet Trump until he recognizes Canadian sovereignty. Trump has riled his northern neighbor by repeatedly dismissing its borders as artificial, and urging it to join the United States as the 51st state. The ominous remarks have been accompanied by Trump's trade war, with the imposition of tariffs on imports from Canada threatening to severely damage its economy. - Poll favorites - Domestic issues, such as the cost of living and immigration usually dominate Canadian elections but, this time around, one key topic tops the list in this country of 41 million people: who can best handle Trump. The president's open hostility toward his northern neighbor -- a NATO ally and historically one of his country's closest partners -- has upended the Canadian political landscape. Trudeau was deeply unpopular when he announced he was stepping down, with Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives seen as election favorites just weeks ago. But since Trump's threats, the polls have spectacularly narrowed in favor of Carney's Liberals, who hold a minority in parliament, and analysts are now describing the race as too close to call. "Many consider this to be an existential election, unprecedented," Felix Mathieu, a political scientist at the University of Winnipeg, told AFP. Poilievre, 45, is a career politician, first elected when he was only 25. A veteran tough-talking campaigner, he has sometimes been tagged as a libertarian and a populist. On Sunday, Poilievre -- seen by some as too similar to Trump in style and substance -- set the tone. "I want the opposite of what Donald Trump wants," the Conservative leader said in Toronto, promising to base his campaign on bread-and-butter economic issues and the worries of "regular people." Kicking off his campaign in Labrador and Newfoundland, Carney told supporters on Canada's Atlantic coast that the country needed "big change" to turn its economy around and "fight Donald Trump's tariffs." - 'Don't care' - Carney, 60, has spent his career outside of electoral politics. He spent more than a decade at Goldman Sachs and went on to lead Canada's central bank, and then the Bank of England. Smaller opposition parties could suffer if Canadians seek to give a large mandate to one of the big two, to strengthen their hand against Trump. The US leader professes not to care who wins the Canadian election, while pushing ahead with plans to further strengthen tariffs against Ottawa and other major trading partners on April 2. "I don't care who wins up there," Trump said this week. "But just a little while ago, before I got involved and totally changed the election, which I don't care about ... the Conservative was leading by 35 points." bur-tib/dc/des/aha/lb Jessica Aber, who served as a U.S. Attorney during the Biden administration, was found dead in Alexandria, Virginia on Saturday. Aber, 43, served as U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of Virginia 2021 until earlier this year. She was appointed by former U.S. President Joe Biden. She resigned on Jan. 20 at 11:59 p.m. the same day U.S. President Donald Trump returned to power after his November election win. The Alexandria Police Department announced Aber was found dead at a home in suburban Washington D.C. and that her death is under investigation. An autopsy has been ordered, police said. Aber also previously worked as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice. During Abers tenure as U.S, Attorney in Virginia, her office prosecuted drug trafficking rings, indicted Russian military personnel for war crimes for their alleged torture of a U.S. national during the war in Ukraine and prosecuted a Virginia technology for allegedly illegally providing U.S. technology to Russia. Current U.S. Attorney for Virginia Erik Siebert lauded Aber's service in a statement on her death Saturday. We are heartbroken beyond words to learn of the passing of our friend and former colleague, U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber. She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being. We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world. Her professionalism, grace, and legal acumen set the standard. Though we are devastated by this loss, each of us in the Eastern District of Virginia will look to her example and endeavor to live up to that standard. Jess was a proud Virginian from high school through college and throughout her career. She loved EDVA and EDVA loved her back. We remain committed to her lifes work, a commitment to seeking justice, as she would have wanted," Siebert said. Chinas Sunrise Group will invest 2.3 billion dirhams (~$240 million) to build two textile plants in Morocco, the Moroccan government recently announced after signing the deal related to the projects in Rabat. The plants in Fez and Skhirate, near Rabat, will be Sunrise's first manufacturing sites in Morocco, and are expected to create 7,000 direct jobs and over 1,500 indirect jobs. They will produce yarn, fabrics and apparel to help Moroccan manufacturers reduce delays and logistical costs and meet international orders without intermediaries, the countrys prime minister's office said in a statement. The projects will also help build an integrated supply chain. China's Sunrise Group will invest $240 million to build two textile plants in Morocco. The plants in Fez and Skhirate, near Rabat, will be Sunrise's first manufacturing sites in Morocco, and are expected to create 8,500 jobs. They will produce yarn, fabrics and apparel to help Moroccan manufacturers reduce delays and logistical costs and meet international orders without intermediaries. Morocco exports most of its textile products to Europe. The government further said that the initiative aligns with Moroccos broader strategy to develop its industrial sector and strengthen its position as a regional leader in textile manufacturing, according to domestic media reports. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Strategic partnership delivers an innovative approach to edge computing, designed to support AI workloads, hybrid cloud, automation, industrial IoT, and enterprise applications using compact, secure, and rugged microscale datacenters. Green Edge Computing Corp (GECCO) and InterSources Inc. have formed a global partnership to provide on-demand, high-performance computing at the edge through compact, secure, and rugged microscale datacenters. This collaboration will help businesses, utilities, and industrial enterprises deploy advanced computing infrastructure without the cost and complexity of traditional IT systems. By combining GECCO's EdgePod technology with InterSources' expertise in digital transformation and cybersecurity, the partnership delivers an innovative approach to edge computing-designed to support AI workloads, hybrid cloud, automation, industrial IoT, and enterprise applications. Revolutionizing Edge Computing for Industrial and Infrastructure Sectors As industries shift toward real-time data processing, AI-driven automation, and decentralized cloud architectures, the demand for powerful yet compact computing solutions continues to rise. The GECCO EdgePod meets this need with: A rugged, multi-server design that operates in challenging environments 80% smaller physical and environmental footprint than conventional IT infrastructure Scalable computing power for AI, cybersecurity, automation, and operational systems Lower energy and cooling requirements for cost-efficient deployment "Organizations across critical industries need high-performance computing without the constraints of conventional data centers," said Rudi Carolsfeld, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Green Edge Computing Corp. "Our partnership with InterSources enables enterprises to deploy scalable, secure, and cost-effective computing capacity exactly where it's needed-at the edge." Bringing Microscale Datacenters to Mission-Critical Operations InterSources has long been a leader in delivering technology solutions to global enterprises, particularly in energy, utilities, and infrastructure facilities. Through this partnership, businesses will gain access to microscale datacenters that enhance cybersecurity, enable digital transformation, and reduce operational costs. "Our clients demand both physical and cyber security alongside flexible, high-performance computing," said Ankit Shah, CEO of InterSources Inc. "The GECCO EdgePod provides an incredibly efficient, scalable, and secure platform that integrates seamlessly into our solutions, delivering significant value across industrial and enterprise environments." Edge Computing at Scale: Live Demonstration As industries accelerate their transition to decentralized and cloud-integrated infrastructures, the need to deliver scalable, resilient, and secure computing solutions is more critical than ever. GECCO and InterSources will be showcasing the EdgePod's advanced edge computing capabilities at DistribuTECH in Dallas, TX (March 25-27, Booth #7140). Attendees will experience firsthand how this technology is redefining microscale datacenters, cloud-edge convergence, and real-time computing solutions. About Green Edge Computing Corp. Motivated to reduce the impact of cloud computing, GECCO offers a lower footprint alternative to the size, weight, power and cooling demands of conventional IT systems. The GECCO EdgePods and EdgeCards reduce power and cooling needs by over 75% and eliminate up to 90% of e-waste. GECCO offers lower total cost of ownership, improved business resilience, and a path to better edge computing while addressing the need to protect our global environment. Visit www.g3cco.com About Intersources Inc. Since our inception in 2007 InterSources Inc. has been a pioneer in the realm of technology and security. We have evolved into a trusted partner, leading the way in Cloud Security, Cybersecurity, PLG Consulting, Digital Transformation, and Professional Services. With a rich history of excellence and a forward-thinking approach, we continue to secure your digital future and drive innovation. Visit www.intersources.com Contact: Rudi Carolsfeld 1-855-EDGEPOD Contact@g3cco.com SOURCE: Green Edge Computing Corp (GECCO) The injury, which occurred when the film was initially shelved due to financial constraints, left him with multiple ligament tears in his knee, requiring extensive rehabilitation. read more Actor Randeep Hooda has finally returned to horseback riding after more than two years of recovery. The actor suffered a severe knee injury while working on his maiden directorial project, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. The injury, which occurred when the film was initially shelved due to financial constraints, left him with multiple ligament tears in his knee, requiring extensive rehabilitation. Randeep, who underwent a drastic physical transformation for Veer Savarkar, had lost excessive weight for the role, which led to a dangerous fall while on horseback. The impact was severehe passed out and broke all the ligaments in his knee. Despite these setbacks, the determined actor refused to give up on the film. He went on to complete Veer Savarkar using his own money, filming intense sequences with knee braces on, and even running in certain scenesfurther aggravating his injury. Advertisement Following months of medical treatment and dedicated rehabilitation at Kokilaben Hospital, Randeep has now regained enough strength to return to one of his greatest passionshorse riding. A seasoned equestrian, he has been deeply involved in polo and show jumping for years. From winning numerous national-level medals to owning polo clubs and teams, Randeeps love for the sport is well-known. Now that he is back in the saddle, there is anticipation that he might soon return to competitive riding. As Randeep himself has said, There is no life without sports, and there is no sport without competition. Reflecting on his journey of recovery and resilience, Randeep draws a parallel between life and horse riding: Like life, same as horse riding, one has to get back in the saddle regardless of the hurdles and falls. His return marks not just a personal victory but also an inspiring testament to his unwavering spirit. With his passion reignited, it wont be long before we see him competing again, striving for excellence, and adding more adventures to his name. Advertisement The forensic specialists at AIIMS had dismissed the claims of poisoning and strangling as per a report by PTI. read more Sushant Singh Rajput passed away on June 14, 2020 and the cause of death was reported to be suicide. The case was transferred to the CBI and after five years, they have submitted their closure in the report before a special court in Mumbai. The court will now decide for a further probe or arrive at their final verdict. The forensic specialists at AIIMS had dismissed the claims of poisoning and strangling as per a report by PTI. Advertisement 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. The petition urges the HC to order registration of a First Information Report against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and transfer of the probe to the CBI, he said. A Sena (UBT) spokesperson, however, wondered why the matter was suddenly under the spotlight after four years, and suspected a conspiracy. Notably, the Budget session of the Maharashtra legislature is currently underway. The mysterious death of Disha Salian, former manager of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, has taken a dramatic turn as her father, Satish Salian, on Wednesday, filed a petition in the Bombay High Court for a fresh investigation. Alleging that his daughter was brutally assaulted and murdered, followed by a politically motivated cover-up, Satish Salian is now seeking an FIR against Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray and a transfer of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Thackeray now says Attempts have been made for the last five years to malign my image. We will present our side in the court and respond to the allegations there. Advertisement With added inputs from agencies March 23, 2025: This year Russia celebrates the 80th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War, known elsewhere as World War II. The May 9th Victory Day events are held in Moscow and cities throughout Russia. Since Ukraine is considered part of Russia, the celebrations will praise the three year war effort there. While Josef Stalin celebrated victory against an invader, Vladimir Putin seeks to justify Russians invading a neighbor. Putin insists that Russia is fighting NATO aggression in Ukraine and, like the Great Patriotic War, defending Russia from hostile foreigners. The Victory Day parades will celebrate over a thousand years of Russians defending their motherland. Putin sees these events as an opportunity to improve morale after three years of pointless warfare in Ukraine and increasing privation at home because of the economic sanctions. There isnt much to celebrate but Vladimir Putin is making an impressive effort to show that everything is fine and that Russia will always prevail. Fifteen years ago all these theatrics were unnecessary. Back in 2010, Russia resumed the Cold War custom of holding large military parades to commemorate the Russian victory in World War II. Since the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, Russia dropped the military displays for these victory parades, which became much smaller in size overall. But in 2010 there were parades in 24 cities, involving 38,000 troops, hundreds of military vehicles plus dozens of aircraft overhead. Nearly ten million people came out to witness the parades and even more caught it on TV or the Internet. There was no problem with the crowds, in part because about 200,000 security personnel were on hand, including 4,700 Cossacks to maintain order. The first of these big parades in 2010 saw 11,000 troops and hundreds of military vehicles assembled for the May 9th parade in Moscow. Commemorating the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II has always been a big deal, if only because 18 percent of the population died during that conflict. The Russians refer to World War II as The Great Patriotic War and the fact that there were 29 million dead was kept secret until the 1990s. This was partly out of embarrassment and partly not to demoralize the population. Russia also did not want to let the outside world know just how badly the Russians had been hurt. The 2010 parade also included, for the first time, small contingents from wartime allies Britain, the U.S., and France. The British contingent was particularly striking, as it was 76 members of the Welsh Guards, wearing their dress uniforms consisting of red jackets, black trousers, and tall bearskin hats. Some of the best viewing locations were given to 3,000 grey-haired veterans of the war, who tended to show up wearing their medals on their civilian clothes, which is a common Russian custom for such occasions. The large military contingent also included many current Russian soldiers wearing World War II uniforms and carrying period weapons. This included World War II era armored vehicles, particularly dozens of the famous T-34 tank. The assembled veterans were visibly moved by this impressive demonstration of the now departed Red Army of the Soviet Union. Overhead, 127 modern aircraft put on an eight minute flyover and display their maneuverability. The parade took about 70 minutes to complete but was weeks in preparations, with many people coming down in the evening to watch various contingents practice. Many Russian weapons systems that are rarely, if ever, shown in public, were displayed in the 2010 parade and subsequent ones. In 2010 there were smaller but similar parades in 71 other Russian cities, with 102,000 Russian troops taking part. All this was part of a morale building exercise, to reassure the Russian people that the armed forces were being rebuilt, after nearly two decades of decline. The end of the Soviet Union saw the armed forces lose 80 percent of its manpower within a decade, most equipment rotted away from lack of use, or maintenance, and there was little money to buy new stuff. That has changed in the past few years, and starting in 2010 the Victory Parade has become an effort to showcase the new military, while honoring past accomplishments. The Great Patriotic War defined Russian attitudes during the Cold War because of the enormous casualties and devastation it inflicted. But now the memory, along with the few remaining veterans, are fading fast. The end of the Cold War, the Soviet Union, and communism in the early 1990s was another shock that is still sinking in. The government revival of the military participation in the victory parade was a novelty the first year, but enthusiasm faded along with the memories of new generations for whom World War II and the Soviet Union are ancient history. He even said all the miseries that Rhea went through along with her family was unfortunate and uncalled for. read more Sushant Singh Rajput passed away on June 14, 2020 and the cause of death was reported to be suicide. The case was transferred to the CBI and after five years, they have submitted their closure in the report before a special court in Mumbai. Amid this, actress and the late actors girlfriend Rhea Chakrabortys lawyer Satish Maneshinde issued a statement that read: The CBI has filed a closure report in connection with the Death of Sushant Singh Rajput after almost 4 1/2 years. We are Greatful to the CBI for having thoroughly investigated every aspect of the case from all angles and closed the case. The amount of false narrative in the Social Media and Electronic Media was totally uncalled for. Advertisement Lawyer reveals why the pandemonium unfolded in 2020 Maneshinde added, Due to the Pandemic every one was glued to the TV & Social Media in the absence of anything happening in the country. Innocent people were hounded and paraded before the Media and investigative authorities. I hope this does not repeat in any case. He even said all the miseries that Rhea went through along with her family was unfortunate and uncalled for. Both Rheas Family and My Team & I were hounded and threatened of danger to our life. I must say nothing deterred us from carrying out our legal duties. Today I can share that Im proud to have defended a Fauji Family Pro Bono and that should rest with the kind of speculative narration about my fees, said her lawyer. He said Satyameva Jayate at the end of his statement. March 23 is marked as Martyrs Day to commemorate the execution of three revolutionary leaders Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar. On this day in 2021, a cargo ship, the size of a skyscraper, ran aground and became wedged in the Suez Canal, leading to a blockade of one of the worlds busiest trade routes for six days read more India's revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Hari Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar, the revolutionary leaders, were hanged at the Lahore Central Jail in Lahore on March 23, 1931. Illustration: Santan In India, March 23 is marked as Shaheed Diwas, or Martyrs Day, to commemorate the execution of Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar. The three revolutionary freedom fighters were hanged on this day in 1931. Their execution served as a catalyst for the independence movement. Today, they are considered to be symbols of courage and patriotism. On this day in 2021, a cargo ship, the size of a skyscraper, ran aground and became wedged in the Suez Canal. Hundreds of ships would be prevented from passing through the canal until the vessel was freed six days later. Advertisement Heres a look at these significant historical events in Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were hanged Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar were all members of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), which advocated for a socialist and independent India, free from British rule and societal inequalities. In December 1928, the three plotted the assassination of the Superintendent of Police, James Scott, in Lahore to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, the nationalist leader of the famous Lal-Bal-Pal trio. However, in a case of mistaken identity, Assistant Superintendent of Police, John Saunders, was shot dead. A Home Guard personnel cleans a mural of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on Martyrs Day, in Gurugram, Thursday, March 23, 2023. PTI Singh chopped his hair and shaved his beard before fleeing to Calcutta to avoid being arrested. Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt yelled Inquilab Zindabad! and threw bombs in Delhis Central Assembly Hall in April 1929. They were later arrested. In the Lahore Conspiracy case, Singh and his revolutionary comrades Rajguru and Sukhdev were executed by hanging on March 23, 1931. Their execution sparked the independence struggle and motivated innumerable more to fight for freedom. To honour the three leaders, the central and state governments have been organising a number of events. In order to create a more resilient future, the day also offers a chance to consider national values like equality and justice as well as to draw lessons from Indias past. Suez Canal was blocked Coming back to the 21st century, on this day in 2021, Ever Given, a 200,000-tonne Panama-flagged ship that carries cargo between Asia and Europe, ran aground at 7.40 am IST, in a single-lane section of the Suez Canal, wedging itself diagonally across the waterway. The Suez Canal is a crucial trade route between Europe and Asia. Around four-fifths of international trade is carried by sea, and on an average day around 50 container ships pass through the canal. Advertisement It thus prevented other oil tankers and freight ships from using the artificial waterway. There had reportedly been a backlog of at least 100 ships looking to transit between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Ever Given container ship is seen in Suez Canal in this satellite image taken by Satellogic?s NewSat-16 on March 25, 2021. Satellogic/Reuters It was a worst nightmare for the shipping industry as it froze nearly $10 billion in trade a day. The ship was grounded accidentally after deviating from its course due to suspected sudden strong wind, according to a statement from the ships time charterer, Taiwan-based Evergreen Line. With the aid of tugs and excavators, the ship was partially refloated alongside the canal bank by the evening. But dozens of ships were stuck in a long standstill behind the Suez Canal, which remained clogged despite efforts. Advertisement Egypt kept one of the busiest shipping waterways in the world in chokehold by suspending all travel via the Suez Canal on March 25. The US administration volunteered to help Egypt evacuate the ship the following day. Nearly 300 vessels had lined up by that point. On March 27, authorities devised plans to refloat the vessel by taking advantage of tidal movements. Also, plans to pump water from the vessels inner areas were being devised. To help in the salvage efforts, two more tugboats, the Italian-flagged Carlo Magno and the Dutch-flagged Alp Guard, raced to the Suez Canal. The enormous container ship was eventually pulled out of the canal on March 29. Following the procedure, which entailed shifting 30,000 cubic meters of sand, horns sounded in joy as she ascended the canal. Advertisement OK abbreviation started in Boston OK entered the lives of Americans when the initials were first printed in The Boston Morning Post on March 23, 1839. The term was intended to be a shorthand for oll korrect, which at the time was a common slang misspelling of all correct. The deliberate misspelling of words, followed by their abbreviation and usage as slang in conversation, was common practice amongst younger, educated groups in the late 1830s. For instance, kewl for cool and DZ for these. OK entered the lives of Americans when the initials were first printed in Its popularity skyrocketed when modern politicians adopted OK. Allen Walker Read, an American linguist and professor at Columbia University, was the one who solved the puzzle of OK. He debunked a number of erroneous claims on the origins of OK, including the names of a well-known Army biscuit (Orrin Kendall), a Haitian port known for its rum (Aux Cayes), and the signature of an Old Keokuk Choctaw chief. Advertisement Regardless of where it came from, OK has become one of the most widely used words worldwide and undoubtedly one of Americas most significant linguistic exports. After a nine-month extended stay in space, Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore returned to Earth. Now, their rehabilitation will continue for more than 40 days during which they will experience their height reducing. All this and more in our weekly round-up of the big news from around the globe read more Indian students celebrate the safe return from the International Space Station (ISS) of American astronaut of Indian origin Sunita Williams in her ancestral village Jhulasan in Mehsana district of Gujarat, India. AP Deportations and a big homecoming if one asked how would you sum up the week gone by, this would be our answer. The Trump administration continues to make headlines be it their deportation policy or their stance on the Russia-Ukraine war. This week came the news of Indian student at Columbia University, Ranjani Srinivasan, self-deporting from the US. Theres also the blocked deportation bid against Indian researcher Badar Khan Suri. But it wasnt just deportations that made the news this week. Perhaps, the biggest and happiest story of the past days was the return of Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore. The two made a homecoming after an eight-day mission to the International Space Station turned into a nine-month stay, causing concerns about the health of the two. However, after many delays, the Nasa astronauts have returned to Earth where they will now undergo 45 days of rehabilitation. Advertisement Beyond all of this, Donald Trump also held phone calls with Russias Vladimir Putin and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy following which both parties have agreed to a partial ceasefire in the war. Flyers across the world hit a rough patch on Friday after UKs Heathrow airport shut down owing to a fire at a nearby electrical substation. Turkey also experienced violent protests after the police arrested Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who is considered to be a rival of President President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The release of Netflixs new mini-series Adolescence has also get everyone talking. The four-part show focuses on incels and the influence of the manosphere on young boys in the UK. But if you have missed all of this and want to catch up, heres our weekly roundup of explainers from around the world. 1) This week, US President Donald Trump held phone calls with his counterparts from Russia as well as Ukraine. Following these calls with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the two warring sides announced that they would adhere to a 30-day partial ceasefire, which would see no attacks on energy infrastructure. The two in their conversation to Trump also agreed to hold further talks on ending the war in Saudi Arabia on Monday (March 24). The White House hailed the move, saying, We have never been closer to peace than we are today. But not everyone feels this way. Many experts have expressed scepticism about the partial ceasefire and if the Russian leader will adhere to his words. We explore this in our report here. Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams arrives at Nasas Johnson Space Centre after her return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), in Houston, USA. Image Courtesy: @NASA_Johnson/X 2) After being stuck in space for nine months, Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore made a splashdown to Earth on Tuesday (March 18) in a SpaceX capsule. Williams return to earth even prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to welcome her back, saying, Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you. Advertisement But Williams return to Earth wont be easy. She will now have to undergo 45 days of rehabilitation to get accustomed to gravity. She will also have to contend with changes to her body namely her getting shorter. Heres why this happens. Indian national Badar Khan Suri has been arrested in the US for opposing American foreign policy and faces deportation. Image courtesy: Georgetown360 3) Donald Trumps crackdown on pro-Palestine sympathisers continues. The US administration issued a deportation order against Indian scholar, Badar Khan Suri. The researcher at Georgetown University in Washington DC was arrested on Monday by federal immigration authorities in an attempt to deport him on charges of spreading pro-Hamas propaganda and antisemitism on social media. However, on Thursday, a federal judge has blocked the deportation, saying Suri shall not be removed from the United States unless and until the court issues a contrary order. Advertisement But who exactly is Suri and what has he been accused of? 4) As we discuss the deportations in the US, the tale of Indian student Ranjani Srinivasan cant be ignored. A student at Columbia University, the 37-year-old self-deported on March 15 after her student visa was revoked over pro-Palestine protests. She fled the country, boarding a flight from New Yorks LaGuardia Airport to Canada. However, the manner in which she fled the country is almost unbelievable. Read our full essay to understand how she escaped US immigration authorities. 5) This week also saw the tenuous truce between Israel and the Hamas collapsing on Tuesday, March 18, with the Israel Defense Forces unleashing its most intense strikes on the Gaza Strip since January, killing more than 350 people. The Jewish nation followed this up with a new ground offensive, taking over control of the Netzarim Corridor, a key strip of land that divides Gaza. But what led to Israels actions? Advertisement Travellers wait at Mumbais Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after a fire at Heathrow Airport in London forced its closure, leading to numerous flight cancellations. AP 6) Flying on Friday (March 21) turned into a nightmare when a fire at a nearby substation led to the closure of UKs Heathrow airport. Over, 1300 flights had to be cancelled, while thousands of others had to be rerouted, affecting over 2,91,000 passengers. Experts say that the disruptions will continue for the next few days. Soon enough, many conspiracy theories also emerged as to what caused the fire. 7) The country of Turkey is in the grips of mass protests with over 30 people being detained. The reason for the agitation: The arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the Istanbul mayor and rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on charges of corruption and links to terror groups. Imamoglus supporters have dismissed these allegations, saying the arrest is politically motivated and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans crackdown on his rivals. Advertisement Read on to find out more about the 54-year-old, who has brought Turkey to a near standstill. Thats all from us this week. P.S: This weekend set aside some time to watch the Netflix hit show Adolescence. But before that read our explainer on incel culture which features prominently in the series. A new study shows that rolling up your sleeve to give blood might do more than just help others it could also improve the donors health in many ways, including reducing cancer risks and improving insulin sensitivity read more Blood donations have widely been recognised as a life-saving act. Now, a study shows that it has benefits for the donor too. Representational image/AFP Blood donation is widely recognised as a life-saving act, replenishing hospital supplies and aiding patients. But could donating blood also benefit the donor? Frequent blood donors may experience subtle genetic changes that could lower their risk of developing blood cancers, according to new research from the Francis Crick Institute in London. Alongside this, a growing body of evidence highlights a range of health benefits associated with regular donation. As we age, our blood-forming stem cells naturally accumulate mutations, a process known as clonal haematopoiesis. Some of these mutations increase the risk of diseases such as leukaemia. However, the new Francis Crick Institute study has identified an intriguing difference in frequent blood donors. Advertisement What does the study reveal? The study compared two groups of healthy male donors in their 60s. One group had donated blood three times a year for 40 years, while the other had given blood only about five times in total. Both groups had a similar number of genetic mutations, but their nature differed. Nearly 50 per cent of frequent donors carried a particular class of mutation not typically linked to cancer, compared with 30 per cent of the infrequent donors. It is thought that regular blood donation encourages the body to produce fresh blood cells, altering the genetic landscape of stem cells in a potentially beneficial way. In laboratory experiments, these mutations behaved differently from those commonly associated with leukaemia, and when injected into mice, stem cells from frequent donors were more efficient at producing red blood cells. While these findings are promising, further research is needed to determine whether donating blood actively reduces cancer risk. Blood donations act as a free medical check-up. It can serve as an early warning system for potential health issues. Representational image/Reuters Each time a person donates blood, the body quickly begins the process of replacing lost blood cells, triggering the bone marrow to generate fresh ones. This natural renewal process may contribute to healthier, more resilient blood cells over time. Some evidence even suggests that blood donation could improve insulin sensitivity, potentially playing a role in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, though research is still underway. For years, scientists have speculated about a possible link between blood donation and cardiovascular health. One of the key factors in heart disease is blood viscosity how thick or thin the blood is. When blood is too thick, it flows less efficiently, increasing the risk of clotting, high blood pressure and stroke. Regular blood donation helps to reduce blood viscosity, making it easier for the heart to pump and lowering the risk of cardiovascular complications. Advertisement There is also growing evidence that blood donation may help regulate iron levels in the body, another factor linked to heart disease. While iron is essential for oxygen transport in the blood, excessive iron accumulation has been associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which contribute to heart disease. By shedding iron through donation, donors may be reducing their risk of these iron-related complications. Some studies have even suggested a potential link between blood donation and lower blood pressure, particularly in people with hypertension. Though not a substitute for medication or lifestyle changes, donating blood may be another way to assist overall cardiovascular health. Advertisement Donors may not realise it, but every time they give blood, they receive a mini health screening. Before donation, blood pressure, haemoglobin levels and pulse are checked, and in some cases, screenings for infectious diseases are performed. While not a replacement for regular check-ups, it can serve as an early warning system for potential health issues. Correlation or causation? Of course, an important question remains: do these health benefits arise because of blood donation itself, or are they simply a reflection of the healthy donor effect? Blood donors must meet strict eligibility criteria. People with chronic illnesses, certain infections or a history of cancer are usually not allowed to donate. This means that those who donate regularly may already be healthier than the general population. Regardless of whether blood donation confers direct health benefits, its life-saving effect on others is undeniable. In the UK, NHS Blood and Transplant has warned that blood stocks are critically low, urging more people to donate. If future research confirms that donating blood has measurable advantages for donors as well, it could serve as an even greater incentive for participation. For now, the best reason to donate remains the simplest one: it saves lives. Advertisement Michelle Spear, Professor of Anatomy, University of Bristol This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. India has frequently used anti-dumping measures as a tool to address its ballooning trade deficit with China, which reached $85 billion in the 2023-24 financial year read more India has slapped anti-dumping duty on several Chinese products. Image used for representative purpose India has slapped anti-dumping duties on four Chinese products, including vacuum flasks and aluminium foil, in a bid to protect domestic manufacturers from a flood of cheap imports. In a series of notifications issued this month, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs confirmed that the duties would apply to imports of soft ferrite cores, vacuum insulated flasks, aluminium foil, and trichloro isocyanuric acid a chemical used in water treatment. The move follows investigations by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), the commerce ministrys trade watchdog, which found these items were being dumped into the Indian market at prices below fair value. Advertisement For most of the products, the duties will remain in place for five years. In the case of aluminium foil, however, the duty set at up to $873 per tonne will apply provisionally for six months. Soft ferrite cores, which are essential components in electric vehicles, chargers, and telecom devices, will attract an anti-dumping duty of up to 35 per cent of their CIF (cost, insurance and freight) value. Vacuum flasks will be subject to a flat duty of $1,732 per tonne. Trichloro isocyanuric acid imports from China and Japan will now face duties ranging from $276 to $986 per tonne. The DGTR concluded that these goods were harming local industries by being sold at artificially low prices, undercutting domestic production. Under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, member countries are permitted to impose such duties when investigations find evidence of dumping and injury to local firms. India has frequently used anti-dumping measures as a tool to address its ballooning trade deficit with China, which reached $85 billion in the 2023-24 financial year. Although both countries are WTO members, New Delhi has repeatedly voiced concern over the scale and structure of bilateral trade, which it says is heavily skewed in Chinas favour. Advertisement China remains Indias second-largest trading partner, but tensions over market access and trade imbalances have persisted despite efforts at broader economic engagement. The latest round of anti-dumping duties is expected to add to an already complex trade relationship. With inputs from PTI In view of the ongoing operation, security forces are on high alert in Kathua. The Border Security Force (BSF) has also heightened vigilance along the Pakistan border, as intelligence reports warn of more terrorists attempting infiltration read more Indian security forces launched a major anti-militancy operation in the northern Himalayan Union Territory of Jammu-Kashmir on Sunday (March 23). According to reports, security forces earlier received a tip-off about the movement of a group of militants near the India-Pakistan border in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district. After receiving the input, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the forest area, leading to a firefight between the militants and the forces. Advertisement During the combing operation of the security forces, a group of militants was spotted in a jungle area. The militants took cover of the undulating topography and dense green cover inside the forests, an official said. According to media reports, a girl sustained injuries during the brief battle. The local police have not confirmed any casualty so far. It was also reported that the militants may have tried to take some civilians hostage. As the massive operation was launched, J&K Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat visited Kathua region. In view of the ongoing operation, security forces are on high alert in Kathua. A heavy security deployment was also put in place in border villages like Hiranagar. The Border Security Force (BSF) has also heightened vigilance along the Pakistan border, as intelligence reports warn of more terrorists attempting infiltration. Jammu and Kashmir frequently experience tensions due to terrorist infiltrations from across the border with Pakistan. Just last week, security forces killed a terrorist in Kupwara. In February, an Army vehicle was attacked in Rajouris Sunderbani area, triggering a cordon and search operation. Advertisement According to Army data, 75 terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir in 2024, with 60 per cent identified as Pakistani nationals. Out of these 75, 17 were killed while crossing the border while 26 were killed during operations inside the union territory. Located in south Madhya Pradeshs Burhanpur district, Asirgarhs fort commands a key pass in the Satpura Hills a location that connects the valleys of the Narmada and Tapti Rivers. This made it a must-conquer for any army aspiring to advance into the Deccan read more In times where Bollywood movies have been sinking without a trace, it is unusual that one particular film keeps making it to the news. That is exactly what Chhava has achieved, and it has done so without seemingly intending to. While some say that it has triggered a riot in one city, in other places it has led to angry exchanges between politicians. Its impact was felt in little-known places and in unusual ways, but most peculiar was the case of Asirgarh. Allegedly on account of the film, a rumour was stirred which convinced some folks that a treasure looted from the Marathas was hidden in or near the fort at Asirgarh. The result was that in early March, hundreds of villagers, some armed with metal detectors and torchlights, converged around Asirgarh and began digging. Advertisement A forgotten palace at Asirgarh This bizarre digging frenzy was not appreciated by either the farmers who owned the dug-up land nor the local administration, who put a stop to it and cordoned off the excavated area. For all the effort put in, it is unlikely that the diggers managed to unearth anything of value. But the act did put Asirgarh in the news, albeit briefly. Presenting us with the perfect opportunity to dig a little deeper into its real history. Located in south Madhya Pradeshs Burhanpur district, Asirgarh is home to a massive fortress. Its name is said to be drawn from a man called Asa Ahir who settled here in the early 15th century, apparently with the permission of a Sufi called Hazrat Noman Chisti. He was ousted from his perch by Nasir Khan, the Farooqi ruler of Khandesh, in which region the fort fell. Idgah en route to Asirgarh Asirgarhs fort commands a key pass in the Satpura Hills a location that connects the valleys of the Narmada and Tapti Rivers. This made it a must-conquer for any army aspiring to advance into the Deccan. And the army that did arrive at the beginning of the 17th century was a Mughal force driven by the ambition of Emperor Akbar. Initially, Asirgarhs mighty walls held out, and it is said that it took a betrayal for the fort to fall to the Mughals. It stayed with them for generations and the Asirgarh-Burhanpur region became their cockpit for further southern advances. Over the next century, Asirgarh witnessed Mughal armies marching to and from the Deccan. These forces had the finest military leadership the Mughals could send, including princes of the imperial family. This was inevitable given the challenges posed by the rugged terrain and the formidable opponents the Dakhni Sultanates of Ahmednagar, Bijapur and Golconda and above all, the Marathas under Shivaji and his successors. It was this never-ending campaign that brought Aurangzeb to the Deccan, first as a prince and then as emperor. Eventually, he would never leave, dying near Aurangabad (now Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar) in 1707. Advertisement Immense treasure was taken out of the Dakhni kingdoms and it was rumours of a chunk of this wealth being buried that spawned the furious digging activity at Asirgarh. It is believed that the rumours were not entirely unfounded, and in earlier years coins have been found in fields here. These stories tend to grow with every telling. In some accounts, the coins are of gold while in others, their number resembles a veritable treasure. Asirgarh seems a natural setting for such a rumour and not just because of the Mughals. Myths, legends and strange ideas have had a way of swirling around the craggy bastions of this mighty fort for centuries, perhaps even longer. The greatest of these goes all the way to the Mahabharat. As per mythological accounts, Ashwathama the son of Dronacharya had fired a divinely obtained weapon with the purpose of killing an unborn child, to eliminate the entire lineage of the Pandavas. While the child was saved, Ashwathama was forced to cut out the gem that was on his forehead. He was also cursed to wander the earth endlessly and in total isolation, suffering from incurable diseases and bleeding from the unhealed injury on his forehead. Advertisement Legends hold that Ashwathama comes to the Shiva temple within Asirgarh fort each day to offer flowers. If he chances upon someone, he asks for turmeric and oil to heal his bleeding forehead. And the unfortunate soul who happens to meet him goes insane, as per the story. Shiva Temple within the fort, which is also the spot where Ashwathama is said to come every day and offer flowers To come back from legends to actual history, weakening of Mughal authority in the 18th century saw Asirgarh fall to the Marathas. It fell to the British in the Second Anglo-Maratha war of 1803, only to revert to the Marathas soon after. In 1819, post the Third Anglo-Maratha war, Asirgarh was the last Maratha bastion to be taken over by the imperial power. The place hosted a British garrison from there on and was also used by them as a prison for political opponents. Advertisement Among those imprisoned here was Surendra Sai. Born to the ruling clan of Sambalpur, in Odisha, he was among the last leaders of the 1857 revolt to continue fighting against the British. Surrendering as late as 1862, he was imprisoned for decades. Asirgarh was his final prison, the place where he breathed his last in May 1884. Surendra Sai, who died in Asirgarh Fort, in a stamp of independent India Today, Asirgarh is no longer the key to anywhere. Except for the heritage it contains. These include the semi-underground Gupteshwar Mahadev Temple and a Farooqi period mosque that may have been modified later. The British added their barracks and a consequence of their long occupation, a cemetery too. Most structures within the fort are ruined or in a state of decay. However, there is enough here to inspire ghost stories. Advertisement To leverage Asirgarh and Burhanpur to the fullest potential of their architectural heritage, improving connectivity is critical. The fort is 166 kms south of Indore, the nearest significant airport. Expecting a leisure traveller to traverse that distance is perhaps a bridge too far. MP Tourism has done a magnificent job of building awareness, but other entities need to step up. Is there a case for an Indore-Pune Vande Bharat train, with stops at Burhanpur and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar? The change in connectivity will help develop a somewhat neglected region and bring in more visitors. Perhaps then people will discover the real heritage treasures that lie not just in Asirgarh but the entire region, without having to dig for them in the dark. The author is a heritage explorer by inclination with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. As the US turns inwards, India will wait and watch for the dynamics to play out in the South China Sea dispute read more On March 19, General Romeo S Brawner, Chief of Staff of the Philippines Armed Forces, addressed a session at the Raisina Dialogue urging India and South Korea to join the informal Squad alliance to counter the coercive activities of China in the South China Sea. While India has not issued an official confirmation to this end, it is not likely that New Delhi will join the minilateral in the immediate future. Advertisement General Brawners statement follows the episode of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) holding live fire drills off the coast of Kaohsiung and Pingtung in Taiwan, Gulf of Tonkin near Vietnam and the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand last month. The recent months have seen China further amp up its aggressive and escalatory posture in the region including incidents such as the presence of two Chinese coast guard vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal irking the Philippines and a Chinese J-16 fighter aircraft releasing flares in close proximity to a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in the South China Sea. The spurt in Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea can be due to a number of factors. First, the PLAN seeks to engage in a show of strength and power projection to gain recognition as a regionally dominant force and establish itself as a blue-ocean power. Second, with President Trump back in office in the US a country deemed to be the chief security guarantor in the region now involved in a range of global issues including the Russia-Ukraine war, Gaza ceasefire, tariff war with China, Mexico, Canada, India, and Trumps plan for US acquisition of Greenland, China, consistent with its pattern of strategic opportunism, has stepped in to fill the power vacuum. Advertisement Third, with the evolution of several minilaterals, namely the Quad, Squad, AUKUS, and US-Japan-Philippines trilateral, and the rise of joint maritime exercises in the Indo-Pacific, China seeks to project its combat readiness to regional and extra-regional powers. Indias to join the Squad or not Over the past five years, India has solidified its position as a rising global power. Its leadership in humanitarian initiatives like Vaccine Maitri, the successful Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission in 2023, and its status as the worlds fifth-largest economy have all contributed to its growing stature. Additionally, India has emerged as a potential peacemaker in the Russia-Ukraine crisis and has demonstrated its ability to navigate complex geopolitical relationships through its strategic partnerships with the US, the West, and Russia. Advertisement Indias ambitious foreign policy agenda includes becoming a leader of the Global South, promoting a multipolar world order as an alternative to Chinas Middle Kingdom theory, and actively participating in the Quad. Its balancing act in the Middle East and its support for a more equitable global order have also earned it recognition as a confident and influential player on the world stage. In this context, its noteworthy that countries like the Philippines are urging India to join forces to counter the growing influence of China, underscoring Indias increasingly important role in shaping the emerging global order. Since the Galwan clash in Eastern Ladakh with China in 2020, New Delhi has recalibrated its stance on the South China Sea dispute. The government has, over the past five years, sharply expressed support for development, not expansionism in the region and called for an early conclusion of a code of conduct in the South China Sea in accordance with relevant international norms. Advertisement However, despite a notable shift in Indias position, the government has adhered to strategic caution vis-a-vis China. This is primarily because, unlike other major powers such as the US, Australia and Japan of the Quad, India shares a territorial border with China. Factors such as territorial proximity, a disputed land border, differences in military capabilities, the Chinese so-called String of Pearls strategy to counter Indias regional dominance, and Indias import dependence on China in sectors including pharmaceuticals, chemicals and telecom are reasons behind New Delhis measured stance towards Beijing. India under Narendra Modi pursues a policy of multi-alignment while preserving its strategic autonomy. It is mindful against aligning itself to any military alliance in the Indo Pacific. New Delhi is especially cautious as Donald Trump takes office in the White House for a second term. Advertisement The US policy towards China appears provocative yet confused with Trump waging a tariff war against China, appointing China hawks like Marco Rubio and Michael Waltz in the cabinet, while acknowledging his fondness for Chinese President Xi in his virtual address to the World Economic Forum in January where he emphasised I like President Xi very much.we look forward to.getting along with China. India is playing its cards carefully and does not wish to be caught off-guard in case of tactical rapprochement between the US and China. As the US turns inwards, India will wait and watch for the dynamics to play out in the South China Sea dispute as well. Finally, the Narendra Modi government has an ambitious agenda for India in its third term. It aspires for India to attain the spot of the third-largest global economy by 2030, a developed nation status by 2047, emergence as the leader of the Global South and a major maritime power in the world. New Delhi, in its pursuit of self-interest is likely to use the window of tactical detente with China to its advantage and make constructive strides towards the attainment of these goals. India is well aware that China will continue to use the unresolved border dispute in Eastern Ladakh as a pressure point in the future; therefore, it will be mindful to voice only a layered criticism of Chinese coercion in the immediate and extended neighbourhood. India is thus less likely to join the Squad alliance in the near future. However, with the possibility of Chinas wolf warrior tactic extending its forays into the East Indian Ocean, India must step up its capacity building assistance to countries in the region, enhance maritime domain awareness capabilities, bolster port infrastructure and institute naval surveillance facilities in the littoral states of Indian Ocean, engage in intelligence sharing, participate in multi-nation naval exercises and foster defence partnerships with countries having overlapping interests in the South China Sea dispute. It is time New Delhi sheds its hesitation to address Chinas muscle-flexing in the Indo Pacific, a move that will up its strategic heft in the region and take it a step towards its great power ambition. The author is a visiting fellow at the Fudan Development Institute in Shanghai. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Once the most trusted institution in the nation, the military now struggles with declining morale, internal fractures, and intensifying public backlash read more The Pakistani military stands at a critical juncture, confronted by the cumulative consequences of decades of strategic overreach and political intervention. Image: REUTERS The Pakistani military, historically considered the bedrock of the nations political and social stabilityexemplified by its self-claimed swift mobilisation during national crises such as the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971, relief operations following natural disasters, and its pivotal role in establishing national unity during times of internal discordis currently navigating through one of its most profound crises, reminiscent of an overtrained gym freak: dangerously weakened due to chronic misuse and internal turmoil. Once the most trusted institution in the nation, the military now struggles with declining morale, internal fractures, and intensifying public backlash. Advertisement Since its establishment in 1947, the Pakistan Army has positioned itself as the guardian of the countrys ideological and territorial integrity, notably through pivotal events such as the wars with India in 1965 and 1971 and despite its controversial role and eventual loss in the Bangladesh Liberation War. However, its frequent forays into governance, either through direct military coupssuch as those led by Generals Ayub Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, and Pervez Musharrafor indirect influence on civilian politics, have gradually diminished public trust and institutional credibility. Initially justified as necessary interventions to maintain national security and order, the militarys political ambitions have now turned into chronic overreach, alienating both the public and the rank and file. This erosion of credibility has notably accelerated in recent years, particularly following the tumultuous tenure and ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The intense rivalry between Khan and Army Chief General Asim Munir has exacerbated existing institutional rifts, revealing unprecedented internal divisions within the military. Khan was once considered the militarys chosen candidate but fell out of favour due to differences over economic governance, foreign policy, particularly relations with the United States, and Khans attempts to assert greater civilian control over military appointments. His contentious removal from office in April 2022 triggered widespread civil unrest and demonstrations, reflecting significant public disapproval of military-political interference. Historically known for their adherence to command, junior officers within the army have reportedly begun voicing dissatisfaction over leadership decisions, a development once considered unimaginable within the strictly hierarchical military structure. Leaked letters and credible social media reports indicate a serious decline in morale, driven by perceptions of corruption, political manipulation, and operational incompetence at senior-most levels. Advertisement For instance, recent controversies involving financial irregularities and allegations of nepotism within senior ranks have exacerbated dissatisfaction among younger officers. Such internal dissent poses a significant threat to the militarys cohesion, which is essential for maintaining an effective command structure. Externally, the military faces escalating public criticism and open defiance, fuelled mainly by widespread social media activism. Empowered by digital platforms, civil society now vigorously challenges the armys traditional narratives. The longstanding portrayal of India as the existential enemy, once a reliable justification for the militarys outsized role in national affairs, has begun to unravel in the face of growing public scepticism. Increasing numbers of Pakistanis now question the validity of this threat, perceiving it instead as a diversionary tactic employed by the military to justify its control over political and economic resources. Advertisement The 2024 general elections underscored this shifting sentiment. Despite heavy-handed efforts by the military establishment to sideline Imran Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), independent candidates aligned with PTI won substantial support, signalling a clear public repudiation of military interference. These elections were characterised by significant restrictions, crackdowns on political activists, and systematic intimidation, yet voters remained defiant, delivering a potent message against the militarys political meddling. Moreover, Pakistans deteriorating security landscape compounds these internal issues. Groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have dramatically intensified their insurgency campaigns, significantly undermining the militarys operational strategies. Regions traditionally viewed as secure military bastions, particularly Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, now witness regular attacks, challenging the armys claim to be the ultimate protector of national security. Advertisement For instance, recent high-profile attacks on military installations and convoys have raised serious questions about preparedness and counterterrorism efficacy. The insurgencies have been exacerbated by policy missteps and counterproductive military tactics, notably forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan, inflaming rather than containing insurgencies. The Talibans return to power in Afghanistan has added yet another complex layer to Pakistans security dilemma. Despite Pakistans historical support for the Taliban as a geopolitical counterweight, the groups ascendancy has emboldened insurgents within Pakistans own borders. Critics argue that this is a direct result of strategic miscalculations by Pakistans military leadership, which underestimated the repercussions of fostering extremist groups as proxies. Advertisement The unprecedented court-martial of Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, former chief of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), further highlights the severity of internal crises. Hameeds indictment on charges related to political interference underscores how deeply political ambitions have permeated the militarys senior ranks. This incident has significantly damaged the integrity of military leadership, further weakening its moral authority and public credibility. Today, the Pakistani military stands at a critical juncture, confronted by the cumulative consequences of decades of strategic overreach and political intervention. The once-formidable institution now grapples with significant internal weaknesses and external vulnerabilities. Like a chronically overtrained athlete, the armys muscles have become sore from misuse, weakened by internal disarray and public resentment. The Pakistani military urgently requires thorough introspection, structural reforms, and a strategic recalibration. Failure to address these challenges effectively could deepen existing crises, fostering prolonged instability and potentially reshaping Pakistans governance structure unpredictably. Restoring internal discipline, regaining public trust, and redefining its role within a genuinely democratic framework are essential for the military to reclaim its effectiveness and relevance in Pakistans future. Lt Gen Dushyant Singh (Retd) is Director General, Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. A joint political effort at the highest level, combined with community education and awareness about cultural sensitivities, may be the solution to resolving this perennial dispute that has strained bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka read more The longstanding fishermens issue is expected to be a key topic of discussion during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025. To address this issue, the Centre and State governments have acknowledged that deep-sea fishing is a more viable and sustainable alternative to the destructive practice of bottom-trawling, which poses a threat to the livelihoods of Rameswaram fishermen. A joint political effort at the highest level, combined with community education and awareness about cultural sensitivities, may be the solution to resolving this perennial dispute that has strained bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka. Advertisement The Centre had originally identified deep-sea fishing as the way out, especially after Tamil fishers in the erstwhile war front in northern Sri Lanka began taking to the sea at the end of the first decade of the current century. After initial hesitation and reservations, Tamil Nadu too adopted the Centres proposal in 2011. In the budget that year, the state government introduced subsidies for Rameswaram fishers to procure deep-sea vessels or convert their trawlers. The Centre formally joined later when PM Narendra Modi launched a Rs 1,500-crore subsidy scheme at a function in Rameswaram in 2017. In between, the state government had effected an upward subsidy revision in 2013, after it was found that the ageing trawlers were unfit for a refit, and only new deep-sea vessels would serve the purpose. This may also put paid to arguments over a buy-back arrangement, which even otherwise has failed in nations where it had been tried for this or other reasons. The question is if the fishers could be allowed to make some extra money by selling off their trawlers elsewhere across the coast after ensuring that they are not ploughed back into the Palk Strait. Advertisement Lacks momentum A decade after the state subsidies began and seven years after the formal launch of the central scheme, the deep-sea fishing project has not picked up momentum. It is not for want of ideas but for want of trying out those ideas in a coordinated fashion. Customarily, successive Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers, including incumbent MK Stalin, have not shown adequate interest and initiative to implement the deep-sea fishing project at the ground level. This has meant unenthusiastic coordination and cooperation between state officials and central agencies equipped, if not tasked outright, to collaborate their efforts jointly in the matter. In real terms, Tamil Nadu CMs, as is their wont, have mostly stopped with writing to the External Affairs Minister (EAM) of the day, seeking the Centres intervention, urging New Delhi to obtain the release of Indian fishers arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and their impounded vessels early on. Unlike the late Jayalalithaa, who challenged the Centre at every turn, Chief Minister Stalin seems convinced that marine fishing being a subject under the Union List in the Constitution, the State Government should not say or do anything that could jeopardise the latters efforts in resolving the main problem. Advertisement There is another hitch. Despite the appointment of a separate fisheries minister with a cabinet rank in Modi 3.0, neither he nor his two ministers of state (MoS) seem to have taken any initiative in the matter. Before their time, L Murugan from Tamil Nadu, as MoS, was independently in charge of the newly created Fisheries Ministry under Modi 2.0 but again did not do much in this regard. Incidentally, it was only towards the closing months of the UPA-2 that the larger issue went beyond the brief of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), as originally tasked. The Agriculture Ministry, under which the Fisheries Department came, was made the nodal agency for solving the dispute even as the MEA continued to handle TN requests for obtaining freedom for arrested fishers. This system continued under Modi 1.0. Advertisement Cultural issues There is a second major hiccup to the implementation of the ambitious deep-sea fishing project. It is often argued that Rameswaram fishers, unlike their brethren along the rest of the Tamil Nadu coast, suffer from a cultural issue as they are not conditioned to stay at sea for more than one night at a time. There is no historical evidence to support this claim beyond the past few decades. Before Norwegians introduced mechanised fishing first and bottom-trawling to India under an UN scheme in the fifties, Rameswaram fishers, for generations, had travelled in traditional craft to the Sri Lankan Tamil coast over a few nights. Advertisement They then returned home after a few days stay there and a couple of nights again in the sea. Hence, it is wrong to assume that they are genetically unaccustomed to deep-sea fishing, hence their diffidence to do so now. It is another matter that Norway, which became the largest seafood exporter in the world by 2023, had proposed bottom-trawling for Third World nations after having reportedly banned the pernicious practice in its waters even at the time. As for deep-sea fishing as an alternative for Rameswaram fishers, possible converts too were put off when Cyclone Ockhi in 2017 claimed the lives of many deep-sea fishers in the southernmost Kanyakumari district and adjoining areas in neighbouring Kerala State. It was attributed to the absence of advance Met alert, despite the availability of on-board communication equipment. Today, every trawler and every deep-sea vessel along the Indian coast mostly has better communication, navigation and meteorological equipment on board. Joint ownership What is thus required under the circumstances is joint political direction at the topmost levels of the governments at the centre and in the state. This can help their respective officials and agencies that are otherwise sincere and serious to shake off residual reluctance and coordinate their information, infrastructure and efforts in all matters pertaining to deep-sea fishing. This means that despite the intricacies of political administration in the country and the multiple manifestations of the inherent central-state issues, the prime minister and the chief minister have to take ownership of the joint project and discuss the parameters, which are then to be passed down the line for full-force implementation, joint reviews and decisions. The scheme has to be institutionalised at the highest level at the earliest if vagaries of electoral politics are not to interfere with the scheme, especially at the multi-phased implementation level, on a later day. Less acknowledged It is also important that the Centre-State coordination at the grassroots level should also include community education that addresses cultural issues, if any, and also the fishers concerns over safety at sea. For instance, little is known and even less is acknowledged on record about the increasing interest of fisher children in those parts for acquiring formal education and high-paying jobs. There are a high number of qualified engineers and management professionals, among others, who are gainfully employed in urban centres, in IT firms and such other industries. Like them and unlike their parental generation, their younger siblings, both boys and girls, too, have enrolled in better schools away from their fishing hamlets to be able to make a livelihood outside maritime fishing, which also comes with more risks than earlier. In any meaningful effort to educate the community, government agencies can consider using the good offices of these young men and women, who can then convince their older generations to prefer something less riskier than, and equally money-spinning as bottom-trawling. It is also true that many trawler owners come from this age group and education/economic background, at least on record, but those vessels are often operated by senior family members from an earlier generation. In the interim, the state government, with its last-mile linkages through the local administration, can impress upon local fisher-hamlet panchayats to convince their community members. Over the medium and long terms, the state government can also take the environmental message, especially on bottom-trawling, to schoolchildren in those areas. In the past, similar education on sound and air pollution caused by Diwali and Pongal festivities has had a salutary effect across the State. Commercial establishments too have been exploiting this medium, but under the cover of social messaging and CSR projects. No new ideas According to some estimates, around 2,500 trawlers from the Rameswaram area fish in the Palk Strait. The Kachchatheevu Accords of 1974 and 1976 are constant political irritants with little or no practical consequence, as there are no commercially exploitable fish stocks in those waters. Also, whatever the IMBL that is drawn/redrawn using the median line principle that was not followed under the two Accords, the Indian trawlers are bound to violate the same and will continue to face all the problems that they are facing. The only way out, thus, is to help them relocate. At present, the Sri Lankan Tamil fishers are complaining, the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) are arresting trespassers and impounding their vessels, and courts in the countrys Tamil North are handing down long jail terms and/or hefty fines to Indian fishers in their waters. Both the SLN and the nations courts are mandated by an old law after the Sri Lankan Parliament had unanimously amended it in 2017, originally at the behest of a Tamil MP. There is still no appetite among Sri Lankas northern fishers for any compromise of any kind with the Indian counterparts on the issue of bottom-trawling. Their concerns about livelihood issues and sustainable fishing have a restricted meaning and application. It does not cover sustainable fishing and livelihood concerns from an Indian fishers angle. Instead, on both, the Indian fishers use of bottom trawlers and purse seine nets is a dampener for any working out a via media. The Joint Working Group (JWG) of officials from the two countries, set up to find an amicable solution to the problem, has been meeting from time to time, repeating their known positions. Certainly, there are no new ideas for them to consider, discuss and debate. Multi-pronged approach? Internally in India, deep-sea fishing is the only known option and alternative. A multi-pronged approach to resolving the issue is also aired often. This includes some form of cooperative fishing between fishermen from the two countries and also other occupational options and opportunities for Rameswaram fishers and their family members. Each one of them has to be considered on merit and past experience to arrive at a balanced package, if any, over and above the mainstay deep-sea fishing. Among them, early expectations that fishers from Nagapattinam, along the Rameswaram coast up north, would be gainfully employed in the public sector oil refinery, especially during its expansion phase, did not come through, whatever the reason. The one about the advisability of recruiting more from coastal communities into the Coast Guard or the States Coastal Police too has not materialised. The third one, on promoting and propagating prawn farming and aquaculture, both at commercial levels, along the coastal villages across the country, took a huge hit after the Supreme Court struck down the very idea, citing environmental concerns, as far back as the mid-nineties. Other initiatives like encouragement for coastal fishers to take to ornamental fishing for sale cannot sustain too many of them. All of such projects anyway are capital-intensive. Still, the large number of fishing labourers who make a substantial income from either deep-sea fishing or bottom-trawling would stand to lose heavily. Joint/coordinated patrolling Though they are diffident to the idea of cooperative fishing mooted from across the Palk Strait, Sri Lankan Tamil fishers have often repeated their willingness to let their umbilical cord brethren from India to fish in their territorial waters. But that is so, if and only if the latter give up the use of bottom trawlers and purse seine nets that deny them their catch and also destroy their smaller vessels, nets and also fish habitats. However, it is for the Sri Lankan government, and not the Northern Tamil fishers, to take a final call in the matter. At this stage, if it came to that, New Delhi should use its good offices to find a middle path. Through a news report recently, Sri Lankan fishers proposed joint patrolling to check against bottom-trawling, which is banned in Sri Lanka. New Delhi had reservations when the idea was first mooted by Colombo in the closing years of the ethnic war in Sri Lanka. However, the Indian Navys recent experiment on coordinated patrolling with its Bangladesh counterpart was reportedly restricted to future cooperation only in matters of terrorism and other offences. Incidentally, in a pending matter before the Indian Supreme Court, the Centre has claimed, and rightly so, that the Tamil Nadu Government did not have sweeping powers to ban purse seine nets, and it was limited to only the territorial waters of the state. The overall authority rested only with the Centre, the court was told. In 2023, the Supreme Court had cleared the use of purse seine nets in another case but after laying down stringent conditions. How stringent its enforcement is unclear. Incidentally, a study by the Centres Fisheries Department had earlier upheld the practice, and for obvious reasons, to be operational inside the nations territorial waters and the EEZ. The case itself is posted for further hearing on April 26, 2025. National plan The Centre has since promised the Apex Court to come up with a national plan for the use of purse seine nets. By implication, if the Centre too has questioned the State Governments authority in the matter, and rightly so, it has the added responsibility also to ensure that those nets and the trawlers that use them do not cross the IMBL into such other nations territorial waters. That responsibility alone cannot be sliced away and given to the State Government, which does not have the legal authority in the matter. It means that deploying trawlers carrying purse seine nets per se is not an offence, but crossing the IMBL (alone) is and under Sri Lankan law. It implies that verification, checks and stoppages can be undertaken at the entry point to the IMBL from the Indian side. The trespassing fishers often claimed that they were unable to locate the IMBL and that the SLN personnel had thrown their GPS equipment, gifted by the Centre for the purpose, too, into the sea along with their catch. They have no explanation when they are caught closer to the Sri Lankan coast, which they could see with plain eyes from their boats, miles away. To the credit of the state governments across the country, including Tamil Nadu, they have successfully been implementing the annual marine fishing ban in their near seas to facilitate breeding. In Tamil Nadu, more recently, the state government successfully enforced a trawler ban along the coast of Chennai and Cuddalore, among shore cities, after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took up the high incidence of Olive Ridley turtles in their breeding season. Such instances go on to say how the state government can implement any ban of the kind, that too with the full cooperation of the local fishing communities, if it has the will and power. While the state government has been found to be lax, up to a point, the very fact that the centre alone has the authority to set the framework for the use of purse seine along the India-Sri Lanka IMBL but does not have the ground-level enforcement authorities only means that there has to be greater coordination and cooperation between the two. All of it thus takes one back to the premise for the Centre and the State to work together, encouraging deep-sea fishing as a viable alternative to bottom-trawling and purse seine nets, with the PM and the CM taking the initiative jointly and the two governments working collectively at every step and at every turn. A workable solution in the form of deep-sea fishing is already on the table, and making it work on the ground is the way out, possibly the only way out. Sri Lankan government leaders, including Fisheries Minister R Chandrasekar, a Tamil from the North, other senior leaders of the ruling JVP and opposition Tamil parliamentarians, apart from local fisher associations, have indicated their plans to discuss the issue of bottom-trawling with PM Modi when he visits the country next month. The only concession, for instance, comes from a Tamil MP, Selvam Adaikalanathan, with a strong fishermen constituency in northern Mannar district, who the other day declared in Parliament that whatever the dispute with their Indian brethren, they would not sell out to China, as is being reported in the local media from time to time. The writer is a Chennai-based Policy Analyst & Political Commentator. Email: sathiyam54@nsathiyamoorthy.com. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. March 23, 2025: Russias railroads are under tremendous pressure because of the Ukraine War, sanctions and less money for maintaining railroads or anything else. One side effect is China using more reliable Central Asian railroads and sea routes rather than the collapsing Russian rail system. Speeds of Russian rail traffic have fallen to about 36 kilometers an hour compared to 48 for European rail traffic. Since last year there have been growing fears of a collapse of the Russian rail network. A symptom of this is the five percent decline in cargo carried last year. People in remote areas who depend on rail for supplies are going hungry because rail shipments arrive late or not at all. Another hunger is felt by Chinese firms that no longer have reliable trade routes with Russia are turning to Central Asian railroads and seagoing routes. Then there are the problems related to sabotage and the Ukraine War. Late last year a Russian freight train derailed in Belgorod province, near the Ukraine border. This sent the locomotive and ten empty railcars off the tracks. It took over a week to remove the locomotive and rolling stock. Then the damaged rails had to be replaced. During that time the rail line was blocked. Four months earlier a train containing several fuel tanker cars was derailed near Volgograd, formerly known as Stalingrad. This is east of Ukraine. The derailment caused a large fire as most of the fuel burned. The government said it was sabotage. Since 2022 Russia has suffered a growing number of attacks, accidents or whatever incidents involving defense activities inside Russia. The government says recent railroad accidents include derailments and damage to signaling and communications equipment. The Russian railroads are state-owned and operated, and move over 40 percent of Russias freight, often through areas where there is no other form of freight transportation. Ukrainian sabotage teams have also caused fires or explosions in factories producing munitions or components for complex weapons like guided missiles. The Russian government prefers to avoid discussion of Ukrainian special operations forces being responsible for sabotage inside Russia. Railroads are particularly sensitive because Russia has a poorly developed highway system plus few east-west rivers and canals, so its economy mostly depends on 85,000 kilometers of railroad tracks and thousands of rail cars moved by thousands of electric and diesel engines operated by over 700,000 railroad employees. These employees are government workers because railways in Russia are state-owned and operated. In addition to the track and hundreds of passenger and cargo stations, there are also 138 railroad tunnels and 30,727 bridges, each of them a vulnerable choke point of destruction or damage. There are also 0ver 160,000 remotely operated switches to keep traffic moving and avoid collisions. Ukrainian sabotage teams in Russian territory disrupt railroad movement by damaging key elements of the railroad signals and communications systems. This makes the railroads less reliable and often leads to accidents that derail supply trains and block further use of that line until the wreckage is removed and the rails are repaired. Ukraine has even been able to get operatives deep inside Russia to damage the Trans-Siberian Railroad, which is currently used to move weapons and munitions and North Korean soldiers from North Korea to Ukraine. Ukraine continues to concentrate on Russian logistics, using long range missiles and GPS guided aircraft bombs to destroy Russian supplies that have been stockpiled for troops to use. Russia responded by moving the stockpiled supplies farther from the front lines and, when possible, storing them in underground bunkers. Such bunkers are great in theory, but in practice there are not many of these bunkers and supply stockpiles often end up out in the open, on pallets and covered by tarps. The only direct rail connection from North Korea to the Russian railroad network was made possible by the completion in 2013 of a 54-kilometer rail line from Russia to the North Korea railroad system. The new rail link was built through some very rough terrain and required 18 bridges and 4.5 kilometers of tunnels to be built or rebuilt. Now it only takes 14 days to get cargo to western Russia and Europe by rail. It takes twice as long via Chinese rail links or 45 days by ship. In the past decade North Korea and Russia have both acquired more sanctions and restrictions on who they can trade with. Currently that mainly consists of pariah state Russia trading with pariah state North Korea. The common rail link makes a big difference. Before that the overland trade required trucks to be used over roads that were not in the best shape because of the difficulty in maintaining them and shortages of cash to pay for upgrades or maintenance. Russia has increased security along the rail link with North Korea in anticipation of Ukrainian attempts to carry out sabotage operations there. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday called a snap election for April 28, saying he needed a strong mandate to deal with the threat that U.S. President Donald Trumps tariffs pose to the economy. read more With polls indicating a tight race between his Liberal Party and the Conservatives, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Sunday called early elections for April 28, pledging to tackle a trade war and defeat Donald Trumps threat to annex the country. Carney formally requested the dissolution of Parliament on Sunday during a meeting with Governor General Mary Simon, the representative of Head of state King Charles III, officially launching the election campaign. Carney, a former two-time central banker with no previous political or election campaign experience, captured the Liberal leadership two weeks ago by persuading party members he was the best person to tackle Trump. Advertisement Though the vote was originally scheduled for October 20, Carney is seeking to capitalise on his partys significant rebound in the polls since January, when Trump escalated threats against Canada and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation. We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trumps unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty, Carney said. There is so much more to do to secure Canada. To invest in Canada, to build Canada, to unite Canada. Thats why Im asking for a strong positive mandate from my fellow Canadians. Ive just requested that the Governor General dissolve Parliament and call an election for April 28th, and she has agreed, Carney told reporters after the Governor General - the personal representative of King Charles, Canadas head of state - approved his request for an election. Trump has riled his northern neighbour by repeatedly dismissing its sovereignty and borders as artificial, and urging it to join the United States as the 51st state. Now Carney has five weeks to win over Canadians. Polls suggest the Liberals, who have been in power since 2015 and badly trailed the official opposition Conservatives at the start of the year, are now slightly ahead of their rivals. We moved from an election where people wanted change to an election thats really much more about leadership, said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. Advertisement The ability of the Conservatives to attack the Liberals has been greatly diminished, because people are focused on the here and now and the near term future, not on what happened over the last 10 years, he said by phone. The Conservatives have sought to portray Carney as an elitist who plans to continue the Trudeau-era policy of high government spending. They also accuse him of being less than clear about how he transferred his personal financial assets into a blind trust. Carney bristled last week when asked about the trust, and accused the reporter asking of engaging in conflict and ill will. The prickly reaction could give hope to the Conservatives that Carney might stumble during what will be his first campaign. Advertisement Key to any victory will be a good performance in the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec. Carney had trouble at one press conference when asked to respond in French, first misunderstanding the question and then answering in English. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, on the other hand, speaks flawless French and is a seasoned politician who has fought seven elections. Laura Stephenson, a politics professor at Western University in the Canadian city of London, said Carneys inexperience might not be that important given the Trump factor. Theres a different kind of comparison thats being made right between the leaders and what are they going to be able to do, she said. I have a feeling were going to see a little more grace extended than is usually given to politicians during this campaign. Advertisement An online Angus Reid poll of 4,009 people released on Monday put the Liberals on 42% public support and the Conservatives on 37%. Angus Reid said the margin of error was around 1.5%, 19 times out of 20. An online Leger poll of 1,568 people for the National Post released the same day put the Liberals on 42% with the Conservatives on 39%. Leger said the margin of error was around 2.5%, 19 times out of 20. With inputs from agencies The attack on the Ukrainian capital came ahead of ceasefire negotiations in Saudi Arabia in which Ukraine and Russia are expected to hold indirect U.S.-mediated talks on Monday to discuss a pause in long-range attacks targeting energy facilities and civilian infrastructure read more In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters put out the fire following a Russian attack in near Kyiv, Ukraine. AP At least three people were killed, including a five-year-old child, after Russia launched a barrage of drones targeting Kyiv overnight on Sunday, according to local Ukrainian officials and emergency services. The attack on the Ukrainian capital came ahead of ceasefire negotiations in Saudi Arabia in which Ukraine and Russia are expected to hold indirect U.S.-mediated talks on Monday to discuss a pause in long-range attacks targeting energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. The Ukrainian delegation is expected to meet with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia a day ahead of the indirect talks, Ukrainian President Voldoymyr Zelenskyy said. Ukraine is planning to send technical teams to discuss the details of the partial ceasefire. Advertisement Extended sounds of explosions were heard in the early hours of the night as the air raid blared for over five hours. Russian drones and debris from shot-down drones, which were flying at lower altitudes to evade air defenses, fell on residential buildings. Ukraines Kyiv City Military Administration said three people were killed and 10 others were injured. Two residential buildings in the district of Dnipro caught fire due to falling drone debris, according to Kyiv City Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko. A fire broke out on the top floors of a 9-storey building, killing one woman, the State Emergency Service said. In the district of Podil, a fire broke out on the 20th floor of a 25-storey building. In Holosiivskyi, fires broke out in a warehouse and office building, killing one person, according to the State Emergency Service. Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged countries to open their markets to combat rising instability and uncertainty at a business forum in Beijing on Sunday, as China braces for further U.S. tariffs. read more Premier Li Qiang said China is prepared for shocks that exceed expectations as the world anticipates U.S. President Donald Trumps announcement of additional tariffs on trading partners next month. Speaking at the opening of the China Development Forum in Beijing on Sunday, Li urged nations to expand market access amid rising economic fragmentation. Instability and uncertainty are on the rise, Li said. At this moment, it is even more crucial for countries to open their markets further and for businesses to share their resources. Advertisement In todays increasingly fragmented world with rising instability and uncertainty, it is more necessary for countries to open up their markets and enterprises to resist risks and challenges, Li told dozens of foreign CEOs and visiting U.S. Republican Senator Steve Daines at the China Development Forum, state media reported. Foreign CEOs including Tim Cook of Apple, Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm, Pascal Soriot of AstraZeneca and Amin Nasser of Saudi Aramco are attending the forum on Sunday and Monday, and some are expected to meet President Xi Jinping on Friday, sources have told Reuters. Beijing is keen to attract foreign investment at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, as policymakers try to boost domestic consumption to offset fresh U.S. tariff headwinds. We will focus on combining policy intensification with stimulating market forces, Li said, according to a Xinhua report, without elaborating on specific stimulus measures. We will implement more active and promising macroeconomic policies, further intensify counter-cyclical adjustments, and introduce new incremental policies when necessary. Li expressed hope that entrepreneurs would be staunch defenders and promoters of globalisation and resist unilateralism and protectionism. There were fewer American CEOs attending the summit than last year due to heightened geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington, according to one source. Li met with Daines and seven other American CEOs on Sunday afternoon, which Daines billed as a chance for them to share their views of the business environment in China. Advertisement The Montana lawmaker, a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, met with Vice Premier He Lifeng on Saturday in the first visit to China by a U.S. politician since Trump took office in January. Trump has announced a wave of fresh reciprocal tariffs to take effect on April 2, targeting countries with trade barriers on U.S. products, which could include China. He imposed 20% tariffs on Chinese exports this month, prompting China to retaliate with additional duties on American agricultural products. The Trump administration is set to conclude a review by April 1 of Beijings compliance with a phase one U.S.-China trade deal struck in his first term. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Falling debris from a destroyed drone sparked fires in high-rise apartment buildings in the historic Podil district and the Dniprovskyi district across the Dnipro River, Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyivs military administration, said on Telegram read more Russias overnight attack on Kyiv injured at least seven people and sparked fires in high-rise apartment buildings and throughout the city, Ukrainian officials said early on Sunday. A massive enemy drone attack on Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. So far, seven residents of the capital have been injured. One of them has been hospitalised. Emergency services were dispatched to several districts of the city where fires were reported, Klitschko added. Advertisement Falling debris from a destroyed drone sparked fires in high-rise apartment buildings in the historic Podil district and the Dniprovskyi district across the Dnipro River, Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyivs military administration, said on Telegram. The scale of the attack was not immediately clear. Reuters witnesses heard several blasts in what sounded like air defence systems in operation. Another two people were injured and several houses damaged in the region surrounding the capital, regional governor Mykola Kalashnik said on Telegram. There was no immediate comment from Russia. Both sides deny targeting civilians in the three-year-long war that Russia started with its full-scale invasion on Ukraine. The United States is pushing for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, and hoping to agree on a partial ceasefire that would halt strikes on energy infrastructure. But both sides have been reporting continued strikes. Kyiv, its surrounding region and the eastern half of Ukraine were under air raid alerts for more than five hours, starting late on Saturday, according to Ukraines Air Force maps. Chinese government scientists are exploring ways to scale up farming on the Tibetan Plateau, so that the worlds second-most populous nation isnt caught off guard when a global disaster hits owing to climate breakdown read more A Tibetan sheep herder wearing a balaclava leads his herd into a fenced field on the outskirts of Jintan township near the Qinghai Lake in Qinghai province, China March 11, 2009. Source: Reuters Chinese scientists are predicting a major disruption in global food supply chains, potentially spurred by a climate catastrophe. Their solution? Turning the roof of the world into an agricultural stronghold. Chinese government scientists are exploring ways to scale up farming on the Tibetan Plateau, so that the worlds second-most populous nation isnt caught off guard when a global disaster hits owing to climate breakdown, including the collapse of the Amazon rainforest, Atlantic Ocean currents and polar ice sheets. Advertisement The impending disaster and the potential solution have been discussed in a report prepared by the National Climate Centre (NCC) in Beijing. NCC is Chinas premier body for climate monitoring, research and policy advice and serves under the China Meteorological Administration. The report, published on March 4 in the Chinese-language journal Climate Change Research, puts light on how the Tibetan plateau can be turned into Chinas future granary. Ma Lijuan, senior NCC engineer and lead author of the study, wrote in the report: The Tibetan Plateau, recognised as the engine of environmental change in Asia, plays vital roles in water conservation, soil retention, wind breaking and sand fixation, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity preservation. Serving as a critical ecological security barrier for China and Asia, it is also a globally significant hotspot for biodiversity conservation. By rigorously protecting its ecological environment and leveraging its unique natural and socio-economic conditions to develop plateau-specific agriculture, it is entirely feasible to turn the Tibetan Plateau into Chinas future granary, the report added. Challenges However, achieving the ambition of sustainable farming in the extreme environment of the Tibetan Plateau is no easy feat. Here, scientists hope that evolved, cold-resistant variants of crops can help further the idea of turning the roof of the world into the farm of the world. Scientists have developed cold-resistant barley strains capable of growing at 5,000 meters (16,400 feet), an altitude once considered unsuitable for cultivation. China has also made significant progress in potato farming, achieving yields of over 75 tonnes per hectare on the plateaudouble the productivity of lower-altitude regionsdue to the regions intense sunlight. Advertisement China is also hoping to use artificial intelligence to facilitate farming on the rough terrain. For instance, it is looking for ways to use AI to monitor real-time data from vast numbers of sensors planted across the plateau to predict glacial floods and optimise crop rotations, reported the South China Morning Post. However, there are fears that mining and other human activity in the region may disrupt the ecological balance at the plateau, threatening new settlers. While Harris remains the clear frontrunner in early polling, she has stayed largely out of the public eye since her 2024 defeat against President Donald Trump. Not only she failed to win the popular vote but also any of the swing states read more A new poll has suggested that a significant chunk of Democrats endorse former vice president Kamala Harris as a possible candidate in the 2028 Democratic presidential elections. The survey, conducted by Morning Consult, has revealed that 36 percent of Democratic voters and Democratic-leaning independents eligible to participate in the 2028 primary support Harriss candidacy. The only other candidate to have achieved a double-digit support was former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, bagging endorsement from 10 per cent of the responders, the survey showed. Meanwhile, 13 per cent of the people said they were still undecided at the point. Advertisement Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harriss 2024 running mate, along with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and California Governor Gavin Newsom, each garnered 5 per cent support. Billionaire Mark Cuban, a vocal Harris supporter in 2024, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro each received 4 per cent backing. This follows a similar poll conducted just weeks ahead of November 5 elections that showed Harris as the top choice for Democrats even in the 2028 presidential race. Harris largely out of publics eye While Harris remains the clear frontrunner in early polling, she has stayed largely out of the public eye since her 2024 defeat against President Donald Trump. Not only she failed to win the popular vote but also any of the swing states. Her rare appearances, including a Broadway show outing, have created a vacuum for other Democratic figures to fill. Democratic voters still want a strong opposition to President Trump, as seen in polling on potential government shutdowns. Walz and others have stepped in, with the Minnesota governor campaigning in key battleground states like Wisconsin ahead of upcoming elections. Will Harris join California governor race? The former VP recently hinted that she may join the California governor race but said she would only confirm it by the end of summer. Reacting to this, Former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was quoted as saying by Politico that it was high time Harris made her decision because we deserve a real conversation. The challenges are too big. We deserve a real conversation. We had a 100-day campaign. So no, you cant get in at the end of the rainbow. Get in now, he warned. Advertisement Georgia is an official candidate for membership in the 27-nation bloc, a bid supported by more than 80 percent of the population, according to opinion polls, and enshrined in the countrys constitution read more Georgian anti-government protesters rally outside the parliament in Tbilisi. AFP Nadim Khmaladze has been joining thousands of fellow Georgians on the streets every evening since November, when Tbilisis increasingly repressive government shelved EU membership talks. The 60-year-old rights activist said he was ready to face police violence when he first joined the anti-government rallies in Tbilisi, but he never imagined that standing on the street for a few hours could cost him more than 22 months salary. Three months into the protests, he received a summons: a total of 45,000 lari (around $16,000) in fines for briefly blocking traffic along Tbilisis central avenue. Advertisement The government is using Russian-style methods to abolish freedom of assembly in Georgia, he told AFP. Khmaladze is one of thousands of Georgian protesters facing crippling fines for taking to the streets. Prominent writer Mikheil Tsikhelashvili, who returned to Georgia last year from emigration in Portugal to fight against the ruling Georgian Dream partys pro-Russian policies, has been attending protests daily. He says he and his girlfriend were each fined the equivalent of $1,850, in what he called a financial terror aimed at extinguishing popular anger. I took the case to court, he said, adding however that he had little hope in Georgias justice system, which is fully controlled by the ruling party. Unprecedented protests Braving bitter frost, protesters continue to rally daily in Tbilisi and cities across the Black Sea nation, in what has become an unprecedented protest movement against Georgian Dreams perceived democratic backsliding and growing rapprochement with Moscow. The mass protests first erupted following disputed parliamentary elections in October, which the opposition rejected as rigged in favour of Georgian Dream. Advertisement The movement intensified after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidzes November 28 announcement that his cabinet would not seek to open EU membership talks with Brussels until 2028 a move that shocked many. Georgia is an official candidate for membership in the 27-nation bloc, a bid supported by more than 80 percent of the population, according to opinion polls, and enshrined in the countrys constitution. During the protests initial phase, security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators and made hundreds of arrests. Georgias top human rights official, ombudsman Levan Ioseliani, and Amnesty International have accused police of torturing detainees a charge the government denies. Advertisement Authorities have since resorted to harsh financial penalties and increased surveillance, deploying facial recognition technology to identify protesters and issue hefty fines. Slowly strangling After the bare violence proved ineffective, the government turned to intimidation televised police raids on activists homes and anonymous threats over the phone, Salome Khvadagiani, the director of Liberty Institute rights group, told AFP. When that too failed to suppress the protest, the government moved to slowly strangling them financially, she added. In December, fines for blocking roads were increased tenfold, to 5,000 laris ($1,850), leaving thousands facing absolutely disproportionate financial sanctions or, alternatively, 15 days in prison. Advertisement In January alone, the total amount of fines surpassed $6.5 million in the country of four million people, where the average monthly salary is some $740, according to the For Georgia opposition party. The interior ministry said it only issues fines when the number of demonstrators doesnt justify blocking the road and a rally can be held without disrupting traffic. To enforce these measures, authorities have expanded surveillance capabilities, including the deployment of facial recognition technology. Rights groups said the government has drastically increased the number of high-resolution surveillance cameras in the streets of Tbilisi. The widespread use of facial recognition and remote biometric recognition technologies facilitates discriminatory targeted surveillance, said GYLA rights watchdog. These practices undermine fundamental rights. Advertisement We will never back down In 2021, Amnesty International, along with several other international rights groups, called for an outright ban on uses of facial recognition and remote biometric recognition technologies that enable mass surveillance and discriminatory targeted surveillance. Khvadagiani of the Liberty Institute said the campaign of mass and disproportional financial sanction has caused protests turnout to dwindle significantly over the last month. But demonstrators are now adapting to the situation she said, filing court complaints that have overwhelmed the judicial system, significantly delaying the enforcement of financial sanctions or even making them unenforceable. The government cant scare us, said Khmaladze, who fought for nearly two years on Ukraines frontlines against invading Russian troops. We are taking to the streets for Georgias democracy and will never back down, he said. If the Xi-Modi meeting in Kazan may have showcased options to the sermonising US-led West, recent elephant-dragon ballet shows careful navigation of choppy waters of world order under Trump 2.0, but beyond all these geography remains destiny for the Asian giants read more The global order is becoming increasingly transactional, a middle power like India, aspiring for growth and peace, is well playing a delicate dance of diplomacy. Representational image After Beijings appreciation of Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement emphasising historic ties and contributions of India and China, putting it as pas de deux (delicate dance) of the elephant and the dragon, Sino-Indian relations have taken a step forward from the frosty aftermath of the 2020 Galwan clash. These statements echo the spirit of Kazan, where Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM Modi met in Russia during the BRICS summit last October, following the landmark announcement of a patrolling agreement between India and China in Depsang and Demchok along the Line of Actual Control. Advertisement The same spirit was reflected when, in February, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Johannesburg, South Africa, on the sidelines of a G20 meeting. Before that, Indias economic survey for 2023-24, released in July last year, had made a strong case for seeking foreign direct investments (FDI) from China to boost local manufacturing and tap the export market. However, the impact of all these are yet to hit ground zero. Like in January, the two countries agreed to resume direct flights and facilitate personnel exchanges and mutual dispatch of journalists between the two countries, but the same is yet to materialise. In February, the Defence Ministry cancelled a contract for 400 drones, citing concerns over the use of Chinese components. Also, despite the talks of allowing Chinese investments going around the policy circles, tangible outcomes are yet to be delivered. China seeks to keep boundary questions separate from trade and people-to-people exchanges. However, India was rightly adamant that bilateral relations cannot be compartmentalised and that the boundary question is integral to the larger metrics of Sino-Indian ties. Perhaps this facilitated the reaching of the aforementioned patrolling agreement. Also, the time lag in implementing the talks on the ground is justified on the Indian side, considering past experiences, such as the Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai of the 1950s or the Wuhan spirit (2018) that only culminated in the Galwan clash of 2020. Even this time, India has strongly objected to Chinas creation of two new counties in the Hotan prefecture of Xinjiang, which include areas within Indias union territory of Ladakh. Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written response to parliament on Friday, stated: The government of India has never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area." Advertisement Once again, the familiar pattern repeats itself: talks are followed by Chinas incremental encroachment on Indian territories, suggesting that Beijing seeks to have it both ways. Such incidents are likely to derail the efforts for thaw in India-China relations, as New Delhi rightly insists that mutual respect of territorial sovereignty is integral to bilateral cooperation. India cannot compromise its interests in the name of Asian solidarity, especially when China continues to employ its salami-slicing tactics, despite diplomatic overtures. This is why India is cautious about advancing trade and people-to-people exchanges with China. If Beijing wants to tap into Indias lucrative markets, it needs to make more meaningful gestures, particularly in light of the China plus one strategy gaining traction in the West and the looming threat of US tariffs. But for both the Asian giants, despite Indias legitimate concerns, good ties are more a necessity than a choice. Whether it may be countering the hegemony of West-dominated global financial institutions, questions of global commons and climate change, the Wests sermons or commentary on domestic policies, or the outlook towards multipolarity, leading the Global South India and China have much ground to cooperate rather than contradict. Advertisement Albeit, the debates of including China, the second-largest economy and technological and manufacturing great power with superpower aspirations, in the Global South are quite valid, yet Beijings footprint and the support from the countries of the Global South are too heavy to write off. Beyond this, the adage Geography is destiny holds true. Contrary to the Chinese narrative, India and China were not historically direct neighbours. It was only after Chinas annexation of Tibet (1950-51) that the two civilisations found themselves in such close geographical proximity. Now, as neighbours, India and China must coexist, and given the high stakes, finding a harmonious balance is crucial. If the Kazan meeting may have showcased options to the sermonising US-led West, recent elephant-dragon ballet shows careful navigation of choppy waters of changing world order under Trump 2.0. While Trumps tariff threats may haunt India and, to an even greater extent, China, theres a growing realisation that under Donald Trumps presidency, the US will adopt a more transactional approach than ever before, even since World War II. This shift is expected to redefine not only transatlantic ties but also Indo-Pacific relationships, emphasising strict transactional relevance. If Trump has made a reset with Russia, many experts relate it to the Trump administrations will to counter China, but unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, who called Xi Jinping a dictator, Trump considers the Chinese president a friend. Recent statements from Trump suggest we can expect Xi in Washington soon; only Friday, the news came that direct talks between the two presidents can be held soon. Advertisement Although Trumps claim of a trillion-dollar deficit with China is exaggerated, as quoted by CNN, the official federal figures show the 2024 deficit with China in goods and services trade was $263.3 billion. But still, Trump wants to abridge this gap as much as possible and gain a competitive edge over China in innovation and trade balances. Beyond this, Trump has not made clear the same ideological or human rights orientations which his Democrat predecessor had while dealing with China. Recently, regarding the question of whether the US would ever allow China to take control of Taiwan by force, Trump refused to answer, stating that he will never comment on that. Later his Secretary of State Marco Rubio indeed clarified the presidents statement, stating Trump is opposed to any change to Taiwans status quo by force or extortion. Rubios statement is quite assuring, yet the incident says many things about the priorities of the American president. Advertisement In these times, when the global order is becoming increasingly transactional, a middle power like India that aspires for growth and peace is well playing a delicate dance of diplomacy, which is neither completely confirming nor overtly confrontational to the interests of any great power, whether that may be Washington, Beijing or Moscow. Indias interests and policies are well embedded in national interests, due to which New Delhi treads carefully where fools rush. Indias diplomatic approach is reminiscent of the wise words of Kabir, the mediaeval Indian devotional mystic poet and saint, who said: , , , Kabir, standing in the marketplace, wishes well-being for all; he cultivates no excessive attachments for anyone, nor has he any animosity for someone. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Hundreds of kilometres southwest of Islamabad, Balochistan is a landscape scarred by enforced disappearances, mass graves, and escalating clashes between separatist insurgents and security forces read more Pakistan Day, which marks the laying of the foundation for a separate country for Muslims in the Indian subcontinent, is set to be commemorated with a military parade and great patriotic fervour in Islamabad on Sunday (March 23). Despite all attempts to shine the spotlight on the prowess of the nations armed forces, the imposing shadow of the disturbing situation in Balochistan will be present. Hundreds of kilometres southwest of Islamabad, Balochistan is a landscape scarred by enforced disappearances, mass graves, and escalating clashes between separatist insurgents and security forces. Advertisement The mosts recent of such clashes the hijacking of the Jaffar Express was a stark reminder of the longstanding insurgency in Balochistan. We take a look at this incident, and the deep-rooted causes behind the restlessness in Balochistan. The Jaffar Express hijacking On 11 March 2025, the Jaffar Express, en route from Quetta to Peshawar with over 450 passengers, was seized by militants from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The insurgents detonated explosives on the tracks, derailing the train in the rugged terrain near Sibi, leading to a tense standoff. The Pakistani military launched a rescue operation, resulting in the deaths of 33 militants and 21 hostages, including civilians and security personnel. While Pakistan claimed it had rescued the remaining hostages, BLA revealed that they had killed all 214 military hostages in the train after their 48-hour deadline to exchange them for Baloch political prisoners expired. What led to this violence? What unanswered grievances continue to fuel the Balochistan insurgency? The causes of the insurgency The roots of Balochistans insurgency trace back to the regions contentious incorporation into Pakistan in 1948. Many Baloch nationalists have long felt that this integration was coerced, leading to a series of uprisings over the decades. This sense of alienation has been exacerbated by limited representation in national decision-making processes, fostering a deep-seated desire for greater autonomy or outright independence. Balochistan is endowed with vast reserves of natural resources, including natural gas, coal, and minerals. Despite this wealth, the province remains Pakistans least developed region, with high poverty rates and inadequate infrastructure. Many Baloch feel that their resources have been exploited to benefit other provinces (and even other nations like China through the CPEC initiative), leaving them with environmental degradation and scant economic benefits. Advertisement The states response to Baloch demands has often been heavy-handed. Human rights organisations have documented enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and mass graves. The militarisation of the province, under the guise of maintaining order, has further alienated the local population. A shadow lurks Amidst military parades and symbolic celebrations on Pakistan National Day, the reality in Balochistan is starkly different marginalisation, violence, and a widening gulf between Islamabads official narrative and the lived experiences of ordinary Baloch. This year, as Pakistan proudly displays its tanks and fighter jets in Islamabad, families of the disappeared gather in Quetta and Khuzdar, demanding answers, hoping against hope for justice and accountability. The international community now faces a moral imperative: to demand transparency and justice for Balochistan, or risk complicity through silence. The Jaffar Express hijacking is not just another flashpointit signifies Pakistans deepening military crisis in Balochistan and underscores Islamabads failure to address genuine political grievances through meaningful dialogue. Advertisement On this Pakistan Day, Pakistan must introspect: How long can a nation truly celebrate while waging war against its own people? With inputs from agencies Hamas political bureaus Salah al-Bardaweel was reportedly killed while praying with his wife in a tent shelter, according to the groups officials. Israeli authorities have not commented on the strike read more Senior Hamas member Salah al-Bardaweel was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza. Reuters Israeli airstrikes on Khan Younis in Southern Gaza on Sunday (March 23) killed Salah al-Bardaweel, a senior Hamas political leader, and his wife. Hamas political bureaus Al-Bardaweel was reportedly killed while praying with his wife in a tent shelter, according to the groups officials. Israeli authorities have not commented on the strike. The death was confirmed by Taher Al-Nono, a media adviser to the Hamas leadership, who paid tribute to Bardaweel in a social media post. Pro-Hamas media described the strike as an assassination and framed the attack as part of Israels strategy to decapitate Hamas leadership. Advertisement His blood, that of his wife and martyrs, will remain fuelling the battle of liberation and independence. The criminal enemy will not break our determination and will, Hamas said in a statement. Storm after the calm The latest escalation comes after nearly two months of relative calm. On Tuesday, Israel launched a fresh wave of air and ground operations across Gaza, effectively abandoning a fragile ceasefire in place since January. The stated aim, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is to destroy Hamas military capabilities and pressure the group into releasing remaining Israeli hostages. Bardaweel is the latest in a string of high-ranking Hamas officials killed in recent days. Essam Addalees, head of Hamas de facto government, and Mahmoud Abu Watfa, its internal security chief, were among those reportedly killed on Tuesday (March 18). Palestinian health authorities said at least 400 people, over half of them women and children, were killed that day alone. Ceasefire violation continues Air strikes have targeted areas across the north, central and southern Gaza Strip, including Rafah, where a house was bombed overnight, injuring several people, according to local doctors. Hamas has accused Israel of violating the January ceasefire deal by refusing to begin final status negotiations or withdraw its troops. However, the group has signalled it is open to discussions and is reportedly reviewing new proposals put forward by US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Much of Gaza now lies in ruins, with hundreds of thousands of displaced residents living in tents and makeshift shelters, and humanitarian agencies warning of worsening conditions as fighting intensifies. With inputs from Reuters Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is proud to say that the company does not only thrive in selling chips. The Taiwanese-born American businessman said during the GTC conference in California on March 18 that Nvidia is now an "AI infrastructure company." Nvidia Unveils Four GPU Architectures to Power Future AI When we hear the word Nvidia, GPUs, computer accessories, and SoCs first come to mind. It's been a powerhouse company for this kind of tech productsand the go-to for PC enthusiasts. Soon, we will see their other products in the form of AI. As PC Mag reports, Huang presented four GPU architectures to drive AI innovation up to 2026 and beyond during his keynote. Such a detailed road map is unprecedented in the industry. Truly, Nvidia is no longer operating as an electronics company. Record Sales of AI GPUs to Cloud Providers Huang highlighted Nvidia's growing dominance in AI by revealing that the company has sold 3.6 million Blackwell GPUs to the top four US-based cloud service providers in 2024. This is a massive jump from the 1.3 million Hopper-based GPUs sold last year. To him, AI infrastructure is something that you can't buy and deploy tomorrow. It takes time, careful planning, and a multi-year investment. AI Factories to Boost Customer Revenues Nvidia's transformation into an AI factory translates to its products now having a direct effect on its customers' revenues. "We're an AI factory now. What that means is a factory helps customers make money. Our factories directly translate to customers' revenues," Huang said. Navigating Tariff Threats and Supply Chain Challenges With the increasing US-China trade war, tariffs on Chinese imports now standing at 20%, fears have been expressed about the potential effect on Nvidia and buyers. Huang, however, played down the near-term threats. He explained that they have a nimble supply network, suggesting that the distribution of components is not only limited to Taiwan or Mexico but all over parts of the world. The Popes doctors have warned that he will take a lot of time to recover due to his ageing body. According to media reports, he has been advised by doctors to take two months of rest before he resumes his responsibilities as the pontiff. read more Pope Francis gestures during his first public appearance in five weeks at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, Italy. Source: Reuters Five weeks after Pope Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital with a severe respiratory infection, he was discharged on Sunday (March 23) as he made his long-awaited public appearance and greeted well-wishers. The 88-year-old Pope had been battling one of his most severe health crises in his 12-year of papacy since February 14. On Sunday, he appeared in the hospitals balcony and waved at people. However, the Popes doctors have warned that he will take a lot of time to recover due to his ageing body. According to media reports, he has been advised by doctors to take two months of rest before he resumes his responsibilities as the pontiff. Advertisement In a heart-warming gesture towards his well-wishers, the Pope addressed the crowd gathered outside the hospital even as he struggled to speak and looked frail. Speaking in a feeble voice, the Pope also acknowledged an elderly woman standing below holding flowers in hands. CNN reported that the Pope also gave a blessing during his first public appearance in over five weeks but seemed to be having a problem raising his hand. Following his appearance in the hospitals balcony, the Pope was then taken in a car, escorted by police vehicles. One of the doctors was quoted by BBC as saying that patients having suffered double pneumonia tend to lose their voice briefly, especially elderly patients. It will take time for your voice to return to normal, the doctor said. As he was being discharged, the Vatican released the popes Angelus prayer, urging an immediate end to Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip and calling for renewed dialogue to secure the release of captives and a definitive ceasefire. I am saddened by the resumption of the intense Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, with so many deaths and injuries, Francis wrote. I ask that the weapons be silenced immediately and that the courage be found to resume dialogue so that all the hostages can be freed and a definitive ceasefire reached, said Francis, who was set to return to the Vatican on Sunday. Advertisement The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is once again very serious and requires the urgent commitment of the conflicting parties and the international community, he added. The meeting between the Ukrainian team, led by defence minister Rustem Umerov and the Americans got underway in Riyadh on Sunday evening, Umerov said on Facebook. read more In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters put out the fire following a Russian attack in near Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, March 23, 2025. Image- AP US and Ukrainian officials were meeting in Saudi Arabia on Sunday for talks on a partial ceasefire in the war with Russia, with Washington hoping for real progress but the Kremlin warning of difficult negotiations and a long journey to peace. President Donald Trump is advocating for a quick resolution to the three-year-long war and views the upcoming talks in Riyadh as a potential pathway to a breakthrough. During the discussions, US officials are expected to hold separate technical-level meetings with delegations from Ukraine and Russia. Advertisement Earlier today, the Kremlin tempered expectations for a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict, saying that negotiations were still in their early stages and that difficult negotiations lay ahead. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russias primary focus in discussions with the United States would be the potential revival of the 2022 Black Sea grain deal, which had facilitated the safe passage of Ukrainian agricultural exports through the Black Sea. On Monday we mainly intend to discuss President Putins agreement to resume the so-called Black Sea initiative, and our negotiators will be ready to discuss the nuances around this problem, Peskov said. Despite both sides proposing different plans for temporary ceasefires, attacks have continued unabated. A Russian strike on the Ukrainian capital killed three civilians overnight. We are only at the beginning of this path, Peskov told Russian state TV on Sunday, ahead of the talks in Saudi Arabia. He said there were many outstanding questions and nuances over how a potential ceasefire might be implemented. Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a joint US-Ukrainian call for a full and immediate 30-day pause, proposing instead to halt attacks only on energy facilities. There are difficult negotiations ahead, Peskov said in the interview, published on social media. Advertisement Somewhat under control: Trump Trump said on Saturday that efforts to stop further escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict were somewhat under control. The U.S. hopes to reach a broad ceasefire within weeks, targeting a truce agreement by April 20, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the planning. Russian and U.S. experts meeting in Saudi Arabia on Monday are due to discuss ways to ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea, the Kremlin has said. Despite all the diplomatic activity, Russia and Ukraine have both reported continued strikes, while Russian forces have also continued to advance slowly in eastern Ukraine, a region Moscow claims to have annexed. A large-scale Russian drone attack on Kyiv overnight killed at least three people, including a 5-year-old child, causing fires in high-rise apartment buildings and damage throughout the capital, Ukrainian officials said on Sunday. Meanwhile Russian authorities said on Sunday that their air defences had destroyed 59 Ukrainian drones targeting the countrys southwestern regions, adding that the strikes had killed one person in Rostov. Advertisement 7 killed after Moscow targets Ukraine with a mass drone attack At least seven people were killed after Russia launched a barrage of drones across Ukraine overnight on Sunday, according to local Ukrainian officials and emergency services. The attack on the Ukrainian capital came ahead of ceasefire negotiations in Saudi Arabia in which Ukraine and Russia are expected to hold indirect U.S.-mediated talks on Monday to discuss a pause in long-range attacks targeting energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. The Ukrainian delegation is expected to meet with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia a day ahead of the indirect talks, Ukrainian President Voldoymyr Zelenskyy said. Ukraine is planning to send technical teams to discuss the details of the partial ceasefire. Russia launched 147 drones across Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 97 and 25 others didnt reach targets due to Ukrainian countermeasures. The attacks struck the Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa and Donetsk regions, as well as the capital, Kyiv. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Amid the unfolding crisis, Rubio earlier this month labelled Ebrahim Rasool a race-baiting politician. Taking to X, Rubio said the South African diplomat hated the US president and declared he was no longer welcome in our great country read more South Africas expelled ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, speaks upon his arrival at the airport. Source: Reuters As the South African ambassador to the US arrived home Sunday (March 23) following a spat with President Donald Trump, a dynamic crowd of hundreds offered him and his family a heros welcome. Ebrahim Rasool and his wife Rosieda were surrounded by the crowd at Cape Town International Airports arrival terminal, requiring them to seek police escort to navigate to their vehicle. Rasool then grabbed a megaphone and addressed the people gathered outside the terminal: A declaration of persona non grata is meant to humiliate you. But when you return to crowds like this, and with warmth like this, then I will wear my persona non grata as a badge of dignity. Advertisement He added that while it was not his choice to come home, he had no regrets. Nonetheless, the diplomat warned that South Africa must fix its ties with the Trump administration after the US leader accused his country of taking an anti-America stance. South Africa-US tussle On February 7, Trump issued an executive order cutting American funding to South Africa, citing government actions fuelling disproportionate violence against racially disfavoured landowners. Trumps order referred to Afrikaners. They are a part of white community in South Africa, mostly descendants of mainly Dutch and French colonial settlers who first visited the country in the 17th century. Trumps order identified Afrikaners as victims of unjust racial discrimination and directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to offer humanitarian relief to them. At the centre of Trumps anger against the South African government was a land expropriation law, which he believed would see Afrikaners having their farmland seized. Another issue of contention between the two governments is South Africas allegations of genocide against Israel regarding its war in Gaza. Amid the unfolding crisis, Rubio earlier this month labelled Ebrahim Rasool a race-baiting politician. Taking to X, Rubio said the South African diplomat hated the US president and declared he was no longer welcome in our great country. Its extremely rare for US to expel any foreign diplomat like this. Rubios X post targeting Rasool also linked to a story from Breitbart that quoted the envoy as saying that Trump was mobilising a supremacism and trying to project white victimhood as a dog whistle as the white population faced becoming a minority in the US. Advertisement We see it in the domestic politics of the USA, the Maga movement as a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the USA in which the voting electorate in the USA is projected to become 48% white, he said. In response, Rubio declared him PERSONA NON GRATA. Ahead of Rasools arrival back home on Sunday, the South African government reportedly made efforts to scale back the welcome event at the airport in a bid to avoid giving wrong signals to the Trump administration. (With inputs from agencies) For the Labour leader, who has sought to position Britain as a key player in Ukraines reconstruction and security, Witkoffs dismissal presents an unwelcome challenge read more Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts a virtual meeting with international leaders to discuss support for Ukraine inside 10 Downing street in central London on March 15, 2025. Image: AFP Keir Starmers proposal to establish an international coalition to support a ceasefire in Ukraine has been sharply dismissed by Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who derided the UK prime ministers plan as a posture and a pose. In a wide-ranging and provocative interview with pro-Trump commentator Tucker Carlson, Witkoff struck a dismissive tone toward Starmers push for a so-called coalition of the willing to offer security guarantees to Ukraine. Branding it simplistic, Witkoff said European leaders were caught in a fantasy to be like Winston Churchill, and scoffed at the idea of a renewed Russian threat to Europe. Advertisement Russians are going to march across Europe. That is preposterous, by the way. We have something called Nato that we did not have in World War Two, BBC quoted him as saying. Witkoffs remarks throw cold water on Starmers efforts to rally European and American partners behind a durable post-war settlement in Ukraine. His comments come as ceasefire negotiations led by the Trump envoy enter a delicate phase, with Witkoff claiming a 30-day truce may soon be announced, beginning with a de-escalation in the Black Sea. Witkoff, a real estate investor with no prior diplomatic experience, has drawn criticism for his unusually warm rhetoric toward Russia. In the Carlson interview, he praised Vladimir Putin as super smart and gracious, while repeating Kremlin talking points about Ukraines legitimacy and territorial integrity. For the Labour leader, who has sought to position Britain as a key player in Ukraines reconstruction and security, Witkoffs dismissal presents an unwelcome challenge. As Washingtons stance evolves under Trump-aligned figures, Starmer may find his room for diplomatic manoeuvre narrowing. Though Witkoff claimed the world is not far away from a temporary ceasefire, his stance on Ukrainian sovereignty and the future of Russian-occupied territories could complicate efforts by European leaders to forge a united front on Ukraines long-term security. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The call comes months after mass student-led protests ousted Sheikh Hasinas government, ending a 16-year rule marked by allegations of electoral manipulation and authoritarianism read more The student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) has called for a ban on the Awami League, accusing the once-dominant political force of establishing fascism during its time in power. At a rally held in Dhakas Shahbagh on Saturday (March 22), NCP leaders urged the authorities to revoke the Awami Leagues registration, claiming the party no longer held a legitimate place in Bangladeshs political landscape. The call comes months after mass student-led protests ousted Sheikh Hasinas government, ending a 16-year rule marked by allegations of electoral manipulation and authoritarianism. Advertisement People defeated the Awami League at the cost of thousands of lives and blood, said Akhtar Hossain, the partys member secretary, in remarks reported by state-run news agency BSS. We will not allow it to be rehabilitated. When we have a single drop of blood in our bodies, the politics of fascism and Mujibism will not be allowed to return. Hasina, who fled to India following the protests in August last year, had been criticised by opposition groups for consolidating power through controversial elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024. The NCP accuses her government of dismantling democratic institutions under the guise of stability. Nahid Islam, the NCPs convener, echoed those sentiments at the rally. According to local outlet Prothom Alo, he warned that any effort to restore the Awami Leagues political footing would be dealt with an iron hand. Not just the Awami League, but all its allies and beneficiaries must be held accountable, he said, dismissing circulating rumours of a plan to rehabilitate the party as baseless. The NCP emerged as a key force during last years uprising, which drew tens of thousands of students and activists into the streets in opposition to what they described as a hijacked democracy. The protest movement eventually led to the collapse of the Hasina-led government, marking a dramatic shift in the countrys political direction. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The demonstrations, which began in Istanbul on Wednesday, have expanded to more than 55 of Turkeys 81 provinces, resulting in skirmishes with riot police and the countrys worst street protests in more than a decade read more Protesters clash with Turkish anti riot police as they use tear gas and water cannons during a demonstration following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, in Ankara. AFP Huge crowds gathered outside Istanbul City Hall late Saturday for a fourth night of protests over Mayor Ekrem Imamoglus imprisonment, which he has described as immoral and baseless. The demonstrations, which began in Istanbul on Wednesday, have expanded to more than 55 of Turkeys 81 provinces, resulting in skirmishes with riot police and the countrys worst street protests in more than a decade. Imamoglu was arrested for terrorism and corruption only days before he was set to be officially nominated as the major opposition CHP contender in the 2028 presidential election. Advertisement Dictators are cowards! and AKP (Turkeys ruling party), you will not silence us! read some of the placards in the Istanbul protest Saturday night, which appeared bigger and denser than the previous night. Officers charged the City Hall gathering shortly after midnight (2100 GMT) using tear gas and forcing those who could to take refuge in the City Hall building. Many were arrested, according to AFP journalists, but no official data was immediately available. Riot police had earlier used rubber bullets, pepper spray and percussion grenades in clashes on the fringes of the rally, AFP correspondents said. In the capital Ankara, riot police used water cannon to push back protesters, while in the western coastal city of Izmir police blocked a student march headed towards the local AKP offices. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, addressing the massed protesters in Istanbul, told them they numbered more than half a million. He vowed the mobilisation would defend Imamoglu and march on the courthouse where the mayor had been taken late Saturday. The mayor was taken to the courthouse, about 10 kilometres (six miles) away from the City Hall demonstration, with 90 of his co-defendants, protected by dozens of riot vans and a heavy police cordon. Advertisement According to Imamoglus lawyers, his hearing on a terrorism charge concluded, while the hearing on a corruption charge was scheduled to follow in the middle of the night. Police set up a tight security cordon around the courthouse while around 1,000 protesters stood nearby shouting slogans. Turkish lira slides Earlier Saturday, the 53-year-old mayor denounced the accusations against him as immoral and baseless in a statement released by City Hall. This process has not only harmed Turkeys international reputation but has also shattered the publics sense of justice and trust in the economy, he said. News of the mayors arrest badly hurt the lira and caused chaos on Turkeys financial markets with the benchmark BIST 100 index closing Friday nearly 8.0 percent lower. Advertisement We are here today to stand up for the candidate we voted for, 30-year-old Aykut Cenk told AFP outside the court, holding a Turkish flag. Just as people took the streets to stand up for Erdogan after the July 15 (2016) coup, we are now taking to the streets for Imamoglu, Cenk said. We are not the enemy of the state, but what is happening is unlawful. The unrest has spread rapidly despite a protest ban in Turkeys three largest cities and a warning from Erdogan that the authorities would not tolerate street terror. For four days, they have been doing everything they can to disturb the peace and divide our people, Erdogan said on Saturday. Advertisement The days when politics and justice are guided by street terror are totally in the past, he added. Earlier in the evening, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said the authorities would not allow anyone to enter or leave the city who was likely to participate in illegal activities. Police have arrested 343 people since the start of the protests, the interior ministry said on Friday. Journalists targeted Turkeys Journalists Union claimed the police had deliberately targeted journalists, saying many had been severely beaten, shot with rubber bullets and had equipment broken. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also denounced the heavy-handed and completely arbitrary violence against journalists, demanding those responsible be severely punished. Advertisement Despite Imamoglus detention, the CHP has vowed to press ahead with its primary on Sunday at which it would formally nominate him as the partys presidential candidate. It has pledged to open voting to anyone, not just party members, in the hope of garnering massive support for the beleaguered mayor, who is widely seen as the only politician capable of challenging Erdogan. Observers said the government would likely seek to block the vote. Authorities had implemented heightened security measures in Istanbul since Saturday evening ahead of the court ruling and amid massive protests. Earlier, a protest ban was put in place to deter demonstrators but to no avail, as more than 300,000 people hit the streets on Saturday night in the city read more Istanbul mayor and a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ekrem Imamoglu, was formally arrested Sunday (March 23) by a Turkish court pending trial on corruption charges. It comes after the mayor was arrested on Wednesday during police raids, triggering mass protests across the country. The court said Imamoglu and at least 20 others were jailed as part of a corruption investigation but it refused to pursue terror charges. Although there is strong suspicion of aiding an armed terrorist organisation, since it has already been decided that he will be arrested for financial crimes, (his arrest) is not deemed necessary at this stage, said a court statement. Advertisement According to media reports, since terror charges are not slapped against the 53-year-old jailed mayor, the court wont be able to appoint a government trustee to the municipality of Istanbul, the countrys largest city. It is good news for the main opposition party [Republican Peoples Party (CHP)], which controls a majority in the municipal council, said Al Jazeeras Sinem Koseoglu while reporting from the scene. Imamoglu reacts In a response to the court ruling, Imamoglu said he wont bow down and he was standing tall. We will, hand in hand, uproot this blow, this black stain on our democracy I am standing tall, I will not bow down, the Istanbul mayor said in a post on X. His CHP party said they will appeal the court decision. Leader Ozgur Ozel of the CHP told reporters Sunday that the Istanbul municipality council, which is dominated by their party, would now elect someone to work as acting mayor. Meanwhile, Turkish President Erdogan has accused the CHP of doing everything to disturb the public peace, to polarise the nation. Protests intensifying Authorities had implemented heightened security measures in Istanbul since Saturday evening ahead of the court ruling and amid massive protests. Earlier, a protest ban was put in place to deter demonstrators but to no avail, as more than 300,000 people hit the streets on Saturday night in the city. The courts decision on Sunday coincides with the CHPs primary election, where members are selecting a candidate for the 2028 presidential race. Imamoglu is the frontrunner for CHPs nomination, but his candidacy took a hit after Istanbul University annulled his diploma last week, citing irregularities with Council of Higher Education regulations. Under the Turkish Constitution, a presidential candidate must hold a higher education degree. Advertisement 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. (With inputs from agencies) Since Trumps return to office in January, there has been mounting animosity between his administration and members of the federal judiciary who have issued judgements hindering some of his acts, as well as growing fear about judges safety read more On Saturday, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth joined President Donald Trump and others in his administration in criticising federal judges, criticising the judge who halted a ban on transgender personnel in the US military and claiming she overstepped her jurisdiction. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington concluded that Trumps January 27 executive order, one of several issued by the Republican president targeting transgender Americans legal rights, likely violated the U.S. Constitutions promise of equal treatment under the law. Advertisement In a post on social networking site X, Hegseth mocked the judge as Commander Reyes and accused her of misusing her position by making warfighting choices. Since Judge Reyes is now a top military planner, she/they can report to Fort Benning at 0600 to instruct our Army Rangers on how to execute High Value Target Raids, Hegseth wrote. After that, Commander Reyes can dispatch to Fort Bragg to train our Green Berets on counterinsurgency warfare. Reyes was chosen by Joe Biden, the Democratic former President. Since Trumps return to office in January, there has been mounting animosity between his administration and members of the federal judiciary who have issued judgements hindering some of his acts, as well as growing fear about judges safety. Trump, his billionaire adviser Elon Musk, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and other administration officials have criticised judges in recent weeks. For example, on Tuesday, Trump called for the impeachment of the judge presiding over a legal challenge to deportation flights, referring to him as a Radical Left Lunatic and a troublemaker and agitator, eliciting a rare reprimand from the US Chief Justice. Federal courts are hearing more than 100 lawsuits challenging various initiatives by Trump and his administration, with some judges imposing nationwide injunctions to block policies such as his move to curtail automatic birthright citizenship. Advertisement Hegseth, a military veteran and former Fox News television host, has made culture war issues such as banning transgender troops and abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the U.S. military a top priority. After Hegseth took over the Pentagon, Trump also relieved the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General C.Q. Brown, who is Black, and the Navys top admiral, who was the first woman to hold the position. Hegseth had previously questioned whether Brown only got the job because he was Black. While Trump and Hegseth have broad authority to relieve U.S. military officers, their efforts to ban transgender service members have triggered numerous lawsuits. Advertisement The military said on February 11 it would no longer allow transgender individuals to join the military and would stop performing or facilitating medical procedures associated with gender transition for service members. Later that month, the military said it would begin expelling transgender members. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit before Reyes argued the order was illegal, pointing to a 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found that employment discrimination against transgender people is a form of illegal sex discrimination. Lawyers for the administration have argued in court that 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 Over 200 Venezuelans were flown from the United States on March 16 to a maximum security prison and forced labor camp in El Salvador, after President Donald Trump invoked wartime powers to expel alleged gang members read more People hold a banner that reads in Spanish, "Migrating is not a crime; sanctioning a people is," at a government-organized march to protest the deportation from the U.S. of alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, who were transferred to an El Salvador prison, in Caracas, Venezuela. AP Relatives of Venezuelan migrants sent by the United States to a Salvadoran prison protested Saturday for their release, joining other families who said they were deceived in believing they were headed to Venezuela. Over 200 Venezuelans were flown from the United States on March 16 to a maximum security prison and forced labor camp in El Salvador, after President Donald Trump invoked wartime powers to expel alleged gang members. The decision has triggered a legal standoff in Washington, after a judge tried to block the deportation flights, and in Venezuela it has sparked outrage among family members. Advertisement The Trump administration argues that the 238 were members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang, and at the very least illegal immigrants to the United States. But Venezuelan relatives claim that many of those shipped to El Salvador without trial were not criminals and were in some cases tricked into surrendering. How come so many people said they were coming to Venezuela and today they are in El Salvador? demanded Gladys Coromoto Rojas, grandmother of deportee Kenlyn Rodriguez. They were deceived, she told AFP, at a street protest in the city of Barquisimeto, some 365 kilometers (266 miles) west of Caracas. The family of 36-year-old Maikel Rojas Olivera explained that he had been in touch to tell them he was coming home to Venezuela on Saturday, only to be shipped to El Salvador. Olivera was detained by the US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in October last year. He was initially held at a detention center in California until March 7, when he was transferred to Texas, to be flown on to El Salvador. We demand that they bring all those innocent boys from El Salvador to their country, his sister said. Advertisement The protest was joined by about 80 people, including relatives and neighbors of the migrants. The Venezuelan government has called the detention of Venezuelan migrants in El Salvador a kidnapping and announced the hiring of a law firm to manage their return to the country. In the past year, several Indian and Indian-origin individuals have tragically lost their lives in the United States due to violent incidents such as shootings read more A father-daughter duo from the Indian diaspora was killed in a shooting attack on their convenience store in the US. Image used for representative purpose/AP A father and daughter from Gujarat have been killed in a shooting at a convenience store in Virginia, an attack that has sent ripples of grief through Indian-American community in the US. Pradeep Patel, 56, was shot dead at the scene, while his 24-year-old daughter Urmi succumbed to her injuries two days later. The shooting took place in the early hours of 20 March, shortly after the pair had opened the store for the day. Advertisement Police have arrested a suspect, identified as George Frazier Devon Wharton, though the motive behind the attack remains unclear. The Patel family had moved to the US in 2019 on visitor visas and had since settled into the tightly-knit Gujarati convenience store network. They had taken over their current store just four months ago, after years of working in a different location around 75 kilometres away. According to relatives, the shooting may have been premeditated. It seems the attacker had been lurking near the store and opened fire as soon as Pradeep and Urmi arrived, said a family member. The case has added to growing concerns over the safety of the Indian diaspora in the US, where a spate of violent incidents in the past year or so has disproportionately affected immigrant communities. Violence against Indian disapora in US In the past year, several Indian and Indian-origin individuals have tragically lost their lives in the United States due to violent incidents. In March 2024, Amarnath Ghosh, 34, a trained classical dancer and a student at Washington University, Ghosh was shot dead in St. Louis, Missouri. His death was among at least 11 Indian or Indian-origin students deaths in the US between January and April 2024. On June 21, 2024, Dasari Gopikrishna, 32, succumbed to critical injuries during a robbery at a gas station convenience store in Pleasant Grove, Dallas, where he was working at the billing desk. He was reportedly killed in the shooting incident. In August 2024, news outlets reported the death of Mainank Patel, the owner of a tobacco store in North Carolina. Patel was shot and killed during a robbery by a teenage suspect. Advertisement On January 19, 2025, Raviteja Koyyada, 26, a resident of Hamden and an alumnus of Sacred Heart University, Koyyada was shot and killed while delivering food in New Haven, Connecticut. Originally from Hyderabad, India, he had recently celebrated his 26th birthday and was engaged, with plans to relocate his parents to the US. With inputs from agencies Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024. No: 61, 21 March 2025, Regarding Israel's Attack Targeting the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs We strongly condemn Israel's destruction of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, which was built by Turkiye and operated by local authorities as a cancer treatment facility. The deliberate targeting of a hospital providing healthcare services to civilians in Gaza constitutes part of Israel's policy aimed at rendering Gaza uninhabitable and forcibly displacing the Palestinian people. We call on the international community to take concrete and deterrent measures against Israel's unlawful attacks and systematic state terrorism. All those responsible for the ongoing genocide in Palestine, including Netanyahu himself, will, sooner or later, be held accountable under international law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Gaza must not become a battleground for political game,' says Chinese envoy to UN Global Times By Global Times Published: Mar 22, 2025 12:34 PM Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said at a Security Council Briefing on Friday that China is gravely concerned about the breakdown of the hard-won ceasefire in Gaza. "Gaza must not become a battleground for political game. Civilian lives must not be sacrificed for political calculations. A lasting ceasefire must be realized in Gaza," the Chinese envoy said. The resumed fighting in Gaza has sparked widespread concern and apprehension in the international community. Since March 17, Israel has carried out large-scale airstrikes, renewed its ground offensive, and occupied central Gaza. Israel has also cut off access to humanitarian supplies and electricity in succession, causing massive casualties and worsening the already grave humanitarian disaster, Fu said. "Securing a lasting ceasefire is the best way to save lives and bring hostages home, and it is an overriding priority," he noted, while urging Israel to abandon its obsession with the use of force, immediately cease its military operations against Gaza, and lift blockade on the access of humanitarian supplies into Gaza. Meanwhile, the situation in the West Bank is equally critical, the Chinese envoy added. Over the past two months, continued Israeli military operations have emptied by force multiple Palestinian refugee camps, displacing over 40,000 people. Israel should cease its attacks on the West Bank, stop settlement activities, and effectively curb settler violence, Fu noted. Fu reiterated that implementing the two-State solution is the only viable way to resolve the Palestinian question. The international community should step up efforts to promote the political process of the two-State solution and provide robust guarantees. China supports the Gaza recovery and reconstruction plan jointly initiated by Egypt and other Arab states, and supports the commencement of rebuilding in accordance with the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine. China opposes the forced removal of Palestinian people, and opposes any attempt to annex the territories of Gaza or the West Bank, Fu noted. Hamas said on Friday it was reviewing a US proposal to restore the Gaza ceasefire as Israel intensified a military onslaught to press the Palestinian militant group to free remaining Israeli hostages, Reuters reported. Three days after Israel effectively abandoned the two-month-old truce, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military was intensifying its air, land and sea strikes and would move civilians to the southern part of Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah denies firing rockets at Israel IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 22, 2025 Hezbollah has dismissed Israel's allegation that the Lebanese resistance movement was behind the rocket attack on the occupied Palestinian territories. "The Zionist enemy is seeking an excuse to continue its aggression against Lebanon by making false claims," Hezbollah said in a statement on Saturday afternoon, adding that the regime has continued its attacks despite agreeing to the November ceasefire agreement. The resistance group reiterated its commitment to the truce deal, stressing that it supports the Lebanese government's follow-up on Israel's escalatory and dangerous actions against the country's territories. Earlier, the Israeli military said that it launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon after intercepting three rockets fired towards occupied Palestine, a claim that was neither verified by the Lebanese army nor the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFI). Media reports say that several people were killed and several others injured as a result of Israeli strikes personally ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu blamed Hezbollah for the rocket incident while his minister in-charge of military affairs accused the Lebanese government of the attack without providing any evidence. Lebanon reached a ceasefire deal with Israel, which took effect on November 27 and obliged the regime to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon in 60 days. The deal brought an end to 14 months of conflict but Israel has been repeatedly accused of violating the ceasefire with attacks and with its continued presence in Lebanon in breach of the agreement. 4399**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel launches airstrikes on Lebanon in violation of ceasefire IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 22, 2025 The Israeli military has carried out strikes on what it claimed were positions of the Hezbollah resistance movement in southern Lebanon. Media reports have cited witnesses as saying that the strikes on Saturday were "violent and widespread" but did not give details of damage or casualties. In a statement, the Israeli army said it responded to rocket fire from Lebanon which prompted sirens in the northern parts of the occupied territories. According to the Israeli media reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his forces to take "robust action" against Hezbollah targets, saying "Israel will not allow any harm' to its people." No claim of responsibility The Lebanese military did not tell who was behind the alleged rocket fire into Israel, but said it had found and dismantled "three primitive rocket launchers" during investigations following the incident. Hezbollah has also denied any connection with the incident. UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon warned that escalation could have serious consequences for the region, calling on all sides to "uphold their commitments. "We strongly urge all parties to avoid jeopardizing the progress made, especially when civilian lives and the fragile stability observed in recent months are at risk," it said in a statement. However, Israel Katz, Israel's minister in charge of military affairs was found fueling the flame by putting the blame of attacks on the Lebanese government and vowing to retaliate. The UN's peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, said it was "alarmed" by the Saturday morning escalation in violence, calling on Aoun condemns attempt to return violence to Lebanon Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, however, has instructed the army to protect the country's citizens and warned against any escalation in response to the Israeli regime's claims about the firing of rockets from the country's soil. "We condemn any attempt to drag Lebanon once again into a cycle of violence," Aoun was quoted by Al-Mayadeen news network on Saturday. "What happened in the south and what has been going on since February 18 is a continuous aggression against Lebanon," he indirectly referred to the Israeli violations of the ceasefire. He asked "the relevant forces in the south, especially the Supervisory Committee and the army" to follow up on these events seriously and prevent any consequences. Israel and Hezbollah exchanged cross-border attacks for 13 months in the wake of the regime's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. Despite a ceasefire struck in November last year, Israel has kept violating the truce and continued to maintain a military presence at five locations in the south of Lebanon in breach of the deal. Escalation in the north comes after Israel restarted military operations in Gaza earlier in the week, putting an end to a fragile truce that had largely held since January. 4399**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tensions flare-up as Israel launches airstrikes on Lebanon in violation of ceasefire IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 22, 2025 The Israeli military has carried out strikes on what it claimed were positions of the Hezbollah resistance movement in southern Lebanon Media reports have cited witnesses as saying that the strikes on Saturday were "violent and widespread" but did not give details of damage or casualties. In a statement, the Israeli army said it responded to rocket fire from Lebanon which prompted sirens in the northern parts of the occupied territories. According to the Israeli media reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his forces to take "robust action" against Hezbollah targets, saying "Israel will not allow any harm' to its people." Hezbollah has not claimed responsibility for the alleged rocket fire. The Lebanese military did not tell who was behind the alleged rocket fire into Israel, but said it had found and dismantled "three primitive rocket launchers" during investigations following the incident. Israel and Hezbollah exchanged cross-border attacks for 13 months in the wake of the regime's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. Despite a ceasefire struck in November last year, Israel has kept violating the truce and continued to maintain a military presence at five locations in the south of Lebanon in breach of the deal. Escalation in the north comes after Israel restarted military operations in Gaza earlier in the week, putting an end to a fragile truce that had largely held since January. 4399**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump says open to U.S. "associate membership" in British Commonwealth People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 12:39, March 22, 2025 WASHINGTON, March 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Friday he is open to the proposal that the United States could be offered "associate membership" in the British Commonwealth. "I Love King Charles. Sounds good to me!" Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, linking to a report by the British tabloid The Sun that a proposal could be made by the British monarch when Trump makes a state visit to Britain later this year. While joining the Commonwealth would largely be symbolic, the move could be used to help avoid the heightened tariffs on steel and aluminum Trump has promised, according to the Daily Mail. The Commonwealth of Nations, created in 1926, has 56 member states, most of them former colonies of the British Empire. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel says airstrike targeting rocket launcher in N. Gaza People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 11:09, March 22, 2025 JERUSALEM, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military said on Friday that its fighter jets struck a rocket launcher in northern Gaza, hours after two rockets were fired toward Israeli territory. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the launcher had been deliberately placed by Hamas near a humanitarian area in Al-Furqan, northern Gaza. The IDF said measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties before the strike, including aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering, and the use of precision-guided munitions. "This is further evidence of Hamas' systematic exploitation of civilians and civilian infrastructure for terrorist activities throughout the Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement. The two rockets, which targeted the coastal city of Ashkelon, were intercepted by Israeli air defenses, causing no casualties or damage. Hamas' military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said on Friday it had fired a rocket at the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, calling it retaliation for Israeli attacks on civilians. Israel resumed strikes in Gaza on Tuesday after a ceasefire with Hamas that began on Jan. 19 unraveled. Israeli forces subsequently launched ground operations across southern, northern, and central Gaza. Gaza's Civil Defense said at least 11 people were killed in Friday's airstrikes, with the overall death toll from the renewed strikes potentially exceeding 600, in addition to more than 1,000 wounded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address French, German, British FMs urge immediate return to Gaza ceasefire People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:59, March 22, 2025 PARIS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The foreign ministers of France, Germany and Britain on Friday jointly called for an immediate return to a ceasefire in Gaza. "The resumption of Israeli strikes in Gaza marks a dramatic step backward for the people of Gaza, the hostages, their families and the entire region," the ministers said in a joint statement released late Friday evening, calling on "all parties to re-engage with negotiations to ensure the ceasefire is implemented in full and becomes permanent." The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on Jan. 19, has been largely held until Israel launched surprise airstrikes on Gaza on Tuesday. Highlighting the hostilities between Israel and Hamas, the statement emphasized that "this conflict cannot be resolved through military means" and warned that "a return to fighting will only result in the deaths of more Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages." Urging Israel to fully respect international law and allow the flow of aid into Gaza immediately, the ministers said: "Civilians should be protected and not be cut off from essential aid or assistance." They also called on Israel to restore humanitarian access and ensure access to medical care and temporary medical evacuations under international humanitarian law. Referring to UN employees, including European nationals, killed and injured during the deadly attack, the statement emphasized that UN personnel and its premises should be protected and never be a target. They demanded a full investigation into what happened. "A long-lasting ceasefire is the only credible pathway toward a sustainable peace, a two-state solution and the reconstruction of Gaza," said the statement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH Army evolving to meet new security threats Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno March 22, 2025, 2:49 pm MANILA -- Philippine Army (PA) commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said Saturday the service is now evolving to meet and address new security challenges. In his message during the Army's 128th founding anniversary, Galido said the Army, which previously focused on internal security, has now shifted to territorial defense, noting the external threats the country is now facing. "We come together to celebrate 128 years of bravery, sacrifice, and undaunted service of the PA. Throughout history, our Army has been the backbone of our nation's security, evolving to meet new challenges," he said during the celebration held at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. Galido said the PA is focused on a game-changing mission that ensures a stronger, more capable, and future-ready force. "For decades, the Army has significantly contributed to the decline of the communist and local terrorist groups, ensuring peace and stability within our borders. As threat evolves, so must we. Our focus now is on territorial defense, protecting our lands, coastline, and sovereignty," he said. Galido said this shift aligns with the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), which ensures that the PA works seamlessly with the Navy and Air Force to defend the Philippines' vast national territory. The PA's role in CADC, he said, is to protect the land domain while supporting coastal and littoral operations. "To meet this challenge, we have reconfigured our forces in ways that make us more agile and effective. The creation of Combat Engineer Regiment ensures protection of key strategic locations, fortifying our bases and securing mobility corridors," he added. Galido also said that PA reserve forces have been beefed up by redefining their roles in internal and external security operations, emphasizing the new functions of the community defense centers and regional community defense groups. "Recognizing the need for accuracy and real-time battlefield awareness, we have upgraded our reconnaissance capabilities, ensuring our troops are always prepared to respond with precision and efficiency. Our infantry battalions have been restructured, making them lighter, more mobile, and more strategically positioned to defend the nation's interests," he added. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PBBM to PH Army: Sharpen your skills, embrace innovation Philippine News Agency By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos March 22, 2025, 1:13 pm MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday urged the Philippine Army (PA) to enhance their skills and keep up with the latest trends to make sure the next generations will inherit a "New Philippines" that is "peaceful, progressive, and full of promise." Marcos made the call during the PA's 128th anniversary celebration at Fort Andres Bonifacio in Taguig City, as he assured its personnel of continued government support to make sure that they are "always ready" to fulfill their mission in protecting the country. "As your Commander-in-Chief, I enjoin you to stay relentless in your pursuit for excellence. Sharpen your skills, master your craft, embrace innovation. After all, the Philippine Army's strength extends beyond firepower. It draws from its personnel's honor, integrity, and fortitude," he said. "Ladies and gentlemen, the road ahead is not easy. There will be delays, frustrations, and challenges as they always are. Our strength and resolve will continue to be tested." The President said his administration would continue looking for ways to boost the military's capability and welfare. The conduct of training exercises would sharpen the government troops' combat readiness and strengthen their ability to respond effectively to any threat, he added. Marcos said the government is also reinforcing its welfare programs, such as the mandatory annual physical examination, reimbursement of hospital expenses, and assistance for wounded-in-action personnel. He noted that after a decade, the AFP personnel's daily subsistence allowance was raised to PHP350 from PHP150. "These efforts are part of a broader vision: a nation where Filipinos no longer need to worry about their safety, where they can build a more dignified lives for themselves and for their families. When peace and order are in place, we can pursue knowledge, we can work towards prosperity, and we can contribute to our country's progress," he said. "As we mark the 128th founding anniversary, we are again reminded why we choose to serve. We do it not for ourselves but also for the countless generations that will come after us. Every Filipino wants their children to grow up in a country where they are safe, where they have access to quality education, and where they can build a future that has opportunities awaiting." Founded on March 22, 1897, the PA remains at the forefront of safeguarding the nation, evolving to meet national and global security challenges. This year's anniversary celebration carries the theme "Hukbong Katihan @128: Matatag na Sandigan ng Bagong Pilipinas," highlighting the PA's crucial role in national defense and commitment to being a steadfast pillar of support for a new and stronger Philippines. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Marcos calls for adaptability, discipline amid cyberspace warfare Philippine News Agency By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos March 22, 2025, 12:10 pm MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday emphasized the importance of adaptability and discipline as he warned that cyberspace has become the new frontline in modern warfare. At the Philippine Army's (PA) 128th anniversary celebration at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, Marcos said the growing threat of cyber warfare requires grit to ensure the country's security and development. "Ours is a world that continues to evolve. Threats have grown increasingly more complex and the battleground is no longer contained in land. It now extends into cyber space and beyond," Marcos said as he addressed the members of the Army. "The challenges demand greater adaptability, greater discipline and further commit to the nation's security and progress," he added. Marcos acknowledged the PA's crucial role in fortifying the Philippines' security, citing its relentless efforts in strengthening its defense capabilities and enhancing its ability to detect, address and recover from threats. However, he said it is not enough for a soldier to have the courage and skills in the face of escalating security threats, including cybersecurity challenges. "It requires unwavering resolve in the face of adversity, principles unshaken by fear or doubt, and a heart always ready to serve with loyalty, expecting nothing in return," Marcos said in Filipino. The President also said personal interests must be set aside to reach the goal of building a "more united, more just, and truly peaceful nation." "In any institution, rank or power is not enough. The true measure is the willingness to put aside personal interests for a higher purpose," he said. "For 128 years, the Philippine Army has stood as a pillar of strength and of stability. In its more than a century-long history, the institution has defended our nation, our constitution and ensured the safety of our people to every trial, whether in combat, in crisis, or in calamity." (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon chief to make first visit to PH; to strengthen alliance Philippine News Agency By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora March 22, 2025, 9:54 am MANILA -- United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is embarking on his first trip to the Philippines for a security dialogue next week, the US Department of Defense announced Saturday. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth would advance "security objectives" with Filipino leaders and meet with US and Philippine forces during the visit. Hegseth's Philippine visit will come right after his trip to Hawaii and Guam. Afterwards, he will be traveling to Japan. "These engagements will drive ongoing efforts to strengthen our alliances and partnerships toward our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific," Parnell said. He said this trip signals Washington DC's interest to build on "unprecedented cooperation with like-minded countries to strengthen regional security." The visit comes ahead of the annual Balikatan exercises between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US military. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address France, Germany, UK appalled by civilian casualties in Gaza, urge ceasefire return Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 March 2025 6:11 PM France, Germany and the United Kingdom have expressed deep concern over the renewed Israeli attacks on Gaza, calling for an immediate return to a ceasefire in the besieged territory. "The resumption of Israeli strikes in Gaza marks a dramatic step backward for the people of Gaza, the captives, their families and the entire region," the three European countries said in a joint statement on Saturday. "We are appalled by the civilian casualties and urgently call for an immediate return to a ceasefire," it added. The three nations urged all parties involved to return to negotiations to ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire. The statement emphasized that ordinary people have the right to peace and security, highlighting that the conflict cannot be resolved through military means. "A return to fighting will only result in the deaths of more Palestinian civilians and Israeli captives," it said. "We call on Israel to restore humanitarian access, including water and electricity, and ensure access to medical care and temporary medical evacuations in accordance with international humanitarian law," the statement pointed out. The three European countries said they were "deeply shocked" by the Israeli attack on the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) guesthouse in central Gaza, where one employee was killed and several others sustained injuries, noting that there were European citizens among the victims. "UN personnel and its premises should be protected and never be a target. There must be a full investigation into what happened. A long-lasting ceasefire is the only credible pathway towards a sustainable peace, a [so-called] two-state solution and the reconstruction of Gaza," the statement read. Jordan's king calls for 'immediate international action' to end Gaza war Meanwhile, Jordan's King Abdullah II has underlined the urgent need for "immediate international action" to stop the ongoing genocidal war on Gaza and ensure a permanent ceasefire. During a phone call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday, the Jordanian monarch also stressed the importance of resuming humanitarian aid to Gaza to alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis. He reaffirmed Jordan's firm stance against the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank. More than 700 Palestinians have been killed and over 1,000 others injured ever since Israel renewed its attacks on Gaza, shattering a ceasefire and an agreement on the exchange of Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners. Even though Hamas has reiterated its "full commitment to implementing all terms of the agreement in all its stages and details," Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to move forward with the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, yielding to pressure from hardliners within his administration. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah denies rocket strikes against occupied Palestinian territories Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 March 2025 2:43 PM Hezbollah has denied firing rockets from southern Lebanon and into the occupied Palestinian territories and reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire agreement with the Israeli regime. In a statement on Saturday, Hezbollah declined any involvement in the rocket strikes against the occupied Palestinian territories. "Hezbollah reiterates its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and stands behind the Lebanese state in addressing this dangerous zionist escalation against Lebanon," Hezbollah said in a statement on Saturday. The regime's newest rounds of attacks against Lebanon began Saturday morning when allegedly three rockets were launched from Southern Lebanon into the occupied territories. The regime said it intercepted the rockets but it cannot allow Hezbollah to carry attacks against the regime. In addition to denying responsibility for the attacks, Hezbollah called on the ceasefire agreement monitor and the Lebanese military to conduct their investigations and discover the source of the attacks. Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounced the Israeli regime for "the attempts to drag Lebanon anew into the cycle of violence." "What happened today in the South and what has been continuing there since February 18 represent a blow to the project of rescuing Lebanon on which the Lebanese have unanimously agreed," he warned. Following significant losses over nearly 14 months of conflict against Lebanon, and failing to achieve any of its military and political objectives including the elimination of "Hezbollah," the regime agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah on November 27. In addition to breaking the terms of the ceasefire agreement and keeping parts of its forces in Lebanon, since the commencement of the agreement, the regime has been carrying out near-daily assaults on Lebanon. On January 27, Lebanon declared its decision to prolong the ceasefire with Israel until February 18. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Aoun censures Israeli attempts to drag Lebanon into fresh cycle of violence Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 March 2025 12:54 PM Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has denounced "the attempts to drag Lebanon anew into the cycle of violence," after at least two civilians were killed when Israeli military aircraft carried out an airstrike in southern Lebanon in a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement with the Arab country. In a statement released on Saturday, Aoun asked the army to "take the necessary measures to preserve citizens' safety" and to launch an investigation. "What happened today in the South and what has been continuing there since February 18 represent a blow to the project of rescuing Lebanon on which the Lebanese have unanimously agreed," he warned. Aoun also called on all concerned forces in southern Lebanon, particularly the monitoring committee formed following the ceasefire agreement, and the Lebanese army to seriously follow up on unfolding developments to prevent negative repercussions and avoid any violation or chaos that could endanger the country. The Civil Defense in southern Lebanon announced that two people were killed and ten others injured in an Israeli airstrike on the town of Touline. Earlier, the Israeli military said it had struck positions belonging to the Hezbollah resistance movement in southern Lebanon, following rocket fire from Lebanese territory toward the northern part of the occupied territories. The Israeli army also said its air force intercepted three rockets fired from Lebanon toward the northern town of Metula in the Galilee region. The Israeli public broadcaster Kan TV News asserted that the military intercepted two more rockets before they crossed into the skies over occupied lands. Israeli minister of military affairs Israel Katz warned the army would hit back after rocket fire from Lebanon into the northern side of the Israeli-occupied territories. "We cannot allow fire from Lebanon on Galilee communities," Katz said. "The Lebanese government is responsible for attacks from its territory. I have ordered the military to respond accordingly." Meanwhile, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon said it was "alarmed by the possible escalation of violence" following the rocket fire. "Any further escalation of this volatile situation could have serious consequences for the region," it said. "We strongly urge all parties to avoid jeopardizing the progress made, especially when civilian lives and the fragile stability observed in recent months are at risk." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's mission blasts US complicity in 'egregious' Israeli crimes Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 March 2025 8:17 AM Iran's ambassador to the UN has rejected US and Israeli accusations of destabilizing activities against Tehran, saying they aim to shield Israel and "perpetuate impunity for its crimes". The accusations are "entirely groundless, devoid of any credibility, and serve as nothing more than a calculated attempt to distract the international community from the unfolding Israeli genocidal war, war crimes, and mass atrocities against the Palestinian people in Gaza," Amir Saeid Iravani said. "They also aim to obscure the United States' undeniable complicity in these crimes and its steadfast support for Israel's destabilizing and malign activities across the region," he added. Iravani's response on Friday came in identical letters addressed to UN chief Antonio Guterres and the rotating president of the Security Council Christina Markus Lassen after the US and Israel accused Iran of destabilizing activities and supporting terrorism. Iravani said Washington's "unwavering political, military, and financial support has emboldened Israel to commit egregious crimes with absolute impunity". "The baseless allegations against the Islamic Republic of Iran are, therefore, nothing but a desperate attempt to obstruct the Security Council from shouldering its responsibility, deflect attention from the truth, shield Israel from accountability, and perpetuate impunity for its crimes." The accusations, he said, once again highlight the hostile policy of the US administration towards the Islamic Republic, and affirm that Washington disregards the realities on the ground and continues to make false accusations against Tehran. Iravani hit out at the US for manipulating the Security Council to advance its "political agenda and falsely depicting Iran as a threat to international peace and security" through its nuclear program. "I must emphasize that Iran's nuclear activities are entirely peaceful and fully compliant with its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. In stark contrast, the United States remains the only country to have ever used nuclear weapons, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity," he said. Iravani then lambasted Washington's evident double standards and hypocrisy in its continued silence on Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal and its failure to address Israel's repeated threats to use weapons of mass destruction against the Palestinian people in Gaza. Such an approach, he said, exposes how the non-proliferation issue serves merely as a political tool for the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address VOA Sues Overseer USAGM To Restore Operations After Trump Order By RFE/RL March 22, 2025 A group that includes six Voice of America (VOA) journalists has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration and other officials accusing them of illegally shutting down several publicly funded broadcasters. The lawsuit, filed on March 21 in the Southern District of New York, charges that the Trump administration has taken "a chainsaw" approach to the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) through an executive order signed a week earlier. The order gutted seven federal agencies, including USAGM, telling them to "reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law." Hours later, VOA staff were put on administrative leave and its premises shut. Many media rights watchdogs and analysts have said the decision halting the operations of VOA and other publicly funded broadcasters will embolden authoritarians around the globe with the loss of "a critical lifeline" of information for their populations. "What is happening to the VOA Journalists is not just the chilling of First Amendment speech; it is a government shutdown of journalism, a prior restraint that kills content before it can be created," the filing says. USAGM Acting Director Victor Morales and Special Adviser Kari Lake, are named in the lawsuit, which says the Trump administration's moves to close the USAGM violated the First Amendment rights of VOA's employees. It also asks for the court to restore USAGM-grantee news outlets and that funding for grantees, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA) and the Middle Eastern Broadcast Network (MBN), resume. Those outlets had their grants terminated the same day as VOA was shuttered. "Defendants have violated all of these laws by closing USAGM and ceasing altogether the business of gathering and disseminating news and opinion via VOA and its sister service Radio y Television Marti, as well as its grantee-affiliates RFE/RL, RFA, and MBN. Defendants' actions are unconstitutional and unlawful; they must cease immediately," the complaint says. 'Tragic Attack On Democracy' In addition to the six VOA journalists, plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), The NewsGuild-CWA, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), Reporters Without Borders (RSF). David Seide, senior counsel at the Government Accountability Project (GAP), a nonpartisan civil rights defense and whistle-blower protection organization that is representing the VOA journalists in the case, called the administration's moves "another tragic attack on democracy." "Over eight decades, VOA and its sister organizations have been renowned, evidenced by the over 400 million viewers, listeners, and readers who tune in every day," he said. "That reputation is now in tatters. Our lawsuit is intended to stop the bleeding." Lake, a vocal Trump supporter, did not respond immediately to the news, but around the same time as it was published, she wrote in a post on X that when The Washington Post, The New York Times, NPR, CBS, and 60 Minutes reached out for interviews this week, she declined. "I do not do interviews with disreputable 'news' outlets," she wrote. Many Republicans, including Trump and Lake, have alleged that VOA and the other broadcasters are infected by left-wing propaganda, an accusation its operators say isn't supported by the facts. RFE/RL on March 18 filed a suit against the USAGM, Lake, and Morales, to block their attempt to terminate RFE/RL's federal grant, which provides the broadcaster with funds to operate. The complaint 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/voa-lawsuit-usagm-restore- operations-trump-order-lake/33355947.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 UN Children's Agency Calls On Taliban To Lift Ban On Girls' Education By RFE/RL March 22, 2025 The UN children's agency has urged Afghanistan's Taliban-led government to immediately lift a ban on girls' education beyond primary school, saying that if the ban continues until 2030 more than 4 million girls will have been deprived of their right to education. Afghanistan's ban on girls' secondary education "continues to harm the future of millions of Afghan girls," UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement on March 22. "The consequences for these girls -- and for Afghanistan -- are catastrophic." The appeal by UNICEF comes as a new school year began in Afghanistan, where girls beyond sixth grade have been deprived of their right to education since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The Taliban justifies the ban, saying the education of girls beyond the sixth grade doesn't comply with their interpretation of Shari'a law. Russell called for all girls to be allowed to return to school. "Afghanistan is the only country in the world that bans female secondary and higher education," Russell said in the statement, adding that if the rights of young girls continue to be denied, "the repercussions will last for generations." She pointed out that the ban negatively impacts the health system, the economy, and the future of the nation. "With fewer girls receiving an education, girls face a higher risk of child marriage with negative repercussions on their well-being and health," she said. The consequences of the ban will affect the number of female doctors and midwives, and this in turn will leave women and girls without crucial medical care. UNICEF projects an estimated 1,600 additional maternal deaths and over 3,500 infant deaths because of the situation. The Taliban has allowed limited exceptions to the ban 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. Pakistan hosted a global conference in January at which Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai condemned the state of women's and girls' rights in Afghanistan as gender apartheid. Yousafzai urged Muslim leaders not to "legitimize" the Taliban-led government and instead to "raise their voices" and "use [their] power" against the militant group's curbs on women and girls' education. "Simply put, the Taliban do not see women as human beings. They cloak their crimes in cultural and religious justification," Yousafzai told the gathering in Islamabad. With reporting by AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-education- unicef-girls-russell-taliban/33355760.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 condemns violation of ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRESS STATEMENT 034 Saturday March 22, 2025 The Spanish Government condemns the violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement between Lebanon and Israel and urges the parties to show restraint and avoid an escalation of violence. The Government reiterates the need to fully respect the agreement and maintains its commitment to regional stability and full compliance with resolution 1701, and urges the parties to respect international law. -NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM call with King Abdullah II of Jordan: 22 March 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan this morning. 22 March 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to His Majesty the King of Jordan, Abdullah II this morning. The Prime Minister expressed his deep concern about the renewed Israeli military action in Gaza and the lack of humanitarian aid. He thanked His Majesty for his country's leadership and work towards a political solution. He welcomed the Arab Plan for Gaza and commended the efforts of Jordan and partners in the region in developing it. The leaders agreed that they must continue to urge both sides to return to the ceasefire. The Prime Minister reiterated that the UK is a strong partner to Jordan and they agreed to keep in close touch. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Brooke Paull couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the 'unusual' creature jump out of the water. Brooke Paull was shocked when she accidentally caught a rare green sawfish in Carnarvon, WA, last month. Source: Supplied Standing on a riverbank in a rural Aussie town one sunny afternoon last month, avid fisher Brooke Paull had no idea she was about to reel in the catch of a lifetime but it wasnt the lovely man she was on a first date with. After casting her line in the coastal town of Carnarvon, which sits in between Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef in WA, the 44-year-old was immediately excited when she felt something snag on the other end. We thought it was a shark, she told Yahoo News Australia. And then when we saw it jumping out of the water and wrapping itself [around the line], we were like, Oh my God, its a sawfish. The startling sight triggered a 40-minute battle to reel in the incredibly rare three-metre-long fish which Paull admitted was not an easy feat given her 48kg frame. Fisher's leg slashed by sawfish after 40 minute battle After pulling it onto the shore, the self-admitted wildlife enthusiast wrapped a towel around the sawfishs eyes so it would calm down long enough for her to free it from the fishing line that was tightly wrapped around its body. ADVERTISEMENT We cut the line off it and got the hook out of its mouth. Then, as we were dragging it back into the water, the towel came off its eyes so it wasn't stunned anymore, and it just went nuts, Paull told Yahoo. As Paull dragged the sawfish back into the water, it thrashed and struck her on the leg. Source: Supplied As it thrashed on the sand, the fish turned and slashed the locals leg, then headed back out into the open water. Ive got four prongs evenly distributed across my leg, she said. I think the adrenaline was going through me, but after about 45 minutes, I was like, I cant feel my toes. The 44-year-old chucked her dog in the car and drove herself to hospital, where she was given antibiotics and a tetanus shot. The needles hurt more than the actual wound, Paull joked. Despite the bloody ending, she described the encounter as such a great moment. Its definitely the best fish of my life, she said. ADVERTISEMENT Aussie accidentally catches critically endangered green sawfish Speaking to Yahoo, zoologist and sawfish expert Dr Barbara Wueringer confirmed Paull had accidentally caught a healthy critically endangered green sawfish. This animal is likely still a juvenile, and has not reached sexual maturity yet, she explained. There are four species of sawfish in Australian waters, and how far upstream they are found depends on the species. All four species are found in northern Australia, so if this animal was caught in the Carnarvon region then its certainly in sawfish habitat. Last week in Darwin, fisherman Alex Mulligan also snagged a green sawfish. Source: nt_sharkwranglers/Supplied To see a green sawfish, never mind catching one, is exceptionally rare as there is estimated to only be between 200 and 5,000 left in the world. Australia is currently thought to host some of the last viable populations. ADVERTISEMENT All species are distinguishable by their long nose extensions which are lined with sharp teeth, with their most distinctive feature making them a target for trophy fishing and often getting tangled in fishing nets. An increase in coastal development has also disrupted the migration of juvenile sawfish, making it difficult for reproduction. If threatened, they may use their saw to defend themselves, but they are generally not aggressive. Dr Wueringe, who runs a public sighting campaign for sawfish, has urged anyone who spots one of the odd-looking fish in Aussie waters to report it to non-profit Sharks and Rays Australia through this online form. What species of sawfish are found in Australia? Freshwater sawfish (critically endangered). Grows over 7 metres long and lives in fresh and saltwater. Green sawfish (critically endangered). Has a shark-like body with a surface colour thats greenish-brown or olive, while its dorsal fins are yellow-grey. Grows to 5 metres. Dwarf sawfish (endangered). Has a maximum body length of just 3.2 metres. Narrow sawfish (vulnerable). Because of its flattened head, its also known as the knifetooth or pointed sawfish. Grows to 4.6 metres. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. UNRWA Commissioner-General: 60 days to the start of Operation "Iron Wall" in Jenin camp UNRWA 22 Mar 2025 From Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General as posted on his official X account (previously known as Twitter) Today marks 60 days since the Israeli Forces launched operation 'Iron Wall' in Jenin Camp - by far the longest and most destructive operation in the occupied West Bank since the second intifada in the 2000's. Tens of thousands of residents from Jenin, Tulkarm, Nur Shams, and El Far'a refugee camps have been displaced, with uncertain prospects for return amid statements from the Israeli Forces on their intentions to stay in the area in the foreseeable future. The ongoing Israeli Forces operations has caused systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure and homes, aiming to permanently change the character of Palestinian cities and refugee camps at a scale unjustifiable by any purported military or law enforcement aims. Just this week, the Israeli authorities issued demolition orders for another 66 buildings in Jenin Camp, on top of dozens of houses already destroyed there by the Israeli Forces. Such large-scale, militarized operations cannot become the new norm in the West Bank. This trend of escalating violence - which started even before 7 October 2023 - must be reversed. Several red lines have already been crossed, violating principles of international law that always emphasise the protection of civilians, civilian infrastructure, and private property including homes. UNRWA teams are supporting displaced communities with emergency assistance. Families must be able to return to their homes, and UNRWA services in the camp restored including education and healthcare. #WestBank 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 USS Spruance deploys to U.S. Northern Command Area of Responsibility US Navy - Press Release 22 March 2025 PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) departed Naval Base San Diego to support U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) southern border operations in the USNORTHCOM area of responsibility, March 22. In support of U.S. Northern Command's mission to restore territorial integrity at the U.S. southern border, Spruance reinforces the nation's commitment to border security by enhancing maritime efforts and supporting interagency collaboration. The ship's operations highlight the Department of Defense and Navy's dedication to national security priorities, contributing to a coordinated and robust response to combating maritime related terrorism, weapons proliferation, transnational crime, piracy, environmental destruction, and illegal seaborne immigration. "USS Spruance's deployment as part of U.S. Northern Command's southern border mission brings additional capability and expands the geography of unique military capabilities working with the Department of Homeland Security," said Gen. Gregory Guillot, Commander, U.S. Northern Command. "With Spruance off the West Coast and USS Gravely in the Gulf of America, our maritime presence contributes to the all-domain, coordinated DOD response to the Presidential Executive Order and demonstrates our resolve to achieve operational control of the border." Spruance will be accompanied by an embedded U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET). Founded in 1982, Coast Guard LEDETs carry out a variety of maritime interdiction missions, including counter-piracy, military combat operations, alien migration interdiction, military force protection, counter terrorism, homeland security, and humanitarian response. On Dec. 19, 2024, Spruance returned to Naval Base San Diego following a five-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG). The strike group was ordered to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to bolster U.S. military force posture in the Middle East, deter regional escalation, degrade Houthi capabilities, defend U.S. forces, and sailed alongside allies and partners to promote security, stability and prosperity. Assigned destroyers of the ABECSG, to include Spruance, were essential to providing a layer of defense to U.S. forces and ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels and partner nations transiting in international waterways like the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden. Spruance brings maritime capabilities to USNORTHCOM AOR in response to Presidential executive orders and a national emergency declaration and clarification of the military's role in protecting the territorial integrity of the United States. USNORTHCOM was named the DoD's operational lead for the employment of U.S. military forces to carry out President Trump's southern border Executive Orders. The combatant command continues to fill critical capabilities gaps in support of DHS and CBP. -30- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Uncertainty Clouds The Future Of Thousands Of Afghans Seeking US Migration By Abubakar Siddique March 23, 2025 For over three years, Syed Abdul Samad Muzoon, a middle-aged former Afghan security official, has lived with his wife and their teenage daughter in Pakistan to pursue immigration to the United States. During Washington's nearly two-decade-long war in Afghanistan, he worked for the Afghan security forces in sensitive roles, he said, helping the US war effort. Yet, there is still no clarity on whether they will ever be able to make a fresh start in the United States because of new curbs on immigration. In January, hundreds of Afghans cleared for resettlement in the United States were prevented from traveling to the country after President Donald Trump immediately suspended Washington's refugee program and foreign aid after assuming office on January 20. On February 18, Reuters reported that the State Department's program to manage Afghan resettlement in the United States will be shut down in April. Media reports suggest that the Trump administration could impose a new travel ban to bar the entry of people from Afghanistan and Pakistan, which would close all pathways for Afghans to move to the United States. The State Department, however, disputes this. "There is no list," Tammy Bruce, its spokesperson, told journalists on March 17. Trump has been elected twice on an anti-immigration platform. In a Gallup poll from 2024, a majority of Americans (55 percent) said that they believed there should be less immigration to the United States. Since the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, Washington has helped some 200,000 Afghans resettle. But Muzoon and many more Afghans might never have a chance to begin a new life in the United States. Tens of thousands of them have been living in Pakistan, Qatar, Albania, and other countries for years as they wait for a final decision on their refugee and immigration cases. Fearing retribution by the Taliban, many are fearful of returning to Afghanistan. 'Extreme Predicament' Advocacy groups estimate that up to 200,000 more Afghans may be eligible for US immigration. Meanwhile, after reviewing government documents, CBS reported that more than 40,000 Afghans who have already been cleared to leave the country are now stranded. "I and other Afghan refugees here are in an extreme predicament," Muzoon said. Since late 2023, Pakistan has expelled more than 800,000 Afghans, and in the capital, Islamabad, Afghans face constant harassment and police brutality. Muzoon and 20,000 more Afghans in Islamabad now fear repatriation to Afghanistan after the Pakistani government announced it would forcefully deport some 1.5 million documented and undocumented Afghans if they fail to leave by the end of this month. "I am suffering from the uncertainty and the seemingly endless wait for our cases," he said. Muzoon said threats to his life and family prompted him to flee Afghanistan soon after the Taliban seized the Afghan capital, Kabul, on August 15, 2021, as it toppled the pro-western Afghan republic. He is among more than half a million Afghans, mostly educated professionals and officials who were integral to running the Afghan republic, who fled the Taliban's takeover. Most feared being persecuted for working with the US-led international forces in Afghanistan. Others were senior officials in the Afghan government or worked in the civil society sector. Three years on, those still waiting for a decision on their US immigration are stuck. "We are living in extreme despair," said Maiwand Alami Afghan. He leads an informal association of Afghan refugees in Islamabad. 'Hanging By A Thread' He said most families in Islamabad sold their properties and belongings in Afghanistan, but that money is now running out. "Most of us are hanging by a thread," he said. Afghan said he had worked for US-funded development projects, which, he fears, makes it impossible for him to return to Afghanistan because the Taliban have persecuted some Afghans associated with the US presence in the country. "We will still be refugees in our own country, because we don't have a house, job, or any prospects to earn a livelihood," he said. Washington, however, does not look like it will be welcoming any more migrants. During his election campaign, President Trump promised stricter controls on immigration. In his speech to Congress on March 4, Trump said his administration "has launched the most sweeping border and immigration crackdown in American history." Steps taken by Trump after taking office have effectively blocked or suspended the two primary routes for Afghans to immigrate to the United States. Under the Special Immigration Visa (SIV), Afghans who worked directly for the US government, such as embassy staff or translators for its forces, qualify for relocation. Afghans granted visas under this program can still relocate to the US without financial assistance from Washington, according to Afghans seeking relocation under the program. "Those who have assisted us and worked with us, that's been a policy and a dynamic that we've worked on from certainly even the previous administration, working to try to get that happening," said Bruce, the State Department spokesperson. The refugee program, which enabled former Afghan government officials, lawmakers, and civil society figures to immigrate to the US, is suspended for the next couple of months. However, the suspension of the State Department's Afghan resettlement program has rattled Americans involved in or supporting the initiative. "Right now, there's a lot of uncertainty," said Shawn VanDiver, head of the Afghan Evacuation Association, a coalition of US veterans and advocacy groups that support Afghan resettlement. 'Nothing But Problems And Worries' VanDiver is now lobbying the US Congress to remove the "complete stop" Trump's executive orders have put on Afghan resettlement. He says that Congress had authorized Afghan resettlement through December 2027. "President Trump needs to listen to the voices," he said, pointing to the bipartisan support in Congress, veterans and service members, who want the immigration of Afghans to continue. In a statement on March 18, the Afghan Evacuation Association said the ambiguity surrounding the immigration of Afghans "is unnecessary and cruel". It called on Washington to provide "clear and unequivocal answers" to its wartime Afghan allies. In media statements and letters, scores of lawmakers have urged President Trump to "fully restore humanitarian and refugee protections for our Afghan allies." Several courts across the United States are hearing cases regarding refugee and foreign aid suspensions. Some have issued injunctions against Trump's executive orders. A State Department spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "At this time, no decisions have been made" about its Afghan relocation program. The spokesman said the department is "considering" the future of its Afghan relocation program, officially called Enduring Welcome and the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE). The spokesperson noted that it "continues to provide life-sustaining support to Afghan allies and partners previously relocated to our overseas case-processing platforms." In Islamabad, Muzoon has little understanding of how his future will unfold amid the domestic US wrangling over the fate of Afghans seeking immigration to the country. He hopes to avoid being deported back to Afghanistan. He wants to move to the United States to send his daughter to school, treat his wife's depression, and seek some treatment for his heart ailment. "I have nothing but problems and worries," he said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-united-states- afghan-immigrants-reugees-civ/33354085.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 Russo-Ukraine War - 22 March 2025 - Day 1123 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 UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 20 March 2025 Russian President Putin signed a decree that mandated Ukrainian nationals living in Russia, or in sovereign Ukrainian territory illegally occupied by Russia, to 'settle their legal status' by 10 September 2025, or leave the territory. Putin's decree is almost certainly intended to force the departure from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory of Ukrainian nationals who refuse to accept Russian passports and citizenship. Putin and the Russian senior leadership continue to prosecute a Russification policy in illegally occupied Ukrainian territory, as part of longstanding efforts to extirpate Ukrainian culture, identity and statehood. Russia erroneously and illegally defines both occupied and unoccupied Ukrainian territory in the Ukrainian oblasts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, as well as Crimea, as being part of the Russian Federation. This is in direct contradiction with Russia's own stated recognition of Ukraine's independence and sovereignty following the collapse of the Soviet Union, as well as broader international recognition of Ukraine. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of Russian invaders' offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential. Since the beginning of the day, there have been 118 combat clashes, the Russian opponent made 63 aviation strikes, dropped 78 cab. In addition, he used 1047 kamikaze drones, carried out 5097 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces three times tried to break through the defensive borders of Ukrainian defenders in the area of the settlement of vovchansk. Three attacks were repelled by Ukrainian defenders in the Kupyansky direction, in the Zagrizovy district and in the direction of Petropavlivka. Yet another battle is underway. Seventeen Russian attacks were stopped by Ukrainian soldiers in the areas of the settlements of Nadia, Dibrov, Kolodyazi, Torske and in the directions of Novoy, Novomikhailivka in the Lyman direction. Four more clashes are ongoing so far. In the Siversky direction, Russian forces carried out three offensive actions in the areas of Bilogorivka and Spirny, one fight is ongoing so far. In the Kramators komu direction, Ukrainian defenders repel one attempt to advance in the area west of Andriyivka, the fight continues. In the Toretsky direction, Russian forces today 18 times stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders near Crimea, Diliyivka, Toretsky and in the direction of Scherbinivka. The Defense Forces are steadily restraining the pressure and have already repelled 16 Russian attacks, two confrontations are being sharpened. Intensely attacks the Russian opponent of Ukrainian defenders in the Pokrovsky direction. The Russian enemy has committed 43 offensive actions. The largest activity of the Russian occupiers is in the areas of the settlements of Panteleimonivka, Kalinove, Vodyane Second, Elizabethivka, Novoukrainka, Green Field, Lisivka, Udachne, Kotlyne, Uspenivka, Kotlyarivka, Andriyivka, Novoandriyivka and in the direction of Pokrovsk. Four clashes are still ongoing. Also the enemy caused aviation strikes on the areas of poprovsk, sergiyivka and elizavetivka. According to preliminary calculations, today in this direction Ukrainian warriors eliminated 105 Russian invaders and wounded 80 more. Five cars, three motorcycles, nine BPLA control points, two cannons, one BM-21 "Hail" jet, one howitzer and nine satellite terminals were destroyed. Also significantly damaged a car, motorcycle, two cannons of the Russian occupiers. In the Novopavliv direction, Ukrainian units repelled 14 Russian attacks in the direction of Konstantinopol and Rozliv. Four clashes are being sharpened so far. In the direction of Gulyaipil, Russian forces did not carry out any active offensive actions, but did launch aerial strikes of the NARAMA on the areas of settlements Novodarivka, Malinivka and Zaliznychne. In the Orihiv direction, Russian forces carried out one unsuccessful offensive action in the direction of scherbakiv and novodanilivka. In the Pridniprovsk direction, Russian forces launched an air strike of NARAMA in the area of Olgivka, did not carry out offensive actions. In the Kurs komu direction Ukrainian defenders repel three attacks of Russian zagarbnikiv, total for now already recorded 22 combat. The Russian enemy launched 14 air strikes, dropping 20 controlled bombs on settlements and positions of the Defense Forces. In addition, carried out 275 artillery shelling, including nine - from reactive systems of salpovogo fire. In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Belgorod direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of one mechanised brigade of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade near Grunovka, Loknya, Sadki, and Turya (Sumy region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 95 troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, and six artillery guns. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one assault brigade of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Cherneshchina, Andreyevka (Kharkov region), Novomikhaylovka, and Novoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to more than 220 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, including one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, four motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns, including two Western-made ones. One ammunition depot was destroyed. Units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Losses were inflicted on formations of one heavy mechanised brigade, two mechanised brigades of the AFU, one territorial defence brigade, and two national guard brigades near Aleksandropol, Novaya Poltavka, Seversk, Katerinovka, and Ivanopolye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 315 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, four artillery guns, and one ammunition depot. Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Losses were inflicted on formations of two mechanised brigades, one jaeger brigade, one assault brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, and one national guard brigade near Novopavlovka, Krasnoarmeysk, Udachnoye, Dimitrov, Troitsky, and Alekseyevka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to more than 500 troops, six armoured fighting vehicles, including one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, 14 motor vehicles, and five field artillery guns. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing into the depth of enemy defences. Losses were inflicted on formations of one mechanised brigade, one airmobile brigade, and one jaeger brigade of the AFU near Otradnoye, Fedorovka, and Veseloye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 165 troops, one tank, six motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns. The Dnepr Group of Forces' units improved the tactical situation. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of one mountain assault brigade and two coastal defence brigades of the AFU near Pridneprovskoye, Antonovka (Kherson region), and Kamenskoye (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 85 troops, 12 motor vehicles, two field artillery guns and one ammunition depot. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces engaged the infrastructure of military airfields, ammunition depots as well as clusters of the enemy's manpower and military hardware in 135 areas. Air defence units shot down one MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force, five JDAM guided aerial bombs and five HIMARS MLRS projectiles made by the U.S. as well as 142 fixed-wing UAVs. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 659 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 47,861 unmanned aerial vehicles, 601 anti-aircraft missile systems, 22,437 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,530 MLRS combat vehicles, 22,808 field artillery guns and mortars, and 33,243 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise AFU formations on the territory of Kursk region. In the course of offensive operations, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formation of two mechanised brigades, one air assault brigade, one marine brigade, and two territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Gogolevka, Gornal, Guyevo, and Oleshnya. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the enemy near Alekseyevka, Basovka, Belovody, Velikaya Rybitsa, Veselovka, Vladimirovka, Vodolagi, Grunovka, Zhuravka, Zapselye, Ivolzhanskoye, Loknya, Miropolye, Novaya Sech, Obody, Sadki, Yunakovka, and Yablonovka (Sumy region). Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 200 troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, three armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, seven artillery guns, three mortars, and one ATV. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk direction, the AFU losses amounted to more than 69,320 troops, 400 tanks, 323 infantry fighting vehicles, 289 armoured personnel carriers, 2,213 armoured fighting vehicles, 2,510 motor vehicles, 575 artillery guns, 52 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and seven of MLRS made by the USA, 26 anti-aircraft missile launchers, one self-propelled anti-aircraft system, ten transport-loading vehicles, 120 EW stations, 18 counter-battery warfare radars, ten air defence radars, 56 units of engineering and other materiel, including 23 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, five bridge launchers, one engineering reconnaissance vehicle as well as 15 armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran slams terror attack on mosque in southwestern Niger Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 March 2025 6:09 PM Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has strongly condemned a terrorist attack on a mosque in southwestern Niger. At least 44 people were killed and 13 injured in the assault in the village of Fonbita in the rural commune of Kokorou that happened when militants identified as members of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) stormed the mosque, targeting worshippers on Friday. The victims were killed in a "savage" armed assault, the interior ministry said in a statement broadcast on state television on Friday. Baghaei said on Saturday that the terrorist act, which was carried out in a holy place and during the Friday prayers, was against the principles of Islam and contrary to all international legal and human rights norms. The Iranian spokesperson affirmed the Islamic Republic's principled stance on condemnation of all forms of terrorism and violent extremism. He stressed the importance of further improving cooperation and coordination at various regional and international levels to prevent and combat terrorism. It is necessary to prosecute and punish the perpetrators and instigators of terrorist attacks, he said. Baghaei expressed sympathy with the families of the victims and the government and the nation of Niger over the terrorist attack. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Shenzhou-19 crew completes third extravehicular activities People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:16, March 22, 2025 BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Members of the Shenzhou-19 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's third series of extravehicular activities (EVAs) at 8:50 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). Astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze worked for about seven hours to complete multiple tasks, including the installation of space debris protection devices and extravehicular auxiliary facilities, as well as extravehicular equipment inspection. They were assisted by the space station's robotic arm and a team on Earth. Cai and Song, the two crew members assigned to undertake spacewalk duties, have since returned to the Wentian lab module safely. Cai has now carried out five extravehicular missions, more than any other Chinese astronaut to date, according to the CMSA. The Shenzhou-19 crew has been in space for nearly five months, and the various space scientific experiments and tests are progressing smoothly. The crew is scheduled to return to Earth in more than a month. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HMCS Harry DeWolf returns from Operation CARIBBE National Defence News release March 22, 2025 - Halifax, N.S. - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Today, His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Harry DeWolf and its crew arrivedat their home port in Halifax, Nova Scotia,returning to their families and loved ones after a highly successful deployment to the Caribbean Sea. On March 1, while sailing under Operation CARIBBECanada's mission to monitor, disrupt, and intercept the flow of illicit drugs in the Caribbean SeaHMCS Harry DeWolf played a pivotal role in the seizure of 750 kilograms of cocaine. The success of the operation underscores the robust security collaboration between the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and other close regional partners. The USCG Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) embarked onboard HMCS Harry DeWolf successfully apprehended this significant quantity of narcotics, valued at 26.9 million Canadian dollars, with the support of Colombian air and maritime assets. The joint effort highlights the longstanding relationship between Canada and the USCG, as well as the wider success of counter-narcotics operations involving Joint Interagency Task Force South, Operation MARTILLO, and other Caribbean regional partners. Canada remains committed to continental security and the shared maintenance of Caribbean stability, reinforcing our dedication to protecting North American shores from the threat of illicit drugs. Quotes "I am extremely proud of the crew of His Majesty's Canadian Ship Harry DeWolf. During their deployment on Operation CARIBBE, their professional excellence exemplified our ability to bulwark maritime security in an important multinational environment. This partnership between the United States Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy, to combat the dangerous traffic of illicit narcotics, showcases the ongoing collaboration between Canada and the United States to keep North America protected. We look forward to continuing to operate closely alongside our American allies to collectively safeguard continental security." Rear-Admiral Josee Kurtz, Commander Maritime Component Command and Commander Joint Task Force Atlantic "As the Commanding Officer of His Majesty's Canadian Ship Harry DeWolf, I am immensely proud of our crew's dedication and professionalism during Operation CARIBBE. Our successful seizure of 750 kilograms of cocaine, in collaboration with the United States Coast Guard and Caribbean regional partners, underscores the strength of our longstanding security relationships and our shared commitment to continental protection. This operation not only highlights our ability to disrupt illicit drug trafficking but also reinforces the importance of our joint efforts in maintaining regional security." Commander Jon Nicholson, Commanding Officer, HMCSHarry DeWolf Quick facts Operation CARIBBE, part of the broader US-led Operation MARTILLO, is Canada's contribution to counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) deploy RCN ships and Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft to the region, on a rotational basis, to support the multinational mission to suppress drug trafficking in international waters. Operation CARIBBE underscores Canada's commitment to address collective security challenges in the region, support international efforts to combat organized crime, and disrupt the flow of illegal narcotics into North America. Commissioned on June 26, 2021, HMCS Harry DeWolf is the lead ship of Harry DeWolf-class. This recent deployment was the second time HMCS Harry DeWolf participated in Operation CARIBBE. In 2010, Canada and the US signed a Memorandum of Understanding allowing USCG LEDETs to operate from RCN ships and aircraft during Operation CARIBBE. Embarking these highly trained teams on RCN ships allows the CAF to better support this combined counter-narcotics effort. Over the past seventeen years, the CAF has contributed to the disruption or seizure of more than 123 metric tonnes of cocaine. In 2024 alone, HMC Ships Margaret Brooke, Summerside, Edmonton, and Yellowknife interdicted 2,710 kilograms of contraband and illicit substances through Operation CARIBBE. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs of the Chinese Government Qian Bo Visits Vanuatu Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: March 20, 2025 23:55 From March 17 to 19, 2025, Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs of the Chinese Government Qian Bo visited Vanuatu. During the visit, he met respectively with Prime Minister Jotham Napat of the new Vanuatu government, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Management Johnny Koanapo Rasou, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade Marc Ati, the Parliament's Government Affairs Coordinator Charlot Salwai, and other political leaders. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on China-Vanuatu relations, practical cooperation in key areas and other issues of common interest and concern. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wang Yi Meets with ROK Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: March 21, 2025 23:55 On March 21, 2025 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Cho Tae-yul, who attended together the 11th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting, in Tokyo. Wang Yi said that China and the ROK are and will remain close neighbors and inseparable partners, who should visit each other frequently and become closer. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the 80th anniversary of ROK's liberation, which is of special significance. History is a textbook that offers both enlightenment and warnings, while also illuminating the path forward. China's policy toward the ROK remains stable. No matter how the domestic situation in the ROK changes, China always adheres to good-neighborliness and friendship between the two countries. Wang Yi expressed the hope that the ROK side will stay committed to the original aspiration when the diplomatic relations were established, pursue a positive and friendly policy toward China, and work with the Chinese side to steer the China-ROK strategic and cooperative partnership toward the right direction and make respective contributions to regional and world peace and prosperity. Wang Yi introduced the economic and social development goals set at China's Two Sessions, stressing that China's economy maintains strong growth and resilient vitality and will continue to bring new opportunities to countries including the ROK with its high-quality development. Noting that the ROK and China will host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting this year and next year respectively, Wang Yi said that both sides should deliver on the common understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries and support each other in successfully hosting the events. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the China-ROK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The two countries should speed up the second phase of negotiations on the FTA and strive to reach an agreement at an early date. Both China and the ROK are beneficiaries and defenders of free trade. Facing the countercurrent of unilateralism and hegemonic and bullying acts, the two countries should jointly resist "small yards with high fences", jointly oppose "decoupling and severing of supply chains", and maintain the stability and smooth operation of the global supply and industrial chains. Cho Tae-yul congratulated China on the successful convening of the Two Sessions and wished China new and continuous achievements in the process of modernization. The ROK attaches great importance to bilateral cooperation and cherishes the current sound momentum of improvement and development in ROK-China relations. The ROK side is willing to take the opportunity of hosting the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to strengthen high-level exchanges and cooperation between the two sides, expand exchanges in various fields such as parliaments, youth, culture and at the sub-national level, and enhance friendship between the two peoples. The current international situation is turbulent and unstable, and the ROK is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. The two sides also had an exchange of views on China-Japan-ROK cooperation, the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other issues of common interest and concern. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Meets with Wang Yi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: March 21, 2025 23:55 On March 21, 2025, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with visiting Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tokyo. Wang Yi conveyed greetings from Chinese leaders to Shigeru Ishiba, saying that China and Japan have restarted the process of improving bilateral relations since Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba took office. President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had a successful meeting in Lima and agreed to comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit between China and Japan, which has charted the course for and injected impetus into the development of China-Japan relations. China and Japan, both with significant influence, have a common mission to work together to build a better future for Asia. In the face of the complex international situation and emerging global challenges, the two sides should enhance mutual trust and strengthen cooperation to provide more stability and certainty to the world. Wang Yi stressed that as close neighbors separated by a strip of water, treating each other with sincerity, keeping good faith and pursuing harmony are the correct ways to be neighbors. The Japanese side should adhere to the principles of four political documents between the two countries, including the China-Japan Joint Statement, safeguard the political and legal foundation for bilateral relations, and earnestly fulfill important political commitments on historical issues and the Taiwan question. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Wang Yi expressed the hope that at this important juncture, the Japanese side will make a wise choice and send the right signal to the world with a responsible attitude toward history, the people and the future. Shigeru Ishiba asked Wang Yi to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese leaders. He said that in November last year, he and President Xi Jinping reached important common understandings on comprehensively advancing the Japan-China strategic relationship of mutual benefit and building a constructive and stable bilateral relationship, and pushed for new achievements in bilateral cooperation across various fields. The Japanese side fully recognizes the important significance of the four political documents between Japan and China, respects the positions elaborated by the Chinese side, and is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese side to push forward the development of bilateral relations and deliver more benefits to the two peoples. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Debate is intensifying over the environmental impact of 4WDs on beaches, with calls for tougher restrictions at some of Australia's most popular tourist spots. Four-wheel-driving on beaches is a beloved pastime for many all around the country, particularly those living in coastal regions. But according to the results of a damning new Australian study, it's causing catastrophic damage to numerous forms of life. Research conducted by Queensland's University of the Sunshine Coast examined over 250 dune-dwelling species, including vegetation, birds and sea creatures, across 20 international studies. The findings revealed that 4WD activity is causing "unequivocal, serious and widespread damage" to coastal dune ecosystems. Lead author Thomas Schlacher said every dune species had suffered serious negative effects as a result of vehicles on the sand particularly in hugely popular regions like Noosa, Rainbow Beach, K'gari and Bribie Island. Schlacher explained that invertebrates like pipis and crabs, which serve as key food sources for fish at high tide, are buried in the hard sand. However, 4WDs often fatally crush them. He said that turtle hatchlings are becoming trapped and disorientated in the grooves left by tyres, where eventually many die. It's something Jan Waters from Cooloola Coast Turtle Care recently spoke to Yahoo about. Based on the Sunshine Coast, she warned Aussies of the serious consequences of beach driving. ADVERTISEMENT "The hatchlings have to cross the deep 4WD tracks to reach the ocean [and] the tracks, created ... on the beach close to the dunes at high tide, are 25cm deep and 25cm wide," Waters told Yahoo. "The small hatchlings are only five centimetres, and once they're caught in the tracks, they will most likely perish." Waters encouraged drivers to travel on the hard, wet sand to ensure they leave behind no ruts. But according to the study, there's no "safe level" of beach driving. Turtle hatchlings often get trapped and die in the deep ruts left by tyres at Teewah Beach on the Sunshine Coast. Source: Jan Waters/Facebook Queensland's southeast among worst affected 'in the world' Schlacher said Queensland's southeast is among the worst affected areas when it comes to 4WD damage, with numerous species effectively being "pumelled" and "crushed to death". He said in Victoria, cars are already banned from beaches, and in NSW, authorities are currently having a "strong debate". ADVERTISEMENT In South Australia, access to some spots is becoming limited, which is something Queensland should consider, Schlacher argued. "The four-by-fours running over [marine species are] basically crush them to death. It only takes one vehicle to cause very, very severe impacts," he told the ABC. "That's a bit of a surprise because people often argue, 'Oh, all we have to do is regulate the volume of the traffic and we will be right.' The only thing which works is to get the cars off for sizeable proportions of the beach at least half that's a good starting point." Conservationists on Bribie Island are calling for a ban on 4WDs along a five-kilometre stretch of beach and the installation of gates to prevent access at high tide. With up to 1,200 vehicles on the sand in a single day, volunteers working to protect endangered loggerhead turtle nests say illegal dune driving is destroying their efforts. However, 4WD advocates oppose restrictions, highlighting their role in beach clean-ups and responsible driving initiatives. They point to compromises, such as seasonal night bans, as a potential middle ground. Queensland's Environment Minister Andrew Powell acknowledged the concerns but stressed the need for a balance between conservation and public access. ADVERTISEMENT "My job is to make sure we find the balance between conserving and protecting the environment and allowing people to get out there and enjoy it," he said. "I appreciate for many, they would love to see four-wheel drives off the beaches, but I for one can't see that as an outcome that would be acceptable." At Rainbow Beach, volunteers work tirelessly to ensure as many turtles survive as possible. Source: Jan Waters/Supplied But Schlacher warned that urgent action is desperately needed, as delaying further will only exacerbate the damage. "South-east Queensland has probably the world's single strongest evidence base for serious harm caused by four-by-fours," he said."So we are basically in the driver's seat, here to make sensible decisions." Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Wang Yi: China-Japan-ROK Cooperation Embodies the Saying "Close Neighbors are Better Than Relatives Far Away" Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: March 21, 2025 23:55 On March 21, 2025 local time, when attending Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's group meeting in Tokyo with foreign ministers of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK), Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China-Japan-ROK cooperation started early, achieved many results and has great potential, and has played an important role in enhancing mutual understanding and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation. China attaches great importance to China-Japan-ROK cooperation and has confidence in the prospects of cooperation. There is a saying in all three countries that goes "Close neighbors are better than relatives far away." In the face of a world that is becoming increasingly unstable and uncertain, the proverb, full of the Oriental wisdom, further highlights the important practical significance of trilateral cooperation. If China-Japan-ROK relations improve, regional peace and stability will be further guaranteed. As China-Japan-ROK cooperation deepens, countries in the region will be better able to respond to various external challenges. Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-fascist War, Wang Yi stressed that only by holding correct perceptions of history can a better future be built. Wang Yi expressed the hope that Japan and the ROK will work with China to establish a correct historical view of World War II, uphold multilateralism, safeguard the central role of the United Nations, and continuously promote the development of trilateral cooperation, so as to make respective contributions to regional and world peace and prosperity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China-Japan-ROK FMs meeting 'pivotal moment to boost cooperation' Global Times Warming of trilateral ties significant for peace, stability in East Asia: expert By Wang Qi Published: Mar 22, 2025 12:15 AM Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Japan on Friday to attend the 11th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting to be held in Tokyo on Saturday and during the visit, he will co-chair with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya the Sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue. The trilateral meeting marks the first such meeting in two years since the last one took place in the South Korean port city of Busan in November 2023. At a meeting in Tokyo hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba with the foreign ministers of China, Japan, and South Korea on Friday, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stated that China-Japan-ROK cooperation, with its early start, numerous achievements, and vast potential, has played a significant role in enhancing mutual understanding and promoting mutually beneficial collaboration among the three nations. China attaches great importance to this trilateral cooperation and is confident in its prospects. Wang emphasized that strong China-Japan-ROK relations provide an additional safeguard for regional peace and stability. Deepened cooperation among the three countries enables regional nations to better address various external challenges. Chinese experts believe that the Tokyo meetings are a pivotal moment for the three nations to strengthen their cooperation. They anticipate significant progress in areas such as trade, economic development, and people-to-people exchanges. Besides, in an increasingly complex global environment, the continued warming of trilateral relations is seen as profoundly significant for promoting peace and stability in East Asia. Window for cooperation In response to a question on China's expectations of those meetings, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Friday that China, Japan and the South Korea are close neighbors that will always live with each other and are important economies in the region and the world. Mao said that since the Ninth China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting in May last year, practical cooperation among the three countries in various fields has been advancing steadily and made positive progress. In May 2024, leaders of the three countries had in-depth exchanges at the ninth trilateral summit in Seoul, yielding abundant results on deepening cooperation in various fields. "China stands ready to work with Japan and the ROK to follow through on the leaders' common understandings, advance cooperation in areas of cultural and people-to-people exchange, sustainable development and climate change, economic cooperation and trade, public health and aging society, sci-tech cooperation and digital transition, and disaster relief and security, expand converging interests, make the pie of cooperation bigger, deliver more benefit of the trilateral cooperation to the peoples of the three countries, and contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the wider world," Mao said. Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, explained that the foreign ministers' meeting is expected to address most facets of China-Japan-ROK cooperation. This will help implement the consensus reached at the May 2024 leaders' summit and sustain the momentum of revitalizing and deepening trilateral ties. Xiang added that the meeting also serves as a platform for political preparation and coordination ahead of a possible leaders' summit. According to Japanese news outlet NHK, senior diplomats will also aim to agree on arranging a trilateral summit by the end of the year. Xiang emphasized that the meeting represents a key window for advancing trilateral cooperation. The expert highlighted that China, Japan, and South Koreamajor economic powers affected by US tariffscould reach a principled agreement on maintaining supply chain stability and opposing trade protectionism and tariff barriers. He also identified people-to-people exchanges as a core focus, noting that the 2024 joint declaration from the ninth trilateral summit designated 2025-2026 as the "Year of Cultural Exchange" among the three nations. After China granted unilateral visa-free entry to travelers from South Korea and Japan and extended stays to 30 days, South Korea said on Thursday it would offer a visa exemption to Chinese visitors in the third quarter of the year to boost tourism, per Reuters. Xiang remarked that the three countries aim to scale up trilateral tourism and cooperation, adding, "Expanding people-to-people exchanges can enhance public sentiment and build a social foundation for the stable, healthy development of trilateral relations." Opportunities and challenges Ahead of the ministerial meeting on Saturday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met in Tokyo with Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday. According to CCTV News, Wang conveyed greetings from the Chinese leader to Ishiba and noted that since his inauguration, China and Japan have resumed the process of improving bilateral relations. Wang emphasized that as two countries of significant influence, China and Japan share a common mission to work together for a better future for Asia. In the face of a turbulent international landscape and growing global challenges, the two sides should enhance mutual trust and strengthen cooperation to contribute greater stability and certainty to the world, according to CCTV. According to a statement released by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, Prime Minister Ishiba, speaking at a reception for the ministers, emphasized that China and South Korea are vital neighboring countries to Japan. He claimed that although difficult problems sometimes arise, Japan hopes to engage in dialogues including on issues of concern and build a "future-oriented cooperative relationship" with the two neighbors. Lu Chao, an expert on East Asian studies at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, said that Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Japan is undoubtedly a promising start and offers an opportunity to improve relations, though challenges persist. He cautioned that while cooperation is a priority, political and security differences between China and Japan cannot be overlooked. Lu specifically cited Japan's recent assertion that the 1972 China-Japan Joint Statement is "not legally binding" and it does not restrict local councilors' activities in Taiwan. During the meeting with Ishiba, Wang Yi said that Japanese side should adhere to the principles established in the four political documents, including the China-Japan Joint Statement, safeguard the political and legal foundation of bilateral relations, and earnestly fulfill the significant political commitments made regarding historical issues and the Taiwan question, according to CCTV. Earlier this week, Iwaya named the issue of fishery products imports as an important topic to be discussed with China, which banned Japanese seafood imports in 2023 after Japan began releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima plant, according to Japanese media reports. Lu argued that while the three countries have high hopes for the cooperation framework, for now, the ball is in Japan's court. "Resolving issues like the seafood import ban tied to Japan's nuclear-contaminated wastewater discharge hinges entirely on Japan's sincerity," he said. Prior to the dinner, Wang met with his South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul in Tokyo. Xiang noted that major diplomatic events in East Asia, such as the upcoming trilateral ministerial meeting in Tokyo, South Korea's hosting of the APEC summit in 2025, and China's hosting of the APEC summit in 2026, provide opportunities for trilateral coordination and cooperation. Injecting stability The trilateral meeting also takes place ahead of the US administration's imposition of tariffs on imported cars from Japan and South Korea, set to take effect on April 2. Amid the US government's growing estrangement and pressure on its allies, Japan and South Korea have increasingly seen the need to strengthen ties with China to offset their reliance on US-centric policies in recent years, Xiang said. Over the past few years, the previous Biden administration has advanced its "Indo-Pacific strategy," promoting decoupling on supply chains while fostering cliques with allies, which have heightened the risk of a "new Cold War" in the Asia-Pacific region, Xiang said. Xiang emphasized that China-Japan-ROK cooperation offers a vital platform to counter this narrative, dismantle bloc confrontation, and rebuild regional consensus on trade and technology, thus advancing regional integration. He described the trilateral partnership as a "stabilizer" for regional peace. Lu added that, as East Asia's three largest economies, China, Japan, and South Korea serve as engines driving economic recovery and development in the region and even globally. Furthermore, this partnership sends a positive signal across East Asia, including ASEAN members and beyond, the expert added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tornado Cash Delisting U.S. Department of the Treasury March 21, 2025 WASHINGTON -- Based on the Administration's review of the novel legal and policy issues raised by use of financial sanctions against financial and commercial activity occurring within evolving technology and legal environments, we have exercised our discretion to remove the economic sanctions against Tornado Cash as reflected in Treasury's Monday filing in Van Loon v. Department of the Treasury. We remain deeply concerned about the significant state-sponsored hacking and money laundering campaign aimed at stealing, acquiring, and deploying digital assets for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Kim regime. Treasury remains committed to using our authorities to expose and disrupt the ability of malicious cyber actors to profit from their criminal activities through the exploitation of digital assets and the digital assets ecosystem. We are also committed to enforcing our sanctions against the DRPK to constrain the regime's ability to fund its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. Treasury will continue to monitor closely any transactions that may benefit malicious cyber actors or the DPRK, and U.S. persons should exercise caution before engaging in transactions that present such risks. "Digital assets present enormous opportunities for innovation and value creation for the American people," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Securing the digital asset industry from abuse by North Korea and other illicit actors is essential to establishing U.S. leadership and ensuring that the American people can benefit from financial innovation and inclusion." View identifying information on today's action. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 13th Edition of India-Italy Military Cooperation Group Meeting concludes in Rome India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 22 MAR 2025 2:00PM by PIB Delhi The 13th edition of the India-Italy Military Cooperation Group (MCG) meeting was successfully conducted from 20-21 March 2025 in Rome, Italy. The meeting was co-chaired by the Deputy Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff IDC (A) from Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), representing India, and the Deputy Head of the Strategic Direction and Military Cooperation Division of the Italian Defence General Staff, representing Italy. The discussions were focusing on identifying new avenues to expand the scope of bilateral military focused cooperation. Key agenda points included enhanced exchange programs, capability development efforts and strengthening collaboration between the Indian and Italian armed forces. The meeting also reviewed ongoing defence engagements, assessing their progress and exploring ways to optimize future interactions. The MCG serves as a key institutional mechanism to enhance defence cooperation between the armed forces of both nations, fostering stronger military-to-military engagements and strategic collaboration. *** SR/Anand (Release ID: 2113982) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump's envoy claims U.S. president is after building trust with Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 22, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has claimed that Trump's recent letter to the Iranian government had not been intended as a threat and that he is after building trust with Iran. On March 7, President Trump said in an interview with Fox Business that he had written a letter to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, asking that nuclear negotiations be reopened. On March 13, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed receipt of a letter penned by the U.S. president (Trump) and delivered by Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates. Speaking in an interview with AFP, Witkoff said "Trump is open to an opportunity to clean it all up with Iran, where they come back to the world and be a great nation once again... He wants to build trust with them." This is while, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in his Friday (March 21, 2025) speech addressing people from all walks of life in Imam Khomeini Complex warned that thr U.S. officials should avoid conducting any evil act against the Iranian nation or they will see the dreadful consequences. The Leader stressed that adversaries would receive a hard slap in the face if they fulfilled their threats against Iran. Earlier on March 17, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said that the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond to President Trump's letter via appropriate channels after a review of the letter is completed. Baqaei said that Tehran does not intend to publicize the content of the letter, emphasizing that what has been published in the media is mostly speculation. However, he added, the context of the letter does not differ from what the U.S. president has said publicly. 9376**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. administration's baseless accusations once again highlight its hostile policy toward Iran: Envoy to U.N. IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 22, 2025 New York, IRNA -- Amir-Sa'eed Iravani, Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, in a letter to the U.N. Security Council and the U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the baseless accusations once again highlight the hostile policy of the U.S. administration toward the Islamic Republic of Iran. In a letter to the U.N. Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council Christina Markus Lassen, Iravani said these groundless accusations serve as nothing more than a calculated attempt to distract the international community's attention from the unfolding Israeli genocidal war, war crimes, and mass atrocities against the Palestinian people in Gaza. He stressed that the U.S. mission in the U.N. seizes every opportunity in the Security Council to manipulate this platform, advancing Washington's political agenda and falsely depicting Iran as a threat to international peace and security. The full text of Iravani's letter to the U.N. is as follows: Excellency, I categorically reject the baseless accusations leveled against the Islamic Republic of Iran by the representatives of the United States and the occupying terrorist regime of Israel during today's Security Council open briefing on 21 March 2025 held under the agenda item "The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question" (9883rd meeting), falsely attributing destabilizing activities and support for terrorism to Iran. These accusations are entirely groundless, devoid of any credibility, and serve as nothing more than a calculated attempt to distract the international community from the unfolding Israeli genocidal war, war crimes, and mass atrocities against the Palestinian people in Gaza. They also aim to obscure the United States' undeniable complicity in these crimes and its steadfast support for Israel's destabilizing and malign activities across the region. I also reject the identical, unfounded claims made by the U.S. representative in the Security Council's open briefing held on 18 March 2025 (9881st meeting) under the same agenda item. The United States' direct role in enabling Israel's atrocities is irrefutable and well-documented. The U.S.' unwavering political, military, and financial support has emboldened Israel to commit egregious crimes with absolute impunity. The baseless allegations against the Islamic Republic of Iran are, therefore, nothing but a desperate attempt to obstruct the Security Council from shouldering its responsibility, deflect attention from the truth, shield Israel from accountability, and perpetuate impunity for its crimes. Furthermore, these baseless accusations once again highlight the hostile policy of the U.S. administration towards the Islamic Republic of Iran and affirm that the U.S. delegation to the United Nations, acting on directives from Washington, disregards the realities on the ground and continues to make false accusations against the Islamic Republic of Iran. They seize every opportunity in the Security Council to manipulate this platform, advancing Washington's political agenda and falsely depicting Iran as a threat to international peace and security. In response to the U.S. representative's baseless claim about Iran's nuclear program during the meeting, I must emphasize that Iran's nuclear activities are entirely peaceful and fully compliant with its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. In stark contrast, the United States remains the only country to have ever used nuclear weapons, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Moreover, Washington's double standards and hypocrisy are evident in its continued silence on Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal and its failure to address Israel's repeated threats to use weapons of mass destruction against the Palestinian people in Gaza, exposing how the non-proliferation issue serves merely as a political tool for the United States. 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. 9376**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Army will crush enemies if they make any mistake: Commander Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 March 2025 5:51 PM Iran's Army Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari says his force is vigilant and fully ready to crush enemies in case they make any misadventure. "Iran's Army Ground Force is always awake, alert and ready to crush the shameful lives of the enemies in case of any mistakes," Heidari said on Saturday. It is imperative for Iranian military units to constantly promote their combat readiness and deterrent power to improve the Islamic Republic's sustainable security, he added. The top commander noted that the Ground Forces are trying to keep their full vigilance and rely on state-of-the-art defense and security achievements to maintain border security. US President Donald Trump has ratcheted up war rhetoric against Iran as he claimed that Tehran can be dealt with either through military means or by reaching a deal over its nuclear program. On Monday, Trump also signaled a significant escalation, threatening Iran over any operations carried out by Yemen against Israel. However, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Friday that US threats against Iran "will get them nowhere." The Leader added that Americans "and others should know that if they do anything malign to the Iranian nation, they will get a hard slap." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In warning to enemy, Navy commander says threats, intimidation will never work on Iran Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 March 2025 2:22 PM The commander of the Iranian Navy says threats and intimidation will never work against Iran. "The enemy should know that it will achieve nothing through threats and intimidation," Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said on Saturday. He added that the Iranian naval forces have succeeded in achieving great success despite ups and downs. He emphasized that the naval forces were vigilant and ready to eliminate the enemies. Iran has been depending on domestic endeavors and know-how to make significant advances in the direction of enhancing the forces' self-sufficiency. Heeding the directives of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country would not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, which are entirely meant for defensive purposes and are, therefore, never subject to negotiation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Envoy: Trump 'open to an opportunity to clean it all up with Iran' Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 March 2025 10:33 AM The US special envoy to West Asia says President Donald Trump is "open to an opportunity to clean it all up with Iran" after his military threats were rebuffed by the Islamic Republic as getting them nowhere. In an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson published on X, Steve Witkoff touched on Trump's recent letter to the Islamic Republic, saying it had not been intended as a threat and sought to build trust. He was referring to the US president's letter delivered to Iran by a UAE envoy who visited Tehran on March 12. Asked about the contents of Trump's letter, Witkoff said it roughly said, "There's no reason for us to do this militarily. We should talk." "We should create a verification program so that nobody worries about weaponization of your nuclear material... because the alternative is not a very good alternative." He said US discussions with Iran continue through "back channels, through multiple countries and multiple conduits." "I think he (Trump) wants a deal with Iran with respect. He wants to build trust with them, if it's possible," the US envoy added. The remarks mark another flip-flop in the Trump administration's often hostile rhetoric tinged with the occasional tendering of an olive branch to Iran. Trump announced on Feb. 4 a return to the maximum pressure campaign on Iran. On Monday, he signaled a significant escalation, threatening Iran over any operations carried out by Yemen against Israel. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Friday that US threats against Iran "will get them nowhere," after Trump threatened the country with possible military action if it refuses to negotiate a new nuclear deal. "The Americans should know threats will get them nowhere when confronting Iran," the Leader said in his live annual televised speech marking Nowruz, the Persian New Year. He said Americans "and others should know that if they do anything malign to the Iranian nation, they will get a hard slap." Earlier this month, Ayatollah Khamenei said Trump's withdrawal from a nuclear deal in his first term renders diplomacy with him pointless, dismissing fresh overtures by Washington for a new agreement. "The US president saying 'we are ready to negotiate with Iran' and calling for negotiations is a deception aimed at misleading global public opinion," he told a group of students in Tehran. The US, the Leader said, wants to portray itself as open to negotiations and making peace and Iran as not willing to accept it. "What's the point of negotiating when we know he won't stick with it," Ayatollah Khamenei said, referring to a 2015 international nuclear deal from which Trump withdrew. Last week, Major General Hossein Salami, the chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), warned that while Iran will never seek to initiate a war, it remains determined to deliver a resolute response to any threats or acts of aggression by the enemies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netanyahu sacks Israeli spy chief amid warning of 'civil war' Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 March 2025 10:49 AM The Israeli cabinet has voted unanimously to fire the head of the regime's Shin Bet internal spy agency Ronen Bar, triggering backlash from opposition political groups and figures against the move. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the cabinet that he had lost faith in Bar following the surprise operation by Hamas and other Gaza-based resistance groups inside Israeli settlements on October 7, 2023. Netanyahu added that Bar is "soft" and "not the right person to rehabilitate" Shin Bet, according to a statement from the premier's office. "He had a soft approach and was not aggressive enough." The decision to sack Bar marks the first time Israel has fired a Shin Bet chief. The Shin Bet's chief's final day in office will be on April 10 unless a successor is appointed before then. Various Israeli opposition parties, including Yesh Atid led by former prime minister Yair Lapid, urged the regime's supreme court to seek intervention in Bar's dismissal. They say Netanyahu is looking to consolidate his personal grip over Israeli institutions, and also obstruct a Shin Bet investigation into his aides who have been accused of security breaches, including leaking classified documents to foreign media outlets and taking money from Qatar. They say the decision to fire Bar was only taken after a Shin Bet investigation regarding the failure to prevent Operation Al-Aqsa Flood "clearly pointed to the political echelon's responsibility for the catastrophe." On Friday, the Israeli supreme court suspended the cabinet's decision to dismiss the Shin Bet and the attorney general said the prime minister cannot name a new spy chief. The dismissal sparked protests across the occupied territories. Bar, in a letter to the Israeli cabinet, said the lack of trust between him and Netanyahu emanates from the management of the Gaza ceasefire and negotiations over exchange of Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners. Bar also pushed for a commission of inquiry into Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, which Netanyahu has consistently attempted to block. Netanyahu is reportedly also advancing efforts to remove Israel's attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara, who stood against Bar's dismissal. Analysts and political experts believe that the dismissal of Bar signifies growing tension and mistrust between Netanyahu and the Israeli security and judicial bodies. "This rift is getting worse and, in the end, I fear, it will be like a train that goes off the tracks and plunges into a chasm, causing a civil war," former supreme court chief Aharon Barak said in an interview with Ynet news website. The discharge also follows the Tel Aviv regime's obstruction of the Gaza ceasefire deal, and the return to the bloody onslaught against the besieged coastal sliver. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address